Loveland Magazine

Whipping Up a Prayer for Thanksgiving

 by the Rev. Dr. Doug Damron

Have you made all your preparations for this Thursday?  Have your grocery shopping done?  Have your travel itinerary set?  Have the guest room cleaned and pillows fluffed?  Feeling stressed yet?

My Thanksgiving stress points are not triggered by fears of getting enough white meat, being done with the meal before the football game, or having to face some hard to get along with family members, my Thanksgiving stress point, ironically, is being called upon to pray before the meal.  Even as a pastor who prays publicly about every day the thanksgiving prayer I am called to offer before my family and extended family is a source of stress.

Why do you think the Thanksgiving prayer moment so stressful?  Well, it seems to be the most important public prayer we offer during the year and we are afraid of messing it up especially before the entire family.

To avoid the stress of publicly praying before our family, many parents now punt and simply ask one of the kids to pray before the meal rather than risk messing up this sacred moment.  But this can backfire as well.

As a pastor , I want to help you not only pray well in front of your family at the thanksgiving table this year—whipping up a great prayer for thanksgiving if you will, I want to give you the ingredients of prayer that will enable to deepen your conversation with God anytime, anywhere.  The ingredients of great prayer can be summed up as the  ACTS of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication).

The first ingredient of prayer is adoration, naming before God an attribute that makes God worthy of prayer.  Great prayers begin not with your need; great prayer begins by celebrating who God is.  That is adoration.

As you whip up your own prayer, here is just the beginning of attributes you can adore God for: Your love never ends, You grace washes away all our faults, You provide all we need, You never give up on us, You give us eternal life in your Son Jesus, Your give us the Holy Spirit, You heal our hurts and heal our hearts, You pour blessing into all of your lives, You call me your daughter/son… The entire internet is not big enough to list all the divine attributes with God.  This is the first ingredient of any prayer.

So a thanksgiving prayer can begin this way by offering a word of adoration. O God, you are the giver of all good gifts.

The next ingredient of a great prayer is C-confession.  When we name a perfect attribute of God in adoration, our imperfection in light of God’s perfection cannot be ignored - it needs to be acknowledged and dealt with.  Confession is a healthy part of any prayer, not just the prayer of confession before communion or prayers we offer during the season of Lent. 

Now, someone maybe thinking “but Doug, its thanksgiving, this is not the time or place to offer confession.  Who says?  In light of a perfect God is there a perfect family?  Even at the Thanksgiving table we can enter into a moment of confession.   Maybe the line could go something like this: Forgive us for being so busy with unimportant things that have forgotten how precious a gift our family is. 

And when we render to God a confession, privately or publicly, we always offer it with this promise of God in mind, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”  (I John 1:9)

Great prayers are begin with God, adoring God for his divine attributes, it then turns inward in confession, and now the T—thanksgiving.  Now we are back to familiar territory.  Our psalm for today says it best, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done.”   (Psalm 107:5)

Every prayer, not just at Thanksgiving, any prayer should include a thanksgiving portion.  Prayer creates space for us to look around at your things, your gifts, your relationships, the faith you have in your heart.  Every blessing in your life has one thing in common—G-O-D. 

We need thanksgiving in our prayers more than ever.  So much of our decision making today is driven not by faith but be fear.  For too many people the stock market is source of everything good, or your 401K is the source of security in your life.  How did we stray so far from orthodox Christianity that tells us God is the one who will care of our needs.  If the majority of Americans who claim Christianity as their faith journey were to tell themselves, and believe it again, I wonder how quickly we could move out of economic malaise!  We have so much to thank God for!  Even at the doorstep of a recession.  The market may drop, but God doesn’t drop his eternal promises!

Your thanksgiving prayer can include thanks for the food on your table, and the list of blessings you and your family enjoy.  It may look like this: We thank you for our food, our family, and for our faith. 

The final ingredient of prayer is S—supplication.  Said another way, sharing with God our needs. 

