Into the future: F&W after Dean Bruer - Worker Reactions

[Admin]

It would be easy to overlook the impact of this terrible situation on honest Workers (as well as sincere Friends) the world over.

Many are grieving just the same as us on here, who have this forum at least to discuss, vent and somehow try and understand this unfolding tragedy.

As my correspondent today stated regarding the need for reform and revival, "Note: Many workers are entirely honourable and innocent".

This thread is for such Workers and Friends. The first post below is just received from a Worker somewhere in the world. I don't know who they are.

[Admin]

Message received by Admin today, and posted with permission:


I am a worker. I am not from North America.
In coming to know of this other side of Dean Bruer, I am stunned, appalled and shocked. My co-workers feel just as I do.

We have zero tolerance for other than right handling of the aftermath. That it would be with integrity and in accordance with principles and recommendations of professionals in the field.
Strongly our thoughts and care go to the victims, that they will receive appropriate understanding, support and care.
I am but one of many disappointed sad friends and workers, grieved this has happened.

You have my permission to post this publicly if you so wish.

[Admin]

This is not a very active thread, just the one welcome message received from any Worker.

As it's getting cluttered at the top of the TMB board, we will 'unsticky' this thread now and let it drift.

admin

[Admin]

Apr 18, 2023 15:29:45 GMT -5 1chinesewhispers said:

Anonymous
In light of the notes that came out yesterday from a meeting with the workers in BC, I have decided I should share notes I made about my meeting with the workers in my field last week in regard to CSA and what needs to be addressed.

Thankfully, it stayed very focused and the brother workers were very respectful, listened and asked questions, and truly seemed to be trying to do better. We did not discuss the weightier matters of the law like pool tables, Christmas trees, and washing the car on Sundays. 😂

The original point of typing up my notes was to share them with other people who were concerned and wanted to know how the meeting went. Also, my hope is that by sharing my experience it will give others courage to speak up in their area and my notes might possibly be useful in helping them formulate their thoughts on what they want to address.

To be clear, there are likely things I should have said, things that I wish I had said, etc but I tried. I’m happy to hear any feedback if you think anything I said was off track. Since this was a meeting with the workers and I was wanting to spur them to make positive change, I tried to approach them respectfully from a biblical perspective and not put them on the defensive.

For context, I am a middle aged single female and I was meeting with 2 brother workers. So this was a bit out of the norm but I didn’t want to have to limit my discussion to what someone else might be comfortable with if I took another friend. When I told them I wanted to meet with them privately to discuss this, they suggested that we meet somewhere somewhat public like a restaurant or coffee shop.

This meeting took place before Darryl’s letter came out on Friday. The brothers have taken a pretty firm stand in gospel meetings that this isn’t acceptable and that abuse should be reported to the authorities.

My purpose in meeting with them was to discuss what needs to be done moving forward and I also hoped by sharing my own experience with CSA as well guiding them to additional resources about SA and CSA that it might make some difference in their understanding of the problem.

When I originally typed up my notes, I was mainly outlining my thoughts and I didn’t put in too much of what the brothers said but I don’t actually think that they actually stated any disagreement with anything I said and most of their comments were for clarification and questions. We did discuss a couple of existing situations and they explained the action plan to deal with those situations and I will be following up with them on that.

The only negative feedback I got I suppose was that they felt that other women were the main ones that judged women for how they dressed and how strict they were and I felt like that was absolutely not the case. So I assured them there is a tremendous amount of judgment all around and the male patriarchal thinking is very much alive and well.

So points of discussion:

There should be zero tolerance for any sexual abuse in the ministry. None. The Bible makes it clear that sexual immorality is not ok period. And sexual immorality outside of a consensual relationship is even worse than consensual fornication or adultery. (Later in the conversation, they actually talked more openly about this and asked what my thoughts were on a worker potentially having a consensual relationship with some one and then repenting. Should they be allowed to stay in the work if they have admitted their error and are committed to not repeating that behavior? I said I could see possible situations when that might be appropriate but emphasize the need to fully understand if such an affair was consensual based on the fact that workers are often seen as authority figures and there is a hierarchy among workers. So while a relationship may seem consensual, if it’s between say an overseer and a much younger sister worker, there’s an abuse of power that is not ok and it’s questionable to call it consensual.)

Sending a worker with known predatory tendencies to a persons home without disclosing it, is complicit and a grave and a horrific betrayal of trust to the friends particularly if there are children in the home. It also brings defilement to a friends home. (Mentioned that there’s sometimes worker’s judging what friends allow in their homes but the workers have knowingly sent sexual predators into homes with children.)

All abuse should be reported to authorities and not be dealt with in house. However, workers will continue to have to talk with victims at times and communicate with their field about situations and it’s critical that the workers research or get training on trauma informed care so that they don’t unintentionally create more trauma for victims by how they communicate. (Brought up the letter from Brian and Wayne that very inappropriately indicated a rape victim had a “physical relationship” with Dean. Also mentioned that the letter about Mark, stated that “many people might not think this is serious….” which was extremely minimizing when the intent was supposed to be making the point it was serious.)

Mentioned typical trauma responses and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s). Many victims may be struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse issues but that is not a reason to invalidate what they are saying. In fact, their struggles are actually an indication the things they are alleging are more likely to have happened. Their “issues” are literally a side effect of their abuse.

Furthermore, having these unresolved issues will often create issues in victims marriages or result in people getting married to escape an unsafe home. Child sexual abuse creates more dysfunction and perpetuates generational trauma.

Why would the the overseers in the email about Mark think “many people” in the meetings wouldn’t think it was serious?? If there’s a perception that many people don’t think sexual touching of children through clothing is that serious, then the workers should be preaching about it more because clearly the congregation is misguided. Not only is it clearly a sin, it’s also illegal.

