(By Sarah M. Wojcik, The Morning Call). Arguments in court Friday [2/17/17] painted a picture of tension and emotion at the sprawling campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. Northampton County President Judge Stephen Baratta said he’s not looking forward to handing down a decision in what’s shaping up to be a complicated church property dispute…
(By Sarah M. Wojcik, The Morning Call). The Lehigh Presbytery and the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, PA, will appear in Northampton County Court on Friday (2/17/17) in hopes of settling a dispute over ownership that has led opposing congregants to hold separate Sunday services at 31-acre property on Center Street. The hearing is over a…
By Riley Yates, The Morning Call. Members of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem voted overwhelmingly Sunday to break from their national denomination, underscoring a schism that has developed over Presbyterian Church (USA)’s embrace of same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay ministers. Out of 1,048 votes, 802 members supported bolting to the more conservative Covenant…
By Riley Yates, The Morning Call. A bid by First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pa., to split from its national denomination, amid unhappiness over same-sex marriages and the ordination of gay ministers, landed back in the courts Tuesday. In two lawsuits filed in Northampton County Court, the regional arm of the Presbyterian Church (USA) asked a…