Jehovah’s Witnesses open conference to all

Published 10:30 pm Friday, June 19, 2009

If Katlyn Dalen of Everett shows up at your door, she’s there with an invitation.

The 18-year-old is a Jehovah’s Witness, many of whom will be calling on people in Snohomish County and giving information on an upcoming convention.

“For me and a lot of young people, it’s a big event,” Dalen said.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are inviting everyone in Western Washington to attend one of two three-day events in Tacoma. The first convention starts Thursday and runs through June 27. The second weekend is July 3-5. Admission to the convention is free, and there will be no collections.

For Dalen, being a Jehovah’s Witness is a lifestyle more than a religion.

“It helps with morals and how to interact with people,” Dalen said. “It’s really important to me to have a relationship with God.”

About 24,000 people are expected to attend throughout the two weekends at the Tacoma Dome. Members of 10 congregations from Everett and 21 in Snohomish County plan to attend.

“It’s a very united and loving atmosphere,” Dalen said. “Very safe and united.”

The convention is based on Scripture and the Bible and offers diverse presentations in the form of biblical drama plays, talk and study.

“For me it’s a faith-strengthening experience,” said John Morley, a Jehovah’s Witness elder in Everett.

For Morley and others, there is a sense of brotherhood, strength of influence and joy in meeting people and sharing experiences.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses are students. It’s all about study,” Morley said.

There are no images nor idols in Kingdom Halls. It’s very much about studying and viewing things around witnesses in their lives, he said.

Lessons in Jehovah’s Witness publications, including The Watchtower and Awake, often address current issues — such as taking prescription drugs and preparing teens for adulthood — with discussions that include relevant Bible verses. These kinds of themes will be covered at the convention.

Although Jehovah’s Witnesses hold district conventions every year, this one is part of an international convention held every five years.

The event will “help people be educated on principles of the Bible,” Henry Schwerdtfeger, an Issaquah elder.

No one knows the day or the hour of the end of the world, but keeping the watch will mean that people can be prepared for that time, whenever it comes.

“Be on the watch,” Schwerdtfeger said. “That’s what Jesus said.”

Christina Harper: 425-339-3491, harper@heraldnet.com.

Invitation to learn

The Keep On the Watch conventions are June 25-27 and July 3-5 at the Tacoma Dome. Doors open at 8 a.m. and sessions begin at 9:20 a.m. The public is invited to attend any day, and admission is free.