Those involved believe that it's time for God's love to be shown out in the community - not just inside the church.
The parade will begin at the state office building parking lot on Mineral Street at 9:00 a.m. rain or shine and proceed onto Main Street, River Street and Chester Road to Riverside Middle School.
There will be floats, motorcycles, horses, people dressed in historic period outfits, music, dancers, and more. Parade marshall and emcee will be Ernest "Puggy" Lamphere, who has served our communities diligently for many years.
Once at Riverside Middle School Park a rally will begin and continue until approximately 2:00 p.m. There will be a platform with speakers, music, dancers, testimonies, prayer, patriotic readings, and more.
There won't be any kind of sales at this event, everything is free. Our area churches just want to be a blessing to the community. Many fun activities for the children, a cookout, youth testimonies, and information about the area churches and ministries. will be available to all.
For those who are struggling with health needs, financial problems, marriage problems, unemployment, or other life challenging issues, they may receive prayer at the Prayer tent.
Music will be provided by Life Fellowship worship team, Joyful Noyes, Church of Christ Acapella group, Scott and Mona Frye, and the Middle River Gospel group. This even promises to be a fun-filled rewarding event for the entire family.
Bring your folding chairs, sunscreen, hats, friends, and relax while you enjoy the fourth of July activities.
Participating churches and organizations:
The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Charlestown, NH, Calvary Assembly of God in Proctorsville, The Christian Motorcycle Association from Fellowship Bible Church, Vt, Church of Christ from Springfield, Community Christian Church from Athens, Vt., Life Fellowship Church from Charlestown, NH, Ludlow Baptist Church from Ludlow, Motorcyclists for Jesus from Pittsford, North Springfield Baptist Church from N. Springfield, Precision Valley Baptist Church from N. Springfield, Springfield Assembly of God Church, Springfield, Spring-Fields Worship Center from Springfield, Teen Challenge from Johnson, Vt., and the United Methodist Church of Springfield.
Go to the event website for more information.
This article written by Angela Kelley
"those involved believe that it is time for god's love to be shown out in the community"???
ReplyDeleteAnd if god does not exist, then what? As an atheist, I find this sort of thing to be somewhat offensive.
In any case, please tell me what religion has to do with July 4th.
If you are offended by - anything - that would be your problem. Deal with it - don't try to make the rest of the world conform to whatever you think it should be - we call it freedom. Gives you the right to be offended by all of us. Gives us the right to be offended by you - doesn't make either of us change.
DeleteI believe if I organized a parade of atheists in Springfield on the 4th of July there would be an outrage from people who believe in god. You would be offended and let every one know.
DeletePeople who believe in god think they have the right to try an convert people to their misguided beliefs. It is offensive, since they cannot actually offer any proof to the existence theory. You seem to think you can have it both ways.
I usually keep my mouth shut about my religious beliefs. People like you should also.
Sounds awfully sweet and all, but...
ReplyDeleteChristians never could leave a holiday well enough alone. They just have to try to take over ALL of them.
Independence Day is supposed to be for every American to celebrate, regardless of religion or philosophy. To try to make the day about Jesus is a slap in the face of what America is truly about: freedom from tyranny.
What do you have to say about the non-religious trying to turn Christian holidays into secular holidays by emphasizing Santa and the Easter bunny as symbols of these holidays. Not to mention all the crass commercialism that goes along with it.
DeleteActually, Admin, the Christians turned the secular holidays into Christian holidays to cement their victory over the pagan rabble. Christmas (and the twelve days of Christmas) pushed the Lupercalia (or was it the Saturnalia? I always confuse the two) out of the way. All Souls Day and All Saints Day shoved the Druid New Year aside; Candlemas replaced the Wiccan New Year (which we know also as Groundhog Day). And of course, various remnants of pagan legends, such as Sinterklaas were modified (he became St. Nicholas).
DeleteSince at least 90% of the newly-Christianized were serfs and slaves, they were grateful to have an excuse to have their customary days off, even if it was under a new name.
It will be interesting to see which churches participate. Unlike its predecessor, Judaism, Christianity either proselytizes or dies-- e.g., the Shakers. The problem lies in having to compete with other Christian sects.
ReplyDeleteI happen to have a newspaper that was distributed by one of the churches in town. It was published in Oklahoma and distributed nationwide, apparently. This particular issue has a series of articles about why you will not be saved if you are Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.... Theologically, it is a shiv in the ribs of the competition.
So, when "area churches" get together to do something, what is the probability that some are heretical in the opinion of another? I don't believe it is good public policy to allow just one sect to use public facilities for scaring children (as a couple of local churches have) or railing against various public policy issues (as some local churches did when Hilary Clinton tried to correct our health care system). (And by the way, I don't view using a public parking lot as use of a public facility.)
