2007 Letter - CSA - Tim Severud

2017 Letter - Texas Dress Code

315 Pineview Lane N.
Plymouth, MN 55441
August 28, 2007

Dear Friends;

We have come to the conclusion that it would be wise to inform you of recent developments of one of the Minnesota workers. We are sending this letter to every home on our Minnesota list of friends. Many of you would not have children in your care but may be grandparents or otherwise have special concerns. We have become aware that there is information circulating so we want to end the speculation and give you the facts as we know them.

On July 27, Tim Severud was arrested and jailed for multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Second Degree with a child under age of 13. Criminal Sexual Assault against a child is categorized as First, Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth Degree, with First Degree being the most serious.

According to the Criminal Complaint, Tim was caught in the act of molesting a 10-year old girl, with another child in the room. The children in the case were female, age ten and under. Tim is currently in jail under the custody of the Douglas County Sheriff's department. Legal proceedings will continue, and the process of the law will determine innocence or guilt in this case. Because of the dangerous nature of these charges, we feel that it is our responsibility to alert you to this situation at this time.

This letter serves to inform all parents and other caregivers that you should immediately have a conversation with any child in your care who could have been alone with Tim at any time to determine if inappropriate sexual behavior took place. Molestation can have serious emotional, psychological and spiritual effects on a child, and this issue should be taken very seriously. We also urge you to forward a copy of this letter to the parents or caregivers of any child who may have spent time alone with Tim.

Tim spent a lot of time in the homes of families and was well liked and trusted by parents and children. Some of the alleged crimes that Tim was arrested for took place during what could seem like innocent play to a child. If your child has been molested, he or she may be confused about what happened. It's common in these situations for the child to feel that anything inappropriate that happened was somehow their own fault. A pedophile will frequently tell the child that what he does with them is a secret and they should not tell anyone about it.

If you are aware or learn of any inappropriate sexual behavior, you should immediately call the law enforcement authorities in the area it occurred.

In regards to Tim; our concern is the welfare of his soul. He will no longer be in the work here in Minnesota or elsewhere. Tim will not be attending any of our meetings until the legal process and ensuing treatment be completed and only then with the approval of those who he may be meeting with.

The enclosed page has some general information about pedophiles.

Sincerely, your brothers in Christ,

[Signed by Craig Winquist and Lyle Schober]

2017

My dear [Texas] friends,

My thoughts have gone many ways these last weeks and maybe I could just send them along to you. It is a pleasure to think of each one in their place and striving together for the good of the kingdom. It is a noble cause we have and with the many distractions that abound in every life it seems we need more and more of the reminders of the purpose of life as clearly stated in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil."

Somehow, I feel we are in a very important day in the whole plan of the Almighty. Some of our friends and many of the workers have been praying especially for the hurried return of our Lord Jesus. I suppose in every age since Jesus left his flock in the world and rose in the air there have been individuals with an eye toward his coming again. Certainly, we are much nearer to it in 2017 than at any other time. The depravity of so many in the world and the tools of the world, lead us to believe we are approaching the critical "Zero hour" in human events. Never have events charged at us so rapidly. Never have there been so many devices readily available to us to spin us into an unreal realm so that we lose awareness of the responsibilities of our day.

So, we yearn to be ready for whatever the future brings us. If it is our Lord's return in our day, very well. If it is ours to simply stand for Him in our communities for more years, very well. We have the promise of his comfort and help. So, we look for our Redeemer with anticipation and a great desire to have him find us awake and faithful. Our purpose is to be ready today, to have our circle of influence offer a warm welcome to Jesus.

I have a concern I have hesitated to bring to you fearing that we lose sight of the real importance of inner godliness. I have discussed my concerns with most of our Texas and new Mexico workers and find my concerns are their as well.

Our heart and our whole being remains our focus as we know the measure of a Christian is his spirit, love and integrity from the inside out. Never-the-less since scriptures were present in Paul and Peter's letters I feel it appropriate to bring this to your notice. 1 Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety...and 1 Pe 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great gain.

When we were attempting to make visits to our contacts in prison, I found contained in the article addressed to Visitors to the "Texas Correctional Facilities: a paragraph about appropriate clothing. Surprisingly, there were some specifics given to make the visitors safe and the prisoners calm and not incite emotions. I would refer you to some final items of appropriate dress when visiting the prisons. Direct quote from this internet site. ( http://www.prisonpro.com/content/visiting-inmate-texas )

• All shirts on men and women must cover the shoulders, dresses included.
• Clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or other large areas of skin is not allowed.
• No clothes that are tight fitting, including spandex, leggings, tank tops, tube tops etc. are not allowed.
• Clothing that is sheer or see-through is prohibited.

It has come to my attention that many private schools have regulations that makes definite rules about the student's appearance including dress codes. From what I have witnessed, they are for the most part conservative and appropriate for our young folks. Recently a woman was forbidden in the pressroom at the White House because of wearing a sleeveless dress. These are rules of those who aren't addressing this issue from a scriptural standpoint but who have natural concerns of appropriate attire.

Please understand that we have no desire to have a dress code except it be what Paul wrote that it be modest and appropriate to a meek and quiet spirit. Some recent fashions have perplexed me. Since it seems the world understands that clothing inflames emotions we ought to be aware of the same and so adorn ourselves that we portray the meek and gentle spirit of our Lord. I believe our Lord's return would be greatly encouraged if he would come and find our manners appealing to him. This outward appearance would be a confirmation of the inward holiness Jesus wants for his own.

The very best wishes to each in their place. Your brother in love's bonds. Lyle Schober