Vibrant activity featured
We are delighted to bring you the latest updates from the North Island Regional Institute Board, showcasing the inspiring initiatives happening across Te Ika-a-Māui. Our diverse community continues to thrive, fostering a spirit of unity and service - and in their recent newsletter, the Institue Board offers insights into experiences of youth in the Auckland cluster, the joy of teaching in Hawke's Bay, learning from family camps, and introduces new courses in the Ruhi curriculum, all of which are highlighted in the sections below.
1. Bahá’í Youth Conference in Auckland Cluster
The Auckland cluster recently hosted a Bahá’í youth conference, bringing together 86 enthusiastic youth aged 15 to 25+. Many of these youth had graduated from the junior youth spiritual empowerment programme. The event aimed to inspire reflection on their path of service and foster a sense of unity among the youth. The conference delved into themes such as the period of youth, early adolescence, mutual support, and community building. Following the conference, two institute campaigns engaged 66 youth in Auckland, deepening their understanding through various Ruhi courses. [See article published on 22 January for more about the youth conference]
In the 28 November 2023 message to the Bahá’ís of the World, The Universal House of Justice shared its vision for the youth movement, emphasising the evolution of the training institute as an educational organisation nurturing capabilities for service.
The seeds it sows within the hearts of succeeding cohorts of young people will be nurtured by other educational opportunities to empower each soul to contribute to social progress and well-being.
2. The Joy of Teaching - Book 6 Intensive in Hawke’s Bay
In early December, a nine-day orientation in the Hawke’s Bay cluster was held as part of the summer initiative. Participants explored the concepts of "enkindlement" through the in-depth study of Book 6, Teaching the Cause. Twenty participants actively practiced concepts from ‘Anna’s conversation’ during pre-arranged home visits. The transformative experience led to two participants declaring their Faith in Bahá'u'lláh. The atmosphere created during the orientation highlighted the spiritual forces released through direct teaching, and how that impacts acts of service.
Participants expressed their joy and insights gained from the summer initiative.
"When you do this book [Book 6], it just doesn’t feel right to sit idle, you WANT TO TEACH."
"I loved the beautiful souls I was fortunate to learn with and from. And the amazing new songs to add to our collection."
"I learnt how to teach, and some of the quotes about the Concourse on High really touched my heart. I also learnt you need to prepare before a home visit."
"I used to think that I should only bring up Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation to people who seem receptive, but, really, sharing the beautiful Teachings is actually a strong source of creating receptivity itself."
3. Family Camps - Enriching Conversations and Learning
The regional children's programme team is exploring the nature and content of ongoing conversations within family and community groups. Several nuclei across the region are holding regular family camps, studying Book 12, Unit 2, "An Expanding Conversation on the Education of Children.”, and are documenting their learning. These efforts aim to contribute to the vibrancy, scale, and sustainability of the programme. A video shared below illustrates the impact of family camps on enriching conversations and illustrates one of these efforts.
4. New Courses in the Ruhi Curriculum
Exciting additions to the Ruhi curriculum include the junior youth text "Rays of Light," exploring through the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá certain fundamental principles of His Father’s Faith that serve to illuminate humanity’s path. This text was published in October 2023.
Additionally, a new edition of Book 6, Teaching the Cause, is now freely available to the public on the Ruhi website.
The Law of Ḥuqúqu’lláh, featured in Book 11, Unit 3, is part of the ongoing Material Means campaign, which was launched in March 2023, encouraging friends to participate in Book 11 study circles. The campaign runs until Riḍván, and the book is available at the BDS bookshop at the above link. The Regional Institute Board warmly encourages friends to participate in a study circle in their area if they haven't yet had a chance.
Book 12, Unit 2, "An Expanding Conversation on the Education of Children," is now available for study and aims to propagate conversations among families on the education and upbringing of children. This text was first published in July 2023, and is also available through the BDS bookshop at the above link.
