200th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PICTURE SHOW

As 2017 begins, over 5 million Baha’is worldwide are preparing for major upcoming celebrations. On October 22, 2017, in some 100,000 localities worldwide, they will celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith.
The global festivities involving people of thousands of ethnic backgrounds is demonstrative of a key message of Baha’u’llah’s life and teachings: that a special time has arrived for the entire human race as it gradually moves from a stage of collective adolescence to one of maturity and wholeness.
The Baha’i writings explain:
In cycles gone by though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved. Continents remained widely divided ... In this day, however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged into one.... In like manner all the members of the human family, whether peoples or governments, cities or villages, have become increasingly interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency any longer possible, inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations, and the bonds of trade and industry, of agriculture and education, are being strengthened every day. Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved. Verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age, this glorious century.

CELEBRATION OF 200 EVENTS:

In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, we are planning 200 or more events that will involve every region of North Florida and hopefully reach all interested people in the region. These events will be planned for Individuals and groups, formal and informal, large and small with the goal of  helping to  celebrate Baha’u’llah's  message of Unity of Mankind. 
Here are some of the events we are planning that will be of interest:
1. Informal meetings with friends and neighbors to discuss the Baha'i faith over a cup of coffee or tea
2. Deliver Invitation Cards to  Friends and neighbors to any event being planned for the Celebration
3. Invite Community and Civic Leaders to Celebration events
4. Hold a Devotion in your home
5. Hold a Study Circle or attend one with Friends
6. Hold Children's Classes or attend one with your children
7. Plan or participate in a Children's Activity in the Park with cooperative games teaching Unity
8. Hold a youth Program or attend a program with your youth
9. Meaningful and Distinctive Conversation with Friends and Neighbors individually or in groups
10. Social Discourse on Equality of Race or Gender
11. Musical Gathering with uplifting songs of Love and Unity
12. Morning or Evening Prayers at the Beach or Park with friends and neighbors. Add Yoga or morning stretch as a fun activity.
13. Plan or participate in a Service Project to help the Community
14. Participate and Invite Friends in Community Gatherings planned for the region

Our aim is for everyone to participate in at least one activity that reaches out to the community and friends to help deliver the message of Unity of the Baha'i faith.

As Community Group events are planned, they will be posted in the Calendar below as well as on Facebook. For individual initiatives and events, please record these on the "2ooth Anniversary" Blog page.

CANDLES FOR UNITY:

As part of the festivities and in celebration of the Candlelit Vigil Celebration, Afsaneh Baghai, Kathy Esfahani, Kristi manouri, and Rowena Robinson designed these candles which will be available at the Unity Feast on June 24th and Future events. 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Event	Date/Time	Location	How to Attend?
Unity Feast	June 24, 2017	Baha'i Center	Baha'i Members ONLY
200 Blood Donations	August 20, 2017, 10:30am-2pm	Baha'i Center	RSVP
200 Canvases Art Project	September 24, 2017, 12noon	Baha'i Center	RSVP
Race Unity Dinner & Dialogue	September 22, 2017, 6:30pm	UNF Student Union	RSVP
200 Candles Prayer & Music	October 8, 2017, 6:00pm	Baha'i Center ***NOTE CHANGE in VENUE	RSVP
Time Capsule Celebration	October 15, 12 noon	Baha'i Center	RSVP
​200 Cans Food Drive	Ongoing	Baha'i Center	RSVP for Information
​200th Anniversary Celebration & Dinner	​October 21, 2017, 6pm	Baha'i Center	Must Register Below
​Open House & Lunch	October 28, 10:30-1 pm	Baha'i Center	RSVP

Viewed aright, this year presents the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to Baha'u'llah

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CANVAS ART UNITY PROJECT