Translating Insights from the National Meeting Into Action at the Grassroots
In early February, more than 150 representatives of local, regional and national Bahá’í institutions and agencies gathered at the Toronto Bahá’í Centre to consult on plans to pursue a new phase in the development of the national Bahá’í community. While participants journeyed from as far afield as Nunavut, Vancouver Island and Prince Edward Island to […]
“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 […]
Travelling the Bethany Galaxy
Do you ever wonder why we are so attracted to outer space and all the unknowns of the galaxy? And what that has to do with service?
Reflections on Youth Service: Animating in Brockville and Ottawa
Contributed by Anis Alkhushi “…much depends on the ability of the institutions to draw on help from friends in other clusters, reinforcing the actions of an existing Bahá’í community by, for example, arranging the support of visiting teaching teams or tutors. In many places, the institute process begins with the assistance of believers from stronger […]
“I joined because you knocked on my door!” Reflections on Youth Service
Mena and Jonaya are both 17 and have been serving in the Chester Le pocket in the Upper Don Mills neighbourhood of Toronto for the past six years. They shared the following reflections on their service this summer, the conversations it has led to in their respective families, the way their understanding of their neighbourhood […]
A Tutor Reflects: Robot Competitions and Spiritual Perception in London
“Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your […]
“Hardwired to Make Efforts”: Reflections on Youth Service
Since the initial youth conferences held in 2013, many cohorts of youth have reflected on the idea that “in selfless service to society is the possibility for both personal growth and enhancing capacity to contribute to social progress.”[1] At the outset of the One Year Plan, a growing number of youth, along with friends of […]
A team of Four Arises to Serve Full Time in Sudbury
Amidst the rising energy across Ontario at the outset of this one year plan, a team of collaborators in Sudbury, the reservoir cluster for the vast subregion of northern Ontario, have arisen to offer a dedicated period of service over the coming year. Each of these souls thoughtfully considered the needs for growth, what it […]
“I can give this year to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!” Dedicated Service in Thunder Bay
Written by Carolyne Dowdell Our family moved to Thunder Bay in 1987 with the desire to serve and a love for Northern Ontario. I retired about three years ago now and I’ve been doing whatever I can to serve. I’ve realized that this, the Faith, is my passion. Over the course of the pandemic, the […]
Your True Home Isn’t a Physical Place: Prayer and Pioneering
By Margaret Niego I have been a pioneer since I was a youth. I was working at a summer job in Alberta and a Bahá’í couple visiting from the Northwest Territories invited me to pioneer to Hay River, which was later named Nunavut. When I came back to the city 45 years later, Toronto wasn’t […]
“She Elevates my Soul”: Friendship on Georgina Island
Mandana Sabet has been visiting Indigenous communities in Canada and Greenland since she arrived in Canada decades ago. Alongside Bahá’í friends in Newmarket and Georgina, in the York North Cluster, Mandana has been building relationships with families living on the Georgina Island reserve for some time. She recalls a friend calling her to say there […]
Believing is Seeing: Reflecting on Prayer and Service
“There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation…Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory.” – Shoghi Effendi [1] By Subrina Bhullar My children’s class participants are almost junior youth […]
A Reflection on Pioneering: Delivering the Message
Be thou a summoner to love, and be thou kind to all the human race. Love thou the children of men and share in their sorrows. Be thou of those who foster peace. Offer thy friendship, be worthy of trust… Loose thy tongue and teach, and let thy face be bright with the fire of […]