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No. 462

BAHA’I YEAR 126

SEPTEMBER, 1969

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Wilmette House of Worship, summer 1969

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Consolidation, Expansion Advance in Ecuador

CONSOLIDATION

The three regional conventions held in March 1969 and the National Convention in April 1969 were characterized by lively consultation on proclamation and expansion. The believers were all inspired by the eloquent testimony of Angel Salazar who spoke in Quichua of his first contact with the Faith and unwittingly revealed the process of proclamation, deepening and confirmation existing in the mass teaching work. Translated to Spanish and now to English, his inspiring comments went something like this: “Rufino Gualavisi first told me how Bahá’u’lláh had come to unite all hearts ... and I believed. Then brother Raúl explained many things and answered many questions and brought joy to my heart and then Mamita Clementina at the Institute in Cachaco washed my heart with the love of Bahá’u’lláh.” To hear these words from a capable teacher who had been denounced before civil and church authorities and whose newborn faith had been the cause of family dissension, brought prayers of praise and gratitude to Bahá’u’lláh from those who were present. A spirit of rededication was born in the hearts of those whose lives of sacrifice in service to Bahá’u’lláh made this ninth National Convention of Ecuador one of the most joyous and united ever experienced by many of the older pioneers. Four believers all active in Indian teaching work were elected to the National Spiritual Assembly.

Group of believers gathered before starting out on April 21, 1969 to help in the election of Indian local spiritual assemblies. Thirteen believers from five of the six city local assemblies helped in the election of fifty all Indian ‎assembies assemblies‎. Shown from left are: Vicenta Anrango, Gabriel Jijon, Yolanda Célleri, Pastore Quimbia, Julia de Jijon, Dolores Perugachi de Fueres and Piedad Célleri.

The election of local spiritual assemblies is a particularly pressured time for those areas where the majority of the friends do not read and write and are only beginning to understand the processes of Bahá’í administration, thus requiring the presence of an experienced believer at each local assembly election. In desperation, the National Assembly appealed to the Spanish-speaking believers in the larger cities to help the small band of Indian teachers elect fifty all-Indian local assemblies. This plea was answered by thirteen believers from five of the six city local assemblies. The elections began after sunset on April 20 and the city believers were invited to stay overnight in Indian homes. The Indian believers found their humble hospitality and board graciously accepted and both realized that only the transforming love of Bahá’u’lláh could have brought them together under such circumstances. With much confusion and new adventure all fifty local assemblies were elected and another big step toward the Nine Year Plan goal of 120 local spiritual assemblies was taken.

EXPANSION

The mass teaching work had up to the summer of 1968 been concentrated in a large area surrounding the north village of Otavalo, but a brief exploratory teaching trip by experienced Indian teachers (many of whom had never traveled outside Otavalo except for a three-hour bus ride to National Bahá’í conventions in Quito) opened eight new localities in three new provinces to six new tribes and clearly demonstrated that the early successes in the Otavalo area could be repeated throughout the Ecuadorian Andean mountain range where some 3,000,000 Indians live much as they did before the arrival of their Spanish conquerors.

GOAL OF 9000 NEW BELIEVERS SET

The sincere and heartening commitment of the Indian believers who made the exploratory teaching trip last summer, the signs of maturity shown in the regional and national conventions whose consultations were held in both Spanish and Quichua, the successful election of fifty-six local assemblies and the deepening love and respect shown between city and Indian believers has prompted the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador to set the goal of 9000 new believers between August 1969 and 1970 and to begin by a one week campaign of expansion teaching in the southern Province of Azuay. The week of expansion teaching will culminate in a national weekend summer school at which the principal subject for study will be the letter from Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum to the Eskimo and Indian believers of America.

PIONEERS

The Universal House of Justice has approved seventeen pioneers for Ecuador to help in these teaching and

[Page 3] Delegates elected at Regional Convention held at Vagabundo, Ecuador in March, 1969.

At Vagabundo Convention. Board member Charles Hornby in rear with Raul Pavón, member of National Assembly of Ecuador and two Indian instructors, Segundo Curillo and Nolberto Curillo.

consolidation efforts. Pioneering in Ecuador will have many facets: strengthening the city local assemblies from which future expansion work similar to the Azuay effort being planned for August will be launched; providing a home where the Indian teachers can find rest and spiritual sustenance, preparing visual aid programs for weekend institutes to help consolidate the expansion; national committee work and perhaps even following the native teachers into the small highland valleys where pockets of a few hundred or a few thousand waiting souls can be found. It is hard work. The laurels will probably go to the native believers “Who ... must increasingly bear the brunt of responsibility for the propagation of the Faith in their homelands” and whose work so desperately requires “strong and sustained support” from experienced, devoted and loving pioneers.

Reed flutes and songfest at Vagabundo Convention in Ecuador.

Bahá’í children at Vagabundo Convention.

[Page 4] Regional Convention at Cuenca, Ecuador in March, 1969.

Miguel Morales and Angelina de Morales and their two young children on the lawn of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds during the Ninth National Convention.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador elected April, 1969. Left to right, standing: Raúl Pavón, Dorothy Campbell, Isabel P. de Calderón, Patricia Conger, Alejandro Bernal; seated Rufino Gualavisí, Vicenta Anrango, Clementina M. de Pavón, Nolberto Curillo.

Believers gathered at the Ninth National Convention of Ecuador at Quito, April, 1969.

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BOLIVIA

Bahá’í Childrens’ class, Cochabamba, Bolivia. This class has its own officers, with the secretary sending reports of their activities to the local Spiritual Assembly. They have their own fund, have given a Nineteen Day Feast, and practice consultation, making their own decisions.

Bolivian instructor, Meleton Gallardo, responsible for most of the teaching work and attraction of new believers to the Faith in this teaching zone in Chuquisaca.

