SUMMER DISTRICT CONVENTION THREAD (page 7)

DannyHaszard

Jehovah's Witnesses to convene
Deseret News, UT - 3 hours ago
OGDEN — "Deliverance at Hand!" is the theme of next weekend's annual Jehovah's Witness District Convention for Utah and portions of two surrounding states at ... Jehovah's Witnesses to convene More than 7,500 from 3 states expected at convention in Ogden By Lynn Arave
Deseret Morning News OGDEN — "Deliverance at Hand!" is the theme of next weekend's annual Jehovah's Witness District Convention for Utah and portions of two surrounding states at the Dee Events Center.

More than 7,500 Jehovah's Witnesses from Utah, southeast Idaho and western Wyoming are expected to attend the three-day event, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday, July 2. This is one of 260 similar conventions to be held in the United States as well as in 154 other nations this year. All meetings are free and open to the public. No collections will be taken.
"It helps you to refocus on what's going on in the world," said Warren Beers, an elder in the Millcreek Jehovah's Witnesses, who is helping to organize this year's convention in Ogden. "It gives a person a lot of hope." Richard Wolf, an elder in the North Salt Lake congregation of Witnesses and another district organizer, said the conventions always help people escape from the cares of the world and delve into some basics of the Bible. The two men also stressed that "deliverance" is a pretty strong word but that God's message is not a fearful thing. They remain hopeful, despite worsening world conditions, and say the convention will share their biblical basis for optimism. Witnesses will focus on the biblical phrase "Deliver us from the wicked one," found in Matthew 6:13. They believe that only God can deliver mankind from inherited sin. They will also refer to Romans 5:12 and Roman 6:23, to underscore man's need for deliverance. They see worsening world conditions as evidence that mankind is closer than ever to God's intervention in earth's affairs — with the destruction of the wicked close at hand. A record attendance is expected at this year's convention, which has sessions starting each of the three days at 9:30 a.m. They said the Dee Events Center offers plenty of free parking and the mountains to the east provide a spectacular backdrop. Friday's focus will be on Jeremiah 1:19, "I am with you." The morning's keynote address will be "Jehovah's Provisions for Our Everlasting Deliverance." The afternoon will shift to examining how God provides an escape for his servants. The day's program will end at 5:15 p.m. On Saturday, July 1, the program will center on "Deliver Us from the Wicked One" and "From every sort of Lawlessness." Practical advice on resisting wicked influences will be presented. Christian baptism will be examined at 11:50 a.m., followed by an ordination of new members of the faith as ministers. "Are you Living with Jehovah's Day in Mind?" will be the concluding discourse of the day at 4:35 p.m. "Know that the Kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:31) will be the focus of the final convention day, Sunday, July 2. Speakers will expound on several parables of Jesus Christ, and a costumed drama will be presented. "Deliverance by God's Kingdom is at Hand!" will be the final discourse at 2 p.m. The Dee Events Center is located at 3850 University Circle, just east of Harrison Boulevard. The convention has been held there annually for more than 25 years. Jehovah's Witnesses now number more than 6.6 million in 235 lands and territories throughout the world. There are more than 98,000 congregations of Witnesses worldwide. Some 1.5 million people are expected to attend this year's district conventions in America.
The group's main publication, The Watchtower, has a circulation of 27 million in 153 languages.

