Message conveys support to co-workers in USA

Aug 28

Aug 28 Message conveys support to co-workers in USA

A series of societal shocks and natural disasters occurring in the United States — including recent wildfires in California — has evoked a message of loving support from our National Spiritual Assembly.

“Bosch Bahá'í School, a permanent Bahá'í school located in northern California, was in the direct path of recent wildfires devastating that area”, reported the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States in a letter to the American Bahá’í community on 24 August 2020.

The history of the school goes back to 1927, when it was first established in the town of Geyserville, and then in 1973 moved to its present location near Santa Cruz, according to the school’s website, http://www.bosch.org/. Bosch runs a variety of programmes throughout the year, including summer schools and weekend seminars.

The letter of the US National Assembly continued: “The staff were all evacuated several days ago and are safe, for which we are deeply grateful.” A number of buildings on the property, including accommodation cabins, were “a total loss”, but most of the major structures appear to have been spared.

On 27 August the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand sent a letter to the National Assembly of the United States as follows:

Dear Friends,

Prompted at this moment by the sad news of wildfire damage at Bosch Bahá’í School, we want to convey the prayerful best wishes of the Bahá’ís of Aotearoa New Zealand towards our co-workers in the Cause of God in the United States.

We are well aware that in recent months the people of the United States have faced a succession of adversities and eruptions of social turbulence, which are showing little sign of receding. And we have seen that in response, the United States Bahá’í community has arisen with formidable resolution to shine ever more brightly against the forces of darkness. It is profoundly encouraging to witness the power of faith being demonstrated by the American friends.

Please be assured that your country will be in the prayers of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand during its meetings in coming months, and that our Bahá’í community stands with yours in a spirit of total solidarity during these trying times.

[Signed: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand]

Reply received

The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States replied on 3 September 2020:

National Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand

Dearest Bahá'í Friends,

Our hearts were stirred with loving gratitude upon reading your email letter of August 27. We truly appreciate knowing of the watchful concern of our dear sister Assembly. Your timely and encouraging assurance of supplications on our behalf gives us comfort and renewed vigor as we strive, as the beloved Supreme Body recently wrote, "to play [our] part, however humble, in the effort to remedy the ills of [our] nation."

We wholeheartedly welcome your continued prayers, as our only hope is divine assistance as the community of the Greatest Name endeavors to fulfill the divine Plan. You may be sure that we will likewise beseech the Almighty to aid and assist you and the friends in your beautiful country in your labors.

Be assured of our warmest affection and enduring regard.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Kenneth E. Bowers
Secretary