BOK Center opens with a multifaith blessing

Related story: BOK Center holds multifaith celebration

Music rocked the BOK Center downtown Sunday afternoon as several thousand people gathered for a multifaith celebration and blessing of the new building.

Fired by a 450-voice choir from about 85 houses of worship, the crowd often rose to its feet in applause and joined in the singing.

Recording artist Sam Harris, a native of the Tulsa area, said he was thrilled to be at the celebration, which was part of the grand opening for the arena.

"What a blessing it is to be in this place," he said while catching his breath after belting out, "Change Is on the Way," from his album "Free."

Harris was backed by the New Dimensions Chorale.

He asked the audience to join him in an old favorite children's worship song with the lyrics: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

He urged the audience to "seek goodness everywhere, and wherever it is found, let it be free and unashamed."

Master of ceremonies John Erling quipped: "This is the day that the taxpayers have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

He thanked Rick Fortner, music director at All Souls Unitarian Church, for providing the spark years ago that resulted in the celebration, and for directing the community choir.

Near the end of the celebration, 11 faith leaders representing the major religions of the world offered prayers of blessing for the new facility.

Sitting side-by-side on the podium were spiritual leaders who were Methodist, Charismatic, Roman Catholic, Mormon, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Unitarian, Buddhist and African Methodist Episcopal.

"We decided to call it a multifaith event, rather than an interfaith event, which carries some connotations," said Jim Mishler, executive director of Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, who helped plan the celebration.

"We asked faith leaders to pray in their own tradition."

As a result, several leaders used the term "in Jesus' name," a phrase generally frowned upon at interfaith events.

Another prayed to Allah in Arabic, and another prayed in Sanskrit. Bishop Edward J. Slattery, of the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, prayed in Spanish.

English translations of the foreign language prayers were displayed on the scoreboard as the leaders prayed.

A common theme running through the prayers was that the arena would be a blessing to the Tulsa community.

Erling said the participation of such diverse faith leaders at one event "has probably never been done in our city to this degree."

Mayor Kathy Taylor and BOK Center General Manager John Bolton spoke briefly.

As the crowd streamed out of the arena, Jeramy Auld said of the celebration, "I thought it was great."

"We're taxpayers," his wife Libby Auld said. "We thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be here."

Bill Sherman 581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com

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BOK Center opens with a multifaith blessing

Music rocked the BOK Center downtown Sunday afternoon as several thousand people gathered for a multifaith celebration and blessing of the new building.

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