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). Read the full article

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.

Study circles are regular gatherings of people who come together to read and discuss the Bahá’í Writings. The goal of the study circle is to develop knowledge and skills that can lead to spiritual transformation and service. Each study circles applies members’ insights from the Holy Word to service in their communities.

Study circles are open to anyone who wishes to participate. The pacing and schedule of each study circle are up to the participants. Facilitators help to guide the discussions.

If you wish to join a study circle in your area, please contact us.

Private prayer is a daily obligation for all baha’is, but many baha’is also gather in their homes and communities to engage in collective worship. Prayer causes a deeper connection between ourselves and God, allows us to contemplate and more deeply appreciate our lives. Baha’is believe that prayer is “conversation with God.”

Participants are also welcome to bring their own prayer books and offer prayers from other faith traditions. There are no prescribed rituals and each devotional meeting will look a little different. Readings are often selected from the Baha’i writings as well as from other scriptures. Many times the meetings are theme based, offering prayers of healing, prayers of joy and thanksgiving or prayers for peace.

We do not accept monetary contributions from non-members, but rather wish to open our homes and hearts to join with our neighbors in prayer. For more information please contact devotions@arlingtonbahai.org.

“Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.
Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom.”
~ Baha’u’llah