Delaney shares her experience growing up in the NRC in an abusive household. We talk about the way church leaders handled the abuse, the beliefs that helped create an environment for abuse and violence to thrive, and ways the church, the community, and all of us can better respond to the needs of victims and survivors of abuse. 

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of abuse and violence that listeners may find distressing. From minute 4:45 to minute 6:30, Delaney talks about the abuse she experienced, which includes child sexual abuse, grooming,  incest, sex trafficking, and being a child in a household with domestic violence. There are also mentions throughout the episode of intimate partner violence, rape, suicidality, self-harm, and disordered eating. Please listen with care.

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Resources:

https://csacleth.ca/ Resources and counselling on sexual abuse (local to Southern Alberta)

https://distresscentre.com/crisis-chat/  Crisis chat line (local to Southern Alberta)

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod 

Email: nrc.story@gmail.com

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Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here.

Dutch immigrant Iris shares her experience with the NRC as someone close to, but not part of, the community. We talk about the expectations these communities have for outsiders, the ways various unpleasant things are turned away from and go unaddressed, and how the NRC affects the wider communities they inhabit.  

TW: this episode contains brief mentions of abortion, intimate personal violence, sexual assault, and homophobia.  Please listen with care.

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod 

Email us: nrc.story@gmail.com

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Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here.

Ex-NRC member Jared shares his experience with expectations and identity in the NRC community while in the church and after leaving. We talk about the aftermath of leaving a community like this, his interactions with people currently part of the NRC, and ways to handle engagement with the community.

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod 

Email us: nrc.story@gmail.com

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Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here.

Ex-NRC member Sophie shares her experience of abuse in the NRC community. We talk about how abuse is dealt with in the church, her experience of leaving the NRC and Christianity altogether, and the work of healing. 

TW: this episode contains mentions of grooming, sexual assault, domestic violence, and miscarriage. Please listen with care.

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Resources

Identify domestic violence

Connect to a women’s shelter in your area 

Reporting child abuse in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario 

Understanding grooming

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod 

Email: nrc.story@gmail.com

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Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here.

Marvin, a former teacher at an NRC school and former confessing member, shares his experience in the NRC and how he left. He talks about the social environment of the NRC and how it has changed over the years, his process of untangling his beliefs, and suggestions for people in a similar place. 

We had a little trouble with our audio in this episode, thank you for bearing with us! __________

Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod  Email: nrc.story@gmail.com __________

Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here: Joseph Tennant Spotify

Ex-NRC member Joe shares his experience with the NRC as a queer person. We talk about the beliefs the NRC holds about LGBTQIA+ identities, the response people had to him coming out, and finding a balance with family who have different views than us. 

TW: homophobia, brief mentions of suicidal ideation. Please listen with care.  __________

Resources

Helplines for LGBTQ+  in Canada:

https://itgetsbettercanada.org/get-help/

Information and education on supporting LGBTQ+ :

https://egale.ca/resources/#category=resources

We briefly refer to legislation on gender policies in Alberta. For more information, see this article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/danielle-smith-1.7101595

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod  Email: nrc.story@gmail.com __________

Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song Newborn Day. Find him on Spotify here: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3L37O07StTPkUM3EqkXNR5?si=x3NkZ-J0Swu4ffEt5ByaDw

Predestined's co-host, Taylor, shares her experience growing up in and leaving the NRC community. She talks about how the church functions, about spiritual trauma, and what it is like to leave a high-control group.

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Resources

High Control Groups:

https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/

Spiritual Abuse:

https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/definitions

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Find us on Instagram: @predestinedpod 

Email: nrc.story@gmail.com

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Thank you to the talented Joseph Tennant for the use of his song "Newborn Day"! Find him on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3L37O07StTPkUM3EqkXNR5?si=x3NkZ-J0Swu4ffEt5ByaDw

Welcome to Predestined: A Deconstruction of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation. As former members of the NRC, hosts Taylor and Lena will examine the worldviews and beliefs that shape this unique church community, and the ways those beliefs have and continue to impact people. 

Contact: @predestinedpod on Instagram, and nrc.story@gmail.com