Archive for March, 2011

On Looking for Someone: Is thinking in an integrated and coherent way about the process of growth

By george wesley dannells on Mar 31, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

Looking for someone who …

Is actively engaged in the process of growth

Has experience in being "drawn into the life of society", perhaps through regular home visits and other activities in the neighborhood in which they are serving

Is thinking in a relatively integrated and coherent way about the process of growth (for example the interconnection and relationship of core activities to each other)

Has a posture of continuous learning

Last night George from the Social Action Desk at the Baha'i National Center came to town. He met with a humble group of friends in Lisa's home in Salishan who (hopefully) met the criteria described above to talk about the Institute Process as it relates to social action. Here is video of some of that conversation (not in HD). -gw

On Naw Ruz at Tim and Deb’s: Eh?

By george wesley dannells on Mar 30, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

Naw Ruz, Baha'i holy day, first day of spring. Tacoma tradition. The pictures finally. -gw

The Bab introduced a new calendar, known now as the Badi or Baha'i calendar (see notes 27 and 147). According to this calendar, a day is the period from sunset to sunset. In the Bayan, the Bab ordained the month of `Ala to be the month of fasting, decreed that the day of Naw-Ruz should mark the termination of that period, and designated Naw-Ruz as the Day of God. Baha'u'llah confirms the Badi calendar wherein Naw-Ruz is designated as a feast. …

Kitab-i-Aqdas

On Introducing Math Concepts At a Very Early Age: Measuring with ribbons

By george wesley dannells on Mar 30, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

We hear a lot about the importance of reading, getting kids started early. We don't hear as much about getting kids started early with math. Here is Bill from our last Peninsula's Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Group describing the significance of introducing math concepts in preschool, giving an example of a strategy, measuring with ribbons, following up on the conversation he started the month previously. In many parts of the world, in many cultures, young children play math games with their parents as they kick or throw a ball . -gw

Thou didst write as to the question of spiritual discoveries. The spirit of man is a circumambient power that encompasseth the realities of all things. Whatsoever thou dost see about thee—wondrous products of human workmanship, inventions, discoveries and like evidences—each one of these was once a secret hidden away in the realm of the unknown. The human spirit laid that secret bare, and drew it forth from the unseen into the visible world. There is, for example, the power of steam, and photography and the phonograph, and wireless telegraphy, and advances in mathematics: each and every one of these was once a mystery, a closely guarded secret, yet the human spirit unravelled these secrets and brought them out of the invisible into the light of day. Thus is it clear that the human spirit is an all-encompassing power that exerteth its dominion over the inner essences of all created things, uncovering the well kept mysteries of the phenomenal world.

Selections From the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha

On the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program Comes to Pierce County: Youth become builders of unity and champions of justice

By george wesley dannells on Mar 30, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

This post was put together for my blog devoted to my experience as a volunteer for the Tacoma Invaders football team. -gw

My friend Henri Cross visited the Invaders practice back in January. In the audio of this video he is talking with Karen about the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. If anyone knows of any kids 12 to 14 years of age who would like to participate in a junior youth group here locally, or any older teenagers or young adults who would like to be trained as Junior Youth Animators for a JYSEP group, just say the word. I can get you in touch with Gwen who is a Junior Youth Coordinator here for Pierce County.

Invader players, if you have any family members, brothers, sisters, cousins or children in this age range, don't hesitate to speak to me at practice. Players, you would make great group junior youth leaders, "animators," as they are called. Serve your community. Volunteer to serve. -gw

http://www.lgbijyg.org/

The primary purpose of a junior youth group

is to serve as an environment of mutual support for its members, youth ranging in age from 12 to 14; one in which the spiritual perception, patterns of thought and behavior, as well as the necessary language can be developed so as to enable these youth to become builders of unity and champions of justice in their own neighborhoods and communities.

Each group centers around the study of materials

which have been developed, piloted and adopted in junior youth groups around the globe. Their relevance goes beyond cultural or religious boundaries, and they seek to help junior youth develop an intellectual and spiritual framework with which to approach their path in life. While central to any Junior Youth Group, study also only takes up a small portion of the time junior youth spend together.

The concepts, attitudes, qualities, and skills considered and discussed in the materials are immediately put into action through

service to the community

. The scope and specific form of that service is determined through collective consultation amongst the group members.

http://www.nwjunioryouth.com/The_Program.html

On Why Baha’is Love Samoa: The temple and King

By george wesley dannells on Mar 28, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

I've enjoyed getting to know the Tacoma Invaders players, getting to know their roots, their home towns, their families. A number of the players are Samoan.

