UK Community News

Anne Maund, Editor of the BJUK for the past six years with a bouquet of flowers presented to her by the NSA on her retiral. Editorial Since this is my first issue of the Bahá'í Journal UK, my first task is to pay tribute to the outstanding work done by my predecessor, Anne Maund. Over the years Anne has, in her own inimitable style, made the Bahá'í Journal UK one of the world's leading Bahá'í periodicals, and developed a production system that runs with the efficiency and accuracy of a well-oiled clock _ one which I'm sure will continue to serve the Journal for many years to come. Anne is going to be a hard act to follow. However, she's promised that she will continue to provide assistance to the present Editor whenever the need arises, thank goodness. As always, the Journal is interested to hear from. Please send your work, thoughts, letters and articles to the address on the cover. "New Ed"

Key Meetings for Bahá'ís

A local Bahá'í couple have been privileged to take part in two important meetings.

Dr Bibhas Neogi and his wife Carolyn travelled first to Southport for the first annula meeting of the Bahá'í Auxiliary Board.

The Bahá'í administration has two arms the elected assemblies which take care of the spiritual and practical affairs of each community, and the appointed Continental Board of Counsellors with their Auxiliary Board members in each country, with assistants for each area. Bibhas and Carolyn are assistants.

The meeting should have taken place in September but was cancelled due to petrol shortages.

This was fortuitous since the 10 Auxiliary Board members for England, Scotland and Wales, and the Counsellor for England (Mr Shariar Rezavi of Winchester) were now fresh back from the Holy Land where they had attended the opening of the International Teaching Centre on Mount Carmel.

Each member told moving stories and anecdotes from this mighty convocation, with counsellors from evry corner of the globe coming together for the first time, some making incredible journies through forests and minefields before they could even begin their journey to Israel.

The second weekend was spent at the Bahá'í Centre in Liverpool, arranged by the Bahá'í Association for Social and Economic Development (BASED-UK) of which Bibhas is an executive committee member.

The weekend was spent discussing the spiritual dimensions of SED and there were presentations from those who have worked in Bahá'í schools, medical centres, orphanages and forestry projects in India, South America and Africa as well as local community projects in this country.

Information on the Bahá'í International Community and BASED-UK is available on www.bahai.org/uk/godalming.

Southwark Tranquillity Zones...

...are being held in Southwark thanks to the Southwark Bahá'í Community.

The Tranquillity Zones help people to "discover an oasis of calm and well-being for body, mind and soul." They are held at Peckham Library, 167 Peckham Hill Street, London SE 15 on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 3:00 PM.

They are booked for the 17th of March, the 21st of April, the 19th of May, the 16th of June and the 21st of July. Entry is free. There is a prompt start, and refreshments are served.

Mayor of Derry Presents Special Award To Bahá'ís

A delegation from the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Londonderry met the city's Mayor, Councillor Cathal Crumley, in the city's historic Guildhall on February 20 to be awarded a "Quaypin" for the Bahá'í Community.

Quaypins are sculpted awards made from the timbers and structure of the city's old quayside, from which many emigrant ships left for the New World, and which were recently brought to light during redevelopment work.

In the words of the citation they are "...an award presented in the new millennium by the Mayor to those who have made a significant contribution to our city" and "symbolize a new departure from the old, divided ways into a new, inclusive city".

The Bahá'ís were one of a small number of groups being presented with the award for their work for the wider community.

158BE will be the 25th anniversary of a Local Spiritual Assembly in Slough and we intend to celebrate in style.

On Saturday 28th July we will be hosting a reunion night for all those who have ever been connected with the community.

As well as being a reunion for Bahá'ís it will also be a celebration of the cultural diversity of Slough, allowing us to encourage all our non Bahá'í friends, Members of Parliament, the press and other interested parties to attend.

For details and maps, please contact Rosina Thorpe on 01753 571290.

Memorial Service in Kettering

A memorial service to reflect on those suffering or perished in the recent earthquake in India was held in Kettering on Sunday 11 February.

I believe that it was the first truly inter-Faith service ever held in Kettering. It was beautiful and moving to see such cooperation and participation from Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Bahá'ís and those of no organised Faith.

There was great fellowship and warmth. The MP and mayor were present with their spouses.

Reunion in Slough

25th Anniversary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Slough.

This is a call to anyone who has ever had any (however slight!) connection with the Slough community to get in touch.

A Bahá'í Centre for Bristol

For many years, the Bristol Bahá'í Community has been on the lookout for an appropriate place to buy and use as our own centre.

