I would greatly appreciate a response that feels less like a playground rebuttal. If by hypocrisy you are referring to me mentioning your username whilst condemning referencing the names of others, then I apologise. I assume because the forum is public, any reference to a username is normal and doesn't directly impact the person being referenced as it doesn't use the real name and I don't have any desire to throw around someone's real name. If you would prefer private messages, that is fine. I would like to express my disappointment at the way the worst is always assumed immediately from what is posted. Titles like 'Shocking Alison Speirs Defence' seem to exist to generate shock value rather than actually try understand. I am very open to criticism but would prefer if i recieved it constructively with some explanation as opposed to theatrical oneliners or 'gotchas!'. This forum shouldn't involve itself with petty bickerings akin to those found in the church we unite in our aversion to.

Thanks.

Favourites repeated, just for the heck of it. We will no longer be controlled we had enough of that in the toxic Cedars school, What a total dump that was! commune and youth group run by big, big lamb chops.

LS, lambs aka big chops
E Mc K S
J H
K M
Wee DM
Wee EW
GMc K S
RJ for a season then stomped off to Greenock.

Please note many are not on this list as they were not and let's quote she who shall not be named, note Not Named!

"You have not died Died to my will"
" You are too independent"
" You need to have your thought life in
alighment with My Thoughts"
" Who do you think you are"?

Well ww are Independent.
We have our own thoughts.
We refuse to be controlled.
And who am l?
Well l am Mirmac son of big Mac and l never yielded to a person given authority that she should never have been given.
My granny was right when she said.
"The day someone says no to her is the day she will stomp off".
Well who would have thought Granny was right.

And remember what did Lawson ever do?
For that matter what did GMc K S ever do to have the absent wife?
Just sharing as we have a right to do here.
Adieu

Hi Anonanon welcome back to the forum.
I’m going to make a presumption from your posts and presume you are in the age group of those that were teachers in the school (about 40 -50) so not of the older generation.

You might think ‘does that matter’ but I believe it’s good to see all the different generations from older (55+) to the younger generations.
Why?
Because what we’ve had in the past was oh that was the 80’s or early 90s the church has changed just like society has changed. The way SMC was, was also reflected in society of the day, but now in naughties onwards it’s all change!
It’s got better….its now being brought into modern times.

We need to see that this is categorically not the case.
AS was a leader that spanned the generations in the school, in the youth meetings and in the Glasgow Church.
The leaders in the church allowed her to take that power and use it in an abusive manner. Very often turning younger generation against older generation.
Separating those who were unwilling to ‘obey’ her rules and those who were willing.

Anonanon said
‘AS, in fact she was probably responsible for most of the wronging.’

It’s good to hear someone probably of a couple of generations below the ‘older generation’ state that there was a problem with AS.

Anonanon said
‘We've all suffered at the hands of struthers.’
‘However, many regret being a part of such a system.’
‘You don't know where someone is at at this point in their lives. You don't know the thoughts they've had in the past or the treatment they've had’

Let’s look at what we have in common - suffering at the hands of struthers and also we don’t know the full story of what each of us have been through or how we’re truly coping today. We deal with trauma differently and we have different support systems.
I hope that you have a good support system around you.

But can I say that the older generation did look at the younger generations below the older one, possibly like you Anonanon and we didn’t just take it for granted that AS was being supportive to all of you.
What we were aware of was that she was systematically over the years building her kingdom, putting ‘her people’ in places of authority, whether the platform or ‘laying on of hands’ or leading youth groups.

For example when her son FS was put in cedars as headteacher many of the older generation were shocked. An interview with Jennifer Jack (ex deputy head) and Grace Gault and surprise, surprise he got the job.

Does anyone know if anyone else was interviewed. Not that this would have mattered !

So what did Cedars School get:
A headteacher chosen over other more qualified teachers in cedars and with experience.
FS may have had a PhD or even be bright but that does not make you an excellent teacher or enable you to manage a school re administration or manage teachers development or manage pupil learning and teaching or manage health and safety ….shall I go on. Yes there were deputes to which these jobs can be delegated but at the end of the day, the Headteacher breaks or makes a school!

