Vibrant, united and purposeful National Convention
“How blessed, immeasurably blessed are we in Aotearoa to gather in person at National Convention to sail our waka together into the sixth epoch of this Formative Age at the start of the Nine Year Plan.” These heartfelt sentiments were expressed by the National Convention in its message to the Universal House of Justice. The following report includes:
Remarks made by Counsellor Tessa Scrine at the opening and closing of Convention
Details of the election of the National Spiritual Assembly
Message from the Convention to the Universal House of Justice
Additional information (re Annual Report, etc.)
Photo gallery
Before giving those details, a noteworthy aside: While the first day of Convention was happening, simultaneously Aotearoa’s first conference in the wave of conferences that are going to occur over coming weeks was held in Marlborough. Two believers in that community, one of whom is 80 years old and in a rest home, organised a joyful one-day conference which was attended by 13 friends. This shows the level of loving obedience to the House of Justice and consecration of those friends to arise. And as the spiritual energy from the National Convention is carried to all parts of the country by returning delegates, the determination and effort of all friends to participate in the conferences and bring along many others, will undoubtedly bring many blessings to New Zealand’s opening efforts in the Nine Year Plan.
Presentations by the representative of the Board of Counsellors
Opening remarks
'Tēnei te karanga, tēnei te tangi, kia tuwhera ki te whai ao kite ao mārama. Tēnā koutou e huihui mai nei ki tenei kaupapa whakahirahira, Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa.'
'This is the call, this is the cry, to open the doorway to the spiritual realm. Greetings to all who have gathered at this momentous gathering. Greetings to you all.’
Counsellor Scrine conveyed the love and greetings of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia as their representative at the Convention at the start of the Nine Year Plan and a new epoch of the Formative Age. In Ms Scrine’s opening remarks at the National Convention she said that the soul-stirring power of the Ridván Message and the message of 30 December 2021 allow us to move forward with confidence and clarity. The major and the minor plans of God are unfolding with greater intensity and these messages should both be a daily companion for each of us to explore, understand, and be inspired and guided by in everything we do. She told the gathering that “we are connected at this Convention to the historic gathering in the Holy Land for the Centenary of the passing of the Master. The Ridván message begins and ends with reminding us of the Covenant and of the Master. This Nine Year Plan is the latest expression of the Tablets of the Divine Plan being enacted, and the House of Justice is raising our vision to higher levels. We must think deeply of what this message means for our country – what does it mean for us practically, right now, and for the consultation at Convention to be oriented to this? The overarching objective of the Nine Year Plan is the release of the society-building power of the Faith in ever greater measure. What is the next step for us as a nation? As a region? As a cluster? As a locality? As a neighbourhood? As a group of families? And can we see that this step is a contribution to the overarching objective? If we keep our loyalty to the Universal House of Justice and to the guidance, we will maintain our focus.”
Ms Scrine referred to the global series of conferences that the Universal House of Justice speaks about in the second paragraph of the Ridván Message. She shared that where these conferences have occurred already around the world, they have generated powerful results. Each conference is a conference of the House of Justice. These really are conferences for the well-wishers of humanity. New Zealand has tremendous receptivity to the Faith. The flexibility of the conferences allows us to invite different people to different parts of the conferences. Experience is showing that the most effective conferences are those closest to the grassroots so New Zealand is blessed that it was forced to have conferences at that level due to the pandemic. The questions in the conference materials work really well and allow every person to find a way to connect to Bahá’u’lláh’s vision. The introduction in the revised Ruhi Book 1 makes it clear that Bahá’u’lláh’s vision is for everyone. The Counsellor made a plea for all to help the House of Justice to reach all well-wishers of humanity with confidence, love and joy, and to use the Master as our example. She urged the friends to “rip away the barriers of ‘us and them’ and let go of our fears”.
The Counsellor then drew attention to paragraph 3 of the Ridván message which refers to the two phases of the Nine Year Plan: the first of four years, and the second five years. She acknowledged the work of the Councils and National Assembly in undertaking a rigorous assessment of the possibilities for intensifying growth in Aotearoa, as requested by the House of Justice in the 30 December 2021 message. She said that this “colossal effort” will not be easy but represents our true purpose and we can have confidence that we have the Concourse on High to draw on. “Why would it be easy to create an ever-advancing civilisation?” But she assured everyone that if we make the effort, we can do it, because the House of Justice has assured us.
Referring to paragraph 4, she indicated that serving on institutions and agencies requires sacrifice and grit by those serving as well as their families, but these institutions and agencies now have heightened capacity. We may not see it yet in every institution and agency, but this is the big picture. Ms Scrine honoured everyone including the institution of the Convention for this effort of such significance. We are perhaps too close in time to appreciate the significance of the House of Justice recognising that we have entered the sixth epoch of the Formative Age. She went on to say that when they met to study the message for the first time, the Australasian Counsellors had thought of the historic review in paragraph 4 in relation to the history of the first hundred years of the Faith in God Passes By. We are actively writing a new chapter of this history through our service now.
