Dear Bahá'í Friends,
As we each, in our own unique way and with individual initiative, respond to the call of the Universal House of Justice to focus our work on Study Circles, Devotionals and Children's Classes open to all, we must take into account the role Local Spiritual Assembly and Group plans play in moving this process forward to account the role Local Spiritual Assembly and Group plans play in moving this process forward.
“...programmes initiated in such areas should aim at fostering sustainable growth by building the necessary capacity at the levels of the individual, the institution and the community. Far from requiring grandiose and elaborate plans, these programmes should focus on a few measures that have proven over the years to be indispensable to large-scale expansion and consolidation.” (9 Jan 2001 Universal House of Justice)
The Council would like all groups and Assemblies to consider plans that incorporate these three elements in their structure.
Assembly, Mr Rob Weinberg on Sunday 6th April. A number of areas of action have been devolved from National to Regional level, the recent being that of child education. Children's classes, open to all, is one area of the Five Year plan that has been least developed. However, we are greatly blessed in Northern Ireland in having such a history of dedicated sacrificial work in this field. Surely we can build on this? Children are our most precious trust. The offer of Bahá'í Classes would be a priceless gift to offer a wider community torn by prejudice and bigotry. Remember you do not need a Bahá'í child in your community to start a class!
Please pray that the Council will rise to the challenge, and the trust invested in us by our National Assembly.
With warmest Bahá'í greetings, BAHÁ'Í COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
PS-
Various figures have been suggested in the light of the recent census figures- which appear to be inaccurate. It is indeed possible that some people called themselves Bahá'ís when, in fact, they are not. Anyway here is the accurate figure as of last month: 197 adults, 30 youth, 24 junior youth, 34 children. This makes a total of 285 Bahá'ís in Northern Ireland. Lets face it-for such a small figure-so far-we cause a lot of impact on the wider community in very many ways. Just think when we reach 500, nay 1000, what will be our effect?
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