The community of Calasemana. Standing, first at left, North American pioneer Reginald Baskin.

The community of Palca, a new community this past year which elected their local Spiritual Assembly Riḍván 1969.

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INDIA CONTINUES PRESENTATIONS

Presentation of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh as well as other Bahá’í literature to: (far right) Lt. Governor of Pondicherry State, by Mr. L. Rajah, pioneer at Karikal; (right) Governor of the Rotary Clubs of Maharashtra; (below) Chief Minister of Goa State by a student pioneer, Miss Aftabi.

Below, left: Dr. K. K. Bhargava, chairman of National Spiritual Assembly of India with Mr. Shyam Bhargava, Miss Abha Bhargava, Mr. Matiurahman, Mr. Sachi Chatterjee present Bahá’í literature to Honorable Sri Bejoy Kumar Banerjee, Speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Right: Bahá’ís of Kashmir recently visited by Dr. M. S. Burney and a student pioneer from Írán, Mr. Syrus Janfeza, sitting third and second from left. Below: Bahá’í exhibition arranged at Devlali Teaching Institute when Teachers’ Seminar was held.

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PASSING OF ETTY GRAEFFE: EARLY PIONEER TO EUROPE

The following cablegram from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland shares with the Bahá’ís of the United States the news of the passing of Mrs. Etty Graeffe:

INFORMED ETTY GRAEFFE PASSED ABHÁ KINGDOM JULY 26. CABLING NSA SWITZERLAND: GRIEVED LEARN PASSING ETTY GRAEFFE HER DEVOTED SELF-SACRIFICING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SWITZERLAND IMPERISHABLE ANNALS FAITH EUROPEAN CONTINENT STOP ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM

Mrs. Graeffe was one of the first contingent of pioneers from the United States to set forth for Europe on September 7, 1946 under the aegis of the European Teaching Committee in the first year of the Second Seven Year Plan. Her particular assignment was to carry out the request of the beloved Guardian to the European Teaching Committee to set up an office in Geneva, Switzerland, as an adjunct to the Bahá’í International Bureau which functioned directly under the Guardian for many years. This office was to make a survey of the goal countries in Europe and to carry on certain services for the European Teaching Committee. Mrs. Graeffe remained in Switzerland until her passing except for a brief interval in Belgium and about four years in the United States in the late 1950’s, the latter for reasons of health.

International News Briefs

Finland

Pioneer youth from Persia, Turadi Miraftabi and Keyhan Missagi, were interviewed on Finnish Television on May 13 for twenty minutes, the latter half of the program being devoted to discussion of the Faith. Their presentation was clear and informative.

Spain

The National Spiritual Assembly of Spain has obtained official recognition and registration as a Bahá’í publisher and as a Bahá’í importer, permitting them to publish and import books in accordance with the law.

Alaska

The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God will make a significant contribution to Alaska with Board of Counsellors’ deepening conferences scheduled for Juneau September 6-7 and Anchorage September 12-14. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan will represent the Hands of the Cause, marking his first visit to Alaska. A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, three Auxiliary Board members, and three members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska will also be present.

MADEIRA

Funchal, Madeira Islands, Portugal. Left: Group formed at Riḍván 1969. Left to right: Mrs. Isabel Horton, pioneer and group correspondent; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bode, pioneers recently arrived from Holland. Right: Mr. and Mrs. Lopes da Silva of Portimao, Portugal visited Madeira in May and met with the friends. They are shown with the Bodes.

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Africa — Challenge to Youth

The following excerpts are from a letter written by a young Bahá’í from the United States of America, who has been on an international travel teaching project in Uganda for the past several months, and during the course of his year in Africa will visit many other countries of central and west Africa. He became a Bahá’í while stationed in Europe. His demobilization from the Air Force enabled him to begin his year of teaching in Africa a few months ago. Bahá’ís of Uganda have expressed appreciation of the effectiveness of his teaching — as result of a good knowledge of the writings, a balanced approach, a loving manner, and a keen appreciation of the views and customs of the people.

“The first thing that strikes you when you step off the plane in Uganda is the scent of flowers on the warm air, fragrant with growth and life. This is also true of the Bahá’ís here. The friends are overcoming poverty, lack of education, and many obstacles in their great enthusiasm and desire to spread the Faith. This throng of wonderful Bahá’ís, however, has overwhelmed me with love and hospitality. The enormous potential inherent in the vast numbers of Bahá’ís in Uganda is like a “just awakening” giant. But to further awaken this giant and channel its energies is truly an enormous task, because of the sheer number of believers.

“I arrived with the intent to make any sacrifice needed during my time in Africa, as any Bahá’í would when asked to serve the Universal House of Justice. Soon I realized that it is no sacrifice—it is a glorious, wonderful experience to visit such happy, loving, and receptive people. I have now spent four months traveling by bus, car, boat, and foot, and above all by bicycle, throughout Uganda, becoming acquainted with the problems

Four Bahá’í travelling teachers, Busogo. Left to right: Michael Brooks, Augustine Nnaku, Chrisostom Waibi, Gasita Isabrye.

and the potential; experiencing the great joy found in being able to spend all day, every day, teaching the Faith; and coming to love the Africans and Africa very much (and incidentally becoming much browner and healthier, bicycling along the green, sunny trails). The hospitality and love of the friends has been tremendous, but their yearning desire to learn more of the Faith and to have more visitors to teach them is even greater. There is great need for an influx of manpower, or rather Bahá’í power, to fan the flame of the love of Bahá’u’lláh into a conflagration.

“Youth are especially needed, who are able to withstand the rigors of a moderately strenuous life — to give the young Bahá’ís here by word and by deed a sense of the power with which their Faith is imbued and as the beloved Guardian has said, ‘to implant such love, zeal, and devotion in their hearts as to enable them to become in turn self-sufficient and independent

Bahá’ís and visitors at the village of Kanonko, Buganda District, Uganda, before the Bahá’í school built by the believers.

