Upsurge of generosity needed for the National Fund

Jan 20

Jan 20 Upsurge of generosity needed for the National Fund

A letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to the believers in Aotearoa

Dearly loved Friends,

“Ending this Plan with all goals comfortably surpassed will put New Zealand in a very strong position to enter the second century of the Formative Age in 2021. It will also be a befitting gift for this country to offer for the momentous centenary year commemorating the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”

The National Spiritual Assembly expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the believers for the increase in contributions that have been made to the Funds of the Faith in recent months, including over $140,000 received towards the construction of the Shrine of the Master and a 31 percent increase in donations to the National Fund compared with this time last year. The sacrifice and generosity indicated by these results are heart-warming, and have contributed to the recent victories that have occurred, including magnificent and befitting bicentenary activities and celebrations, a significantly increased public role for the Faith in contributing to the processes towards peace through the work of the Office of Public Affairs, and the recent advancement of two clusters to the second milestone of growth, where they now have an intensive programme of growth. In addition, since last Ridván, enrolments have been steadily climbing, home-front pioneers have been deployed, two successful National Teaching Conferences have been held with hundreds of participants, and the Regional Bahá’í Councils have gone from strength to strength in their coordination of the expansion and consolidation work of the Faith.

Nevertheless, to reach our minimum required funds for the year, we need a further $630,000 by the end of the financial year (31 March). As you know, the training institutes in both regions of the country are the engines of growth, and the two Regional Institute Boards with their regional and cluster institute coordinators are key to accomplishing the goals of the Five Year Plan by April 2021. There is much work yet to be done to win these victories to lay before our beloved Supreme Institution. Several more clusters have yet to be assisted to strengthen their growth processes, requiring additional human resources to be deployed either as short or long-term pioneers, visiting tutors, or teaching teams. The increased level of activity that is needed to accomplish all of this in the remaining 15 months before the end of the Five Year Plan will require an even greater outpouring of generosity and sacrifice on the part of every believer. A steady flow of sufficient resources to the National Fund will ensure that there is no financial impediment to winning the goals and ending the Plan on a triumphant note.

The upsurge that has occurred in the intensity and range of lines of action to apply the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh at a time when the difficulties in the world grow more dire day by day, means that the work of the Faith in New Zealand has outstripped the material means currently at its disposal, and we are having to dig into reserves to keep pace. An outpouring of fresh donations from the generous-hearted friends in the next two months will ensure that we end the year on a strong financial footing.

In this short period of five remaining cycles before the end of the Five Year Plan, much expansion and consolidation work remains to be done. Ending this Plan with all goals comfortably surpassed will put New Zealand in a very strong position to enter the second century of the Formative Age in 2021. It will also be a befitting gift for this country to offer for the momentous centenary year commemorating the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The National Spiritual Assembly sends its fondest love to each and every one of you as you consider how you can contribute to a steady flow to the National Fund. Be assured of our heartfelt appreciation for every contribution that will be offered in response to this message.

With loving greetings,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand