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Post by CherieKropp on Feb 24, 2017 9:48:36 GMT -5
From: Manique Mendis Sent: 30/08/2016 01:27 To: peterjmor@gmail.com Subject: Greetings from Manique Mendis
Dear Peter Morrison,
Trust you are happy and enjoying the fruits of your recent actions in Sri Lanka.
This is to express my sentiments on the spiritually inspired actions you have taken from the date of your arrival as overseer of the church in our country. These actions culminated yesterday in your banning my daughter, Mahishka, from attending gospel meetings or sitting at fellowship meetings. These privileges were sanctioned by the sister workers who were at our field, when Mahishka discussed with them her marriage to a non professing person in December 2015.
My sentiments are shared by our extended family and friends who are professing in different parts of the world, among them are elders
I meant to confine my sentiments to you. However, our relatives and friends from other countries have expressed concern over the reaction of your fellow workers, to your actions. Hence I am copying to them and friends as well.
I refer to your exemplary action in showing your buttocks or whatever you prefer to call it to my 88 year old mother in the presence of her husband who is the elder of the church in the same room that the fellowship meeting takes place. This is indeed a novel gesture for us natives of a third world country.
You claim that my old parents have forgiven you. Yet it baffles us all on how my mother forgave you, without you ever asking her for forgiveness. You only discussed the matter with my father instead . You told him that you only showed her "half" your backside and you used to do the same to your own mother.
Anyway, I guess this is a unique way that you, as the esteemed overseer would respond to the desperate concerns of a very old lady on why her grand daughter's issue was totally ignored by you.
Of course, it was a serious concern to an old grandmother that the child's communion was not addressed even after the lapse of 8 months. The sisters who discussed the matter with her, had assured her that she would be able to participate in meetings within 3-6 months. This has been the case with all other professing people who married outside the truth in Sri Lanka.
She did not realize that you are so busy sowing the seed throughout our country. So, the case of one young girl is too trivial to be addressed by you in a country where less than 100 people profess.
You claimed that you showed my mother your buttocks in jest, alleging that she is mentally unstable. I beg to defer in this verdict by you.
Even at the age of 88, my mother continues to teach English literature to students who come to her home. She is a person with high professional credentials and has been the principal of a Government English teachers Training College. Students will not come to learn from her if her mind is not sound. She also continues to give inspiring testimonies at the fellowship meetings.
Anyway, we are also wondering as to why you summoned my father to your camp the following day. You threatened to remove him from the position of elder post not bring back the meeting which had been temporarily shifted from their home due to house repairs.However, we have learned from you that it is weakness on the part of us sinners to question the actions of the overseer,
I do not want to discuss the interactions with Mahishka that led to her being put out of fellowship by you. It suffices that you told her clearly that "I am responsible for your salvation".
We all believed that up to now that it was God who was the judge for our salvation. Now we are enlightened by you otherwise.
Our family is grateful that Mahishka recorded the whole conversation she had over the phone with you. Hence we too can learn from you.
Although you as the wise overseer have taken this step to banish Mahishka from the fold , both her two very old grand mothers, old grandfather and old grand- aunt are devastated . But we understand that you as the person responsible for the salvation of the friends in Sri Lanka cannot be questioned.
As these old people are nearing their end, I am sure that you are looking forward to presiding over their funerals. You can look forward to inspiring other sinners who will be present at the funerals with your wisdom. However, beware that it is culturally insensitive in Sri Lanka to show off your backside even to the dead.
Mahishka's husband Dileepa gave an undertaking before marriage to attend all meetings. He also agreed to allow any children they may have to also attend meetings. He is deeply baffled about your conduct.
He stated that if a Buddhist priest acted in the way you did, he would be assaulted by the villagers and banished from the ministry. However, we urged him to understand that your virtue. character and position are beyond human comprehension.
As Dileepa is a very nice young man who demonstrated respect for the workers and our meetings, we had a lot of hope that he would profess. We were optimistic that as a young couple who are among the extremely few young people in the fold in Sri lanka today, they would have an open home for God's servants. Such open homes and love for God's way was a hallmark of four previous generations of our immediate family before Mahishka.
In this context, Mahishka and Dileepa enjoyed the fellowship of Benny and Johanne, whom they invited to their home for dinner with great love and respect even though their home was not quite ready for visitors.