As one of the pastors at the Epiphany United Methodist Church, one of the constant feedbacks I hear about worship in this place is the sharing of prayer concerns we do in worship and in our smaller group setting.  It just seems natural for our communal life with God.  Can you imagine taking a moment in loving vulnerability and sharing your prayer needs as a family?  Why not prayer for cousin’s search for a job, grandmother’s battle against disease, your sister’s recent separation.  Prayer is not about nicety, and polite society.  Prayer is the occasion to boldly approach the throne of God and ask for divine intervention.   

This thanksgiving may be the most memorable for your family if you take time in love to offer your family needs and community needs to God in your thanksgiving prayer.

So let’s put it all together: O God, you are the giver of all good gifts.  Forgive us for being so busy with unimportant things that have forgotten how precious a gift our family is.  We thank you for our food, our family, and for our faith.  We pray for (family prayer concerns listed).  Hold them close and care for their needs.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, Amen.

ACTS of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication).  Now you have a great start to a Thanksgiving prayer and now you have a great start to a life that is defined by an on-going, passionate, and faithful conversation with the One who is the source of every good in your life and in the world.  Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Doug Damron is Senior Pastor at Epiphany United Methodist Church

NEXT STEPS FOR LITTLE MIAMI

A message from Superintendent Dan Bennett

While the district is disappointed with the results of Tuesday’s vote, we also understand our community is being cautious in these uncertain economic times. I sincerely believe the campaign committee has worked diligently to unite our communities around the schools, but, unfortunately, this issue has created division.

Even though passage of this earnings tax would have provided significant, long-term relief for our students and staff, we are prepared to move forward. The Board of Education will evaluate its options over the next several weeks. As we communicated over the last several months, the community will likely see a property tax levy on the ballot before summer 2009. If no issue is passed, the district will be required to make $4 million in cuts to the balance the budget before the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

State law prohibits the district from operating in the red. Cost reductions have already been implemented, and we are prepared to make more to balance the budget. These potential cuts are not a threat. They are real considerations of the Board to avoid a deficit.

$4 million equates to 70 teachers, or more than 30% of the district's total teaching staff. The district will consider other cost reductions to minimize the impact of cuts on the quality of education.
Possible measures may include:

•  State minimum program offerings at all schools;
•  No High School bussing and no bussing within 2 miles of the school;
•  Full pay to participate for all extra curricular activities ($600- $800 per student per sport/program) OR elimination of all athletics and extracurricular activities;
•  Reduce number of buildings in operation by closing older buildings or not opening the new junior high and intermediate schools;
•  Staff reductions across the district — administrators, teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, custodial, office, secretarial, aides, etc.;
•  Hiring freeze; and
•  Wage increase freeze.

As always, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at 899-2264.

Sincerely,
Daniel E. Bennett, Superintendent
Little Miami Local Schools

THE LOVELAND INITIATIVE 11th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

by Terri Rogers

The Loveland Initiative is proud once again to host the 11th Annual Christmas Toy Store. The Toy Store was created to help low income families who could not afford toys and gifts. Purchasing toys and gifts at a discount helps parents feel they are contributing to their child's Christmas.

We are committed to using the money raised by the Toy Store for the betterment of children and families in Loveland. The past seven years, the money raised has been used for the Tracy Johnson Scholarship Fund which assists a student to further his or her education. We are very proud that twelve college scholarships have been awarded to Loveland graduates. Each year, we award a $1500 scholarship. Any additional money raised will go towards our other educational programs. We feel one of the ways to empower people is through education and is the way to break the cycle of poverty. Without you, we can not offer to help these children. We will be accepting donations of NEW UNWRAPPED toys and gifts for children, preteens and teens ages newborn to 18.

Drop off NEW UNWRAPPED toys and gifts every Monday between 6:30PM and 8:30PM on November 3, 10, 17, 24, and December 1, 8. The drop-off location is 405 Loveland Madeira Road, across the street from the Goodwill and United Dairy Farmers.