AJ said to me a couple of weeks ago before practice, "You're Baha'i, aren't you." "Yes!" I said. He told he has family in American Samoa who are Baha'i. Baha'is love Samoans, whether from the sovereign state of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa), or American Samoa, the unincorporated territory of the United States in the South Pacific.

Samoans have their priorities straight. Here's the motto for Samoa – Fa'avae i le Atua Samoa (Samoa is founded on God). Here's the motto for American Samoa:Samoa – Muamua Le Atua (Samoa, Let God Be First).

Baha'is all around the world have a fond association for this region of the world for some other reasons, too.

The Baha'i House of Worship Samoa

Designated as a “place of spiritual gathering and of the manifestation of divine mysteries”, the Baha'’i' House of Worship and prayer gardens are open daily for prayer, meditation, and personal reflection to peoples all religions, races and nationalities. Its majestic architecture and tranquil atmosphere, set within fifteen acres of stunning gardens, offer an experience like none other.

http://www.bahaitemplesamoa.org/

The king

The governing body of the Bahá'ís, the Universal House of Justice wrote: "His service to the people of Samoa as Head of State was distinguished by the high principles, genuine compassion and personal humility that characterized the constancy of his concern for the welfare of all. As the first reigning sovereign to accept the Message of Bahá'u'lláh, he set a record that will forever illumine the annals of our Faith, one that future generations will increasingly extol. His great interest for well-nigh four decades in the Faith's progress was reflected in the enthusiastic affirmation of his belief whenever the opportunity presented itself and in the abiding joy with which he regarded the construction in 1984 of the Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands in Samoa…."

Wikipedia

On It’s Not Football: Men in short pants scrumming at Stewart Heights Park

By george wesley dannells on Mar 28, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

What kind of football game is it where men wear short pants. Yup, rugby.

There were scrumming at Stewart Heights Park next to where the Invaders were praciting on Saturday. I did a double-take upon arrival.

Coach Charles said that in Lakeland, Florida, where he is from, it's all football all the time. -gw

http://www.videojug.com/film/rugby-union-guide-to-scrums

On Mysterious Man with Mustache: And tuba

By george wesley dannells on Mar 28, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

From the Great Photos collection on Baha'i Views is this one entitled, "Tuba, Man with Mustache, and Flower Pot."

From the same set of photos taken at Naw Ruz is this one, "After the Party, Sink Full of Dishes."

More coming. -gw

On Still Together in Poulsbo: Baha’i study circle goes on the road to complete Book 1

By george wesley dannells on Mar 28, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

This is how the Ruhi 1 Baha'i study circle started. At the place we were holding our Cluster Reflection Meeting in Gig Harbor six months ago , a dear soul asked who we were and why we were there.

This how the study circle ended, on the road, back in Nancy's home in Poulsbo, the friends in Gig Harbor traveling up to join her so they could be sure to complete Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, together. -gw

On The Naw Ruz Photos: Coming

By george wesley dannells on Mar 27, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

I got my ATC meeting times mixed up. The all-day core team meeting I thought was yesterday is today instead. Sometimes my head isn't on straight. Correction … most times. -gw

On Prayers for the Coach Charles’ Grandfather: And best wishes to the Invaders

By george wesley dannells on Mar 26, 2011 in All categories | Comments Off

Coach Charles' grandfather died in Florida. I will say prayers tonight for the progress of his soul. Charles will be gone for the next two weeks to be with his family.

In the meantime, the Invaders football practices continue. I can't attend tomorrow, as I have for the past three Sundays, but I slipped in a quick end-of-the -practice visit today. I had wanted to get there earlier, but…

The van had been in for 30,000-mile maintenance. So Bonita would not have to leave her cooking projects, I asked for shuttle service to get me back to the dealer's. The young man doing the driving today, a fill-in for the regular guy who was sick, got lost, so lost, that one of the office staff had to come to get me instead. By the time I got the Transit Connect, there was only 20 minutes or so left of the scheduled practice. I went anyway. Glad I did. Had a chance to visit with players and coaches, as it started to rain again — or was it sleet?

While lining up for one of the last plays, Luis said hi from the wide receiver spot.

As equipment was being put away, A.J. came over to tell me about his plans for college; hopefully, football will provide the vehicle for him to get there.

Joe told me about his trying to get his blocking duties down so that he can stay out in front of the runner. He also said that I had caught a picture of his kids, which I had posted on Facebook, at the first practice back in January.

Charles told me about his grandfather who died at the ripe age of 86; longevity runs in the family, he said. I told him about the canopy I had bought with the team in mind. It will be my Invader's fan tent, where they can avoid the rain — or the sun, if that were ever to become a problem. Also, it can serve as a place for devotions, for early arriving fans and players, a circle of chairs underneath it doing double duty during the course of the day.