On Sunday 8 May Colin Palin gave a presentation to the adult class on “Technology and Us”. He showed how technologies, and computers in particular, are vital to modern life, and we should not be afraid of them. The rise in the number of home computers in particular makes them a valuable resource we can use for the Faith: he instanced in this computerised presentations such as PowerPoint, the use of e-mails and the Internet, and the role of Bahá’í websites. Any local community can have a website, and the National Spiritual Assembly encourages them to do so. In fact things have reached the point where organisations are expected to have a website, and if a Bahá’í community doesn’t then this is sending a negative message.
ISP
The latest in the “Deepenings in Derry” took place on 26 May. Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara spoke on “Amelia Collins” and gave a fascinating insight into the life of this Hand of the Cause. She was a tireless worker for the Faith and a constant support to Shoghi Effendi; although she was named a Hand in the first group announced by the Guardian she was in fact appointed to this station before this, making her the first person ever to be appointed a Hand of the Cause by the Guardian in their own lifetime. She is, of course, memorialised in the impressive Collins Gate at Bahji that marks the start of the pilgrims’ final approach to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.
IP
The Collins Gate
Congratulations to Thomas McGlone (from Moneymore) and Margaret Fitzgerald (from Navan) on their marriage, which took place on 4 June. The wedding was a huge success, starting at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Kilberry near Navan and ending up in Kells (Co. Meath) where the Bahá'í ceremony took place followed by a reception and dance (including the Ceili band of course!). The happy couple are honeymooning in New York. Many of Thomas's friends from Northern Ireland were there and we had a great time.
LG
The Baha'i Council for Northern Ireland has made a formal response to official proposals to change charity law in Northern Ireland. A copy of this can be found on the Council's website at www.bahai.org.uk/bcni - access to this and other statements on matters of public interest by the Council is from the "About Us" page.
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