Six wonderful days even the weather was with us, lovely venue, great food and a happy atmosphere. The Northern Ireland Summer School at Craigavad 14-20 July was a joy in every way, with Bahais not just from all over Ireland but from many places including the Arctic Circle, Texas, South Africa and Uganda. Over a hundred were present either resident or day visitors. Our speakers included three National Spiritual Assembly members (two - Shirin Tahzib and Iain Palin - from the UK and one - Brendan MacNamara - from Eire), our two Auxiliary Board Members Anne OSullivan and Denis Coyle, and our own dear Lesley Taherzadeh from the Holy Land.
Young Bahais were involved in various capacities, as speakers, leading entertainment, taking childrens classes and the arrangement and presentation of our soul-inspiring devotionals each morning.
We had talks on Bahaullah and the Summons of the Lord of Hosts, various Hands of the Cause, the Century of Light and the World Order Letters of Shoghi Effendi. Betty Reed, Claire Greenberg, and Jeanette Hedayati regaled us with memories of work at the National Office in the mid-1960s, when Betty was NSA Secretary and Claire and Jeanette her entire staff, and who will ever forget the workshops round that puppet show (those that dont understand check Ruhi Book 4!). Other more light-hearted sessions included African Singing, Tai Chi, a drum workshop and a variety of sketches from Bahai history.
At the entertainment later in the week we discovered a wide range of talent within the community and enjoyed an unexpected treat in the voice of Wes Baker from Uganda. Wes, whose decision to come to our Summer School had been last-minute, is a member of the Voices of Bahá choir and having heard him perform we could understand why.
ECP
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