Bahá’í Youth Bulletin/114 (Jun)/Text

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Youth Bulletin

FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

YEAR 114 - 115

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL Bahá’í YOUTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMER|CA

[Page 0]NATIONAL BAHA' I YOUTH COMMITTEE-YEAR 114

Ronald L. Hauck ................... . ........... .Chairman Hugh Wayne Steffes .................. Vice- Chairman & Treasurer Helen H. Hauck.. .............. . ..... . . Corresponding Secretary Carol Eggert . . ............. . ............... Recording Secretary

Mary Frances Baral Judy Bernstein Larry Cooper

Jean K. Mickelsen Thomas Schwandes Steve Suhm

Helen Svendsen

AREA CO-ORDINATORS

New England States . . . . . . ..................... Mrs. M. F. Baral North Atlantic States & Illinois .................. Ronald L. Hauck Central Atlantic States ............. . . . . . . ..... Jean K. Mickelsen South Atlantic States & Iowa ........... . ............. Carol Eggert Tennessee Valley States .......... . ............... Judy Bernstein Gulf States ......... . ........................ . . . . Helen Svendsen East Central States . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . ..... Tom Schwandes Central States ..... . ............ . ......... Co- ordinated by State South Central States & Wisconsin ......... .Hugh Wayne Steffes North Central States .............................. Larry Cooper Rocky Mountain States & Nebraska .......... Mrs. Helen H. Hauck Southwestern States & Minnesota ....... . ............. Steve Suhm Northwestern States .................. . . . . . . . . . . .Ronald L. Hauck

Address all correspondence intended for your area co-ordinator to:

Mrs. Helen H. Hauck Corresponding Secretary 716 South 5th Avenue St. Charles, Illinois Attention: (Name of your Area Co—ordinator)

The Bahá’í Youth Bulletin is published monthly by the National Baha' 1 Youth Committee 01 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’ is of the United States. This Bulletin is circulated to declared Baha' is only and is published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. All copies are distributed without charge.

[Page 1]JUNE THE INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE

For those of us who_attended the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago, words cannot express the feel. ing in our hearts :Ij speak for myself, but I know each believer in attendance carried away with him the ' — same Spiritual treasures ' "

This gathering of over 1600 Baha' is at the conference will be a historic occasion in the annals of the4 7 Faith,’ It is difficult to express the' spirit WhiCh penetrated every individual believer IUndoubtedly, every gathering possesses this spirit, but never has" the Baha 1 community been so moved by its profound prescenceo If'I Could but share-with those of you who could not attend the words, the love, and the humility of the beloved Hand of the Cause of God, Dr Giachery It was as though he took each of us by the hand and brought us face to face with Shoghi Effendi Through hiss Spiritual tour of our Guardian' 3 heart, Drc Ugo Giachery showed us our responsibilities as perhaps we have never realized them beforeu We were also blessed with the presence of three other revered Hands of the Cause, Mason Remey, Horace Holley, and Leroy Ioaso I was overcome by the greatness of spirit possessed by the Hands and so many of our dedicated p.ioneerso . ‘

At the conference, over ninety believers volunteered their services to pioneer on the homefront and in foreign fields Many youth are included in this numbers Perhaps. the one statement which affected me so deeply was that of Mt Horace Holley when he said; "Pioneering is not necessarily going from an old place to a new place, rather, it is going from an _old selfp to a new self "“It was emphaSiZed Continua11y that we must prepare ourselves :for pioneer work so we .can use V every potential we 'haves for Baha' u llah ‘ '

If you were unable to attend the conference, you can Still achieve the same result that those in at-.‘ tendance did. You can have a conference with your ownconscience° None of us can escape this realizationo

'The Editor

[Page 2]YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Each individual who reads this‘ bulletin has something to contribute to it. Here is your opportunity” to.reach- youth not only in this country but in ,many foreign— lands with your ideas and insights into our Beloved-Faith° The bulletin is sent to approximately 1000 youth,v local youth committees, Local Spiritual Assemblies and to Youth in other countries° The following are suggestions whiehreaeh of you might pondera Contribute of yourself and share with' other youth through the Youth Bulletin. It really is too prices less an opportunity to pass upwoo ‘ '

1. Many of you have had some sort of unique teaching ~ experience which is out of the ordinary. ‘Why dcn't ’you send it to the Youth Bulletin for publication? Undoubtedly, such experiences Would inspire and en courage many youth to service as well as giving them ideas to further their teaching efforts.

2. Some of you know older believers who have visited Abdu’ldBaha. Surely they have' wonderful experiences they might relate to you for use in the bulletin. Why not try? ' i

3. Have you pioneered in another country? Do you know young people Who are pioneering in a foreign field at the present time; If so, contact them.and Aask them to write of their experiences for the youth here in America. If you have had the bounty of . pioneering for our Faith, help urge other youth to arise in this same capacity through writing about your experiences.

