Auf der anderen Seite des Grossen Teichs

[42]

Wir wissen zwar schon, dass wir nichts wissen und haben selbst darauf auch schoene Hinweise erhalten, aber hier im NACboard finden wir eine "schoene Zusammenfassung" ueber das Nicht-Wissen in einer ergaenzenden Ausgabe von "Fragen und Antworten".

Auf den neuen Katechismus darf man jetzt wirklich gespannt sein.

[GG001]

In der Kirche in New Jersey, in der am Sonntag, den 29. Juni, illegalerweise der "Einweihungsgottesdienst" stattgefunden haben soll, sollen seitdem Mittwochs und Sonntags weitere Gottesdienste stattgefunden haben. Alles, was auf eine Benutzung hindeuten koennte, wird laut NACboard Berichten jeweils wieder weggeraeumt. Fuer die illegale Benutzung am vergangenen Sonntag soll die Kirche inzwischen mit einer Strafe von 1000$ belegt worden sein.

I would like to ask another question: if they are having service, will the authorities be there to turn them away?

No the authorities were not there to turn anyone away. Business as usual. Only odd thing that was discovered was the church didn't look "occupied". The song books that are left in the benches were "put away", the altar "stuff" was put away, the sacristy "stuff" was all put in the closet. So the brother's just had to "reset" everything.
Aus dem NACboard

A source who asked that I post this told me that, besides the books, altar & sacristy, everything was removed from the bulletin boards.
A member, who lives nearby, had taken a walk to the church on Tuesday evening, and the workers told him to tell the ministers to make sure they cleared everything again after service so that the town would not think they were occupying the building.
I am wondering if this was because an agreement was made with the town to "cease and desist" until a CO was issued. Hmmm.
Aus dem NACboard

I've left messages registering my complaints and concerns and disappointments with Karl Orlofski and District Apostle Freund's office this morning.

Today, I spoke with the inspector that was assigned to investigate my complaint.

He stated that he had spoken with the "Reverend that represents the church for the State of New Jersey". I asked him who that was. He stated, "Hammer". The inspector told me that the church was fined $1,000 and instructed not to occupy the building until they had obtained a Certificate of Occupancy.

Demonstrating blatant disregard for the law and government officials, Hammer permitted Wednesday evening service to take place. Bishop Fendt, apparently supported him in that decision... evidence being ANOTHER SERVICE TOOK PLACE WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY!!!!!!!!! Any brothers and sisters that participated in helping reset up the church supported them in that decision, as well. (or were they told it was just to protect items from construction dust?)

My question is: WHO is paying the $1,000 fine? Is that where offerings are being utilized? I believe that Orlofski, Hammer, and Fendt should pay that fine... and any subsequent penalties and fines for continued illegal actions.

In addition, Hammer owes the congregation a public apology for tainting their congregation's fresh start in the community. He should acknowledge what the church leaders did, and apologize to the congregation. It is much better for the congregation to hear from their leaders..... as opposed to reading about it in a local newspaper. Hammer owes THE ENTIRE CHURCH an apology for jeopardizing the church's image in their own communities.

I'd write Hammer regarding this.... but he doesn't accept random e-mails.
Aus dem NACboard

Erklaerung: Ap. Hammer hat vor laengerer Zeit einmal darum gebeten, dass "deaconess" ihn von ihrem e-mail Verteiler streicht, denn er "nehme keine random e-mails an".

Dear Apostle Kolb:

I informed you last week regarding the dedication of the new Parsippany, New Jersey church that took place on June 29. I shared my concern with you -- a TRUSTEE/member of the Board of Directors for the National Organization of the New Apostolic Church of North America -- regarding the fact that the church opened without having final inspections or having obtained a Certificate of Occupancy. Your response to me was copied to Karl Orlofski of the National Building Office. I assume that you would also have spoken to your fellow trustee, Apostle Fendt, who is responsible for that area.

