Bahá’í News/Issue 439/Text
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| No. 439 | BAHA’I YEAR 124 | OCTOBER 1967 |
Main Entrance of Bahji
Gate leading to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, Israel. This gate, a gift of Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Amelia Collins, and named after her by the Guardian, was placed at the entrance to the gardens immediately adjacent to the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh in 1952 when the Guardian created an “outer sanctuary” which he termed the Ḥaram-i-Aqdas or Most Holy Court, see: BAHÁ’Í WORLD vol. XII, pp. 41-2.
Cameroon Republic Elects National Assembly —[edit]
In the presence of Hand of the Cause Mr. William Sears, forty-six delegates from many Bahá’í communities in the Federal Republic of Cameroon gathered in Victoria for the historic first national convention of the Bahá’ís of the Cameroon Republic.
Territories under the jurisdiction of this new National Spiritual Assembly include not only the Federal Republic of Cameroon but also the Spanish territories of Fernando Póo Island, Rio Muni and Corisco Island which comprise Spanish Guinea; and the Portuguese territories of St. Thomas and Principe Islands. Review and discussion of the Nine Year Plan goals for the region formed an important part of the consultation. Goals include the establishment of at least two hundred local spiritual assemblies in Cameroon Republic, with at least one in every major administrative subdivision of the thirty-eight divisions in the nation. The establishment of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Bata, Rio Muni, was announced, thus fulfilling the goal assigned for that territory.
Highlight of the convention was the presence of Hand of the Cause Mr. William Sears, who contributed valuable guidance and brought thrilling accounts of the development of the Faith in other parts of Africa and the world. He spent an evening with the delegates showing slides of the Bahá’í holy places in Akká and Haifa, guiding all present on a “pilgrimage” of the World Center.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Cameroon Republic. Seated, left to right: Janet Mughrabi, Moses Akombi, Jawad Mughrabi, Solomon Tanyi, Stephen Tabe. Standing: Simeon Arraneke, Sampson Forchak, Peter Arrey, Peter Acha Tanyie.
Convention group outside the community hall, Victoria, West Cameroon. Hand of the Cause William Sears appears second from right.
— Wins New Goals[edit]
Members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mbehetok, Riḍván, 1967, first to build new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Cameroon Republic.
Bahá’í community of Bata, Rio Muni, Cameroon Republic, including members of the newly established Local Spiritual Assembly, a National Spiritual Assembly member and two of the pioneers for the territory.
Mbehetok in West Cameroon, First to Build New Center[edit]
One of the Nine Year Plan goals for the Cameroon Republic is to increase the number of local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Several Bahá’í communities plan to achieve this goal, but the first to do so is Mbehetok, in West Cameroon. During the summer months Bahá’ís of this community contributed time, materials and labor toward the building of their first Bahá’í Center. Thatched with bamboo and palm-mat and furnished with handmade benches, the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was ready for dedication April 2, 1967. Bahá’ís and guests from twelve nearby communities attended the happy occasion, which was blessed by one declaration.
Other communities are taking up the challenge and more local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds are already under construction to achieve an early victory of this goal of the Nine Year Plan.
Bahá’ís and friends gather for the dedication of the Bahá’í Center, Mbehetok, decorated with palm fronds for the occasion.
The New National Assembly of Algeria and Tunisia[edit]
New National Spiritual Assembly of Algeria and Tunisia, formed at Riḍván 1967, with Hand of the Cause General Shu’lláh ‘Alá’i.
Hand of the Cause General ‘Alá’i, Board member Kh. Attar and the delegates to the first national Convention of Algeria and Tunisia.
Tanzania[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tanzania, with Auxiliary Board members Peter Mutabazi and Aziz Yazdi. Seated, left to right: David Mwakyoma, Bornhappy Sikaqwe, Mr. Mutabazi, Mr. Yazdi, Constant Wanyama, B. M. Barnabas (corresponding sec’y.). Standing: Husssein Akida (recording sec’y.), Amir A. Badiei (chairman), Jamshid Sammandri, Joseph R. Sekikubo (vice chairman) R. Yazdani (treasurer).
Fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Tanzania, held April 28-30, 1967.
North West Africa[edit]
Hand of the Cause General Shu’a’u’lláh ‘Alá’i (center front) with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa.
Hands of the Cause William Sears and General ‘Alá’i meet with the friends in Casablanca, Morocco. The friends had the great bounty of the presence of two Hands of the Cause within a short time, Hand of the Cause William Sears arriving for week’s consultation with the new members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Board members and local assemblies of Rabat and Casablanca.