Contact Information:
Terri Rogers 677-1057(home) & 255-6821(cell)
Lill Lane 774-7878

Last minute items can be dropped off at the Loveland Fireman's VFW Hall, 227 East Loveland Avenue, on Tuesday December 16 between 2 and 7 PM, Wednesday December 17 between 2 and 7 PM, and Thursday December 18 fron Noon until 9 PM. We can also make arrangements to pick up gifts. In addition to gifts we always need volunteers for pick-up, wrapping, displays, and transportation.

We are confident that our community will once again come together to help the children and families in Loveland. Please feel free to call or e-mail lovelandinitiative@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your help!

Help Alexis make a wish come true

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

  My name is Alexis King, I graduated from Loveland High School, and I am currently a junior at Morehead State University.  At school I stay busy with being a student athlete and a part of one of the best sororities on campus; Chi Omega. 

My sorority is involved with a lot of on campus activities and is very philanthropic. Our philanthropy is the Make A Wish foundation.  If you haven't heard about this organization, it is one you will want to be apart of.  This foundation raises money for children who are extremely ill.  They simply ask the child what his or her wish may be and they raise money in order to grant the wish.  This will be my first wish child and I am very excited.

  I did, however, have a chance to meet the last years wish child and have heard some amazing stories about others.  Last year we raised money for a child that had been sick for over seven years.  He has reoccurring tumors that grow all over his body.  He is constantly in the hospital and in no way lives a normal life.  He originally wanted to meet Chuck Norris, but had gotten extremely sick the day of his flight.  He then decided he wanted to take his family to the Bahamas. We keep in touch with Nick and Nick's family and are there to support their needs still to this day.  Nick sends us pictures and his mother sends us prayer request.  My sorority as a whole, made a trip to Nick's church and met with his community.

   There are so many stories from Make A Wish and it is truly a great program.  The reason I am telling you this is because we are wanting to grant two wishes this fall, but we need your help. 

As a sorority we have a raffle, silent auction, and a dance competition that takes place on campus.  These three fundraisers are the main source to our Make A Wish fund.  I feel it is my duty to get as many donations as possible to raise more money.  I have fallen in love with this foundation and wish to grant all kinds of wishes during my college years and for years to come.

   We are willing to take anything to raffle off or use for our silent auction.  I have the paper work for a tax right off and will email to whom ever decides to donate.

   If you would like more information on Make A Wish, here is the website:
http://www.wish.org/
   Please check the web site out and see what kind of a difference people have made in these kids lives.

  Please feel free to email me with questions or good news about your donation!

Best Wishes,
Alexis King

"It is my pleasure to honor the Class of 2008"

Dr. Molly Moorhead’s Graduation Speech to the Loveland High School Class of 2008

It is my pleasure to honor the Class of 2008 by sharing some of their noteworthy accomplishments with you. This class has amassed over 9 million dollars in scholarship money—bravo to them!

This year we have 4 students who received the designation of National Merit Commended Scholar. Will Stephanie Kellish, Jeff Gable,      Nolan Hahn, and Aloyious Ononye. Mick Eskender and Oli Ononye were designated as 2008 National Achievement Scholars. Last spring as juniors, the following students received the recognition of Advanced Placement Scholars by receiving high scores on their AP tests--Mick Eskender, Matt Louis, Emily Ralph, and Oli Ononye. Our National Honor Society students are wearing gold cords today and the students earning honors diplomas are wearing silver cords. Would these students please stand so that we can recognize their commitment to scholarship one final time?

Our year began on a high note when one of our students was recognized as one of 14 YMCA Character Education Award Winners. This is a very prestigious award with hundreds of students being nominated throughout the tri-state area, so to be one of 14 is a very significant achievement for Jake Potticary. Jake’s goodness, kindness, and compassion were revealed to me at the beginning of his junior year when Jake was instrumental in bringing the Invisible Children of Uganda’s Schools for Schools program to Loveland High School. His concern for children across the world inspired our entire school with an outpouring of contributions these past two years for the school we are supporting in Africa. To top it all off, Jake is one of two students chosen by the national Invisible Children organization to go to Uganda this summer. Senior Ben Oberholzer went to Uganda with Loveland Middle School teacher Mike Smith this past December— they were just featured in the local section of Wednesday’s Cincinnati Enquirer. Jake and Ben are already giving back, not just through financial means, but also in actual physical relocation to be with those who need help so badly. Both these young men are an inspiration to us all.

