November Resources
Online Portland Talks Story Night: Thursday, November 5, 7:00 – 8:30pm. Join us for a study of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s trip to America in 1912, including social and political issues of the election of 1912, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s answers to the political questions of the time. Find out what was happening in the election in Portland and Oregon at the time. Be prepared to share your own stories and experiences on this theme. Everyone welcome! For more information, please call 503 289-6331. The next night of talks will be Nov. 12.
Online Dialog: Social Justice: Monday, November 9, 16, 23, and 30, 7:00 – 8:30pm. Weekly discussions about racism and social justice, held since 2016, have afforded many of us and our friends a place to educate ourselves, to speak openly about the challenges and to take personal and collective action. Everyone is welcome to this discussion of Bahá’í solutions relating to social justice issues. For more information, please call Jan at 503-639-8919. Sponsored by the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lake Oswego.
Online Dialog: Anti-racism, Thursday, November 19, 7:00-8:00pm. Malik Bell will be interviewing R. Gregory Nokes about his book “Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territories”. This talk is hosted by Take PART (Portland Anti-Racism Team). The mission of Take PART is to confront racism and to engage in dismantling the systems that perpetuate ingrained racial inequality. For more information go to: takepartpdx.org. For more information about the virtual meeting, please call 503 289-6331.
Upcoming Baha'i Chats at https://bahai.chat/
"Join Baha'i Chats on November 14 at 2:15pm EDT for a panel conversation with members of the Patricia Locke Foundation. Their vision is to promote a just, regenerative and unified world, centered on Indigenous wisdom, which nurtures the full potential, dignity and esteem of all people; and inspires a life-long dedication to actively respect, protect and defend the rights of people and the planet. This session will be hosted by Rainn Wilson and special guests include Kevin Locke (Tokéya Ináži—Meaning the First to Arise), Ceylan Isgör-Locke, Sue Isbell, Amber Johnson, Nathaniel Brown and Nanabah Bulman."
Find out more about the Patricia Locke Foundation here: https://patricialockefoundation.org/
Register for the chat here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fXqdRQmcTFerTFF8DzZ_iQ
Courses from The Wilmette Institute:
"The Seven Valleys and the Arts of Transformation - begins November 12. This course focuses on exploring Bahá’u’lláh’s The Seven Valleys through creative expression, both for those with background in the arts and for those with interest in but little or no experience in this approach. Each week, the learner will be responsible for reading materials related to elements and stages of spiritual development, and for exploring topics and questions through an artistic creation, such as a poem, drawing, or music. At the end of the course the learners will be asked to present an essay, collage or portfolio of art created in the course, or artwork that summarizes what they have learned and how this experiential process has influenced their personal growth."
Register here: https://wilmetteinstitute.org/courses/the-seven-valleys-and-the-arts/
Read The Seven Valleys online (link goes to Bahá’í Reference Library)
"Empower Your Marriage & Family to Thrive - begins November 23. The course includes both spiritual perspectives and practical tools for creating positive relationships between marriage partners and between parents and children.
Do you want the best for your marriage and family, but it’s hard to juggle everything? This course will help you understand and organize your roles and responsibilities, establish your marriage and family unit as a secure foundation for the well-being of all in the family, nurture family spiritual habits and virtues, and have positive family unity through spiritual practices and service together. You will study spiritual principles from the Bahá’í teachings that apply, learn helpful information from science, and carry out practical application of your learning.
Topics:
Marriage and Family Unity
Spiritual Behavior in Our Lives
Creating Laughter and Joy
Building Unity with Our Words
Thriving Through Service"
Register here: https://wilmetteinstitute.org/courses/empower-your-marriage-to-thrive/
The 2020 National Race Amity Conference will go virtual. November 18-20, 2020.
“Reset to Our Destiny – E Pluribus Unum”.
Cross racial/cultural amity – friendship, found at the core of all advances for access, equity, and social justice. Find out more and register now at http://raceamityconference.org/
Documentary: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Initiative on Race from 1921: Race Amity Conferences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lua1lzx4SSc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3ZXB9PmX6ni7-AhOaXOUXwYSR4pv8c2-diDVywtxnptACgt_RSDMfweIs
Learning opportunity from The Bahá'í Chair for World Peace, University of Maryland:
November 24: Life After the Gunshot: A Digital Storytelling Project on the Impact of Structural and Interpersonal Violence and the Healing Process for Young Black Men.
"Each year approximately 100,000 Americans are victims of nonfatal firearm injury. . . Homicide, specifically via gun violence, is the leading cause of death and disability in the US among young Black males (ages 15-34). . . . Approximately 2.3 Americans are incarcerated in US prisons and jails and 40% of the incarcerated population are Black despite representing only 13% of the US residents. Additionally, 4.5 million US residents are on probation and parole. It is expected that one out of three young Black men will be incarcerated at some point in their lifetimes."
You must register in advance for the event at: tinyurl.com/bahai-richardson