[Page 9] A group of newly declared Bahá’ís and visitors on Buyuma Island, in Lake Victoria, Uganda.

A Bahá’í child named Monday. Teso District, Uganda.

promoters of the Faith in their respective localities.’*

“This task of implantation is made much more urgent by the rapid spread of materialism outward from the cities, causing the pure-hearted people of the villages, so rich in spirit, to become much less responsive to the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh. This is especially true of the young people. The need of deepening and encouraging the Bahá’ís of Africa to do their utmost to spread their Faith among their countrymen, to reverse the downward spiral into which so many people are plunging every day, is an urgent task. It is within our grasp, but awesome because of the gigantic effort needed. The Bahá’ís who go out to teach the masses of their fellow-believers can only nibble at a tiny corner of the tremendous task still before them. It is this urgency and hugeness which we pray will lead many more pioneers and traveling teachers to come to Africa to continue deepening and encouraging the friends.

“The beloved Guardian might have been writing of just this situation when he said, ‘The field is indeed so immense, the period so critical, the Cause so great, the workers so few, the time so short, the privilege so priceless, that no follower of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, worthy to bear His name, can afford a moment’s hesitation.’*

“The fruits, and signs of fruit still to come, are appearing all over the country, in the many who are gradually growing and deepening in love, unity, and knowledge, both as individuals and as Bahá’í communities, visibly elevating them above the rest of their countrymen. But the number is still, even though increasing, too small — a tiny minority with the task so enormous.

“These four months in Uganda have given me a growing love for Africa, its people and its green hills, and I think this love will continue to grow as I go on to other African countries, for the rest of my year. Because of this love I’m determined, as soon as I am able to come back to Africa to live, for it is full of many joys and goodnesses, and the Faith must surely have an especially bright future here.”

MICHAEL BROOKS

*The Advent of Divine Justice

Institute held in Northern Ghana, at Channyile in December, 1968. An account of this and similar teaching conferences in this region appeared in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, August 1969 p. 18.

[Page 10]

New Zealand

Bahá’ís from distant Taumaranui and Whangarei came to support the National Teaching Committee teaching effort on race relations and to assist in the weekend which was a joint Human Rights-Proclamation venture. Over twenty guests and twenty Bahá’ís attended, many of them youth. Traveling teacher Betty Anderson, part aborigine social worker from Australia, played a striking part in the weekend. The seminar was held in Mangere marae, which is a traditional style marae with a punga fence, looking out over the Manukau harbor. The carvings and paintings were a constant source of pleasure and inspiration.

The Maori visitors were most impressed because the speeches were being given in the marae itself which is the traditional speaking area. The atmosphere in the marae is wonderful for speaking, and under the friendly and spiritual guidance of John Giffin, as chairman, the three members of the panel spoke well and in a spirit of consultation and harmony. The audience sat on the mattresses (rolled up) around the wall, and after the speeches joined into small groups to prepare questions to be put to the panel. The panel represented diversity itself, with an American chairman; an Australian aborigine, Betty Anderson; a prominent Maori woman leader and anthropology lecturer, Mrs. Mary Penfold; and Mr. Isireli Vuibau, son of a Fijian paramount chief and himself one of the leaders of the Fijian community here.

The Manukau group, in whose area the marae is situated, assisted considerably with publicity and arrangements. Over fifty people attended the social on the Saturday night, and the youth worked hard in preparation and cleanup work. Over twenty people were at the study on the Sunday morning, including about six seekers.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand for 1969-70 with Auxiliary Board member Mr. Niu Tuataga (rear, third from left). Left to right, rear: Mrs. E. Danielsen, Mrs. A. Cookson, Niu Tuataga, Miss P. Ringwood, Mrs. N. Chambers, Mrs. M. Edwards, S.J. Carr; front: H. Grigor, J. Giffin, M. Alai, chairman.

New Zealand Convention, April 25-April 27, 1969. One evening was given over to the hosting of a Maori concert with a large gathering of Bahá’ís and their guests. Auxiliary Board member Niu Tuataga (shown in photo with the National Spiritual Assembly) read the message from the Universal House of Justice and brought greetings from the Hands of the Cause and from the friends in Samoa.

[Page 11]

First Youth Conference Held in Japan

First Bahá’í Youth Conference of Japan held in May, 1969. Board of Counsellors member Rouhollah Momtazi is shown in center.

The first Bahá’í Youth Conference of Japan was held May 24-25, 1969 at a youth hostel on the little off-shore island of Jogashima, about two hours from Tokyo. About 22 young people attended. The committee had invited Counsellor Rouhollah Momtazi, Auxiliary Board member Charles Duncan and to represent the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Toshio Suzuki and Mrs. Barbara Sims. Mr. Momtazi spoke of the early days of the Faith and how young some of the heroic figures of the Faith were: Mr. Duncan told of his pilgrimage. There were talks, a panel discussion and many suggestions for the future.

The first evening about 30 youth staying at the hostel joined with the Bahá’ís in a social get-together, which broke up into small groups holding firesides.

Everyone felt it was extremely successful and the committee is planning to appoint sub-committees in other parts of Japan and to hold conferences in those areas to create more of a desire to teach and proclaim the Faith.

Vietnam

During the past year there has been an increase of 6,521 believers, 131 local spiritual assemblies and 244 new localities in Vietnam. The influence of the Faith on the society of Vietnam has been very evident where it is recognized as a unique religion with a perfect plan for unity and for building a better society. The annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly of Vietnam states: “Today every Bahá’í is proud and happy of his choice of having become a believer of light.... The friends have not only contributed money, but they have sacrificed even their blood for the growth of the Faith. They accept any service the National Spiritual Assembly wants them to perform, even to traveling through unsafe and dangerous areas. If we choose to teach in the safe places, then we may have no activities.”

