Dear Bahá'í Friends,
In a recent round of consultations with local Spiritual Assemblies, the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland was asked to clarify the main elements necessary for the holding of a reflection meeting. We decided to share these points generally with the community, to act as an aid to other clusters in their preparations for such meetings.
The International Teaching Centre gave us some guidance on this subject in their 26th Nov. 2001 letter.
Reflection Meetings. An effective vehicle for the multiplication of these lines of action has been a reflection meeting at the cluster level. In these gatherings the institutions consult with the believers, many of whom are involved in the institute process, on the achievements and strengths within the cluster. They also discuss the nature and scope of activities to be undertaken in the next phase of their plan. A simple, short-term plan is devised that reflects the pledges of individuals as well as the collective activities proposed by the Area Teaching Committee and Local Assemblies. This plan is incorporated into a calendar of activities that becomes the framework for the subsequent three to four month period.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ·
The communities' response to the challenge of the Five Year Plan in establishing these meetings, while still not yet fully understanding their function, is a tribute to their staunchness of faith. A number of clusters are becoming strong vehicles for grass roots participation, fostering the growth of study circles, devotionals and in recent months the increase in children's classes that are open to all.
2.3.3 Reflection Meetings
A natural vehicle for multiplying core activities has been reflection meetings. These meetings at the cluster level have been particularly effective in well-established areas where an expanding pool of human resources exists. In such gatherings the institutions and the believers, many of whom are involved in the institute process, study the relevant Five Year Plan documents, share experiences, and consult on the achievements and strengths within the cluster. Avoiding "grandiose and elaborate plans," the friends reach a consensus on short-term goals which reflect the pledges of individual initiatives and collective actions that have emerged from the consultation. These goals are generally incorporated into a calendar of activities that becomes the framework for the subsequent two-to three-month period ..
4.1 Learning and Planning at the Grass Roots
Two observations that are important to the ongoing prosecution of the Five Year Plan can be made about the experience of working in clusters. First, reflection meetings have become the learning matrix of the clusters. These periodic consultations have enabled the believers to "reflect on issues, consider adjustments, and maintain enthusiasm and unity of thought." The value of short-term goals is immediately recognized, as accomplishments and challenges can regularly be evaluated, "obstacles removed, resources multiplied and lessons learned," and modifications in the goals made without losing continuity of action. Flexibility and patience are encouraged, as essential prerequisites of the learning process. The friends have begun to appreciate that not all answers can be tied down in advance but are garnered through experience.
With warmest Bahá'í greetings, BAHÁ'Í COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
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