© The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bournemouth and Poole 2021
Dorset Baha’is

Local Dorset activities

Corfe Castle
If the learned and worldly- wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure. Baha’u’llah
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The Centenary of the passing of Abdu’l Baha

On November 26th 2021 a few local friends visited the Bahá’í tree planted in Holton Lee Nature reserve back in 2012 to commemorate the visit of Abdu’l Baha (the eldest son of Baha’u’llah) to the UK some 100 years before. Storm Arwen was due to batter the UK that day, but for the duration of our visit where we said prayers for peace, the sun came out. Having said our prayers and after enjoying a moment of quiet reflection the friends went for lunch together where we exchanged news. Later that afternoon the storm arrived in all it’s fury and continued throughout much of the night On Sunday 29th November at our regular Zoom devotional all those friends who had been unable to visit the tree celebrated the Holy Day with prayers and music. To celebrate the Anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l Baha a special film was commissioned by The Universal House of Justice (the International body of the Baha’i Faith) that looks at the achievements of His long and distinguished life. The film “Examplar” can be streamed from the link adjacent.

Life during lockdown

The advent of the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 and the series of 3 (current at time of writing) national lockdowns had serious consequences for the activities of the local Baha'is. In the event it spurred us onto new avenues of activity and new areas of learning. Like many similar groups, it wasn't long before we had purchased a Zoom account and commenced online meetings both administrative, educational and reflective. We found to our surprise that many remote families and friends previously too far away to travel for a meeting now appeared on Zoom. Our devotional meetings grew in size and provided a basis for reflective worship and pastoral care. We were able to keep an eye on other members of the community who otherwise might be at risk and ensure their well being. Our administration moved online too, even our yearly elections found their way onto Zoom. All the while that Covid 19 restrictions are with us, many friends have requested that the Zoom meetings continue even if some face to face meetings resume. Our educational classes can also continue on Zoom involving friends from throughout our cluster.
The Bahai tree - a visit to commemorate 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l Baha
Commemorative Tree at Holton Lee NR Commemorative Tree at Holton Lee NR
Zoom attendees to Centenary meeting
Croatian Bahais making dolls for Centenary activites
© The Local Spiritual Assembly of Bournemouth and Poole
© The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bournemouth and Poole 2021
Dorset Baha’is

Local Dorset

activities

Corfe Castle
top of page

The Centenary of the

passing of Abdu’l Baha

On November 26th 2021 a few local friends visited the Bahá’í tree planted in Holton Lee Nature reserve back in 2012 to commemorate the visit of Abdu’l Baha (the eldest son of Baha’u’llah) to the UK some 100 years before. Storm Arwen was due to batter the UK that day, but for the duration of our visit where we said prayers for peace, the sun came out. Having said our prayers and after enjoying a moment of quiet reflection the friends went for lunch together where we exchanged news. Later that afternoon the storm arrived in all it’s fury and continued throughout much of the night On Sunday 29th November at our regular Zoom devotional all those friends who had been unable to visit the tree celebrated the Holy Day with prayers and music. To celebrate the Anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l Baha a special film was commissioned by The Universal House of Justice (the International body of the Baha’i Faith) that looks at the achievements of His long and distinguished life. The film “Examplar” can be streamed from the link adjacent.

Life during lockdown

The advent of the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 and the series of 3 (current at time of writing) national lockdowns had serious consequences for the activities of the local Baha'is. In the event it spurred us onto new avenues of activity and new areas of learning. Like many similar groups, it wasn't long before we had purchased a Zoom account and commenced online meetings both administrative, educational and reflective. We found to our surprise that many remote families and friends previously too far away to travel for a meeting now appeared on Zoom. Our devotional meetings grew in size and provided a basis for reflective worship and pastoral care. We were able to keep an eye on other members of the community who otherwise might be at risk and ensure their well being. Our administration moved online too, even our yearly elections found their way onto Zoom. All the while that Covid 19 restrictions are with us, many friends have requested that the Zoom meetings continue even if some face to face meetings resume. Our educational classes can also continue on Zoom involving friends from throughout our cluster.
The Bahai tree - a visit to commemorate 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l Baha
Commemorative Tree at Holton Lee NR Commemorative Tree at Holton Lee NR
Zoom attendees to Centenary meeting
Croatian Bahais making dolls for Centenary activites
© The Local Spiritual Assembly of Bournemouth and Poole
If the learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure. Baha’u’llah