from Romans 15:

“We should not please ourselves. Instead, we should all please our brothers and sisters for their own good, in order to build them in the faith.”

Sunday 28 Sept’ 2014 back to worship at Fairfield Uniting and it was of no surprise the ‘welcome mat’ was not rolled out for me ;-) and, as we are well used too it was a morning of contrasts.

As I started writing this post a live show played by the Monty Python cast was on the television. Monty Python is a 'comedy' show of sorts often featuring very irreverent sketches which poke fun at religion; the show running in the background was no exception and I could not help drawing a parallel with Fairfield Uniting Church.

I have said before if these post were not recording the very serious state of Fairfield Uniting irreverence, they could be seen as a bad script for a tragic opera. There is a small group of individuals who have jointly combined to re-define the reverence of Fairfield Uniting from a church of love and friendships to one of personal vendettas. That group comprises the entire Fairfield Uniting Church Council, a rogue council; to a man and woman Fairfield Uniting's Church sunk today to a still greater low than before solely at the hands of the Elders/Church Councillors and one particular church member.

Picture if you will a cream biscuit: three layers. The outer two layers are brittle, none too sweet and crumble when bitten. The middle layer, creamy in texture, sweet and full of flavour. In truth, as it is described as a cream biscuit, it is the centre most are wanting to eat.

Fairfield Uniting service/sermon was the cream: led by Rev. Choi it was full of meaning, substance and a touch of a warning. The children’s message was delivered by Penny Solifoni.

The biscuit/wafers were Foni and Rachael Solifoni.

The morning unfolded thus but not in the order written;

The service commenced led by Rev. Choi with a greetings, prayers and a hymn. Penny Solifoni's talk was based on the reading from Exodus 17:1-7; a story outlining Moses following instruction to strike a rock to obtain water for those he was leading in the wilderness. Penny's 'punch-line' stated the thirsty were facing a seemly impossible situation which needed them to trust in God.

Here, yet again was a display of the contrast of Fairfield Uniting, a children's story delivered by a young member of a family who face some very real personal crisis and are deliberately using their problems, as an excuse/foil, to destroy the very fabric of Fairfield Uniting by blaming others for their shortfalls; by targeting, slandering and bullying other individuals. It is so terribly sad. However, until their stone hearts submit to the teachings of Christ and let God direct their thoughts and deeds they will continue to direct and inflict their pain, through their unjustified actions, onto others. A normal Sunday at Fairfield Uniting!

Rev. Choi continued the theme developing it more fully by initially outlining, then expanding on, two question he said 'confronted' him. “Have you ever felt desperately thirsty?” “Have you ever demanded proof of God?”

In the context of these posts, the answer too “Have you ever felt desperately thirsty?” is a resounding YES. Think of Penny's “impossible situations” and another question posed by Rev. Choi' “can we drink water from him (God) even in the hardest and most unlikely places?”

Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors are the closest any of us will get to meeting the Pharisees of old. If ever there were any in need of drinking the life giving waters of the scriptures it is the entire congregation of Fairfield Uniting not withstanding the Elders and Church Councillors. There exist a huge need to quench the thirst for revenge - at play in the leadership at Fairfield Uniting.  We need to quench that thirst with compassion, understanding and love as taught, and displayed, by Christ.

Rev. Choi finished with; “Use what you have in your hands, today, for the work of the Lord”

Let's now look at the brittle biscuit either side of the service. That is, what happened to me before the service and what happened in the aisle of the church as we were leaving.

Firstly on arrival, by virtue of circumstance, I needed to walk past several people standing near the entrance of the church. I offered my hand to the first person, who reciprocated with words of welcome. To the person standing beside him I then, also, offered my hand. Saying nothing, looking away and leaving his hands in his pockets he nodded only at my gesture. Rejecting a hand offered in friendship says much about a person but, when that person is a Church Councillor it says volumes about the person and Fairfield Uniting as a Church.

In his response, Foni Solifoni did not reject me, he rejected our Lords wishes, abdicated his responsibility as a Church Councillor and demonstrated to those around him just how brittle he is and how much guidance and support he is, personally, in need of. What more can I say or do except pray for Foni's heart and soul! One brittle wafer.

Now for the other: as we were to leaving the service, in the ensuring traffic jamb, I said good morning to a woman standing on the other side aisle. Her reply was initially indistinct. When I asked what she said I was told and she followed with a repeat that “we should leave the church for good”. Rachael Solifoni's reply was no surprise and, just as her husband did earlier, by rejecting a pleasantry Rachael demonstrated, yet again, just how brittle and bitter she is. Yet again Rachael Solifoni displayed how desperately she wants to blame and hurt others for her shortfalls. As with Foni, what more can you say or do except pray for Rachael's heart and soul!

So consumed, by their family and personal issues, are these two, they are completely abandoning the very principles taught by Christ whilst at the same time attending and participating in morning worship. Curious or.....?

“Use what you have in your hands, today, for the work of the Lord” said Rev. Choi. Both Foni and Rachael Solifoni used what they had in their hands/hearts: but were their actions/words the tools to hand Rev. Choi was was alluding too, were they working for the Lord? I think not.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21 (KJ ver.) Was a key statement made by Rev. Kava – in an earlier sermon – and is a great piece of advice. However, as with much else Foni and Rachael choose to NOT accept 'hands offered in friendship' because, as I said in previous posts, it does not suit their current purpose and they see it as not being in their best interest to do so.

Sad, but true, which means, of course, they – nobody else - are the single biggest stumbling block to finding a solution to their problems.

The tragedy Foni, Rachael and Ma'ata Solifoni represent, along with their partnership and the different tragedy Pat and David Tweed have created for themselves and their family, have combined as one in Fairfield Uniting's Church Council. The net result is that Fairfield Uniting's congregation is now defined by the Tweed/Solifoni combo: the 'problem' Fairfield Uniting has become, is because Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors have moulded the Fairfield Uniting Church/Congregation into a form of themselves. Fairfield Uniting Church is all about the Tweeds and Solifonis: if it were not so I could never have written these posts.

If he belongs, where does Christ fit/figure in the Tweed/Solifoni hearts and church?

