Community Building
Service is integral to both individual and collective life. We are each called upon to be an active participant of social progress. Through our actions and deeds, and in our work and service to our communities, we strive to contribute to the betterment of society and to develop our intellectual and spiritual capacities.
Service in the Bahá’í community finds expression in the mutual support that we provide one another, as well as in the accompaniment provided by the community and institutional bodies to each individual.
There are four main activities that the Baháʼí community and friends across the world are developing in villages, towns and cities. Through these activities every member of a community can be engaged, assisted to develop their own spiritual qualities and capacity for service and build strong bonds of friendship in their local community.
Community building activities are taking place across Manchester and are open to all regardless of race, gender, or religion.
The Baha'i community is striving to learn side by side with people from all walks of life, how to build unity in the city of Manchester.
Devotional Gatherings
Just as our bodies require nourishment to develop properly, we need regular prayer for our spiritual sustenance and health. Prayer is food for the soul; it deepens the love of God in our hearts and draws us closer to Him.
“There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer…The most blessed condition is the condition of prayer and supplication.”
To live in a state of prayer entails uttering sacred verses in moments of devotion; and throughout the day, turning our hearts towards God.
Baháʼís and friends organise devotional gatherings that offer the chance to develop this spiritual connection through prayer, meditation and reflection on a collective level. These gatherings can take place anywhere and are often hosted in people's homes. These spaces have no set format but often include reading prayers, music, art, and exploration of spiritual themes.
Junior Youth Programme
The age group of 12-15 can be a testing time for young people as they begin to
build their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Baháʼís
believe that the potential of this age group to contribute positively to the world is often overlooked.
The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program aims to support young people
to develop their potential both through strengthening their moral identity and developing their intellectual and creative faculties.
If you'd like your Junior Youth to participate in the JYSEP or would like to support the running of these groups please get in touch here.
Children's Classes
Bahá’ís regard children as the most precious treasure a community can possess.
In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. This promise is dependent
on the type of education that is imparted to our children.
In addition to the pursuit of academic knowledge, the Bahá’í community places
great emphasis on the spiritual nourishment of children, focusing on the development of spiritual qualities, such as truthfulness, generosity and kindness.
If you'd like your children to participate in classes that help them develop these qualities in a safe and friendly environment, or would like to assist the running of these classes please get in touch here.
Study Circles
Although our individual desire to positively change the world is inherent within us, like with any skill, the ability to set our sights on service to humanity through our community requires effort, discipline and training. Study circles are spaces for anyone over the age of 16 to begin reflecting on their spiritual identity in groups
of people. The diversity of backgrounds that engage in these study circles only
aid in helping both the individual and the collective deepen their understanding of the world and themselves.
These study circles are taking place across the world in a wide variety of communities. To understand more about them feel free to get in touch with your local Baháʼís here.
