All Saints Anglican church to begin advent series
All Saints Anglican Church’s Advent sermon series in December by the Rev. Edward W. Fowler is called “The Prophet Isaiah’s Gospel of Peace.”
Worship services take place at 10 a.m. Sundays in the Windom Room of Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.
For more information, call (281) 615-7080 or visit www.allsaintsdurango.org.
Congregation Har Shalom announces events
Congregation Har Shalom, 2537 County Road 203, will host these events:
Jewish meditation will be held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. today.
A traditional Shabbat service with Torah reading will take place from 10 a.m. to noon today. There will be a discussion about the Torah portion Vayigash called “Great Reconciliations.” Bagels, lox and soufganiot will be available.
Rick Williams Shiva (memorial) minyan will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Williams home.
A Chai Mitzvah Brunch and Learn, called “Environmentalism and Judaism – The Green Menorah,” will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday. Bagels, lox and soufganiot will be available.
For more information, visit www.harshalomdurango.org/Har_Shalom_Home/Home.html.
First Baptist church to host children’s musical
First Baptist Church of Durango will host a children’s musical service called “Christmas in Black and White” at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. Dec. 15 services at the church, 332 East 11th St.
Child care will be provided.
For more information, visit www.firstbaptistdurango.org.
Capitol nativity scene deemed legal by ACLU
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Christmastime manger scenes in public spaces have often been the subject of legal fights in the U.S.
But the American Civil Liberties Union says the creche installed by the Florida Nativity Scene Committee at the Capitol in Tallahassee is legal – because it is privately funded, not government sponsored.
Still, the ACLU says that allowing the exhibit, which depicts the birth of Jesus, the state will now have to allow anyone to use the premises of the Capitol to express messages.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation plans to put up a banner at Florida’s Capitol stating opposition to religion in government.
Notre Dame sues over birth control mandate
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame is suing the Obama administration over a federal mandate that its health-insurance plans for students and employees cover birth control.
The university filed its lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in South Bend. It claims the mandate violates Notre Dame’s freedom to practice religion without government interference. The Roman Catholic university says the birth-control mandate violates the church’s teaching prohibiting contraception.
The Obama administration promotes the law’s provision of a range of free preventive care as a key benefit of the health-care overhaul. Contraception is included in the package of cost-free benefits. The administration also attempted to create a buffer for religiously affiliated hospitals, universities and social-service groups that oppose birth control.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to consider two cases in which business owners have objected to covering birth control for employees on religious grounds.
High court ends lawsuit over health law
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has turned away a Christian university’s attempt to overturn a key part of the Obama administration’s health-care law.
The justices did not comment Monday in leaving in place a federal appeals court ruling dismissing Liberty University’s lawsuit.
Liberty made several arguments in challenging the portion of the health-care law that requires most employers to provide health insurance to their workers or pay a fine. The 4th U.S. Circuit of Appeals in Richmond, Va., rejected those claims.
Herald Staff and Associated Press
