Bermuda Bahá’í Community Governing Body
Over the weekend, the Bermuda Bahá’í community gathered to elect its island wide governing body, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bermuda
A spokesperson said, “May marks the beginning of Bermuda’s Heritage Month celebrations. May marks the occasion when Gibbs Hill Lighthouse beamed its first light to the world on 1 May 1846. May 1844 marked the beginning of the Bahá’í Faith in Shiraz, Iran. May 1st also marks the end of Twelve Days of the Festival of Riḍván in the worldwide Bahá’í community, and a time for the election of National Spiritual Assemblies worldwide.
“Over the weekend, 26th – 27th April, the Bermuda Bahá’í community gathered to elect its island wide governing body, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bermuda. Delegates to the National Convention, representing all of Bermuda’s nine parishes and the two municipalities, consulted on the community’s present reality.
“In the alembic atmosphere of the Bahá’í National Centre in the City of Hamilton such subjects as: the centrality of education for our children, junior youth and young people, recognizing that children and youth are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future of Bermuda and our world; contributing to social transformation; building vibrant communities; the importance of worship and service for the wellbeing of everyone; contributing to the spiritual and material progress of our society, and, what the Bahá’ís and those labouring alongside them are doing to promote this. These and other matters touching on Bermuda’s ever-evolving development were earnestly addressed.
“At the mid-point of the 44th Annual National Convention, the first of which was inaugurated in April 1981, the election for the National Spiritual Assembly was carried out in a prayerful manner and those duly elected for the ensuing year to the nine member institution are: Read Currelly, Blythe Walker, Anthony Ball, Cheryl Peek-Ball, Tanisha Edwards, Georgia Symonds, Oswald Hinds, Arlene Brock, and Shyama Ezekiel-Fagundo. [Pictured in photo along with Ms. Yvonne DiMattia, from Jacksonville, Florida, who represented the Continental Boards of Counsellors at Bermuda’s National Convention.]
“Historically, the Festival of Riḍván in the Bahá’í world commemorates the twelve days that Baháʼu’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith spent in the Riḍván Garden before leaving Baghdad in 1863. Riḍván means “paradise” in Arabic. The first, ninth, and the twelfth days of the Festival of Riḍván are specially commemorated as Holy Days.
“It was in this garden that Baháʼu’lláh announced to several of His followers that He was the Promised One Whose coming was foretold by all the Prophets of the past. He assumed the name Baháʼu’lláh, which means “the Glory of God”, hence His followers are known as Bahá’ís. It was during Baháʼu’lláh’s twelve days in the Garden of Riḍván that He declared His mission to all those gathered. And from that day 21st April 1863, during the period of 12-days, all Bahá’í institutions, local, national and international are elected. Riḍván represents the beginning of the administrative year for the Bahá’í world.
“Bahá’ís believe that God reveals and renews His Word in each age through a chosen individual, variously called a Prophet, Messenger or Manifestation; among these were Abraham, Moses, Muhammad and Christ. Baháʼu’lláh stated, and Bahá’ís recognize, that He is the Bearer of God’s Word for this Age.
“Like the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse guiding aircraft and ships safely to Bermuda, Bahá’ís believe that Baháʼu’lláh’s teachings shed the light of spiritual guidance for humankind, promoting unity, peace and justice.
“Bahá’ís warmly welcome the public to their First Sunday gathering on May 5th, and each first Sunday of the month, held at the Bahá’í National Centre, # 8 Brunswick Street, Hamilton City, at 11am. All are invited to share in devotions from the world’s religious scriptures, and writings from Bahá’í scripture addressing today’s pressing needs: the wellbeing of our children, education, equality of men and women, justice, and creating a more peaceful and just world, to cite a few. And so, as our 2024 Heritage month of May unfolds, as Gibbs Hill’s light beckons all safely to port, let us together build a society that consciously pursues these noble goals, not only for this generation, but for many generations to come.”
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