National Bahá’í Review/Issue 55/Text

National Bahá’í Review
Issue 55

To: All National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In order to stimluate the teaching work in every land and encourage the friends during this last year of the Nine Year Plan we have decided that as soon as the number of adult believers in any locality reaches or exceeds nine they are permitted to form their Local Spiritual Assembly immediately, rather than wait until 21 April 1973.

We hope moreover that, especially in the areas where the people are entering the Cause in troops, the implementation of this decision will in NEW ASSEMBLIES BEFORE RIḌVÁN Authorized by THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

crease the number of those communities which will, without the need for outside assistance, re-elect their Assemblies on the first day of Riḍván in 1973 and in succeeding years.

It is our prayer at the Sacred Threshold that during the months ahead the steadily mounting number of these divine institutions will tremendously reinforce the labors of the valiant servants of the Blessed Beauty in every clirne.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

—-THE UNIVERSAL House-or JUSTICE

28 May, 1972

The rare opportunity permitted us by The Universal House of Justice to form Local Spiritual Assemblies any time during the remainder of this Bahá’í -year must, the National Spiritual Assembly feels, be turned into an occasion for consolidating further the basic structure of the Bahá’í Administration in the United States. The following guidelines are there V fore offered for implementing this decision

announced by The Universal House of Justice in a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated May 28, 1972.

1. Whenever a group of adult believers has reached or exceeded the number nine, the group must immediately inform the Teaching Committee in its district before taking any steps to form an Assembly.

2. The District -Teaching Committee must then arrange as quickly as possible to hold an institute for that group by itselfor together with other groups close by which are ready to form Assemblies. At this institute, the agenda of which is to be prepared by the National Teaching Committee, the friends will review the laws and principles governing the establishment and functions of the Local Spiritual Assembly.

3. Following the institute, the group must elect or form its Local Spiritual Assembly. 4. Soon after the formation of the Local Assembly, the District Teaching Committee must arrange to deliver to it both the Secretary’s Manual and the Treasurer’s Manual, thus grasping the opportunity to

[Page 2]review with the members of the new Assembly the items covered inthese Manuals. '

The National Spiritual Assembly feels that this systematic approach will insure a smooth process of Assembly formations

JULY 1972

and development throughout the country‘

and will assist groups to assume the‘ significant responsibilities resting on Local Spiritual Assemblies.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Our Call at This Eleventh Hour

To the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Since the close of the National Convention, we have given careful thought to the course our community must take in contributing its share to the final triumphant stage of the ‘Nine Year International Teaching Plan. Our consultation has been invigorated by the recommendations offered by the delegates and especially by the energetic spirit and sober courage that characterized the discussions at the Convention. Our approach, moreover, has been guided by the Riḍván mesage of The Universal House of Justice, which, while enumerating the overwhelming victories already achieved throughout the world, called the urgent attention of the believers everywhere to the scores of territories that have not yet attained their assigned goals of localities and to the 267 pioneer needs yet to be answered.

Setting as the world community’s “immediate and inescapable task” the achievement of “every attainable goal of the Nine Year Plan,” the Supreme House of Justice asserted that “This must be done at all costs. No sacrifice, no deferment of cherished plans must be refused in order to discharge this ‘most important’ of the many ‘important’ duties facing us.”

Our Most Important Duty The most important duty facing the American Bahá’í Community is meeting its remaining international obligations." At the Convention, we reported that pioneers were needed for 65 openings. Since then we have received encouraging responses from the friends, but the search continues for more pioneers to settle at some of the most difficult posts. A Local Spiritual Assembly has yet to be established on the Falkland Islands. Another remaining international obligation is to assist with the acquisition of vitally needed properties

in Venezuela and in the Leeward and Virgin Islands —- an obligation whose execution is largely a matter of the availability of funds.

Golden Opportunities on the Home Front Winning our international goals depends, of course, on the health of the home front; and, although we have more than met our statistical objectives at home, we dare not rest on our hard-won laurels nor let go of the golden opportunities for expansion now open to the entire community. To ensure our ability to meet our international obligations, we must relentlessly pursue the expansion of the community—the employment of every workable means of reaching and teaching all strata of American society; and we must maintain a simultaneous and vigorous program of consolidation— constant study of the Teachings on the part of the individual believer, a reflection of their transforming power in the conduct of our personal lives, and the resultant accession of strength and influence to the institutions entrusted to our care by the Central Figures of our Faith. Influenced by these imperatives, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that the basic approach to our national effort this year must be the concentration of Local Spiritual Assemblies on directing the teaching work and the concentration of all national, regional, and district teaching agencies on assisting and developing the Local Assemblies to fulfill their teaching plans.

