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from Wolf Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 06:44 (Agree/Disagree?) Sorry if I'm being lazy, but what day is the memorial? I did a search and couldn't find it... (reply to this comment)

From Haunted Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 07:32 (Agree/Disagree?) The memorial will be held on the Saturday of Easter weekend (March 26th). Sarafina will be posting all of the information shortly. (reply to this comment)

from Bandagold Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 19:45 (Agree/Disagree?) Elixcia, After the memorial service is held, do you intend to keep Ricky's Memorial fund going to help facilitate those young people that want to leave TF? most of them have no support whatsoever from anyone! I think that's what Ricky would have wanted. (reply to this comment)

from John Jr. Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 12:18 (Agree/Disagree?) I'd like to continue to encourage everyone that can afford at least $20 to drop it in the mail. The support has come in, but much more is needed. Please know that you are giving to a good cause and that all support generated is going directly to the fund set up by Elixcia for Rick. Thank you in advance, and thanks to all those who have already participated. John jr. (reply to this comment)

from Cult Surfer Monday, February 07, 2005 - 14:40 (Agree/Disagree?) I didn't want this to get buried, so I've re-posted it here. John Jr. from sarafina - Thursday, February 03, 2005 accessed 312 times Elixcia wanted to personally say something to everyone and asked me to post this on her behalf. The following is her email. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- It’s Feb 03, 2005, about 11:00 in the morning. I’m still waking up, as the sleeping pills haven’t worn off yet (they help take away the nightmares too). It’s been over three weeks now since my life has changed once again. I wake up every morning and have to remind myself that it wasn’t a dream. All I wanted to do in the initial emotions of pain and anger was to take Rick’s body, and be able run away and hide, I just wanted to die so bad. I can still hear his voice talking to me that night; there was such a feeling of hopelessness, to be beyond reach of someone who is fading away in mind and in moments in body too. I have felt pain in my life before but none of it comes close to this. There are so many thoughts going through my mind it’s hard to even sit here and write. I was able to do a small memorial in Tucson with some of his cousins and family, as well as his boss, who Rick thought the world of (the one mentioned on his tape). I was in Tucson for a couple days taking care of his apartment and things. When talking with Sarafina in San Diego, and she mentioned that many had been inquiring about Rick’s memorial and that the number of people wanting to attend was growing. As far as his burial, I don’t want Karen to know. She didn’t want him when his was alive; she’s not getting him now. My selfish side just wants to hide away, but I know I am not the only one hurting and I’ve been touched by the love and support I’ve gotten from so many of you. To feel you care about the pain and how hard it’s been to lose my “family”. He was everything I had. He knew the worst and best of me and was always pushing me to do better. He was the one that got me into school and made me believe in myself. Although we had come to separate roads in our lives, he was and had always been my best friend. Rick and I were both very private people, It’s hard to come out and talk to you about our lives. At the same time I understand how important he was to all of you as well. I want thank you for your help, support and care. As you know I was able to set up a benevolent account for Rick, and was able to set a date for the memorial for those of you who wanted to come share their respects. It’s going to be on March 26th, it’s a Saturday, and it’ll take place in San Diego. I’ll post more details as we get lose ends tied up. Sarafina is helping me with setting up Rick’s memorial and John LaMattery Jr has been helping me with the bank information and setting up Rick’s memorial account although I alone have access to the account and will use the money as needed for the memorial. Thank you both, you’ve been awesome. Thank you all who have also contributed. I was able to get a mailing address here in Washington for those that want to send things directly to me: · Elixcia Munumel 1402 Auburn Way #217 Auburn, WA 98002-3309 · You have to make sure to use “#217” and not “box 217”, or else the post office will divert my mail elsewhere I also wanted to let you know that the address in San Diego is good as well, things going there are being forwarded to me. I hadn’t come up with an address to use so we went ahead and used this one, its fine either address you chose to use. Richard Rodriguez 8880 Rio San Diego Dr. #800 San Diego, CA 92108 USA I want to thank all of you so much for your help; I know this memorial is as important to you as it is for me. I want to be able to share that moment with those of you who knew and cared about him, those that understood what an amazing person he was, and have felt the loss as deeply and painfully as I have. Sincerely, Elixcia P.S. This is a memorial for those who wish to show their respects to Rick, you are welcome to attend but I will ask that if you are a cult member, you stay away for this memorial, that you show decency and respect this wish. (reply to this comment)