A year ago we began televised broadcasting of the news into each classroom of our school. Under the supervision of teacher Jim Barrett, this year’s senior video students took our televised announcements to new heights and made us all anticipate the news each day. Thanks to seniors Bennett Warner, Blake Hawke, Kate Sierspetowki, Katie Kerkhove, Amanda Diaz, Spencer Bowmar, and Ericka Odioso for being so fun to watch each morning. You all will be a hard act to follow!

Senior Whitney Faber was notified in the fall that she had won a 2007 National Teachers of English Achievement in Writing award—quite an honor for Whitney, her teachers John Jones and Theresa Bosse, and our entire school.

For the second year in a row, our Robotics team advanced to national competition in Auburn, Alabama by winning the local University of Cincinnati contest. Seniors Steph Kellish, Sarah Gropp, Mike Downing, Emily Ralph, Jimmy Turner, Mike Stewart, Tess Elking, Danielle Walerius, Kevin Whitaker, Jessica Puccini, Matt Brooks, and Heather Flynn, under the supervision of science teacher Sue Evans, came in first in the oral presentation portion and second in the CAD portion of the national competition. It is sad to report that there will be no Robotics local competition at UC next year as they have had to cut the program due to lack of funding.

This year, our JETS varsity engineering team placed 3rd in the state under the guidance of teacher Robert Wagner. Our Science Team, with the supervision of teacher Jennifer Weill, participated in the state meet and our Academic Team, also under Ms. Weill’s leadership, tied for 1st place in the FAVC with senior captain Nolan Hahn placing as 3rd highest individual scorer in the state competition. Speaking of the FAVC, our senior athletes led us to 8 first place sports awards and 5 second place honors.

In December, a team of students from Chuck Warden’s economics class was notified that they had won the local Stock Market game and received a free trip to Wall Street in New York City. Matt Moran and John McNally were the seniors who played the stock market very well. Bravo to them!

Our Biotech seniors have been award over $65,000 in scholarships that are directly attributed to their participation in the Biotech program with teacher Jamie Allison. At the UC College of Applied Science Expo, our seniors swept the awards taking the first four places. At the Greater Cincinnati Tech Prep Showcase, seniors Jenn Bosse, Andrew Carl and Kevin Whitaker won first place for their projects. The Greater Cincinnati Tech Prep Biotech Student of the Year was Loveland senior Molly Stancliff. Mr. Allison says, “This competition is one of the greatest things to see—high school seniors presenting right next to college seniors. It is not uncommon to see college seniors that are being outdone by our high schools students. I watched two college seniors pack up their projects after seeing what our Loveland students brought.” Bravo to our Biotech
students.

Our senior art students, working with teachers Jennifer Grant and Jim Barrett, displayed their art work at the UC DAAP and Reed Gallery High School Art Show. Each performing group in our music department experienced successful seasons. Our marching band, under the direction of Sean Thompson, Chris Huening, and Bruce Maegly went to Florida in the fall and the Jazz Band took a spring break trip to New York City where  hey participated in a clinic at the renowned Julliard School of Music. For the first time in Loveland history, our high school orchestra is here to perform for us today. Senior violinist, Justin Scheibel, has become the first orchestra student to gain admittance to the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Our Thespian drama students are wearing blue honor cords today. During their past four years at LHS, they have worked with 4 different drama directors, yet have maintained their high performance standards, producing wonderful dramas and musicals for our community. Would our senior Thespians please stand and be recognized?