Summer School in Alaska[edit]
Tenth Annual Summer School held in Juneau. Alaska June 24-28, 1967, with Howard Brown, Auxiliary Board member, in center. Pictured also are teachers Rouha Rose and Beatrice Rinde, Roberta Christian and Winston Evans. Over fifty persons attended the school sessions and public meeting.
New Pillar of Universal House of Justice Formed in Pacific[edit]
ASTRIDE THE EQUATOR lie the scattered and far-flung islands of the Gilbert and Ellice group, many remote and rarely visited. With existing communications it is impossible to visit even the larger islands in a year. But still the breezes of God have blown there, resulting in the election of the First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Riḍván, 1967.
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Present at this historic occasion were Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone, Auxiliary Board members Niu Tuataga and Margaret Rowling, and representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean, Suhayl ‘Alá’i. From left to right: Miss Rowling, David Hopper, Tebakaro Aritiera, Mote Kiaman, Mr. Featherstone, Joe Russell, Mabel Aritiera, Mr. Tuataga, Opetaia Kiaboua, Jack Pedro and Mr. ‘Alá’i. Absent: Elizabeth Blumer and Peter Kanere.
Friends assembled at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, for the first teaching conference and convention of the Bahá’ís of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. In background is the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands which was erected in time for convention.
The Light of the Faith Shines in the South Pacific[edit]
Fourth National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean, with Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone and Auxiliary Board members Niu Tuatage. From left to right: Suhayl ‘Alá’i (chairman); Mr. Featherstone, Mr. Wilson, Niu Tuataga, Lilian ‘Ala’i (secretary), Mosese Hokafonu, Mary Tuataga, Richard Welland, Irene Williams, Lisiata Maka (treasurer). Absent: Latu Tu’akihekolo.
Bahá’ís in the Cook Islands Arrange Race Unity Display[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Rarotonga arranged a display at the Headquarters of the Rarotonga Library and Museum Society for a week prior to June 11. During the same week a notice was placed in the local newspaper explaining the purpose of Race Unity Day.
The display featured a globe of the world with colored cutouts of various races pasted on the different continents, showing the diversity of mankind. Arranged as a background were photos from Ebony magazine reprint showing “unity in diversity” with special posters for the occasion on each side. Displayed on a table below were books on various aspects of world racial and unity problems, as well as Bahá’í books on the oneness of mankind.
This was the first public display by the Bahá’í Community of the Cook Islands for some time and the results were most encouraging.
Friends assembled in front of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Apia, Western Samoa, for the fourth annual convention of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean. Included are friends from Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue Island, U.S.A., and Australia, and Mrs. Bobbie Leeham of England, enroute to her goal in Fiji.
Guaymi Indians of Panama Conduct Own Institutes[edit]
Prepare for Visit of Rúḥíyyih Khánum
Guaymi Indian teaching is surging ahead again with 130 adults participating in three two-day and one four-day teaching institutes in the mountains of Chiriquí Province, Panama, since June. Three of these institutes were entirely conducted and planned by the Guaymi Bahá’í teachers themselves without help of pioneers or other outside teachers. The four-day institute was directed by Alberto Pérez, outstanding blind Guaymi teacher, with the aid of his brother Damian De Gracia in Cerro Bolo, Chiriquí, and included workshop classes on how a local spiritual assembly meeting and Nineteen-Day Feast are conducted, how to learn Bahá’í prayers by memory, and the celebration of the Martyrdom of the Báb, July 9.
With the recent reopening of two Guaymi Bahá’í schools there are now regular daily or weekly classes of first and second grades in Spanish, arithmetic, and on the Bahá’í teachings in nine of the fifteen Guaymi communities with local spiritual assemblies. One goal of the three Guaymi Teaching Committees is to establish Bahá’í schools and classes in every assembly area.
U.S. pioneers Margaret Derman, youth, and Arthur Krummell, adult, and new Guaymi Bahá’í youth, Francisco Cuevas, a University of Panama law student, visited ninety-seven believers and friends in the new zinc-roofed Bahá’í Center of Boca de Soloy, Chiriquí, in May, to give talks, lead songs, and prepare the people to receive Rúḥíyyih Khánum in their Center in October.
Alberto Pérez, blind Guaymi Indian teacher, pounding unshelled rice in Quebrada Loro, Chiriquí, Panama.
