I feel like reminiscing today about the Feast of Tabernacles (FOT) that ended a few days ago. In my early childhood days; I attended 19 services in 8 days, and that didn’t include all the activities. We camped for 10-12 days in a mosquito infested bog on Jekyll Island. By the time we left, my legs and arms were usually covered with bloody sores from scratching all those bites. I was ready to go home, tired and miserable.
Those poor women campers, they had it rough! What a miserable time they had. By the third day of the feast mom had dark circles under her eyes. In the wee hours of the morning, I could hear her sobbing. A mental picture I still carry with me, is her sitting at our small camp table crying. Later in life, mom told me the feast was some of her worst times. By the second of third night she was just too tired to sleep. By the end of the feast she was like a walking zombie.
We didn’t have much tithe so; we brought can goods and groceries from home. Mom cooked three meals a day on a camp stove. She did ironing and washing for herself, dad and three kids. This was all done in a campground without the use of a washer/dryer. Our shopping for clothing was done at the Church’s used clothing bonanza. I remember standing in our small tent while mom made alterations to my new (used) clothing. Mom was very nifty with needle and thread.
At Jekyll Island, in the early 60s a Hurricane passed nearby. It poured endless amounts of rain on us for three or four days. Everything was soaked. People took their shoes and socks off and went barefoot to services under the big three ring circus tent of Armstrongism. There were three or four inches of water flowing underneath the chairs during services. A minister during the sermon said, Satan was trying to break God’s people but, we couldn’t be broke!
Thinking back on it we were really a group of dumbasses sitting under a tent with our feet in water during those terrible lightning storms. Our campgrounds and tents were flooded. If your sleeping bag wasn’t on a cot or something high enough to keep it above the water, you’d have to sleep in the car that evening. Sleeping in an upright position for three days wasn’t fun. In 1967 we were able to afford our first motel for the feast. That was great! I’ll save that story for another time. Please feel free to add your feast stories.
Got back from the Feast a couple weeks ago. Had a great time. Sorry to hear your take. I also grew up in WCG, my parents are still there. I have heard many stories from family and friends both, who blame a dead man for their troubles in life. That is sad. People are free moral agents. So were your parents, have you asked them just what it was that interested them in the first place to join WCG? I would be interested to know what it was. I understand that if you didn’t really believe or understand what was being taught how the time spent was just a waste of time. As far as the McNair’s its kind of funny to me that you say they bored you. I always looked forward to their sermons. Infact I have a collection of theirs each that I still listen to once in while. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Hi Michael, welcome to DUH. I’m glad you had a good feast. When we started staying in motels for the feast my experiences with the feast improved. I was never cut out for camping. Also, they cut back on the services at the feast and that helped mucho.
Michael said:> So were your parents, have you asked them just what it was that interested them in the first place to join WCG? I would be interested to know what it was.
My grandmother on my dad’s side was baptized in 1949 or 50 in the RCG. My dad or mom wasn’t interested in religion during that period. Dad was making a career in the Army. About 1954, he heard HWA on the radio. He became interested from that point on. In June 1955 my parents were both baptized in the RCG. Dad left the Army he had 14 years in the service. Dad’s attraction to the church seemed to be based around the strict government. Mom’s attraction was finding out about the Sabbath.
Dad loved the Army life so he loved the strict regimentation within the church. Also, he liked the almost constant conspiracy theories that floated around in the church. Due to the church’s doctrine on medicine or seeking doctors my grandmother died and untimely death in 1965. My father also followed the same doctrine and died 1974.
I left the WCG (was not a baptized member) in about 1976 and joined the Navy. For about 10 years of my life I was an atheist. In 1986 I started attended again with WCG. I was baptized in 1987, left in 1988 and was with the CGI. Our CGI group became independent in 1995. I was ordained and elder, and served as Pastor of the church until 2000. After God opened my eyes to the New Covenant, I resigned and went back to the New WCG. I stayed with them about 18 months. Currently, I classify myself as an Independent Freethinking Christian.
Michael said:> As far as the McNair’s its kind of funny to me that you say they bored you. I always looked forward to their sermons. Infact I have a collection of theirs each that I still listen to once in while. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Carl used to bring books to services and read them for 80% or 90% of his sermon. He would throw in a bible verse here and there. Carl had the nickname of “Great White Hunter.” I remember several times at bible study he talked about his hunting trips and would show slides for the 90 minutes of his hunts. May be he improved as time went on.