AUSTINTOWN — Rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Those were the words to one of the praise songs that were sung this evening during a community worship service at Austintown Middle School, but they could also have been the theme for the event.
The Greater Austintown Ministerial Association has a community worship service each year during Thanksgiving season, said the Rev. Duffy Roberts of Austintown Community Church. In the past, the services were in various churches with a different church hosting it each year.
“Last year we decided that we wanted to hold it in more of a public form, to make it more of a truly communitywide event,” the Rev. Mr. Roberts said. “This is a national holiday, so we should celebrate together as a community.”
Nearly 300 people filled the cafetorium at AMS for the service, which featured spiritual singing, instrumental music, prayers and praise.
For Mary Ann Phund of Austintown, the service was a perfect way to segue into the Thanksgiving season. Phund said she has attended GAMA-sponsored Lenten services before but had never been to one of its Thanksgiving ceremonies.
Read the full story in Monday’s Vindicator and on vindy.com
Comments
I find it hard to beleive understand how Austintown Township Officials can give the go-ahead to hold a church service in a government building. Does this not fall under the stature of "Seperation of Church and State." It is my tax dollars that payed for this service and I feel that is not fair.
So is a firehouse,what is your point? People like to say that on ever little issue when in fact it does no apply. I bet you think christmas trees is wrong to say as well
Lots of private organizations rent public facilities for such occasions, Knuckles. Things like this, but also club meetings and private parties.
Actually, it is bringing in dollars. They rent the space and I believe have to pay for the janitorial services that are mandatory. It doesn't cost you one tax dollar.
This is a governmet building. "this situation falls under the rules of "seperation and State." That is why i am so angry that our local officials would allow something like this to take place in a governmet building.