from tudaisy Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 16:43 (Agree/Disagree?) I'll be sending some thing ASAP (reply to this comment)

from Joe H Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 07:49 (Agree/Disagree?) Check's in the mail. (reply to this comment)

from Nikisan Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 01:58 (Agree/Disagree?) A check is on its way. Let me know if there's anything I can do towards the memorial preparations. I may be in So Cal end of March (and heard from the grapevine it may be held then), and will do anything to help. x (reply to this comment)

from Regi Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 22:33 (Agree/Disagree?) I sent a check and a card for Elixcia to the San Diego address. After mailing it off I realized that she may not be at that addess. Just in case, could whoever receives it please forward it to her? Thank you!! (reply to this comment)

From Regi Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 22:36 (Agree/Disagree?) I just scrolled down and realized that my question was already answered. Sorry about that.(reply to this comment)

from Joseph_S Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 18:10 (Agree/Disagree?) NewDayNews.com is making its Paypal account available for people who would like to donate to the Ricky Rodriguez Memorial Fund by Credit Card. 100% of the money donated will be forwarded to the Memorial Fund account. A report will be given to the fund telling who has donated by credit card (anonymous donators will be designated as such). You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. You do NOT have to have a Paypal account to donate by credit card. If yo DO have a Paypal account you can transfer funds from your account into the NDN account for the memorial fund. For full information, please click this link: http://newdaynews.com/resource/davidito/donation.htm -Joseph SheppardNewDayNews.com Technical Manager (reply to this comment)

from John LaMattery Jr. Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 11:11 (Agree/Disagree?) To make payments from any electronic banking system around the world please do the following: 1) the ISBAN # for Washington Mutual is: WMSBU566 2) the exact account# for donations to the Richard P. Rodriguez Memorial Fund is: 181-1700029 Thank-You, John LaMattery Jr. (reply to this comment)

From ebanker Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 11:17 (Agree/Disagree?) thank you John. will be paying my bills tonight so will send whatever i can.(reply to this comment)

