This letter was composed on behalf of the Midwest Region at the Bahá’í inter-institutional gathering of January 22-27, 2026 for the United States, Alaska, and Bermuda.
Each delegation to this gathering was asked to write a letter to the Universal House of Justice. In attendance were International and Continental Counselors, Auxiliary Boards, National Spiritual Assemblies and agencies, Regional Bahá’í Councils, Training Institute Boards, and other collaborators.
10 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 182 B.E.
To our beloved Universal House of Justice on behalf of the Midwest region of the United States,
As the reflection and deep consultation in the national institutional gathering at this mid-point of the Nine Year Plan comes to a close, the friends serving the Midwest region extend our profound gratitude for the opportunity to come together to assess progress and renew our unity of vision for the remainder of the Plan. With the vital and perspicacious direction of the members of the International Teaching Center, the Bahá’í International Development Organization, the Board of Counselors, the US Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, and the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, the systematic study and internalization of the recent guidance has fostered deep reflection for our region.
At the outset of the Plan, we set the intention to focus on teaching populations of historic significance, which we recognized to be a strength of our region. It gives us immense joy to have three dear youth join this gathering to share their stories of transformation and how they are seeing their family and friends draw nearer to the Threshold, contribute to the spiritual and social transformation of their neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, and set audacious goals to embrace large numbers within the refuge they are laboring to build. These enkindled souls have brought the life-giving spirit of the grassroots to this institutional space. The opportunities of the last four days to deeply reflect on our most advanced clusters, on the need of the institute to be at the heart of all our endeavors, centers of intense activity, and groupings of clusters, as well as on the capacities to be further cultivated in our institutional collaborations have proved invaluable. We feel further enriched and inspired by the flow of stories and examples from around the country, which have given clarity to how our communities have progressed. We are especially appreciative of the richness of stories that brought direct teaching and enrollment into sharp focus, to guide us to discern when the city of the heart is open, and to widen our understanding of social action.
We take back to our communities the spirit of the joyous devotion that filled the meeting spaces. We continue our focus on learning and disseminating knowledge, and chiefly on nurturing the flame of teaching in interconnected lines of action. Plans have further emerged for strengthening the features of our milestone three clusters, supporting them to flourish as shining reservoirs for their subregions. We recognize we are standing at the precipice of new movement, as the Supreme Institution prepares us for unprecedented levels of growth. With hope in our hearts, our prayer is to seize every chance to respond to humanity’s intense need.
We return inspired to build “havens of peace” for our dear communities, clusters, neighborhoods, and friends. May we continue to be assisted by His most favored angels.
With utmost supplication and deepest love,
The Midwest Region of the United States