U N I T Y P O R T M O O D Y
"The Earth is but One Country and Mankind its Citizens." ~ Bahá’u’lláh
Baha'i Community of Port Moody
Newsletter
Month of Bahá/Splendour 177 BE March 20 – April 8, 2020 Vol. 14, No. 01
Inside this issue:
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Thank thou God that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in such a blessed Age and hast opened thine ears and thine eyes in such a Promised Day. The Splendor of the Sun of Truth thou hast beheld and the divine Call thou hast heard. To thine ultimate desire thou hast attained and from the sweetness of the love of God thou hast tasted. Consequently, supplicate ardently for spiritual attraction and ecstacy.
'Abdu’l-Bahá
Feast Information
Feast of Splendour
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2020
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Zoom, by neighborhood
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Message From Your Local Spiritual Assembly
Photo of last LSA Meeting before COVID-19 mandatory social distancing
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Naw Ruz Messages
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Dearly loved friends;
Happy Naw Ruz to you all.
We extend to you our love; and hope that your intimate celebrations of this Holy Day bring joy to your hearts and further that the prayers offered bring peace and tranquility to the world.
Please see attached truly inspirational message from the Universal House of Justice on the occasion of Naw Ruz 177 to the Baha'is of the World and a separate letter addressed to the long-suffering friends in Iran (complete with a Farsi translation); as well as a message dated March 16, 2020 to the Baha'is of Canada from the National Spiritual Assembly.
Please note that there will be more communication from the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port Moody in the coming days, with respect to arrangements for the Feast of Splendour and other local community information.
With warm and loving Baha'i greetings,
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port Moody
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2020-21 Feast and Holy Day Schedule
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Kindly review the attached schedule for our community's Feasts and Holy Days for the coming year, and consider offering your home to host, or otherwise assisting in anyway you may be able to.
If you have any questions about the neighbourhood feast you should attend, or have any other questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Assembly Secretary at 604-340-5266.
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With loving greetings,
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port Moody
Message From Your National Spiritual Assembly
March 16 Letter
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Please click here to read.
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Suspension of Pilgrimage and Brief Visits to the Holy Land
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
We are writing to share with you a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated 12 March 2020 regarding the suspension of pilgrimage and brief visits to the Holy Land.
The Universal House of Justice has been following closely the evolving global health crisis caused by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and for some time the Department of Pilgrimage has been advising prospective pilgrims and visitors about the rapidly changing restrictions being imposed on travellers by the government of Israel. The current situation and the escalating measures being taken by governments and airlines have now necessitated the suspension of pilgrimage and brief visits to the Holy Land until such time as circumstances permit them to resume.
The House of Justice regrets that many friends who were planning to visit the World Centre of the Cause will be affected by this suspension, but it hopes that they will, before long, be able to fulfil their hearts' desire.
Kindly assure the friends in your communities of the supplications of the House of Justice at the Sacred Threshold that Bahá'u'lláh's unfailing assistance and strengthening grace may surround them as well as their compatriots and that all those affected by this outbreak may be sheltered beneath the canopy of His watchful care.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
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Travel Advisory for Iran
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Dear Bahá’í Friends,
Federal government officials have asked for our assistance in disseminating the following information, published on travel.gc.ca, to Canadian Bahá’ís of Iranian origin. At the present time, individuals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran, one reason for which is the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in that country. The website also recommends that travellers currently in Iran who plan to return to Canada should make every effort to do so by commercial means while it is still possible, “as it is becoming increasingly difficult to leave the country. Many airlines have suspended or reduced flights to and from Iran”. Additional information is available and updated frequently at https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iran#entryexit and https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/217.
We are confident that the friends are already conscious of the special risks that such travel has always held for them as Bahá’ís and are well aware of the current situation. Nonetheless, we seek your assistance in distributing this letter to your communities, to ensure that it reaches the Persian friends without delay.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
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2020 National Convention Observation
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Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We are writing to seek your assistance in informing the friends of the opportunity to attend the 2020 National Convention as observers. The Convention will take place at the Toronto Bahá’í Centre, 288 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario from Thursday, 23 April beginning at 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, 26 April ending at 1:00 p.m. Observers will view the Convention consultation through an audio-visual link one floor above the Convention hall and will have an opportunity to interact directly with delegates during breaks in the proceedings.
