Town Outlaws Merry Christmas Sign and Menorah for Holiday Season

NORTH ANDOVER — First it was the menorah on the town common. Now it's the Merry Christmas sign on the fire station.

The town has put an end to a longtime holiday tradition ordering firefighters to take down their homemade Merry Christmas sign from outside the fire station after people complained. The sign had been up for a week before it was taken down Friday.

Fire Chief William Martineau said the sign was made by firefighters some 50 years ago and was never an issue before.

"I think Christmas is officially a religious holiday. But to all of us, it has always been a holiday for the kids," Martineau said. "It just seems sad."

The sign is now sitting in the basement and there's only one decoration hanging from the station — a Happy New Year sign.

This is the second holiday controversy in two weeks for the town.

Andover Rabbi Asher Bronstein has threatened a lawsuit against North Andover after the selectmen would not let him place a menorah on the town common for all eight days of Hanukkah.

Selectmen voted on Nov. 23 to allow the menorah for one day. They argue that their new town common policy only allows displays to stay up for one day, no matter what they are. That way all groups have equal time and there is no discrimination.

Attorneys for the town and the rabbi are in talks.

Town officials said yesterday that the menorah fight is what caused Merry Christmas to be outlawed at the fire station for the first time in five decades.

"This is political correctness run amok," selectmen's Chairman Tracy Watson said. "It's really an unfortunate turn of events. ... This has become all about religion, and from the start it has had nothing to do with religion. We were enforcing a policy."

Selectmen's phones are ringing off the hook with calls from all sides. The town is divided into people who believe the menorah should get its eight days and those who think the selectmen's policy is fair. Some do not want to see any religious displays on the common, saying even a day is too much.

Watson said she expects taking down the Merry Christmas sign is only going to rile people up more.

"It's going to make a lot of people angry," she said.

Town Manager Mark Rees said the fight over the menorah brought a "heightened sensitivity to these kind of issues."

click to read full Article at The Eagle Tribune

JMC Ministries Response

Written By: Miranda Caverley

This year it seems Christmas has been under attack more than ever before.  Everyday we are hearing story after story of people, businesses, churches, practically anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas being persecuted. So much that we at JMC Ministries wanted to share a story of one woman here in Ohio who took a stand for Christmas. Her name is Connie.

Connie works in a business office, and for Christmas her boss told everyone that they could decorate their desks and spaces for Christmas.  After this announcement was made a fellow employee stood up and said that if anyone had the idea of bringing religious stuff in that she would file a grievance with the Human Resources Dept. (meaning she would try to get people fired from their job).  Connie brought in a little angel and placed it on her desk along with other Christmas decortions a few days later.  She decided not to take the angel down knowing what the co-worker had said.  Connie then went home for the weekend.  Over the weekend, Connie called a family member to tell them what had happened at her work.  She told the family member that she wasn't sure if she would have  job after Monday if the co-worker should be true to her word, and file a grievance for her having the angel on her desk. But Connie said that she would not take the angel off her desk no matter what.  So on Monday Connie had to work late.  Most of the other co-workers had left for the day when she saw the woman who was over the Human Resources dept. Connie stopped the lady and began telling her of what her co-worker had said about filing a grievance for having religious Christmas decorations on their desks.  The lady from the Human Resources told Connie to come with her to her office because she wanted to show her something.  The lady said she had only one decoration in her office for Christmas and she wanted Connie to see it.  When the woman opened the door to the human resources office there on the desk was a small Nativity Scene!

Connie is a family of member of JMC Ministries and we felt we needed to share her story.  Because there are so many silent victims facing this kind of persecution this Christmas season in the United States. We feel their stories need to be told. 

1 Thessalonians 3:7
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

John 15:20 (New International Version)

²⁰Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'^[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

1 Corinthians 4:12,13
¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Romans 12:14 (New International Version) 

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

 

