Cerca de 2.500 personas se darán cita el próximo fin de semana en Badajoz en la Asamblea de distrito

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=1202538


02-07-2012 / 10:30 h EFE
Cerca de 2.500 personas se darán cita el próximo fin de semana en Badajoz en la Asamblea de distrito de Testigos de Jehová, que se celebra bajo el lema "Protejamos nuestro corazón".

La cita tendrá lugar a partir del próximo viernes en la Institución Ferial pacense y en ella se analizarán las referencias simbólicas al corazón que aparecen en la Biblia con la intención de analizar cómo los hombres pueden ser más felices en su implicación con Dios.

Según ha informado hoy la organización, el programa de la asamblea invitará a los participantes hacerse un autoexamen para evaluar lo que hay en su corazón y comprobar como para tomar buenas decisiones, mejorar su vida familiar, fortalecer su relación con Dios y alcanzar la verdadera felicidad es imprescindible proteger el corazón.

Lawyer tells of agonising scenes as doctors forced to let a Jehovah's Witness who wanted to live, die

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/lawyer-tells-of-agonising-scenes-as-doctors-forced-to-let-a-jehovahs-witness-who-wanted-to-live-die-7879674.html

MONDAY 25 JUNE 2012


A lawyer who advised doctors that they must let a 22-year-old Jehovah's Witness die even though he wanted to live has spoken of the agonising scenes before the young man's death.

Robert Tobin, a partner in the London law firm Kennedy’s, was called in by an unnamed NHS Trust when the man, a Jehovah’s Witness who was critically ill with sickle cell anaemia, refused a blood transfusion which could have saved his life.

Over three weeks the man gradually deteriorated as the crisis progressed, before eventually dying.

“Medical staff were understandably upset at seeing a patient deteriorate before their eyes knowing a simple procedure could have been provided that would have saved his life,” Mr Tobin said.

The man’s mother, also a Jehovah’s Witness, was at her son’s bedside, and an elder from the man’s church also attended. The trust was concerned that they were unduly influencing him but a doctor from a neighbouring trust who was called in to assess him said he had full capacity and was making the decision on his own.

Mr Tobin said: “I don’t know what his mother was thinking as she sat by and watched him die. I assume either she felt powerless or she felt bound to her own religious code of conduct which says you can’t share blood with others.

“He had full capacity, he made his decision, however irrational. His doctors were bound by that. The rules are very clear.”

Mr Tobin said that  at the Trust’s request, the Jehovah’s Witness signed an advance directive - the so-called “living Will” - setting out his wishes in case he lost mental capacity in the future.

Mr Tobin highlighted the ethical discrepancy in the law which forbids the same doctors from assisting those who want to die.

He contrasted the Jehovah's Witness's case with those cases raised in the debate over assisted dying, in which patients have petitioned the courts for the right to seek help to end their lives.

Last week Tony Nicklinson who has “locked in” syndrome after suffering a massive stroke, sought a ruling exempting doctors from criminal prosecution if they assisted his suicide.

“There is a subtle distinciton between a patient’s right to life and a patient’s right to die,” Mr Tobin said.

While the law forced medical staff to stand aside and not intervene in the case of the 22 year old Jehovah’s Witness, even though the man had no intention of ending his life, they were prevented from intervening to help patients such as Tony Nicklinson die at a time of their choosing.

“But the same doctors could be faced on a another day with a patient who wants assistance to die when his condition becomes impossible to live with. In that case the doctors could face criminal prosecution if they helped him to realise his wish,” said Mr Tobin.

While the legal distinction was clear for doctors treating the Jehovah's Witness, the ethical one was not. Both patients wanted to exercise their personal autonomy but only one - the Jehovah’s Witness - was able to do so, because he needed no assistance.

Mr Tobin added: “It is tragic that his goal was not to die but to ensure that he obeyed what he regarded as his religious commands. Death only came about as a consequence of that and not, as with those wishing assistance with dying, as the primary aim."

Jehovah’s Witness event welcomes public

http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/06/22/jehovah-s-witness-event-welcomes-public

OGDEN — The public is invited to a free weekend of Bible messages.

Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that everyone, including non-Witnesses, will benefit from the positive message and practical suggestions that will be highlighted at the 2012 “Safeguard Your Heart!” District Convention being held at Weber State University’s Dee Events Center, 4400 Harrison Blvd.

Going on this weekend through Sunday afternoon is the Spanish version of the convention.

Next weekend, beginning Friday and running through Sunday is the English version.

Sessions begin each day at 9:20 a.m. and run throughout the afternoon.

“Most people would agree that there are any number of stresses on us that challenge us,” said Jeff Tackett, a Jehovah’s Witness elder. “It can be really difficult to live up to who we want to be and who we are trying to be.”

Tackett said the convention, as it explores issues of the heart, promises to provide answers to anyone interested in receiving such a message. And he emphasized that they won’t have to worry about how they are dressed when they attend, as his congregation seeks to accept all people.

