An employee with the City of Aztec points on Wednesday to where a sidewalk will go on the corner of Church Street and Mesa Verde Avenue in Aztec. (Alexa Rogals / The Daily Times)

AZTEC Residents along the 300 block of South Church Street will soon have new neighbors: construction crews rebuilding or replacing sidewalks, curbs and gutters along the roadway just east of Main Avenue.

On Tuesday, Aztec City Commissioners approved spending $69,000 to have the road improved between South Mesa Verde Avenue and East Zia Street.

Bill Watson, the city engineer and public works director, went door-to-door to discuss the project with effected residents. On Sept. 17, he hosted a public meeting to share information and take questions about the roadwork.

Watson will also hold a pre-construction meeting on Monday with city officials and the contractor for the project, Carreon Construction.

A sidewalk is seen on Wednesday at the corner of Church Street and Mesa Verde Avenue in Aztec. (Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times)

Aztec Projects Manager Ed Kotyk said roadwork will start soon. Work to replace the roadway is expected to begin in the spring.

"(Monday's) pre-con meeting is with the city and the contractor not for the public and they'll go over the design plans and do a field visit (to Church Street) to make sure there are no surprises," Kotyk said. "They'll either start construction next week or the week after."

Church Street is typical of many of the older residential streets in San Juan County. It has cracked, sunken and intermittent sidewalks that often lack wheelchair ramps and a roadway layered with decades' worth of asphalt repairs.

On Wednesday, city workers started preparing for the upcoming project by moving a fire hydrant six feet east, away from the street. The hydrant, placed more than a half-century prior, was precariously close to the curb at the corner of Church and Mesa Verde Avenue. It was moved to make way for 4-foot wide sidewalks along the east side of the street, which is currently covered with lawns, shrubbery or yucca plants.

See the original post here:
Roadwork along South Church Street is expected to begin soon

When the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ holds its 147th annual meeting Friday in Cheshire, it will be asked to consider a resolution calling for the church to divest any investments in companies "profiting from the occupation of the Palestine Territories by the State of Israel."

The resolution, submitted by the board of deacons of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, also calls for church members to boycott Israeli products made in the occupied territories.

It is one of two resolutions that the conference will review, the other being a call to end "mass incarceration for nonviolent offenses," which was submitted by several New Haven churches.

The divestiture resolution states: "Past General Synods have identified the Israeli Occupation of Palestinian land and its human rights abuses committed therein to be a major source of conflict and have called for the end of construction and expansion of settlements," and that "Palestinians in the West Bank have lived since 1967 under Israel military occupation which subjects them to many human rights abuses."

It calls for "the Connecticut Conference to divest any Consolidated Trust Fund holdings in companies profiting from the occupation of the Palestinian Territories by the state of Israel," listing Caterpillar Inc., Motorola Solutions, Hewlett-Packard Development and several other companies as examples of those that would be affected by the action.

It also asks "local church members" to support a boycott of goods produced by Israeli companies in the "occupied Palestinian territories." Examples listed were Ahava skin care products, SodaStream products and Hadiklaim dates.

Steven Jungkeit, senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, acknowledged Thursday that the resolution would be controversial, but said that his congregation proposed it after members made numerous trips to Israel and Palestine through the years.

"We believe it's the right thing to do," Jungkeit said. "It's a tricky issue to talk about, but I think that it's one that we need to raise our voices on."

The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ is one of 39 regional conferences in the U.S. that makes up the 1.5 million-member United Church of Christ. The Connecticut Conference comprises 253 churches with more than 97,000 members.

Conference officials did not return telephone calls Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

See the article here:
Resolution Asks UCC Conference To Divest Interest In Certain Israel Companies

VILLAGERS are set to take the significant first step in the building of their new church after fundraising for more than a decade.

The community at Crossways has been working together for years to build their own church to house a growing congregation and a special First Turf Turning ceremony will be held to mark the construction finally getting underway.

The building of St Aldhelms Church is expected to be completed by Easter 2015.

Crossways resident Simon Hunt said: This most exciting step marks the beginning of a new chapter in the progress of Crossways parishioners to establish a permanent and lasting base for worship and associated activities. To have reached this point has not been without much effort, hard work and perseverance of many, many people.