At the end of last year, a building was purchased in the Lawrence Hill area near the city centre. After months of complete refurbishment, the centre was officially opened on the 25th February 2001 by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, accompanied by Doug Naysmith MP, Peter Hume from the National Spiritual Assembly, and other dignitaries from in and around Bristol.

Two articles appeared in the local press: "New Centre for Faith in the Future" and "Bahá'í Jove! All Welcome". BBC Radio Bristol also broadcasted a short interview with two members of the community a week before the opening.

Bristol Bahá'í Centre is on three floors: a large room in the basement for children's activities, the main meeting room on the ground floor with an office and library, and on the top floor, another meeting room, a kitchen and another room which will be a tranquillity zone.

What are our plans?

We aim to have activities, which we can invite the neighbouring community to. Prayer breakfasts once a month, youth meetings, and tranquillity zone sessions throughout the week, coffee mornings and possibly our own Mother and Toddler group.

If you would like to know more about the Centre, please call 0117 9552232 or contact us on: bristollsa@mail.com
 

Bahá'í Film on show at Arizona State University.

Young Bahá'í filmaker, Gita Farid, has had her latest project, "The Wayfarer's Journey", installed in the Art Museum of Arizona State University.

Running for two weeks up to the 5th May, "The Wayfarer's Journey" is a short,16mm film set to music from the World Congress.

The theme is taken from The Seven Valleys and depicts the Valley of Knowledge and the story of Layli and Majnun.

The film is an installation at the Experimental Gallery which is part of the museum, and plays on a continuous loop.

John Spiak, the Curatorial Museum Specialist at ASU Art Museum, described Gita's film as "amazing" and highly recommends a visit to the film's website, http://asuam.fa.asu.edu/farid/main.htm.

Gita graduated from London College of Fashion, England, and went on to study at the New York Film Academy and with the Korean Independent Film Association

She asks that her dear friends in the UK pray for the teaching possibilities for the show, as up to 50,000 people will be attending the University during its run.
 

The Mayor of Sutton with representatives of the Local Assembly: Mrs F Khalili, Mrs S Hobson, Ms A Mohayeri and Mrs M Fallah

Sutton LSA meets Mayor

Members of Sutton LSA met with Councillor Lal Hussein MBE, the Mayor of Sutton, recently, to commemorate the Birthday of Bahá'u'lláh.

He was presented with a flower arrangement and the book, "Meditations of the Blessed Beauty".

In turn each of those present was given a special badge with Sutton's Coat of Arms.

The visitors' book was signed with quotations from the Writings in Persian and English, and the Mayor agreed to be present at the Assembly's Naw Rúz celebrations.

Wycombe Arts Festival Wycombe Bahá'í Community will be hosting an evening as part of the Arts Festival, in the Spring Gardens Art Centre, High Wycome on Sunday, May 20th at 8 pm, entitled "The Wayfarer's Journey". Tickets cost £5.00 (including Persian style refreshments) For information and tickets contact: Payman Sabeti or Wycombesway Box Office (Tel: 0149 4512000) Jodie Ward - Come on Down! Congratulations to Jodie Ward, aged 12, from Doncaster who raised £99 in a sponsored silence which she lovingly donated to the National Fund. The Local Assembly of Doncaster were very inspired at the response of such a young person to the NSA's plea for funds. Naw Rúz Party in Caerphilly We in Caerphilly celebrated our Naw Rúz with a party in Llabradach community centre on Sunday March 25th. We were very happy to see so many had joined us from all over Wales. Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Monmouth, Carmarthen, Swansea, Rhondda, Abercarn & Hereford. Many thanks for all the people that came, Bahá'ís and friends and entered into the wonderful spirit of things . Why does time go so quickly when we are enjoying ourselves? I must say a big thank you to our committee who organised it and all who helped to make it such a success. With all my love, Beatrice Kent, Kamyar, Meena, Ali Solhjoo.

Seeing the Wood for the Trees If "great oaks from little acorns grow", then so can one good idea take a life of its own! Tunbridge Wells Community had expressed a keenness to plant a tree for the Millennium Year. We duly approached the Borough Council, and were disappointed to learn that the expense was prohibitive. Our alternative idea of donating a park bench was even more expensive so we turned instead to exploring the idea of becoming conservation volunteers, with the result that instead of planting one expensive sapling, we found ourselves involved in planting a small wooded area (106 small trees) _ at no expense to ourselves. Most areas have environmental projects which are an oppurtunity to serve the community and meet like-minded people _ and it can be fun! Stella Tester, Dee Caines and Adam Tester tree-planting in Carnbrook, Kent.