The Mensa Easter Banquet: A Formal Discussion on the Resurrection

On a recent evening at the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys club, a group of 22 individuals gathered for the Mensa Easter Banquet. The event was a formal discussion on the topic of the resurrection and all the theories surrounding it. As guests enjoyed chicken schnitzel for supper and Italian kisses for dessert, they engaged in a lively and intellectual discussion on the topic at hand.

Before sitting down for the formal discussion, attendees participated in a pre-social that was described as "a great deal of fun." To break the ice, guests followed a Greek tradition and battled with boiled eggs that had been brightly colored by various dyes. This set the tone for an evening of lively discussion and intellectual engagement.

Once seated, the discussion began in earnest. Attendees brought a wide range of perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to a thought-provoking and insightful conversation. The topic of the resurrection has been debated for centuries, and this event provided an opportunity for attendees to engage in a rigorous and respectful exploration of the various theories surrounding it.

As the evening drew to a close, guests left feeling intellectually stimulated and energized by the evening's discussion. The Mensa Easter Banquet provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage with a complex and important topic in a formal and intellectual setting.

Overall, the event was a great success. Attendees enjoyed not only the intellectual stimulation but also the delicious food and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. The Mensa Easter Banquet is an excellent example of the kind of intellectual engagement and community-building that can occur when individuals come together to discuss complex ideas in a respectful and engaging manner.

 Mensa Ladies Lunch (with some men in attendance)

In November 2022, Mensa hosted an inspiring and engaging Ladies Lunch Event for Mensa members at The Blue Crane, located in the Austin Robert's Bird Park. The topic of discussion for the day was Bowen's Family Systems Theory, specifically the concept of differentiation. The attendees were given A2 size papers filled with quotes and notes from academic papers, which they discussed in detail.

The event was attended by both male and female members who were keen to explore and understand the topic at hand. The lively discussions were insightful and thought-provoking, with attendees sharing their personal experiences and insights about the theory.

The Ladies Lunch Event was a great opportunity for Mensa members to network and engage with like-minded individuals while also learning about an interesting topic. The event was not only intellectually stimulating but also a lot of fun, as participants were able to bond over shared interests and passions.

At the end of the lunch, the ladies were asked to share their experience of Mensa and suggest ways that the organization could better meet their needs. Many attendees expressed their desire for more light socials that cover topics on personal growth, similar to the one presented at the Ladies Lunch event. The event had been successful in bringing together individuals with similar interests and passions, and the attendees were eager for more opportunities to connect and engage with each other.

The Ladies Lunch Event at The Blue Crane was a great success, providing Mensa members with an opportunity to learn, network and have fun.

 Mensa Members Gather For T-Shirt Printing Event and Summer Fun

The Pretoria Old Boys Club was buzzing with creativity and excitement as Mensa members gathered for a social event where they got to print their own designs on t-shirts. This event showcased the unique and imaginative minds of the members. As they gathered around the printing station, they eagerly discussed their design ideas and shared tips and tricks with each other. Some designs were funny, some inspirational, and some just plain quirky, but they all showcased the diverse and imaginative minds of the group. The printing process was a collaborative effort, with members helping each other with each step of the process. From choosing the perfect font and color to placing the design just right on the shirt, the Mensans worked together to create unique and eye-catching t-shirts.

The event was not just about printing t-shirts, though. It was also a chance for Mensans to socialize and connect with each other. They exchanged stories and ideas, discussing everything from the latest scientific discoveries to the latest books they had read. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, with a sense of camaraderie and shared interests permeating the room. The Pretoria Old Boys Club provided the perfect setting for the event, with its spacious and well-lit room and comfortable seating. Food and drinks were available on order from the club's friendly and accommodating staff. After the t-shirts were designed and printed, the Mensans proudly showed off their creations to each other. The colorful and creative designs displayed a range of interests and personalities, highlighting the individuality of each member.

The event was so popular and so many people wanted to print t-shirts that some of the committee members who held back and let others print first, were unable to print their designs on the day of the event, so they planned a second printing event. A month or so later, some of the committee members gathered for a Mongolian Braai filled with laughter, creativity, and summertime joy at Marina Van Tonder’s home, who was the master mind behind this event. They fired up the grill to prepare the traditional Mongolian Braai and prepared to flex their creative muscles and enjoy the company of their like-minded peers.

While the adults were busy with their t-shirt designs, the children took advantage of the great Pretoria weather by jumping into the pool and splashing around. It was a perfect day for both children and adults alike to enjoy some summer fun in the sun. The Mongolian braai was a lot of fun, and each person cooked their selection to perfection, while discussing their t-shirt designs, each one more unique and creative than the last.

Both printing events were not only fun and relaxing for the members, but they also showcased the creativity of the Mensans and brought them closer together as a community. It's a reminder that even the brightest minds need a break from the demands of everyday life and can enjoy some fun in the sun with their friends and family. The memories of these special events, filled with laughter, creativity, and summer fun, will last a lifetime.

 High IQ Christian SIG

Are you a Christian looking for a group of like-minded individuals who share your passion for learning and growing in God's Word? Look no further than the Mensa Special Interest WhatsApp Group, called High IQ Christians.

