A loving father that was completely betrayed by a system that he had entrusted his daughter to, and then as he carefully and meekly sought justice, had  his honorable cause demonstatively   ignored and abandoned by the vast majority of those within the group that he had regarded as friends. There is absolutely no way this ugly event can be morally justified,  except by (as was done by 2x2 leadership) retroactively manufacturing filthy slander to defame the defenseless into group disrespect. An ugly tactic quite void basic honesty and honor but used by the Pharisees in Jesus day as well.

You have probably heard of the disturbing events which have taken place in western Canada, and our recent telephone conversation referred to some of them. I am trying to describe those with which I have most intimate knowledge; as they concern my daughter Margaret, and I was present at some of them.

In early fall, 1999 I was driving Margaret from B.C. to her field in south east Saskatchewan. Since Doug and Roseann Fisher live in the field where she was laboring, and since Margaret was aware of problems Roseann's folks had recently experienced; she expressed a desire to visit them as we went through Alberta. We arrived at John and Elizabeth Semeniuk's on a Saturday afternoon, spent the night there, and attended Sunday morning meeting at their place. After the meeting we had a visit with most who were at the meeting. It turned out that ALL present had been forbidden the privilege of attending regular meetings in Alberta in a manner which the workers who "excommunicated" used extremely rude, overbearing and offensive language and procedure. Not only that, the reason for excommunicating some present was that they had associated with others who had previously been excommunicated. (I am not familiar with legal matters, but I believe that is against the law in Canada.) I was surprised, but assumed that I was hearing a highly exaggerated side of the story from some bitter people. Later I found out that the story was understated instead of exaggerated. In fact one couple was excommunicated with the words "You are out because you defied me".

Margaret and I went on to her field, and later I heard that she received a very severe reprimand from Dale Shultz for going to that meeting; and, perhaps, for even visiting with those who were contaminated by disobeying the orders of certain Alberta workers. Her reaction was tears. My thoughts were to the effect that it was her duty as a minister of the gospel to try to help those in need. Certainly the Fishers (who lived in her field) needed her support, and perhaps her advice. The Semeniuks and others at the meeting were feeling bad and obviously need a sympathetic ear, which Margaret and I provided, although mine was a disbelieving one.

The next time Margaret had some free time was after special meetings in December 1999. I drove her from Saskatchewan to B.C. to visit her brothers and sister; who, as you know, are not attending meetings. We stopped in Edmonton to visit the Galloways who had been excommunicated for not denying the Holts (who had been excommunicated for attending a meeting at Veitches where they had attended meeting for years) access to their meeting.

This shows that some workers require unconditional, unquestioning, immediate obedience of their orders, no matter how ridiculous and inhumane they are. It also shows that these workers are trying to assume a position of power which is not in accordance with what Jesus taught. Not only that, but they are trying to increase the power that they have traditionally had for years. This is not in accordance with our democratic traditions, nor is it in accordance with the lowly position that Jesus advocated for God's servants. It does not show the love and compassion with which He treated those around Him. Rather it shows the rule of the old testament kings and high priests where might was right and justice depended on the whims and self interest of the ruler.

To continue. Margaret was again reprimanded by Dale Shultz for seeing these people, as well as some in Calgary who were excommunicated at about the same time as the Galloways and the Seminiuks and for the same reasons. In December 2000 and in January 2001 Margaret and I visited with some in Edmonton and Calgary who had been excommunicated. She got back to her field in mid January 2001 and started her mission with her companion Mary Roper with Tracy Colwill helping out as she was able. On February 16, 2001 a meeting was held with Mary Roper, Jim Atcheson, Merlin Affleck, Dale Shultz and Margaret where she was informed that her visiting with those in Alberta who the other workers no longer visited was causing problems; and would she promise not to see these people in the future. She refused to promise. (In my opinion it is her duty as a minister of the gospel to help those in need wherever she finds them.) Dale was supported by those workers who were with him to the effect that Margaret had acted out of line. Notice that those witnesses depend for their livelihood on staying in Dale's good graces.

Since she could not promise to submit to Dale's orders to neglect her duty as a minister of Christ, Dale informed her that she was no longer in the work. I do not feel that his actions are those of a responsible servant of the Lord, but he is following the example of many of the overseers in the west. You will find much of this hard to believe, but the spirit of many in the work is much different from that when you were here. They rule rather than guide; and from fear rather than love. In short, I feel that history is repeating itself, as happened in the first century with the planting of the seeds which eventually became the catholic church, with all the oppression and persecution of Godly people that followed. Man tries to improve what God has perfectly established, and ruins it, The first example of this was the eating of the forbidden fruit.

Yours in Him Bob Magowan. .                    

INDEX    CORRESPONDENCE TO END OF FRB. 2001