HOW DOES/DID THE ASSEMBLY TREAT WIDOWS?

[Eulaha L. Long]

I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.  How does/did the Assembly treat widows?  There are some verses in the NT that talk about how the church is to take care of widows, but I have never heard of any instances of practicality as far as the Assembly is concerned.  Are there any ladies out there who would like to share your stories?

[Oscar]

I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.  How does/did the Assembly treat widows?  There are some verses in the NT that talk about how the church is to take care of widows, but I have never heard of any instances of practicality as far as the Assembly is concerned.  Are there any ladies out there who would like to share your stories?

Ulaha,

In the NT days widows were either supported by their families, or they had to beg.  Frequently, a widow would be rejected by her family for joining the "evil Christians" and rejecting the family tradition.  So, the church sometimes stepped in and supported its widows.

Nowadays, in the West, Social Security  and welfare programs keep most people from being reduced to such straits.  In other parts of the world, churches frequently still support their widows.

In my own church, we have a monthly work day for widows/sick/old people.  They call an office and list maintenence that needs doing on thier homes, and men from the church spend a saturday doing it.

Blessings,

Tom

[Margaret]

In the beginning, it looked as if the Assembly cared for widows. Sister Pearl Moraitis was helped by many of the saints until her death. This was very encouraging to other widows, like my mother, Sister Mayo, who thought that the Assembly would be a refuge for them in their old age. That didn't last long, however. Sister Marguerite Harrison was used by George to introduce him to contacts, and then she was cast aside and sent away to her family.

My mother was used by George financially to provide the Woodcrest House and the House of Prayer, as well as many smaller contributions like buying the chairs for the Assembly when it first met at Hillcrest. George made her one of the first workers, and had a beautiful document painted for her by Rand Bates and signed by all the workers when she retired from the work due to her advanced age.

When the time came that she was no longer to live alone in her apartment, Betty considered having her move into their house. She said to me, "Your mother has never had her will crossed in her life. I would love to get my hands on her and teach her to go the way of the cross."  So elderly widows were to be treated just like the rest of us who lived in brothers and sisters houses.

But it was about this time that Steve and I were beginning to have a serious struggle with George about our son, Lee, so it was decided to move the brothers out of our house and let my mom live with us.

When Steve and I left the Assembly, my mom became anathema along with us, and George never spoke to her again, although she was still in fellowship. He had no further use for her because he thought she had nothing more to contribute financially. It broke her heart. She was suffering with Alzheimers, and couldn't understand why she was forsaken by everyone and not allowed to attend meetings.

I have heard that Buel Bonner was helped in her later years in the 1990's, and I suspect it had to do with hoping she would leave money to the Assembly in her will.

So much for caring for widows.

[Uh Oh]

So not only is George an adulterer, a con man, an embezzeler and a tax evader, but he also preyed upon the elderly for his own financial well being as well.  No doubt there are more stories out there like this.

What a swell guy.  West LA ought to eat bread off of his stomach this next weekend.

[Eulaha L. Long]

In the beginning, it looked as if the Assembly cared for widows. Sister Pearl Moraitis was helped by many of the saints until her death. This was very encouraging to other widows, like my mother, Sister Mayo, who thought that the Assembly would be a refuge for them in their old age. That didn't last long, however. Sister Marguerite Harrison was used by George to introduce him to contacts, and then she was cast aside and sent away to her family.

My mother was used by George financially to provide the Woodcrest House and the House of Prayer, as well as many smaller contributions like buying the chairs for the Assembly when it first met at Hillcrest. George made her one of the first workers, and had a beautiful document painted for her by Rand Bates and signed by all the workers when she retired from the work due to her advanced age.

When the time came that she was no longer to live alone in her apartment, Betty considered having her move into their house. She said to me, "Your mother has never had her will crossed in her life. I would love to get my hands on her and teach her to go the way of the cross."  So elderly widows were to be treated just like the rest of us who lived in brothers and sisters houses.

But it was about this time that Steve and I were beginning to have a serious struggle with George about our son, Lee, so it was decided to move the brothers out of our house and let my mom live with us.

When Steve and I left the Assembly, my mom became anathema along with us, and George never spoke to her again, although she was still in fellowship. He had no further use for her because he thought she had nothing more to contribute financially. It broke her heart. She was suffering with Alzheimers, and couldn't understand why she was forsaken by everyone and not allowed to attend meetings.

I have heard that Buel Bonner was helped in her later years in the 1990's, and I suspect it had to do with hoping she would leave money to the Assembly in her will.

So much for caring for widows.

Margaret,

Thanks so much for sharing your story!