The following Loveland High School faculty members have children in this graduating class: Beth Wexler has a son, Brad, Tracey Baker has daughter Samantha, Michelle Walls and daughter Shannon, and Angel Sears and daughter Danielle. Within our Central Office, parents of graduating seniors are Becky Clark and son Ricky, Diane Bailey and daughter De De, Judi McDaniel and daughter Sara, and assistant superintendent Greg Smith has twins, Brian and David. Board member Dr. Judy McClanahan has a son, Keegan, in this graduating class as well.

I’d like to thank the staff members participating graduation today. Jamie Allison was selected by this senior class as Teacher of the Year. Senior Chloe Temple wrote his nominating letter. I’d like to note Jeff Still who is retiring after 30 years of service to Loveland schools and Jeff Berkhoff with 35 years all spent teaching Loveland students. We thank all district teachers for their service and commitment to Loveland students.

On a personal note, I remember four students who were friendly to the new principal three years ago, actually engaging in conversation with her each day at their lunch table. In a new school with three crowded lunch shifts, Bree and Tess Elking, Ben Oberholzer, and Adrienne Mary stood out just by taking the time to smile and speak a few words each day. No matter how old you are, it is hard to be the new person at school, and I have to say thank you to those students who took the time to be kind and welcoming.

I wish these seniors all the best as they begin the next section of their lives’ journeys. With two cancer survivors among them, and two students who have or are going to journey across the globe to work with those less fortunate, these young people before us have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. Even though they mock the thought, I hope they will always remember that when they have to choose between being right or being kind, they will choose kindness. Kindness is in such short supply in our world.

Dr. Molly Moorhead is the Principal of Loveland High School

Matt Louis Valedictorian

This is the Valedictorian speech given by Loveland High School graduate, Matt Louis on May 31 at Xavier University's Cintas Center. Louis told Loveland Magazine that he will be attending Indiana University to study business, and plans to obtain a graduate degree afterwards, most likely going to law school.

    Fellow students, faculty, family members, and honored guests, I thank you for gathering here today to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2008.  My name is Matt Louis, and I am proud to join these 360 other seniors in making up the best class to ever come through Loveland High School.  Before you all walk across this stage and receive the key that unlocks the door to the rest of your lives, I would like to take a moment to express our collective thanks to our families, friends, and teachers.  These individuals have helped us navigate our four short years at Loveland, and without their support, who knows how many of us would not be sitting here today.  Not only have they imparted us with a great deal of knowledge, but they have helped us grow as individuals.
    While some of this knowledge has already left our minds, our memories of the people and events that made our class special will persist for years to come.  We will remember the hidden message in our senior shirts much more vividly than any chemistry formula we ever had to memorize.  We will never forget Mr. Dunlap’s stories of stalking the grateful dead, or when our newly acquired principle first danced on a chair in the cafeteria.  Specifically, Senior year  brought with it some of our best moments from high school such as  our awesome student section for the first half of this football season, completely dominating homecoming week, and enjoying the freedoms and privileges that came with being a Senior.  Then, there is of course the numerous other stories involving run ins with parents, local police officers, or simply instances in which students exhibited behavior not appropriate for this speech.  We will remember each other through these stories, through our large amount of time spent together, and the skills and talents that make many members of our class unique.
    A great man once said –“Believe you can and you’re half way there.”  With all the talent and promise that this year’s seniors have, there is no reason to fear that we will not be successful at whichever next challenge each of us faces.  Still bound by our friendships, we will take the next step in our lives confident that our years at Loveland have prepared us well.
    In closing, I would like to leave you with something to think about for the rest of your life.  Walt Disney said,” All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”  I challenge you all to undauntedly pursue your own dreams, and in doing so, to help our generation leave our mark on history.  Thank you.

Mallory does not even "get" that she is special

This is the story of  two women, two college athletes, two softball players, two seniors. One is Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky, who  had never hit a home run in her career. The other is Central Washington senior Mallory Holtman, her school's career leader in homeruns.