from Jim LaMattery Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 07:19 (Agree/Disagree?) Little John- I'm posting this comment here. I orginally posted it as an article, but once reading it you will see why I've placed it here- Uncle Jim It is 4:20 AM on Tuesday, February 1, 2005. I have waited until this moment to clarify my position. For those of you who do not know who I am, my name is Jim LaMattery and my Bible name was Jeriah. I joined the Children of God in the summer of 1970. I am not ashamed about why I joined. I sought God. Like many in my generation, I was a seeker at a time when the Cold War loomed above our souls in America. Like many kids, I did not want to fight the unjust war in Vietnam, I abhorred war. I abhor war today. To the brothers that witnessed to me: Apollos, do you remember when you witnessed to me under an oak tree in the city park in Hemet? Do you remember when you sang "How long you been waiting for somebody to love you?" You woke my soul under that tree. Do you remember when we joined spirits in love and brotherhood and destiny? It was simple then. We had no money, no castles in Portugal, just an old rickety building in downtown Los Angeles, in the middle of Skid Row. Do you remember the days of God and Love and feeding the bums on the row? We lived like the birds of the field and we felt the warmth of God on our backs! Do you remember when you told me that this was a Revolutionary War of Love? Do you remember when we praised the King of Kings together with chalices of red wine? We were the Motley Crew! WE WERE BROTHERS! To Simon Black: You may not remember me, but for me, you were a golden throat purged in the heat of Harlem! I remember coming back from exhausting days witnessing (in those days we had only The Book and our hearts to share) in Griffith Park, and having my heart filled with joy as you sang "My God." That was the God I fell in love with. Your young voice was so full of conviction and love that it was hard not to break and cry to hear your hymn. It was a hymn! When I see my black brothers in gangs killing one another in America, I think of you and your voice and I have hope! You were an inspiration. WE WERE BROTHERS! To Big Josh- Wow! You told us that you found God in the jungle! I thought that was so cool! To me you were BIG! You reminded me of Che Guevarra! You made it feel like a Revolution! Do you remember when in the dining hall of 5th and Towne Street, you would preach the gospel to us while we ate first. You would wait to eat until your brothers ate first! You were what leadership meant to me. At a time when our generation's leaders were shot down in the streets- you replaced them. The longing in my heart for great men like President John F. Kennedy was replaced by the great man you were! There was no 'Mo' at that time. There was only Jesus the Revolutionary! And although you were the lead shepherd, you acted like, spoke like, and pathed like Jesus was in control! You knew deep in your heart that WE WERE ALL BROTHERS! Not one of us was more 'divine' than the other. Not one of us was more 'inspired by God' than the other. In those days, not one of us placed ourselves 'above' the other! The God we knew then is the God I have faith in now as I write this letter. My God was the Eternal. The Eternal is still my God today. My Eternal has never failed me. It did not fail me when my two children were kidnapped from me in 1980 by the hands of my wife, who I loved greatly. A wife who I believed God had given me! A wife that no man should have 'put asunder.' In those first glorious years of the Revolution, sex outside of marriage was forbidden, and a period of one year was established as the time required to set aside our sexual desires to prove to God and the movement that we were 'worthy' of holy matrimony. I served God as best I knew how in the Revolution and waited and was blessed with her hand. I would have never shared her with another man, as she belonged to God and me! WE WERE MARRIAGE PARTNERS, SOUL MATES! The kidnapping of my children at the hands of the Family International did not shake my faith in the Eternal. The taking of my wife and children by my brother and the group did not shake my faith in the Eternal. The loss of my children for thirteen years did not shake my faith in the Eternal. The betrayal of my brother John LaMattery and my wife Donna Marchbank did not shake my faith in the Eternal. When my daughters were reunited with me after they turned the age of eighteen and could get away from the Family, my faith was almost shook. The recounts of abuse that my daughters and their siblings suffered at the hands of The Family shook my faith in the Eternal! It was a burden almost unbearable. Without my faith I would have broken under its weight. The horror of abuse would have crushed my soul if not for my faith. To Karen Zerby, Peter Kelly, Claire Borowik, and The Family International: The God you say you seek and believe in is not the God I found in 1970 with the Children of God. It is not the Eternal I have faith in today. If any of my children commits even the least of infractions, I question myself first! What did I not do for them? Is it something I did or said that caused them to steal a snack from the local Seven Eleven? How did I not know that they would drink too much and get into a car accident? Parents always blame themselves for what their children get themselves into! A normal mother would be in depression, wondering what she had done that caused her child to act in such a way and cause her child to lash out at the world! You said that Ricky went astray. How can you hold the title of spiritual leader for this community of believers if you could not untangle the most precious sheep of the flock? He was supposed to inherit the kingdom! The transfer of power was supposed to go to him and not you! YOU WERE HIS MOTHER! The Book you say has relevance in your lives reads:Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. It is not prison I wish for you. You have offended your brother and sisters. You have this chance of reconiliation. I will be willing to sit down and talk with Claire Borowik, your Family Spokesperson, before I deliver you to the judge. I don't care much for the wrath of man. But your children's souls need to be healed before another life is lost through needless suicide or murder. To Daniel Roselle, Elixcia, Sarafina, Kristi and Little John LaMattery, and all those brave souls who have stood up in the sight of the world and God and have beared their souls: You have not spoken in vain. Your cries are heard, and will be heard for years to come. The abuses that you've suffered should never have happened. This was not the God that your parents and I followed in the beginning! Our God would never have stolen your childhood, your freedom of choice, your sexuality, your personality, your belief in the Eternal, in effect, your souls! The parents in the beginning would have nurtured all of these things, guided all of these things cautiously until the day you could take over such gifts on your own. They would have performed the most important God-given duty on earth- providing for their family! I was brought up by my parents in the way in which I was supposed to go, and I have never departed from it! My dad taught me to think for myself, consider others, speak only the truth as I saw it, and to help those in need. I see you great young people doing just that- and all without a parent to guide you! BRAVO! Your parents had greater advantages to complete such simple acts, and yet you who didn't have such parents have learned to do it all by yourselves! BRAVO! -I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS! To the Parents of the Children of The Family International: This is your golden moment of truth. Another chance is being given to all of you whose children have beared their souls about the mental and physical abuses which they suffered having been put into the environment that you allowed them to be raised in. You have always had this same simple choice. It has always been a choice to protect and love and nurture your children, or to turn a blind eye and ear and heart. At this moment, your children need you now more than ever before. Karen Zerby did not make the correct choice. Ricky was trying to show YOU that. Ricky did not commit suicide for his mother. He committed suicide for YOU! He made the ultimate sacrifice, the taking of his own life, for YOU. He was a sample not a sermon! When the recent and past suicides have been committed by your children, know that they have done it for YOU. How many more suicides must be committed before you will have ears that can hear the cries of your own children? I pray that not one more will happen. I am tired of seeing my brothers die! To reject the voices of your children is to live in a lie. I am sure that if Faithy, Hosea, Aaron, or Deborah had come forth at the beginning of this movement and told all of us disciples and sheep that their father was a child molester, we would have disbanded in 1970! They didn't come forth because their father held 'God' over their heads, hearts, and souls! He make them think that the work of God would be destroyed if they 'told.' Please don't continue this cycle another moment, day, or hour! Please don't hold 'God' over your children's heads for one more minute! Please stand up with me as I endeavor to let the world know what has happened to these children. Please stand with me and not against me! STAND UP FOR YOUR CHILDREN! There has been a rhetoric of war for a long time coming from the Children of God, and now the Family International. We are struggling to maintain a rhetoric of peace. Those parents that have come into the light and stood by their children can tell you that the light is warm and simple and good. Those parents who have quit perpetuating the lie that so many have held in their lives and hearts are free now. Free to repair the damage done by years of denial. The real abuse that your children suffer, that Ricky suffered, was your denial of the abuse in the past. The covering of the lie is more abusive than the physical torment. It is to say that the truth is not the truth. My fervent hope is that there will be no more murders. My fervent hope is that there will be no more suicides. But to accomplish this goal, much must be done. The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. But look what a few good men and women have accomplished throughout world history. Regards- Jim LaMattery (reply to this comment)

