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=== Gatherings === The church holds several types of gatherings throughout the year in various locations.{{efn-ua|This list of meeting types follows the list given in {{harvnb|Daniel|1993|pp=13β15}}.}} ; ''{{nobold|Gospel meeting}}'' : A Gospel meeting is the gathering that is most likely to be open to those considered to be "outsiders".{{sfn|Paul|1977|p=8}} At one time, Gospel meetings were typically held in tents, set up by workers as they traveled; they are now most commonly held in a rented space.{{efn-ua|"Ordinary meetings among lay believers are held in houses, but periodically the itinerants visit each district, and there they borrow a hall (often the Church hall of an unsuspecting minister) for a preaching meeting for the public at large." β''Bryan R. Wilson'' {{harv|Wilson|1993}}.}} Gospel meetings are held to attract new members, though professing members typically make up the majority of attendees. The Gospel meeting consists of a period of quiet, followed by congregational singing (often accompanied by piano) of selected hymns, and then sermons delivered by the church's workers. Gospel meetings are regularly scheduled for portions of the year in areas where the group is well-established. They may also be held when a worker believes there may be people in the region who would be receptive to the church's message. ; ''{{nobold|Sunday morning meeting}}'' : Participation in this closed<ref>See: * {{harvnb|Chandler|13 September 1983|p=A2}}; * {{harvnb|Martineau|18 July 2000}}; * {{harvnb|Parker|Parker|1982|p=93}}. </ref> meeting is generally restricted to members. It is usually held in the home of an elder, and consists of [[a cappella]] singing from the regular hymnal,{{sfn|Hymns Old and New|1987}} partaking of communion emblems{{sfn|Lewis|1998|p=494}}{{sfn|Chryssides|2001b|p=330}} (a piece of leavened bread and a cup of wine or grape juice),{{sfn|Crow|1964|p=10}} prayer and sharing of testimonies by members in good standing.{{sfn|Jones|2013|p=8}} Members are expected to be silent and arrive fifteen minutes early. ; ''{{nobold|Bible study}}'' : Participation in this closed meeting is generally restricted to members, and is usually held in the home of an elder each Wednesday evening. Members are assigned a list of Bible verses or a topic of study for consideration during the week, for discussion at the next meeting. As the meeting progresses, each member shares thoughts regarding the scripture or topic. Thoughts are shared by individual members in turn, and members do not engage in discussions during the meeting. The Bible study meeting includes hymns and prayers. ; ''{{nobold|Union meeting}}'' : This is a monthly gathering of several congregations, and follows the format of the Sunday morning meetings. Union meetings are not open to the public. ;''{{nobold|Special meeting(s)}}'' : Special meetings are annual gatherings of members from a large area. Each is held as a private gathering, often in a school or rented hall.{{sfn|ABC (AU)|2024}} Special meetings last a single day and include sermons by local and visiting workers. The sermons are interspersed with prayers, hymns, and testimonies. ; ''{{nobold|Convention}}'' : These annual events are attended by members from within a larger geographical area than for the special meetings. The services generally follow the format used for special meetings. Conventions are held over several days, usually in rural areas on properties with facilities to handle housing, feeding, and other necessities for those who attend.{{sfn|NEWS10|2024}}{{sfn|ABC (AU)|2024}} There are typically male and female dormitories, a dormitory for the Workers, and male and female communal bathrooms with simple showers. Conventions are not open to the public, although outsiders often attend by invitation. Although not now usual, members were at one time segregated by sex during services.{{sfn|Peterborough Examiner|9 June 1931|p=9}} ; ''{{nobold|Workers' meeting}}'' : These gatherings are not open to either the public or general membership. Attendance and participation are restricted to workers and certain invited members. The meeting may be a regular Bible study, or it may be used to disseminate any instructions from senior workers or to issue decisions about controversial matters. They are held during conventions, or as necessary. These meetings include prayer, a period for testimonies from any workers wishing to share, and may include statements by senior workers in attendance.
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