SWEDEN

National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Sweden held at Riḍván 1969.

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Visitor Helps Proclaim Faith In Michigan

Fugita-san in the gardens in Wilmette

The Bahá’ís of Fruitport, Michigan, commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the introduction of the Bahá’í Faith in western Michigan joined in the centennial celebration of the town of Fruitport by entering a Bahá’í float in the centenary parade on May 31, 1969. The float was designed and constructed by Mr. L. Wyatt Cooper of Wilmette, Illinois who became a Bahá’í as a young school boy following the acceptance of the Faith by his mother, Mrs. Eva Cooper, in 1910. Present at the celebration, and the honored recipient of a special plaque for having come from the greatest distance for the event, was Saichiro Fugita-san from the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

Fugita-san known by every pilgrim who has visited the Holy Land lived in this area as a young man and although this was his first visit home in fifty years he was well-remembered and joyously welcomed by the early Bahá’ís still living there.

The centennial commemorative edition of the Fruitport Clipper carried, with a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, a half-page article on the Bahá’í Faith, and the history of its beginning in Fruitport. It stated that during the summer of 1899 Mrs. Corrine True, who had learned of the Faith in Chicago, imparted her new-found belief to Mrs. Della Perry of Grand Rapids who in turn shared it with friends in Fruitport. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peterson who became very enthusiastic teachers throughout the area. In the summer of 1910 between forty and fifty persons attended a Bahá’í picnic at the Perry cottage. Included were Wyatt Cooper, his mother Eva Cooper, and Mrs. Mary Frazer who dedicated her home for Bahá’í activities. Many inter-faith activities were held with surrounding communities attended by Bahá’í visitors from all parts of the United States, Canada, and other countries. Thus, Fruitport became known around the world through Mrs. True who served the Bahá’ís as financial secretary for a number of years to receive contributions from all parts of the world towards the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. She was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952, and continued actively teaching and serving the Faith up to the time of her passing at the age of ninety-nine. From 1953 Mr. L. Wyatt Cooper, a dedicated Bahá’í since childhood, has been the superintendent and loving caretaker of the beautiful gardens surrounding the Bahá’í House of Worship, plus superintendent of the Temple and surrounding buildings for more than twelve of these years.

It was while Mrs. Corrine True and her family spent their summers in Fruitport that Wyatt Cooper and Fugita-san became close friends. Fugita-san was one of the first two Japanese to become Bahá’ís at about the same time. He dearly loved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and followed Him everywhere he could when He was in America. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also loved Fugita-san and arranged for him to live with the True family which he did most of the time between 1912 and 1919 when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called him to serve the Holy Family in the Holy Land. It was in those seven years that Wyatt Cooper and Fugita-san became devoted friends, although they never met again until 1961 when Mr. and Mrs. Cooper made their pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center.

Fugita-san served in the Holy Land until 1938 when the beloved Guardian sent him to his original home in Japan where he remained during the war years and until 1956 when Shoghi Effendi requested him to return to Haifa.

During those many years Fugita-san performed many duties at the Bahá’í World Center, among them that of the early development of the Bahá’í gardens on Mt. Carmel surrounding the Holy Shrines there and at Bahjí.

This summer at the age of 84 he came to the United States for six weeks vacation, his first visit in fifty years. When he left in 1919, there was no Bahá’í House of Worship, not even a beginning — only a plot of land on the shore of Lake Michigan. His greatest joy during his stay in Wilmette, besides visiting with the early Bahá’ís still living in this area, was to work along with his boyhood friend Wyatt Cooper on the beautiful gardens which now surround and embrace the Holiest House of Worship.

[Page 13] Continental Board of Counsellors’ Deepening Conference, Halifax, Canada held June 27-29. Tenth in a series arranged by the Board of Counsellors held in collaboration with the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and of Canada (see BAHÁ’Í NEWS June 1969 p. 2) Present were: Hand of the Cause ’Alí Akbar Furútan, Continental Board of Counsellors members: Lloyd Gardner, Florence Mayberry and Edna True; National Spiritual Assembly representative Angus Cowan; Auxiliary Board members Katherine McLaughlin and Fred Graham. A cablegram from the Conference to Haifa described the Conference as “Largest gathering ever—125 ... unprecedented cultural diversity animating spirit conference shown in openness consultation young and old, renewed commitment Nine Year Plan, five declarations, increased thirst for understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message.”

International News Briefs

South West Pacific Ocean

The sixth National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the South West Pacific Ocean was held for the first time at Hau Hui, the mother center of the Areare district in South Malaita. More than 160 adults and children were present, coming from Honiara and many parts of Malaita. With the discussion on the stimulating message from the Universal House of Justice came a growing awareness that now was the time for the local believers to take an active part in spreading the Teachings. This was reflected in the elections, for the newly elected National Assembly has a majority of Melanesians. Each community represented at the Convention undertook local teaching responsibility of its own. Three pioneers arose to settle in areas where they were needed and the joyous news was received of the first indigenous women to go pioneering.

North East Africa

A conference on teaching and consolidation took place in the Addis Ababa Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on June 29 1969, and was attended by the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central and East Africa and their Auxiliary Board members, as well as friends from communities in North East Africa. Prayers were offered in Amharic, Persian, Swahili, and English.

Uganda

Hand of the Cause of God, Enoch Olinga, presided at the official opening of the Bahá’í Teaching Institute of Kikaya, Kampala, June 7, attended by students from Busog, Bugunda and the Western Region. Other institutes are scheduled for Mbale and Gulu, with accompanying radio announcements and newspaper advertisements.

