Contact: Faith and Action, 202-546-8329; Peggy Nienaber (on site), 202-236-0953

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2013 /Standard Newswire/ -- A pastor at the center of one of this year's most watched Supreme Court cases will attend arguments before the justices this Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at 10:00 AM.

Details:

Who: The Reverends Rob Schenck and Patrick Madeiros with other Christian leaders

What: Attendance at U.S. Supreme Court for arguments in Greece, NY v. Galloway, Susan, et al. (12-696) with remarks, news conference and prayer service to follow

Where: In front of the United States Supreme Court, 1 First St, NE, Washington, DC 20543

When: Wed, Nov 6, Revds Schenck and Madeiros arrive at Supreme Court, West Entrance, 9:30 AM, emerge from Court main doors approximately 11:00 AM, make comments to media approximately 11:05 AM, and conduct news conference approximately 11:30 AM

The Reverend Patrick Madeiros (Mah'-dare-ose) (photo) is Lead Pastor of Greece Assembly of God, a congregation in Greece, NY, and has been a frequent guest clergy member at his local town council meetings. Over the past fourteen years, Pastor Madeiros has delivered countless opening prayers before council meetings. On Wednesday the justices will hear arguments by attorneys for the town that it has a right to continue the prayers. Lawyers for two atheists will assert that the public prayers infringe on their clients' rights not to believe in God.

Pastor Madeiros will travel from Greece, New York, to Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 5, where he will meet over dinner with the Reverend Dr. Rob Schenck (Shank) of Faith and Action in the Nation's Capital and chairman of the Evangelical Church Alliance. The two will discuss continuing strategies for preserving the American tradition of public prayers by clergy. On Wednesday morning, Pastor Madeiros will accompany Rev. Schenck to the High Court to listen to oral arguments in Town of Greece v. Galloway, Susan, et al (12-696) Immediately following arguments, the pastor will make comments to the media with Rev. Schenck, and will participate in a news conference and prayer service on the sidewalk in front of the court building.

Rev. Schenck said about Pastor Madeiros and the prayers he offers at his town council meetings:

"Pastor Pat, as everyone knows him, is one of the warmest and most considerate people I have ever met. He is beloved by his congregation and by many, many others. His prayers at town council meetings are only the most visible contributions Pastor Pat makes to the community he loves. It is wrong for the courts to ban a long-held, widely accepted practice that has been going on in legislatures at every level in our country since its birth, and it is even more wrong to deny community faith leaders like Pastor Pat the freedom to pray according to the dictates of their own beliefs and consciences. There are many, many Christians in the town of Greece, but only a few atheists. Under the guarantee of the First Amendment, all parties have equal rights before the law. You can't take away the rights of Christians in favor of preserving the rights of atheists."

To arrange an interview with either Pastor Madeiros or Rev. Schenck, contact Faith and Action at 202-546-8329.

For interviews with either Rev. Schenck or Pastor Madeiros call Faith and Action, 202-546-8329 or on site, Peggy Nienaber, mobile 202-236-0953