Deepening, May 30

Deepening on May 30, 2012

7:30 pm

At the Miller Residence

176 Alta Dr, La Selva Beach

Purpose: Deepening with the intent of applying the guidance to the work in our cluster.

Our first focus will the be based on the 2012 Ridvan Letter

Leave a comment if you can make it.

This past weekend (second weekend of the expansion phase) teachers were present in the Apartments, on 5th, 6th, Landis, Carey, Pennsylvania, and Clifford Avenues in Watsonville.  Some people end up being too busy, but others are very interested in learning more about the programs we are dedicated to in the neighborhood. 

Schedule

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

Saturday, May 19: Teaching in neighborhoods

Sunday, May 20: Teaching in neighborhoods, follow-up visits

Sunday, May 20 (evening): Teacher reflection meeting, planning meeting for upcoming deepening.

Wednesday, May 30: 'Deepening with an Outcome-based Perspective' - Miller residence

(Cover image credit: Nabil K.)

Youth to Start 2012 Garden Project

Just a quick photo of Watsonville junior youth animators and participants, consulting on the early stages of planning their new spring gardens.  At this point, junior youth have planted new bulbs and seedlings for flowers, tomatoes, beans, carrots, lettuce, and peppers.

Weekend teaching

Below is one of the pictures the children's class colored this past week.  I'll be posting more in the coming weeks.

Last weekend 3 teams were able to go teaching in neighborhoods on Saturday and 1 was able on Sunday.  This weekend teams delivered invitations and held the first devotional in 'el cuartito', the room at Garden Hill where children's classes and junior youth groups meet.  Prayers were said for the neighborhood efforts, songs were sung, and the little room looked really nice.

Next weekend we will meet again!  Until then...

25,000 signatures

The Education Under Fire campaign raised over 25,000 signatures on petitions to top Iranian officials in the cause of education equality for Iranian Bahais!  This is a huge accomplishment.  If you didn't get a chance to add your name, the campaign is still accepting additional signatories.  See http://educationunderfire.com/ for more information.

Prayer for Teaching

Here is the new prayer for this 3-month cycle.  The preface states, "Let whosoever travels to different parts to teach, peruse over mountain, desert, land and sea this supplication." Perhaps as we ourselves teach, we can reflect on this prayer further:

O God! O God! Thou seest my weakness, lowliness and humility before Thy creatures; nevertheless, I have trusted in Thee and have arisen in the promotion of Thy teachings among Thy strong servants, relying on Thy power and might.

O Lord! I am a broken-winged bird and desire to soar in Thy limitless space. How is it possible for me to do this save through Thy providence and grace, Thy confirmation and assistance.

O Lord! Have pity on my weakness, and strengthen me with Thy power. O Lord! Have pity on my impotence, and assist me with Thy might and majesty.

O Lord! Should the breath of the Holy Spirit confirm the weakest of creatures, he would attain all to which he aspireth and would possess anything he desireth. Indeed, Thou hast assisted Thy servants in the past and, though they were the weakest of Thy creatures, the lowliest of Thy servants and the most insignificant of those who lived upon the earth, through Thy sanction and potency they took precedence over the most glorious of Thy people and the most noble of mankind. Whereas formerly they were as moths, they became as royal falcons, and whereas before they were as brooks, they became as seas, through Thy bestowal and Thy mercy. They became, through Thy most great favor, stars shining on the horizon of guidance, birds singing in the rose gardens of immortality, lions roaring in the forests of knowledge and wisdom, and whales swimming in the oceans of life. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

What kind of Bahá'í are you?

Here is a recording of a short talk given by Kaiser Barnes in the Netherlands.  "What kind of a Bahá'í are you?"



Enjoy.

3rd Weekend of Expansion Phase

This Saturday the three teams pictured above met friends new and old in the neighborhoods of Santa Cruz county.  We spoke primarily about the expansion of junior youth groups in the area and the opportunities available to local youth interested in moderating and facilitating these new groups.  As more 12-14 year old's enter the spiritual empowerment program and prepare for a life of service to humanity, the groundswell of souls who walk alongside one another in this Cause of Unity expands ever greater and greater.

In the evening a number of youth met to discuss and reflect on the life of the spirit.  They read quotes, sang songs, and shared fellowship in an atmosphere full of love and joy in this divine process.

2nd weekend of Expansion Phase

The progress of the campaign to find new friends is steadily unfolding.  One of the main goals of this outreach is to augment the neighborhood children's and junior youth activities with new facilitators.  The campaign aims to introduce the process of service for the community-at-large and, by extension, all of humanity, alongside a brief introduction to the purpose and teachings of the Bahá'í Faith.  This two-fold purpose in our interactions is assisted by a constant attention to friendship for all who cross our paths and is galvanized by a complete reliance upon divine aid.

