Chapel of Awareness pastor's letter

"Your current Board members are all free thinkers and none were held hostage or coerced into making decisions they didn't agree with."

Reverend Don Miller, Chapel of Awareness pastor

In such a fractious time in the world, in an era where unity is needed most in the name of "loving kindness" (as the Friends of Chapel have put it) Chapel of Awareness Pastor Don Miller takes an uncalled-for slap to the faces of a good amount of the Chapel of Awareness membership who supported the previous Board prior to (and during) the Friends' lawsuit.

Reverend Miller has opted to turn what was once a positive, inspirational, and unifying annual letter to the congregation by previous pastors into a negative political play designed to ostracize those he and the Friends of Chapel do not agree with. Coercion and "hostage holding" are serious accusations. He has thrown them at current members without qualification or example. This is inappropriate and unbecoming of a pastor -- especially one who admits in his own letter that he has been gone from Chapel for about a third of a year.

Reverend Miller states in the letter that Reverend Nell Rose Smith took over as Pastor in his absence, yet the present church bylaws do not state a procedure for such a handover (the closest that can be found is the calling of a special meeting of the congregation); even if such a handover was done properly by board action, no notice was ever sent out to the congregation.

Before he takes this slap at members and the previous board (representative of the chapel membership as elected), Reverend Miller refers to church founder Reverend Eugene C. Larr's "mundane practices" of teaching. Does he really mean to call the founder's teachings "mundane"? As to say, by definition, "common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative"? From Chapel Guardians' observations, this approach falls in line with the very publishing of the book In the Beginning, material that (by the book's own admission) founder Larr did not want published (a position he was consistent on for years).


Reverend Miller's letter is ironic in that he literally sat on both sides of the fence during the church conflict, serving and voting with some of the very board members he accuses of "hostage holding" while supporting the Friends' lawsuit. This calls his loyalties into question when it comes to a whole congregation, which Chapel of Awareness members assumed would be made whole by the Friends' stated goals upon taking over the church. This letter does not make the congregation whole; it only keeps the wound open. Many argue that it is the Friends of Chapel who fractured the congregation to begin with, and based on the actions (recall: right thought, right action) of the sitting leadership, Chapel Guardian must now agree.


Reverend Miller says the current Friends leadership is working to make sure there are no hostile takeovers of Chapel of Awareness. But there has been one. Theirs ..... From the filing of a lawsuit to the banning of ministers, corporate members and leadership against mediation, to the publishing of a book the founder didn't want to a new leadership that has been consolidated into Friends of Chapel backers.


From the letter, Reverend Miller would have the membership believe that Chapel of Awareness was saved from some underground force bent on taking it over (odd, given that the alleged ringleader was pastor for about two decades). That was not the case, no matter what Friends of Chapel propaganda would have you believe.


Reverend Miller's tone -- his statements in this letter -- is a new unfortunate chapter in Chapel of Awareness history. Is this what Chapel of Awareness has come to? Is this what Reverends Eugene C. Larr and Donald Schwartz would advocate? Is this what you want out of what has often recently been termed "Your Chapel"?

Chapel of Awareness annual meeting and chairman's letter

As Chapel of Awareness enters its annual phase of electing members of the board, Chapel Guardian take note of some points made by Reverend Nell Rose Smith in her letter to the congregation in her capacity as board chair. [Mailed election materials are at the bottom of this post]

As with last year on the heels of the Friends of Chapel take-over of Chapel of Awareness, Reverend Nell states: “nothing is more precious than the generosity of those who make it work through their commitment, time and energy, their ideas and resources” … none of which Reverend Nell provided herself when she and the Friends of Chapel faction disappeared from Chapel of Awareness and then proceeded to sue the church as it struggled.

She thanks the following people whose behavior was questionable over the year: She thanks Reverend Sherry DeLoach as membership director [who has resigned her board position], who sent collection notice-style letters to corporate members warning them of their “termination” if they did not pay their corporate dues. A stick-rather-than-a-carrot approach with shades of the very behavior she and the Friends accused the former board of. Reverend Nell also thanks Terry Hall as the webmaster, who was cited by Yelp and Wikipedia for terms-of-service violations and who proliferated Chapel of Awareness “business” listings across Websites of questionable taste and information.

Finally, in the annual meeting materials provided to the membership this year, the sitting board opted not to provide pre-stamped proxy envelopes to mail back to chapel. The stamping of the return proxy envelopes, for years, was designed to encourage members to return their proxies in the event they could not attend the annual meeting – as a courtesy. The sitting board has apparently chosen to forgo courtesy, and perhaps discourage proxy voting by this quiet, albeit incidental, change of procedure.

Chapel of Awareness and Landmark Education Forum

Introduction

It has been known for some time that some of the most vocal and virulent of the Friends of Chapel group are practicing disciples of Landmark Education Forum, formerly known as Est.

