House passes bill banning religious head coverings

The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has joined other groups concerned with constitutionally-protected religious freedoms to express concern about a bill that bans religious headwear in driver’s licenses and other identification card photos.

The bill, House Bill 1645, passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week.

The proposed amendment states: “The photograph or image shall clearly identify the licensee or cardholder and shall depict a full front unobstructed view of the entire head and shoulders of the licensee or cardholder. Hats, head scarves, head garments that cover or partially cover the head or shoulders are strictly prohibited and shall not be worn by the licensee or cardholder when being photographed for a license or identification card.”

CAIR-Oklahoma believes the amendment proposed by Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, was introduced in reaction to CAIR-Oklahoma’s successful resolution of a dispute over a Muslim woman’s right to wear Hijab in her driver’s license photo.

Edmond church to offer Easter egg hunt

Santa Fe Presbyterian Church will have an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. on April 11. The event will be held, rain or shine, and is free, and is open to the community.



Guthrie church offers free showing of ‘Fireproof’

Faith Baptist Church is sponsoring a free showing of the movie “Fireproof” March 27 and 28 at the Beacon Drive-in, 2404 S. Division in Guthrie.

Faith Baptist in conjunction with two other churches — Community Church in Guthrie and the Hispanic Baptist Church of Edmond coordinated in 2007 for a showing of the movie “Facing the Giants.” Faith Baptist Pastor Charlie Loper said 250 cars and more than 700 people attend.

“Our license to show the movie in our church also allows us to show it at any venue we wanted and all we had to do was rent the reels for theater presentation and present the movie for free,” Loper said. “We approached Marsh Powell about doing this at the Beacon and he readily agreed to do so.”

After the church set the date members went door to door to drop off invitations to the movie, Loper said.

When “Fireproof” came out First Baptist was very impressed with the movie and wanted to do this again. The movie centers around a fire company in Georgia and the marital problems a captain is having. It grossed $33.3 million at the box office and was in the Top 10 for almost a month when in theaters.

“This movie is a very moving story about broken homes and God’s ability to heal them,” Loper said.

This time, First Baptist is working with the Guthrie fire chief to get a fire truck and crew to set up at the drive-in theater prior to the start of the movie so kids can interact with them and as an attention gatherer for the movie, Loper said.

The church also is working on having a praise band to put on a short concert during the hour prior to the movie beginning.

Sundown those nights in March is about 7:35 p.m. so the greeting and events should begin at about 6:30 pm.



Edmond pastor to preach on controversial book

Gospel of Jesus Christ, Pastor Adrian Cole of New Covenant United Methodist Church is presenting a controversial sermon series “The Shack — Finding God in Unexpected Places.”

Based on the best-selling book “The Shack,” by William P. Young, Cole will examine some of the very controversial ideas found throughout the chapters. Some of the theological concepts have been described as heresy by some in the faith community. Others have praised the book, claiming it to be an essential work for Christian study.

While Cole will not be endorsing the book as biblical truth, he will discuss ideas that will allow listeners to think about finding God in unconventional ways.

The sermon series runs through Easter Sunday, April 12. A complimentary copy of “The Shack” will be given to those visiting New Covenant during the series.

The church offers a mildly traditional service at 9:15 am and an upbeat contemporary worship experience at 10:45 am. New Covenant United Methodist Church is located at 2700 S. Boulevard.



Society to present lectures

The George Whitefield Society will present The James Montgomery Boice Memorial Lectures featuring Dr. Bruce K. Waltke, a leading Old Testament scholar.

On March 16, Waltke will speak at 8:30 a.m. at Britton Christian Church, 922 NW 91, Oklahoma City, at 11 a.m. at Faith Bible Church, 600 N. Coltrane Rd., Edmond and at 6 p.m. at Metropolitan Baptist Church, with music from Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Choir, 7201 W Britton Rd., Oklahoma City.

Childcare will be provided at all services. For more information call 722-2550.