One of the definitions of ‘to accompany’ found in Webster’s International Dictionary (the dictionary favoured by Shoghi Effendi) is ‘to go with or attend as an associate or companion’. This implies the involvement of at least two parties, namely the accompanying and the accompanied, but nowhere does it suggest an attendant feeling of the strong accompanying the weak, the superior accompanying the inferior, or the learned accompanying the ignorant, even though one of the parties may be more experienced than the other. Rather, the term ‘accompaniment’ as used in Bahá’í terminology means a mutually enriching experience, in which all the parties involved grow in the understanding of a process, and in empowerment to better carry out acts of service.
Opportunities to take part in ‘accompaniment’ abound in the Bahá’í Community. For example, the teacher may accompany the new believer, tutors (many of whom are youth) may accompany participants in a study circle, Board Members can accompany their assistants and the Area Teaching Committee, who in turn can accompany others, the Regional Coordinator can accompany his or her cluster coordinators, members of Spiritual Assemblies may accompany individuals in their respective communities, teaching teams can give and receive accompaniment, and you and I, dear friends, irrespective of age or knowledge, can accompany each other. This list is by no means prescriptive or exhaustive. The important point is that no one is excluded – everybody can accompany somebody.
Although we are still learning the implications of accompaniment, much specific guidance is coming from the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Centre. In the seminal message dated 27 December 2005 from the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, is the following:
‘nurturing the interest of seekers and accompanying them in their spiritual search until they are confirmed in their faith.’
Believers need to be accompanied until they are able to confidently walk the path of teaching. And again, from the same source referring to tutors:
‘accompanying participants in their initial attempts to perform acts of service until they, too, are ready to start their own study circles and help others do the same.’
At the core of accompaniment lies this all-important goal – to help us keep the vision of the Faith before our eyes, and know why we believers are doing what we do. It means asking ourselves what we can do, and using accompaniment to do it.
Message sent by the Bahá'í Council to the NI youth weekend in February.
Dearly Loved Friends,
The Bahá’í Council for Northern Ireland greets each and every one of you gathered for this event. We are truly delighted by the spirit which animates youth events in Northern Ireland at the present time, and we are sure that you have a successful and happy week-end.
The theme of “Our Responsibilities as Bahá’í Youth” will we hope provide you with the opportunity to explore and consider on a deeper level the responsibilities which you gladly embrace on becoming 15. As well as the laws these responsibilities include all aspects of Bahá’í life such as prayer, fasting, Huqúqu’lláh, giving to the fund, and the moral standards which will distinguish you from your peers. Foremost among these responsibilities is teaching the Cause. Bahá’u’lláh exhorts us:
“Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds.” (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 278)
A very significant part of our response to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh is our obedience to this exhortation. We hope that during the course of this week-end you will have the opportunity to refer to the letters of the Universal House of Justice which address the youth, and also for study of the learning which is currently emerging in relation to direct teaching. We trust that this will inspire you to consider ways in which, you as youth can participate in the work in our two priority clusters: Northern Lights and Seven Valleys.
The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, wrote of the Bahá’í Youth that it is they “who can contribute so decisively to the virility, the purity, and the driving force of the Bahá’í community, and upon whom must depend the future orientation of its destiny, and the complete unfoldment of the potentialities with which God has endowed it.”
May this event inspire and enthuse all of you to serve the Cause of God, and give you time to consolidate the bonds of fellowship and love which exist between you.
With warmest love to you all, BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
The latest issue of this newsletter, prepared under the auspices of the International Teaching Centre and carrying news of teaching and progress from all over the world, has been received. It has been distributed electronically to Spiritual Assembly and group secretaries but should be read by everyone. If you do not have a copy please contact your local secretary or the Bahá'í Council for an electronic or printed copy.
Some years ago our National Spiritual Assembly introduced formal requirements for steps that had to be taken by those dealing with children and young people in our community. As the Assembly said at the time this was a sad reflection on the times in which we live but they are necessary for protection of our young people, of the adult Bahá'ís, and of the good name of the Faith. The current requirement is that those having substantial access to children and young people at Bahá'í gatherings must undergo formal clearance through the official body in their part of the United Kingdom. “Substantial access” means the opportunity to be alone, or being alone, with children or young people.. “Children and young people” means those up to the age of 18 years.. The official procedure in Northern Ireland is the POCVA scheme.
This means that those taking or helping at children’s classes, junior youth and youth activities, etc. must have been cleared through the POCVA system. A good number of NI Bahá'ís have gone through the system already, and the Council appreciates this, but it is now asking all those over age 18 who have not to consider it.
The POCVA scheme will change to a new system soon and it is best to have the clearance check done now.
This requirement only affects gatherings and events held under the auspices of a Bahá'í body, but we feel it is best that this definition be used broadly – for instance individual children’s classes if they are held in response to direct guidance or encouragement, or the local Bahá'í administrative body is aware of them, could be regarded as “official” and requiring that the adults have POCVA clearance.
Bahá'í administrative bodies such as Spiritual Assemblies have a responsibility to ensure that the requirements are followed for all events held in their areas, and others such as agencies of the Bahá'í Council must also ensure they are followed for all events they may organise.
Dorothy Riordan acts as Child Protection Officer of behalf of the Bahá'í Council and anyone seeking POCVA clearance for Bahá'í events should contact her by e-mail at driordan@btinternet.com She will provide the necessary materials and information.
Thank you for your help and support in this important area.
Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland.
CommuNIqueand other Bahá’í publications welcomes photographs of your activities. However where children and young people (up to age 18) are featured the Child Protection Procedure of the National Spiritual Assembly requires that (unless it is a group picture—five or more) permission of the parent or guardian be given. If this doesn’t come with the photo then it cannot be used. Please bear this in mind when sending pictures. Of course if the sender is the parent or guardian of the young person featured, permission is assumed.
The Bahá'í Council been experimenting with the setup of an electronic calendar If anyone has been able to access it we would be very grateful to havesome feedback. It is now possible to access the calendar by using the URL http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=bahai.council4ni%40googlemail.com.
In addition you can import the calendar data into other electronic calendars such as Outlook etc. Please send details of any items you would like to add to the calendar to Edwin Graham.
Are you due to go on Pilgrimage, or making a three-day visit to the World Centre? Not only will this bring you great bounties, it can be an opportunity to share more about the Faith with the people of your area. Such a visit is newsworthy and your local paper will probably print a report about your experience, especially if it is seen as a “pilgrimage with a difference”.
A special press lead is available to help you with this. You can obtain it from the Bahá'í Council’s Press and Public Information Officer.
The Bahá'í Council would like to remind all the Friends in Northern Irelandthat the small ‘activities booklet’ is still available on request (in small or larger quantities). Giving an overview of the core activities for the non-Bahá'í reader, it is professionally-designed, colourful, ideal for handing to friends and enquirers: if you want some copies to give away please get in touch with the Secretary of the Bahá'í Council.
These booklets are resources to be out there working for the Faith, telling people about our various activities and inviting them to join. Why not get some and use them?
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