peggysullivan
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What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
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Post by peggysullivan on May 6, 2023 9:11:09 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now.
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Post by verna on May 6, 2023 9:31:23 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now. I have no idea what Merlin is trying to say in this letter. It’s the sister workers’ fault? I don’t know. He seems to be saying - ask lots of questions- but I seriously doubt that is his intent. Would be very interesting to hear what the couple who wrote the initial letter thought.
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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?
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Post by peggysullivan on May 6, 2023 14:45:21 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now. I have no idea what Merlin is trying to say in this letter. It’s the sister workers’ fault? I don’t know. He seems to be saying - ask lots of questions- but I seriously doubt that is his intent. Would be very interesting to hear what the couple who wrote the initial letter thought. Indeed.
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Post by snow on May 6, 2023 15:26:30 GMT -5
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Post by SharonArnold on May 6, 2023 18:15:30 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now. I have no idea what Merlin is trying to say in this letter. It’s the sister workers’ fault? I don’t know. He seems to be saying - ask lots of questions- but I seriously doubt that is his intent. Would be very interesting to hear what the couple who wrote the initial letter thought. I think Merlin is flailing here. The bottom line is that he has had things tossed into his lap that he does not know how to deal with, does not have the skills to deal with, and never dreamt that he would ever have to deal with. I think he would basically like it all to go away so that he could get back to worker stuff that is not so uncomfortable or uncharted. I don't know the letter writers, but it strikes me that he has respect for them. He is seemingly encouraging openness (which I like), but he would prefer that it didn't necessarily involve him. I always thought that Merlin had a great deal of respect for his mom and his sister. The thing that may immeasurably help him here is his willingness to consult with the sister workers. Not that they have any more expertise than he has, but they may save him from the worst of the blunders men might be inclined to make in this kind of situation.
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Post by 1chinesewhispers on May 6, 2023 18:16:26 GMT -5
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
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peggysullivan
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What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
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Post by peggysullivan on May 6, 2023 19:09:53 GMT -5
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Post by fixit on May 6, 2023 22:17:15 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now. I have no idea what Merlin is trying to say in this letter. It’s the sister workers’ fault? I don’t know. He seems to be saying - ask lots of questions- but I seriously doubt that is his intent. Would be very interesting to hear what the couple who wrote the initial letter thought. Merlin's letter seems defensive, without really acknowledging the problem that is of so much concern to the writer. The following sentence could give the impression of denying there is a problem... 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.The following paragraph is concerning... 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.
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Post by jonathan on May 7, 2023 6:11:08 GMT -5
Not sure exactly when MA did these visits. After he had received the letter?
If so, don't these visits by MA at this very late and overdue point in time constitute witness tampering? A complaint has been made. He should answer without going to these people first.
Should the people he addressed his letter to, not all have been present too?
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Post by internationalstudies on May 7, 2023 6:24:15 GMT -5
Not sure exactly when MA did these visits. After he had received the letter? If so, don't these visits by MA at this very late and overdue point in time constitute witness tampering? A complaint has been made. He should answer without going to these people first. Should the people he addressed his letter to, not all have been present too? Jonathan you are Nth American and also a worker. You have the courage of your convictions? I would have thought you were have been raising these questions with your co worker and friends in your field and you or someone getting in touch with Merlin? What do you hope to achieve by just asking the questions here? Don't you need to do something about it in real life, if this is how your feel?
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peggysullivan
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What is living if I can't be free? What is freedom if I can't be me?
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Post by peggysullivan on May 7, 2023 6:52:22 GMT -5
I have no idea what Merlin is trying to say in this letter. It’s the sister workers’ fault? I don’t know. He seems to be saying - ask lots of questions- but I seriously doubt that is his intent. Would be very interesting to hear what the couple who wrote the initial letter thought. Merlin's letter seems defensive, without really acknowledging the problem that is of so much concern to the writer. The following sentence could give the impression of denying there is a problem... 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.The following paragraph is concerning... 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 agree. He seems to support the hush up principle.
