Location
The experience of young people in a Vista, California, junior youth group animated by Martin Brown and Adib Towfiq has whetted their appetite for additional spiritual communion. Several regularly attend a devotional gathering in nearby Carlsbad hosted by Martin’s family.
“These junior youth are enthusiastic about attending our devotional gathering,” says Martin’s mom, Nasrin. “When they attend, I can see how happy they are and that makes me happy.”
The Browns started the weekly devotional in July. By midsummer they were welcoming as many as 15 participants per gathering, mostly junior youths and youths from Oceanside and Vista. Most of the young people share prayers, says Nasrin Brown.
“Several of them have also learned Bahá’í prayers and quotations put to music in different settings, and often share these songs and teach them to the other attendees of the devotional. Some of the participants who play instruments play songs at the devotional gathering as well.”
Nasrin Brown says the hosts have experimented with choosing a topic for each devotional, with quotations and prayers based on the topic. “We always welcome the participants to share anything they feel inclined to share, but sometimes we have these selected readings as an addition. It also helps start some elevated discussion. A few of the topics we’ve had are unity and family.” After prayers and discussion, participants usually pose for a photo then have refreshments and socialize.
“While the devotional is growing, we’re not focused so much on making it grow, but instead making sure we are consistent and people feel welcome to join,” she says. “It seems to me that this affects the quality in a positive way, which naturally causes the number of participants to increase as their enthusiasm grows and they invite more of their friends and family.”