Zambia

Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Helen Wilks, met with the National Spiritual Assembly at their first meeting to report on work being done with children’s classes in Lusaka, Makeni and Maripodi. The classes are well attended and growing in enthusiasm and numbers. Mrs. Wilks, now in the Copperbelt area to establish similar classes, provided much material and many ideas to help the National Youth and Child Education Committee, and others responsible for teaching the classes, forge ahead with this work.

United States

During the month of July, the House of Worship has received visitors from all continents, 56 countries and territories, and 48 of the 50 States in the United States. Of the 56 countries, 25 were in Europe, 16 in the Western Hemisphere, 10 in the Far East, 4 in the Middle East and one in Africa.

[Page 14]

Guyana

During the past year copies of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh have been presented to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Lord Mayor of Georgetown, His Grace the Archbishop of the West Indies, the Mayor of New Amsterdam, the President of the Trades Union Council, and other prominent citizens. This book was also sent to the chairman of each of the village councils, to all ministers of the government, to the heads of leading firms in Georgetown. Guyana will be the seat of the future National Spiritual Assembly to be formed in Riḍván, 1970.

Papua and New Guinea

A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia, Miss Thelma Perks, attending the first National Convention of Papua and New Guinea which formed its first National Assembly this past Riḍván, visited a number of the islands during her visit. Concerning the island of Medina she has written: “It was twelve years since I first visited Medina and it gives one a great uplift to see the changes ... when the pioneer, Rodney Hancock, first visited there, the missions had given these people up in despair.... Now they are settled on their land, busy growing coffee and vegetables and endeavoring to live up to Bahá’í standards.

“New Guinea has been very fortunate with the type of pioneers they have had — it would be difficult to find more dedicated souls. This is apparent in the quality of the believers who are arising to take the Faith to their own people.”

Belize

A comprehensive statement on the status, aims and purposes, as well as the non-political aspect of the Faith, was prepared and read to the Senate at the time a private bill for the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly was presented to the Senate. The statement was well received.

Burma

The endowment land in Mandalay, Burma, which had been under litigation for the past twenty-three years has been decreed in favor of the Bahá’ís on March 31, 1969. Bahá’ís of several Burmese communities have combined their efforts to construct a new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the village of Layde, over a hundred miles from Rangoon. This has meant considerable sacrifice in a year of farm crop failures.

Congo

Oloro Epyeru, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central and East Africa, traveled for the Faith during the first six months of this year, reporting the following: Meetings were held in Bakavu and Uvira, only the latter being accessible by vehicles. The remainder of the journey to Kikonga, about 120 kilometers, was made on foot. Over 350 Bahá’ís gathered for the Kikonga conference which was noteworthy for the exhilarating spirit. We traveled by canoe to Makoboro and from this village walked about ten kilometers a day to visit other communities. Most meetings average more than 200 Bahá’ís with Katanga drawing over 600 believers, some having traveled 300 kilometers and taking nine days to reach the conference.

HAWAII

Group attending the National Bahá’í Summer School at Pohakuloa State Park on the Island of Hawaii. Over one hundred attended, including twenty visitors. The School was held July 4-6, 1969.

[Page 15]

LOCAL ASSEMBLIES FROM ALASKA to AFRICA

Eagle River, Alaska. Left to right, front: Herbert Johnson, Mrs. Maggie Hursey, Mrs. Melva Pippel, Ethel Van Zanten, Eugene Van Zanter, treasurer; rear: Mrs. Betty Lee DeLoach, secretary; George DeLoach, John Hursey, chairman; Mrs. Marian Johnson, vice chairman. Mrs. Pippel was the original pioneer to this area.

Members of the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Town of Oyster Bay, New York, which were pictured in BAHÁ’Í NEWS July 1969, page 14 are as follows: Left to right, rear: Lucien S. McComb, Sr. Mrs. Patricia Herrington, Mrs. Elvira Weeks, Richard Babcock, treasurer; Myron Schlesinger, Mrs. Rose Schlesinger; front: Mrs. Delia DeWald, secretary; Mrs. Rouhieh M. McComb, chairman; Mrs. Mildred Daniel, librarian.

Unalaska in the Aleutians. Left to right, front: Mrs. Nanette Choate, secretary; Mrs. Ruth Perez, Robin Fowler, chairman; Mrs. Judy Craig, Jonathan Hunter; rear: Ruth Craig, Gordon Craig, treasurer; Don Van Brunt, Tom Craig, vice chairman.

Bukavu, Kivu Province, Congo (Kinshasa). Bukavu was chosen by the Universal House of Justice as the seat of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Congo to be formed at Riḍván 1970. The friends have been successful in acquiring a national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds during May 1969.

West Lafayette, Indiana. Left to right, seated: James Bellows, Leslie Hawthorn, secretary; Robert Waiss, Philip Thorpe; standing: Beverly Brown, Alberta Williford, Carla Barcus, chairman; Shirley Morris, Ruth Hawthorn.

Seaside, California. Left to right, rear: Benjamin Browne, Marvin Newport, chairman; Marshall Jenkins, Louis McCormick, vice chairman; Bill Stover; front: Charles Lasky, treasurer: Rosalie Lopez, corres. secretary; Ernest Lopez, Judith Hennessy, rec. secretary.

[Page 16]

Race Unity — God’s Command — Man’s Challenge

The above theme for the 1969 observance of Race Unity Day, June 8, provided opportunity for Bahá’ís in many places in the United States — cities, towns; in groups and intercommunity efforts, to proclaim to the world Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching of the unity of mankind. The many reports of these observances show that the United States Bahá’í Community is gaining in resourcefulness and effectiveness in varied ways of using this theme in teaching the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Of the more than fifty such Race Unity Day Events reported the following accounts give a representative sample of the type of activity this year.

