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 ...

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. Proverbs 25:26

A Deceptive Prophecy Given To the Glory Gathering During December 2012

This piece will be our last piece on Amanda Wells for hopefully some time. This article will look at a certain prophecy given by Gold Coast prophetess Amanda Wells, to Katherine Ruonala and the Glory Gathering aka Glory City Church, situated in the inner Brisbane suburb of Kelvin Grove, in December 2012. (Amanda Wells comments in italics.) You can see the full prophecy at the bottom of this article.

Over the last couple of days Ive just been praying, God whats for 2013? I had a word as I was walking yesterday and I wrote to Pastor Katherine and gave it to her. And I really believe that 2013 is going to be really, really pivotal because God is a triune God. Everything God does is in threes. Father, Son, Holy Spirit; Heavens in threes. And so, next year, 2013, is a pivotal year because its the third year. Its like the third day. Gods going to break out. And as I was praying I heard God say that Glory City Church is going to break out.

Well, well, well, Amanda what do you know about that? I had a word as I was walking yesterday and I wrote to Pastor Katherine and gave it to her and who or what was the sourceof that word Amanda?

Was there an underlying passage or two of scripture that supported the word? No? How about the confirmation of two or three credible, reliable witnesses (mature brethren) Amanda? What, none? Hmmmmm doesnt look good does it, Amanda? Its like the third day how very NAR of you!

There are going to be Glory Gatherings in Australia and overseas. And those Glory Gatherings are going to turn into Glory City Churches and I saw three for this year particularly. One overseas, maybe two overseas, but definitely in Australia as well. And I just saw over Pastor Tom and Pastor Katherine such an apostolic anointing coming. Theyve been standing in it but now the apostolic anointing is really upon them; its being released.

Looks like theres going to be a multiplication of churches, and those Glory Gatherings are going to turn into Glory City Churches and I saw three for this year particularly but then again, that might just be the good old fashioned cloning or rebadging process, mightnt it? There is absolutely no guarantee that this prophecy is of God, no matter how holy and righteous it may sound. In fact, it sounds just like the church growth ideology, doesnt it? Oh dear Amanda, we do hope that pastor Katherine didnt give you a love offering for this one she may have to come calling for a refund sometime soon

Lets remind ourselves briefly, of what scripture demands of prophets:

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted (1 Corinthians 14: 29, 30)

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C3 Church Watch

By Chris Mays

cmays@reformer.com @CMaysReformer on Twitter

First Baptist Church of South Londonderry construction will pick back up in April.

LONDONDERRY >> First Baptist Church of South Londonderry has paused construction for the winter after builders and the church community decided holding off would be best.

"A lot of the stuff that needed to be done now, we would have had to heat," Co-Pastor Kathleen Blackey said. "This gives us time to see where we're at and see what we need to do in the future. Everybody was happy with the decision."

Efforts to rebuild the church, which burned down in a fire in August 2010, began over the summer. The foundation was poured, walls were constructed and the roof was placed on the building that will be in the same spot as its predecessor and can already be seen while crossing the bridge on Route 100, a press release stated.

Construction is expected to begin again at the beginning of April. Previously, church officials expected construction to continue through the winter. Brick will be added to the sanctuary portion of the building and shingling to the roof when construction resumes.

So far, donations have helped move the project forward and people are still contributing funds through firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org.

"We're hoping as long as we can get the funding that we need, we'll open maybe next fall. But it's hard to say at this point," said Blackey. "We're doing more work to figure it out all out."

Another approximately $600,000 may be necessary for completing the project, Blackey estimated. She said one of the challenges of building a new commercial building in Vermont involves regulation. There are codes that need to be followed.

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Londonderry church construction pauses for winter

Oolitic, Ind. (PRWEB) January 09, 2015

Exterior limestone quarried in Indiana imparts to the new All Saints Anglican Church in Springfield, Mo., beauty, visible permanence, and a connection with ecclesiastical architectural history. All these elements, essential considerations for both the congregation and the architects who designed the structure, guided the selection of stone from Indiana Limestone Co., Oolitic, Ind.

The church, designed by Marshall Waters Woody Architects and built by Brian Beckers Construction, both of Springfield, embodies traditional construction, both in its graceful presentation and in the use of real stone.

An ambitious project made possible by the contributions of generous donors, construction is being carried out in three main parts. Phase one was the erection of the actual church, parish hall and kitchen. An ongoing second and third phase is the construction of an educational wing and a columbarium. An integral part of the second phase is a colonnade connection between the school section and the church.

Bill Woody, principal at Marshall Waters Woody, said an early part of his firms work on the project was intensive research regarding the use of buttressing and arched windows. We sought to be as true to a period Anglican church as we could, Woody said.

The firms use of Indiana limestone was essential in the architects efforts to present a structure projecting spirituality and sacred contemplation. Natural stone brings a character not seen in other materials, Woody said. Stone is solidity, speaking to a strong structure with real peace of mind.

John Simmons, chair of the churchs building committee, said the project has been years in the making. We had rented space in a Lutheran church for five years, he said. When the growing congregation outpaced the room available for them there, they sought and found land for a church of their own in Springfield, purchasing first a 17-acre estate, then another five-acre parcel contiguous to the land theyd already bought.