At the tail end of Rachael's comment was another gem, as usual; a reason Rachael gave for me going is because, Rachael says, “you have brought your bad mouth into church”. Was this a case of the 'pot calling the kettle black' or does it have substance. Others can decide and I know when the time comes there is only one judge who counts.

Rachael is, of course, mentioned through these posts as a person quick to bully and slander not only my family and others church members, but her own; and she does all this in front of and within the Fairfield Uniting congregation on Sundays. The reason these posts can exist, as a record, is in greater part, due to Rachael's (Elder and Church Councillor supported) behaviour. Without meaningful spiritual leadership within Fairfield Uniting there was a need to expose publicly and record, for future reference, what Fairfield Uniting has become.

“Always look on the bright side of life, always look on the bright side of life.....etc” as sung in Monty Python maybe a light-hearted finale to this post about Fairfield Uniting but I am going to add one more observation;

In the 'satirically contradictory' stage show which is played out, at Fairfield Uniting, each week - with a cast consisting of the Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors, Pat & David Tweed, Foni and Ma'ata Solifoni + Rachael - just what is the show about, for them? Christ our Lord and Saviour, about what he did in dying for us all or, is it about what the main players can take by way of 'a thrill and reward'; for the hurt they inflict, the power they engineered and enforce over individuals and the Fairfield Uniting Congregation as a whole? What do you think?

For me it is sad to see people consume there souls in a fight they cannot win; they are fighting God's will. Fairfield Uniting Elders and Councillors need to stop, reflect and pray: they have already missed out on the opportunity to fix the damage they have inflicted on some but, there is still opportunity, if they choose, to restore some of the respect they have lost and fix some of what they have destroyed; with God's help.

From the previous post as preached by another minister;

“rebuke us (the ministry team/leaders) if 'it' becomes about us and not Jesus.”

“Partner with leaders. 'You' cannot do ministry on your own. Minister to one another.”

Pat & David Tweed, Foni and Ma'ata Solifoni and Rachael; accept the rebuke(s) in the spirit they are offered and for the opportunities it presents. Partner with God and the Fairfield Uniting congregation. 'You' cannot do ministry on your own. Minister to one another.”

You have tried to do 'ministry on your own', in 'your own way' and, its has failed. You have hurt and split your families and friends whilst strengthening those you have targeted and who you continue to want to hurt; sooner better than later, I hope and pray, you will see that more clearly.

Learn to Minister to ALL in preference to only those who you decide are 'worthy'.

“Use what you have in your hands, today, for the work of the Lord”.

I finished my last post by stating power and control, of the Fairfield Uniting Church and Congregation, was a driving force behind Fairfield Uniting current problems. I also stated a reason the 'problems' don't 'get fixed' is primarily driven by the Elders and Church Councillors NOT wanting to 'lose' the dictatorial control they currently enforce because it is not in their best interest to do so.

“Because it is not in their best interest to do so.” Let's return to that point toward the end of this post*.

Yesterday (Sunday the 21^st) was a very enjoyable day. We attended two church services; one quite close to Fairfield Uniting and one some distance away. The reason? Well because we could and, it provided us the opportunity to worship with members of our family who have previously been driven away from Fairfield Uniting. In doing so it reminded me of just how different Fairfield Uniting is to other churches. The most stark difference being the welcome we received; even knowing who we were we were still welcomed; not a feeling we have been accustomed too at Fairfield Uniting for a very long time.

Attending two services means two sermons: the first being about the role music, in particular, singing plays in Christian worshiping. An interesting choice of subject, by a young minister, which focused on the reasons music, singing in praise in particular, was important. The sermon came with some warnings though; one warning being that we should pay close attention to the words and their meanings**.

At Fairfield Uniting singing, led by an organist/pianist, has always played a significant part of worship. At least that was the case until Fairfield Uniting Elders and Church Councillors decided to push her away from the congregation and switch to appallingly discordant canned music – with one exception of course. That exception is, of course, the Solifoni singer's see how good are we - when it suits us – segment. **Pleasing to the ear if not to the soul: indeed my current thoughts turn to the Solifoni's singing (recently) about being Sunday Christians. I remember thinking how appropriate (ironic maybe) the song was being sung by Fairfield Uniting's (pseudo self appointed Elders) Church Councillors!

The second sermon started with the minister posing the question, “what do I do?”. What do ministers actually do? Great question(s) and one some, in some congregations, might struggle to answer if asked to express their knowledge, of the tasks/jobs their ministers did on days other than Sunday.

The minister delivering the sermon proceeded to outline what tasks/jobs he and his ministry team (of four) did on any given week and it was a considerable list. But there were important points he was about to make and as a backdrop to his sermon he referenced the words of Paul as recorded in Romans 15 specifically verses 14 to 33.

The initial question asked and the 'works' of Paul were and, are not about their effort, they are about the opportunity which was and is provided to each of these individual, and us all, to pass on, to others, the teachings of Christ. For Paul, in his travels, it was to take Christ teachings to the gentiles. In a similar manner so it is for each of us and whilst we may not be (always) forging new ground as did Paul, none the less, as Christians, we are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that which we do, with the opportunities presented, does reflect Christ's teachings. Gods work is not about us or the time we spend doing it***!

There were several other questions posed to the congregation, during the sermon, but there was one in particular which struck a cord with me. It was this; “what happens when it goes pear shaped.....”? When what goes pear shaped you may be asking? For the person preaching he was referring to churches which may be failing in one form or another and he suggested the reason may well be rooted in the fact Christ and his teachings were no longer the centre of focus. He suggested if the focus of a church's activity had shifted to its leadership in preference to Christ then it was in trouble.

He continued, and ended by asking his congregation to do four things, all under the heading of “Keeping God at the Centre”.

One) Pray to be humble and to glorify God.

Two) To give thanks for the ministry team. (Minister(s), leaders.

***Three) To “rebuke us” (the ministry team/leaders) if 'it' becomes about us and not Jesus.

Four) Partner with leaders. 'You' cannot do ministry on your own. Minister to one another.

Four (4) very important points, applicable to all churches, including Fairfield Uniting, but the two which hit home for me were points Three & Four. The minister speaking was inviting his congregation to “rebuke” him and the church leaders if they 'strayed' onto a path which was about them and not All About Jesus. Sound familiar?

