Here are our upcoming sessions.

Check out our online registration system!

Or you can still register with a toll-free call: 1-800-894-9716

Please note: program details are subject to change.

February 12 –14

Celebrating Marriage

Hoda and David Kemp

A spiritual retreat for married couples to reflect on the joys of marriage, build their consultation and problem-solving skills, and identify ways to support each other’s efforts to build a happy home. The retreat includes study and application of the Bahá’í writings on marriage, participatory activities, and a romantic candle-lit dinner.

$10 Materials Fee

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February 20

Louhelen Friendship Day—Embracing the Visual Arts

A day for our friends

Join us at Louhelen for a day of celebrating the arts!

Enjoy visual art displays, create greeting cards, gifts, and artwork for Ayyám-i-Há, and share your own artistic talents!

Bring your friends and family, see old friends again, and make new ones! Enjoy uplifting activities and conversations.

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March 5 – 7

A Spiritual Retreat during the Bahá’í Month of Fasting:  
A Study of The Seven Valleys

Naeem Nabili

The Fast is a time for prayerful reflection and detachment from earthly desires. During the first of two Fast Retreats offered at Louhelen, participants will embark on a spiritual journey through the mystical work “The Seven Valleys” revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. In beautiful and poetic language, Bahá’u’lláh describes the True Seeker’s journey towards spiritual enlightenment: “The stages that mark the wayfarer's journey from the abode of dust to the heavenly homeland are said to be seven. Some have called these Seven Valleys, and others, Seven Cities. And they say that until the wayfarer taketh leave of self, and traverseth these stages, he shall never reach to the ocean of nearness and union, nor drink of the peerless wine.”

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March 12 – 14

A Spiritual Retreat during the Bahá’í Month of Fasting:
An Exploration of the Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh

Melanie Smith

Prayer is "remembrance of God" but for many of us, the prayers of Baha'u'llah have posed a challenge:  the language is unfamiliar and the words are not ones we would ordinarily use. Yet, Baha'u'llah's prayers and meditations represent an opportunity to not only approach the sacred Threshold in words befitting His station, but to gain deep insight into our relationship with God.  This course examines the language and structure of Baha'u'llah's prayers in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their use in our daily remembrances and efforts to exalt the Word of God.

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March 26 – 28

Naw-Rúz Family Weekend - Channels of the Holy Spirit

Jack McCants

Music with Cara Williams

Join us for an exciting weekend reflecting on learning to translate what is written into reality. Naw-Rúz is a time of celebration, of reflecting on the past and looking with expectant eyes to the future. As the seasons are renewed at springtime, so too are our spirits, and with this renewal comes a fresh commitment to sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh with all those we meet in our lives. During this special family weekend with former National Spiritual Assembly member, Jack McCants, participants will explore ways in which they can become channels of the Holy Spirit, detached servants of humanity, free from the fetters of self so that the soft-flowing waters of love may flow through them to the rest of the world. Festive dinner on Saturday evening.

Programs for children and junior youth are included.

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April 2 – 4

Cultivating Distinction - The Bahá’í Electoral Process

Ted Amsden

Imagine an election in which voters representing the entire diversity of the human race gather in an atmosphere of reverence and prayerful reflection, where electors vote not based on the effectiveness of political campaign ads and electioneering efforts, but on careful consideration of the requisite qualities and skills needed for the task, and where, after the votes are cast and tallied, the entire congregation radiantly and joyfully embraces the outcome of the election in a spirit of absolute unity and love. Such is the distinct nature of all Bahá’í elections. This course’s objective is to increase appreciation of the sanctity of Bahá’í elections and to highlight the distinctive manner in which Bahá’í electoral practices differ from secular elections.

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April 9 – 11

Youth Eagle Weekend - The Consultative Café

Michelle and Clay Schiefelbein

Youth, ages 15-19, come join the Consultative Café! Explore issues and discuss topics that interest you! What are you thinking about? What are some challenges you are facing in your life? What would you like to know more about? Your topics will be the center of discussion in the cafe. Analyze and study real world issues in the context of the Faith from a youthful perspective with others who are thinking about the same things you are! As well as diving into topics of interest and researching the Writings in relation to them, participants will learn the basics of consultation and have an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the Consultative Cafe.

Runs concurrent with a session for adults, "Constructing the Kingdom."

