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Thursday, June 3, 2004
Interfaith memorial at mosque remembers fallen soldiers
THEASSOCIATHD I’KF.SS
COLUMBIA, S..C. Mem
bers of eight different faiths
took off their shoes and
entered a mosque Thursday
night to remember those
killed in the Iraq war tmd
pray for peace.
Interfaith memorial ser
vices were held Thursday
night across the country, but
Columbia’s service was the
only one in the nation held in
a mosque, said Carl Evans,
chair of the religious studies
department at the Universi
ty of South Carolina.
“We’re not making any
political statement, we’re
trying to affirm core values
of all religions when we pray
together,” Evans said.
The faithful sat and knelt
inside Masjid as-Salaam as
each faith tradition prayed
“Om, Peace, Peace, Peace,”
and listened to words from
the Quran, the Beatitudes of
the New Testament and a
Native American blessing.
Leaders from the Muslim,
Unitarian Universalist,
Bahai Faith, Buddhist, Jew
ish, Christian, Hindu and
Native American traditions
read prayers.
The names of 19 people
from or stationed in South
Carolina who were killed in
the war with Iraq were read
as participants took turns
placing white roses in a vase.
Eyes showed tears as
about 200 people of all colors
- some with heads covered
and traditional dress, others
Virginia waterfront
park nixes baptisms
By Juslin Bergman
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RICHMOND, Va. - The
Rev. Todd Pyle thought it
was the perfect spot to bap
tize 12 new members of his
church - the river was calm
and shallow and there was a
shaded area offshore for peo
ple to stand.
“It was a very serene
place,” he said. “It was spe
cial.”
But officials at the Fal
mouth Waterfront Park, just
outside Fredericksburg,
weren’t pleased. They tried
to break up the religious cer
emony, claiming it might be
offensive to swimmers frol
icking nearby or other people
using the park. After Pyle
finished the baptism, he was
asked to leave.
Now free-speech advocates
are outraged and are threat
ening to file a lawsuit if the
park refuses to allow future
gatherings by religious
groups, something for which
the park admits it has no
written policy.
“These people are being
discriminated against
because of the content of
their speech,” said the Rev.
Patrick Mahoney, who heads
the Christian Defense Coali
tion. “It’s one of the most
egregious violations of the
First Amendment I have
ever seen.”
Pyle said he chose to hold
an outdoor baptism, still
common in parts of the
South, because his Corner
stone Baptist Church in
Stafford lacks an indoor bap
tismal pool. He has used
other churches or private
swimming pools for the ritu
al in the past, but decided
this year for a change.
“Originally, it was a public
declaration of faith in Jesus
Christ,” he said. “Baptism
was intended to be done out
side.”
Pyle said few people
seemed to notice the small
congregation diming the 30-
minute ceremony May 23.
But park officials said reli
gious groups seeking to per
form a service in the park
still need to apply for a per
mit or else gather under a
shelter or inside an activity
center.
“We don't want to tread on
anybody’s First Amendment
or constitutional rights,” said
Brian Robinson, director of
the Fredericksburg-Stafford
Park Authority. “What we
try to discourage is anything
not formally permitted that
just sort of occurs sponta
neously.”
John Whitehead, director
of The Rutherford Institute,
a Charlottesville, Va.-based
civil liberties organization,
said that’s a clear violation of
the church members’ consti
tutional rights.
“Could a church have a pic
nic in the park and sing
hymns? Of course they
could,” he said. “Parks have
been forums since time
immemorial to do these
types of things. Nobody real
ly cares except a couple of
people employed by the gov
ernment.”
The American Civil Liber
ties Union of Vmginia also
said in a statement: “If the
park rules allow people to
wade and swim in the river,
then they must allow bap
tisms in the river. If the rules
allow groups to gather for
cultural, social or political
purposes, then they must
allow religious gatherings as
well,”
Robinson stiid the park’s
board has formed a special
committee to examine its
policy and to put it in writ
ing, If the church applies for
the proper permit, he said
it’s “certainly possible” they
would be granted permission
to use the river for another
baptism.
“This group just showed up
and began their service,” he
said. “We would have the
same issue with the Wash
ington Redskins showing up
on our football field.”
Mahoney said he has spo
ken with the American Cen
ter for Law and Justice in
Washington about filing a
lawsuit if the park denies his
request to hold a religious
service there in the next cou
ple weeks. He and the ACLU
both sent letters to Robinson
seeking written assurance
that the park will not curtail
religious expression in the
future.
Meanwhile, Pyle said he
will find another place to
hold outdoor baptisms.
“We’re disappointed,” he
said.
Episcopal bishop to perform
blessing service for gays
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
with street clothes- remem
bered the 800 Americans
killed in the war, the 100
others from eleven nations
killed and what organizers
said were more than 11,000
Iraqi civilieins killed in the
conflict.
“Everyone in their own tra
dition expressed scriptures
and prayer and we all bene
fited. It seemed as if we have
reached a level of trans
parency,” said Imam Omar
Shaheed, leader of Masjid
as-Salaam. “All souls were
touched.”
