Archive for April, 2008

Bahá’ís in Arlington, Virginia, gathered together on April 20 to elect their local governing body.

The new members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Arlington are: Kit Bigelow, Nancy Clifton, Trey Clifton, Barbara Craig, John Craig, Alissa Emmel, Art McMahon, Ciara Rhodes and Baher Seioshansian.

For more information about Bahá’í elections please see this post.

As many individuals in the United States gear up for the November elections, Bahá’ís all over the world are preparing for a different kind of election. Every year on the 20th of April, Bahá’ís in every country elect their local governing bodies. These local governing bodies, called Local Spiritual Assemblies, are composed of nine adult members (age 21 and older) who reside in that locality. All Bahá’ís who vote are also eligible to be elected to serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA). Continued

Arlington Baha’is will join Baha’is around the world later this month for the Festival of Ridvan.

The annual Baha’i festival commemorates the 12 days (April 21-May 2, 1863) when Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, resided in a garden called Ridvan (Paradise) in Baghdad, Iraq. At this time He publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended.

Junior youth groups facilitated by trained youth “animators” help youth to develop their latent capabilities and contribute to meaningful service in the community. The groups engage in learning, socializing, arts, sports and service activities. Attention is given to enhancing their powers of expression, recognizing the moral issues underlying everyday decisions and the moral implications of their speech and actions, developing friendships, withstanding negative peer pressure, and building unity and enhancing global citizenship.

If you are interested in participating in a junior youth group your area, please contact us.

Children are a community’s most precious treasure. The Baha’i community of Arlington offers regular classes to help children develop spiritual and moral qualities such as love, unity, respect, trustworthiness, truthfulness and the oneness of mankind. The classes promote the oneness and equality of all people and the unity of all religions, as presented in the Baha’i faith.

Baha’u’llah has written:

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”

These classes aim to build a strong framework that will allow these spiritual and moral qualities to shine forth. These classes are open to everyone and are free of charge.

For more information please contact Childrensclass@arlingtonbahai.org.