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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 25, 2010 23:02:55 GMT -5
The following is an excerpt from a letter that will be sent to friends in Victoria and Tasmania, and also will be posted in its entirety on WINGS in the near future It is referencing a worker that was discussed on another thread here on the board. This excerpt is from the final copy based on knowledge of those professing folks that we have been assisting in this matter. Those of you from the area in question may have been hearing about this, and how the workers there have been asking families if they have any knowledge of abuse which may have occurred to any family members. The workers have been working with the abuse survivors who have come forward, and the worker in question has been removed from the work. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx An open letter to Friends in Victoria and Tasmania
From WINGS staff
Dear friends,
We regret writing this type of letter to you, but it is necessary to do so considering the serious nature of what we are about to write. This letter is for every one of the VIC/TAS list of friends. Many of you would not have children in your care, but you may be grandparents or otherwise have special concerns. We have become aware that there is information circulating so we want to end the speculation and give you the facts as we are so far able to share.
Staff of WINGS include current and ex members of our fellowship of Friends and Workers. We have no agenda or motive beyond seeking the safety of our children from sexual abuse, and healing for past victims. It is our belief that by openly tackling any such issues should they arise, in a legally correct manner, the fellowship will only grow in integrity and with its reputation enhanced. By seeking to deny or cover over such issues, the reputation of the fellowship can only suffer. It seems improbable that God could bless a ministry that knowingly failed to deal correctly with any worker who had sexually abused children.
In July 2010 we became aware that some women had spoken of their experiences as little girls, molested regularly over many years by a well known and respected senior worker. We understand that the said worker has confessed to molesting sexually at least six girls, and there may be further victims. The girls ages range from 9 to early and mid teens. The sexual abuse happened on convention grounds and in homes and public places.
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The complete letter will be posted on the WINGS site as soon as it is finalized. Scott  |
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Post by freespirit on Jul 25, 2010 23:23:21 GMT -5
Thank you, Scott, for all your work.
fs
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2010 23:35:09 GMT -5
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 25, 2010 23:38:02 GMT -5
Thank you, Scott, for all your work. fs You're welcome.  In this case, I mainly was a go-between getting some professing folks in contact with the workers that could deal with this. All those workers seem to be taking these things seriously and have been dealing with this as well as possible. Scott |
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 25, 2010 23:40:38 GMT -5
Nope. This is a case of professing ladies coming forward to other professing folks and telling of their abuse at the hands of this worker in years past. WINGS has simply been assisting them and the workers by putting them in contact with each other and offering to post the letter. Scott |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2010 23:59:36 GMT -5
"We regret ..." is a little sly and disingenuous. I suggest the correct wording would really be, "We are delighted..." because it provides justification for those who hate the workers message.
A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. One man took pleasure in spending up big on copies of The Secret Sect to hand around. To this day his own children don't speak to him.
You will never hear of any of the friends publishing this on the internet.
If you are genuine in helping then why not take that up with the parties involved?
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Post by pinky on Jul 26, 2010 0:03:45 GMT -5
Scott, is it worth posting the finalized open letter on the various open f&w sites on facebook?
I'm thinking about possible victims who may since have moved interstate or left the fellowship, who thus have a limited chance of the letter reaching them.
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 26, 2010 0:15:02 GMT -5
"We regret ..." is a little sly and disingenuous. I suggest the correct wording would really be, "We are delighted..." because it provides justification for those who hate the workers message. A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. You will never hear of any of the friends publishing this on the internet. No, that is not meant to be either sly or disingenuous . Those are the words of the professing folks. You might note at the beginning of the letter it mentions: Staff of WINGS include current and ex members of our fellowship of Friends and WorkersAlso, if you look at the letters that are posted on WINGS from overseers, here is how they start: From Ray Hoffman, Texas overseer:
Dear friends.
I deeply regret writing this letter to you....
From Jerome Frandle, Michigan overseer:
Dear Friends,
I deeply regret having to write this letter to you....
From Lyle Schober, Minnesota overseer:
Dear Friends,
We have come to the conclusion that it would be wise to inform you.....
