Pioneer Party Ideas

[tsmith1997]

So I have been asked to throw a pioneer party for the congregation.  I am so not creative and this is the first time I have had the privilege of planning one.  I would appreciate anyone's ideas on games, invitations, decorations, cake etc.  

[Omoyeme]

Yes, we had a "appreciating our pioneers" gathering once before but I don't recall all the details since it was nearly 20 years ago.  After the meal, the agenda included friends who related how much each pioneer was appreciated which included experiences in the ministry, testimonials from brothers and sisters relating personal assistance rendered from a particular pioneer sister or brothere, etc. 

 

May I suggest?

- a "pioneer skit"? 4 sisters in a car (using 4 chairs: one sister driving and the other 3 are passengers in a "ministry scenario".) But the conversation should be funny, witty, etc.

- door-to-door / return visit skit

- children (or adults) singing "The Life of a Pioneer " in their honour or a medley of Kingdom or JW broadcasting songs

- interview select pioneers about their love of the ministry, i.e., the blessings and/or challenges

- poem recital appreciating their sacred service

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

 

 

[Omoyeme]

33 minutes ago, Omoyeme said:

 

- door-to-door / return visit skit

 

 

[Ahuvah]

I don't understand what a pioneer party is ... never heard of that term.

 

Is it put on by pioneers for pioneers? Or by the congregation for pioneers? Or by pioneers for the congregation?

 

[Old]

My wife and I sponsored a pioneer dinner that coincided with the annual pioneer meeting. A full sit down four course dinner for pioneers and their spouses. Our BOE did the serving, not quite Downton Abby footmen but good enough for the Pacific Northwest. We patterened it after the Gilead graduation dinner served at Patterson in 1990. No games, everyone was too wasted  full for games.

[Ahuvah]

So it's really showing our appreciation for all their hard work and sacrifices? Like giving cards to the elders and their wives thanking them?

[Mike]

Am I the only one that thinks it could be unwise to put Pioneers, Elders, or others on a pedestal, as it were, and honor them for doing what they are able to do?  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their efforts and I personally thank them often, have them for meals, and work in the ministry with them at every opportunity … but the Pioneer Appreciation Dinners (at least in my area) seem to be becoming competitive with each congregation trying to 'out-appreciate' the other every year.  If we have a 6 course dinner … a nearby congregation will have 8 courses and an ice carving.  The many Instagram post are a bit … much.  How about focusing on appreciating everyone for doing what they can do.  The widow with the small coin didn't get a party … and I don't see Jesus becoming a party planner.  Just one brothers opinion … maybe I'm alone. 

[Omoyeme]

1 hour ago, Mike said:

Am I the only one that thinks it could be unwise to put Pioneers, Elders, or others on a pedestal, [...]

Perhaps.

 

However, since there are elders who've I've seen directly participate in these type of gatherings, since there has been no local needs parts discouraging these type of gatherings,  since there has been no announcements regarding any potential dangers in having these types of gatherings and since we, as JW's do not celebrate worldly holidays, there is no reason to be unduly concerned toward warm, hospitable association within the congregation in this type of social setting.

 

International convention evening gatherings, congregation picnics, family night talent shows,  anniversary gatherings share a commonality with pioneer gatherings; that being, upbuilding association, wholesome music and Bible-based skits, and words of appreciation for the brotherhood in praise and honour to Jehovah God.

 

#inv

Edited September 26, 2019 by Omoyeme

[Old]

3 hours ago, Stormswift said:

So it's really showing our appreciation for all their hard work and sacrifices? Like giving cards to the elders and their wives thanking them?

We gave it as a thank you to the pioneers. Why give cards to the elders on this occasion? 

[Ahuvah]

1 hour ago, Old said:

We gave it as a thank you to the pioneers. Why give cards to the elders on this occasion? 

? .. not sure what you mean - I meant it's akin to giving cards to Elders and their wives for appreciation in the same way this is a gift of appreciation to pioneers.

2 hours ago, Mike said:

Am I the only one that thinks it could be unwise to put Pioneers, Elders, or others on a pedestal, as it were, and honor them for doing what they are able to do?  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their efforts and I personally thank them often, have them for meals, and work in the ministry with them at every opportunity … but the Pioneer Appreciation Dinners (at least in my area) seem to be becoming competitive with each congregation trying to 'out-appreciate' the other every year.  If we have a 6 course dinner … a nearby congregation will have 8 courses and an ice carving.  The many Instagram post are a bit … much.  How about focusing on appreciating everyone for doing what they can do.  The widow with the small coin didn't get a party … and I don't see Jesus becoming a party planner.  Just one brothers opinion … maybe I'm alone. 

I find it unusual myself, but that's because it's not part of our culture. I would prefer personally to include everyone as everyone puts Jehovah first according to their circumstances.

[Old]

6 hours ago, Stormswift said:

So it's really showing our appreciation for all their hard work and sacrifices? Like giving cards to the elders and their wives thanking them?

 

2 hours ago, Old said:

We gave it as a thank you to the pioneers. Why give cards to the elders on this occasion? 

