[Oe List ...] Correction - Grits, Green Beans and the Holy Ghost

[Marilyn Crocker via OE]

Hi Ken,

 

I’m not sure where you heard that “Kay’s apology was sent to all the Second Generation before the 2000 reunion.”   

 

Actually, that was not the case.

 

When we gathered before the reunion began, the agenda was set and after several side-bar meetings with some of us (Kay, me, Sandy True, Ken & Ruth Gilbert, Martha Talbott, Mark Whitney, Leif Oden and others) we suggested the agenda be altered to include the issues that were being increasingly raised by our second generation.

 

Kay’s own childhood abuse by her uncle urged her to advocate for our second generation, and whether wise or not, she became the spokesperson for our second generation at that meeting.  I facilitated the whole group gathering when the difficult “truths” were discussed – not at all a role I had intended when I registered for this “reunion.”  Martha Talbott facilitated a follow-up session to present the 5 healing strategies we, as first generation, recommended.

 

The statements of apology were crafted during that time of the meeting, not by Kay, but by the OE Generation #2, and the OE Generation #1.  And Joe and I and many others present wholeheartedly signed the statement of apology from Generation #1 – we were stunned and saddened by what had been revealed.

 

And then, Bishop Jim Mathews, who was present for all of these painfully honest conversations, acknowledged the brokenness (Sin) and pronounced the Word of Absolution (Grace)

 

I believe neither Carol Poole, nor her family who had left the Order long before, were present for these gatherings, and so the “apologies” she cited in her narrative were probably the best she garnered from third parties, but were presented out of actual context.  That’s not her fault…it’s just she wasn’t there.

 

I’m looking forward to alternative “Memoirs” or even “Historical Non-fiction” versions of the OE: Story – especially from some of the amazing (in my estimation) priors of the Student House – like the Packards, the Griffins, the Crows, Nancy Lamphear, Marie Sharpe, Jeannie Philbrook, Dierdre Dowsett, etc..

 

And I look forward to other perspectives from our second generation adults.

 

Furthermore, as one who was a member of the Order for 22 years, and who, with my husband of nearly 49 years, raised two sons in the Order, I’m guessing it might be my responsibility to write my version of life in the Order.

 

We’ll see.

 

Grace and peace,

 

Marilyn

 

From: OE [mailto:oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Ken Fisher via OE
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 6:37 PM
To: Order Ecumenical Community; Colleague Dialogue
Subject: [Oe List ...] Correction - Grits, Green Beans and the Holy Ghost

 

 

Correction: Kay’s ‘on-behalf-of’ apology was sent to all the Order Youth before the 2000 reunion.

 

Another apology was agreed upon at the reunion and signed by by 150 Order parents and adults.

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