God and science square off

by Joshua Maloni Grand Island Dispatch, September 1, 2006 Can God be trusted? Depending on who you are and what you believe, there are many answers to this question. The answer found in the Bible will be presented at a special Grand Island event, organized by local musician Marc Scibilia and his friends, on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1290 Whitehaven Road. “Everyone has those questions,” Scibilia said. “They may be more centralized on the Island right now,” he noted, referencing the recent car accident involving Grand Island students Andrew Dlugosz and Jason VanDusen. “This is the place where those hard questions will be answered,” he said. The event was initially slated for November. However, when Scibilia received a call from his friend, Ginny Wilkinson, asking if he could help raise money for the Dlugosz scholarship and VanDusen medical expense funds, he agreed to move it to September. “I thought it was a great idea,” Scibilia said. “It’s something that should take six months to plan. We’re planning it in two weeks … but it’s been amazing,” he added, noting the help he’s received from friends and Grand Island organizations.

Marc Scibilia performs to an eager crowd.

“They were both friends of mine,” the singer said of the students. “We just thought, anyway we could help, because there’s a need.”

Scibilia, who won Kiss 98.5-FM’s “Buffalo Idol” contest in December 2003, has been living and working outside of Nashville, Tenn., since graduating from Grand Island High School in 2004. His music, Christian-based, has afforded him the opportunity to meet a variety of public figures, including Winkie Pratney and Dick Ditullio – both of whom will speak at Scibilia’s event.

“You’ve got to see Winkie – when you hear him speak, it’s amazing,” Scibilia said of the New Zealand-based youth minister. He said Ditullio, a former atheist, will speak on how he found God in science.

Scibilia will also perform. He’s currently working on a Christian rock/”raw” piano rock album, which he said he’ll shop to labels this fall.

“There’s been a lot of interest,” he said of the material, which blends elements of Billy Joel and Bob Dylan.

Man, science and God will be the subject of a non-denominational forum on Saturday, Sept. 9. The event will be held at 7 p.m., inside 1290 Whitehaven Road. The event is free, but donations will be received for the Andrew Dlugosz scholarship and Jason VanDusen medical expense funds.