Bahá’í Youth Bulletin/116 (Aug-Sep)/Text
Bahá’í Youth Bulletin
[edit]August - September
Year 116
PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NATIONAL BAHA’I YOUTH COMMITTEE - YEAR 116
Zahrl Schoeny. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chairman
Dan Jordan . . . . . . . . . . . Vice-Chairman & Treasurer
Nancy Jordan . . . . . . . . . . .Corresponding Secretary
Gail Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . .Recording Secretary
Larry Cooper
Glory Fraser
Deanne Fraser
Joanna Thomas
Donald Streets
Mrs. Vivian Fellows - Adult Advisor
AREA CO-ORDINATORS
New England States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glory Fraser
North Atlantic States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Meyer
Central Atlantic States . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Meyer
South Atlantic States . . . . . . . . . . . .Donald Streets
Tennessee Valley States . . . . . . . . . . . .Vivian Fellows
Gulf States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glory Fraser
East Central States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry Cooper
Central States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vivian Fellows
South Central States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanna Thomas
North Central States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy Jordan
Rocky Mountain States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dan Jordan
Southwestern States . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zahrl Schoeny
Northwestern States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanna Thomas
Please address all NBYC correspondence to:
Mrs. Nancy Jordan
907½ East 60th Street
Chicago 37, Illinois
The Baha’i Youth Bulletin is published every other month by the National Baha’i Youth Committee under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States. All copies are distributed without charge to Baha’i Youth. This Bulletin is circulated to declared Baha’is only.
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INTRODUCING YOUR NBYC
[edit]GLORY FRASER: 17 years old; lives in Barrington, Illinois; has been a Bahá’í all her life; pioneered to Sitka, Alaska with her family from 1954-1958; organizer of circuit teaching for NBYC; senior in High School this coming year.
GAIL MEYER: 19 years old; lives in Forest Park, Illinois; on NBYC for 2nd year serving as recording secretary; been a Bahá’í for 2 years; will enter Elmhurst College as a sophomore this September.
JOANNA THOMAS: 19 years old; lives in Wilmette, Illinois; on NBYC for 2nd year as Ass’t Corres Secretary Been a Bahá’í for little over 1 yr Employed at Carson Pirie Scott & Co in Wilmette; Secretary of LYC; has taught youth classes at Davison.
NANCY JORDAN: From Belfast Ireland 26 yrs old; former Chairman of Belfast LSA and member of Northern Ireland Teaching Ctte; presently in Chicago employed as receptionist in U of C Medical Clinics; been a member of English, American, and German Bahá’í Communities.
DAN JORDAN: 27 yrs old; at U of C working for Ph D under Ctte of Human Development; Rhodes Scholar, BA and MA from Oxford, England, BM from U of Wyoming; has been a member of American, English, and German Bahá’í Communities; has done extensive travel teaching throughout British Isles.
Other members of NBYC will appear in the next issue.
YEAR 116
"....We are in this day the chosen instruments of God's grace.......our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity....fortified by these sentiments, arise to achieve God's holy purpose for mankind."
Shoghi Effendi
| AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 1959 | Vol. XVII No. 2 |
Published by
The National Baha'i Youth Committee of the USA
GREETINGS !
[edit]To the Area Youth Committees, Local Youth Committees and individual Bahá’í Youth of the United States: Loving Greetings from the National Bahá’í Youth Committee! It is the earnest desire of the NBYC to establish with all of you a bond of loving fellowship--a bond so close that there will continually pass between us ideas and prayers, plans and reports, and an unending flow of inspiration which will draw us into an ever higher unity as we become more and more conscious of the vital role which we, the youth, are privileged to play in this precious, sacred Ten-Year Crusade. Our prayers are with your every teaching effort. Please let us hear from you so that through the medium of the Youth Bulletin we can stimulate and inspire not only each other but also the many adults and youth of other countries who read the Bulletin.
AN APPRECIATION
[edit]The National Bahá’í Youth Committee wishes to pay tribute to Ron and Helen Hauck who for the past two years have, with selflessness and loving devotion, expended time and energy impossible to measure in the service of the Committee and the youth of the United States.
Ron and Helen are leaving shortly with their two baby daughters, Becky and Lillie, to take up a pioneer post in South America. The Committee’s thanks and prayerful support go with them. We feel secure in the knowledge that, freed from administrative responsibilities, they will find boundless opportunities to teach the Cause they love so much and we look forward to reporting their activities in the Youth Bulletin for the inspiration of everyone.
