Reflections
Solidarity in Diversity: Why Uniting Humanity Matters
Bahá’ís hold the conviction that we all belong to one human family. If we are to overcome the problems
Now is the Time
to Unite!
… starting right here in our Edmonton neighbourhoods.
"All men have been created to carry forward
an ever-advancing civilization."
We believe:
Faith and commitment should been shown in deeds, more than words.
The purpose of religion is unity. If religion causes disunity and conflict, better to not have it.
You can get take part at any time, regardless of belief or affiliation.
The following activities are available to join at your convenience:
Fireside Conversations
Learn, share, ask questions. These are spaces for meaningful, respectful conversations.
Devotional Gatherings
Engage in prayer with others and be part of a spiritually charged and heightened time and place.
Children's Classes
Singing, playing and learning about developing virtues, being creative, and getting along with others.
Junior Youth Programs
A program exploring the questions and challenges of transitioning from childhood to youth. (Designed for 10-14 year olds.)
Ruhi Study Circles
A sequence of study on Baha’i principles and building shared definitions to build more complex conversations over time.
Holy Day Celebrations
Come celebrate the special days in the Baha’i calendar.
A Special song for truth and reconciliation day
A Grade 5 class from Callingwood School sings a special song for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
What does Baha`u`llah teach us about the oneness of humanity? How are Baha`is applying this concept?
Don`t miss this engaging presentation interspersed with musical performances and an interactive discussion tomorrow!
Here is the quote for today:
“[I]n this wonderful new age, art is worship. The more thou strivest to perfect it, the closer wilt thou come to God. What bestowal could be greater than this, that one’s art should be even as the act of worshipping the Lord? That is to say, when thy fingers grasp the paintbrush, it is as if thou wert at prayer in the Temple.”
—Extract from a Tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Only 3 days until our Art is Worship event! Have you registered? Who are you bringing with you to learn, create art/worship and strive to come closer to God?
If you are curious to know more about Ania and what to expect on Sunday, check out our short Facebook Live interview on Friday, Sept. 15th at 5:15pm MDT on the Edmonton Baha’i Community Facebook Page. I have also included the link to Ania Telfer’s website in the LinkTree on our Instagram bio page.
"All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies. Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose. When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvellous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God."
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted in Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway, p. 167
As we count down to the “Art is Worship” fireside this Sunday, we’ll be sharing a number of quotes from the Baha’i Writings to help us reflect on the role and importance of art. Here is the first one:
“Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation.”
—Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26
#art #worship #5moredays
Just under 1 week… are you coming?!
The Baha’i Faith sees art as an expression of the Divine, an essential part of what it means to be human. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said...: "All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit… These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God."
It is through the desire to express ourselves that we participate in the joy of creation, bringing us closer to God as the “Fashioner”. The process of creating is a spiritual one, inspiring awe and wonder and drawing us to beauty. This is why the Baha’i teachings place a strong emphasis on the arts, on having children learn through the arts, and on art as worship.
On Sunday, September 17th at 7 pm, Ania Telfer, an Edmonton Baha’i artist, will share some of the Baha’i teachings about art as a way to connect with the Divine, share her own intuitive, spiritual art making process, and take us through a creative exercise to experience the process ourselves.
If you are curious about how art and spirituality can work together, register on Eventbrite for, “Art as Worship - Where Creativity Meets Divinity, a fireside style talk and experience you will find inspiring and enjoyable! The Eventbrite link can be found on our bio page.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LATEST BLOGS
Here are some thoughts around what is happening around us. Our blogs are typically of three forms: related to holy days and recent or upcoming celebrations, related to current “hot” social topics, or reflections on some aspect of the world around us or some aspect of our lives. Please enjoy.
Reflections
Art as Connection with the Divine: A Baha’i Perspective
According to Baha’u’llah, one of the Names of God is “Fashioner”. In that we are created in the likeness
Reflections
Why Bahá’ís Have Hope for the Future
It doesn’t take much digging to find strife and misery in the world. In Edmonton alone, CTV reported that
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