• Originally published July 11, 2008 at 5:38 p.m., updated July 11, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.

BALTIMORE – An Elkton, Md., church focused on serving the homeless is suing the town of Elkton because civil libertarians and church leaders say the town is hindering the church’s expression of faith.

Carl Mazza, pastor of the Meeting Ground, said Elkton officials have blocked attempts by the church to open a day center for homeless men and women. The Mary Randall Empowerment Center would provide religious, employment and social needs for homeless men and women.

The church already owns property zoned for use by churches and businesses but Elkton’s zoning board required the center to have a special zoning exception.

TULSA, Okla. – More than 50 people have been suggested for or have shown interest in the Oral Roberts University presidency, according to the presidential search consultant.

School leaders hope to hire a new president by next summer, although consultant Bruce Dingman, president of The Dingman Co. Inc., said the university is not creating an artificial deadline for accepting resumes.

ORU is looking for a new leader following Richard Roberts’ resignation last fall after intense publicity over lawsuits, which raised allegations he misspent university money and poorly managed the school – allegations he denied.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A shortage of kosher meat in Nashville has been exacerbated by an immigration scandal at the country’s largest kosher meatpacking plant, officials say.

Keeping kosher in Nashville has been tough in recent months because of rising fuel prices and a national shortage of kosher meat.

Then in May, federal officials arrested almost 400 workers on immigration charges at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa. The arrests at the Jewish-owned company have members of some Jewish congregations worried, as well as some butchers.

Peter Swerdlow, president of Griller’s Pride, an Atlanta-based kosher butcher that delivers to Nashville, said his company only does business with companies that follow kosher standards and treat their employees well. Once news of the Agriprocessors raid hit, Swerdlow said, his company was bombarded with calls. In response, he sent a letter outlining his company’s labor policies to customers.

“In terms of Griller’s Pride labor practices,” he wrote, “I am proud to state for the record that since our inception in 2004, every one of our staff have been paid and continue to be paid well above the minimum wage and are treated with the respect and dignity that every human being deserves.”

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