Public Events:

Fireside. A meeting held in one's home for the purpose of teaching the Bahá'í Faith. According to Shoghi Effendi, 'The principle of the fireside meeting, which was established in order to permit and encourage the individual to teach in his own home, has proven the most effective instrument for spreading the Faith.' '. . . The most effective method of teaching is the Fireside group, where new people can be shown Bahá'í hospitality, and ask all the questions which bother them. They can feel there the true Bahá'í spirit. . .' Bahá'ís are encouraged to hold a fireside once every nineteen days.

Devotional programs held at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning to which the public is most cordially invited. Often the program will consist of readings of a devotional character not only from the Bahá'í Writings but from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Qur'an (Koran).

Adult study and children's classes are held on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. A different member of the Baha'i Faith leads the class each week with emphasis on how the Baha'i Faith applies to our everyday life.

You are encouraged to join one of the Study Circles, beginning with "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit." The Study Circles typically meet once a week. Call the Center at 926-8880 to determine which Study Circle would best suit your time schedule and other needs.

Baha'is observe 11 Holy Days:
March 21, Naw Ruz, the Baha'i New Year
April 21, First Day of Ridvan, Declaration of Baha'u'llah
April 29, Ninth Day of Ridvan
May 2, Twelfth Day of Ridvan
May 23, Declaration of the Bab (observed two hours after sunset on May 22)
May 29, Ascension of Baha'u'llah (observed at 3:00 a.m.)
July 9, Martyrdom of the Bab (observed at noon)
October 20, Birth of the Bab
November 12, Birth of Baha'u'llah
November 26, Day of the Covenant
November 28, Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (observed at 1:00 a.m.)

Except where otherwise noted, in Austin these Holy Days are normally commemorated with a program and social beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the evening preceeding the Holy Day. One of the three days of Ridvan is normally celebrated during the day with a picnic.

Multicultural Events are held quarterly. These events feature prayers, meditation, music and dance from around the world, followed by refreshments and socializing.

For one week each summer the Unity Day Camp offers children aged four to twelve a unique opportunity to enhance their understanding of unity and diversity. Games, sports, art, crafts, music, drama, stories, and study of the Holy Writings are also selected to help the children embrace unity and practice virtues while fostering deeper friendships and a sense of community.

Expressions: A Night of Rhythm and Rhyme, is a program for poets and those who appreciate poetry, held on the first Saturday of each month at 7:00.

Please see calendar for more information.