The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister are in the process of establishing a Children's Forum to advise the Assembly on the impact of government policy on children and young people.The Bahá'í community was invited to submit applications and several youth and junior youth submitted applications: At first an interview process was to be conducted by the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre, but then the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister decided that they would consider all the applicants received. Three Bahá'í youth were selected.
After the interviews the Bahá'í Council received glowing tributes from the organisers expressing how impressed they were with the calibre of the Bahá'í candidates.The following day the Council received an email from one of the interview panel, who is a lecturer in Stranmillis Teacher Training College asking for more information about the way that the Bahá'í community supports young people. Well done to all concerned and best wishes to Amy, Darragh and Soha for being selected. This is an exciting prospect that some of our young Bahá'ís, along with other youth from throughout Northern Ireland, will have some influence on the future thinking of our government.
Congratulations to Karen Craig who has recently become a Bahá'í in Belfast. Zenia and Golshan have moved in from Cookstown. Susie, Pippa and Tony visited the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alex Maskey and presented him with 'Crown of Beauty'. He was informed about Bahá'í teachings and he asked relevant questions and seemed interested.
In February Belfast Assembly launched a programme of monthly devotionals open to all, and in September we held the eighth one. They are called "Tranquility Evenings", borrowing elements from Tranquility Zones. They take place in candlelight and gentle, relaxing music is played at the beginning and end, and between sections of readings which are taken from all the major world religions,{and smaller ones} Poetry, and sometimes song lyrics are included relating to the theme.
The lovely atmosphere created has been thoroughly enjoyed by Bahá'ís and their friends. Quite a few people have contributed to the success of the evenings by arranging the flowers, reading, planning the programme, or the music. We would like to thank everyone who has helped from the Belfast community, as well as Castlereagh and Newtownabbey. (our fellow communities in the Charles Dunning Cluster).
The latest in the "Deepenings in Derry" series took place on Friday 30 September, attended by friends from Londonderry and Coleraine (and one enquirer).Dr Keith Munro gave an impressive and informative PowerPoint presentation and talk on "The After Life" setting out, from the Writings, Bahá'í teachings on the purpose of life in this world and the nature of life after death.
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