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Novus Spiritus - Delaware Breaks AwayWhy the Delaware branch of Novus Spiritus left the fold.
BackgroundThis article documents yet another branch of Sylvia Browne's church, the Society of Novus Spiritus (SNS) disassociating itself both from Browne and from the Society. The article will be of interest primarily to current and former SNS members, but others may be interested in this peek into the church's attempts to control its members and ministers. The StoryIn November of 2004, the new Society of Novus Spiritus - Delaware branch held its first service. Less than three years later, despite a reported average attendance of 40-45 congregants every Sunday, the Delaware branch disassociated itself with Sylvia Browne and with SNS. Nancy Williams, the minister of the Delaware church, announced her resignation from SNS in this email, sent to all SNS ministers. Letter to the Board
Although the letter avoids mentioning the reasons behind Williams' leaving the organization, I have been told that this was something Williams had discussed with her congregation at great length, and that the congregation as a whole made the decision to break away from SNS. One member of the Delaware church has shared some of the reasons with me - confirming what other ex-SNS members had communicated to me as well: Williams and her congregation were, quite simply, tired of the SNS board and its demands. Some examples:
There is more, but (as I understand it), bottom line, the Delaware congregation felt that the SNS board was being controlling and more concerned with making money than with the philosophy they supposedly promoted. Letter From the BoardA week after Williams' letter, the SNS board sent out the following to all SNS ministers (emphasis mine):
(NOTE: In SNS, "Azna" and "Om" are the names for "mother god" and "father god.") I have been told by several people that Williams was well known and respected in the SNS community, that there were a lot of people wondering why she left the organization, and that this email was the board's attempt at "damage control." The statement I highlighted in the board's letter was seen by many as a slap to Williams and Seacrist, insinuating that they had not "honored their commitment." Williams' ResponseWilliams wrote the following response, sent to all ministers (emphasis hers):
This reads to me as though Williams is using Browne's own writings to show that the board is not necessarily living up to its own philosophy. AnalysisAlthough more subtle and indirect than the letters announcing the breakaway of the Canadian branch, these letters from the Delaware branch seem to also indicate an opinion that SNS as an organization is more interested in controlling its members and making money than in anyone's "spiritual growth." ConclusionAlthough multiple ex-SNS members shared the information with me which I have included with the above letters, I am interested in hearing any other versions of the story that anyone would care to send. If Nancy Williams, Kathy Seacrist or members of the SNS board have any pertinent statements they wish added to this story, I would be glad to place them in this article. NOTE (added Dec 14 2007): Rev. Williams has provided me with a statement, which can be read in Novus Spiritus: Delaware Breaks Away (Part 2). It should be noted that many of the ex-SNS people who have contacted me continue to follow the Gnostic principals on which SNS claims it is based. They no longer believe in Browne's abilities, nor in the Society as an organization (particularly the board), but continue on a Gnostic "spiritual path" without them. The Delaware branch is evidently going to do just that. I have been told that they will be continuing to meet and study together, without worrying about what the SNS Board thinks. Who knows, they might even study books not written by Sylvia Browne... My thanks to the ex-NS members who shared the above information with me. Related LinksClicking on any of these links will load a separate browser window for viewing the linked page. StopSylviaBrowne.com is not responsible for the content of any of these linked pages.
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