After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has once again chosen Margao to host its three-day event, the 2023 'Exercise Patience' Convention.
Prior to 2019, many cities in India were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions.
In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition when the Witnesses cancelled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages. Beginning November 17, 2023, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back to Goa.
“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,” said Jarod Fernandes, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting
Jarod Fernandes, spokesman Jehovah’s Witnesses
“While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, we long to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings.”
Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series. In India alone, 74 conventions will be held in more than 40 host cities in 17 languages.
From Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through scriptural examples. A prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.
“Patience is a beautiful quality that everyone desires to display in their daily lives,” says spokesman Jarod Fernandes. “Despite our good intentions, however, maintaining patience in the face of life’s many challenges can be a daily struggle. Spending three days exploring aspects of this quality will be very timely for all of us.”
From Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through scriptural examples.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres, and theaters around the world for more than 100 years.
After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken.
DETAILS:
LOCATION: Daivadyna Bhavan, Quepem Road, Sanscar Society, Calconda, Margao
DATE: November 17 to 19, 2023
TIMINGS: 9:20 am to 5 pm
CONTACT: +91-9833401498