{"id":32728,"date":"2023-07-24T20:19:09","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T02:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/jehovahs-witnesses-bring-conference-to-farmington-civic-center\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:02:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:02:20","slug":"jehovahs-witnesses-bring-conference-to-farmington-civic-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/jehovahs-witnesses-bring-conference-to-farmington-civic-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses bring conference to Farmington Civic Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"People
People gather at a Jehovah's Witnesses' convention. (Courtesy photo)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses will host their first convention this summer in Farmington, after waiting three years to ensure safety after the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention will take place from Aug. 26 to 28 at the Farmington Civic Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big deal for us because we are back with our conventions after pausing them for so long,\u201d said Joe H. Bembnowski, local spokesman for the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses. \u201cWe are the largest convention organizers in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses have hosted public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters across the globe for the past 100 years. This changed during the pandemic, as the large conventions became virtual events, Bembnowski said, adding they \u201cwanted to ensure everybody was safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said it has been difficult for the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses, because they enjoy gathering together, just as \u201cthe Navajo People love gathering with people, family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conference will be unique in the Four Corners region, because it will feature a hybrid program, which is \u201cspecific to the Navajo language,\u201d he said, adding it will be both in English and Navajo.<\/p>\n

The theme is \u201cExercise Patience,\u201d and it will include 19 programs on the first day and 14 programs on the second day. Six convention sessions will look at the quality of patience, using Scripture to highlight it\u2019s relevance in modern times.<\/p>\n

\"Depiction
Depiction of a live baptism at a Jehovah's Witnesses' convention. (Courtesy photo)<\/span>Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Britain<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

There will also be a \u201clive baptism\u201d on Saturday morning and a prerecorded drama, which Bembnowski said is \u201ca modern-day feature film showing how exercising patience can even protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses chose patience as a theme, because it can be linked to joy and happiness in life. \u201cIt improves our relationships with others and gives us inner peace,\u201d Bembnowski said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems like today our patience is tested all the time, whether you\u2019re getting in the car trying to drive to the grocery store and, unfortunately, at work and with family and friends,\u201d Bembnowski added. \u201cIt\u2019s just something that is so needed today. In today\u2019s world we have so many individuals that are looking for calmness in their life \u2013 peace in their life \u2013 patience really helps us attain that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conference is open to the public, according to Bembnowski. \u201cWe are just inviting everyone in the community to come out and enjoy the program. It\u2019s someplace that you can feel safe, and there is no charge.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conference begins each day at 9:20 a.m. with a music video to allow everyone time to gather in their seats. Then the day\u2019s program will start at 9:30 a.m., Bembnowski said.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit jw.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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