Furthermore, it is absolutely evil if a congregation that takes the name of Jesus doesn’t think child sex abuse needs to be dealt with!!!

Predators who prey on adults should not be allowed in meetings without very serious safe guards in place and every person present should be notified ahead of time that they are a predator and be asked if they are ok with meeting with them.

Pedophiles should most likely never be allowed back to meetings with children regardless of safety measures. Just no.

It is very minimizing and down right wrong to say things like, “sin is sin” or “we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of god” in discussions about CSA. Jesus said those that those who have offended little ones would be better off having a millstone tied around their neck and cast into the depths of the sea. He clearly took sins which victimized children as very serious. Also any sin that harms another is has earthly consequences and repercussions so even if god considered them similar in our own spiritual need for repentance, there are other things we need to take care of to “make things right with our brother”.

There should be no hierarchy when it comes to dealing with outright evil. There needs to be some structure and hierarchy to deal with basic administrative things but It’s not a matter of opinion that CSA is evil and no one should be limited in how they respond because they are in a lower position. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 Limiting the sister workers, younger brother workers, elders, or literally anyone’s ability to respond to CSA is immoral and causing them to sin. This is not an issue to just passed on higher up the chain and hope it’s dealt with. We all all have a moral obligation to address it and no one should be subject to judgement or punishment for speaking out on these issues. Again this is not a minor issue that is open to interpretation, this is pure evil.

The fact that this has repeatedly swept under the rug by overseers is an abject moral failing and completely undermines any moral authority those workers have. Furthermore, there is no biblical justification for the current overseer positions and it seems like in sending the disciples out in 2s it was a way of having accountability so it makes no sense to abandon that in the leadership. There should not just be one overseer with ultimate authority in an area.

Overall the fact that this has been allowed to continue is massively hypocritical and it is astonishing that anyone can attempt to justify this. It is literally like what Jesus preached agains about whitened sepulchers and washing the outside of the cup. There is absolutely no justification tolerating CSA on any level.

It makes me furious that so many younger people, particularly young woman have been lectured and even denied baptism over small matters of not fitting into rigid standards on appearances while known child molesters can literally continue in the work or be elders and continue to have communion. “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:24

Basically, there are many questionable standards they have to do mainly with appearances that are primarily borne by the girls and women. These things have very minimal biblical basis and are extremely outdated but are burdensome to girls. They likely have no bearing on one’s salvation. Men in authority seem to heap these things on woman. “And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.” Luke 11:46

Beyond making women bear the brunt of looking different and being in subjection, girls and women are also frequently told they must be careful how they dress so they don’t tempt brothers to sin. This is absolute nonsense and incredibly stupid and infuriating. There is zero justification for anyone to ever sexual violate someone else and when a man crosses a boundary without consent that is 100% on him and him alone and is in no way the victim’s fault or the victim’s responsibility. Boys should be taught self control and ways to handle their own feelings and it is not any woman’s responsibility to try to make up for a man’s lack of self control. I could walk down the street naked and while it make me more vulnerable to being violated, it is still 100% the perpetrators lack of morality and self control at fault if they violate me. Never the fault of a victim who just existed no matter what they are wearing. (Surprisingly both brothers agreed that it is not a woman’s responsibility to “not tempt” a man and that a man is responsible for his own lack of self control.)

I told the workers how utterly disgusted and disappointed I was by this mess and that it definitely raises so many questions about the legitimacy of the leadership and the actual spiritual nature of the fellowship “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:23 KJV

Sorry I know this a very long but hopefully someone finds it helpful.

[Admin]

Apr 22, 2023 15:17:21 GMT -5 peggysullivan said:

Apr 22, 2023 14:52:59 GMT -5 snow said:

I read an interesting perspective of a woman that had no contact with the 2x2's. She was talking with her husband who had once been a 2x2 about what is happening and her perspective was this. To paraphrase, so you're telling me that these celibate men and women are expected to go into the ministry, give up everything, never marry or have sex, all the while watching people in the homes they are staying in having all that? Husbands kissing their wives, cuddling their children, making money they can spend any way they want etc. Living with families seeing all things they will never have has got to be hard. It's not much wonder it happens when someone just is faced with those realities plus being placed in a situation where everyone else has what they will never have. I had never really viewed it quite this clearly before I read what she said. So true. It's got to be hard and not much wonder how they've been set up to fail sometimes.

I have wondered the same things! I have also felt that many workers, especially the sister workers seem oppressed, rather than joyous. There are those that can be happily celibate and give up all the usual things married people have. In fact, many of the things married people have end up being a burden, such as debt and the list can be long there; accumulation of 'stuff'. Many people would be happy to simplify. But, the workers have to be around all that like you say. I would not want to spend all my time in someone else's home; I just wouldn't, depending on the type of home it is, of course. If it had a peaceful atmosphere, I might not want to leave! But anyhow, getting off track here. You take men and women and put them on a farm at preps for 3 weeks and some of them might be hornier than hell, and what do you expect? I think that needs to be looked at. It has always been an honor system with the friends just trusting the workers. It's always been an honor system with the friends trusting the workers with the money they are given, too. But now you have it out in the open that two overseers have been living less than honorable. This is a big blow. But I think it's going to cause a paradigm shift and a healthy change. Yes, there will be friends who just want things to get back to normal....they are the complacent ones. But there is likely going to be a new normal. A professing lady once said to me, "Some of these brother workers are like sitting ducks."