A Challenge to Local Assemblies Thus, we appeal to all Local Spiritual Assemblies, the bedrock of Bahá’u’lláh’s Administrative Order, to take bold initiatives in carrying forward the teaching momentum generated by eight years of unyielding endeavor. Let each Assembly, particularly the well-established and experienced, adopt a group which can be

[Page 3]I

raised to Assembly status by next Riḍván, or adopt an isolated center to raise to strong group status, or still yet open up _a new locality to the Faith. Let the-new Local Assembly, though anxious to share

‘equal responsibility with its more experi enced sister Assemblies, concentrate at first on organizing itself properly within the principles of Bahá’í Administration and then devote as quickly as possible its attention to assuming its rightful place in the direction of the teaching work.

A Spirit of Harmonious Cooperation We call upon the National Teaching Committee to guide its teaching arms—the Regional and District Teaching Committees—and devote its own endeavors toward aiding in every possible way the Local Spiritual Assemblies to execute their teaching plans and particularly to develop their administrative ability. The Teaching Committees may themselves

‘select groups for the purpose of develop ing them toward Assembly status or select isolated centers to be raised to group status, but the committees should not themselves launch grand teaching schemes; they should rather stimulate, aid, and encourage the Local Spiritual Assemblies in their respective areas to promote and direct such schemes. In order for the year's teaching campaign to succeed, a warm spirit of cooperation must exist between the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the various teaching committees and agencies; we therefore urge these institutions to work together harmoniously and constantly.

As an aid to their consultation in devising teaching projects, Local Spiritual Assembles may well bear in mind the significance of employing a variety of methods. We are happy, therefore, to commend to the serious consideration of the Assemblies the attached list of teaching ideas recommended by the delegates to the last National Convention and by various teaching agencies. All methods will not apply everywhere, and so each Assembly, in deciding whether any of the recommendations can facilitate its teaching project, will want to weigh the circumstances with which it must work.

‘A Plea to Every Believer Although the Assemblies, with the aid of

teaching committees, plan and direct teaching programs, the success of these programs lies inevitably within the power of the individual believers to respond. We wish, therefore, also to direct a plea to every believer, whether youth or adult, to apply the principles of universal participation to his or her own response to these programs. Addressing the believers on the subject of universal participation, The Universal House of Justice in a letter dated September 1964 likened the Bahá’í community to an organic body and explained that, “In addition to teaching, every believer can pray. Every believer can strive to make his ‘own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.’ Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us.” These are the sacred duties to which we ask every faithful believer to devote his energy during these fateful, final days of the Nine Year Plan.

We wish also, in conclusion, to acknowledge with deepest appreciation the warm encouragement of the Continental Counselors in our efforts to formulate a response to the eager ideas expressed at our recent Convention. We heartily welcome their assistance and the assistance of their Auxiliary Boards in the fruition of the objectives now laid before us for the final stretch of the Nine Year Plan. May everyone rally around this challenge to the entire community and make it the basis of all that we endeavor to do at this eleventh hour.

With loving Bahá’í greetings and assurance of our fervent prayers on behalf of all the friends,

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE BAHA’IS or THE UNITED STATES

June 21, 1972

[Page 4]JULY 1912

Recommended Ideas for Teaching

Since in general the youth do not have

sound knowledge of the purpose of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, advise and encourage them to study God Passes By, a history of the Bahá’í Faith written by Shoghi Effendi, and The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, an anthology of Shoghi Effendi’s letters.

Identify new resources of talents among

, the believers which can be drawn upon for furthering the proclamation, expansion and-consolidation of the Faith.

‘Strive to diversify the membership of the community so that all strata of local society are represented. This means developing teaching projects that will reach people in all walks of life.

Encourage the veteran believers to assist with the deepening of new believers who have been brought into the

community by means of new teaching methods. In doing so the Assemblies will remember the assertion of The Universal House of Justice in its letter of February 14, 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly: “We note that the new teaching methods you have developed, in reaching the waiting mas.ses, have substantially influenced the winning of your goals, and we urge the American Bahá’ís, one and all, newly enrolled and believers of long standing, to arise, put their reliance in Bahá’u’lláh and armed with that supreme power, continue unabated their efforts to_reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard won victories. New methods inevitably bring with them criticism and challenges no matter how successful they may ultimately prove to be. The influx of so many new believers is, in itself, a call to the veteran believers to join the ranks of those in this field of service and to give wholeheartedly of their knowledge and experience.”

