• All Faiths Public Gathering for Prayer and Devotions ~ March 5^th, 6^th, 20^th, 27^th.
• Informational Talks ~ March 19^th, 25^th.
• The Fast ~ March 2^nd to March 20^th
• ^{Naw Rúz ~ March 20th} 

~ Abdu'l-Baha

Informational Talks
A brief talk on a general topic about the Bahá'í Faith is followed by discussion. A time to bring up any question in your heart about spiritual topics.

Saturday, March 19^th , 7:30 PM
Come share your thoughts on a variety of topics~
Quick Residence, 984-1222

Friday, March 25^th, 7:30 PM
Tuman Residence, 984-1222

The Fast

Members of the Bahá'í Faith begin the nineteen days of the Bahá'í fast, starting on the 2nd of March through the 20.

"The fasting period involves complete abstention from food and drink from sunrise till sunset. It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul.

Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires. 

"On a cold and rainy December 5 morning, nearly four hundred guests filled the Peace Plaza banquet room to be warmed by the compassion and caring of the three recipients of this year’s awards.

Bahá'í Sacred Writings also mention a divine wisdom in fasting in order to follow the Divine Manifestations of God (such as Moses, Christ, Mohammed, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh) and commemorate the state wherein Verses, Divine Laws and the arrangement of teachings were descending or being revealed.

Familiar examples include the state of fasting that Moses was in when He instituted the Law of God at Sinai and Christ while instituting the Spiritual Law, the systematizing of the teachings and arrangement of counsels, also abstained from eating and drinking for forty days.

In the beginning the disciples and Christians fasted. Later, fasting changed into Lenten observances. Bahá'í Writings explain, "For every sincere soul who has a beloved longs to experience that state in which his beloved is."

It is an obligation for all Bahá'í's from fifteen until seventy years of age with certain exceptions, among them those who do hard work and if it would be bad for the person's health.

The Fast culminates on Naw-Rúz’, (literally, New Day), the Bahá'í New Year. Like the ancient Persian New Year, it occurs on the spring equinox, which generally falls on 21 March. The Festival of Naw-Rúz marks the end of the month of fasting and is a joyous time of celebration. It is a Bahá'í Holy Day on which work is to be suspended.

The Bahá'í's in the area will break the fast together Saturday, March 20, at a Bahá'í New Year (Naw-Rúz) Celebration at the Fillmore Memorial Building, 511 2nd St, Fillmore, just off Main St.

The last day of the fast is the last day of winter and the last day of the Bahá'í calendar. Those gathered will share a potluck dinner at sundown and listen to the Fillmore High School Jazz Band.

You are welcome and anyone you want to bring. Call 648-1222 for more information.

All Faiths Public Gathering for Prayer and Devotions

1^st Saturday of the Month, March 5^th Call Luanne at 524-0683 for details

1st Sunday of the Month, March 6^th 10:30 AM. Locations March vary. Call Barbara at 984-4390

3^rd Sunday of the Month, March 20^th Call Renee at 383-3904 for details.

4^th Sunday of the Month, March 27^th 10:00 a.m. at the Clubhouse, 3700 Dean Drive.

To learn more about the Bahá’í Faith, contact the Bahá’í House of Worship or the Bahá’í community in your area. Further information is also available at www.us.bahai.org and www.bahai.org.