Meetings

Unity of Religion

The principle of the unity of religion is at the center of Bahá’í teachings. Bahá’ís believe that Divine Revelation is a continuous and progressive process, that all the great religions of the world are divine in origin, that their basic principles are in complete harmony and that their aims and purposes are one and the same. Often Bahá’ís refer to this continuous process as “Progressive Revelation.” To find out more about Progressive Revelation we invite you to join us tonight, Friday November 14 at 7:30pm for a discussion and light refreshments. For more information or directions, please contact the Bahá’ís of Arlington

“Consider the sun. Were it to say now, “I am the sun of yesterday,” it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of time in mind, claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth. In like manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is correct and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific attribute, a particular character. Conceive accordingly the distinction, variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness, that thou mayest comprehend the allusions made by the creator of all names and attributes to the mysteries of distinction and unity, and discover the answer to thy question as to why that everlasting Beauty should have, at sundry times, called Himself by different names and titles.”
~ Baha’u’llah

Junior Youth Groups

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.

Study Circles

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.

Devotional Meetings

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