Vindicated, but sad to see LEC goI'd like to thank Willamette Week and Janine Robben for their continued attention to the financial dilemma of Living Enrichment Center. It is indeed NOT a very spiritual practice to borrow money from the congregation and then skip out on the bill. Even though I was personally banned from Living Enrichment Center in 1999, when I was 23-years-old, for voicing my suspicions regarding the finances, I am sad to know that things have turned out so badly and that apparently Living Enrichment Center is no more (I recently heard Mary resigned). There is a sense of vindication, of course, but it would've been better to have not needed a sense of vindication. It would’ve been better had LEC fulfilled its promise and potential. I remember attending a staff meeting where Mary talked about the wonderful influence we were going to have on the world, the message of love and tolerance we’d bring to the planet. What has become of those wonderful intentions? Where did they go? There was an era of my employment and attendance of services at Living Enrichment Center where everything seemed ideal. The grounds in Wilsonville were beautiful, the message of the ministry uplifting and supportive, the Living Bookends Bookstore otherworldly and soothing, the Cristofori school inspiring. I met many, many wonderful and interesting people who were either on staff, were guest speakers, or who attended spiritual retreats. Many such people are still important in my life to this day. In fact, it was at Living Enrichment Center that I met the best friend I’ve ever had. Of course, after Mary banned me she also forbade all her staff from associating with me, and therefore any gratitude toward Mary in this regard seems unjustified. (My friend, obviously, defied Mary’s command, risking his job by remaining my friend.) But still, I remain grateful for certain aspects of LEC. It was very disillusioning for me when I found out that LEC did not carry through with what it promised and that as soon as one questioned authority they had to be gotten rid of. (There are many examples of this happening. I recently ran into a former member of the Board of Directors who didn’t even want to talk about LEC.) It has taken me a few years to come to terms with my disillusionment, so I can understand what many congregants are currently going through. My heart goes out to them. The lesson that I took from my experience is that the messenger should never be more important than the message. On a more practical level, I hope those who donated or loaned their lifesavings will be able to get by. Thank you again, Willamette Week and Janine Robben, for your continued attention to this unfolding saga. —Andrew Parodi

 

The Enriching QuizI found your articles to be extremely negative, sarcastic and angry. Instead of writing about the facts you have some type of resentment towards the church and Mary. I was looking for news on this subject and unfortunately I got your articles. You have succeeded into turning this sad situation into a joke. A joke at the congregations expense. Are you trying to be like Andy Rooney? I find your way off the mark. —Julie Heinricy

 

Repayment of LoansIt is wonderful that the church is filled with loving and kind people, but it still does not make the loans go away.Now that Mary has resigned and both the church and she are filing for bankruptcy, there is little hope of people getting their money back. I have friends who have given up on expecting repayment. When will a criminal investigation be held? Pride comes before the fall and this has been a big fall! —Former member

 

Repayment of LoansMorrissey said she was going to have talks and meetings to raise money to pay back the congregrates who loaned her or the church money. The weekend program that she is sponsoring this weekend, states that the money will be used for her legal expenses. Where is money to pay the loans going to come from? Is this another lie by Morrissey?—Former Congregator

 

mary m morrisseythere are many of us out there that would like updates on the financial outcomes to the demise of Living Enrichment Center/mary manin morrissey's reign.—