This just in from the Quest online magazine the breaking news that Elaine Thomas has decided to resign as minister from Angels of Hope MCC as of October 16th 2007. What will happen to Angels of Hope only time will tell. Will it survive or not, that is the question? Personally I wish Elaine all the luck and success in her new endeavors. Click Here for the full story.
One question I have is if she is resigning as minister and going into hospice care, does that mean that as I interpret it according to the By-Laws of the UFMCC that she is giving up her ministry credentials too? According to the way I read it if you don't have a church to minister to for a certain period of time or you resign then you forfeit your credentials. Correct me if I am wrong.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Thank you to several of my friends
Gary,
Thank you for the inclusion. I also read a bit of the blog. up to the two priests at the river. I won't bother to go any further because you have now done what I did 22 years ago. That is telling the organization to go away. You and I can no longer be hypocritical enough to be associated with an organized church community. They will continue to hold to roots of formation that impede any growth in the spirit. May you live on in spiritual growth.
Jeff Hicks, Milw., WI.
Thank you Jeff, a close friend in leather. Thank you Sir, may I have another, and a Stonewall Veteran.
Remember as the old saying goes "Religion may be hazardous to your health"
Thank you for the inclusion. I also read a bit of the blog. up to the two priests at the river. I won't bother to go any further because you have now done what I did 22 years ago. That is telling the organization to go away. You and I can no longer be hypocritical enough to be associated with an organized church community. They will continue to hold to roots of formation that impede any growth in the spirit. May you live on in spiritual growth.
Jeff Hicks, Milw., WI.
Thank you Jeff, a close friend in leather. Thank you Sir, may I have another, and a Stonewall Veteran.
- - - - - - -
Dear Gary:
Thank you for your willingness to share in the recent hardships which you appear to be experiencing because of your choice to separate formally from your former Church family.
I praise you for your courage and your fortitude to be, in the midst of it all, a fountain of truth and courage for the greater Milwaukee Metropolitan area.
You have always been a genuine seeker of Universal Truth in spite of the oppression you have faced in this World of Temporality .
Now that you will have more time on Sundays, perhaps you will be able to be a more active part of the Enlightened Eye Mediation Network
Know that you have my complete support as you continue to expose organized Faith Based Societies to the reality the our Mother, the Earth is no longer resonating with restrictive historic interpretations of sectarianism.
Thank you for supporting the journalistic effort of The Enlightened Eye Meditation Network by linking to the In Praise of the Planet News Service.
I am confident that through this experience you will grow closer still, to your Divine purpose, and realize that this process of separation from your previous congregational life will lead you toward a greater understanding of all that your self appointed higher calling holds in store for you.
If you need anything feel free to let me know!
Your Friend,
The Rev. Andrew, O.M.S.
Enlightened Eye Meditation Network
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enlightenedeye/
Remember as the old saying goes "Religion may be hazardous to your health"
Free at last, Free at last
Saturday, August 25, 2007
MMCC coverup or what?
The person responsible for this whole debacle has now requested that their comments be removed from my blog. As a journalist I am wondering if there is a cover up? What is the reason for this? Inquiring minds would like to know. It would be interesting to know the real truth. Wouldn't you like to know too?
Here is what was requested;
Here is what was requested;
You do not have permission to put my text or email on your blog. Please take it off. There is a reason why I didn't send it to everyone.
Yes please tell us the real reason. There are after all three (3) music directors and no one was specifically named.
I invite any and all to contact the Pastor at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and inquire about what is really going on at this email address MMCC Pastor Wendy
Just so that you know that anything sent via the internet can be intercepted and is not private unless it is encrypted. If it were, that would make me even more suspicious. All the more reason to wonder what you have to hide.
The Truth shall prevail
Yes please tell us the real reason. There are after all three (3) music directors and no one was specifically named.
I invite any and all to contact the Pastor at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and inquire about what is really going on at this email address MMCC Pastor Wendy
Just so that you know that anything sent via the internet can be intercepted and is not private unless it is encrypted. If it were, that would make me even more suspicious. All the more reason to wonder what you have to hide.
