Spring is in the air. The last little mounds of snow are melting. Packets of seeds are on my shopping list. Small birds have begun to appear at my feeder. We are breaking out of our cocoons.
For Baha’is worldwide, March 21 coincides with the vernal equinox of the Northern Hemisphere and is celebrated as our New Year. An event planned in Wrangell for March 2020 was abruptly cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID. In-person events were respectfully put on hold due to many unknowns.
This year’s celebration, open to all, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the multi-purpose room next to the old gym. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
There will be a short program. Everyone is invited to bring something to share — a poem, song, prayer or sacred writing, some music, a game, even a brief, uplifting video that can be connected via Wi-Fi to the large screen. Masks will be optional. The room is large enough to allow adequate space between us as we mingle.
Naw-Ruz has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years and is enjoyed today by more than 300 million people worldwide as the beginning of the new year. It is celebrated as a joyous occasion according to local custom. In some communities, the family table is decorated with fruits, sweets, colored eggs and a wide range of symbolic objects representing springtime and new life. Individuals may dress in new or clean clothes, gather with family and friends throughout the day, and give gifts.
To be real, there is no escaping the pain and suffering happening in many parts of the world right now. In this light, Naw-Ruz not only heralds the advent of spring, but also symbolizes a time of spiritual renewal and healing.
Contact me at kay.larson@gmail.com with questions or your ideas about the program.
Kay Larson
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