WESTOVER — All congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses across the world are being encouraged to begin holding in-person meetings during the week of April 1.

That includes the Westover Congregation located at 31281 Curtis Chapel Road.

Yvonne Adams from Westover has been attending meetings since August of 1976. “I was elated when I read the announcement on jw.org,” she said.  

And Soraja Buckholtz, from Snow Hill, has been attending meetings for 66 years since the age of three. “I am looking forward to giving my dear friends a heartfelt hug,” said Buckholtz, while thinking about many that are in need of affection and attention. “We truly are a loving family and I know it will be similar to a happy family reunion for me.”

For most of the last two years, buildings for worship have remained closed globally due to the risks associated with meeting in person. Jehovah’s Witnesses in the U.S. also suspended their public ministry on March 20, 2020 — about a year after the Kingdom Hall in Westover was rebuilt, replacing an older facility.

It now resumes meetings on Sunday at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. There are just over 100 congregants who meet here, with the average attendance numbering 127.

While not meeting in person members carried on their ministry through letters and phone calls while holding twice-weekly meetings in a virtual format. Average attendance at these meetings exceeded 1.5 million each week in the U.S., even though there are fewer than 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in some 13,000 congregations.

“There is a collective shout of joy among Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world right now,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “While we have prospered in many ways as individuals and congregations using technology to bring us together, nothing can adequately replace being together in person. We have longed for this moment for the better part of two years.”

The move back to in-person meetings coincides with two global events being held in all 120,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The first is a special lecture scheduled in most congregations for April 10, titled, “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” Additionally, the annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ will be held on April 15, the very day he sacrificed his life 1,989 years ago.

Both of these gatherings will be held in person at local Kingdom Halls with live speakers. No collections are ever taken. In Westover the time is 7:30 p.m. on the April 15.

“The timing of resuming in-person meetings could not be better,” said Hendriks. “Bringing everyone back together for these special events will have a powerful effect on the worldwide congregation.”

Guidelines for holding “hybrid” meetings have been sent to all congregations in the United States. Over the past six months, many Kingdom Halls have been equipped with the required technology to hold a productive meeting that allows for in-person and remote attendees, all of whom can participate in the discussions. A pilot program was held in October and November in countries around the world to assess how this could be done most effectively.

The lessons learned in these pilot meetings helped form the plan for moving forward with reopening all Kingdom Halls, where the law permits.

“It has been heartwarming to see the peace and unity among Jehovah’s Witnesses during this very divisive time,” said Hendriks. “We know resuming in-person meetings will bring us even closer together. We’re anxious to see one another again.”

“I continue to be encouraged through Zoom,” said  Adams, “But the warm embrace and personal association helps me to draw closer to my loving God and to one another.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the meetings held via Zoom,” said Buckholtz. “But it will be a wonderful moment when we can display our genuine love for one another in person again.” 

As of now, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no plans to resume their public outreach ministry in the community, though their “alternative” ministry continues. In fact, since the start of the pandemic through November 2021 in the U.S. alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent more than 400 million hours in virtual Bible studies, writing letters of comfort to their neighbors and making phone calls.

They have released 77 new language translations of the Bible and held two global virtual conventions in more than 500 languages.

For more information on joining the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Westover call 443-754-4119 or visit jw.org.