by Nate Hansen
Sedona Red Rock News
April 13, 2007
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The following are the remaining seven questions, of 12, asked to two former Aquarian Concepts Community members, John Thurstin and Laura Medina.
Medina was drawn to the alternative community and stayed for two years.
Thurstin, an instructor of The Urantia Book for nearly 50 years, was asked to come to the community in 1991 by Tony Delevin, who refers to himself as "Gabriel of Sedona."
Thurstin stayed for over 13 years until leaving two years ago out of moral and ethical frustrations.
Delevin, Candace Ruth and Catherine Lilly, GCCA spokespersons, were not available for comment by press time.
• When people leave, are their belongings returned to them?
Thurstin: "If anyone decides to leave the community, for whatever reasons, they are considered a traitor, a Judas, in default, and regardless of what they may have given, including such valuable items as [money, property], they get nothing back."
"One can expect to leave without a car, money, food, no income, no place to stay and some have left friends and family behind as well.
"It has taken some people years to get over it, and some of them never will because they are so damaged by the experience."
• Do community members have privacy?
Thurstin: "Although they still have to account for everything, the few who are the closest to Gabriel and do his bidding without question have easier access to cars, money and so on. They live in better conditions than the rest of the community.
"Those of lesser class are often jammed into unlikely and often uncomfortable situations such as tents, yurts, shacks or garages. Privacy for most community members is non-existent.
''Furthermore, members are not allowed to have any friends outside of the ACC, including Sedona, and they are, not allowed to ride in any cars other than those belonging to ACC in the company of another ACC member.
"So one can tattle on the other if they don't agree with what they do or say. 'Chips' are often given. Not surprisingly, this 'game' often functions on a very petty level."
• What is the "chip game"?
Thurstin: "While the rules of the 'chip 'game' are far too numerous and complicated, I can tell you that it is basically a method of encouraging members to watch each other and report any deviance from Tony Delevin's teachings, especially what he teaches about himself.
"Children watch their parents, spouses watch each other and they rat on each other via this procedure. Reports of infractions or deviations often result in a chip submitted to denote the problem, which may lead to counseling or humiliation before the entire community.
"This is a game where everyone is encouraged to spy and tattle on one another; including family members ... to emphasize obedience members are literally told if they do not obey Gabriel they will die."
Medina: "I found the counselor more interested in my personal financial standing than my attitude. To make matters worse, the 'service ' was not free. I had to pay for it. One pays for everything."
• If you came as a certain professional, does the community utilize those skills or refrain from having a person use their trade?
Thurstin: "As usual, it depends on Gabriel. Some have arrived with a profession who were allowed to continue in their practice because he needed it. Others trained in a highly specialized field were told they should drop it and do something else.
"A nurse who had specialized emergency room training, for example, decided to leave rather than throw her profession away. Fortunately, she didn't leave before she had the opportunity to save the life of someone who had left the community and attempted to commit suicide.”
Medina: "Much to my astonishment, I witnessed the denial of persons with highly developed skills fall by the wayside only to be put to work in [illegible] service."
Editor's Note
• This is the first of a series following first-hand accounts and experiences in Global Community Communications Alliance, formerly known as Aquarian Concepts Community, headquartered at a complex off Upper Red Rock Loop Road, southwest of Sedona.
In this two-part series, former members group answer 12 questions.
The first part, published Wednesday, April 11, included five questions and answers.
These are the final seven questions and their answers.
• Does ACC go to the local food bank for food?
Thurstin: “Yes. They have gone to two food banks in Phoenix that I am aware of for around 15 years and brought back vans full of food.
"They also obtain it from local places, such as Bashas' and the Sedona food bank, in spite of their apparent wealth."
• If The Urantia Book is a fellowship without a hierarchy of leaders, priests and so forth, why does Gabriel insist on calling himself, Gabriel of Urantia?
Thurstin: "Urantia is the cosmic name of this planet, according to The Urantia Book. When 'Christ Michael' came to this planet and incarnated as Jesus Christ a 'Son of Man,' he took the title of 'Planetary Prince' from the apostate 'Caligastia,' the cosmic name of the one known as the devil.
"Gabriel is now assuming this title as the ruler of this world, with plans that his son will inherit this title, and planet, when he leaves ... as ruler of the world he claims that no other human being has any authority over him, or should anyone question anything he does and/or orders others to do. And he will not tolerate criticism of any kind.
'''Prince Malfax' is another name that symbolizes his supposed future destiny to be the ruler of Earth and to repopulate it mostly with his children/genetic seed. 'Everything I do is justified ... I am the mandated ruler of the world,' Gabriel has said."
• Describe any issues you feel need investigated further.
