Indelible memories were made as Bahá’ís across the United States planned, executed and followed up on interest sparked by celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. And, oh, do they have stories to tell! Here, by region, are just a few of the hundreds being shared.

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HEARTLAND

Urbana, Illinois. A strange thing happened on the way to the celebratory concert in an auditorium. That morning’s regular Sunday activities at the Bahá’í center were canceled because of the special event. But a believer thought to swing by the center and encountered an inquirer and her 2-year-old hoping to learn about the Faith. The believer spoke with her for more than 90 minutes and showed her The Bahá’ís magazine. The woman seemed especially impressed by a photo showing a large, diverse Bahá’í gathering and attracted by the idea of activities for her daughter. She ended up going to the concert and has been coming to Sunday morning devotions and football game-day potlucks ever since.

Waseca, Minnesota. The community’s bicentenary celebration gave a believer the opportunity to “interact with the friends in a different way.” Her outreach offered a path to re-engagement for Bahá’ís who had not been part of community life for whatever reason. And it gave her the idea to start a Facebook group and/or email list “to facilitate friends who want to extend invitations to socialize or for deepenings or other individual initiatives.”

Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A 3-year-old participant’s exclamation, “That was the best birthday party for God ever,” summed up the spirit of celebrations throughout the area. Programs filled with artistic expression were held on two college campuses and led to a major event in Waukesha County attended by at least 200. That celebration began with a moving and supportive address by the mayor of Brookfield. On stage, performance by a choir of Bahá’ís, Christians and Jews was followed by a specially choreographed dance about the Queen of Carmel; a moving letter from a Bahá’í prisoner in Iran to his newborn granddaughter; a dramatic reading about how the Bahá’í Faith affected two families; piano music composed for this occasion; and a children's play about the impact of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings in the world.

MIDWEST

See also “Youngsters learn about Bahá’u’lláh in Holy Day rehearsals”

Fort Wayne, Indiana. Reflecting on the past year since planning began for the bicentenary, a Bahá’í noted the community has “been blessed … with so many contacts, seeking souls, friends of the Faith, new activities launched just to handle the inquiries, and friendships made that they are too numerous to write about.” To this believer, “It’s as if a new culture was born of service, accompaniment and teaching. Every aspect of our community has been touched from the functioning of the Local Spiritual Assembly, to core activities, to teaching and outreach to the greater Fort Wayne community, reaping enormous spiritual benefits and growth in our community. We have had more declarations [of faith in Bahá’u’lláh] this year than I can ever remember.”

Troy, Michigan. A relationship of trust had been nurtured with a Bahá’í’s neighbors who allowed their children to attend children’s classes. After the bicentenary celebration, though, the believer noticed in talking with one dad that “the tone was different. He was motivated and energized, asking about the words of a song he heard during the program.” Several of the believer’s co-workers also attended the celebration and asked questions after the program. Other positive comments came after updates and photos of the celebration were posted on social media.

Columbus, Ohio. When a couple moved just over a month before the bicentenary, people in their new neighborhood began introducing themselves immediately. The husband, a stay-at-home dad, met others while outside or walking in the park. All were invited to the couple’s home for a brunch and celebration/conversation, and nearly all those came. At the celebration, the couple shared about Bahá’u’lláh, the Faith and the community-building process and informed their guests they would be starting a weekly devotional gathering at their home. Two neighbors attended the first devotional and others said they would try to come in the future.

NORTHEAST

See also “Collaborations cement relationships with like-minded”

Waterford, Connecticut. Bahá’ís marveled at how guests at the bicentenary celebration connected with the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Particularly appealing were “the principle of independent investigation of truth and the fact that only Bahá’ís can give to the Fund and the amount given is between them and God,” a believer reported. “It made them feel trusting of the Bahá’ís. They also felt comfortable knowing Bahá’u’lláh spoke lovingly about Jesus Christ as well as all the Manifestations.” Guests were moved as well by stories of the martyrdom of the Báb and of the exile and imprisonment of Bahá’u’lláh to bring about the unity of mankind. As people conversed, they shared life stories bearing on the need for unity and the elimination of prejudice, with many tears being shed. All committed to attend a children’s class in early November.

Augusta, Maine. A restaurant dinner enjoyed by 29 people was essentially a continuation of friendship and deepening efforts; everyone who attended had heard of the Faith, and all but one had participated in devotional gatherings. As Bahá’ís engaged their guests in conversation and fellowship, all were lovingly made to feel that they were among friends. Even the wait staff commented on the atmosphere and how nice it was to serve people who were so friendly and appreciative.

Northampton, Massachusetts. A believer was delighted when two of the friends she invited to the community’s celebration attended. Both were moved by the presentation, she said. One cried because of the warmth and loving atmosphere, and has since asked the believer to go to a concert with her. The other has looked at the bicentenary website and watched Light to the World. A bonus: After the celebration, the believer’s brother and his wife said talks given there gave them a much better understanding of the Faith.

Concord, New Hampshire. In a case of serendipity, a believer was surprised to learn at the bicentenary that one of his co-workers was being taught about the Faith through another Bahá’í. “We are looking forward to deeper conversations,” he said.

Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The Local Spiritual Assembly engaged a task force to plan an appropriate event and facilitated Feast discussions about how the community wanted to proclaim the significance of the event. The results were a program that prominently featured children, junior youths and youths; volunteers to host firesides and devotional gatherings after the event; information posted to Facebook and other local social media sites; and the development of a brochure about Bahá’u’lláh that details the follow-up activities.

Jamestown/Olean, New York. The areawide celebration so touched the crowd of 120 that “people stayed so long we had to ‘kick them out,’” a believer reported. A musical presentation featured songs written and performed by local Bahá’ís, backed by a paid orchestra. Texts from the Writings were interspersed with narrative on Bahá’u’lláh’s life and teachings. And the mayor presented a proclamation. Afterward, many attendees expressed interest in learning more, and other gatherings are planned.

Harrisburg/Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Connections made in the months before the bicentenary led to the launch of a study circle and a children’s class. Also, Local Spiritual Assembly members met with City Council members and the mayor to answer questions about Bahá’u’lláh and the proclamation in His honor, which was adopted unanimously. Friends of Bahá’ís at Franklin and Marshall College participated in preparations for the program, which was held on campus, and in the program itself, which featured music, poetry, readings and a video.

South Kingstown, Rhode Island. In the local celebration’s aftermath, a believer submitted an account of the event to the Providence Journal. It wasn’t accepted, but when the story was rewritten as an opinion piece the newspaper published it.

Concord, Vermont. When two women who participate with a believer in a “sacred sing” expressed interest in the community-building process, she arranged to meet with them and make plans.

NORTHERN PLAINS

See “Small communities think big in the Northern Plains region”

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