Online Registration for All Courses:   http://www.greenacre.org/upcoming.htm

Meet our March Presenters! 

March 7-9 College Student Retreat for the Fast: The Hidden Sweetness in the Stomach's Emptiness with Brett Gamboa and Gladys Lee
About the state attainable by fasting Rumi wrote, "be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry," thereby anticipating the "hollow reed" prayer often attributed to 'Abdu'l-Baha. Beginning with testimonies about the spiritual nature and quality of fasting, this weekend will center on meditation, devotion, deep reading and discussion of the spiritual tools the Fast provides us, that we may explore how our fast might "become a river of life-giving waters and may yield the virtue" with which God has endowed it. Weekend fee without lunches: $122. (Full-time college students may request a 25% discount.)

Brett Gamboa and Gladys Lee, married in 2003 "on the longest day of the year," live in Cambridge Massachusetts. Brett serves as an ABM in MA / RI; Gladys is on the LSA of Cambridge. Brett is a PhD candidate, a Shakespeare scholar and a play director; Gladys is a physician and future ophthalmologist. Gladys is from Taiwan and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area; Brett was born and raised in Los Angeles. Both moved here for graduate and medical school.

March 21-23 The Unity of Science and Religion: Using the Scientific Process to Foster a Culture of Learning with Carey Murphy
The need for rational thinking and the use of the scientific method is clear in the Baha'i Writings. This course will explore ways in which Baha'is can deepen their knowledge of the sources of scientific guidance given in our Faith, and of ways to use that guidance to raise up a culture of learning, called for by the Universal House of Justice. The course will explore education, rationality and evolution, and it will present ways in which these concepts can be better understood by Baha'is and taught to the public at large.

Dr. Carey Murphy has taught earth science for twenty-one years in Columbia, South Carolina. Carey wrote the first book written on the geology of South Carolina, Carolina Rocks! The Geology of South Carolina. Her doctoral dissertation, Circling the Wagons, explored the conceptions of religion and science held by evangelical Christian youth and the implications for critical thinking. Carey has been a Baha’i for 38 years and has traveled to teach the Baha’i Faith in many areas including the West Indies, the Navajo reservation, and mass teaching in the Deep South.

The course below will be offered at 50% of the usual price! $70 for the two day weekend, standard housing!
March 21-23 Teaching Children's Classes Grade 1 (Part 1): Ruhi Book 3 Intensive with Anita Wooster
Teaching Children's Classes Grade 1 is the third in a course sequence designed to develop the capabilities needed to conduct children's classes and raise up human resources capable of fostering the growth of the Baha'i Community with efficiency and love. This course introduces some basic principles of Baha'i education, examines methods that help teachers effectively conduct classes, and brings in the skills and abilities needed to manage classes with love, understanding, and discipline. Finally, the class will put their skills into practice by conducting actual classes for children. This two-weekend intensive course is specifically geared to preparing tutors to facilitate this course in a study circle format and to start/assist a neighborhood children's class at the cluster level. Please bring a game, story, song or craft to share. Required Preparation: Book 3 should be obtained ahead of time, and Units 1 & 2 should be filled out ahead of time to help facilitate the intensive process. Prerequisite for Registration: Ruhi Books 1 & 2.

Anita Wooster lives in the Rochester, New York cluster where she serves on the Area Teaching Committee and is a public school teacher. She has taught children in North America, Asia and Africa and loves the Ruhi Institute approach to teaching children's classes and raising up humble and dedicated teachers of children's classes. She believes that stories of Abdu'l-Baha can solve the world's problems.

March 28-30 Empowering the Human Spirit with Martha Elliott and Ron Matthews
`Abdu'l-Baha says that "The Reality of Man is his thought... If a man's thought is constantly aspiring towards heavenly subjects then does he become saintly; if... his thought does not soar... he grows more and more material...." Since our thought is our reality, it follows that we create what we think about. This seminar explores the dynamics of how we create our own reality and what we can do to take charge of our thoughts and emotions. Through numerous references to the Sacred Scriptures and interactive exercises, you will learn methods for taking control of your thoughts and emotions and turn them into coherent action so that you can put yourself on track toward being in charge of your own destiny. (Includes classes for ages 3-14.)

