By GILLIAN WONG/Associated Press/December 23, 2013

BEIJING (AP) Lawyers and Christian churchgoers said they were blocked from meeting in a central Chinese county Monday to commemorate Christmas and draw attention to the detention of a pastor and his aides.

The canceled meeting at the church in Henan provinces Nanle county came during a monthlong crackdown on the church over a land dispute that pits its popular preacher against the county government.

Nanles congregation had wanted to hold a prayer meeting on Monday morning to mark Christmas. But they also sought to use the gathering to rally support for their pastor, Zhang Shaojie, and more than a dozen of his aides who have been detained by police for more than a month and denied access to their lawyers.

Rights attorney Xia Jun said he and several other lawyers who had traveled to Nanle were on their way to the prayer meeting when they were blocked by about two dozen middle-aged women and some men.

The crowd blocked the road with a ladder and harassed the lawyers, preventing them from either going to the church or heading in the direction from which they came. Xia said he believed local authorities hired the group to chase the visitors out of the county.

The most serious problem in Nanle right now is that it is practically lawless, Xia said by phone. The atmosphere is dark and there are no human rights.

A Christian woman named Shi Ping said she and several others from Shanghai who had traveled to Nanle were escorted to a police station by plainclothes officers who guarded the church entrance. Nearly 100 people blocked the churchs entrance, Shi and another churchgoer said by phone.

The case has drawn the scrutiny of rights lawyers and activists who say it exposes a county governments ability to act with impunity against a local Christian church even if it is state-sanctioned. Supporters of the church say the county government reneged on an agreement to allocate it a piece of land for the construction of a new building, leaving them without a place of worship.

Reached by phone, a man from the Nanle county government said he had not heard about the case, while calls to local police and the Communist Partys offices rang unanswered.

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Crackdown stymies China church's Christmas meeting

Dozens flock to candlelit Bolton Parish Church carol service

7:44pm Sunday 22nd December 2013 in News By Jeremy Culley, Reporter

CANDLELIT: The congregation at Sunday's carol service

DOZENS of people packed into Bolton Parish Church for their annual candlelit carol service tonight.

Mayor Cllr Colin Shaw was joined by representatives from Boltons business, education and music communities in delivering readings at the 6pm service.

Members of the congregation held candles aloft throughout, as they sang hymns and enjoyed music from the churchs choir, led by director Michael Pain.

Joining the mayor in reading lessons were Dave Bagley, chief executive of homelessness charity Urban Outreach, Leslie Parlane, headteacher of Clevelands Preparatory School and Chris Wormald, conductor of Smithills Brass Band.

Isabel Fredenburger, director of Bolton Law Society, Rod Sellars, chairman of Seddon Construction Ltd, Geoff Gwyther, chairman of Bolton U3A and the head boy and girl from Canon Slade School, James Whittle and Alexandra Mason.

Addressing a church shimmering in candlelit and boasting a 15ft-tall lavishly decorated Christmas tree, Reverend Judie Horrocks wished peace and good will to people throughout the world.

She also urged people to remember those in Bolton less fortunate at Christmas, such as those lonely, sick or homeless.

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Dozens flock to candlelit Bolton Parish Church carol service

Hallgrmskirkja by night - Reykjavk (2013)
Viewing Hallgrmskirkja, the largest church in Reykjavk, by night. This was in October 2013. In this video: A main street in downtown Reykjavk 0:09 Hallgr...

By: Jeroen Aalderink

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Hallgrímskirkja by night - Reykjavík (2013) - Video

Spiritual Side: Christmas caroling and services

PHOTO COURTESY FLORIDA HOSPITAL DELAND Harvest of Music On Friday, Nov. 8, around 350 people joined Florida Hospital DeLand and Florida Hospital Fish Memorial for the hospitals 10th annual Harvest of Music program featuring Christian artist Twila Paris at First Assembly-DeLand. We are all so blessed in many ways, and this free community concert serves as a way for us to give God our thanks and praise, said Art Bakewell, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial director of pastoral care. This annual concert helps keep us focused on our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, as well as connect with our neighbors in celebration of the spirit of Thanksgiving.

