LDC - how are projects going in your area

[MullumMiss]

5 hours ago, Parale said:

From Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA:

 

There was already a KH building at the address from at least 2007, and up to as late as May 2019, so the existing KH must've been pulled down and rebuilt? Wonder why??

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses Host Open House In Chattanooga Feb. 4

 

chattanoogan.com, Monday 30 January 2023

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses invite Chattanooga residents to an open house on Saturday, Feb. 4 at their newest Kingdom Hall in the city at 3741 Carl White Place in Chattanooga.

Visitors will be invited to tour the new meeting facility and watch a slideshow covering highlights of the construction project. Informational banners will showcase the educational and construction activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

"We are so excited to make this special effort to invite our neighbors to visit our community’s Kingdom Hall and learn how we will use this building as a center for Bible education," said Tim Weaver, local spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses in Tennessee. "This building is evidence of our care for our neighbors, our community and our environment.”

 

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/1/30/463327/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Host-Open-House.aspx

 

 

 

Trivia: One of the old Chattanooga KHs was sold-off, converted into a house, and was featured on HGTV's You Live in What?

In 2019 after we attended the Phoenix AZ international, we did a road trip of Tennessee and visited Chattanooga.  Didn't get to a meeting but enjoyed our stay.

[Parale]

From US Virgin Islands:

 

Newly renovated Kingdom Hall home to disaster relief center

 

Virgin Islands Daily News - Saturday 4 March 2023

 

Disaster preparedness and response are two things that are top of mind for residents of the hurricane prone U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Jehovah’s Witnesses aim to provide a sanctuary in times of crisis with the newly renovated Kingdom Hall on St. Thomas.

 

All were welcome to learn more about their effort during an open house on Feb. 24, which included guided tours of the disaster relief center.

 

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/newly-renovated-kingdom-hall-home-to-disaster-relief-center/article_f06ba442-6d7a-5c31-94a8-94ac02b452d3.html

 

[Parale]

From Rockville, Maine, USA

 

Newly renovated church to hold open house

 

The Courier-Gazette - Tuesday 7 March 2023

 

The community is invited to attend a special open house event March 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the newly renovated Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 335 Rockville St., in Rockport.

 

“Our meetings are always open to the public, but this special event invites anyone in the community to feel free to come in and see this building as a center for learning about the Bible,” said Jason Burridge, local spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Maine.

 

During the open house, visitors can tour the facility and view a slideshow covering highlights of the construction project. Information about the Christian organization’s educational and construction activities worldwide will be on display, with local volunteers available to answer questions as well. The renovation project was completed entirely by volunteer ministers who came specifically to Rockport to dedicate their time, skills and labor to this special community project.

 

“Many of the mechanical and aesthetic components of this Kingdom Hall were nearing the end of their life prior to the renovation. Now the building is better insulated and heated more efficiently. And improvements to the sound and video systems have been made to improve the teaching and learning experience,” said Dan Minix, construction supervisor for the Rockport Kingdom Hall. “Adjustments were also made to the interior décor to make it more conducive to learning. Our hope for this building is that more people will receive Bible instruction in a comfortable and accessible setting.”

 

https://knox.villagesoup.com/2023/03/07/newly-renovated-church-to-hold-open-house/

Edited March 7, 2023 by Parale

[Parale]

On 1/28/2023 at 5:26 PM, DarinS said:

Since you mentioned grand Abaco….

here are some picture before — PINK …post storm ….and after rebuild Blue

it was mostly rebuilt …walls - roof plumbing, windows and doors before Covid…but we were sent home before it was completed

 

not supposed to show the during…..but think this shows you a little of the Storm  damage and restoration 

 

Interesting to see the pictures with the latest Governing Body Update

 

https://jwtalk.net/topic/54694-gb-update-3-2023/page/2/#comment-924868

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Parale

[Pabo]

It is being said that here in Australia (not exactly sure whether just within our country or in Australasia), they are cutting the number of the LDC groups down from currently 13 to just about 3-4, thus limiting the number of Kingdom Halls being renovated or being built here. Not that we have many Kingdom Halls that need attending too, as we seem not to have many external forces (natural disasters or wars) that require them to rebuilt as such, but there is a much greater need for construction or renovations of Kingdom Halls in other countries that the Society are focusing on. I guess the numbers will change if there is a need back here.

