Three days into the 2023 new year, the Fountain Hills religious community found itself in the middle of a polarizing discussion on the use of prayer during Town Council meetings.
A 6-1 council vote in favor of reinstating the practice of invocation was ultimately decided, but not without disagreement as many took issue with the new policy citing favoritism of certain religions, First Amendment concerns and controversies on whether religion had a place in town procedures.
In 2023, local churches faced their own particular challenges, including The Fountain UMC which saw more than 6,000 churches disaffiliate from the United Methodist congregation over theology and LBGTQ+ concerns.
