 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
Baha’i Community Life
1. Nineteen Day Feast
In every community Bahd’is gather at specific times for prayers, consultation, and fellowship. These gatherings are called Nineteen Day Feasts because they are held once every nineteen days. Each Baha’i month is nineteen days long, and the Feast is usually held on the first day of the month. Since the Baha'i day begins at sunset, the Feast may be observed anytime after sunset. For example, a Feast being held on the calendar day of October 16 may be observed anytime betweeen sunset October 15 and sunset October 16.
avers Feast is the heart of Baha’i community life. It is a time ) when Baha’is come together to pray and read from the Writings; to discuss their plans, activities, and problems; and to enjoy each other’s company.
~~ The Feast has three parts. The first consists of prayer and meditation. During this section Baha'i prayers and passages from the Baha’i Writings are read. The Writings may also be set to music. One may sing a prayer instead of reading it. Other reverent music may also be played during this portion of the Feast. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says Bahda’is should ‘‘invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, [and] sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-Subsistent Lord... .’’”
I
The second part of the Feast consists of consultation on the affairs of the community. Consultation may come about in a number of ways. One is through reports from the Local Spiritual Assembly. During the consultative part of the Feast the Local Spiritual Assembly must report on its activities, and individuals may want to ask questions or make suggestions and recommendations to the Assembly. For example, the commu- nity may want to begin holding children’s classes or plan a public meeting. This is the proper time for community members to express their ideas on the subject and to make recommenda- tions to the Spiritual Assembly. Consultation may also begin through the sharing of letters from The Universal House of Justice or the National Spiritual Assembly. The Local Spiritual Assembly may read these letters and ask the community for comments and suggestions. Yet another source of items for consultation is the teaching work. Reports may be given, and again the friends have the opportunity to share ideas or, perhaps, to tell about a successful fireside. News and letters from Bahda’is in other places may also be shared. Since com- munity affairs are freely discussed, only Baha’ is may attend the Feasts. Every member of the Baha'i family is thus free to express himself openly, without being concerned about the impression his comments might have on non-Bahda’is.
The last part of the Feast is social. Refreshments are served, and the Bahd’is enjoy fellowship. Fellowship enables the
2
Baha'is to get to know each other better and to grow into a loving Bahai family. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says the believers must “associate with each other in the utmost love, joy and fragrance.’ * Such association and fellowship, He says, should oa the hearts ‘‘become perfectly united. re
[Every Baha'i should attend the Feasts regularly, unless he is il or out of town. Because attendance at the Feasts is so important, everyone should make plans ahead of time not to miss them. By sharing ideas during the consultation and con- \tributing to the loving atmosphere, one helps his community grow. ‘Abdu’l-Baha has said that, when an atmosphere of fel- lowship, love, and unity exists, the Feast is like the Lord’s _Supper. Who would want to miss such a meeting?
One person or a group of Baha’is may be asked to make the arrangements for the Feast. This means choosing the Writings to be read during the devotional portion of the Feast, providing some refreshments, and finding a place to meet. The Feast may be held in a home, a Baha’i center, or some other convenient place.