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL BAHA’I YOUTH COMMITTEE
[edit]Last year the National Spiritual Assembly launched an intensive campaign based on objectives emphasized by the Guardian: spiritual reinvigoration, administrative expansion, and material replenishment. Comparatively free of adult responsibilities in the material world and administrative responsibilities, we, the youth, have a glorious opportunity to participate fully in this campaign.
The NBYC found the following Teaching Column containing teaching and deepening suggestions secured from youth in many locations extremely stimulating. We publish it now so that it can be used as reference material at the NBYC sponsored Conference (Oct. 24-25) in the hope that it will kindle in your hearts--as it has in ours--the flame of desire to serve the Cause of Baha’u’llah with renewed dedication.
The plans that do arise from your prayers and consultation must be coordinated with the campaign of the NSA which is being supported by all committees, LSA’s, and groups. These projects and plans should center around the special events for proclaiming the Faith to the public as announced in the US Supplement No. 17, July 1959, and should reflect our wholehearted and loving support of the NSA’s Campaign.
THE CRUSADE STORY
[edit]1001 DAYS
[edit]From ancient Arabia we have the story of 1001 Nights, in which a comely young lady must do some mighty tall story-telling for that period of time in order to save her life.
If we figure up the time from the first of September, 1959, to Naw Ruz, 1962, by which time great [Page 7]
numbers of new believers must be found, 100 LSA's established in this country, numerous NSA's raised up in other areas, in order that the International House of Justice may be established ere Naw Ruz of 1963, we find that there are approximately 1001 days.
If the beloved Guardian made some reference to words, words, words, on receiving another of the numerous pledges to action from the American believers, he might well have been likening us to Queen Scheherazade in 1001 Nights in her talking spree for her life.
Our spree, however, has to be one of action, and its purpose is to save the life of the entire planet.
One of the friends has made a chart to hand on his bedroom wall. It has 1001 squares on it. Starting September 1st, he plans to mark off one square per day. The chart is entitled, "1001 Days: a path to heaven or hell." He explained, "If we fail, then at the end of 1001 days the earth may be a literal hell, for without the International House of Justice, the whole planet will be so far from God's guidance that I almost go insane thinking about it. If, however, God willing or rather, if we make the effort, for I am very sure God is willing and has been willing for some time -- then the planet will once more have the infallible guidance of God and will be a potential heaven. So there it is: 1001 days left, to heaven or hell."
What will you be doing 1001 days from now? Getting ready to go to Baghdad? No, not if these goals are incomplete. There will be no Baghdad conference if we fail. If success is forthcoming? Why then we might shout the words of Bahá’u’lláh, "How great is Thy power! How exalted Thy sovereignty! How lofty Thy might! How excellent Thy majesty! How supreme is Thy gradeur.." and swim to Baghdad.
There have come from various sources suggestions of practical things to undertake to carry out the aims of the Crusade on the homefront, and I have tried to compile them here.
These suggestions are divided up into three sections: Teaching, Deepening Together, and Individual Efforts. We will consider each in turn. The suggestions are listed in no particular order. They are intended as a source of stimulation of youth [Page 8]
activities and for communities and groups, to see what new projects we can find in this critical and glorious hour. We must keep in mind that they are only suggestions for stimulating further ideas.
I. TEACHING ACTIVITIES
[edit]A. To reach all the teachers in your town.
[edit]It is suggested that the first week in September, the Bahá’í Community hold a meeting concerning the Spiritual approach to education, with a title such as "The Missing Link in Education." (from Nashville Community)
Secure from college catalogues and board of edu- names of all grade school, high school and college teachers in your town. Mimeograph a single-page letter to the teachers. Mention the meeting and enough of the Faith to stimulate curiosity. Mail a letter to each teacher a week before the meeting.
COSTS: If you don't have a mimeograph of your own professional work will cost about $5.00 for 500. By purchasing envelopes in quantity (we'll need about 2000 to carry out the first few projects) you may get 500 for $2.50. Or, if many communities were to plan to undertake this, perhaps one of the national committees could order great quantities of materials at wholesale prices. Letters to college teachers might be put into the college mail without cost. Other schools should be checked to see if it is possible to put letters free into boxes in the central office. This would cut down on postage costs. Thus for approximately $10.00, a community could reach every teacher in their area. For the meeting, of course, it might be preferable to secure a Bahá’í connected with the educational system. This is not always possible, as we know.