Can you imagine Fairfield Uniting's Edlers and Church Councillors being rebuked by any person in the Fairfield Uniting's congregation. Truth is, the 'problems' of Fairfield Uniting, are very heavily embedded in the forced control exercised, by Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors, the root cause of the 'problems' at Fairfield Uniting is the focus demanded by the Elders and Church Councillors on their rights, privilege and their right to control!

The Elders and Church Councillors have morphed their privileged positions into posts which they perceive are separate to the congregation, and above being challenged or questioned in any way. That is more than evident each Sunday as the Tweed and Solifoni show raises its curtain, struts down the aisle, parades and performs its stuff around and throughout a Sunday service.

Is Sunday at Fairfield Uniting about Jesus or the Tweeds and Solifonis? Working two full days in the diner we were told at length without one single mention about Jesus? Driving the bus is a Foni responsibility; “I am in charge” he scolded me continuing with, it is only he who will decide who is to be picked up or not and when it suits.

The Elders and Church Councillors, of Fairfield Uniting, have set themselves above being questioned by any person in the congregation; their dictatorial approach is why Fairfield Uniting is not a place which has or keeps God at the Centre.

Point Four); “Partner with leaders. 'You' cannot do ministry on your own. Minister to one another.”

Taking these three points backwards:

“Minister to one another.” How do you see this playing out at Fairfield Uniting?

“You cannot do ministry on your own.” This is true but I perceive, at Fairfield Uniting it is understood the Tweeds and Solifonis have the task of Ministry well in hand no need for any further assistance and even then only if it's done exactly as they define. Control!

“Partner with leaders.” ;-) at Fairfield Uniting, yeah right. Not easy to write anything in response to this statement except it ain’t going to happen/work effectively, at Fairfield Uniting, whilst the Elders and Church Councillors continue down the very treacherous path they have been following for a very long time.

Can Fairfield Uniting ever be 'fixed'? I do, and always have, believe it can. However that is going to require a huge shift in the thinking by the entire congregation but mostly by the Elders and Church Councillors.

Fairfield Uniting's leaders, long ago, 'lost the plot'; Fairfield Uniting is most definitely about them and NOT Jesus and that must change!

* So we arrive back at the beginning of this post which started with “a reason the 'problems' don't 'get fixed' (at Fairfield Uniting church) is primarily driven by the Elders and Church Councillors NOT wanting to 'lose' the dictatorial control they currently enforce because it is not in their best interest to do so.

“Because it is not in their best interest to do so.”

Once you understand why that previous statement is true, the 'problems' of Fairfield Uniting are obvious!

Am I wrong in emphasizing this point over and over again? I really don't think so.

It is so obvious God is not centered nor factored into Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors decisions, enforced congregational control, the rage and abuse exercised; “Because it is not in their best interest to do so.”

I conclude this post with Romans 15:1-7 from the Good News Bible;

We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves. Instead, we should all please our brothers and sisters for their own good, in order to build them in the faith. For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the scripture says, “The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me. Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures gives us. And may God, the source of the patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus, so that all of you together may praise with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you.

I am to meet mid week, this week, and at that meeting I am going to need to be able to explain to another person just what it is about Fairfield Uniting that I believe needs fixing and why.

I am going to make available, if necessary, copies of documents which cover specific events of concern to me, and many others, which have occurred, in particular, since 2009.

This meeting may, and I hope it does, lay the foundation of a process of repair. If it does not then it will mean I will need to make a decision the likes of which I would never have thought necessary for any member of a Christian church to make.

I am aware the early Christian church had many problems of its own and, as history has proven many time over, we humans seem to not learn from history and make the same or similar mistakes over and over again.

In my struggle with the issues at Fairfield Uniting I have looked at, repeatedly, passages in Romans, Galatians and others and tried to use these as a guide, and they are, but they also add to the frustration; because the leaders of Fairfield Uniting must also know how many passages in the bible challenge us to follow a true path of Love, support and fellowship with of our fellow man in all the connotations that entails. But I don't see those traits radiating from Fairfield Uniting, nor its current leadership. Why?

I do hold out some hope for this meeting but its starting point has possibly been marred/compromised by the actions of Fairfield Uniting's leadership. Having some idea of what may have happened after I left the Sundays service before the one just past I was interested to see what may happen last Sunday.

Led by Rev. Choi it turned out to be a service of considerable value with both the childrens' address (presented by Pat Tweed*) and the main message having a focus on forgiveness: Mathew 18: 21-35 with the nod given to forgiving not three (3) times, nor seven (7), but 70x7 times. The question was asked of parents, how many time had you forgiven your children? ;-)

At the start of the service we again experienced a 'technical glitch' with our 'music' and Rev. Choi floated the idea/suggestion about having a music group lead the service. A point to make here is this: less than twelve (12) months ago we had an organist. A person who had been a part of Fairfield Uniting for eighty (80), give or take, years. Ruth also had other roles in the church life until..... it was decided by the Church Councillors she was to go. Ruth was un-ceremoniously shut out of all her roles to the degree she has left the congregation. I have written about this in other forums: highlighting it as a classic case study of the failure, of our Elders and Church Councillors, to ensure/provide pastoral care to church members as a primary function/concern.

Ruth's treatment was a shocking display, which still has not been correctly addressed (even by and made worse by Presbytery) and, in the light of a service dedicated to the topic of forgiveness, also begs the questions was the Love for your neighbour or forgiveness considered, by the Fairfield Uniting leaders, before they pushed Ruth away.

Do we need better musical leadership in Fairfield Uniting? Yes, and had our leaders thought. prayed and behaved more thoughtfully we may still have had an organist instead of the disastrous canned music we now often need to bear.

Again, we all, as a congregation, sat through a very pointed, relevant and valuable sermon. One I took very personally because I believe forgiveness is a key component of my faith and my up-bringing. “The forgiven should forgive”, said Rev. Choi. There would be few - Christians - who would not agree with that statement; but how does that understanding play-out at Fairfield Uniting. Well, in my opinion, not very well: for as I left the service two, of the congregation (one an Elder), chose to make comments to me, which displayed no hint of forgiveness; quite the reverse actually. Why?

But that is and has been for along time standard fair at Fairfield Uniting. Often the message given is directly applicable and yet seems to simply ignored. Why?