Above: Guaymi Bahá’í teacher reading prayer in new Bahá’í Center at Boca de Soloy, Chiriquí, Panama. At left, Guaymi Bahá’ís at new Bahá’í Center.
Alberto — Guaymi Pioneer on Horseback[edit]
THE FIRST TIME I saw the Guaymi Indian Bahá’í Alberto Pérez was in January, 1966, at Villa Virginia, the national Bahá’í school out in the country about fifty-six miles west of Panama City, Panama. He had been there before but this was my First beginner’s class as a new pioneer from the United States. A small man of about forty years of age, dignified in features and bearing, Alberto readily commanded the attention of the other students there, with his hearty laughter, resounding voice, and convincing manner of speaking. He loved to sing during the evening recreation sessions and he recited many prayers from memory during the devotions, having mastered thirty-one because he could not read nor write. He was blind.
Plan Trip Into Mountains[edit]
The next time I saw Alberto was four months later in Chiriquí Province on the Indian reservation, the little Guaymi village of Quebrada Loro, upslope from the concrete Interamerican Highway. The village is two hours by horseback through white Zebu cattle and “live” fences of barbed wire strung on trees and sprouting tree posts. He was glad to see me and remembered me from among the other four new U.S. pioneers at the school. Fortunately, with his more developed sense of hearing, he could understand my stumbling Spanish and so we planned to ride together to visit some Guaymi Bahá’í communities farther up the rainy mountains, including his home in Hato Jobo.
The next morning, assisted only by a Guaymi youth riding in front to warn him of drop-offs and tree branches in the way, Alberto easily traversed the slippery cuts of rocks, mud and brooks in the steep trails and pushed foliage away from his face with his walking-stick. When we filed along the high narrow ridges with our backs to the vast Pacific Ocean and the hazy blue mass of the Cordillera ahead, he called out the names of distant hamlets — tiny glistening patches of wet zinc-sheeted and yellow-leaved roofs scattered amidst the luxuriant blue-greens of the forest. At other times I have seen him pound unshelled rice with a wooden pestle in a stout pilón without missing a blow and also perch on the beams of a new Guaymi hut to place and tie the thatched roofing. Most remarkable to me was his uncanny ability to know within about fifteen minutes when it was time for the noonday Obligatory Prayer, which he took great delight in reciting.
Alberto’s Journey to Faith[edit]
Still unmarried, being fed and clothed by fellow believers, borrowing horses, saddles, and guides and studying the Faith by listening to readings by other teachers, Alberto has succeeded in changing the hearts of hundreds of Guaymies for Bahá’u’lláh, raising up three new local spiritual assemblies and even conducting workshops on Bahá’í Administration. What then made him become a Bahá’í?
To answer this we must look into his past. Alberto was born in the remote headwaters of the Sixsaola River in the Province of Bocas del Toro on the other side of the cordillera from Chiriquí. At the age of eight his father having died, his mother Clementina placed him to be raised and educated as a Catholic in the home of a medical doctor. Ernesto Pérez, and his schoolteacher wife in the little capital city of David, Chiriquí. There the doctor gave Alberto his surname “Pérez.” About two years later Dr. and Mrs. Pérez took Alberto with them to Managua, Nicaragua, where he completed his formal education of about five years and began working as a bottle-capping machine operator in a soda pop factory and later rose to the position of foreman.
It was here that he began to notice a gradual loss of vision from an optical nerve disease. He underwent two unsuccessful eye operations in Managua and Panama City from 1944 to 1946 and worked for two years between operations as a janitor for the public health center in David. Medical treatment having failed and being almost totally blind, Alberto returned to his home in Hato Jobo with his brother, Damian, to live with his mother and help harvest rice and corn on the family land. Alberto was appointed magistrate of the Hato Jobo district and regularly had to ride about seven hours one way to attend meetings at the mayor’s office in Las Lajas near the sea.
Recognizes Bahá’u’lláh as New Messenger[edit]
It was not until 1962, while visiting Quebrada Loro, that he first heard of the Bahá’í Faith from U.S. pioneer Kirby Brown. On Kirby’s second visit, Alberto accepted the Faith outwardly only, intending to investigate it further. He said, however, that he soon became a confirmed believer when he realized that God indeed had sent a new Messenger, Bahá’u’lláh, to regenerate mankind. Then began Alberto’s years of unceasing teaching of the Cause, roaming the mountains and valleys, barefoot or on borrowed horses under soaking cold rain and parching sun, molested by insects and hungry, but never tiring of proclaiming the glad tidings of Bahá’u’lláh. Asked of his plans for the future, he replied, “To continue onward in the Teaching!” This then is why the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama decided to provide him with a horse and saddle.
