Bahá’í News/Issue 545/Text
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Bahá’í News | August 1976 | Bahá’í Year 133 |
Helsinki: a call to action
Contents
Helsinki: a call to action | 1 |
Report on the first International Teaching Conference |
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The spirit of Europe: part III | 8 |
Continuing a pictorial essay on the Bahá’ís of Europe |
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Around the world | 13 |
Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States |
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Page 8
Page 14
Page 15
On the cover: A proclamation meeting in Finlandia Hall on July 7 was one of the highlights of the International Teaching Conference in Helsinki, Finland, the first of eight to be held during the Five Year Plan. John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie speaks to the audience, estimated at 1,000 persons. Inset at left, the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, representative of The Universal House of Justice, greets Erik Nielsen, one of the many Bahá’ís who volunteered to fill pioneer posts. Mr. Nielsen plans to go to Greenland. Inset at right is a group which shows the diversity of Bahá’ís who attended the conference from around the world.
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Bahá’í News is published monthly for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í world community. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.
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Copyright © 1976, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Helsinki: a call to action[edit]
Text and photographs by Paul Slaughter
Action to spread the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was the keynote of the first International Teaching Conference of the Five Year Plan, held July 5-8 in Helsinki, Finland.
More than 800 believers from around the world attended the historic conference, the first of eight sponsored by The Universal House of Justice. It was the first such international Bahá’í gathering in Finland.
Feelings of love and unity were heightened by the presence of four Hands of the Cause of God, five Continental Counsellors, and many members of National Spiritual Assemblies and Auxiliary Boards.
In a message to the conference, The Universal House of Justice said: “It is our fervent prayer at the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh that this Conference will produce an upsurge of Bahá’í activity throughout the northern lands and in the islands of the North Sea and the Baltic that will outshine every achievement made in those promising regions, and be an inspiration to your fellow-believers in every country of the world.”
The message was read to the believers by the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, representative of the Supreme Institution. In addition to Dr. Giachery, other Hands of the Cause participating in the sessions were Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, and Adelbert Mühlschlegel. Counsellors present included Erik Blummenthal, Anneliese Bopp, Dorothy Ferraby, Betty Reed, and Adib Taherzadeh.
One of the highlights of the conference was a report by Dr. Giachery on developments at the World Center. He said that work is progressing on the English translation and publication of three compilations of Scripture. Prayers and extracts from the
From left to right, the Hands of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, Ugo Giachery, Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, and Adelbert Mühlschlegel with some of the pioneers and traveling teachers at the International Teaching Conference in Helsinki.
New details of the Seat of The Universal House of Justice[edit]
Writings of the Báb will be available before January, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas should be ready by mid-1977, and selections from the Master’s works will be completed before the end of the Five Year Plan. All three volumes are major tasks of the World Center in the Plan. Dr. Giachery displayed an advance copy of Bahá’í World, Volume XV, and announced that it will be available soon.
Dr. Giachery said that collation and classification of the Sacred Texts is being done with meticulous care. He added that the work is limited because there are not enough Bahá’í scholars at present, and he urged Persian families to train their children to excel in the mother language, Arabic, and English.
“Activity by The Universal House of Justice is like a steel plant,” Dr. Giachery said. “They’re going constantly, day and night, especially in the spiritual world.”
He talked enthusiastically about the seven new National Spiritual Assemblies which will be formed at Riḍván. “One will be in Greece,” he said. “It’s a beautiful place to spend your honeymoon, or to vacation, or to pioneer.”
As the Faith expands, activities of The Universal House of Justice increase daily and the time has come for a suitable building, he said. Dr. Giachery described in detail the Seat of the Supreme Institution which will be raised on Mount Carmel. The building will include a large main entrance, a ceremonial area off the main entrance, a large entrance hall, a concourse for the reception of pilgrims and others, a banquet hall, a council chamber for The Universal House of Justice, a library, an area for meetings, an area for the Secretariat and other departments, a laboratory for research on preserving documents, and an area for storing precious papers. This building is being constructed to last at least 500 years,” he said.