4. All of us have moments when the glory of this Faith that we have been led to find wells up in us. What better opportunity to serve the other Bahá’í youth than telling them about "what the Faith means to you". There are so many insights we can share with each other. Perhaps some of you would like to express your feelings through Poetry. The youth bul -2 [Page 3]1 'YOUR OPPORTUNIM (?CONT'D); 4. letin would appreciate your talents-greatly;

5. Do you have a deep and probing1 question‘whfch you‘ would like answered about'the Faith;..a5 question‘ which involves 'much resear ch,. meditation, andlthought. Why not Submit this question to the youth bulletin for publication. Let the other youth use. 1their powers to answer It and deepen themselves The answers received would also be published In the bulletin.

6. The Local, Youth Committees have an opportunity to .serve.the-youth through the» bulletin also. Please write us of Eractical_ways and suggestions you have as to teaching the Faith. wa your youth committee finds a very effective way of bringing the Faith to the youth, share it with other youth and committees. These suggestions need only to be jotted down; they need not be in =article1form‘ You need only share your Eractical ideas with us, and they will be published for the other youth;

7. Perhaps you would like to write an article on the young ,Bahá’í heroes who lived and died for the Faith so valiantly,- such‘ as Mullá Ḥusayn and Quddús. Here .is your opportunity to inveStigate the writings about these great individuals.

8. Some of you haVe read outstanding books which are non-Bahá’í, but would serve as eXcellent material for our teaching work. Why not write a review for .the Bulletin about such a book1_ '

.The above eight suggeStions are for y ou. Each of you_ certainly can find one subject of the eight which you would like to investigate and work on for the BuI-.1etin.These articles need not be long; the most important thing is their content. We ask each of you to. take this opportunity for inspiring other youth--the life blood of the Faith--to action and rededication. .

(Continued Page 15)

43 [Page 4]» ‘ ' "STUDY AND SERVE" by B111 A11ison (pioneer in Philippines)

A Assess1ng the present condition of the world and viewing its. improbable future, a Baha' 1 youth sharea. unique and _distinct2 privilege in guiding a disillusiched ,and,faith1ess humanity. All around them.in their youthful. relations are the' evidences of man’s inability to find inner _security and real :meaning in lifei “Amist the _rapid dissolution of ’spiritual'and ' metal values, pf an, ever-increasing absorption in the material comforts and aspirations of this lifeg-We,<as the guideposts of the/new order, the standard bearers of the Cause of God, must through a continua1 and undeviating exemplification of the Baha' 1 life, set the example, lead the way, and lay the foundation. '

Students of history may well marvel at the remarkable resemblance of Our present disorder and the state of the Roman Empire prior to its eataStrophic decline. Everywhere the” signs of a pervaSive and deStructive materialism, eating away the foundations and devouring the very Souls of mankind, are visible

It would be difficult to find a more ‘deceptively simple yet challenging re5ponsibility than the role we are Called toifillo .In assigning tthhe' youth ”the driving force' of.the Cause, the beloved Guardian has offered us a precious gem out of the sea of jeWels. We are as uncut stones until we have demonstrated, consecrated ahd rsacrificed our 11Ves for the Cause of Baha'u'llah. Then and only then, do the confirmations and bounties bring on a brilliance and radiance of Spirit, mind and soul.

"Study and serve the Canse". These were carefully chosen words of the beloved Guardian when I asked him if there was any message from him to the youth in America. The statement was so succinct and subtle _ that one ean almost miss its deep and stirring impli-" cations thrbugh oversimplification. What else but constant and frequent immersion in His Words can strengthen the mind, confirm the Spirit and illuminate' the soul? Indeed, the scrutiny of every Bahá’í should be drawn to this truth{ A superficial understanding

-4 [Page 5]"STUDY-AND SERVE" (CONT'D)

of their Faith-can cause the tarnishmefit and' dimming of its latent-potentialities in their life. 1

‘ In a.time when the 'American people find themSelves "in the frenzied race for material schrity, the adventureSome spirit is likely to be'missing. As the Faith ' of Bahafu'llah grows and grows, the cleaVage between the Cause of rGod and the rway'of the world becames greater and more pronounced. So the *Bahá’í following 'that-immortal path of glory exemplified by the Master -and guided by the beloved Guardian, must meet with uh? diminished vigor and vitality the imposing task of spreading the Ward of God thrbughbut the world.

Let us join the Baha i WOrld Community in that .spir1t of full part1cipat1on and -actiVe demonstration addressed to us over twenty years ago by our belbved Guardian; and at this memorable juncture of the World CRUsade, presaged by a series of compelling conferences calling fer a“ sharp and clean break With the patent evils of our nation and.a dedication and sacrié fice of ourselves, above and beyond any past endeavor,

fulfill the wishes of our be10ved Guardian and hasten= ‘

the victory of the Faith of Baha u "llah

• *‘1

O my Sou1:

I Sing with joyous delight;

I cannot bear my heightening heart.

Thou a1t bursting upon me with pulSating might Depths Thy plunging force do start.

0 delight! Thank GodHelp my heart to travel unending Thy path; No joy will remain if I trod ‘ What gives impetus to Thy wrath.

Justice do Thy arms unfold

For me to Share and live and be,

Bringing bonds, unbinding, yet will hold-I know not why Thou hast chosen me!

