Reflection meetings
Periodic neighbourhood gatherings where friends look back on what they've learned, celebrate small victories, and plan what to do next.
Open to anyone taking part in the life of the neighbourhood — whether through a devotional, a class, a junior youth group or a study circle.
A reflection meeting is a periodic gathering — often every three months — where everyone involved in a neighbourhood's community-building activities comes together to look back, share stories, learn from one another, and plan the next stretch.
These meetings are how the work of devotionals, classes, junior youth groups and study circles is consciously held together. They are practical, conversational, and grounded in real stories from real homes and streets.
What to expect
First 15 minutes
Prayers and welcome
A devotional opening, often with a short reading on a theme like learning, accompaniment or service.
About 60 minutes
Stories and learning
Participants share what's happened in their devotionals, classes, junior youth groups and study circles since the last meeting — what worked, what was hard, what they learned about their neighbourhood.
30+ minutes
Planning
The group identifies next steps: a new devotional to host, a class to start, friends to visit, a junior youth group to launch. Specific commitments are made and shared.
Who comes
- Anyone hosting or taking part in community-building activities in the neighbourhood — Bahá'í or not.
- Animators of junior youth groups, teachers of children's classes, devotional hosts, study-circle tutors and participants.
- Often a member of the wider cluster's coordinating team is present to learn alongside the group.
What to do
- Come with a story to share — even a small one.
- Listen carefully to what others are learning.
- Make a concrete plan before you leave.
What you don't need to do
- It is not a meeting for theoretical debate; the focus is on what's actually happening.
- No reports or paperwork are required.
A sample programme
Every gathering has its own rhythm — this is one realistic outline.
- 2:00 pm
- Opening prayers and welcome
- 2:15 pm
- Stories from devotional hosts
- 2:35 pm
- Stories from children's class teachers and junior youth animators
- 3:00 pm
- Stories from study-circle tutors and participants
- 3:20 pm
- Themes and learning across the stories
- 3:45 pm
- Planning the next three months
- 4:15 pm
- Closing prayer and refreshments
Origins & meaning
Reflection meetings are part of the way Bahá'í communities worldwide consciously plan and learn about their community-building work. They translate experience into shared insight and shared insight into next steps.
The format has evolved over the past two decades alongside the wider effort to build vibrant communities at the neighbourhood scale.
Frequently asked questions
Who can attend a reflection meeting?+
Anyone involved in or interested in the community-building activities of the neighbourhood — Bahá'í or not.
How often are they?+
Often every three months, sometimes more often in active neighbourhoods.
Is it a long meeting?+
Usually about two to three hours, with refreshments and time to talk afterwards.
Do I have to speak?+
No — but the meeting is much richer when as many people as possible share a short story from their experience.
Find one near you
The next upcoming reflection meetings across Canada.
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Your first visit — a small checklist
- Think of one story to share, however small
- Bring a notebook for your own next steps
- Plan to stay for the full meeting if you can
Other kinds of gatherings
Study circle
A small group that meets weekly to read together, reflect, and try out practical themes — prayer, service, raising children, the nobility of the human spirit.
Read the guide →
Devotional
A simple, prayerful hour where neighbours of every background read sacred writings, share music, and reflect together.
Read the guide →
Nineteen Day Feast
The heartbeat of Bahá'í community life: every nineteen days, the local Bahá'í community gathers for prayer, consultation, and fellowship.
Read the guide →