Returning, briefly, to a point made by Rev. Kava, several Sundays ago; “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21 (KJ ver.) I saw this as a very important point. Rolled together with the 'notion' of 'un-limited' forgiveness it gives Christians (and Fairfield Uniting) a pointer as to how to forge ahead, against the odds, always aiming for and to follow the teaching of Christ in a daily lives. (think Ruth etc.)

To me, there is definitely 'evil' at play within Fairfield Uniting; overcoming that evil requires faith, forgiveness, kindness and consideration and, that applies to me as well. Herein, for me, is the conundrum. With all the evil and nastiness at play within Fairfield Uniting it is understood the necessity to forgive must never be 'off-the-table', but there is something important needing recognition before forgiveness can play its part. That recognition is understanding just what and who may be standing in its way.

I repeat the following questions from an earlier post: Is it me who rocks-up to church and verbally bullies people? Is it me who slanders people, family and church members? Is it me who tells people they are not welcome at church and to leave?

I add; is it me who is not wanting to sit, talk and resolve whatever it is David Tweed has accused me doing wrong as far back as 2009 and who has NOT – to this day - despite being asked too, David Tweed (an Elder) has NEVER told me what he maintains I have done wrong to 'the church'? Is it me who is not prepared to sit down and discuss the issues which surround the Solifoni family split?

The answer is NO to those (last two) questions and to not wanting to fix other issues like the in-appropriate treatment of Judy, Ruth, Janet and Jessie etc., just to name just a few.

Let us take a different tack:

Let's just assume, for the moment, all the discord at Fairfield Uniting is the responsibility of one person – ME. Let's take on board the attack on Judith was MY fault, that Ruth leaving is MY fault, that the attack on Rev. Wakefield was MY fault, the fact that members of David and Pat Tweed's family and my family have left because of MY actions. Lets also assume for the moment the split in the Solifoni family is also my fault and MY fault alone and the (Church Bus) traffic fine is MY fault: then let's ask the following questions;

One) What evidence is there to show how, and what effort, suggestions, proposals. guidance and counseling, have the Fairfield Uniting Elders and Church Councillors have worked towards a 'solution' to prevent those people leaving and to outline to ME what I am doing incorrectly. NONE!

Two) What evidence is there which demonstrates the Fairfield Uniting Elders and Church Councillors have done all in their 'power' to repair the damage I have caused to all those people (and more) such that it would be their choice to return and, once again, worship at Fairfield Uniting. NONE!

NONE why?

Because the Fairfield Uniting Elders and Church Councillors have a vested interest in not having the/their problems resolved. Why(?): as is often said, is the 'million dollar question'. I offer the suggestion it is because they are finding it too difficult to take on-board it is their actions which are the root of Fairfield Uniting issues and their 'problems'.

It's not and never was about ME, that has always been a smoke screen, used by the leaders as a diversion to hoodwink the un-thinking. Even Presbytery's leaders and management have fallen for and un-wisely allowed the smoke screen to cloud their vision and commonsense. Which in turn has empowered the evil to continue!

At no stage have I not been prepared to discuss theirs or my missteps to look for solutions and to try and head off a worsening situation. To a 'man' the Elders and Church Councillors REFUSE to take the opportunities presented and worse, they REFUSE to create opportunities to resolve 'the issues' and problems; because it is in their interest NOT TOO.

Behind an appearance of a caring Christian community (the diner/shop primarily) power and control, of Fairfield Uniting, is the primary mission of Fairfield Uniting Church leaders!

It's a side issue with some interesting connotations; suffice to say, good one Graeme Tweed you really did put your foot right in your mouth eh! :-)

How blest, or fortunate, are/were we, at Fairfield Uniting, to have as part of our congregation (yesterday) two (2) good Ministers. Rev. Dr. Choi led the service and Rev. Kava – who has led services over the past weeks – was welcomed into membership of Fairfield Uniting along with his family.

The last time we were blest with two ministers in the congregation was when Rev. Mau Mau Monu and his family used to attend?

For a number of reasons, Sunday 7^th September was, for me, a bitter sweet day.

Rev. Choi, in commencing the service, asked “what did today represent”? Several responses indicated Fathers' day; however, Rev. Choi reminded us, it was a day to (meet together and) worship the Lord. Was that, I wondered, the thought foremost in ALL our minds: has that been the leading thought in the minds of the Fairfield Congregation for a long time? If, worshiping the Lord and following the teachings of Christ is 'the mission' of Fairfield Uniting would it have been possible for me to record that which I have in this, and previous posts?

Rev. Choi's message was anchored in a scripture verse read from Zephaniah 3:17; “The LORD your God is with you: his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you.” (GNB Ver.)

So why a bitter sweet day. It was a day to worship together but, for Judy and I worshiping at Fairfield Uniting is like being in a 'lions den'. There are those who still treat us cordially as members of the congregation; but there are those who would prefer we no longer attended Fairfield Uniting. Those people are the current leaders of Fairfield Uniting and as can be gleaned from what happened after the service that un-welcoming persona was yet again revealed.

Fortunate for families who had their children worshiping with them on that Fathers' day. But for me neither of my children, nor my grandchildren were there; they would have been there 'normally' except the environment which is Fairfield Uniting drove them away – not that long ago. I was not alone is this situation of having family members 'deliberately absent'; our leaders were 'in the same boat' and for the same reasons. The difference is – it could be argued – my family members were missing because of the actions of the Fairfield Uniting's leaders failed pastoral/leadership care and theirs were missing; for the same reasons! A sad an undeniable 'fact'* needing repair.

*'That fact' – missing family members – brings the focus of my posting directly to the core of what is one of the main troubling issues which exists within Fairfield Uniting and which is central to what is seen as an issue 'between' Fairfield Church Councillors and me! Both the Tweed and Solifoni Elders/leaders had family members missing yesterday for reason which are intertwined. Some might say complex, or even cultural, which ever way it is viewed the current situation is couched in selfishness wrapped in a vindictive veneer totally devoid of any sensible or forgiving thought and, has degenerated into stupidity. From NONE of those leaders has come even a modicum of effort to prevent, fix or forgive their situations and the effect that has had on many in the Fairfield Congregation. Despite both time and many opportunities/requests to addressed and rectify their positions, the leaders of Fairfield Uniting have stoically worked to keep their rage and hurtful regime in the forefront and ahead of the Christian value of forgiveness and commonsense. Their rage, and desire to control (the Ministers and congregation) was, again, on show yesterday**.

