FAITH BRIEFS
Church calls new pastor
EDMOND — Southern Hills Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has called the Rev. Robert Crawford as its new minister.
Southern Hills' building currently is closed due to the pandemic; however, a drive-by celebration for Crawford is set for 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the church, 3207 S Boulevard.
Crawford previously has served as senior minister and associate minister in other Oklahoma Disciples of Christ churches. He holds a Master of Divinity and a doctorate in ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary.
Currently, the church's worship service is being held virtually at 10:45 a.m. Sunday on the church's website at http://www.southernhillschristian.org.
Building permit is obtained for shrine
Local architectural firm ADG recently obtained a building permit for the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine at 700 SE 89.
The permit lists the estimated cost of the building at $14 million. General contractor for the project is The Boldt Co. of Oklahoma City.
The shrine is being built to honor Rother, the first martyr from the United States and the first U.S.-born priest ever beatified by the Catholic Church.
The shrine will include a 2,000-seat church, a chapel where Rother will be buried, an education building, an event space and several areas designated for shrines and devotion. The site will be developed over time. Along with the Spanish colonial-style church — which will be the largest Catholic church in Oklahoma — an additional element will be a museum and pilgrim center, which will be an additional $5 million. Overall cost of the project is $40 million.
In May, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley introduced a live webcam that allows people to view the progress of the shrine project. The webcam will be live streaming throughout construction.
To access the webcam, go to www.archokc.org/shrinewebcam.
Jehovah's Witnesses plan global baptisms
This weekend will mark an important event in the lives of many Oklahoma City residents as they symbolize their lifelong dedication through water baptism during the “Always Rejoice!” 2020 Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Despite moving the program to a streaming platform, individual baptisms will occur at private locations in more than 240 locations around the globe in accordance with local health and safety guidelines. The baptisms will be held after the convention session's final discourse titled “How Your Baptism Leads to More Happiness.”
Typically held in stadiums, arenas, conference halls and similar gathering
places over a period of many months, this year's baptisms will be held on the same weekend after the third of the convention's six online installments.
Forty-six people were baptized at the Jim Norick Arena during last year's convention at the OKC Fairgrounds.
James Bollman, of Ardmore, will be baptized this year, along with his two children, Chloe and Davin.
To view the convention free of charge, go to jw.org and click on the “Library” tab.