Connecting contacts to core activities

These brief vignettes from the New London, CT (B) cluster show the high interest in core activities. The friends are inviting their contacts to core activities and quickly following up on requests.

G has an interesting teaching story! After the children’s class on last Sunday; he picked up his friend and brought him over to watch the video The Promise of World Peace and to ask questions about the Faith. His friend is a young single father like him. So G invited him to attend the next children's class which is this Sunday. Let's keep them in prayers.

In another town in the cluster:

Yesterday, one of our former neighbors saw us outside and came over to say hello. She told us that she remembered our invitation to come to prayers, but that she had moved away and was unable to come. However she has been saying prayers with the devotionals in mind, and asked at what time the gatherings are so that she can say the prayers "with" us in spirit.

Also, yesterday I received a phone call from a man who Bahá’í quote on freecycle.com. He is very interested in exposing his son to all religions, and wants to know if there are children's classes in the area. I have called him twice and left a message for him with the information. I will keep following up and try to speak with him personally.

A few things we've learned from our children's class

Here is a brief report from a children’s class in Northeast Massachusetts (A). They are literally engaged in on-the-ground learning (in a neighborhood park), and have compiled a delightful list of simple, practical, suggestions to ensure a successful class (I especially love #3). This is a wonderful example of the friends embarking on a path of service and starting a learning process from the outset.

A few things we learned:

1) Bring a blanket and spread it out on the grass. Two teachers were able to stay at the blanket, while another teacher went on a route to a variety of known addresses, collecting kids whose parents had given permission to participate.

2) Using a difficult situation as a lesson. When one student skinned her knee, all the others helped to comfort her and ensure that the scrape was cleaned and covered. They demonstrated unity.

3) Set a clear goal: in this case, we set a goal of getting through Lesson 1. If you make an effort toward that goal, Bahá’u’lláh and the Concourse on High will assist you.

4) Flexibility: we ended up moving the story to the end. Fewer kids heard the story, but the kids who were there were able to focus on it.

5) To vary the games, use what you have on hand. Each house in the neighborhood has a stoop with 3 steps. When we played Giants, we had each team hop up to the top of the stairs while tied together.

Long Island picks up the pace with creativity

Imagine you’ve been on a long airplane flight (let’s say 11 hours in the air so far). That jet plane was launched quite some time back and is well on its way to its destination. You might expect to just continue cruising in the middle of the air. But let’s say the pilot decides to pick up speed. He or she revs up the engines, and now you are flying through the air even faster! That’s what’s happened recently in Long Island, NY (A). Their IPG has been through a number of cycles, so this time around, they decided to focus on ways in which they could increase the intensity of their efforts during the expansion phase. Emerging from their consultations (and actions) was a wide range of intriguing approaches to both core activities and direct teaching.

One of the things that the area teaching committee asked the friends to do during the eleventh cycle of the Long Island IPG was to intensify the level of activity associated with the expansion phase. Many of the friends took that to heart, as evidenced by a particular community that reported a significantly higher level of activity during the expansion phase. Among those activities were the following:

One person found a way to talk about the Faith via "mini firesides" with five or more colleagues at work. . . .

Another person found many teaching opportunities associated with the funeral of a Bahá’í friend.

Someone had a telephone "fireside" with a doctor whose relative is from Haifa and had visited both Haifa and to the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Someone went on “walking firesides" at work where she talked with a friend about the Faith.

The community held a devotional, and one of the seekers who attended plans to begin a Book 1 study circle soon.

Another believer decided to take Book 5 in order to prepare to be an animator, and plans to begin a junior youth group.

Efforts actively continued to stay in touch with and set up events for seekers who had come to the community via the Seeker Response System.

Finally, an intriguing context for starting a devotional at work: One of the believers has been having a daily devotional with one of his co-workers who is Christian. It seems that both of them did not want to get involved in the daily setting of backbiting and gossip that occurs in most workplaces, so rather than hanging out during breaks with the rest of the workers, each one kept to himself. Once they realized they were in similar circumstances, this naturally led to a decision to hang out together during breaks. Since both are spiritually oriented, this led to many discussions on spiritual matters and finally a decision to pray together. This believer brings the Bahá’í prayers and writings, and his colleague brings his own set of materials. Many interesting discussions have taken place on a regular basis, and a strong friendship has been built. This daily devotional has been going on for several months.

With loving greetings,

Area Teaching Committee of the Baha'is of Long Island

Consultation, flexibility, sensitivity, patience makes an effective teaching team

This third installment of teaching stories from Sequim, WA (B) shows the patience, sensitivity and flexibility of the teaching teams. In many cases, someone who may initially seem hesitant warms up after the teachers are able to learn more about their interests and find common ground.

