Summer school offers a rich programme of learning
This year’s summer school programme offers a great opportunity to explore the society-building power of the Faith and better understand how we can become more effective in releasing that power.
It is anticipated that most local summer school gatherings will be held over the four days from 27-30 December. You may ask your Local Spiritual Assembly for details of gatherings near you, or initiate your own summer school plan with a group of other households.
Each day’s explorations will be kicked off with a video presentation on an aspect of the society-building enterprise we are engaged in. These will be made available in advance on the summer school website. The topics are:
The Evolution of a New Society
Widening the Circle of Participation
Contributing to Social Transformation
Expansive Prospects for Educational Initiatives
The main points covered in each presentation, and the names of the presenters, are outlined in the attached summer school information sheet (see button above on this page). An attractive summer school flyer is currently being designed and will be released very soon. This will be useful when inviting members of the wider community to participate.
Local groups are free to arrange their summer school programmes to suit their circumstances. Local events may look something like this:
Each day begins with devotions.
Children and junior youth sessions in their own space, while adults and youth watch the day’s main video presentation.
In workshops before/after lunch, participants discuss the topic introduced in the video presentation.
Later in the afternoon — creative and recreational activities, including sports.
An evening programme may be held. This could be a time for performing arts or musical presentations, and showing films such as "Glimpses of 100 Years of Endeavour" or "Light to the World".
Daily video presentations and other support materials will be shared on the summer school website. Those materials will include workshop guides, resources for junior youth and children’s programmes, and supplementary videos. Please check the summer school website from about 12 December onwards — it currently shows only material from last year’s event. See summerschool.bahai.org.nz.
The theme of the summer school is “Paving the Path to Human Upliftment”. It is hoped that interest can be attracted from members of the wider community who are drawn to Bahá’í insights that are relevant to their own concerns.