Dr. Giachery (left) displays an advance copy of Bahá’í World, Volume XV, which will be available soon. The representative of The Universal House of Justice at the conference discussed developments at the World Center, including collation, classification, translation, and publication of the Sacred Texts, and the building of the Seat of the Supreme Institution. Enthusiasm shows on the faces of some of the friends (below) gathered for the first of eight such international conferences to be held during the Five Year Plan.
What is required of individual Bahá’ís |
Another highlight of the conference was the overwhelming response to a call for pioneers and traveling teachers to spread the Message throughout the northern lands and beyond. One of the most moving moments was the presence on the stage of Finlandia Hall of four Hands of the Cause with pioneers, traveling teachers, and Bahá’ís planning to pioneer.
“All Bahá’ís are potential pioneers,” Dr. Giachery said. “We should be ready to go-”
In addresses at the conference, General ‘Alá’í, Dr. Muhájir, and Dr. Mühlschlegel outlined what is required of individual Bahá’ís to contribute to the building of the new World Order.
“The people of Bahá have the grave responsibility to serve mankind throughout the world without the expectation of reward,” General ‘Alá’í said.
The Hand of the Cause focused on the importance of the training of children. “No amount of effort is too much to guard and protect our children and our youth from the dehumanizing and corrupting influences of a decadent society,” he said. “If children hear Bahá’í prayers and Sacred Tablets frequently, they will retain them and they will repeat them. The youth should be encouraged to participate in all Bahá’í community activities, such as pioneering, teaching the Word of God, and giving the Message of Bahá’u’lláh,” General ‘Alá’í said. He suggested that Bahá’í communities establish kindergartens to assist in the spiritual and moral education of all children.
“We live in an age of inner emptiness, tension, friction, and conflict as a dehumanizing civilization approaches its most agonizing terminal phase,” General ‘Alá’í said. “Let us transcend and survive this dangerous phase.”
Dr. Muhájir urged the history-making
In an address at the conference, General ‘Alá’í focused on the moral and spiritual training of children and youth to protect them from the dehumanizing and corrupting influences of a decadent society. Many Bahá’í youth and children attended the conference. Youth from Germany arrived in a bus whose posters proclaimed the Faith and the conference. The youth left the gathering (below right) with renewed inspiration to attain the goals of the Five Year Plan.
The progress of the Five Year Plan in Europe |
Bahá’ís of the present age to take action now, that the collective maturity of mankind is at stake. “Whatever we do, whatever we decide, whatever we plan will influence the future,” he said. “A consciousness that we are the foundation of the future will give us more energy, more hope to build this great edifice of God.”
He urged individual believers to study the Writings more deeply, share the Message, and teach with Bahá’í literature. “Every individual should have his own teaching plan,” Dr. Muhájir said. “Don’t sit at home. Movement is an essential part of the progress of the Faith.”
Dr. Mühlschlegel warned that “time is terribly short,” but there is nothing more rewarding or worthwhile than to attain the specific goals given to us by The Universal House of Justice. Later generations will perhaps “yearn longingly for our present opportunities,” he said. Dr. Mühlschlegel added: “We are not just individualists who have saved their own souls, we are soldiers in the glorious army of Bahá whose duty is to save the whole of humanity.”
“There is no more noble act which we can do than to arise and assist Local Spiritual Assemblies,” he said. “Take the first step and pray; Bahá’u’lláh will carry on.”
Counsellor Mrs. Ferraby reviewed the progress of the Five Year Plan in Europe by pointing out that some goals have been achieved, but others are moving slowly.
Property goals already completed include premises for Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the Faroe Islands, Greece, Malta, and Greenland; and local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Spain and Italy. Other successes include the long-awaited incorporation of the Faith in Portugal, more literature and new translations, better opportunities for proclamation on radio and television, some progress in reaching minority groups, more emphasis
Dr. Muhájir (left) and Dr. Mühlschlegel (below right) urged the believers to take action now to attain the goals of the Five Year Plan. Counsellor Dorothy Ferraby (below left) reviewed the progress of the Plan in Europe and pointed out that pioneers are needed to assist in building Local Spiritual Assemblies and opening new centers.