Evans, who heads the
Partners in Dialogue group
which planned the service,
said choosing the mosque as
the site for the memorial had
a purpose.
“We wanted to share in the
"Salvation. Healins and Deliverance for the tola! Man reaching ihe lost at cmv cost"
Emmanuel Tabernacle
Center of Hope
204 West Woodlawn Rd.
Mailing address; P.O. Box 7322 Charlotte, NC 28241
Sunday School - 9 AM
Sunday Morning Worship - 10 AM
Wednesday Evening: Prayer. Anointing and
Bible Enrichment - 7 PM
Saturday Morning Broadcast: Rejoice Radio 1370
& 1490- 11:30 AM
Rev. Van Dyke &
First l^dy I)avonia
Freeman
PRAYER FOR THE SICK IN EVERY SERVICE COME EXPECTING A MIRACIM!
St. Michael & All Angels
Episcopal Church
■ loin Us For Service -
Sunday School and Morning Worship, Sunday 10:30 am
4228 Hovis Road • Charlotte, NC 28208
704-399-3151
Rev. Wendel Phillips, Pastor
PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr., Pastor
802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte, NC 28213
(Ph) 704-921-4915 (Fax) 704-921-4917
Radio Broadcast: Sat. SAM WGIV 1600AM
Sunday Worship: SAM and 11AM
Sunday Breakl^t: 8:45AM
Sunday Church School: 9:45 AM
Bible Study: Wed. 12 Noon and Thur. 6:30PM
“The Church Where Everybody is Somebody R*''- Roderick D. Lewis, Sr.
and Christ is Lord of AIL "
TR.\NSPORTATION AVAtLABLE
Jfirist Ml Hion papti^t Cliurcl)
1515 Remount Rd. • (Tei.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548
28208
I Sunday Morning Worship Services... 8:30 - 9:30 -1 l:(X)am
Sunday School 9:45 - 10:45am
Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30-7:30pm
Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30-4:00pm
Dr. C.V. Owens
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9;(X)am - 4:00pm
You are cordially invited to worship with us!
COLLEGE PARK, Md.-The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington wall perform a blessing service for a gay couple
at a Glenn Dale church in June, the first time a bishop has
conducted the service in the diocese.
Bishop John Chane will perform the ritual June 12 at St.
George’s Episcopal Church for the for the parish’s pastor, Rev.
Michael Hopkins and his partner John Bradley.
While not a marriage ceremony, the blessing is a recognition
by the diocese of the gay couple s partnership, according to dio
cese spokesman Jim Naughton.
“It is a way for the church to say, Tes, we affirm the goodness
and holiness of the love between these two people,” he said.
“We can’t at this point sacramentalize it, but we can bless it.”
Hopkins, the former president of an Episcopalian gay and
lesbian organization called Integrity, was out of town Friday
and did not return a phone message left at St. Geoi^e’s.
In a statement, Chane said Hopkins and Bradley deserved to
have their relationship blessed “by a Church that in the past
too often dismissed their love, faithfulness and Christ-centered
commitment.”
tTt
Silver Mount Baptist Church
"CJcntInuIng Ihe tegaeg - By Fulfilling Ihe Vl*lon"
Come And Worship With Us!
Morning Worship Service 9:45am Children’s Church
Sunday School 8:45am Wed. Night Bible Study 7:00pm
Dr. Lincoln C Lee, Pastor
501 W. AiTowood Road - Charlotte NC 28217
(704) 522-1528 • (704) 527-2499 - fax
www.sUvermount.org
email: smbcSO 1 ©bellsouth.net
Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church
"Vie Ownfi with the Commmity at Heart"
531 Campus Street • Chartotte, NC28216
(704)375-3900 - Fas 372-0614
Worship Services: SAM & 11AM
Sunday School: 9:30AM
Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM Sr 7PM
Daycare & Afterschool Available
E-mail: gamez531@beHsouth.net
The Reverend Calvin L Miller ■ Pastw
Reverend Karen Roberts Miller ■ Spouse
His last
commandment is
our first
assignment.
Missionary Baptist Church
(,‘y/ Linfre
'missionary
BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday Worship Services..,., ,&00am • llHlOam • 6:30pm
Sunday School...,,,,,. „.......„„..9:46am
Wednesday Noon Day Worship Stody..l2K)0
Evening Worship Study „„.„.,„..„,.7:00pin
Rep. Clifford Matthews^ Jr^ Pastor * 375-9650
1600 Norris Ave. ♦ Charlotte, NC 28206 • FAX: 375-8397
SIMPSON-GILLESPII
UNTTED METHODTST CHURCH,
.TOIN US FOR SERVICE |L
Sunday School, 9; 30am • Sunday Worsliip, Ham
Wednesday: Bible Study. 7pm
Saturday: “ Contemporary Worship.” 6pm...’'Wear Your Jeans”
-'Dr. Andrew Brown, Pastor -
3.‘i45 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216 • 704-399-2717
"We can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us"
Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church
“A Church Pulling Love Inlo Action ”
. 700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD. WEST
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28213
Worship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.
