UK Baha’i News Update 27 March 2018
Contents:
- National Convention – Book now
- Archives Open Day, Saturday 7 April
- National Memorial Meeting for Mr. Hartmut Grossmann
- Naw-Rúz greetings from the Emeritus Archbishop of Glasgow
National Convention – Book now
National Convention will be held from Saturday 26 May at 2pm to Bank Holiday Monday 28 May 2018 at 1pm. The venue is Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, Warwick, CV8 2LD. Further information is available at the website http://www.bahaievents.org.uk/wp/national-convention-2018/. Registration is now open, and accommodation (if required) can be booked by contacting the hotel directly on 01926 859331 or 01926 515125. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact convention.registrar@bahaievents.org.uk.
Archives Open Day, Saturday 7 April
There are still a few places left for the special Open Day at the National Ḥazíratu’l-Quds, on Saturday 7 April to view the display of precious archives, loaned by the Universal House of Justice to the British Museum. Visits are scheduled for slots from 10am until 4.30pm. Please contact services@bahai.org.uk, specifying the names and details of those who would like to participate. Kindly include the names and ages of all children, and any friends who may have mobility issues.
National Memorial Meeting for Mr. Hartmut Grossmann
You are reminded that the national memorial meeting for Mr. Hartmut Grossmann, former member of the Universal House of Justice, will be held at 3pm on Sunday 15 April at the National Ḥazíratu’l-Quds, 27 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD. Please inform services@bahai.org.uk if you plan to attend.
Naw-Rúz Greetings from the Emeritus Archbishop of Glasgow
The National Spiritual Assembly would like to share with the friends a wonderful letter received by the believers in Scotland from Mario Conti, the Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of the Metropolitan see of Glasgow:
Greetings and good wishes to you and the whole Bahá’í community in Scotland for a happy and joyful Naw-Rúz, a moment of renewal for you and your families as you come to the end of your nineteen days fast.
This past year I was honoured to be with some of you at Glasgow University as together we celebrated the bicentenary of your founder, Bahá’u’lláh. As I said on that occasion, his story is one that is not unknown in other faiths. Like other founders, his way was prepared for by a forerunner, his message was a challenge to the prevailing culture in which he lived and he proved his fidelity to God’s call by his willingness to suffer for what he preached. His message today is kept alive by all those who choose to follow his path and keep alive his memory.
At the heart of Bahá’u’lláh’s message is the unity of humankind. Today we know this unity to be a reality. Science can now show us that we are all interrelated, that divisions such as that of race, culture and nation are ephemeral and products of our minds more than a reality. And yet we live more as strangers than brothers and sisters. The world needs to hear more than ever this message of unity, a unity which does not do away with diversity but rather respects, honours and rejoices in the differences that make up the rich tapestry of life.
At a recent gathering for peace Pope Francis urged religious leaders and believers to have “the courage to accept differences, because those who are different, either culturally or religiously, should not be seen or treated as enemies, but rather welcomed as fellow-travellers, in the genuine conviction that the good of each resides in the good of all.” I hope and pray that together we can witness to our common humanity and work with one another for the common good of all.
Once again, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Bishops of Scotland I wish you and the whole Bahá’í community a joyful feast of Naw-Rúz and every blessing in this coming year.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
[signed] Mario Conti
Emeritus Archbishop of Glasgow
Chair of the Committee for Inter Religious Dialogue