The American Bahá’í/Volume 10/Issue 3/Text
| ←Previous | The American Bahá’í March, 1979 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
[Page 1]
The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem (fourth from right) meets with Bahá’ís and leaders of the American Indian community at a public meeting last October 25 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City. To Mr. Khadem’s right are Potawatomie medicine man Donald Perrote Jr. and his wife, Dianne, who later declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. At the left is Francis Merle Des Isles, chairman of the Native American Relations Committee of the Bahá’ís of New York City; second from the right is Sioux elder Wallace Black Elk, one of the featured speakers at the meeting. (Story on Page 6)
|
Írán Prompts Message Dear Bahá’í Friends, From reports in the news media you have no doubt learned of the disturbances in Írán. The followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh have in the land of its birth once again been subjected to severe persecution and active repression. The National Spiritual Assembly compiled during the month of October 1978 a list of 93 cases dealing with personal injuries inflicted upon individual believers and of damages to houses, shops, crops and livestock, as well as to local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. During the month of December organized mobs attacked Bahá’ís and their properties in Shíráz and its environs. As a result of these attacks over 300 homes were either burned or destroyed, and some 200 looted. In these events 15 believers were beaten and wounded, and two were killed. Fortunately the intention of the attackers to destroy the Holy House of the Báb was not carried out, but the spirit of aggressive animosity towards the Bahá’ís spread to several centres throughout the province of Fars, including the town of Marvdasht, where 31 Bahá’í homes were looted and the imposing structure of the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds reared by the community was razed to the ground. Following these events, the wave of persecution spread to the north of the country. In several towns and villages of Adhirbáyján, and particularly in Miyán-du-Áb, the onslaught was severe. In the latter town the first target was the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, which was totally destroyed, and this was followed by the burning or looting of 80 homes and the brutal murder of two believers, a father and his son, whose bodies were then dragged through the streets, cut in pieces and consigned to the flames. The organized and violent assaults on Bahá’í lives and properties have emboldened and incited hooligans all over the country, and the oppressed Bahá’ís are constantly under threat of mass aggression and assault. These acts of hostility against the Bahá’ís have so far cost four lives, millions of dollars in loss of property, and the displacement of some 700 individuals who have become homeless. The spirit of the Bahá’ís, however, is very high, and acts of heroism and magnanimity have been reported, which historians will record for posterity. The National Spiritual Assembly of Írán has instituted a special fund for the relief of the needy and suffering from among the believers in that country. The House of Justice has already contributed a sum of $135,000 to this fund, and it calls upon all friends in every land to offer of their substance, at this hour of need, to help their tormented brethren in the Cradle of the Faith. All contributions should be preferably sent to the Universal House of Justice, which will ensure that the contributions are transmitted safely to the National Spiritual Assembly of Írán. The House of Justice further calls on the friends the world over to join it in fervent prayers for the protection of the Faith and the Holy Places and for the relief and deliverance of the beloved and steadfast friends in Írán. It particularly invites the friends to pray daily during the period of the Fast, supplicating Bahá’u’lláh that the distressing plight of the Persian Community may be mitigated and that their sorrows and deprivations may be transmuted into comfort and joy through His grace and bounty. With loving Bahá’í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice January 12, 1979 |
‘Satellite Conferences’ Scheduled in Six Cities[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly has directed that six special “satellite conferences” be held Sunday, May 27, to “capture the spirit and essence of the National Convention and acquaint the friends with specifics of the first two-year phase of the new Seven Year Plan.”
Conferences are scheduled to be held in:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Dallas, Texas
- Denver, Colorado
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Portland, Oregon
- San Diego, California
“The National Assembly decided to hold the satellite conferences,” said Mrs. Eileen Norman, assistant to the Secretary for planning and coordination, “in response to the Universal House of Justice’s message of December 26, which, in addition to announcing that a new Seven Year Plan would begin at Riḍván, requested that as many Bahá’ís as possible attend the National Convention.”
