Participants at the DC-VA-WV Youth Gathering on August 8-10 in their own words:
“The Faith makes a big impact. You’re surprised by how people change because of it.” (by someone not yet registered as a Baha’i)
“Through the action taken and experience gained with the core activities since last year, I understand much more of this material. Last year we just came to read through this. Now I understand what we’re reading.”
“We’re more practical and realistic.”
“I didn’t really understand what mutual support actually meant last time. But since starting a junior youth group I see how animators can call on friends for transportation and ideas for what to do with their groups.”
“I always thought it wasn’t possible to study full-time, work weekends and serve. I realized it is actually manageable. It’s possible. Moderation makes it easier.”
“I try to tell my mom what I’m doing with the junior youth. It’s hard to explain. It’s important to be able to express what we’re doing – and why – to others.”
“We need to think about the purpose of doing [the] Ruhi [sequence study circles]. What is the big picture behind it?”
“The 5 Year Plan is like a big lesson objective.”
“Isn’t the point of unity to have no enemies? Now I understand that the only enemy is our lower nature.”
“The battle is out in the world and within ourselves.”
“The changes we want to see in our communities may not happen in our lifetime, but the process of educating generation after generation will over time create lasting change.”
“Core activities are changing culture. There is a power invested in these activities because they are inspired by the Teachings.”
“Inviting our friends to help us is about changing society.”
“It’s a mutual process. We gain from everyone’s input.”
“There’s a power in diversity.”
“Learning to avoid prejudice makes us more effective at transforming society because when we accept everyone, we will be able to befriend many more people who can help us change the world.”
“It’s important to be up front and say I want my community to have a purpose. Friendship is easy. Purpose is hard.”
How do we take all this positive energy back to our community?”
“Selflessness is a big part of creating a new society.”
“I realized the importance of planning and of writing my goals down.”