Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God. The Dawning-Place of the Light of God sheddeth its radiance upon all with the same effulgence.
—Baha'u'llah
O my Lord, my Beloved, my Desire! Befriend me in my loneliness and accompany me in my exile. Remove my sorrow. Cause me to be devoted to Thy beauty. Withdraw me from all else save Thee. Attract me through Thy fragrances of holiness. Cause me to be associated in Thy Kingdom with those who are severed from all else save Thee, who long to serve Thy sacred threshold and who stand to work in Thy Cause. Enable me to be one of Thy maidservants who have attained to Thy good pleasure. Thou art the Gracious, the Generous.
—'Abdu'l-Baha
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Happy Naw-Ruz!
The Baha'i New Year
Naw-Ruz Prayers
(Pre-recorded at the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois)
Saturday, March 20, 12:30 pm CDT
Today begins year 178 of the Baha’i Era, dated from 1844, the year in which the Bab began teaching and preparing the people for the coming of Baha’u’llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith and God’s Educator for a new age of humanity.
The Baha’i new year is called Naw–Ruz, which literally means, “New Day” in Persian, the language of Iran where the Baha’i Faith has its roots. Like the ancient Persian new year, the Baha’i new year occurs on the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
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A month of conversations on
The Hidden Words
By Jack Gordon,
Interfaith-ish Podcast Host
On the eve of the fast, I made a last-minute invitation to a group of interfaith friends to join me for a series of short conversations exploring The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, live on Instagram.
Although my friends knew me as a Baha’i, I’d never shared the writings with them in such a direct way. The response was immediate and enthusiastic.
Each evening for the month of March, I’m hosting a public discussion with a different friend. We begin by reading one of the passages from The Hidden Words and reflect on its meaning together. The series has been a great opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to this beautifully mystical --but also highly accessible--text, opening the door to share the basic tenets and history of the Baha'i Faith.
Halfway in, I’ve had friends who are Humanist, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Latter-day Saint, Zoroastrian, as well as those who claim multiple traditions join me. Each conversation is full of new surprises and new insights.
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Sarah Farmer—
A Life Dedicated to Peace
This short documentary follows the life of Sarah Farmer (1847–1916), an American activist, philanthropist and visionary whose commitment to various fields of human advancement left its mark on America’s destiny.
From her family’s distinguished role in furthering racial justice and scientific innovation, to her own contributions towards peace, racial justice, gender equality, science, arts and education, this film paints a poignant picture of Sarah’s world-embracing vision.
Her ideals of lasting and sustainable peace led her across the world on her own path of spiritual discovery and strengthened her commitment to build Green Acre—a beautiful space in Eliot, Maine, where various philosophies and religions continue to find unified expression.
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Compassionate Woman
The Life and Legacy of Patricia Locke by John Kolstoe
Compassionate Woman is the biography of a woman of Lakota and Chippewa heritage who was the winner of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship for her work to save tribal languages that were becoming extinct throughout the United States.
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From Brilliant Star Magazine
FOR KIDS:
FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:
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Sunday, Apr. 4, 1:00 p.m. (Central Time)
This presentation by Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis
highlights the teaching experiences of early African American Baha'is with a special focus on the contributions of African American women. REGISTER >
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The Life and Times of
Louis Gregory
Saturday, Mar. 27, 1:15 p.m. CDT
As part of the Baha'i Chat series with Layli Maparyan and Louis Venters on "The Baha'i Faith in South Carolina and America’s Unfinished Business of Reconstruction," this session will be dedicated to the life and times Louis Gregory and will feature the Louis Gregory Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Louis Gregory, (1874-1951) African American lawyer who became a leading Baha'i speaker, writer, administrator, and proponent of race unity and equality
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Guest Speaker Series
A Tablet of the Bab to Muhammad 'Ali Barfurushi, Quddus
Apr. 7, 8:00 p.m. CDT
Presented by Dr. Stephen Lambden
Descendants of The Dawn Breakers
Apr. 15, 6:30 p.m. CDT
Presented by Dr. Nader Saeidi
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Three-Week Study
Tablet of Ahmad – Fire Tablet – Long Healing Prayer
Saturday, Apr. 30, 2:00 p.m. CDT
Led by John Kolstoe
There will be 3 sessions, 2 hr. 15 min. each.
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Join Baha'is Online
Below is a sampling of online gatherings that you are welcome to join. To find others, call 800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483) or
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Firesides
Firesides are informal gatherings for introductory conversations about the Baha'i Faith. They are excellent opportunities for people to ask questions and learn about how the Faith's teachings relate to contemporary life.
MONDAYS at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) Register
TUESDAYS at 2:30 p.m. (Central Time)
on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month Register
WEDNESDAYS at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) Zoom Link
THURSDAYS 8:00 p.m. (Central Time)
1st and 3rd Thursdays in January and February Register
SATURDAYS at 11:00 a.m. (Central Time) "Baha’i Faith-Modern Perspectives” introductory series on diverse topics related to the Baha’i teachings. Zoom Link
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National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
enewsletter@bahai.us | www.bahai.us
800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483)
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