A (probably overdue) Introduction

[Father Rick]

I know my entrance into CCC has been a bit rocky... so I figured I'd back up a bit and introduce myself to those of you who I don't know already.

First, I'm Father Rick (actually, it's Monsignor Abbot Rick but I'm not one to get hung up on titles). I am the pastor of St. Thomas More Old Catholic Church, and am a priest in the Old Catholic Church of North America. For those who don't know who/what Old Catholics (OC's) are-- we separated from Rome at Vatican I (even though still recognized by the RCC) and are actually closer to the Anglicans than the Romans, with a dollop of EO spirituality thrown in. While there are a wide range of OC's, from very liberal to very conservative (like with the Anglicans) my jurisdiction is one of the more conservative. The areas we are considered "liberal" is that 1) we allow the ordination of women and 2) we consider birth control a matter of personal conscience. My particular parish is also rather Charismatic-- so some consider that "liberal". You can find out more info about me on my church's website www.saintthomasmorechurch.com, as well as the Order of St. Michael the Archangel website www.orderofsaintmichael.org. I have a M.Div., and am completing a 2nd M.A. which I deliberately stacked in counseling/psychology.

Outside of the "religious stuff", I've been married for 11 years, and while we have had no biological children we have been foster parents to 18 children. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 bird (did have 2 birds), and I joke that I'm trying to start my own ark.

I'm an icecream-aholic. My favorite TV shows are CSI, CSI:Miami and all the Law and Orders. Other than those, I usually watch court shows, Discovery/TLC, or BBC America (Gotta love Hyacinth Bucket's Royal Doulton with hand-painted periwinkles).

I've been on staff here on Foru.ms in one capacity or another for about 2 of the past 3 years-- Ecumenical Team, Ministry Team, Pastoral (now Chaplaincy) Team... and am in the final bit of moving to the Recovery Team (just waiting for the coding) at Erwin's suggestion specifically to help with BeMi as well as the other forums there since I have significance experience/training in that area.

I know there have been lots of accusations of joining CCC just for "political motives". Well, that's partially correct. I admitted at the beginning that, while I have always qualified to be a member of CCC, I only chose to exercise the right of joining here when I felt it became necessary... since false information was being presented that I felt should be refuted. And, since I'm a bit of a stickler for the rules, I wasn't going to start any full on debate/refutation of such unless I did so the right way-- as a member of the forum. I'm not the type to play games and "sneak around" to do things... so if I'm going to address something, I'm going to do it head on.

After being invited to come here, then trying to refute junk that was being said... I ran into some of my "old friends" from around the forum that I havent' seen in a bit.. such as jtbdad and Simon Templar-- posters who I have always respected and enjoyed chatting with. So I figured it might be a good thing to stick around a bit and catch up. Hopefully, I'll make a few other friends along the way.

Blessings!

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Nice to meet you Father Rick. Thanks for helping us get to know you better.

 

[free2be]

Hi Fr Rick! Thanks for that introduction of yourself...I look forward to posting with you.

 

[Simon_Templar]

Welcome Fr. Rick

 

[ContentInHim]

Father Rick! I met you last winter at the home when I picked Quaffer up for a weekend off. How've you been?

 

[Father Rick]

Father Rick! I met you last winter at the home when I picked Quaffer up for a weekend off. How've you been?

Hey!

I see you've changed your username.

Things are going well! I'm assuming you know that Quaff moved.

Blessings!

 

[Rhamiel]

Nice to have you here Rick, I have seen you around before but I do not think we have talked a lot, hope to see you around here more and that we get to know each other

 

[ContentInHim]

Hey!

I see you've changed your username.

Things are going well! I'm assuming you know that Quaff moved.

Blessings!

I did and I did! Looks like she's acclimating to the midwest.

I had changed the password to my old name on purpose to something I wouldn't remember and now I can't remember it.

Father Rick was VERY helpful to me when I posted regularly in Spirit-filled/Pentecostal! I regularly got steamrolled about healing! Have since had some healing!

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Welcome, Father Rick.

