Archives › 2011 › May

Annapolis residents go to school on Baha’i teachings

Non-credit course at community college sparks interest in learning more

Better understanding of direct teaching unlocks doors

The Baha’i community of Raytown, Missouri, wanted to reach nine adult believers so it could form a Local Spiritual Assembly. Only two more were needed. The Area Teaching Committee for Kansas City and vicinity wanted to test an approach to outreach and reflection. The approach was learned when Loree Gross, secretary of the ATC, heard [...]

Family moves on, but its community-building efforts stay

“Harmonious and caring neighborhood” hopes to sustain bonds of fellowship forged by departing couple

Young Baha’is blaze path of service to humanity

Projects enlist others in helping those in need and communities as a whole

Urge to complete institute courses has wide-ranging impact

Intensive trainings lead to great service in New York City neighborhood and in four western Wisconsin clusters

Helping Baha’is find path of service increases participation

There are oh-so-many ways to help build community where you live. That’s the simple message the core team of the Glendale, California, cluster of Baha’i communities has been carrying to Local Spiritual Assemblies and monthly Feasts. Team members had noticed that some Baha’is shy away from reflection meetings, which are held every three months to [...]

Spiritual conversations build bonds, confidence

Stories of outreach show that opportunities are everywhere

Learning is two-way in visits to other clusters

Sharing with others. Learning from others. It’s a two-way street as we strive to apply the teachings of Baha’u’llah in our own lives and in the communities we serve. Both are at work in two stories told here by Aram Ferdowsi, recording secretary of the South Central Regional Baha’i Council. In the first Ferdowsi describes [...]

Women’s retreat uses music, art, dance to nourish souls

Spiritual retreat celebrates women’s strengths and provides mutual support

South’s first Baha’i still teaching long after his passing

Exhibit, talk introduce Fairhope, Alabama, residents to trailblazing one-time resident

Baha’is commemorate Ascension of Baha’u’llah

May 29 marks the anniversary of the Ascension of Baha’u'llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. The day is one of nine holy days in the Baha’i calendar when Baha’is suspend work and school.

Rainn Wilson’s Spiritual Journey

In this video Rainn Wilson answers questions that highlight his spiritual journey.  Wilson also shares how his experiences have informed who he is today.

Celebrating the Declaration of the Báb, herald of Bahá’u'lláh

"His life is one of the most magnificent examples of courage which it has been the privilege of mankind to behold,” French writer A.L.M. Nicolas said of the Báb (“gate” in Arabic).

No Boundaries: An English Translation of a Poem by Mrs. Mahvash Sabet

Roxana Saberi posts on her official website an English translation of a poem by Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, one of the seven members of the Baha’i leadership group in Iran, now serving their 20 year prison sentences. The poem is the story of why Mrs. Sabet and Mrs. Kamalabadi were transferred within the notorious Gohardasht prison.

Race unity still a work in progress

Mike Lang examines the progress made towards the advancement of racial unity in this Illinois Times editorial.

INSIDE OUT: Humanity should listen to voice of Baha’is injustice

Nafha Maani Ebrahimi speaks out on behalf of the Baha’is in Iran in this Daily Monitor editorial.

Replace hostile thoughts with peace

In The News Tribune Leslie Edwards-Hill, chairperson of the Local Assembly of the Baha’is of Olympia, shares a perspective on unity and peace based on the Writings of the Baha’i Faith.

Feast of Grandeur

The Baha’i year consists of 19 months of 19 days each. The months are named after the attributes of God. Each Baha’i community holds a Nineteen Day Feast on the first day of each Baha’i month. The Feast has spiritual, administrative and social functions and is the primary locus of fellowship and community decision-making in [...]

Youth sports program promoting unity is a hit

Arizona team focuses on developing human virtues

Visitors find opportunity within Baha’i Chair’s tent

New app, peace tree draw in Maryland Day crowd

Sam Alucho Sr. served on Liberian National Assembly, settled in Ohio

In a letter of tribute the National Spiritual Assembly told of how Sam Alucho “continually served humanity through myriad talents ranging from fine musicianship to technical prowess, from skillful teaching to kindhearted social work. We recall with gratitude his service on the National Spiritual Assembly of Liberia. … His great generosity to those who knew [...]

Robert Chalmers served as pioneer in Ecuador, four U.S. states

Robert Chalmers moved a number of times since the 1960s as a pioneer for the Faith, to support the growth of Bahá’í communities in four U.S. states and Ecuador. A mechanical engineer and aviator, he used his know-how to establish businesses in two locales. Bob passed away February 26, 2011, having lived nearly 30 years [...]

Beyond Post-Racialism

Phillipe Copeland shares in this BC blog the Baha’i view of post-racialism.

A Woman’s Persecution, and a Daughter’s Deliverance

In this New York Times feature article, Samuel G. Freedman highlights the touching story of Nahid Sabet’s long journey towards motherhood amidst a backdrop of religious persecution for her Baha’i beliefs. “It was a Mother’s Day story, involving all the maternal mainstays of such stories: love, sacrifice, perseverance. Yet it was unlike any other Mother’s Day [...]

Rey Eloise Smith worked for development of Puerto Rican Baha’i community

Rey Eloise Smith contributed greatly to the strengthening of the Bahá’í community in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In both elected and supportive roles, she did considerable work to establish the institute process to strengthen human resources. She was “a vibrant, loving, driven and compassionate lifelong servant of Bahá’u’lláh. She dedicated her life to service [...]