Fellowship objects to signs

The Fellowship of Friends is seeking a stay-away order for a woman the religious group identifies as a 49-year-old former member who has had signs — with messages including, "How many more boys, Dear?" — in front of the Fellowship headquarters in Oregon House.

Her sign referring to boys "implies harm or indecencies to minors," said the Fellowship. That "has not and does not occur on the Fellowship property," the Fellowship said.

The request, scheduled to be heard today in Yuba County Superior Court, comes as the religious group says it's preparing for its biggest annual festival at its Oregon House headquarters.

The "Going Forth By Day" event begins today and is bringing Fellowship members from around the world, including Europe, Asia, South America and Mexico, according to court documents filed by the religious group.

Oregon House, the foothills community in Yuba County, is world headquarters for more than 1,700 members, according to fellowship court documents.

The woman displayed her signs from the trunk of her car during the Fourth of July holiday at the Fellowship headquarters, according to the religious group. Referring to the woman's signs posted during the holiday events, the religious group said the day is the anniversary of the 1971 founding of the Fellowship retreat in Oregon House.

Her signs violate the Yuba County sign ordinance, the religious group said.

Robert Mearns, president of the Fellowship of Friends, signed a court document filed Thursday that seeks the stay-away order. The request states that the order is sought for the protection of all Fellowship members, including founder Robert Burton, 68.

Mearns could not be reached for comment.

The Fellowship Web site states that the group was founded in the Fourth Way tradition, also known as "esoteric Christianity."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appeal-democrat.com