Ideas for Firesides...

[Elahe]

Hello SoulTalkers,

I have recently volunteered my time and home to start hosting a regular monthly fireside...to teach the Faith...and also create some sort of continuity in regards to us being in more frequent interaction with our community and for new-believers, believers to have another opportunity to join together in brotherhood and discussion...and to make some new friends...Love how this works around all sides!

So, I am a bit rusty...well, honestly, I have never hosted a fireside on my own, outside of being a daughter of Baha'i parents...and my husband and I would like to do something a little creative and more social when it comes to hosting a fireside...we are relaxed people by nature, but we are wondering how we can host these firesides in a different manner...

So, was wondering if any of you have some experiences of hosting firesides, what works for you...and if you have any creative ideas to share....if you have time...would love to hear what your ideas are....

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing some thoughts on this from the SoulTalkers community!

[Sara]

Hi Elahe

Deborah and I have just committed to hosting weekly firesides at the two universities. Owing to us being on a university campus we have advertised the evenings as "'Discuss' An opportunity to discuss and explore the Big Questions of Life." because we felt "fireside" didn't tell our audience much about the evening. Our timetable for this term is:

Science and Religion
What is spirituality?
Is religion still relevant in the 21st Century?
Meditation
Life of the soul: life before life and life after death
Art is a teacher
How to find a partner for life
One solution to world peace
Oneness of religions: Progressive Revelation
Escalating threats to human rights in Iran: Case Study Baha'i Community
Conversations with God
Spirituality in the workplace

Neither of us are experts in any of the above topics - but we've asked members in our community who are a wee bit more knowledgeable or have a special interest in a certain topic, so in the end we are all just facilitating one of them. Look at the resources in your community and what your friends (who you'd like to teach) might be interested in - and go from there. Our order of fireside topics is a bit random, but each one doesn't build upon the previous - so its not a 12 week 'course'. Each fireside facilitator will be doing their own thing. Some might give a 30minute presentation followed by plenty of time for discussion. Others might present an idea and discuss it with the group then present another idea and discuss that - so no traditional presentation as such. For others they might host it in a workshop style - and for others e.g. for "Meditation" they might set up a 'practical' element to the evening to encourage discussion.

Good luck!

[Elahe]

Sara,

Thanks for the great suggestions...sounds like more of a social gathering and an opportunity to learn something as opposed to some convert meeting, lol...Alright, I've got something as a start to bite into...

Thanks again!

E.

[Ogechi Anum]

Hi Elahe!
I have always thought that I would like to host a series of Firesides in which each meeting would feature a specific culture and cuisine. Food always seems to bring people together and make them comfortable. People also like to share recipes so the pre-Fireside event could perhaps be where one person teaches the group a specific dish or dishes. Since I am crazy about African food that would be what I would either offer or request. I hope this helps a little!
Peace and blessings!

[Elahe]

Very cool...thanks for sharing this...we may just incorporate some of the food when we get things running...:)