-5 [Page 6]?ZBAHAVI WORLD YOUTH DAY“

?- On Sunday, March 23,-at'the Bahá’í House of WorShip Wilmette, Illinoisg‘ Judy Bernstein spoke on "Society, Destiny, and You" after the regular worship service in the Temple. Before the talk was présented, Mrs. Heleh Hauck -read from pertinent Writings of Baha'u'llah. There were approximately 150 to 200 people present most of whom were non-Bahá’ís. Copies of this talk will be available to those of you who desire them. Please send to the secretary of the NBYC and request a copy if it would be of aid in your teaching work.

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

Bill Hatcher from Nashville, Tennessee Spoke at two wonderful meetings on March 22 and 23. The first. meeting was at the Bahá’í Center in Urbana, and the .second was held in a Negro Service Center. Both of the talks were reported to have been wonderful by the Champaign Bahá’í Community.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

A panel of four youth spoke at the Bahá’í center: Coral Varo, Evelyn Baral, Micheal Reimer, Wayne Steffes. They spoke on the Life of the Báb and Baha'u'llah, Bahá’í Truths, As Bahá’ís See the world Today, and The Covenant.’ There was wonderful publicity in the Milwaukee paper and a large number (50) of interested youth and adults came to the observance.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

A very successful meeting was held using studenISr from the University of LouisVille for a panel discussion on "Society, Destiny, and You". These Students represented the Jewish, Christian, Moslem, and Bahá’í Faiths, with a Bahá’í moderator. Thirty people at‘tended the program, and afterwards, a very good fireside was held with those from the meeting who showed the most interest.

-6 [Page 7]BAHA'I WORLD YOUTH DAY (CONT'D) CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA

In preparing for this occasion, 50 notices were sent to area churches inviting them to send two repe reSentatives to the celebration of World Youth Dayo The very able Speaker was Miss BettiJane Walker from Youngston, Ohio who addressed about 30 peopleo Her unusual talk opened up a barrage of questions Concerning the validity of this Message, the impliCations of Progressive Revelation3 the Bahasi Cycle, and the Dispensation° Out of this meeting a study-olass on "The Divine Art of Living" is now being held weeklyo The Charleston friends also report that a1thoUgh this meeting was outwardly impressive and effective3 they have found that only after hours of personal firesides with one or two persons in attendance is this type of meeting really effectiveo Approximately two months of firesides and "hashing out" of the contact's personal drawbacks were behind BettiJane when she so effective1y Spured and multiplied interest

PEORIA, ILLINOIS

On March 25, 1958, 29 Bahá’ís and nonuBaha'is attended a public meeting for Bahá’í World Youth Day presenting four non-Bahá’í speakers and one Bahá’í speaker, .Khalil Khavari, all of whom attended Bradley Universityo Juddiasm, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith were presentedo On April 15, the youth group sponsored a high school youth who had been in France last summer under the ausPices of the American Field Service° At the close of the talk, Khalil Khavari gave the Baha9i views on world peace° About twentynfive -attended this rmeeting, 10 of- whom. were noneBahaiiso At both meetings? the non-Baha3i speakm ers were'given Bahá’í bookso The opportunity of using non-Baha?is on a panel, discussion or with a Bahá’í speaker should be taken advantage of, eSpecially on a college campuso

-7 [Page 8]BAHA'I WORLD YOUTH DAY (CONT'D) WATERLOO, IOWA

A panel discussion was the main part of a wonderful World Youth Day program held in Waterloo. Musical selections were presented by their youth chorus; "Blessed Is the Spot", and "O Thou By Whose Hand"{ Susan Foster presented the subject of "Society", and Paula Powers spoke on "Destiny". A panel of four youth occupied the last part of the program with a discussion of questions and answers which the youth in attendance were interested in. The members of the panel were Mary Finch, Roger Roff, Steven Foster, and Jack Powers. A program was presented to every person in attendance which included in it questions that people might like to have discussed and answered by the panel of Bahá’ís.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

A panel discussion on "Society, Destiny, and You" was presented by Dale Allen, Bruce Inglis, and Dave Baral at the local YMCA. A very fine piece of publicity was put in the newspaper.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Thirteen attended a fireside program dealing with the past societies in history, progressive revelation, and the present and future duties of youth. Judy Phillips was the speaker. '

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Two World Youth Day Programs were held in Los Angeles on March 23 and 26 with 25 and 22 people in attendance re5pective1y. Three youth and young adults spoke on the Bahá’í World and related it to the theme "So-' ciety, Destiny, and You." Both programs were.successful and many interested friends were made.

-8 (fi

[Page 9]BAHA'I WORLD YOUTH DAY (CONTED) PHOENIX,‘ARIZONA'

3 Thirteen attended a fife31de program dealing with the past soc1et1es in history, progressive revelation and the present and future duties of you th Juay Phi111ps was the speaker

‘GREENSBORO, N,C.