B. To reach all of the ministers in your town.
[edit]It is suggested that the second week in September the Bahá’í community hold a meeting concerning the return of Christ. Titles might be something like "The Night Christ Returned," or "As a Thief in the Night," or simply "Christ and Bahá’u’lláh," or - here's one "Christ's New Name: Bahá’u’lláh."
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The letter to the ministers can be done as indicated above for the teachers. They can include a basic pamphlet, such as "Lord of the New Age." They could be mailed just before the newspaper advertisement appeared. That is, following the suggestion of the Canadian friends, the community might, the week before the meeting, run a newspaper advertisement, urging people to ask their ministers about Baha'u'llah being the return of Christ. Now, that should stimulate something!
A second newspaper advertisement could be placed just before the meeting welcoming people to come to hear the Baha'i message about the return of Christ.
The cost of the mailings would be less here, probably, than for the teachers, since there should be fewer. The newspaper advertisement cost would vary among communities; but even a small one, probably not less than six column inches, would attract attention if placed properly on the church page. The Canadian friends, of course, used half-page or full-page advertisements inviting people to question their ministers about the Return.
C. To reach all the organizations in your town
[edit]It is suggested that the third week in September, the Baha'i community hold a general meeting with a dynamic and eye-catching title.
From the chamber of commerce, secure a list of all the clubs or organizations in town. If they don't have such a list, one can be secured somewhere in the town hall, probably. Prepare mimeographed letters, as previously described. Send one to the secretary of each group inviting them to come, asking them to announce it at their next meeting. In one small town, for example, the Baha'is found 150 groups and did not even overlook such organizations as the "Women's Button Brigade!"
Also, include a paragraph in the letter offering speakers for any of their meetings. About this time clubs are preparing their programs and are in need of speakers. They usually wish interesting, different presentations free of charge. The letter could list several speakers and a wide range of subjects, such as "The View from Mt. Carmel," "The Unity of All Religions," "The Spiritual Education of Children," "The
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Promise of all Ages," etc.
Now, here are some words of Shoghi Effendi concerning this: "Let him (the believer) also attempt to devise such methods (for reaching people) as association with clubs, exhibitions, and societies, lectures on subjects akin to the teachings and ideals of his Cause..or participation in social, cultural, humanitarian...organizations and enterprises which, while safe-guarding the integrity of his Faith, will open up to him a multitude of ways and means whereby he can enlist successively the sympathy, the support, and ultimately the allegiance of those with whom he comes in contact." (Advent Divine Justice: 43)
Bearing these words in mind, might not we crusaders read the list of organizations we obtained for mailing together at a Feast, and each choose an organization with which he would like to work, and go ahead to join and participate. Hence we would have personal follow-up contact with several organizations.
D. To reach the minority groups and college students
[edit]It is suggested that the fourth week in September the Baha’i community hold a meeting concerning the oneness of mankind. It could be specifically aimed, or general, such as "The Spiritual Oneness of Mankind."
This time it might be preferable not to have letters. Instead we print as many posters as we need. Dignified 9 X 12 posters on paper can be obtained for about $5.00 for 500. For $5.00 more a picture cut can be made and included. It is preferred to have a picture on this poster. Two people might be selected who are of contrasting racial backgrounds (members of the community, neighboring communities, or a guest speaker) as speakers and use a photo of them together. A good enlarged photo from an ordinary camera can be used. This photo on the poster can do more good than words in attracting attention. It is also suggested that the material be taken to the printing press of the minority newspaper in town, if there be one, for newspapers usually do other printing along with the paper. This gives the possibility of additional contacts and may help to get a free article in the paper itself.
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Mail copies of these posters to any ministers, businessmen, minority group leaders, YMCA’s, interested organizations, and ask that they be posted. The Posters can also be put in stiff cardboard backing for placing in store windows.
If there is a college in town, there are usually many bulletin boards all over campus that will accept such posters. Contact the main office and obtain permission to put them up. Also a quick trip to the dormitories, fraternities and sororities will probably get bulletin board space for posters.
E. To contact all restaurants and hotels and Similar places
[edit]This is for places where there is racial discrimination in public places. If there is someone in the community who because of illness or other reasons cannot get out much, this is a project of telephone service.