The letter to the friends in Victoria and Tasmania is patterned along the same lines as those letters sent to the friends by overseers. Scott |
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 26, 2010 0:17:14 GMT -5
Scott, is it worth posting the finalized open letter on the various open f&w sites on facebook? I'm thinking about possible victims who may since have moved interstate or left the fellowship, who thus have a limited chance of the letter reaching them. That sounds like a good idea pinky. Once the whole letter is posted, then it can be used anywhere it could be of help of course. Thank you for that suggestion! Scott |
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Post by StAnne on Jul 26, 2010 0:20:31 GMT -5
"We regret ..." is a little sly and disingenuous. I suggest the correct wording would really be, "We are delighted..." because it provides justification for those who hate the workers message. A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. You will never hear of any of the friends publishing this on the internet. As difficult as it is Bert, it is better to step up and say "it is a horrible occurrence and we all deeply regret that it has happened"-- offer a prayer for all involved. Making cartoons (however sadly funny they are) and excuses indicate weakness instead of regret. And, yes, I know how it feels to have to apologize for those who have fallen to the temptations of evil. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 0:24:36 GMT -5
... to a point, StAnne. But there is more at stake here than an accusation.
Let me repeat what I wrote above
"A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. One man took pleasure in spending up big on copies of The Secret Sect to hand around. To this day his own children don't speak to him."
The book justified himself, or so he thought.
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Post by StAnne on Jul 26, 2010 0:26:00 GMT -5
... to a point, StAnne. But there is more at stake here than an accusation. Well then, perhaps you know of what you speak. Prayers for all. |
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 26, 2010 0:35:38 GMT -5
... to a point, StAnne. But there is more at stake here than an accusation. Let me repeat what I wrote above "A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. One man took pleasure in spending up big on copies of The Secret Sect to hand around. To this day his own children don't speak to him."The book justified himself, or so he thought. You are right Bert. There is a lot more at stake. It is the safety of those that this individual is and has been around. How does the Secret Sect relate to this? This issue isn't about your church and how it started or why it exists. This is about individuals within your church. Most of those in our convicted section on WINGS are exes now by the way. Isn't that where you would rather they be? I know several people that left meetings because of personal convictions. When they try to speak of this to their families they are shunned and ignored. to this day their own family won't speak to them. They think they are justified in that regard. Scott |
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Post by juliette on Jul 26, 2010 1:41:15 GMT -5
"We regret ..." is a little sly and disingenuous. I suggest the correct wording would really be, "We are delighted..." because it provides justification for those who hate the workers message. A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. One man took pleasure in spending up big on copies of The Secret Sect to hand around. To this day his own children don't speak to him. You will never hear of any of the friends publishing this on the internet. If you are genuine in helping then why not take that up with the parties involved? Wow, Bert... really?! That's what you've got to say? That's your concern right now? No concern about the victims IN YOUR CHURCH?! BTW, apropos to a different thread, I just used the smite function for the first time. You honestly make me more than a little sick. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 2:01:41 GMT -5
Really? How much more? Can I get you an aspirin?
ps do those references in the bible about how to handle other people's failings also make you sick?
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Post by aus1 on Jul 26, 2010 5:03:50 GMT -5
It would be profitable to send it to everyone of the elders in each state of Australia.
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Post by Rob Sargison on Jul 26, 2010 5:22:07 GMT -5
Bert you're a weird old buggar at times. You're hung up on smut like Two and a Half Men,and you excuse away and make light of sexual perversion committed by workers.
Whats up mate?
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Post by Linford Bledsoe on Jul 26, 2010 6:06:09 GMT -5
Why would you post 1/2 of a letter. Is this another sequel to the Michigan saga?
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Post by sharonw on Jul 26, 2010 7:07:50 GMT -5
"We regret ..." is a little sly and disingenuous. I suggest the correct wording would really be, "We are delighted..." because it provides justification for those who hate the workers message. A number of exes have been accused of pedophilia. You will never hear of any of the friends publishing this on the internet. As difficult as it is Bert, it is better to step up and say "it is a horrible occurrence and we all deeply regret that it has happened"-- offer a prayer for all involved. Making cartoons (however sadly funny they are) and excuses indicate weakness instead of regret. And, yes, I know how it feels to have to apologize for those who have fallen to the temptations of evil. I do NOT agree the cartoon was one bit funny! It showed a de ep disrespect for the WORKER who is trying his/her best to face an issue that has taken over the workership and has cost the fellowship MANY members and WORST of all, an issue that has damaged children for the whole of their lives. The cartoon is completely out of place and disrespectful! |
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Post by Linford Bledsoe on Jul 26, 2010 7:16:02 GMT -5
I agree the abuse situation needs to be corrected. But to send letters to gather information that can't be verified for credibility will only harm the image of what Wings is upholding. Have the workers asked for Wings assistance in this matter? If so post their letter asking for assistance on Wings. That would give Wings the utmost credibility.