Denver Schedules Race Unity Week

The Bahá’ís of Denver, Colorado decided to make Race Unity Day into a full week of activities, and accomplished the planning and execution of this in a three week period. Because the topic was timely they received full cooperation of mass media (radio and T.V.) and did not use any paid advertising.

The Mayor signed a proclamation citing the variety of ethnic groups in the city, announcing the Bahá’í sponsored week of activities, and urging all citizens to recognize the contributions of all groups to the peace and progress of the city.

There was a Youth Panel composed of representatives of the various cultural groups (black, white, Hispano and American Indian) in the city discussing “Sex, Drugs and the Establishment.” A meeting was held on “Quality Integrated Education — Where do We Go From Here?” with the Director of the Denver Commission on Human Relations, the Program Director of the Inner City Parish and a Bahá’í, Seymour Weinberg, participating. It was a timely topic with the Bahá’í speaker able to lift the issue from a local one to that of a spiritual principle, the oneness of mankind. A meeting was held on the contemporary problems of Hispanos with a sociology professor from the State College at Denver speaking. An evening was devoted to exploring Africa’s contribution to the West with a Denver housewife and student of journalism giving the results of original research. On two evenings Vinson Brown, Bahá’í naturalist and author, brought a wider insight into the culture and problems of the American Indians. The week’s activities were concluded with a sing-in pot luck supper in the park.

Attendance at the meetings was good, despite stormy weather and a number were attracted to attend subsequent firesides. The Denver believers and those in nearby communities who cooperated consider the proclamation a great success which went far to make the Faith known to the citizens of Denver.

Panel Discussion Lasts for Two and Half Hours In 100 Degree Weather

The thermometer was registering 100 degrees, reported James Wood of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and somebody forgot to turn on the air conditioner, nevertheless the panel discussion sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Las Cruces, lasted for two and one-half hours.

Panelists for this remarkable discussion were: Albert Johnson, Black City Commissioner and Chairman of New Mexico Human Rights Commission; Mr. B. J. Choice, Minister of the Second Baptist Church, Manuel Palacios, Mexican-American student at New Mexico State University, and Mrs. Pam Womack, Bahá’í from Bernalillo County, New Mexico. James Womack was the chairman.

Among the twenty-eight guests attending the discussion were members of the Ministerial Alliance, Chairman of the Governor’s Commission for Intercultural Affairs, and two older Negro women who were attracted to the Faith as a result of reading the quotation “Love is the universal magnetic power between the planets and stars shining in the lofty firmament!”

Most commented upon was the failure of the Christian Church to be effective, and several times Mr. Choice was pushed beyond excuses. Mr. Choice said to a Bahá’í after the discussion that he thinks “often of leaving the organized church. They just don’t seem to want to get involved.”

Mr. Wood in concluding his report stated: “This meeting was greatly appreciated by all parties. The day was a success! It opened huge doors to discuss some pertinent social action and allowed room for future meetings.” Follow-ups are now being undertaken.

Motivation, Appreciation and Invitation

The Bahá’ís of Omaha, Nebraska decided not to sponsor a public observance for Race Unity Day this year; however, in support of the Day, the Local Assembly sent the Prayer for Mankind and a cover letter to all member churches of the Omaha Metropolitan Association of Churches (Protestant).

Mrs. Steiger cited a number of interesting responses in her report. A Presbyterian minister upon receiving the letter and prayer was moved to compose a poem about race unity and called to recite it; the minister of the Calvary Baptist Church expressed his appreciation by sending a most gracious thank you letter; and the wife of the pastor of the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ called to say that she had never heard of the Bahá’í Faith and was a little shocked to learn the Bahá’ís were not Christians. However, after Mrs. Steiger assured her that our love for Christ was very real and that Bahá’ís accept the Bible as being a Holy Book — though not the only one — she seemed genuinely pleased with the prayer and approved of the term “Spiritual Assembly” and commented that they, too, were spiritual. At the close of the conversation, she invited Mrs. Steiger to a consecration service, an around-the-clock meeting lasting for several days, being held at her church. The following afternoon, another Bahá’í, Mrs. Steiger and her four pre-school children spent about an hour at the church. There was a bit of a stir when the Bahá’í delegation, which was interracial, entered the all-Negro congregation. However, after a time, at this entirely informal type service of spontaneous

[Page 17] Mayor James Snapp of El Cajon, California, center, receives copy of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh from El Cajon Bahá’ís Kay Patton and Dr. Ferguson Pollycutt after the Mayor issued a Proclamation for El Cajon. He participated in the Race Unity Day Festival, at which he read his Proclamation to a large audience.

Mayor T. J. Graham (seated) of Las Cruces, New Mexico signs the Proclamation while Carroll Melton, left, and Frank Evans, chairman of the Las Cruces Bahá’í Assembly watch. This was the first Proclamation of any kind obtained by the newly formed Assembly.

Supervisor of Los Angeles County, California, Mr. Kenneth Hann holds his Proclamation with Bret Kimbrough, Bahá’í.

Mayor William McNichols of Denver, Colorado signs Proclamation while Bahá’ís look on. Left to right: Jeanne LeFils, Allen Murray, Carol Brooks, Geno Martinez, Raymond Kahn, Seymour Weinberg.

singing, Bible reading and testifying, the Bahá’í delegation was invited to introduce itself and make some remarks. The delegation expressed appreciation for the invitations, and concluded with a prayer. The delegation felt that although teaching was at very low key, it created a favorable impression among people who had not heard of the Faith.

Totem Pole Carver Exhibits Works

Featured at the Race Unity Day observance sponsored by the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Bahá’í Community was an exhibit of Indian art by Mr. Gary L. Hillaire. Mr. Hillaire, one of generations of totem pole carvers, painter and Bahá’í from the Lummi tribe of northern Washington, discussed the religious symbols of his art and compared his use of art with that of his famous father and grandfather.

When Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes of St. Louis, Missouri signed the Proclamation, Joe Dickerson, right, presented him with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh as Mrs. Arline Lee, left, and Miss Hedy Deuschle watched.

“Sweet Chocolate and the Black Rose”

“Sweet Chocolate and the Black Rose” was the highlight of the Race Unity Day picnic sponsored by the Melrose Township, Illinois Bahá’í Group. This play, written, narrated and directed by Mrs. Carl Bollan, was adapted from an experience in the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Seventeen children took part in the pantomime play.

Guest speaker for the occasion was Mrs. Kenneth Jennrich of Wilmette, Illinois. Preceding the lecture and play, a carry-in picnic dinner was enjoyed by fifty-five people of whom forty-five were guests.

Depot Square

Depot Square was the scene for the Race Unity Day celebration sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Englewood, New Jersey. The program for this celebration included an open house on Saturday, featuring the CBS TV film “And His Name Shall Be One,” a panel discussion on “How to Achieve the Unity of Man,” and a social to

[Page 18] which came a rock band donating its music for the evening. During the open house, Bahá’ís from surrounding communities dispersed wearing “What is a Bahá’í? Ask me.” and “Race-Unity — Bahá’í Faith” buttons to attract people to the scene.

On Sunday, the park at Depot Square was the scene for another “happening.‎’ ”‎ Bahá’ís and friends of diverse races, ages, and languages gathered for fellowship and singing. Toward late afternoon a larger crowd gathered as the Knights of Soul — another unannounced and unexpected — jazz band along with Roger Glenn offered a jazz session. Roger chanted to the Bahá’ís “Preach that Unity” and a member of the jazz band said “We believe in what Bahá’ís are trying to do.” Again, the musicians performed without charge.

It is estimated that nearly one thousand people were attracted to this joyous occasion, heard of the Faith and were given literature. Prior to the celebration, the Mayor signed a Race Unity Proclamation.

Descendant of Famous Religious Leader Yearie-Ratchen Speaks of His Prophecy

Guest speaker at the Race Unity Day Observance, sponsored by the Spokane, Washington Bahá’í Community, was Miss Darlene McCarty of the Spokane, Washington Indian Tribe, a direct descendant of the famous religious leader Yearie-Ratchen, who lived some 500 years ago.

In her talk she spoke of her heritage and of a prophecy given to her people by Yearie-Ratchen, who had a vision of a great city that would be built in the valley stretching out from the foothills of their Holy Mountain, Mt. Spokane. This is the site of Spokane.

Miss McCarty spoke of her deep desire to work with the Indian youth in the continental United States and Alaska, especially on the reservations. Also, she told of the need for trained counsellors who could guide the youth in their search for much needed education and vocational training. Her talk was sincere, warm and deeply moving. She was accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Ella McCarty, who is a religious leader in the Spokane Tribe and active in the Spokane School District.

Mrs. Lexa Schoen, having recently returned from a nine-month pioneering trip to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, spoke on race unity using the racial problems in the Virgin Islands as a springboard.

An added highlight of the evening was a father-son duet of the song “What Color is God’s Skin?” Dr. C. Gordon Fleming and Gordon, Jr. sang this song accompanied by the guitar with the audience joining in on the chorus.

At the close of the meeting, Miss McCarty attended a youth fireside. It is felt that the line of communication has been opened a ‘little more’ between the community and our Indian brothers and sisters in this area.

A Bazaar of Fun

The Berkeley, California Bahá’í Community with the assistance of the Albany and Richmond Bahá’í Communities together with Ghettos, Inc., a Negro-directed, self-help enterprise which uses a large, vacated brick office building on loan from a manufacturing company in the area, promoted a rather extraordinary and

Participants in the program sponsored by the Bahá’í Seacoast Area Committee, New Hampshire and Maine: left to right, Larry McCullough, singer-guitar player; Alicia Waite, chairman. Nancy Lazar, prayer chanter, Bob Henderson, speaker. These young people put on a successful program in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

A view of the overflow crowd at the Palmetto Country Club at the observance sponsored by the Bahá’ís of South Dade, Florida. The program was highlighted by songs by the Mays Senior High School Choir, and Mr. Harold Guinyard’s brilliant discussion of the theme “God’s Command, Man’s Challenge.”

spectacular program on Race Unity Day in Berkeley.

The program, held throughout the day as an open-house arrangement, presented to the public a bazaar of items made by residents of the area such as wood-carvings, jewelry, hand-made African clothing, charcoal drawings, chalk drawings done by Berkeley’s very talented William Smith, a Bahá’í artist, and other pieces of art such as paintings and sculpture. Each event very harmoniously telescoped into the next and mid-afternoon folk dancing and singing started by a Macedonian folk group, followed by American folkway singing and guitar, and Congo drumming. A live rock band had started the afternoon and had electrified the whole area with sound. At 5:00 p.m. the Bahá’ís opened up their International food-tasting room and the hundreds of guests circumambulated the tables marked Italian, Persian, Afghan, Spanish, and Soul food. These

[Page 19] Smiling faces of some of those who attended the picnic of the Bahá’ís of Culver J.D., Santa Monica and Inglewood, California.

Bahá’ís and guests attending the picnic sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Columbus, Ohio, held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Moss.

international delicacies were prepared, cooked and served by the Bahá’ís.

A Bahá’í dialogue room adjoining the large main room where the bazaar and dancing was going on was decorated with appropriate Bahá’í posters and displays. Mr. John Love served as Bahá’í host throughout the day and gave many beautiful firesides to the eager people who streamed through the room, taking a beautiful sense of unity and numerous pieces of Bahá’í literature with them.

The program was a huge success!