The Truth shall prevail
Another one bites the dust MMCC
Most if not all of you are familiar with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. Many know that Mr. Lew Broyles unexpectedly passed away during a trip to Mississippi while making arrangements to move down there and set up a new job several years ago. It was revealed to myself and certain others that he had decided that he had overstayed his welcome here and would be resigning his ministry to move down south.
Prior to his passing however Lew elevated a group of us to Deacon status in order to serve the church in his absence until a permanent pastor could be hired to fill the position. We fully expected that the transition would go smoothly but this was not to be because of this unfortunate passing. The church struggled through a interim minister and finally to the current pastor.
One of the problems was and still is the inability to let go of the memory of Mr Broyles. Fully recognizing this fact several years later I wrote the following letter which I present below. It being my intention to poke and prod them as I sometimes do in order to speed the process along. Obviously they missed the point entirely.
Every chance we get we refer to him, we compare him and we talk about him as though he never left. Its been several years and we still haven't let go of him. He exists on the both of the Church's web sites. We even buried him under a tree hoping that he would miraculously spring to life and walk into the front door of the church as if nothing ever happened.
Might I remind you that no one since Christ has ever risen from the dead. Not since his death over two thousand years ago or since.
This reminds me of a story of two Buddhist Priests who were about to cross a stream. On the bank was a person of lower class (untouchable) who was unable to walk or cross the stream. In India Buddhist Priests or anyone for that matter were not allowed to even touch such outcasts. Instead the Priest picked up the stranger and proceeded to carry him across the stream. When he got to the other side he set him down and proceeded along the road as if nothing ever happened. Astonished the other priest asked the one why he had done that? The Priest looked at him and asked why the other was still holding the outcast?
I ask the same question. Why are we still holding Lew? If we are ever to grow and advance we must let go. The sooner that is done the better.
And the response from the Senior Deacon;
And from the Music Director;
Prior to his passing however Lew elevated a group of us to Deacon status in order to serve the church in his absence until a permanent pastor could be hired to fill the position. We fully expected that the transition would go smoothly but this was not to be because of this unfortunate passing. The church struggled through a interim minister and finally to the current pastor.
One of the problems was and still is the inability to let go of the memory of Mr Broyles. Fully recognizing this fact several years later I wrote the following letter which I present below. It being my intention to poke and prod them as I sometimes do in order to speed the process along. Obviously they missed the point entirely.
Yes, When is Lew Broyles ever going to die?
Every chance we get we refer to him, we compare him and we talk about him as though he never left. Its been several years and we still haven't let go of him. He exists on the both of the Church's web sites. We even buried him under a tree hoping that he would miraculously spring to life and walk into the front door of the church as if nothing ever happened.
Might I remind you that no one since Christ has ever risen from the dead. Not since his death over two thousand years ago or since.
This reminds me of a story of two Buddhist Priests who were about to cross a stream. On the bank was a person of lower class (untouchable) who was unable to walk or cross the stream. In India Buddhist Priests or anyone for that matter were not allowed to even touch such outcasts. Instead the Priest picked up the stranger and proceeded to carry him across the stream. When he got to the other side he set him down and proceeded along the road as if nothing ever happened. Astonished the other priest asked the one why he had done that? The Priest looked at him and asked why the other was still holding the outcast?
I ask the same question. Why are we still holding Lew? If we are ever to grow and advance we must let go. The sooner that is done the better.
And the response from the Senior Deacon;
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...WRONG THOUGH THEY MAY BE!"
If everyone is still holding on to Lew, perhaps it's because they're not ready to let go yet. Grieving takes people different lengths of time; and he was, after all, a formative personality in the life of our church and community. Perhaps the best way to let go of him is to try to fill his big footsteps--by being bigger people ourselves.
If everyone is still holding on to Lew, perhaps it's because they're not ready to let go yet. Grieving takes people different lengths of time; and he was, after all, a formative personality in the life of our church and community. Perhaps the best way to let go of him is to try to fill his big footsteps--by being bigger people ourselves.
And from the Music Director;
I am responsible for the website - I think you know that. If you have any suggestions or issues please let me know personally. Our church has a direct dealing policy. Why didn't you just talk to me about this at church or in person?