IT WAS impossible at that late date to engage a facility in the Chicago area large enough to accommodate the number of believers that could be expected to attend. So it was decided to hold satellite conferences where everyone would at least have a chance to participate in the spirit of the National Convention. These will serve not only as a celebration of the successful conclusion of the Five Year
|
On the Inside NEW WAVE of teaching engulfs Southern Arizona area. Page 2 BALANCING this year’s budget presents a real challenge to the U.S. Bahá’í community. Page 3 THIRD ANNUAL Persian Conference draws 2,000 believers in Los Angeles. Page 4 FOUR U.S. BELIEVERS report teaching successes on South Pacific tour. Page 5 SIXTEEN BAHÁ’Í youth participate in the National Youth Committee’s Work/Study Project at the National Center. Page 8 LOS ANGELES County Bahá’í communities present 10th annual Human Rights Awards. Page 9 CONSOLIDATION of new Assemblies is an integral part of teaching plans in the southern United States. Page 9 NEW YORK AREA proclamation efforts attract Native Americans to Faith. Page 10 SAVING JEOPARDIZED assemblies is a big part of Five Year Plan objectives. Page 11 |
Franklin Kahn at U.S. Prayer Breakfast
On Thursday, January 18, National Spiritual Assembly member Franklin Kahn and his wife, Mary Jane, were among the special guests invited to participate in the 27th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
Some 3,000 persons of various religious backgrounds including President Jimmy Carter attended the breakfast, which was initiated by members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to pray for peace and justice throughout the world, and to influence men and women of every nation, race and religion “to recognize their privileges and responsibilities under God.”
MR. KAHN’S appearance at the prayer breakfast marks the first time a member of the Bahá’í Faith has been invited to participate, and is indicative of the growing stature of the Faith in this country and around the world.
The following morning, Mr. Kahn addressed participants at a Native American Council breakfast, also in Washington, chanting a Navajo prayer and speaking about the spiritual destiny of the American Indian.
“There were perhaps 45 or so people at the second breakfast,” said Mr. Kahn, “all of them Native American religious leaders. They came from almost every state, and represented many of the tribes in North America.
“I talked about what we as Native Americans must do to change humanity, and I referred to the Bahá’í Writings. It set the tone for the meeting, and created some very good feelings.”
LATER, participants at that breakfast met with those who had attended
Franklin Kahn, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and his wife, Mary Jane, pause in front of the U.S. Capitol building before attending the 27th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., in January.
|
Editorial Individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies are writing to the National Spiritual Assembly about what they perceive to be an undue emphasis on winning the numerical goals of the Five Year Plan at the expense of the qualitative goals. They bemoan what they perceive to be an irrational and frenzied drive to teach that borders on proselytizing and a lack of attention to improving the quality of our inner life. Questions have also been raised about the validity of the “street teaching” approach. A cardinal principle of the development of the Faith is that expansion and consolidation must go hand in hand. Striking the proper balance is our constant challenge. Moreover, Bahá’u’lláh’s counsel, “The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing,” applies to any method of teaching. IT MUST BE remembered that there are many ways of teaching and that different segments of society are more receptive to certain methods than others. But the basis of all our teaching is the teaching of the individual believer. Just as the regular contributions of the individual are the bedrock of the Fund, so the daily teaching efforts of the individual are the foundation of our entire program of expansion and consolidation. All other opportunities should be exploited as special blessings. Thus, if the masses in any given place are seen to be ready to enter the Faith, means must be adopted to take full advantage of that opportunity. Under such circumstances, the institutions will devise plans that the believers will enthusiastically support. It becomes clear, then, that flexibility is a valuable characteristic of our teaching work. The last year of the Five Year Plan holds an important lesson for us. Those concerned about the teaching that has occurred should take stock of their own role in teaching the Faith and resolve to begin the next Plan by following the “Each One Teach One” approach. If each Bahá’í teaches his family, friends and acquaintances, the Faith will expand steadily and systematically. We will reach all strata naturally; doctors will teach doctors, students will teach students, housewives will teach housewives, farmers will teach farmers. Consolidation will occur naturally as well. If we all do our part, there will be no need to win any Plan breathlessly. |
The Bahá’í community of Boise, Idaho, sponsored this attractive booth last September at the Western Idaho State Fair.
Southern Arizona Campaign Brings Confirmations[edit]
To the geographer, southern Arizona is a land of vast distances and few people. To the Bahá’í community in that area, it loomed a few short months ago even larger and less populated than the statistics show.
At the time of last October’s District Convention, southern Arizona had only six Local Assemblies and one community of more than 20 believers. Some individuals expressed the thought that the District’s goal of adding five more Assemblies and opening six more localities by Riḍván 1979 might be impossible.
BUT THANKS in part to a teaching method suggested by Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, a Continental Counsellor in Central America, and brought to southern Arizona by one of the friends who attended an October teaching conference in Atlanta at which Dr. Aḥmadíyyih demonstrated the method, the hopeless feeling experienced by many at the District Convention soon was dispelled.
In November, southern Arizona witnessed an upsurge in enrollments with more than 150 cards forwarded to the National Center for processing. During that same period eight new Assemblies were formed and eight localities opened to the Faith.
