Criminal acts against the church in North America continue at a steady pace.  Reported incidents are mostly petty crimes and acts of vandalism.

Halifax-area RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying the people responsible for vandalism at a church in Sackville. Valliant News reports derogatory comments were painted on the building and property was damaged by the vandal or vandals. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to the Halifax District RCMP at . If you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477.)

RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire at a church nursery in Carman, Man.  CBC reports the fire was confined to one room. RCMP ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Two men are charged with multiple charges including defacing religious property and defacing an institution because of religious animosity after bias-related graffiti was found at a Maryland Methodist Church, according to a report from Patch.com.

Two women in Lima, Ohio have agreed to reimburse the congregation of New Life Assembly and enter a diversity program after they pleaded guilty to vandalizing a church.  Hometownstations.com reports prosecutors dropped a higher charge of desecration as part of a negotiated plea deal.

A Former New York University professor is charged with a hate crime after police say security cameras caught him vandalizing a Brooklyn Church.  NBCNewYork.com reports Michael Gould Wartofsky previously taught sociology at NYU.

Investigators in Greene County, Tennessee are asking anyone with information about a fire that was intentionally set at the Gethsemane Methodist Church to call the local sheriff’s office.  The fire was set sometime between Nov 4 and Nov 5 according to a report from WJHL television.

A Toronto church has helped at least 33 families from 13 countries find a new home. The CBC reports the families are helped by the Etobicoke-based Islington United Church under Canada’s Private Sponsorship Program.

Please pray for the affected congregations and for those who committed these crimes.