Starting the first week in September a selected member or members of the community can make a phone survey of all public places in town, checking on their policies regarding race. This can make these places aware of the name of the Faith and its stand on the oneness of mankind and also provide a reference list of usuable places.
A possible approach would be this: "Hello, I am making a survey for the members of the Bahá’í World Faith in ________. The Bahá’í community is made up of people of many racial backgrounds and we are compiling a list of places where we can attend together. Could you tell me what your establishment’s policy is on this issue?"
It was also suggested that the establishment be asked, if it shows a policy of discrimination, "Would you please notify us if you should have a change of policy. Thank you."
For those places that do not practice discrimination, especially in difficult areas, the assembly might write a letter of commendation, including reference to teachings on the oneness of mankind.
F. Summary of first month's Activities.
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If these suggested projects are used, by the end of the month, all teachers, ministers, clubs, restaurants, hotels, plus many college students and members of minority groups, as well as the population at large, will have heard of the Faith in your town. There should also have been some requests for Bahá’í speakers, and who knows what else. Costs will vary, but as one person said, "We were very surprized to find out the relatively small costs of printing letters and posters, even those with pictures. I figure our community could do all this for $30 or $40." By this time we would have 970 precious days left of our Crusade. Maybe this first month of teaching could lead into some really active and intense teaching in October.
II. DEEPENING TOGETHER
[edit]A.
Words of the Guardian concerning our double Crusade:
"....these are the weapons which the American believers can and must wield in their double crusade, first to regenerate the inward life of their own community, and next to assail the long-standing evils that have entrenched themselves in the life of their nation. ....In the conduct of this twofold crusade the valiant warriors struggling in the name and for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must, of necessity, encounter stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback. Their own instincts, no less than the fury of conservative forces...must be reckoned with, resolutely resisted, and completely overcome." (Advent Divine Justice: 34-35)
It has been stressed that teaching and deepening are like the two wings of a bird: both must be exercized. The Guardian has mentioned and the Hands of the Cause have restressed, with the Guardian's quotations, that we are not as deeply immersed in the spiritual realities of the Faith as we might be and that this produces a spiritual maladjustment, so to speak. But where does our deepening need lie?
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Here are further suggestions, again, gleaned from youth in various communities. The suggestions are shared as a springboard to further activity.
B. At the next youth committee meeting of the community and perhaps at a feast, a list could be made of all the things in which the friends feel they should deepen. An organized program of suggestions could be presented to the assembly.
C. Small Group Deepening
This is going to be a long one. Some see real potential in this. The suggestion is that the friends who wish, divide into small neighborhood groups, depending on where they live. Let them dig into the deepest spiritual teachings of the Faith at least twice a week, preferably more. One of the friends wrote, "Let us stop this namby-pamby kind of class in which selections are read and everyone nods in blissful agreement. Obviously, we all agree that the Writings are correct and powerful, but do we agree in our understanding of what we think they say? Thinking of our needs, let us jump in with both feet and voice our innermost understandings and thoughts about the basic teachings so that from the heat of conflicting opinions the pure gold of truth may be found. Can it be otherwise?
Here are some of the suggested items for the small deepening groups: The three sets of questions sent out by the NSA.
Here was one way of approaching them: "Sure, we have all been through the questions. Can you think now of a single question and answer on the sheets? So we say, well, we can always look it up; they put the page numbers on for us. Think of it this way. When we are walking down the street with a friend and it’s hot, we may be prone to complain about the heat-we can’t run to a book then to find the divine purpose of creation so that we can concentrate on that instead. We need these things as a living, breathing part of us so that every time we walk down the street, hot or cold, our mind can think of the divine purpose of creation
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and not about the physical discomforts. This perhaps foolish example can be multiplied by the thousands in meaningful situations, to demonstrate the need to know, inside us, so that the spiritual fundamentals of the Faith will crowd out all other thoughts. We are not going to attract the person with whom we walk down the street by complaining about the heat -- this has been done for several thousand years, at least as long as there have been people, streets, and heat. But to be able to look about at the houses and bricks and sidewalks and people--and show the person the beauty of God in all of it -- this will bring attraction. Let anyone who would doubt this imagine ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walking down the street with us. To imagine him turning to us and frowning and saying something about how uncomfortable it is, how hot, how difficult to go on, is virtually impossible. His thoughts were in the Kingdom and this was His attraction to others. And He is our Exemplar!"
