Witnesses gather for LR convention
Jehovah’s Witnesses from across the state will gather in Little Rock from Friday-July 10 for the 2016 “Remain Loyal to Jehovah” convention. The public is also invited to attend the free gatherings, which will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center, 101 E. Markham St.
Sessions begin at 9:20 a.m. each day and will include presentations exploring the theme of loyalty, as well as videos and short films. A highlight of the convention will be a talk, “When Will Loyal Love Triumph Over Hatred?” at 11:20 a.m. July 10.
“We sincerely believe people of all backgrounds and nationalities attending this convention will benefit and enjoy each Bible-based discourse,” said Judah Day, spokesman for the Little Rock convention.
Hundreds of conventions like the one in Little Rock are being held around the world, including at other locations in Arkansas. Jehovah’s Witnesses are gathering at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. Seventh St., this weekend and two additional conventions to be presented in Spanish will be held there from Friday-July 10 and July 15-17. A convention will also be held July 15-17 at the Bank of the Ozarks Arena, 134 Convention Blvd., Hot Springs.
— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Choir campers set recital at Subiaco
A weeklong interfaith choir camp at Subiaco Abbey and Academy will culminate with Festival Day on July 30 and will feature public performances. The camp, sponsored by Interfaith Arkansas, was started in 1976 by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock and each year more than 100 campers from third grade through high school attend.
Festival Day will begin at 9:40 a.m. in the Abbey church and will feature bell choirs and a choral prelude, followed by a Festival Eucharist at 10. Featured music will include “My Soul, There Is a Country” by C.H.H. Parry, “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me” by David Hurd and Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C by Charles Villers Stanford, as well as Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner.
A “bring-your-own picnic” on the grounds will be held at 11:30 a.m. with a Broadway-style show following at 12:30 p.m.
The event is free and all are welcome. The abbey is at 405 N. Subiaco Ave., near the intersection of Arkansas 197 and 22 in the Logan County town of Subiaco. Information is available online at choircamp.org.
— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Scholastica offers retreat in silence
A five-day silent retreat will be held from July 17-23 at St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 S. Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith. The retreat will be led by Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, a writer and a Benedictine nun at St. Scholastica Monastery.
The program, “The Beautiful Struggle of Daily Life,” will be based on writings from Wiederkehr’s book Abide: Keeping Vigil With the Word of God, which focuses on the spiritual practice of lectio divina, also known as sacred reading of the Scriptures.
Participants will gather each morning for a session on the theme for the day and will spend the afternoon in silent prayer and practicing lectio divina. Opportunities for rest and individual spiritual guidance will also be available. During the evenings, participants will have time for communal prayer.
Cost is $500 and includes lodging and meals. Registration deadline is Sunday. Information and registration are available by calling (479) 783-1135 or online at stscho.org/retreat-registration.