Participant Materials for 2025 Program for SCR Bahai School
South Central Regional Bahá’í School
October 31-November 2, 2025
My Home is the Home of Peace:
How can our families contribute to the transformation of our neighborhoods and communities?
Agenda
Friday 10/31
5:00 p.m. Registration begins
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Opening Devotions and welcome. Review of weekend’s program and camp
expectations.
7:30 p.m. Costume party, trick or treating, face painting, mask making and other crafts
9:00 p.m. Close of the formal evening program
Saturday 11/1
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Morning Devotions
9:00 a.m. Children are dismissed to their classes
9:15 a.m. Welcome to camp – logistics and housekeeping
9:30 a.m. Session 1 – Plenary
How do families contribute to the process of transformation in
neighborhoods and beyond?
Think about the objective of the weekend: How can we contribute to the transformation of our neighborhoods and communities. Also think about the video. If you could ask any question, from the two ladies or any question about the objective of the weekend, what would it be?
10:30 a.m Break
11:00 a.m. Session 2: How to Build a Home of Peace?
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Session 3 – How does opening our homes both strengthen family life and
create opportunities to contribute to the process of community building?
3:00 p.m. Choice activities: arts and crafts, music jam session, zipline, lake, etc. (some
activities have limited numbers and will be on a first come, first serve basis.)
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Evening activities: Ice cream bar, story time, and dancing!
Sunday 11/2
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Morning Devotions
9:00 a.m. Session 4: How do we expand the community-building conversation?
11:00 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Closing reflections
12:30 p.m. Lunch
Session 2 – How to Build a Home of Peace?
‘Abdu’l-Bahá is reported to have said: “My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined.”
In its March 19th, 2025 message, the Universal House of Justice draws our attention to the vital role families play in the transformation of our societies:
“Bahá’í family life opens an arena for dynamic interaction with the wider society. This interaction flourishes as family members strive to express in their lives the fundamental Bahá’í teachings. For example, the application of the principle of the equality of women and men, already mentioned, creates a distinctive relationship between wife and husband as well as among the children and the family as a whole, preparing family members to contribute to interactions in society that release the potential of all. Similarly, adherence to the principle of the oneness of humanity requires that children are provided with experiences that guard them from prejudice of all kinds and enhance their appreciation of diversity, which contributes to the ability to create relationships of unity and oneness in a divided world. In addition, fostering the capacity for the investigation of truth, for appreciation of the harmony of science and religion, for resolving differences of opinion and making decisions through consultation and cooperation rather than contention and contest empowers family members as effective protagonists in a process of social transformation. And developing qualities such as justice and compassion among family members prepares the children to establish sound and balanced relationships with others in society. Thus, the effort to learn to apply the Teachings within the family both generates within children a vision that transcends the family itself and raises consciousness about the conditions and needs of the peoples of the world.”
- Abdul’ Bahá says: “The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no execution or accomplishment. In the erection of a house it is first necessary to know the ground, and design the house suitable for it; second, to obtain the means or funds necessary for the construction; third, actually to build it.” In your group, consider the various elements of a home environment that give shape to the truths enshrined in the quotations accompanying each concept.. What are some of the thoughts (knowledge) that are expressed, the words that are spoken (volition), and the deeds (action) that are performed to build a home described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a home of peace?
- Oneness of humanity:
He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body. -Bahá’u’lláh
That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Thoughts: We are one human family; God’s will is for us to be united in one universal Cause; we should have fellowship with all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds; love, harmony, friendliness and fellowship should be our way of interacting with each other; unity is the most powerful force in the universe.
Words: Avoid and eliminate language that creates us and them, refer to people of other nationalities, races and religions with a language of love and fellowship, avoid backbiting and criticism of other cultures, religions and races.
Deeds: We make every effort to have genuine friendship with people of other faiths, races and cultures, as a family we make time to get to know about other faiths, races and cultures, we invite people of other faiths, cultures and races to our home, we visit them in their homes, we make time to socialize with diverse people.