— ARTHUR L. KRUMMELL
Bahá’í friends walking up to the Panama Temple site, August 6, for prayers. The occasion was the departure of engineer Paul Thiele, who had been active in teaching work as well as the road building project for the Temple.
The Faith Grows in Latin America[edit]
Bahá’í Summer School at Jamundi, near Cali, Colombia, recently established as a permanent Bahá’í School. Group shown above were those attending the November, 1966 sessions.
National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti elected Riḍván, 1967, left to right: F.D. Juste—Constant (recording secretary), Eustace Bailey (chairman), Andre St. Louise, Jacques Hyacinthe, Salmat Pierre-Paul (corres. secretary), Georges Phillpotts (treasurer), Vital Ulyssee, Mrs. Ruth Blackwell (vice chairman) and Mme. Gladys St. Louis.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Department of Tarija, city of Tarija, Bolivia, formed Riḍván, 1967. Standing, second from right in first row, pioneer Miss Rezsi Sunshine.
National Convention held in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Deditated Youth Team Visits Yucatán[edit]
Pursuant to a careful scheduling by the National Teaching Committee of the Southwest, located in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, four youth from the United States spent six weeks of intensive sacrificial work in native villages and in the city of Mérida, making daily trips with Auxiliary Board member Artemus Lamb and others. They also made a weekend trip to the territory of Quintana Roo, assisted in two courses in the Martha Root Bahá’í Institute in Muna, Yucatán (see group photograph), and an institute in Komchen, Yucatán. With the help of an enthusiastic group of Mayan youth, they opened a new village to the Faith. The members of the team shown in photo are, from left: Nancy Lazar, Susan Millett, Erica Reich and Kristin Harris.
This six-week pilot project was initiated by the Foreign Goals Committee of the United States in accordance with the plans of the Universal House of Justice.
The inspiration of the example of their lives, their knowledge of the teachings and their loving dedication brought rich confirmations. Their visit has given a great surge forward to youth activities.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mexico. From left to right, seated: Valeria Nichols, Dina Perez and Edna Ford. Standing: Jenabe Caldwell, Jorge Coronando, Eduardo Perez, Juvenal Gutierrez, Alejandre Cervantes, Rafael Quiroz.
Pioneer Olavo Novaes of Brazil with newly purchased jeep for travel teaching work among the Guajira Indians.
Colombo-Venezuelan Guajira Teaching Committee, all traveling Guajira Indian teachers, along with Donald Witzel, Board member, Peter McLaren, pioneer from the United States and Olavo Novaes, pioneer from Brazil.
Summer School in South Thailand[edit]
Nearly a hundred Bahá’í’s from Malaysia and Thailand attended the summer school at the seaside resort of Samila Beach, Songkhla, South Thailand, sponsored by the National Assemblies of Thailand and Malaysia. The Mayor of Songkhla officially welcomed the Bahá’ís with best wishes for success in their efforts to bring unity. The Mayor appears in the center of the photo, flanked by Mrs. Shirin Fozdar of the National Assembly of Thailand and E. A, Fernandez of the National Assembly of Malaysia who was also Principal of the summer school. The two National Assemblies feel the school will be very effective in the development of the Faith in the border area.
Convention in North East Asia[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia. Seated, left to right: Tahereh Kazempour, Philip Marangella (chairman), Barbara Sims (corresponding sec’y.) Standing: Abbas Katirai (vice-chairman), Hideya Suzuki (recording sec’y), Ataullah Moghbel (treasurer), Dr. Ikuo Mizuno, Masaza Odani, Eugene Schreiber.
Eleventh Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia, Tokyo, 1967.
National Assembly Elected in Indonesia[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Indonesia elected at Riḍván, 1967. Left to right: Mr. Matni Seoprapto, Ing. Sajuti, (chairman), Dr. P. Aastani, Mr. Endy Seopaat, Mrs, G. Punjabi (vice-chairman), Mr. Eddy, Mr. Mailankay, Dr. M. Samandari (treasurer), Mr. K. A. Samimi (secretary).
