Baha’i Community Elects Its New Governing Council
Las Cruces Bulletin
June 13, 2022
Baha’i Community Elects Its New Governing Council
The Baha’i community of Las Cruces elected its nine-member governing council, known as the Local Spiritual Assembly, for 2022-23.
Officers are Carl Ewing, chairman; Darrell Rodgers, vice chairman; Jean Wilkey, secretary; and Dean Wilkey, treasurer. Other members are Annie Mitchell, Phyllis Williams, Sharon Ewing, Muriel Gribble and Deb Rodgers.
“The Bahá’í electoral system, operating by secret ballot, with no nominations or electioneering, encourages universal participation,” Carl Ewing said. “Every adult Bahá’í is eligible for election to local and national administrative bodies responsible for decisions in the conduct of Bahá’í community affairs.”
Local Spiritual Assemblies organize classes for the spiritual education of children and adults, support community members in the planning of devotional programs and other public events; conduct Baha’i-marriages; plan service projects; and provide spiritual counseling to members.
The Baha’i Faith, founded in 1844, is the youngest of the world’s independent, global, monotheistic religions. It is in every country in the world with adherents from virtually every national, ethnic, religious and tribal background.
For more information, call 575-528-8912 or visit www.bahaisoflascruces.org.
Anniversary of the passing of Abdul Baha
Anniversary of the passing of Abdul Baha
The Bahá’ís of Las Cruces and the world are commemorating this month, the 100th anniversary of the passing of Abdu’l-Baha. A new film about this extraordinary man will be shown locally in January.
Abdu’l-Baha, who visited America in 1912, was the son of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, and the appointed interpreter of his Father’s teachings. Called “The Master” by his Father, and titled “The Center of the Covenant”, Abdu’l-Baha travelled extensively, promoting the oneness of the human race, the common foundation of all religions, the equality of women and men, universal education for all, a global auxiliary language, the independent investigation of truth, the essential harmony of science and religion, the elimination of all prejudice and universal peace.
The popularity of these noble principles had frightened the Ottoman Empire into imprisoning his family in Palestine for 40 years. But the Empire’s efforts to quash the Baha’i Faith were in vain. Today, it is among the fastest-growing world religions with more than 7 million members. Baha’i communities are found throughout the world — including here in Las Cruces.
Abdu’l-Baha’s Christ-like behavior and teachings won the hearts of Americans wherever he spoke. In Washington DC, Congress adjourned early so the Senators and Congressmen could meet the venerable “Prophet from the East” (as one newspaper called him). His receptions in Europe and the Middle East were much the same. When he passed away in Haifa, Palestine in 1921, his funeral was attended by 10,000 admirers of many nations and creeds. And today, 100 years after his passing, his life is still celebrated.
Today at the Baha’i World Center in Haifa, Israel, the Baha’is are constructing the Shrine of Abdu’l-Baha on the plain of Akka. It is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Carl Ewing, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of Las Cruces
Published in the Las Cruces Sun News, November 22, 2021
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/opinion/2021/11/21/letters-editor-shopping-local/8699805002/