Peter McLaren gave an informal talk to 6 Negro young people. It is reported that it was a wonderfu1 experience for the entire group Ten people ‘attended the meeting and all went to a fireside latero

TUCSON, ARIZONA

‘ Six people attended a discussion on the-subjecto In the future, the youth of Tucson report that' thfough better coordination and p1ahh1hg, 'they hope to be able to accomp11sh more ' , . ’ * '

KITTERY MAINE F1fteen people attended a program consist1ng of two speakers: Dwight Baker who was the Baha 1 speaker, and an exchangen student from India, a Hindu; who spoke of religion 1 India The Bahá’ís of' Ma1ne hope that this program will lead to having Baha 1 Speakers presented to students at the University ‘ ‘ 1 ,HAMBURG, NEW YORK

The AAssemb1y_of ~Hamburg Township and the; Hamburg Village Group combined.the1r efforts towards a buffet supper followed‘ by the -presentation of the. Bahá’í principles and their application to daily living by Mary Hipp3 Keith Thorpe, and David Czerneijewski° 12 attendedrthepprogram3 5 of whom were newly interestedo A follow up meeting was held one week later twith Kenneth Kalantar as the speaker to which 11 attended, 4 of whom were nonuBaha' is -9,

[Page 10]LETTERS 1:9 YOUTH

The two following letters were sent to the youth of America in care of the Bahá’í Youth Committee of Nash ville,’ Tennessee, in answer to their request for letters to open their youth conference. The letters are from the revered Hands of the Cause, Horace Holley, and the beloved Rúḥíyyih Khánum.

PLO. Box 155 Haifa, Israel, February 28,1958

Mr. Thomas L. Thompson Bahá’í Youth Committee of Nashville

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letter of February let was received, and I have shared it with the Hands of the Faith serving here in the Holy Land.

We were all delighted to learn that there is such a fine group of young Bahá’ís there, students who have turned the powers of their minds toward the teachings of Baha'u'llah, and are arising to serve Him and to help establish his World Order, according to the Plans of our beloved Guardian: We wish you to please convey on our behalf to the attendants at the Bahá’í Youth Conference our love, and to assure them that we will pray for them in the ‘holy-Shrines, that they may arise and serve this Faith with pure and consecrated hearts, that their minds may be both brilliant and at the same time subservient to the Teachings of Baha‘ullah, that their lives may be an example to their fellow-youth and attract them to this glorious Cause, and that they may be so steadfast as to bring nearer that glorious day when a new race of men will appear in the world worthy of the name of Baha.

The future belongs to the youth; they are the ones who will be the teachers and administrators in the days to come.

We hope all of you will be instrumental in not only

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[Page 11]LETTERS TO YOUTH (CONTRD)

confirming many new souls, but above all, in stimulate ing the work on the Home Front, so dear to our beloved Guardian‘s heart, and assisting in the formation of new assemblies and groups, so that during the coming five years America may meet the requirements of 'her own phase of the Ten Year Plan and not fall short in the diSCharge of her historic taskso

The youth there should particularly concentrate on teaching the Faith to the negroes, which was the explicit wish of Shoghi Effendi, He hoped that many more of them would arise and distinguish themselves as Bahá’ísn In fact he said more than once that if the Americans, white or black, were not capable of carrying this Message to the negroes in their own country, he would send African teachers to do thiso Believe me, from what I saw of the African Bahá’ís at Kampala they are more than capable of carrying out such a work if called upon; but it is your duty rather than theirs, I hope you will be eminently succeszulc

We send you all our loving greetings.

Yours in His service,

(Signed) Rúḥíyyih

Bahá’í Youth Conference, Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Friends:

Few Bahá’í gatherings held today can have greater spiritual importance than a Conference of Youth.

When my generation constituted the youth of America, the first WOrld War had destroyed our traditions and apparently turned us adrift upon a stormy, starless sea. Except for the comparatively few Bahá’ís, youth passed through a period of disillusion and cynicism, deepened by the economic collapse and the Second

World Ware

The Faith of Baha'u8llah, however, under the guidance of the Guardian gathered strength as the Adminis (CONT'D ON PAGE 23) -11 [Page 12]

Youth at Summer S Apri

Bahá’í Youth at Naw Rui'Feast Bahia, Brazil, 1958

Youth Conference Altamont, N.Y. Apri1,1958

Inter-Area I Oct.,1957

Bahá’ís of Athens, Ohio East India Dinner Party Astoria

Janus

[Page 13]

El Salvador

hool Session

L 1958

Bahá’í World Youth Day Milwaukee, Wisconsin

at'l Youth Conf. West Englewood,N.J.

Area Youth Conference March,1958-Nashvi11e, Tenn.

(outh Semlnar Wm. Hatcher & Dr. Lambert Case

.7, 1958

[Page 14]COLLEGE BUREAU REPORT

Winston Evan‘s tour of the Southwest and the West is making headlines in college news“ Although his trip was not originally designed as a college teaching activity, his contacts with college students have been very successfulo '

Winston addressed a class of 26 students at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth: His talk was wellreceiveda At South West BaptiSt Seminary, also in Fort Worth, he also spoke to a class of 45 students and 3 professors. There were many questions and much intereSt was evident? As a result of this, foUr stu= dents requested a study class, South West Baptist Seminary asked to be notified of all Bahá’í public meet: ings and visiting speakers and requested a list of books for their library“

Late in March, Winston Spoke on the campus of Col? orado State College, Greeley, Colorado, to an audience of 26 students“ A spirited question and answer period followed indicating much intereSt among the students:

The next stop was College_of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho, where Winston addressed? a group of studentso Much interest was in evidence and the local community is planning to follow up with firesides and study classes, . *

In another part of the country, Bill ”Hatcher98 Visit to the University of LOuisville, Louisville, Kentucky, has stimulated continued activity: Mms; Meharangiz Munsiff spoke there for World Religion Day and at this time several student contacts are coming to firesides. There is hope of a return visit by Bill Hatcher to speak- on the campus of the Presbyterian Seminary College in Louisville.

