Opinion ID: 3065246
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: use of signs by good news community church

Text: Good News does not have a permanent sanctuary, and at the commencement of this litigation had been conducting its Sunday church services at an elementary school in the Town of Gilbert, Arizona (“Gilbert”) for about five years.1 Good News averages 45 regular congregants. Members of Good News believe the Bible commands them to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and that they “should carry out this command by reaching out to the community to meet together on a regular basis.” To do so, they “display[ ] signs announcing their services as an invitation for 1 According to the parties, Good News meets currently at a school in the adjacent town of Chandler, Arizona, approximately one mile from the Gilbert town line. The change in location does not moot the controversy, however, because Good News still wishes to place temporary signs in Gilbert due to its proximity to the church’s meeting place. REED v. TOWN OF GILBERT 15399 those in the community to attend.” Good News states that “[f]or a time, the Church was placing about 17 signs in the areas surrounding the Church,” and that the signs “were placed early in the day each Saturday and removed following the services on Sunday mid-day.” Good News uses moveable signs that can be placed on or anchored in the ground. The signs vary slightly, but generally contain the name “Good News Community,” the phrase “Your Community Church,” a website address and phone number, the location and time of the services, and an indicator directing people to the service. Following is an example of one of the signs: