Our Community
The Bahá’í community gathers regularly to build spiritual and social connections. We pray, study, plan service activities, and conduct community business. These include Feasts and Reflection Gatherings. Bahá’ís don’t have a clergy. Instead, elected administrative institutions oversee community affairs. Activities are hosted by individuals, families, friends, committees, and other groups.
Grassroots activities
Bahá’ís hold a variety of community building activities that link personal growth with community development.
Activities are at the heart of our community life and, since every neighborhood has unique interests and challenges, we find meaningful ways to connect by cycling through a process of group study, action, and reflection. The Bahá’í spiritual teachings inspire us to form deep and diverse relationships and build communities that nurture the well-being of all. We all have a part to play in shaping a bright future.
There is no single location for Bahá’í gatherings. We meet in homes, outdoors, or other spaces including the Bahá’í Center in Bellevue.
Devotional Gatherings
(all ages) bring people of all backgrounds and beliefs together in prayer, song and meditation. They reflect the diverse cultural character of local communities and seek to stimulate meaningful conversations that can lead to action. As worship is linked with acts of service, a unifying spirit begins to permeate the community. Gatherings are held wherever "the mention of God [can] be made."
Children's Classes
(ages 5–11) are for a community’s youngest and most precious treasures. They provide the early seeds of moral and spiritual education and introduce the oneness of humanity. All of the community’s children are welcome. These classes help children discover and strengthen their inherent spiritual qualities like kindness, patience and generosity through stories, songs, prayers and art.
Junior Youth Groups
(ages 12–14) motivate young people to explore complex issues, consult about neighborhood needs, plan and carry out acts of service and find positive avenues for recreation and artistic expression. Faced with navigating a crucial time in their lives, participants work to build moral clarity for the many decisions they’ll face. Working with mentors called “animators,” youth from all backgrounds develop a global identity, wisdom, compassion, decision-making skills and a mindset of service to others.
Study Circles
(ages 15–adult) are small groups that meet regularly, usually in the home of a group member, to study passages from the Bahá’í writings on the life of the soul and such themes as learning about consultation, accompanying one another in service and promoting the arts. This training builds capacity, skills and knowledge for a life of service to the community. Participants come to recognize that they have the power to re-create the world around them.
All are welcome, regardless of their ideas or beliefs, as we are all members of one human family.