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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?
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Post by peggysullivan on May 7, 2023 6:54:56 GMT -5
Not sure exactly when MA did these visits. After he had received the letter? If so, don't these visits by MA at this very late and overdue point in time constitute witness tampering? A complaint has been made. He should answer without going to these people first. Should the people he addressed his letter to, not all have been present too? Jonathan you are Nth American and also a worker. You have the courage of your convictions? I would have thought you were have been raising these questions with your co worker and friends in your field and you or someone getting in touch with Merlin? What do you hope to achieve by just asking the questions here? Don't you need to do something about it in real life, if this is how your feel? that is a fair question. Maybe he has tried and didn’t get anywhere? I don’t know.
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Post by SharonArnold on May 7, 2023 10:38:58 GMT -5
Not sure exactly when MA did these visits. After he had received the letter? If so, don't these visits by MA at this very late and overdue point in time constitute witness tampering? A complaint has been made. He should answer without going to these people first. Should the people he addressed his letter to, not all have been present too? Jonathan you are Nth American and also a worker. You have the courage of your convictions? I would have thought you were have been raising these questions with your co worker and friends in your field and you or someone getting in touch with Merlin? What do you hope to achieve by just asking the questions here? Don't you need to do something about it in real life, if this is how your feel? The problem with doing "something about it" in real life, is that it provides opportunity for management to shut him down. We've seen a lot of good, well-meaning people silenced within the fellowship, almost as a matter of policy in the past. We do not know for sure that he is a worker. We do not know for sure that he is from North America. Like others, I am watching his participation here with interest. It is an interesting experiment for a worker to come on here and relate to everyone as simply fellow human beings, rather than with a pearls-before-swine contempt. Like others, if he is the person he presents himself to be, I am cheering him on. It's a tough crowd, but communication skills and personal integrity go a long way. I notice that there are consistently 2000+ guests who sign onto this forum everyday. That's a lot of eyes, and I would bet that many of them make a point of reading jonathan's posts. I think he has a tremendous opportunity to be a force for good here. There's even potential for him to make a difference. As, I might point out, do you.
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Post by jonathan on May 7, 2023 12:03:19 GMT -5
Jonathan you are Nth American and also a worker. You have the courage of your convictions? I would have thought you were have been raising these questions with your co worker and friends in your field and you or someone getting in touch with Merlin? What do you hope to achieve by just asking the questions here? Don't you need to do something about it in real life, if this is how your feel? The problem with doing "something about it" in real life, is that it provides opportunity for management to shut him down. We've seen a lot of good, well-meaning people silenced within the fellowship, almost as a matter of policy in the past. We do not know for sure that he is a worker. We do not know for sure that he is from North America. Like others, I am watching his participation here with interest. It is an interesting experiment for a worker to come on here and relate to everyone as simply fellow human beings, rather than with a pearls-before-swine contempt. Like others, if he is the person he presents himself to be, I am cheering him on. It's a tough crowd, but communication skills and personal integrity go a long way. I notice that there are consistently 2000+ guests who sign onto this forum everyday. That's a lot of eyes, and I would bet that many of them make a point of reading jonathan 's posts. I think he has a tremendous opportunity to be a force for good here. There's even potential for him to make a difference. As, I might point out, do you. Thank you very much for your kind and gracious words! You spur me on to continue to stand strong against the tide and hopefully we can go forward and make progress. For way too long way tooo much abuse has been going one, and way too many of it treated the wrong way. To be just a servant serving the people humbly and just a shepherd tending the sheep lovingly is my aim.
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Post by fixit on May 7, 2023 13:48:25 GMT -5
That’s a nice letter and everything. It slightly annoys me when people just quote scripture and sort of use it to justify their stance or give a pat pat that everything will be okay. The current situation and climate in the truth right now needs a lot of plain, straight talk. Quoting scripture is not very reassuring to me right now. "Move along now folks, there's nothing to see here."
