ours did too. and regular picnics too. Perhaps it changed when they took away book study. I loved book study and i was so upset (and surprised) when they took that away. Then when they went to Zoom and prohibited all contact and mingling, it took a profound toll. it was the death knell. now everything is coming out about the vaccine and i thinks it is just going to sink Watchtower, i’m afraid. When and how, i can’t speculate. It’s all a matter of how Jehovah allows his prophecies to unfold.
I was sitting with a bunch of Elders when the Book Study stopped. I was inactive but I said...
"
Why did they stop the home meetings? This was the closest thing to the First Century Christian set up. For many brothers in divided households this is the only contact they can have with the Brothers in a more relaxed environment.
And I thought the idea of having a small home group meeting was to help when things get restricted during the GT. Even if the Government shuts down the Halls we can continue in the homes.
My position is to have one home meeting and one public at the hall. We can disband the Tuesday night Service meeting altogether and simply have a two part home meeting. Book study first...and then a more informal open session where we can talk about field service experiences and even have practice sessions together. It will be fun and we won't lose anything spiritually. "
There was an awkward pause and then came the reply "That's the direction and we follow the direction".
But none of them had a rebuttal to what I suggested. And Btw , I wasn't being a Debbie Downer....I was actually trying to suggest something that I thought would uplift the Brothers...not bring them down.
And during Covid, if we had the home meetings we could of continued to congregate in many areas as the Gov restrictions were often for gatherings 20 or above.