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All Bahá’ís in good standing who are able to attend on a self-supporting basis are welcome to register at https://forms.gle/t5d9mxyBByiPk8ve6 no later than 10 April. Registrations will be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis. Further information is attached.
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It may also be of interest to the friends to know that the National Spiritual Assembly again plans to offer access to National Convention deliberations through live-streaming over the internet.
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With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
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Persian Translation of 1 December 2019 Letter
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Dear Bahá’í Friends,
The National Spiritual Assembly has received some inquiries about the availability of a Persian translation of the letter dated 1 December 2019 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice concerning social media and non-involvement in politics. As you may recall, the National Assembly no longer receives Persian translations of letters directly from the Bahá’í World Centre. Instead, when official translations of letters exist, they are made available on the website http://www.payamha-iran.org, which has a subscription function allowing individuals to receive a notification when new items have been uploaded. We are happy to share that a Persian translation of the 1 December 2019 letter has recently been posted to the site.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
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Compilation on Prayer and Devotional Life
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Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We are very happy to share with you the attached newly-released compilation on prayer and devotional life; kindly arrange for its wide distribution. It is also available in the compilation section of the Bahá’í Reference Library. A French version will be circulated as soon as one is available.
In its covering letter dated 28 February 2019, the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice shared the following about this compilation:
“As the friends intensify their efforts to pursue the last Plan of the series of Plans that end in 2021, a year that marks the centenary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the inauguration of the Formative Age, signs of the enrichment of the devotional life of the community are manifest. Devotional activities are everywhere multiplying and are increasingly being integrated into the core of community life. To add further stimulus to this signal development and to help the friends take full advantage of the period of special potency during which the bicentennial anniversaries of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Báb are commemorated, the Universal House of Justice has directed us to enclose a compilation of extracts on prayer and devotional life drawn from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and from the letters of the Guardian and the House of Justice.
“It is the hope of the House of Justice that this compilation, prepared by the Research Department at its request, will be studied widely and will be of assistance to individuals, families, and communities as they strive to evoke the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in the creation of occasions where any soul may inhale the divine fragrances, experience the elevating power of prayer, and be drawn together with others in fellowship and common cause.”
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
Message from the Baha'i Council of British Columbia
Passing of Mr. Arastoo Khoshkhesal
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Dear Friends,
The Local Spiritual Assembly of North Vancouver District has informed us of the passing of Mr. Khoshkhesal, asking that the message below regarding his funeral service be forwarded to you. We hope that you will share this information with the believers in your communities.
Kindly join us in offering prayers for the progress of his radiant soul and the consolation of his dear family members.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Bahá’í Council of British Columbia
Charlene Antinuk
Assistant Secretary
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Dear Friends,
The local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North Vancouver District was profoundly grieved to learn of the passing of our cherished and dearly loved long-time community member, Arastoo Khoshkhesal, who winged his flight in the early hours of the morning of February 29, 2020.
Mr. Khoshkhesal will be remembered for his outstanding personal qualities, dedication to his family and passion for the Faith. His long-standing record of Baha’i service in Canada began in 1977 as an early pioneer to the District of North Vancouver and serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly. His steadfastness service to the Faith has left a lasting impression on our community and anyone who crossed his path.
The funeral ceremony will be held on:
Monday, March 9, 2020
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: Hollyburn Funeral Home in West Vancouver.
Address: 1807 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC, V7V1J7
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
The Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of North Vancouver District
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2020 Summer Schools Update
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Dear Friends,
Further to our recent letter announcing the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP) undergraduate seminars in British Columbia, we have been advised that the deadline for applications to the spring seminar has been extended to 1 April 2020. The attached announcement has updated information regarding application deadlines and locations for both the spring and the summer seminars. Please ensure that it is widely distributed among Bahá’í college or university students aged 17 to 25 and that it is shared at the next Feast.