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April 9 – 11

Constructing the Kingdom

Joseph Woods

Concurrent with the Youth Eagle weekend, this course explores the building of God's Kingdom anticipated in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, described by Shoghi Effendi as "the greatest drama in the world's spiritual history". Relying primarily on the concepts articulated in Paul Lample's book Revelation and Social Reality, this informal study session aims to provide ample opportunity for everyone to discuss and consider a wide variety of topics critical to the shaping and advancement of this divine civilization. Please join us for this stimulating and thought provoking weekend.

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April 23 – 25

Junior Youth Weekend

Ruhiyyih Yuille

Through study, reflection, fellowship, and activities aimed to encourage independent thinking, junior youth explore their capacity to be beacons of light and utilize the energy and talents they posses to contribute to the advancement of spiritual and material civilization.

Runs concurrent with a program for adults, "Climate Change—Science, Ethics, and Bahá’í Teachings.

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April 23 – 25

Climate Change—
Science, Ethics, and the Baha'i Teachings

Christine Muller

In a recent letter, the Universal House of Justice writes about the integration of teaching, consolidation and social action. It specifically mentions climate change as an area of social action. In the same letter, the Universal House of Justice emphasizes the importance of education in these social issues. Much learning is still required, however, in developing human resources that can effectively participate in the discourses of society. The education of the Bahá’í community about the science of climate change, about its ethical challenges and the related Bahá’í teachings will not only enhance our teaching efforts, but is a prerequisite for helping our community to live a truly spiritual life, which means to put spiritual principles into reality and action. Text based, with creative and collaborative ways of learning, this course aims to develop skills for service and encourage individual actions and group service projects.

This program runs concurrent with the Junior Youth weekend.

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April 30 – May 2

Women's Spiritual Retreat: Heart to Heart Communication

Kim Douglas, Jane Helzer, Ruth Twaddell, Kemba Mazloomian, and others

Join other women for a weekend of authentic reflection, learning and sharing. The theme of this gathering will be improving communication skills. Includes opportunities for meditative movement, artistic expression, journaling, singing and drama in a warm and nurturing environment. Bring your women friends.

Materials fee: $10.00

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May 8

Louhelen Friendship Day - Peace

A day for our friends.

Join us for a day full of games, songs, laughter, and love.
The fun begins at 10:00am and continues 'til 4:00pm.

Lunch is served at 12:30pm for just $10.

No other registration costs!

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May 14 – 16

Family Weekend - Consultation: Building Well-Being and Prosperity in the Family

Jason and Laura Combs

This session is a workshop for families to develop their capacities for consultation. All family members must be practiced in the process of consultation, for only through it can they remain unified amidst the many hardships that they might face and can they ensure their well-being and prosperity.  Adults and youth, junior youth, and children will work with others in their age group to learn concrete skills for consultation.  The program will conclude with family members’ coming together to practice what they have learned by consulting on an actual issue that they face in their everyday lives.  All people—single or married—interested in developing skills for consultation are encouraged to attend.

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May 21 – 23

Supporting the Establishment of Junior Youth Programs

Melissa Smith-Venters,
National Coordinator of Junior Youth Groups

As we draw nearer to the final year of the Five Year Plan, during which intensive programs of growth are to be established in no less than 1,500 clusters worldwide, it is a propitious time for animators of junior youth groups as well as those who are supporting the fourth core activity to come together and reflect on their experiences and share learning with others who are striving to release the spiritual powers of junior youth. During this weekend, participants will have an opportunity to meet with Melissa Smith-Venters, the National Coordinator of Junior Youth Groups, as she shares learning gleaned from being with animators across the country. Join us for this exciting opportunity for reflection and growth, and return to your communities with a deeper understanding of the role junior youth groups have to play in the expansion and consolidation of the Cause.

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May 28 – 31

Springtime Family Weekend - The Station of Bahá’u’lláh

Jay Mohindra

This session focuses on Baha'u'llah as the Messenger of God for this day, but also the focal point of the prophecies of each previous dispensation. It will be Dr. Mohindra's aim to equip those who attend this session with the tools to more eloquently and intelligently teach the Faith to those of many different religious backgrounds by better understanding the nature of these revelations and the prophecies that arose from their traditions. Particular emphasis will be given to Islamic prophecy, as well as those from the Hindu Faith. Engaging programs for children and junior youth are included.

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