On three occasions, a locality was opened and its Local Assembly formed within the week that the southern Arizona teaching team centered its efforts there.
The teaching method first was tried for one two-hour period in South Tucson where one adult was enrolled. On October 21, several teams of two Bahá’ís each used the method and new teaching booklet in Douglas and enrolled two persons. Shortly thereafter, Douglas was able to form its first Assembly.
ON THE weekend of November 4-5, Vahid Hedayati of Wichita Falls, Texas, conducted a teacher training institute at Patagonia that emphasized use of the teaching method suggested by Dr. Aḥmadíyyih.
As a result of the institute, five believers in southern Arizona formed a full-time teaching team to travel throughout the area helping to form Assemblies and open localities to the Faith.
Within a week after the institute was held, Local Assemblies were formed in Patagonia and nearby Nogales.
Patagonia has a population of only 900, and before the institute its Bahá’í community consisted of two adults and one youth.
Nogales, the target of large-scale teaching efforts 10 years ago, listed more than 20 Bahá’ís on its rolls, but most were mail returns.
AS A RESULT of new enrollments and contact with previously enrolled Bahá’ís who reaffirmed their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, Nogales now has a confirmed membership of 23.
To facilitate administration of the teaching project, the Southern Arizona District Teaching Committee appointed one of its members as a liaison between the teaching team, the Teaching Committee, and the friends in southern Arizona. His duties, supervised by the committee, include planning itineraries, scheduling, arranging housing accommodations, and handling finances.
As 1978 drew to a close, the teaching team’s victories continued: Pinal County, Casa Grande, Wellton (northern Arizona), Benson, Tombstone, and Stafford all formed Assemblies. None of these communities had previously had more than three adult believers. Willcox, Bowie, Thatcher, Naco and Santa Cruz County were opened by the team.
In two months, the Five Year Plan goals were won. The new goal: Don’t look back. The teaching team is now being made available to any community seeking assistance to help save its Assembly or increase its numbers.
NUMBERS tell only a part of the story. Its effect on the friends is summed up by Ron Herschel, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board: “This effort has been the light of this area. It has transformed individuals through its successes and the purity of its motives.”
While Divine guidance is the underlying reason for its success, certain tangible factors also have contributed to the teaching campaign’s victories.
The teachers are looking for Bahá’ís who haven’t yet heard of Bahá’u’lláh, those “waiting souls” who recognize instantly the significance of the Message they have been given.
“There’s nothing exotic or special about this method,” says Mr. Herschel. “The teacher has a sincere desire to reach the soul of the hearer. He communicates on a heart-to-heart level. The purity of the teacher’s intent is absolutely essential.”
The sacrifices made by teaching team members are significant. They have taken time from jobs and families, or postponed their education to commit themselves to teaching fulltime at least until Riḍván.
As of the end of 1978, institutions and individuals had contributed more than $1,600 to help finance the teaching effort. Perhaps the greatest victory of all has been the spirit of unity and purpose among the believers created by sharing in this effort.
Members of the full-time teaching team that has formed the nucleus of southern Arizona’s successful campaign are (front row left to right) Moro Baruk, Paula Baruk, and (back row left to right) Herb Gilbert, LaRue Keys, Bob Ravellette.
| 2 Year Youth Program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balancing U.S. Budget Is a Weighty Task[edit]
Many of the numerical goals of the Five Year Plan have now been won. The American Bahá’í community has worked hard during the past year to end the Five Year Plan in victory. Owing to the flurry of teaching activity that we have witnessed, it has also been an expensive year.
The annual contributions goal was set for $3,600,000 this year. At this point, it looks as though we will receive $3,000,000 in contributions this year—about $600,000 short of the goal. With little more than one month left in the Plan, we face the awesome task of ending the year with a balanced budget.
AT THE LAST National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly received the support of the delegates to spare no expense in the thrust to win the goals of the Five Year Plan. Therefore, our expenses are currently exceeding our contributions income by about $700,000.
Many people have asked how these expenses will be paid. Stephen Jackson, assistant to the Treasurer, explained that, while most of our money comes from the regular contributions of individuals, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups, contributions also come through estate bequests (from wills) and large, special gifts.
Mr. Jackson said, “Money from estates is not usually used like the regular contributions. Such income is used by the National Spiritual Assembly for capital expansion. This capital provides the financial base for such things as the purchase of the new administrative office building, the archives building, and further expansion of our permanent Bahá’í schools.
