During the past Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when the local newspaper became filled with stories of people losing their jobs and homes, particularly at a time when prices for essentials such as food and clothing continue to climb, the Food Bank came to the mind of Deb Rodgers, a Baha’i in Casa Grande, Ariz.

When Parisa’s boss encouraged her to take this weeklong trip, she probably never imagined Haiti would steal Parisa’s heart. Upon her return to California, Parisa quit her job and committed herself to finding her way back to the global arena.

The Baha’i Faith has some lofty goals. To name just a few: developing a consciousness of world citizenship, the establishment of full equality between men and women, the elimination of all forms of prejudice and the development of an economy informed by spiritual principles. Many people might think of these ideas as utopian, and rightly so.

Between the ages of 10 and 15 years old kids undergo tremendous transition. They're not children anymore.

Ask young members of the Baha'i Faith what they’re involved in, and you’ll no doubt hear about helping to build sustainable communities, teaching children principles of morality, participating in interfaith programs and doing service projects, among other activities.

Throughout the United States Baha’is are inviting spiritual seekers to enrich their spiritual and community life through such activities as prayer gatherings, weekly study of the Baha'i scriptures and classes for the spiritual education and training of children.

Two Baha'i friends and neighbors in Columbia, S.C., have been throwing a weekly "spiritual party" whose success surprises even them.

Carolyn Paik wanted to get to know her neighbors and to tell them about the Baha'i Faith – no easy task, as “neighbors” in her rural southeastern Wisconsin community live miles apart.

The Green family of Indianapolis took the saying “the family that prays together stays together,” one step further. Baha’is Andrea and Eric, and their daughters, Ashton, 15, and Asia, 12, invited two families of other faiths to join a study circle they were coordinating.