However, we see that you do not want to accommodate those you judge as sinners like Mahishka and Dileepa in the fold in Sri Lanka. This is probably due to the fact that you see a lot of potential in a multitude of spotless souls across the country who are waiting to hear you .
As such, we humbly comply with your wishes with unquestioning obedience and reverence to you. We acknowledge you as the Chief Representative of God and Gate-keeper to heaven, for us poor sinners in this poverty stricken island.
We will continue to get strength , encouragement and guidance from your eloquent sermons and exemplary life . We count it a great privilege that you have come as the saviour of our country.
With wishes for continued peace, joy and prosperity
Manique Mendis Colombo, Sri Lanka 30 August, 2016
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Post by CherieKropp on Feb 24, 2017 10:05:48 GMT -5
Peter Morrison didn't reply to Manique's email to him - instead another Bro. worker did. Here's his reply:
From: Garry Protheroe Sent: 30/08/2016 07:24 To: Manique Mendis Cc: Peter Morrison, et al
Dear Manique,
I acknowledge receiving your vindictive e mail this morning. You've had a hard night! I notice in it several inaccurate interpretations of recent events. I notice in it a strong spirit of sarcasm, and I note it is written for the sole purpose of reviling my fellow labourer before the whole church. The verse that came to my mind after reading your missive was what our Lord and Master said "Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
There is no blessing for the one who reviles, the reviler, but the blessing is for the reviled. One with the spirit of a little child would never write in such a manner as I have read this morning. The fundamentals of our Christian life are humility and truthfulness and forgiveness. Let us take ourselves back to these lest all we have built into our testimony crumble to eternal destruction.
Your brother,
Garry Protheroe
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Post by learning on Feb 24, 2017 12:05:47 GMT -5
Peter Morrison didn't reply to Manique's email to him - instead another Bro. worker did. Here's his reply:From: Garry Protheroe Sent: 30/08/2016 07:24 To: Manique Mendis Cc: Peter Morrison, et al Dear Manique, I acknowledge receiving your vindictive e mail this morning. You've had a hard night! I notice in it several inaccurate interpretations of recent events. I notice in it a strong spirit of sarcasm, and I note it is written for the sole purpose of reviling my fellow labourer before the whole church. The verse that came to my mind after reading your missive was what our Lord and Master said "Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." There is no blessing for the one who reviles, the reviler, but the blessing is for the reviled. One with the spirit of a little child would never write in such a manner as I have read this morning. The fundamentals of our Christian life are humility and truthfulness and forgiveness. Let us take ourselves back to these lest all we have built into our testimony crumble to eternal destruction. Your brother, Garry Protheroe The email from Manique does bring to mind the saying that "it's not what you say but how you say it". The email did drip with sarcasm, and unless it was the sole intention to issue such a slap, one can see that the writer lost an opportunity to have a more meaningful impact on the situation with a better worded email. But that whole situation is sad and as long as the workers are still human there is still the possibility that they erred in this situation. I see no indication from Garry's email that this was even a possibility.
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Post by Grant on Feb 24, 2017 13:56:22 GMT -5
What a horrible person Garry is. To think he would even sign his name to it. Confirms to people who left that they did the right thing to leave. This so called worker is certainly no man of God. What social skills and grace does the man have - zero.
No wonder people are leaving in droves over there. It was an opportunity to show some care and concern for what took place but instead he played the persecution game. Nothing of humility in his letter or in someone showing their buttocks to some woman. A perfectly humble act?
What fruits of the spirit are evident in Garry's letter - again zero. Love is certainly not one of them.
Seems as anything the workers do is OK. To think this guy believes he is God's servant is kind of scary and advisable to keep away from nasty people like him.
There was about 1% of sarcasm in the original letter but 99% of concerns, none of which were addressed by this ungodly man and he wishes people to respect him?
Reminds me of the words again. Come out from among them and be ye separate. False ungodly teachers who think they can do whatever they like without any accountability.
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Post by Pragmatic on Feb 24, 2017 18:13:00 GMT -5
I am disgusted by the response of Garry. Yes the original letter was full of sarcasm, by someone who's English is probably the second language. However, in it questions were asked, and allegations made, which to we readers, have no reason to not be true.
