Have you ever been on a congregation picnic?

LostintheFog1999

Were you ever on a congregation picnic? I was on several occasions.

The arrangements were often announced from the platform after the closing song and prayer by the last elder up on the platform.

Sometimes it was included in the Service Meeting Announcements as "on Saturday we're meeting at 10.00am at the Kingdom Hall for Field Service, and after Field Service for anyone who wishes, especially for the younger ones, we will be having a congregation picnic meeting at the beach carpark on Seaview Road."

Well, according to the new Elders Manual you won't be hearing those words again. Lol.

St George of England

Nowadays it's all done on WhatsApp.

George

Biahi

No fun allowed! They can have fun in the new system!

ThomasMore

Translation: "If you sanction a congregation picnic and someone get molested or raped - it's on you. We are washing our hands (like Pilate) of any repercussions (which are likely given the problems we know we are having)."

P.S. - and no having fun - PERIOD!

TD

When I was much, much younger there was a picnic and usually a softball game every Sunday evening after the meeting.

Very different era

Beth Sarim

Never happens anymore.

The Borg has really honed-in on discouraging group activities outside of meetings, FS or whatever. Where conversations may strike-up independent thought/speak or people questioning things & voicing opinions.

Just work, work, work.....

dropoffyourkeylee

The congregation picnics and ballgames (the JW equivalent to the church social) disappeared about 2000 or so. I think it was mostly driven by liability fears, and the WT practice of self-insuring. Church socials have a substantial degree of risk for the sponsoring organization, with quite a number of lawsuits out of food poisoning and sports-related injuries.

Diogenesister

Thomas MoreTranslation: "If you sanction a congregation picnic and someone get molested or raped - it's on you. We are washing our hands (like Pilate) of any repercussions (which are likely given the problems we know we are having)."

Ding Ding Ding!! We have a winner!!

It's exactly about this. They fear legal repercussions. The 'no fun' issue is a useful aside.

Beth Sarim

Anything to avoid "legal" issues, as always.

Samcats

Doesn't apply to International conventions. Then you can use Kingdom Halls to dance to worldly music, organize large gatherings at a hired theater and have Publishers practice for months sacrificing field service time to put on a better show.

Have you ever been on a congregation picnic?

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