*Rev Choi, in his way zeroed in on Fairfields Uniting's (broken family) issue; by design, accident or because it was fathers' day I do not know but it was an important and poignant sermon referring to the importance of “fixing relationships”.

“Meet together (with your children/families) to sing, rejoice and praise God in the name of Christ”. Rev. Choi followed with, “forgive children with no limits or conditions”, children should also forgive their fathers (parents ed.) he intoned.

If Rev. Choi had fired, those points, as arrows at the congregations hearts there is no way they could have missed their mark. But, as we have seen so often before, the preachers words seem to last no longer than the time taken to say them. As with Rev. Kava's poignant sermon one week earlier there seems to be no effort by the Fairfield Uniting leadership to accept and practice what is laid out clearly before them!

Let's take Rev. Choi's comments a little further and apply them to ME only. The first point is particularly important because there was a point I chose to separate myself from worshiping, at Fairfield Uniting on Sundays, with those of my direct and extended family. That was a response to how, I felt at being un-justly accused of wrong doing and causing the church much trouble. Statements made by (Elder/Church Council Chairman) D. Tweed, which have never been substantiated or detailed (despite my requests); which would have allowed me to correct “my behaviour”.

As I detailed in my previous post, partly, as a result of Rev. Wakefield's visitation, I did return, to worship at Fairfield Uniting, only to receive the hostile welcome I did and, to experience shortly thereafter, due to the pressures brought to bear by Fairfield Uniting leadership, my children, grandchildren and extended family members then were compelled to leave the Fairfield Uniting congregation.

It is important to say, at this point, my family where not the only ones to leave Fairfield Uniting, in disgust, in that period of time. There were many other long term congregational member and, significantly, *one individual directly connected to our Church Councillors. It is that association which is going to be the most un-palatable issue to be faced by the (Ministers), Elders and Church Councillors of Fairfield Uniting. Face it square on and address the issue, appropriately, they MUST or it is going to ruin their lives for some time to come. It also brings, directly into question, the efficacy of their positions as Elders and Church Councillors in the Uniting Church in Australia.

The leaders of Fairfield Uniting have worked hard to destroy families: however, the outcome of my families 'worship separation' though has not been as 'total' as they may have hoped for; but it has been very damaging for the Tweeds and Solifonis. Judy and I do get to see and have occasionally worshiped with our children and grandchildren within another congregation.

Rev. Choi's second point: “forgive children with no limits or conditions”. Again if applied to me first; at the risk of being seen as 'cockey' I have naught to forgive my crew for; as we have not split or separated in any way, there is no reason to forgive. For some of our leaders/congregation there exists many reasons to forgive to be forgiven. As disappointing as it was for me, to have my family (and extended family) leave the congregation, I must say the example being set by the Elders and Church Councillors of Fairfield Uniting are not examples of conduct, I believe, are appropriate in a Christian church, and are certainly NOT behaviours, attitudes and actions to which my grandchildren (or others' children) should be exposed.

I have and will rejoice with my 'crew' each time we have the opportunity to meet and worship together. It is the Fairfield Congregation which is missing out on the sparkle my two grandchildren bring to any room they walk into. They enjoy their time with other children at church and it shows. It is a sinful shame and a terrible indictment that Fairfield Uniting's leaders ruined what my wife (as their Sunday school teacher), our grandchildren, and other young children (who not that long ago attended) had and could look forward too, at Fairfield each Sunday.

I am going to take the vexing issue of 'split families' into a different realm now, and do so in keeping with my intentions that these posts are a record (for the future) of events – at Fairfield Uniting, their causes and consequences. In particular I am going to now focus on only two families; mine and the Solifonis, with a side salad of Tweeds, Presbytery, Synod and the Assembly.

These post have detailed the fact I (and my family) attract particular attention from Rachael and Foni Solifoni (a Church Councillor). In particular I have mentioned - without great detail – the un-truthfully vindictive and slanderous comments made by these individuals to me 'at church'. For those who have read these posts, what I have said must seem almost sci-fi. Christians would not do such things. A comment frequently heard recently in the press associated with the child molestation inquiry. In the main, I must admit, I was in no way prepared for the deterioration I have witnessed in the behaviour of people who were welcomed into our congregation some time ago.

But there is a reason, and a very un-palatable one it is: and, as can be the case, it involves family 'expectations'. To be truthful, 'the problem' was and is entirely fixable but, what makes it so bad, is it was entirely avoidable. The actual problem I am going to leave alone, for the moment, but what I am going to reveal here is that it is me who is being blamed, bullied, vilified and held responsible for what has been the decisions, and actions, taken by others and the Solifonis. There is a 'twisted' thought in the minds of the Solifonis it is my responsibility to order other adult individuals to do that which is contrary to their belief, wishes, their safety and indeed against the law.

It is also my contention the Solifoni family was very poorly supported by the Fairfield Uniting Church, as a whole. Hindsight has its benefits but I am going to say much of what has happened could have been seen coming and indeed it forms one of the 'issues' between the the Elders P&D Tweed and me. Whenever I tried to raise the issue (on the side) to encourage they 'step in' I was roundly rebuffed – why? For me it was no brainer, but there proved to be a stumbling block; and a classic it is. You see when verbally bullying me it is what others have done that is the key subject and driver. What they have failed in, as leaders of their family, is in some way my fault: but the twist to this saga is that what they are experiencing, as a family, they believe is 'their problem' and of NO business of the church. Indeed this attitude is also reflected in the actions and statement coming out of Presbytery. Are you now confused?

As reported in the minutes of a meeting convened and Chaired by the Secretary of Presbytery, our Minister of the day (Rev. Lunney), the entire Fairfield Church council and myself it was stated “At this time a matter concerning the Solifoni and Waddington families (not relevant to Fairfield UC issues) was raised, causing considerable distress to some in attendance.” “The chairperson called a halt to proceeding.”

Now the first of those quotes, when I first read the minutes, incited considerable anger in me. I responded in a form I am not particularly proud of but I was insisting the minutes be corrected to reflect the TRUTH.

