We are a closely guarded secret committee of the NSA.. No, just kidding, but it sometimes seems so to its members. One of the few committees still directly appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, our function is over and above the focus of UK cluster development and the three core activities. You have been systematically building your core activities of study circles, devotional meetings and children’s classes for the last five years, Occasionally one of your own will disappear for a while to “foreign parts” and bring back some interesting stories of fabled lands but you know that the cluster needs your focus locally. We are the committee that wants you to do more, and send out a sustained stream of support to and inter-action with your international sister and brother communities.
On 10 January 2002 the Universal House of Justice sent a letter to the Bahá'ís of the World which dealt with one topic – the continuing need for international pioneers and travel teaching. The Supreme Body clearly set out these fields of service as an integral part of the world wide formation and development of cluster activities under training institutes. They called on every Bahá’í to consider how best to respond. We can do no better than ask you once again take to your hearts and consult together on these extracts from the January 2002 letter of the Universal House of Justice: -
“…..The clearly defined plans now in place multiply teaching opportunities for those wishing to serve the Faith in the international field as short - or long-term pioneers. ……given the sheer number of geographic areas which require systematic attention in order to advance, international pioneers will have a notable role to play. Their participation will be especially effective in the programmes of growth spreading throughout the world if they have developed abilities to foster the institute process. Beyond this, international pioneers and travelling teachers can contribute significantly to the work of the Faith in such spheres of activity as administration, proclamation, and social and economic development.
…..The movement of pioneers and travelling teachers from one place to another is an in-dispensable feature of the Bahá'í community…….this intermingling of the peoples of the world is vital to the patterns of life that the followers of Bahá'u'lláh are striving to establish and which are destined to provide an example for the rest of humanity to emulate. As the Bahá'í community continues to grow in capacity, it should give increasing attention to bringing together the diverse members of the human race in ever closer association.
…..We call upon you to consider your circumstances, examine the conditions of various countries, determine where you can best serve the needs of the Faith, and take resolute action. Let those who long to partake of the joy of such meritorious service go forth well assured that our prayers will accompany them, and fully expectant of Divine confirmations.”
How can we come to the assistance of our fellow communities in a sustained way? Even on our own doorstep in Europe the needs are great, especially in the Balkan countries, some of the larger islands in the Mediterranean and the Faroes. Think about “adopting” them, getting to know individual communities, understanding their needs and sustaining them with prayers, but most of all by direct short or long term pioneering and travel teaching. This committee stands ready to assist you with information, advice, help in coordinating your response with others, even, from our limited budget, a bit of return fare or modest settling in funding if lack of personal or other local finance is the difference between going or not going.
You can contact us by email at ciptt@bahai.org.uk Our extensive and very informative website (well worth a look!) is at www.bahai.org.uk/pioneers We have published the password several times over the years in the printed Baha'i Journal but, if you don't know it, please send an e-mail us or ask by phone. This is a bit cumbersome but it does help to protect us against inappropriate approaches from outside the community
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