With a joyous heart the Training Institute looks to the historic completion of this Five Year Plan – the latest in a series of plans during which the advancement of entry by troops is the primary goal. During these five years friends everywhere in Northern Ireland have made great sacrificial strides ahead in advancing through the sequence of courses, and in many cases, arising to begin to act as tutors, helping others, both from within the Faith and from the community of interest, to embark upon a glorious spiritual journey. With a vision of undaunted hope the Institute looks forward to the inauguration of the new Plan at Ridván 163, assured that through a surge of sacrificial dedication many more, in the days, weeks and months ahead, will complete the sequence, and thus greatly increase the vital human resources for cluster after cluster to readily advance towards the stage where intensive programmes of growth can be initiated (i.e. “A” cluster status).
To meet the vital needs such advancement will require, the Institute has now decided to appoint a cluster coordinator for each cluster in Northern Ireland. It is indeed appropriate that each appointee will be resident in the cluster for which she/he has responsibility.
Training Institute for Northern Ireland
There is a weekly devotional in Omagh which is attended by 5 – 8 seekers on a regular basis. From time to time devotionals are held in another venue, which have attracted as many as 12 seekers.
Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara
This cluster continues to be very active in the process, with almost all the adults in the area engaged in progressing through the sequence as fast as possible.
There are currently three study circles in action. Two people who committed to teaching children after completing Book 3 are now engaged in studying Book 5 in order to increase their skills. They are now working on this book with four other collaborators.
A lively group which has done a number of the books together is working on Book 4 and there is also a Book 1 still running in the cluster.
The Sunday morning Devotional continues every week without fail in the Bahá'í Centre in Derry, with varying numbers of people attending and a Tranquillity Zone takes place in Claudy which is attended regularly by two to eight seekers.
The Hackney House living room is by no means a comfortable, cosy, space, but when it is filled with many enthusiastic souls, such bright spirits, the sun shining in the window and the table laden with cookies as it was this past Saturday for the Children’s Class Teachers’ Encounter there is absolutely nowhere I would rather be.
Friends from Londonderry, Omagh, Ballymena, Belfast and of course Castlereagh all gathered at the loving call of Patricia Jamshidi. We spent the afternoon sharing news about currently on-going children’s classes in our local areas. There were inspiring reports from Londonderry where the numbers of children attending the classes has grown so large that they have had to change venues and add more teachers. We heard about the innovative methods in Ballymena with the use of questionnaires at the integrated school and flyers advertising the classes for spiritual education. Auxiliary Board Member Denis Coyle was there and able to impart encouragement and guidance.
The fifteen or so present then split up into smaller groups with the consultation them of ‘Open to All’. We read over different quotes and then, refuelled by the holy words and more cookies, spent just over an hour discussing four main points.
At the end of the day we brought all of our thoughts together and got a chance to hear where each group had gone with their discussion. I was so inspired (and full of sugar) that I wanted to run outside just then and find little kids to start classes. Then I remembered I can’t but my prayers and support are with everyone who is involved in this wonderful service.
Children’s Class Teachers’ Encounter there is absolutely nowhere I would rather be. Friends from Londonderry, Omagh, Ballymena, Belfast and of course Castlereagh all gathered at the loving call of Patricia Jamshidi. We spent the afternoon sharing news about currently on-going children’s classes in our local areas. There were inspiring reports from Londonderry where the numbers of children attending the classes has grown so large that they have had to change venues and add more teachers. We heard about the innovative methods in Ballymena with the use of questionnaires at the integrated school and flyers advertising the classes for spiritual education. Auxiliary Board Member Denis Coyle was there and able to impart encouragement and guidance. The fifteen or so present then split up into smaller groups with the consultation them of ‘Open to All’. We read over different quotes and then, refuelled by the holy words and more cookies, spent just over an hour discussing four main points. At the end of the day we brought all of our thoughts together and got a chance to hear where each group had gone with their discussion. I was so inspired (and full of sugar) that I wanted to run outside just then and find little kids to start classes. Then I remembered I can’t but my prayers and support are with everyone who is involved in this wonderful service. It is like a spiritual refresher to see Bahá'ís from all over the country in one place so I hope the next ‘encounter’ is soon, thank you everyone who attended, we love having you, the house seems so much more cheerful when you are all here. A deep thanks for all the sweets that were left behind, those also brightened the day of every cast member.
Report by Emily, Lights of Unity
Children’s Class Coordinator Pat Jamshidi
We are now into our fifth month in the Short Strand community centre. We have gotten to know some of the staff and the women’s group very well. A very strong community atmosphere is present. The women’s group have been interested to know our intentions and what we do within the junior youth groups. This has led us to talk about Bahá'í Faith directly and what the Bahá'í community offers as a service – namely the four core activities. With our regular association with them, we will be having a devotional in early March. The two junior youth groups will be parading on St. Patrick’s Day with other groups in the Short Strand community centre. I’m looking forward to 17 March.
Afnan Hashemi-zadeh
The Training Institute has appointed a new co-ordinator for the Junior Youth. Edwina Agahi will be serving in this capacity, releasing Afnan to focus on his vital role serving on the new Area Teaching Committee. In showing its appreciation for the wonderful services offered by Afnan, the Training Institute wrote to him:
“Your service and accomplishments with the junior youth have been instrumental in taking the process to its present point of development. Particularly notable has been your determination to gain continued practical experience as an animator yourself. The Institute expresses its deep appreciation, admiration and gratitude for this service. It is confident that your dedicated service to junior youth will continue to benefit that receptive population in days to come.”
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