Villagers have raised more than 100,000 towards the new church, which will be spent on maintenance and running of the building.

Mr Hunt added that people across the community had been involved, many of whom are a silent majority of stalwarts.

The new building will be sited at land at Frome Valley CE VA First School.

The Reverend Jacquie Birdseye, of the united benefice of Moreton, Woodsford, Crossways and Tincleton, was appointed to oversee the building of the new church around nine years ago.

She is currently on sabbatical until early November.

Planning permission was granted by West Dorset District Council in September last year.

Read the original post:
Villagers to begin building new church after decade of fundraising

A quarter of a century has gone by since the Church of the Good Shepherd was established as a parish Oct. 16, 1989, based in the village of Kent in southwestern Indiana County.

As the roughly 800 members of the Roman Catholic parish pause to mark the milestone and celebrate the progress that has been made over the years, it's apparent that some things at the rural church have come full circle.

John Edward Timko of Irwin, the architect who designed the church building, and Msgr. Michael Matusak, who was the first pastor of the parish from its creation until 1997, are among guests expected to return for an Oct 19 Mass and receptions celebrating the Church of the Good Shepherd's 25 years. Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Greensburg Diocese will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the special 2 p.m. Mass.

Greeting those in attendance will be Father William J. Lechnar, administrator of the parish since June 4. The appointment has been a return to familiar territory for Lechnar, who served as a deacon at Good Shepherd in its early days, before his ordination in 1997.

Lechnar recently gathered with some of Good Shepherd's longtime parishioners near the entrance to the church grounds, at one of the treasured landmarks at the site a Blessed Mother shrine. The stone grotto and statue was moved from the former Holy Cross Church in Iselin. Dating from 1908, Holy Cross was one of the earliest houses of worship for local Catholics and one three churches that formed the basis of the current Good Shepherd parish.

It was the first statue I ever blessed as a deacon, Lechnar noted of the figure of the Blessed Mother at Good Shepherd. I never dreamed I'd be back here as administrator of the parish.

It came over on a lowboy, parishioner Harry Baroni, 90 of Center Township, said of the shrine, recalling that a section of the crescent-shaped stone structure was temporarily removed so that it could make the trip on the trailer.

Other shrines along the lane leading to the Church of the Good Shepherd represent the former parish church of St. Gertrude in McIntyre and its mission church, St. Anthony in Aultman, both established in 1918.

Changing populations and mounting maintenance concerns after the better part of a century of service were among factors that eventually prompted suppression of the Iselin and McIntyre parishes to allow formation of the combined Church of the Good Shepherd Parish.

Good Shepherd parishioner Beth Marshall of Kent, who used to attend the McIntyre church, pointed out that none of the three older churches was handicapped-accessible and that needed upgrades would have cost about $500,000.

Continue reading here:
Rural Kent parish celebrates quarter-century milestone

SALEM The Pleasant Street United Methodist Church will break ground Saturday morning on a new building that will bring expanded food pantry services to the community.

For many years, the Pleasant Street Church has sponsored the Food for the Hungry Food Pantry, which serves over 50 families in need each week with basic grocery items, said church trustee Bernard Campbell. The pantry has been recognized for its work in the Salem community, including a Pillar Award from the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce.

In 2012, the church began planning for a new building to provide expanded facilities for the pantry and allow it to serve people in a more efficient manner.

Approvals for the new Hope Center building, including the site plan, were granted by the town last year.

Fundraising for the project has been ongoing since last year, and Campbell said enough funds have been committed to allow construction to begin.

The fundraising was helped along by several major corporate donations from companies, including Salem Co-operative Bank, Pentucket Bank, LW Companies, and Goundrey and Dewhirst Funeral Home.

A major gift from the recently closed Hannah Tenney Memorial United Methodist Church also helped to make the construction a reality.

Site work is already underway, and construction is expected to be completed by next spring.

When completed, the new building will provide expanded storage and service facilities for the food pantry (including pallet delivery capability) and office space, along with new community space which has the ability to allow expanded outreach ministries of the church, said Campbell.

A ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. on the church grounds at 8 Pleasant St. The public is invited.