No questions were answered, allegations were ignored, and the tone was just a a personal attack with a veiled threat. If I was in Sri Lanka, it would be "cut off their funding time."
For someone claiming to be called of God, in a church that regards itself as being "The Truth", Garry P should be hanging his head in shame. I see no Godliness in it whatsoever.
These things are quite simple, did they happen, yes/no? Did this person say this yes/no? Was it right, helpful and kind and who to? The workers in this episode, fail all the tests, in my opinion. And shame on the underlings for not standing up to the pulpit bullies.
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Feb 25, 2017 0:27:02 GMT -5
It's about time Garry Protheroe returned to Queensland and retired into obscurity which is his rightful place in life. From what I hear, his extended family is extremely embarrassed about him.
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Post by alistairhenderson on Feb 25, 2017 5:19:19 GMT -5
So how many friends are left in SL?
And who has actually left out of the various people mentioned here (trustees and others)?
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Post by kittens on Feb 25, 2017 16:48:02 GMT -5
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Post by CherieKropp on Feb 25, 2017 17:25:51 GMT -5
For kittens...From TTT: www.tellingthetruth.info/history_pioneering/sri_lanka.phpSri Lanka, formerly Ceylon Ceylon gained independence in 1948 and changed its name to Sri Lanka when it became a republic in 1972. Friends refer to their group as "The Fold"
Go to Photos in TTT Photo GalleryWhen did the workers first arrive? Reportedly in 1927 Who were the first brother workers? Where were they from? Reportedly Jack Trigg (Scotland/VIC, Australia) and Alec/Alex Mitchell (New Zealand). View Photo of these 2 men Alex/Alec Mitchell was born in Scotland and migrated to New Zealand. He professed in 1921 and went in the Work in 1922. He labored in Sri Lanka from 1927 to 1936 when he went to Singapore. In 1942, during WWII Alex, along with Arthur Shearer, Archie Wilson and later Bert Cameron were interned in Changi Camp until mid-1945. He was overseer of Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam until 1974 when his memory failed and he returned to NZ where he died in 1980, aged of 84. Jack Trigg (John Samuel Trigg) from Victoria, Australia, labored in Sri Lanka from 1927 to the early 1940s. He was born in 1894 in Winchelsea, Victoria and died August 9, 1982, aged 87 and is buried in Winchelsea Cemetery. The Trigg family were dairy farmers from Bambra, Victoria, and professed in the 1920s. It is not known when Jack entered the work. He was put out of the work for child sexual molestation but was allowed to sit in meetings. There were eight children in the Trigg family. Jack's twin sister was Violet (Vi) Ann Trigg. Violet was in the work for awhile also. Who were the first sister workers? Alice Morris from Tasmania went in the work in 1919 and was one of the first sister workers to go to Sri Lanka in 1928 where she continued to preach until she died there in 1962. Who were the first to profess, what year and where? Reportedly Minnie Jayewardene (not sure of spelling) who was a Methodist College school teacher was the first Ceylonese to convert. Another was a Mrs. Keegal (not sure of spelling), about 1929-1930. Who were the first native workers to go in the work and when? First Native Brother Workers: Lucian Garth in 1938 to Singapore, died 2004; and Christie de Silva from 1942-1988. First Native Sister Workers: Elaine Felsinger 1951-56 (b. abt 1996; married F. Wm Charles "Dick" Colin-Thomé in 1965); Gloria Karunaratne (deceased), Mary David (b. abt 1929), Rochelle Jayasinghe (b. abt 1975) When & Where was the first Gospel Meeting? --- Called by outsiders the: "Trigg and Mitchell Mission" and the "Tent Mission" When & Where was the first Sunday fellowship meeting? --- When & Where was the first baptism? --- When & Where was the first convention? Nugegoda (about 1973-2013) Where have subsequent conventions been held? In a hall The Overseers have been: Arthur Shearer from NSW, Australia entered the work in 1925 and went to Sri Lanka in 1929. In 1937 he crossed over to Singapore and Malaya. He was there at the time of Japanese invasion of Jan. 1942, and was interned along with his companion Archie Wilson, Alec Mitchell and later Bert Cameron in Changi Camp until mid 1945. On being liberated he returned to NSW to recuperate. In 1946 he returned to Sri Lanka where he was Overseer until 1973 when he returned to NSW. Arthur remained active until 1977 and died in 1983 at the age of 86. Harry Morgan from Victoria, Australia entered the work in 1930 and went to Sri Lanka with Clem Geue in 1937 where he continued until his death in 1988 at the age of 80. He was given the oversight of Sri Lanka when Arthur Shearer left for Australia in 1973. John Blair/Blare (born 1927) from New Zealand came to Sri Lanka July, 1960 and succeeded Harry Morgan as Overseer until he retired from bad health around 2013-14. Peter Morrison (born abt 1963) from Queensland, Australia became Overseer around 2013--? Native Language? Several languages are spoken in Sri Lanka. Official status is given to: Sinhalese and Tamil. Most are fluent in English.
