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NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
National Conference 2000
Friday 10th -
Sunday 12th November Scarborough Spa Complex
ENDS AND BEGINNINGS
committed to
growth, prepared to learn
The
National Spiritual Assembly warmly invites you to a conference not to be
missed!
Guest
Speakers: Counsellor Patrick O'Mara and Counsellor Sohrab Youssefian
Last
year we began by building our future as a community, making our mark and
strengthening our Covenant with God. This year will not only be a celebration
of our past achievements, but much more!
Ends
and Beginnings is a conference designed to be interactive, in a different style
to previous experiences, appealing to all, whilst placing greater emphasis on
our precious children and youth. What will make this conference special?
Considering
the inevitable growth in these Islands in the years to come, there are pressing
challenges to face. This conference will address those challenges through
inspiring and informative presentations from the Counsellors, National
Spiritual Assembly, and friends around
the country.
More
details will be in Bahá'í Journal UK,
October issue.
Scarborough
Tourist Information - Tel: 01723 373333
For
enquiries please contact: National Conference Committee Tel: 020 7584 2566 Fax:
020 7584 9402 e-mail: mailto:angela.tidswell@bahai.org.uk
Rural boundary changes - what's happening?
Many
of us know by now that in the more rural areas of the United Kingdom, the
Bahá'í "map" is being re-drawn so that each Local Spiritual Assembly
will cover a more truly "local" area.
Is
it a good idea?
The
UK Bahá'í community have received guidelines from the the Universal House of Justice,
which "God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all
error". (1) In other words, we
know that this change has the blessing of Almighty God, and that the changes
will benefit us. We can be quite sure
it's a good idea!
Why
change?
The
Universal House of Justice has determined that the time is ripe for us to
follow more closely the instruction of Bahá'u'lláh, as explained in a letter to our National
Assembly: "...the Bahá'í principle is that a Local Spiritual Assembly
should be established in every town and city." (2) At present in the more
rural areas of the UK, Local Assemblies often cover several distinct large
towns, whereas they really ought to be "based on what are commonly
conceived by the general public to be separate town or village
communities". (3)
What
if there are very few Bahá'ís in the area?
We
have been told that this change "should not be based on mere convenience
in relation to the Bahá'í population.
It should be based on objective factors of clear geographical boundaries and
generally accepted towns of the civil population". We are planning for the future - "Thus, they (boundaries) should not have to
be changed as the Bahá'í population
grows." (4)
Won't
we miss each other when we become separate communities?
Only
if we don't get together! The concept
of "Area Growth Programmes" was mentioned in the Ridván message. This involves communities consulting
together, praying together, serving together.
There are no boundaries to activities such as devotional gatherings,
deepenings, service projects, meetings for fellowship, and firesides. We'll be
able to become travel-teachers by just going to the next town!
Who
benefits?
Well,
the Bahá'í Faith is for everyone, so ultimately every soul benefits. Those who enter the Faith in rural parts
will belong to a more natural local community, where they can more easily weave
bonds of fellowship and come together for worship and service.
Those
who long to teach the Faith will benefit from a more local focus for their efforts
- after all, we know from experience that smaller, local projects have better
success in attracting souls.
Furthermore,
any Bahá'í who fully supports the decisions of the House of Justice and the
National Assembly will benefit spiritually because this is a sign of firmness in the Covenant, and has its own
blessings. "Be ye assured with the greatest assurance that, verily, God
will help those who are firm in His Covenant in every matter." (5)
1.
'Abdu'l-Bahá: Will and Testament, p14
2.
Letter from the House of Justice to the NSA-UK, 15th Sept '96
3.
ibid.
4.
ibid.
5.
'Abdu'l-Bahá: Power of Divine
Assistance, p210
Child Protection Guidelines
The
National Spiritual Assembly has revised and expanded its guidelines for the protection
of children and young people which must be followed for residential events,
Bahá'í community schools, etc.
Copies
are available on request from the National Spiritual Assembly, at 27 Rutland
Gate, London, SW7 1PD.