“God doesn’t change,” said Warren Beers, who is an elder from Millcreek.

“If we can protect our heart, it’s a protection not only for us as individuals but our families and society, really.”

Tackett said change is something people do, not God. He said God offers comforting messages.

The Witnesses’ convention program promises a fresh examination of biblical references to the figurative heart, according to a news release from the church.

Through lively discourses, dramatic Bible readings and presentations, and even a live play, the program will emphasize how protecting the figurative heart will enhance one’s spiritual well-being, family life and happiness.

Local Jehovah’s Witnesses are putting forth extra effort to extend a personal invitation to everyone from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada to attend the convention with them.

Tackett and Beers suggested that if people want to attend just one event at the convention, it should be the live drama, which will be at 1:40 p.m. on each of the Sundays. The title of the drama is “What is True Love?”

The elders said the play, with colorful costumes and local actors playing the various parts, will be particularly applicable to young people.

The convention theme “Safeguard Your Heart!” is based on Proverbs 4:23. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” reads the Bible New International Version of that Scripture.

Strengthening one’s spirituality will be the focus of the program.

The daily themes and titles of the program’s parts are based on passages of Scripture, including 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9 and Matthew 12:34.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,’” reads NIV I Samuel 16:7.

“For the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever,” reads the last half of NIV 1 Chronicles 28:9.

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of,” reads Matthew 12:34.

“Hopefully, we will take a second look at what we are taking into our hearts,” Tackett said.

Beers said the heart condition is a relevant topic that is often on the minds of the general public.

“You hear that topic probably more now than at any other time,” he said.

There is no admission fee. Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.

All of the area’s 90 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be supporting the activity of distributing printed invitations to the convention. An estimated 10,600 will come to the Dee Events Center over two weekends for the Bible-based programs.

Throughout the United States, 385 conventions will be held in 103 cities. Worldwide, there are more than 7,600,000 Witnesses in more than 109,000 congregations.

Jehovah's Witnesses kick off annual convention this weekend

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/21/tdmet02-jehovahs-witnesses-kick-off-annual-convent-ar-2002853/

RICHMOND, Va. --"Safeguard Your Heart!" is the theme of this year's annual five-week convention the Jehovah's Witnesses hold at the Richmond Coliseum.

The convention lasts for five weekends, beginning Friday at 9:20 a.m.

The theme is taken from Proverbs 4:23. "The Bible mentions the word 'heart' over 1,000 times," said convention spokesman Donovan Greer. "The convention focuses on some of those biblical statements."

Each weekend, different congregations from Virginia, Washington and Maryland are scheduled to attend the convention. Thus, the structure for each weekend is the same, but with new attendees.

Around 32,000 people are expected over the five weekends. "Jehovah's Witnesses take their conventions very seriously," said Greer.

The convention is Richmond's largest, and in previous years more than 30,000 people have attended the event.

"We call each other brother and sister and while we're at the convention, and the atmosphere makes us feel almost like we actually are brothers and sisters," said Greer.

Over the last few years, the convention has set aside the third weekend specifically for Hispanic Jehovah's Witnesses. The Spanish-speaking weekend begins July 6 and ends July 8.

"What we're finding when we go door to door is that people are in crisis," said John Stevens, media contact for the Hispanic weekend. "So this convention helps people focus on what their real intentions are."

Sixty-six Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses congregations will be attending the convention.

Thousands attend Jehovah's Witness convention at O'Dome

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120629/ARTICLES/120629470/-1/entertainment?Title=Thousands-attend-Jehovah-s-Witness-convention-at-O-Dome


Usually reserved for the orange-and-blue faithful, the O'Connell Center is again being converted into a house of worship for thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses this weekend.

Jehovah's Witnesses Convention

  The Witnesses' convention for North Florida and South Georgia began at the arena Friday and will run through Sunday, marking one of Gainesville's biggest events of the year in terms of its economic impact.

  The roughly 5,400 attendees on Friday were decked out in their Sunday best as they heard messages from the Bible and about the faithful's mission to spread the word of their beliefs.

  Marcus Denson, a church member from Monticello, said the convention in Gainesville is one of 385 that will be held in 103 different cities around the country this summer. The nationwide theme is “Safeguard Your Heart.”

  For the past seven years, there were two regional conventions in Gainesville each summer, but this year there will only be one after church leaders were unsuccessful in getting the cost of renting the O'Connell Center lowered.

  Last month, it was unclear whether the convention would return to Gainesville next year.

  Still, more than 7,000 delegates from congregations across the region are expected to attend the conference this weekend.

  Jesse Myers, from Ocala, said the church has continued to grow, citing it as the “fastest-growing religion in the world,” during a time of economic upheaval for many Americans.

  The church, with its roots in the 1800s, hasn't changed much lately, though, Myers said.

  “The biggest change is we keep growing,” he said, adding that it is expected to grow more, as baptisms will be worked into the program this weekend.