PHOTO COURTESY NEW HOPE UCC New Hopes Bert Church member Bert Perry speaks to the congregation about her lifes work with the Farmworkers Ministry, trying to get justice and fair pay for the workers in Florida, at a recent Sunday service at New Hope United Church of Christ in DeLand. The liturgy was about justice.

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN Family affair Community members attend Stetson Universitys annual Yule Log Lighting Dec. 3. The tradition began in 1938 with the lighting of candles in womens residence halls, and the lighting of the Yule log was added 10 years later. According to tradition, the ceremony brings good luck and happiness to those who take part.

By Margie Dykes BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Dec 22, 2013 - 8:48:01am

Christmas caroling and Christmas Eve service

Glenwood Presbyterian Church will dedicate the One Great Hour of Sharing offering envelopes this Sunday. Members of the church will meet in the parking lot Sunday afternoon, Dec. 22, for the churchs traditional caroling to those people who are confined to their homes or are in retirement centers. Children and adults enjoy this outing and the refreshments afterward in Fellowship Hall.

Speaking of Fellowship Hall, it is getting a real face-lift this week, as Bill Fraser and the crew of Fraser Construction are replacing, washing, and painting the building. Thanks to the anonymous donor who truly loves this 128-year-old building.

The community is invited to the annual Christmas Eve service. There will be a live Nativity 6:30-7 p.m., followed by a pageant of the wondrous birth enacted in a different way.

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Spiritual Side: Christmas caroling and services

By H.M. Cauley

The construction at the corner of Peachtree Road and 25th Street in Buckhead isnt far enough along to look like what it will turn out to be: a new community church. In fact, it might not appear much like a church when its finished, either. And thats part of the plan.

The aim is to have an urban feel to the church that serves an urban environment, said Paul Gardner, senior pastor of the Christ Church Presbyterian congregation that is building the new facility. We want to serve this area, and its a thoroughly urban one.

The church has a 20-year history at its current location, tucked away near the end of Peachtree Park Drive. Since its inception, it has grown steadily, drawing members and visitors to its extensive musical, art and childrens programs. Gardner, who moved to Atlanta from the United Kingdom eight years ago, took on the challenge of finding a new location.

Where we are now has always been regarded as temporary, said Gardner. One of the reasons I came here was to establish the church where we wanted to be, and the southern part of Buckhead was the obvious place because its pretty densely populated, with houses, condos and apartments within walking distance.

The congregation supported efforts to put the new church on the footprint of a former office building, which also helps it blend into the neighborhood.

The idea from the get-go was to build in a sustainable way, and part of that was using the existing building as much as we could, said Jerry Spangler, director of architecture at TSW, the firm overseeing the project. It was a sound structure, so we were able to use some of it, but that also means it certainly wont be a traditional-looking Southern church.

The physical structure will be built right to the sidewalk, said Spangler, helping it to blend in with the nearby streetscape of shops and offices. A prominent street-side feature will be a coffeehouse that Gardner envisions as a community gathering place. An art gallery just inside the entrance will be large enough for juried exhibitions.

We want a church that reaches out to the arts community, since were very close to (Savannah College of Art and Design) and the arts area of northern Midtown, said Gardner. We already have a great music and arts program, and we want to encourage the arts community around us to join us.

The south Buckhead location also affords proximity to the demographics the church already attracts.

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Our Town: Buckhead Urban church seeks to blend with community

SOMERS, CT (WFSB) -

Nearly two years after a devastating fire destroyed a Somers church, parishioners are coming back just in time for Christmas.

The Somers Congregational Church will hold its first services in the new church on Christmas Eve.

"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, kind of a dream," said Rev. Dr. Barry Cass of Somers Congregational Church. "We knew it was coming, but hard to believe its actually happening."

The church, located on Main Street, burned to the ground on New Year's Day 2012.

Volunteers spent Friday morning lining up chairs and even wheeling in a bible and pulpit for the pastor.

The main sanctuary is still under construction, but Cass said they just got a certificate for partial occupancy, allowing them to hold services.

Church officials said they're expecting large crowds at its three Christmas Eve services.

"In the beginning you have a lot of enthusiasm and it keeps going. Then it goes on. It's like wow it's 12 months. It's 15 months It's 20 months," said Senior Deacon Joann Hornyak. "It gets to be a little tiring, so we keep trying to rejuvenate each other. I think that's what's kept this church going."