Moving response to the call for pioneers |
on the education of Bahá’í children, and many conferences and gatherings for youth.
“The part of every Plan which demands the greatest concentration, perseverance and staying power and which always proves the most difficult is the building of new Local Assemblies and the opening of new centers,” Mrs. Ferraby said. “It is in this area that in Europe we are not yet doing too well in the present Plan. Pioneers are needed to open new centers, to provide focal points for the expansion of the Faith, and to strengthen ailing Assemblies. Many pioneers have arisen in the various communities and many have come into Europe from outside, especially from the United States, Canada, and Iran, but still more are needed both from home and overseas if we are to win all the Local Assembly goals.”
Mrs. Ferraby said: “The success of this conference, so far as Europe is concerned, will surely be if it generates in us all enough spiritual fire and devotion that we will go out and win the goals.”
Counselors Reed and Blumenthal, in cooperation with June Ritter of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Europe, went into further detail of the needs, particularly in the areas of pioneers and traveling teachers. It was at this point that volunteers crowded onto the stage, prepared to do what is required.
Counselor Taherzadeh said that the key to success is to acquire unshakeable faith in Bahá’u’lláh and then turn to The Universal House of Justice for guidance. He recounted a few illuminating stories left by some of Bahá’u’lláh’s early followers, describing the awe-inspiring effects which the presence of Bahá’u’lláh had on them. They became spiritual giants, the embodiments of detachment, and a new race of men who completely submitted to the Will of Bahá’u’lláh, and consequently
At left, Counsellors Adib Taherzadeh and Betty Reed address the friends. Above, Counsellor Erik Blumenthal chats with Magdalene Carney of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. Below, the Finnish musical group, Pohjantähti, performs during the conference.
Entertaining program provided by children |
were filled with such power that they overwhelmed their adversaries. The same bounties exist for the followers of Bahá’u’lláh today, he said.
Other speakers at the conference and their topics included Hubert Schuurman of the National Assembly of Canada, Bahá’í community life; Auxiliary Board member Anna Grossmann, the Covenant; Ritva Zabihian of the National Assembly of Finland, the growing Bahá’í presence at the United Nations; and Magdalene Carney of the National Assembly of the United States, the education of children.
Mrs. Zabihian also opened the conference by welcoming the friends and expressing the hope that the conference would provide spiritual nourishment and renewed power and inspiration for the believers and “radiate its light all over the world.”
Emphasizing the international aspects of the gathering, prayers were said in at least 15 languages, including Finnish, English, Persian, Estonian, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Arabic, Norwegian, Icelandic, Greek, French, Spanish, and German.
Musical groups from Finland, Holland, and Sweden performed daily for the friends.
Activities for children were held at the nearby Taivallahti School. They included a session with Dr. Giachery and his wife, Angeline, and a trip to the Helsinki Zoo. The children also provided an entertaining program on progressive revelation at the conference.
The Martyrdom of the Báb was commemorated on July 9 at the Taivallahti School. About 500 Bahá’ís, including the four Hands of the Cause, attended. Dr. Muhájir chanted the Tablet of Visitation and Dr. Giachery talked about the early history of the Faith and his recent trip to the Holy places in Iran.
Children entertain the friends at the conference with a performance on progressive revelation. Activities for the children were held at a nearby school. At left, Angeline Giachery, wife of the Hand of the Cause, shares a box of chocolates with one young boy.
Faith is proclaimed at conference[edit]
There were many opportunities to teach and proclaim the Faith to the friendly Finnish people during the International Teaching Conference in Helsinki.
An estimated 1,000 persons, including about 400 non-Bahá’ís, attended a public meeting in Finlandia Hall on the evening of July 7. John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie discussed progressive revelation and the role of the Prophets, particularly Bahá’u’lláh’s mission to unify mankind. Mr. Gillespie also told how he became a follower.