I stated there is not a 'matter' between the Solifoni and the Waddington families. There is little doubt Rachael and Foni Solifoni are un-justifiably holding me (and my family) responsible for an issue/matter of concern for them but it should not have be couched in the callously dismissive way it was by the Chairman who knows full well, in depth, what it is about. This is NOT a family feud its a Fairfield Uniting – Solifoni issue, not mine!

I, and my family, have NO case to answer to or for the Solifoni family issue outside of what the entire Fairfield Congregation and leadership also bears, a point I have tried to make, to all and to Elders Tweed, to no avail, long before it got to where it is now.

The Presbytery Secretary's comments were and are insulting and, I must point out, my requests for the correction have been ignored as have requests to Presbyteries leaders to provide me and my family an apology.

But lets look a little more closely at an end result of what was a very stupid (under the known circumstances) move/statement and, what have been the consequences of the Presbytery comment; this blog and it contents are one of the direct consequences.

You see the truth – about Fairfield Uniting – and all who sail in her and about all who have been thrown overboard needed telling (in part at least) and recording for the future. More importantly though it is my only outlet, why? Well because where do I turn to within the Uniting Church for assistance. The Elders and Church Councillors have gone 'rogue' and provide absolutely NO SPIRITUAL/PASTORAL CARE OUTSIDE OF CONTINUING ANGER AND ABUSE. Presbytery, Synod and the Assembly leadership have all either ignored or dismissed my requests for help. Those facts I have already mentioned earlier.

Is the Uniting Church in Australia a Christian church in anything but name? I question it is and I know, for a fact, Fairfield Uniting would struggle to claim competency if its leaders were audited academically for Christian duty, community mission and pastoral care.

But the greatest un-truth revealed in those Presbytery minutes is the statement “(not relevant to Fairfield UC issues).”

The fact is, what Presbytery was so quick to dismiss, is a MAIN issues for Fairfield Uniting, Rachael and Foni Solifoni have actively set out to make it so; that is patently apparent in their reported actions and comments. They are using 'their family issue' to assert control over the Fairfield Uniting congregation in the mis-belief more control will solve their problem. In doing so they have dug the entire Church Council and congregation into a hole from which extraction is going to be painful, painfully slow and fraught with added complications.

They have destroyed their friendships and hurt families but the loss has been mostly one-sided, theirs and the Tweeds. For whilst they have caused people to leave, Fairfield Uniting, they have not broken the family and friendship bonds of those who have left as a result of their bullying – quite the reverse, as you would expect. They have simple forced those people to into other congregations (Fairfield Uniting's loss) leaving the Church Councillors' family names and actions as a bad taste experience and a poor reflection on those who continue to support, or ignore, their actions.

There is no doubt now the Fairfield Elders and Church Councillor, D&P Tweed, F&M Solifoni carry, almost entirely, the burden and blame for Fairfield Uniting's 'issues'. There is no way forward for Fairfield Uniting until that group of people face the fact it is their attitudes, policies and actions which have brought Fairfield Uniting to where it is and, nothing will improve until they each face their demons, accept their personal responsibility and responsibilities and make good the damage they have caused.

In time there will be forgiveness but only if they accept what they have done and do what I believe they must by way of apologizing, in writing, publicly and in person, to the entire congregation and those forced away, who have not already passed away or can no longer be asked for forgiveness. I personally believe, in accepting their fault, they must also disqualify themselves from holding office within the church as well. Only then Fairfield Uniting will be able to return, fully, to its mission.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21 (KJ ver.)

It's very difficult to remain at Fairfield Uniting, amongst the evil; I remain, for the moment only as an obligation. However, bearing in mind the passage (above) from Romans, a key component of Rev. Kava's previous sermon; I have asked both he and Rev. Choi to meet with me as (possibly) a final attempt to bring Fairfield Uniting back onto the straight and narrow; the result of those requests will, I trust, unfold over the next week.

The most memorable part of yesterday at Fairfield Uniting, for me, had to have been Rev. Kava's sermon. Once again, a message delivered with a passion and an obvious conviction. More about the sermon, its fit to Fairfield Uniting and, yet again, the technical hitches, later.

These post are, in the main, about recording and contrasts and I will continue that theme. Comparing the differences I have experienced in the last few weeks between Fairfield Uniting and another church/congregation.

Firstly, some weeks ago I was invited to a breakfast for men; the first (hopefully) in an effort/outreach specifically to men. It was attended by 50+ individuals, from the various congregations within a parish, with varied view-points and needs. The scripture verse chosen to underscore the event was 1^st Timothy 2:8.

The second invitation received, from within the same parish, was to attend a Sunday morning service which had a special meaning for a particular person. Both Judy and I attended and it was a joy to be able to worship amongst people who have a desire to share Gods word in a genuine manner, to be worshiping with other family members and to meet new people.

Why are those two events of significance and why do they draw attention to the contrast in attending, a worship service at, Fairfield Uniting?

Point one; after attending the two 'special' events I received a communication from the 'Superintendent' minister, of the church concerned, thanking me for my attendance, voicing his pleasure in meeting Judith, offering some biblical information to read and outlined the bible passage being followed for the next (the week just past) week – (part of) Romans 13. (Chap' 13 covers duties towards the state and one another: advice very applicable to Fairfield Uniting)

Now contrast that effort and outreach to that which I experienced when I arrived at Fairfield Uniting yesterday (31Aug'2014). On my entering, Fairfield Uniting, four others were in the same small entrance space: An Elder and Church Council chairman, another church councillor and two others. With the exception of the person handing out the order of service sheets each of the others made a particular effort to ignore my presence!

There are many ways to look at and react to the leader’s behaviour; in the main though, for me, I simply find it sad. It highlights the contrast of leadership and it shows how, if allowed, human nature and personal agendas can stand between what a functional Christian Church stands for and how it is run and viewed by others. When examined critically, it is not me who is hurt by the continuing process of vilification. It is pointless me feeling anything but disappointment in each of the individuals, Elders and Church Councillors involved. It is a crying shame they could not have listened to Rev. Kava's rousing sermon and, hearing what was said, take immediate remedial action; or is that too much to ask of Fairfield Uniting's leadership?