An article at The Huffington Post (Inside the Landmark Forum) provides an accounting of the Landmark experience, and it offers insight into the behavior of the Friends of Chapel.

While links to the Chapel takeover after Reverend Dr. Gene Larr's death to Chapel's Landmark practitioners were often hard to pin down, the new Chapel of Awareness web site and publicly available online information show a concrete indication of these links.

Consider:
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Board member Francisco Fan lists that he is a graduate of Landmark Education and served as an Introduction Leader (LinkedIn screen capture above)
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Web committee leader Terry Hall is also a graduate of Landmark Forum; screen capture above from one of Terry Hall's blogs indicates his expertise
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Friends of Chapel member (as named on the friendsofchapel blog site) Brigette Callahan is also a graduate of Landmark Education Forum and was in its Leadership Program from 2002-08; she is also listed on Terry Hall's new Chapel of Awareness web site as a developer alongside Suzy Sisler
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Reverend Nell Rose Smith is also a Landmark graduate according to Chapel members, although  online confirmation can't be located as of now
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It has been known for some time that members of the new Chapel leadership are also active in an organization called BNI (Business Network International), which Internet searches show has an international following among Landmark followers.

Some examples of the Landmark-BNI connection:
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Happiness After Midlife
Dr. Fred Horowitz writes that he went through Landmark. Among what he notes:

"I had the opportunity of working for 3 years for Werner Erhard and Associates, the predecessor of Landmark Education. It was a terrific experience. Much of my approach to life and midlife coaching comes from the model that Landmark Education uses."

"One of my coaches who I was working with at the start of my coaching career challenged me to start a BNI (Business Network International) chapter in Montreal. There were none. This seemed like a good way to develop business, so I took on the challenge and started one." 
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BNI and Landmark Education
Dr. Fauziah Mohamed Yunus also writes about how he went through Landmark and became a part of BNI. Among what he writes:

"I started my journey in Landmark Education in 2003. Doing the Landmark Forum was yet another turning point for me."

"The two largest influences of how I lead my Life has been Landmark Education and Business Network International."
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Shortly after Terry Hall launched the new Chapel of Awareness web site with Brigette Callahan and Suzy Sisler, Francisco Fan (a Chapel Board member under Friends of Chapel leadership) further indicated his and Terry Hall's links to BNI in the post above, captured from the Chapel web site
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Terry and Amy Hall are listed as active in the BNI Carlsbad membership circle
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Friends of Chapel member Ernie Linkous, now on the Chapel of Awareness Board of Directors under board Chairman Nell Rose Smith, lists BNI in his activities on his LinkdIn page; screen capture above

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Why this information matters for Chapel of Awareness

One of the concerns expressed among Chapel membership in 2009 and early 2010 was a takeover mounted by a business-oriented "personal coaching" (a.k.a. "life coaching") faction of the church that holds views not in line with Chapel of Awareness founder Reverend Dr. Eugene C. Larr, but more in line with philosophies of Landmark and self-styled lifestyle gurus such as James Arthur Ray (Internet searches reveal that Amy Hall, Terry Hall's wife and Friends of Chapel member, was employed by the Ray organization).

Several of those leading or involved with the Friends of Chapel interest group -- which sued the Chapel of Awareness to regain membership reinstatement after being removed off the member rolls because of years of non-participation -- are followers of Landmark Education Forum or related or similar organizations. Nell Rose Smith, Terry Hall, Brigette Callahan, Francisco Fan, and Ernie Linkous are part of that group. Four of them (Smith, Hall, Fam, and Linkous) now make up half of the Chapel of Awareness board of directors.

The behavior of Nell Rose Smith, Terry Hall and Francisco Fan, and the group Friends of Chapel as a whole, is representative of Landmark philosophy by the following:

1) During the process of the Friends' legal action, in Winter 2009/Spring 2010, spearheaded by Nell Rose Smith (as named in the lawsuit), Friends of Chapel members engaged in intimidation tactics including drive-bys of the building during Chapel functions (as witnessed by several people on-site). Intimidation tactics through December 2009, leading up to and during the Annual Meeting that year, required the Board of Directors to call in armed private security to keep the peace.

2) In late 2009, the Friends of Chapel interest group used their blog (friendsofchapel.blogspot.com) to engage in a smear campaign against the sitting board and ministers. The tactics on the blog included unsubstantiated allegations of physical assault and financial trickery, none of which was ever supported by evidence. The intimidation tactics also included the planting of unsupported rumors among the congregation.