How do we get these spiritual fundamentals "under our skin" so to speak? Let each person in the little class go over them, repeat them, put them into different words, and repeat, approaching it from many directions. And review and repeat at the next session. Be able, for example, to open your mouth and talk about the Covenant, relating it to everything you do. Here’s a suggested beginning list: "Try relating the Covenant to Jesus, Moses, grocery shopping, your brother, the tree in the yard, the sun, etc. This is all in seriousness, although a group can have a good time with it." It has been said that there should be nothing under the sun which cannot be related to the Covenant. And the same goes for all the spiritual fundamentals. If we learn in small groups to draw these relationships and see them ourselves, then in trying to teach, we can relate the blessed Teachings to literally anything.
D. Make a little promise with others to share with them the wonderful things you find in the writings. If every time we met, we neglected unnecessary conversation we could share in a very few minutes some understanding of great significance. Just five minutes could point out a teaching that could change the day.
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E. Letter writing: The same goes here. Daily writing of one short letter to one of your Bahá’í friends, especially in a pioneering post could point out a valuable new understanding of the Writings and offer that "stimulation" that the friends can give to each other.
F. Time for more reinforcement from the beloved Guardian: "Those who participate in such a campaign (referring to the seven year plan) whether in an organizing capacity, or as workers to whose care the execution of this task itself has been committed, it must, as an essential preliminary to the discharge of their duties, thoroughly familiarize themselves with the various aspects of the history and teachings of their Faith." (Advent Divine Justice: 41)
III. INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
[edit]A. This takes us right into individual efforts. Here's the rest of the Guardian's words, continuing the quotation from above: "In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must study for themselves, conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith, delve into its teachings, assimilate its laws and principles, ponder its admonitions, tenets and purposes, commit to memory certain of its exhortations and prayers, master the essentials of its administration, and keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments...They must devote special attention to the investigation of those institutions and circumstances that are directly connected with the origin and birth of their Faith, with the station claimed by its Forerunner, and with the laws revealed by its Author."
B. Master a book or subject for a talk. People acquire a great deal of their understanding from others. If each person in the community would undertake to become expert on some book or topic, he could help the whole community by continually sharing his understanding. Suggestion: read a particular book or take a particular topic, such as "prayer," "the Guardianship" etc., and read up on it thoroughly; keep note cards; outline it; pray for an active mind to quickly understand it; and discuss it with the other friends.
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Finally, prepare a talk on it. This way, the community will have a number of deep, exciting talks on all aspects of the Faith, ready at a moment's notice. One of the friends who has undertaken to do this, started last month. He states, "This is really exciting! I feel now like I really have something to share I just read ten pages a day from one book, outlined it and underlined particular quotations I wanted to use. I've been able to use this information to help the friends in all sorts of situations."
C. Dinners
[edit]Think, just think, of the deepening that could take place, of the teaching of contacts that could take place, if each believer resolved to have company for dinner once a week. He could invite a contact and a believer. Their conversation could center around the Cause. So many contacts feel like "meeting-hall fixtures" because that is about the only time they meet the believers. Many of the friends don't get to know each other as fellow servants of Bahá’u’lláh. If each believer would do this, think of the stimulating interaction that could take place. Obviously, individual problems would have to be worked out, but after all, the solutions are in the Writings.
D. Dawn Prayers
[edit]The story is told of the pioneer who, after truly active service, mentioned to Shoghi Effendi that some thing was wrong, that he just didn't feel spiritual. The Guardian reportedly asked him if he had tried dawn prayers, (from the grapevine only). If every believer who could, would make the sacrifice of arising at dawn (if it can be regarded as a sacrifice to draw nearer to God) and pray for the success of the enterprises of the community, can we imagine a community standing still?? Falling asleep, perhaps; but standing still, NO! The Force that can get an American out of bed at dawn can accomplish the Crusade goals in 1001 days!
