As is my custom (20+ years), I attended the annual Memorial of Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW). Once a year the Witnesses celebrate what most Christians refer to as communion. I’ll give a short summary of what usually happens at this ceremony and then will describe the events of the evening.

Since this is the only religious holiday Jehovah’s Witnesses celebrate, attendance at Kingdom Halls for this service is much like Christmas and Easter is for Christians. If you are associated with the Witnesses in any way, and you could only make one meeting all year, this would be the meeting. Parking lots are usually filled, and everyone wears their Sunday best. The service starts just after sunset. Since there is limited space at Kingdom Halls, sometimes they will rent out public halls or hotel conference rooms. They also have a later meeting at 9:00 to accommodate everyone who wants to attend.

Right around this time every year, Jehovah’s Witnesses host their annual Memorial. Well-meaning former JWs (both Christian and not) argue that unless JWs partake of the bread and wine, they do not have eternal life. John 6:54 is used as a proof text. I wrote this article a few years ago refuting that argument.