Pennsylvania church is free to its ring bells

FRIEDENS, Pa. (AP) — Friedens Lutheran Church is free to ring its bells to beckon people to pray for the end of a local labor dispute, a district justice ruled.

Two years ago, the church began bell-ringing to rally members to pray for an end to a dispute between teachers and the Somerset Area School District. The teachers have been working without a contract since January 2000.

S. Lynn Brace, a church neighbor, filed a criminal complaint of harassment against Lutheran Pastor Edward DeVore, saying the bells interrupt daily life. A district justice acquitted DeVore, finding no evidence of intent to harass.

The bell tolls 14 times each night around 9 p.m. if volunteers are available, though Brace said the bells sometimes ring as many as 75 times.

The Lutherans say they're impartial in the dispute and just want to see it settled.