The contrast, in leadership, between the two congregations, highlighted herein, feeds directly into Rev. Kava's theme for yesterdays sermon; “Behave yourself like a Christian”. That theme and Rev. Kava's entire sermon went directly to the heart of Fairfield Uniting's (leadership/congregational) problems. Behaving as a Christian, to me, means placing Jesus's teachings at the core of all we do as a Church and individuals. At Fairfield Uniting this is not normal practice: that is so clearly highlighted in these postings.

Why is it so important, to the leadership of Fairfield Uniting, that me, my family (and many others who have been pushed away) should be made feel so un-welcome in a church which has been our life for decades. Additionally, why is it the leaders in Presbytery, Synod and the Assembly choose to 'pass us by on the other side of the road', ignoring our requests for help? I repeat: if I am not worthy, in their eyes, is it not church I should be attending, should not Fairfield Uniting leaders be encouraging me to follow their example, 'right principles' and actions; or is that the problem?

Let me provide another contrast relating to the 'welcoming'. It has become a feature at the commencement of announcements made during the morning service to 'welcome' people. Not unusual, I would think, in any/other church(s), but at Fairfield Uniting it has a particular ring: a false ring. Sharp to the ear and, to those who know better, a hypocritical ring. The welcome often includes the statement “it is great to see you here.....etc.”. It points to the fact those attending the service are important (and they are) and welcome(?). But what it masks is the fact ONLY SOME ARE WELCOME, NOT ALL! Made patently obvious in the reception(s) I received yesterday and on previous (written up) occasions. You are and will be 'welcome', at Fairfield Uniting, if you understand it is a requirement of participation you MUST do only that which is 'defined' acceptable to the Fairfield Uniting Church Council. Said another way: you must adhere strictly to the Tweed/Solifoni dictums; one example, I quote Foni, “I am in charge!” therefore.....you must.....etc.

Rev. Kava's theme “Behave yourself like a Christian” is a particularly important energy which should be found radiating from all Christian Churches into their surrounding communities. Taking on the 'challenge' of being a Christian, in a world of contrast and contradiction, can be quite difficult. At the point you 'claim' to be a Christian the responsibility to act as one, in all you say and do, becomes an imperative. No longer do you get the varied choices the world has to offer: your choices now are reduced to two; continue to follow Christ and act accordingly or change you mind completely and turn your back on Christ and being a Christian. For me there is little middle ground. Equally, for me personally, that commitment has created great difficulty, highlighted in the absurdly contradictory situation I face at Fairfield Uniting. There is no doubt Fairfield Uniting is being tested, as am I, as are the Elders, Church Councillors and the wider congregation.

My considered opinion, at the moment, is we ALL are failing the test, and there can be no argument that is the case. But why?

I said earlier in this post, about Rev. Kava's sermon, “It is a crying shame they” - (Fairfield Uniting's leadership) - “could not have listened to Rev. Semisi's rousing sermon and, hearing what was said, take immediate remedial action; or is that too much to ask of Fairfield Uniting's leadership?”

The question to be answered first is, was the sermon applicable to me? Am I applying, to my actions, the Christian principles/advice Rev. Kava eloquently delivered. In particular his statement “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

In amongst all his other points his 'insistence' evil should be overcome by good is of particular relevance to me and, it is knowing the importance of this, I have followed the path I have. It may appear contradictory to some, but it is important to any person looking into what has/is destroying Fairfield Uniting to understand it has been a practice, at Fairfield Uniting, to not assertively enforce, the application of Christian principles into the decision making relating to the corporate management of the church; in particular when it came to challenging the decisions and actions of some leaders*.

I have mentioned this before by stating, whilst there were enough of those doing the correct thing it ameliorated the influence of the leaders doing the wrong and the damage being caused. But following the path of “not wanting to cause wave” and or just doing the correct thing anyway has not proven the correct course. Those who worked hard and followed a true path have been worn down and ejected, resulting in Fairfield Uniting being reduced to the management we have now; similar to the past, with the same wrong intent, but without sufficient 'opposing good' to prevent a slide deeper into evil.

“Peace should be your aim”, said Rev. Kava. How true. “Bend over backwards for peace” he continued; with the caveat “do not compromise”. I am going to take issue with the first two of those three points; not because I disagree but because they are applicable when looking at what is/does occur within Fairfield Uniting.

*The truth is it has been the aim for many to try and 'keep the peace' and 'bending over backward' - particularly where Mr. D. Tweed (Elder/Chairman of the Church Council) is concerned - is what people have done for as long as I can remember; as I eluded to earlier. The reward for that effort was not an improvement; it simply brought, those doing wrong, time and opportunity to wreck havoc and wheedle, for selfish reasons, greater control.

Is peace my aim? It sure is and always was and quite frankly I have 'bent over backwards' in looking for different ways to get those who are taking Fairfield Uniting down a very treacherous path to recognize what they are doing, why they must reconsider and change, or perish! In taking the route(s) I have, I have proven beyond doubt who is responsible for and on whose shoulders Fairfield Unitings problems rest.

Is it me who rocks-up to church and verbally bullies people? Is it me who slanders family and church members? Is it me who tells people they are not welcome at church and to leave?

“Do not compromise” said Rev. Kava, again he is correct. Compromise is what too many of us have done for too long at Fairfield Uniting. What I now also know is Presbytery is guilty of this as well; they have understood for many years about existing, and looming, problems (at Fairfield Uniting) and have made some curious 'decisions' which, for all intense and purposes, seems to be mostly to sit on their hands, the fence and ask for things to be done which leave the issues in place and make 'the problems' worse. Synod and the Assembly, well, they just don't seem to care.

Rev. Kava had another point to make, I thought it a cracker. He said, “to overcome your enemy make him your friend”. A classic statement for the simple reason it defines what I have often been employed to do in the industries within which I work. “Fire fighting” is an expression some have used to describe what I have done and, whilst the requirement to “put out the fire(s)” has often been why I was inserted it has always proven important, in each of those situations, to 'win over the enemy by making h/er/im my friend'.

What is so frustrating about Fairfield Uniting is that 'the issues' in contention have absolutely smashed long standing friendships. Many of those who have left, unhappy, Fairfield Uniting are people and direct family members with whom my family have grown up with, with some family ties being several generations in length. The Solifoni family were welcomed along with many others into an existing Fairfield Uniting congregation 'maybe' sixteen years ago, what's happened there?