[MullumMiss]

We had a local needs part a couple of weeks ago regarding necessary works on our hall.  Apparently we are to finance these as a congregation rather than depend on LDC.  They encouraged us to donate online specifically to our congregation.  The works are not just general maintenance.  

[Mike047]

seems strange to reduce the LDC role, since we are looking at increases, and thus new congregation needs. Wonder if this is true of other areas.

[Tsheppar]

My small  hometown( population 3000 people ) just got a brand new Kingdom Hall. We had our first meeting this past Sunday. The rules were not  to share pictures while it was being built, so I did not. 

Last weekend, the building was handed back over to the local body of  elders, so I think I am in the clear to share a picture. Personally, (which does not matter😅) Im not a big fan of the exterior industrial look.... HOWEVER ! .. the interior layout is AMAZING. It is a perfect layout and so very comfortable.  The windows with natural lighting on the inside is refreshing, pleasant, and happy . We now have sound in the bathrooms !;... what is this new technology I ask🤣

Side Note ( to be read in a little sqeaky voice)... there is a new materials smell... I think its the off gassing of synthetic materials , that made me kinda sick, but I know that will go away with time.

( Back to a  booming manly voice) 

I told my wife..The doors need to be left open for like 2 days with a huge fan  fresh air. 😂 

It is a much more functional building than what we have ever had. It is Very well designed!

 

This next picture is our old hall . It looks pretty on the outside but was getting very worn out. I should know ...ive personally done plumbing repairs. It was remodeled in the 70s , then the early 90s, then again  in the mid 2000s. I made a YouTube video of the 2000s remodel that I posted once on jw talk. I will link again for any interested who didn't see it. Its probably boring to most, but it has heart value to me. I urge you NOT to watch it . Unless you want to go to sleep. Then watch it. 

I have cleaned and mowed and trimmed  the hedges on this old hall since I was a little kid , I am a  sentimental type  and it was hard for me to move to a new hall. 

 But we have a fresh start  and a wonderful NEW Kingdom Hall!

 

[Tsheppar]

The boring video of people you don't know....my old  hall😅

 

https://youtu.be/FJ8kQdmYFFM?si=UKH_WkbRyXXZj5En

 

I am in the video multiple times. But you will never figure out which one I am,  or will you? Hahhahhaha

Edited March 6 by Tsheppar

[Michał]

@Tsheppar can you post photos from the inside?


Wysłane z iPhone za pomocą Tapatalk

[Tsheppar]

I only have this one. It doesn't show the full scope of inside. Only the main hall. It was the first meeting and a lot of visitors and I had a  bible student I was wrangling so I didn't get many good  interior pictures. 

[Alikay]

We have the same style interior and color scheme including furniture. Only things missing are windows that makes it look and feels like a modern building. I would have love to see more wheelchair spots throughout the hall rather than always having to be placed at on either side of the last row of seats with no choice of choosing where you want to sit.   

Edited March 6 by Alikay

[Dolce vita]

3 hours ago, Tsheppar said:

La vidéo ennuyeuse des gens que vous ne connaissez pas....mon ancienne salle 😅

 

https://youtu.be/FJ8kQdmYFFM?si=UKH_WkbRyXXZj5En

 

Je suis dans la vidéo plusieurs fois. Mais vous ne saurez jamais qui je suis, n'est-ce pas ? Hahhahhaha

I found this video very moving, especially in its first part. I had the impression of knowing all of you, of having seen you before, it's very strange; undoubtedly the hallmark of the beautiful smiling faces of our brothers and sisters around the world. 20 years later I recognized Greg and Monte, who hadn't changed much, with a few others. Thanks for sharing. May Jehovah bless each of you !

