i heard the society would be sending money to each congregation for them to give out to the poor for gas money for service and meetings.
Almost spit my coffee out on the screen when I read that! In my cong the service is done as it normally is... faking time and driving around. I think it depends on the area you live in and how far apart the territory is spaced.
I told a couple of elders to prepare to start seeing the rank and file preaching more by phone, letter, internet, and informally because going to the far away territory to find nobody home is no longer effective with the gas prices so high.
I flat out said that the "sending us on a wild goose chase has got to stop immediately!" The looks on their faces whenever I make these statements is priceless.
My poor husband will never make 'elder' with such a non-submissive wife.