Church messages removed from outside Merrimack schools
Lawn signs, balloons and chalk messages on sidewalks promoting a local church's community outreach were removed from all six public schools in Merrimack late last week because a local congregation's annual 603 Day project didn't have permission.
Wearing 'I Love My Church' T-shirts, large groups of Movement Christian Church members spread their 603 Day message Monday evening on the eve of June 3 (which is 6/03). Kids drew chalk art with sayings such as 'You rock' and 'That smile looks goooood on you.'
But in addition to the happy faces and hearts, members drew the church's logo, which was also on dozens of balloons.
Everett Olsen, the chief educational officer for the Merrimack School District, said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon that he had learned about the signs and messages just a few hours earlier and was having them removed.
'We don't allow anything of that nature, either from companies or religious organizations on school property,' Olsen said. 'We would certainly not encourage or allow any group to do that without a permit from the School Board, and that didn't happen.'
Olsen said parents reported the presence of religious messages on the secular public school campuses of James Mastricola Elementary, James Mastricola Upper Elementary, Reeds Ferry Elementary, Thornton's Ferry Elementary, Merrimack Middle and Merrimack High schools.
Georgeann Lytle, ministry coordinator for Movement, said if the church overstepped its bounds, they didn't mean to, and they will work with the school district to be respectful of their policies going forward.
'It was not our intent to promote Movement in any way shape or form,' Lytle said in a phone interview Sunday. 'We care deeply for our teachers and schools in our community.'
Movement Christian Church's website is move603.com and members run monthly LOVE603 community service events at homeless shelters, food banks and other places in the area.
Lytle said the church has been doing community service projects on 603 Day for eight years, since the inception of the Movement Christian Church in Merrimack. This year, they had about 130 volunteers who worked around Merrimack and surrounding towns.
One group of students did yard work on this 603 Day for an elderly veteran, Lytle said. Another example is the church donated 20 meals for community members last Thanksgiving.
'Our acts of service are not meant to promote our church or our beliefs,' Lytle said.
Lytle featured some of her team's work outside the Mastricola Elementary schools during last Monday, saying in the video, 'We're over here at the schools, drawing some messages for our amazing teachers and staff.'
Most of Movement Christian Church's social media posts about 603 Day included biblical verses referencing service such as Mark 10:45 and Philippians 1:3, or had hashtags such as #ServeLikeJesus. However, posts also featured hashtags and non-religious rhetoric such as #LoveInAction or #CelebrateTeachers. There did not appear to be any direct biblical references or use of the church's name in any of the signage or chalk art.
The executive pastor of the church is Mark Papp, who is the husband of Stacy Papp, a Reeds Ferry kindergarten teacher. Stacy Papp was a 603 Day team leader at one of the schools.
dpierce@unionleader.com
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