 

54 minutes ago, Stormswift said:

? .. not sure what you mean - I meant it's akin to giving cards to Elders and their wives for appreciation in the same way this is a gift of appreciation to pioneers.

I find it unusual myself, but that's because it's not part of our culture. I would prefer personally to include everyone as everyone puts Jehovah first according to their circumstances.

Got it, I am not slow as some are slow. I far exceed them. 

[Thesauron]

One idea could be to invite non-pioneers as well who would want to get to know them better to inspire them to do more.

[DarinS]

On 9/25/2019 at 9:12 PM, Mike said:

Am I the only one that thinks it could be unwise to put Pioneers, Elders, or others on a pedestal, as it were, and honor them for doing what they are able to do?  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their efforts and I personally thank them often, have them for meals, and work in the ministry with them at every opportunity … but the Pioneer Appreciation Dinners (at least in my area) seem to be becoming competitive with each congregation trying to 'out-appreciate' the other every year.  If we have a 6 course dinner … a nearby congregation will have 8 courses and an ice carving.  The many Instagram post are a bit … much.  How about focusing on appreciating everyone for doing what they can do.  The widow with the small coin didn't get a party … and I don't see Jesus becoming a party planner.  Just one brothers opinion … maybe I'm alone. 

Thanking someone - and dinner or association ..... is not putting people on a pedestal

 

the branch has sent encouragement letters to certain groups -- including Pioneers - either annually or when starting/restarting pioneer service ....for many many years

the branch hosts a special meal, or 2 for each graduating gilead class

the local DRC locations often holds a BBQ or some such meal when the Relief work is complete

 

so appropriate displays of appreciation are absolutely acceptable

 

a card to the CO and his wife after their visit - with or without a gift inside is a good example

a small gift bag @ elder or pioneer school - with paper - pen/pencil - post-it, piece of candy etc., have been common for many years in certain locales

 

in my hall -- the BOE hosts a dinner after the annual pioneer mtg and invites the pioneers and their spouses

 

as usual - moderation & balance is the key - if your wondering about some Written advice

...see weddings - we have written reminders contrasting normal and acceptable .....vs ostentatious and overboard

[Ahuvah]

I can see both sides.

 

Going out and making disciples is the obligation of all who profess to be Jehovah's Witnesses, but special avenues of service are a sacrifice going above and beyond our scriptural obligations. So, yes, it is nice to thank and show appreciation for these ones, and I can imagine a witness party to be loads of fun. 

 

You right Brother Darin, that balance and modesty is needed. I am sure any congregation that puts on a 'Pioneer Party' also shows appreciation to other groups in the congregation ie: Elderly, Youth etc etc at other times. And pioneers are often across all age groups - so I can see it being mutually encouraging.

 

I think where I am coming from is beautifully illustrated in a recent event that happened in Rarotonga.

The week after the Convention just a few weeks ago, there were still a lot of visitors on the Island - so many in fact they had almost 700 at the midweek meeting - the Kingdom Hall though allowed for that many as it's walls opened up usually when they hold their smaller assemblies and conventions.

 

But there was a culture evening planned for the visitors during the convention of which 500-600 brothers and sisters got personal invitations - now we down here, don't usually have exclusive invitations unless it was a private wedding or something similar, but in this case, because there were so many and the hall they were using had a limit - they had to limit numbers. But the brothers there felt really bad about excluding many of the visitors - and they told the guests that if they came across some who hadn't received an invite - to show them hospitality - take them out for a meal and simply make them feel included. 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2019 by Stormswift

[Qapla]

On 9/25/2019 at 9:12 PM, Mike said:

Am I the only one that thinks it could be unwise to put Pioneers, Elders, or others on a pedestal, as it were, and honor them for doing what they are able to do?

 

On 9/25/2019 at 11:40 PM, Stormswift said:

I would prefer personally to include everyone as everyone puts Jehovah first according to their circumstances.

 

After a Brother gives the Public Talk, especially one you particularly enjoyed, you feel it would be wrong to go and shake his hand and tell him what a good job he did ... unless you also shake hands with everyone else who is at the Hall that day?

 

You think it is wrong to host a visiting speaker after the meeting unless you invite the entire Congregation?

 

You think the LDC volunteers who work on a Hall should not have a meal provided at lunch unless everyone who attends that KH are also fed?

 

 

I can see how this is seems a bit much:

On 9/25/2019 at 9:12 PM, Mike said:

Pioneer Appreciation Dinners (at least in my area) seem to be becoming competitive with each congregation trying to 'out-appreciate' the other every year

 

But, just because "in your area" it seems to have gotten out-of-hand does not make it wrong for those who have not turned it into a competition. Like was mentioned earlier, just because some weddings/receptions have become ostentatious and overboard does not mean that those who plan ones that are normal and acceptable should quit having them.

 

Jehovah's people are a happy people - it does mean we should all walk around with a grin on our face and laughing all the time ... it also does not mean that every time a person smiles they have done something wrong. The same holds true with appreciating our pioneers ... just because some have taken things a little too far does not mean the rest of us should quit showing appreciation to the pioneers in our own Congregations.