This is a picture my
son Alfons
and I took of the Bainbridge home in Woodstock when we visited NB
the spring of 2024. They weren't home at the time so we didn't meet
them ... but this picture is important to me, as to me it represents an
enormous trauma and an extreme injustice that I understand so well.
This is just a collection of the
communication between senior workers and the Bainbridge family that
own the convention grounds.
The short version is that Bob and Stacys daughter felt that the
sexual abuse she was subjected to in the work was more than she
could or should take, as she recieved no support or understanding from senior
workers. She then choose to quit the work. Bob and Stacy
took this to the workers which originally agreed with the
complaints .. but later recanted and insisted that it was just an
imagination from Morgan and refused to do anything about
it.
There was ample proof and others that backed her
story so Morgans parent asked for at least an
acknowledgement of the problem which workers refused and decided to
cancel the convention. An ugly prestige issue from senior workers
The following are 9 letters documenting the communication.
Letter
1 |
Letter
2 |
Letter3 |
Letter explaining daughters
sexual abuse in the work |
Workers attempts to
diminish significance of sexual abuse + threats
April 26th 2023 |
Convention
canceled
May 7th 2023 |
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Document 4
May 20th 2023 |
Document 5
May 24th 2023 |
Document 6
June 11th 2023 |
Refusal to acknowledge
the sexual abuse that Morgan was exposed to in the work.
And then using 'convention' as a
weapon of shame to force compliance and silence! |
A renewed
description of frustration and disapointment with senior workers
clear refusal
to openly acknowledge their daughters sexual abuse as
morally significant.
Also a well motivated and easily understandable
description of how the events of recent years have
completely broken moral trust
in senior fellowship leadership.
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To me very significant,
regarding the 2x2 fellowships recent claim of a new and
better handling of sexual abuse issues.
Decades and decades of an
approved central group policy of systematically
protecting and camouflaging abusers in the system … and
of vilifying and cruelly shaming victims to silence ---
yet 2023-06 still refusing to acknowledge a young
workers life damaging trauma of sexual abuse by other
workers while she was in the work. Obviously supporting
and "blessing" the abusers involved. Imagine how this
feels to a victim!!!
And then, in clear revenge,
and in the cruelest of fashions, actively and
publicly punishing her parents for bravely standing
by her side. |
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Document 7
June 16th 2023 |
Document 8
June 23th 2023 |
Document
9
July 09th 2023 |
This has got
to be the most absurd 2x2 series of development in
modern history ....
All because of a simple prestige issue where senior
workers arrogantly refuse to acknowledge the allegations
of sexual abuse by workers that drove a sister worker
out of the work. An organizational leadership that seems
completely tone deaf to moral decency!!! |
Some of us
can understand the depth of feeling expressed in
this Facebook post so very very well!
And although we can surely feel their pain, we can also
personally share the assurence that as the Red Sea may
close behind them, there is amazing harmony and
fullfillment in a future life and lifestyle gained
by simply, and honestly doing what is right and
honorable.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile
you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.
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Stacey, in
this FB post has mastered the skill of communication!
The skill of so perfectly describing the capacity that
major moral failure in a fellowship that one has trusted
from childhood, has of inflicting pain and
inner suffering-- at will. An evil force.
However ..
in an evil world and evil environment there can also
be the amazing beauty of folks willing, to not just
complain and condemn .. but in simplicity and
Christian decency just stand firm in handfast ways
to what is right and true .. regardless the personal
cost. This is embodyment of the Christian spirit!
Further
more, I have every personal reason to believe
that this present pain and "cost" is in reality an
investment that in time will reimburse a hundred
fold in fulfilment and blessing. Both for
oneself and for an entire family.
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I wonder if anyone remembers the countless convention
sermons promising fire and brimstone for a skirt more
than an inch over the knees .. or for the evils of a
brooch on a dress or a blouse -- or cutting a few inches off
the hair --- or the evils of a women wearing a
"mans clothing" -- or a radio in a car -- or a TV
in the front room -- or going to a hockey game on
Wednesday night .. or a beer can or wine bottle in the fridge ..
It was regarded important to keep the "standard high" !!etc
etc. Not any more..
Yes times have changed --- Heard that at convention this
year in western Canada ... even the fact of 15 senior
workers facing sexual abuse allegations (and concealing
child sexual abusers) along with
hundreds of lower ranking folks "removed" yet it
didn't even make the
'mention it list' at convention.
this year The recent documentation of hundreds of cases
of sexual abuse victims being forced to silence and
shame to "save
the reputation of the fellowship" and left with life
long mental damage --
no one brought that subject up at all!
at least at the conventions I heard about...
and literally hundreds of other abuse cases finally being
internationally brought to light .. "Lets talk about something
else!!"
And this isn't even deemed important enought
to mention at the gathering of friends!! What has
happened?
I remember when moral issues where important in
the fellowship (with my parents at least) ... not
any more ... especialy in western Canada ... Professing
folks in western Canada don't seem to "give a damn". |
2023-06-30
Unawareness does not diminish moral responsibility when personal
ignorance has been an active choice!
Seems that
a well used method for 'inside membership' to live with
the revelations of recent months regarding vice, cruelty
and horror within the organizations, is to cut themselves
off from the information flow that would distress
them.
Willful ignorance!
