I have sent a formal grievance to the Mayor of Vicksburg, and the Warren County Board of Supervisors. This grievance is against the trick-or-treat activity announced for Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010.

I feel that little or no consideration was given to the Christians who reside inside Warren County or the City of Vicksburg. The plans restrict the religious practices of citizens and place the personal property those who exercise their religious faith on Sunday evening at risk.

The below message was the content of the grievance that was sent via e-mail to the Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield and the Warren County Board of Supervisors:

“I would like to thank you for allowing the opportunity to send you this message. I am the pastor of Bible Holiness Church of Vicksburg. On behalf of my congregation and me, we would like to file a grievance over the Halloween activities currently scheduled to take place on Sunday evening, Oct. 31, 2010. We feel that the trick-or-treat activities should have been declared for Friday or Saturday night and not on a night when people are most likely to attend prayer and worship services at their respective houses of worship.

“We feel that consideration should have been given to Christians and their religious practices. We also feel that by having the activities on Sunday, it will prevent members of community churches from attending services. This creates a perception that the city and county leadership does not support the faith-based community practices of its constituents.

“We respectfully request consideration to move the declared activities from Sunday to Friday or Saturday evening, as the city and county has done numerous times in the past. There is time to make this move and announce it with plenty of time for people to react.”

I invite citizens to offer their support and rally for the Chrisian religious practices within our communities.

Steven Rowland

Pastor, Bible Holiness Church

Vicksburg