Mr. Gillespie also appeared on Finnish radio and television programs. At least 200 persons attended the taping of a one-hour TV program with Mr. Gillespie in which the well-known trumpeter talked about the Faith and played several musical numbers.
The Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, representative of The Universal House of Justice at the conference, also appeared on Finnish television in an interview.
A July 5 press conference with Dr. Giachery and the Hands of the Cause of God Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir was broadcast on radio throughout Finland two days later.
And Dr. Giachery presented a Bahá’í World volume to Helsinki Mayor Teuvo Aura at a special meeting. The mayor gave the Hand of the Cause a book about Helsinki.
Dr. Giachery presents a Bahá’í World volume to Helsinki Mayor Teuvo Aura (second from right) just before the International Teaching Conference opened. At left is Auxiliary Board member Maija Pihlainen and Enni Unkila, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Finland, is at right. In the photo at right, John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie performs for Finnish television. An estimated 200 persons attended the taping of the one-hour program which was broadcast throughout Finland.
The Spirit of Europe: Part III[edit]
Text and photographs by Paul Slaughter
The Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland were joined in 1953 with the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly. Separate National Assemblies for Italy and Switzerland were established in 1962. Numerous firesides are held regularly in both countries. Above, believers and seekers are pictured at Lugano, Switzerland. The fireside below was at Cagliari, Italy.
Italy[edit]
The love, strength, steadfastness, and devotion of the Bahá’ís of Italy is building the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in a beautiful country rich in cultural excellence. At present, there are 25 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Italy and the goal of the Five Year Plan is 40. The Italian Bahá’ís are confident that goal will be attained. Below left, the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery discusses “Tablets of the Divine Plan” at a conference in San Zeno. Dr. Giachery and his wife, Angeline, came to Rome in 1947 as pioneers from the United States. The Spiritual Assembly of Rome was formed in 1948. Dr. Giachery was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi in 1951. Below right, Auxiliary Board member James Holmlund, his Irish wife, Hazel, and daughter, Kathleen, are among the many devoted pioneers in Italy. Mr. Holmlund, who teaches English, has been there 16 years. At right is a canal scene in Venice.
[Page 10]
The quiet country life is reflected at right as sheep graze peacefully near Sardenga. At left is a street scene at Albano. Below, pianist-songwriter Alfredo Speranza and soprano Minou Falahi complete a performance at a musical proclamation in Albano. The Italians love music and are receptive to numbers with Bahá’í themes.
Switzerland[edit]
The diversity of Switzerland is reflected by the fact that three languages are spoken in the country—French, Italian, and German. Bahá’ís are working hard to bring the Message to the Swiss. Many seekers have been found, particularly among the young people. Above, a discussion follows a public meeting in Basel, home of the late Bahá’í artist Mark Tobey. At right, Bahá’ís gather outside a restaurant in Zurich which is operated by a Bahá’í. It is a favorite spot for teaching. One goal of the Five Year Plan is the formation of 25 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Switzerland. There are 15 at present.
[Page 12]
The Swiss alps loom in the background of the picture of Lucerne (above left). Above right is a scene at Geneva. At left is Fritz Semle, the first Bahá’í of Switzerland. At right is Doris Lohse who has been a pioneer in Lucerne for the past 15 years. Born in Belgium, she has pioneered in the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland.
Around the world[edit]
Mexico
Border teaching project under way[edit]
The second in a series of training sessions designed to provide support for teaching and consolidation efforts along the Mexican-American border was held June 25-27 at Agua Prieta, Mexico.
The project is a cooperative effort between the National Spiritual Assemblies of Mexico and the United States. About 75 volunteers are now assisting with teaching and consolidation activities on both sides of the border, and traveling teaching trips are being arranged to back the efforts of local believers.
During the June training sessions, classes were given by Continental Counsellor Carmen de Burafato; Anna Maria Padilla de Gomez, member of the National Assembly of Mexico; Mexican assistant Auxiliary Board members Arturo Serrano and Alfonso Escobedo; American assistant Auxiliary Board members Ernest Bruss Jr. and Stephen Powers; Joan Bulkin, secretary of the U.S. Bahá’í National Teaching Committee; and Janet Rubenstein, secretary of the U. S. International Goals Committee.
