Dear Friends,
TOO CLUSTERED!
Two of our local Assembly areas of jurisdiction straddled two clusters. Our Counsellor advised that the whole of an Assembly area must be within a single cluster, and the Council suggested enlarging the Charles Dunning Cluster to include all the appropriate areas. The National Spiritual Assembly agreed.
This resulted in a knock-on effect and other cluster boundaries needed careful study. It had been hinted by our previous Counsellor that our clusters were perhaps too small when compared to other countries. As a result, after consultation, clusters were reduced in number to six and enlarged greatly in area, apart from Hainsworth. The National Assembly ratified our decision and our present Counsellor, as well as our Training Institute are delighted with the decision.
This change in cluster boundaries will, in effect, enhance the work of the friends. We must all remember that the cluster, as defined by the House of Justice, is to assist in developing a geographical area with a general population, with social parameters in common, into strongly functioning Bahá'í communities who will, in turn, be building strongly functioning local Assemblies. The Council is confident that these changes to cluster boundaries will not cause the stresses and strains of previous years when so many changes were occurring. It is also confident that the effects of the sterling work in progress in the priority cluster – Charles Dunning – will, in due course, have a ripple effect throughout Northern Ireland.
Four clusters may need to reconsider their names when they meet at the next reflection gathering. This will be their decision. A member of Council will attend your next reflection meeting to explain these changes and help the friends to move forwards in the process of development.
Spring is with us and everything is growing. Never has the spirit of the friends been greater in Northern Ireland. The blessings showered on us by the Universal House of Justice and by the International Teaching Centre in the last few years are incalculable. Those not yet Bahá'ís, are attending Ruhi Books and devotional meetings in increasing numbers. More non-Bahá'í children are attending children’s classes. We now pray that the fruits of our labours may increase and fulfil the vision we all have for the future of both Northern Ireland nay the world. All the problems within our tortured society will find their solutions within the community of the Most Great Name. It is up to us, with God’s help, when!
With warmest Bahá'í greetings, Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland.
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