A wonderful evening was had by members of the Blueridge Bahá’í Cluster celebrating the Feast of Kalimát (Words) for 173 B.E. The evening started out with food prepared by the host and included a social component. The area's youth started the Spiritual portion out with readings and a prayer after which open prayers were performed. The readings from the writings were said in circuit and allowed the community to proceed on to the Administrative side with renewed spirits and a spiritual focus. The Feast Message for Kalimát 173 B.E. from the National Spiritual Assembly was read, the message included a reminder of the Universal House of Justice's message in May focusing the Bahá’í World on the events arriving in October of the year 2017, the twin Bicentenaries. "In this spirit, we call your attention to the message from the Universal House of Justice circulated to all National Spiritual Assemblies on May 18 this year and subsequently shared with the community. Reminding us that the bicentenaries of the Births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are steadily drawing near, the message conveyed guidance for the observances that will mark these auspicious occasions. Though published nearly a year and a half in advance of the bicentenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth, which will occur in October 2017, the Supreme Institution explained that it wished to afford National Assemblies ample time “to impress upon [their] respective communities the significance of the coming Festivals and [to] encourage preparations to begin.” This message was followed by a more somber message concerning the tragedies beginning July 4th 2016. "[W]e have every confidence the faithful followers of the Blessed Beauty across the land will continue to be one in spirit with their fellow citizens who are praying and striving for a just and peaceful world." These twin messages impressed upon the Community the need for the current 5 Year Plan, in a more emotional way then ever before. Following the messages from National the national Treasurer's report was read. After information from National and Universal were processed the Cluster moved to communications to the Cluster finding that an offer for Hosting Feast and/or a devotional at Shenandoah Bahá’í Summer School were made to members of the Community through members of the Madison Group. Communications were followed by business in which community outreach, website/social media, and Calendar committees reported for the Month, a renewed call for pictures and summation of events held at or attended by Cluster members be sent in for the purpose of replication on the Cluster website blog. Past news/events included updating on the Community's progress in the Beta Pilot Rhui Book 9, the progress of the Cluster supported Book Club [held this past Sunday July 10th] after which the Book for the July 31st meeting was passed out ["A Love Which Does Not Wait" by Janet Ruhe-Shoen] and the discussion of pushing back the club meeting date due to previous events was addressed. The current status of Devotionals were discussed and included the re-announcement of the new Devotional being held this Saturday in Fauquier County group (see calendar). A discussion on what of old news/events needed to be revisited at Reflections meeting began with a recommendation for a time line to allow the Cluster to focus on making the Local celebration of the twin Bicentenaries taking place in six cycles. A loose announcement over the desire for the Cluster to have business cards at hand giving information on the Cluster phone number and email address on two styles was brought up, as was the increasing use of Skype in the community for those traveling but wishing to remain apart of events as they happen and are able to occur. Individual activities that have the Faith represented at events were the next topic discussed, these included Interfaith activities, Food Pantries being volunteered at, groups where individual Bahá’ís can exchange philosophies, and much more. At this point the Cluster arrived at new business in which a more direct food assist program was recommended, a member of the Fauquier group has contact information and a communication for need from the local community. Also recommended was an out reach program to a half way house in Culpeper and a reaching out to youth within a Boys/Girls club in Madison, all of these topics required more discussion. As well as the possibility of setting up a Booth in the Taste of the Mountains event in Madison County, to be discussed at a later time. The closing of the evening began with a reminder of the next Feast of Kamat/Perfection being held at a Culpeper County cluster members' home (see calendar) and concluded with a closing prayer. [Readings, messages, and the Feast outline structured used for this Feast are reproduced below.] |
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