Community News - Spring 2013

On Sunday, April 28, 2013 friends celebrated the Feast of Beauty indoors at first and then spilled their enthusiasm and dedication to the splendor of the earth outdoors. Equipped with garbage bags, protective gloves and some with garbage tongs, the troop of like-minded allies removed rubbish from the roadside, paved pathway and beachfront of a section of Campbell River.


Afterward, with keen enthusiasm and warm feelings of purpose, the friends gathered around a fire on the beach and shared their experience of acting on their strong need to support the city’s beauty. A feast of hotdogs, fruit, cookies and snacks were shared among the adults and children.


One person expressed our mutual feelings of the event, “Deeds speak louder than words.”


The power of God can entirely transmute our characters and make of us beings entirely unlike our previous selves. Through . . . ever-increasing service to His Faith, we can change ourselves.

~ (Shoghi Effendi, Spiritual Foundations, p. 17)


The Feast of Beauty Extended

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First day of Ridván Celebrations

Electric love filled the small house used for the Ridván celebration by the Bahá’ís of Campbell River, friends from Gold River and interested friends of friends.


Ridván, one of the two “Most Great Festivals” was celebrated with a tender Devotional filled with profound readings and thoughtful music. Afterward, the friends were invited to help themselves to a feast of finger food and conversation. The daytime festivities concluded with songs, instrumentals, stories and a collaborative sing-a-long.


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Spiritual Energy and Faith Vigor

Submitted by Susan Black


The spiritual energy was electrifying. Various members of the family of Bahá’í friends sat at our exhibit while others walked around the large room exploring displays of shared beliefs and values. The vision of the Local Spiritual Assembly stood out as the Golden Rule Tree and the Wall of Virtues. The tree was beautifully decorated with fluttering napkins that held international multi-faith quotes of the Golden Rules, while the brightly coloured tower located behind the literature covered table attracted a great number of curious folks. Each element of the arrangement promoted curiosity and conversation.


On that day, Saturday, March 23, 2013, the Immigrant Welcome Centre orchestrated an annual Walk Away from Racism & Interfaith Fair in Campbell River, British Columbia. The faithism theme brought together locally based faith groups to help mark co-existence, and understanding and acceptance of each other through dialogue, teaching and learning.


The community hall was filled with like-minded children, youth and adults whose common goal was to join in a walk about town to promote the elimination of prejudice of any kind. After speeches were presented the get-up-and-go family of newfound friends took up banners, some donned costumes and marched along to express the promotion of unity. The trust between the participants sprung liveliness among the onlookers. It was a very gratifying event.


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Naw Rúz Celebrations in Courtenay


Naw-Rúz is the time of year when our hearts are filled with cheer. Bahá’ís and friends from far and near, wish each other a happy New Year.


At this year’s event, held at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay, BC, we united first with devotion to God, then with a generous feast of main-meal potluck contributions

and desserts, and ended the evening with local entertainment and songs of joy.

A devoted group of volunteers fussed tirelessly to make everyone welcome and everything run smoothly.


One of the songs presented that evening seemed to sum up our collaborative feelings.




This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine. ♫