I have always wondered why it cost so much to "rent" the space used for local Special Assembly Days and Circuit Assemblies.... In our case, the Society built a large ASSembly Hall, on donated farm land (= free), in the middle of some corn fields 20 miles outside of Columbus, Ohio... The property has a couple of apartments where some of the Travelling Overseers live, who help with the upkeep of the building. Cleaning the building was taken care of because of our "privilege" to go out the day before the assembly to get it in good shape (free housekeeping and maintenance work).
SO, the Society owns the building. It was built on free land. It was maintained by free labor.
YET, a 2 day ASSembly costs more than $7000..... Why $7000? Where does this number come from? I never knew electric and heating/AC cost so much!!! Of course, we never would have passed the collection plate (as they do in..[cue scary music]... "Christiandom"....), but the announcement from the podium was always too obvious --- "Brothers, at this time, we are short $5000 in donations for this weekend harvest waste of time...)
It always seemed dishonest to me. Any thoughts?
EyeDrEvil