Humbly Learning About Contributing to Discourses of Society
As groups of friends and families across Ontario are gathering to study the recent guidance of the Universal House of Justice, they are noting the broadening focus of the Nine Year Plan, encompassing three interconnected areas of endeavour: expansion and consolidation, social action and participating in the discourses of society. While “the endeavours of the […]
“You Could Feel the Warmth!” Studying New Guidance in Springdale, Brampton
The team in Springdale, Brampton came together the day the December 30th message from the Universal House of Justice was shared. One friend serving in the neighbourhood describes their experience: “I’ve seen the strengthening connection between the team of tutors here and the House of Justice. There isn’t a hesitancy to come together to study […]
A Vibrant Festival in the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Kick-starts Fall Activities
Written by Maryam Ahrari, Emily Glabush & Núr Elmasri Summer has come and gone in a flurry, and we are not only reflecting on our learnings but sustaining a trail of neighbourhood activities which have continued into the fall here in Victoria Hills, Kitchener. One event that contributed greatly to the energy and spirit of […]
An Outpouring of Celebrations for the Twin Holy Days Across Ontario
Friends and neighbours gathered across Ontario to celebrate the Twin Holy birthdays of The Báb and Bahá’u’lláh on November 6th and 7th. The following accounts from six localities in both rural and urban contexts, are offered as inspiration for the plans being made towards the upcoming Centenary celebrations of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. From Sophie […]
Having Conversations with Families in Bayview Mews
A group of families living in the Bayview Mews neighbourhood of Toronto, near Sheppard and Bayview, have been learning for the last 6 years about working with families. In that time, they have begun a children’s class which is now on the precipice of having four concurrent grade levels. For several years, the team has […]
Ontario’s Virtual Baha’i Summer School: Fellowship, Music and Reflecting on the Life of the Master
Written by Emma Persaud From Friday, the 20th of August until Sunday the 22nd, people gathered in various groups across the province for a summer school. The focus was on making plans and laying the foundation for the Nine Year Plan to come. A special session was held on the first evening, with Dr. Firaydoun […]
“Together We Shine” ROBSI Summer Camp Dedicated to ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Written by Heather Harvey In late July, almost 60 participants gathered for a three-day online ROBSI camp experience inspired by the life and writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. For the last 35 years ROBSI (Rideau-Ottawa Bahá’í Schools Initiative) has run week-long residential camps in wilderness settings inspired by the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. Due to the […]
Tending the Spiritual Garden: Book 3 Campaign plants the seeds for nurturing children’s classes in South-East Ontario
Written by Nancy Lavoie One of my favourite Ruhi books is Ruhi Book 3: Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1. The profound principles and concepts that inspire and shape the system for the spiritual education of children resonate with all who study it. It underscores why children need the spiritual precepts and teachings of the Divine […]
Aurora Children Create a Video Tribute to 215 Children of Kamloops Indian Residential School
Over the course of the pandemic, the Aurora children’s class committee has invited various children’s classes in Aurora to participate in creating short videos as a way to keep the children in the community connected. This existing pattern of connecting and creating throughout a time of distance recently allowed the children to honour the souls […]
Service Week in St. James Town
In the fall of 2020, the team in Toronto’s densely-populated neighbourhood of St. James Town was thinking about how their efforts to draw new youth into the community-building process could continue. Winter was looming, and restrictions around the pandemic were likely to increase. They were conscious of the need to weave together a pattern of […]
Developing Virtues on a Farm in Martintown
The Tremblay-Savoie family lives on their farm, Nature’s Acres Homestead in Martintown, Ontario, in the Cornwall cluster. Alex and Zac, both participants in a junior youth group, created this video, wishing all the friends a Happy Naw-Rúz and describing daily life on their farm. With humour and joy, the twin brothers reflect on how their […]
Zooming on Manitoulin Island: The Spirit Island
Written by JP Mayer and Pam Jackson How would you conduct a children’s class without children being present? Ask Ina Swain and Pam Jackson, two friends who live on an island in the Sudbury-Manitoulin cluster. When you live far from children and grandchildren but your heart aches to serve, you get creative. When one door […]
Touching the Hearts Through Service and Artmaking in Ruddington
The Ruddington Drive neighbourhood is comprised of seven apartment buildings with a population of about 3,200 people in the North West of Toronto. Newcomers from China, Iran, Hong Kong and South Korea make up close to 60% of the population and almost 30% of the population are young people. Since 2014, the expanding nucleus of […]
Bringing our Questions to Families: Collective problem-solving around Children’s Classes and Junior Youth Groups
In both the Springdale neighbourhood of Brampton and the St. James Town neighbourhood of Toronto, youth from the local population who have graduated from children’s classes and the junior youth program are now tutoring, animating, teaching children’s classes, and beginning to coordinate activities. In both neighbourhoods, the expanding nuclei of friends holding activities are turning […]
Malika’s Magical Mask: Brampton Collaborators Publish a Children’s Book
In Springdale, a neighbourhood in Brampton, the community of friends serving and praying together has grown significantly and stirrings of social action have become apparent. The process of growth began in the Springdale neighbourhood of Brampton in 2011. In the years since then, numerous cohorts of young people have graduated from the junior youth program […]
The Power of Intergenerational Friendships in Stratford
In the Oxford-Perth cluster, the friends have seen dramatic growth with respect to devotional gatherings over the past few cycles. The spirit of intergenerational accompaniment and friendship is strong in the cluster and is solidified through both a pattern of collective worship, as well as an outward-looking orientation. The passing of Mary Helen Hazen, a […]
Online seasonal school to be held this summer
Two of Ontario’s seasonal schools are joining forces to host an online school this year due to the ongoing circumstances with COVID-19. Kawaa’aataae and Shining Lamp Bahá’i Schools have released the registration form for a three-day school to be held from 31 July to 2 August. The program has sessions for all ages to take […]