Welcoming Circle...

I just came back from the most wonderful Baha'i Declaration celebration. It was for a truly amazing young lady, Nylah R. As you can see by the invitation to the right, it was a Welcome Circle. And just as it sounds, Baha'is in the area gather to welcome a newly Declared Baha'i into our Faith. I had never been to one before (and I barely remember my own declaration).

This was so much fun! Basically, there was an empty scrapbook/photo album dedicated to Nylah at the gathering. Each person who attends is given prior notice to bring something for the scrapbook. It can be a favorite picture, poem, story, button...anything. Then there were tables put out with an assortment of rubber stamps, markers, stickers, scissors that cut unique borders, etc. We used these to decorate our entry to the scrapbook. Then we all gather around the newly declared and each take a turn saying a few positive words or praises about the person and "show & tell" our item for the scrapbook and what it means to us. At the end each contribution is collected and put into the scrapbook and given to the newly declared Baha'i.

Nylah is a very special person. I know that in her hands and in others like her the future of our Faith is secure.