ABC Council is being asked to give the go-ahead to use one of its public parks to host Sunday praise services over the summer months.
Bye-laws at present state that “a person shall not in a designated pleasure ground without the consent of the Council: (i) Deliver, or read, any public speech, lecture, prayer sermon, or address of any kind, or sing any song, whether sacred or secular, or enter into a public discussion, or hold, or cause, or take part in public assemblage”.
But council officers are recommending that approval be given to Banbridge Baptist Church to host services on three occasions.
The church has asked for permission to use Solitude Park to host three ‘Praise in the Park’ events in June and July.
It has previously been granted the use of the park for services on five occasions last year.
Council – at the monthly meeting on Monday night – will be asked to approve three church services in the park on Sunday, June 2, and Sundays July 7 and 21.
Each service is expected to last around an hour, starting at 6.30pm.
A report going to council state: “The Pastor has advised that it would be their intention to have gospel singing and that a biblical message would be preached to the congregation.
“Having considered this request, officers would seek permission from council to accede to the request from Banbridge Baptist Church to hold three ‘Praise in the Park’ events as detailed.”
