FARGO BAHA'I FAITH COMMUNITY
WHAT BAHAI'S DO...
Baha'is have regular meetings for worship, as well as social and educational activities for children, youth and adults. There are also activities for service, observance of Baha'i holy days and other events to which all faith beliefs are welcome. You are warmly invited to attend any of our events.
Devotional Gatherings
In addition to practicing private prayer and meditation, Bahá’ís gather in their homes and communities for collective worship. Devotional gatherings are scheduled regularly to share a devotional spirit of joy, love and fellowship. Prayer is a central element in all relgious traditions and these gatherings stress its universal nature. Readings are taken from the Baha'i writings and the Scriptures of other religions. Participants are encouraged to bring their prayer books or favorite passages from the Scriptures to share. These gatherings, often simple, have a variety of elements to accomodate participants regardless of their religious background. Music, food and discussion are often present, though the primary purpose is to use prayer's power to transform, unify and revitalize. There is no esatablished ritual and no solicitation of funds.
All are welcome!
Study Circles
Baha'is are actively engaged in developing knowledge, skills and spiritual insights through study circles (also known as "Ruhi"). They - with their neighbors from all walks of life - learn to act more effectively towards the betterment of humankind and serving the needs of the community and the larger society. Participants in these courses learn, for example, to teach values to children, to engage in community service activities, to assist and empower others to indipendently investigate spiritual truths, to lean how to competently express one's views, and to engage oneself in serving the broader needs of society for unity, justice, and equity. The participants often experience a new sense of direction in life, better relationships with family and friends, and a fruitful re-evaluation of the contribution they can make to the wider community.
The study circle setting is informal and usually conducted in homes with family and friends. All are welcome, regardless of their ideas or belierfs, as we are all members of one human family.
Please contact us if you would like to participate in a study circle!
Children's Classes
Children are the most precious resource a community has. Much like a young tree, children will grow and develop in whatever way they are trained and according to the influences they experience. Bahá'í children's classes are intended to nurture spiritually vibrant and healthy young people who will grow up without prejudice and with a positive, powerful sense that they are important to God and have a role to play in serving humanity.
Baha’i teachers believe in the nobility of every student, that each one is “a mine rich in gems of inestimable value”. They study the nature of spiritual qualities and develop knowledge of human talents and capacities so they can help their students discover these gems in themselves and actively polish them. In communities around the world, Baha’is are developing neighborhood children’s classes to help foster this spiritual development of children.
Jr. Youth Empowerment Groups
There is a special emphisis on the 12-14 age group due to the unique circumstances they go through during this time. For Bahá’ís, the years of youth are a special time of high potential. By using the Ruhi Intitutes Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program young people can discuss ideas and form a strong moral identity. By developing language skills and the power of expression they can begin to actively contribute to decision-making processes, and understand that their efforts will exercise greater influence when informed by the experiences and successes of others. This focus provides ongoing opportunities for developing a sense of world citizenship and a lifelong commitment to serve humanity.
Community Service Activities
The local Baha'i community is involved in many activites that contribute to making Fargo/Moorhead a better place to live and work. These activities include involvement in special events for Race Unity Day and the International Day of Peace, as well as a variety of on-going service projects (cleaning roadways, cooking for the homeless, growing gardens to donate produce, etc...).
