Peaceful Assembly Church

By Kat Kanning

The historic church in Grafton Center has been purchased by Freestater John Connell. Connell plans to continue the building's 200 year history as a church/community center. Future activities include kid's afterschool art classes, yoga sessions, music and lectures. There are also plans for a lending library consisting predominately of books on spirituality and natural healing. A comedy open mic is also in the plans.

In a recent interview, Connell told the New Hampshire Free Press that the church will be open to all religions, as long as they're peaceful and respectful. When asked what it meant for the church to be open to all, Connell told us that the sanctuary would be open to any type of religious service. Those wishing to hold services at the Peaceful Assembly Church should contact Connell by stopping by the church or by emailing him at John@peacefulassemblychurch.org.

Current activities open to the public at the church are a Bible study and a family fun night. The bible study occurs every Sunday morning from 8 to 9am, with breakfast following from 9 to 10am. Run by Freestater Russell Kanning, the meeting is an academic reading and discussion of the Bible. Family Fun Night happens every Friday night from 7 to 9pm. Activities include basketball, frisbee, four square, games and pot luck dinners.

Connell says he's taking cues from the Free Church Ministries on how to interact with the government. From the Ministries' website:
“When a church incorporates it becomes a non-profit business which owes allegiance to its creator = the state. When a church applies for and receives the 501-C-3 tax recognition, she (the church) has voluntarily become an it. That exemption recognition comes with a voluntary muzzle and a whole set of "regulations" that are not Biblical, desirable nor would the early New Testament church as in the Book of Acts sought such recognition, accepted it nor did they when they could have.” Connell refuses to ask the government's permission to run a church, but has notified them of his intentions.

http://peacefulassemblychurch.org