Convention in Iran[edit]
The Thirty-second Annual Bahá’í Convention of Írán, held in Tihrán, April 27, 1967, with 142 participants. Dr. Varqa, Hand of the Cause, commented at length on the Message from the Universal House of Justice. The following National Assembly was elected: Manouchehr Hakim (chairman); Rouhullah Fath Aazam (vice chairman); Ataullah Mogharrebi (treasurer); Manouher Quam Maquami (secretary); Miss Adelaide Sharp; Mrs. Bahieh Naderi, Habib Sabet; Riaz Ghadimi; and Rubi Arbab.
Fifth Annual Convention of Ceylon held in Colombo with ten of the twenty-five Local Spiritual Assemblies represented by one or more delegates or observors. Pioneers attending were Mrs. Pym Trueman of Australia; Hong Shuen of Malaysia and Keith de Folo of the United States. All members of the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly of Ceylon are citizens of that country, formerly members of Christian, Hindu and Buddhist Faiths.
Ceylon[edit]
Bahá’ís from the Tamil and Sinhalese areas of Ceylon with pioneer Hong Shuen at right.
Summer School in Luxembourg[edit]
Luxembourg National Bahá’í Summer School held June 23, 24, and 25, 1967, at Bridel, near Luxembourg-ville. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Dorothy Ferraby attended as the special representative of the Hands of the Cause in Europe and also Auxiliary Board members Mme. Léa Nys, Fazlullah Namdar and Erik Blumenthal.
Group of families helped by Aid to Flood Victims Committee of Italy with members of the committee, Bahá’ís of the Florence community and a contact who helped with the relief work.
Bahá’ís Provide Aid to Flood Victims of Italy[edit]
At the National Teaching Conference in Rome, November 12, 1966, an Aid to Flood Victims Committee was appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy, with headquarters in Florence. Members are as follows: Houshyar Achraf (chairman); Mohammad Ravanbakhsh (secretary), Col. Giulio Jacoviello (treasurer), Sohrab Payman, Maud Bosio. All assemblies and groups were advised, and money and packages with clothing began to flow in from Italy and from many other countries. The first check received was from the Universal House of Justice, with the following cabled message: “Grateful safety friends distressing national disaster contributing $500 to assist your relief project love U.H.J.”
The City Hall furnished letters of introduction to the Aid Centers of the most damaged districts in Florence and Brozzi — an industrial town near Florence which was practically submerged. The following is an excerpt from these letters: “We recommend to the direction of these centers to give every assistance and collaboration to the representatives of the National Bahá’í Community." These letters gave us the opportunity to talk with school teachers, local authorities and social workers who asked about the name, “Bahá’í,” and enabled us to enter, by automobile, the otherwise closed city.
A pensioner offered a large room as a working center. Every day there were packages to be picked up at the post office, clothing to be sorted, cleaned, ironed, mended, and packages prepared and delivered. Finding volunteers was difficult and much of the help was from our friends, two of whom now wish to declare their faith.
The work completed thus far is as follows: Seventy-five families visited; fifty-nine families assisted with more than 1,600 garments; forty-eight families given bed linen, towels, etc,; twenty-seven woolen blankets furnished; beds, mattresses, pillows, electric stoves and furniture distributed. The sum of $735 was given as emergency help to twenty families.
Help was badly needed not only in Florence but in the surrounding towns where the high water remained for three days before subsiding. The population lived on the roofs for several days and food was dropped by helicopter until they could be rescued. Some could not resist and were drowned. The local authorities could do little and the generous sums sent from America and all parts of the world were destined for restoration of art.
The work so far has been to help materially and physically and to win the friendship of these tried and suffering people. They were impressed because the Bahá’ís went to them with no papers to fillout, no signatures or bureaucracy. They knew that Bahá’ís came as friends in a common tragedy and their gratitude was touching, as shown by the letters received. One such letter stated: “They are all beautiful and useful things and serve to show to those who in a moment have lost all that someone loves them and hopes for a complete renewal of their life.” The lady who wrote this now comes to firesides in Florence.
Unlike other organizations that closed down after giving first aid, the Bahá’í work is just beginning. It is now that we must begin to give the greatest help — the spiritual help.
We wish all the friends from Europe, America and other countries who have so generously helped these flood victims through this committee to know how grateful these people are, and would be happy to know any friend who, passing through Italy, would care to help in this work.
— AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS COMMITTEE OF ITALY
Principality of Monaco Officially Recognizes Faith[edit]
News Announced at Uriage les Bains Conference
After continuous effort of eight years, with many disappointments and setbacks, the Bahá’ís of Monaco have been successful in gaining official recognition by the Prince of Monaco. Complete freedom for Bahá’í activities of a public or private nature has been achieved. This work was initiated by Dr. and Mrs. Navidi of Monaco, Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, with the cooperation of the Local Assembly and other members of the Community. The first announcement of this was made at a weekend conference May l4-16, 1967, at Uriage les Bains, Isere, France, near Grenoble, attended by friends from Monaco, France, Belgium and Switzerland. It is the site of the French Summer School this year. In addition to this notable victory, the friends of Monaco have been extremely active in assisting with Bahá’í activities involved in the Fair at Nice, France, contributing much time, talent and financial aid to the success of this endeavor.
Monaco was first opened to the Faith during the Ten Year Plan. For some few years it was difficult to forge ahead, as is the case in many parts of the world. Persistence, continuous effort and faith on the part of the Bahá’ís there has gradually built a strong community with momentum increasing every day.
Progress in the Faith consists of many things, but all progress is generated by steadfast effort and faith, as demonstrated by the friends of Monaco. In some areas it means large enrollments at a certain period of development. For Monaco, success comes through this official recognition granted them by their singleness of purpose and steadfast devotion. All the Bahá’ís of the world share in their victory.
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Principality of Monaco, incorporated April 19, 1967. Left to right, seated: Reno Walker, Dr. Joseph Onangha, Andree Blagovestchensky (chairman). Standing: Dr. Gholamhossein Ḥakim (treasurer), Shamsi Navidi (vice-chairman), Louis Micha, Charlotte Campana, Serge Blagovestchensky, Ann-Marie Dupeyron (secretary).
Weekend conference at Uriage les Bains, Isere, France, held May 14-16, 1967.
Those who attended the North Central States Summer School in Minnesota. Lake Hanging Horn is shown in the background.
NORTH CENTRAL STATES SUMMER SCHOOL
Third Annual Session Brings Enthusiastic Response[edit]
“A marvelous week” said everyone attending the third annual North Central States Bahá’í Summer School, July 15-22. This year the school was held at the Arrowhead Music Camp near Barnum, Minnesota, a truly marvelous location overlooking beautiful Lake Hanging Horn. One hundred twenty-one attended: sixty-eight adults and fifty-three children and youth. People came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Canada.
Saturday evening, Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty gave a glowing beginning to our week with a talk on her Icelandic teaching experiences. Her first thoughts, however, were directed mainly to the children with a story about Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi and a request that each child say something to the group. “A good example of how simple Universal Participation can be”, she remarked to the audience.
Daily Classes and Seminars[edit]
Sunday morning daily classes began. Albin Kubala and Dr. Farzin Davachi joined forces to present “The Bahá’í Looks at Islam.” Dr. Garreta Busey guided us through the entire Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, and Dr. Husayn Danesh gave us “Bahá’í Answers to Life’s Problems” — showing a real conjunction of the science of psychiatry and the religious tenets set forth by Bahá’u’lláh.
Two seminars were held every afternoon on assorted topics. Mrs. McKenty talked on “The Spiritual Challenge”, Robert Cameron discussed “Bahá’í Methods of Education”, Janet Cutler presented a session on “Teaching in the South” and a session on “Prayer”. Dr. Farzin Davachi presented a session on the “Covenant” and a session on “Memories of ‘Akká,” Dr. Busey presented “Foundations of World Unity”, and Mrs. Ruth Moffet presented sessions on “Israel — the Land of Promise” and “Youth’s Place in the New World Order”.
Many Activities for Children[edit]
Children ages 4—14 were blessed with well organized, well taught classes during the morning, play rehearsals and recreation of all kinds in the afternoon and well planned evening entertainment including films and stories. Many commented, “I have never been at a school where they have so many activities for children”. Children’s teachers were: Mrs. Herb Taylor, Mrs. Ruth Johnson, Mrs. Lori Arsenault, Miss Diane Ogdie, Mrs. Jeanette Martin, Mrs. Lois Goebel, Mrs. Jeanette Brayton, Mrs. Ruth La Quier, Mrs. Joy Kortemeyer, Miss Janet Cutler, Miss Bahia Deloomy and Mr. Dave Skrenes.