Christians in U.S forced into closets and hiding places to share the gospel

Click to Read full article From Christian Newswire
PENSACOLA, Fla., Dec. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- Trial testimony concluded this week in which Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is seeking to intervene to overturn an ACLU court order that has already resulted in three school officials being charged with contempt. Liberty Counsel represents CEAI. Testimony revealed how this order has literally driven Christians to hide in closets to pray in order to avoid contempt charges.
In August, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant, from contempt charges brought by the ACLU after her husband, who is not employed by the Santa Rosa County School District, offered a meal prayer at a privately sponsored event in a neighboring county. On Constitution Day, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman against criminal contempt charges, after the ACLU complained when Freeman offered a 15-second blessing for a lunch meal for about 20 adults with no students present.
During testimony, Michelle Winkler broke down on the witness stand when she described how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray, for fear they would be seen and held in contempt of the court order. Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or "God bless you." Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit "reply," in order to eliminate any trace of religious language.
JMC Response
written by: Miranda Caverley
When we read of Christians hiding in closets and going into private places away from the watchful eye of the government or anyone that might come against them and arrest or put them on trial for praying or talking about God.  We think of China, Russia, North Korea, and other Communist/Socialist countries that oppress the freedom of religion. But no, we are reading about The United States of America.  Where it is written in the our own constitution that we have freedom of religion! WHERE IS THE FREEDOM, that our forefathers wrote into law that we have the right to?
Christians! Why do we keep allowing organization like the ACLU to trample on our freedoms and scare us into the closets and hiding places to talk about God and his wonderful Love? Why have Christians stopped standing up and NOT being ashamed of the Gospel like the prophets, the disciples, and especially Jesus the Son of God? 
They didn’t care what man thought of them! They didn’t care that they were put into prison, or brought before high courts to be prosecuted! They rejoiced, and even in prison behind bars rejoiced! Like Paul and Silas while in prison they sang songs of praise to the Lord, and there came a massive earthquake and destroyed the prison and they were set free! When we obey the Lord he will make a way for us out of the bondage and persecution!
Like our brothers and sisters in persecuted countries that are in prison or being faced with death everyday for their faith.  Keep going, keep sharing the good news of the Lord to all that will listen! Because this world and all the things on it will pass away, but God and his promises to us are ETERNAL! They never fade, rot, or break, unlike everything of this world they last forever!
Jesus even said (paraphrase) “if they persecute me, they will persecute you.”  They hung Jesus on a Cross and killed him, do you think as a Christian you will not face some sort of  persecution when our own Savior  and everyone else that followed HIS teaching did? Jesus only taught to love one another, and follow HIS ways which our own founding fathers founded the United States of America on! They even said that these rights that they put in the U.S constitution were our “God Given Rights”. Then why don’t we fight for them?

Romans 1:16 (New International Version)

¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

5 Linfen Church Leaders Sentenced to Labor Camps Without Trial

SHANXI, China, Dec. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- On November 30, five more church leaders from Linfen Church, Shanxi, were each sentenced to two years re-education through labor, in an arbitrary administrative sentence by the Public Security Bureau which circumvents the court and prosecution systems. The sentence allegedly took effect November 11th, while they were already detained.

The five Christian leaders included Mr. Li Shuangping, Ms. Yang Hongzhen, Ms. Yang Caizhen (whose husband, Yang Xuan, received three years sentence on Nov. 25), Ms. Gao Qin (a.k.a. Gao Fuqin), and Ms. Zhao Guoai.

The five church leaders were accused of "gathering people to disturb the public order, " referring to the one-thousand-believer prayer rally held on September 14for the victims of the midnight attack on Fushan Church. 17 church buildings were destroyed and over 30 believers were seriously wounded during the unprecedented mob attack on September 13.

"To arbitrarily send five innocent citizens to labor camps directly violates the international human rights covenants and norms the Chinese government has signed and even ratified, " said ChinaAid President Bob Fu. "This case shows the Chinese government is determined to be on the wrong side of history by clenching its power with suppressing the basic freedom of religion and conscience for Chinese citizens. We call upon the international community to hold these rights abusers accountable."

ChinaAid grants permission to reproduce photos and/or information for non-fundraising purposes, with the provision that www.ChinaAid.org is credited. Please contact: Annee@ChinaAid.org for further information.

JMC Response

1 Peter 1:6-7 ⁶[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,
    ⁷So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.

Persecution in China has been a long going event, Christianity is the minority and the socialist regime reigns supreme. But this supreme power is nothing compared to what Jesus Christ’s omnipotent power! God can reach the darkest of hearts and help those that are in danger endure.

