Jehovah’s Witnesses move convention online

For the first time in its history of holding conventions, Jehovah’s Witnesses will conduct its annual gathering to a streaming platform amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Congregations, families and guests will be able to view the program during July and August.

Locally, the convention was scheduled from May through August at the San Antonio Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where more than 22,000 were expected to attend. The convention was canceled in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is to be released in six installments, each corresponding to a morning or afternoon session of what would have been three successive convention days. Many congregations began viewing the convention last weekend, when its first session was held. The final weekend of the virtual event is scheduled for Aug. 29-30.

Those interested in viewing the convention can contact their local congregation or access the program on jw.org, available under the “Library” tab. There is no charge for viewing the convention.

A highlight of the annual convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the live baptism that usually happens during the Saturday program. This year, local arrangements will be made to baptize all candidates in a safe environment, streaming it live to family and friends. 90/10 Spanish program, according to the school’s website.

The school’s dual language program follows a 50/50 model focused on biliteracy development, which means roughly half of instruction is in Spanish and half is in English. Languages are divided by content area.