These stories from the South Island describe how, despite the health crisis, many Bahá’ís and collaborators have continued learning to contribute to the social and spiritual well-being of their communities.
These stories from the South Island describe how, despite the health crisis, many Bahá’ís and collaborators have continued learning to contribute to the social and spiritual well-being of their communities.
A participant in devotional gatherings took the initiative to invite the wider community through a stall during Chinese New Year Celebrations.
Over the past year the friends in Invercargill have been focused on strengthening the process of expansion and consolidation that was stimulated by the bicentenary celebrations of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in 2017.
The South Island Council reflects on how the recent South Island Summer School highlighted the role of the individual in the Plan, demonstrated by the energy and initiative of a junior youth, the determined efforts of pioneers, and by the pledges of young and old to carry out acts of service.
For seven days in January youth from the communities of Waimakariri, Waitaki, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill gathered together to learn how we, as youth, can create true bonds of friendship and how, by working with younger youth, we can foster a spirit of unity and service in our own communities.
Representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly, Regional Baha’i Council, and Auxiliary Board met with the Local Spiritual Assembly of Timaru and their new believer.
Studying Book 9, Unit 1 “Gaining an Historical Perspective: The Eternal Covenant” has provided an opportunity to strengthen friendships and gain insights for participants in a study circle from the Coastal Otago cluster.
There was a diversity of celebrations held for the Twin Holy Days in the South Island with many focusing on artistic activities and performances.
A new pioneer to the West Coast of the South Island has high hopes for this region “to take the Faith to next level”.
Glimpses of activities and local communities through the eyes of two Swedish Bahá'ís travelling in the South Island.
We are now almost midway between the two bicentenaries. The Council is calling for pioneers and encouraging all to support the regional goal of holding devotional gatherings in every Bahá’í home.
South Island pioneering map and goals
At the Ngāti Moki Marae, in the Selwyn District of Canterbury, 12 youth participated in an intensive training wananga during the July school holidays.
A junior youth group in Somerfield, Christchurch consulted and decided they wanted to bake for the homeless. After some research, they decided to bake cookies for a local volunteer organisation who regularly provide free hot lunches to approximately 150 people who are homeless or poor.