Matthew 5:10-12 (English Standard Version)

 ^10(A) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for^(B) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ^11(C) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^(D) on my account. ^12(E) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for^(F) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Cross references:

A. Matthew 5:10 : 2 Tim 2:12; James 5:11; 1 Pet 3:14

B. Matthew 5:10 : Matthew 5:3

C. Matthew 5:11 : Heb 11:26; 1 Pet 4:14

D. Matthew 5:11 : John 15:21

E. Matthew 5:12 : Acts 5:41; Rom 5:3; 2 Cor 12:10; Col 1:11, 24; Heb 10:34; James 1:2; 1 Pet 4:13

Matthew 5:12 : Matthew 21:35

Modern Day Slavery in the U.S it is a reality!

JMC Ministries Response

If we think Slavery ended when Abraham Lincoln Signed the Emancipation Proclamation we are diluting ourselves America. Slavery is still going strong in many countries.  Even here in the U.S. many don’t want to believe that people in America are enslaving people, but it is happening and we need to wake up!

Of course you won’t hear about this on your local news channels or in your local newspaper.  Of  course not that would be telling the truth. And just what is the truth? That the media is only covering what “they” want you to see and hear.  While we are bombarded by H1N1 virus epidemics, and health care reform.  This is what is really going on in America! Stories like this of human suffering, and oppression. 

What have we become America? I can’t even recognize my own country anymore! We see these kinds of stories of slavery, human trafficking, sex trafficking, drugs, religious oppression, government run healthcare and government run companies, and you would think you are looking at a communist or socialist run country.  But NO We are looking at the United States of America!

America our forefathers fought and died to make this a free country! We need to take it back! 

265,000 Christmas lights!

 

From CNN IReport

CNN producer note

Pitxmas has 55,000 more lights covering his Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home than he had last year. He spent nearly three months hanging the lights and programming the display to music.
- thanks, CNN iReport producer

With the economy in trouble and many people are out of work, we have put in a ton of extra work to make our christmas display extra special.

Hopefully our lights will brighten some spirits and make people forget, if only for a minute, all the troubles in their lives.

This years display consists of ober 265,000 lights, 6 miles of extension cords, and over 150 plastic figures.

To see more, check out our website at www.steelcitychristmas.com

Ohio Man Attacks Salvation Army Kettle Worker and Steals Kettle because he says he hates Christmas

From Fox News.com

MAUMEE, Ohio  —  Police in northwest Ohio say a man who claimed to hate Christmas swiped a Salvation Army red kettle full of donated money and pushed one of the charity's bell ringers to the ground when she tried to take it back.

Police in Maumee say the man grabbed the kettle Saturday evening outside a general store. The bell ringer grasped at the chain suspending the kettle and tried to take it back. But police say she was pushed down by the man, who told her: "I can't stand you and your bell-ringing. I hate Christmas." Police say the man then drove off in a pickup truck with the kettle and tripod it was hanging from.

Sgt. David Tullis says he doesn't know how much money was in the kettle.

The empty kettle was recovered Sunday. The man has not been found.

JMC Ministries Response

We at JMC Ministries work very closely with the Salvation Army.  For 6 years we have attended The Church here in our town of Chillicothe Ohio and worked closely with the red kettle campaign, volunteering our time to reach out to the homeless, working with at risk youth and helping hand out gifts and food for the holiday seasons. 

The money that people put in those little red kettles goes directly to help those in need in the community and surrounding areas.  So when this man stole that kettle he actually stole Christmas and food that would have help children and adults alike in need. 

I (Miranda) have personally stood kettles and let me tell you it is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs I have ever done.  You stand for nearly 8 hours in the cold, but to see the look on the childrens faces when we are able to give them a Christmas and food to eat, that makes up for the cold fingers and toes and red noses from ringing the bell for the red kettle campaign.  

Through working with the salvation army I have seen many of the children I have mentored and taught through the years give their lives to christ as young as 10 yrs old, and even a close friend of mine give her life to Christ this past year.

Some of the signs that at one of the red kettle posts says is “Need Knows No Season” and that is so true.  Through out the year the Salvation Army is hard at work helping others whether it be through food vouchers, clothing vouchers, or assistance with utility bills for people. They reach out to the community and those in need just as Jesus instructed, and we at JMC Ministries are so happy that we are apart of this great Ministry of the Salvation Army.

So to the man that assaulted the kettle worker and stole the money and said, “I hate Christmas” you can hate christmas, but don’t take from children and others in need who are hungry and have no money to buy food and clothes.   

School Students try to poison Teacher

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Three middle school students in Waltham are facing serious trouble.

