First United Methodist Church to host 40th annual bazaar
First United Methodist Church of Durango, 2917 Aspen Drive, will host its 40th annual Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
There will be refreshments throughout the day, including coffee, pastries and homemade pie by the slice for breakfast, and a traditional sloppy joe luncheon beginning at 11 a.m.
In addition to local vendors with a variety of holiday items, the church will have two craft rooms, a plant parlor, tables with homemade baked goods and a “Trash & Treasures” room. All proceeds will go to local, national and international missions.
For more information, call 247-4213.
Durango church to host Thanksgiving service
First United Methodist Church of Durango, 2917 Aspen Drive, will host this year’s Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The service will be followed by a pie social in the church Fellowship Hall. Pies are needed.
To volunteer to bring a pie or for more information, call 247-4213.
Idaho pastor detained in Iran granted family visit
BOISE, Idaho – The wife of an Idaho pastor who is being detained in a brutal prison in Iran says he has been allowed a visit from his Iranian father.
Naghmeh Abedini says Monday’s visit marked the first time Saeed Abedini was able to see family members since his transfer to Rajai Shahr prison more than two weeks ago. The 33-year-old Christian pastor has been in Iranian custody since September 2012 and is serving an eight-year sentence for undermining state security, a charge the family denies.
Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law & Justice, says the family visit is a positive sign that prayer and international pressure on Iran are helping keep Abedini alive.
But Naghmeh Abedini says she fears for her husband’s life in a prison that’s rife with inmate violence and hopes that a demand for his release will be part of U.S. negotiations to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
Ohio court upholds firing in school Bible case
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s highest court says a school district was legally justified in firing a science teacher who refused orders to remove classroom displays of religious materials.
With three justices dissenting, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Mount Vernon district had grounds to fire John Freshwater for insubordination for keeping religious books and a poster of a president praying.
The court says the district infringed on Freshwater’s First Amendment rights by ordering the removal of his personal Bible but found he was insubordinate for keeping other items.
The court didn’t address whether Freshwater unconstitutionally taught students his Christian beliefs about evolution and homosexuality.
Herald Staff, Associated Press
