The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Jana Church, left, and Cynthia Rumberg, members of First United Methodist Church on Heber Street in Beckley, look over one of the 1,400 cranes on display in the sanctuary. Rick Barbero

    peace cranes
October 28, 2012

Enfolded in peace

By Carra Higgins Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — More than 1,000 origami paper cranes line the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church on Heber Street in Beckley.

Church member Anthony Simms got the idea after watching a television show about the origami crane tree at Saint John the Divine Church in New York.

The “awesome sight” of the tree inspired Simms, who is an art teacher and familiar with origami, to approach those who decorate the church to make the cranes to celebrate International Peace Day in September. The paper folding began during the spring and since then, nearly all members of the church have taken part in folding a crane.  

“It’s made a lot of people smile and uplifted a lot of spirits,” Simms said. “It’s for the glory of God.”

— E-mail: chiggins@register-herald.com

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