PROUD KIDS' TRIBUTE TO DAD JACKO at Kingdom Hall???

Each of the King of Pop’s kids will speak in turn at a Jehovah’s Witness meeting hall where Jacko’s mum Katherine, father Joe and other relatives have worshipped for more than two decades.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/140593/Proud-kids-tribute-to-dad-Jacko/

  Great ! More power to them. If they want to speak, and are ALLOWED to speak in tribute to their dad at the kingdom hall - it's a good thing.

  But then ALL the rest of us who lose our JW parents should be allowed to give a tribute at memorial services as well ! If my mom or dad die- I'm going to request to say a few words. They were important to MY life. Peace out, Mr. Flipper

It's amazing what money and fame can do.

My thoughts too.  However, I have a few questions:

1.  Are family members now allowed to say a few words at memorial services held in the Kingdom Hall?

2.  Is this only to be done at "Private Services"?

3.  Since when has  the Kingdom Hall been used for "Private Services" or Memorial Anniversary Services?

4.  Is the Private Service acceptable to all former or inactive or DA or DF persons as well as active JW?

I think I need to call the Society and ask If they can answer these questions or do I need to call the Branch Office. 

These children have a right to speak about their father, but I seriously doubt that they requested the Kingdom Hall as the place, JW Grandma and JW Aunty are getting their needs met and the Kingdom Hall is getting its needs met ($$$)

Oh, one last question:

5.  Is this right only reserves for those JW's who are (FDS) Famous, Double lifestylers and Serving the Needs of the Society with $$$$$

You know kind of like the Tennis Stars and Rock Stars that the Society just looks the other way and allows special circumstances for their needs.

I heard they wouldn't attend the actual memorial(not the one at the KH) but later would attend his birthday celebration?

I'll see if I can dig that article up.

Snoozy (reading Moonwalk)

This week’s service to commemorate the anniversary of his death was Katherine’s idea.

  Will they be passing the wine and unleavened bread?

~Sue

I call bullsh*t on this .No way its legit Ive never heard of a "memorial" service for anyone a year after their death and the KH and if it is true its a total outrage to everyone of us whose ever lost a witness family member or friend and were never allowed to express our feelings publically at their funerals.

Sue asked,

Will they be passing the wine and unleavened bread?

Wouldn't milk and Oreos be more appropriate?

It seems they will be in two places at once 

http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/18/katherine-jackson-and-kids-gary-indiana-memorial-anniversary-death-prince-paris-blanket/

TMZ has learned Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three kids will not be in L.A. to commemorate the one-year anniversary of MJ's death.

Sources connected with the family tell TMZ the gang will be at Michael's birthplace -- Gary, Indiana -- where they will observe the day.

We're told Katherine is set on Gary because she feels it is a "family point of connection" -- and it's just too crazy in L.A.

Our sources say Katherine, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will keep things private with relatives and friends in Gary.

I'm surprised if this is at a KH or assembly hall.  I could see it at a non-jw facility.  As to eulogies:

*** g99 2/8 p. 11 Should the Dead Be Honored? ***Is It Wrong to Eulogize?

The principle of being balanced applies also to the matter of eulogizing the dead. At funeral services, Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to comfort the bereaved. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) A formal program may include one or more speakers. But it would be inappropriate to convert the occasion into a long parade of eulogizers extolling the deceased. Rather, the funeral affords an opportunity to extol God’s marvelous qualities, including his kindness in providing us with the hope of the resurrection.

---------------------

But

*** w84 2/1 p. 9 A Loyal Fighter Passes On ***On Wednesday evening, November 23, a memorial service was held at the Brooklyn Bethel Kingdom Hall, being relayed by closed-circuit television to the dining rooms and by telephone tie-in to Watchtower Farms. Thus most of the Bethel family of 3,123 members, including Gilead students, and also many guests, were able to hear talks by several family members. These were not eulogies. Rather they encouraged all present to profit by the loyal life course of Brother Suiter, who had indeed proved to be a ‘big tree of righteousness’ and a conqueror in fighting for Kingdom interests.

And didn't Michael disassociate from the Society?   I remember copies of a newpaper article that were being passed around at either the 1987 or 1988 district convention showing how JW's were to shun Michael Jackson as he had disassociated himself.

Michael Jackson's Formerly Reclusive Children Now Spreading Religious Message Door-to-Door

Despite how weird he was, would be shame if everything 'was' lies against him.  Someone who made music like this.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2W4-0qUdHY&feature=related

EndofMysteries, off topic.

This isn't about MJ's music. It is about his children being raised as Jehovah's Witnesses.

~Sue

Thank you for those references Blondie...

http://www.dannyhaszard.com/michael_jackson_and_the_watchtower%20saga.htm

regular updates on the MJ and family saga!

Randy

The original story was in the Daily Star. I would give no credibility to this newspaper at all! It is a trashy paper through and through! Funny that its not been reported anywhere else......

"According to a Jackson insider, the kids (under the guidance of their grandmother and legal guardian, Katherine Jackson) have been doing the standard field service as part of their involvement with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, encouraging others to convert."

Here is the latest from Gary, Indiana:

Press Release

Gary, Indiana-On Friday, June 25, 2010 the City of Gary, Indiana will remember its favorite son, Michael Joseph Jackson. Michael was born in Gary on August 29, 1958 where he was reared until the age of 10. June 25th marks the first anniversary of Michael’s passing.
Mayor Clay said, “Gary people are the children that continue to love the Jackson family and the world’s greatest entertainer, Michael Jackson; a love that we had before they were famous and that feeling is still entrenched in our hearts today.”

Mrs. Katherine Jackson, her granddaughter, Genevieve Jackson (daughter of Randy Jackson) along with Mayor Rudy Clay and other city and state officials will be present.

The official unveiling of a special monument in Michael’s honor is scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. in front of the famous 2300 Jackson Street home. This one of a kind piece was designed, manufactured and engraved by the Stone Plans Monument Company in Indiana. All are welcome to join us and to pay tribute to an incredible international icon.

The day will continue with the memorial beginning at 5:00 p.m. at 2300 Jackson Street which will include special guests and a candlelight vigil. A special “We are the World” performance will conclude the evening.

Also joining the city at the memorial will be Kellee Patterson, the first black Miss Indiana who will sing “Gone To Soon”, the Honorable Judge Greg Mathis and a long time friend comedian/actor Eddie Griffin will share a memory about his “dear friend” Michael Jackson.

Source: City of Gary

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=42343

What ever happened to the "We don't do memorials for the dead, even at their own funeral, because we don't want to exalt the individual - only Jehovah" attitude by the JW elders?

I couldn't even get a brief memorial read at my father's funeral, and he was a faithful JW for over 50 years.

I see a lot of hypocrisy on the part of the JWs and the Jackson family in having these memorials in MJ's honor. It's clearly because of his fame and his money that they are getting these waivers.

Let's face the facts. The WT and its leadership, ever since the formation of the the Watch Tower and People's Pulpit corporations, have always been just about making money and building up the strength of the organization. If making allowances for Michael Jackson, a worldly, fame-seeking, sexually confused, DF'd or DA'd former brother - who mixed and sought close friendships with Nation of Islam leaders, Jewish Rabbis, Islamic imams and shieks, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and other ministers of evil Christendom - is going to be OK now - then allowances should also be made for the families of those JWs who were faithful to the end.

Something is very, very disturbing in all of this.