[1chinesewhispers]

Site logo image Wings for Truth
Letter by Lyle Schober, Overseer of Texas and New Mexico – April 2023


wingsfortruth2
Apr 24
Read by Elders to Sunday Meetings, April 23, 2023

Dear Texas and New Mexico friends and workers,

It seems clear that there needs to be some communication from us about what is happening in our quest for transparency in the process for protecting the vulnerable among our fellowship. We have taken this challenge seriously and feel we are on the road that leads to safety. Where this road will lead us is a bit uncertain at this time and it will require patience from all of us, but maybe by sharing our most recent endeavors, we can keep you abreast of our efforts.

The workers in New Mexico and Texas will meet together in Round Rock May 11-13. These three days we have sessions planned that will incorporate professionals from varying fields of expertise presenting information on a variety of topics, including but not limited to Sexual Abuse and CSA (Child Sexual Abuse). We are also researching ways to make our ministry more effective and open to the challenges of our generation. We are facing difficult challenges, but we believe that this pursuit, which is under the direction of the Spirit, is a step in the process of assuring our best days are still ahead. Please feel free to ask us about the content of our time together after we return to the fields following our workshop.

The Ministry Safe program has been approved by the State of Texas to train individuals to increase awareness of child sexual abuse. It helps everyone working with children to recognize grooming behaviors that abusers use to gain access to a child, how the abuser gains trust of the child, the irrational thinking, the behavior of a child suffering, and what action must be taken to stop abuse.

We have made an ambitious effort to assure that all our workers are certified with the MinistrySafe program. We have also made a point of getting the elders and their wives enrolled and certified in this program. One of our friends in Texas is helping us with this project. We encourage any parents

[1chinesewhispers]

Wings for Truth
Christopher Giauque pleads guilty to possession of child pornography


wingsfortruth2
Apr 24
www.sprucegroveexaminer.com/news/local-news/christopher-giauque-pleads-guilty-for-possession-of-child-pornography

Christopher Giauque, a 31-year-old teacher at Spruce Grove Composite High School in Edmonton, was charged with possession of child pornography.

Published Apr 02, 2021 • Last updated Apr 02, 2021

Former Spruce Grove Composite High School teacher Christopher Giauque has plead guilty to the possession of child pornography. He is scheduled for arraignment at Edmonton Court of Queens Bench on Apr. 9, 2021. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency.

Former Spruce Grove Composite High School teacher Christopher Giauque has pleaded guilty for the possession of child pornography.

Giauque was arrested in October 2019 by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and charged with the alleged possession of child pornography.

The court heard upon police investigation, authorities discovered thousands of pornographic images, in addition to videos, on devices belonging to Giauque. During his latest court appearance on Saturday, Mar. 17, at Edmonton Court of Queens Bench, Giauque plead guilty to charges of possessing child pornography.

He is scheduled for arraignment at Edmonton Court of Queens Bench on Friday, Apr. 9, 2021.

[1chinesewhispers]

UPDATE!

New letter from Rob Newman, regarding Jon VandenBerg's removal from the work.

Feel free to share publicly. Dear fellow workers, elders, and friends,
Our prayers are that God will help us make the right decisions as we go forward. We realize that his hand is active. This gives us hope. We are looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming conventions.
We are saddened that it has become necessary for us to ask John VanDenBerg to step aside from the ministry. Recently we have received several credible allegations of unacceptable sexual behavior, including a complaint of inappropriate touching of a minor, which has been reported to the authorities. We want to make sure that all victims and their families feel free to come forward so we can support them in every way possible - they will not be blamed, and their identities will be kept confidential. We also want to confirm again, that sexual abuse in the ministry and the betrayal of trust it represents, will not be tolerated.
These things bring sorrow and concern to our heart, and we think especially of those who are victims. In recent times, when more of these kinds of errors have been brought to light and dealt with, we are left with the feeling that God has brought about a special season of cleansing, and change going forward. In our grief, we are comforted to know that His hand is working a greater work for the good of everyone involved. Once again, we are reminded His name is a holy name, not to be profaned, and this causes us all to deeply search our own heart.
2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. "We are thankful for the perfect foundation in Jesus, and the comfort of knowing our Father is working in these events and that He is well able to help, heal, and preserve every soul who comes to Him with a humble, contrite heart.
Thanks for your support and input. Elders, please communicate this letter to each family or individual in your meeting soon, in an appropriate way.
Your brother, Rob
California

[1chinesewhispers]

Site logo image Wings for Truth
Letter by Rob Newman, Overseer of California Re: Removal of John VanDenBerg from the work – April 2023


wingsfortruth2
Apr 25
Dear fellow workers, elders, and friends,

Our prayers are that God will help us make the right decisions as we go forward. We realize that his hand is active. This gives us hope. We are looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming conventions.

We are saddened that it has become necessary for us to ask John VanDenBerg to step aside from the ministry. Recently we have received several credible allegations of unacceptable sexual behavior, including a complaint of inappropriate touching of a minor, which has been reported to the authorities. We want to make sure that all victims and their families feel free to come forward so we can support them in every way possible — they will not be blamed. and their identities will be kept confidential. We also want to confirm again, that sexual abuse in the ministry and the betrayal of trust it represents, will not be tolerated.

These things bring sorrow and concern to our heart, and we think especially of those who are victims. In recent times, when more of these kinds of errors have been brought to light and dealt with, we are left with the feeling that God has brought about a special season of cleansing. and change going forward. In our grief, we are comforted to know that His hand is working a greater work for the good of everyone involved. Once again, we are reminded His name is a holy name, not to be profaned, and this causes us all to deeply search our own heart.

2 Timothy 2:19 'Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." We are thankful for the perfect foundation in Jesus. and the comfort of knowing our Father is working in these events and that He is well able to help, heal. and preserve every soul who comes to Him with a humble, contrite heart.

