If you go

What: Martin Luther King Jr. March for Peace and Celebration

When: Participants assemble by 11:45 a.m. Monday. March starts at noon

Where: Marchers should assemble outside Lafayette Recreation Center, 111 W. Baseline Road

More information: CityofLafayette.com

Counter-protest: Meet between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. Monday behind Pioneer Elementary School, 101 E. Baseline Road

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. March for Peace and Celebration in Lafayette on Monday will be shadowed by a smaller, parallel march protesting the traditional event's new choice of destination: Flatirons Community Church.

Lafayette resident BK Loren started contacting friends in recent days, hoping to stir up those who will voice their objections to the MLK event's association with the massive church that in March 2013 took a public stand against same-sex marriage.

Beyond that, Loren and her associates their group is too new to have a name, she said also are very uncomfortable with Flatirons' spreading real estate footprint in the city.

"What we are hoping for is to create a movement for a 21st century notion of civil rights. That's our overall goal," said Loren, who married her partner in Iowa in 2009.

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Lafayette's MLK event sparks protest over Flatirons Community Church

BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS.January 14, 2015The 1964 rebuilding of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, which was destroyed for hosting civil rights activities, will be commemorated with a marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail on Saturday, January 17, at 11 am. The unveiling will take place at 3651 County Road 700 in Blue Mountain. Several Oberlin alumni who took part in the church rebuilding will attend, and the event is open to the public.

The Mississippi Freedom Trail was launched in 2011 during the 50thanniversary of the Freedom Riders. Its mission is to commemorate the people and places of the Civil Rights era. The Carpenters for Christmas/Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is the 17th marker on the Trail, and it has been funded by Oberlin College alumni.

In October of 1964, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was destroyed by fire after Fannie Lou Hamer led a Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party rally there. It was one of nearly 40 churchesin Mississippi that were burned or bombed during a six-month period. Churches had played a key role in the Mississippi Freedom Summer, which challenged the state's racial segregation and its exclusion of black citizens from voting. Civil rights activitiessuch as meetings, freedom election polling places, and Freedom Schoolsoften took place in these churches, which then became a target for segregationists.

A group of students and faculty from Oberlin College hoped to attract national media attention to the destruction of churches in the South, and they chose to rebuild Antioch Missionary Baptist Church to highlight the problem. Nearly two dozen Oberlin students and three faculty members traveled from Ohio to Blue Mountain, Miss., to rebuild the church with donated materials and volunteer labor. Calling themselves Carpenters for Christmas, they began construction on December 22. By Christmas Day, they had built a foundation and four walls, and the church's pastor, the Rev. John R. McDonald, was able to lead a Christmas service in the new structure. By January 2 the building was operable again as a church and meeting place for civil rights activities. The Carpenters for Christmas project succeeded in attracting widespread national media attention and increasing awareness of the need to protect Southern churches who supported civil rights.

For information about the Mississippi Freedom Trail, visit http://visitmississippi.org/#civil-rights or contact Sarah McCullough, Cultural Heritage Program Manager, atsmccullough@mississippi.orgor 601-359-3297.

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Church Rebuilt by Volunteers During Civil Rights Movement to Receive Marker

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LAS CRUCES Its been almost 50 years since the iconic St. Genevieve Catholic Church vanished from downtown Las Cruces. Many longtime residents have bemoaned its loss.

But with plans to build a civic plaza, almost on the same site where the old church stood, there is a possibility a glimmer that another church could be built downtown, either next to or adjacent to the proposed public gathering area.

We are open to studying the possibilities of building a chapel or church, said Bishop Oscar Cant, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. In many New Mexico communities plazas have been graced by a church, and very often a cathedral.

But Cant was quick to add there are other issues, other projects, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces that would take priority. There are other churches in other parishes that need to be built or renovated. Specifically, he pointed out a church is needed on the citys East Mesa, and efforts continue to build a church and associated facilities for the dioceses newest parish, St. John Paul II, in Santa Teresa.

There are aging churches in need of renovations or restoration throughout the diocese. Also, the dioceses population continues to rise. An estimated 120,000 Catholics are now living in the dioceses boundaries, which include all of southern New Mexico, and Cant said the church has to be prepared to meet the growing needs of its worshippers.

Still, building a church in downtown Las Cruces, which could range from a small chapel to a cathedral, could happen.

Cant emphasized there would have to be one important aspect in building a church.

I dont make these decisions by myself, Cant said. It is going to need community support to come behind it.

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Bishop: A Catholic church in downtown Las Cruces is a possibility

Perryville, MO man dies in construction site incident in IL Perryville, MO man dies in construction site incident in IL

Updated: Monday, January 12 2015 6:32 PM EST2015-01-12 23:32:43 GMT

The Madison County, Ill. Coroner's Office is investigating the death of a Perryville, Mo. man.

