From the Council table

The Bahá’í Council for Scotland sends its greetings to you all. 2004 was a busy year when much was accomplished. Large numbers of Bahá’ís undertook institute courses using the Ruhi books 1-7 and enjoyed the study of the sacred Word of God, the fellowship and the acts of service linked to the courses. A successful summer school and three exhilarating youth weekends were held. Many communities and individuals in Scotland have also held inspiring devotional meetings and children’s classes and a number of people have registered or confirmed their belief in Bahá’u’lláh making 2004 a year to build on.

Summer and Winter Schools

Although there will not be a summer school in Aberdeen this year, there will be a summer school in St. Andrews and we are greatly privileged to have retired Universal House of Justice member Mr. Ali Nakjavani and his wife as guest speakers [see details on previous page]. We are delighted to say that there will also be a 2005 winter school in Glasgow [details to follow]. There will, however, not be a Scottish Institutional meeting this year and many of the Scottish friends serving on institutions of the Faith will be invited to attend the UK Institutional Meeting in June.

UK Tutor Training Weekend in Coventry

Recently four members of the Bahá’í Council for Scotland along with other Scottish Bahá’ís who are tutors of the Ruhi Institute courses attended a UK Tutor training weekend in Coventry. Four Continental Councillors attended and the focus of the weekend was on how to use the knowledge and skills gained from the Ruhi courses to better share the Word of God with seeking souls. It can be a challenge to find balance in our lives as Bahá’ís, attending to the needs of our families, our jobs and our Bahá’í community life – this often leaves little time to develop friendships which in turn give us the opportunity to share the life-giving Word of God with others. Recently Bahá’ís have been encouraged to really think about how to involve their friends, family and work collogues in Bahá’í activities, particularly the three core activities of devotional meetings, study circles and children’s classes. There is a need for our core activities to be open to all and eventually the community of interested people who gravitate around our communities need to be given a chance to explore Bahá’u’lláh’s message in depth. Workshops and inspirational talks and activities were held throughout the weekend in Coventry which helped those present to really look at what holds us back from inviting friends to become part of our Bahá’í communities.

Core Activities open to all

There are many communities in Scotland hosting activities open to all that are attracting people in reasonably large numbers. The Ayrshire community's devotional meetings would be an example of this. However there is a great need to reach out more often and more effectively and if there is anyone who has ideas to share then the Bahá’í Council for Scotland would love to hear them and to share them with the rest of the Scottish Bahá’í Community. The annual Gathering which is to take place in Inverness again this year on the 14th and 15th of May is a great time to share and to learn from each other and the Bahá’í Council for Scotland is looking forward to seeing as many friends there as can possibly make it. There is a great programme planned for this year so put the dates in your diary now.

Children and Children’s Classes

As most of you are aware Bahá’u’lláh strongly praised the believers who educate children and children's classes are a central part of Bahá’í community life. It is vitally important however that all our children are protected and that our children's activities conform to the laws of Scotland. Currently this means that any Bahá’í with access to children or vulnerable adults must undertake a process called 'disclosure Scotland'. If you are hosting or intending to host study circles, children's classes or devotional meetings with children, youth or vulnerable adults present then please contact Anwen Shahim immediately [telephone details on back page] to ensure that you undergo the correct procedure for 'disclosure'. Unfortunately not to undergo this legal procedure means that the Bahá’í Community would be breaking UK Law and National Assembly policy. There is currently a 10 week minimum processing time so please do contact Anwen as soon as possible. It is important not to be discouraged by these procedures but to see it as part of our communities’ being able to teach the faith of Bahá’u’lláh within the legal framework of our country. The Universal House of Justice has stated that sharing the Faith of God with others needs to become the 'dominating passion of our lives' and so in humble prayer we ask for the Divine confirmations that we all attain to this great bounty.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
In His service,

The Bahá’í Council for Scotland