2013 

Refounding the
Jewish Orthodox
Church and the
Tabitha Question 
 
 
A summary compilation of email exchanges by members of the church 
discussing issues affecting the function and management of the church, with 
emphasis on the negative impact Tabitha is having on the growth and 
development of the church. 
 

Anthony McAlmont 
1   
  8/25/2013 
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and
of love, and of a sound mind.
 Summary of Email Discussion
9th to 22nd August 2013
Refounding of the Jewish Orthodox Church and the Tabitha’s Question

1. Participants:

Nigel (Aaron) Glasgow, Dalgeish (Emmanuel), Dennis (Cephas) Glasgow, Anthony

(Jacob) McAlmont, Walter (Eder) Williamson, Qunicy (Fortunatus) Cummings,
Lynette (Judith) Glasgow-Bobb, Sharon (Tryphosa) Bynoe-Fraser, Denise
(Cleopatra) Wilson, Grace (Esther) Craig-Anthony, Dinah (Dinah) Glasgow and
Desiree Glasgow

2. Active Participant:

Nigel (Aaron) Glasgow, Anthony (Jacob) McAlmont, Walter (Eder) Williamson,

Lynette (Judith) Glasgow-Bobb, Sharon (Tryphosa) Bynoe-Fraser, Denise
(Cleopatra) Wilson and Grace (Esther) Craig-Anthony

3. Background:

The email discussion (first of its kind for JOC) began when Eder sent an email to
Jacob on 9th August asking him for advice as a result of an email response he
received from Aaron. Jacob responded on 12th August and soon after the discussion
took off with the title Church Re-founding which encompasses the Tabitha’s
Question.

4. What is Church Re-Founding

The term Church Re-Founding is used as a working title for the proposed
developmental project. The aim of the project is to re-found the church along its
founding principles with a modern theme. Doctrine, leadership, accountability,
organisational structure and culture, physical environment (the church building and
the surrounds) funding and church name are some of the areas for discussion and
resolution.

5. What is the Tabitha’s Question

The term Tabitha’s Question is used to draw focus and solution to St Tabitha’s role
in the church. Tabitha’s conduct and capability have brought the office of
1 
 
 prophetess and the church into disrepute. She has assumed the mantle of
supreme leader at Ebenezer in all but name and she is seen as a barrier to
progress and sound doctrine.

6. The Discussion:

The discussion started proper on 12th August and was intended to focus on the
rebuild/development of the church but it soon became dominated by the Tabitha’s
Question.

6.1 The Separation and Reunification:

Although the issues that led to the separation were not expressly raised it was
implied throughout the email discussion, see emails, that the complaints below are
key factors. Some brethren feel that reunification of Ebenezer and Mizpah
is only possible once the Tabitha Question is dealt with followed by her
denunciation and removal from the office of prophetess but others are of an
opposing view, see emails. However, the latter emails have shown a slight shift that
favours the Mizpah’s position on the basis of revealed information, especially those
contained in the email of 19th August from Aaron, and the assurances given
regarding Tabitha’s treatment. The email of the 19th went some way to briefly
surmise the relationship between the late priest, Samuel and Tabitha and the role
Bro Simon the Scribe played in containing the situation. It went on to further shed
light on Tabitha’s conduct during and after Samuel’s time. These and other listed
complaints, see below, gave rise to uneasiness between Tabitha, and the Mizpah
brethren which erupted ten years ago and gave birth to the separation.

6.2 Change and development

It is overwhelmingly agreed by all the active participants that the church needs
development and growth and that this would inevitably lead to change. The email
exchanges will show that the pace, scope and direction of these changes are not
quite agreed upon nor settled. The exchanges will again show that some favours
and faster approach and are frustrated by the lack of progress while others advice
caution and are weary of a hasty approach.

6.3 The Tabitha’s Question

 The main question of the table regarding Tabitha is: Is she a prophetess of God
or Not? Some brethren struggled with this question for several reasons, as can be
seen in the emails, one of the most important of these is that they felt that they
don’t have enough information and/or experience to make a pronouncement that she
is not and yet on the other hand they each have had some information and/or
experience to suggest that she has not been wholly upright or is beyond reproach in
her conduct and capabilities in the office of prophetess and the assumed leadership
role. Notwithstanding, some brethren are of the opinion that she should not be
removed from the office of prophetess since she was not called or promoted by man
- a claim that the proponents cannot substantiate with facts or argue with
supporting scriptures, thus invalidating their reasoning and assumption.
On the other hand they favour some form of sanction with grace and dignity that
befits the office and a daughter of the foundation.

Some brethren alleged that she is not a true prophetess on the basis of testimonies
from those burned and hurt by her counsel and it is alleged that some are too
ashamed to reveal their experiences. Several scriptures were quoted on what a
prophetess is expected to do, see the email of 15th and 18th August written by Aaron.
See 6.4 for scriptural references.

Further to the above, another and one of the most important issue for Mizpah is that:
“the priest and elders council (some elders disarmed) are unable to execute their
administrative mandate without repeated interferences by the woman Tabitha and
those who act on her behalf out of fear or blindness”. Therefore the adapted position
is: “we have got to reset the clock and focus on breaking new grounds rather than
throttle with repeatedly challenging Tabitha on moral and biblical grounds”.