TEAM 5 SUMMARY

Focus: Going house-to-house in a neighborhood

Results: Possible follow-up visits to introduce the Faith or say prayers

Core Activities: Devotions

The team visited the home of one woman. At first she was very suspicious and just listened politely. Then they mentioned how the Bahá’í’s believe that there is only one God. At this, she seemed to come alive. She shared that she had come to this conclusion some time ago; but that she thought that she was the only one who felt this way. From this point onward, the contact began to pay much closer attention. She took some materials and said that she would do some more investigating online. . . .

Another person who was visited seemed even more reserved. But she became very interested in the equality of men and women and in how all religions are really one. She said that she was interested in attending a Bahá’í event and in having someone come and visit her again.

TEAM 6 SUMMARY

Focus: Apartment complex and home of a Bahá’í who was ill.

Results: Shared “Gift of Prayers”

As the team was preparing to enter an apartment complex, they encountered a lady who was sitting outside. The team stayed outside to visit with her. A lengthy conversation developed about her reliance on God and her activities in her church. She said that she knew a Bahá’í in California, and was happy to receive a Bahá’í prayer book.

The team returned to the car to pray and consult about what to do next. They decided to visit a local Bahá’í who had been ill. She was so happy to be visited!

Inviting both strangers and friends to core activities

Here is the second installment of wonderful stories from the recent collective, direct neighborhood teaching effort in Sequim, WA (B). The teaching teams connected with their existing community of interest, invited people they met to join new core activities, shared prayers, and encountered a number of people who plan on investigating the Faith online.

By the way, this is the 500^th story to be posted to the teaching blog! A warm, enthusiastic and huge THANK YOU to all of our readers and contributors whose participation is vital to the blog’s success!

TEAM 3 SUMMARY

Focus: Coffee shop and one apartment unit, member of community of interest attending G’s study circle.

Results: One solid contact, one person will investigate on internet.

Core Activities: Opening to begin a Book 2 study circle. . . .

The team first visited an apartment complex. At one home a young man opened the door. As introductions were being made the team immediately noticed a lady reclining inside the apartment on a couch and they offered to say a healing prayer for her. After entering the apartment, the woman remarked that one of the Baha’is looked very familiar. Suddenly, she realized that she had known him from earlier in her life! This led to a presentation about the core activities and how they are used to help make a better society. She loved the healing prayer. Since she told them that she was an “internet person”, she was left a card with the websites listed on it and she seemed anxious to do some independent investigating.

This team next went to a local coffee shop for a prearranged visit with a contact who has been attending a Book 1 study circle. She is a colleague from one of the team member’s work place. She shared the verses from Book 1 that she loved the most. During this visit the subject shared was the Covenant. During the discussion the contact used many of her favorite quotes from Book 1. Later, she asked what comes after Book 1. She was told . . . Book 2! Both team members concurred that she truly seemed hooked on the Faith.

REFLECTION of team members: On the way to the apartments, the team discussed how hard they found door-to-door teaching to be. However, when they remembered the moving story of the martyr, Sulayman Khan, that was shared at the gathering that morning, it removed all of their trepidation. The feeling was that if Sulayman could go through everything that he did, door-to-door teaching was nothing in comparison!

TEAM 4 SUMMARY

Focus: Visiting houses in a neighborhood

Summary: One complete presentation, One healing prayer

Core Activities: Opening for a Book 1 study circle; possibilities for a junior youth program

PRELUDE: This team initially they headed for an apartment complex, but found signs that said “No Soliciting”. After consultation and prayers, they unanimously agreed to teach in another neighborhood.

The team met a woman who was obviously very sick and pale. She said that she had just gotten out of the hospital and was still fighting off the last bout of an illness. The team gave introductions and asked if she would like them to come back later when she was feeling better. She said, “Oh, yes—please!” One team member offered to say a healing prayer. The team then left after relaying that they hoped she would get better soon.

Another woman shared about her own personal spiritual path. The teaching team explained that Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings outline both a very personal spiritual path and provide an outward-oriented message to unite us all and bring peace to the world. She took some materials and expressed interest in going online to investigate more.

On another street a large number of junior youth had gathered. They were into listening to music on headphones and skateboarding; but they initiated an approach to the teaching team and seemed genuine and very interested and well-mannered. A mother of one of the youths took some information and invited the team to come back another time.

The team then went across the street where they were immediately invited to come in and give the presentation to a man who had recently lost his wife. About midway through the presentation he started asking many questions about life after death. Book 1 was mentioned as a way to find out about the life of the spirit, how to pray, and more about Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings about life after death. Before leaving the team offered to say a prayer for the departed; he read it himself out of the Bahá’í prayer book which was left behind with him.

