Again the Pendergasts try to pleasantly deal with the attack on them. They reasonably ask for the details of what they have done wrong but are unable to get the details. As mentioned many times it would take a year to find the problem was a single email sent to an Elder - Denise Chaulk - a friend to Barry & Jennifer.

From: Barry Pendergast <barrypendergast@shaw.ca>
Date: Sun Sep 21, 2003 7:32:51 AM US/Pacific
To: kpaj.phillips@shaw.ca
Subject: Meeting With Elders

Kevin & the Elders
Thank you for your request for a meeting on Monday evening with the non-pastoral elders. We must politely decline as Jennifer’s sister, who she hasn’t seen for four years, is in town and they have a unique and special love for each other though they live miles apart. Special events are planned for this week. As you know we are also both extremely busy work-wise for at least several weeks - Jennifer with preparing for upcoming teaching and my getting information ready for my trip with Jack Neufeld to visit a number of museum projects in the US.

 The wording of your email is somewhat confusing. To date the only elders with whom Jennifer and I have had communication are you, Marg Cumberlin, and Jim Wallace. I am of course referring to the meeting that we had recently. Your email indicates that there are other concerns or issues that have been discussed by the elders of which we have not been made aware.

 We have contributed significantly to this church in the past eight years and have received great joy from our participation. If the elders as a whole have any issues with the manner in which Jennifer and I have conducted ourselves in any of our church affairs, we would ask that we be extended the courtesy of an opportunity to address those issues in a reasonable manner. Your last minute demand for a meeting is not reasonable nor can it conceivably be as urgent as you suggest.

 As I said on the phone we would appreciate getting more detail about any specific concerns you have in writing ahead of any meeting so that we can prepare accordingly. In the meantime, if individual Elders have questions or special concerns, we invite them to give us a call or email and we will do our best to respond in a timely fashion.

 We regret that we cannot comply with your demands at the moment but will be happy to cooperate in any way possible when our schedules have eased up a bit. Could you also please ensure that all future correspondence by you and any Elders who participate in decisions about us are fully identified by their signatures on a printed copy.

We both appreciate your consideration. Have a great Sunday with you family!

Barry & Jennifer