DannyHaszard

Spiritual deliverance
Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - 1 hour ago [email protected] reporter For Jamie Heigle, the District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Jackson provides both a spiritual lift and lessons about how to be a better mother. ... "We learn a lot about family," said the 24-year-old dental hygienist from Lockport, La., as she gathered her two boys, ages 2 and 3, to her side inside the Mississippi Coliseum. "It teaches patience with these children." The trip to Jackson also makes for a mini vacation of sorts - Heigle's children love swimming in the pool at Jackson's Cabot Lodge, where they stayed last weekend for the first of two consecutive three-day Jehovah's Witnesses Watchtower conventions. The second convention will conclude Sunday, leaving thousands of believers spiritually renewed and Jackson with what is likely the largest economic boost for an annual event. "It's one of the biggest conventions we have every year, if not the biggest," said Mara Hartmann, spokeswoman for the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It takes up all of our hotel rooms." This year's convention is expected to draw close to 15,000 visitors to Jackson, who will spend an estimated $6.2 million on hotels, meals and other travel expenses, Hartmann said. The only other event that rivals the economic impact of the back-to-back religious conventions is Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and its spin-off gathering, the annual Sweet Potato Queen convention, which Hartmann said generates about $6 million for Jackson. GLOBAL MESSAGE Jackson is one of 73 cities in the United States to host this year's District Convention of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The gathering attracts believers from four states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. The 2006 convention will be repeated throughout the world for 6.6 million believers. This year's convention centers worship and biblical lessons around the theme "Deliverance at Hand!" Jehovah's Witnesses read the Bible as the literal word of God. They believe the name "Jehovah" is the personal name of God. One of the highlights of the gatherings is the unveiling of the faith's newest publication. "It's usually a public brochure to further our work," said Larry Anderson, a volunteer who heads the convention's rooming department and works as the human resources director for the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District. Through its world headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jehovah's Witnesses produce the semi-monthly magazines Awake! and The Watchtower, as well as numerous pamphlets offering biblical and practical advice. Though the new tracts were distributed at last week's convention, attendees are asked not to share the new brochure with those yet to attend the gathering to not spoil the surprise. "Some who have visited keep it to themselves," said Herb Jarman, a convention spokesman who works for the U.S. Postal Service. GROWING FAITH Retiree Agnes Davis, 68, attended last weekend's convention with members from her Gulfport congregation. "I do field service," she said about her door-to-door evangelism work. "This strengthens me to do that." Many people outside the faith encounter Jehovah's Witnesses as well-dressed visitors who knock on their doors offering literature and Bible lessons. Their persistent evangelism efforts have made them one of the fastest growing religious groups in the world. The faith grew worldwide by 1.3 percent from 2004 to 2005, according to the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are more than 1 million adherents in the United States. There are 14 congregations in the metro area, including one Spanish-speaking group. Volunteer-led congregations meet in Kingdom Halls, which are simple structures without adornments such as paintings and crucifixes. The Jackson-area congregations share the region's seven Kingdom Halls. The conventions also are run by volunteers, who do everything from arrange lodging for the thousands of visitors to roam the coliseum halls with gentle signs asking participants to be quiet during the sessions. To maintain a good relationship with the city's hospitality industry, Anderson's team of volunteers also conducts training for visitors on how to treat hotel employees with respect. "We look forward to them every year," said Sonny Puletapuai, office manager at La Quinta Jackson North, which booked 100 rooms for the Jehovah's Witnesses convention. "They're very, very good guests." Heigle began saving money last year to visit Jackson, which she estimates will cost $300. Along with meeting new peo ple at the gathering, she said she most values the lessons she takes away about "what you get out of serving God."

ICBehindtheCurtain

One of the fastest growing religious groups in the world? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, NOT!

I wonder if all the layoff's at BethHell were done so they could instead put the money into this stooooopid advertising campaign which isn't fooling anyone, WHAT MORONS!

