Anna

"Morning worship announcement at Bethel.
In the United States, 9,000 of our brothers have contracted the Corona Virus, 2,500 have recovered, 563 are hospitalized and unfortunately 219 have fallen asleep to death.
This was mentioned April 14, 2020 in the morning worship in New York's bethel.  It was asked that this be shared with the brothers so that we continue to pray for the entire association of brothers and understand the reason that the governing body has taken the measures that have been taken so far.  Cheers!"
By the way I am just quoting someone. This info is not from me personally.

Domestics are all who belong to Jesus as the master and all who are fed by him. So since Jesus is the master, then all of Jesus's slaves are domestics.
 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Matthew 24:45
The domestics include the anointed and the slave, because the slave is spoken of as beating his fellow slaves (domestics):  
“But if ever that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying, and he starts to beat his fellow slaves Matthew 24:48,49 
 

Are you advocating undue attention  to the anointed?  On the one hand you are always chastising JWs for listening to the slave (anointed) and accuse us of giving GB too much attention........and on the other hand advocate more attention within congregations...... only to anointed... paradox..... 
 

Yes, you are right, and we know that, but we are a mixed company where the anointed are mixed in with the great crowd. So members of the anointed partake and members of the great crowd don't. We've been through this several times. Nothing about the memorial arrangement denigrates the anointed. All I was remarking on was the method of the observation (during the lockdown) by the great crowd, that it seemed unecessarily ritualistic IF we already know no one will be partaking in the household. Nothing to do with how the anointed observe it. They actually partake of the emblems, different kettle of fish all together.
Don't forget many of the anointed (I would say most if they are male) are actually elders.
And by the way everybody, including the anointed, including the GB, are domestics.

And no, it is not an empty ceremony for the great crowd. It is an expression of deep gratitude for the ransom, remembering on that night what Jesus did for us and will do for us via the covenant for a Kingdom he put in place that night with his disciples. Because of this covenant, the Kingdom, people will get a chance for everlasting life. What is there not to celebrate?

Yes, you are right, and we know that, but we are a mixed company where the anointed are mixed in with the great crowd. So members of the anointed partake and members of the great crowd don't. We've been through this several times. Nothing about the memorial arrangement denigrates the anointed. All I was remarking on was the method of the observation (during the lockdown) by the great crowd, that it seemed unecessarily ritualistic IF we already know no one will be partaking in the household. Nothing to do with how the anointed observe it. They actually partake of the emblems, different kettle of fish all together.
Don't forget many of the anointed (I would say most if they are male) are actually elders.
And by the way everybody, including the anointed, including the GB, are domestics.

And no, it is not an empty ceremony for the great crowd. It is an expression of deep gratitude for the ransom, remembering on that night what Jesus did for us and will do for us via the covenant for a Kingdom he put in place that night with his disciples. Because of this covenant, the Kingdom, people will get a chance for everlasting life. What is there not to celebrate?

It is not anywhere near a catholic ritual...... so aramaic will be better.. lol

Yes, that is kind of my point. Obviously customs change, but I think the way it's done at the KH is for practical reasons mainly, but to do it the same way when there is only a handful of you, delegates the whole event to more of an invented (by us) ritual, and that is what has been my contention, that the memorial has become some kind of ceremonial tradition, just add Latin as JTR suggested and we're good to go!

But this is the open club where anything goes!

 

LOL. You got me there.
It makes sense, up to a point. Very expressive emojis, btw.
But TTH is right. This topic does not overlap well with the OP. Guilty!

Yes, that is kind of my point. Obviously customs change, but I think the way it's done at the KH is for practical reasons mainly, but to do it the same way when there is only a handful of you, delegates the whole event to more of an invented (by us) ritual, and that is what has been my contention, that the memorial has become some kind of ceremonial tradition, just add Latin as JTR suggested and we're good to go!

Yes, that is kind of my point. Obviously customs change, but I think the way it's done at the KH is for practical reasons mainly, but to do it the same way when there is only a handful of you, delegates the whole event to more of an invented (by us) ritual, and that is what has been my contention, that the memorial has become some kind of ceremonial tradition, just add Latin as JTR suggested and we're good to go!