ALASKA:

' A plea from the Western Hemisphere Teaching Commit? tee states that the Assembly of Tanana Valley in Alaska would welcome any students who could attend the University of Alaska, which falls under their jurisdiction, Their community needs strengthening; There is one Bahá’í Student attending now and another to en

‘ -14 [Page 15]COLLEGE BUREAU REPORT (CONT'D)

roll in the Fall; Any resident of the states of Washington or Oregon may attend this University tuition free. Anyone interested should contact the College Bureau immediately.

SPEAKERS:

CouLd you use aspeaker to help you with your college teaching activities? A traveling teacher seems to create a great stimulus. It creates 'enthusiasm among the Bahá’ís themselves which seems to enable us to achieve greater things. It provides for added publicity. The College Bureau would be happy to provide anyone desiring a Speaker to come to their campus to give a lecture or lectures, perhaps as a follow up to the work that has already been done by students on a campus.

RELIGIOUS EMPHASIS WEEK:

May we ask the students to inquire about Religious Emphasis Week on their campus and write us 1) when it is held, 2) whether there has ever been Bahá’í participation in this event on their campus. We would appreciate this information as soon as possible.

• k *

IMPORTANT NOTICE

If your summer address will be different from _your present aodress, make surh yo: immeiiateiy'inform_ t“: N;§}Y,Ci of the change so you will receive your summer youth bulletins. '

• * *

YOUR OPPORTUNITY (CONT'D) Send your articles to the editor: Judy Bernstein,

5433 Cornell Ave., Chicago, Illinois

[Page 16]

.. ,NEWS BRIEFS

SOUTHERNI CALIFORNIA YOUIH CONFERENCE I'L‘On, February 23,1958 26 )outh gathered together 'wfor an Area Youth Conference° After consultation and discussion on the Guardian 3 latest messages, problems were discussed concerning youth teaching Members of the Los Angeles Youth Committee presented a general “out11ne of the act1v1t1es they sponsor: 2.1 a youth study class held weekly in which the Baha' 1 Youth pre3 sent f1ve m1nute Ita1ks a p1ece_ in ofder to accustom ”themselves to speak1ng 1n front of a group, 2 ‘youth "panels 161 teaching W61k, .31 soc1a1s during Which 1those present listed only to music, 4 p1cnic, 1u6ches ”5 meet1ng in an art stud1o Where contacts come th Cgether t6 draw, pa1nt C etc While a team of Baha is ”read the teach1ngs aloud Where 311 can hear, and 6, the showing of films on Brotherhood Week and Negro History Week” - -.

'The meeting was th.en throWn open' f6r general 666~. Csultatlon and queStions, as fol1ows: "Do We need aI “learned' Baha 1 at a study class to _d11ect us?" Con:61usion: NQt necessarily, but it does help a_ great ’dea1 1f thefe is, one present Who is widelyIread and can refer y6u to a b66k that ahSWers a question that may have come upe Question: ”Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke of finding out What our icontact wants and the giving of it to him How do We khoWM exactly what the contact want?" Conclusion: First we must listen to him enough to know What problems he has We must also listen to 7discover‘ What his background is in order to avoid quoting Bible scripture to a Buddhi st 1 If we pfa.y, we will often be given spiritual insight so that we can feel the contact’s need _w1thout having to ask. The teaching prayers and the Tablet of' Visitation of Abdu'leBaha were eSpecially recommendedu It was sugw gested that When the contact f1fia11y does ask a question about “Bahá’í, we be: careful of the Iterminology employed in our answer and; that we make it' brief enough that'our Contact can assimilate 1to

Other fine‘ suggestions came from the conference:

~16 [Page 17]NEWS BRIEFS (CONT' D)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH CONFERENCE (CONT'D)

Study the "Bahá’í Community" in order to familiarize ourselves' with procedure. It was recommended that this be delt with by the local community or by the individual. Several people urged the youth to get together in small groups, perhaps only two, and study in order to deepen their knowledge of the teachings and to keep alive the Spirit that a conference of this type generates. Here are some really concrete practical suggestions for the youth to consider in their teaching work.