3) Nell Rose Smith lead the effort to sue the Chapel nonprofit corporation to gain control, which was successful only through settlement in mediation. Upon following the mediation settlement, Smith and the new board majority forced their remaining -- duly elected -- opposition off the board, against the spirit of the mediation settlement. They then expelled opposition corporate members and ministers, one of whom was among founder Gene Larr's first ministers, the other who served as pastor for two decades.

This behavior mirrors tactics taught and practiced in Landmark Education Forum. As current board member Terry Hall writes on his blog:

"I know that Landmark Education is committed to transforming the planet at any cost. And it shows."

"At any cost" ... That is exactly the attitude witnessed from the Landmark-trained leadership of the Friends of Chapel, exhibited in its behavior, lawsuit, blog, and subsequent takeover of the church. Note what's lacking in Terry Hall's "transforming the planet" statement: The words of founder Reverend Gene Larr, who always taught to behave for what's "highest and best" for humanity. (Landmark is known for pushing change for personal self-interest.)

A further look at Hall's blog lays out the philosophy of the new Chapel leadership ... to run it as a business and not a spiritual organization or house of worship. Hall's blog describes the usefulness of a "referral culture" in an organization, as exemplified in the philosophy of Landmark and BNI.

Since the Friends of Chapel takeover this year, the following has happened:

1) "Referral culture" in action: As the Friends leadership emerged on the Chapel board of directors, Francisco Fan reportedly began recruiting Chapel congregation members for BNI. This information was given to this blog by Chapel members who wish to remain anonymous out of concern over retaliation.

2) Using the Chapel as private business: After the Friends takeover was complete, Sherry DeLoach began offering what is in effect private-practice ministerial healing "clinics" (as advertised) using Chapel of Awareness resources.

3) Promoting the Chapel as a business, not a religious organization: Since the Friends of Chapel-controlled board created its Web Committee, Internet searches of Chapel of Awareness show a proliferation of listings of Chapel under business-promotional web sites, including merchantcircle.com and ebusiness.com. Oddly, the Web Committee listed Chapel of Awareness as a "pastoral counseling" program based in Aliso Viejo, not just Encinitas, on majoreducation.com.

4) Message control: The Friends of Chapel leadership was openly developing and circulating Chapel of Awareness publications when they were not seated on the church board. These include 2009's "The Season" and proofs of something called "The Spiritualist's Bible". A proof of the "Bible" was witnessed being quietly shown during the 2010 special election, before the election took place. Prior to and during their litigation, Friends of Chapel leadership emphasized gaining the copyright to Reverend Larr's work, inside and outside of Chapel. This reflects a Landmark tactic -- copyright control of some kind -- as detailed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation in an accounting of Landmark's emphasis on copyright litigation for message control.

In Chapel Guardian opinion, these correlations show that the Friends of Chapel sought control of Chapel of Awareness out of the desire to build a hub for their own business, networking, and guru-style "life coaching" ventures, not the spiritual development of the people who hunger for it and walk through Chapel's doors seeking it.

Chapel Guardian is not interested in debating the substance of Landmark teachings. That is not the point.

The potential dangers for Chapel of Awareness, in Chapel Guardian opinion, lie not in Landmark Education Forum itself or its teachings, but in the actions of the new Chapel leadership in forcing "the program" over Chapel founding philosophy, especially through groupthink. This is an attitude counter to Chapel founder Reverend Dr. Eugene C. Larr's philosophy.

re: Letter from the Chapel of Awareness chairman

(Reposted from comments)

Anonymous said...

I was a member when Gene was around and it was clear then a lot of the staff and member were all about power!!!! Nothing more nothing less. It was clear to me 10 years ago this place would have a falling out after Gene and guess what it has. You don't have to be psychic to predict this one. All the best,

December 6, 2010 3:32 PM

Letter from the Chapel of Awareness chairman

The Chapel of Awareness annual report and meeting materials arrived for most members, apparently, in the last few days. Some Chapel members in contact with Chapel Guardian have shared some of their thoughts about the materials.

As the annual meeting approaches, Chapel Guardian point out more things to consider regarding the activities of the current Chapel leadership. This time in the board chairman's letter:

Chairman Rev. Nell Rose Smith tells us that "nothing is more precious than those who step forward - even in small ways - to volunteer their time, energy, resources and ideas." This must explain the precious absence of so many --- including Rev. Nell --- over nearly five years as Rev. Ann Lorenzini struggled to keep Chapel of Awareness patched together. This must also explain Rev. Nell's precious commitment to sue the Chapel, Rev. Ann, and fellow members she now serves with. It must also explain her strong commitment to push through the expulsions of members and ministers, including Rev. Ann.

In Chapel Guardian opinion, Chapel of Awareness members should keep this behavior in mind as the annual meeting approaches. The majority of Chapel voters may well see the current board's behavior as appropriate for a spiritual organization, and fair enough if so. But they must remember that many do not see it that way.

