Their theme is pretty hypocritical considering they want to be as close to Christmas as possible, look all the pretty lights, listen to the beautiful Christmas music and eat holiday food, but not actually "keep" it. The Great Wolf Lodge's are known for the Christmas decorations in their facilities and events they put on.
The dates for Winter Family Weekend are December 22-26, and members may begin reserving rooms at Great Wolf Lodge using promo code 1712ucgw. Full information is available at: Winter Family Weekend.
This year’s theme will be “In The World, But Not Of It.”
30 comments:
Don't know what to make of this. In the so-called "golden era" of WCG, we studiously avoided any sorts of celebrations which co-incided with the allegedly pagan celebrations that were the centerpieces of Christianity "falsely so-called". Why, we even made Sunday the most intense work day of the week, as if to rebel and put it in everybody's faces.
So, I really don't understand this winter weekend thing which by this point in time has become a tradition. Even though Jesus appears to have either used the occasion to evangelize the Jews or to have actually participated in the Festival of Lights (Hannukah) by going to Temple, HWA didn't teach celebrating it because it was a later innovation not given through Moses, and it coincided with the winter solstice, part of pagan celestial worship.
In the context of original Armstrongism, "Winter Weekend" doesn't make sense.
BB
BB
Quite right in your observation. Even Pavarotti or some other person singing Tosca had to change the props in the auditorium since it represented a catholic church.
The "Winter" tradition started in the Tkach era.
First as a sports event for the youth to keep them occupied during the festival season. Later dinner was added and now it seems it is kinda like a church social.
I do believe it is mentally possible for people to separate their actions from what the rest of the world thinks of it. Personally my mom let me go to Christmas dinner from kindergarten age.
That's why I still associate with my parents although they have become quite wacky from years of brainwashing. But I honor them for having let me go and not become the outcast since 4 years old. Therefore I like you am also anonymous. For not having them get flack for well the pompuous honors I heap on myself.
When my wife and I stayed at a hotel in Israel with all the jews celebrating Hannukah,my wife was horrified. She gasped, this is terrible. These people are like your parents church. (I think she felt shunned for not having ten kids and have strange clothes and be "chosen."
nck
I'm with BB on this. I have never known what to make of it either.
In fairness to UCG, many of the other groups hold it as well.
Going to a mall that is all decorated for Christmas, listening to Christmas music, etc. is OK, but doing anything like that at home is a no no? What's next, going to an adult book store, but not to a whorehouse? Would a Baptist hang out at a local bar? What about avoiding the appearance of evil? There is something very wrong with this idea.
Jewish people close to me see a lot of love in Torah. And, I believe them! They cannot understand how "their" system could have been co-opted by another faith to produce so much evil, abuse, and hatred. No way could Shabbas, the holy days, and clean meats alone have produced such bad fruits, to their way of thinking. It's a non-starter that doesn't compute.
It's the corruptions, the authoritarianism, manipulation by false prophecy, and the extra-biblical stuff HWA added that has produced all of the badness and has ruined peoples' lives. Some Jewish groups actually dance in their celebrations, with the vintage Torahs for which they feel so privileged to be curators. This is particularly true in the Chabad movement.
Depending on my audience, and what is being discussed, if it is even relevant to the conversation, I vacillate between telling people that I was raised in a cult, or grew up as a Messianic Jew. My Jewish friends in high school were my social saviors, who finally got me out of the despised pariah status which I and my siblings had endured at our former school. I can never forget what my Jewish friends have meant to me in so many ways!
BB
Many UCG people seem to enjoy all the same smutty and worldly television shows as everyone else. UCG people seem to have the attitude that HWA was too strict with them, but that under the Tkaches things loosened up and improved. The UCG even has that Tkach guy Loser Kubik running the UCG gong show now. The UCG's real theme from the beginning has always been, “Back in the World, and loving it!”
So, this is an innovation from the Tkach era? I'm shocked that it has been allowed to stand! Many of the ACOG members consider Joe Tkach Sr. And Jr. to be soulmates of Constantine, and GCI to be spawn of the Nicean Creed!
BB
BB. This was not an invention of the Tkach’s. It was first done UCG and LCG.
No2hwa
I was in wcg for 23 years.
And we started having "26 december" socials, sports and potkucks in wcg around 1987!
Nck
And of course there was that PT article about " finding the light" in was it the 1991 december PT. Maybe earlier?
Nck
I admit that in the 1981 festival movie the YA's sing "sleighride". A song hugely associated with the christian winter festival. But HWA didnt mind.
Nck
We rarely ever did such a thing in Pasadena in the 30 some years I worked for the church. We were too busy celebrating New Years and working for the Rose Parade and all of its surrounding events.
“Into the Halloween Candy but not OF Halloween”
“Into the midst of Christmas decor for the kids, but not OF Christmas”
“Into the hospital bed for treatment, but not OF the Doctors.”
“Into my nice home but not OF Homes”
“Into hanging around for retirement, but not OF retirement.”
