Parables From the Good Book

Barney, the Teletubbies and other popular children’s characters got some stiff but inspirational competition Saturday morning in the form of Psalty, a 6-foot-tall, bright blue, foam-rubber creature shaped like a book.

Psalty delivered a performance on love and values for more than 2,000 adults and children at Garden Grove’s Crystal Cathedral as part of the three-day Summer Reunion Crusade.

“He’s big, he’s blue and he’s here for you!” chirped an offstage announcer as Psalty bounded among the pews and onto the altar while children chanted his name.

“Applause! Applause!” Psalty began as the chants died down. “We’re going to tell you all about Jesus. We’ve got lots of fun and surprises. So stand up and repeat after me. ‘I will not be a looky-loo, but I shall be a doer-do. . . . Amen.”

The program was designed to draw children into religion at an early age, according to Reunion organizers.

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“If they don’t open their hearts before they are teenagers, then they will have trouble doing it later on,” said an organizer, Marta Ortiz. “For little kids, it’s perfect. If they are 12 or so, they can still enjoy it. The messages are very good: ‘Don’t steal, be kind, Jesus loves you.’ ”

Psalty, who is also the subject of a video and audio cassette series, was conceived 18 years ago by Trabuco Canyon residents Ernie and Debby Rettino. A collection of religious songs the couple wrote has evolved into the full-scale show performed Saturday.

Named for a version of the Psalms used in religious services, Psalty was soon adapted by Luis Palau, an evangelist and leader of the reunion crusade.

“We want children to come to know Jesus,” said Marilyn DeMaster, director of the cathedral’s children’s ministry. “We wanted to invite everybody from all faiths and backgrounds to come here and have a good time.”

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With the aid of several puppets, Psalty engaged the children with games and dances such as the hokey-pokey, all aimed at showing Christian edicts in action.

There was Stevie Stealer, a hand puppet who told the audience how he attained salvation. “I used to steal stuff,” said the puppet, relating his story of nabbing cookies from the cookie jar and repenting at Sunday school. “Now I’m a servant of the Lord. I don’t steal anymore, so you can call me Stevie Servant.”

Pre- and grade-school children piled into the aisles of the church several times to toss beach balls, roast pretend marshmallows and sing hymns set to a calypso beat.

“He’s really nice and he’s really funny,” said 10-year-old Melodie Polanco of Anaheim after seeking Psalty.

“When I was little they didn’t have things like this,” said 26-year-old Orange resident Tina Zamora.

“It made it kind of ho-hum to come to church.”

“It’s good to see how fun it is for them,” Zamora said of her toddlers, Christopher and Victoria. “It’s wonderful how it draws kids out and teaches them while they’re having fun,” she said.

Other mothers agreed. “It’s hard at their age to keep their attention,” said Anaheim resident Sherre Slagle, who brought her 3-year-old, Kylie, and 5-year-old, Chris, to the show.

“This way they can get out of the house, and it teaches them something good. . . . It’s not just the singing but the Christian values,” the 36-year-old Slagle said.