Martha Elliott currently resides in Brockton, MA with husband, Burnis and son Mtalika. Her professional field is web development. In her Baha'i community she serves as the growth analyst for the Bristol/Plymouth Cluster. While working as web master for the NSA, she was a member and choir director of three One Human Family choirs. She has always been interested in the power of the human spirit and has spent many years studying the power of thought and the law of attraction.

Ron Matthews and his wife, Diane Burke, are active members of the Marlborough Massachusetts Baha'i Community. After spending the first 30 years of his adult life as an electrical engineer and ardent martial arts student, Ron has become an Energy Medicine Practitioner with certifications in the Eden method and the Emotional Freedom Technique. In addition, Ron is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. This unique combination of skills has lead Ron to a personal realization of Abdu'l-Baha's assertion that "The Reality of Man is his thought, not his material body."

March 28-30 Children's Theatre Company: Community Outreach and the Core Activities with Mehr Mansuri
Examine an innovative approach to community outreach with a transparent integration of Baha'i education with all the core activities. This session is directed to adults and community builders who wish to explore this unique programmatic framework which will culminate in a "sample" showcase by young CTC cast members from around the US. All children will be invited to perform a brief quote from the Sacred Writings and are asked to call CTC New York to receive a choral CD in order to prepare a designated song in advance. Call 212-633-6629 or email admin@childrenstheatercompany.org (Includes classes for ages 3-14.)

Mehr Mansuri is the Founder / Artistic Director of the Children’s Theatre Company. Born in Iran and raised in Worcester, England, she was inspired by her family’s tumultuous departure from her native Iran to create a vision of the Company centered on an inclusive framework rooted in diversity education which includes race, ethnicity, and class as well as religious tolerance. In addition to serving 400 kids a day in New York, the Company has made appearances on the Emmy winning series, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street, as well as on Good Morning America with consistently excellent reviews. Ms Mansuri has completed the Masters program (Actor's Center, NYC) in Drama Pedagogy & Acting and holds degrees in Drama and English from the University of California, Irvine.

April Previews

April 4-6 HANDMAIDENS 2008: COURAGE, COMPASSION and CORE ACTIVITIES ~~ A Weekend for Women of all ages - Starting with Jr. Youth and going way up! (recommended for ages 12 and older), with Barbara Yazdi Markert, member of the Northeast Regional Baha'i Council.

April 11-13 The Turning Point: From Training to Teaching, with Celia Johnson, member of the Northwest Regional Baha'i Council.

April 11-13 Badasht Prep VI: for middle school students in grades 6-8, with Vickie and Joel Nizin, members of the Northeast Regional Baha'i Council. The 6th biannual Badasht Prep, supported by the Northeast Regional Baha'i Council, is being offered for middle school students. Weekend fee: $117. (Reduced rate - no other discounts apply.)

April 18-20 Seekers & New Believers Weekend, with Ghasem and Sateh Bayat, a delightful couple from Texas who have developed and taught many courses at Bosch Baha’i School, including one for Seekers and New Believers.

The course below, and all Ruhi courses this spring, will be offered at 50% of the usual price! $70 for the two day weekend below, $110 for the three day weekends for Ruhi Book 6 in May, standard housing!

April 18-20 Teaching Children's Classes Grade 1 (Part 2): Ruhi Book 3 Intensive, with Anita Wooster and Melissa Fargnoli. Melissa is Anita's daughter and a mother of young children.

April 25-27 Spirit in the Workplace: Models and Mentoring for Spiritually Based Action in the World of Work, with Pat Romano, Sarah Page, Rebecca Rowley, Carol Martin, Ingrid Hauck and Susan Mojaverian. (Opportunities to form mentorship relationships will be provided. Young adults are especially invited to come and share.)

Details on these courses and more may be found at

http://www.greenacre.org/upcoming.htm