Recent large gathering of 'us stalwarts' Oct. 3-5 in Chicago

A blessed gathering (call it a convention) was attended Oct. 3-5, 2008 by scores of brethren who used to be LHMM adherents. It took place in Chicago. Brethren travelled from several states and from Canada.

For the first time since this current plague of turmoil sprung up in the LHMM, a gathering was organized for the 'outcasts'. (But wait, thinking on the root issues, aren't we really the STALWARTS?)

The overall climate among our group was encouraging. The reported number of individuals attending was 59.

This event was invaluable to offset the sad and perplexing experiences for many of us in recent years. Collectively we've endured a number of misdeeds by the current Executive Trustee and additionally those who have a mistaken sense of loyalty to him and his 'new views' on doctrine.

On the first day several brethren from the local Bible students attended. Though I personally didn't arrive in Chicago until day 2, the report I heard is that these brethren were welcomed in the same way as at previous LHMM conventions (under a different Executive Trustee).

I think it's important to mention that no particular individual either presented himself, nor was held up, as 'the leader' of the convention. A question meeting was given by a brother who has previously given question meetings at LHMM conventions (having been a long-time appointee up until two years ago).

There was nobody making overt or covert demands for allegiance. No one berated members of audience either directly or indirectly.

No one at the microphone insinuated that we must disfellowship unnamed individuals alluded to as 'a former brother who did such and such' (a tactic used by someone we all know).

So...

How did the brethren attending behave?

They spoke and acted the same way we're used to them doing for all the years we've known them.

In short it was very similar to any other convention as we've been used to attending. The IMMENSE VALUE of this will be understood by any who were accustomed to it prior to the time that things changed within the LHMM we used to know.