September Activities 2024
Some of our leafy trees may be showing a hint of sunset colors, but our spirits are not cooling with the weather! Revived by summer, let us move our unifying, spiritualizing, community-building selves forward! Everyone is welcome, everyone has a part to play, everyone is needed.
Selected activities: See more on the calendar, and see newly-added local community information. The Portland, Beaverton, and Vancouver Bahá'í Centers each host weekly in-person devotional gatherings on Sunday, and there are many virtual gatherings.
Devotions: SE Portland
Wednesday Sept. 4, 6:30-8:00 pm. We will start with our interfaith devotional program, followed by a potluck dinner. Please let us know if you are joining us so that we can plan accordingly for the dinner. For more information, please call the Moshtael-Hill family, 503-282-0783.
Online Dialog: The Divine Art of Living
Friday Sept. 6 and Sept. 20, 7:00 pm. Please join our book study - The Divine Art of Living: Selections from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha. You do not need to have the book or do any homework; we will read and discuss a few passages together each time we meet. Come to one or every meeting. If you choose to get the book, it is readily available at Amazon, Borders, Baha'i Bookstore and free online. Download the book for free here https://bahaiebooks.org/publications/divineartliving/
We’ll slowly work our way through practical topics such as Faith and Certitude, Rectitude and Purity, Health and Healing, Peace and Unity, The Day in Which we Live, etc.
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/5931066886?pwd=cFZqRzRma2wrYW5lZEp3ZU9kWkRiUT09
For more information, please call Mary Reich 503-995-8959 or email Jen at jens19gems@gmail.com.
Online Dialog: Social Justice
Monday Sept. 9, 7:00 pm, on Zoom. Discussions about racism and social justice, held since 2016, have afforded many of us and our friends a place to educate ourselves, to speak openly about the challenges and to take personal and collective action; some also participate in Respond to Racism.
Everyone is welcome to this discussion of Bahá’í solutions relating to social justice issues. For more information, please call 971-328-0909 or email info@lakeoswegobahai.org.
Devotions: Oregon City
Wednesday Sept. 11, 6:00 pm. Inspiration & Rejuvenation! We look forward to sharing together writings, quotations, music and whatever you wish to bring, as it inspires you. We begin each gathering with a potluck supper. Everyone welcome! For more information, please call Karen and Bob Lynch at 503-473-3144.
Monthly youth nights are coming to the Beaverton Bahá’í Center!
Youth Night: Beaverton Baha'i Center
Sunday Sept. 15, 5:00-8:00 pm, Beaverton Bahá’í Center, 5355 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005. Youth Night will be monthly and geared for middle and high schoolers.
Bring your friends!
Youth Night Structure
5-5:30 Service (preparing dinner, cleaning the center, and set up for the evening activities)
5:30-6 Devotions and learning new prayers
6-6:30 Read articles and quotes on topic chosen by attendees (group will often be divided for study portion into junior youth and youth)
6:30-7 Dinner
7-8 Art Projects, theater/community-building games, clean up
Please RSVP so we don’t waste money and food.
Please reach out to Lua 503-504-4288 lua.weatherdon@gmail.com with questions, comments, or to RSVP.
Free; as always at the Center there are no donations.
Phone: 503-601-9999 Trimet bus route # 62, stop ID #4062
Introductory Dialog: Gladstone
Friday Sept. 27, 6:30 pm. You are invited to Gladstone’s monthly discussion; please consider joining us for some thoughtful conversation and fellowship. For more information, call Jack and Leslie at 503 803-8796.
Find local, regional, and national resources.
Read the latest news from Partners in Racial Justice.
Framework for Unity webinar coming Sept. 27
Wilmette Institute webinars are free and open to all. Register here: bit.ly/3Mnq8Cv
You can also watch the live stream on our YouTube channel.
The African American and Indigenous communities of the United States are forged by historical sufferings that go back to the founding of this country. However, these communities have also offered a framework for racial unity that for far too long has been ignored, forgotten, or erased to our own detriment. Greater examination of the historical collaboration and innate spiritual power that exists within the Indigenous and African American community is vital if America is to achieve its true destiny as promised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. When we fully acknowledge the powerful spiritual forces that exist in both the African American and Indigenous communities, our nation will be better for it.
Remaining prisoners released: The Yemeni Bahá’í community’s unyielding pursuit of peace -August 28, 2024
SANAA, Yemen — In the heart of Yemen, amid ongoing societal challenges, a remarkable story of hope and transformation is unfolding. Despite facing persecution, the Bahá’í community of that country has responded with an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the betterment of their society. The recent release of the remaining four Bahá’ís from a group of 17 that were abducted in Sanaa in May last year not only marks a significant moment for the Bahá’ís of Yemen but also highlights their resilience.
A vision of unity amid adversity
“Our village, once mired in despair and hopelessness, was as though it was dead, and we had become desperate for real change,” recounted a woman from a village in northern Yemen. “In many gatherings in the village, the only conversation was about conflict, war, and who had joined or would join the fighting.”
Reflecting on the transformative effects of Bahá’í community-building endeavors, she added: “But now, we can all see how our village is infused with new life.”
Read the whole article or listen to it.