Have you met Governing Body members?

by BonaFide 46 Replies latest jw friends

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  jaguarbass

  I met Brother Knorr back in the 70's in Cleveland, I played Ham in the drama and he came and shook my hand and said hello.
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  jws

  Knorr came to a new hall opening back in the 70's. I remember meeting him and shaking his hand. I was young, so I don't remember much else.
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  Nosferatu

  I prayed to Ted Jaracz once. I figured since he's one of the anointed, there was a pretty good chance that he'd hear me. However, praying to him had about the same effect that praying to Jehovah did. Nobody answered.
  
  Does praying to a GB member mean that I've become close with him?
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  Bonnie_Clyde

  Albert Schroeder came for dinner at our house in about 1972. Afterwards, we all went for a walk. Whatever year it was, it was shortly after the WT explained that the Great Tribulation didn't start in 1914--it was yet ahead. I asked him what the scripture at Matt. 24:29 now meant, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light." He explained that the tribulation was the one back in 70 CE and that "immediately" could actually be a long time--like 19 centuries. I thought, even though a brain-washed JW, that it was a crazy explanation.
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  ninja

  hey jaggy....I knew you were a ham actor.......he he
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  dogisgod

  Oh man that reawakens my pissed -off -ness. In my case they told me I could not divorce. I did. Then if I had a sexual relationship or remarried then they would disfellowship ME (then my mom couldn't talk to me anymore). So unkind and bullies they are. They are never responsible for what they do to people. I wonder if they are all sociopaths without conscience.
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  flipper

  BONAFIDE- Yes- Sadly enough I had the misfortune of meeting Ted Jaracz as a 10 year old boy ! ( No- it's not what you're thinking ! ) He and his wife stayed with my mom and dad as we were the host congregation of a circuit assembly- and he was district overseer then- my dad was city overseer so he and wifey stayed with us. I remember him being very stoic, didn't smile much , just a sour pickle so to speak. His wife ( for some bizarre reason ) wanted to wash my hair as she had been a professional hair stylist before apparently. I remember her massaging the shampoo into my scalp so hard - I thought my head would split open ! Maybe she was taking out frustrations in dealing with Ted- who knows ? Wish my parents would have prevented her from washing my hair ! Freaky lady, what was that all about ?

  Later on in my 20's when I had some assembly parts I met Br. Barr and Br. Barry, and Br. Schroeder when he was alive. That was over 20 years ago though . Barry seemed nice enough , the other 2 just seemed like old geezers to me being in my 20's
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  IWillBeDubbedNoMore

  I had Jaracz as a Circuit Servant before he was called to Bethel. I was around 19 years old. We worked together for a few doors. Our conversation consisted mostly of him asking me questions about another brother who was out with the group. Every door we went to was a not-at-home, until the last door. I rang the bell and a young kid came to the door. As I started talking Jaracz walked off the stoop and went to work with the brother he kept asking about. I didn't think much of him for doing that. Then, I was invited to my Aunt's house for dinner because my Aunt had the privilege of feeding him and his wife. My Aunt was given a list of foods he would eat. After the meal was over, my Aunt and sister Jaracz went to the kitchen. All that was leftwas Jaracz, my Uncle and myself. He picks up a newspaper and holds it up covering his face and starts reading it. My Uncle and I just look at each other. Needless to say. I was very surprised that he was asked to run thid organization.

  I also had Lett as a circuit servant. Don't remember much about him.

  One time when I was invited to Bethel for lunch and Sydlik sat at the same table. As I recall he made a few jokes.

  I was invited to the Annual Meeting a few times, But never met anyone in person. Only saw them on stage.
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  Dagney

  Jaracz, was our CO then DO, and also sat at his table in the dining room for two days at Bethel. NOT a great conversationalist. Cary Barber, executive office tour, very nice, showed us a lot of personal pictures; Gangas, nice enough, sort of danced down the stairs to the tunnels; Freddy, chatted as we rode the elevator in the Standish; Sydlik, visited our hall many times, was very very friendly and sweet. I think there were others during those trips, but don't remember exactly.
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  Farkel

  I met and spent time with Lyman Swingle. I knew his dad, "Doc" Swingle who was a retired pharmacist and one of the really old time "anointed" ones. Doc was a hoot and everyone loved him, including me.

  In the late 1960's I introduced Lyman's sister Betty to a guy named Jess Thomas, an old guy who had been a pioneer for years. They married a while later and Lyman came from Brooklyn to perform the ceremony. Afterwards, we all had dinner together, the whole Swingle/Ruhlander family and myself and wife. Lyman was gracious, funny and very down to earth. I couldn't help but like him.

  Years earlier I learned that Lyman was the guy who invented the formula for ink that was used to print the Watchtower literature for decades. And years later, I learned that Lyman was more than just a down to earth guy. He was rather coarse. One time in the elevator in the Brooklyn Compound(tm), Lyman was approached by a young Bethelite who complained to him that he was very upset at the cursing the brothers used at Bethel.

  Lyman just hung his head low and murmered, "oh, shit."

  My mother sent me a tape about, I don't remember exactly, 8 or 10 years ago of Lyman's funeral service. It was a long service. After listening to it, I was amazed at how different it was from the normal funeral service of a rank and file dub. With Lyman's funeral, one would have thought the Pope had died. It was one huge eulogy with tons of stories about his life, and none of the schlocky sales pitch for the new paradise earth that is routinely found in normal JW funerals.

  In WatchtowerLand, everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others, I guess.

  I dated Lyman's niece. She was the daughter of Lyman's youngest brother, Fran. The best man at my wedding was the son of Lyman's sister.

  When I left the WT, I heard that Lyman's sister said I was a "horse's ass" for leaving it. I have never, ever heard her say anything bad about anyone. She was the quintessential Pollyanna. I am honored she would break her normal routine just for me! If only she knew what I'm doing these days!

  Farkel