6th January 2006

This was a painting commissioned by the church staff to thank the elders pastors for the 'difficult' times they were having in mid 2004 with the Pendergast situation. When the painting was unveiled by Pastor Wallace mid 2004 some of the congregation felt the painting was oppressively evil. We understand the painting is now hung in the Fireside Room at South Calgary Community Church.

The artist is Sharon Williams a very talented artist and also a member of the South Calgary Community Church. Quite what directions were given by the staff to Sharon are unknown but she claimed her hand was directed by God in creating this painting.

The Pendergasts felt there was an unhealthy preoccupation and obsession about being under an ever present spiritual attack. They found that the pastors and elders used it to deflect legitimate comments about their own behaviour. It was always "your ministeries are under attack" - Barry & Jennifer had no doubt about where the attack was coming from. When the Pendergasts saw the painting the first time at an evening service they were shocked. Barry remembers having to avert his eyes from the projected image. Accounts of the way the painting was introduced in the morning service describe most the elders were very emotional and some crying when they saw it.

Barry & Jennifer also remember the sinister way the elders 'played out' the scene in the painting at the last service they attended in 2004. Elders fell on their knees on the right side of the altar while 5 men linked arms and faced the congregation in some form of show protection.

One mature Christian couple related to the Pendergasts that had been with the church many years and came back from a spell away and said they felt a evil atmosphere in the church. They left soon after.

After the strange circumstances of stepping down as chaiman of the elders in late 2002, Denise Chaulk related to the Pendergasts and others, in September 2003 how she went through a very difficult and disturbing period. Denise was visibly lacking her normal bounce and enthusiasm during this period and seemed upset that few questioned why she was so down. She described part of the experience as looking over the edge and down into the "pit". It was clearly a very disturbing experience. What professional help she received during this period is unknown. However shortly after relating these experiences to Barry & Jennifer she returned to the elder board and took part in the attack on the Pendergasts. Up to this point the Pendergasts had had a reasonably friendly relationship with Wayne and Denise Chaulk, after meeting in the early 90's at the now defunct South Calgary christian Fellowship.

Was this painting a reflection of this sense of evil in the church? We would appreciate the view point of visitors to this site - what reaction does this painting evoke?

One ex member of the congregation also commented :

"the church leadership used Sharon's art (and maybe Sharon) to promote a sense within the congregation of being under attack.

Sharon's claims to have been guided by God in creating the piece would have made it more than art. It would have taken on a prophetic dimension and, as such, could be used strengthen their position. My personal opinion is that Sharon and several other women in the church who claim to have special prophetic powers have been manipulated for years to provide the leadership with a supernatural aura.

I don't think that all of it is innocent either since at times they appear to enjoy the special attention that they have received (which is part of the manipulation)."