According to police, three McDevitt Middle School students tried to get their teacher to drink some type of cleaning solution by hiding it in her water bottle on the morning of November 12.

Fortunately, the teacher was unharmed as she noticed that her water bottle had been tampered with in time.

Local residents said they are glad the teacher noticed in time.

"That's a crime, if somebody can be injured like that, because if she doesn't smell it before drinking it, then it can be very dangerous," said one man.

Household cleaners, especially those with ammonia or bleach, can lead to vomiting, internal burning and bleeding, organ damage, and even death.

The police investigation concluded that the students, two 13-year olds and a 12-year old, put some sort of cleaner in the water bottle. It is unclear how much, but the teacher was able to smell it.

All three students have been charged with attempted poisoning and were suspended indefinitely.

click to read article from 7 News Boston

School helps students struggling with hunger and homelessness

By Chuck Conder, CNN

November 27, 2009 12:20 p.m. EST

Las Vegas, Nevada (CNN) -- Principal Sherrie Gahn said she was shocked when she first came to Whitney Elementary School seven years ago.

"The kids were eating ketchup packets," Gahn said. "I said to one of my teachers, 'What on Earth are they doing?' and she said, 'That's their dinner.' "

Whitney Elementary is in a dusty, rundown neighborhood of Las Vegas known as the Boulder Strip. The main drag, the Boulder Highway, is lined with pawn shops and low-rent motels.

Families here live at the edge of financial disaster. Gahn estimates that 75 percent of her 622 students have experienced homelessness or are in danger of becoming homeless.

"There are pockets of Vegas that were bad," Gahn said, "but it's gotten 10 times worse with the recession."

Under Gahn's leadership, Whitney Elementary has become the chief lifeline for its students and their families. In addition to the regular lunch program for needy kids, the school operates a food bank.

Hundreds of students are sent home each Friday with food supplies to keep their families fed through the weekend.

"If we didn't have the food services, there would be a lot of hungry kids out there," said Kim Butterfield, a homeless advocate who works at the school.

Butterfield also organizes a clothing pantry in one of the school's spare classrooms. The school provides an entire winter wardrobe to students in need of clothing.

The school's efforts don't stop there. Gahn tries to provide whatever her students need, whether it's a dental appointment or a haircut.

"There is not an agency in Las Vegas that can actually take care of the number of homeless and poverty-stricken children that I have at this school," Gahn said. "So the only course of action I could take was to become self-sufficient."

Over the years, Gahn has built up a network of donors that supply money, goods and services. She relies on grateful parents who volunteer at the school.

click to read full article at CNN.com

Woman Delivers Granddaughter While Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner

Saturday, November 28, 2009

 

BOSTON —  A Boston woman says she was forced to split her time between helping her daughter deliver a baby at home and cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

Patricia McCalop was in the middle of preparing the meal when Africa McCalop suddenly went into labor two weeks early.

The grandmother called 911, and a dispatcher talked her through the delivery and helped her confirm that the baby girl was health and breathing.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterward and took the mother and newborn to the hospital. They are both in good health.

McCalop said she kept running between the kitchen and her daughter in labor because she didn't want the turkey to burn while helping her child deliver the baby.

The infant weighed six pounds.

Man Gives his Life to Christ at New York City's Bowery Mission Chapel

Thursday, November 26, 2009
By Lauren Green

James Foresteire made good money trading diamonds. He had money, cars and a nice home.

"I wanted for nothing," he says.

But after a family tragedy, he soothed his pain with drugs and alcohol. Eventually, he lost everything.

"I ended up on a friend’s couch with 50 cents in my pocket, too afraid to spend it," Foresteire says.

James Macklin tells of a life of searching for excitement that his successful business didn’t provide.

"I began to smoke that crack cocaine," he says. "Boy, I tell you. That was the beginning of my end."

Click here for video.

Though Foresteire and Macklin came from very different cultures, they fell victim to the same addictions. But for both of them, the end turned out to be another beginning.

They found redemption at the same place on New York’s Lower East Side: the Bowery Mission Chapel.

Now celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Bowery Mission Chapel has changed little in the last century. Hymn-singing, a sermon and a free meal provide food for the body and nourishment for the soul.

"It really started out as a prayer movement on Wall Street," says Pastor Reggie Stutzman, who works full time at the Mission and gives several sermons a week at the chapel. "A hundred years later, their work through prayer and seeking God … we’re still doing it."

click to read full article at Fox News