LOS ANGELES

On March 22, 1958, the following suggestions werev the results of an area youth conference: 1. 0n campuses, join college comparative religion classes, demonstrate the Bahá’í principles in informal groups and relate all things thereto, use all your opportunities for bringing the Faith to the attention of students and faculty, such as term papers, talks where you are free to choose your topic, and book reports. 2. In high school, join clubs that do not conflict with the Teachings, take Bahá’í books to school, stay out of school on Bahá’í Holy Days, observe the Fast, use the Bahá’í Faith for book reports, use bulletin boards to post your Bahá’í activities. 3. Try to get your activities published in your college or high school paper, and you might emphasize the outstanding people in the Faith. At the conference, the article "The Best Generation" by Ed Ashell from the February '58 Esquire magazine was reviewed. Discussion was then held about what the Bahá’í Faith can offer the "Best Generation" of today's youth....hope, reality, purpose.

‘ MARYLAND

On March 11, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Barham of Silver Spring, Md. entertained a group of 50 girls of an all

-17 [Page 18]NEWSxBRIEFS ( CONT'D) MARYLAND (CONT‘D)

Negro Senior Girl Scout Troop and fifteen parents with the showing of slides of Palestine, the Holy Land of many Faiths, giving many Biblical quotations to sub-stantiate their story of ’Bible fulfillmento .The. Barham93 approach in teaching the Faith to educators is that the Bahaei Cause is a Divine Educational Program for the sole promotion of better understanding and education among all the peoples of the world; that fundamentally all of us have the same common goal which is proven by the showing of their slides

BERLINGAME, CALIFORNIA

Fourteen youth attended a youth conference on March 15; 'Mr and Mrs Habib Sabet gaVe a wonderful talk on the importance cf Bahaa i youth in the future of the. Faith; they also answered many questions which the ydfith'had about the Kampala Conference .A. fireside was also held on the Baha i Scriptures ' '

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA Six yéuth attended a ybuth conference in Raleigh on April 13, 1958 These youth made the following sugw gestions: I We must increase our knowledge of the Koran (Study suggestion: "Six Lessons on Islam by , Marzieh Gail) They suggest organizing study groups to study the Koran Deepening and understanding of the Koran is emphasized greatly by our Beloved 'Guardian in the Advent_2£7 Divine' Justiceo We; muSt not overlook his pleao 2° Commit prayers and fiassagesof the Writings tof memory. The bounty of this is very great and we, as youth, should realize this privilegeo 30 Conferences Should be planned for Bahá’ís and non-Bahagis together, all-inclusive, in which themes could be discussed objectively° For example, "The Problems of Modern Youth and Bahá’í Solutions" could be a very effective theme for such a conferenceo 4° If we are‘

-18 [Page 19]NEWS BRIEFS (CONT'D) RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA (CONT'D)

in college, we must show forth the effect of the Bahá’í Teachings on our lives by the way we study, possessing high goals and aims for our education. 5. Confer with non-Bahá’ís as well as Bahá’ís to determine the best ways in which to teach the Faith. ' PHOENIX, ARIZONA

On March 22nd a youth conference was held in 'Phoenix for the youth of Central Arizona, in conjunction with the area conference held the 23rd.

On the college level it was pointed out that the biggest 'opportunity of reaching the youth is in the many discussion sessions held in dorms and elsewhere. College students are on their own for the first time and therefore are more receptive of something' that offers security.

On the high school level we must be willing to let others talk because, on the whole, the high school student is interested only in his own beliefs. Therefore we must teach by our actions. Religious clubs in high school aren't too successful as a teaching medium inasmuch as the students who attend them are usually satisfied with what they have and are only interested in what makes other religions tick.

As a closing topic, the last paragraph of PrescriEtion for Living, concerning preparing ourselves for teaching, was read and discussed. '

U.C.L.A.

The following news report would best be brought to your attention in its original letter form:

Dear Bahá’í Friend:

Last Wednesday was the 90th birthday of U.C.L.A., where I go to school. I am the only Bahá’í in this large and good University. Dr. Robert Schuman (a

-19 [Page 20]NEWS BRIEFs_(c0NTfD) U C L A: (CONT’D)

bachelor statesman who is trying to unify Europe) was

addressing a capacity audience in the Auditorium of .

the University;‘ ~ ' -. 7 ‘.When:hiS' talk was over, I ‘introduced myself as a

Persian Baha' i and asked him: ‘ _' .

Q. What is your purpose to unif.y Europe? " 1’

A. For the benefit of each country in Europe and their dependencies in Africa.

Q. Have you heard about the Baha' i Faith2

A.*No, what is it? ' ‘ '__‘

Q. The Baha 1% Faith is working for the unity of the” world and mankind; Isn't it better than the unity »of just Europe2" ' " t ‘ ' . y

A. Well, I am trying to unite a part of the world, and

that is eaSier than the whole world Q; But Dr; don t you th1nk that you are makihg another big coUntry against others2 A. Well, I don t know (Smiled) What do you have on 1your mind2 ' (I gave him» BahaH-u llah &2NeW“ Era) I have this‘book' for you’ I hope you have time to read it and see the truth ' ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ . “‘ He thanked me. During the conversation many people and his body guards we re listening to us; He” was a very kind man ‘ ' i "" y ‘ ’ ' Last Tuesday, March 25, we had a U.N. model a; U.C;L,A.y and I was the delegate of Iran. I said the . Bahá’í prayer for the opening of the sessioh; after_: the conference two young students aSked me for a copy'

of the prayer. And now I have two contacts. I hope *‘

they will find the light of truth.