Friend of Faith Offers Home for Observance

The picnic sponsored by the Montgomery County, Maryland Bahá’í Community was held at the home of Mrs. Donald Weaver, who has recently learned of the Faith. She had returned to her home from attending the wedding of her nephew who is a Bahá’í, and saw a newspaper ad regarding the Bahá’í Faith. Upon telephoning for information she learned of the Race Unity Day observance scheduled, and cheerfully proposed that the observance be held at her house.

A Day to Remember

The Communities of Culver J. D., Santa Monica, and Inglewood, California joined together for a potluck picnic in observance of Race Unity Day. The picnic was held at the Ladera Park, a very picturesque setting conveniently located for Bahá’ís and their guests.

The program began with community singing of Bahá’í and other songs led by Martin Kob from Santa Monica and Bettylee Stockman from South Bay J. D. Two poems written by well-known contemporary authors were read by Dale Hernandez, guest of Sara Williams from Culver J. D. Guest speaker for the occasion was Mr. Anthony Funchez, President of the Student Body of the newly opened West Los Angeles Junior College, who spoke on race unity from an observer’s viewpoint, while Dr. Keith Thorpe, a Bahá’í from Santa Monica who is interning at U.C.L.A. Medical School gave the Bahá’í viewpoint in his presentation on the theme “God’s Command, Man’s Challenge.”

Another enjoyable part of the day was musical entertainment by singer and guitarist Derrick Morris joined later by Jimmy Seals and Dash Croft, guitarists and singers who entertain under the name of Seals and Croft and have made many recordings. Next on the program were musical numbers by the Messengers, a group of youth who are well known throughout California for their renditions of songs that have a message for today.

Several people walking through the park, stopped to observe and listen to the program. Questions were asked, literature was requested, and an interest in local firesides was expressed.

The efforts contributed by the many individuals involved, resulted in a very successful and enjoyable day, that will long be remembered.

Extraordinary Radio and Television Mini-Proclamation in Indianapolis, Indiana

Race Unity Day was expanded to be a part of a Race Unity Week Mini-Proclamation. “A Mini-Proclamation,” as described by Dr. Hamilton Niss, of Indianapolis, “was built around two weekdays of intensive radio and television programs featuring a Bahá’í guest speaker, Dr. Eugene Byrd. A public meeting served as the basis for the broadcasting effort, and firesides supplemented the program. A cover letter about the Bahá’í speaker and event plus a detailed résumé provided a prelude to follow-up phoning the stations. Some key booklets and a fact sheet were sent with the cover letter and résumé to orient the broadcasting personnel.”

Ten different radio stations in Indianapolis and four surrounding cities had a total of 16 programs and perhaps 30 spot announcements. Two special interview tapes were made by Dr. George Winder and Dr. Hamilton Niss, which were used on four programs. One tape of an interview by Dr. Hamilton Niss of Dr. Byrd was

[Page 20] used on three different stations. A one-hour interview program with Dr. Winder was broadcast by a station which has a fundamentalist audience. Dr. Byrd, Dr. Winder and George Brawley participated in a one-hour program in Greenfield, Indiana, the Indianapolis Assembly goal city. There was a total of 345 minutes of radio programs.

All four television stations in the area invited Dr. Byrd to be on their news programs. One of these was a women’s feature program and another was a weekly news, rebroadcast on Sunday as a weekly news highlight. In addition, one station had a Holy Land program which featured the Bahá’í Faith (by coincidence). Television broadcasts totalled about 45 minutes and were put on eleven times. Each newscast was aired at 6:00 and 11:00 in the evening.

The grand total of this exciting Mini-Proclamation was 27 programs and newscasts on fourteen stations for 380 minutes. All of this was generated in two days!

Among the bounties which Bahá’u’lláh has bestowed upon the Indianapolis Bahá’í Community is a free weekly radio program which has been going on for the past eighteen months. This fifteen minute program each Tuesday morning at six o’clock came about when one of the friends called WFMS for an interview program in December 1967. The station owner said that although they did not have such programs, there was a cancellation by one of the churches that morning and would the Bahá’ís like to have the time free.

A summary of factors which seem to be important in the success of the Indianapolis Community, as reported by Dr. Niss, follows: (a) Featured events focused on key human needs; (b) Speaker with appealing and significant background; (c) Neat, well organized material sent out as background ...; (d) Friendly, informative and persuasive cover letter; (e) Detailed and interesting resume of the speaker; (f) Persistent and positive approach in followup phone calls; (g) News kits presented to key personnel; (h) Personal contact especially during first efforts; (i) Friendly discussion with broadcasting people before and after interview ...; (j) Well organized schedule of stations, times, people and places; (k) Followup with thank you letters and perhaps Bahá’í books as personal remembrance of the event.

Other Observances

Although details are not available, reports have been received that the following Communities sponsored Race Unity Day observances: Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona; Fresno, Santa Clara, San Mateo Central J. D., San Rafael, Oceanside, San Luis Obispo County J. D., California; Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut; Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Florida; Cobb County, Georgia; Council Bluffs, Iowa; New Orleans, Louisiana; Portland, Maine; Brookline, Cambridge and Boston, Ipswich, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; Lansing and East Lansing, Flint, Michigan; Redwood Falls, Minnesota; St. Louis, Missouri; Teaneck, North Plainfield, New Jersey; Yorktown, Yonkers, New York; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Eliot, Kittery and York, Maine; New Hampton, New Hampshire; Fargo, North Dakota; Columbus, Ohio; Killen, Ft. Hood, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Ogden, Utah; Burlington, Vermont; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

INCORPORATED ASSEMBLIES

Members of the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Culver, J.D., California, at time of its incorporation in June, 1969.

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Inglewood, California incorporated May, 1969. Left to right, front: Ruth Hingley, Charlotte Thompson, Mabel Pyfer, Inez Shannon; rear: Don Robley, Charlene Robley, Ben Ashell, Sasha Wernik, Campbell Thompson.

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