1. #1
    kidzpca's Avatar
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    Unhappy Nativity Display Destroyed.

    THE FOLLOWING JUST HAPPENED THIS MORNING IN KALAMAZOO (YES, THERE IS A KALAMAZOO FOR THOSE OF YOU FLORIDIANS WHOM THREATEN TO SEND YOUR KIDS TO KALAMAZOO IF THEY DON'T BEHAVE----KIDDING) MICHIGAN.

    Tuesday, December 9, 2003

    An early-morning fire in Bronson Park that engulfed the park's Nativity scene, a staple in downtown during the holiday season, was deliberately set, city fire Marshal Greg Bombich said this morning.

    The display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ and the wooden shed housing it were destroyed about 1:45 this morning. Bombich said he believes the fire was started using a lighter or match to light the straw that surrounded the structure. No ignitable liquids were present, he said.

    This morning, all that remained of the Nativity scene were five sheep statues and a half-burned star lying on the ground. Much of its white paint had been charred by the flames.

    Burned wooden pieces of the Nativity scene poked up from the ground, but the spot where the structure once stood formed a black circle surrounded by the straw and sheep statues that escaped the fire.

    Capt. Joseph Taylor said a patrol officer arrived at Bronson to find the entire display in flames. Parts of the structure had already begun to collapse.

    The fire was quickly extinguished, officers said, but they said they knew of no witnesses or suspects in the incident.

    The Nativity scene has been a target for vandalism in the past.

    Todd Pryor, a forestry supervisor with the city's Public Services Department, said a few of the display's figures were stolen about three years ago.

    During the holiday season of 1999, vandals broke off a leg of the display's baby Jesus figure, tore an angel statue from its pedestal and left another figure heavily damaged.

    Past thefts of the baby Jesus figure led city workers to attach it to its cradle with cement and secure standing figures to the ground using long stakes.

    Pryor said his department traditionally puts the scene up for viewing the day after Thanksgiving.

    The Nativity scene is owned by the Classis of Southwest Michigan of the Reformed Church of America, which pays the city to set up, take down and store the pieces.

    The $2,000, 15-piece Italian display was purchased in 1996 using money raised by more than 150 business owners.

    Pryor and Jeff Bye, a field services manager for the department, were at the scene this morning surveying the damage. They said they planned to notify the church group of what happened and were awaiting word from the fire marshal's office.

    Bye called the damage to the Nativity scene "unfortunate."

    Bombich said the fire marshal's office will begin seeking information from the community this week. He said anyone with information about the incident can call the fire marshal's office at
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    I FIND THIS VERY SAD. THAT OVER THE FEW YEARS THIS NATIVITY CONTINUES TO BE VANDALIZED YEAR AFTER YEAR AND NOW COMPLETELY DESTROYED BECAUSE SOMEONE CANNOT LEAVE WHAT IS NOT THIERS ALONE.

    WE ARE ALLOWED TO BELIEVE AS WE WISH BUT YET CANNOT DISPLAY ANYTHING OF ANY RELIGIOUS CONTENT. NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER "HATE" CRIME OUT THERE.
    Father of Kyle, Elizabeth, Tiffany & Andrew. Proud Parent of a Cancer Survivor!

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  3. #2

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    This is so sad.
    The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you: He will never Leave you nor Forsake you.....Deut 31:8
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    When temptation calls...just hang up!
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    Satan isn't against good morals, he's against Jesus Christ. He wants to separate the teachings of the Lord from the Lord of the teachings.
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    The Will of God will never take you
    to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
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  4. #3
    Faithfully's Avatar
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    That is awful

    All my family lives in, and near Kalamazoo.

  5. #4
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    I wonder if they catch the vandals if it will prosecuted as a hate crime?

  6. #5

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    Originally posted by janelle
    I wonder if they catch the vandals if it will prosecuted as a hate crime?
    I hope so!

  7. #6

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    sad,sad,sad!
    Crazy,but thats how it goes Millions of people,living as foes,maybe,it's not too late,to learn how to love and forget how to hate.~Ozzy~Crazy Train
    In your house,I long to be,Room by room,patiently,I'll wait for you there,Like a stone,I'll wait for you there Alone~ LIke A Stone ~Audioslave(for my hubby)

  8. #7

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    Thats sick!
    Be ye fishers of men
    You just fish
    He'll catch 'em - and He'll clean them

  9. #8
    kidzpca's Avatar
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    GOOD NEWS...

    THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF LOSS IN EXCESS OF ABOUT $30,000 AND THE CHURCH GROUP EFFECTED HAS A RUSH ORDER IN FOR A NEW NATIVITY THAT SHOULD ARRIVE JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.

    YET OVER THE TWO DAYS THEY WAITED FOR A RESPONSE FROM INSURANCE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY DONATED OVER $2000 AND IT WILL LIKELY BE USED TOWARD MAINTAINING THE NEW NATIVITY OVER THE YEARS.
    Father of Kyle, Elizabeth, Tiffany & Andrew. Proud Parent of a Cancer Survivor!

  10. #9

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    This is sad. We need to pray for those responsible.
    Do you know Jesus loves you?

    Jesus said to him, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. John 14:6

    Philippians 4:4
    I Love my Soldier!
    Grandma to Chase Adam, 4-23-03

  11. #10

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    I hope they catch the vandals and make them refund the insurance company. It's good that the insurance company covered the loss and that others are willing to donate their money. But the ones responsible should pay.
    The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you: He will never Leave you nor Forsake you.....Deut 31:8
    *****************
    When temptation calls...just hang up!
    *****************
    Satan isn't against good morals, he's against Jesus Christ. He wants to separate the teachings of the Lord from the Lord of the teachings.
    *****************
    The Will of God will never take you
    to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
    *****************
    Feel free to email me @ curlymae29@jesusanswers.com
    *****************
    May God Bless You and Have a Good Day!

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