Thanks for sharing,OH MIGHTY AND POWERFUL DANNY

IC

DannyHaszard

Raleigh OKs money to attract convention
News & Observer, NC - 6 hours ago
RALEIGH - The City Council voted this week to spend $150,000 to lure a Jehovah's Witnesses convention to the RBC Center next year -- a vote taken in private ... Raleigh OKs money to attract convention Some question use of incentive Josh Shaffer , Staff Writer RALEIGH - The City Council voted this week to spend $150,000 to lure a Jehovah's Witnesses convention to the RBC Center next year -- a vote taken in private session. Backers expect the event to draw 18,900 people over two weekends in August, giving the city an estimated $5 million jolt when Raleigh's hotels tend to be empty. "Not a whole lot of hockey going on then," said Councilman Thomas Crowder, who voted with the 6-2 majority. But two on the council -- and at least one citizen watchdog -- call Raleigh's incentive a poor use of taxpayer money. "I have nothing against the organization, but why should we subsidize them?" asked Bee Weddington, who lives in Raleigh's Brookhaven neighborhood and has followed negotiations since the spring. "What if some other guy says, 'If you did this for them, do it for me'? " The idea is to keep the Jehovah's Witnesses in Raleigh for the next five years, said Dave Heinl, president of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, who gauged the conference's $5 million impact. In a letter to the RBC's Centennial Authority in March, Heinl described a $29 million impact if the group came each year. The Centennial Authority, which oversees the RBC Center, has already agreed to commit $100,000 for each of the next five years. The Wake County Board of Commissioners, though, will not. "I don't feel comfortable using taxpayer money to incentify visits," said Tony Gurley, the commission's chairman. Raleigh took its vote in private because it involved economic development incentives, Mayor Charles Meeker said. Such a move is allowable under the state's open meetings law. Meeker announced results of the vote after it was taken. The money comes from a portion of the hotel and motel tax collected in Wake County. Normally, that money is earmarked for tourism-related projects -- most notably Raleigh's new $215 million convention center -- and it requires a joint city-county vote. But Raleigh can use $1 million a year as it pleases, and financing a private meeting is a foolish choice, said Councilman Philip Isley, who voted no along with Councilman Tommy Craven. "How about a road?" he asked. One distinction, though, is the money did not come from property taxes. This helped sway Crowder. "I don't particularly care for incentives," he said. "I've voted against incentives in the past. You have to look at things on a case-by-case basis." The Jehovah's Witnesses have met in Winston-Salem for many years, where the convention center has a capacity of 10,000, wrote Jana Rae Oliver, national sales manager for the visitors bureau, in a letter to Heinl. Moving to the RBC Center would give them the chance to grow, Oliver wrote. The center can hold 19,000, according to its Web site. Meeker said the city has tried to entice the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in the past. Tax money has helped bring both the CIAA and MEAC basketball tournaments to Raleigh, and both of them have been discussed in closed session. "Different groups require different incentives," the mayor said. Staff writer Josh Shaffer can be reached at 829-4818 or [email protected]. [email protected] contact

DannyHaszard

Jehovah's Witness convention is expected to draw 10,000 comment box Henderson Gleaner, KY - 9 hours ago
By SUSAN ORR. If the Jehovah's Witnesses haven't knocked on your door recently, expect a visit soon. That's because the believers ... [email protected] reporter

DannyHaszard

Jehovah's Witnesses assemble on Friday
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA - 7 hours ago
As in the past several years, two summer conventions of the Jehovah's Witnesses are being held at the Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth St. ...

Jehovah's Witnesses assemble on Friday

From Staff Reports

As in the past several years, two summer conventions of the Jehovah's Witnesses are being held at the Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth St. The first begins Friday and ends July 2. The second gathering is July 7-9. The public is invited to all sessions. Nearly 5,000 delegates from Georgia, northwest Florida and east Alabama are expected at each convention, adding an expected $2.8 million to the area economy. Through September, 266 such meetings are being held in 73 U.S. cities. The theme this year is "Deliverance at Hand!" The worldwide religion is based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Here are a few basic beliefs of the faith, according to its Web site: • The people: Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a worldwide Christian religion who actively share with others information about God, whose name is Jehovah, and about his son, Jesus Christ. They view first-century Christianity as their model. • The Bible: It is God's infallible Word, upon which Jehovah's Witnesses base all their beliefs. They interpret some passages figuratively or symbolically. • God: Jehovah is the name of the only true God, the Creator of all things. His main qualities are love, justice, wisdom and power. • Jesus: The Son of God. He came to earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a sacrifice. His death and resurrection made salvation to eternal life possible for those exercising faith in him. Jesus never claimed equality with God, and is not part of the Trinity. • Funding: Primarily by voluntary donations from Jehovah's Witnesses. No collections are taken at meetings, and members are not required to tithe. Clearly marked contribution boxes are provided in all meeting places for voluntary donations, which remain anonymous. Expenses are manageable, as there are no paid clergy and the meeting places are modest. IF YOU GO What: Jehovah's Witnesses summer conventions When: Friday through July 2; and July 7-9. Morning sessions are at 9:30. Friday and Saturday afternoon meetings begin at 2. Sunday sessions begin at 2:40 p.m. Where: Columbus Civic Center (South Commons), 400 Fourth St. Phone: 334-291-9595. [email protected] religion editor