See the article here:
Salem church a step closer to expanded feeding capability

Ladner Christian Reformed Church will hold a dedication service this Sunday morning to give thanks for and celebrate the completion of a new wing. In the evening, the voices of the African Children's Choir will cap off the celebrations.

The construction project, which started at the end of April, has added 3,800 square feet of space, including an expanded foyer, a large multi-purpose room, offices and new washrooms.

The new space will free up current offices to be used as meeting rooms, give gatherers more conversation areas and provide greater capacity for group functions.

"My dream for this building is that we work hard to leverage this space for the sake of our community," says pastor Mike Koot, who has been with the church for just over a year. "This is a resource that God has given us to share. What exactly that will look like is something we have to work out."

The church serves the community through several regular events: a monthly Single Parents' dinner, a twice-monthly Kids' Club and a one-week Basic Skills Kids' Camp during the summer. Coffee Break Bible Study and Children's Story Hour (if required) run simultaneously one morning a week and The Well is a Friday morning drop-in for young moms or caregivers with young children. Every other Friday evening, the Friendship Coffee House hosts physically and mentally challenged adults and their caregivers in a time of singing, story,

snacks, crafts and games.

Sunday's dedication service is set for 10:30 a.m. The celebrations will culminate with the African Children's Choir concert at 6:30 p.m. All are warmly invited to experience the lively music and dances, along with the children's

beautiful voices and joyful smiles that have captivated audiences the world over.

Expect to hear well-loved children's songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favourites. A free-will offering will be taken to support African Children's Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.

The church is located at 4594-54A St.

Go here to see the original:
Church dedication capped off with visit from choir

By MICHAEL HAYES Wednesday October 15, 2014 11:14 AM

Pickerington's baseball and softball community can thank a local church for helping to fund the future construction of major upgrades to some local ballfields.

Pickerington City Council unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 7 to accept a $15,000 donation from Pickerington-based Grace Fellowship Church.

The money will be used to construct a shade shelter structure at the Diley Road ballfields and four softball dugouts at the Sycamore Park softball fields.

"It's fun to be part of a church that cares for its community," said Grace Fellowship Pastor Drew Waggoner.

He said the gift was part of the church's "desire greatly to make an impact both individually and corporately" in the Pickerington area.

"That's an incredible gift," said Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray.

"It's one that will benefit our community for years to come."

Gray said even without the upgrades, both ballfields are "really nice."

"But now, people will have a place to sit in the shade and have a picnic meal or whatever might be the case," Gray said.

See the rest here:
Church's donation will help upgrade ball fields

TheNational Association of Church Design Builders(NACDB)is an established, board-certified, nationwide association of firms committed to focusing on the ministry needs and styles of the churches we serve. Our goal is to educate local churches in evaluating needs regarding buying, building, expanding, remodeling or upgrading their facilities. The NACDB is the "go to" vehicle for ministries facing buying decisions.

We're here for you -Building Solutions.

You have a mission, a vision and a purpose - we want to help you find the best solution. We will connect you to honest, trustworthy people with years of expertise, knowledge and a Kingdom focus.

Our members are board-approved firms dedicated to building relationships and gathering knowledge. With our National Certified Church Consultant program, regional meetings, field trips, trade shows (and lots more!) you will find plenty of opportunities to connect with the nations leading experts in many fields and ministries.

2011 National Association of Church Design Builders 1000 Ballpark Way Suite 306 Arlington, Texas 76011

Phone: 817.200.2622 Toll Free: 866.416.2232 Fax: 817.275.4519

We are just in the beginning stages and I have good information to share with the building committee. A group of professionals able to present on layman level."

James Tesch, Building Study Committee, Freedom Church, Kernersville, NC

Are you a church? We can help.

Want to help us help the Church?

Read the original post:
NACDB | National Association of Church Design Builders

This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.

The Church of the Holy Family is granting many last wishes by building the Mercy House in Endicott. The 10 bed residential home for the terminally ill will be the first of its kind in Broome and Tioga counties. Emily Lorsch explains how organizers will help loved ones in need of specialized care.

