Ohio village cancels its Christmas parade

AMELIA, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio village's Christmas parade has been canceled amid concerns over possible lawsuits, expected protests and logistical problems.

Amelia Mayor Leroy Ellington said the Amelia Business Association that sponsored the parade for the past few years backed out and more problems emerged when the village council considered sponsoring the nearly 30-year-old parade. The village solicitor told council members Amelia could be sued for using public money for an event linked to celebrating the birth of Jesus, Ellington said.

When the village hoped to avoid problems over the constitutional issue of separation of church and state by changing the Christmas parade to a "holiday" parade, that drew angry responses.

Ellington said the parade in the village of about 3,500 would have included 75 floats, marching bands and other participants.

Some churches have said they would protest if Christmas was omitted from the name, and a local church withdrew permission to use its parking lot as a staging area, he said.

Dallas First Baptist expanding center

DALLAS (AP) — First Baptist in Dallas, one of the nation's largest Southern Baptist Convention congregations, will be growing into a more environmentally friendly campus.

First Baptist announced a $130 million expansion featuring a 3,000-seat worship center.

Evangelist Billy Graham joined First Baptist Dallas in 1953 during his initial crusade in the city. Graham in late 2008 announced he was switching to a church closer to his retirement home in Montreat, N.C.

The campus for the Dallas congregation of about 11,000 is planned adjacent to the city's updated arts district, host to the new $354 million AT&T Performing Arts Center.

"We want to create a spiritual oasis that the residents of Dallas can enjoy," said Pastor Robert Jeffress.

The heart of the campus will have a fountain plaza complete with green gathering places and an oval pool with a stone water tower topped with a cross.

The first building of what became First Baptist Church was purchased in 1872. The cornerstone of the current sanctuary was laid in 1891, according to the church's Web site.

The current historic sanctuary will be retained as a site for weddings, funerals and other special events, the church said.

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