If a community provides help to a church, it would be wise to make sure that the church is going to use public facilities for a truly religious reason. The best way to ensure that the reason is truly religious is to have all the other religious and philosophical sects in agreement. For example, if the Southern Baptists want to use Riverside to stage a revival, the Missouri Synod Lutherans might object; but if the American Baptist Convention wanted to use East School as a homeless shelter and accepted staffing and aid from all the other sects, it would very likely be an exercise in a truly religious undertaking.
Really, the biggest problem with Christianity probably has to do with its need for sects.
I hope everyone will come and find out what is happening as people who believe in God's love and in Jesus and the Holy Spirit all gather together today.
ReplyDeleteChuckie, I've been ignoring this site and you for awhile but once again your liberalism approach to "what is good for all" is at best idiotic. Let's stick with a basic principle of America. It is the land of the free. Free thought (although your type seems to have a desire to change that), free doing (of course you have manage to get laws to take away a fair amount of that), free enterprise (yeah, right).
ReplyDeleteSo with that being said, exactly what is your problem? You want to organize a parade, take the steps to get the town to approve the route and use of town facilities? Go for it, you have that right. Of course the lazy or the unorganized would not do such. Sitting back and pointing out why it's not fair it much easier. Oh boohoo for me.
I'm I offended by the parade, no. Would I be offended if you had a parade, no. In fact I would love to see your parade. I'm not even going to the Christian one as I know what to expect. Your parade I would attend as I'm sure it would far more interesting.
Let's keep America simple. And reminder ourselves each day of how lucky we are to be born in a country that really is free. Where you and I can both express an opinion and not go to jail or earn a beheading. Yeah we have our negatives but I'll take them over most parts of the world. So go out and organize whatever you want to organize, just don't do it as an infringement upon my rights to do the same. In other words show folks other options and maybe you'll change their mind, call them names and condemning will only strengthen most beliefs. Needless to say this applies to all organizations.
For a guy that wants to bring a community together your writing seem to only favor one train of thought.
Hey, I am not of any religious persuasion. I am not interested in, nor will I attend today's parade. However, I have absolutely no problem with this group organizing a parade and using the public roads, parking lots and permitting process.
ReplyDeleteFor all you people who are offended by a Church putting on a parade, TOO BAD. You do not have a civil right to not be offended. Typical liberals....
ReplyDeleteYes, small town people clinging to their guns and religion. Good luck. GOD DOES NOT EXIST.
ReplyDeleteps. it has nothing to do with being liberal, just educated.
smug aren't you--oh just educated. Foolish you are.
DeleteChristian Bashing - The last acceptable bigotry.
ReplyDeleteI'll copy some quotes from that newspaper for you, Admin. Christians bashing Christians...
DeleteAn anti-semitic could come up with a bunch of negative quotes about Jews but is that really the kind of thing we want to allow published here.
DeleteTo me, the best moment of the parade was when the Christian band furnished the music for the Jewish group behind them as they danced the famous traditional hava nagila circle dance in the middle of the town square. Should this particular Jewish group be now looked down upon for colluding with the Christians for daring to come out in public in their attempt to take over the Independence Day holiday?
What is the point of all the anti-Christian posts here? Just trying to keep them in their place? Reminds me of when blacks started moving into white neighborhoods. The whites that didn't want that figured if they displayed enough outrage it would instill fear and discourage such uppity ideas.
Let the local Christians know they are not welcome outside of their churches.
Posting this parade event has presented me with somewhat of a dilemma. A few times in the past, people have posted comments so vaguely racist that I didn't realize it until another commenter calls me a racist for allowing that to stay. I always try to delete any prejudiced remarks about race and sexual orientation quickly, I'm just wondering if I should now extend that to religion as well and every other group and minority (except government, of course). Or is religious intolerance okay with most of you.
It is no more anti-Christian to point out sectarian competition than it is anti-Democratic to point out that Kathleen Hallowell's revolving door hire in a company she regulated only weeks before is fundamentally corrosive to the future integrity of the Vermont Democratic Party. Facts are facts.
DeleteWhile we feel a need to defend the structure we identify with, be it a church, a political party or a commercial sports franchise, when someone points out defects in our beloved object, it is not bashing. It is a reality check. It is bashing to say, "and therefore you are stupid for being a follower [of the Pastafarians, the Liberty Union Party, the Patriots, etc.]."
And it is not intolerant or Christian-bashing to opine that when all the faiths of Springfield agree on an action, then they promote a truly religious concept.
Admin:
DeleteWhy is claiming 'God does not exist' to be considered Christian bashing and bigotry any different than claiming that 'God does exist' as being atheist bashing and bigotry?
Your response indicates bias. Christians actually have a very long history of bashing anyone and anything they disagree with. Does that make them bigots? And there is very little if any evidence to support the notion of a God, which is one reason most scientists are atheists.
I wasn't bashing Christians; I was just pointing out how publicly-funded facilities should never be available to help them to bash one another. Read it again.
ReplyDelete"Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's." A secular society is ill-served when sects are allowed to battle one another in the name of a religion, as that Oklahoma newspaper treated most of the Springfield churches.
