Activities and Events
Devotional Gatherings
The community hosts devotional meetings in the believers’ homes. These gatherings support a focus on the spiritual dimension of human existence. There are no rituals and no special roles. The format varies from sharing individual prayers and a simple meal, to a program of prayers and readings (to which participants may contribute from their own spiritual traditions) with refreshments and the opportunity for discussions of stimulating subjects.
Children’s Education
Since 1991, the Kiama Bahá’í Community has run Special Religious Education in the local Public Schools. Over that period, thousands of local parents have trusted the Bahá’í Community with the spiritual and ethical education of their children.
Bahá’í Community Feast
The Bahá’í year has 19 months of 19 days each (with 4 or 5 intercalary days). Locally, each month starts with a gathering consisting of devotions, consulting about community matters, and socialising. In Kiama, these Feasts are held in the homes of the believers.
Discussion Evenings
The community hosts regular Discussion Evenings, in which Bahá’ís and their friends give their views on current spiritual and social issues. There is no leader, although commonly an invited speaker will present a brief outline of Bahá’ís views on the topic. All contributions are welcomed.
Other Events
The Bahá’í community, and Bahá’ís individually, regularly participate in events in the Kiama community, pursuing individual interests, artistic pursuits, or contributing to discussions on current social issues, such as climate change, gender equality, First Nations justice, and support to refugees.
Local Governance
There is no clergy and no personal authority within the Bahá’í Faith, and the Local Spiritual Assembly is the body that administers the affairs of the local Bahá’í community. Elected every year from amongst the local believers, it meets regularly and confidentially to consult on the needs of the Bahá’í community and the broader society in which it exists.