[Parale]

1 hour ago, Alikay said:

I would have love to see more wheelchair spots throughout the hall rather than always having to be placed at on either side of the last row of seats with no choice of choosing where you want to sit.

 

Yes absolutely good point. The previous old hall appeared to have fixed seats, whereas this new hall appears to have moveable, interlinked chairs, thus providing a flexibility which means that the layout can be reconfigured to accommodate local needs such as prams, push-chairs, walkers, seeing-eye dogs, wheelchairs, etc - which would appear to be inline with local guidelines. Of course the safety of all those attending needs to be considered, and maintained, especially in terms of escape routes. But with regular attendees it can be easy to keep the layout from week-to-week, or change it, depending on the needs, and requests, of those directly using the facility, rather than on what other people may think they want.

 

Having moveable, interlinked chairs, allows the seating to be reconfigured to provide, for example, a central aisle for use during a wedding or a funeral. At other times the back-to-front spacing of the seat rows can be increased, removing an entire row, depending on the number of seats required for those attending - likewise the front row can be removed, or added back in, as needed.

 

As a side point, FWIW I suspect the empty chair space we see in the picture is for a pram, or pushchair.

Edited March 6 by Parale

[Araujo JW]

6 hours ago, Tsheppar said:

The boring video of people you don't know....my old  hall😅

 

https://youtu.be/FJ8kQdmYFFM?si=UKH_WkbRyXXZj5En

 

I am in the video multiple times. But you will never figure out which one I am,  or will you? Hahhahhaha

 

I loved your video, with so many happy and kind brothers. The video gave me incredible peace! The video warmed my heart. 

I took the liberty of converting it to watch it again at home on my TV.

[Araujo JW]

6 hours ago, Tsheppar said:

My small  hometown( population 3000 people ) just got a brand new Kingdom Hall. We had our first meeting this past Sunday. The rules were not  to share pictures while it was being built, so I did not. 

Last weekend, the building was handed back over to the local body of  elders, so I think I am in the clear to share a picture. Personally, (which does not matter😅) Im not a big fan of the exterior industrial look.... HOWEVER ! .. the interior layout is AMAZING. It is a perfect layout and so very comfortable.  The windows with natural lighting on the inside is refreshing, pleasant, and happy . We now have sound in the bathrooms !;... what is this new technology I ask🤣

Side Note ( to be read in a little sqeaky voice)... there is a new materials smell... I think its the off gassing of synthetic materials , that made me kinda sick, but I know that will go away with time.

( Back to a  booming manly voice) 

I told my wife..The doors need to be left open for like 2 days with a huge fan  fresh air. 😂 

It is a much more functional building than what we have ever had. It is Very well designed!

 

This next picture is our old hall . It looks pretty on the outside but was getting very worn out. I should know ...ive personally done plumbing repairs. It was remodeled in the 70s , then the early 90s, then again  in the mid 2000s. I made a YouTube video of the 2000s remodel that I posted once on jw talk. I will link again for any interested who didn't see it. Its probably boring to most, but it has heart value to me. I urge you NOT to watch it . Unless you want to go to sleep. Then watch it. 

I have cleaned and mowed and trimmed  the hedges on this old hall since I was a little kid , I am a  sentimental type  and it was hard for me to move to a new hall. 

 But we have a fresh start  and a wonderful NEW Kingdom Hall!

 

 

The exterior appearance of your old Kingdom Hall is beautiful!

 

The interior appearance of your new Kingdom Hall is beautiful!

 

What happened to your old Kingdom Hall? It sold? Or was it torn down to build a new one in its place?

[Tsheppar]

 It wasn't torn down , as far as I know the  old hall will be put up for sale. So, for the time being we have two Kingdom Halls to maintain. Lol

 

[jwnate]

On 3/6/2024 at 12:17 AM, Tsheppar said:

My small  hometown( population 3000 people ) just got a brand new Kingdom Hall. We had our first meeting this past Sunday. The rules were not  to share pictures while it was being built, so I did not. 

