A Common Endeavor | Letter

This message from the Bahá’ís of the United States invites meaningful conversation. In a time of challenge, it encourages spaces where people can pause, reflect, and listen to one another with openness and goodwill—at home, in neighborhoods, within faith communities, and in civic life—so we can move forward together.

A Common Endeavor: Realizing the Promise of America is a letter that serves as a cornerstone statement, supporting community-building efforts, inspiring social action, and deepening public discourse. Drawing on the experience of the Bahá’í community and its collaborators, it offers a vision rooted in oneness and justice, and invites reflection on the moral, social, and spiritual renewal needed to advance the nation’s unity, shared prosperity, and collective well-being.

A dedicated website features the statement along with related social media content, an immersive web experience, a collection of stories, and additional resources: acommonendeavor.org.

Members of the Baha’i Faith share a spiritually-based, hopeful view of the destiny of America, and on Saturday, April 25, delegates to their annual National Convention previewed an inspiring letter, “A Common Endeavor: Realizing the Promise of America” which in coming months will be shared with the public via print, video, social media and in upcoming public events along with supplemental materials.

In introductory remarks offered to the 200-some assembled at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, Kenneth E. Bowers, the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the governing council of the Baha’is of the United States shared, “These spaces are intended to extend the reach of the initiative, deepen relationships, foster reflection, and generate learning, while creating opportunities for the Bahai communities experience and perspective to be shared in ways that are accessible, substantive, and relevant to the wider society.”

Timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States, the themes of the letter address contributions of the Baha’i Faith to the rising discourse: Where have we come from? Who are we now? Who are we in the community of nations? Where are we going as a nation? And, what role does a spiritual renewal play in the nation’s destiny?

The letter acknowledges that many Americans, exhausted and disillusioned by polarization and conflict, are feeling anger, despair, or apathy. It recognizes conversation as an easily underestimated but vital form of action. “Conversations–when carried out with goodwill, fair-mindedness, a desire to learn and, and most importantly, with love–can help build community, catalyze action, and facilitate progress.