Portland Drumming and Devotions
For the December 28, 2025 Interfaith Devotions at the Portland Bahá’í Center, this was the calendar description:
“O Son of Light! Forget all save Me and commune with My Spirit. This is of the essence of My command, therefore turn unto it.” ~Bahá’u’lláh
Sharing prayers, or praying together, is about connection, mutual support, and experiencing God’s presence more powerfully, with quotes highlighting that it cements hearts, builds faith, and offers collective strength, reminding us we’re never alone and can bring tremendous power and healing through unified hearts.
“O Thou kind Lord! Sanctify my heart from all attachment, and gladden my soul with tidings of joy.” - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Dear Friends,
This Sunday, at the Portland Bahá’í Center we will be holding an exceptional devotional program with live music and singing and a special guest, Max Defender, who will do Native American drumming and chanting. Bring your favorite prayer, scripture, song, chant to offer to the gathering. This is a time of much needed prayers. Prayers help our souls and enrich our connections to each other. Any youth who are interested in participating are welcome. Bring your musical instruments! Looking forward to a beautiful time together.
Afterward, the host described the gathering that day:
Dear Friends,
Someone mentioned "those going out look a lot different than when they came in.” And the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, came to mind, "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. This is the home of knowledge: the one who enters it must receive knowledge. This is the home of love: those who come in must learn the lessons of love; thus may they know how to love each other." ~from a Tablet, published in "Star of the West", vol. 9, no. 3.
This is exactly how it felt today at the Portland Bahá'í Center for Sunday Devotions. I swear, the Center was actually glowing!! Our most heartfelt gratitude to Max Defender, his grandson, Austin, and Max’s friend, Tom, for coming and drumming the beautiful Native American drum at the Bahá’í Center as part of the devotional program. And to all the people who participated in the devotions, being there, reading the program’s scripture and prayers, sharing a chant, various people adding their own drum sounds. Also, members of the Unity of Hearts String Band performed several songs adding to the light and energy in the room!
Devotions in the Portland Center main room, 12-28-25.
We had a wonderful group, thirty count to be exact. Some traveled some distance to be there. Two of the guests had been to the Vedanta Retreat, a Hindu religious organization outside of Scappoose, and saw the Bahá’í shrine in the woods there, and read the writings on the shrine and were so moved to come to the Bahá’í Center to hear more!
This was taken at the end while people were enjoying refreshments in the foyer. Several people jumped in to try drumming.