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The Mustard Seed/ Edmonton: Reinstate Maria Lutz

The Mustard Seed/ Edmonton: Reinstate Maria Lutz

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This petition has been created by johnny L. and may not represent the views of the Avaaz community.
johnny L.
started this petition to
The Mustard Seed/ Edmonton
Maria has been with the Mustard Seed for more than 16 possibly 18 years. (Unable to confirm from Maria herself) She is (was) the rock of this Edmonton organization for the poverty stricken and homeless. Maria is well loved by everyone and we have started a neighborhood petition but I would like to make sure the powers that be truly hear and get the message. That "we" the community members and staff will not tolerate this wonderful woman who has put so much of herself, life and love into caring for the poor , to simply be pushed aside.

We are unsure as to the details behind Maria’s dismissal because nobody is talking and the staff has explicitly been told not to speak to anyone on the matter. But because of the fact so many of us know her, and know that on occasion she has had to bump heads with corporate heads in Calgary on behalf of the volunteers regarding the working conditions.

We believe that that is the case here. Plus the new manager of the Seed had stated at a volunteer meeting that they “gave her plenty of opportunity to change”, but she would not so he had to let her go. Then at this same meeting, there were the announcements that there would no longer be any more “Community Volunteers”. But that we would have to sign up to a program with many signed waivers, mandatory multi-station placements, random and semi-monthly drug tests. They even said that you don’t have to be a believer to volunteer there but they are making everyone sign their “Statement of Faith” as well as a… MANDATORY BIBLE STUDY ATTENDANCE!!! (The dark ages have returned)

You may read more on the Facebook page I created entitled “Reinstate Maria” @...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reinstate-Maria/1472803936363053
or: if you already have a F.B account, just go to "Reinstate Maria".

During that meeting, a volunteer got up in the middle of it and walked out even before learning the full scope of this mockery of love… It may seems, that even the new pastor who was to start Sunday services again at the Seed suddenly up and disappeared about the same time Maria was fired…. Hmmmm, curious huh?

Read a more complete read-up on my Website @.... {frank opinions of a Jesus freak}
https://www.johnnyleeluvsJesus.blogspot.ca

It is also my understanding that for the last volunteer appreciation party, the head office wanted to do away with the appreciation certificates and pins all together. And apparently now this is true if you don’t tow the line and join “their” program.

They have a new head manager for the Edmonton, Alberta branch of the Mustard Seed. His name is Mario and I've heard that he had a big hand in having Maria L. fired. Well I say this is the "gentleman" who should be fired for trying to turn a home, a place of comfort and safety into a place of business and sterile love.

There are a great deal of community members who are very upset at this horrible news, as well as our part-time volunteers and staff members. Tears have been shed over the loss of our great friend and light of Jesus Christ in this dark part of a great city. So please add your voice to ours and help us fight the powers that be to get our loved one back to where she belongs. On the front lines with all the resources and authority she deserves to care for the least of these.

UPDATE:
Yesterday, Friday July 17th. there was this meeting of the staff and the corporate heads told them
"NOT" to discuss the matter with any of the community members, even though they were not made aware of the reasons for letting Maria go. Which by law is right… but why have a meeting to discuss not discussing something they don't know is down right disgusting, don't you think?

Regardless of the reasons, Maria is greatly loved there. and if she did anything wrong or not, she deserves to be forgiven by this Christian organization. She deserves carry on helping and loving the people she was called to help. Which is what all any of us on and off the streets of Edmonton has ever seen of her do.

Even those Maria has had to ban from the building time to time wish her back. So fluff the corporates, and let’s get her back! I have been banned for life from the Mustard Seed because I refuse to say that they are valuable to me. As a Christian I hold nothing in this world of value. only my Lord Jesus and the kingdom of heaven is valuable. But according to Mario the Manager and volunteer coordinator Paul Thorne, I will never be allowed in their building until I verbally state that they are valuable to me. Which will never happen. (See fb page Reinstate Maria for backstory)... To the Hope Mission:I am writing to let you know that I am very disappointed with your staff and their behavior and attitude when it comes to those they profess to serve. I walked into the supper service and reported a man in distress on the corner of 97 street and 106th. avenue. I reported this information to Nathan and Megan who were standing at the front door engaged in witty banter with each other. unfortunately Nathan was completely dismissive and told me to call 211 myself. I told him I didn't have a phone, otherwise I would have called myself.
then Megan tried to pretend that she was concerned and asked where exactly this man was. Then as I left it was obvious they were not going to call as Nathan just smiled and laughed under his breath as I was walking away. I also noticed that they were not making any calls so I when to another staff member to explain the situation. that is when I noticed Megan and Nathan notice what I was doing. that is when I heard Megan's voice come over the radio bringing to attention this poor fellow left to sit in his own excrement on the side of the road.
Now your staff flirting around with each other, rather than doing their jobs is none of my concern. What is my concern is the fact that they don't give a shit about my people who are victims of a colonialist attitude that has driven and kept my people in the gutters time and time again. That also goes for another incident which I indent to leave for a story that I am working on. I don't care about any response because I don't expect any from your so called hope mission that only pretends to care as long as you get subsidies from the government. I'm just letting you know to expect stories coming out from a dirty low-life indian writer by the name of, well me.

it doesn't help with organizations like the Hope Mission and the Mustard Seed of Edmonton who take's everyone's money and does the very least amount to help the homeless while abusing them and feeding them substandard food and treating them like second class humans. Trust me, That's how they treat me.

oh ya, and they also keep employed there a fellow by the name of Edin Viso, a racially insensitive prick who laughs at indigenous issues. I've created a fb page dedicated mostly to this native hating white supremist... (Ban Cohen Corner Cafe)

johnny lee
sure this petition didn't go far but this is not the End. I will not stop until Mario and Paul thorne never subject the homeless to their power trips no more.

johnnyluv





Posted (Updated )