Ground was broken for the structure in 2011. Phase 1, with more than 12,000 square feet under roof, embraces the sanctuary, with day chapel and narthex as well as a kitchen-equipped parish hall, administrative areas, sacristy and priests office. Phase 2, something less than half that size, includes the education section and an arched stone colonnade to the parking lot. Still to be completed are the columbarium and patio area off the parish hall, and an area with a gated portal reserved for personal contemplation and reflection.

In addition to the architectural firm, other companies from the Springfield area were chosen to handle essential phases of the project. Brian Beckers Construction was general contractor and John M. Gill Masonry Co. was the masonry contractor. Both Beckers and Gill lauded the ease with which the stone could be handled and applied. Earthworks of Perryville, Mo. fabricated and supplied the project stone.

As the original quarry provider of stone for the project, Indiana Limestone Co. offered valuable technical support throughout the design and construction phases so far, assisting all participants with information that has saved time, helped restrain costs and contributed to superlative results.

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Strong, Beautiful Indiana Limestone Invokes Historic Construction For All Saints Anglican Church in Springfield ...

PANAMA CITY A Panama City Beach man who gunned down his former landlord on church property accepted a plea deal Thursday to 25 years in prison after learning his taped confession would be played for jurors during his forthcoming trial.

Christopher Ray Hyler, 50, accepted the plea deal, reducing the first-degree murder charges he faced after being arrested in May 2013. Hyler was scheduled for trial next week for the shooting death of 43-year-old Robert S. Ellison in August 2010 on a Panama City Beach church construction site. However, after a circuit court judges decision to allow prospective jurors to view a taped confession made at the time of his arrest, Hyler pleaded no contest Thursday to charges of second-degree murder.

Judge Brantley Clark then sentenced Hyler to 25 years in prison.

Ellisons death lingered without an arrest for nearly three years before, in May 2013, authorities elicited a confession from Hyler during a taped interrogation.

Hyler was brought in after investigators began to look at previous tenants of properties owned by Ellison. After about an hour and a half of questioning, Hyler told investigators hed gone to the First Baptist Church in Panama City Beach construction site, at 204 Cobb Road, in search of work when Ellison aggressively approached him. Hyler pulled the 9mm Luger which hed brought to ask for a job and fired in self-defense, he told investigators.

The investigators then presented Hyler with the scenario that he confronted an abusive husband and pulled the gun out of self-defense. Hyler continued from there.

He told me that I needed to mind my business and came out from behind the desk. He looked pissed, Hyler told investigators. I pulled (the 9mm) in regards to thinking hed back up. He got his hand on it once.

At about 9 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2010, emergency crews discovered Ellison face down in the office with five gunshot wounds throughout his body.

Although no one distinctly saw Hyler leave the office, cellphone records would have been coupled with Hylers confession, court documents indicate.

Hyler attempted to have the video suppressed as the date of his trial neared. His legal counsel argued that after hours of intense questioning, he simply agreed to the facts presented by interrogators.

Link:
Killer sentenced to 25 years

The Harris County Sheriffs Office is investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a church under construction in Atascocita.

Around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Jan. 7, a worker was reportedly shot in the arm as two armed robbery suspects entered the construction site of a ministry center in the 100 block of Atascocita Road.

According to HCSO, one of the suspects, dressed in dark clothing and armed with a gun and a small knife, fired several shots.

A deputy told to the Sheriffs office that one of the suspects began yelling, Give me everything you have, before the shooting, Tebben Lewis, spokesperson for HCSO, said.

Before leaving, they stole two cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash from the workers, but nothing from the site itself.

HCSO reported that both suspects hopped a fence and escaped to a nearby apartment complex. They are still at large.

The victim was transported to Northwest Houston Hospital, and his condition is unconfirmed. Authorities are asking citizens with information about the suspects to contact Crime Stoppers at 712-222-TIPS.

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Construction worker reportedly shot in attempted robbery on Atascocita Road

LAKEWOOD RANCH- Barely a decade old, Peace Presbyterian Church of Lakewood Ranch expects to have many growing years still ahead.

A public notice at the entrance of Peace Presbyterian Church at Lakewood Ranch informs passersby of a Manatee County Commission meeting about the church's expansion plans. (Staff photo/Dale White)

To prepare for that growth, the church will present expansion plans Thursday to the Manatee County Commission calling for a new sanctuary and fellowship center at its current location, 12705 State Road 64 E.

The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert, who moved from North Carolina to become the churchs pastor, believes those expansion plans are warranted. Neighborhoods are springing up all over, she said of East Manatee.

Having also started a church in Alabama, Deibert gladly became a Floridian when she accepted the position 10 years ago.

I found starting a new church in Alabama to be a very meaningful experience. Its a challenge and an awesome responsibility to establish the DNA of a church.

Peace Presbyterians brief history is one of rapid growth and change, much like that of Lakewood Ranch and other East Manatee communities.

In 2003, Gary and Junie Miller and other potential parishioners started talking around kitchen tables about a new church in the Lakewood Ranch area in the Presbyterian USA denomination.

The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert on a lakefront portion of property owned by Peace Presbyterian Church of Lakewood Ranch that will be used for a new sanctuary and fellowship center. (Staff photo/Dale White)

The Presbytery for this region approved their efforts, as did our sister churches in the Sarasota-Manatee area, Deibert said.

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Lakewood Ranch church seeks to expand