Thanks for your support and input. Elders, please communicate this letter to each family or individual in your meeting soon, in an appropriate way.

Your brother, Rob

[1chinesewhispers]

Site logo image Wings for Truth
Letter with CSA Information and Resources Issued by Ray Hoffman to Quebec-Atlantic friends – April 2023

Ray Hoffman
wingsfortruth2
Apr 25
Dear Friends

Recent events have made us more aware of our need to continue learning how to properly respond to any report of child sexual abuse We are sad to think that a lack of awareness in the past may have caused more hurt or prevented healing for victims. We value the trust among us as we seek to follow Christ and want to do our part to foster a safe environment for all.

Abuse of any kind has no place in God's family and any incident of child sexual abuse is a crime. If you reasonably suspect that a child or juvenile is being sexually abused, please report it to the authorities. Reports can be made lo local police or by calling an abuse hotline such as 800-656-HOPE

When we hear about another person's sin. we may desire to not expose it.
But in the case of child sexual abuse not reporting is against the law. prevents victims from getting the help they need and allows perpetrators to continue their devastating behavior. A perpetrator of child sexual abuse is not easily identifiable by personality, and will generally offend repeatedly given the opportunity. Therefore, it is crucial to report suspected child sexual abuse.

To help prevent and detect child sexual abuse, we continue to require each member of our staff to complete the MinistrySafe Awareness Training every two years. This course is very helpful and is available for anyone to take.

We encourage you to be educated on these topics. It is highly recommended that parents read the summary of information found in this link and watch the Parent Training video by MinistrySafe (which is currently free during National Child Abuse Prevention Month). If you are an adult who was a victim of abuse the RAINN.org online chat or phone hotline can connect you with support services in your area

If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to any one of us.

Thank you.

The Quebec/Atlantic Province Workers

[luke2236]

I feel like it might be appropriate to respond to these worker letters.

I read a lot of steps the friends can do when I read that the friends should communicate communicate communicate, and also help by keeping children away from workers and to teach them appropriate touching.

I also think everything besides forming a website, has been already done before.

If the 2x2s really put the victims first they would implement a legal accounting structure. Aren’t the victims worth setting up a system of accountability that would allow for lawsuits if changes were not made?

I found this: professing.proboards.com/thread/25089/2x2-business-model-exposed from 2017. What if legal accountability had been structured in 1989, when SA coverup was first made public? In the 2000’s when CSA coverup was made public? In 2017? How many fewer victims would Dean Bruer have? How many fewer victims would the 2x2 system have? How many lawsuits would victims be able to execute to fight the 2x2 coverup and the predators?


“The beauty of this business model, despite being illegal, is that if one of the 'Workers' commits a crime such as sexually assaulting a child, the victims of the crime are unable to successfully sue for damages from the Worker since the Worker himself/herself has no personal assets to seize.  In a normal organization, the victims could sue the organization as well. But in 2x2ism case who do you sue since you don't even know who controls what or where the money is?  Furthermore, there is no 2x2 legal entity to sue. This is the exact legal defense that a 2x2 Overseer used - that he was not a minister since there was no church that he was a minister of, and therefore how could he be held accountable. Beautiful.  This is exactly how organized crime is set up.  Even worse, all that hidden away money is then used by Overseers to pay for expensive lawyers to defend any 2x2 minister charged with a crime. What a racket. Or to put it in legal terms - racketeering. Thankfully in the US the Dept of Justice can use the RICO act to pierce the organizational structure. “

[Grant]

Apr 29, 2023 12:50:38 GMT -5 luke2236 said:

I feel like it might be appropriate to respond to these worker letters.

I read a lot of steps the friends can do when I read that the friends should communicate communicate communicate, and also help by keeping children away from workers and to teach them appropriate touching.

I also think everything besides forming a website, has been already done before.

If the 2x2s really put the victims first they would implement a legal accounting structure. Aren’t the victims worth setting up a system of accountability that would allow for lawsuits if changes were not made?

I found this: professing.proboards.com/thread/25089/2x2-business-model-exposed from 2017. What if legal accountability had been structured in 1989, when SA coverup was first made public? In the 2000’s when CSA coverup was made public? In 2017? How many fewer victims would Dean Bruer have? How many fewer victims would the 2x2 system have? How many lawsuits would victims be able to execute to fight the 2x2 coverup and the predators?


“The beauty of this business model, despite being illegal, is that if one of the 'Workers' commits a crime such as sexually assaulting a child, the victims of the crime are unable to successfully sue for damages from the Worker since the Worker himself/herself has no personal assets to seize.  In a normal organization, the victims could sue the organization as well. But in 2x2ism case who do you sue since you don't even know who controls what or where the money is?  Furthermore, there is no 2x2 legal entity to sue. This is the exact legal defense that a 2x2 Overseer used - that he was not a minister since there was no church that he was a minister of, and therefore how could he be held accountable. Beautiful.  This is exactly how organized crime is set up.  Even worse, all that hidden away money is then used by Overseers to pay for expensive lawyers to defend any 2x2 minister charged with a crime. What a racket. Or to put it in legal terms - racketeering. Thankfully in the US the Dept of Justice can use the RICO act to pierce the organizational structure. “

Simpleton was a dreamer or better still fake. He's been banned from this and other boards. He makes it up as he goes including his transition site for workers wanting to leave the work which was posted and called a scam on here the other day.

[luke2236]

Apr 29, 2023 15:36:57 GMT -5 Grant said:

Apr 29, 2023 12:50:38 GMT -5 luke2236 said:

I feel like it might be appropriate to respond to these worker letters.

