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Post by Admin on May 1, 2023 18:48:54 GMT -5
He is still in mtgs we hear. Mike Hassett has done nothing and know letter has been sent. Totally not right In meetings, and I hear living with a professing couple. Quite a contrast to how sister workers are treated when they report abuse. A currently very high up overseer prohibited everyone from receiving an ex sister worker after she reported abuse. She was not allowed to come to meetings, and was effectively excommunicated. The perpetrator is still in the work, and reportedly has a girlfriend - another sister worker. This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdm |
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peggysullivan
Senior Member
What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
Posts: 662
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Post by peggysullivan on May 1, 2023 19:01:14 GMT -5
Sad, and archaic..
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Post by matisse on May 1, 2023 19:35:54 GMT -5
In meetings, and I hear living with a professing couple. Quite a contrast to how sister workers are treated when they report abuse. A currently very high up overseer prohibited everyone from receiving an ex sister worker after she reported abuse. She was not allowed to come to meetings, and was effectively excommunicated. The perpetrator is still in the work, and reportedly has a girlfriend - another sister worker. This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdmSomething is rotten in Denmark. Are sexual dalliances a "perk" of leadership in this group? If not globally, in various localities? The founder, after all, was known to "sample" new Sister Workers, and early leaders, like George Walker, would most certainly have known this, but chose to remain. Is there a gentleman's agreement to look the other way as long as the system isn't put at risk? Are men promoted by other men into leadership positions based on their ability to be discrete, and/or to go along? There's an awful lot of smoke coming from the top. The dismissal of concerned sister workers who speak up is especially troubling, and imo, smacks of a "men's club" that the Sister Workers would not know about. "Pesky Sister Workers" who aren't privy to the Gentlemen's agreement? Just some thoughts. I'm not especially happy to be thinking them, but I'm seeing the possibility of profound corruption and complicity. Personally, I do not believe any human being has access to supernatural insight (e.g. "Holy Spirit"); there is NOTHING about the 2x2s that prompts me to re-think this. Potentially.Very.Rotten, IMO. |
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Post by neighbour on May 1, 2023 19:50:59 GMT -5
The dismissal of concerned sister workers who speak up is especially troubling, and imo, smacks of a "men's club" that the Sister Workers would not know about. "Pesky Sister Workers" who aren't privy to the Gentlemen's agreement? I've heard it preached in no uncertain terms that sister workers are "handmaids" in full subordination to the brothers. |
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Post by matisse on May 1, 2023 20:09:34 GMT -5
The dismissal of concerned sister workers who speak up is especially troubling, and imo, smacks of a "men's club" that the Sister Workers would not know about. "Pesky Sister Workers" who aren't privy to the Gentlemen's agreement? I've heard it preached in no uncertain terms that sister workers are "handmaids" in full subordination to the brothers. Yes, this contributed to the implosion of my faith 25+ years ago. The god I "knew and loved", and who I believed "knew and loved" me, would never dismiss and disrespect me like that. |
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peggysullivan
Senior Member
What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
Posts: 662
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Post by peggysullivan on May 2, 2023 9:15:45 GMT -5
I couldn’t be a sister worker. Don’t think I would last a year without offending people and being insubordinate!
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Post by christiansburg on May 2, 2023 9:24:06 GMT -5
In meetings, and I hear living with a professing couple. Quite a contrast to how sister workers are treated when they report abuse. A currently very high up overseer prohibited everyone from receiving an ex sister worker after she reported abuse. She was not allowed to come to meetings, and was effectively excommunicated. The perpetrator is still in the work, and reportedly has a girlfriend - another sister worker. This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdmThis story lacks credibility; not enough facts to make this believable. |
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Post by mdm on May 2, 2023 12:00:58 GMT -5
This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdm This story lacks credibility; not enough facts to make this believable. I cannot post names publicly. But I was personally involved in helping out this ex sister worker after being contacted by Cherie. Another member of this board knows this ex sister worker as well. Is this story not credible because it's so out of character for the workers? Or because there is something about me personally that is not credible? |
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Post by mdm on May 2, 2023 14:20:08 GMT -5
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Post by mdm on May 2, 2023 14:23:34 GMT -5
professing.proboards.com/post/1046648/threadThe fact that sister workers were thankful for the warning implies that they don't feel protected. Their safety is not regarded as important, and ultimately they get the blame.