- Equality of Women and Men
The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men, . . . Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. -‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Bahá, women are accounted the same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and after His own likeness. That is, men and women alike are the revealers of His names and attributes, and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between them. Whosoever draweth nearer to God, that one is the most favored, whether man or woman. How many a handmaid, ardent and devoted, hath, within the sheltering shade of Bahá, proved superior to the men, and surpassed the famous of the earth.
(Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, section 38.3)
-‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
Thoughts: _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Words: _______________________________________________________________
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Deeds: _______________________________________________________________
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- Experiences that guard them from prejudice of all kinds and enhance their appreciation of diversity:
O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________
Words: ____________________________________________________________________
Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________
- Fostering the capacity for the investigation of truth and appreciation of the harmony of science and religion
Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world.
-Bahá’u’lláh
First among the great principles revealed by Him is that of the investigation of
reality. The meaning is that every individual member of humankind is exhorted and
commanded to set aside superstitious beliefs, traditions and blind imitation of
ancestral forms in religion and investigate reality for himself.”
-‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________
Words: ____________________________________________________________________
Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________
- Consultation and cooperation as a means for resolving differences of opinion and making decisions
Say: no man can attain his true station except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can be attained except through consultation.
— Bahá’u’lláh
Regarding reciprocity and cooperation, each member of the body politic should live in the utmost comfort and welfare because each individual member of humanity is a member of the body politic, and if one member is in distress or is afflicted with some disease, all the other members must necessarily suffer. For example, a member of the human organism is the eye. If the eye should be affected, that affliction would affect the whole nervous system. Hence, if a member of the body politic becomes afflicted, in reality, from the standpoint of sympathetic connection, all will share that affliction since this [one afflicted] is a member of the group of members, a part of the whole. Is it possible for one member or part to be in distress and the other members to be at ease? It is impossible! Hence, God has desired that in the body politic of humanity each one shall enjoy perfect welfare and comfort.
-‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________
Words: ____________________________________________________________________
Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________
- Justice
O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________
Words: ____________________________________________________________________
Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________
- Compassion
Under all conditions, whether in adversity or at ease, whether honored or afflicted, this Wronged One hath directed all men to show forth love, affection, compassion and harmony.
-Bahá’u’lláh
Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________
Words: ____________________________________________________________________
Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________
2. How does learning to apply these principles at home help children develop a vision that transcends their own family and raises their consciousness about the conditions and needs of the peoples of the world?
___________________________________________________________________________
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3. What are the implications of such a level of consciousness and vision for the wellbeing of the society?
___________________________________________________________________________
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Integrating the arts: Using markers and other art supplies, or by cutting out pictures from magazines, use drawings and other visuals to represent a home of peace. Display the finished pieces and allow groups to visit each other’s work.
Session 3 – How does opening our homes both strengthen family life and create opportunities to contribute to a vibrant process of community building?
In its March 19th message, The Universal House of Justice invites us to think about a new conception of family, both for its members and for the society at large:
“The nature of the flourishing communities that the Bahá’í world is striving to raise has profound implications for the family. It is within the family that the individual is born and nurtured, and within the family that individuals begin to learn how to live together with others. The family unit is the basic building block of community, and beyond, of the entire social order. Therefore, a society fashioned to meet the requirements of the age of the maturity of the human race requires both a mature conception of family and an ability to extend the insights derived from that conception to the relationships that shape the nation and the world. “A family is a nation in miniature”, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains. “The conditions surrounding the family surround the nation.” Learning about a new pattern of family life is, therefore, an integral part of the effort to learn about the release of the society-building power of the Faith.”
- Why is there a need for a “mature” conception of family? _________________________
________________________________________________________________________
- What are some examples of the conditions surrounding families that impact the wider society?
________________________________________________________________________
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“The relationships of the nuclear family are embedded in ever-wider circles of relationships, beginning with the extended family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins extend care and support that help to fulfil the purpose and responsibilities of the family. The characteristics of such familial relationships also extend to fellow Bahá’ís and other friends, who can assist a family in various ways. In the close social network forged in a vibrant community, elders offer deepening, wise counsel, and distinctive examples. Others step in as spiritual aunts and uncles to share affection and concern for the progress of young people and provide support that reinforces the labours and lofty aspirations of parents. Youth act as older brothers and sisters who, in numerous ways, assist and inspire those younger than themselves. In this way, the sense of oneness, of love, care, trust, and solidarity that are initially cultivated in the family begin to be woven into the fabric of relationships in the community.”
