What Efforts Can Be Made?

[Thesauron]

 

What efforts can be made to make single and/or elderly friends feel less forgotten when so many of us are in a lockdown situations with no meetings or ministry?

 

What practical steps do you take to make sure they feel included?

 

To those of you who are single or elderly, what has the brothers and sisters done recently that made you feel included, needed, wanted?

 

[New World Explorer]

2 hours ago, Thesauron said:

To those of you who are single or elderly, what has the brothers and sisters done recently that made you feel included, needed, wanted?

I am a group overseer, and feel especially responsible for my beloved brothers and sisters.

Currently I am calling them one after another, having good encouraging chat with them (aka shepherding call) 

Also, I keep re-assuring them that elders are step above what government is doing,  and proactively planning for emergencies. 

Basically they get the message " You'll be looked after mate" 

 

[Hope]

For me, it would be to BE included. I'd like to join a family to watch our meetings, comment on the Watchtower or Bible Study lessons.  

 

Phone calls are lovely but you're still all alone. Most people are not sick... share with them! 😊

[New World Explorer]

4 minutes ago, Hope said:

Phone calls are lovely but you're still all alone. Most people are not sick... share with them!

We follow directions from the branch regarding shepherding calls (at the moment limited physical contact is recommended) 

[Ahuvah]

1 hour ago, Hope said:

For me, it would be to BE included. I'd like to join a family to watch our meetings, comment on the Watchtower or Bible Study lessons.  

 

Phone calls are lovely but you're still all alone. Most people are not sick... share with them! 😊

The whole point of isolation is to catch those who are asymptomatic as well ... here in NZ it was just announced that many will feel isolated and lonely - and that we shouldn't forget to communicate with them ... but even phone witnessing isn't encouraged in groups. 

My darling don't take it personally if you feel isolated from others, you have an outgoing personality - reach out and communicate with them, that's all we can do at the moment. 

[Amygdala]

Perhaps video chat to each of the elderly ones, and single brothers and sisters. Ask how they are feeling, if they need anything. I think I'll do that with a few today, including my BS. Good idea!

Edited March 17, 2020 by Lieblingskind

[Hope]

6 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

We follow directions from the branch regarding shepherding calls (at the moment limited physical contact is recommended) 

As far as I've heard, the US Branch has not directed against friends gathering in a home.  We've seen and heard of several that have met with their service groups, had a few over to watch the stream... that's what I'm talking about. No touching required. 

 

If that's not advised in other areas or even in the US soon, that's fine, of course.  As it stands now, it's not forbidden.  If everyone is healthy, being able to see someone who is not on the TV is a very nice thing. 😊

[Hope]

I'm on my way to do letter writing with a couple of sisters at one's home. 😊  First friendly human association since last Thursday!  See ya!

[Barbllm]

Writing them letters and/or texting them (if they have smartphones) would be a good idea.  Even a phone call would be a nice gesture.

[tucker]

Our group overseer has assigned us to study the 37th Psalm this week. We have had 3 positive Corona patients here in Greeley. One was a nurse at the local hospital. We are under lockdown, go out in pairs as absolutely necessary. Our meetings are streamed. our overseer checks with us by phone, text, or email at least twice every day. We cannot write letters because of the contact. We can't do any studies or rv's.  Those in our group have access to each other's posts, but no physical contact. We will follow instructions from him and the GB. Hopefully, we will all stay healthy.

[Miss Bea]

22 hours ago, Hope said:

For me, it would be to BE included. I'd like to join a family to watch our meetings, comment on the Watchtower or Bible Study lessons.  

 

Phone calls are lovely but you're still all alone. Most people are not sick... share with them! 😊

As I read this, I thought about a message I just got from one of our elders. They are trying to have us all tie in, via phone, and, even, we can comment.  We have rotten phone service, no land line, and, today, my husband was trying to take part in a conference call, and, was dropped three times. In 20 minutes, or so. 
Never mind the sound quality. Sometimes we hear every other word. 
I said they will probably have me meet with the other three that are sort of in our area to take part. At a sisters home. My husband said that that wasn’t right. We are trying to limit our contact with the outside world, except when it is totally necessary. And, one of the ones that may be involved has a huge family, of all ages, living in a very small house. 
If you are around a person, you are around whomever they have been in contact with. And, at 76, that may cost me my life. And, my husbands, too. 
I’ve just decided that our isolation will turn into a gift. We can do things we never had time for, before. Me? I can study, without stress. Make some jewelry I’ve wanted to. Work in the yard, etc.  I think it will be the attitude we have that will make or break us. 
Now, this. I know I will be okay, and I have prayed about it. 
But, I have went from being able to stream, or download, and just enjoy that arrangement totally, to, well, an arrangement that will be less then ideal. 
All I am saying is, sister, enjoy that solitude. It may just save your life.💖💖💖

[New World Explorer]

On 3/17/2020 at 10:26 PM, Lieblingskind said:

Perhaps video chat to each of the elderly ones, and single brothers and sisters.

Yes, we are in process of setting this up.