In conversation: Podcast explores impact of Houses of Worship on community life

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — During recent consultations at the Bahá’í World Centre on the development of Bahá’í communities, a few attendees who work closely with the Bahá’í Houses of Worship in Uganda and Kenya sat down with the News Service for a podcast episode to explore insights about how these temples are enriching community life.

The podcast features Samuel Mwangi, an Auxiliary Board member from Kenya; Patricia Senoga, an Auxiliary Board member from Uganda; and Charles Anglin, the Director of the House of Worship in Uganda.

Mr. Anglin described a House of Worship as “a place that belongs to the community; a place where people come… to think about how to serve their communities and to pray together.”

Building on this idea, Mrs. Senoga stated that “the spirit of the House of Worship extends to communities that don’t have a temple.”

One story she told illustrated how the concept of service and worship promoted by Bahá’í temples can foster unity, even in situations of longstanding division where generational issues have led to a lack of interaction among neighbors.

However, she noted, there was hope, because everyone could observe the unity that existed among the younger populations. “It was very interesting how children… cut across these differences. They always play together, but for some reason the adults could not associate,” said Mrs. Senoga.

Inspired by this interaction among the children and the vision of a Bahá’í House of Worship, the women in the community began to pray together and discuss the needs of their village. “When you see the harmony and friendship today, you would not believe the story before, because they are so close together and think about the well-being of each other,” said Mrs. Senoga, reflecting on the transformation that has taken root in that community.

Originally published on the Baha'i World News Service