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With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Karen McKye, Secretary
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Message From The Regional Schools Coordinating Committee
New BC Baha'i Schools Website Is Now Live
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Dearest Friends,
We are excited to inform you and all the friends that the new BC Baha'i Schools website is now up and live! Information and registration details for three Regional summer schools can now be found at: https://bahaischools.org/
We hope the site's fresh and user friendly format will make sharing and finding information easier for everyone. Details about school programs and presenters will be updated regularly as they are confirmed, so it is advisable to bookmark and visit the site often to stay current. As registration opens for each school, a registration button will become available on the menu bar to the left of the school's page. Schools fill up quickly once registration is open, so we encourage everyone to check all details for the school(s) of their choice.
Please share this news as soon as possible so it may reach everyone and encourage the friends (and their family, friends and coworkers!) to be sure and register!
With much love,
Jackie Enfield, Secretary
Regional Schools Coordinating Committee
(A Committee of the Baha'i Council of British Columbia)
Message from the Universal House of Justice
The Fund
News
Core Activities in Port Moody
Children's Classes
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Grade 1 run by Parham Ebrahimi
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Saturdays at 10:30 am, rotating residences​
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Grade 2 run by Anusha Ahmadi
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Sundays at 10:30 am​, Anusha's home
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Junior Youth Groups
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Spirit of the Faith animated by Sahaab Moffedi and Hamed Mahdi (all JYs are from Coquitlam​)
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Walking the Straight Path animated by Dana Sabeti​
Study Circles
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Book 3, Nouran Rahmanian
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Book 5, Sourna Vafadary
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Book 7, Elham Sabeti​
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Book 8 Unit 2, Negin Etemadi
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Book 9, Yasha Khatamian
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Book 9 Unit 2, Bahram Gustaspi
Devotional Gatherings
CANADA, 30 MARCH 2020
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The public response to the novel coronavirus has imposed a range of temporary limitations on all kinds of social activity, but Baha’is across the country are finding creative ways to remain connected with their friends and neighbours. Despite the uncertainty created by these changed circumstances, new possibilities are being created to foster a sense of community life and social solidarity.
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Mindful of the need to retain a degree of physical separation to promote the health of the wider community, Baha’is across Canada have reached beyond these barriers to foster social connection.
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Bahá'í World Centre staffing needs
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
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We have been asked to share with you the following message from the Office of Personnel at the Bahá'í World Center regarding opportunities to serve there. It is hoped that you will distribute it as widely as possible.
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"As the vital work of the Cause unfolds in every part of the world, the effective functioning of the Bahá'í World Centre takes on added significance. The World Centre of the Faith—described by Shoghi Effendi as the "pivot of the agencies of the New World Order"—is supported by a flow of believers from a diversity of countries and occupations who arise selflessly to offer a period of service, of varying length, in the Holy Land. The staffing needs at the World Centre are continually changing in light of the evolving demands and resources. At any given time, there are roles to be filled which require particular competencies or specialized training, and others that simply require a readiness to learn about one's specific assignment. Due to the nature of service at the World Centre, the essential requirements include an ability to offer 12 months or more and a basic proficiency of English.
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"Anyone interested in learning more about the possibility of offering a period of service at the World Centre is encouraged to contact the Office of Personnel at serve@bwc.org. Offers of service can also be submitted directly at https://bahai.bwc.org/service/.
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With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Joo Jong Kung, Secretary-Aide
National Secreteriat"
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International News
Volunteers from the village of Namawanga and the surrounding area joined together in recent months to undertake the construction of an 800-square-meter educational facility for their village. The Kenyan Baha’is, who managed the project, found that years of experience with community-building activities enabled them to create a collaborative environment for this undertaking and to make creative use of locally sourced materials and tools.
For more international news, please visit https://news.bahai.org/
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Calendar
Until further notice, all Feasts will be held via Zoom. Please keep an eye out for emails from the Local Spiritual Assembly for further information as each Feast approaches.
Thank you!
Contact Info
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