Bahá'í Community of Kelowna, BC - Expansion Phase Updates

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 14

6/30/2018

We have reached the last day of our joyous expansion phase. It is our hope that as a cluster we have been able to engage in and learn about meaningful conversations in these last two weeks, and we please ask that you send any stories and learnings. The following quotation is chosen to inspire our efforts to have meaningful and distinct conversations throughout our day.

“This is the day in which to speak. It is incumbent upon the people of Bahá to strive, with the utmost patience and forbearance, to guide the peoples of the world to the Most Great Horizon. Every body calleth aloud for a soul. Heavenly souls must needs quicken, with the breath of the Word of God, the dead bodies with a fresh spirit. Within every word a new spirit is hidden. Happy is the man that attaineth thereunto, and hath arisen to teach the Cause of Him Who is the King of Eternity."

-Baha'u'llah, cited in The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 82-83 (Book 6 p.28)

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th West Kelowna - community wide individual prayers
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bulman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th Nahy Ardekani 10 a.m. #410 - 1160 Bernard Ave, Kelowna
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 13

6/29/2018

“O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha" in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it.”

- Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 41

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th West Kelowna - community wide individual prayers
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bulman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th Nahy Ardekani 10 a.m. #410 - 1160 Bernard Ave, Kelowna
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 12

6/28/2018

“…a herculean labour will be required; that many sacrifices will have to be made. But faced with the plight of a world that suffers more each day bereft of Baháu’lláh’s elixir, we cannot, in conscience, ask anything less of His devoted followers. God willing, their exertions will prove worthy to crown a hundred years of toil and set the stage for exploits as yet unimagined that must adorn the second century of the Formative Age.”

-The Universal House of Justice, 29 December 2015

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th West Kelowna - community wide individual prayers
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bulman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 11

6/27/2018

As progress continues, the rising capacity for meaningful conversation is harnessed in the plans of the institutions. By the time cycles of activity have formally emerged, this capacity is being further stimulated through the expansion phase that does so much to determine the outcome of each cycle... Conversations about the Person of Bahá’u’lláh and the purpose of His mission occur in a variety of settings, including firesides and visits to homes. The actions undertaken during this phase allow abilities developed through studying the relevant institute materials to be exercised and refined. As experience grows, the friends become more adept at discerning when they have found a hearing ear, at deciding when to be more direct in sharing the message, at removing obstacles to understanding, and at helping seekers to embrace the Cause. The approach of working in teams allows the friends to serve together, offer mutual support, and build confidence—but even when carrying out actions individually, they are coordinating their efforts to greater effect. Their focus and investment of time endow this short but decisive phase of the cycle with the intensity it demands. This spirit of high resolve serves to multiply the community’s powers, and in each cycle the friends learn to depend more and more on the potent confirmations from the divine realm that their actions attract."

The Universal House of Justice, 29 December 2015

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th West Kelowna - community wide individual prayers
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bulman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 10

6/25/2018

“. . . Do not feel discouraged if your labors do not always yield an abundant fruitage. For a quick and rapidly-won success is not always the best and most lasting. The harder you strive to attain your goal, the greater will be the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, and the more certain you can feel to attain success. Be cheerful, therefore, and exert yourself with full faith and confidence. For Bahá’u’lláh has promised His Divine assistance to everyone who arises with a pure and detached heart to spread His holy Word, even though he may be bereft of every human knowledge and capacity, and notwithstanding the forces of darkness and of opposition which may be arrayed against him. The goal is clear, the path safe and certain, and the assurances of Bahá’u’lláh as to the eventual success of our efforts quite emphatic. Let us keep firm, and wholeheartedly carry on the great work which He has entrusted into our hands.”

From a letter dated 3 February 1937 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th West Kelowna - community wide individual prayers
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bullman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Endeavors:

Our community (West Kelowna) has the whole day today, June 25, covered with devotions. Each person at the Feast has committed to one or more prayer times. This is our response to seeing the film A Wider Embrace again at Feast and longing to reach youth in West Kelowna.

Wknd efforts: started with focused prayers and study followed by visits to youth to invite them to the upcoming Lion's Project with the hopes to expand the current number of junior youth spiritual empowerment groups.

