"(The quote "Peace, Love and Harmony" is from a sign off to a May 20 email by Rev. Sherry DeLoach 1st Vice Chair, forwarded to me by another anonymous individual for my information. I appreciate knowing what is going on at "my" Chapel.)"
Chapel Guardian found this passage interesting because it indicates -- again -- that a mailing was sent out to some members of the congregation, but not others. Chapel Guardian have been told that the mailings show an email address from something called "imanifestwellness.com", and looking it up on Google confirms the web site's existence.
Chapel Guardian believe that the site, www.imanifestwellness.com (web site screen captures are below), holds clues as to what the takeover of Chapel of Awareness really was about: Making Chapel a vehicle to promote individual ministers' businesses and philosophies, not to save Chapel and Reverend Gene Larr's vision.
No one would deny a minister's right to run his or her own ministry, and Sherry DeLoach has clearly chosen a path to a self-sustaining ministry. There is nothing wrong with that. Chapel of Awareness philosophy and policy, however, discourage Chapel ministers from using Chapel property to promote and benefit personally from their work on Chapel premises. But Reverend DeLoach, now that she has secured a top seat on the Chapel Board of Directors, has announced on her website the following:
"Take Control of Your Wellness Healing Clinic
SAT. AUG. 14,2010 9:30 a.m.-noon Chapel of Awareness 560 Third st. Encinitas, CA 92024 Learn to take control of your wellness and perform your own self-healings during this half-day healing clinic. Private healings by appointment only following the clinic. e-mail for appointment." (imanifestwellness.com/News--and--Events.php)
Consider:
1) This is not a Chapel of Awareness event, yet it's clearly being held at Chapel. Private healings afterward, likely for a private fee, not a Chapel donation. Notice also that her site doesn't say to email or call Chapel of Awareness for more information, it's to email her.
2) Reverend DeLoach's book, "Without Doubt," is a large portion of her website (imanifestwellness.com/Books.php). It was also touted at the Friends of Chapel service in Fall 2009, at the height of the Friends of Chapel conflict. It will be interesting to see if the so-called "Spiritualists Bible" (supposedly containing the works of the deceased Reverend Gene Larr) eventually shows up in this section of her site.
3) Most telling: A look at the "Guest Book" section of her site (imanifestwellness.com/Guestbook.php?pageID=1) shows that 90% of the comments are from Friends of Chapel members, including -- Reverend Don Miller (now pastor), Drucilla Kubicka (now on the board), Sal Balletto (now on the board), Reverend Eric Berg (inactive at Chapel yet running "Chapel" retreats), Terry Hall (now apparently designing Chapel's new homepage), John Aho, Sharon Gaskill, Monica Hagen, Alan Story, and Sheri Wachtstetter.
The pattern of a specific, exclusive group of people outside the general Chapel of Awareness membership seems evident -- from those engaging in the lawsuit against the Chapel of Awareness, to the Friends of Chapel group, and exclusionary notices and promotions linked to the Chapel but not sent to the entire Chapel community.
The Friends of Chapel -- with Reverend Sherry DeLoach among the leadership -- seemed to have a plan in motion to take over Chapel of Awareness for their own self interest some time ago. It's the behavior that shows this. What the Friends of Chapel say and what the Friends of Chapel do have not been consistent.
It seems increasingly evident, judging by their actions, that whether non-active memberships had been removed from Chapel or not, this group had intentions of waiting for Chapel to "die" after they left it in limbo in 2006 -- After founder Reverend Gene Larr passed away. The removal of non-active memberships can only be read as an unexpected interruption in their overall plan. They sued claiming bylaw violations, were assigned mediation, got a new election, violated the mediation agreement with Chapel, are now themselves violating the bylaws, and -- worse than anything -- being secretive with the Chapel community.
The blatant self-promotion now taking place through Chapel of Awareness seems proof of this. They fought for their venue and got it. Preserving Reverend Larr's philosophy and legacy seems little to do with anything.
Whatever truly positive message Reverend DeLoach is trying to promote is being overshadowed by these concerns.
Screen captures from imanifestwellness.com:
No comments:
Post a Comment