I read a lot of steps the friends can do when I read that the friends should communicate communicate communicate, and also help by keeping children away from workers and to teach them appropriate touching.

I also think everything besides forming a website, has been already done before.

If the 2x2s really put the victims first they would implement a legal accounting structure. Aren’t the victims worth setting up a system of accountability that would allow for lawsuits if changes were not made?

I found this: professing.proboards.com/thread/25089/2x2-business-model-exposed from 2017. What if legal accountability had been structured in 1989, when SA coverup was first made public? In the 2000’s when CSA coverup was made public? In 2017? How many fewer victims would Dean Bruer have? How many fewer victims would the 2x2 system have? How many lawsuits would victims be able to execute to fight the 2x2 coverup and the predators?


“The beauty of this business model, despite being illegal, is that if one of the 'Workers' commits a crime such as sexually assaulting a child, the victims of the crime are unable to successfully sue for damages from the Worker since the Worker himself/herself has no personal assets to seize.  In a normal organization, the victims could sue the organization as well. But in 2x2ism case who do you sue since you don't even know who controls what or where the money is?  Furthermore, there is no 2x2 legal entity to sue. This is the exact legal defense that a 2x2 Overseer used - that he was not a minister since there was no church that he was a minister of, and therefore how could he be held accountable. Beautiful.  This is exactly how organized crime is set up.  Even worse, all that hidden away money is then used by Overseers to pay for expensive lawyers to defend any 2x2 minister charged with a crime. What a racket. Or to put it in legal terms - racketeering. Thankfully in the US the Dept of Justice can use the RICO act to pierce the organizational structure. “

Simpleton was a dreamer or better still fake. He's been banned from this and other boards. He makes it up as he goes including his transition site for workers wanting to leave the work which was posted and called a scam on here the other day.

Fair assessment, but it doesn’t takeaway from the parts where they were right. Maybe their conspiracy theories took away from the meat but there are some very valid structure points there.

[Admin]

May 4, 2023 22:30:13 GMT -5 jane said:

Dear Staff,

Please share this email and attachments with the elders in your field and have them share them with those in their meeting.

Your brothers,
Darryl, Wayne, Brian


Dear friends in WA/N ID/AK,

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, there was a man who was left wounded, robbed, exposed and half dead. As events continue to unfold, there are many feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and these feelings can be overwhelming and disorienting, which is a difficult place to be in. When the wounded man was at his lowest point, another man reached out to help, and immediately the healing and hope the wounded man needed so desperately began to take shape…but it still took time and nurturing. The grief we are feeling and the wounds we are nursing these days, need more than time and courage to heal. We especially need to feel the unconditional love of God. I know God is expressing His love to us in many ways. In addition to that, I am aware of many other hearts working in unison with His Heart. I’m so thankful for all of your prayers, support, visits, etc. that have been like a collective hand of love reaching out to me and so many others. I would also like to be part of this ‘collective hand’ that is reaching out to you. Unfortunately, because of the volume of information I am receiving, right now, I can’t answer everyone individually. If you would like to receive brief newsletters that will keep you updated on happenings as we traverse these stormy times, please send an email to: [e-mail] and simply type ‘YES’.

In a previous email I said we would set up a website to provide more information about CSA, but we encountered some complications, so I will send our documents directly to you by attaching them to this email. They are the combined effort of doctors, victim advocates, therapists, psychologists, sister workers, brother workers and laymen. We recognize that these topics are way too large to summarize in a few documents, but our aim was to compile information that can be helpful and educational without being too overwhelming. As an investment in everyone’s safety, I urge you to take the time to read these documents carefully.

Our convention season will soon arrive and for many it won’t be an easy time. Some of us are looking forward to being together again and feel it’s exactly what will help. There are others who are more reluctant for several reasons. I hope you will feel free to attend or to stay home. I understand your feelings and support your decision, either way. As in years past, you will have the option to listen to the convention meetings by phone.

My coworkers, Wayne & Brian, join me in sending their greetings and care.

With care and thanks,

Darryl

[Admin]

May 4, 2023 11:15:27 GMT -5 1chinesewhispers said:

Merlin Affleck reply to BC friends


wingsfortruth2
May 3
See original letter at wingsfortruth.info/2023/04/26/letter-from-friends-to-overseer-merlin-affleck-and-vancouver-workers/

Hello Jeremy and Leonie,

Considering history is important when coming to conclusions about the elephant in the room. I was in neighbouring provinces for 34 years before coming here to BC six years ago. Yes BC has had the reputation of being a graveyard for sister workers for decades. I could give you a list of 16 names or more that have not made it in the last decade or so. Since coming here I did learn that some did not have the health to continue and that is understandable.

But several left wounded. I have had the opportunity now to personally visit with several of them and heard from them first hand about their experiences and I would encourage you to do the same. I would rather have you listen to those details first hand from these sisters themselves and I will be happy to supply you with their names and contact information if they agree. Most of them have been gracious (including auntie Betty) and silently suffered.

You also might want to visit with some who are more comfortable labouring in other provinces where they feel appreciated and safe. I can supply their contact information too if they agree and you can hear it first hand from them whether the pressure they felt here comes from the brother's side or the sister's or both.

Another good resource would be to visit with the convention owners. You have their contact information so you can speak with them and learn about their observations during preps.

You might check with one who came here from another province in recent times and health broke after 1.5 years. She returned home and heads up a field and does fine. These are gracious people who do not want to cause trouble but they may answer a 'yes or no' regarding where the uncomfortable spirit they felt came from ....the brothers or sisters or from both.

I would be able to supply you with the contact information for the mother of a young sister that came from another province and it would be good for you to hear it from her regarding the change that she witnessed in her dear daughter after coming here.