As a result most of the participants are of the strong opinion that she should be
removed from office with immediate effect. This option divided the active
participants and they were given the assurance that St Tabitha will be treated with
respect and dignity: should she behave in a decent and professional manner
expected of an elderly saint in the church.

6.4 Scriptures Argument against Tabitha

Brethren believe that, in addition to several reliable testimonies discrediting her

claims to prophetic powers, and actions she performed or caused others to perform
in the prophetic office over many years, the following scriptures indict the work of
Tabitha and are the basis upon which she should demit the office of prophecy with
immediate effect:

Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after
wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. (Live witness - Keturah -
Deceased escort Johannah)

Leviticus 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and
after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul,
and will cut him off from among his people (Deut 13:1-3 ), Many of our brethren
ended up accepting these ungodly practices, which made it easy to disarmed some
of the Elders and drive fear of retribution in respected female leaders (few
exception).

“This is not about judging anyone, this is simply examining the prophetic office
she claims to hold, and arming you to see there is no spirit of truth or prophecy in
her - Says the word of God. Then say me also, according to the word of God -
TRUTH . Not mine own reasoning and bias inclination Matthew 7:15, 20-23”,
Aaron

Jermiah 23:16-18 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the
prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions
from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those
who despise me, 'The Lord says: You will have peace.' And to all who follow the
stubbornness of their hearts they say, 'No harm will come to you.' But which of
them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word? Who has
listened and heard his word?"

Jeremiah 23:21-22 "I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their
message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood
in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have
turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds."

1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confessed that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is of God:
 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come;
and even now already is it in the world.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God.

7. Overseas brethren:

During the discussion the overseas brethren felt it necessary to establish their
credentials and their legitimate involvement in the goings of both Ebenezer and
Mizpah. The followings are some quotes from that email of 20th August:

1. “Israel’s God through his grace and mercies has provided homes overseas for us.
Most of us are economic migrants and I for one would not make any excuses for
such - I shall not give up the blessings and favours this has afforded me until such
time has the spirit moves me so to do.
2. However, although we are absent/none resident members we wish it to be
known that we are always present in the spirit and long to enter the courts - to
enter the courts! They say absent makes to heart grow fonder.
3. We are committed and the very fact that we taking a keen interest in the work
and the outcome of these current matters make our commitment most evident
indeed. We want to see a strong and progressive church.
4. I for one have left the shores of Guyana some 30 years this month, but my
loyalty and convictions of and for this work are beyond question (may God help me
my pledge to keep). This is the same for my majority of my brethren I know.
5. We are not forced but voluntarily and through our personal convictions continue
to embrace the work of the Last House of Israel to which we were called and are
part-takers thereof.
6. We have a vested interest in the churches of Ebenezer and Mispah. They are our
spiritual homes - our so-called Jerusalem and our so-called Mecca. I hope these
examples convey the message I am driving at.
7. Our stay overseas have given us a different prospective on some matters relating
to the churches. We can and do see things differently at times. In fact we seem to
be the boldest amongst brethren in this current round of discussions. The residents’
members are noticeably quiet in this open forum of discussions. On the contrary -
the overseas brethren are active participants. Such is our commitment towards to
gathering of the Last House of Israel. We may not all agree but we all care!
 8. We can't stand by and see the destruction of our Jerusalem - where hither shall
we go if we do.
9. Some resident members may one day join us and when you do you will realise
that there is no place like home – hence our deep seated interest in these matters.
10. Brethren we are of one calling, one birth, one spirit, one hope, etc – the church
is one foundation. So what does it matter whether we are resident or not. Our
interest and commitment are of equal weight.
11. The scriptures have very many examples of brethren who were away from their
homes, villages, towns and countries of which I shall not bore you but, they were
committed to Israel’s God and, their customers and traditions. And as such were
always welcomed by their folks on their return for occasions of worship or what
have you.
12. Amen”.

8. Conclusion

From the email discussion it is safe to say that all participants agreed that there is a
need to change, develop and grow the church once again. The Tabitha Question
however dominated the discussion causing the issues on growth and development
to be deferred to a later discussion.

Brethren strongly believed that:

1. Tabitha is making false claims to be gifted with the gift of prophecy
and thus pretends to be in the spirit prophesying
2. She has been misleading individuals and the congregation with false
utterance for several years.

All (active participants) agreed that Tabitha must be sanctioned in some manner,– her
presence in leadership is a threat and hindrance to development and growth, since
she is afraid of change and challenges to her position of influence and power.

The discussion raised the need for defined scope and direction. However, it is useful in
that it brought more involvement and awareness of the issues to the general
membership who are going to be copied these findings. It the first of its kind and it is
the forerunner for an elders meeting to be held on Sunday 25th August.

“Our love and care for her will continue, but we cannot as church leaders with a shared
responsibility to be truthful, insult the intelligence of our brethren, or pretend not to be
aware of these dangerous practices by Sis. Tabitha.
If we do condone these practices, we run the risk of being labelled “Satanic or False
worshipers” by the public, and our goal to attract new membership and grow the
church becomes an almost impossible task.

Sis Tabitha is offered the opportunity to gracefully demit the office of the prophetess,
and all other positions of authority she may be occupying illegally in a peaceful manner;
in the interest of growth and development of the church via. A new agenda.

Compiled and written by: Jacob of Rome

For and on behalf of the Discussion Forum
25th Aug 2013