After learning that despite my expressed concerns the church has continued to hold services in the building, I contacted the Parsippany building permit department. I was told on Monday, July 7th, that the church at 819 Edwards Lane had not had all of their final inspections and had not received a Certificate of Occupancy. Subsequently, I filed a complaint, leaving my name and phone number and explaining that I was a member of another congregation and that I wished to have my church's leadership's seeming disregard for laws of a community addressed.

An inspector visited the site and fined the church $1,000. The inspector told me that he told a "Reverend in charge of the church for the entire state of New Jersey" that they were not to hold services until they had received all of their inspections and had received a Certificate of Occupancy.[/color] That inspector told me that the "Reverend" was Apostle Hammer.... an official representative of MY church. Bishop Fendt, who is the building contractor, is aware of all that is taking place, as well. I must assume that Apostle Orlofski, as head of the National Building Office, would have been aware of the situation even prior to my e-mail. Is Apostle Fendt (also a Trustee), who is responsible for this area aware of the situation, too? The new church is located approximately 55 miles from District Apostle Freund's offices. Has he taken any interest in the project since digging in at the ground-breaking ceremony? I've lodged my complaint with his secretary, as he's apparently traveling.

On Tuesday (July 8 ) the brothers were asked to put away any evidence of the church having services.. even to take papers off of the bulleting boards. However, all was put back in place for services Wednesday evening... this despite the fact that the church has still not complied and received approval from the Township of Parsippany to open.

Apostle Kolb, I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed about my church's leadership's disregard for the law. I am disappointed that my concern was not taken seriously and ignored by you and Apostle Orlofski. I am disappointed that leaders aren't concerned with their church being an example for the community that they operate in. I am disappointed that leaders of the church do not advocate the following of our church's creed... namely the 10th Article of Faith. What kind of leaders would teach members to have the same disregard by asking them to temporarily remove evidence of their occupying the building... deceiving the "community" by hiding the church's activity? I'm curious if the person that took the Bible off of the altar to hide it.... understood the irony of it!

Disappointed,
Gayle Theilacker
Los Angeles Central Congregation
Aus dem NACboard

Textfaerbung und Fettdruck von mir.

Geaendert: Gottesdienste sollen seit dem 29. Juni jeweils zu den ueblichen Zeiten stattgefunden haben

[GG001]

Ich fuerchte, damit scheidet mindestens ein Kandidat aus, der demnaechst Nachfolger von BezAp Freund werden koennte. Ap. Hammer rangiert auch nicht unter den ersten auf der inoffiziellen Beliebtesten-Liste, mit der das NACboard den Namen des zukuenftigen Bezirksapostels von den Lesern erfragt.

Hoffentlich findet StAp Leber trotz alledem einen geeigneten Kandidaten. Es wurde urspruenglich angenommen, dass er die Nachfolgeregelung im GD in Pasadena im Mai bekannt gibt. Die Verabschiedung von BezAp Freund ist aber nun auf den Herbst verschoben worden; der Nachfolger ist immer noch nicht oeffentlich bekannt gegeben worden. Vielleicht sucht StAp Leber noch ...

[tergram]

Ich fuerchte, damit scheidet mindestens ein Kandidat aus, der demnaechst Nachfolger von BezAp Freund werden koennte.

Wieder einer, von dem man nicht mal einen vacuum cleaner kaufen würde. (IYKWIMAITYD - If you know what I mean, and I think you do )

[GG001]

Y,IKWYM. (Yes, I know what you mean)

The members, nor the A/B's knew what was/is going on. The Rector still doesn't know about the complaints filed or the fines or the order to not occupy the building until the CO is had. In this instance the members nor the ministers of this congregation can be held responsible as they are kept in the dark. I happen to know a minister who is a member of this congregation and he did not know any of this until I informed him of this information from reading the posts by deaconess.

So the question is.............Now that they have been made aware of the situation, will they continue to hold services and continue to break the law?
"lost" im NACboard

[GG001]

I was discussing with a priest this evening how church leaders chose to handle my concern regarding opening the Parsippany Church for services prior to obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy. I asked him why he wasn't motivated or insensed enough about the behaviour of our church leaders to also express his disappointment to them. He said he was disappointed... he knew they were wrong... he was also angry that the leaders not only broke the law of the community, but clearly showed no regard for the 10th Article in the NAC Creed. I asked him, why, knowing what he did, he didn't lodge his complaint with the leaders. He replied to me that I didn't understand how hard it was for him to do so. He replied that it was easy for me.