We even didn’t look at those that were occasionally on the platform necessarily getting positive reinforcement.
I remember hearing someone who wasn’t on the platform often (a teacher from the school) do a solo, then speak at a separate time and they were much better than the majority that AS chose. This person had skill in both.
Why wasn’t this person given a more active role?
I’m going to guess that this person, like the older generation wasn’t one of AS favourites. Her ‘favourites’ were not based on skill or calling, it was based on what esme or Mirmac often said and what was said from the platform ‘whether the person ‘broke to her will’.

So I hope I’m hearing what you’re saying Anonanon.
We don’t fully know what you’ve been through or others of your age group but it would be good to hear it.
In the forum we will have disagreements (as long as it it’s not hurtful) but hopefully we can agree to disagree!
If something appears hurtful or wrong is said hopefully there can be some sort of apology or justification for saying it.

We want the same thing.
To see those I.e leaders (any type) who have been responsible for any abuse to be held accountable.
So on that I hope we’re on the same page
Wish you well Anonanon
AG

Mirmac please stop using initials of non leaders and stop occasionally writing destructively about some people. I have written to RRModerator as follows:

Quote

Dear Moderator. Mirmac has been asked repeatedly in differing ways to stop naming non-leaders of Struthers Memorial Church, and to not use Initials either. They continue. Please would you ask them to stop naming. They are being destructive themselves, even tho' they have endured many years abuse at the hands of particular leaders.

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Quote

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As everyone is probably bored of me saying, I left in 1987, which means I have no cause to defend in the shared houses or the School. And I certainly have no need or interest to defend any leader past or present.

The following bible passage has relevance to all of us. We have used it on the Forum before now to point at leaders, directors. Let's assess our own behaviours and language and foundation.

Quote
Matt 7
Judging Others
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.


True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/20/2025 05:12PM by RedRoad.

To whom it may concern:

Please be sensitive to the issue of naming general regular members.

Unless someone is a leader and you are commenting about their behavior and/or harm done as a leader, it's really not that meaningful to discuss regular members by name or initials.

Dear Redroad, it is such a shame you have felt upset a number of times, such a shame. But please note you have said on numerous posts that you left in 1987 and that is indeed a long time ago. The culture seemed to change or maybe you attend now and again l really don't know.
The folks l have mentioned by initial have all been considered " leaders" in their own right with perhaps the exception of a person's husband so l give you that one.
Two folks mentioned by initials were uniquely chosen ie given the youth work by she who shall not be named at the grand age of 15. My gran mother spoke of that meeting and seemed very unimpressed at people so young suddenly being recognised as youth leaders. I am assuming that this occurred after 1987 so would be something you would not be aware of.
As to scripture we are all aware of God's word and indeed some of us can quote it scripture and verse. But, this forum allows us all to share and even disagree without being villified. I too have been upset and thing written but have understood that l cannot expect everyone to agree with every word on this platform.
It has not escaped the notice of Esme, myself and young mates that every time we have posted then it is instantly and totally negated. The only one that has assisted our age group fully has been AG, so thank you AG. There has been comments about who we are, insults and worse but l would not post those.
Redroad l had shared only a few days ago with AG that l would leave and for that l am sure you will be pleased. But, l think it sad that my mates are really unlikely to want to contribute given the constant hassle that comes with it. However, given the nonesense we have received basically for wishing certain folks be held to account l am no longer surprised.
God bless those who continue to love God.
And again thank you AG we will not forget your kindness.
Mirmac

Dear all, l must confess, and it’s a wee bit of a shock, such a shock, that Mirmac, Esme, and l, well, we’re all the same soul, cut from the same cloth, you might say. We had a grand old symposium, a right blether, and came to a mind that if our tales aren’t tickling your fancy anymore, we’ll take our words elsewhere, no bother at all. Esme’s antics, bless her, have us dodging some shady sorts, running about like we’re in a bad film.

l’m sorry, truly sorry, if our posts have been a jumble, a right mess of things, with holes big enough to drive a tractor through. We do love a dram, or seven, as it happens, and our memories get a bit wobbly, maybe even downright made-up at times. We’ve been known to tipple too much and pour our hearts out here, trauma and all, for better or worse.

