Two of the four clusters in Northern Ireland are just part of 1,600 clusters worldwide where friends are striving to create the pattern of action associated with an intensive programme of growth. These geographical constructs (clusters) were intended to facilitate thinking about the growth of the Faith so that the progression of clusters from one level of activity to higher degrees could not only be measured but triggered and sustained. The progression of clusters from one category to another is stimulated by the impact of devotional gatherings, children's classes, junior youth groups fuelled by those progressing through institute courses and the vision of individual and collective transformation they foster. This process of growth in a cluster with cycles of expansion and consolidation punctuated every three months by reflection and planning has the potential to bring about the spiritual empowerment of large numbers. However having discovered a mechanism to trigger and sustain growth the imperative is now for communities to put into practice this structure and to participate in the learning that will no doubt occur.
The recent letters of the House of Justice (Ridván 2010 and 28 December 2010) will help steer us through the coming period and engagement with the process will benefit individuals and institutions alike. "Wherever an intensive programme of growth is established, let the friends spare no effort to increase the level of participation". (From letter of the Universal House of Justice, 28 Dec 2010.) The members of the two C clusters in Northern Ireland have much to contribute to these areas of intensive activity (A clusters) and are invited to seek opportunities to engage in these intensive programmes of growth and take that learning experience back to their own clusters.
Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland
The latest Northern Lights reflection meeting was held on Sunday 13 February in Merville House. The meeting was punctuated with lively discussions in small groups. Here is one such discussion.
On 4-6 February representatives from institutions of the Faith from several countries met in Warwick for an institutional meeting. One of the most outstanding features of this weekend was the role plays used to illustrate both the use of accompaniment and how issues regarding the Faith were approached in real situations. The first role play was in regard to devotional meetings held by a group of elderly Bahá'ís in Ireland. Ann O'Sullivan, Viv Craig and Mathew Kennedy had us riveted as Ann invited Viv (an enquirer) into the devotional gathering from which sprung children's' classes and study circles. The learning from this was that in sharing this experience with another they learnt from the person doing it, and that we need to encourage each other to be more audacious in our approach.
The second role play was enacted by young Bahá'ís living in Reading and was even livelier as this community had identified a receptive population. Contact through one family member opened up many pathways for teaching. Here the youth were inviting other youth to participate in junior youth programmes. Accompaniment can help us crystallise learning at the same time as helping us put this learning into practice. It is therefore a very effective way in which we can all learn to share the Message in an increasingly relevant manner. It also underlined how much we need to reflect on our actions in the learning process.
Attending the weekend was Counsellor Baatar from the World Centre. She helped us understand that the present organic growth in the Faith means that today's understanding could be obsolete tomorrow therefore we need to be open to continually learning. That wherever we are at is good as long as we strive to increase our ability to serve. The joy in the room was palpable as the weekend came to a close and we all journeyed home to try and put in place at least some of what we had absorbed.
PJ
A fire alarm (happily it turned out to be a false alarm) led to the meeting place being evacuated. Everyone was in workshops at the time, and while others stood around the car park waiting for the all-clear the Northern Ireland group - with years of practice at this - just gathered up and carried on with their workshop!
Sunday February 13 2011 Venue: Merville House, Newtownabbey Time: 10am – 2pm The expansion phase will run from February 12 - 27
Sunday May 8 2011 Venue: Torreblanca, 65 Mulvilly Road, Tandragee. The expansion phase will run from May 14 - 29 Time: TBC
Sunday August 14 2011 Time and Venue: TBC The expansion phase will run from August 2h - September 4
Sunday November 6 2011 Time and Venue: TBC The expansion phase will run from November 12 - 27
Please keep these dates free in your diaries.
Sunday 14 November 2010 Sunday 13 February 2011
Study Circles: Susie Agahi Junior Youth: Darragh Grahan Children's Classes: Marion Khosravi
Study Circles: Harry Coyle Children's Classes: Elizabeth Palin
Children's Classes: Elizabeth Palin
Study Circles: James Holmlund Junior Youth: Colin Rodgers Children's Classes: Patricia Jamshidi
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