Yes. The chart is used to account for such things that are yet in the future. Loan me that time machine you have stored behind the chicken coop. I’ll race forward, check it out, and assuming you have left me with a full tank of gas, return to let you know what I’ve found.
Most likely it is going to come down to some old buzzard who refuses to die, and everyone wishes he would because he remains the last overlapping link, but he appears more and more vigorous with each passing day,  and he buttonholes all he see to tout the virtues of his line of health supplements..

We sat.  But your photo reminded me that they would have been sitting on those long couches.

Did he do it in Latin?

At least when it's just the two of you, imitating that "bosom position" thing doesn't seem so awkward. Try that at the Hall!
 
----references-----
*** it-1 p. 219 Attitudes and Gestures ***
In the reclining manner of eating that was practiced during the days Jesus was on earth, to lean on another’s bosom was an attitude of intimate friendship or favor, and this was known as the bosom position. (Joh 13:23, 25) This custom was the basis of the illustrations in Luke 16:22, 23 and John 1:18.

We did that too as my husband wished it. It was a bit comical though because he got up and passed the emblems like an attendant at the KH. Was it perhaps too ceremonious in view of this illustrative interpretation of how it might have really looked? 
 

This talk of trying to obtain a global ceasefire so that nations can fight the Coronavirus sure looks interesting! 
If they do manage to sanction some sort of global truce then the UN and its members may well start claiming Peace & Security. 2020 being the 75th Anniversary of the ending of WW2 & the formation of the UN in 1945. As Putin said it would be "symbolic" 
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/15/world/macron-world-truce-putin-intl/index.html

@James Thomas Rook Jr., I know that I've already said more than my share about this chart. But there is one point that I have never seen discussed very clearly. It's the fact that it's another way of saying the following:
This generation will by all means have passed away before all these things occur.
That probably sounds bad, since Jesus said exactly the opposite. But look closely at the chart and note the actual earliest and latest bounds shown for:
|<-- "This Generation" -->|
On the chart, "This Generation" only reaches to the time when the last person anointed by the year 1914 has died. Notice that big gap before "The Great Tribulation." It does NOT continue to last into the period when a "group 2" anointed person remains alive after the persons from "group 1" have died. And the talks always imply that there are already no more living persons from "group 1."
Therefore "This Generation" already finished in 1992 or perhaps a few years after that, although no specific examples were ever brought up as possible candidates, even if unnamed. The idea is given that there may have been possible candidates from group 1 that outlived FWF, but we can assume that these would not have outlived him for very many years. These appear to already be dead based on indications from the talk that Brother Splane was giving.
Although some might try to stretch group 1, we should remember that a person is not considered "anointed" until they are baptized. A reasonable baptismal age seems to be from about 14 to 30, so we'll accept 14. For a person to be anointed by 1914, they should have been baptized, presumably as a "Bible Student" and therefore aware of the Watchtower's view of the sign in 1914. This means they were born by or before 1900, baptized by or before 1914, and would be at least 120 years old today if they were part of "This Generation."  
Therefore "This Generation" has already passed away, and all these things did not occur. So, clearly, we are being asked to believe the very opposite of what Jesus said about the generation.
Jesus: This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.
Splane: This generation will by all means have passed away before all these things occur.
Whom do we choose to believe?

