Jehovah’s Witnesses: year without knocking on doors

Posted 6/24/21

WESTOVER — It’s been one year since Jehovah’s Witnesses adjusted their hallmark methods of sharing comfort and hope from the scriptures due to the pandemic.

For many, the change …

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Jehovah’s Witnesses: year without knocking on doors

Posted

WESTOVER — It’s been one year since Jehovah’s Witnesses adjusted their hallmark methods of sharing comfort and hope from the scriptures due to the pandemic.

For many, the change from ringing doorbells and knocking on doors to making phone calls and writing letters expanded and invigorated their ministry.

"We love our neighbors," said Leon Bivens, who has participated in the public ministry for more than 50 years. "It is because of this love for others and concern for their well-being that we take the time to call people in the community." Mr. Bivens assists a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses to organize telephone calls and write letters to neighbors in Somerset and Worcester County.

In March 2020, Witnesses in the United States suspended their door-to-door and face-to-face forms of public ministry and moved congregation meetings to videoconferencing.

"It has been a very deliberate decision based on our respect for life and love of neighbor," said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. "But we are still witnesses, so we must testify about our faith. It was inevitable that we would find a way to continue our work."

Many check-in on neighbors as well as distant friends and family — sometimes sharing links to Bible-based articles from the organization’s official website, jw.org, on timely topics, such as isolation, depression, and beating pandemic fatigue.

If anything, the pandemic has heightened Witnesses’ concern for others, said Hendriks. "We are finding that people are perplexed, stressed, and feeling isolated. Our work has helped many regain a sense of footing — even normalcy — at a very unsettled time."

The Casteel family takes time every weekend to preach to their neighbors by sharing an encouraging thought from the Bible. Jay and Christel have twins, a boy and a girl that are 12, who also participate in talking to the neighbors, sharing scriptural thoughts.

"My family certainly enjoys encouraging those in our community during these difficult and trying times. This has proven to be good training for them and my wife and I, in expressing our faith in a different aspect of our ministry," Casteel says.

Although meetings continue to be held virtually, Kingdom Hall on Curtis Chapel Road in Westover is a new facility that replaced the former building on the property over two year ago. The Casteels and Mr. Bivens are congregants and they work extensively in Somerset County.

For more visit jw.org, or to join the 7 p.m. Wednesday or 10 a.m. Sunday meeting call 443-754-4119 and the Zoom contact information or a conference call number will be provided.

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