Tiny church in NYC awaiting Supreme Court decision

NEW YORK (AP) — A tiny Bronx church is hoping the Supreme Court will overturn a ruling that says holding its Sunday service in a public school is unconstitutional.

The New York City Board of Education allows community groups, including religious ones, to use its buildings. But it excludes worship services.

A federal appeals court upheld the policy in June. The Supreme Court is considering whether to review the case and could decide that on Monday.

Robert Hall, co-pastor of the evangelical Bronx Household of Faith, says his little group never expected to get involved in a big-time court case that has now lasted 17 years.

The church's lawyer says the ruling makes an arbitrary distinction between religious expression and worship. But a civil liberties group says it preserves separation of church and state.

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