The Area Teaching committee is aware of at least 7 potential new devotional starts that have or will occur over this cycle.

Wknd Devotional Hike @ Bear Creek

The

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 9

6/24/2018

“Baha’u’llah has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us.”

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th
Tues, June 26th Faraj Bahbahani 730 pm. 4811 Bullman Rd  (250) 491-4183
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 8

6/23/2018

"If thou wishest to guide the souls, it is incumbent on thee to be firm, to be good and to be imbued with praiseworthy attributes and divine qualities under all circumstances. Be a sign of love, a manifestation of mercy, a fountain of tenderness, kindhearted, good to all and gentle to the servants of God, and especially to those who bear relation to thee, both men and women. Bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people and confront them not save with kindness, with great love and good wishes."

Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 619-620o edit.

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below or email the ATC at   C.OK.CGC@gmail.com )

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th
Tues, June 26th
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 7

6/22/2018

"Perhaps the reason why you have not accomplished so much in the field of teaching, is the extent you looked upon your own weaknesses and inabilities to spread the Message. Bahá'u'lláh and the Master have both urged us repeatedly to disregard our own handicaps and lay our whole reliance upon God. He will come to our help if we only arise and become active channel for God's grace. Do you think it is the teachers who make converts and change human hearts? No, surely not. They are only pure souls who take the first step, and then let the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh move them and make use of them... The criterion is the extent to which we are ready to have the will of God operate through us."

-Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated March 31, 1932 to an Individual believer

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up for a devotional time for the campaign leave a comment in the comment section below)

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th
Tues, June 26th
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 6

6/21/2018

"Rest assured that the breathings of the Holy Spirit will loosen thy tongue. Speak, therefore; speak out with great courage at every meeting. When thou art about to begin thine address, turn first to Bahá’u’lláh, and ask for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, then open thy lips and say whatever is suggested to thy heart; this, however, with the utmost courage, dignity and conviction."

-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p.269

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up contact the Area Teaching Committee at c.ok.cgc@gmail.com OR
leave a comment in the comment section below)

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th
Tues, June 26th
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Cluster Expansion Phase - Day 5

6/20/2018

"Let us too bear in mind the example which our beloved Master has clearly set before us. Wise and tactful in His approach, wakeful and attentive in His early intercourse, broad and liberal in all His public utterances, cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential verities of the Cause, passionate in His appeal yet sober in argument, confident in tone, unswerving in conviction, dignified in His manners—such were the distinguishing features of our Beloved’s noble presentation of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh."
-Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 35

During the expansion phase we would like to have at least one home/space open each day, for friends to gather together for prayers.

(To sign up contact the Area Teaching Committee at c.ok.cgc@gmail.com OR
leave a comment in the comment section below)

PRAYER CAMPAIGN:

Date Host Time Address Ph #
Sun, June 17th Chen's 10 a.m. 621 Glenmore Rd N. (250)-860-1121
Mon, June 18th
Tue, June 19th Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery 1:30 p.m. 1991 Bernard Ave.
Wed, June 20th   Pour-Ahmadi's  7:30 pm 3344 Sundance Dr. (778) 214-9007
Thur, June 21st Zahirfar's    7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave. (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 22nd
Sat, June 23rd Lee's   11 a.m.    11-5432 Chidley Rd (250) 767-7677
Sun, June 24th Seyed Mahmoud 6 pm 623 Royal Pine Dr (250) 863-8371
" " Behrouzi Senior 10 a.m.    117-650 Lexington Dr (778) 477-1026
" " Bear Creek Hike Devotional  10 a.m.
Mon, June 25th
Tues, June 26th
Wed, June 27th
Thur, June 28th Zahirfar's   7 a.m. 2013 Tomat Ave (250) 769-1440
Fri, June 29th
Sat, June 30th    Behin's 7 p.m.    15544 Old Mission Rd. (250) 307-9060

Endeavors:

Was able to follow up with a friend that I had invited to our bicentennial celebration, but he had been unable to attend. We are now getting together on Saturday for a fireside at our home.