The Madison County, Ill. Coroner's Office is investigating the death of a Perryville, Mo. man.

Updated: Monday, January 12 2015 9:48 PM EST2015-01-13 02:48:44 GMT

Funeral arrangements have been made for a 19-year-old who died after he was shot in the head during a robbery attempt in downtown St. Louis.

Funeral arrangements have been made for a 19-year-old who died after he was shot in the head during a robbery attempt in downtown St. Louis.

Updated: Monday, January 12 2015 4:21 PM EST2015-01-12 21:21:31 GMT

An East Prairie, Mo. woman has been charged in connection with a forgery investigation.

An East Prairie, Mo. woman has been charged in connection with a forgery investigation.

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Reward offered for information on construction site theft

St Michael Church 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Church Construction
Description.

By: Bordigoy20

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St Michael Church 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Church Construction - Video

A small church nestled in a Sri Lankan wildlife reserve was on the frontline of the island's decades-long civil war, but is now preparing for the first ever papal visit seen as a beacon of harmony

In a picture taken on January 11, 2015, Sri Lankan priest Emilianuspillai Santhiapillai (background R) leads Sunday Mass at The Our Lady of Madhu church in Madhu. Munir Uz Zaman/AFP

MADHU, Sri Lanka A small church nestled in a Sri Lankan wildlife reserve was on the frontline of the island's decades-long civil war, but is now preparing for the first ever papal visit seen as a beacon of harmony.

The Our Lady of Madhu church is a pilgrimage destination in the island's north for Catholics from both the Tamil and the majority Sinhalese communities, making it a rare symbol of reconciliation in a country riven by ethnic and religious divisions.

Emilianuspillai Santhiapillai, the church's administrator, expects at least half a million people to attend on Wednesday, January 14, when Pope Francis will fly in by helicopter for a religious service.

The first papal visit to the island in two decades comes after the surprise ousting of former president Mahinda Rajapakse, who oversaw the army's violent suppression of the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 and faced criticism for failing to bring about post-war reconciliation.

The pope is expected to bring a message of ethnic and religious harmony an idea that chimes with the hopes resting on Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena, who enjoyed strong electoral support among Tamils and other minorities.

"We needed change," said 51-year-old construction engineer Palitha Rodrigo, a Sinhalese Catholic who travelled 300 km (180 miles) from Colombo to attend mass at the church.

"He (Rajapakse) could have done more things for the Tamils. We don't want to have fighting in Sri Lanka."

Sri Lanka is a majority-Buddhist country, but it has a sizeable Catholic minority, accounting for around 6% of its 20 million people. Hindus represent around 13% and are mostly Tamil.

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Church in Sri Lanka warzone prepares for papal visit

MADHU, Sri Lanka: A small church nestled in a Sri Lankan wildlife reserve was on the frontline of the island's decades-long civil war, but is now preparing for the first ever papal visit seen as a beacon of harmony.

The Our Lady of Madhu church is a pilgrimage destination in the island's north for Catholics from both the Tamil and the majority Sinhalese communities, making it a rare symbol of reconciliation in a country riven by ethnic and religious divisions.

Emilianuspillai Santhiapillai, the church's administrator, expects at least half a million people to attend on Wednesday (Jan 14) when Pope Francis will fly in by helicopter for a religious service.

The first papal visit to the island in two decades comes after the surprise ousting of former president Mahinda Rajapakse, who oversaw the army's violent suppression of the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 and faced criticism for failing to bring about post-war reconciliation.

The pope is expected to bring a message of ethnic and religious harmony - an idea that chimes with the hopes resting on Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena, who enjoyed strong electoral support among Tamils and other minorities.

"We needed change," said 51-year-old construction engineer Palitha Rodrigo, a Sinhalese Catholic who travelled 300kmfrom Colombo to attend mass at the church. "He (Rajapakse) could have done more things for the Tamils. We don't want to have fighting in Sri Lanka."

Sri Lanka is a majority-Buddhist country, but it has a sizeable Catholic minority, accounting for around six per cent of its 20 million people. Hindus represent around 13 percent and are mostly Tamil.

Pilgrims flock to the church to pay homage to a 450-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary that also attracts visitors of other faiths who believe it has miraculous powers - including protection from the poisonous snakes that inhabit the jungle.

"This is a holy shrine for all people in Sri Lanka, there is no religious difference shown," Santhiapillai told AFP in Madhu. "Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims all come here for the harmonious and peaceful atmosphere."