from ebanker Tuesday, February 01, 2005 - 01:51 (Agree/Disagree?) i NEED the IBAN to be able to transfer.... (reply to this comment)

From melzar Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 02:37 (Agree/Disagree?) Need an IBAN number as well. Want to send money, but in Europe.(reply to this comment)

From CH Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 05:31 (Agree/Disagree?) tx neighbour.....now i sound a bit less crazy :-)(reply to this comment)

From Bella Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 06:50 (Agree/Disagree?) Just curious, how about sending a money order ... ?(reply to this comment)

From melzar Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 09:29 (Agree/Disagree?) No such things as "cheques" here in Austria. And my bank is strictly electronic. It'd be so much easier with an IBAN. (reply to this comment)

From ebanker Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 07:05 (Agree/Disagree?) will look into wether it can be done or not with my ebanking system...however if it can't - and as much as i want to help with this - i really have no time to go to the bank or post as working fulltime, taking care of my kids and studying...i go from work to home and vice versa. i hope this post does not seem like i am unwilling to donate.....it would just make things MUCH easier with the IBAN.(reply to this comment)

From Bella Tuesday, February 01, 2005, 08:13 (Agree/Disagree?) I totally understand. I too hate going to the bank (almost as much as I hate going to the P.O.).(reply to this comment)

from John La Mattery Monday, January 31, 2005 - 19:50 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm trying to keep this post alive. Elixcia has received little financial support as of yet for Rick's memorial and is starting to feel the crunch. If you agree, please do all you can to send a donation. Please jot your name on this thread to keep it active.. Thanks! (reply to this comment)

