A glimpse of celebrations and commemorations
Through a wide variety of spaces, events and activities, Bahá’ís and friends throughout Aotearoa celebrated the Day of the Covenant and commemorated the centenary of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’s passing.
Many reports are still coming in. If you have not yet reported your activity, please be sure to use the online form: People Engaging with the Centenary. Photographs can be sent to the National Office by email, and if necessary, for large files or collections, services like Google Drive might be useful.
We offer some highlights from the many efforts to honour this occasion. These are in alphabetical order of communities. At the end is a collection of comments from participants, about capacity-building.
Note: most images in the following report can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Aoraki: Love and unity was strengthened in the Aoraki cluster as two communities collaborated to share stories and view the films, Exemplar, and Luminous Journey.
Auckland: One sector hosted an outdoor screening of Exemplar. Due to lockdown restrictions, they had to gather outside. “It was the perfect thing. It was a beautiful still evening, and we got to see the sunset behind the house with the smell of sweet macadamia blossoms in the air.”
Auckland: A family created various small gifts to commemorate ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’s legacy in a socially distant fashion. Included in the gift bags were pamphlets about ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, booklets of His Writings, dried rose petals, a card with the Shrine of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá on it, a nine-pointed star candle (moulded in a laser cut acrylic case) and a donation to the City Mission. These gift bags were given to Book 2 participants and members of a Book Club studying Some Answered Questions.
Auckland: A group of friends gathered to celebrate the Day of the Covenant and watch Exemplar.
Auckland: As a final assignment in a te reo Māori class, students were required to give a speech on tangata rongonui (a person of significance). A Bahá'í student chose to speak about the life of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. Kaiako (teachers) and classmates enjoyed the speech, and agreed on the common principles such as unity and peace.
Auckland: a group of friends held a backyard camp overnight, complying with covid restrictions, and observed the Master's Ascension together.
Auckland: This portrait of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá is a black and white ink-pen art piece created by Anthony Zemke. The piece will be displayed in an exhibition along with other illustrations (of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s talks from Some Answered Questions) in Auckland, January 2022. The portrait is surrounded by a calligraphic rendering of the name, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, in Persian.
Central Hawke’s Bay: Three cyprus trees were planted in the Forest of Memories in Waipukurau with a plaque commemorating the centenary of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’s passing.
Dunedin: The Dunedin Mayor & City Council open their formal monthly proceedings with a prayer. They invite a different Faith group to present the prayer each month. A representative from the Bahá'í community printed one of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’s prayers and shared this with the mayor and each of the City Councillors present. Underneath the prayer there was a half page summary of the life of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. All council members were present plus about 25 other staff and public.
Far North: Recently a friend from the wider community asked if she could come to a Bahá'í event. Nothing was happening at this time due to Covid lockdown so a devotional meeting was arranged. It was a wonderful meeting and arrangements were made for ongoing accompaniment. She remained in contact and stated that she wished to become a Bahá’í.The Local Assembly has now enrolled her and she has started studying Ruhi Book 1.
Hamilton: Some friends visited with neighbours, and shared gift packs of cake, cards, and flowers.
Hamilton: Children, families and friends enjoyed a children’s festival.
Hamilton: Some friends took part in a tree-planting service project.
Palmerston North: Children created cotton-ball headbands as a costume prop, and performed the story of how ‘Abdu'l-Bahá gave away His family’s sheep.
Palmerston North: In February 2021 a music noho was held which explored Abdu'l-Baha's teachings on music and where youth, junior youth and families created music together. A few of the recorded songs are shared here.
Palmerston North: For the occasion of the Ascension a noho marae stay took place where the arts were used to reflect on the life and teachings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá with families, youth and junior youth. Participants learned how to make flower pare crowns. These were gifted to friends or family. Putangitangi Maori wind instruments from clay were made and small baskets were woven for these taonga. Stories of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá were dramatised and the group learned songs and had collective prayers.
Rotorua: An art exhibition was organised, inviting artwork from community pertaining to the theme of “the oneness of humanity, and the beauty and strength of our diversity.” The Bahá'í Faith was mentioned with high esteem in speeches from a kaumatua as well as the president of the Multicultural Council. They plan to hold an even bigger art exhibition in March.
Thames: A junior youth group approached the Te Korowai youth team and asked if their office/youth hub could be used as a gallery for an art exhibition as their kaupapa matches the Bahá’í kaupapa closely. The gallery was opened to the public, with friends and family also invited.
Whanau were happy to physically see what their children had been learning and creating in the junior youth group. The experience led to elevated conversations with family as the space was relaxing and invited whakawhanaungatanga.
Wellington: Some friends took part in a conservation project that involved installing “weta motels” around a reserve to protect these native creatures.
Whanganui: Months earlier, a nucleus of friends in Whanganui began planning. The result was a gathering at Te Aroha Marae, Kai Iwi, Whanganui, which commenced with a beautiful powhiri. The booklet ‘Abdu'l-Bahá - The Perfect Exemplar was gifted to the host. After a meal, the friends watched The Exemplar film, followed by a time of sharing reflections and whakaaro about ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. A commemoration was held at 1:00 a.m. In the morning, the friends rose to a beautiful dawn and shared their reflections and excitement towards the upcoming Nine Year Plan.
Whangarei: Many friends gathered for a celebration of the Day of the Covenant
Artistic and media endeavours
Some of the friends around the country contributed by posting artistic efforts online, or by having stories published by traditional media. A few examples can be seen on these pages of the “Arising for the Master” website:
Capacity Building
For many friends, the experience from celebrating the bicentenaries of 2017 and 2019, raised awareness of how Holy Day arrangements can be coherent with other aspects of the Plan, such as seeing participants as protagonists of community building, or viewing the experience as part of a collective learning process. Therefore, the concept of capacity building is particularly important, as in the example of some areas, who began building capacity to speak about the life of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and the Covenant by studying Ruhi Book 8. Some of the examples below describe the process of capacity building generated through the experience of the Day of the Covenant and Ascension:
“The encounter enabled me to meet additional people who were interested to hear more.”
“The capacity to plan an event and host it on the marae was developed. The capacity to accompany individuals as they arise to serve — a small experienced nucleus of Baha'is planned and brought to fruition this event — working together as a team — building on each others strengths — bringing them closer together in His love to continue their service with encouragement and joy! The capacity to engage in meaningful and uplifting conversations — every participant was given the opportunity to share and contribute to the discussions and conversations over the evening, through the night and into the next morning. The capacity to study and apply the guidance - from the outset the Assembly has studied the guidance from the Universal House of Justice and National Spiritual Assembly and participated in consultations with the National Assembly. We are learning to study together at meetings on a regular basis.”
“My final assignment for my te reo Māori class was a speech on tangata rongonui (a person of significance). I chose to speak about the life of Abdu'l-Bahá. My kaiako (teachers) and classmates enjoyed the speech, and agreed on the common principles such as unity and peace.”
“It was the first time most participated in a children’s festival.”
“Learned anew that courageous action brings confirmations.”