“Into the treasures of this world, but not OF the treasures of this world.”
“Not much into Thanksgiving but yes of a day off plus Black Friday sales, which I am into but not OF.”
“Into theology but not much aware OF it.”
“Into pretending I know the mind of God, but not OF God.”
“Into CHRIST but not of Jesus”
“Into Jesus but not OF what Jesus said.”
“Into what Jesus said, but not OF practicing it much.”
“Into whatever I want to do, say and thing, but naturally I am not OF that kind OF that kind of thinking.”
Thanks for the more accurate information, Gary. In that case, it would be fair to categorize "Winter Weekend" right in with the changes the others who claim to be restoring or preserving all things HWA have made. No different from the edits Flurry has made to "Mystery", no different from Pack's new understandings of prophecy or "common", the "one God" teachings of Weinland, the "truth = Judaism + Islam" of Cox, or the changes in government for some of the groups, just to name a few.
If HWA was (and, I speak as a fool for even entertaining this possibility) a quasi-Biblical character as "God's Apostle", who restored "truth", then how would any of these changes differ substantively from the Tkach changes? Obviously, human activity is dynamic, and we know that many things constantly morph. They are not static. But, the church has always taught that what they referred to as "the truth" maintains stasis, that it is always the same throughout all ages. The churches that make these changes teach that right now, even as they are making the changes. I don't understand how anyone in an ACOG can feel that they know that, and yet allow their leaders to get away with such innovations and changes. How can anyone have any faith or trust in any ACOG? Even leaving means you must forsake fellowship of like minds (as if there ever was such a thing in the first place).
If you look up cognitive dissonance in your Funk and Wagnall's you will see a picture of an ACOG!
BB
In the world, but not of the Savior of the world.
Exactly! When has it ever been about the Savior. The law is their god.
I have heard that back in the HWA era, that the Pasadena campus would plunge head long into New Years Celebrations by participating in the Rose parade as ushers, program sellers, vendors etc. Is that true?
Another abuse of members' time by an already high-demand cult! Surely, all of the men who aspire to church-leadership positions will go through hell or high water to make sure their family's presence is known.
Purely from the members' perspectives, the kids will be off, so no need to visit the school principal for permission. It may also provide a built in excuse to avoid "unconverted" family get togethers, or office Christmas parties. But, how to pay for the trip would be a concern. I doubt that they could use second tithe on the winter solstice. And, I'm relatively sure there will be a dress code.
BB
On the first day of Christmas
My pastor gave to me:
The Plain Truth About Christ-mas.
On the second day of Christmas
My pastor gave to me:
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the third day of Christmas
My pastor gave to me:
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the fourth day of Christmas
My pastor gave to me:
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the fifth day of Christmas
My pastor gave to me:
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the sixth day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the seventh day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the eighth day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
Is Christmas Harmless?,
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the ninth day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
When Was Jesus Born?,
Is Christmas Harmless?,
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the tenth day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
Top 10 Reasons Why,
When Was Jesus Born?,
Is Christmas Harmless?,
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
Christmas Reconsidered,
Top 10 Reasons Why,
When Was Jesus Born?,
Is Christmas Harmless?,
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My pastor gave to me:
The Christmas Contradiction,
Christmas Reconsidered,
Top 10 Reasons Why,
When Was Jesus Born?,
Is Christmas Harmless?,
Christmas vs. the Bible,
Is Christmas Pagan?,
5,000 Years of Christmas!
Christmas Before Christ?,
Is Christ in Christmas?,
Who Needs a Season?,
And The Plain Truth About Christ-mas!
Nck
I also recall the December 25,26 'church socials' in the 1980s. The idea was to find relief from pressure and problems with relatives. Whether this has slid into a defacto Christmas, I'm not sure.
NCK said: These people are like your parents church. (I think she felt shunned for not having ten kids and have strange clothes and be "chosen."
---------------------------------------------
We were the weirdos of the world. Not the chosen.
Yes,
It served as a valid excuse to not participate in "extended christmas family" gatherings.
No we cant come. The kids have a volleyball tournememt. A yes with church, so maybe next year. Yes maybe next year. Take care now.
I do remember. Since the narcissistic show off that I am I sprained both wrists and was able to watch the entire winter olympics later on with remote control using one finger.
The history of Rose Parade seems to celebrate the esoteric knowledge of the promotion of the Valleu Hunt Club.
Nothing indicates the return of the sun, since Californiaa is always sunny:-).
I apologize for using the word "jews".
It seemed the "conservarive settler faction" likes to celebrate Hannukah with the entire Fort in nice hotels. The food was excellent, the lighting ecquisite, some of the women ravishing, as were the sinfully dressed dancers in Sjimsjon the Musical.
All in all to me it was a Feast experience. But my wife didnt feel included. I'm better in groups.
Nck
The two years I was at AC and involved in the Rose Parade, Connie, many of us pulled an all-night shift in the food stands and doing the other things you mentioned. Many of the ladies were working in the Cafeteria preparing the foods which were sold in the two concession stands, catty-corner from one another on opposite sides of the street at the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado Blvd. I worked in these booths, and also sold programs. Because we shouted out like all street vendors do, we were hoarse in the morning.
It was fun, and at the time, provided those of us who had embraced the apocalyptic mindset with a birdseye view as to how "the world" around us was fast degenerating. It wasn't like the parades some of us from small towns had attended while we were growing up. We witnessed fights, there was a lot of explicit language, guys and girls were sleeping together in sleeping bags on the street, the cruisers were hotrodding up and down the Blvd. in their hor cars, some having removed the mufflers for the occasion.
There was continued security, and campus cleanup afterwards, and many stories shared. Most of us as students lived a cloistered life. The most we'd see of "the world" was at El Rancho Supermarket, Trader Joe's, or at Gwynn's West Restaurant, or perhaps shopping on Colorado Blvd, or Lake Ave., and "the world" was pretty much sanitized and diluted by the presence of so many church and college people in those areas of town. So, the Rose Parade was a real assault on our naive sensitivities. It was shocking.
The years that I was at AC, so many changes were coming upon society in general. It looked to us as if everything was coming apart right before the end times of Revelation, with the hippies, Viet Nam, free speech, and free love, and all the drugs, plus Black Power and the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were both assassinated while I was a student. There were riots. It was before the automotive industry ramped up anti-smog technology, so on bad days, if you worked all day Sunday on the gardening crew, at the end of the day, your lungs and throat burned as if you had chain-smoked about 2-3 packs of Camels or Luckies.
It didn't require too much prodding to make us believe we were living in the end times during the late '60s and early '70s. And, then there was the massive dissident uprising amongst the ministry, 1975 (gasp!) failed, and not too long after that, Ronald Reagan was elected President, and we became aware once more of Conservatives who had made themselves largely invisible during the societal revolution of the '60s. By this time, hippies had become the new normal, so Conservatives became the new "shock-a-teers".
I wasn't involved in the accounting aspects of these student body activities, but it appeared that a lot of money changed hands. And, most of us had a pretty good time in our own way, and on some level. We went back into our shells, our cloistered environment, having been convinced mid-school year that we were on the right track. Perhaps the faculty planned it that way.
BB
That is just a great eyewitness account of Rose Parade in the late sixties.
I would have loved to see the first organizing chicago ladies of the huntimg club breathe some life in their sleepy winter residence through this festival.
The Chicagoans who built America, built the infrastucture of that future world power, resided in Pasadena in summer, inspired HWA's early and later works and irronically produced the one who would take the edifice down aswell.
(Tkach and Obama)
Thank you Chigaco Chamber of Commerce for inspiring the soon 9th economic power in the world. The chamber of commerce of the State of California.
Celebrating the Rose Parade.
Nck
have been a Tournament of Roses member for 38 years now and am part of the upper Managment of the 935 volunteer organization. The Valley Hunt Club and lots of Pasadena were originally settled by people from Indiana. One of Pasadena’s nicknames was The Indiana Colony. Our headquarters is based in the Wrigley mansion that was their winter home. They would spend time in AR in their other home for Christmas and then come here for New Years and the rest of the winter. They loved the parade so much that they donated the property to the city for the exclusive use of the Tournament of Roses. About 20 some church members joined the organization over the years, including some from LCG and UCG
BB. The best fun I had one year working concession was when the Super Bowl was in Pasadena. I sold hotdogs. Nothing like getting a 100 tip on a hotdog and beer order!
A hundred dollar tip? That was more than a week's wages or a month's rent back then. That patron must have really appreciated your service!
BB
Those that attend Super Bowls drop lots of money. One college student in anothe stand got a 500.00 tip! A lot of people said, keep the change, regardless of order size
Amos Throop, Myron Hunt, Kate Crane Gartz, George E Hale etc.
Individiuals and groups. The Indiana Colony of course.
My point.
The name Pasadena must have had some mythical ring to those trapped in the Midwestern Frontier Snow blizzards.
Go West young man!
Carve yourself a new future toward the New Frontier. A better world not plagued by the stock markets crash of 1873 or 1906. A golden land of plenty and oranges.
Hear ye the prophet nck having seen that promising dream (and reaping the benefits of its application by the financing of the Lousiana Purchase and the railroads that connected the promise).
I mean, a man has gotta think practical too you know.
Nck
BTW NO2HWA
I don't know where to put this information without disturbing other topics.
BUT HWA IS VINDICATED AGAIN BY the CIA.
Some on the blogs have made a mockery out of HWA's article in which he claim not to know wether Hitler might be still alive.
Today the CIA released papers that even until 1955 the CIA deemed this option to be a possibility.
Interesting, no?
www.thesun.co.uk/news/4806751/adolf-hitler-may-survived-world-war-2-colombia-cia/
nck
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