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2023-06-26
Although it has
come at a great cost .. there is an amazing beauty in all the
different candles of moral enlightenment that have recently shone
light and understanding in an otherwise dark and murky environment –
An environment of purposely maintained darkness where the vilest of
crimes have obviously had the liberty to operate – and go unseen.
I hope that all these brave souls involved (that we can now read
about) and that have proven the courage and moral strength to
share enlightenment with us and others, can understand the beautiful
moral service they have done to create an environment of purity and
decency so that us others can live our lives in honor and in truth.
A very practical version of "Let your light so shine --- "
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2023-05-25
The
recent letter (written yesterday) is a moving letter of
the enormous
frustration of parents at being cruelly failed, and morally
abandoned by a system that they had honorably trusted since
childhood. Comparison is meaningless .. but I and my entire
family have first hand understanding of their pain.
However, with that being said, we have full confidence that the
steadfastness to honorable principle and moral dignity demonstrated
here by Bob and Stacy, will find its way to personal fullfillment, blessing and the
amazing beauty of true principle that is really what life is all
about. ... (as we gratefully feel that things have worked out
for myself, my wife and our wonderful family).
Edgar and family |
2023-05-21
Woodstock convention update
Here is a link to a recent document explaining the ugly and cruel
development for the Bainbridge family and the convention on their
property. This seems to me to be proof that there will be no
significant change in 2x2ism until the ministry steps down from
their high horse of the arrogant and self-righteous claim to
ultimate moral authority. The original issue was simply
critisism of some moral issues regarding individual workers.
-- Simple, clear and noncontestable enough -- yet perceived as
an unwelcome challenge to the ministries 'holy' monopoly on moral
determination. |
2023-05-08
I am only very, very slightly acquainted with the folks on the
Woodstock convention grounds – Bob and Stacy Bainbridge – Just one
short email exchange. Proud of this acquaintance!
However, the chain of events that they have shared on other digital
sources has moved me and touched a very painful but fulfilling spot
in my memories. Also, this story has filled me with an enormous
admiration for the price these parents are willing to pay to stand
firm for the principles of honour, truth and decency that they
believe in —These same principles that they have obviously believed
in and supported for a long time. Sadly, it is likely (just
guessing) that they will not find full support in many of the folks
they have trusted, loved and served through the years.
The ugly attempts to challenge and reject the personal
responsibility that all honourable human beings have to stand up for
what is true and decent must be regarded as a mark of the very
lowest of the moral low … Especially if they are being rejected and
punished by a ministry that claims a complete monopoly on moral
understanding and truth – (yet has proven itself so guilty
(recently) of the most hideous crimes known to man).
Our personal story is not comparable in many ways, but 21 years ago
we decided to stand firm on 5 carefully documented (non-contestable)
issues that were in complete conflict with the moral principle
and dignity we were brought up to believe in. A process of
discussion was initiated and resulted in crooked "work-arounds"
diminishing the significance of every issue and then landing on our
"critical spirit" as the source of blame, and how this bad and
bitter spirit could negatively affect "the kingdom". Rejection of us
as a family was the only option that was available.
For the Bainbridge family, it would be hard to find a more noble
pursuit than the dignity and moral and mental welfare of their
daughter. And yet why should it be so hard for anyone or any
organization to understand their grief and be willing to comply?
Sexual abuse is hardly a non-criticisable issue in any way shape or
form. And where else in the world outside 2x2ism would folks be
criticized and dishonoured for striving to support and stand beside
a closest family member in their distress?
To me it is unfathomable how folks claiming an interest in truth can
stand by and let this happen!!
Sincerely
Edgar and Mireille Massey
Upphärad
Sweden |
2023-05-10
I may live on the other side of the world .. and I
haven't had a personal tie to the 2x2 organisation for over 20
years. --- Yet the recent events in eastern Canada by a group
of obviously arrogant, extremely self-good and hypocritical senior
2x2 officials has sickened and disgusted me to the extent that I cannot
just let it pass.
It began, as I understand it, with an honorable and sincere
sister worker, unable to endure an abuse environment she was working
in any
longer .. Chosing to quit "the work" that she had hoped to give her
life to -- and at one time had believed in.
In line with the honorable principle of "being a light in dark
places", that many of us grew up to believe in, in
leaving she
courageously chose to describe the environment of ugly and
demeaning abuse that she had fled from. She is not alone
amongst former fellow sister workers with these complaints.
Her parents, also in line with their own belief in truth, honesty and
decency (and love for their daughter) chose to stand by her side,
and help her just to be that candle bravely flickering for
enlightenment in the darkest of places. A responsiblility
any honorable parent would, or at least should feel.
Rather than honorably dealing with the offending issues ... top 2x2
officials have chosen, in the selfish interests of protecting the
"image of the fellowship", to diminish the seriousness of
the sexual
abuse issues she endured,. They have chosen to discredit and slander the honor and
dignity of this honorable woman (acquiting her abusers)... and then as well,
have chosen to punish and dishonor
her parents in the ugliest, most painful and most demeaning manner
possible.
How can participators in this fellowship just stand by and look the
other way and pretend? Is their no honor, decency or moral
responsibility left in membership or the ministry? What is
moral cowardice?
Edgar Massey
I recognise the longstanding mindset from our own history
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