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Post by christiansburg on May 2, 2023 18:21:41 GMT -5
This story lacks credibility; not enough facts to make this believable. I cannot post names publicly. But I was personally involved in helping out this ex sister worker after being contacted by Cherie. Another member of this board knows this ex sister worker as well. Is this story not credible because it's so out of character for the workers? Or because there is something about me personally that is not credible? No. Absolutely not about you. It just seemed to lack credibility for me. Taking you word on this. Thanks. |
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Post by openingact34 on May 2, 2023 19:37:20 GMT -5
I couldn’t be a sister worker. Don’t think I would last a year without offending people and being insubordinate! You have to be much more submissive as a female "saint" in the Truth  |
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jane
Junior Member
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Post by jane on May 2, 2023 20:05:13 GMT -5
I realize this may be the unpopular opinion right now. and thats okay. I'm open to discussion and hearing other view points.
But there is a lot of focus on the sister workers (in the future) being part of the decision making process and having a bigger part. I am all for that.
But we can not forget their part in this mess. Many sister workers were complicit in not speaking up, not reporting and in many cases hiding things. I understand it would be difficult to stand up to the brother workers and overseers...but there are many ways to report CSA/abuse through quiet channels. I have a hard time giving them a free pass on not reporting when they knew it was the right thing. If they knew of CSA--they should have immediately reported it to the authorities. If they chose to go to the brothers, and nothing was done--We need to hold the sister workers accountable for choosing to not pursue it further or lying about it.
When we talk about having a sister worker as part of an overseer committee or abuse committee...who would we choose? I have read of MANY sister workers who have been a part of the problem and i don't know how we could trust them to do the right thing. Even sister workers who have backgrounds in teaching and nursing etc.
So....while i think we need to support them and help them find their voice, i'm not really okay with them getting a free pass on all this.
Recently we have seen a few sister workers standing up and being brave and sharing their experiences...but not enough, in my opinion. When are they going to start being a part of the solution? If they don't speak up now, they will miss their opportunity. Or maybe they aren't speaking up because they know they also chose to make very poor decisions when it came to reporting CSA/abuse.
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Post by matisse on May 2, 2023 20:07:25 GMT -5
I couldn’t be a sister worker. Don’t think I would last a year without offending people and being insubordinate! You have to be much more submissive as a female "saint" in the Truth I want to "Like" this, but ewwww! |
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peggysullivan
Senior Member
What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
Posts: 662
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Post by peggysullivan on May 2, 2023 20:31:45 GMT -5
I realize this may be the unpopular opinion right now. and thats okay. I'm open to discussion and hearing other view points. But there is a lot of focus on the sister workers (in the future) being part of the decision making process and having a bigger part. I am all for that. But we can not forget their part in this mess. Many sister workers were complicit in not speaking up, not reporting and in many cases hiding things. I understand it would be difficult to stand up to the brother workers and overseers...but there are many ways to report CSA/abuse through quiet channels. I have a hard time giving them a free pass on not reporting when they knew it was the right thing. If they knew of CSA--they should have immediately reported it to the authorities. If they chose to go to the brothers, and nothing was done--We need to hold the sister workers accountable for choosing to not pursue it further or lying about it. When we talk about having a sister worker as part of an overseer committee or abuse committee...who would we choose? I have read of MANY sister workers who have been a part of the problem and i don't know how we could trust them to do the right thing. Even sister workers who have backgrounds in teaching and nursing etc. So....while i think we need to support them and help them find their voice, i'm not really okay with them getting a free pass on all this. Recently we have seen a few sister workers standing up and being brave and sharing their experiences...but not enough, in my opinion. When are they going to start being a part of the solution? If they don't speak up now, they will miss their opportunity. Or maybe they aren't speaking up because they know they also chose to make very poor decisions when it came to reporting CSA/abuse. Jane, Thanks for saying what has been on my mind. The sister workers have been well trained and are for the most part rather "mousy". It's hard for me to comprehend being that way, which is why I couldn't be one. But you're right, many of them had to have "known" or seen things that weren't right. Nor did they realize they have the power of God on their side in pursuing justice. I just want to say to ANYONE who has a hard time finding their voice, "You are not powerless." I have long worked in a culture of speaking up and questioning. In fact if I didn't speak up when I should or pursue what I should I would get my a$$ chewed by my co-workers first, and then maybe my boss! So, there's been peer pressure to speak up and do what's right. But, it is the CULTURE I have been in. And I was raised in a female dominant household. But not only that, we were taught that you don't have to be mistreated. You can fight back. So, this is sort of easy for me to say. Anyone, whether you are an elder, an elder's wife, a friend, a brother worker, a sister worker, etc. who knew about the CSA and didn't do anything is part of the problem. It's the culture of silence that needs to change. |
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peggysullivan
Senior Member
What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
Posts: 662
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Post by peggysullivan on May 2, 2023 20:33:00 GMT -5
I will also add, it's not just the brothers that might be hushing up the sisters....but it's the older sisters hushing up the younger sisters.
