269 Nahanton Street, Newton Center, MA 02459-2900
Telephone 617-244-2075
?Facsimile 617-965-9801
To: All bodies of elders within the MA-1 region with a pending construction project
Date: October 20, 2010
Dear Brothers:
As the branch asks regional building committees to regularly communicate with bodie of elders for whom a project is pending, we want to convey information regarding challenges we are facing for which we earnestly request your help.
Recent projects
The RBC volunteers have exerted themselves tremendously over the past service year. They were able to complete 6 maintenance/renovation projects in the region. In addition, the now famous Jamaica Plain project in Boston was completed. Three congregations,two circuit apartments and foreign language groups are already making wonderful use of this facility. We saw in dramatic ways how Jehovah intervened to ensure its success at times when it was beyond human ability to overcome the obstacles of this project. Many of you elders reading this letter had a significant role in all this work, and we are truly grateful for the privilege to have worked along with you!
Pending Projects
There are over 20 Kingdom Halls in our region which are currently in need of either renovation or replacement, and additional projects are being added regularly. If one were to imagine 4 major projects being completed each year, this means that some projects will not be addressed for years (Feeling Guilty Yet?). As formidable as this is, we regret that we have been compelled to put a temporary moratorium on starting any new projects. There are now so few elders available to serve as department overseers that we do not have a sufficient set of functioning departments. The August 2, 2006, letter from the branch to all congregations included a PS to the body of elders, which stated in part:
"Can each of you make yourself available to assist the local Regional Building Committee? We are asking all elders to consider whether this may be possible and, if so, to complete a volunteer form. The regional committees need spiritually mature brothers who can assist with oversight and organization. If you could help periodically throughout the year, it would give much needed assistance and assurance of your support to these dear brothers, who have carried such a heavy load for many years. – Isa.6:8"
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269 Nahanton Street, Newton Center, MA 02459-2900
Telephone 617-244-2075
Facsimile 617-965-9801
We have therefore included in this mailing an invitation for any elder serving within our region, no matter what their experience, to attend an informational meeting to be conducted by the RBC. Attending the meeting does not put one under any obligation, but its purpose is to present information from the Christian Congregation about the privilege and opportunity elders have to support the regional arrangement. We invite as many elders as possible to attend. We understand that some of you brothers have been waiting for work to begin on your local Kingdom Hall for years. And as you can see from this letter, some will likely wait much longer. It is understandable one may feel frustrated, and others may wish to start their own local projects just to get something done. But this will only further drain available brothers from the arrangement of the RBC. The only real solution is for as many volunteers and elders as possible to support the arrangement Jehovah is using at this time. Indications are that the organization is expanding the RBC role, rather than the opposite. We kindly request that you make copies of this letter and the attached invitation and distribute it to each elder in your congregation, if you are agreeable. As you prayerfully consider this, we look forward to meeting with you as the enclosed invitation offers.
Your brother,
Daniel Sideris
For the Massachusetts Regional Building Committee #1
Regional Building Committee Of Jehovah's Witnesses – Massachusetts #1
Meeting Invitation To All Elders Within RBC MA-1 Region
All elders within our region willing to consider an oversight role with the RBC are invited to attend a meeting
to be held on one of the following dates. There is no commitment assumed simply by attending.
January 8 2011, SharonKingdom Hall, 2:00pm: 374 Old Post Rd, Sharon, MA (781) 784-6675
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January 29 2011, WarehamKingdom Hall, 2:00pm: 692 County Rd, W Wareham MA (508) 295-8223
What Is The Meeting About?
There is an urgent need for elders willing to serve as a department overseer or assistant in any number of RBC departments. The attached organization chart shows the departments which exist, many of which are in need of an overseer, an assistant or both. There are over 20 Kingdom Halls in our region currently in need of replacement or major renovation right now, and we cannot proceed without more help! It is understandable that one might hesitate to consider such an assignment, but perhaps these answers to common questions may help you to prayerfully consider attending the upcoming meeting.
What If I Do Not Have Any Construction Experience?
That does not matter! As you can see from the attached chart, there are many functions which are not directly related to construction trades. Plus, even a trade department can be overseen by a well
organized, willing elder. The departments are already staffed with tradesmen, the real need is for elders who can provide oversight.
Won't It Take Me Away From My Family? (This is good and its how we will get more help)
No! Why not have your family join the department with you? Children as young as 13 years are able to work under certain guidelines. Your wife can also perform helpful tasks within the department. Accepting such an assignment actually draws the family closer together, brings spiritual blessings, and focuses attention on what is truly refreshing.
Won't It Take Me Away From My Congregation?
Yes! But this is also sacred service. Right now the work of hundreds of publishers within our region is being impeded because of not having a suitable place to worship. Our brothers need our help, and the RBC is the Theocratically appointed arrangement which provides that help. – Hebrews 6:10.
How Much Time Is Involved In Being A Department Overseer Or Assistant?
If one were to devote 1 weekend per month throughout the year, most oversight work of a department could be done. Perhaps 3 or 4 times a year, this may extend to a few additional weeks. While this is not a trivial assignment, it is not a burdensome or impossible one. Jehovah, your congregation and the organization will support you!
The RBC is one of the aspects of the organization where all language groups work together side-by-side. It opens up other privileges of service, such as temporary Bethel work, disaster relief and international construction. Please attend the meeting and discuss with your family and in your prayers what you can do. Your brothers
Usually it the good conciencense elders that feel the guilt, leaving the sheep with shep-Farts
Regional Building Committee Of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc.
Massachusetts #1