Monthly Archives: June 2019

Save the Date, October 26, 2019

The New Berlin LSA wishes to share preliminary news regarding plans
for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.

A task force is being formed and a location has been reserved!

Saturday, October 26, 2019
Evening (Time TBD)
New Berlin West High School Performing Arts Center
18695 W. Cleveland Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53146

From the Same Dust Update

Allah’u’Abha!

We want to give you an update about From the Same Dust’s and related
other’s activities. We are a group under the direction of the
Wauwatosa Local Spiritual Assembly whose purpose is to stimulate and
animate a welcoming and diverse Baha’i community and serve the wider
community to increase diversity and unity.

On March 2, 2019, From the Same Dust held an event in conjunction with
the King Commons Studio and Gallery: “Jim Crow Effect…Then and
Now…Open Wounds in Need of Healing.”

Guest Speakers included:
Dr. Earl Bracy: Licensed Clinical Psychologist – The psychological effects of Jim Crow Laws

Atty. Cecilia Jackson – “New Jim Crow Laws” in our Legal System

Matine Spence Historian: Efforts to begin dismantling systemic racism

Since that time, we have continued to reflect, dialog, and plan with
Marquita Edwards of the King Commons Studio and Gallery. Look forward
to a future event with the gallery.

Some of us were able to join Reggie Jackson, historian, on a civil
rights bus tour of Milwaukee followed by discussion with African
American leaders in Milwaukee. The discussion addressed what white
allies can do to educate and support.

This past weekend some members of our group were invited and able to
attend a social and economic development conference at the Baha’i
National Center. Participants at the conference were able to study a
letter about social action by the Office of Social and Economic
Development of the Bahá’íWorld Centre. That study will assist us in
our planning.

From the Same Dust continues to hold a monthly book study. We are
currently reading “Tears We Cannot Stop” by Eric Dyson.

A meeting was held with Nicole Brookshire, executive director of the
Milwaukee County Office on African American Affairs. Did you know that
Milwaukee County has proclaimed that racism is a public health issue?
Nicole was able to suggest and provide many resources for our group.
Additionally she is looking for support for the youth in Milwaukee.
Nicole is very open to the idea of a junior youth empowerment program
and has meeting space available to conduct those groups. A door is
open which gives our community the challenge of figuring out how we
can arise.

Some members of the Baha’i Wauwatosa community participated in the
planning of a celebration and commemoration of Black History month.
Additionally the Wauwatosa Council unanimously adopted an Equity and
Inclusion Ordinance. A shout out to the Baha’is who were involved in
that!

July 8 will be our next meeting of From the Same Dust, 7 pm at Kathy
Wurzer’s home, 6075 N Kent Ave. Join us to continue the discussion and
planning.

Request for Food/Lodging Volunteers for Youth Retreat on June 28-30

Youth Institute Retreat, Sussex WI June 28-30
Ground support team needs a bit more assistance –
meals/lodging/cleanup

A youth institute retreat weekend is being planned for June 28-30
which will be hosted at the Bohannon-Letzer home.

Four of the 6 main meals have been provided for, with 2 more meals
(Sunday breakfast and lunch) in need of being provided. In addition, 3
snack periods require fulfilment. Ideas as to types of food will be
shared with those who offer to assist with meals and snacks – simple,
uncomplicated, yet gratifying is the aim.*

Clean-up after each main meal would also be a valued service.

Separately, it would be appreciated if local communities are able to
offer accommodations for a few or several participants.

Those who wish to support the event in either way can contact:

Ruhiyyih Gallow-Skrenes
262-347-1403 – preferred means of communication
ruhiyyihgs@gmail.com

These institute retreats are to help youth enter the Institute process
and continue to move through their studies of the Ruhi Institute
courses as they explore and/or continue to walk a path of service with
others. During the March weekend, Books 1, 2 and 5 were offered,
including carrying out practice components of the books. Youth from
Madison, Milwaukee area, Cedarburg, and Chicago participated in the
weekend and were accompanied by tutors from their home communities. A
total of 30 attendees participated, including tutors and participants.
About half of the participants were friends of the Faith and half were
Baha'i, ranging from youth who have grown up in the Faith to youth who
had just learned about Baha'u'llah, the Baha'i Faith and the Institute
process a few weeks prior. In addition to studying and carrying out
some of the practices in the books (with use of the arts), we spent
time praying and singing together, doing ice breakers/playing games,
sharing meals together, talking a walk to a nearby park and the lake,
watching a portion of Widening Embrace together, etc. Retreats of a
similar kind will be an ongoing event.

~

  • Some menu ideas:

Breakfast/snack ideas: Bagles/cream cheese or muffins or bread/PB&J,
hard boiled eggs, fruit (clementines, bananas, apples), yogurt, string
cheese, granola bars, hummus/carrots/sugar snap peas.

Lunch ideas:

  • Make-your-own tacos: soft shell flour tortillas, black beans (lots
    for the vegetarians), cooked taco meat, shredded cheese, shredded
    lettuce, tomatoes, onion, jar of diced jalapeños, salsa, sour cream,
    Ortega taco sauce, tortilla chips
  • Make-your-own sandwiches: bread, deli meat, cheese slices, hummus,
    tomatoes, lettuce, mustard, mayo, dill pickles, chips

Upcoming Milwaukee Feasts and Holy Days & Bicentenary

Upcoming Milwaukee Feasts and Holy Days

  • Feast of Rahmat/Mercy: Monday June 24th 6:30pm-8:30pm UWM Student Union Room 181 2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211
  • Feast of Kalimát/Words: Saturday July 13th 10:30am-12:30pm UWM Student Union Room 181 2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211
  • Martyrdom of The Bab: Wednesday July 10th 11:30am-1:30pm. Baha’is
    should refrain from work on this day. Please Join us in observing the
    Martyrdom of the Bab with a short spiritual program beginning promptly
    at noon, followed by light refreshments. UWM Student Union Room 183, 2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211


*The twin holy days of the Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah: this
year fall on October 29 and October 30.

Bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb:

A special program is being planned as a joint celebration by communities in Milwaukee county, Racine, Mt. Pleasant, Kenosha, and the surrounding area. More information will be in the next newsletter. Please consider making a special contribution to the local Baha’i fund to help us put on this important public celebration.

Likely dates for these celebrations are below, subject to finalized plans. Save these dates and begin to think of family, colleagues, friends, and neighbors you could invite. Also watch for announcements from other communities.

  • Saturday, October 26 – Baha’i choir performance in Waukesha county
  • Monday evening, October 28 – Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab in
    the Milwaukee area, place and details to be announced. Dinner, music,
    stories, and participatory art projects for all ages.
  • Tuesday evening, October 29 – Birth of Baha’u’llah celebration with
    pizza and music, possibly at Shorewood Community Center.

Please Join Our Bicentennial Choir

We are happy to announce Scott Lee will be directing a unique
Bicentennial Choir empowering us to expand the influence of our Faith
and transform community life.

We can use the power of music to make the vision of Baha’u’llah
accessible to all! Join us as we tap into our divinely inspired and
creative potential!

When will we gather? to rehearse and celebrate – 3:00 to 5:00, the
first and second Sunday afternoons of the month starting July 7th.
(July 14th, August 4th and 11th, September 8th and 15th, October 6th
and 13th).

Where will we meet? Mike and Carolyn Paik’s home, W334 S822 Cushing
Park Rd, Delafield, 53018

When will we perform? Details to follow, but the gathering that will
pool lots of diverse talents will be October 26th, so folks will still
be able to celebrate locally on the actual Bicentenary dates the
following week

Questions? Contact Carolyn at 262-337-9501 or cmpaik9@gmail.com

Heartland Baha’i Summer School: July 19th-21st

Heartland Baha’i Summer School: July 19th-21st
Urbana Bahá’í Center, Urbana, IL.

Our True Brother’s Letters: Study of Shoghi Effendi for Discourses on Unity and Racial Amity

Join us, Baha’is and friends of the Baha’i Faith, in a loving and nurturing weekend! This year, the Heartland Baha’i Seasonal School will study and deepen our love of Shoghi Effendi and his writings on the topics of ‘Discourse on Unity’ and ‘Racial Harmony’ with associated reflections on actions and service. There will be artistic and recreational activities for attendees of all ages.

http://www.heartlandbahaischool.com/drupal/index.php

You may register online at http://www.cvent.com/events/heartland-summer-baha-i-school-
2019/event-summary-881f023eacea4c9a81b3a56b5faa8446.aspx

To contact the Registrar email: heartland-reg@nbs.usbnc.org or by phone: 847-636-8558

Save The Date September 7 for the Next Milwaukee Cluster Meeting

Baha’is Living in the Milwaukee Cluster,
Our next Milwaukee Cluster meeting will be on Saturday, September 7.  The event will take place at the Wauwatosa Public Library, 7635 West North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213.  The event will start at 10 am and end at 1 pm.  More information to come as the date approaches.  If you have any comments or questions about the event, please contact me at either:


dcmstarships@hotmail.com OR mueller-david@sbcglobal.net.


Thanks,
David C. Mueller

Strengthening the Virtues Within

Would you like to join a new group coming together to inspire the
practice of virtues in everyday life? Would you like to experience the unifying effects of focusing on those qualities that make us human -the qualities that are the very best of what humans are and aspire to? Join us each month as we focus on a virtue and share with one another how it transforms our lives. Learn strategies for using these virtues to create safer, more caring, more supportive and effective families and communities.Come to one, come to all. The gatherings are designed for ages 10 to 100. Give yourself the gift of growing bonds of friendship while we celebrate what we have in common. All meetings are held at the Cedarburg Library, usually the last Monday of each month at 6:30pm.

Please contact Jenny Wanasek at jennywanasek@gmail.com for further details.

Safe Place to Talk About Race: New Time

This is a reminder of future dates for our community safe place to talk about race discussions. The United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E Silver Spring Dr, graciously continues to offer space for our meetings.

Walnut Room #111 on these Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. NEW TIME!

June 20

July 18

August 15

September 19

October 17

November 21

Not meeting in December

January 16, 2020

Human Family Reunion, Cedarburg June 9, 2-4pm

All are invited to join the Cedarburg Baha’i Community on Sunday, June
9 from 2 to 4 p.m. for the “Human Family Reunion” to be held at the
Cedar Creek Park Pavilion on Portland Road in Cedarburg, WI. This
Race Unity event will include the presentation of the “Spirit of Unity
Award” to two individuals, and will feature speaker Emilio de Torre,
director of community engagement for the ACLU of Wisconsin.
“Panadanza” will provide music, drumming and dancing and refreshments
will be served. There is no fee and all are welcome.

With gratitude,
Patty Kubala on behalf of the Cedarburg Baha’i Community