Religion briefs

Country/gospel artists Shiloh will perform a concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church, 326 E. John St., Carson City.

Shiloh has been spreading the gospel through music for nearly 10 years. God has blessed this ministry with five dedicated men, who bring light-hearted humor as well as joy to the people with their music.

The groups Web site can be viewed at www.Shilohmusic.org. For information, call the church office at 883-4836.

New Orleans

Archdiocese cancels pro-gay church lease

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans, which serves gays and lesbians, has been kicked out of a building owned by the local Roman Catholic diocese.

The Rev. William Maestri, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, said the one-year lease with the church was terminated because "this particular group blesses gay unions, which we do not support."

The congregation had been renting the space while searching for a permanent home, but now must leave by Nov. 4. The archdiocese's building is home to the Project Lazarus complex, which provides hospice service to AIDS patients.

The Rev. Dexter Brecht, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church, said the decision was "another blatant example of the homophobic policies present in the Archdiocese of New Orleans."

The Catholic Church teaches that gay sex is "intrinsically disordered." Maestri said continuing the lease might give the wrong impression about Catholic teaching.

Metropolitan Community Churches are a fellowship of congregations around the world providing a place of worship for gays and lesbians. Those affiliated with the fellowship offer a union ceremony for same-sex couples.

Maine

Deal to protect Shaker crop lands

NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine (AP) - An agreement between Maine's Shaker community and a coalition of preservation and conservation groups will help protect the unique village and 1,700 acres surrounding it from becoming carved into subdivisions.

The $3.7-million plan will also help to simplify the finances of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, where life has been rooted in faith and farming and remains unchanged in many ways from when it was founded more than 200 years ago.

It is the last active Shaker community in the world and has only four members.

Under the agreement, the Shakers will sell their rights to develop the village and land for about $2.5 million to the coalition. The additional $1.2 million in funds is earmarked for endowments for building maintenance and other costs.