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Monday, February 22, 2010

Church Signs Come Down


02/16/10 - McNairy County

Church Signs Come Down
By: Mallory Cooke
mccoke@wbbjtv.com
6:05 p.m.

A long standing feud between A Creation Seventh Day and Adventist Church and the worldwide Seventh Day Adventist reached a breaking point Tuesday. Protestors could only watch as crews dismantled signs linking the church in Guys to the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.

Protesters watched as one by one pieces of sign fell off A Creation Seventh Day and Adventist Church. "They are coming out here to take our church apart basically, strip us of our faith, strip us of our name, and strip us of our identity," said Lucan Chartier, a church member.

A federal judge said the church in Guys violated the trademark of the worldwide Seventh Day Adventist denomination, which allowed workers to tear down anything linking them to the international organization. "We are here carrying out the injunction order taking down some signage material that violated the order," said Joel Galanter, attorney representing the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-Day Adventists.

The church in Guys refuses to change its name. "That is a name God gave us and it is a name he wants us to use, so we cannot take another name," said Jody Mueller, a protester.

Mueller flew all the way from California. She said A Creation Seventh Day and Adventist represents more than just a name. "It is our banner. It is our banner that we were told to hold until Jesus comes back," said Mueller.

In addition to taking down signs outside, lawyers also plan to confiscate business cards, signs, and books because they have the name Seventh Day Adventist on them.

Members planned to stand their ground. "We are going to continue preaching as we can, whenever we can," said Chartier.

Members admitted for now the future of the church looks cloudy. "We will have to pray, take it to God and see what he instructs us to do," said Chartier.

Chartier said he will not comply with a request from the court for information, which means he could face jail time. It is a consequence he said he is willing to take.
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