I have never found the Freemason connection to be a turn off like so many others do. So what? There is an outer circle (the rank and file). These are the busy bees going about the mundane duties of the work. Then there is an inner circle (higher ranking authority figures such as COs and DOs and perhaps Branch Overseers). These are the administrators and organizers...the paper pushers. And then there is a mystery circle. They are the ones that hold the keys.
journey-on
JoinedPosts by journey-on
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4
A "Chartered Bethel" is a Masonic Term Relating to Their Many Organizations
by cameo-d inthis organization is truly international in scope.
at present there are bethels in the united states, canada, australia, the philippines and brazil with other countries expressing interest.. the international order of job's daughters is operated in a democratic manner, similar to masonic lodges as well as other masonic family organizations.
in bethels, adult co-workers known as the bethel guardian council (consisting of a bethel guardian, associate bethel guardian, and others) supervise each bethel and are appointed yearly - with special consideration given to recommendations from the members of the bethel.. .
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Why Don't JW Congregations have a Choir?
by journey-on ineven if it were just four or five good singers that practice during the week and get to know the new songbook well, this would benefit the whole congregation.
music is such a vital part of the overall emotional connection to the gathering, a well-rehearsed choir singing along with the congregation would encourage and uplift, don't you think?.
what is the society's reasoning for not doing this?.
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journey-on
I am not familiar with the new Kingdom songs. I wonder if they have one as beautiful as this and if Sister Soundsmooth could sing it as beautifully.
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Why Don't JW Congregations have a Choir?
by journey-on ineven if it were just four or five good singers that practice during the week and get to know the new songbook well, this would benefit the whole congregation.
music is such a vital part of the overall emotional connection to the gathering, a well-rehearsed choir singing along with the congregation would encourage and uplift, don't you think?.
what is the society's reasoning for not doing this?.
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journey-on
If the powers that be were smart, they would realize a music program within the congregation would be nothing but beneficial. They could even set it up as a trial only thing for a period of time to help the flock learn the new songs and hear the beauty of them when sung properly.
A choir would be something the sisters could participate in and thereby consider it a congregational privilege. I think more young people would look more forward to the meetings.
The only problem I see?......Sister Smoothsound could be the choir director with the P-O-W-E-R to accept or reject the choir members. Oh boy! Can you just imagine the drama. LOL!!
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Background Checks????
by iamwhoiam ini was talking to an elder friend of mine.
he says they got a letter in that makes it more strict for a brother to reach out as an ms. if there was ever a letter written on the prospected brother regarding past wrongdoing, he is now practically turned down without question by the circuit overseer.
elder friend said society may even impliment background checks on anyone reaching out.
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journey-on
Elder friend said society may even impliment background checks on anyone reaching out.
If this means checking the pedophile/sex offender database, I think it's a good idea considering how easily pedophiles could insert themselves in a congregation. -
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The struggle to avoid being bitter
by crazycate ini dont want to be bitter.
but i now understand why some or many ex-jws are bitter.
i remember when i was an active zealous jw thinking, if someone wants to leave, go ahead and leave.
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journey-on
I liked the way you phrased it: "The mistake I was making was not seeing that choosing to leave is not the same as choosing the consequences. Knowing what the consequences will be is not the same as choosing those consequences."
This doesn't hit you square in the face till later.
I firmly (and with faith) believe this organization will get everything coming to it sooner or later for the evil they have done and are still doing to families. Just because someone decides they no longer want to be a JW should never mean they lose their family ties. The day is coming for the WTS!!!!!
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Why Don't JW Congregations have a Choir?
by journey-on ineven if it were just four or five good singers that practice during the week and get to know the new songbook well, this would benefit the whole congregation.
music is such a vital part of the overall emotional connection to the gathering, a well-rehearsed choir singing along with the congregation would encourage and uplift, don't you think?.
what is the society's reasoning for not doing this?.
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journey-on
I loved those days, DanaBug. I was a kid and my mom was the piano player. She would embellish the music and we had three or four really good singers that would really get into it especially during the chorus part. It was a sad sad day when the piano was removed and the CD equipment installed.
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What do you think the witness are saying about the weather
by d ini think the witness are probably happy with anticaption that this just might the closing of this syestem of things.i mean crazy weather here in the northeast and flooding in austrailia.all the signs are their.
i think they are just eating this stuff up.
tell me what you think, have any witness you encountered said anything about this crazy weather.
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journey-on
My neice will say things sometimes that connect the weather with the Big A. I just remind her of 1989 or some other year when it was much worse than this. Or if it's about the horrible economy, I'll mention how my parents survived the Great Depression when their parents had to cut old rubber tires to make soles for their shoes.
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so oompa got df'd this week...
by oompa inno call to invite me to a committee meeting...no notification of deciding i should be df'd....no telling my jw wife of the announcement...not a chance to appeal what i did not even know what was going on...my mini-serve son is devasted....he even researched it....told me to go to page 153-154 of the od book...never heard of it but it is a green hardback given to all who are to be baptized.
wow...the elders broke every rule in this book as to my case.... i have no respect for these men that can take away your jw family without even telling you they are going to.
my jw son has now begged me to meet with my committee...even though there is prob zero chance they can reverse the decision...that chance is from when they let you know...and you have to appeal by letter within 7 days (i cant make this stuff up!!
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journey-on
ps...help me through this my old friends...i really did not want to be dfd!...i am fourth generation....i had already been shunned by my lifelong friends due to my outspoken words regarding my discovering we had changed the bible to make it say what JW'S want it to...but now i have lost my family....oomps
(((((oompa))))))
If you are a 4th generation JW, then you know the ropes. There are procedures for getting reinstated, so if that is really what you want, then you know what you have to do. Be prepared to kiss lots of butt, suffer through all the meetings, smile at them when you feel like putting your fist through their faces, bow down to them, show repentance, .....anyway, you KNOW what is required by these self-righteous holier-than-thou pharisees. It is a process.
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Why Don't JW Congregations have a Choir?
by journey-on ineven if it were just four or five good singers that practice during the week and get to know the new songbook well, this would benefit the whole congregation.
music is such a vital part of the overall emotional connection to the gathering, a well-rehearsed choir singing along with the congregation would encourage and uplift, don't you think?.
what is the society's reasoning for not doing this?.
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journey-on
Yeah...y'all are probably right. I forgot about "the FUN thing". Also, there would be the possibility that Brother Goodvoice might be alone with Sister Smoothsound on practice night when the other two or three don't show up.
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Why Don't JW Congregations have a Choir?
by journey-on ineven if it were just four or five good singers that practice during the week and get to know the new songbook well, this would benefit the whole congregation.
music is such a vital part of the overall emotional connection to the gathering, a well-rehearsed choir singing along with the congregation would encourage and uplift, don't you think?.
what is the society's reasoning for not doing this?.
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journey-on
But, from what I hear, nobody can sing the new songs with clarity and enthusiasm. They sound like caterwauling. You would think they would at least allow a trial run at it.