The upstairs worship space where they will eventually hold their services every Sunday is still off limits. Cass said they're actually finishing up on the ceiling right now.

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Somers church to hold Christmas Eve mass for first time since fire

CrossPoint Church hits homestretch in new building construction: The completion of the CrossPoint Church building at 11995 Montwood Drive in East El Paso is in the homestretch.

Bamboo Kitchen avoids closure, finds new East Side location: They were on the heels of closing shop and counting their loses, but Bamboo Kitchen caught a lucky break and will be moving to a new location just up the street.

Vista Hills Country Club hosts golf challenge: Two days before the New Year's Eve gridiron match-up between UCLA and Virginia Tech for the 80th installment of Hyundai Sun Bowl, the Vista Hills Country Club will be hosting a game of its own.

East Side residents want to promote tango far and wide: Half a decade ago, East Side residents Edmundo and Elizabeth Rueda met at a dance function at the Abundant Living Faith Center in El Paso and danced the night away twisting and turning through the intricacies of tango.

El Paso County receives $3.1 million grant for Colonia Revolucion project: More than 200 residents of Colonia Revolucion in Far East El Paso County may be connected to a water pipeline for the first time by next year, said County Commissioner Vince Perez, who represents the area.

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My East Side: CrossPoint Church, Bamboo Kitchen, tango dancing

How Can One Acquire The Best Church Construction Project Managers In Jarrettsville Maryland
View more details at http://www.doristorrence.com.

By: Doris Torrence

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How Can One Acquire The Best Church Construction Project Managers In Jarrettsville Maryland - Video

STOKESDALE, N.C. -- On Monday a teenager in Rockingham County was sentenced for setting fire to Gideon Grove United Methodist Church.

The pastor was present for the sentencing and said she forgives him.

"I offered Harley my forgiveness," Rev. Wanda Lancaster said. "Not everyone is ready to forgive him. It was a lot of hurt when we stood here, and we watched the church burn."

Just days before Christmas last year, then 17-year-old Harley Fulp broke a window in the back of the church, poured gasoline inside and threw a match.

Nothing could be saved of the 115-year-old house of worship. Today, the sacred ground is nothing but a field of weeds.

But not for long. The congregation will gather this weekend to break ground on its new sanctuary.

"The church burned down Saturday, Dec. 22 ,and so this Sunday, Dec. 22, we'll break ground," Lancaster said. "So we're celebrating instead of remembering the bad."

Part of the judge's sentencing requires Fulp to help rebuild the church. Construction costs are well over $1 million, and insurance won't cover it all. But the church said they're holding on to faith.

"One of the lessons we learned is that the church is not a building, the church is the people, and they learned, the congregation learned, the hard way," Lancaster said.

Lancaster is also hoping Fulp will learn a few lessons from the judge's unique sentencing.

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Rockingham Co. teen sentenced to help rebuild church he set on fire

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY --

A Hillsborough County congregation is praying for a miracle on Parsons Venue.

Apostles Foundation Church of Jesus Christ location in Seffner burned down years ago, and theyre hoping to finally be back up and running in time for Christmas.

Where a charred building once stood, the new church is in the works. Empty and under construction, it may not look like much. However, its taken the church eight years to come this far.

Pastor Elroy Huff said they didn't have enough insurance to rebuild in 2005. So, they've held services outside or in a rented store-front in Tampa. They've lost a lot of members and have struggled to find the money for their new beginning. Currently, their congregation consists of around 25 people.

Now, they're hoping for their own Christmas miracle.

"And God still works miracles, said Pastor Huff. "We pray that God touches someone's heart, that will be a blessing to us to finish this project - so that we can be a blessing people to those people in need.

That includes hopefully starting their food bank up again. The church used to give away donated food twice a week out of their old church.

Pastor Huff said this time they're the ones looking for some help.

We need a certified electrician, a certified plumber, and were also in need of someone to put the handicapped ramp and parking in, and a ramp on a new porch, said Pastor Huff, Everything has to be up to code.

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Seffner church hoping for a Christmas miracle