REFLECTIONS: It is very important to get over your fear of going door-to-door.

Feel the fear and teach anyway!

There’s a saying that the definition of courage is not the absence of fear; courage is feeling the fear and doing the right thing anyway. And that truth is perfectly illustrated by some of the amazing stories in this report from Sequim, WA (B), where the friends (6 teaching teams in all) have just finished a collective, direct teaching effort in a diversity of neighborhoods. As you will see, the organized approach fully involving the local friends set in place a firm foundation for multiplying core activities (see how the teaching team reports explicitly note potential core activities among their results). This first installment of stories highlights the high receptivity that the teams encountered. (Pop quiz: What’s the proper way to pronounce “Sequim”? Residents of “Warshington state” are of course disqualified from responding.)

OVERVIEW

Six teaching teams carried out direct teaching by visiting both apartment complexes and homes. The result was 8 solid contacts and opportunities to either establish core activities or to add souls to the ones already existing. Overall, it was an exhilarating day where all who participated learned that receptivity is beyond our assumptions! . . .

METHOD

We met at 9:30AM at home of a home-front pioneer and started with prayers, which were followed by a story of one of the martyrs to inspire everyone. Then we studied the first paragraph of the Ridvan 2008 message of the Universal House of Justice to remind ourselves of the reason behind our core activities. Lastly we broke into pairs and practiced with each other how to introduce each of the core activities as well as our opening statement when greeting someone.

“My name is ___ and this is my friend ___, we are Bahá’ís and would like to share with you some of the activities Bahá’ís engage in to build more spiritual communities. Bahá’u’lláh tells us to “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in” and “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”

In the afternoon we went to our assigned neighborhoods for a couple of hours and then returned to our host’s home to share and reflect.

(Most teams consisted of two members, one male and one female. At least one team member was a local Bahá’í, who could make follow-up visits to receptive contacts.)

TEAM 1 SUMMARY

Focus: A large, older apartment complex.

Results: Two solid contacts: one complete presentation, one invite back.

Core Activities: Opening for devotionals in contact’s home; opening for contact to attend Book 1 study circle; possibility for Children’s Classes.

This team went to many apartments with initially discouraging results. Many people were not home; others, although courteous, were not interested. However, after visiting perhaps 50 units they came to a receptive soul!

A woman invited the team right in to her home. The Bahá’ís gave a brief general statement on the Faith and then shared an overview presentation. As it progressed, the lady kept saying, “Yes, yes!” and “I’ve always believed that!” The presentation got to the point about how human diversity makes humanity beautiful, just like multi-colored flowers in a garden. She interrupted to inform them that she had even given a talk at her church on the very same subject! The full presentation was shared.

The seeker asked the Bahá’ís to explain how Bahá’u’lláh’s claim to be the Promised One could be valid when Jesus had said that there was no way to the Father except through Him. The teacher explained that this could be understood as similar to a student in school: For a student in the 5^th grade, the 5^th grade teacher’s way is the only way, and that’s how things have to be done. However, when the student advances to the 6^th grade, the student is ready for more knowledge and then the 6^th grade teacher’s way becomes the only way. She was very pleased with this explanation and said that it made perfect sense and cleared that up for her. Then the prayer, “O God refresh and gladden my spirit” was read and she started crying. A prayer book was left with her. She took a declaration card and agreed to a regular prayer session in her home. She was told about study circles and “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit”; she said she would like to attend a study circle. She was told that a local Bahá’í would return and visit her.

This team also encountered another woman who said that she was interested. Children’s classes were mentioned and she seemed even more interested. She asked them to come again another time. She would invite her mother to be present.

REFLECTIONS of one team member: She was initially uncomfortable about direct teaching in neighborhoods and just went along to observe. She realized that she needs to practice giving the presentation on the Faith, but she also saw that she could have answered all of the questions that were asked and so she felt good about that. Her conclusion was that you just have to be brave enough to go and have someone you have confidence in to go with you. This Bahá'í said that as the team was speaking with the very receptive lady they met, she was so happy that she begin to share answers herself, overcoming her shyness.

TEAM 2 SUMMARY

Focus: A new apartment complex.

Results: One solid contact: one complete presentation, one follow-up visit to be made.

Core Activities: Opening for contact to attend Book 1 study circle

A woman in answered the door at the very first home the team visited. The woman identified herself and listened intently to the entire presentation. She asked questions about Christ being the only “way”. The presenter was careful to draw parallels between the Faith and Christianity and she responded extremely well to this, often pointing them out herself. She had her Bible handy and looked up many pertinent passages. All the core activities were discussed and she seemed very interested in each of them. The team obtained her phone and email information to arrange a return visit. She said that she had talked to other religions, but that their explanations had never made any sense to her, and then pointed to one of the Baha’i teachers and said: “what you say makes perfect sense”.

