A Letter to the Greater Philadelphia Bahá’í Community

The following letter was sent to the Bahá’í community on September 21, 2010 regarding the 100 year anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to Philadelphia:

To the Greater Philadelphia Bahá’í Community and Friends,

2012 marks the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's historic visit to North America.  Philadelphia was blessed to have the Master visit multiple locations during the month of June, where he elucidated such forward-looking topics as the equality of women and men, racial harmony and universal peace.

In anticipation of this important anniversary in the development of the Bahá’í community in this region, a task force has begun to organize a befitting 100th Anniversary celebration.  The vision and activities are just now under construction, but we felt that it was important to start communicating with the community in order to gain unity of thought and purpose and to spur your creativity around this historic milestone.  Here are some of the general elements that the task force has envisioned so far for the 100th Anniversary:

• The purpose is not to host a one-time, elaborate event akin to a party.  Rather, the hope is that individually-initiated efforts that have taken place throughout the previous year in harmony with the Five-Year Plan might culminate in a symbolic anniversary event, in which the larger community can celebrate 'Abdu'l-Bahá's vision.
• The culminating event will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012, in a setting that will foster the feeling of love and fellowship that 'Abdu'l-Bahá nurtured in the burgeoning community.
• The friends are asked to begin thinking of service initiatives that would lead up to June 2012.  Our core activities can feed in to support this effort.  For example, service carried out by a study circle, children's class, and junior youth group can recall 'Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortations and encouragement so that the participants make a difference in their communities while also connecting with the spirit of His teachings.  Devotional gatherings can aim to connect hearts to His beautiful words and the spirit of the time in which He visited North America, while considering the role we each play in our current times.
• Creative initiatives are encouraged.  Use the arts - film, music, drama, creative writing, fine arts - to honor and connect with this anniversary.  This can serve as a beautiful expression of an individual or group, like a study circle, neighborhood class or junior youth group.
• Don't wait to start thinking about and planning your contribution!  Start rallying friends and resources.
• In future communications, this task force also will ask you and your communities to consider a financial contribution to the region-wide effort.  Once the specifics are clearer and a small budget is established, we invite you to come on board - both as to the spiritual and material side of the effort.  This will be managed under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Philadelphia.
• Finally, we're excited to start a blog that can keep anyone who is interested posted on the progress and creativity of the initiatives.  As soon as this is ready to go up, we will share the site name.  In the meantime, if you'd like to participate as a contributor to this blog, please let us know of your interest (email: 100philly@gmail.com).

If you have any questions or ideas to share around the 100th Anniversary, please contact us at 100philly@gmail.com.

Thank you, and we look forward to staying in touch!

Now that the blog is up and running, we welcome your submissions about any events or activities you may be planning, or any other initiatives that you may want to share with the community. Join in the celebration of unity!