I wish you could have been in the car last week as could have been in the car last week as Judy, Connie and I traveled over the Coquihalla together and had a serious brotherly / sisterly visit. It was lovely. We were coming back from a meeting in Kelowna where concerned parents and elders met to discuss and ask direct questions about CSA and other issues like you have mentioned in this email. The meeting lasted from 7 - 11:30pm and a good spirit prevailed and I believe all would agree that it was productive and good points were agreed on for moving forward.

There is a place for face to face visits. We have an elders meeting scheduled for next week and we will be having more throughout the province in the near future too. I think you will remember how I spoke to the province via Zoom a few years ago opening up the subject of CSA. Since then I have worked with sisters and brothers regarding CSA courses and Workers code of conduct and Child safe policy documents. Recently I asked Cindy-Lynn to research and send out a 90 minute CSA course and other hotline information to our elders and parents.

All this has been a learning curve for me and I am not here to say that I have done everything right, but I can also say that I hate these issues along with you and pledge to be open to better ways moving forward. I also want to remind you about the old saying .....'there are many sides to a story' and I want to encourage you to do lots of first hand listening and learning from many sides about the history before coming to definite conclusions.

I've appreciated Nehemiah lately. The Kingdom was in disrepair. He observed, wept & prayed (including himself when the Kingdom suffered loss) while the enemy ridiculed. Then he inspired the people to unite and rebuild one stone at a time. They did and in 52 days the walls were rebuilt and strong again. The precious things of God (including children) could be safe again. Then they rejoiced …..and we can tool!

Sincerely, Merlin

[Admin]

May 6, 2023 7:01:11 GMT -5 1chinesewhispers said:

Email from overseers Darryl Doland, Wayne Bechtol, and Brian Getz to the friends in Washington, N. Idaho, and Alaska areas



Sent May 4, 2023

Dear Staff,

Please share this email and attachments with the elders in your field and have them share them with those in their meeting.

Your brothers,

Darryl, Wayne, Brian

Dear friends in WA/N ID/AK,

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, there was a man who was left wounded, robbed, exposed and half dead. As events continue to unfold, there are many feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and these feelings can be overwhelming and disorienting, which is a difficult place to be in. When the wounded man was at his lowest point, another man reached out to help, and immediately the healing and hope the wounded man needed so desperately began to take shape … but it still took time and nurturing. The grief we are feeling and the wounds we are nursing these days, need more than time and courage to heal. We especially need to feel the unconditional love of God. 1know God is expressing His love to us in many ways. In addition to that, 1am aware of many other hearts working in unison with His Heart. I’m so thankful for all of your prayers, support, visits, etc. that have been like a collective hand of love reaching out to me and so many others. I would also like to be part of this ‘collective hand' that is reaching out to you. Unfortunately, because of the volume of information I am receiving, right now, I can't answer everyone individually. If you would like to receive brief newsletters that will keep you updated on happenings as we traverse these stormy times, please send an email to: [redacted] and simply type 'YES'.

In a previous email I said we would set up a website to provide more information about CSA, but we encountered some complications, so I will send our documents directly to you by attaching them to this email. They are the combined effort of doctors, victim advocates, therapists, psychologists, sister workers, brother workers and laymen. We recognize that these topics are way too large to summarize in a few documents, but our aim was to compile information that can be helpful and educational without being too overwhelming. As an investment in everyone’s safety, I urge you to take the time to read these documents carefully.

Our convention season will soon arrive and for many it won't be an easy time. Some of us are looking forward to being together again and feel it’s exactly what will help. There are others who are more reluctant for several reasons. I hope you will feel free to attend or to stay home. I understand your feelings and support your decision, either way. As in years past, you will have the option to listen to the convention meetings by phone.

My coworkers, Wayne & Brian, join me in sending their greetings and care.

With care and thanks,

Darryl

[1chinesewhispers]

Site logo image Wings for Truth
Update from Stacy Bainbridge May 6, 2023 – Woodstock Convention


wingsfortruth2
May 6
Wed. April 26th- Supper time at our kitchen table with one brother worker, my husband Bob, and myself. The conversation went to Morgan and our frustration about how her abuse has been handled. This man whom we have trusted (silly us) proceeded to explain to us that Morgan’s inappropriate touching from an older sister worker on two separate occasions was NOTHING, that he has been touched on the leg by others before and she is just sensitive. Yet again we found ourselves explaining that it wasn’t “just a touch on the leg”. Just imagine that this was an acceptable behavior... we’d think twice about who we sit next to in the dining shed or at our very own kitchen table. No, I’m sorry, I will not sit by quietly and allow these untruths to be told. Since then, I have heard this same story being shared amongst friends; one first-hand and one incident second hand. I’m assuming there has been more but I don’t know that. Workers are believed, they are “the workers”.

Thursday, May 4th- Bob was contacted in the afternoon for a meeting with 3 of our brother workers at 7 pm. Bob asked that we have witnesses and meet at a different location than our own home (which later was taken out of context and said that we didn’t even want them in our home). We later learned that they were coming from a meeting with the overseer. When we sat down with these three men, we had our other daughter and son-in-law on speaker phone from NZ as well as two other witnesses. The first remark made was, “We just came to talk about convention”, indicating that this wasn’t about Morgan, but whether we are going to have convention this year at Woodstock. One worker indicated he was asking because Bob had made a remark that there was corruption in the oversight. It was stated that Bob was talking to a lot of people and telling them the overseers are corrupt. The actual comment Bob made was that there is corruption within the overseers (we all know we can’t make a blanket statement about any group of people) and people all over the world who are reading what is happening can put these facts together for themselves. My hope is that it keeps going until all the ugly is cleaned out, overseers, workers, and friends. This is unacceptable. The overall purpose of the meeting was to tell us there will be no Woodstock convention at least for this year. I mentioned during our meeting that it would be impossible to talk about this without bringing Morgan’s story into it, so the meeting was long with no progress. The moral of all of this is that this is what we get for speaking up. Not only have we planned for convention but everyone else looks forward to it and has made plans to come to Woodstock; now they’ve all been sent a warning.

