Message to unit conventions

From the National Spiritual Assembly to all those assembled at unit conventions in Canada, 28 January 2014:

To all those assembled at unit conventions in Canada

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

You gather today to elect delegates and consult about the progress of the Cause in Canada at an exciting, historic moment, whose characteristics are outlined in the stirring 5 December 2013 message just read. At the heart of that message is the recognition of a rise in capacity among the three protagonists of the Plan to extend the empowering influence of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh to individuals and populations that have not yet been touched by it, and to engage more and more people in the work of building “vibrant, flourishing communities.”

In Canada, as in the rest of the world, the youth have led the way, arising in numbers previously unimagined, galvanized by the youth conferences and bringing a new reality into being. Over 2,000 youth in Canada responded to the call of the Universal House of Justice and attended one of the three youth conferences held in this country. In the few months leading up to the youth conferences over 100 among them were helped to develop the capacity to bring together groups of 20 or even 80 of their peers and facilitate intensive study, reflection, consultation and planning within such large groups. Following the conferences, many of them offered a period of dedicated service under the loving guidance of the regional training institutes. Youth from the wider society in clusters and neighbourhoods throughout the country are serving or being trained as animators in increasing numbers. The junior youth spiritual empowerment programme has continued to grow in strength and size, and a new site for the dissemination of learning about the programme has emerged in Vancouver as one of six in North America.

The distinguishing feature of these achievements of the youth was the community, which “rose as one to support, encourage, and champion this phenomenon.” It is this community — His faithful followers and an increasing number of diverse friends and collaborators — which “now rejoices to see itself progress as an interdependent, organic whole, readier to meet the imperatives of this day.” How the Bahá’í world thrilled to see this movement through the eyes of the House of Justice: “Given all this, we have no hesitation in recognizing that what these developments reveal is an advance in the process of entry by troops of a kind not experienced heretofore.”

The delegates to this year’s National Convention will be called on to consult and advise the National Assembly regarding the challenge for Bahá’í institutions and their agencies “to furnish the means to accompany all those who cherish a pure and earnest desire for a better world, whatever their degree of involvement in the process of spiritual education so far, and help them translate that desire into the practical steps that day by day and week by week accrete to build vibrant, flourishing communities.” We invite you to share your thoughts, insights and experience to assist them to prepare for that consultation. How are we identifying, engaging and befriending souls who long to arise and serve, both among members of the Bahá’í community and from the wider society? What strengths have emerged in the individual, the institutions and the community that will allow tens of thousands of Canadians to participate in community-building activities? How can we support and increase the momentum among the youth whose “contribution to the work at hand will prove decisive in the months and years ahead”? What is needed to ensure that those of every age and background “who cherish a pure and earnest desire for a better world” are accompanied to translate that desire into practical steps? What are the means, material and other, that must be furnished by the Bahá’í institutions and their agencies?

May your conversation today be inspired by this opening passage of the Ridván 2013 message to the Bahá’ís of the world, with which we end this letter, our thoughts turned to you:

“The Book of God is wide open, and His Word is summoning mankind unto Him.” In such exhilarating terms does the Supreme Pen describe the advent of the day of union and ingathering. Bahá’u’lláh continues: “Incline your ears, O friends of God, to the voice of Him Whom the world hath wronged, and hold fast unto whatsoever will exalt His Cause.” He further exhorts His followers: “With the utmost friendliness and in a spirit of perfect fellowship take ye counsel together, and dedicate the precious days of your lives to the betterment of the world and the promotion of the Cause of Him Who is the Ancient and Sovereign Lord of all.”

With our abiding love,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada