May Activities 2026
The first Holy Day in May celebrates the night the Faith began: May 23, 1844. On the 29th, prayerful gatherings will commemorate the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892.
The Declaration of the Báb:
“On a spring evening in 1844, a conversation took place between two young men that heralded a new era for the human race. A Persian merchant announced to a traveller in the city of Shiraz that He was the Bearer of a Divine Revelation destined to transform the spiritual life of humanity. The merchant’s name was Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, and He is known to history as the Báb (meaning “the Gate” in Arabic).
The middle of the 19th century was one of the most turbulent periods in the world’s history. Great revolutions were under way. In parts of Europe and North America, time-worn social structures and relationships were being challenged by sudden and unprecedented changes in the fields of agriculture, industry, and economics. At the same time, throughout the world followers of divers religions perceived that humanity was on the cusp of a new stage in its development, and many prepared themselves for the imminent coming of a Promised One, praying fervently that they would recognise Him.” - Bahai.org
“He said the world should prepare for “Him whom God shall make manifest,” God’s Messenger Who would unite all the peoples of the world in one family. Baha’is now know this Messenger to be Baha’u’llah.” - Bahai.us
Selected activities below: Please see more on the Activities calendar. Declaration of the Báb commemorations will be posted as they finalized. All are warmly invited to all these gatherings.
Prayer is our never-failing source of strength.
Online Interfaith Devotions: Portland
Weekly on Sunday, 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Please come to our meeting each Sunday on Zoom beginning at 10:00 am with conversation; our devotional program will start at 10:30.
Email for the Zoom link: virtualdevotionspdx@gmail.com.
Or check the Activities calendar late in the week:
https://www.portlandbahai.org/activities
Devotions: SE Portland
Wed May 6, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. We will start with our first Wednesday interfaith devotional program, followed by a potluck dinner. You're invited! Please let us know if you are joining us so that we can plan accordingly for the dinner. For more information, please call the Moshtael-Hill family, 503-282-0783.
Online Devotions: Oak Grove
Weekly on Thursday, 9:30 - 10:00 am.
Spiritual fortification for the week - come on in! For more information please call Mark at 503-560-3842.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9991211844 Passcode : 1212
***The Portland, Beaverton, and Vancouver Bahá'í Centers each host Sunday in-person devotional gatherings, with readings from many Faiths, and including children’s education at Portland and Beaverton Centers. There are virtual and in-person gatherings for study and prayer throughout the week. You are warmly invited to all these public activities! No donations accepted, you are our guest.***
We will find joy in community fellowship.
Social: Family Dance Party
Sat May 9, 6:30 - 9:30pm. The Bahá'ís of Clackamas County South would like to invite you to yet another opportunity to celebrate joy, music, and friendship, at an all ages dance party. Lee and Colleen Spurgeon have transformed their garage into a dance space and we are ready to welcome you and all of your friends.
Wear your prom dress, disco outfit or everyday clothes. As always, we will have face paint, snacks and board games too.
Call, text or email Caryn with questions 503-863-7679. For more information email: Bahaisccs@gmail.com
Dialog and consultation widen our knowledge.
Dialog: Exploring Bahá’í Teachings
Sun May 24, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Bahá’í Center, 8720 N Ivanhoe St, Portland, OR 97203. You are invited to spiritual conversations welcoming all perspectives in a search for the deeper truths that unite us. Please contact Portland@bahai.us for more information or call the Center at 503-289-6331.
We will support the tremendous capacities of youth.
Study: Youth and Junior Youth
Sat, May 9th, 6-9/9:30 pm. The Weatherdon family will be hosting: Dinner, Devotions, and study/deepening for Youth and Junior Youth (and hopefully a bonfire)
Here is the general schedule in case you don't want dinner, or have to come late for whatever reason.
6-6:45 ~ Dinner, 6:45-7:15 ~ Devotions
7:15-8:15 ~ Deepening (JY and youth separately)
8:15-9:30 ~ Art and hanging out at the backyard bonfire (for younger folks, parents can come pick up whenever, as this will be more freeflow)
Adult volunteers are appreciated and welcome. If you are an adult hoping to come and help out, please remember that you must have a background check. Please reach out to Lua at 503-504-4288 with any questions.
We will study the Word of God to assist us.
Hybrid Study: Elimination of Racial Prejudice
Weekly on Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Zoom, or call for location. Please join us at The Book Club, where we'll be reading In Pursuit of a More Superb Mission; Exploring a framework for the elimination of racial prejudice in America, by Paul Lample.
We hope to see you! Warmest Regards, Mayumi & Masoud. For more information, please call Mayumi at 360-936-3240.
"Each stage of the Bahá'í Faith's development has unfolded according to the needs of the time, building upon what has come before and laying the groundwork for the next phase of its evolution. Each has challenged the Bahá'ís to attain a more profound understanding of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation… Mr. Lample proposes a means for applying that same process to the eradication of racism from the fabric of American society—a goal given to the Bahá'ís of that country as an urgent and inescapable responsibility." -Baha'iBookstore.com
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web. zoom.us/j/919424 28357?pwd=WnVmN2 p2ZVEvWXRQUVdWSm oxZ2J2QT09
Meeting ID: 919 4242 8357 Passcode: 868122
Find ebook and book here: https://www.bahaibookstore.com/In-Pursuit-of-a-More-Superb-Mission-ePub-P11078
This is a link to the document if you do not have a hard copy: https://bahai-library.com/pdf/l/lample_elimination_racial_prejudice.pdf
Online Study: Benefiting from Life's Tests
Fri May 15, 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Study themes from Fire & Gold: Benefiting From Life's Tests facilitated by Jennifer Seretan. You are welcome to join any time to these discussions which happen on the first and third Friday of each month. This book can be purchased here: Fire-Gold-Benefiting-Lifes-Tests
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/5931066886?pwd=cFZqRzRma2wrYW5lZEp3ZU9kWkRiUT09
For more information, please call Mary Reich 503-995-8959 or email Jen at jens19gems@gmail.com.
“The Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP) is an educational and research organization established in 1999. It provides a forum for the exploration of concepts and the analysis of processes that give shape to humanity’s search for global peace and prosperity.
Drawing on both science and religion as two complementary systems of knowledge, the Institute engages in research on issues relevant to the life of humanity.”
Contact your nearby Bahá’í friends, we’d love to talk!
Like us on Facebook: “Portland Metro Baha’i Community" “Portland Baha'i Center” “Beaverton Bahá'í Community” “Baha'is of Forest Grove” (hosting Spirit Night on Tuesday) “Baha’i Center Lake Oswego" “Baha’i Faith of Newberg Oregon” “Parenting with Wisdom”
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