This is a joint initiative from the Bahá’í Council and the Training Institute. Its mission is to boldly go were no community has gone before. During a joint meeting between the Bahá’í Council and the Training Institute Board on 30 January, in which this initiative was born, a Task Force was appointed to coordinate the activities and resources, and liase with the Assemblies, other institutions, and the individuals. Subsequently a consultation was held with the LSAs in the Charles Dunning cluster on 9 February, during which the proposed structure took shape, and led to the LSAs submitting their plans to the task force.
The LSA plans, as well as the details of the initiative were shared with the community on 27 February at the Belfast Castle at a meeting attended by 45, including two members of our community of interest. At the heart of the initiative is a one-month long campaign, 21 March to 21 April, to generateintense activity and outreach by the friends in (and supporting) the Charles Dunning cluster, in order to increase our interface with the outside world and result in an increase in the size of our community of interest. The plans of the campaign are so fast developing that by the time this newsletter goes to print there will be a lot more information available.
There was the launch of the “Unlocking the Hearts” campaign in Belfast castle on Sunday 27 Feb. A very well presented and exciting campaign was placed before us. There were some excellent packs presented on the three core activities and other activities that the Bahá'í Community has to offer. These will be a great aid to anyone who wants to introduce others to these activities. This campaign can achieve amazing results for the Cause, so let’s get out there and do it. Here’s looking forward to Naw-Rúz and the next stage of the campaign.
A big congratulation’s to Jenna Lynn who has started a book 1 with her school friends (10 of them, yes that’s double figures) at her school during lunchtimes and the principal has given consent to it. Youth the spearhead!
Report by Area Coordinator Mahan Hashemi-zadeh
A wonderfully uplifting, inspiring and informative reflection meeting was held in Cluster 2 in the Ards Peninsula region. The assistants organized a beautiful devotional meeting which laid the foundations for the consultation that followed. The consultation explored the challenges the friends face in approaching their friends and neighbours to participate in Bahá'í activities. This led to a greater understanding of how the Institute process is designed to assist us in acquiring the skills and qualities that will enable us to better teach the Faith. It was truly an up-lifting consultation!
Report b Area Coordinator Paddy O’Mara
The believers in Omagh invited the members of their cluster to a social gathering during Ayyám-I-Há at which the believers from Cookstown were represented. Plans were made for a Reflection Meeting in May.
Report by Area Coordinator Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara
Hainsworth Cluster continues to buzz. As stated in the last report with the Book 2 course tutored by Elizabeth Palin completed, and Book 1 tutored by Keith Munro nearly so. A Book 3 course with eight participants is planned for the near future. A new and intensive Book 2 is also running in the cluster with three collaborators, tutored by Earl Redman
During the recent UK Tutors Conference one point which was stressed was the importance of bringing the arts in various forms firmly into the Three Core Activities, whether it be music, dance, painting, miming, puppeteer, singing, drawing or story-telling, there are several ways for us to make the Core-Activities appeal to everyone.
Photograph: Book 1 Study Circle in Coleraine, "Seven Valleys" Cluster
Report by Area Coordinator Navid Agahi
Animators are the names given to junior youth facilitators. Why? Animators are ones who provide or impart life, interest, spirit, or vitality. Each month there’ll be an introduction to one of the books.
Breezes of Confirmation tells the story of Musonda, a young girl who has just turned 13, and her older cousin Rose, who has come to visit for the school holidays. A theme that runs throughout the story is that of making an effort and receiving God's confirmations. All those who have completed Book 7 or are nearing completion should start to feel excited or possibly quiver. Why? - The animator launch will be taking place late April / early May and YOU will be invited to become animators. As for the rest of you, don’t be laughing, you’ll be involved in a different capacity. There are other interesting news to share but you’ll have to catch the next edition of CommuNIqué.
Report from Junior Youth Coordinator, Afnan Hashemi-zadeh
Community of Interest – What is it?
The ‘community of interest’ is a term we hear used more and more. But what exactly is it? It refers to “…a … circle of people, still not Bahá'ís but enthusiastically involved in core activities of the Plan.” From the Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 161, 2004
An “A—Z” of terms used in the Five Year Plan and the Institute Process appears in the latest issue of the UK Bahá'í Journal.
For further information, please contact your Area Coordinator, or visit the Training Institute for Northern Ireland's website
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