Paragraph 5 refers to Houses of Worship, and she said that the connection between worship and service can perhaps best be channelled in Aotearoa at this time through creating and strengthening groups of families and households. Experience through using this approach is generating valuable learning.
Paragraph 6 expresses the sorrow of the Supreme Institution as it sees the crises and the suffering in the world. This makes it even more urgent for us to act. There is no time to rest, if we want to contribute to the easing of suffering. The House of Justice has high expectations of the friends around the world. Paragraph 7 refers to “noble characteristics” which are also described in more detail in paragraph 4 of the 30 December 2021 message. Counsellor Scrine called on one of the Auxiliary Board members to read paragraph 4 of that message, which describes the characteristics of communities of “enkindled souls”.
The final paragraph of the Ridván message was very evocative for the friends gathered at Convention, as the Counsellor drew a parallel between the imagery of the Ark of the Cause sailing on stormy seas, and the imagery of a waka sailing the Pacific Ocean. The House of Justice reassures us that whatever lies ahead and whatever storms we meet, the Ark will not sink, and will sail forth. The more fellow human beings we bring into the Ark with us, the more we will lessen their suffering. We have everything we need in our waka and we need everything we have in this waka, she said. The power of this imagery and of the Covenant being the lodestar to guide and keep us safe provides much reassurance and inspiration.
Closing remarks:
The Ridván message took us back to the life of the Master, the Perfect Exemplar, the pure channel through which the forces released by the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh could act upon the world. The precious, unfathomable Mystery of God is this example, accompaniment, power and channel to sustain and guide us in our service to the Nine Year Plan. The film “Glimpses of 100 Years of Endeavour”is a gift to us that brings the history alive. The House has ensured that the films are crafted with care and thought, so they are also the House of Justice speaking to us. The conferences are shaped with a view that the two films will be drawn upon as a resource. They show a path we can look back to, learn from and be sustained by. Some in the room here are genetically linked to a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh but all of us have this spiritual heritage. All those who have gone before us are a spiritual Concourse that is there to guide and assist us.
The first people of this land are also spiritual antecedents for this country. Tangata whenua were great navigators who crossed the Pacific Ocean, who came to a land and read its reality with great acuity; they learned to prosper socially, spiritually and materially in this land. Their expressions of human capacity can be drawn upon and learned from as we engage in the Plan. The 30 December 2021 message asks the three protagonists to spiritually fortify our community and we want everyone to enter this fortified community. As we learn from the characteristics of the ancestors of this country, we gain strength. Harvesting the fruits of a great diversity of populations who have settled here since the arrival of the tangata whenua is the task before us. Every one of these populations has been bestowed with gifts to contribute to the advancement of society. The more we draw on all of these gifts, the more will the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation be released in this country.
Where are we now? We are in a strange, challenging time. The House has told us recently in their message of 4 January 2022 to the Bahá’ís of the world, that this is a charged moment. The Counsellor read the relevant and important paragraph of this message to the Convention. We are examining anew the possibilities before us to release the society building powers of the Faith and the Plan will test our stamina, will power and strength of love for those who work alongside us. We have to recognise the power of unity to heal, to transcend difficulties, that every soul may find room to grow, and the powerless be given strength.
As we think of this responsibility, how can we fail to respond to this call? Who receives our love? How do we express our love? Can our love only be for those to whom we are biologically related? We have a huge responsibility that only we can undertake. Sometimes we call on our biological family to sacrifice to enable us to serve. For now, the House of Justice only has us. It is so hard to not be shaped by the wider world and the incredibly powerful force of materialism. We need to challenge one another and support one another. Let’s create a village where if someone is called to serve others unasked step up to support the family of that person. Counsellor Scrine gave an example of how believers did that for her when her children were small.
There are important lessons for us in the recent fire at the construction site of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Sometimes we can think that nothing bad will happen to the Faith in the Holy Land. It is a physical example of what is at work in the world. It also reminds us that our response to crises is what matters. We are going to encounter a lot of crises and it is our response – with certitude and confidence - that is the important aspect.
The Ridván message places great emphasis on the discipline that will be needed. We have the conceptual framework for the release of society building power, but we still have a lot to learn about all the elements. Having the discipline to apply the framework and the faith to keep going, being creative when we need to, but not losing hope and vision.
We are looking forward with hope and optimism and clarity about where we are going, to create a flourishing community and society. This is such a gift because most people do not have this clarity and optimism. We need to hold fast to this. Cling to confidence and to each other as we implement the conferences, so that the prospects before us can be realised as soon as possible. We cannot afford to waste a precious hour or day at this time. The Counsellor expressed the hope that all of us can arise to fulfil what we are being asked to do. We have inspiring examples from the past where ordinary men, women and children achieved remarkable things for the Cause. In 100 years’ time we want friends to look back and think of what we all achieved as being remarkable. The sacrifices we make now are ultimately what matter, as these are what we are going to be carrying with us to the next world. Let’s have faith that it will all work out.
