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Group upset with minister speaking at teacher training days

MADISON, Ind. (AP) – A Wisconsin-based group that advocates for the separation of church and state has sent letters to two southern Indiana school districts expressing concerns about a minister’s presentations during teacher training days.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation said in letters sent May 22 to the Madison Consolidated and Southwestern school districts that the minister’s speeches during the past two years at teacher in-service days violate the constitutional separation of church and state. The letters ask the districts to outline steps they’ll take to “respect the private right of conscience” of district employees.

Freedom From Religion Foundation staff attorney Sam Grover said that even if staff members had not been required to attend the presentations by Rev. Peter Joudry of the Madison Assembly of God, it still would have been a violation because public schools are state-run entities.

“It is simply insensitive for a state-run employer to endorse Christianity to all of its employees regardless of their personal beliefs,” Grover wrote.

But officials from the two districts said no staff members were required to attend Joudry’s presentations and he didn’t give sermons, the Madison Courier reported.

Southwestern Superintendent Steve Telfer said that while the teacher training days are mandatory, attendance at the lunch provided by Madison Assembly of God was voluntary. He said a prayer was offered before the lunch, but Joudry did not advocate membership in the church, proselytize or present a sermon.

Madison Consolidated spokeswoman Ashley Schutte also said attendance at the breakfasts was voluntary, that no sermon or message was delivered and Joudry welcomed everyone and thanked them for their efforts.

“We will continue to respect the rights of individuals and never require attendance,” Schutte said in an email