The Sheer Force of Joy

The Center’s connection to the Racepath community dates back to the 1950s through Bessie Graham (Elizabeth’s housekeeper) who brought her grandchild to meet Baba at the Children’s Birthday Party. That relationship was carried on and strengthened through Happy Club in the 1960s. And it has continued for decades since, when each year kids from Phoenix Renaissance’s summer youth program visit the Center as one of their field trips, and the love is renewed and rekindled. With a connection so old, the love that it generated has aged like a fine, perfectly aged wine.

I had the great opportunity to be part of the heart opening visit this year. On June 23, 2026, about fifty children arrived with staff and volunteers from Phoenix Renaissance. Peter Goodman is one of the coordinators for this visit. He is on the Meher Center staff and also a member of Phoenix Renaissance Board. “As soon as they arrived, I knew that this year would be different because the number of kids was much larger,” he says. “And there would be that many more children who would experience the Center as part of this connection between the two organizations.”

First, they walked to Saroja library where they were greeted by Meher Center Librarian, Susan MacDonald-Lesnik. “Welcoming all the wonderful children to the library was a true joy. Nearly fifty children, dressed in their brightly colored shirts, filled the Reading Room, settling onto the floor and sofas until every corner of the space was alive with energy and anticipation,” says Susan.

Karen Vassal, the CEO of Phoenix Renaissance, who accompanied the children, says, “The joy on our children’s faces as they listened attentively during story time, sang songs together, explored the library, and discovered the beauty of the Center was unforgettable.”

After the library, the children walked through the nature trails of the Center sanctified by Baba’s presence. Then, they arrived at the playground where a pizza lunch was served to them, followed by free play at the Center playground. Karen Vassel says, “For us this isn’t just any field trip, it is an opportunity to slow down, appreciate nature, experience something new, and create lasting memories in a place that always welcomes them with open arms.”

After having sunk into the ever-abundant energy of the Center, the children went to the Meeting Place for more to follow. Meher Center staff, Peter Goodman and Gabe Wood were accompanied by Center volunteer, Dineen Carta, for a music concert. The concert began with the “Itsy-bitsy Spider” with each child’s fingers climbing along as they sang. That was just the ice breaker.  Soon, a palpable feeling of God made itself evident in the room through songs like “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands ,” “Amazing Grace,” “This Little Heart of Mine,” and more.

All the children knew the words by heart. They were uninhibited and uproarious. Some jumping in their seats and others dancing and moving in a sweet unison of rhythm. As I watched this deep visceral knowing of God in their pure expressions, tears came to my eyes for the commonality between us. It felt that God, who had been here, and continues to be here, was brought into the room by the sheer force of joy.

From gospel to pop songs, the music took a life of its own, resonating throughout the Meeting place like never before. Peter Goodman says, “My favorite part was when a child came up and sang, ‘This Girl is on Fire’ by Alicia Keys.” It was a hoot!

After the music, with hearts full of love, the children departed, already excited about their next visit to the Center. The experience left everyone who helped with a feeling of loving reflection. “What touched me most were the spontaneous comments from several of the children, who shared how much they loved looking out over the lake and how much they enjoyed the peaceful feeling—or ‘vibe,’ as one of them put it—of the library,” says Susan MacDonald-Lesnik.

Melissa Collins, Meher Center staff and coordinator for the day’s activities, sums it up by saying, “The Center’s relationship with Racepath is extremely meaningful in carrying on the legacy of Happy Club and those who worked so hard to foster those early relationships. Some of the Racepath staff were Happy Club kids or kids that came to the Center through Racepath visits, and I think it speaks so beautifully to the spirit of the Center and the power of Baba’s Love and Grace that He continues to bring our communities together generation after generation.”