This weekend we again felt welcomed by those we met in the neighborhoods.  With children playing in yards, youth visiting one another's homes, and families gathering to relax with one another, the community life we found was strong.  Some neighbors, though, also expressed apprehension about the future, unsure of what the economy, jobs, and the housing market had in store.  Being out on the sidewalks reminds us of the importance of sharing this message and offering these opportunities for service. 

We will be continuing this process throughout the week, mostly in the evenings, as we learn with others about how to create a united world.  If you would like to join us, we would love to accompany one another on this path.  With much love,

NC15 ATC

Education Under Fire

If you haven't signed the petition on Education under Fire in Iran, take a look and consider taking this action.  The organizers are looking for 25,000 signatures and they have just passed the 10,000 mark.  If you have signed the petition, they are asking that we spread the message through social media or by talking with those in our social networks.  Cheers!

First teaching weekend IPG#13

The first teaching weekend of Santa Cruz county's teaching campaign resulted open invitations to join the Bahá'ís in activities for children, junior youth, and study groups for youth and adults who are interested in learning more about serving humanity and the communities.  All are welcome to learn more about the Bahá'í Faith and to work alongside the Bahá'í community in building a new world. 

We started the day on Saturday and Sunday early in the morning with 30-45 minutes of prayers, then breakfast, and then memorizing a long quote about teaching from Ruhi Book 6 (above).  Around 9:30am we planned the day, split into teaching teams, and went out to the neighborhoods for a couple hours.  At 1pm we stopped for lunch, generously provided by the LSA of Santa Cruz county central.  At 2pm we went back out and then came back to reflect on the day's activities in the evening.  Later in the evening a small meeting was hosted to introduce the Bahá'í Faith some more as well as the Junior Youth spiritual empowerment program.

Sunday had the same schedule, though we stopped a little earlier in the day.

With love and thanksgiving for all the volunteers, Local Assemblies who supported this work, and the divine assistance that helped on the way,

-NC15 ATC

Reflection Meeting launches Teaching Phase

What a fun cluster meeting! On Jan. 28 friends from the whole cluster gathered in Watsonville to reflect on the past 3 months and plan for the next three. Interspersed, though, were happy songs, great food, and exercise!

Some people wanted to know the next steps for the Expansion Phase: Feb. 4 - Feb. 19. The expansion phase is typically about 2 weeks, but covers all three weekends for a total of 16 days. The weekends involved this time are: Feb. 4-5, Feb. 11-12, and Feb. 18-19.

For the first weekend, visiting teachers have been invited to learn about this process with us. A few new people are coming in on Friday night and then we will be teaching on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5 in Watsonville. If you would like to join us, we are starting early(!) and going all day both days. The full program for that weekend is below. Please contact Alejandra at alejaxg (at) gmail.com to RSVP by Jan. 31 at 10pm so that we have the right amount of food for meals.

For additional support, spread the word to say prayers for the weekend's activities. Thanks!

Friday

In the evening visiting teachers arrive at Rhodes' home (Kevin and Nallyre in Watsonville).

Saturday

6 AM Recommended wake up for all

7 AM Prayers

7:30 AM Breakfast

8:30 AM Meet at Rhodes' home: Study, Songs, Study of Guidance, Memorizing, Stories
                             (This is Nallyre and Kevin's, 45 Pelican in Watsonville)

10 AM Begin teaching and inviting youth to evening get-together

1-2 PM Lunch (Thanks, Santa Cruz County Central!)

send people with snacks to meet us Ramsey Park

2- 4:45 PM Teaching and inviting youth to evening get-together.

5 PM Teachers to meet at Nally's place

5-5:45 PM Dinner

5:45- 6:40 Break and organizing our notes

6:40 Leave for Ramsey Park

7 PM Ramsey Park Community Center

Light snacks, Songs, Share the last part of the last paragraph from Dec. 12, 2011 letter. Share more info on junior youth program and the Baha'i Faith. Begin 'Reflections on the Life of the Spirit' together.

9 PM Back at Rhodes (45 Pelican Dr, Watsonville) for reflection: get notes from everyone for local consolidators.

10PM Finished for the day.

Sunday

Same schedule as Saturday, but finish at 4pm for reflection back at the Rhodes' (Wats)

Cluster Reflection Meeting today!

Dear Friends,

The cluster reflection meeting is today! I've posted the agenda below. See you there!

