Church didn't know when agreeing to rental

[struggle4progress]

BY KEVIN STONE | JUNE 19, 2020 AT 1:18 PM
UPDATED: JUNE 19, 2020 AT 2:28 PM

PHOENIX — The Phoenix megachurch where President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear next week did not know he was coming when it rented a facility to the group hosting the event.

A spokesman for Students for Trump, which is hosting the event Tuesday, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday the president’s involvement wasn’t confirmed before the group secured the facility.

In an online statement dated June 12, Dream City Church said its “facility rental does not constitute endorsement of the opinions of its renters” ...

https://ktar.com/story/3312204/phoenix-church-didnt-know-trump-was-coming-when-agreeing-to-rental/

[struggle4progress]

1. Phoenix City Council votes to mandate masks

Connor Van Ligten, Cronkite News
Originally Published: June 21, 2020 10:31 a.m.

PHOENIX - Face masks are required in Phoenix for people who are outside the home or in restaurants and businesses.

The policy went into effect Saturday, June 20, after a 7-2 City Council vote in favor of the policy.

“We are in the midst of a pandemic,” Mayor Kate Gallego said Friday, the same day health officials reported a record high of 3,246 cases.

“Phoenix and Arizona are seeing a rapid increase in cases of COVID-19,” Gallego said. “Public health professionals tell us there are steps we can take to slow the spread and that facial coverings are an incredibly important tool” ...

https://www.verdenews.com/news/2020/jun/21/covid-19-arizona-phoenix-city-council-votes-mandat/

[struggle4progress]

2. Gallego: Mask policy won't be enforced at Trump event

BY KTAR.COM | JUNE 21, 2020 AT 6:51 PM
UPDATED: JUNE 21, 2020 AT 7:00 PM

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said on Sunday that the city’s policy requiring face masks to be worn in public will not be enforced during President Donald Trump’s upcoming event at a Valley megachurch.

“We are not going to be focused on enforcement during the rally,” Gallego said during an appearance on CNN.

She added that she is hopeful Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey — who will attend the event — will take the opportunity to set an example regarding mask usage ...

https://ktar.com/story/3320997/phoenix-mayor-gallego-mask-policy-wont-be-enforced-at-trump-event/

[global1]

5. Why Is This Mayor Giving Trump's Rally A Pass On....

wearing masks? If it's city policy to require masks and Trump's rally is being held in the city - then Trump and rally attenders must wear masks.

[sfstaxprep]

7. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She hopes Doofus Ducey will take the opportunity to set an example regarding mask usage. Did she say that with a straight face?

[Blue Owl]

3. Megachurch becomes Magachurch

n/t

[struggle4progress]

4. After positive COVID-19 test, sheriff wouldn't enforce mask mandate

Perry Vandell, Arizona Republic Published 12:07 p.m. ET June 21, 2020

... Lamb said he flew into Washington Monday evening and visited the White House Tuesday when he tested positive for COVID-19. He later visited an infirmary and was tested a second time, which also came back positive.

"I was surprised," Lamb said regarding the positive test result. "I mean, if I looked back, I would say that I was a little rundown from, you know, a long weekend. But I didn't have any symptoms" ...

Despite his diagnosis, the Pinal County sheriff says he still has no plans to wear a mask in public or enforce any future orders requiring one to do so ...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/21/pinal-county-sheriff-mark-lamb-positive-covid-19-enforce-mask/3232821001/

[SheltieLover]

6. Pull their tax exempt status

[ChazII]

8. I am a volunteer

at St. Stephen's food bank, a satellite food bank of St. Mary's food bank. Several of our clients have spoken highly about how this church helped when they were down and needed more help than just a food box. IMHO, pulling their tax exempt status would not benefit the working poor.

[bobbieinok]

10. See my comment #9. Church's background, context supports your comment.

[bobbieinok]

9. The church is Assembly of God. Minister Luke Barnett, father Tommy Barnett

Tommy Barnett is a super prominent figure in pentecostal/charismatic circles. He started the Dream Center idea. Don't understand all its ramifications. They go into an area, help poor people, elderly people fix up/repair their property, get food, visit on a regular basis. I think some have residential facilities to house 'in trouble' young people.

IIRC, the 1st Dream .Center was in a very bad section of LA. There are now Dream Centers in many cities.

People work at one for a while, then go to set up a center in a place where there's poverty etc

I believe in general Assembly if God churches align with the GOP I rather doubt they disagree with Trump's purposes in going to Phoenix

[bobbieinok]

11. Wikipedia has an article on Dream Center in LA. Leader is Matthew, son of Tommy, brother of Luke

[bobbieinok]

12. Note---in 90s I knew a young woman who went to work in Dream Center (North) Tulsa

She planned to use what she learned working there to work with a group to set up a Dream Center some place in Europe, not sure where