'TREMENDOUS CHANGE'

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Sri Lanka ex-warzone church prepares for first papal tour

WASHINGTON D.C. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled a new display at the visitors center of their temple in Washington D.C. Saturday, and the 1:48 scale replica of the Washington D.C. Temple is similar to a popular exhibit at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

The model was built using three-dimensional scans of the temples interior and exterior, and the finished model stands at just under 10-feet tall.

According to a press release, portions of the model are open to the exterior in order to depict, Ordinance and sealing rooms and the baptistery. LDS Temples are, Where the highest sacraments of the [LDS] faith occur, such as the marriage of couples and the sealing of families for eternity.

The model offers a look inside a LDS Church temple, which is a semi-unique opportunity. Once dedicated, LDS Church temples are only open to those who hold a temple recommend issued by the LDS Church.

Open houses have been held at LDS Church temples after their construction but prior to the ceremony that is held to dedicate the building for religious use. Temple grounds and visitors centers are generally open to the public.

According to a press release from the LDS Church, local community and religious members attended the special reception held at the temples visitors center Saturday. President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the LDS Churchs First Presidency, attended. Eyrings brother, Elder Harden Eyring, serves with his wifeLoi Anneas the director of the visitors center.

We have been hoping and planning for this temple display for most of the two years my wife and I have been serving here at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center, Elder Harden Eyring stated. Now that it has arrived and is ready for its introduction to the public, we are simply overwhelmed with how beautiful and inspiring it is.

President Henry Eyring spoke about the quality of the construction.

This model is remarkable in the sense that it catches the beauty and I think the feeling of reverence, he stated.

A similar model, a 1:32 scale depiction of the LDS Churchs Salt Lake City Temple, was unveiled at the South Visitors Center on Temple Square in May 2010.

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Photos: Replica of LDS Churchs Washington D.C. Temple built using 3D scans offers rare look inside

editorial

The recent incident in Burera District where a church collapsed during service should be a wakeup call for local leaders and authorities in the construction sector to keep close watch on the infrastructure that comes up in their respective areas to prevent putting up of illegal structures.

The New Year's Day incident, that left four worshipers dead and over 30 injured, follows a similar one two years back, in the same district when another church collapsed killing five people and injuring 14. This is a pattern we cannot allow to continue yet we have rules and regulations governing the construction industry and authorities to enforce it.

A subsequent report indicated that owners of churches in this particular district do not follow standard construction guidelines.

Among the most shocking revelations by the probe team was the fact that the ill-fated church, which hosted the New Year service before it could be completed, was being constructed by members of the congregation, irrespective of their technical abilities as qualified builders.

This is something that should not be allowed to continue. All districts have engineers that are paid from the public coffers to do that work.

Instead of waiting for such inevitable incidents to take place so that they can probe the cause, they should unfold their arms, go to the field and inspect any infrastructure project that is ongoing in their jurisdiction, to ensure that it meets the construction criteria.

The grassroots leaders should also keep watch all the time, by following up on a daily basis progress on such projects in their areas, after all, that is the least expected of them.

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Rwanda: Enforce Rules Governing the Construction Industry

TheALL ARE WELCOMEseries is an occasional feature on this blog thathighlights Catholic parishes and faith communities that support and affirm LGBT people.

Two parishevents in recent months reveal the ways in whichCatholics are expanding LGBT welcome and propellingconversations about family in the Catholic Church.

The first example comes from the Life Questions group at St. Edward Churchin Racine, Wisconsin, whichheld two events last November, according toThe Journal Times, dealing first with marriage and second withpastoral care ofLGBT people.

In the first session, attorney Mark Hinkston explained the differences between civil and sacramental marriage. Given marriage equalitys inevitability in civil law and the Catholic bishops opposition, he asked participants:

Can there be a middle ground?It will be interesting to see how the practical situation plays out and to what extent the church will take notice.

In the second session, Fr. Allen Bratkowski, the pastor, and Deacon Keith Hansen, who has experience in LGBT ministry, focused on welcoming lesbian and gay people within the church. Hansen reiterated the discomfort that LGBT people feel, even while possessing a deep faith and said parishes need to be more welcoming than we are. He continued:

We struggle in our church to accept all of our neighbors, as Jesus taught us to loveGod loves all of his creations unconditionally and we are called to do the same.

We need to let [gay people]know We need you to be our ushers and to serve on our parish councilsWe need to say You are part of Gods church, please join us.

Fr. Bratkowski responded to parishioners practical questions about how to include LGBT people andreminded participantsthat the church does evolve and change. He also said he would baptize children whose parents are in a same-gender relationship.

The second example comes from a group ofCatholic parishes in Waterloo, Iowa, thatare hosting seven Listening Sessions in the coming year for inactive Catholics and Catholic seekers. They describe the sessions in the following way:

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Bondings 2.0 | New Ways Ministry: Building Bridges Between ...