Report from the Area Teaching Committee
The Northern Lights cluster embarked on its first collective direct teaching project as part of its tenth cycle. It was a four day collective direct teaching project (August 14 – 17). Fourteen Bahá'ís participated (nine from the cluster, five from outside the cluster). Before the project research were carried out in two areas of Belfast. There was also consultation between the Spiritual Assembly of Belfast, the Auxiliary Board member and the Area Teaching Committee to determine the human resources needed for consolidation after the project.
The focus of the direct teaching project was in the Ballynafeigh area in south Belfast. Basically we would go door to door and offer to share with people what the Bahá'í Faith is. Some were not interested, some listened a little, some listened a good while and some listened to the whole presentation of the Faith.
(Morning) We met in the morning at 7.30 am for individual prayers for 30-45 minutes. We then had collective prayers for 45 – 60 minutes. Singing after the prayers was very joyful. Each morning after the prayers and singing we would do a deepening from book 6. Especially helpful was the deepening on ‘Anna’s presentation’.
(Afternoon) The participants would then take their maps, sandwiches, notebooks and Anna’s presentation and head off. Each team would leave quietly one by one after prayers. The teams would note down each encounter including facts like house number and street.
(Evening) In the evening around 8 pm we would have a working dinner if time was short. The Friends would fill in the evaluation expansion forms and give it to the project coordinator. Team after team would then reflect on their learning and what needed to be done the next day.
Hundreds of houses were knocked on during the morning, afternoon, evening (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Talking to people on the street was also done and many children and junior youth were in the nearby parks. The friends who participated were fantastic. The unity and determination of the group was always evident. All the participants have felt they are now better teachers and better in giving ‘Anna’s presentation’. The fear factor of any future door to door from the friends participating has gone. The friends commented several times on divine confirmations during the project including a day with severe rainfall. We had three declarations on that day. The learning has been enormous and will no doubt bring much success to future teaching projects.
Outcome after the four days
Three people declared (a Chinese lady, a Filipino lady and a Malawian man) and one children’s class was set up.
DAYS
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
1
52
17
0
2
22
5
3
11
4
28
6
TOTAL
113
(i) Sharing at least the first page of Anna’s presentation up to and including the first quotation. (ii) Those who knew of the Faith or a Bahá'í before. (iii) Declarations.
Some of the learning was:
“I truly feel I was privileged to be part of this project and really enjoyed the experience. ….. I learned that everything that happens during the project is the work of every member of the team. One of the wonderful aspects was the love and unity in the team and the feeling of support of each for all the others. The positive responses were so joyous for all the team members.’’
“Your whole day involves praying and asking for assistance to find the ready soul and say the necessary thing. ….. You see at first hand the reality of ready souls just waiting to hear about Bahá’u’lláh.’’
“One of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much. A pleasure to work with others and share the message of Bahá’u’lláh.’’
.“I would recommend it to everyone.”
Study Circles: Lesley Taherzadeh O'Mara Junior Youth: Darragh Graham Children's Classes: Marion Khosravi
Study Circles: Michelle O'Mahony Barr Junior Youth: (Not yet appointed) Children's Classes: Elizabeth Palin
Study Circles: James Holmlund Junior Youth: Nason Maani Children's Classes: Patricia Jamshidi
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