DannyHaszard

Timing of convention planned comment box Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - 5 hours ago
... As part of their stance on political neutrality, Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate Independence Day. Springfield hosted the district convention for years. ... BLOOMINGTON - Timing for next weekend's Jehovah's Witnesses convention is by design.The convention was recruited by the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which was familiar with the group and thought its needs matched local amenities, said Jill Bernahl, the bureau's convention marketing manager.

Low hotel occupancy over the pre-Fourth of July weekend gives the Witnesses leverage to get favorable group room rates, she said, and th U.S. Cellular Coliseum fits the group's desire for a large but intimate space.

And the Coliseum had no expectation of other events during the weekend.

For the Witnesses, the July 4 weekend is inconsequential. As part of their stance on political neutrality, Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate Independence Day.

Springfield hosted the district convention for years. Aaron Purvis, event spokesman for the Witnesses, said he isn't sure why the organization decided to move the event.

But the dynamics leave all involved thinking the Witnesses could be back to Bloomington for their district conventions in future years. Timing of convention planned By Steve Arney [email protected] send comments to reporter

DannyHaszard

Jehovah’s Witnesses take faith door-to-door across region TheNewsTribune.com (subscription), WA - 26 minutes ago
... polite appeal. “We’re involved in inviting our neighbors to a district convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” Shaw said. He ... (EASY COMMENT DO FIRST) [email protected] relig reporter [email protected] crime team leader [email protected] news tips [email protected] letter to editor ------------------------------------------------------- Jehovah's Witnesses convention begins comment box
Amarillo.com (subscription), TX - 53 minutes ago
... The 2006 district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses starts today at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum and will continue this weekend and the next two. ... [email protected] reporter [email protected] newsroom [email protected] editorial page editor --------------------------------- Jehovah's Witnesses spread their message one home at a time
Huntsville Times, AL - 14 minutes ago
... Jehovah's Witnesses call it "Tract Work," but the stranger joining them as they handed out invitations door-to-door would be forgiven for thinking they'd said ...