Conduct a follow-up deepening institute

for members of the community based on the material presented at the National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored “Local Spiritual Assembly Seminar.”

Encourage and promote a program for

parent-child education.

‘Appropriately observe all Bahá’í Holy Days and encourage all community members to seek permission to be excused from work and school.

Ask youth to plan and conduct a 5-10

minute program at each Feast on issues related to improving the quality of Bahá’í life.

Strive to provide an avenue for service

for each community member through a specific and special assignment.

‘Encourage artistically talented members of the community to develop, organize and produce music/drama presenta A tions designed to teach the Faith.

‘Endeavor to establish good relationships between your Assembly and the non-Bahá’í families of Bahá’ís and seekers, particularly the families of youth.

Consider teaching possibilities in local

or national parks.

Miss Melissa Adams Burlingame, California May 26, 1972

Mrs. Gladys Nichols Bodmer Pacific Grove, California May 23, 1972

George Bryant Norfolk, Massachusetts Unknown

John W. Day Durham, North Carolina April 2. 1972

IN MEMORIAM

Walter Edwards Hallandale, Florida Unknown

Miss Jean Hendry Lincoln. Nebraska April 6, 1972

William C. Hudson Pueblo. Colorado May 16, 1972

Mrs. Loretta Lalli Binghamton, New York May 14. 1972

Mrs. Andy Sampson Longstreat, Louisiana Unknown

Mrs. Frances Tyler Northbrook, Illinois May 17, 1972

Andrew Jerome Vidovich Schurz, Nevada April 25, 1972

[Page 5]REVIEW

National Spiritual Assembly Reports Actions 0 Taken on National Convention Recommendations

Following are the recommendations adopted by the delegates at the National Bahá’í Convention, April 21-24, for the

consideration of the National Spiritual‘

Assembly and reports on the actions taken on these recommendations at the May meeting of the Assembly:

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly undertake a nationwide campaign for deepening the Local Spiritual Assemblies through visits of National Spiritual Assembly representatives, devising a variety of approaches because they cannot all be treated the same way.

Action: The Seminars for Local Spiritual Assemblies conducted by members of the National Spiritual Assembly, forty of which have been held during the past several months, were designed for this purpose and will be continued this year to reach areas not included in this first series.

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly ask every Local Spiritual Assembly to assign to every believer in its community some task to perform in some unified effort, and to see that every believer in the community participates. Also to see that every District Teaching Committee has projects which will involve Local Spiritual Assemblies in a combined effort.

Action: This motion reflects the policy of the National Spiritual Assembly and is emphasized in the seminars for Local Spiritual Assemblies conducted by National Spiritual Assembly members.

VOTED: To approve the budget for 19721973 in the amount of $2,500,000 as recommended by the National Spiritual Assembly. The vote included an amendment to the original vote that the proposed allocation to the Continental Fund be increased by $15,000.

Action: Approved by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Regarding Mass Teaching, it was VOTED to recommend to the National Spiritual Assembly that it consider adopting a teaching plan, possibly to be called “Operation Surpass” which would provide for teams of experienced teachers to go across the country from coast to coast, with limited deputization, to help Local Spiritual Assemblies and District Teaching Committees to undertake mass teaching. The vote requested action on this recommendation before the end of the Convention so that the plans, if adopted. could be put into operation by June 1.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly reported to the Convention the following morning that this recommendation is so broad in scope and called for a program so ambitious, that it was impossible for the Assembly to give it the study it required to provide a reply to the Convention in the brief period suggested, but that this matter would be given the highest priority at the May meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly, at which time the whole membership would give this and the other teaching recommendations its full attention.

Editor’s note:

Elsewhere in this issue of THE NATIONAL BAHAi’I' REVIEW is a letter addressed by the National Spiritual Assembly to all Bahá’ís in the United States reflecting’ the results of the consultation of the National Spiritual Assembly on this recommendation. Since it is not feasible for the National Spiritual Assembly itself to launch the ambitious nation-wide scheme proposed by the Convention, Local Spiritual Assemblies and all teaching agencies are being advised to adopt and adapt as many of the recommended ideas as may be possible according to the resources at their command.