“The National Spiritual Assembly does not like to use estate money to pay for regular expenses—it’s a little like using one’s savings to buy the groceries. If we do end the year with a Fund contributions deficit, we will be obliged to use our savings (estate income) to cover our expenses.”
Over the last few years, the American community has provided extra support when the Fund was in need. Great outpourings of contributions frequently come in during the last few weeks of the Bahá’í year, just at the time when the situation appears hopeless.
The National Spiritual Assembly is encouraging individuals, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups to consider the needs of the National Fund, to consult together, and to determine ways in which they can provide the extra support necessary to end the year with a balanced budget. It is a big challenge, but we can call to mind the assurances of the Universal House of Justice (Messages From the Universal House of Justice, 1968-73, pp. 59–60):
“The real answer lies...in the universal participation of every believer... The backbone of the Fund must be the regular contributions of every believer. Even though such contributions may be small... large numbers of small sums combine into a mighty river that can carry along the work of the Cause. Moreover, the unity of the friends in sacrifice draws upon them the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty.”
National Bahá’í Fund
Contributions
Two-Member Group Realizes Treasurer’s Value[edit]
Dear Friends:
My wife and I recently moved from a large Bahá’í community to a new locality. All of a sudden, we were the only two members of the Bahá’í Group! We did the best we could, but we soon fell into the trap faced by “inexperienced” Bahá’ís.
|
The Fund is the Life-Blood of the Faith 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 |
When the Treasurer’s Office asked for our budget, we simply multiplied our regular monthly contribution by 19. Since we were the “Group,” we saw no need in having an accounting system or checking account. However, we soon began to encounter some problems.
As we started holding teaching events, our expenses increased. We had to pay for room rentals, refreshments, and literature. We quickly lost track of how much we had spent and what we spent it on. When a third person moved in, our entire system fell on its face.
THANKS TO the wisdom of Bahá’u’lláh, the man who moved in was the National Treasurer’s Representative (NTR) for this area. I attended one of his Treasurer’s Workshops; our Bahá’í Fund has really changed!
Although it first sounded silly for a group of three to keep a “cash journal,” it has helped us immeasurably. We now know the needs of the Fund, we know where the money is going, and we know what we are lacking. Our budget is no longer a shot in the dark!
With the help of our NTR, I have become a Bahá’í Treasurer. I have a new respect and love for the Fund and I actually look forward to balancing the books every month! For this newly discovered responsibility and honor, I thank him, and I thank the Treasurer’s Office for giving him to us.
Lower Brule, South Dakota
Dear Friends:
I’d like to share an experience regarding the Fund which shows it is almost impossible to sacrifice for the Faith!
We became Bahá’ís about 20 years ago. For the first 10 years, our contributions to the Fund were necessarily sporadic owing to our financial straits.
When the Assembly here was formed, we became far more consistent in our contributions, although it was sometimes difficult to see how anything could be spared.
Over the last few years, things have improved. We are now contributing 35 times the amount of our original contributions and our incomes have more than tripled.
I cannot help but believe that our commitment to give on a regular basis, regardless of the difficulties we faced, has been the cause of our upturn in fortune.
This is a difficult concept. It doesn’t mean that giving sacrificially to the Fund should be done for reward. The rewards seem to come unbidden, and there is always enough to contribute and meet the bills, too.
Canon City, Colorado
|
‘All, No Matter How Modest Their Resources, Must Contribute’ |
3rd Persian Conference Draws 2,000 Believers[edit]
EXTEND LOVING GREETINGS BELOVED FRIENDS FROM CRADLE FAITH GATHERED TO REDEDICATE THEMSELVES PATH LOVE BLESSED BEAUTY. ASSURE PARTICIPANTS ARDENTLY SUPPLICATING BAHÁ’U’LLÁH GRANT THEM STRENGTH REDOUBLE EFFORTS PROMOTE HIS CAUSE COMPENSATE DEPRIVATION THEIR BRETHREN NOW HAMPERED IN THEIR MANIFOLD SERVICES BELOVED FAITH.
The third annual Conference of Persian Bahá’ís in the United States, held December 22-25 in Los Angeles, was attended by more than 1,700 adult believers, including the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem, and 300 children, making it the largest such conference ever held in this country.
At the conference, 21 believers volunteered to go pioneering, while a large number of individuals offered their services as traveling teachers.
CONFERENCE participants donated approximately $47,000 in U.S. and foreign currency to the Fund, and pledged to contribute another $51,000. Many personal effects, such as jewelry, were sold and the proceeds given to the Fund.