A high point was the announcement of the appointment of Francisco Neveres of Agua Prieta as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.
One highlight was a proclamation in which more than 100 persons attended a showing of the film of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s Green Light Expedition. The proclamation resulted in one immediate declaration and several others expressed interest in the Faith.
Netherlands
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Zeist[edit]
The first Spiritual Assembly of Zeist has been formed, attaining a goal of the Five Year Plan and raising the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Holland to 22.
In a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Netherlands, The Universal House of Justice, through its Department of the Secretariat, said it was “delighted to receive the news of the formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Zeist and asks you to tell the friends there that the House of Justice will be offering prayers at the Sacred Threshold for the consolidation of the victory they have won and the confirmation of their devoted efforts in the service of the Cause...” The Spiritual Assembly of Zeist is composed of pioneers from Holland, Belgium, Iran, and the United States.
Members of the Assembly are, left to right, seated—E. Siedsma, J. Straub, R.V. Sombeek, and J. Tahzib; standing—A. Siedsma, M. Vloeberghs, Y. Rezvani, F. Devilee, and N. Tahzib.
Switzerland
Dignified services held for Mark Tobey[edit]
A dignified memorial service and burial for Mark Tobey were held April 28 in Basel, Switzerland. Mr. Tobey, a world-renowned artist, passed away on April 24.
The memorial service was held in St. Alban’s Church, a simple Protestant church just a few hundred meters from Mr. Tobey’s home in Basel. Mr. Tobey had visited the church often and enjoyed a long friendship with its former clergyman. Mr. Tobey had planned to make some stained-glass windows for the church.
The church was made available to the National Spiritual Assembly which supervised the memorial service and burial.
The 90-minute service included Bahá’í prayers and readings from the Writings, music (one selection was a hymn composed by Mr. Tobey), and several moving addresses.
A biography of Mr. Tobey, prepared by his secretary and long-time friend, Mark Ritter, was read by a professor of theology at the University of Basel, another of Mr. Tobey’s friends.
The memorial address on behalf of the
Memorial service for Mark Tobey is pictured at right. Above is a room in Mr. Tobey’s Basel home.
Bahá’í community of Switzerland was delivered by Amis S. Khamsi, member of the National Assembly. “As Mark Tobey’s art is the result of hard work, creative imagination, the combination of intuition, inspiration, and search for a new dimension, as well as experience accumulated throughout his journeys in the world, his service in the Bahá’í community likewise is faithful, meaningful, constant, and of true dimension,” Mr. Khamsi said. “May Mark Tobey’s life, his endeavors, and his great talent be like his ‘white writing’ and the many calligraphic signs which pulsate on his paintings; may they become expressions of inspiration for the younger generations which now stand at the threshold of the new age.”
The church was beautifully adorned with flowers and a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was placed at the front. About 150 persons, including Bahá’ís from throughout the country, gallery owners, art admirers, and other friends, attended the service.
The casket had been taken from the funeral home directly to Hörnli Cemetery. About 70 persons were present when three Bahá’í prayers were said and the casket was lowered to its resting place.
The major Swiss newspapers published articles about Mr. Tobey’s passing, the memorial service, and burial, mentioning that he was a Bahá’í.
[Page 15]
United Kingdom
50,000 see illuminated Bahá’í float[edit]
An estimated 50,000 persons viewed a brightly lit Bahá’í float in the annual charities carnival evening parade in May in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The 40-foot long Bahá’í float was the only one fully illuminated, making it the most conspicuous.
Central attractions of the float were a 9-foot diameter globe shining from within and two long banners quoting from Bahá’u’lláh: “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” The front and back of the float bore large posters which said “Bahá’í.” Eleven Bahá’ís in different national costumes, ranging from Scottish to North American Indian and Japanese, sang songs on the float.
The inflatable globe will be used in future exhibitions. The Spiritual Assembly of Aberdeen is eager to share its plans for construction of the effective float. Interested communities should write to Spiritual Assembly of Aberdeen, 27 Rubislawden North, Aberdeen AB9 2XF, Scotland, United Kingdom.