E. Racial Interaction
[edit]And immediately, if not before, especially in the
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southern areas -- let's get people of other races in our homes! This, in itself, will attract power for growth. Shoghi Effendi writes: "This problem (of racial prejudice) which the American believers are still far from having satisfactorily resolved (has) an urgency and importance that cannot be over-estimated." (ADJ: 28)
He continues, "It should be deliberately cultivated through the various and every-day opportunities, no matter how insignificant, that present themselves, whether in their homes, their business offices, their schools and colleges, their social parties and recreation grounds, their Baha'i meetings..." (ADJ: 30)
So--with our 1001 days staring us in the face, we must cast off the veiling cloak of "little by little" and jumping on the great horse, quickly ride out, shouting, "Hi-ho, Unity, away!" An exaggeration, but not much of one. It has been suggested that with every little and big activity during the day -- shopping, entertainment, cutting the grass, washing, etc (especially etc.) - that we contact someone in the community of another racial background, or a contact, and perform the function together. That is, we help each other shop. Or one day both clean one house together (doing it twice as fast, and talking the whole while about the Covenant, prayer, eternal life, and all insights into the Writings), and the next day, both clean the other house. Growth? It could come by leaps and bounds! And as has been said, let no man doubt the benefit of suggestions until they have been tried by a number of people consistently in a community for several months.
F. The last suggestion to be brought to our attention is a pesky but greatly beneficial one. That is, make a weekly chart which includes each hour of every day on it. Carefully mark each of your activities on it, including sleeping, eating, working etc., and your present Baha'i activities. Now comes that touchy, sometimes ego-deflating procedure. Evaluate, each of us, in the depths of his heart -- will my present activity for Baha'u'llah and God be all I can do to aid the election of the International House of Justice in about 1001 days?
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The rest of the suggestion is this: that we streamline our schedule, put down the necessities, and mark in red pencil "BAHA'I TIME" on all the space left. Then as time goes on, fill it with personal study time, dinner for contacts, and the other wonderful things that God leads you to think of during prayer and meditation, and discussion with the friends.
And if you, like so many others, say, of an evening, "Gee, what shall I do this evening," then present this precious commodity to the Assembly and give it like money and ask, "What can I do for the Cause with this certain amount of time?"
CONCLUSION
[edit]But I can write no longer, for I must go study my book, deepen, prepare for the fireside, get materials ready to present to the LSA, write letters to pioneers, get up for dawn prayers, mail letters to ministers, teachers and the Bird-Watchers of Ashtabula, and numerous other things.
As 'Abdu'l-Baha says, "The service of the friends belongs to God, and not to them." (Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha: 161)
Where will you be 1001 days from now? What will you be doing? What will be the fate of the Crusade? Of the Cause?
Baha'u'llah writes, "O thou that has remembered Me! The most grievous veil hath shut out the peoples of the earth from His glory, and hindered them from hearkening to His call. God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal 'the Kingdom is God's,' may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples." (Baha'i World Faith: 11)
| EVENTS FOR PUBLICIZING THE FAITH
|
ATTENTION ALL READERS AND BULLETIN REPORTERS
[edit]Many of you have had at some time a teaching experience which is out of the ordinary. Possibly your local youth committee has some practical and valuable suggestions to offer other youth in the way of effective methods of reaching youth. Some of you have read outstanding non-Baha'i books that would serve as excellent material for teaching work.
WHY don't you send it in to the Youth Bulletin editor?
- Don Streets
- 2317 S. 17th Street, Niles, Michigan
Undoubtedly, such experiences would inspire and encourage many youth to service as well as giving them ideas to further their teaching efforts.
Content is the important factor in your articles, not length. All of us will profit by your articles. You most of all, because you will be contributing towards inspiring other youth, over 1,000 youth, local youth committees and Local Spiritual Assemblies.
BAHA'I YOUTH STUDY GUIDE
[edit]The National Baha'i Youth Committee has prepared a study guide for youth or adults wishing to have a firm basis for study in preparation for membership in the Baha'i Community. The youth study guide covers all the essential aspects of the Faith and will be of great assistance for declared believers, youth or adult, who wish to deepen their understanding of the Teachings and Administrative Order. It will guide the serious student to the proper references he needs to understand his responsibilities to the Faith.
The Baha'i Youth Study Guide is available on request from the corresponding secretary of the National Baha'i Youth Committee. Mrs. Nancy Jordan, 907½ East 60th St. Chicago 37, Illinois.
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NEWS BRIEFS
[edit]NBYC Sponsors Junior Youth Program
[edit]Four workshop classes for Junior Youth were sponsored by the National Baha'i Youth Committee during the weekend of July 25-26 at Davison Baha'i School, Davison Michigan.
Two class periods on "God, His Divine Messengers, and Man" were conducted by Joanna Thomas of Wilmette, Illinois. Dan Jordan of Chicago presented a class on 'Abdu'l-Baha. The two speakers jointly conducted the last class period on "Baha'i Administration" and "The Functions of the NBYC."
