Council receives religious freedom award
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Photo courtesy John Pulsipher The Coeur d'Alene City Council receives the Defense of Religious Freedom Award on behalf of Interfaith CDA, Bahai CDA, Community United Methodist Church, Svrasti Abbey and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From left, John Pulsipher with Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mayor Jim Hammond and councilmembers Kiki Miller, Dan English, Dan Gookin, Christie Wood and Woody McEvers.
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | December 22, 2022 1:00 AM
COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene City Council received the Defense of Religious Freedom Award on Tuesday.
"Recognizing the diverse community in which we live, you have shown you value the contributions of all," said John Pulsipher with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "When faced with pressure and precedent, you made the right decision."
The council voted earlier this year to open the invocation to all faiths and discontinue the longtime practice of having just Christian pastors lead the prayer.
Tyler Morton with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the prayer to begin Tuesday's council meeting in the Library Community Room.
"We're grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. We're grateful for this wonderful city," he said.
"We pray specifically for those who serve our community. We're grateful for them and their dedicated service," Morton said.
Mayor Jim Hammond asked for prayers for police, fire and those clearing the city streets during this time of freezing temperatures and snow.
"Right now with all the snow it makes it tougher for all of them," he said.
Pulsipher said that, according to the U.S. State Department, 74% of the world’s population lives in countries with "serious restrictions" on religious freedom.
But not the city of Coeur d'Alene.
"From the downright dirty, to the mundane, to the crucial city services, and even to the divine, you have been confronted with challenges requiring your careful attention and deliberate decisions," he said.
The award was presented on behalf of Interfaith CDA, Bahai CDA, Community United Methodist Church, Svrasti Abbey and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
As if to prove it, signs on two kennel doors proclaim “I have been adopted! I’m currently waiting to be picked up by my new parents.” One is a timid black mastiff. But the shelter remains crowded. Monday, it has about 50 large dogs filling kennels, including in the new wing oped this year, and there is still a four-month waiting list with names of about 80 dogs that people are looking to surrender pets.
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Grassi, a longtime hunter and fisherman, started what was originally called “Let’s Go Fishing Ministry, Inc.” with a focus on outdoors, men and God. It was later changed to “Men’s Ministry Catalyst." The emphasis was on helping men understand their role as defined in the Bible.
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.