Gloriavale leavers ‘twisted details’ about the commune, member tells court

February 15, 2023: By Jean Edwards | RNZ | A Gloriavale father-of-nine has accused leavers of twisting details about the sect to paint a dark, sensationalised picture of life at the Christian commune. David Stedfast told an Employment Court hearing members had freedom of choice and denied portraying an idealistic, utopian view of…

Gloriavale advocate asks if witness being ‘bullied’

February 15, 2023: By Ryan Boswell | 1News Reporter | A question has been asked as to whether a Gloriavale member was being bullied while giving evidence at the Employment Court. David Stedfast was being cross-examined by the lawyer for Gloriavale leavers Brian Henry about whether women at the West Coast commune have…

Employment relationship in ‘direct conflict with our religious beliefs’-Gloriavale member: RNZ

February 14, 2023: By Jean Edwards |RNZ Reporter | Employment relationships at Gloriavale would be in direct conflict with the Christian community’s religious beliefs, a founding member says. Serenity Valor told an Employment Court hearing Gloriavale had no intention of denying people their legal rights and the community believed it was complying with…

A Gloriavale resident has argued her faith stops her from taking a wage and being given employment rights.

February 14, 2023: By Ryan Boswell | 1 News Reporter | Priscilla Stedfast has told the Employment Court that members work hard, but that was “part of my life and I have always loved to give and help my family and my friend’s families”. The hearing is to determine whether six former residents…

‘I won’t deny we work long hours’ says Gloriavale member under cross-examination

February 14, 2023: Charlie Gates | Stuff | A Gloriavale member has conceded that young women worked hard, long hours at the religious community and were sometimes publicly shamed for being late for duties or making mistakes in the kitchen. Priscilla Stedfast was the latest witness to testify at the ongoing Employment Court case…

A Gloriavale resident has claimed she’s being discriminated against because she’s a woman, a Christian, and lives at the West Coast commune.

February 14, 2023: 1 News | Priscilla Stedfast, who was born at Gloriavale, is giving evidence at the Employment Court case which is deciding whether six former members were employees or volunteers. Virginia Courage, Pearl Valor, Serenity Pilgrim, Rose Standtrue, Anna Courage and Crystal Loyal claim they were made to work long hours…

Gloriavale mother-of-7 accuses former members of misleading, exaggerated claims about the commune

February 13, 2023: By Jean Edwards | RNZ | A Gloriavale mother-of-seven has denied working under the whip of its leaders and accused former members of making misleading and exaggerated claims about life at the West Coast commune. Priscilla Stedfast has told an Employment Court hearing her husband did not rule over her…

I love my life at Gloriavale: Leavers’ claims are nonsense, exaggerated, offensive says life member

February 13, 2023: By Anna Leask | NZ Herald | A Gloriavale mother of seven has slammed evidence given by women who left the community, saying their accounts of working conditions and their lives are incorrect, highly exaggerated, unrealistic and offensive. And she says the “misleading” information about Gloriavale is hugely impacting the…