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Post by Pragmatic on May 2, 2023 20:39:20 GMT -5
An old and senior worker here, who has since passed, referred to some older sister workers as tyrants in a dress. One (DW) even made her younger companion wear her bodice back to front so that it could result in a higher neckline. And she threw out the younger companion's underwear, and had it replaced with "granny stuff". They were staying at my parents at the time, and my father had a bit of a go at her, and was told it was none of his business.
The younger one eventually had a breakdown
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peggysullivan
Senior Member
What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
Posts: 662
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Post by peggysullivan on May 2, 2023 21:01:32 GMT -5
There was this cute, young sister worker who dressed real cute. And an older sister worker told her her skirts were too short and what not. I'm just thinking to myself:" Let her dress the way she wants to! Leave her alone. Let her be young. Don't eat the young. It's just so wrong. If she gets a conviction about longer skirts, let the Spirit show her. But stay out of the Spirit's way or you will quench it. "
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Post by fixit on May 2, 2023 22:18:31 GMT -5
An old and senior worker here, who has since passed, referred to some older sister workers as tyrants in a dress. One (DW) even made her younger companion wear her bodice back to front so that it could result in a higher neckline. And she threw out the younger companion's underwear, and had it replaced with "granny stuff". They were staying at my parents at the time, and my father had a bit of a go at her, and was told it was none of his business. The younger one eventually had a breakdown
We put up with waaaaay too much. The same culture of abuse that allowed a worker to throw out her companion's underwear, also enabled sexual abuse to be "none of our business". All to protect a man made "kingdom" that was counter-productive to God's work in the hearts of men and women. Those days are gone. The tyrants will be exposed going forward. Bring it on. |
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Post by BobWilliston on May 4, 2023 0:03:22 GMT -5
I cannot post names publicly. But I was personally involved in helping out this ex sister worker after being contacted by Cherie. Another member of this board knows this ex sister worker as well. Is this story not credible because it's so out of character for the workers? Or because there is something about me personally that is not credible? No. Absolutely not about you. It just seemed to lack credibility for me. Taking you word on this. Thanks. FWIW -- I understand your disbelief, but I know it happens. |
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Post by BobWilliston on May 4, 2023 0:17:35 GMT -5
I realize this may be the unpopular opinion right now. and thats okay. I'm open to discussion and hearing other view points. But there is a lot of focus on the sister workers (in the future) being part of the decision making process and having a bigger part. I am all for that. But we can not forget their part in this mess. Many sister workers were complicit in not speaking up, not reporting and in many cases hiding things. I understand it would be difficult to stand up to the brother workers and overseers...but there are many ways to report CSA/abuse through quiet channels. I have a hard time giving them a free pass on not reporting when they knew it was the right thing. If they knew of CSA--they should have immediately reported it to the authorities. If they chose to go to the brothers, and nothing was done--We need to hold the sister workers accountable for choosing to not pursue it further or lying about it. When we talk about having a sister worker as part of an overseer committee or abuse committee...who would we choose? I have read of MANY sister workers who have been a part of the problem and i don't know how we could trust them to do the right thing. Even sister workers who have backgrounds in teaching and nursing etc. So....while i think we need to support them and help them find their voice, i'm not really okay with them getting a free pass on all this. Recently we have seen a few sister workers standing up and being brave and sharing their experiences...but not enough, in my opinion. When are they going to start being a part of the solution? If they don't speak up now, they will miss their opportunity. Or maybe they aren't speaking up because they know they also chose to make very poor decisions when it came to reporting CSA/abuse. You definitely have a point. The place of abused wives and abused sister workers are probably equally egregious, except that disobedient wives have a better chance of being killed. There's something that goes on with sister workers that most people don't understand -- overseers frequently have "a brood of favored hens" who will cater to his whims and police the rest of the sisters. At the risk of sounding sexist, I'll opine that they enable the status quo because it's the way (I've been told) they exercise control in the male dominated system. |
