I recently had the privilege of joining four other people from Wrangell and about 120 Bahá’ís and friends from across Alaska at the Faith in the Future: Conversations that Engage and Inspire, a statewide conference held Sept. 19-20 in Anchorage. I returned home uplifted by the warmth of the gathering and by a hopeful, practical idea at its heart: Lasting change can take root when people unite around a shared purpose.

Conversations motivated by love can strengthen families and friendships, draw neighborhoods closer and help build healthier communities.

The conference opened with devotions and music that created an inclusive, welcoming spirit, followed by plenary meetings and small-group conversations.

We read “A Common Endeavor: Realizing the Promise of America,” a letter offered by the Bahá’ís of the United States “to all who hold the promise of America in their hearts” in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Its invitation — to pause, reflect, listen with care and consider our shared future — felt timely and relevant.

I was grateful for the ways our Wrangell group contributed. Valentina Bardina and I assisted with Grandma’s House, with activities for children ages 5 to 10. Will and Natalia Ashton supported options for junior youth and youth connected to the conference themes. Seeing people of different ages learning, serving, creating art, sharing meals and enjoying time together made the gathering feel both joyful and grounded.

Project Generosity invited individuals, families and communities across Alaska to create small gifts as giveaways. Even friends who could not attend shared in the joy by contributing handmade items to be distributed to participants with heartfelt expressions of generosity, a virtue honored in spiritual traditions and deeply familiar among Indigenous cultures, in potlatches and other gatherings.

The event was a reminder that the work we do in Wrangell is part of wider circles of people who care about the well-being of their communities. The ideas shared in Anchorage can continue around kitchen tables, on walks with neighbors, among friends and wherever people gather with a sincere desire to listen, learn and act together.

We returned home with a renewed commitment and hope that the conversations will continue, as each member of our community considers how to contribute to a more hopeful future.

Anyone wanting a copy of the document, “A Common Endeavor,” or to learn about it, can find more at https://www.acommonendeavor.org/.

Kay Larson,

a member of the Baha’i Faith