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Post by CherieKropp on Feb 26, 2017 13:09:59 GMT -5
Is it just me, or does that entire notorized letter seem like a CYA move to avoid potential litigation? It's just you... It was a method Lionel and Mahim insisted upon to clear their names because lies had been spread among the F&W that they had abused their positions as trustees in mishandling funds. After getting the official letter, they resigned. Mahim had been excommunicated earlier. Did you read Mahim's letter? CORRECTION: Edited 2/26/17: They did NOT resign. "To clarify on the trust, Lionel, Mahim and Andrew continue to be the Trustees as nobody has asked them to resign so far. According to the trust deed only the current trustees can appoint new trustees to replace them. It is very complicated. As it is Peter has to request for money from Lionel in writing and Lionel has all authority to question him."
There are 3 court cases ongoing against the Melder property filed by a politically powerful neighbour. Lionel has been appearing for these cases on behalf of the trust. None of the other professing people would have the clout to follow up on these cases which can go on for many years.
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Post by CherieKropp on Feb 27, 2017 17:00:45 GMT -5
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Post by Roselyn T on Mar 6, 2017 20:57:04 GMT -5
Arthur Shearer used to labour in Sri Lanka back when it was called Ceylon. He could have been one of the first 'white' workers to go there. Can anyone tell me more about his time there. eg was he in charge, how many professed, was he a well liked worker there? Arthur Shearer was a lovely man.
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Post by dmmichgood on Mar 6, 2017 22:39:33 GMT -5
Peter Morrison didn't reply to Manique's email to him - instead another Bro. worker did. Here's his reply:From: Garry Protheroe Sent: 30/08/2016 07:24 To: Manique Mendis Cc: Peter Morrison, et al Dear Manique, I acknowledge receiving your vindictive e mail this morning. You've had a hard night! I notice in it several inaccurate interpretations of recent events. I notice in it a strong spirit of sarcasm, and I note it is written for the sole purpose of reviling my fellow labourer before the whole church. The verse that came to my mind after reading your missive was what our Lord and Master said "Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." There is no blessing for the one who reviles, the reviler, but the blessing is for the reviled. One with the spirit of a little child would never write in such a manner as I have read this morning. The fundamentals of our Christian life are humility and truthfulness and forgiveness. Let us take ourselves back to these lest all we have built into our testimony crumble to eternal destruction. Your brother, Garry Protheroe It's fascinating that when a worker knows that their email is going to quickly reach the public domain that they write as they do. Stating that a person has "had a hard night", referring to them as "the reviler" and that there is "no blessing for the one who reviles" is such a silly and juvenile strategy. Traditionally, workers have used similar tactics to try and make the person so fearful of losing their salvation that they will fall into line.
It was fairly clear from Manique's email that they were well passed this stage. Their experiences with Peter Morrison and Garry Protheroe have not been positive and ever since Peter Morrison was appointed Head Worker of Sri Lanka there have been major problems. Current and former Qld members have written privately and indicated that the Sri Lankan folk should not be surprised with the response they are getting. John Blair and others spent years in the country and there was plenty of shared respect. John is old now, but he must feel sad about what the two Aussies have done. Oh my, Yes!
It sounds so familiar doesn't it? For those of us who have been though such an ordeal, it is like hearing an echo from the past!
I use to wonder how workers seemed to know automatically that particular kind of psychological method they often used to control people.
They never had courses in psychology. Is it just an innate quality in human nature?
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Post by alistairhenderson on Mar 6, 2017 22:59:30 GMT -5
I think it's an innate quality in leaders in controlling groups. Not just religious by the way. We got out of an Amway clone for similar reasons!
