Reciting Bible passages from memory or answering questions that show your knowledge of scriptures isn't easy.
But it's been a breeze to three central San Joaquin Valley kids -- Talon Smith, 7; Miranda Rodriguez, 10; and A.J. Marquez, 15, who are competing in the Shelby Kennedy Foundation's first National Bible Bee, a competition testing familiarity of the Bible and memorization skills for youths ages 7-18.
At a Bible Bee regional competition held Sept. 12 at Riverpark Bible Church in northeast Fresno, Talon, Miranda and A.J. each reached scores ranking them among the top 100 youths nationwide. More than 300 regional competitions were held involving more than 10,000 participants.
Their scores also qualified them for the final competition, which will be held Thursday and Friday in Washington, D.C. At stake is a lot of prize money.
The Fresno event's coordinator, Tanell Herbert, is beaming over the accomplishments of the three finalists and others.
"They have hidden something in their hearts that can never be taken away from them," she says. "That is a true treasure."
Details: biblebee.org.
Lutheran split brewing
Concordia Lutheran Church in Kingsburg has taken steps to part ways with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America over differences such as the ordination of gay pastors.
The small congregation recently voted 121-14 in favor of leaving the nation's largest Lutheran organization with more than 4 million members. At its assembly meeting in Minneapolis in August, the ELCA changed policies allowing people living in same-sex relationships to become ordained clergy members in the church.
The Kingsburg congregation wants to switch to a different Lutheran association, says the church's treasurer, Laurie Bolton.
The Oakland-based Sierra Pacific Synod, of which Concordia has an affiliation, has 90 days to respond to the Kingsburg congregation's action. After 90 days, the congregation is required to take a second vote.
Mennonite memoir
Former Fresnan Rhoda Janzen, who teaches English and creative writing at Hope College in Holland, Mich., has written the book "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home" (Henry Holt, $22). She graduated from Fresno Pacific University in 1984.
Janzen will give a talk and hold a book-signing from 4 to 5 p.m. today at the University Student Union, Room 309, at California State University, Fresno.
The event is presented by the university's Women's Resource Center and the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute.
Details: (559) 278-4435.
Talk: 'Lentil Soup for the Muslim Soul'
The Muslim youth organization My Deen will present a talk, "Lentil Soup for the Muslim Soul," Sunday at the University Student Union, Room 312, at California State University, Fresno.
Sheikh Aladdin El-Bakri will give the talk at 1 p.m. to youths and at 2 p.m. to adults. He will present ways to handle emotions such as stress, anger and depression.
Details: (559) 297-9535.
Pinedale churches merge
Pinedale Community Fellowship and Assembly of God Tabernacle in Pinedale have merged, forming Pinedale Community Fellowship Assembly of God.
The first service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at 7061 N. San Pablo Ave.
The Rev. Richard Amparano, pastor of Pinedale Community Church, will lead the congregation of 70.
He said Assembly of God Tabernacle's pastor, the Rev. Arnie Rogers, stepped aside due to health reasons.
Details: (559) 439-0711.
Abbess of Zen temple
The Rev. Grace Schireson, a Zen Buddhist priest at Empty Nest Zendo in North Fork, will be installed as abbess of the Zen temple in a ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The event is by invitation only.
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