Last weekend, the building was handed back over to the local body of  elders, so I think I am in the clear to share a picture. Personally, (which does not matter😅) Im not a big fan of the exterior industrial look.... 

 

Just needs a Tim Hortons sign and it would be perfect lol. I grew up in the Northeast US and this is exactly what Tim Hortons locations look like. Does the parking lot loop around for a drive through? Haha but in all honesty I like it, it looks much fresher and more modern than your old KH. 

 

Actually a combo KH/coffee shop could make a lot of sense, would make coffee breaks easier. 😆

[Qapla]

A drive-thru could work in place of a cart location ...

 

[Tsheppar]

We are having an Open House for my small towns new Kingdom Hall. I will post picture from todays local newspaper. Hopefully you can zoom in to read. 

Edited May 2 by Tsheppar

[Parale]

1 hour ago, Tsheppar said:

I will post picture from todays local newspaper. Hopefully you can zoom in to read.

 

Thanks, that's a really nice and well written article - great local journalism

[Pabo]

Now, who names their kid "Okla Homa"?

 

[daydream]

9 hours ago, Tsheppar said:

Hopefully you can zoom in to read. 

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

[Tsheppar]

6 hours ago, Pabo said:

who names their kid "Okla Homa"?

I know right ?! It's kinda hilarious 😆. I guess that was a cool name  in the late  1900s Lol! 

 

"Okla Homa" was one of the earliest witnesses in my local area, and because of his witnessing many- MANY

 

....familys came into the truth .

 

Mine included.

 

The amount  of people that have gone to Bethel and Missionary Work traced back to his original witnessing, I cannot even begin to count. 

 

 He was my dads best friend, and they were separated in age  by about 30 years. My dad always referred to David and Johnathan. One older  and one younger, yet  bound by a deep brotherly love. 

 

  My dad went to prison for neutrality in the 1950s  and "Okla Homa" helped him  understand how it was necessary and how to endure it. 

 I have heard of other old time brothers refer to Okla Homa as being  their "best friend". 

 

Not as an elder.

 

Not as a teacher. 

 

. ....  But  as their best friend.

 

He obviously was a very special man that accepted Jehovah early on  when the majority did not. He was an outcast of his time. 

  He thought the end was going to come in his life time. On his dying bed he was expecting the Great Tribulation to come . He died in the mid  1990s ! He was literally dying but belived the Great Tribulation was coming in his lifetime. Thats why he preached so hard. 

 

However, he must have realized his silly name, and he was more commonly  known as " Homer." ... Years later along came the cartoon The Simpsons which had" Homer "as a bumbling idiot. . And the poor man just never had a break with his name ! Hahhaha  A popular U.S. building supplies store bucket .LOL

 

We have had so many broadcasts here lately saying. We just don't know. 

 

But one thing I DO know, is that Jehovah will remember Okla Homa. The man. For all his good work. 

 

Side Note:Okla Homa the man ended up living in Texas. I don't know how many from the State of Oklahoma are on jw talk. But we sure are glad he came to Texas. Hahhabhabbabab!! Burn !!

 

(And for International readers.).. The state of Texas and the State of Oklahoma have always had a fun rivalry. So Im just adding salt to the wound. Cause thats what i do. 🤣

Edited May 3 by Tsheppar

[Tsheppar]

Years ago on Jw talk, I can't remember what thread , it was Waaaay back there . But some brother was talking about his cousins and uncles being in bethel . I noticed some started discrediting how this person must be a troll and  lying. "Nobody has that many family in bethel !" they said . 

 

I thought to myself 

 

I do. 

 

I know I'm not the only one either. Many early witnesses and old faithful congregations. 

 

Im my family there are many

( over the years) at Bethel , Missionary, and  2  Family Members that are Assembly hall overseers in different states. I have lots of family  in the truth. Even my  grandparents from  my mother and father's side. Witnesses 

 

 And if I trace back the roots of family lines of how ALL  those ones including  my family are in the truth ? 

 

It goes back to Okla Homa. 

 

 

 

Edited May 3 by Tsheppar