So, within a 'Christian environment', Fairfield Uniting Church, friends have become enemies. How is that possible? Can friends who have become enemies, once again, become friends? The answer lays in understanding forgiveness and what that may mean in the context of Fairfield Uniting. The lack of thought, consideration and an un-willingness**, by the entire Fairfield Uniting Church council, to consider the importance of their actions and their failings in suing for peace and forgiveness is the sin standing between Fairfield Uniting growing as a church – in more than numbers of attendees – into a church based on the Christian principle of loving your neighbours, enemies, those in need or seeking spiritual guidance.

Making an enemy a friend in my business dealings firstly required me understanding why they were, or had become, an enemy of the company. It needs to be understood, in the context of Fairfield Uniting, I would appear to be the enemy and yet, I have no animosity toward those who see me as such. Curious ain't it. Cranky I am, at each of them, of that there is not much doubt, but that's it. If there is one thing I do know it is, if the Fairfield Uniting Church Elder/Councillors do not address their problems I will not be their judge. My anger and frustration, with the Elders and Church Councillors, is the knowledge they may suddenly find they are in the position of not being able to rectify their wrongs and as a result will be brought to account by the one who will judge us all.

In truth that has already happened: several of those long standing members, who have been pushed away and out of Fairfield Uniting are no longer with us; no longer can they be asked for or grant forgiveness. That is very sad and is quite likely to be repeated.

Another of Rev. Kava's points follows; “when anger lingers in the (your) heart it poisons all you do” Nothing could be closer to the truth and I know this at a very personal/family level. That experience is one of the main drivers behind what I am doing right now, and in writing these posts. I get very angry on occasions, for differing reasons, but in the main it is almost always to do when I see another person doing something wrong toward another or, in a business environment, if dangers or safety, too personnel is ignored.

Being very open now, I must say, Fairfield Uniting makes me very angry on occasions for 'spiritual safety' reasons. The actions of the Elder and Church Councillors, toward me, my family, the congregation and others, is putting their salvation in danger and they, for some inexplicable reason, cannot see that fact. Why?

These posting are a reflection of my anger: having exhausted so many other avenues to 'bring Fairfield Uniting's leaders to their senses' and having been unsuccessful due to their un-willingness** I have chosen to 'vent my spleen' and record the pain. Maybe that will cause some reflection on their behalf, maybe it might lead another to intervene and make them see the error of their ways. Who knows what tomorrow may bring ;-)

Does anger poison what you do? Yes and no I would answer; Cyanide is recognized as a poison but it is used in medicines as are other chemicals and compounds. Anger in a person can serve to bring focus and this is the case with me; anger does not frighten me as it does others and when I feel anger, even to the point of rage, I know I need to check myself and ask why.

As applied to Fairfield Uniting my anger/rage is also against the injustices metered out by our Elders and Church Councillors. eg. The unjustified attack on Judith, the forcing of Ruth (and others) out of the church, the physical, verbal/slanderous bullying experienced, all make me angry. However, all of the problems which currently plague Fairfield Uniting can be laid squarely at the feet of the Elders and Church councillors/family members who have allowed their anger to poison their thoughts and have controlled their actions at church, and beyond, for a long time and, include those laid bare in my posts.

“Are you quick to condemn or forgive?” asked Rev. Kava.

A question we all need to direct to ourselves before applying it to others. I know exactly what it would take for me to forgive Fairfield Uniting's Edlers and Church Councillors, Presbytery, Synod and Assembly leaders, for all they have done or not done in relation to the matters I, and others, have endured and highlighted.

Focusing on Fairfield though, do David & Pat Tweed, Foni, Rachael and Ma'ata know what they need to do to be forgiven? I wonder? Who, in 'maintaining his rage' has fought to have the 'wrongs righted' and, who, in 'maintaining their rage' have collectively sought to continue their hurtful, selfish, vindictive, slander, 'exclusinistic' control of the Fairfield Uniting Church and congregation?

For 'enemies', at Fairfield Uniting, to become friends again rest entirely in understanding the answers to the immediately previous questions and understanding just how Fairfield Uniting has arrived to the point where those questions need to be answered.

Rev. Kava's sermon had a more subtle message which I understood to indicate if you try and correct a (persons) wrongs and they fail to listen or correct their 'miss-deeds' then it is no longer 'your fault'. It was a fleeting reference which I may have miss-understood but it was very similar to a comment Rev. Lunney once made, directly to me. In Rev. Lunney's case it was in response to a comment of mine about having to carry others burdens. Rev. Lunney's inference was clear: to him, I had made my point, got nowhere and should therefore walk away. I was appalled, then I felt enormous disappointment. Here was a clear indication that the hurt and damage wrought at Fairfield Uniting should be just simply ignored & “passed by”. I think Rev. Kava's reasoning is somewhat different.

**I am going to float one last argument I this post. We know Fairfield Uniting 'problems' continue as a direct result of the actions of the Elders and Church Councillors. The responsibilities of Uniting Church Elders and Church Councillors are well documented and (in theory) understood. So why is it that we do not see those attributes reflected in Fairfield Uniting's Elders and Church Councillors working towards a solution. 'Fighting corporate fires', rebuilding co-operation and trust with the aim of improving the business environment is often about loss! Who loses what and how much.

Negotiators talk about 'win win' etc. 'Win win' is another way of saying, reduce the loss. Once there is a joint understanding of who loses what and how much, solutions are often found. When no solution 'can' be found there exists a loss which has not been addressed, not been tabled for consideration/discussion; often deliberately. That is what we face at Fairfield Uniting.

David and Pat Tweed have an arena of losses to face and the Solifoni's have similar problems multiplied by several distinctly proprietary personal issues. When each of those individuals are prepared to willingly face 'those demons' then it will be possible to find the solutions sought and for them to ask for and, be forgiven. Then also, Fairfield Uniting will be able to move forward as a Christian community.

I close with; having delivered his sermon Rev. Kava concluded it by asking the entire congregation to read allowed, with him, a paraphrased version of Romans 12:9-21. It was a brilliant way to conclude his poignant and strongly delivered message. It had the power, if taken on board, to bring about a substantial re-think in the Fairfield Uniting congregation. Will it?

I thank Rev. Kava for his considered, forthright approach and I look forward to what he might be instrumental in achieving at Fairfield Uniting.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

Romans 12:21

(King James version)