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Post by sharonw on Jul 26, 2010 7:19:14 GMT -5
I agree the abuse situation needs to be corrected. But to send letters to gather information that can't be verified for credibility will only harm the image of what Wings is upholding. It might be harmful but WINGS has not posted an unverified accusation yet and didn't the letter say that the worker in question HAS ADMITTED? That usually stands in the place of a conviction, doesn't it? |
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Post by Linford Bledsoe on Jul 26, 2010 7:22:32 GMT -5
If he has admitted it let the authorities handle it. Isn't that what we advocate? Why is Wings investigating it? Sounds like a closed case to me.
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Post by fred on Jul 26, 2010 7:48:00 GMT -5
A big thank you to those involved in bringing this into the light where it can be named for what it is, and dealt with according to law that healing and cleansing may proceed in our fellowship.
I hardly know what to say to those who wish to shoot the messenger, move the focus elsewhere or generally cloud the issue. This in the mistaken belief that they are serving the interests of the fellowship.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2010 7:55:36 GMT -5
Bert you're a weird old buggar at times. You're hung up on smut like Two and a Half Men,and you excuse away and make light of sexual perversion committed by workers. Whats up mate? Nothing weird about bert at all in particular. Most F&Ws are raised on this: hate TV and love the workers. The seed bears fruit and it emerges like this all the time. |
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Post by Scott Ross on Jul 26, 2010 8:09:45 GMT -5
If he has admitted it let the authorities handle it. Isn't that what we advocate? Why is Wings investigating it? Sounds like a closed case to me. Lin, I was contacted by professing folks asking for their assistance in this matter. WINGS has been involved ONLY in assisting the workers and the professing people. We are in no way involved with investigating this situation. The only exes that have been involved are WINGS members, and only to the extent that we have been asked to be. The complete letter is now on WINGS: wingsfortruth.info/australia.htmScott |
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Post by Linford Bledsoe on Jul 26, 2010 8:21:14 GMT -5
Bert you're a weird old buggar at times. You're hung up on smut like Two and a Half Men,and you excuse away and make light of sexual perversion committed by workers. Whats up mate? Nothing weird about bert at all in particular. Most F&Ws are raised on this: hate TV and love the workers. The seed bears fruit and it emerges like this all the time. Here we go again. Mostgeneralities or specifics? |
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Post by Linford Bledsoe on Jul 26, 2010 8:24:27 GMT -5
If he has admitted it let the authorities handle it. Isn't that what we advocate? Why is Wings investigating it? Sounds like a closed case to me. Lin, I was contacted by professing folks asking for their assistance in this matter. WINGS has been involved ONLY in assisting the workers and the professing people. We are in no way involved with investigating this situation. The only exes that have been involved are WINGS members, and only to the extent that we have been asked to be. The complete letter is now on WINGS: wingsfortruth.info/australia.htmScott We have to give credit to the action of the workers there, to take definitive action. |
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Post by fred on Jul 26, 2010 8:39:10 GMT -5
Nothing weird about bert at all in particular. Most F&Ws are raised on this: hate TV and love the workers. The seed bears fruit and it emerges like this all the time. Here we go again. Mostgeneralities or specifics? Mmmm.........most? ........ many? ......... generally speaking?..... ........ or perhaps we could be more specific and say 60% - 70% - 80%....... nah, rat would chew us up for that. How about "most that I grew up with" - yeah, now that might work. Extrapolate that to all those that I know of that have seen the same thing and we have perhaps "most", or at least "many". Anyway what's with all this concern about precision like most vs many? |
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Prayers for all who have requested prayer, or for whom prayer has been requested.