Western Oregon and Central Washington played a doubleheader on April 25 for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Central Washington entered the two game series one game behind League leader Western Oregon. Western Oregon won the first game. In the top of the second inning of the second game, with a 0-0 tie, Sara hit a homerun with 2 on.  As she rounded first base, she missed the bag. She turned back to make sure she tagged it, her knee gave out, and she collapsed. She was in obvious agony and could not move let alone resume running the bases.  The rules say that her coach would have to replace her at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single instead of a three-run home run. Any assistance (even a touch!) from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out. (This was the ruling on the field though it was questioned later.)

This is where Mallory stepped in, literally. She piped up and said to the umpire, "Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?" The umpire gave permission to do that. Then she and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Sara off the ground and essentially carried her around the bases, stopping at each one so that Sara's left foot could touch each bag. Western Oregon held on to win the game, 4-2. And Mallory believes that any player in her would have done the same thing.

Her quotes says more about her than her homerun record. "I think that happening on Senior Day, it showed the character of our team," Holtman said. "Because granted I thought of it, but everyone else would have done it. It's something people will talk about for Senior Day. They won't talk about who got hits and what happened and who won; they'll talk about that. And it's kind of a nice way to go out, because it shows what our program is about and the kind of people we have here." For a great write-up on this game from ESPN, click here.

The Character Quality of the Month for May was Wisdom. It is defined as "Making practical applications of truth in daily decisions."

The "I Will..." statements are: 

• Listen to my parents and teachers
• Learn from correction
• Choose my friends carefully
• Remember there are consequences to all my actions
• Ask, "What is the right thing to do?"

I would maintain that Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace did the Right Thing that day.  It is equally gratifying that Mallory does not even "get" that she is special. And make no mistake about it; she is. If you don't believe that, check out the findings of Sharon Stoll, physical education professor at the University of Idaho. She has been studying moral reasoning and moral education in athletic populations for more than 20 years.  The number of interviews for her research has exceeded 70,000.  Here is what she has found:

1. Athlete populations score significantly lower on moral reasoning inventories than do non-athlete populations.
2. Male revenue producing sport athletes score significantly lower than non-revenue producing sport athletes do.
3. Females score significantly higher than males, either revenue producing or non-revenue producing.
4. Females scores are dropping and we predict they will converge with men's scores in 5 years.
5. Longitudinal studies of discrete competitive populations drop over a four-year period whether high school or college.
6. Moral reasoning scores of non-intervened (they didn't get any training) athletic populations are decreasing at significant rates.
7. The longer one is in athletics, the more affected is one's moral reasoning. 
8. Intervention programs can have a positive effect on moral reasoning.
9. Effective intervention programs have a long-term effect on moral reasoning.
10. Moral reasoning is one facet of a highly complex process of moral development.  (Source)

Not encouraging.  When I share this with my Xavier students, they quote Cuba Gooding to me: "Show me the money!"  In other words, the more money involved, the more winning matters, the harder it is to Do the Right Thing. 

I used to love sports. When I was in the 9th Grade, I actually thought I had a chance to play in the NBA. Now? Not so much. But, I continue to believe that individual and team sports offer opportunities to test our moral reasoning mettle, as well as our physical skills. 

How to counter the decline in moral reasoning? Well, my bet is that Mallory and Liz have (or in the past certainly HAD) coaches as well as parents who gave them great guidance. They followed the first "I will" statement; they listened to their parents and teachers.  So, those of us in positions to guide kids do matter. We can model doing the right thing in athletics. Or we can show them the money.  How's our moral development? 

Bill Croskey, NCSP
Loveland Intermediate/Middle School Psychologist

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always. Mahatma Gandhi  Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)

by Dermot Mackey

    Yes, this is yet another letter on the contentious Loveland School Tax levy.  I feel compelled to write to you because I feel the large NO signs that dot our community, and the various articles that I have seen published in our newspapers from anti-levy campaigners, do not address all the facts of this important community issue.  Let me begin by stating that I am not a member of any organized campaign, school board, or outside pressure group.  I am a concerned parent and homeowner, with one child in 2nd grade and another approaching Kindergarten, who feels that his neighbors and the larger community should have all the facts at hand, and understand all the implications of their decision, beyond simple property tax payments, before voting on March 4th.

