The Supreme Body has announced the names of the 90 friends who will take up appointment as Continental Counsellors in the new five-year term beginning on 25 November 2020.
Engage in significant service this summer
A campaign is planned for January and February 2021, where individuals and teams will work joyfully together to meet new friends, initiate Ruhi training camps and junior youth camps and support the addition of new core activities in neighbourhoods across the North Island.
Compilation on standing strong in a disordered world
The friends are encouraged to draw inspiration and insight from a new compilation being circulated by the Institution of the Counsellors.
Celebrating the Twin Holy Birthdays
Celebrating special days of the second most important festival on the Baháʼí calendar.
Nine-day pilgrimage suspension continues until October 2021.
Pandemic circumstances which led to the suspension of visits to the Holy Land in March this year, continue to create too many uncertainties for nine-day pilgrimages to resume until this time next year.
A gifted man who gave decades of outstanding service
“Resolute, ingenious, and blessed with piercing insight, he will be immensely missed”, writes the Universal House of Justice, mourning the passing of Douglas Martin.
Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Foundations completed
Following the announcement of the design concept for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá some months ago, the foundations of the edifice have now been laid and construction is approaching a new stage.
Supreme body mourns passing of ‘our dearly loved brother’
“Always insightful, always discerning, always attuned to spiritual reality, this man of exceptional vision lived a life shaped by the harmony between scientific truth and true religion.”
Violette Haake's ‘intrepid spirit’ leaves legacy of devoted service
Paying tribute to Mrs Violette Haake, who departed this life on 24 September, the Universal House of Justice writes that “she served the Cause of God with utter dedication over many decades”.
Statement asks great things of the United Nations
In a statement marking 75 years of the UN, the Bahá’í International Community envisages a path to a just global order. The UN Secretary General also comments on his vision for the UN.
Summer school goes online this year
Aotearoa will have an online summer school this year instead of the usual two summer schools. The friends are warmly invited to help make the new format an outstanding success.
Writings and prayers in te reo Māori
These Bahá’í literature resources in te Reo Māori enable our community to strengthen its practice of unity in diversity in the context of Aotearoa.
Local Spiritual Assemblies pool their wisdom
Recent online meetings between members of national, regional and local institutions enabled a sharing of insights, and gave a boost of encouragement to all for their herculean, resilient and agile efforts in serving their communities.
Kia kaha te reo Māori i te hapori Bahá’í
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — Māori Language Week — provides a springboard for friends to begin or enhance engagement with te reo.
BDS offers printed version of ‘Social Action’ compilation
The compilation on social action issued by the Universal House of Justice on 10 August 2020 can now be ordered in the form of a printed A4 size booklet.
Message conveys support to co-workers in USA
A message of support to the American friends after Bosch Bahá'í School in California suffered considerable damage in wildfires also notes other major adversities currently unfolding in the United States.
Plans for next summer schools take shape
Distinguished keynote speaker at the North and South Island Summer Schools this year will be Mrs Alison Milston, who served as a member of the International Teaching Centre 2013-2018.
Guidance on referendums and civil elections this year
It is up to the private conscience of each believer to decide how to vote in the general election and the referendums to be held soon. Quotations are provided here to assist in reflecting on the issues involved.
Winter initiative strengthens community capacities
A ‘Winter Initiative’ in North Island goal clusters mobilised the friends and strengthened community capacities for growth.
New compilation gives greater insight into social action
“It is the hope of the House of Justice that this new compilation will enhance the friends’ understanding of the distinctive Bahá’í approach to this important field of endeavour.”