Judge considers case involving Celebration Church and former pastors
A judge heard arguments Thursday between attorneys for Celebration Church and its former pastors amid an ongoing legal battle that involves allegations of defamation. After a nearly two-hour hearing, Judge Marianne Aho said she would take the arguments under advisement.
Church group accused of orchestrating Celebration Church takeover calls accusations โunfounded and inaccurateโ
The Association of Related Churches (ARC) responded to a new federal court filing from two local pastors, who accuse the organization of masterminding a conspiracy to take over the church they founded and oust them from their roles.
Federal complaint: Church planting organization masterminded conspiracy to frame pastors
The former lead pastors and founders of Celebration Church filed a new federal complaint accusing a church planting organization and three other pastors of masterminding a conspiracy to take over the church and oust the founders from their roles.
Judge dismisses defamation suit brought by former pastors against Celebration Church
A judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought forth by the former pastors of Celebration Church, one of the largest churches in Northeast Florida, ruling that the court does not have jurisdiction over ecclesiastical matters.
I-TEAM: Celebration Church argues in court for dismissal of defamation suit brought by former pastors
For months, Celebration Church has been in the midst of a bitter and public battle with its former pastors, and on Tuesday, a defamation suit filed against the church found its way in front of a judge.
I-TEAM: Former pastors accuse Jacksonville church of taking โcult-like positionโ
The former pastors of Celebration Church accused the church of โtaking a cult-like positionโ on an issue of their church membership in their latest court filing. The pastors also accuse the church of violating their rights to religious freedom.
Celebration Church founding pastors want court to dismiss eviction notice for disputed property
Newly filed court documents show Stovall and Kerri Weems want the court to dismiss an eviction notice theyโve been served by Celebration Church -- the church they founded in Jacksonville in 1998 and grew into one of the largest in the city.
New vaccine sites open at Southside church, Northwest Jacksonville center
Celebration Church on the Southside of Jacksonville is a new vaccine site. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two new coronavirus vaccine sites opened in Jacksonville on Wednesday. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the sites are located at The Legends Center in Northwest Jacksonville and at Celebration Church on the Southside. The site at the Legends Center will be open seven days a week while the church site is only closed on Sunday. The Legends Center site, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will also offer COVID-19 testing.
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Celebration Church welcomes members back for 1st in-person service in months
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Celebration Church welcomed its members back to the building on Sunday morning for its first in-person service in more than five months. March 7 was the last service before the church shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. We have to rethink the way we do everything.Celebration Church welcomed the congregation back on Sunday morning. Celebration Church is asking its members to wash their hands, socially distance themselves from others and not touch their faces. Celebration Church members entered the building on Sunday morning.
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Northeast Florida churches get creative for Easter Sunday services
However, many churches in Northeast Florida told News4Jax they will not open their churches. Instead, they will stream Easter service online. At University Church, lead Pastor Frank Ciresi, said they will also stream Easter Service online. In addition to streaming Easter service, other churches are bringing people together at a safe social distance. Their drive-in Easter service will be held on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. in the Northeast Florida Fair parking lot to accommodate hundreds of worshipers.
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Channel 4 to air Resurrection Sunday service from Celebration Church
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ We know many of you haven't been able to attend church in person in a few weeks. Celebration Church will be sharing their Resurrection Sunday service with us, and it will air at 9 a.m. on Channel 4. Celebration is a local church with a main campus in Jacksonville, and several other campuses in surrounding areas. The church said if you'd like to join in communion, just grab crackers and juice -- or whatever you have on hand. We hope youโll join us this Sunday, and we can all feel a little closer as a community, despite having to stay apart.