ENDICOTT, N.Y.-- "Everybody is born and everybody passes," said Anthony Paniccia, Mercy House Board President.

That's why the Church of the Holy Family is building the Mercy House to give people a warm and comfortable place during their final stages of life.

"I know many people that have passed away that have died alone in a nursing home or have died alone in their home because they haven't had family or friends," said Paniccia.

Organizers said when the time comes, families should be there. "The families need a lot of support and they need a place to stay and not be in an environment that's too sterile, where it's just more like being home," said Director of Business Operations David DeAngelo.

That's why the Mercy House will have two suites for loved ones. And those without blood relatives will have the Mercy House family by their side.

"You can be in your 30's, 40's, or you can be 102, but death will come to all of us and having someone journey with you takes the edge of fear off because you're helping them cross over to the threshold of eternity," said Sister Joanna Monticello, executive director.

The Mercy House will be at St. Casimir's Church in Endicott and will be modeled on Francis House in Syracuse. "This is not a hospice house, it's a community shelter so in that respect Francis House broke ground to make that a reality," said DeAngelo.

"There really is no place like this. There are several places in other areas but there's nothing in Broome County or Tioga," said Father Clarence Rumble, Church of the Holy Family pastor.

Read more:
Church is Granting Last Wishes

Long shunned by the church, gay Catholics are reacting positively to a document just issued by the Vatican that indicates the church is becoming more accepting of gay parishioners. The document states that gay people have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community and should be welcomed by the church. While same-sex marriages are still out of the question, the comments have been heralded by gay groups as an encouraging sign that the 2,000-year-old institution is offering a more progressive stance toward historically marginalized members of its flock.

The bishops report is a preliminary one published midway through a two-week synod called by Pope Francis to discuss the churchs position on moral issues such as cohabiting unmarried couples, whether divorced and remarried individuals can receive Communion and how to treat children from these unconventional families. While the bishops were clear that the church would not abandon its teachings on marriage as defined between a man and a woman, the 12- page report acknowledged that same-sex couples which the document described as homosexual unions -- language that is largely unprecedented -- often provide mutual aid to the point of sacrifice for each partner in the relationship. The bishops also said the church will pay special attention to children of gay couples, but did not give any specifics on how this would be accomplished. Additionally, the bishops concluded there are positive aspects of civil unions and cohabitation a dramatic shift from traditional teachings which said such unmarried straight couples were living in sin.

The report is an official summary of discussions and prepared speeches given during the first week of the synod. Since the document, referred to by its Latin name "relatio," was read out loud to 200 bishops, priests and lay people and shared online on Monday, LGBT groups have reacted positively to the comments, but remain wary on how it will translate to the parish level.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA an organization that works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the Catholic Church -- said the relatio offered unexpected positive signs for gay Catholics and their families.

The change in tone is remarkable, Duddy-Burke told International Business Times. To go from being labeled as objectively disordered to having gifts and qualities needed by the church is very welcome among LGBT people.

Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, another advocacy group for gay Catholics, agreed that it was a positive change, but added that the churchs stance on same-sex marriage did not come as a surprise.

What is also significant and hopeful is what is not said. In stating that same-gender marriages are not accepted by the hierarchy, there is no vicious condemnation of them, as previous hierarchical statements have," DeBernardo said in a statement, referring to remarks made by former Popes John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and their supporters.

While the document may be revolutionary for its unprecedented language towards some (but not all) members of the LGBT community --it has been criticizedfor ignoring the concerns of transgender individuals -- it is still a draft and does not guarantee that any lasting changes will be made at the local level.

Will [Catholic bishops] stop leading the fight against marriage equality, and stop firing church workers who marry their same-sex partners? Will priests stop denying Communion to LGBT people? Duddy-Burke asks.

The former question has a direct impact on Nicholas Coppola. The 49-year-old retired construction worker from Long Island attended Mass every morning at his parish, St. Anthony's in Oceanside, New York, for almost a decade. A proud gay Catholic, he did not keep sexuality secret from his fellow parishioners. However, when he married his longtime boyfriend, David, his pastor said he was fired from his volunteer posts.

Read more from the original source:
Gay Catholics Welcome In The Church? Vatican Comments Yield Cautious Optimism