Now, l can only speak for myself and not Mirmac, son of big Mac, when l say l’m the most sincere member in Cumbernauld, heart on my sleeve, every word meant. The rest, well, take it with a pinch of salt, as my granny used to say, “A drunk tongue speaks a sober mind, but not always the truth.”

Oh, and we had a grand time spider stalking in Largs, after Esme and Mirmac had a whirl on the Dumbo ride, laughing like loons, then treated ourselves to a Nardini’s ice cream, creamy and grand. What a day that was, indeed.

God bless those who keep an open heart, cheers again for your kindness, we’ll not forget it.
Adieu,
SH

To Spyderhunter

Just to clarify from your post you are stating that you, esme and Mirmac
1. Have an alcohol problem to the point that your memory has been affected.
A pretty serious statement to make on a public forum.
Alcohol addiction is not a laughing matter especially if you are suggesting you all have ARBD. I know of someone many years ago who had ARBD and I assure it wasn’t a laughing matter to them or their family. Why? They ended up hospitalised and eventually died from this alcohol related disease.
So if this is just a big joke to you or it’s all about slander I find it extremely offensive.

2. You insinuate you are all liars.
Well the problem with that Spyderhunter is that the posts from Esme and Mirmac were found to have true content because not only myself but others from the older generation experienced the same thing. Esme may have put it in a dialogue that some didn’t like but ‘their words’ confirmed other people’s testimonies.

So let’s look at the 4 posts you’ve made

May 1st 2025; none of the content supposedly was yours. The whole post was supposedly an email which you received from Esme which you posted!
If I indeed it was from Esme?

May 2nd 2025; again nothing of your own testimony a retaliation to Mirmac stating that your esme’s cousin and that neither you or Esme know who Mirmac is ?

May 2nd 2025
A reply to me for clarification
‘ Hi AG,
………don’t know how to name her……. not the daughter of Andy. It is also not my story.
Best,
SH’
Again nothing about your experiences in struthers.
However, an interesting response because you state ‘I don’t know how to name her’
But you didn’t need to know how to ‘name her’ because it was esme’s email NOT yours. You should have written ‘that was how esme named her!!’
Your response would suggest it was actually you who had written the content.

21st May 2025
Again nothing of your testimony in relation to SMC.
But an accusation about two members from the forum.
One of which is not accurate I.e. the insinuation that both Esmes and Mirmac content on the forum was not true. Have a -look back at one of my posts where I took Esmes posts one by one and showed that others have a similar testimony. Similar to Mirmac.
The other statement is re alcoholism.That both have an alcohol problem that leads to memory loss:
‘ We do love a dram, or seven, as it happens, and our memories get a bit wobbly, maybe even downright made-up at times. We’ve been known to tipple too much and pour our hearts out here, trauma and all, for better or worse.’
These are your words Spyderhunter we have no proof of this.
These are the only words that come from you regarding others.
There is absolutely nothing about your own experience in SMC. Is that not the point of this forum?
Your own words relate to the possible defamation of character of two people that you state are ‘ well, we’re all the same soul, cut from the same cloth, you might say’
You might want to state that you do not tell the truth because of an alcohol problem due to trauma but you have no right to include others in that statement.

But is any of it in fact true or is it all down to enmity between you and anyone who dares to speak negatively about Alison Spears.

Or has Mirmac or Esme or both wronged you directly in someway? That the enmity has nothing to do with AS but it’s all about your feelings?

Let’s even take it further even if Esme or Mirmac were in someway trying to pull the ‘wool over everybody’s eye’ it wouldn’t matter because a number of us shared similar experiences.
Whereas with you I certainly do not align with anything you’ve said.

Going back to what redroad asked for …were Esme or Mirmac leaders in SMC or in the cedars school? Your words do not talk of any financial abuse or spiritual abuse of others through the role of leadership.
Again I repeat I find your statement about alcohol related memory loss offensive especially put in a sarcastic dialogue.
AG
Note: I know the rest of the forum must be tired of this and think it’s best not to respond but this content I do find offensive and it shouldn’t have been allowed.

Amazing grace , I completely agree with you .

Amazing Grace

Fully agree with lintar123. Excellent analysis of the recent posts. Forensic and comprehensive.

If you are not already a lawyer you certainly should be.