After two years of virtual gatherings, Jehovah’s Witnesses across the United States and the world are being encouraged to hold in-person meetings again, beginning this past week, according to a release from the Jehovah’s Witnesses of the U.S.

“I am truly excited and ecstatic. Receiving in-person instruction has much more of a significant impact than on screen,” said Mark Landerer of Gloucester, who along with his wife Charlene have been attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 38 years. “The congregation is like a family, so I’m looking forward to being with my family again,” she said.

The Landerers attend a Kingdom Hall located on Courthouse Road in Heathsville. Some of the other Gloucester/Mathews residents that are Jehovah’s Witnesses attend halls in Saluda, West Point and Newport News. There is currently not a physical Kingdom Hall in Gloucester or Mathews counties.

“If our congregations continue to expand, perhaps one day soon that will change,” said James Leroy Joh...