in Bermuda.

The 19th annual Baha'i national convention was held last weekend at the National Centre on Cedar Avenue. It was held while similar National Conventions were held in 181 other countries.

In all, 19 delegates represented the various Baha'i communities from throughout the Island.

Elections to the National Assembly are unique because among the Baha'i there are no prepared ballots, nomination system, or even electioneering.

Delegates offer suggestions and guidance to the National Spiritual Assembly, the administrative body of the religion in a country. There is no clergy in the Baha'i faith.

After a prayer, each delegate writes down the names of the nine people she or he thinks best exemplifies loyalty, selfless devotion, ability, mind, and mature experience to run the assembly for the upcoming year.

Central to the national conventions is the annual Ridvan Message from the Universal House of Justice -- the world faith's governing body.

Last year two new National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Latvia and Lithuania, terraces were opened around the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, in Haifa, Israel.

The Ridvan Message also announced "appreciable'' growth of the faith during 1998.

Greetings were also sent by Dr. Wilma Ellis, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, who has visited the Island.

The board, which advises national spiritual assemblies in the Western Hemisphere, was represented in Bermuda by Dr. Eugene Andrews.

1998 was the 50th anniversary of the Baha'i faith's presence in Bermuda, and the community paused to reflect on that history.

Governing body : The Baha'i faithful of Bermuda recently elected their National Spiritual Assembly for the upcoming year. Back row, from left: Derick Simons, Shirley Fagundo, Anthony Ball, June Saltus and David Kendell. Front row: Evelyn Cann, Arlene Brock and Mary Walker. Missing is Johann Wong.