Ridiculing/questioning my work with the church is very hurtful and It's hard not to take it as a personal attack - especially if you don't talk to me and instead email a group of people. I do everything i possibly can to make the church grow and make it a positive place for people.
My response after prayerful consideration;
My response after prayerful consideration;
Saturday, August 25th 2007
To: Name withheld, Board of Directors
After much prayerful reflection, sadly given the current circumstances, the question of the status of my conduct has come into question. The result of such accusations and threats appears to promote the potential for investigation, therefore be it known effective immediately that this notice serves as my formal resignation, complete departure from continued involvement, service, relationship and support of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church as of the date provided.
You are hereby instructed to remove my name from the membership roster of the church.
I also instruct The Treasurer to provide my final accounting of my tithing as of this date to the below listed address.
That's it, I'm done.
More juicy tidbits may be forthcoming.
To: Name withheld, Board of Directors
After much prayerful reflection, sadly given the current circumstances, the question of the status of my conduct has come into question. The result of such accusations and threats appears to promote the potential for investigation, therefore be it known effective immediately that this notice serves as my formal resignation, complete departure from continued involvement, service, relationship and support of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church as of the date provided.
You are hereby instructed to remove my name from the membership roster of the church.
I also instruct The Treasurer to provide my final accounting of my tithing as of this date to the below listed address.
That's it, I'm done.
More juicy tidbits may be forthcoming.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bodoh Busted an update
Its been in the newspapers, on TV and even on the radio about David Bodoh getting busted. The news headlines always sensational and always ready to reveal all the sordid details about anyone caught trying to meet someone underage that can be classified as Child Enticement or possibly Child Molestation they latch upon like vultures because it is part of the current mania running rampant in our society.
Excuse me while I take the Devil's Advocate view here. This is by no means an endorsement of his actions, so don't get all bent out of shape. There is a bit of irony to this story. Many of us use the Internet to meet people and interact with them on a regular basis. This is where trouble lurks. Many of us create an on-line persona quite different from our own. We become more beautiful with better self images than what we see in reality. Some of us even like to play games where we change genders and age becoming much younger than we actually are. A very dangerous thing to do which could lead to a whole lot of trouble if one is not careful. Many of use aren't, and we get caught.
Then again there are those who create these persona's to entice young people into their good graces and ultimately into their web of deceit. Myself not being a psychologist have no idea what motivates someone to want to have sex with children or anyone who is under age no matter how they look. Other than the sex starved little urchins who prowl the streets and back alleys looking for sex for hire, I confess that I don't understand the motivation behind it all.
The moral of the story is to be careful out there. Things aren't always what they seem. Be careful who you meet and never go alone to meet them. Always meet in a public place and always let a friend know what you are doing and plan to call them to let them know you are OK. Let them know when you are finished and are heading home, them call them when you are back and safe.
Lastly the hearing has been postponed until August 30Th. Keep tuned and I will post the results as soon as I hear them. In the meantime, Be careful out there.
Excuse me while I take the Devil's Advocate view here. This is by no means an endorsement of his actions, so don't get all bent out of shape. There is a bit of irony to this story. Many of us use the Internet to meet people and interact with them on a regular basis. This is where trouble lurks. Many of us create an on-line persona quite different from our own. We become more beautiful with better self images than what we see in reality. Some of us even like to play games where we change genders and age becoming much younger than we actually are. A very dangerous thing to do which could lead to a whole lot of trouble if one is not careful. Many of use aren't, and we get caught.
Then again there are those who create these persona's to entice young people into their good graces and ultimately into their web of deceit. Myself not being a psychologist have no idea what motivates someone to want to have sex with children or anyone who is under age no matter how they look. Other than the sex starved little urchins who prowl the streets and back alleys looking for sex for hire, I confess that I don't understand the motivation behind it all.
The moral of the story is to be careful out there. Things aren't always what they seem. Be careful who you meet and never go alone to meet them. Always meet in a public place and always let a friend know what you are doing and plan to call them to let them know you are OK. Let them know when you are finished and are heading home, them call them when you are back and safe.
Lastly the hearing has been postponed until August 30Th. Keep tuned and I will post the results as soon as I hear them. In the meantime, Be careful out there.
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