Run by a Mensa member, Tersia Voskuil, who is studying a Doctor of Ministry in Christ-Centered Counseling, this group is focused on exploring and discussing theological concepts in depth. The group admin mostly shares summaries of theological books, allowing members to learn and engage with new ideas even if they don't have the time to read full-length books.

Chapter summaries of six books on the topic of Soteriology and Election were shared in August and September 2022. The six books were: God’s Provision For All, by Leighton Flowers; Salvation By Allegiance Alone, by Matthew Bates; The Chosen People, by A. Chadwick Thornhill; Perspectives on Election, Five Views, edited by Chad Owen Brand; The Nature of Atonement, Four Views, edited by Beilby and Eddy; Chosen to Serve, by Shawn Lazar.

Chapter summaries of four books on the topic of Counseling Adolescents were shared in September and October 2022. The four books were: Real Teens, by George Barna; Helping the Struggling Adolescent, by Dr Les Parrott III; Age of Opportunity, by Paul Tripp; When Good Kids Make Bad Choices by Fitzpatrick, Newheiser, and Dr. Laura Hendrickson.

The group also spent a few weeks looking at Bates’ ten steps of the gospel. Recently, the group worked through an 8-part series by Andy Stanley called Christian. They investigated the difference between the concept of Christian, which is not defined in the Bible, versus the concept of disciple, which is clearly defined in the Bible. This kind of in-depth exploration of theological concepts is typical of the information shared in the High IQ Christians group.

Currently, the group is working through chapters from Joe Dallas' book, Christians in a Cancel Culture. They are focusing on topics such as Abortion, Critical Race Theory, Homosexuality, Transgender, and Progressive Christianity. We are also going through Irreversible Damage, by Abigail Shrier, who is not a Christian, to broaden our discussion of the topic. These are all topics that can be difficult to navigate in today's society, and the group provides a safe and supportive environment for Christians to explore these issues and deepen their understanding of the Bible's teachings.

Tersia started a blog for the group this month, called Theology Stuff. The intention of the blog is to provide a space for members to share their own thoughts and insights on theological topics, further fostering a sense of community and also to provide a place that members can come back to. The WhatsApp thread tends to disappear into oblivion, and it is difficult to go back to interesting topics. The blog overcomes that limitation.

 Mensa Christmas Banquet 2022

The Mensa Christmas Banquet held in December 2022 at the Pretoria Old Boys Club was a night to remember. The banquet hall was decorated magnificently, and the banquet-style table looked amazing. The festive atmosphere was heightened with great Christmas music playing in the background, adding to the joviality of the evening.

The Mensa members who attended the banquet were all dressed to impress. They were asked to wear interesting headgear, and this added an element of fun and laughter to the event, with some attendees donning Santa hats while others wore reindeer antlers. It was a unique and exciting way to celebrate the Christmas season.

Apart from the stunning décor and the fun headgear, there were also brain teaser puzzles that were passed around to challenge the members. These puzzles were a great way to keep the conversation flowing and to test the mental acuity of the attendees. It was a great opportunity for the Mensans to showcase their intelligence and problem-solving skills.

The Christmas banquet was not only a fun and festive occasion but also provided an opportunity for members to network and socialize with like-minded individuals. The evening was filled with great conversations and engaging discussions, making it a memorable experience for all who attended.

Overall, the Mensa Christmas Banquet at the Pretoria Old Boys Club organized by Tersia Voskuil was a resounding success. It was a night of fun, laughter, and mental stimulation, all in one. The event showcased the brilliance of the members and provided an opportunity for them to connect and engage with each other. The success of this event is proof that Mensa is more than just a high-IQ society; it is a community of individuals who enjoy learning, socializing, and having fun together.

Mensa Special Interest WhatsApp Group Shares Love for Creepy Crawlies

If you're someone who's fascinated by the world of tiny creatures, then you might want to check out the Mensa Special Interest WhatsApp Group called the Creepy Crawly SIG. This group is made up of Mensa members who share a passion for all things creepy, crawly, and tiny.

The members of this group love to share photos of the creatures they come across, and they help each other identify them. This is a great opportunity for anyone who's interested in learning more about the fascinating world of insects and other small creatures.

But the group's interests go beyond just sharing pictures of these little critters. The members were recently encouraged to participate in the iNaturalist project, which is a global project between a university in California and National Geographic. This project encourages people to share observations of the natural world, including plants, animals, and insects.

For the members of the Creepy Crawly SIG, this is a great opportunity to put their passion for photography to good use. By participating in this project, they can contribute to a global database of observations that will help scientists better understand the natural world.

In addition to their involvement in the iNaturalist project, some members of the group also recently attended the Arachnid and Reptile Expo held at the Monty Casino. Some members even purchased their own creepy crawly to take home! One member even bought a Curly Hair tarantula, which is sure to be a conversation starter at the next group meeting.

If you're interested in joining the Creepy Crawly SIG, you'll need to be a member of Mensa first. But for those who are already members, this is a great opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for the tiny creatures that inhabit our world. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply someone who finds these little critters fascinating, you're sure to find a welcoming community in the Creepy Crawly SIG.