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Post by BobWilliston on May 4, 2023 0:22:59 GMT -5
An old and senior worker here, who has since passed, referred to some older sister workers as tyrants in a dress. One (DW) even made her younger companion wear her bodice back to front so that it could result in a higher neckline. And she threw out the younger companion's underwear, and had it replaced with "granny stuff". They were staying at my parents at the time, and my father had a bit of a go at her, and was told it was none of his business. The younger one eventually had a breakdown
An ex-worker told me that he could set the sister worker part of the workers list so that there wouldn't be any sister workers at the end of the year.  Kind of sad, though. |
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Post by BobWilliston on May 4, 2023 0:27:36 GMT -5
There was this cute, young sister worker who dressed real cute. And an older sister worker told her her skirts were too short and what not. I'm just thinking to myself:" Let her dress the way she wants to! Leave her alone. Let her be young. Don't eat the young. It's just so wrong. If she gets a conviction about longer skirts, let the Spirit show her. But stay out of the Spirit's way or you will quench it. " I have it from a reliable source that there are varying lengths of dress requirements, depending on the jurisdiction. A sister worker going to another place for convention visits was asking what the number of inches below the knee the sister workers had to keep in when they went to the other place.  |
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Post by Pragmatic on May 4, 2023 0:29:26 GMT -5
And are they allowed to have shoes in Indiana with holes at the front now?
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Post by BobWilliston on May 4, 2023 1:08:40 GMT -5
And are they allowed to have shoes in Indiana with holes at the front now? That's a funny one too. |
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Post by snow on May 4, 2023 14:20:04 GMT -5
This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdmThis story lacks credibility; not enough facts to make this believable. This is not unusual. The most recent letter we've had shared here from a sister worker in Eastern Canada tells this exact treatment when she complained. She was also threatened with excommunication of her family if she continued to try and get her abuse to stop. It isn't much wonder why people in the group don't come forward when they know of the attitude that they won't be believed when they report abuse. |
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Post by snow on May 4, 2023 14:24:17 GMT -5
I realize this may be the unpopular opinion right now. and thats okay. I'm open to discussion and hearing other view points. But there is a lot of focus on the sister workers (in the future) being part of the decision making process and having a bigger part. I am all for that. But we can not forget their part in this mess. Many sister workers were complicit in not speaking up, not reporting and in many cases hiding things. I understand it would be difficult to stand up to the brother workers and overseers...but there are many ways to report CSA/abuse through quiet channels. I have a hard time giving them a free pass on not reporting when they knew it was the right thing. If they knew of CSA--they should have immediately reported it to the authorities. If they chose to go to the brothers, and nothing was done--We need to hold the sister workers accountable for choosing to not pursue it further or lying about it. When we talk about having a sister worker as part of an overseer committee or abuse committee...who would we choose? I have read of MANY sister workers who have been a part of the problem and i don't know how we could trust them to do the right thing. Even sister workers who have backgrounds in teaching and nursing etc. So....while i think we need to support them and help them find their voice, i'm not really okay with them getting a free pass on all this. Recently we have seen a few sister workers standing up and being brave and sharing their experiences...but not enough, in my opinion. When are they going to start being a part of the solution? If they don't speak up now, they will miss their opportunity. Or maybe they aren't speaking up because they know they also chose to make very poor decisions when it came to reporting CSA/abuse. I understand what you're saying here and yes it's also a problem. But I wonder how much of the keeping silent was because they saw what happened to the sister workers that didn't keep quiet. Remember the sister worker down in Eastern Canada that was told if she didn't stop reporting abuse her family would be excommunicated. For people who believe that their very salvation rests on being in the F&W's this is spiritual hostage taking and blackmail. |
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Post by Admin on May 5, 2023 7:09:34 GMT -5
Site logo image Wings for Truth Merlin Affleck reply to BC friends wingsfortruth2 May 3 See orginal 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 |
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