BapUst Training Union 5:00p.m.
Prayer Meeting & Bible Snidy WedneMiays 7:30pm
Office (704)596-7935 • Fax (704)596-1204
Residence (704)597-1249
grief of our Muslim brothers
and sisters to recognize that
Islam is a religion of peace,”
he said.
Fourteen-year-old Juliet
Sheridan read a Bahai
prayer and said she was
moved by the traditional
dress and diversity in the
room.
Macedonia Baptist Church
"A Ministry of Love &. Excellence"
Dr, John H. Walker, Pastor & Minister Rosie Walker
SUNDAY
Christian Education School 10:00 a.m.
Worship 7:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Youth Church 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th....lla.m.
WEDNESDAY
"Hour of Power" Midday Worship 12 Noon
Prayer & Praise: 6:00 p.m. ♦ WOW Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.
TV. BROADCAST MINISTRY:
Cable 9; Sat., 3:00 p.m • CMPA 21: Sun. 6:00 p.m.
RADIO MINISTRY: WGSP 1310 AM
M/W/F 12:20 p.m. • Sun. 9:30 a.m.
704-392-8496 • 1300 Hatteras Ave.,
www.macedoniaofcharIotte.org
^ Present Day Ministries of
Jesus Christ Church
- loin Us For Service -
SundavSehool 10am • Sunday Worship Ham
Wednesday Bible Study “School of Success” 7pm
Motto; “We Don’t Judge, We Just Love”
Pastor, Rev. Gwen Curry
Need A Ride? Call Today: 704-393-2005
2730 Rozzells Ferry Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
Greater Myers Chapel
PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES
- You’re Invited to Worship With Us -
Intercessory Prayer. 8:30am
Sunday School 9:15am
Worehip 10:30am
Sunday Evening Worship 7:00pm
Mid-Week Worship Wednesday 7:00pm
Visit our WebSite: www.greatermyerschapel.org
600 Jordan Place, Charlotte, NC 28205
n
For Van Ministry
704-377-1799 '
Shepherd’s Fold Church
5101 Nations Ford Road • Charlotte. NC 28217 * (704) 583-1436^
is This The Only Soul
You're Listening to?
CelebfBtiw Early Worship
8:30 a.m.
Dyiumic Blhla Study
18:00 a.m.
Ptmarfal Morning Worship
11:00 a.m.
instead nl iislening to .somenne
Bi.v's aoui mayb« it's 6nte you
iUartM] listuninQ to your nwn. Cnr
W.O.W. WotdOa Wehmthtf
7:6890).
- Hoi Osa Saiaer •
n ut Ms in the &hp
and fAUfiMsM.’i JftUis Christ
Vision Is Clear, Hie
Journey Sas Begun”
Senior & Founding Pastor
C. David Siackhouss &
First lady Hcn^e
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Dr. Waiter V. Howard, Jr. Pastor
201 Grandin Rd. - Chartoiie, NC 28208
Phone: 704-3764345 • Fax 704-3764350
Morning Worship Services - 7:45am & 1 lam
Sunday School - 9:30am - 10:30am
Intercessory Prayer - Friday - 7:00pm
Wed. Bible Study 11:45am- 1:00pm & 7:00pm-8:00pm
A.C.E. Fellowship: Sun. 6:00 pm
Combined Worship - 1st Sunday @ 10:00am
http:www.gbamec.org
ft: Walter V. Howard, Jr.
Pastor & Mrs. Howard
Came Share the Vision and Share the Journey
Sunday Worship Services am and 10:45 am
Sunday School 9:30am
Reeder Memortal Baptist Church
3725 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28216
704 398-2814
MOUNT CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH
“Pastor and People Prevailing Together ’
Mission Statement: “Celebr^ng Christ to reach, teach and equip
pec^le few the service of Christ”
Sunday Wwship at 8:00AM, 9‘JO AM. and llt30 AJVL
Sunday Schott Ministrv at 9*J0 AM.
CTifldren (4-11 yisX Youth (12-17 yk.) & Nureery :11:30 AM
SmaD Groups and Married Couple’s: 9:30 AJVL
Wednesday: Praise Wwship & Bible Study, 7 PM.
\buth and Chfld^’s Ministrv
3201 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208-3357
Rev. Dr. Ca.sey R. Office: 704-394-3525 Fax:704-394-8836
Kimbrough, I Website: www.mcbc-nc.org.
The Reverend Dr. Casey R. Kimbrough, I, Senior Pastor
St. Paul Baptist Church
Our Purpose: “To convince the unconvinced
to be convinced and make disciples'^
Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.
Sunday Morning Breakfast 8:45 A.M.
Sunday School at 9:25 A.M. - 10:25 A.M.
Radio Broadcast Sunday 11 ;00 A.M. (1370 A.M. Dial)
Bible Study Wed. 12 Noon - 6:45 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Youth Church 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M.
1401 North Allen Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
Office: 704-334-5309
Gregory K Moss
Pasta-