Sincerely, Mohabatullah Sobhani

MARRIAGE: ' . Robert Cameron and Norma Hatanpa, March 29 Rochester, Minnesota. _

-20 [Page 21]ide TEACHING INSTITUTE

On June 13-15, the Iowa Bahá’ís will hold their annual Teaching Institute at E1dora,Iowa. The Institute will begin late Friday and continue through Sunday. At the Institute, youth and adult classes will be held. If you are intéreSted in attending this institute, please contact Paula Powers, 1311 Commercial Street, Waterloo, Iowa, for detailed information. The National Baha' 1 Youth Committee hopes that many youth will be able to attend

CIRCUIT TEACHING TRIP

Four girls from Illinois are p1 anning a circuit teaching tour on the way to the Geyserville Summer School They plan to leave at the end of June. The "N. B. Y. C. is de sirous of knowing what communities would be interested in having these youth viSit them.P1ease contact the N B. Y. C. -immediately if you are willing to plan arrangements for their visit.

• ‘* 'k

IMPORTANCE 93 SUMMERSCHOOLS

The N.B.Y.C. wishes to call to your attention the article in the farthcoming June Bahá’í News on the importance of Summer Schools, both as opportunities for deepening in the Faith and for demonstrating the Bahá’í Way of Living; This article is Of importance to us since it is directed primarily to youth and young adults. The Bahá’í Youth must become moreaware of their responsibilities in helping to achieve the objectives of the summer schools. The N.B.Y.C. wants to encourage Bahá’í Youth to attend the summer schools and to participate actively and enthusiastically in all phases of their work.

-21 [Page 22]YOUTH DECLARATIONS YEAR 114

The following is a list of those Bahá’í youth that declared themselves in the Bahá’í Year 114:

NORTH ATLANTIC STATES

Miss Charyl Ioas Springfield, N.J.

Miss Joan L. Groff Manor Twp., Penn.‘

Mr; Leonard S.-Closson,Jr. West Chester, Penn

Miss Mary Hipp Hamburg, N.Y.

Mr. David Czerniéjewski Hamburg, N.Y.

Miss Geraldine E; Homer iBuffalo, N.Y.

Mr. J. Russell Goudey Nest Englewood, N.J.

CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATESV

Mr. Roger David Christian Alexandria, Virginia

Mr. Samuel Brodie Raleigh, North Carolina

Miés Shafon Stewart Falls Church, Virginia

SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES

Miss Nancy R. Ford Augusta, Georgié

EAST CENTRAL STATES

Mr. Stuart Bruce Duboff Yellow Springs, Ohio

Miss Janet Kay Carlisle Pontiac, Michigan

Mr. Robert Chambers Detroit, Michigan

Mr. Raymond Rouse Cincinnati, Ohio

Mr. Leon Eugene Irish Ann Arbor, Michigan~j

Miss Cleo R. MbManamey Fruitport, Michigan

Mr. Mizriam Mark Peters Flint, Michigan

Miss Paula Akemann Kokomo, Indiana

Miss Peggy Ann Walker Miss Barbara Jean Walker Kettering, Ohio

Mr. Gerald Leo Cole Port Huron, Michigan

CENTRAL STATES

Miss Judy Bernstein Chicago, Illinois

CENTRAL STATES (CONT'D)

Miss Margaret E. Vorndam Quincy, Illinois

Mr. James L. Griffin Madison, Wise. Mr. Thomas G. Gedko Madison, Wisc.

Migs Kathleen S. Routhieaux Green Bay, Wise.

Miss Grace Sterling Rochester, Minn.

Miss Monica Lagan

Davenport, Iowa Miss Susan Foster Mr. Stephen L. Foster

Waterloo, Iowa

Miss Constance Hard Eau Claire, Wise.

Miss Gail J. MéYer Forest Park, Ill.

Miss Diane Aupperle Peoria. Illinois

Miss Astrid A. Roff Waterloo, Iowa

Miss Amy Kéniski Palatine,-Illinois

Miss JoAnn Womble. St. Charles, Illinois

Miss Suzanne Martin St. Charles, Illinois

Miss Videlle Ukura Duluth, Minnesota

SOUTH CENTRAL STATES

Miss Caryl Ann Smith Tulsa, Oklahoma

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES

Miss Helén M. MtCarthy Sandoval, New Mexico

Miss Shirley Hathaway Arvada, Colorado

SOUTHWESTERN STATES

Mrs. Regina Cowan . Los Angeles, Calif.

Miss Shiva Rassekh Palo Alto, Calif.

'Miss Norma Jean Nilsson

Los Angeles, Calif.

Mr. Gary F. Feicrbach FPO San Francisco, Cal.

Miss Catherine Allen Chico, Calif.

“SOUTHWESTERN STATES CON'T

Miss Janet Dodge Tucson, Arizona

Mr. Petgr w. Gardner Los Angeles, Calif.

Miss Lynne Taft San Mhteo, Calif.

Mr. JoSeph Katich,Jr. Phoenix, Arizona

Mrs. Lucinda Murphy Globe, Arizona

Miss Maralynn George Redondo Beach, Calif.