I can only apologise for how rocky a start you've had here CC really is a lovely place normally.

Anyway, you're a very welcome addition.

 

[Rhamiel]

I find it interesting that a lot of people are putting up these "get to know me" threads, not that I do not want you here or am trying to scare you off but I think a more organic way is just start posting and partisipating in fellowship and we will get to know you the old fashioned way.
A better idea would be start a thread about a topic you like and we can all talk about it and get to know you.

 

[BelindaP]

Well, my motivation for starting one was to let people understand my motivations for wanting to join because I knew there would be suspicions. I'd much rather get it all out in one thread than have the off-hand comments and such for the next six months.

 

[Hentenza]

I know my entrance into CCC has been a bit rocky... so I figured I'd back up a bit and introduce myself to those of you who I don't know already.

First, I'm Father Rick (actually, it's Monsignor Abbot Rick but I'm not one to get hung up on titles). I am the pastor of St. Thomas More Old Catholic Church, and am a priest in the Old Catholic Church of North America. For those who don't know who/what Old Catholics (OC's) are-- we separated from Rome at Vatican I (even though still recognized by the RCC) and are actually closer to the Anglicans than the Romans, with a dollop of EO spirituality thrown in. While there are a wide range of OC's, from very liberal to very conservative (like with the Anglicans) my jurisdiction is one of the more conservative. The areas we are considered "liberal" is that 1) we allow the ordination of women and 2) we consider birth control a matter of personal conscience. My particular parish is also rather Charismatic-- so some consider that "liberal". You can find out more info about me on my church's website www.saintthomasmorechurch.com, as well as the Order of St. Michael the Archangel website www.orderofsaintmichael.org. I have a M.Div., and am completing a 2nd M.A. which I deliberately stacked in counseling/psychology.

Outside of the "religious stuff", I've been married for 11 years, and while we have had no biological children we have been foster parents to 18 children. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 bird (did have 2 birds), and I joke that I'm trying to start my own ark.

I'm an icecream-aholic. My favorite TV shows are CSI, CSI:Miami and all the Law and Orders. Other than those, I usually watch court shows, Discovery/TLC, or BBC America (Gotta love Hyacinth Bucket's Royal Doulton with hand-painted periwinkles).

I've been on staff here on Foru.ms in one capacity or another for about 2 of the past 3 years-- Ecumenical Team, Ministry Team, Pastoral (now Chaplaincy) Team... and am in the final bit of moving to the Recovery Team (just waiting for the coding) at Erwin's suggestion specifically to help with BeMi as well as the other forums there since I have significance experience/training in that area.

I know there have been lots of accusations of joining CCC just for "political motives". Well, that's partially correct. I admitted at the beginning that, while I have always qualified to be a member of CCC, I only chose to exercise the right of joining here when I felt it became necessary... since false information was being presented that I felt should be refuted. And, since I'm a bit of a stickler for the rules, I wasn't going to start any full on debate/refutation of such unless I did so the right way-- as a member of the forum. I'm not the type to play games and "sneak around" to do things... so if I'm going to address something, I'm going to do it head on.

After being invited to come here, then trying to refute junk that was being said... I ran into some of my "old friends" from around the forum that I havent' seen in a bit.. such as jtbdad and Simon Templar-- posters who I have always respected and enjoyed chatting with. So I figured it might be a good thing to stick around a bit and catch up. Hopefully, I'll make a few other friends along the way.

Blessings!

A warm welcome to CC.

I look forward to getting to know you.

 

[Father Rick]

I find it interesting that a lot of people are putting up these "get to know me" threads, not that I do not want you here or am trying to scare you off but I think a more organic way is just start posting and partisipating in fellowship and we will get to know you the old fashioned way.
A better idea would be start a thread about a topic you like and we can all talk about it and get to know you.

Well... I agree that would be the best way. However, I felt that since there were numerous false statements made about me, my beliefs, my motives, etc. I could either go and file a bunch of reports refuting all the misinformation... or I could just start a thread like this so people could hear "from the horse's mouth" who I am and why I joined.