Varied Evening Programs[edit]
Evening programs were varied. Singing was ably led by Mr. Sulo Mononen. Mr. Ted Martens hosted a Canadian Night during which we learned of the activities of our Northern brothers. Mrs. McKenty presented a slide program on the Hands of the Cause. The State Goals Committee held a clinic one evening. Mr. Herb Taylor presented a discussion of modern movements. A delightful play by the children and a very funny one by the youth were presented one evening, followed by a bonfire — an evening of good fun for all. Our last evening, Dr. Danesh talked on “Meeting the Challenge” — a timely and sobering talk on our racial crisis. Not to be forgotten are the movies shown in the late evening by Mr. Herb Taylor, ranging from “And His Name Shall Be One" to films of the Ganges, the Crusaders, and many more. Night Owls of the Camp enjoyed these greatly.
A true highlight of the camp was the declaration one evening of Leona Sylvester of St. Paul, Minnesota. Tears, prayers, singing and refreshments all fused to make that occasion memorable.
All in all, it was truly a summer school well worth attending.
Youth Hold Conference in Waterloo, New York[edit]
Twenty Bahá’í youth and their friends converged on the farm of a devoted believer at Waterloo, New York on August 19 and 20. Preparing their own Feast (of Names or Asma’) they generated that feeling which makes the Bahá’í Faith unique, the same feeling found at such places as Green Acre, Davison and Geyserville. The conference held at this time was the first to be held at the home of Jack Dibble.
The speakers were Duane Dumbleton, speaking on the purposes of God for mankind in this Day: Jane Czerniejewski, who led the group in discussion of methods of teaching; and Hank Miller, who spoke on the Bahá’í Fund and on the responsibilities of youth and the morals they must uphold.
The Jack Dibbles have purchased this farm with the aim of devoting one of its two houses to the use of Bahá’í youth for conferences. The Bahá’í youth in Western New York are hard at work restoring and cleaning the house which may one day be used as a summer school.
The weekend was completely successful, generating a tremendous spirit of enthusiasm which resulted in the declaration of belief in Bahá’u’lláh by one of the four young guests.
Institute Near Salt Lake City[edit]
Over thirty Bahá’ís and their friends gathered at the Edward Parker residence near Salt Lake City, Utah, for a three day Institute which included a wide range of courses as well as plenty of opportunity for fellowship. Titled “Overview — the Changing World Order” the occasion was planned to give all, young and old, a taste of living in the New World Order and to show a glimpse of the meaning of present world conditions.
The Bahá’í group of Salt Lake County sponsored the Institute which lasted from July 22 through 24. Classes included topics such as: “Unity — Basis of World Order”; “How the Non Bahá’í World Helps Build the New World Order”; “Science and Religion”; and “How the New World Order Works”. Some of the teachers were: Dr. Jalil Mahmoudi of Utah, Dr. Leslie Hawthorn of Indiana and Mrs. Zona Murdock of Arizona.
A very concrete demonstration of the meaning of the Order towards which the world is moving was the performance of a Bahá’í marriage uniting Carolyn Ingram and William L. Staples. This was the first legal Bahá’í marriage in Utah, the authority being based on the Utah Attorney General’s opinion given in October, 1965.
Exhibit in Illinois State Fair held at Springfield, Illinois August 11-20, 1967. Open twelve hours each day the booth was manned by believers from Springfield as well as communities throughout Illinois. Over fifty cards were signed requesting either further information about the Faith or that the exhibit visit their town. The Fair Exhibit Coordinator commented that the Bahá’í exhibit was one of the better displays at this year’s fair. The Springfield newspapers carried several articles on the exhibit and two radio stations featured regular announcements during the course of the fair. This display will be exhibited in other cities and towns throughout southern Illinois after the middle of October.
At the Fifty-Fifth Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Teaneck, New Jersey.
THE SOUVENIR OF ‘ABDU'L-BAHÁ[edit]
The fifty-fifth annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá held at the Evergreen Cabin in Teaneck, N.J. on June 24 was attended by some 500 Bahá’ís and their guests for picnic and fellowship and above all to commemorate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to this blessed spot in 1912.
Miss Joy Hunter, program chairman, extended a warm welcome to the guests and read the original Address given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 55 years ago. Guest speaker Raymond C. Rouse presented a glowing picture of “The Station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” and the Bahá’í Metropolitan Chorus led by Mrs. Carol Rutstein rendered several most inspiring musical selections.