- What are some examples of how the various members of the community, from youth to the elderly, can provide support to each other and act as an extended family? _______
_____________________________________________________________________
- What is the impact of such close inter-generational relationships on the young families? __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- What is the impact of such close inter-generational relationships on the vibrancy of the community? _______________________________________________________
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“The family members’ intimate association and their earnest desire to serve others opens a unique social space: a Bahá’í home. A vibrant Bahá’í home is an irreplaceable element in the process of community building at the grassroots. In the loving environs of the home, family members support one another in becoming capable and confident protagonists of the Divine Plan, and they welcome and assist others to play a part in transforming society. In a Bahá’í home, warm hospitality combines with spiritual quickening and intellectual progress.
Through activities that every Bahá’í family can offer in its home, it can demonstrate a way of life that can be emulated by all those who seek to counteract the divisive forces that feed discontent, conflict, and self-interest, and to weave the bonds of trust, cooperation, and constructive action upon which a healthy community depends. Indeed, in a range of clusters worldwide, groups of families are already opening their homes and working together to help to consolidate local activities and to greatly extend their reach and influence.”
- What are some of the activities that a family can offer in their home that can start to build genuine relationships and friendships? _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
- What are some examples of families opening their homes and working together to help to consolidate and extend the reach of these activities? ______________________________
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- How does the family’s involvement in these community-building activities help strengthen the bonds within it? ______________________________________________
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Integrating the arts: In groups of 3-5, plan a gathering for several families. What could be a possible theme? How would you word the invitation? What food will you serve? What questions will you ask the group to engage them in an uplifting conversation? Create a simple invitation.
Session 4: How do we expand the community-building conversation?
In its July 22, 2020 message, the Universal House of Justice names love as the ultimate power for transformation. “This divine love, ignited by the Word of God, is disseminated by enkindled souls through intimate conversations that create new susceptibilities in human hearts, open minds to moral persuasion, and loosen the hold of biased norms and social systems so that they can gradually take on a new form in keeping with the requirements of humanity’s age of maturity.”
- What are the characteristics of these “intimate conversations” that can touch the mind and hearts of all those engaged? ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
- Discuss whether such intimate conversations might happen as the result of the following:
- Giving the impression that you are telling people what to do with their lives and how to raise their children
- Making comments that are critical of the way people are raising their children or how they live their lives
- Insisting on what you feel is the right way of doing things
- Creating the expectation that there is an immediate solution for every challenge parents and families are facing
- Approaching conversations in a consultative spirit
- Seeking to explore together relevant guidance and their implications for family life and for the relationships between family and community
- Adopting a posture of learning
- Let’s practice!
- Distribute the conversation starters among the participants.
- Invite the participants to stand up and move around as music is playing.
- When the music stops, they will pair up with the person closest to them.
- One partner poses their question and listens to the other respond. They will share their own insights about the question as well.
- The second partner will pose their question and repeat the conversation.
- Partners exchange cards.
- Music starts again.
- Participants move around and pair up with another person when the music stops.
- Repeat steps 4-6 allowing 5-7 min. per round.
4. Reflection
- How did our study from yesterday support your ability to engage in a meaningful conversation?
- What is one thing you learned from the conversation?
- How did you actively listen to your partner?
- How did your partner support you during the conversation?
- What followup questions helped keep the conversation going?
- What is one further question you have after this conversation?
5. Next steps
- What was your biggest takeaway from this School?
- What is one step you hope to take when you go back home?
Name: _______________________________
Locality/cluster: ________________________
Contact information (phone or email): _____________________________________
In order to open our home and our hearts to a wider circle of friends, neighbors and colleagues, I/we will ____________________________________________________________________
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