Friday, May 5th- I sent our brother worker a text to stop spreading stories minimizing Morgan’s abuse. I sent him the definition of and the laws in Canada about slander. I indicated to him that we had shared the news about their decision to not hold convention at Woodstock. My response from him was, “It’s not definite about convention, I asked about no convention this year. I was talking to the overseer this morning and it’s not yet definite.” No response to my comments about slander. I reminded him that he was definite last night when he said there would not be convention at Woodstock for at least a year. This was stated multiple times in front of 6 witnesses.

We are frustrated and discouraged to have to fight so hard for truth to be told and for these things to be taken care of. We are sorry to everyone and so sad that the workers feel that the truth being told will hinder convention.

[1chinesewhispers]

Site logo image Wings for Truth
Email from Bob and Stacy Bainbridge re worker abuse and lack of transparency


wingsfortruth2
May 6
Dear Friends,

It is with Morgan's permission that we send this email.

The absence of information and lack of acknowledgment of recent abuses and how its been or being handled has put and continues to put innocent people in harms way. So this is the reason for our letter. We would like to make clear the reason that Morgan is out of the work and in NZ.

In March of 2021 Morgan brought information forward to the overseer about emotional/psychological/narcissistic abuse and sexual misconduct by two of her older companions.

After hearing her experience he agreed that this behavior was abuse. When Morgan then informed him who the abusers were, he changed the subject. In the following weeks and months he made efforts to slander, discredit, undermine and portray her as a liar to cover up and dismiss the abuse.

With the support and similar stories from others the overseer was forced to acknowledge the abuse yet again, the acknowledgement however, was short lived. With the continued support from staff other overseers were brought in from the USA. Many hours were spent in visits with the staff during their time here, it was at this time that one of these overseers suggested to Morgan that if she was just inventing trouble as an excuse to leave the work there was no need she could just leave.

During Nov. 2021 Special meetings (on line) the staff workers along with visitors were together in NS. At this time a visiting worker Inappropriately touched Morgan on two separate occasions. Morgan realized at this point the behaviors of abuse were far greater and more wide spread then she could have imagined.

The eventual solution for all of this abuse was to move the abusers, one to Ontario, one temporarily to the USA and our overseer to Alberta.

Morgan’s only request at the time of reporting was for the abusers to step aside from the work and get the appropriate help/therapy needed. Instead we have made a safe haven for continued abuse.

Some overseers in parts of Canada and the USA have sent letters to the elders in their fields to be read to their meetings, but many places still have have not.

These things we all know are unpleasant and awkward to talk about but we cannot ignore the hurt and damage being done to the innocent. Going forward we need to know that these abusers are not just being shuffled to a different state or province to continue their abuse. These people need to be reported to the proper legal authorities.

Think about the many, many, victims that have had their lives damaged and are spending months and years in therapy from the harm these abusers have caused. The lack of acknowledgement, action and dismissiveness exacerbates the feelings for the victims of abuse. These scars are with them forever, and the hurt goes far beyond the victims, it affects all of their family and friend.

Please encourage our overseers that have influence in directing our workers to take the right course of action, be transparent in dealing with these abusers, report abuse.

Victims need to be able to speak up and be taken seriously.

Ps: In case you wonder or are hopeful that things are maybe moving in the right direction as far as recognition of harm done and the need for change and action, Within the last two weeks, Bob had a conversation with an overseer who dismissed Morgan's examples of abuse as "silly little things". He also in this conversation was victim blaming. However it is encouraging to read a letter written by Darryl Doland who has acknowledged the part that he has played in being complicit in trivializing, silencing and censoring these reports of abuses. We can only pray that these sentiments are contagious.

Please feel free to share as we don't have everyone’s contact details.

Bob and Stacy

[snow]

It just doesn't quit!! People who are concerned and reach out to get the truth out are being vilified yet again. Now they are deciding to take the convention away from them this year??!! It is so sickening. They admitted it was abuse and then in public they say it was 'silly little things'. What a bunch of deceitful self serving __________ I'll let you fill in the blanks.

[openingact34]

May 7, 2023 14:02:57 GMT -5 snow said:

It just doesn't quit!! People who are concerned and reach out to get the truth out are being vilified yet again. Now they are deciding to take the convention away from them this year??!! It is so sickening. They admitted it was abuse and then in public they say it was 'silly little things'. What a bunch of deceitful self serving __________ I'll let you fill in the blanks.

The Bainbridge family should start a GoFundMe and announce that they will be having convention anyway this year without the workers.

[snow]

May 7, 2023 14:10:34 GMT -5 openingact34 said:

May 7, 2023 14:02:57 GMT -5 snow said:

It just doesn't quit!! People who are concerned and reach out to get the truth out are being vilified yet again. Now they are deciding to take the convention away from them this year??!! It is so sickening. They admitted it was abuse and then in public they say it was 'silly little things'. What a bunch of deceitful self serving __________ I'll let you fill in the blanks.

The Bainbridge family should start a GoFundMe and announce that they will be having convention anyway this year without the workers.

I would love to see how that would work. However, could the professing people here please tell me what convention means for them. Is it to come and listen to workers? Would a convention work as well if all the people there got up on stage and had a piece to say like the workers do now. Or is the whole point of it 'workers'?