As a possible means of reaching that stratum of society that has much idle time, it was VOTED that the National

[Page 6]Spiritual Assembly consider some kind of teaching plan in our National Parks.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly voted to include in its suggestions on teaching to Local Spiritual Assemblies that those Assemblies located near National Parks consider some type of teaching activities in these areas.

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly develop a 12-minute film on how to do mass teaching.

Action: Such a film has already been produced and is ready for distribution.

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly ‘have a cassette recording in time for the Convention reports to carry the spirit of the Convention and inspire the friends.

Action: This was done.

VOTED; That the National Spiritual Assembly reconsider the policy on the distribution of the District Teaching Committees’ news letters, and that the District Teaching Committees evaluate their financial position with a view to possibly sending the newsletter to all the members of their areas.

Action: This recommendation was referredato the National Teaching Committee for consideration in light of its limited budget.

Regardinggossip and backbiting and idle talk, and the apparent lack of understanding that this retards the growth of the Faith, ‘a MOTION was adopted that the National Spiritual Assembly provide in some manner, such as an insert in Bahá’í NEWS, instruction as to how to overcome and deal with the evils of gossip and backbiting, and that this also be a part of the summer school programs.

Action: The friends are reminded that this subject has been dealt with at frequent intervals in THE NATIONAL BAH1(’I' REVIEW and THE AMERICAN Bahá’í‘. If the believers will stop listening to gossipers or backbiters the problem can be resolved.

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly be asked to reaffirm for the United States Bahá’í Community that there is but one single code of conduct

JULY 1972

enshrined within the framework of the Words of God.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves the spirit of this motion and reminds the believers that the Writings of the Central Figures of the Faith lay great stress on this matter.

MOTION was made that the National Spiritual Assembly be requested to form a task force or committee of concerned persons to explore the potential in utilizing information from the behavioral sciences in conjunction with the viewpoints provided by the Bahá’í Writings for production of deepening materials and programs for personal spiritual growth or transformation and for the development of community life factors favoring personal growth. Although this motion‘ was carried by the delegates the National Spiritual Assembly does not understand what is actually being called for. It wishes to point out, however, that deepening materials and programs aimed at improving the quality of Bahá’í life are being produced and emphasized in all aspects of teaching and deepening activities.

VOTED: That the National Spiritual Assembly be asked to produce a film with Indians and with many of the-important subjects in the Writings on In ~dians.

Action: This has been referred to the Publishing Committee for consideration.

ABOUT INKS

Recently the‘ Department of the Secretariat of The Universal House of Justice wrote the National "Spiritual Assemblies the following note, which is published for the benefit of all concerned:

“We have noted that blue and purple inks do not reproduce as well on Xerox copies as inks of other colors. This is par.ticularly true of ball point pens and hectograph and spirit duplicating print. As we make extensive use of Xerox copies in our office procedure at the World Center, it is

suggested that wherever possible those writing to us use black ink, carbons and typewriter ribbons.”

[Page 7]REVIEW

Bahá’í's of Bermuda lnvife You:

To a special Deepening/Teaching Conference which is being planned for the Thanksgiving weekend in Bermuda.

Bermuda has recently completed its Nine Year Plan goals and invites all believers to join in a celebration of this victory and an opportunity to study and deepen on this lovely. island on:

November 23-26, 1972

A special travel package has been arranged, including round trip air fare, hotel accommodations (3 nights), ground transfers from airport to and from hotel and all departure taxes. Prices are as follows:

Philadelphia $190.00 Baltimore $190.00

New York 175.00 Boston 175.00 Chicago 245.00 Detroit 230.00 Cleveland . 235.00

(Reduction for children under 12 years)

Those who plan to attend should send in the following information: Name, address, (including zip code), number of adults and children in party, point of departure. Write by August 31, enclosing

deposit of $50.00 (the full payment will be v

due by October 30, 1972) and mail to:

Maple Leaf Enterprises York Street, St. George, Bermuda.

To All Believers:

We would like to share with you the following excerpt of a letter sent by a local Spiritual Assembly Treasurer to the members of her community:

“Since we live in a material world we use material means to spread the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to an ailing world. Only Bahá’ís are given the obligation and privilege of contributing to the Fund, and when we don’t, it isn’t a salary that is cut or a savings account that suffers because of lack of funds, but someone who wants to hear the message of the Promised One who suffers . . . a teaching project has to be abandoned or printing of the Prayer Bookin another language has to be postponed.”

