December 9 and 10, 1912 At sea

Still at sea. . . .  It is interesting that the very act of following 'Abdu'l-Bahá brings with it new connections and information every day!

Anne Corcoran sent me this report:

UK BAHA’I NEWS EMAIL SERVICE

 5 December 2012 /13 Qawl 169 B.E.

Dearly loved Friends

In an unprecedented event, the UK government through its Department for Communities and Local Government initiated and hosted a reception in honour of the UK Bahá’í community to celebrate the Centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Britain.

The gathering was held on Wednesday 28 November, the anniversary of the passing of the Beloved Master, at Eland House in London and attended by Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, civil servants, and some 80 believers representing the diversity of the UK community. The reception was addressed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP and the Minister for Integration, the Rt Hon Don Foster MP, who both spoke with warmth and appreciation for the contribution Bahá’ís are making to the betterment of their local communities. The Minister for Integration also quoted passages from the Writings of the Master, emphasising their ongoing relevance to the current needs of individuals and communities in the UK and the Government’s support in working towards their realisation.  A representative of the Bahá’í community also shared some remarks about the significance of the Master’s visit to Britain and the current work of the UK Bahá’í community.

The reception at Eland House represents a significant step forward in the Bahá'í community’s relationship with the UK Government and a full report of the proceedings can be found at http://news.bahai.org/story/932.

With loving Bahá'í greetings

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Kishan Manocha

Secretary of External Affairs

AND yesterday Brenden McNamara writes:
"I have just returned from the centenial event organised by the friends in Oxford to mark 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to that city and in particular His presentation at Manchester College. Uniquely for this side of the Atlantic, the commemoration took place in the College itself.  It was phenomenal!!  (A little earlier that the 31st of December actual date- the College is close these days at that time.)"

SO--exciting events are occuring & reports flow my way. Amazing!