[neighbour]

May 7, 2023 16:13:31 GMT -5 snow said:

May 7, 2023 14:10:34 GMT -5 openingact34 said:

The Bainbridge family should start a GoFundMe and announce that they will be having convention anyway this year without the workers.

I would love to see how that would work. However, could the professing people here please tell me what convention means for them. Is it to come and listen to workers? Would a convention work as well if all the people there got up on stage and had a piece to say like the workers do now. Or is the whole point of it 'workers'?

The entire point of it is 'workers'. They spend a month or so preparing the grounds, then there are 19-20 hours' worth of preaching by workers except for approximately 3 hours of contribution from the friends in "testimony time" spread over the four days.
Many of the workers are away from their fields for months because of convention "preps" and foreign convention tours.

[snow]

May 7, 2023 16:22:57 GMT -5 neighbour said:

May 7, 2023 16:13:31 GMT -5 snow said:

I would love to see how that would work. However, could the professing people here please tell me what convention means for them. Is it to come and listen to workers? Would a convention work as well if all the people there got up on stage and had a piece to say like the workers do now. Or is the whole point of it 'workers'?

The entire point of it is 'workers'. They spend a month or so preparing the grounds, then there are 19-20 hours' worth of preaching by workers except for approximately 3 hours of contribution from the friends in "testimony time" spread over the four days.
Many of the workers are away from their fields for months because of convention "preps" and foreign convention tours.

Yes that's how I remember it being. So basically it just wouldn't work to have a convention without workers.

[neighbour]

May 7, 2023 17:22:57 GMT -5 snow said:

May 7, 2023 16:22:57 GMT -5 neighbour said:

The entire point of it is 'workers'. They spend a month or so preparing the grounds, then there are 19-20 hours' worth of preaching by workers except for approximately 3 hours of contribution from the friends in "testimony time" spread over the four days.
Many of the workers are away from their fields for months because of convention "preps" and foreign convention tours.

Yes that's how I remember it being. So basically it just wouldn't work to have a convention without workers.

In my estimation, no it wouldn't happen.

[curlywurlysammagee]

May 7, 2023 16:13:31 GMT -5 snow said:

May 7, 2023 14:10:34 GMT -5 openingact34 said:

The Bainbridge family should start a GoFundMe and announce that they will be having convention anyway this year without the workers.

I would love to see how that would work. However, could the professing people here please tell me what convention means for them. Is it to come and listen to workers? Would a convention work as well if all the people there got up on stage and had a piece to say like the workers do now. Or is the whole point of it 'workers'?

When I was professing I came to the conclusion that many workers lived for convention. Their focus on that seemed quite unnatural and unhealthy.

[openingact34]

May 7, 2023 17:22:57 GMT -5 snow said:

May 7, 2023 16:22:57 GMT -5 neighbour said:

The entire point of it is 'workers'. They spend a month or so preparing the grounds, then there are 19-20 hours' worth of preaching by workers except for approximately 3 hours of contribution from the friends in "testimony time" spread over the four days.
Many of the workers are away from their fields for months because of convention "preps" and foreign convention tours.

Yes that's how I remember it being. So basically it just wouldn't work to have a convention without workers.

Do you really remember how painfully boring that 20 hours was?

Sure, the true friends wouldn't accept convention without the workers. But I'm thinking more of all the tares for whom it is really just a big social event. That's probably half the crowd these days.

You could still have camping, long walks between meetings, sings, testimony time, eat stew until it came out of your ears, haul your kids out of meeting and spank them loudly for not sitting still for 20 hours, be separate from all the wicked worldliness, try to get yourself a professing spouse while avoiding inbreeding, and all the other things that people really come to convention for. I'm sure some of the elders are more than capable of preaching and rambling on for a few hours.

[snow]

May 8, 2023 9:26:09 GMT -5 openingact34 said:

May 7, 2023 17:22:57 GMT -5 snow said:

Yes that's how I remember it being. So basically it just wouldn't work to have a convention without workers.

Do you really remember how painfully boring that 20 hours was?

Sure, the true friends wouldn't accept convention without the workers. But I'm thinking more of all the tares for whom it is really just a big social event. That's probably half the crowd these days.

You could still have camping, long walks between meetings, sings, testimony time, eat stew until it came out of your ears, haul your kids out of meeting and spank them loudly for not sitting still for 20 hours, be separate from all the wicked worldliness, try to get yourself a professing spouse while avoiding inbreeding, and all the other things that people really come to convention for. I'm sure some of the elders are more than capable of preaching and rambling on for a few hours.

I didn't like the meetings that's for sure. I liked the rest of it though. I got to see friends, sleep overs I liked serving tables in the dining tent, I loved the stew and the morning hash and the hot chocolate in the evening. But I could have done that in a girl scouts program without all the preaching and actually I would also have learned some practical life skills in the girl scouts.

[getreal]

Conventions should go. Preps are where workers go to play house and where the celibate live in close quarters and it’s not healthy for that program. I like thinking about the future. In the beginning workers were truly homeless and not knowing where the next meal or bed would be perhaps. They walked and they gave their lives to seeking the lost. I remember an old sister talking about how it was better when they backed. They had chores, normal things, physical labor and they couldn’t run around seeing 10 people a day. Now workers are not homeless. They just need to ask for funds if needed for teeth, healthcare, glasses, new phone or laptop, a different car if theirs breaks down. The only time they need a lot of faith again is when they leave the work. They should be married if they want and not live in homes of the friends. Right now the friends should not accept them into their homes and stop giving them money. Yes there are wonderful people and they have not been served well in many respects. The non 1% of workers if that’s what the number is should the recommending the same thing until true open conversations happen, honesty and change.