Cluster Reflection Gathering 02/11/06

Dear Friends, the next Cluster Reflection Gathering is coming up February 11, 2006.

Our new Cluster Growth Team (CGT) has planned a fun and informative program that includes a talk by International Pioneer Jim Taylor, introduction to our new community-inspired website, and new teaching strategies based on the 4 core activities. Excitement & momentum is building in our Cluster, please be a part of it.

This is open to friends, family, and seekers.

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"Without the spirit of real love..."

Since February is the month of love (Valentine's Day)...

"Without the spirit of real love for Bahá'u'lláh, for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action."
(from letter dated Oct. 25, 1949, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

Allah'u'Abha dear friends

February Calendar

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Pilgrimage: A Sacred Experience

A new DVD where Bahá'í pilgrims share personal testimonies and reflect on their experiences while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Available in English, Spanish and French.

To watch a brief excerpt click HERE

The DVD will be available in early February. To place an advance order click HERE

The full video will be available for FREE online viewing in Feb.

"Ask a Baha'i" podcast series

Ask a Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

http://feeds.bahai.us/usbahaipodcasts

Who is Bill Dvorak? click HERE

Not sure what a Podcast is? click HERE

Baha'i RSS Feeds

For those of you that use RSS news-feeds there is now one for Baha'is, click HERE

Not sure what an RSS news-feed is? click HERE

Baha'i Youth 'Making the World a Better Place'

When given a list of future or life goals as part of a recent survey polling Baha'i youth, some 90 percent of respondents said they plan to “do service,” and are optimistic about their own capacity to make a difference in their community and in the world.

Along those lines, Baha'i youth also feel a strong commitment to social change and social justice, as evidenced by their high incidence (46 percent) of involvement in charity and service projects and by their expressed tendency to take action on issues of social justice that concern them most.

The survey, which was co-sponsored by the National Teaching Committee and the Office of Development at the Baha'i National Center in Evanston, Ill., also revealed that Baha'i youth feel supported by their local Baha'i community and Baha'i administrative institutions and have what they need to be active participants in community life.

To read full article click HERE

To read "In Service to the Common Good-Youth" booklet click HERE

* We have some amazing Baha'i Youth & Jr. Youth of our own! Ask how you can get involved.

"If you feel that you can't change the world, change the life of a child and they will do it for you." - C. West Miller

Ask a Baha'i - Episode 10

Ask A Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

Loie explains the Roses Project (http://www.ahad-sed.org/roses/) and the Hmong culture. The last part of the podcast is an appeal to the Portland, Oregon community for tutors/mentors needed to keep this valuable program going. Please listen and please encourage your friends to listen. This is a very special service opportunity to help the Hmong and yourself. Part 3 of 3.

Loie Mead (part 3) - Listen Now!

Ask a Baha'i - Episode 9

Ask A Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

Loie Mead was a teacher and an activist when she heard about the Baha'i Faith. In her experience, declaring her belief in the Baha'i Faith is only one step in her journey of learning to be a Baha'i. Part 2 of 3.

Loie Mead (part 2) - Listen Now!

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Albert Brooks says he wasn't looking to bring world peace, he was doing just what his new film's title said: "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World."

At its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival, Brooks said he was concerned Abdullah bin Zaid al-Nahayan, the minister of information of the United Arab Emirates, would lead the audience out of the theater.

Instead, "they went crazy. I thought, I passed the test, it's O.K. The sheik is laughing; he's talking to the guy next to him in Arabic and pointing at the screen. And no one walked out," Brooks told The New York Times for Sunday editions.

In the film, Brooks is assigned a high-level government mission: travel to India and Pakistan, where he's to write a report on what makes Muslim's laugh.

Brooks said he chose India and Pakistan because of the intense conflict between the two countries.

"What's more important is that you're elevating this into the green zone, where you can make fun," he said. "And now it takes its place alongside everything else you can make fun of — politics or Jews (he's Jewish) or bad food or anything. If that happens, then that's really a healthy sign. That actually is something." [Associated Press]

*** This movie is getting good reviews in the U.S. and after seeing the trailer I can't wait.

click HERE to see the trailer

Rating: PG-13 In Theatres: January 20th, 2006

Baha'is Join Team To Serve Homeless Families

Baltimore-area homeless families will soon have a new option: 17 area religious congregations have combined forces to offer housing, food and support specifically designed for such families.

The group, the Baltimore Interfaith Hospitality Network, will house up to 14 people - usually two or three families - at seven area places of worship. The network includes Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian churches, as well as a synagogue and a Baha'i temple. The congregations are in the city and in Baltimore County.

To read full article click HERE

We are in The Guiness Book of Records !!!

Most of you may already know this, but it is news to me:

"The Guiness Book of Records, names The Baha'i Faith as the world's largest religion without rites, rituals and priesthood. The Baha'i Faith, which is practiced worldwide by about 6 million people has no ceremonies, no sacraments and no clergy. Bahaism emphasizes the importance of all religions and the spiritual unity of humanity. It emerged through the teaching of two 19th century Iranian visionaries and is now adhered to in over 70 countries."

I don't know when they actually made this claim but I found documentation that it was printed in all issues as far back as 1998.

Protest Follows Bahai's Death

New York Times, Published: December 24, 2005
The United States condemned the imprisonment and alleged persecution of Zabihullah Mahrami, who it said was imprisoned in Iran for belonging to the Bahai faith and who died in prison on Dec. 15. A statement from Adam Ereli, the State Department's deputy spokesman, did not give the cause of death. He was believed to have been 59 years old. The Iranian government has been silent about Mr. Mahrami. His death was not reported in Iranian newspapers. He was sentenced to death for apostasy, the rejection of his religion, in January 1996 by a Revolutionary Court in Yazd, in central Iran. Mr. Mahrami, like many Bahais, was subject to harassment after the Islamic revolution in 1979. The sect was held to be apostasy from Islam, which carries the death penalty in the Islamic code as it is applied in Iran.

To read full article click HERE

Christian Science Monitor writes about persecution

The Christian Science Monitor wrote this article about the Baha'i persecution in Iran.

"Outcry over persecution in Iran...
The Bahai community is raising concerns about an upsurge of religious persecution in Iran. A member of the faith died in an Iranian prison this month of unknown causes. Dhabihullah Mahrami was sentenced to death 10 years ago for apostasy, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after an international outcry. More than 60 Bahais have been detained or imprisoned in 2005, and eight are still being held, the community says."

To read full article click HERE

Local paper interviews five Youth at Green Acre

Five young people from around the world have been selected to volunteer at Green Acre as part of an international Bahai service program. Representing countries such as Uganda, Brazil, South Africa and Iran, the young volunteers say they have learned a lot about themselves and other cultures during their stay in Eliot, Maine.

To read full article click HERE