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| Oxnard-Ventura Bahá'í |
Newsletter of the Oxnard and Ventura Bahá’í
Communities
November 2003 |
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"A kindly tongue is the lodestone
of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with
meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding..." |
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The purpose of the Oxnard-Ventura Bahá'í News is to provide information about the Bahá'í Faith and activities of the Bahá'í's to those who wish to learn more or attend Bahá'í devotional gatherings. If you have comments or do not want to receive the Bahá'í News, write PO Box 7344, Oxnard, CA 93031, call 648-1222. No donations requested or accepted.
Informational Talks Wednesday, November 12, 7:30 PM Sunday, November 16, 7:30 PM Hamid
Rastegar will speak on "The Purpose of Education: SMART & GOOD"
The Birth of the Bahá'u'lláh On November 11, the Bahá'í Community of Ventura will join millions of Bahá'í's around the world in observing the 186th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh, Prophet–Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Everyone is invited to a celebration of His birth including international dancing (wear your dancing shoes – soft soles, please), socializing, and refreshments, starting at 7pm in the Cabrillo Middle School cafeteria. 1426 East Santa Clara St, Ventura Over 100 years ago, Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed the need for collective security and the establishment of universal peace. He taught that to achieve unity and peace, man must abandon his prejudices and learn to see himself as a world citizen. He stated that the world, with its conflicting groups and the hostilities of race, nation and class, would have to give way to a new world civilization. To achieve peace requires a change of human nature – there must be a transformation of the moral values and instincts of man. To order Bahá’í books, magazines, or videos, call the Bahá’í Distribution Service at 1-800-999-9019 or email bds@usbnc.org for more details. |
Bahá'u'lláh calls for us to let our vision be world embracing rather than confined to ourselves. He gave a blueprint of a world society in which peace, unity and justice would prevail. He said that the price of world peace is world faith – men united under the banner of one God, working to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. Spiritual
Elections ~ What A Concept!
Residents of Ventura County who are members of the Bahá’í
Faith, participated in the unique Bahá’í electoral process in Oxnard on
Sunday, October 4. These Bahá'í's, along with others from surrounding area of
Los Angeles County, met at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center to elect a delegate
to the national Bahá’í convention. Over 225 members of the Bahá’í Faith
participated in the area’s annual electoral convention with youth contributing
predominant roles chairing and recording consultation, educating, entertaining
and inspiring the participants. The Bahá’í electoral process is unique among
election procedures. There is no campaigning. There is no nomination of
candidates. There is no electioneering. The elector is called upon to use prayer
and meditation to vote by secret ballot for one on the list of adult members in
the electoral unit to be delegate. The election takes place in a silent and
prayerful atmosphere. This year Dr. Hamid Rastegar of Agoura Hills received the
most votes. As delegate to the national Bahá’í convention he will, in turn,
participate with delegates from other parts of the country to elect members of
the governing council of the Bahá'í's of the United States. Rastegar, owner of an environmental consulting firm, was
humbled by the election results. He served as delegate last year and also serves
as chairperson for the local Bahá’í governing council where he lives. Bahá’í governing councils at the local, regional, and national levels are elected annually according to these unique spiritual standards. |
Members of the national governing councils elect the international governing council every five years. Qualifications that guide the electors in Bahá’í elections include selfless devotion, a well-trained mind, recognized ability and mature experience. Those who are elected do not aspire to the role. The Bahá’í religion, with over five million believers worldwide, has a membership of approximately 142,000 in the United States. There are nine local assemblies in the major cities of Ventura County and over 500 eligible voters in the electoral unit. All Faiths Public Gathering for Prayer and Devotions
Fillmore CommUnity
Ventura CommUnity In the Topping Room, EP Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Downtown Ventura. Enter from the front at the West end.
Camarillo CommUnity
Oxnard CommUnity Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Join many faith traditions at First Christian Church on Sunday, November 23rd, at 6:30 p.m. for a musical service of Thanksgiving. Corner of Telegraph and Teloma, West of Victoria To learn more about the Bahá’í Faith, contact the Bahá’í House of Worship or the Bahá’í community in your area [link to Contact page]. Further information is also available at www.us.bahai.org and www.bahai.org. |