Here is a (transcribed) letter that all elders received regarding the elder school of 2012. The emphasis is NOT mine.
This letter is your invitation to attend the School for Congregation Elders at the location and dates shown below:
Please acknowledge receipt and acceptance of this invitation by completing and returning the enclosed confirmation form to the School for Congregation Elders Desk using the enclosed pre-addressed envelope. This should be returned no more than two weeks after receipt of this letter. If you no longer serve as an elder or are unable to attend this class for some other reason, please notify the School for Congregation Elders Desk IMMEDIATELY by telephone (845-306-1100, extension 46998). You will be advised as to what you should do with the material you have received.
Please carefully read and follow all the instructions described below.
Publications and References: At the bottom of this letter you will note two lists. The first list is what you should read and become familiar with before arriving for the first day of school. The second list includes other publications and references you will need during the week of school. When you arrive at school, you will be given a detailed list of all the references that will be covered in class. With the exception of references to the Watchtower, Awake, or Kingdom Ministry, many have found it very beneficial to bring the actual publication and not printouts.
Homework: On Monday through Thursday evenings of the school, please set aside some time to do meditative reading in preparation for the following day's class session.
Meetings: During the week of the school, the class will considere a model Congregation Bible Study on Monday and a model Theocratic Ministry School on Tuesday. Please bring the needed materials for those meetings on the respective days and be prepared to participate as you would at your Kingdom Hall. If your school falls on the week of the Theocratic Ministry School Review, please follow the school schedule as if it was the week of a circuit overseer's visit.
Name Badges: An identification badge will be issued to you when you arrive at the school. Please bring your own lapel badge holder.
Schedule: Classes for the school will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Classes on Friday will start at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude at 11:55 a.m. You will be provided with a noon meal each day, Monday through Thursday. Your morning and evening meals will be your responsibility.
Dress and grooming: Please plan to dress as you would when attending a congregation meeting. At all times, brothers should wear clothing that is clean, neat, tasteful, and modest.
Pioneers: Elders serving as regular pioneers will be credited 20 hours toward their monthly hour requirement. This credit plus the total number of hours actually spent in field service cannot exceed the monthly goal of 70 hours. Those serving as special pioneers will be given a credit equivalent to one-quarter of their monthly hour requirement.
We understand that it may be challenging for some to arrange their personal affairs to attend this school. However, we encourage you to make every effort to be there. This will afford you a wonderful opportunity to grow in love and appreciation for Jehovah, the Grand Instructor. (Isa. 30:20) You will also receive valuable training in 'shepherding the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.' (Acts 20:28) Please be assured of our continual prayers in your behalf.
Your brothers,
Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
List #1 (References to read before arriving on the first day of the school)
- Rbi8 1-14
- w07 8/1 4-7; w91 5/15 29-30
- g87 12/8 24-26
- be 27-38
- ks10 2:2-9
- od 5-27, 36-37, 41-42, 46-48, 159-163
- it-2 5-20 (Jehovah); it-2 52-57 (Jesus Christ); it-2 305 (Man, pars. 2-3); it-2 1008-1012 (Sovereignty)
- Congregation Bible Study Material for the week
List #2 (Publications and references needed during the week of the school)
- New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - With References (Rbi8)
- "Shepherd the Flock of God" (ks10)
- Organized to Do Jehovah's Will (od)
- Benefit from Theocratic Ministry School Education (be)
- "Come Be My Follower" (cf)
- Insight on the Scriptures, Volumes 1 and 2 (it-1, it-2)
- Worship the Only True God (wt)
- w08 8/15 19 pars. 10-12; w04 3/15 15 par. 2; w98 2/1 21; w96 7/1 9, 14-18, 21-24; w96 3/15 10 par. 5; w96 3/15 24-27; w95 5/15 25; w90 9/1 23-28; w90 8/15 10-15; w89 2/1 10-20
- km 2/07 8; km 2/03 5; km 2/92 7 par. 3; km 6/90 8; km 5/86 7-8
- Theocratic Ministry School material for the assigned week.