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Post by luke2236 on May 7, 2023 23:41:24 GMT -5
This is important (and so sad), thanks, mdmThis story lacks credibility; not enough facts to make this believable. I believe it
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Post by luke2236 on May 8, 2023 12:08:55 GMT -5
Please direct the post back to the abused sister workers. I think it’s obvious why a supporter of a system of abuse would want the attention removed from the real problem. But the abuse is real so let’s keep it on track.
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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: 651
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Post by peggysullivan on May 8, 2023 12:43:47 GMT -5
The sisters have been sort of quiet since the DB et al bombshell was dropped. Now would be a good time for them to write some transparent letters. If they are uncomfortable with perhaps they need to get out of their comfort zones. Anyone that goes forth to preach the gospel may be called to address various problems. The friends might need to be hearing from some sisters on this so they know exactly where they stand on the issue. It would also reinforce the zero tolerance position.
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Post by verna on May 8, 2023 14:22:05 GMT -5
The sisters have been sort of quiet since the DB et al bombshell was dropped. Now would be a good time for them to write some transparent letters. If they are uncomfortable with perhaps they need to get out of their comfort zones. Anyone that goes forth to preach the gospel may be called to address various problems. The friends might need to be hearing from some sisters on this so they know exactly where they stand on the issue. It would also reinforce the zero tolerance position. I am interested in knowing in what has happened re: the worker from the maritimes who wrote the letter re: her abuse/experience. Wonder if anyone knows what has been the fallout for her. Could be other sister workers are waiting to see what happens there.
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Post by snow on May 8, 2023 14:24:27 GMT -5
I think many of the Friends in our country would consider your behaviour on here as being a double existence.
The subject is the current state of immoral and illegal behaviour in the church, yet all you are doing on here is doubting people's sincerity, casting aspersions on their credibility, and generally attacking those "inside the tent" who are wanting to find away to resolve these things.
I do not dis-believe Jonathan's statement that he is a worker, even though I have seen no proof. But the spirit in which he writes, I appreciate, and it seems becoming of someone in the Christian ministry.
Pragmatic what think friends think doesn't faze me too much. 😎 Once you have your house in order and no longer post misleading incorrect posts (which I called you out on), then you'll have some credibility. Jonathan's posts (worker or imposter)..... Glad you appreciate 'the spirit he writes in and that you feel it seems becoming of someone in the Christian ministry'. The matter of someone possibly deceiving and misleading readers to thinking they are a worker when they aren't doesn't concern you. Run with him, he'll value your support! You don't care what the friends think? Why on earth would you not care what they think? Being a good role model is important and the way you attack the friends that do post on here really upsets me. I have never known a worker that spoke so dismissively about the friends. Maybe I am wrong and you're not really a worker? Maybe Jonathan should be asking you for proof that you aren't just falsely posing as a worker. Because his spirit towards the friends is more in keeping with what I remember the workers to be like.
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Post by snow on May 8, 2023 14:33:32 GMT -5
The sisters have been sort of quiet since the DB et al bombshell was dropped. Now would be a good time for them to write some transparent letters. If they are uncomfortable with perhaps they need to get out of their comfort zones. Anyone that goes forth to preach the gospel may be called to address various problems. The friends might need to be hearing from some sisters on this so they know exactly where they stand on the issue. It would also reinforce the zero tolerance position. I am interested in knowing in what has happened re: the worker from the maritimes who wrote the letter re: her abuse/experience. Wonder if anyone knows what has been the fallout for her. Could be other sister workers are waiting to see what happens there. Yes I would like to know also. I really don't blame the sister workers for being quiet if they have had the same treatment as Alanna. And, I would imagine that more than a few have and never talked about it again because of the spiritual hostage taking they were likely subjected to. If they threatened one sister worker with excommunication of their families I'm sure she wasn't the only one. One of the hardest things to do is come out in the open and name your abuser. Think about how much harder it is when you truly believe that excommunication from the group for complaining means you're going to hell. It's horrific treatment.