Well that's an easy one:
"An all powerful, all knowing all good God could and would destroy Satan"
Of course, just not on that idiot's who made up the chart, time frame 😀

I know of an elder and his wife who will not have any symbols at all. I also heard one brother mention the appropriateness of a recovering alcoholic obtaining wine. Our household (3 of us) will have the emblems, but I don't think I am going to pass them around. To me that would feel too pretentious since the reason for passing them is not there...
I am not sure what rules you are referring to with regard to the memorial. The only rules I know of, and they are pretty straightforward, is the wine should be unfortified and the bread unleavened and the anointed are the only ones who partake and the great crowd are observers. The exceptions to the rules are If there is no one partaking then the emblems are not necessary. They are only necessary when a whole congregation physically gathers in case someone partakes. In a home where it is clear no one will partake, then to me, having the symbols is like a Catholic having a statue of a crucified Jesus to remind himself visually of the sacrifice that he made. That's how I see it anyway....
As a side line,  the friends fussing over what brand or type of red wine should be used is positively irritating me, lol. Red wine is red wine! As for the bread, as long as it is unfortified flour and water, rolled into a flatbread and baked, it doesn't matter if it's as hard as rock, because no one will eat it! 😄

I have noticed many friends seem to be stressing about the acquisition of the memorial symbols during the coronavirus lockdown. There have been quite a few discussions on social media and in person.
These discussions were mainly regarding the necessity for memorial symbols if such became troublesome to purchase and if no one in the household was a partaker. The elders sent out information, one  of which was the 85 WT 2/1/ p. 31 "question from readers" ( https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1985128 )which says in part:
"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".
It made me think about the whole topic a little bit more. To observe the memorial was a command by Jesus for the anointed, and as far as I am aware, there is nothing in the Bible commanding the great crowd to observe it, even as spectators. However, at the beginning, before the great crowd was identified, all were partakers. After that, the emblems kept being passed, and those who were anointed partook, and those who were not obviously didn't. Fast forward to today, in a congregation setting, even if we "know" that currently no one partakes, that can change. So while all the anointed are not sealed yet, we cannot assume, and stop passing along the emblems on the account that we think no one is anointed in our congregation. No one is asked beforehand if they are going to partake, that only becomes evident when the emblems reach them, and they eat the bread and drink the wine. That way, no one is put on the spot. Of course, on top of that, since we are one flock, and we support the anointed in everything, we observe the memorial with them, as spectators, and also to show appreciation for what Jesus did for us. But, under lockdown circumstances if we know for sure no one is going to partake in our family, then there is really no need for the emblems. That's how I see it anyway. But some prefer to have the emblems to help them visualize things better. Although we are supposed to be walking by faith, not by sight...😀
I like how our website puts it: "The purpose of the Lord’s Evening Meal is to remember Jesus, showing our gratitude for his sacrifice in our behalf. (Matthew 20:28; 1 Corinthians 11:24) The observance is not a sacrament, or a religious practice that imparts merit such as grace or the forgiveness of sins. * The Bible teaches that our sins can be forgiven, not by a religious rite, but only through faith in Jesus".—Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:1, 2. https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/lords-supper/
Unfortunately, it seems like some are viewing the memorial as some kind of religious ritual, and are even going to pass the emblems among themselves as if touching them somehow makes all the difference....Because I come from a Catholic family, I find this kind of reasoning a little disappointing...
Also, I don't know if anyone has listened to the memorial talk, the brother says that Jehovah's Witnesses would risk their lives to be at the memorial. In view of all the above, isn't that statement a little far fetched?
Any thoughts?
 

I have barely seen a more stupid chart in my life, apparently designed to demonstrate that there is no God:

See original: https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2012/08/02/the-flow-problem-of-evil/
 
The dopiest part has to be the boxes at bottom and lower left. They pose a dilemma akin to: “Can God make a mountain that he cannot move?”
People who would have you believe that they are ‘thinkers’ assume they have knocked it out of the park with this ‘gotcha.’
The most skilled critical thinkers of our age employ their intellect to miss what is right before their nose. Their underlying assumption, entirely unproven, is that God should be Santa Claus, showering presents without regard for whoever is naughty or nice. If he doesn’t do that, then there must be no God.
[Edit....I played with this one all morning and eventually expanded it to something I put on my own blog. Comment on it here, if you will, not there, since my own comment section is selective and does not stay open long in any event:
https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2020/04/this-has-to-be-one-of-the-stupidest-charts-i-have-ever-seen-on-evil-and-suffeirng.html ]

@Arauna get well soon sis! Are you receiving help from the brothers and sisters?