Approximately twenty-five junior youth attended the workshop classes. Organized games and community singing provided recreation during the weekend session. Five members of the NBYC attended the week-end session and participated in activities.
WILMETTE, Illinois
[edit]On Sunday, July 12, 1959, 25 youth, twelve of whom were non-Baha'i, attended a barbeque on the grounds of the National Hazirat'ul-Quds given by Joanna Thomas and Larry Cooper of the Wilmette Local Baha'i Youth Committee.
After swimming and eating, the guest speaker, Dan Jordan of Chicago spoke on the many ways in which the social and political sciences are demonstrating the world's need for the Baha'i Faith. As a result of this gathering, eight of the non-Baha'is who attended returned at later dates for two firesides on the Faith.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES CONFERENCE
[edit]Youth of the Rocky Mountain States held a conference over the weekend of July 18-19. Sixteen attended. One of the goals they set up was to develop a stronger and more influential youth group in the Rocky Mt. Area
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through closer communication among all youth. At dawn on Sunday morning the conferees drove to a nearby mountaintop promontory overlooking the city to say dawn prayers. The youth were successful in getting publicity in the Boulder newspaper.
INDIANOLA, Iowa
[edit]Baha'i youth from the Central States area participated in the 4th annual Baha'i Teaching Institute held at a church camp just outside Indianola, Iowa on June 27 and 28.
The theme for the Institute was "Guidance for Today and Tomorrow." In keeping with this theme, the Baha'i Youth of Waterloo, Iowa, presented to the Institute a panel, "Guidance for Youth in This Day." The members and their respective subjects were as follows: Chairman: Marilee Foster; "Education of Youth" - Marilee Foster; "Baha'i Living for Youth and Parents" - Mary Finch; "Rectitude of Conduct" - Don Darby; "Preparation for Marriage" - Susan Foster; "Youth Teaches the World" Steve Foster. A spirited discussion period followed. There were 102 people at the Institute some time during the two days' session, with 79 staying overnight. From 15 to 20 youth attended.
During the sessions, the Central States AYC was given an opportunity to present their program for the coming year. Many communities responded with offers to hold conferences in their cities.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee
[edit]Reports of activity in this area would fill pages. Following is a very brief summary: June 26, 9 youth in Nashville met to plan summer activities; July 3, an interracial team of speakers, Jan Carlisle and Cal Rollins, spoke to an audience of 13 non-Baha'is at the Fisk International Student Center at Fisk University; July 10, another interracial team, Dr. Sarah Periera, Prof. of Romance Languages at Tennessee A & I, and William Hatcher of Vanderbilt Dept of Mathematics, spoke on the "Missing Link in Education" - July 17, interracial team, Allan Ward, Dept of Dramatic Arts and Speech at Ohio University, and Mrs. Erma Hayden, Supervisor of Music
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in Nashville Public Schools, spoke on "Relationship between Christianity and Baha’i Faith," at Tennessee A & I; July 24, Mr. Robert Hayden, Prof. of English at Fisk and internationally known poet, presented "An Evening of Poetry," 21 non-Baha’is attended. Extensive publicity was given to all of the meetings--flyer announcements on all bulletin boards on the Fisk, Tennessee A & I, Peabody, and Vanderbilt campuses, mimeographed letters to faculty members, invitations to contacts. Sunday evening firesides and Sunday morning worship services served as valuable follow-ups for these public meetings.
CIRCUIT TEACHING
[edit]In an effort to develop the organization of circuit teaching among the youth, we are asking all youth who are interested in doing circuit teaching to please send your names, addresses, time available for circuit teaching and whether finances are needed, to the secretary of your Area Youth Committee, who will forward this information to our NBYC member who is in charge of circuit teachings: Glory Fraser, 224 W. Russell St. Barrington, Illinois. Please address any requests for circuit teachers to her.
BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTIONS
[edit]The NBYC would like to remind the friends the Youth Bulletin is available to all Baha’is.
YOUTH can receive the Bulletin by sending their name, address, and birth date to Mrs. Nancy Jordan, 907½ E. 60th Street, Chicago 37, Illinois.
BAHA’IS OVER 25 YEARS OF AGE can receive the Bulletin by sending their name, address, and subscription of $2 to Dan Jordan, 907½ E. 60th St., Chicago 37, Illinois. Please make money orders or checks payable to the National Baha’i Youth Committee.