One of my pet peeves are members who think the church is a social club and they have this desperate need to attend each and every activity and let me tell ya they're quick to judge you if you don't attend some. I just got a call from a member in the ward saying I should attend ward activities more often. I mean how in the world people have the extra time to be always concern with activities? You never heard them talking about VT or HT or helping someone in the ward who need it or go to do some service but food, food and food and fun activities, etc I mean sometimes I think I'm between teeny boppers. Between school and callings I don't have time to be attending all these fun activities its a turn off seeing the amount of people who show up and when a VT workshop is held hardly anyone is there you know. I always tell them, organize a service activity and I'll be there but they hardly organize one and when they do hardly anyone is there you know what am I saying?. I guess the scripture is right when it says "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also".
SuzieSu, I have felt the same way you are feeling...depending on what is going on in my life. In fact a couple of years ago, I was released from all callings, and VT, because I could not handle working, two new babies, and all those commitments. I didn't feel guilty at all, because, I felt at that time, that I needed to save my mental stability for the family, and myself....also I was dealing with some chronic pain issues.
But now the babies are a little older and I do crave those activities, I don't attend all of them, but do try to attend as many as I can (the ones that interest me) because I have found the socialilizing to be quite therapeutic and spiritually uplifting...which I can use right about now.
I think that we just go through times in our lives when activities are a good thing, and times when activities and callings are actually a burden. It's all good. Do your best.
Going to school and work, and callings....that is a lot! I have never noticed judging about not going to activities....but then again, I am preoccupied most of the time with rambunctious kids...I certainly would not judge someone for not going to the activities. If we could just all get along..
Church socials are really cool. They help to bring everyone together to have fun. Sometimes there is service to give too and we just have kool-aid and sandwiches after. I think its all about how you view it and what your ward does at them. I'm in a good ward as you can see .
Josh I think you're missing the point. I aint against church activities at all just priorities. Why are fun activities a priorities over service oriented ones? Why are fun activities more attended than the ones where we're supposed to serve someone in need? I mean come on doesn't that talk volumes about the kind of interest of the ward you know what am I saying? Is there anything to celebrate really unless lack of interest and love is something to celebrate about?
SuzieSu
SuzieSu I hear you sister but let me say that I think activities are important to get the ward together so people can get to know each other more. I agree they shouldn't replace service oriented activities, I think a healthy balance is necessary.