Programs

March 21-23

Family Naw-Rúz Weekend:

Contributing to Processes that Promote Peace and Unity-Insights from the Universal House of Justice March 2 Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran

With Mark Gilman

The principle of non-involvement in partisan politics can be taken as an abdication of moral responsibility on the part of the Bahá’í community: “If your commitment to justice is indeed authentic,” we are sometimes asked, “then why aren’t you directly engaging the forces of evil as we are, in the political arena?” The March 2 letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of Iran provides answers on many levels. It provides a vision of the “framework” that guides our action and explains our “strategy” for contributing to enduring social change, predicated on a “revised conception of power, freed from the notion of dominance”. Participants in this course will gain greater confidence in their ability to have conversations with others about how we are working, both within the context of the development of our own community and in partnership with others, “to transform society”, “further the cause of unity, promote human welfare, and contribute to world solidarity.” Together, we will explore powerful and concrete alternatives to the culture of “contest, contention, division and superiority” that is impeding humanity’s ability to solve fundamental problems.

April 4-6

The Ministry of the Guardian

With Robert Stockman and June Thomas

Vital to our understanding of the Five Year Plan and the current place of the Bahá'í Faith in the world is an understanding of the role of Shoghi Effendi in the Faith’s organization, diversification, and international spread. This course opens with the early life of Shoghi Effendi and follows the Guardianship from 1922 to the establishment of the House of Justice in 1963. Participants will examine the role of the Guardian in protecting the Faith, building the administrative order, expanding the world wide community, beautifying and acquiring Holy places and the vast guidance offered from interpretations of the teachings.

The weekend will be followed by an optional two-week online seminar planned by the Wilmette Institute, which will provide the participants with a chance to read about and discuss the topic in greater depth. The Wilmette Institute will also extend a 10% discount to the participants to take its “Ministry of Shoghi Effendi” course that starts in June.

April 18-20

Junior Youth Weekend

Various Facilitators

Join other junior youth for a weekend of learning and fellowship exploring your contribution to the transformation of society. Through interactive study, discussions, role playing and the arts, reflection, fellowship, and activities aimed to encourage independent thinking, this weekend is intended to offer spiritual empowerment and support your efforts in engaging in the community around you. Bring a friend!

May 23-26

Creative Arts Festival: Inspiring and Reflecting Transformation

With Kim Douglas, Sharon Nesbit-Davis, Nathan Davis, Aleah Douglas, Bahhaj Taherzadeh, and others

The Creative Arts Festival is a celebration of the creative process and the arts in community development and social transformation that honors both oral and written traditions. In an age of developing our understanding of the value of diversity, the Festival will feature and welcome folk and literary artists, bloggers, story-tellers, song writers, novelists, playwrights, screen writers and more. In addition to readings and performances, plenary and breakout sessions will stimulate participants. Some topics include Storytelling as Social Action, Spirit & the Creative Mindset, Starting & Maintaining a Blog, From Writing Idea to Writing Proposal, Songwriting, Book Clubs & Meaningful Conversations, Designing Dynamic Devotionals and Transformative Writing inside the Study Circle.

The Festival will turn reading and writing into an engaging and fun community experience, bringing people together to share thoughts, explore ideas and engage in meaningful conversations. The festival is for you whether you are new to the arts or seasoned. The festival is for you if you are an educator wanting to invigorate your classroom or a facilitator of a study circle wanting to provide more creative activities. The festival is for you if you want to start a blog or put music to the Sacred Writings. Come one. Come all. This will be a weekend of learning, action, reflection and consultation. You will leave inspired to fulfill your creative ambitions and to serve your community. Children’s classes will be held. A program for all, ages 4 and up is included.

Save the Dates:

To help you plan, Louhelen’s summer schedule is listed below.

June 13-18, 2014: Friends and Family I

June 20-25, 2014: Youth Program

June 27-July 2, 2014: Louhelen Children’s Program

July 4-15, 2014: ISGP Graduate Seminar I:

"Discourse and Social Transformation: Achieving Coherence"
(Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information)

July 17-28, 2014: ISGP Graduate Seminar II:

"Discourse and Social Transformation: Achieving Coherence"
(Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information)

August 1-6, 2014 Junior Youth Program

August 8-13, 2014 Friends and Family II:

"Fostering Spiritual Prosperity in the Family"

August 8-13, 2014 Gathering for Educators/Teachers

August 15-18, 2014 Friends and Family III

August 15-18, 2014 Reaching Out to the Latino Community

With Jaque Bookwalter, Mauricio Brizuela, Enidia Rinaldi, and others

August 26-Sept. 1 Friends and Family IV:

“Justice: The Best Beloved of All Things” with Kiser Barnes and “The Arts and Teaching” with Nancy Barnes