It
is extremely important that organisers of Bahá'í events which include
children's classes make themselves familiar with these guidelines and ensure
they are followed.
New compilation available electronically
The
new compilation from the Universal House of Justice, "The Importance of
Obligatory Prayer and Fasting", is available electronically in the
following ways:
It
has been published on the National Spiritual Assembly's Website and can be
visited at: http://www.bahai.org.uk/writings
A
formatted e-copy (PDF file - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) is available from
the National Assembly. Please send an e-mail to: mailto:resources@bahai.org.uk
Administrative rights
With
deep regret the National Spiritual Assembly announces that the following
individuals have had their administrative rights removed.
Mr
Mehendran Chelvachanaran of Stevenage: for active involvement in politics.
Mr
Martin Jones of Carmarthenshire: for active involvement in politics.
Office
of the Treasurer Bridge House, 97-101 High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1DP Tel: 01732
369745 e-mail: mailto:treasury@bahai.org.uk
The situation of the National Fund
One
of the basic concepts underlying the practice of giving to the Bahá'í Fund is
that every believer is left entirely free to determine the amount of his or her
contribution. Furthermore, a
distinctive feature of this obligation is that a single coin contributed by a
believer of little means is as precious as a large sum contributed by a wealthy
believer. Thus, although amounts are
not prescribed, a measure does exist, namely, the spirit of sacrifice and love
with which an offering is made. No one,
of course, has the right to judge the degree of sacrifice of another. But each of us must reflect in our own heart
on the mystery of sacrifice when determining the level of our contributions. In
the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá: "Until a being setteth his foot in the plane of
sacrifice, he is bereft of every favour and grace; and this plane of sacrifice
is the realm of dying to the self, that the radiance of the living God may then
shine forth." (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p76)
The
importance of universal participation
Over
the past few years, the proportion of believers contributing regularly (defined
by the National Spiritual Assembly as once per calendar month) to the National
Fund remained under 1%. Further, only
50% of Local Spiritual Assemblies regularly supported the National Fund. This continued to be the case in the first
third of this financial year and remains a source of deep concern to the National Assembly. The value of universal
participation cannot be overestimated:
in terms of the target set for donations to the National Fund during
this financial year, the National Assembly notes that it would require the
following level of contributions to achieve this ambitious but vital goal:
* £8 per adult per month * £70 per Local Spiritual Assembly per month
* £7 per Group per month
The
National Spiritual remains confident that these goals are well within the reach
of the friends in the United Kingdom.
Tax-efficient
giving to the Fund now even easier
The
National Spiritual Assembly wholeheartedly welcomes the Gift Aid scheme which
came into effect on 6th April 2000.
Local Assembly Treasurers have been urged to promote this new method of
tax-efficient giving to the Fund which is designed to replace the practice of
covenanting donations by income tax paying believers. There are number of advantages to the new Gift Aid scheme
including:
the
abolition of the minimum limit of £250 as Gift Aid donations (this means that
donations of as little as £5 from tax payers can now be treated as Gift Aid
contributions) the need to fill in only one form to cover all future donations
under the scheme
Next
month - Issues to do with the Gift Aid scheme.
The
Office of the Treasurer
Mr
Farzin Yourtchi now serves as Financial Manager and is responsible for the
day-to-day running of the Office and management of the financial affairs of the
Faith under the supervision of the Treasurer of the National Spiritual
Assembly, Dr Kishan Manocha. The staff at the Office of the Treasurer are
always willing to answer queries with regard to any aspect of the National Fund
or the Funds of the Faith in general.
Requests for a visit from the Spirit and Form team should also be
addressed to the Office.