She paid tribute to her Auxiliary Board members, who sang together a waiata at the conclusion of her talk, which finished with her reading the final part of the Ridván message.
Election of the National Spiritual Assembly
The National Assembly wrote in an email to the New Zealand Bahá’í Community on 24 April:
Dear Friends,
The National Spiritual Assembly conveys its heartfelt loving greetings to you all. At the conclusion of two of the three days of a wonderfully vibrant, united and purposeful National Convention with mature and thoughtful contributions and sharing of rich experience by the delegates, and the guiding presence of Counsellor Tessa Scrine and six of her Auxiliary Board members, we take the opportunity to share the results of the election today of the National Spiritual Assembly for 179 B.E. Although many delegates were unable to be present in person, primarily because of the pandemic circumstances, all of the 57 delegates were able to cast their vote and all ballots were valid. Altogether, 79 different individuals received votes. There was a tie vote for the ninth member, and the minority principle was applied.
The members elected, in alphabetical order, are as follows:
Mrs Shiva Kolodner
Mrs Suzanne Mahon
Mr Vahid Qualls
Mr Marc Rivers
Mr Kim Te'o
Mr Saia Tu'itahi
Mr Sione Tu'itahi
Mrs Huti Watson
Mr Alan Wilcox
Counsellor Tessa Scrine and the National Spiritual Assembly. Left to right: Kim Te’o, Huti Watson, Marc Rivers, Vahid Qualls, Shiva Kolodner, Alan Wilcox, Suzanne Mahon, Saia Tu’itahi, Tessa Scrine. Not present: Sione Tu’itahi.
The National Spiritual Assembly offers its most loving appreciation and very best wishes to outgoing member, Mrs Alison Milston, who served as a member of the National Assembly for the past year.
The National Assembly has had an opportunity to hold its first meeting of the new term and was able to elect its officers. The result was that the same officers as were serving in the previous term were re-elected, namely:
Vahid Qualls chair, Huti Watson vice-chair, Suzanne Mahon secretary and Marc Rivers treasurer.
This may be the first time in Aotearoa when there has been a father and son serving simultaneously on the National Assembly. We have had husband and wife, and mother and son in the past. Saia Tu'itahi has been serving on the North Island Regional Bahá’í Council.
We trust the friends will offer your prayers that the National Assembly may be divinely guided as it enters this new term of service at the commencement of the Nine Year Plan.
Message from the Convention to the Universal House of Justice
He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka.
A choppy sea can be navigated by a waka.
Tēnā Koutou e Te Whare Mana Tika ō te Ao,
to our beloved Universal House of Justice,
How blessed, immeasurably blessed are we in Aotearoa to gather in person at National Convention to sail our waka together into the sixth epoch of this Formative Age at the start of the Nine Year Plan. We celebrated universal participation in the election of our cherished National Spiritual Assembly despite pandemic restrictions preventing almost 30% of the delegates from being with us. At the same time, the first of the wave of conferences that will surge throughout Aotearoa began.
How blessed, immeasurably blessed are we that our dear Counsellor Tessa Scrine is present with us in person, ably assisted by six Auxiliary Board members, as our international borders opened just prior to Convention.
How blessed, immeasurably blessed are we to have lodestars to lead us: the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the ongoing guidance and love of the Universal House of Justice.
Through the energising winds of the consultations unfolding at the Convention, there has been a sense of national, united movement in the Plan. We have explored the means of unlocking the society-building power of the Cause in ever-greater measures. We are learning how to touch the hearts of tangata whenua, noting an increase in the use of te reo me ona tikanga Māori in our deliberations. We are learning about raising vibrant outwardlooking communities bringing about spiritual and material progress, and contributing to discourses in society. We are excited by the projections of the Regional Bahá’í Councils that each of our 25 clusters will be part of the 5,000 passing the third milestone by 2031.
We are mindful that this goal will take a colossal effort over the course of the Nine Year Plan; mindful of the need for youth to be at the forefront of our efforts; mindful of the enormous capacity of the training institute; mindful of the need to raise and support pioneers on the homefront and internationally; mindful of your guidance that “the greater the friends’ efforts to promote the Word of God, the stronger the countervailing forces they will encounter.”
We take solace that “whatever storms lie ahead, the ark of the Cause is equal to them all.” Within our waka we have everything we need to win these victories, and everything in our waka is needed. The power of the Covenant strengthens our waka and the gusts of the Almighty will propel us onward, onward.
With abiding love and gratitude,
The 65th National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Aotearoa New Zealand, 25 April 2022
waka – sea-faring vessel
tangata whenua – people of the land
te reo me ōna tikanga Māori – Māori language and protocol
Additional information
Available to view or download: Annual Report 178 B.E.
For a sense of the topics consulted upon, see: Convention programme 179 B.E.
Photographs
The featured image for this article shows the whole cohort of Convention participants.
In the gallery below, click on an image to enlarge it then hover cursor over image to see full caption.