Mr. Arthur Dahl Pebble Beach, Calif.

Mrs. Yvonne Malcolm Santa Monica, Calif.

Miss Patricia Ford Burlingame, Calif.

Mr. Richard S. Mirkovich Costa Mesa, Calif.

Mr. Sylvian Casteldeoro Los Angeles, Calif.

Mr. Peter Vaughn Ogden, Utah

Miss Natasha Mazbur

Stanford, Calif.

Mr. Kirby Brown Berkeley, Calif.

Miss Patricia Sullivan Phoenix, Arizona

Miss Petale Horton Santa Clara, Calif.

Mi. Fenton Kay Las Vegas, Nevada

NORTHWESTERN STATES

Mr. Howard L. Heaton Great Falls, Montana

Miss Jean Mhrtig Shelton, Wash.

Miss Lou Dene Maag Astoria, Oregon

Mr. Ross F. Lindstrom Astoria, Oregon

Miss Kathi Miller Astoria, Oregon

Miss Kaihi warren Portland, Oregon

Miss Barbara Taylor Salem, Oregon

[Page 23]LETTERS TO YOUTH (CONT'D)

trative Order became defined,unt11 Shoghi Effendi launched the World Crusade . - '

Baha' 1. Ybuth today, therefore, cannot only ' live and evolve in the _sp1r1t of the Revelation but also _11ve and serve in a social pattern of the New world .Order Your destiny is to supply the final impetus to the operat1on of the Divine Plan and achieve the formation of the Universal House of Justice. .

Fortunate your destiny to be alive and spirituallyquickened in these momentous years! May Baha' u'llah bless and confirm your efforts to carry the Message to your fellow youth in schools and colleges who are already prepared to recogn1ze the.reb1rth of Divine Re-‘ iigion and the MesSage.pf the- Oneness of Mankind and the supreme victory of Justice and Peace°

Sincerely, (Signed) Horace Holley NEWLY ENROLLED BAHA'I YOUTH:

M135 Anita L1 Britt . Miss Mary Kathleen Huggins 1225 Barnett St., 150 East Medlock

Kansas City, Kansas Phoenix, Arizona

Miss Shirley Edworthy , Mr; Paul MacNeil

2111 W. Med. Lake Dr1ve Nash Road

Minneapolis, Minna Athol Springs, N.Y.

Miss Shirley Himes Mr. Chris K. Ruhe

2528 Lakeview Blvd. » 2628 W, 9lst Terrace Minneapolis 27, Minn. Prairie Village 15, Kansas

Miss Celeste Savage 231 Hargreaves Ave. West Englewood, N.J.

TRANSFERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE U,S.: Mrs. Sandra Lea Brown Edgington Mr. Bihruz Nasiri 341 Wilson S.W. Apt° 2 1303 let Ave. S.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Nashville, Tennessee

-23 [Page 24]BAHA'I YOUTH STUDY GUIDE

The National Bahá’í Youth Committee has prepared a study guide_for youth or adults wishing to have a firm basis of study in preparation for 'membership in the Bahá’í Communityy The youth study guide covers all of the _essentiale,aspects of ~the Faith and will be of great ”aSSiStafice‘ for'ideclared”believers, youth, or adult,.Who :Wish to deepen their understanding of the Teachings and Administrative ordern It will guide the serious student to the proper references to understand hiS're3ponsibilities to the-Faith. - '

-, The ”Bahá’í :Youth 'Study Guide is available on re. quest from the secretary of the National Bahá’í Youth ' Committeeg-Mrsg Helen 'Hauck, 716 South 5th Avenue, Sth Charles, Illinois, Please send your requests to

the National Bahá’í Youth Committee only and not the National Spiritual Assembly“

The outline consists of four pages divided into five main tepics; I History of the Faith, II. Stations of the three key figures in the Faith, III, Basic Administration, Vl Obligations and privileges of Bahá’í Membership. Previous study of the book, "Baha'u'llah and the New Era" is asSumed. The following books are used as references listing page numbers of each reference: "The Books of God Are Open", "The‘Promise of All’ Ages", "Some Answered Questions", "The Chosen HighWay" "Prescription for-Living", "Dawn Breakers", "Dispensa= tion of Bahá’u’lláh", "Christ and Bahá’u’lláh a "Ree ligion for Mankind”, "Security for a Failing World", Selected Writings of Abdu’leaha, Baha‘uallah, and Shoghi Effendi", "The Covenant and 'Administration", "Administration",- "World Order of Bahá’u’lláh",‘ "Bahati‘=00mmunity", "Bahá’í World ”Faith"; "Bahá’í World, Vol. XL”, "Divine Art of Living", "Gleanings", "Advent of Divine Justice", "Bahá’í News", and "Bahá’í‘ Procedure". In addition, for supplementary reading, the following books are suggested: "Portals to Free! dom", "God Passes By”, "Kitabei-Iqan", "Hidden Words", "Prayers and Meditations", "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf"5 and "Seven Valleys". . '

The .National Baha'iv Youth Committee will be very happy to receive your requests for thestudy guide;

-24-