It's not "easy" for me. My stomach is all in knots... I don't sleep at night... and well... I could continue whining on and on... but believe me... it's NOT easy for me to stand up to our leaders and express what I do.

My question to readers is: What would it take for you to take a stand? Where do you draw the line?

Murder? Sexual abuse? Embezzlement? Spiritual abuse? Lies? Deception? What would it take for you to say, "Enough is enough! What you are doing is WRONG!" ?

I realize that writing on the NACBoard is a great first step... but, what would it take for you to lodge a complaint with the heirarchy with them knowing it was "you" doing so? At what point would "integrity" and the desire for "truth" supercede the need to retain your office? If leaders were breaking the law... how could they possibly "get back at you" or strip you of your ministry?
"Deaconess" im NACboard

[GG001]

Well, well. There will be no services held in Parsippany this Sunday or Wednesday. I wonder why?

Lost,

Do you or anyone else know what the rector and members were told regarding why there will be no services there?

The rector and the members were told that they should go to another congregation due to "technical difficulties."
Aus dem NACboard

Paul Drake --> click! has already informed me that the rector told the congregation that the church could not be used for the next 2 services because of "technical difficulties".
In addition - Paul also visited the site and found an orange sign on the entry door, from the town, stating- "Do not enter- building unsafe for human occupancy."
It appears that Deaconess forced the town's hand on this one.

ebd.

Anscheinend ist StAp Leber ueber diese Vorgaenge auch informiert, wie aus einem der folgenden Beitraege im NACboard hervorgeht.

[GG001]

Wie ein Amerikaner, der in DE gelebt hat, die NAC empfindet: anscheinend zu viele "Geboetlein".

I myself was born NAC, was raised that way (in Germany) and remained a TB'er until I moved back to the US and started my college years. At that point I started seeing the discrepancies, ever-growing senseless rules and policies/guidelines (which are much more prevalent and obvious here in the US than they were in Germany). I mean, what was with the sudden "Verbot" on something as harmless as Christmas Trees (it's just a tradition) and the nonsense about how you WILL dress and what kind of haircut you WILL have, etc. In Germany, it was actually a church I almost enjoyed going to (had it not been for the unofficial mandatory 3 times a week, I probably would have enjoyed going). Yet, the US side of the NAC woke me up, so to speak. Very cultlike, and the never-ending "Oh, we really missed you during service last week....." in the event that I did not go to a service. Add to that the "forcing" of the youth in our congregation to go out for canvassing work. Sorry, but that's what pretty much did it for me.
Aus dem NACboard

Glossar: canvassing: Gaeste einladen

[GG001]

Es sieht so aus, als ob sich im NACboard etwas zusammenbraut.

Vordergruendiger und vor allem aktueller Anlass scheint der vermutete kuerzliche Verstoss verschiedener hoeherer Amtstraeger gegen das Gesetz zu sein, als eine Kirche in New Jersey ohne behoerdliche Abnahme in Gebrauch genommen wurde.


Anderes Thema:
Naechsten Sonntag findet in den USA ein Uebertragungsgottesdienst aus Californien statt; man vermutet, dass BezAp Freund (endlich) seinen Nachfolger bekannt geben wird.

[tergram]

... man vermutet, dass BezAp Freund (endlich) seinen Nachfolger bekannt geben wird.

Ach so. Aber die Wahl läuft doch noch... ( http://nacboard.yuku.com/topic/3170/ )

Who is your choice for the next U.S. District Apostle? (Total Votes: 46)

Fendt (18 / 39.1%) Hammer (1 / 2.2%) Hecht (2 / 4.3%)
Hoffman (1 / 2.2%) Kolb (18 / 39.1%)Orlofski (3 / 6.5%)
Schmidt (3 / 6.5%)

Na ja, bei dem Vorsprung...