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Post by dmmichgood on Mar 7, 2017 0:00:23 GMT -5
I think it's an innate quality in leaders in controlling groups. Not just religious by the way. We got out of an Amway clone for similar reasons! I think that you may be right!
But Amway? That interesting! How did they do that?
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Post by alistairhenderson on Mar 7, 2017 6:45:16 GMT -5
It was a personal care products MLM system we got involved in in the early 1990s. We were in our early thirties with young kids and trying to earn a bit extra.
We got on the treadmill and there was a lot of pressure from up the line to sell, sell, sell!
In the end we were buying more product than selling it. Our daughter Sarah was about three and said one day "daddy, are we buying more pwoduck?"
That was it for me - we pulled the plug!
She's a lawyer now!
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Post by jondough on Mar 7, 2017 9:42:14 GMT -5
Bet she gets her Lawyer skills from pops 😊
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Post by friendly67 on Mar 8, 2017 20:37:01 GMT -5
So how many friends are left in SL? And who has actually left out of the various people mentioned here (trustees and others)? I am only aware of 5 or 6 who have left.
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 8, 2017 20:38:31 GMT -5
So how many friends are left in SL? And who has actually left out of the various people mentioned here (trustees and others)? I am only aware of 5 or 6 who have left. Last count, there were 15.
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 8, 2017 21:01:22 GMT -5
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Post by alistairhenderson on Mar 8, 2017 21:19:46 GMT -5
So, sounds like about 16% have left - recently?
My understanding too is that it was about 150 a few years ago, so that's, let's see, quick calculation = 50% decline?
Blimey - it even beats New south Wales!
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Post by uslankan on Mar 8, 2017 21:45:40 GMT -5
Why is the thread called the Sri Lanka split? Are there members who have left who have started their own meetings? If not then how can you call correctly call it a split? Members may leave any church, you don't then call that a split! If however they leave and form a new church /splinter group then it is correctly called a split!
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 8, 2017 21:58:32 GMT -5
Why is the thread called the Sri Lanka split? Are there members who have left who have started their own meetings? If not then how can you call correctly call it a split? Members may leave any church, you don't then call that a split! If however they leave and form a new church /splinter group then it is correctly called a split! What would you recommend calling it?
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Post by uslankan on Mar 8, 2017 22:32:34 GMT -5
Why is the thread called the Sri Lanka split? Are there members who have left who have started their own meetings? If not then how can you call correctly call it a split? Members may leave any church, you don't then call that a split! If however they leave and form a new church /splinter group then it is correctly called a split! What would you recommend calling it? My post questioned your dubious/misleading use of the word 'split'. Perhaps the friends there who remain could suggest a appropriate and correct term? Or perhaps Lionel? Mahim? give theirs?
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 8, 2017 23:58:07 GMT -5
Why is the thread called the Sri Lanka split? Are there members who have left who have started their own meetings? If not then how can you call correctly call it a split? Members may leave any church, you don't then call that a split! If however they leave and form a new church /splinter group then it is correctly called a split! Definition of Split (with reference to a group of people) divide into two or more groups. Ex: "let's split up and find the other two" www.google.com/search?q=define+split&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
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Post by uslankan on Mar 9, 2017 3:17:56 GMT -5
Why is the thread called the Sri Lanka split? Are there members who have left who have started their own meetings? If not then how can you call correctly call it a split? Members may leave any church, you don't then call that a split! If however they leave and form a new church /splinter group then it is correctly called a split! Definition of Split (with reference to a group of people) divide into two or more groups. Ex: "let's split up and find the other two" www.google.com/search?q=define+split&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8If there is a split/new splinter group, seems rather strange there is no mention of meetings or photos of the so called split/splinter group? All sounds rather suspect & a contrived use of the word split?
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Post by Grant on Mar 9, 2017 3:23:07 GMT -5
Split means to break away from. No talk of a splinter group. The people have broken away from the workers group. You are the one who is talking of a splinter group. Splinters can be individuals or more.
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Post by CherieKropp on Mar 9, 2017 8:49:22 GMT -5
Perhaps "Crisis" or "2x2 Crisis" instead of "Split". I like it - I'll change it! I never was completely satisfied with "split" anyway...
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