United States
Bicentennial observed with proclamation[edit]
More than 750 persons attended major Bicentennial proclamation events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly at the House of Worship July 3-4.
The proclamation was a celebration of hope for America’s third century. The events featured a concert in Foundation Hall by several ethnic choirs on the evening of July 3 and a Bicentennial lecture by William Maxwell, member of the National Assembly, following a special Sunday afternoon devotional program which was in English and Spanish.
In addition, the National Assembly published full-page advertisements in the July 4 edition of The New York Times Sunday Magazine and in the August number of Ebony magazine. The ads were identical to the one published in the Bicentennial issue of Life magazine.
In his July 4 talk in Foundation Hall, Dr. Maxwell emphasized the accomplishments of America in the past 200 years and explained why she is destined to lead all nations spiritually. He touched briefly on the problems of America, but the overall theme of his address was one of encouragement and hope.
An estimated 400 persons attended the July 3 performance by the Northwestern University Chinese Choir, the Mexican San Vito Choir; the Barrett Sisters, a well-known Chicago area gospel group; and the Crossroads, a Bahá’í group. The audience, primarily non-Bahá’í, was friendly, enthusiastic, and relaxed.
Brief devotional services were held in the House of Worship at the start of every hour throughout the Bicentennial weekend. An estimated 6,000 persons visited the House of Worship during the three days.
In advance of the proclamation events, more than 1,000 posters in English and Spanish were distributed by 18 Bahá’í communities which participated in planning the program. A red, white, and blue graphic motif was carried on all printed materials, including the poster, invitations, flyers, and program.
Radio and television spots were used to spread news of the events. It was the first time an event at the House of Worship had been advertised on television. Many newspapers in the area carried information about the activities and small advertisements were placed in city and suburban papers.
To publicize the Faith and to inform the Latin community that the July 4 devotional would be bi-lingual, a series of spots was placed on a UHF television station broadcasting in Spanish.
William Maxwell
More photos on page 16
[Page 16]
A friendly and enthusiastic audience (below) responds to a rousing number performed by four musical groups (above) in Foundation Hall on July 3. At left and left bottom, members of the Washington Bahá’í Chorale participated in the July 4 program. The proclamation events, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, were in celebration of hope for America’s third century.
Record 85 Bahá’ís attend pioneer institute[edit]
A total of 85 Bahá’ís attended a pioneer institute June 10-13 at the House of Worship, the largest group ever to complete the pre-pioneering program. They are expected to be settled at their posts in time to meet almost all of the Five Year Plan pioneer assignments by October 20.
Most were preparing to fill foreign posts for the first time, but some had pioneered during the Ten Year Crusade and the Nine Year Plan. The veterans shared their experiences, creating a heightened sense of dedication and expectation.
The participants heard from the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem; Continental Counsellor Edna True; Auxiliary Board members Thelma Jackson and Javidukht Khádem; Glenford E. Mithcell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; members of the Bahá’í National Center staff; and experienced pioneers.
“Pioneering is a very rough road,” Mr. Khádem said. “You will be faced with many trials. But you will be always happy that you have responded to the call of God.”
Miss True discussed the history of pioneering and responded to questions from the audience. Other subjects covered included the power of the Covenant, adjusting to a new culture, the use of visual aids, legal and medical problems, and the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
One of the participants, Doris Holley, often commented that it is necessary to “forget yourself and turn to God.” Mrs. Holley, widow of the Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, was visiting the United States from Ireland where she has been a pioneer many years.
Bermuda Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is obtained[edit]
A local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has been obtained in Bermuda, completing another property goal assigned to the United States in the Five Year Plan. Transfer of the title to the property in Hamilton was completed in June by the National Spiritual Assembly.
The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is located on Cedar Avenue in a non-commercial area near downtown Hamilton. The property consists of the main building and two smaller structures in the rear. The one-story main building has one large room, two offices, two baths, a kitchen, and basement.