This is just a brief summary of the convention this past weekend at the AH in La Feria, TX . Attendance was 1100 and 9 baptized, two of them very young. The elder that gave the baptism speech let out that the day before there was 6 baptisms. I speculate attendance was about the same the day before. Our circuit just got reorganized not too long ago and now the assemblies are a bit smaller than they used to. We stayed in for lunch and you could pretty much hear the silence inside the hall. Total cost for the one day assembly was $8,300. By mid afternoon there was a deficit of over $5,000. Accounts person also mentioned a $1,500 deficit from the previous assembly in February. Long gone are the days where I would estimate that a $0.50 donation for each attendee would cover. Not the case anymore.
The assembly itself was pretty dull. I always prepare myself from what I am about to hear so I try to tune out most that I can. However, they never stop surprising me. We have a new CO in the circuit. Guy with first assignment, fresh out of the school. He seems to have a lot of energy and willingness to be strong worded.
In the terms of money, there was a pretty big speech regarding giving more time and money, off course. There was also a demonstration of how to keep a simple life and avoid unnecessary expenses. You know, the less you spend, the more you can give. In the demonstration the kid approaches his dad with the latest offer from his cell phone carrier. The dad can't deny that paying $200 for the latest phone on a new two year deal is a good bargain. Never the less, he begins to lecture his son on how much more useful that money would be if they put it forth for kingdom interests. With the end so near and so much need for new construction, he said.
Later, the CO started the public talk about how God sees religion. His opening remarks were about how disappointed people are with religions. Among many things, he mentioned the abuse of children by the clergy. At that point I had to get up and walk outside. I knew there was a pretty self righteous speech ahead. I can stomach the speech, but I knew I would not be able to stop myself from having a conversation with the wife later that day. So I rather not hear it.
This is the first time I had to get up and walk out. I am afraid more will come.