As Gibbon put it in his treatment of Christianity in the Roman Empire, "To the believers, all religions are equally true, to the philosopher, equally false, and to the magistrate, equally useful."
"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord"?
ReplyDeleteThe message quite clearly implied here is not exactly friendly to non-Christians. I'd call it a draw when it comes to "bigotry," and remain thankful that today's event was not compulsory, and that I have the opportunity to write my thoughts here for consideration.
"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord"?That is scripture right from the holy bible and it says nthing about Christians. God is God
DeleteEven though the police put the announcement on their Facebook page and then took it down.It was a beautiful and amazing event . The parade was great , the activities at the rally were fun , the food was good. It was nice to see something POSITIVE in this town. I am so sick of seeing all this negative . Some of you would rather curse the dark than light a candle.
ReplyDeleteCan I get an Amen.
DeleteYou start out your post snipping at the Police Dept FB page and then yell about lack of positiveness in this town? Apparently you don't practice what you preach about being positive. When the Town has a new forward-thinking, enthusiastic administration there will be positive ground achieved, until then, we will be on the perpetual treadmill of walking (functioning) for miles and getting no where.
DeleteAMEN loud and clear!
Deletefrom Admin:
ReplyDelete"Reminds me of when blacks started moving into white neighborhoods. The whites that didn't want that figured if they displayed enough outrage it would instill fear and discourage such uppity ideas."
Now that you mention it, sure, the slogan could be adapted from "Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord," to "Blessed is the Neighborhood Whose Skin is only White."
It's the same message: our group is superior, and if you are not one of us, you are not only inferior, but headed for a sticky end.
On second thought, all this negative reaction reminds me more of news reports of the first ever gay pride parade held in New England. Perhaps the local Christianphobes will also in time learn to quietly tolerate a once a year parade without feeling their way of life is threatened.
DeleteI hadn't heard of anyone showing up that day to mock, harass, or threaten anyone during the event here in town. (Did I miss a news article?)
DeleteDid anyone feel unsafe while participating in this parade, or as a result of participation?
I have to argue that in the absence of such conditions, participants enjoyed their fair share of quiet toleration, unlike LGBTQ people simply living their daily lives, even to this day.
The entire community was invited, but many of us felt a strong sense that walls were being disguised as bridges by the rhetoric of the event. I get the feeling that many of the folks who organized this event did not realize how divisive and insulting the theme of the event would seem to much of the town. I can only assume that if their goal is to unite people, they would appreciate feedback about how their message has been received.
I appreciate any chance to tell my side of the story- along with the fact that even as you and I disagree on this topic, you continue to post my comments nonetheless. Thank you.
I don't believe in god, then again I'm not educated.
ReplyDeleteThey need to be careful not to call this a "Springfield" parade. It's not. It's a political and religious parade.
ReplyDeleteIf you read much about the conservative 'christian' agenda, the need to blur the lines between church and state is quite clear and increasingly important.
I do not believe most of the people participating understand (or care) about the political agendas of their leaders. However, listening to the organizers, it is quite clear. They want to declare the US a christian nation and have laws that follow their interpretation of those christian principles.
This group did not represent the christians of this community. Many did not participate because of the underlying tone and motivations.
The 'conservative christian' movement is NOT even an accurate reflection of the majority of christians.
I do not have any problems with the parade in and of itself. The motivations behind it are scary. Calling it a "Springfield" parade and in any way implying that services paid for (i.e. police escorts) endorses such activity is deceitful. The services provided by SPD are offered to any group and in no way indicate 'support'.
So, next year, please call it what it is: a proselytizing call to conservative christians to rally together. No shame in that. Just stand on your truth and don't try to make it something it is not.
Well perhaps the other Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Covens, etc. and the non-believers should join in next year to counterbalance any social conservative aura to the event. Call it the Springfield Spiritual Parade or something.
DeleteInteresting combination of Churches, didn't see the Catholics, Mormons, Jews, Universalists, Jehovah Witnesses, Orthodox, or Congregationalists listed. Were they invited?
ReplyDeleteAdmin reported a group was dancing the hora while "Hava Nagila" was played by a band on a float. Maybe they were Messianic Jews...
DeleteAm wondering what the position of many of the commentors will be when Springfield hosts a Gay Pride parade....just wondering whether we would see people changing sides in this debate....
DeleteI will tell you what the position of many of these posters will be, "Not In My Town."
DeleteThe Gibsons invited Association of Springfield Area Churches to participate. The Unitarian-Universalists were excluded because the invitational literature limited participants to those who believe a particular Christian doctrine, which UUs do not, as an avowedly non-doctrinal faith tradition.
ReplyDeleteBingo!
DeleteSo there probably weren't Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, Druids, Taoists, Animists, Deists, Polytheists or pre-Lapsarianists invited either, although I think the pre-Lapsarianists should have been included...