We are missing opportunities duelto a lack of funds as implied by this letter. We were very pleased to learn of this Treasurer’s initiative in writing this letter to her community and enjoyed receiving a copy so that we could share it with the friends around the country. ’

With loving 'Bahá’í greetings, —National Spiritual Assembly

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer

CALENDAR

Feasts J'uly 13—Kalimét (Words) August 1—Kamél (Perfection) Bahá’í' Holy Day on Which Work Should Be Suspended July 9 — Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb (Observed about noon) Special Events Day: September 17 '—World Peace Day. Suggested topic: “World Peace—the First Priority.” National Assembly Meetings August 4-6 See Summer School Schedule in April issue, NATIONAL BAHA'I’ REVIEW and May issue of THE AMERICAN Bahá’í'. Conferences and Special Gatherings September 2-4, Labor Day weekend,

Wind River Reservation Council Fire Proclamation. Sponsors, , District Teaching Committee of Wyoming, P.O. Box 2254, Cheyenne "WY 82001

September 8-10, Regional Conference, Trenton, N.J., Trenton Memorial Auditorium. Topic: “Reaching All Strata of Society.”

October 6-8, Institute, Green Lake, Wisconsin

October 27-29—Conference sponsored by Continental Counsellors (Place to be announced later) Dedication of Lous G. Gregory Institute, Hemingway, S.C. (To be held during this weekend, exact time to be announced later)

November 23-26, Thanksgiving weekend in Bermuda, Deepening/Teaching (See details elsewhere in this issue)

[Page 8]JULY 1972

, National Bahá’í Fund 1:: a V ' ‘A Total Youth and Adult Contributions

UNFILLED GOALS June‘ 23, 1972 "°°’°°° ” The Ame1'lC3S $150,000 - 1972-1973 (S) Uruguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 r—MomhIv Goal (S) Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .‘3 $100,000 _ Africa (F) Afars & Issas (Fr. Terr.) 1 $50,000 _ (F) Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(F)Dahomey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..1 ‘_~‘:_‘_fi:m__E__:_=_‘Ww;

»(F)Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2

(E) Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 “ “ “ 3 C’

(E) St. Helena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(E) Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(F) Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 Europe (P) Azores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 Nut Fiscal Year "‘Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L . 3 mmgh“ 4 Date

Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 INCOME _ ,

(P) Madeira .................... .. 1 f-.‘§§é‘§f8§St‘fl§’Sfit§’:§ :::::::* ‘$33133 *"’i§:§§3:§3 Netherlands , , _ _ , _ , _ , , , , , _ , _ _ __ 1 Total Contributions . . . . . . ..$1o4,53o.25 $242,873.38 (P) Portugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 g:tt1:;:esIn.c.°.n.n.e..l......::.:.::.: 35.15 léggg Australasia Total Income . . . . . . . ..slo4,s52.4o s244:248.61

Western Samoa _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . ..$l32,000.00 $396,000.00

Asia I Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Contributions may be addressed to‘.

Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 National Bahá’í Fund

“Kazakhstan (CP) . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 112 Linden Avenue

Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Wilmette’ 111. 50091

(P) Portuguese Timor . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

“Ukraine (CP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

KEY:

”(CP)_—ClI‘C_11mSt3nCe5 Permlttlng _ neers can give, the Cause may lose the" ‘Special . C1rcumstances—Check with: advantage of the great present momenlntefnotloflfil Goals Committee tum gained from recent travel teaching

_ _ pro'ects to the area. (E)—-English-speaking Th] U _ _ _ (F-)_French . e mted States has three remaining (P)—Portuguese pioneer posts to fill in these French is(S)_SpaniSh lands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Isles de

Salntes, and area. The posts would unPIONEERS NEEDED doubtedly require pioneers who are selfsustainmg or receiving deputization. The National Spiritual Assembly of the

Leeward and Virgin Islands has an Interested friends may contact:

urgent need for Frenchhsipeaking pic" International Goals Committee

neers, particularly a family, who can ,

locate in Guadeloupe. A special search 11? Lmden Avenue

is being made for these pioneers because, Wilmette, Illinois 60091

without the continuity which only pio- Phone—(312) 256-4400