By By Ida Brown / religion editor
Aug. 30, 2003
A Meridian congregation is "putting their feet to their faith" to support the return of a Ten Commandments monument to a Montgomery, Ala., courthouse.
Russell Baptist Church will hold its Sunday evening service on the steps of the state's judicial building.
The monument was placed in the courthouse by Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court and has become a focal point in a debate about the separation of church and state.
A federal judge ruled last year that the monument, when it sat in the building's rotunda, violated the Constitution's ban against government promotion of religion. Moore refused to comply with an order to move it, was overruled by his eight colleagues on the court, and was suspended.
Moore said he hopes for a final ruling on the issue from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The monument was wheeled out of sight Wednesday.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, a convoy will leave the church's parking area en route to Montgomery. Services are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will include prayer, song and a message.
Removal of the monument has rallied support from thousands of advocates in favor of its return. In recent weeks, scores of supporters have kept vigil outside the building.
Chancelor encourages area residents to participate in the evening service planned by Russell Baptist.