At 5:00 P.M. a special prayer service was conducted by our Auxiliary Board member, Mr. Curtis D. Kelsey in the Pine Grove. During the program, the younger children were entertained by Stephen Weiss.
It was indeed a day long to be remembered not only for its spiritual significance but for the brotherly love which was demonstrated by peoples of various racial backgrounds.
Bahá’í Victory Chorus performs in bandshell at Rodondo Beach, California during second annual Music and Art Festival held June 25. The event, sponsored with cooperation of South Bay Bahá’í communities, was an outstanding success, attended by over three hundred. A large amount of Bahá’í literature was distributed.
First Kansas Bahá’í Institute[edit]
The State-Goals sponsored Bahá’í Institute at Camp Webster, Salina, Kansas July 1 and 2, and gave those who attended the opportunity to experience a weekend of fellowship and study with Bahá’ís from the entire state. Classes were held on topics ranging from “Proclamation” to “Enrichment of the Nineteen Day Feast” and a good time was had by all — even the mosquitoes. The climax of the occasion came at the close when the only visitor declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh and desire to be enrolled as one of His followers. Plans for a tri-state institute are already underway for next year.
At Camp Webster, Salina, Kansas.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Westbrook, Connecticut formed at Riḍván 1967. Left to right: Edwin Phelps (chairman), Doris DeAngelo (secretary), Michael DeAngelo (vice chairman); John Cassandro (treasurer). Standing: Andrew Scalzi, Barbara Rice, Harold Blackwood, Henry Graves Jr., John Cornyn.
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Scottsdale, Arizona, incorporated June 14, 1967. Left to right, back row: Mrs. Cheryl Gibbs, (recording secretary), Larry Gibbs, Mrs. Helen Becker (chairman), Eliot Sater (vice-chairman). Middle row: Mrs. Adele Kovachy, Mrs. Julie Sater, Miss Lois Sokup. Front: Francis Johnson (treasurer), Mrs. Loraine Johnson (corres. secretary).
News Briefs[edit]
Funds for building the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama have been increased by a gift of $24.00 from Bahá’í children of Douglas, Alaska. The accompanying letter from the donors explained that this money had been earned by the children who had been saving it for a long time to help build the Temple in Panama. Fourteen children ranging in age from three to eleven years signed the letter transmitting the check.
The fourth of July parade in Elsinore, California included a Bahá’í exhibit, mounted on the car of the Bahá’í who resides there, Mrs. Mary Tracy. With the help of believers in nearby Perris, the car was furnished with posters of the Shrine of the Báb and a painting of the House of Worship in Wilmette, as well as a sign carrying the words in the prayer for America by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The parade moved slowly for its seven mile course, giving the public ample opportunity to see the pictures and read the words of the Faith.
CORRECTIONS[edit]
July 1967 BAHÁ’Í NEWS, page 8, photograph at top of page should read “Auxiliary Board member Ellsworth Blackwell with Mrs. Ruth Blackwell and Bahá’í friends,” etc. Mrs. Ruth Blackwell, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti was incorrectly listed as Auxiliary Board member.
June 1967 BAHÁ’Í NEWS, page 17, first column second paragraph 11th and 12th lines, the account of Naw-Rúz celebration in Madison, Wisconsin, should read: “the 12 participants each carrying a sign relating Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings—all terminating with . . .”
Bahá’í Publishing Trust[edit]
Bahá’u’lláh — His Call to the Nations. A Summons to World Order. By Eunice Braun. A challenging statement concerning the spiritual impact of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation to world rulers and mankind in general; an analysis of the world crisis based upon failure to understand the reality of spiritual law underlying the structure of society. Printed on text paper, printed in dark blue and aqua, 9 x 4. Designed for use throughout the proclamation years. Matching envelopes available.
10 copies ..............................$2.50
30 copies ..............................$6.00
100 copies ..............................$18.00
Matching Envelopes
30 (minimum) .............................. $1.00
100 ....................................... $2.50
(No standing orders are being sent on the above inasmuch as most communities have already ordered from the advance Centenary announcement on this item.)
Ask for Observance of Minimum Orders[edit]
The Publishing Trust requests that whenever possible the local community should try to order a minimum of $10.00 in literature in order to keep the expediting of orders as economical as possible. Orders under this amount will, of course, be filled, and it is understood that in small communities the $10.00 amount is not always feasible. All orders, however, personal or community, should observe the $2.00 minimum. A 20 cent fee is charged for handling any order under $2.00.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative.
Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette. Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