Letter from the Chapel of Awareness pastor

The Chapel of Awareness annual report and meeting materials arrived for most members, apparently, in the last few days. Some Chapel members in contact with Chapel Guardian have shared some of their thoughts about the materials.

As the annual meeting approaches, Chapel Guardian point out (again) the inconsistencies in behavior and thinking that cause us to question the activities of the current Chapel leadership. Consider:

1) Amy Milford and Louise Morin are mentioned prominently in Pastor Don Miller's report. They are listed as "co-leaders of the Ways and Means Board Committee". Louise also heads the tape department. Chapel Guardian are pleased that Amy and Louise appear so committed to the Chapel after serving on the board in the prior year, with Rev. Don, in which they contributed little to the board and turned on Rev. Ann Lorenzini, as did Don. So where was this commitment in the past two years? Recall that the three of them initially backed the discontinuation of memberships of those who stopped participating in Chapel activities over several years. As members of the board, they were the very targets of the lawsuit they later supported. Their contributions to the Chapel have been confusing at best, deceptive at worst, in Chapel Guardian opinion.

2)  It's ironic that Don would also highlight two people who were 100% absent over the final five years that Rev. Ann was pastor and board chair: Melissa Hall and Suzy Sisler. Rev. Don even notes Melissa's "long hiatus". Melissa (like Rev. Don, Suzy Sisler, Amy Milford and Louise Morin) was an active member of the Friends of Chapel group, which sought to take over Chapel from fellow members.

3) John Dorian is also listed, another member who did nothing for years while attacking the character of Rev. Ann Lorenzini and others, in open meetings, as a member of the Friends of Chapel group.

4) The Friends of Chapel pastor also commends Rev. Nell Rose Smith as board chair, who (among other "accomplishments") engaged in a mean-spirited campaign to successfully expel Rev. Ann and several other members who did not fit within her vision of Chapel.

5) The Friends of Chapel pastor also highlights the activities of Rev. Sherry DeLoach. In his letter, Rev. Don states that Rev. Sherry has started healing clinics: "... The first time that Chapel has offered something like this to the public". Chapel Guardian find this statement interesting since Rev. Sherry never uses Chapel addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses to promote these supposed Chapel clinics --- only her personal and business contact information.

Chapel Guardian notes that these ongoing concerns are not lost on a good number of the Chapel membership.

"My two cents ..."

(**This is a submission sent on Dec. 23, 2009.)

My two cents...
c wright xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 2:44 AM
To: chapelguardian@gmail.com

I feel the need to express my Love and thanks on the Chapel Guardian page during this time of external turmoil. It would be an understatement to say that I was deeply saddened by the hostility being vented at the recent membership meeting. I hold the highest regard for the loving people responsible for keeping the Chapel of Awareness alive and thriving so I could find my spiritual home. I send my thanks with much Love and respect...

Where's the letter?

In a Dec. 16 posting on friendsofchapel.blogspot.com, Wanda Olson writes:

"Well folks it has happened again...on December 16th, just 3 days after the remaining Chapel members voted Reverend Ken Schmidt in as Pastor of the church, Rev Ann Lorenzini drafted yet another demembering letter. Rev Ken... received it Saturday....he had hoped to help heal what is going on at Chapel and to bring back some peace and harmony, but Rev Ann thinks differently.."

It's interesting to note that the "friends" blog does not publish the contents of the Schmidt letter, while so many other "demembering" letters (including that of Don Schwartz) have been published.

Why is the "friends" blog hiding this letter from its constituents? Did Rev. Ann Lorenzini cite specific reasons that the "friends" don't want revealed?

One thing Chapel Guardian does know is that Schmidt was part of a slate of "friends" candidates, a list of whom was handed out, along with numerous talking points, to voting members of the Chapel of Awareness. This slate, and their affiliated members, came into the meeting with their own agenda, which was to force their way into positions of authority through intimidation and innuendo, from what Chapel Guardian observed.

Where's the money going?

In a Dec. 18, 2009, posting on friendsofchapel.blogspot.com, Wanda Olson writes:

"We still need to keep up our efforts as we have a January 8th court date....if you are inclined to make a contribution (payable to Wanda Olson) please mail it to.. FRIENDS OF CHAPEL, PO BOX 502, CARDIFF BY THE SEA, CA 92007.....thanks for your support...Wanda Olson"

This is the second time Chapel Guardian has observed Olson personally asking for money for the so-called "friends" cause. Anyone who has a fair sense of propriety would question why money for a collective cause would be funneled to one person, solely in their name.

Olson's request is particularly interesting given that the so-called "friends" lawsuit (according to copies handed outside the chapel at the Dec. 13 annual meeting) was filed by Rev. Nell Rose Smith, whose signature is on the documents.