pe: is this actually published official wt policy?
*** w85 2/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers
▪ If a Christian cannot be at the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal, what should he do?
But sometimes unusual obstacles arise. On occasion, raging storms or
floods have prevented a congregation, or some of its members, from
meeting together as planned. In rare cases, martial law has been in
effect with armed soldiers barring citizens from being out-of-doors
after sunset. Other Christians have not been able to be at the
congregation’s celebration because of being hospitalized or seriously
ill. What can be done in such instances?
While it is fitting for the whole congregation to unite for this
important event, circumstances such as noted above may make that
impossible. When extreme weather, a natural disaster, or the like,
absolutely prevents a family or a portion of a congregation from meeting
with the congregation, the isolated ones can meet and discuss
Scriptural accounts such as found in Luke 22:7-23, 28-30 and 1 Corinthians 11:20-31, as well as discussing the meaning of the occasion.
Similarly, if an enforced curfew makes it impossible for a congregation
to gather on the appropriate night, meeting in Congregation Book Study
groups or neighborhood groups might be the best alternative, the sum of
those in attendance serving as the congregation’s attendance report. A
brief talk may even be given if a capable, dedicated brother is in the
group. There need not be concern that no suitable emblems are available
as long as no one in this emergency situation previously partook of the
bread and the wine as an anointed Christian.