A few years after the Guardian began his ministry a letter was written on his behalf to an individual Believer saying that
“Shoghi Effendi feels that the real purpose of these Summer Schools is to deepen the knowledge of the friends. Lectures are … essential for they give a wonderful picture of the subject-matter. But it is not sufficient to have a picture; the friends should deepen their knowledge and this can be achieved if together with the lectures there are study classes and seminar work carried on by the same lecturer. The world is undoubtedly facing a great crisis and the social, economic and political conditions are becoming daily more complex. Should the friends desire to take the lead in reforming the world, they should start by educating themselves and understand what the troubles and problems really are which baffle the mind of man.”
(Published in “Bahá'í News” issue 63, June 1932)
In these past few years the annual Northern Ireland Summer School has gone from strength to strength. Attended by Friends from all over the world and with an international reputation to match, it has generated an atmosphere of learning and fellowship for all ages. The Bahá'í Council is confident that this success will be repeated in 2008 and encourages the Northern Ireland Friends to support it by attending, whether as residents or as day visitors.
The quotation given above is especially appropriate in view of the plans for this year. Our National Spiritual Assembly has asked all the UK Summer Schools to take as their theme “Our Mission: Building a World Civilisation” and that a particular type of programme be followed.
There will be fewer plenary sessions (lectures) and in addition a number of courses on specific subjects will be offered, running through the School: participants will choose from these and follow the course. This will allow the School to focus on topics which the National Spiritual Assembly feels are of particular importance for our community at this time. Subjects dealt with will include “The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, “The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh”, “Science and Religion”, Developing Distinctive Bahá'í Communities”, and “Marriage, Family Life, and Relationships”. Your friends who are enquiring about the Faith will be welcome and will have the chance to learn in depth about our beliefs. The School will still have some major sessions and presentations as well as time for the arts (a term defined broadly!). There will be the evening entertainments and other activities the Friends have become used to and like, as well as youth and children’s programmes based on the broad theme of the school.
A flyer and booking form will be distributed to the community soon but if you do not want to wait then you can contact the registrar for more information, for, prices (which have been held at last year’s), or to make an early booking.
The Bahá'í Council looks forward to another successful Summer School this year with the Friends from Northern Ireland playing their full part in that success.
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