  On Friday, Jeff Wood preached in between recordings of readings from the Bible, relating what first century Christians went through at the time of Jesus' death to what Witnesses are experiencing now.

  Wood encouraged worshipers to keep faith and to not have doubt, as some did about Jesus' resurrection.

  He said there are many “negative” things written and said about the religion in the news media and noted that some of the Witnesses' activists are banned in some countries.

  But, paraphrasing text from the book of Isaiah, he said, “No weapon, no tongue against us would have success.”

Jehovah's Witnesses invite all to attend 'Safeguard Your Heart!'

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20120701/LIFESTYLE/207010328?nclick_check=1
Jun 30, 2012

   Jehovah's Witnesses feel that all, including non-Witnesses, will benefit from the positive message and practical suggestions that will be highlighted at the 2012 "Safeguard Your Heart!" District Convention to be held at Dixie State College's Burns Arena in July.

   The Witnesses' convention program promises a fresh examination of Biblical references to the figurative heart. Through lively discourses, dramatic Bible readings and presentations and even a live play, program parts will emphasize how protecting the figurative heart will enhance one's spiritual well-being, family life and happiness.

   Starting this weekend and continuing for the next three weeks, Jehovah's Witnesses will put forth extra effort to extend a personal invitation to everyone from Las Vegas, St. George and surrounding areas to attend the convention with them.

   The first of four three-day events to be held in Saint George will begin at 9:20 a.m. Friday. The daily themes and titles of program parts are based on passages of scripture, including 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9 and Matthew 12:34. The convention theme, "Safeguard Your Heart!," is based on Proverbs 4:23. Strengthening one's spirituality will be the focus of the program.

   There is no admission fee. Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.

   Locally, all of the area's 80 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will be supporting the activity of distributing printed invitations to the convention. An estimated 13,600 will come to Burns Arena over four successive weekends for the Bible-based programs.

   Throughout the United States, there will be 385 conventions in 103 cities. Worldwide, there are over 7,600,000 Witnesses in more than 109,000 congregations.

New Jehovah’s Witness hall nears completion

http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/9790296.New_Jehovah___s_Witness_hall_nears_completion/

29th June 2012

Members of two Jehovah’s Witness groups are putting the finishing touches to their new hall which has been built entirely by volunteers.

Kingdom Hall, in Peel Road, has been the site of worship for Jehovah’s Witnesses from Harrow and Stanmore since 1938.

The new hall has been built entirely by more than 200 volunteers from the borough and further afield.

In April this year the old hall was demolished to make way for the new building, which will be home for the two congregations.

Member of the Harrow Congregation, Len Defoe said: “I have to say it has been terrific fun. All of us have really enjoyed the project and I don’t know what we’re going to when it’s done.

“We’ve needed a new building for some time now. The old one just wasn’t big enough for the two congregations.

“What I think is really great about the whole project is that no one has been paid to work here. We’ve all made time where we can to come down and do our bit.”

Joe Shim, member of the Stanmore Congregation said: “Doing the work here has been fantastic fun.

“People walking past have been stopping and asking us about the project and giving us their support.

“It has taken a long time to get to this point, but having all of us put this work into it makes it really worthwhile.”

The work on the site was over seen by Regional Building Committee of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which includes professional tradesmen who help with the purchasing of materials, planning and building the structure.

Numbers of people working on the site for each day of the project varied from 20 up to 130.

Finishing touches are being made to the site before the first meetings at the hall which is due to take place next month.

Bautizo multitudinario de los Testigos de Jehová en Granada

http://www.granadahoy.com/article/granada/1296600/bautizo/multitudinario/los/testigos/jehova/granada.html

Unas sesenta personas recibieron el bautismo en el Palacio de Deporte

Los Testigos de Jehová de Granada celebraron ayer su segundo día de Asamblea de Distrito regional con el tema general de Protejamos el corazón. El bautismo de nuevos miembros fue el momento cumbre de la asamblea. Fueron bautizados un total de 60 personas, de las que 24 son hombres y 36 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 59 años. Los bautizados proceden de diversos países, entre ellos España, Ecuador, Rumanía, Argentina, Nicaragua, Colombia y Rusia. Es significativo que se bautizaron dos matrimonios, una familia entera y dos gemelas. Destaca además el caso de una joven motrileña, ya que con su bautismo hacen cuatro generaciones de Testigos. 

En la asamblea, celebrada en el Palacio de Deportes de la capital, se citaron testigos de Jehová provenientes de las provincias de Almería, Jaén y parte de Córdoba. Según informó la organización en un comunicado, los asistentes pudieron escuchar un programa "que se centró en la necesidad de cómo mantener un corazón calmado en estos tiempos críticos y turbulentos". "Por medio de discursos, presentaciones, lecturas bíblicas dramatizadas, y hasta de una obra teatral, se mostró que proteger el corazón permite profundizar la espiritualidad personal, mejorar la vida familiar y ser más felices, pese a las dificultades", señalaba la organización.