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Post by Pragmatic on May 8, 2023 14:58:41 GMT -5
I am interested in knowing in what has happened re: the worker from the maritimes who wrote the letter re: her abuse/experience. Wonder if anyone knows what has been the fallout for her. Could be other sister workers are waiting to see what happens there. Yes I would like to know also. I really don't blame the sister workers for being quiet if they have had the same treatment as Alanna. And, I would imagine that more than a few have and never talked about it again because of the spiritual hostage taking they were likely subjected to. If they threatened one sister worker with excommunication of their families I'm sure she wasn't the only one. One of the hardest things to do is come out in the open and name your abuser. Think about how much harder it is when you truly believe that excommunication from the group for complaining means you're going to hell. It's horrific treatment. Some of the sister workers can really be "gloved fists" and be absolutely ruthless in the "interpretative" application of the church's hierarchical structure.
As for Internationalstudies, another objective of his is very clear, and that is to divide and disrupt. Nowhere have Fixit or I supported the posts of Curly. We have however condemned Internationstudies' attacks, because he is a worker (and we know who he is) and should know better. Curly is an atheist, and has the freedom to post whatever he wants, and I support his freedom to do that, even if I disagree with him sometimes. This is a public forum, and it shows that for Internationalstudies to extrapolate this as being unity with his posts; he is either disingenuous or lacks the ability to discern the difference between unit and uniformity, defense and support.
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Post by luke2236 on May 8, 2023 23:51:01 GMT -5
Please direct the post back to the abused sister workers.
It’s obvious why a supporter of a system of abuse would want the attention removed from the real problem.
But the abuse is real so let’s keep it on track.
This topic addresses the workers who abuse sister workers.
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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: 651
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Post by peggysullivan on May 9, 2023 0:47:27 GMT -5
Personally, I think it would be refreshing to hear more from the sister workers on this matter; especially at a time like this…. When we also know that most sex offenders are male and most victims are female!
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Post by jonathan on May 9, 2023 3:53:56 GMT -5
A worker can either have a fruitful life, or a lazy existence.
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Post by snow on May 9, 2023 12:26:29 GMT -5
Lol! That’s how I first read it too. Me too. Gave me my first laugh of the day! We need laughs these days. I am finding this harder than I ever thought possible being not part of the group for so many years. I know I still care for the friends I once knew so there is that. This has to be hard for them and I wish they weren't going through it.
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Post by Admin on May 9, 2023 16:46:15 GMT -5
The topic of this thread is 'Sister Workers'. It's an important topic in current circumstances.
Off-topic posts have been moved to the closed board.
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Post by luke2236 on May 9, 2023 17:14:08 GMT -5
The problem with doing "something about it" in real life, is that it provides opportunity for management to shut him down. We've seen a lot of good, well-meaning people silenced within the fellowship, almost as a matter of policy in the past. We do not know for sure that he is a worker. We do not know for sure that he is from North America. Like others, I am watching his participation here with interest. It is an interesting experiment for a worker to come on here and relate to everyone as simply fellow human beings, rather than with a pearls-before-swine contempt. Like others, if he is the person he presents himself to be, I am cheering him on. It's a tough crowd, but communication skills and personal integrity go a long way. I notice that there are consistently 2000+ guests who sign onto this forum everyday. That's a lot of eyes, and I would bet that many of them make a point of reading jonathan 's posts. I think he has a tremendous opportunity to be a force for good here. There's even potential for him to make a difference. As, I might point out, do you. Thank you very much for your kind and gracious words! You spur me on to continue to stand strong against the tide and hopefully we can go forward and make progress. For way too long way tooo much abuse has been going one, and way too many of it treated the wrong way. To be just a servant serving the people humbly and just a shepherd tending the sheep lovingly is my aim. Now all you need to do is let people know that many salaried, married, preachers in other churches with buildings are called by God so people feel safe and go there if abuse occurs or if they feel called to leave meeting. Thanks for caring about Gods’s people, there are more out there than many workers thought!
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