UK COMMUNITY NEWS

Nina Robarts - a memorable summer visit to the UK

The United Kingdom this summer had the unqualified bounty of a visit by Nina and her husband Ken from Quebec where Nina had been secretary to her late father, Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts for thirty years.

Opening with the visit she made to Sidcot Summer School in August, Nina went on to make similar presentations about her father’s life at the Bahá’í Academy for the Arts, at an evening meeting in Manchester, continuing up to York for the family Summer School at Ampleforth, the returned to London for a fireside and then on to Sussex for an open day. On each occasion Nina inspired and delighted the friends who were totally enraptured by stories about her father and his life as a Hand of the Cause. Moving us to tears and laughter Nina recalled the importance of the presence of the Hands - only three of whom are still living - and particularly their unique role during those interim years when it was they who had the sole responsibility of ensuring that the Faith was safely transferred from the Hands of the Guardian when he died into the hands of the newly elected Universal House of Justice.

Many hearts were touched by Nina’s love for her father and for the friends themselves. Many were moved to a deeper understanding of the meaning of prayer and the importance of the Covenant and felt that listening to the presentation had changed their lives, giving them more courage and a new focus.

If you missed Nina’s presentations, she will be back again, speaking at National Conference in Scarborough.

Cecilia Smith

During her talk at Sidcot Summer School Nina Robarts quoted the following passage:

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words to Lua Getsinger

Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee. I am sending thee to India to accomplish certain definite results. Thou must enter that country with a never-failing spiritualiy, a radiant faith, an eternal enthusiasm, an inextinguishable fire, a solid conviction, in order that thou mayest achieve those services for which I am sending thee. Let not thy heart be troubled. If thou goest away with this unchanging condition of invariability of inner state, thou shalt see the doors of confirmation open before they face, thy life will be a crown of heavenly roses, and thou shall find thyself in the highest station of triumph.

Strive day and night to attain to this exalted state. Look at Me! Thou dost not know a thousandth part of the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable passes that rise daily before my eyes. I do not heed them; I am walking in my chosen highway; I know the destination. Hundreds of storms and tempests may rage furiously around my head; hundreds of Titanics may sink to the bottom of the sea, the mad waves may rise to the roof of heaven; all these will not change my purpose, will not disturb me in the least; I will not look either to the right or to the left. I am looking ahead, far far. Peering throught the impenetrable darkness of the night, the howling winds, the raging storms. I see the glorious Light beckoning me forward, forward. The balmy weather is coming, and the voyager shall land safely.

Kurat-el-Ayn (Tahirih) had attained to this supreme state. When they brought her the terrible news of the martyrdom of the Baha’is, she did not waver; it did not make any difference to her; she also had chosen her path, she knew her goal, and when they imparted to her the news of her impending death, noone could see any trace of sorrow in her face; she was rather happier.

Although she never cared for dress, that day she wore her best white silk dress and jewelry and perfumed herself with the most fragrant attar of roses. She hailed the chamber of death as a happy bride entering the nuptial bower of the bridegroom.

To this lofty summit of unchanging purpose thou must attain; like Kurat-el-Ayn, nothing must shake thy firm faith.

The day began with the holding of exhibitions, stalls, video presentations, drama workshops, and a tranquility zone, in the hugely impressive and grand splendour of St. George’s Hall, in the heart of Liverpool City centre. The main hall was draped with colourful banners kindly provided by friends across the UK. Video presentations, drama workshops and a tranquility zone, were professionally arranged by friends in the region. Many hundreds of people lent their support and participted.

One delightful moment of the day was the release of 100 balloons by a local Bahá’í child on the steps of St. George’s Hall, (as pictured in last month’s Bahá’í Journal UK). Notable dignitaries who attended included the Mayor of Sefton, who spent much time in the tranquility zone and didn’t want to leave!

The evening presentation, attended by over 300 people, was a rich combination of music from the Swans, One World Rhythm, and the talented Kincade family, and drama from north east England youth dance group, Express Freedom. Mark Talbot, member of the Spiritual Assembly of Liverpool and the Centenary Committee, gave a brief introduction of the Faith and a glimpse of its history in North West England, including the memorable visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Liverpool in 1912. Kay Hughes did a fantastic job as comperé for the evening.

The Centenary Committee would like to pay a tribute to all the friends who tirelessly gave their support to this event over the many months of planning.

Every September the Castlefield arena plays host to an outdoor family festival. In years gone by this has provided a good opportunity for the Bahá’ís of Manchester to present the Faith to large numbers of people and provide information.

Having built up friendly relations with other ‘regulars’, the scene was set for an effective campaign of proclamation. And we did not disappoint. The Bahá’í stall, a vision of purple satin and treasure troves containing gems of the holy scriptures, entranced all who stood before it.

As the hours passed, many people came to the stall and selected trinkets of the spirit. The only thing that really stood between the stall and mass conversion was the refreshment and sweet stall either side. We endeavour to find a more strategic position for next year!

Marcus Bent, Manchester teaching committee

On Sunday 15th August 1999 I had the privilege of being one of the readers taking part in the prepared programme, organised by the Church Forum of Omagh. Sixty people of all ages and denominations participated in the very dignified and moving remembrance ceremony.

Of the many emotions I experienced on the day, the most heartwarming and encouraging was the unity and respect the clergy had for each other, and how they worked to produce such an inspirational and appropriate programme.

Even though my reading was not from Bahá’í scripture, the day produced unbelievable opportunities to talk about the Faith. These were brought about not by me, but by the clergy and the Chairman of Health Trust, who introduced me to the others as a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

I felt that the sacrifice of the dear souls one year ago was not in vain, as it has brought about a remarkable respect and unity, especially among the young people. Please remember us all in your prayers.

