Study, reflection and service

The friends in Lower Maine-New Hampshire (A) have started another cycle of intensive teaching. Here is a brief report shared by one of the participants. They prepared themselves for their service by studying the guidance from the Bahá’í Writings, and set practical goals for themselves based on their efforts and experience so far. There is now a group of new believers and seekers with which the friends are connecting and involving in core activities.

We had a successful weekend at Green Acre Bahá’í School. The friends gathered and prayed for the success of the teaching work. We studied the guidance from Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. We practiced giving Anna’s presentation to each other, and practiced what we would say when meeting someone. This was reinforced by stories of the early believers and their interactions with Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. . . .

People from other clusters (Upper Maine, New Hampshire, Jacksonville, FL) joined us. Our capacity was raised as we practiced. Our courage was bolstered as we studied the quotes on teaching. During the reflection meeting we learned about what had happened in the last cycle, we consulted on it, and then discussed what actions could be taken now. We made goals to establish more devotional gatherings, neighborhood children’s classes, junior youth groups, and study circles for new believers. The friends arose to offer pledges of service, to visit new believers and seekers, to study prayers and deepening themes with them, and to start core activities.

On Saturday afternoon, several of the friends visited an apartment complex in Portsmouth. They went to homes of people who had previously been visited by the Bahá’ís and requested re-visits, as well as other homes. At one apartment the friends found that the person who had requested a revisit had already moved away and there was a new tenant. This did not deter the junior youth who was taking the lead for this visit; he asked the new tenant if he had heard of the Bahá’í Faith and began the presentation.

On Sunday, the friends in Portland visited members of the community of interest in that city. On a revisit to a family of new believers, an additional member of the family declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Now our task is to continue our deepening activities and other work. We would love to have you join us in any capacity you would like. This is how we will build a new civilization: in three month cycles, one new believer at a time.