Island church's pots of sentimental value returned minutes before Sunday service
On Tuesday (July 8), several plant pots of sentimental value were taken from outside Newport Congregational Church on Pyle Street.
The pots, which were given to the church to honour a member who had died, were returned this morning (July 13), and restored to pride of place.
Reverend Mark Evans, church leader, said that what was sad, has turned out to be a good news story.
Read more:
This popular Island pub is fostering community under new ownership
Church wants to show 'redemptive nature' after 'sentimental' plant pots stolen
He said: "He did two trips in his car to return them this morning.
"We were talking about the image of Jesus being a good shepherd and the message of forgiveness.
"The people of the Island came together."
Mark said that he shook the man by the hand, and the church is always happy to provide ongoing support to people in difficulty.
He said: "We get all sorts of people come in with different needs - with food and ministries - that community commitment.
"I easily could have gone to the police, but in my spirit, these pots would come back."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Protesters with pride signs confront Indy church after anti-LGBTQ sermon calls for violence
After a Sunday service on July 13, leaders at an Indianapolis church laughed while protesters in front of their building held rainbow colored signs. Sure Foundation Baptist Church located at a mall storefront near Lafayette Road and West 30th Street, had recently gained attention for its anti-LGBTQ+ messaging to congregants. In a sermon shared online, a lay preacher encouraged members to pray for the deaths of the LGBTQ+ community. Protesters had their own message for the church on July 13. "Existing in their presence," Cass Jackson, who helped organize the protest, told IndyStar. "Which is something they do not believe Christ would approve of." Jackson said the protest was a way for them to communicate to the church, as well as others, that church leaders could continue their hate, but they would continue to show up and be joyful in their presence. An original video of a sermon shared earlier this month online identified LGBTQ+ as "evil" and "disgusting." "There's nothing good to be proud about being a (slur)," Church member Stephen Falco said during a sermon posted on YouTube. "You ought to blow yourself in the back of the head. You're so disgusting." The video-sharing platform has since removed the video for violating its terms of service. The independent fundamentalist church doubled down on its message in a statement shared on Facebook on July 3, where it said it wasn't apologizing. Evangelist Justin Zhong with the church has since done a sermon discussing the recent coverage and attention the church has gotten. "Why do these (slur) want to burn us and bomb this church and kill us?" Zhong preached in a video posted on the church's Facebook page July11. "Because we testify that their works are evil. My question is, why does a small strip mall church make worldwide news? Because the Word of God has power." Protesters on Sunday said they didn't want to meet the church with violence. They don't intend to change the minds of the congregants about LGBTQ+ individuals, but they say they do want to make it clear that they will highlight the church's bigotry. "What I know to be true is that these people really hate when other people are joyful, because they are not," Jackson said. "And unfortunately have been indoctrinated into a backyard cult." Sure Foundation Baptist Church: Indianapolis church doubles down on Pride sermon advocating for harm to LGBTQ people Zhong told IndyStar he's not surprised at the protest, but the church continued service Sunday morning without issue. The church, which opened its doors in 2024, has about 35 people who attend church on average every week. Citing the Book of Acts, he compared the protest to people and cities outraged in the Bible when the Apostles preached the truth. Zhong said protesters are upset because the Word of God exposes that their deeds are evil. The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis countered the church's message with a Bible verse, saying in its statement the Gospel is for everyone and should not be used as a tool of condemnation. The clergy group said the Black church, born in the crucible of oppression, must never mimic the very spirit of exclusion that once rejected its community. "We are called to be a sanctuary for the marginalized, not a platform for prejudice," the statement said. In standing for the dignity, inclusion and justice for all people, the group said it rejects the notion LGBTQ+ individuals are outside of God's reach, grace or redemption. G. David Caudill with Equality Indiana said he is encouraged to see other Indianapolis faith leaders condemn the church's sermon. "When you have that type of hateful and violent language, it could lead to someone taking those words and feeling protected to be able to go and commit violent acts against our community," Caudill said. Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris' previous reported assisted with this article. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pride protest erupts after church calls LGBTQ people 'disgusting'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Small plane 'collision' at London Southend Airport
Essex Police said they are on the scene after a "serious incident" occurred at London Southend Airport on Sunday.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2 women killed, suspect dead in Kentucky church shooting, police say
Two women died on Sunday at a Kentucky church in a shooting spree that began when a state trooper was wounded after making a traffic stop, police said. The suspect in both shootings was also killed. The suspect carjacked a vehicle after the traffic stop near Lexington's airport and fled to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he opened fire, Lexington police Chief Lawrence Weathers said. Killed in the shootings at the church were a 72-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman, the local coroner said. Two other people were wounded at the church and taken to a local hospital, the police chief said. One victim sustained critical injuries and the other was in stable condition, Weathers said. The suspect, who was shot by police and died at the scene, was not immediately identified pending notification of family, he said. "Preliminary information indicates that the suspect may have had a connection to the individuals at the church," the police chief said at a news conference. The trooper stopped the vehicle after receiving a "licence plate reader alert" and was shot at about 11:30 a.m., Weathers said, adding the trooper was in stable condition. Police tracked the carjacked vehicle to the Baptist church, located about 26 kilometres from where the trooper was shot, the police chief said. The shootings remain under investigation, Weathers said. Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said the church is home to a small, tight-knit congregation. "Please pray for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence, and let's give thanks for the swift response by the Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post. State Attorney General Russell Coleman said detectives with his office were ready to support local and state agencies. "Today, violence invaded the Lord's House," he said in a statement. "The attack on law enforcement and people of faith in Lexington shocked the entire Commonwealth."