Rustam Jamshidi, Omagh

"I bet there’ll be no one else my age there", said my 13-year-old son when I suggested breaking with tradition by going to Ampleforth Summer School instead of Sidcot, which we had attended every year since it started and all loved. So, on 22nd August we trevelled by train to Thirsk station, expecting to have to take a taxi the remaining 13 miles to Ampleforth. However, we were approached by a friendly lady who, it turned out, lived near Ampleforth and invited all four of us to pile into her small car in which she already had her young grandson. Naturally she wanted to know why we were going to Ampleforth College. We explained and asked if she had heard of the Bahá’í Faith. She laughed. Oh yes she had - her daughter in Canada was a Bahá’í! She was amazed to hear that a Bahá’í Summer School was taking place a few miles from her home.

I had not expected such a spectacular setting. Ampleforth College buildings were extensive and set in huge grounds with magnificent views. I had wondered what accommodation would be like in a boy’s boarding school - we had single bedrooms with a sink and even a mirror!

We were almost the first to arrive at the Summer School. "I told you there’d be no one else", said my son. We sat outside in the warm sunshine and soon more people arrived. Old friends met again, new friendships began to form and the atmosphere of a true Bahá’í school was under way. At some point on that first afternoon I realised my son was no longer around - other youth had come and he too was busy making new friends.

There is so much to remember about this School. Perhaps the staff had been told that Bahá’ís like their food. The meals were wonderful. Fortunately the refectory was at the top of a hill - made us feel less guilty about the amount we were eating. The spiritual food was equally nourishing. Nina Robarts’ inspiring account of her father’s life, tranquility zones, singing an old Gaelic melody with the choir, stand out in my mind as I look back. An added dimension to this school was provided by the spiritual tradition of the monks who lived at the College. Many of us attended some of their beautiful services in the College Chapel and listened to their singing. On the final day Father Cuthbert spoke to us about the monastic life.

I am full of admiration for the organisers of this school. I left feeling my spiritual batteries had been recharged. Thank you everyone who worked so hard! As my son and I set off home, his first question was "Can we come to Ampleforth next year? We’ll be there. See you then.

Jenny Jay

The holy words of Bahá’u’lláh were read out on Radio 4’s programme ‘Home Truths’ with John Peel on Saturday 2nd October to an audience of a few million listeners. The subject of life after death was brought up in the previous week’s programme and it seemed most appropriate to send the following quote:

"The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother." (Bahá’í Holy Writings).

So come the time of the programme I just remembered that I had sent the e-mail in and so I put the radio on. I thought the item had been referred to and my message was not going to be used, so I turned the radio off. Then a friend rang to say that it had been used, so I turned the radio back on. Bit pointless really, but then Jan Mughrabi’s voice appeared telling a ‘shaggy dog’ story. I heard from Jan later that she had quite a conversation with John Peel about the Faith.

Who would have thought such a run of events would have occurred? There again anything is possible. All we have to do is try and make our mark.

John Neal

The sun came out to shine in full splendour on the Greater London Centenary celebrations on 4th - 5th September - a weekend of events organised by the appointed working party for the Council for England.

The Mayor of Barnet and Deputy Mayor of Brent were among many who were warmly welcomed into a large marquee in Clissold Park, Hackney. An exhibition display highlighted the landmarks of development in the British Bahá’í community throughout this "Century of Light".

With good cheer and humour abounding, the atmosphere was one of relaxed mood as Bahá’ís and their friends basked in the last remnants of the summer sun. A mystical flavour was provided by wafting melodies from a Persian instrument, the santour. Later in the day, family fun was arranged for parents and kids, who were invited to take part in wacky athletic races, and other fun and games guaranteed to get the hearts racing.

As the sun set on the weekend festivities, the curtains were rising on stage at the Hackney Empire Theatre. With several notable dignitaries in attendance, and an audience of over one thousand packing the theatre, the evenings dramatisation provided a stunning rendition of key events in the historical unfolding of the Bahá’í Faith in the British Isles.

performing from the framework of a script written principally by Annabel Knight, the evening’s performance represented the collective effort of a Bahá’í theatre group, calling themselves ‘The Company’. Within a remarkable timescale of no more than ten weeks they had explored working methods, experimented with the process of creating the dramatisation, and found time to rehearse and for many rehearsing was limited to time spent at the week-long Bahá’í Arts Academy.

‘The Company’, formed with around twenty players, comprised professionals and amateurs working side by side. Supported by a fantastic technical crew, individual talent was clearly guided to potential under the direction of Beverley Evans. Dance theatre director Arlette George, co-directing, also clearly made her mark.Clever lighting compensated for a minumum of props. A presentation of slides, projected with stunning effect onto the backdrop, created a moving and sometimes subtle reference to personalities and events leaving their mark on this century. The use of music and mime, at times satirical, at times severe, interspersed with more classical dramatisation created a blend of modern improvisation.

As the diversity and colour of British Bahá’í heritage unfolded the audience was carried through fictitious and light-hearted scenes, into more grave emotional reminders of events that have shaped the heart of Bahá’í history in this country, such as the passing of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

Alongside the sense of general celebration we feel at having reached the milestone of one hundred years, the evening’s entertainment aroused in many a sense of respect and affection for the efforts and services of those who have gone before us. And perhaps more to the point, the presentation provided a poignant reflection of our Bahá’í community in other ways; that whatever stumbling blocks we find ourselves up against, we are not afraid to pick ourselves up and carry on growing. It’s also great to be reminded that we are able, amidst extraordinary circumstances at times, to raise a positive sense of humour; particularly in regard to our human frailties, biscuit obsessions, and love of the Persian culture.

Michele Wilburn