Jehovah's Witnesses spread their message one home at a time

Friday, June 30, 2006 By KAY CAMPBELL Times Faith & Values Editor [email protected] contact The thermometer's mercury was bumping 100 degrees. The sun blazed. The humidity forced car air conditioners to drip tiny ponds of condensation in the parking lot. But for the Goode family last week, it was a perfect day for a three-hour walk while dressed in their Sunday best. They each carried a satchel of tracts inviting people to the three-day convention that begins today at the Von Braun Center Arena. Jehovah's Witnesses call it "Tract Work," but the stranger joining them as they handed out invitations door-to-door would be forgiven for thinking they'd said "Track Work." It's a lot of exercise. "For a hot day, this is good territory to work," said Daphne Goode, 17, appreciating the shade in a Monte Sano neighborhood that's part of the family's assigned streets. Members of the Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to spend time each week inviting strangers to consider their message. Each of the five Kingdom Halls in the area has two congregations of about 100 Witnesses assigned to different areas of the valley. Each of those congregations is led by volunteer elders. The intense person-to-person evangelism is working. Worldwide, the faith now numbers about 6.6 million members. Weekly training For Faye Goode, who, as a Pioneer spends at least 70 hours a month in outreach work, this is familiar territory. She looks forward to returning to a few of the homes. "I met somebody up here who is real nice," Goode said as she and Daphne stepped around children's toys in one yard. "I hope she's home. She placed an order for a book for her child." The mother and daughter, each in a summer dress, waited at the door after ringing the bell. From inside came the scrabble of claws on wood and barks. "I believe there is nobody here but the dogs today," Goode said. Daphne folded the invitation to this weekend's convention and slid it between the door and the frame before they turned to leave. They are ready if the door opens. Every Jehovah's Witness, no matter what age, is expected to attend a training session each week to prepare to answer any question asked them about their faith. Daphne and Kenan have been doing this work since before they remember - when their parents pushed them in baby carriages from door to door. As toddlers, they could ring the bell. A little taller, and they could hand up the brochure when people agreed to take one. Without saying a word, they were valuable witnesses, Kenneth Goode said. "People seem to be more inclined to listen when there's a child with you," he said. The weekly Theocratic Ministry School at the Kingdom Hall offers role-playing situations likely to arise during visits. The platform holds a podium for speakers, but also a table and chairs to be used as a set for training skits. Responsibility for preparing the training lessons rotates, including the teenagers as presenters. "It's something we never graduate from," Kenneth Goode said. But they don't get a lot of questions. Mostly, they get empty houses these days. When people do answer the door, their faces register puzzlement, suspicion, surprise, guardedness. One elderly man opened his door to see Kenneth Goode and his son, Kenan, 14, standing on his steps. Goode explained they were Jehovah's Witnesses, calling to invite people to the convention. The three-day regional convention is the second of three this summer that will each draw about 8,000 Witnesses and visitors for worship, song and dramatic re-enactments of Bible stories. Without a word, the man heard Goode's brief explanation. Then he smiled a friendly smile and waved his hand to signal "No" before closing his door. "Most people are very cordial," Goode said. "Most of the time, people who are not interested will say so right away, or that they have their own religion." The Witnesses' zeal for door-to-door invitations has brought them ongoing persecution in many nations of the world. Their steadfast refusal to join armies, sing national anthems or salute the flag of any earthly kingdom has kept them on the black lists of a lot of governments, beginning with the Nazis. Their refusal to accept blood transfusions, their practice of shunning those who leave the church, their avoiding membership in groups outside of their church, their intense church-centered activities and their strict interpretations of Jesus as the Son of God but not God have gotten them defined as a cult. But, Daphne said, most of her friends at school who ask her about her religion wonder first why she doesn't celebrate her birthday or Christmas. Those are both celebrations with roots in pagan origins she wants nothing to do with, Daphne will tell her friends, welcoming the opportunity to point them to what she believes is more important than birthday presents and Christmas trees. Those moments of curiosity from a stranger are what keep Faye Goode going mile after mile, day after day of closed doors: the chance she can find someone ready to listen to her message of hope. "This is something people really need to hear - the good news of the Kingdom," Faye Goode said as she started up the walk to yet another home. "I do this because of my love for my neighbors, because this is life-saving work."

DannyHaszard

Who are Jehovah's Witnesses?
TPMCafe, NY - 38 minutes ago
... Jehovah's Witnesses will suspend the door to door proselytizing for which they are so well known, in order to meet together for a three day program of ...

DannyHaszard

Michigan USA Jehovah's Witnesses to hand out invitations to convention The Flint Journal - 3 minutes ago FLINT - Area residents are familiar with Jehovah's Witnesses knocking on their doors with literature in hand. This time, it could include an invitation By George Jaksa [email protected] Danny Haszard has a post up: 8452 Jehovah's Witnesses by DannyHaszard, 7/1/06 New!

SUMMER DISTRICT CONVENTION THREAD

Jehovah's Witnesses assemble on Friday

From Staff Reports

Jehovah's Witnesses spread their message one home at a time

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