From Monday, January 31, 2005, 22:37 (Agree/Disagree?) A check for $400 is on it's way.(reply to this comment)

From mourning Monday, January 31, 2005, 22:26 (Agree/Disagree?) Yes, I will send some $.(reply to this comment)

from John LaMattery Friday, January 28, 2005 - 05:51 (Agree/Disagree?) As Sara already mentioned, Ricky's memorial is currently in the planning process. Elixcia will be handling the even with support from her immediate friends. As you can imagine, Elixcia is still very fragile over the travesty and needs time to recover, but as soon as she is able to determine a time, place, and guest list, it will be announced to all. We are all committed to Elixcia's demands and wishes as to how the memorial will be held. Thank you for your support. John (reply to this comment)

From Cult Surfer Sunday, January 30, 2005, 09:20 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm re-posting so that this thread doesn't get lost. (reply to this comment)

from e-banker Friday, January 28, 2005 - 04:46 (Agree/Disagree?) could the IBAN number be posted for those of us who use ebanking please? (reply to this comment)

from europe Friday, January 28, 2005 - 04:44 (Agree/Disagree?) just wondering...(should Ricky's memorial be open to all ex-members) if any of us manage to make it accros the ocean, would there be some of you out there willing to take us in over the memorial period? (reply to this comment)

From Albatross Friday, January 28, 2005, 07:01 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm in Los Angeles but I'm willing to put up a couple of people in my house.(reply to this comment)

From sarafina Friday, January 28, 2005, 15:51 (Agree/Disagree?) My home is always open as well. I'm in San Diego(reply to this comment)

from dave Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 23:10 (Agree/Disagree?) i'll be sending something soon. (reply to this comment)

from Mack Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 19:03 (Agree/Disagree?) A check is in the mail. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. (reply to this comment)

from Bella Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 16:39 (Agree/Disagree?) Absolutely - A check is on its way! Sarah (et al) if you need any help at all, just drop me a line! I'm available! (reply to this comment)

from sarafina Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 14:35 (Agree/Disagree?) I will be posting the information regarding the memorial soon. There are still details that need to be worked out,but it will be held in San Diego. We will make the date far enough in advance as to have time to make arangements. Right now we are looking at sometime in March. (reply to this comment)

From inquiring Thursday, January 27, 2005, 14:43 (Agree/Disagree?) Any chance of the Easter weekend -- March 25-27? Maybe people get more time off at that time -- easier to travel. (reply to this comment)

From sarafina Thursday, January 27, 2005, 14:48 (Agree/Disagree?) That is what were shooting for. It depends on a few things, but the Idea is to have it over a holiday so more people can come.(reply to this comment)

from exister Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 13:32 (Agree/Disagree?) Can cards also be sent to this address along with donations? (reply to this comment)

From Cult Surfer Monday, January 31, 2005, 20:04 (Agree/Disagree?) Yes. This is a secure mail box. All mail will be processed and sent directly to Elixcia as it comes in. (reply to this comment)

from steam Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 13:10 (Agree/Disagree?) I totally respect Elixcia's right to any decisions regarding the memorial. I will be sending a donation. However the decision not to allow any member of the family to attend, allowed Maria to claim that she was only respecting the widows wishes. If only Maria and Techi were allowed to attend, there would be no chance whatsoever that she actually would, however it would expose how callous she is. Anyway I hope my thoughts on this are not to intrusive. PS: I would also like to know who is allowed to attend and when and where it is etc. (reply to this comment)

from EyesWideShut Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 12:06 (Agree/Disagree?) Yes, if we can go, I'd like to contribute. (reply to this comment)

from Guccigirl Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:39 (Agree/Disagree?) Is the Memorial service going to be private for close family & friends? If it isn't will there be a posting letting us know when & where it will be held? (reply to this comment)