The first conferences in the United States in the current series of 41 Baha’i gatherings being held around the world attracted nearly 8,500 people the weekend of Dec. 6-7, in Atlanta, suburban Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Read the full story from the Baha'i World News Service.

Three more conferences were held the weekend of Dec. 15-16 in Stamford, Dallas and Los Angeles. See the Baha'i World News Service for a related story.

 
People listen attentively as the message of
the Universal House of Justice
to the U.S. conferences is read.

 Farrell and Jamie Shaw are the proud parents of two boys, Jonathon, 14 and Jordan, 7. Jonathon has been playing violin for four years and just obtained the first seat at Orange High School in Orange, Calif.  Mr. Shaw sent the following report after attending the Baha'i conference in Los Angeles:

On the way home, after attending the L.A. Baha’i conference, Jonathon said, "There has to be something I can do for the faith.” I replied by quoting what Baha’u’llah said about music:

"We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high..."

We discussed this quote on the way home from L.A. Jonathon went to his room. A few minutes later he came out and asked for pictures of the Shrine of the Bab, Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. I did not ask him why. 

Hours later, well into the night, I heard his violin, went to his room to see if he was O.K. and saw him putting his violin down. He said to me “ I am now ready Dad.” When I asked him, "Ready for what?" he said, ” Get the cameras ready, all is ready, it has been, I just did not know how to look for it but now I found it.”

Watch the video Jonathon created.