CLUSTER REFLECTION MEETING

Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012

Time: 2pm-5pm

Place: Rhodes residence, Watsonville

AGENDA FOR THE REFLECTION MEETING

2pm – 2:20 Socializing and Snacks

2:20 – 2:50 Opening Devotions and Music

2:50 – 3:20 Reflection on the last cycle goals and accomplishments, sharing stories about Core Activities and Teaching Projects

3:20 – 3:30 Statistics

3:30 – 3:50 Break

3:50 – 4:05 Read paragraph from Dec. 12 letter

4:05 – 4:15 A sneak peak at the strategy for the upcoming cycle

4:15 – 4:30 Consulting about the 13^th cycle in small groups

4:30 – 4:45 Feedback

4:45 – 5pm Music and Prayers

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 13^TH CYCLE

13th Cycle Commences: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Intensive Phase: Saturday, February 4 - February 19
Consolidation Phase: February 20 - April 27, 2011
Reflection Meeting: April 28, 2011

Friends, we are eagerly looking forward to seeing you, to our sharing, learning, and consulting together, within the framework of the guidance from beloved Universal House of Justice. We are privileged to work together in this society building process under the banner of the Blessed Beauty.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

With warmest Bahá’í love,

Area Teaching Committee

Newsletter!

Every three months we put together a quick newsletter with snapshots of what has been happening in Santa Cruz county. These usually are 'published' just before the quarterly reflection meeting. Below is a story from the most recent newsletter. The whole shebang, along with the newsletter archive, can be found at another site, here.

Boletín Buenas Nuevas ~ Glad Tidings Newsletter

With the introduction of a new letter from the Universal House of Justice in the last cycle (Dec. 12, 2011), the Bahá'í community has been given new insight into the processes occurring in clusters around the world. The letter enhances our understanding of the Path of Service, builds upon what we know about Coordination of efforts, heightens our awareness of the importance of Children's Classes for community transformation, and offers words regarding Educational materials. Study of this letter leads to a deeper appreciation for the world-moving power the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh has released for today.

The letter is at www.usbnc.org under the ‘Communications’ tab.

Prayer for Expansion

"Thou seest me, O my God, bowed down in lowliness, humbling myself before Thy commandments, submitting to Thy sovereignty, trembling at the might of Thy dominion, fleeing from Thy wrath, entreating Thy grace, relying upon Thy forgiveness, shaking with awe at Thy fury. I implore Thee with a throbbing heart, with streaming tears and a yearning soul, and in complete detachment from all things, to make Thy lovers as rays of light across Thy realms, and to aid Thy chosen servants to exalt Thy Word, that their faces may turn beauteous and bright with splendor, that their hearts may be filled with mysteries, and that every soul may lay down its burden of sin. Guard them then from the aggressor, from him who hath become a shameless and blasphemous doer of wrong.

Verily, Thy lovers thirst, O my Lord; lead them to the wellspring of bounty and grace. Verily, they hunger; send down unto them Thy heavenly table. Verily, they are naked; robe them in the garments of learning and knowledge.

Heroes are they, O my Lord, lead them to the field of battle. Guides are they, make them to speak out with arguments and proofs. Ministering servants are they, cause them to pass round the cup that brimmeth with the wine of certitude. O my God, make them to be songsters that carol in fair gardens, make them lions that couch in the thickets, whales that plunge in the vasty deep.

Verily, Thou art He of abounding grace. There is none other God save Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Ever-Bestowing."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

I recently chose this prayer as the one I wanted to memorize for this month. The language is so eloquent and the sentiments so pure. I invite you to join me in committing this prayer to memory if you so desire.

Reflections from IPG 12

For the full set of Reflections from IPG 12, see the rudimentary page here. Below is an example from the first day:

TEACHING REFLECTIONS

Program of Growth 12 - Expansion Phase

Day 1 - November 5, 2011

The Stage is Set

Prayer

“O my God, aid Thou Thy servant to raise up the Word, and to refute what is vain and false, to establish the truth, to spread the sacred verses abroad, reveal the splendors, and make the morning’s light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous. Thou art, verily, the Generous, the Forgiving.” 1

Meditation

“The friends who participate in these intensive programs of growth should bear in mind that the purpose is to ensure that the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh reaches the masses of humanity and enables them to achieve spiritual and material progress through the application of the Teachings. Vast numbers among the peoples of the world are ready, indeed yearn, for the bounties that Bahá’u’lláh alone can bestow upon them once they have committed themselves to building the new society He has envisioned. In learning to systematize their large-scale teaching work, Bahá’í communities are becoming better equipped to respond to this longing. They cannot withhold whatever effort, whatever sacrifice, may be called for.” 2

“Dearly-beloved friends! What better field than the vast virgin territories, so near at hand, and waiting to receive, at this very hour, their full share of the onrushing tide of Bahá’u’lláh’s redeeming grace? What theatre more befitting than these long-neglected nine remaining states and provinces in which the true heroism of the intrepid pioneers of His World Order can be displayed? There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life. The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable Promise is given. God’s own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory.” 3

Reflection

1. What is my personal teaching plan for this expansion phase?

2. What qualities and attitudes do I need to have in order to be effective as a member of a teaching team?

3. How can I lend intensity to the collective teaching campaign?

1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá'í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers

2 Universal House of Justice, 9 January 2001 message to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors

3 Shoghi Effendi, January 28, 1939, in Messages to America