Well, my motivation for starting one was to let people understand my motivations for wanting to join because I knew there would be suspicions. I'd much rather get it all out in one thread than have the off-hand comments and such for the next six months.

Exactly

 

[Latreia]

Recommend reading in Staff Appeals for more down-to-earth revelations.

IMHO

 

[Nadiine]

Well... I agree that would be the best way. However, I felt that since there were numerous false statements made about me, my beliefs, my motives, etc. I could either go and file a bunch of reports refuting all the misinformation... or I could just start a thread like this so people could hear "from the horse's mouth" who I am and why I joined.


Exactly

And AGAIN you're pointing to your case without the other party being here to STATE THE OPPOSITE. Again you use this platform to preach your 'mistreatment' - I find this absolutely terrible and it speaks volumes to me.
As I said, EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE, the way you are doing this is very telling to me. When the man isn't here & able to present a case.
We don't even do this in courts of law.

Timing once again - get those digs in while he's not present or able to speak a word of defense or provide HIS proof of the case.

I think I've learned all I need to learn from just this alone.

 

[Nadiine]

and is somebody like a moderator going to do something about these? I don't know enough of the rules to know if it's not allowed.
This should be deleted until Time can speak in his own defense.

If I were him, I'd be jumping out of my skin to read this stuff against me while my hands are tied behind my back and a gag around my mouth.

 

[Father Rick]

Nadiine...

I deliberately didn't mention any names... and in fact, there is more than one person who has maligned my motives here, not just the one to whom you are referring.

Would you prefer that I report ever occurrence where I was the one who was being maligned when I wasn't a member here (and therefore unable to defend myself?)... which would only serve to have even more negative things said (and possibly disciplinary action) without the other party being there?

I sought to address the issue in the most benign manner possible. Why do you seek to turn this into yet another battle?

 

[Nadiine]

Nadiine...

I deliberately didn't mention any names... and in fact, there is more than one person who has maligned my motives here, not just the one to whom you are referring.

Would you prefer that I report ever occurrence where I was the one who was being maligned when I wasn't a member here (and therefore unable to defend myself?)... which would only serve to have even more negative things said (and possibly disciplinary action) without the other party being there?

I sought to address the issue in the most benign manner possible. Why do you seek to turn this into yet another battle?

It isn't I who have chosen to make these statements right now, I'm simply reacting to what they say.

In the other thread, you did give the specific name - it isn't too hard to follow this & who you're talking about.
Further, that other post only mentioned ONE NAME - not more than one.

This should all be done when the absent party is able to speak and no sooner.

Also, like Rhamiel mentioned, its not even necessary to make threads like this -- to prove "motive"... you can't PROVE your motive either way - that's something that is proved out over time.
I can no more know the sincerety of anyone's claims of motive than I can make my own rocket ship & fly to the moon. lol
Motives are proven out in time. It boils down to if people want to extend trust or if they don't feel safe to trust that and remain apprehensive.

So basically even trying to defend & explain that doesn't solve the issue; namely for skeptics who need the evidence that comes later by example.

This place is just a hotbed right now - but I strongly dislike seeing this issue dredged up unfairly; the timing is beyond poor.

 

[BelindaP]

Nadiine, I think we need to back away and try to assume the best motivations of one another. The drama is never going to end until we all decide to stop discussing it.

 

[Nadiine]

Nadiine, I think we need to back away and try to assume the best motivations of one another. The drama is never going to end until we all decide to stop discussing it.

I'm actually wanting these posts of his defense removed. What is happening here is actually one of my worst pet peeves -and that's why I'm so angry.
The timing of this is horrific and unfair. It's like going to court all by yourself, presenting the public with all your evidence against somebody & making statements about what they did wrong;
then having the judge bang the gavel in your favor without the other person being there to make a peep to explain anything. It also causes others who may not know the other person to think Ill of them or negatively.
(providing a Bias).

Yes, I'm angry. I have a hard time giving a benefit of a doubt when the timing is so coincidentally or conveniently poor?
I know you know Frick and youre trying to support him - but I'm Time's friend and I'm being his mouth since he can't speak here.