    Firstly, the statement that “taxes will go up 21%”, 8.5 mills,  or $260 per $100,000 of assessed value, is misleading.  If you consider no other factors, then this statement is true.  However, the fact of the matter is that this rise will coincide with a rate reduction of approximately 3.5-4 mills, roughly $120 per $100,000 assessed value, due to reduced interest payments on a 1998 bond levy.  The resulting tax increase that homeowners will actually see, and therefore the only figure that really matters, is $140 per $100,000.  Based on the average price of a home in Loveland, which is $212,149, the average home owner will pay about $25 a month more in tax.  If thats' what it takes to keep our schools excellent then I'm willing to pay it.

    Another key fact is that the anti-levy Fair Tax group do not actually oppose all tax increases, just property tax increases.  Their  proposal is a 3/4% earned income tax.  If you're retired, which several spokesmen for the anti-levy group are, then I guess you might call this fair.  However, if you're like me, a middle-income earner who is the sole-provider for a family of four, then you may not be so quick to agreed.  Whether we like it or not, property taxation is the primary source of funding for our public schools, and it has always been the responsibility of all property owners, whether working or retired, to invest in this cornerstone of the community.

    However, what's really the big picture here?    I think its much more than a simple question of whether you can afford, or not afford, $25 more per month on your tax bill.  It's a question of investing in the future of our children and maintaining the reputation of the community.  Loveland schools have been able to achieve an excellent rating for the last seven years in a row.  It is one of only a handful of districts in the state to do so while keeping the dollar cost per child below state average ($8,700 last year compared to $12,688 in Montgomery).  Our teachers, school staff members, school board and hard-working students should be commended for achieving such success, not penalized.  The NO signs in the community demand fiscal responsibility.  How much more fiscally responsible can we get?  If the anti-levy campaigners believe there is tangible waste in the school district then the onus is on them to present their plan to save the district roughly $5m a year (the amount of revenue that the levy will generate).  If it means cutting bus services, increasing class sizes, reducing school curriculum and compromising standards then it is indeed a heavy price.

    Finally, our schools are one of the main selling points for our real estate to prospective home-buyers.  They are one of the main reasons I moved my family to Loveland in 2005.  I know many families, mine included, who would have chosen to live in Mason, West Chester or Montgomery if Loveland schools had not been rated excellent.  Can we afford future home-buyers to turn their backs on Loveland and live elsewhere?  What type of community will we have if that happens?  There is much food for thought.

Dermot Mackey is a resident of Loveland and the Loveland School District

School, Mall and Workplace Shootings: Why So Many?

Going Postal: Rage, Murder, and Rebellion
by Mark Ames
Soft Skull Press, 2005
360 pages, $15.95

In April 2007, when a Virginia Tech student killed 32, it was one of the worst ever, to coin a phrase, "social shootings." Earlier, in February, five were killed in a Salt Lake mall and then, in December, nine in an Omaha mall.

Going Postal: Rage, Murder, and Rebellion by Mark Ames was published by Soft Skull Press back in 2005. But the continued popularity of school, mall, and workplace shootings as a practical solution for troubled souls obligates us to revisit this essential work.

Continue reading this compelling book review: School, Mall and Workplace Shootings: Why So Many?.

A silent baby? No crying? ...No way.

Away in the Manager

A recent sermon by Rev. Dr. Doug Damron

Luke 1:39-56

Our carol for consideration today is sweet and soothing “Away in the Manager,” one of our most beloved and sung Christmas carols in the worship life of the church.  Though Away in the Manager is a close second in tenderness to Silent Night, Away in the Manager has been a source of conflict for music historians for generations.

The controversy centers around who wrote the lyrics to Away in the Manager.  On the one hand there are those who contend the greater Reformer Martin Luther was the lyric writer for this beloved carol.  And on the other side we find music historians who contend it was an anonymous hymn writer whose identity will we never know. 