Bahá'í
Information Office Third Floor, Bridge House, 97-101 High Street,Tonbridge,
Kent TN9 1DP Tel: 01732 369694, Fax: 01732 369733 e-mail: mailto:bio@bahai.org.uk
World Citizenship paper
"A Vision
of World Citizenship is Essential for the Effectiveness of Sustainable
Development and Environmental Protection - A Wake-up Call for the World's
Travel and Tourism Industry"
This
paper, by Peter McAlpine of Mahidol University, Thailand, is written from a
Bahá'í standpoint even though the Faith is not mentioned, and is an interesting
and useful item for those involved in Agenda 21 activities, promotion of world
citizenship, etc. To obtain a copy (hard copy) contact the Bahá'í Information
Office. SAE appreciated as always.
National Convention report available
The
full report for National Convention 157 BE including the Convention resolutions
and National Spiritual Assembly responses, is now available in the following
ways:
On
the National Assembly's Website at: http://www.bahai.org.uk/admin/natconv157
In hard copy from the National Office:
27
Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD Tel: 020 7584 2566, Fax: 020 7584 9402 or e-mail: mailto:resources@bahai.org.ukwith
your postal address In electronic form as a PDF file (requires Adobe Acrobat
Reader) by e-mail: mailto:resources@bahai.org.uk
Local Assembly responsibility - registration records
Local
Spiritual Assemblies are reminded that they should be maintaining a local
register of births, marriages, divorces and deaths. The register should be
something permanent, such as a book or notebook. Groups might also wish to
begin this practice.
Such
a register should record
for
births: * the full name of the child born * the full names of the parents * the
date of birth * the place of birth
for
marriages: * the full name of the bride * the full names of her parents * the
full name of the groom * the full names of his parents * the full names of the
witnesses * the date of the wedding * the place of the wedding
for
divorces: * the full name of the wife * the full name of the husband * the date
of the marriage * the date of commencement of year of patience * the date of
the divorce
for
deaths: * the full name of the deceased * the date of death * the place of
death * the date of the funeral * the place the deceased is buried
These
details should also be passed to the Records Office of the National Spiritual
Assembly.
Such
records are not only important in themselves, they will also provide a useful
resource for future historians.
BIO urges local communities - "please send us your
press cuttings!"
Going on Pilgrimage?
Even
if not soon, please bear this in mind for when you are
Whether
it is a full pilgrimage or a three-day visit you will want to share the
experience with the people in your area. A press lead (suggested press release)
is available to help you prepare a report for your local media the
"pilgrimage with a difference" story is often of great interest to a
readership who associate the Holy Land with Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth.
To
obtain a copy please contact the National Spiritual Assembly at 27 Rutland
Gate, London, SW7 1PD.
National Assembly Secretary to chair influential interfaith
body
The
National Spiritual Assembly is happy to share the news that its Secretary, Mr
Barney Leith, has been chosen as Chair of the United Kingdom and Ireland
chapter of the World Conference on Religions and Peace. This development with
an influential interfaith body is a further indication of the status of the
Bahá'í Faith in these circles.
Some notes on Bahá'í proofs based on the Qur'an
Islam
is growing in this country and throughout the West. In the UK it is now the
second-largest religious community, and one reason for its growth is its
missionary outreach into the wider community. Bahá'ís are therefore
increasingly likely to have to interface with Muslims and they should know
something about Islam and the Qur'an. After all, this holy book foretells the
coming of our own religion.
"They
must ... approach reverently and with a mind purged from preconceived ideas the
study of the Qur'an which, apart from the sacred scriptures of the Babí and
Bahá'í Revelations, constitutes the only Book which can be regarded as an
absolutely authenticated Repository of the Word of God." (Shoghi Effendi -
"The Advent of Divine Justice", p49)
Of
course there is a need for wisdom in teaching Muslims and the Friends should
bear this in mind. If you have any doubts you should refer to your local
Assembly's "Notes for Guidance" or contact the National Spiritual
Assembly.
The
National Assembly is happy to make available "Some notes on Bahá'í proofs
based on the Qur'an" as an aid both to increasing our own knowledge and to
wise teaching. It was prepared for use in Africa some years ago and has proved
its usefulness in many places and on many occasions.
Because
of its format this document is only available in hard copy. It can be obtained
on request from the Bahá'í Information Office, at the address above.