Thurstin: "Of all the things over the years I observed taking place with community members, and particularly what I experienced personally, the so-called medical care and related activities called 'Tron Therapy' affected and disturbed me the most.”
Medina: "Some people leave secretly in the middle of the night, with only what they can carry. Why is that, could it be fear?
"Many are afraid to talk about their experience in the community. Why is that, could it be fear?"
To reach Nate Hansen call 282-7795, Ext. 132, or e-mail to [email protected]
*****
Woman Fears Gabriel’s Control
by Nate Hansen
Sedona Red Rock News
April 13, 2007
In 1995, Shiloh Helminiak was born to Darrell and Jessica Helminiak. As a new grandmother, Janet Helminiak was never happier.
Happiness turned to sadness a year later when the couple, and baby Shiloh, joined Aquarian Concepts Community, now called the Global Community Communications Alliance, an alternative living and church group that operates off Lower Red Rock Loop Road outside Sedona city limits.
According to Janet Helminiak, of California, she never worried about GCCA’s alternative lifestyle or “religious beliefs.” People have the right to practice what they want, she says.
Nor did she show opposition when her son became “Anyan,” her daughter-in-law became "VesBein,” and Shiloh became “Ascendia” -– all “cosmic names” provided by GCCA.
She did show concern when Darrell, now 36, and Jessica separated at the alleged discretion of Tony Delevin, the leader of GCCA otherwise known as “Gabriel of Urantia.”
According to the disheartened grandmother, Jessica Helminiak became a partner, or “complement,” to a member by the name of “Tereon” before settling down with “Keea,” [with] whom she has since had a second child.
As far as her son, Darrell Helminiak, he was paired with and married a woman named Justine -– cosmic name, “Aspinglae.” The couple stayed married a short while before divorcing, bearing no children.
Helminiak’s second ex-wife, who arrived at the community as a single mother and has since left alone, declined to comment about her experiences at GCCA.
Janet Helminiak says, other than constant secrecy, she never saw anything wrong with GCCA conditions until January 1999.
During one of her bi-annual visits to GCCA that month, she says a red flag surrounding her granddaughter’s health and welfare went up.
A short time later, according to Helminiak, her concerns spawned community member Steven Munro, otherwise known as “Arlin,” to escort her and another parent and grandparent of GCCA members off the GCCA property.
Munro, who currently resides at GCCA’s Tumacacori ranch near Nogales, denied any separation of families.
Jacqueline Munro, a former member and Steven Munro’s ex-wife, declined to comment because records of her divorce and other court proceedings are sealed and she is barred from discussing the case.
Helminiak says she had no choice but to legally petition Yavapai County Superior Court for visitation rights in order to see her granddaughter.
“I want my granddaughter healthy,” she says. “I don’t know, I have my worries. I want her to have a change at life.”
In 2001, following what she says had potential of being a "precedent-setting lawsuit," Helminiak admits she wasted her time.
Due to sealed court documents and a gag order, Helminiak says she can’t discuss specific issues.
She can say the tedious court battle and unresolved mediation ended in 2001 and cost her a $70,000 legal bill. Furthermore and more distressing, she says she is further distanced from her granddaughter.
She blames herself, she says.
Helminiak says though legally she should be able to see her granddaughter, she says she doesn’t feel she’ll be able to visit.
By this time, Shiloh, who will be 12 years old in October, is afraid of her grandmother, she says. Besides that, she says she doesn’t believe Delevin will allow visitation.
On Feb. 28, 2005, Darrell Helminiak wrote a letter to his parents.
"The two of you are both accountable for what you have done to assist in disintegrating our nuclear family," he wrote.
"The first step in re-establishing a relationship with us would be for you to repay the nearly 30,000 dollars [sic] ACC put forth to defend your so called 'heroic cause.' If you wish, I could put together a summary of documented expenses we spent on the case. Secondly, you would need to write a letter of apology to the eldership of ACC, in particular Gabriel."
The letter was signed, “Your son, Anyan.”
Celinas Ruth, GCCA’s attorney, said she declines to comment on personal letters written by community members.
“That’s not him. That’s not my son. This is all orchestrated by Gabriel and Niann [another GCCA leader],” Helminiak says. “My son is a wonderful man, wonderful man.
"He wants me to say I was wrong. I wasn't."
Helminiak breaks down in tears. She pleads she has no hidden agendas, no ulterior motives other than to see her granddaughter.
"I'm trying to find out as much as I can about the community because I'm concerned about my granddaughter," she cries. "People think it can't happen to them, their children arc protected. They're not."
"This is not a typical, church-driven organization. Where's the benevolence?" Helminiak says, frustrated. "This is a well-oiled machine of deception. It's convoluted -- not on the up and up."
To reach Nate Hansen call 282-7795, Ext. 132, or e-mail to [email protected]