After studying this issue, I am surprised how passionate I am in my belief that Martin Luther did not write Away in the Manager.  Let to tell you how I come to that conclusion.

Though I’m a proud Methodist, I have always been fascinated by the great reformer of the church and pastor, Martin Luther.  What fascinates me about Luther is his not fitting well into the “pastor stereotype.”  Martin Luther enjoyed his beer.  Luther was renown to sometimes used words that would make a sailor blush.  And Luther was a humorist.   A man who loved to laugh and make others laugh.  Contrary to proper form, Luther used humor in teaching and preaching the Gospel.  Crusty, non-sentimental, Luther possessed what we might call an “earthy spirituality.”

Knowing that Luther as an earthy/realist, I think he have found this line in Away in Manager to be absolutely hilarious, bordering on ridiculous.  “The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.”   Let me get this straight, Luther would have reasoned.  A baby is born on a cold night, in barn, wrapped in clothe bands and laid in a feed box, come on who is going to believe that?

Luther knew something about newborns.  He and his ex-nun wife Katie had four children.  He knew something about newborns, they cry, they wail.  Everyone knows when a baby is born. 

Luther couldn’t have written this line about “no crying he makes” because Luther was a serious student of the Bible.  No where in the Christmas narratives, in Matthew’s story or Luke’s Christmas story, do we get a sense that Jesus was born to be a silent and accommodating presence.   Matter of fact, when read what his Mamma Mary sang about the child she was carrying, you get a sense that this baby was about a crier, a screamer as soon as he was born. 

Listen again to the description Mary had for the baby in her womb.  “His mighty arm has done tremendous things!  He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.  He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.”  What Mary was saying that her baby was going to a spitting image of his Daddy, the God of Israel and the universe.  My baby is coming into the world to shake it up and turn upside down.

The Christ child came into this world with an incredible mission to reclaim creation and return it to its rightful owner, God.  This baby was coming into the world to pry this world out of the clutches of the Satan.  Out of the grip of oppression, violence, greed, and return all of us to our Father. 

I think that first Christmas night baby Jesus was screaming for all to hear.  Your God is hear, you redemption is nigh!  I think a more appropriate, biblical line for this carol would be “the cattle are kicking, Satan is hiding, because little baby Jesus won’t stop crying!”

The Christ child cried when he entered the world, and no mistake about it, the Christ child continues to cry in our world right now.  It seems to me one of the purposes of this Advent season is to so sensitize our spirits so that we can hear the Christ child crying today.  When we hear him crying, we come running. 

When might you hear Christ crying for your attention?  Well, when we encounter one who is least, last, or lost. 

Maybe you will hear the baby crying when you pass the home of a neighbor who lost a loved one this year.  When your baby cries you drop everything and go.  Drop your shopping list and reach out in care.  Find a small way to bless the one who is experiencing a blue Christmas this year.  Be a living expression of Emmanuel—God has drawn close.

While we are moving from party to party, others in our community are moving from doctor to doctor.  Opps, there he goes again, crying again. Caring for those with health concerns is not just the doctor, or the pastor’s job, it is the entire family of faith willing to pray, cook, visit, whatever it takes.  Pick up the baby and ask him what he wants you to do for someone in experiencing a health crisis.

In a minute Stan Prichard (Mission Chair) is going to come and talk to our family about the Christmas Offering and our efforts as a church to bless needy children here and around the globe.  It is going to get as loud as hospital nursery all the crying by the baby.  Every one of us can find a way to significantly support Christian ministries that provide food, clothing, housing, hope to needy kids here, in Namibia, and around the world.  Plan now, if you are able, to give the best Christmas gift to these needy ones you have ever given. 

Friends, enjoy Away in the Manager.  But when you come to that line, you know which one; let that line become an opportunity for prayer.  Lord Jesus, you came crying for a new world.  Enable me to join you in re-making of the entire world.  Amen

Rev. Dr. Doug Damron is Senior Pastor at Epiphany United Methodist Church in Miami Township. Click here to read other Damron Sermons.