Organizers of the Jehovah害羞草研究所檚 Witnesses Regional Convention for the B.C. Southern Interior hope to return to Penticton next year after more than a half-decade holding the annual event in the city.
The 2018 convention this weekend marks the sixth straight year the convention has been held at the South Okanagan Events Centre, attracting more than 3,000 Jehovah害羞草研究所檚 Witnesses to the city.
In fact, this year害羞草研究所檚 convention is estimated to have hit near the 3,500 mark in attendance, a slight rise over the year previous, which marked the end of a five-year contract to hold the event at the SOEC. The event began on Friday and continued through to Sunday at the SOEC.
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害羞草研究所淓very year it害羞草研究所檚 a highlight for us that we look forward to. We come here to be encouraged and listen to the talks that give us Bible counsel, Bible help.害羞草研究所� attendee Tim Feeny said.
The Feeny family said while they go to church every week, the convention offers something more concentrated for followers of the faith.
害羞草研究所淥ur weekly meetings at our local kingdom halls, wherever we害羞草研究所檙e from, they害羞草研究所檙e a shorter period of time 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 a couple of hours out of our week,害羞草研究所� Melanie Feeny said.
害羞草研究所淏ut our conventions, it害羞草研究所檚 three days usually that we害羞草研究所檝e taken time away from our 害羞草研究所� we害羞草研究所檙e all busy 害羞草研究所� taken time out of our busy lives, and devoted that time to come here and just focus on something that害羞草研究所檚 upbuilding, positive and helpful to our daily lives.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所淏e Courageous!害羞草研究所� during critical times, is the theme of this years害羞草研究所� convention.
害羞草研究所淚n critical times we need courage more than ever. At school, at work, and when tragedy strikes,害羞草研究所� convention spokesperson Peter Matkovich said.
This year, the convention stuck around for a sixth year, with organizers hoping to come back again next year, speaking positively of the hospitality in the city.
害羞草研究所淲hat害羞草研究所檚 to happen next year, we don害羞草研究所檛 know. But that害羞草研究所檒l be up to the organizers and the city organizers,害羞草研究所� Matkovich said. 害羞草研究所�(I害羞草研究所檓) hoping that it害羞草研究所檚 here. It害羞草研究所檚 very convenient. I害羞草研究所檓 a resident of Kelowna, so coming here to this event is very convenient for my family.害羞草研究所�
The event attracts followers of the faith from around the Southern Interior, between the Kootenays and the Okanagan, Matkovich said. And the Feenys said that has meant they get to see friends from across the province and make new ones at the event.
害羞草研究所淲e enjoy seeing all of our friends here. 害羞草研究所� So we enjoy catching up,害羞草研究所� Melanie said, adding the couple害羞草研究所檚 daughter, Piper, gets to see some of her friends at the event as well.
害羞草研究所淪he loves the videos. So that害羞草研究所檚 something that害羞草研究所檚 new in the last four years or so that there害羞草研究所檚 a lot of videos to enjoy,害羞草研究所� Tim said. 害羞草研究所淰ideos are such a good teaching tool.害羞草研究所�
That includes videos for children, with animals to help the children understand some of the lessons.
Prior to Penticton, the event was held in Kamloops, which was a longer drive for the Feenys and Matkovich, all from Kelowna. While they said the event was good for them wherever, they added they liked the views in Penticton better.