As of 8:54 I am a Baha'i

One of the most inspiring things to observe these days is how the local friends will mobilize to welcome a new believer into the Bahá’í community. In this case, a youth had declared their belief online, so the Seeker Response system regional specialist informed the Local Spiritual Assembly. What follows is an email chain between the LSA secretary and the new believer. The story of his spiritual search and his expression of belief are truly beautiful. Also wonderful is how the local friends reached out to him, lovingly, respectfully, sensitively and warmly; listened to and responded to his needs, and got him connected!

Part 1: Local Spiritual Assembly secretary to new believer

Dear __,

Allah’u’Abha!

I was happy to hear from S that we have a new Bahá’í in our community. I wanted to personally welcome you, sorry it’s by email, I didn’t get your phone number from her.

We would be very happy to meet you. I understand you are a youth, so please let me know if you would also want us to meet with your parents and introduce ourselves. My husband and I would be very glad to do so. . . .

I am not sure how your schedule is right now, so I want to let you know of a few activities we’re having during the next few days in case you are interested in participating.

1. The youth will have a Game Night this Saturday, around 7 pm I think. Let me know if you want to go and if you need a ride.

2. Every Monday we have a devotional gathering at our home. We live about 15 minutes from you. It’s an inter-Faith devotional, meaning anyone and everyone is welcome to come.

3. The next Friday evening is a cluster reflection meeting (“cluster” is where members from across the metro area get together). It will be attended by 30+ people and you would get to meet a lot of the friends.

I hope that this isn’t too much information for you now. We are happy to meet you soon. Let me know if it’s ok to put you on the email list that I send to all members of the local community so that you can get the updates when activities such as the 19 Day Feast and other things occur.

Feel free to call me on my cell or email me back!

Warmest Bahá’í Greetings,

A

Part 2: New believer to LSA secretary

I am very happy that I have been enlightened by God in becoming a Bahá’í. I was wondering if it is possible to interact with the youth via email or social page first so I can accommodate and become familiar with them.

Anyway I’m glad to have connected and I hope to hear from you soon. My phone number is __.

God Bless You.

Part 3: LSA secretary to new believer

Hello __.

Thanks for your phone number. I will tell the youth you want to correspond with them. I’ll send your email to all the youth so you can chit-chat first by email.

My son and his wife live very close to you. I’ll definitely give them your email. I will also call you in the evening.

Looking forward to meeting you.

A

Part 4: New believer to LSA secretary

Hi! I hope all is well with you. J Can’t wait to meet with you guys.

Here’s my testimony:

In the Name of God, The All Loving, The All Compassionate

Everyday of my life since I can remember, which is since 2 ½ years old, I remember having an intimacy with God. And ever since I can remember I felt a void in my life, like something was missing. And even with that void I still loved and sought God. I sought God in art, I sought God in people’s acts of kindness towards me, I sought God within myself. My early life was extremely difficult. All this I remember clearly, and very clearly I remember everything my mother taught me about God. I attended church regularly, and it was there I began to walk with God. I lived as a Christian, and it was hard since I had beliefs that the congregation was against. I believed that all religions were from God in some form or another. Then I began to dabble in Islam. Still, something was missing.

A teacher at my school was a Bahá’í. Everyone else thought she was this annoyingly happy person, who found something great in everything. She never frowned. And she gave her all in teaching. I felt a deep presence of God in her. And one day we heard she went to Israel for two weeks for a pilgrimage. When she came back she told us of her faith, the beliefs, where it was founded, everything. At that moment I literally felt like I had awoken from a deep sleep!

One day the school had a party, everyone was enjoying themselves, except me. I was off sulking somewhere, very melancholy. My teacher approached me and asked me what was wrong. I poured out my heart. I asked her what was it that made her so happy. And she began to tell her story. And for the next three years I began to delve into the Bahá’í teachings. And as of 8:54 pm, I can testify that today I feel no more pain, no more bitterness, no more hate. I no longer have anger towards those that hurt me. And I feel a peace that no words can illustrate the beauty of it!

Part 5: Seeker Response system regional specialist’s comments

I had the wonderful pleasure of talking over the phone with this incredible Bahá’í, who is so deepened, it is unbelievable. He is amazing, and his emails with the LSA secretary conveys his very high spirits. All of the online registrants in the last few days have been in their late teens or 20 or 21. Love to all of you.