Speakers at the conference, in addition to Mr. Khadem, included Dr. Iraj Ayman, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Western Asia; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, the representative of the National Spiritual Assembly; Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, a member of the International Goals Committee; Kazem Kazemzadeh, trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh in the U.S.; Auxiliary Board member Dr. Jalil Mahmoudi; Dr. Rezvan Mohragi; Dr. Farhang Holakouee; Vahid Ra’fati; and Dr. Amin Banani.
The friends at the conference had the rare privilege of seeing a print of what may be the only motion picture ever made of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and of listening with great reverence to a recording of the Master chanting prayers.
“The conference went a long way toward achieving its goals,” said Dr. Homa Mahmoudi-Snibbe, a member of the conference planning committee. “Those goals were, first, to help the Persian friends become better integrated into the U.S. Bahá’í community, and, second, to remind them of the great importance of winning the goals of the Five Year Plan as quickly as possible.
“THE GATHERING also helped calm the fears and misgivings of the friends over the recent distressing news from their homeland.”
The children’s program at the conference was attended by 95 children between the ages of 3 and 11 years. It was staffed by 11 adults—two National Education Committee consultants, two professional teachers, two full-time volunteers, and five parents who donated their services on a part-time basis.
The following cablegram was sent on behalf of the conference to the Universal House of Justice:
THIRD CONFERENCE PERSIAN BAHÁ’ÍS AMERICA CONVENED LOS ANGELES DECEMBER 22-25 PRESENCE HAND CAUSE ZIKRULLAH KHADEM REPRESENTATIVES NSA OVER 2,000 DEVOTED FRIENDS ABUNDANTLY GRATEFUL DEEPLY MOVED YOUR MESSAGE ASSURANCE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES SAFETY OUR BRETHREN IN ÍRÁN STOP REDEDICATE RESOLVE RESOURCES RELIEF WRONGED ONES AID TEACHING EXPANSION OUR BELOVED FAITH THROUGHOUT GLOBE COMPENSATE PRIVATIONS GLADDEN HEARTS SUFFERERS HOMELAND.
Dr. Fírúz Kazemzadeh, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, addresses the third annual Persian Conference in Los Angeles.
Broomfield Assembly Sets Conference[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of Broomfield, Colorado, is sponsoring a conference May 5-6, 1979, to explore issues and problems facing Bahá’ís in the areas of marriage and premarital relationships.
The theme of the conference is “Building a Fortress for Well-Being.” Participants will include Auxiliary Board member Jalil Mahmoudi; Peter Haug, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board; Mrs. Jolie Haug, a member of the National Teaching Committee; and psychologist George Larimer.
Material concerning Bahá’í marriage and family life will be covered in depth. The conference is restricted to Bahá’ís and those seekers who present a letter of recommendation from an institution of the Faith.
As facilities for children cannot be provided, it is requested that children not be brought to the conference.
The Spiritual Assembly of Broomfield asks that those who wish to attend pre-register at the earliest possible time.
For information, please contact Doug Hartman, 3155 West 134th Avenue, Broomfield, CO 80020, or phone 303-466-7092.
Trust Offers ‘House of Worship’ Print[edit]
An exquisite new art print of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette is now available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. The artist, Harlan Scheffler, used a technique called scratchboard engraving to create the original drawing. The print is priced at $30 NET (Catalog No. 6-47-20).
Scratchboard is a method of engraving that evolved from the more familiar wood and linoleum techniques. Since scratchboard is softer than wood or linoleum and easier to control, scratchboard engravings are apt to be more refined in detail.
The scratchboard consists of fine-grained chalk that has been mixed with a bonding agent, rolled as a paste onto a cardboard backing, and heat dried. Scratchboard is made in England and is used more extensively in Europe than in the United States.
WHEN MR. Scheffler started his engraving of the House of Worship, he brushed India ink on the surface of a scratchboard and then cut into the surface with a sharp tool, producing a white line. Thousands of white lines placed in proper relationship resulted in the finished drawing.
This beautiful black-and-white print, reproduced by offset lithography on highest quality art paper, can help establish a Bahá’í atmosphere in homes, offices, Bahá’í Centers, and permanent Bahá’í schools. The print makes an excellent gift.
Each print is individually signed by the artist and is suitable for framing. The actual size of the print is 14 7/8 × 18½ inches, but the 19 × 25-inch sheet provides a wide border for custom framing.
Mr. Scheffler, a native of Evanston, Illinois, watched the construction of the House of Worship in the early days. His parents were Bahá’ís, and his father visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká, having traveled there with Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í. A commercial artist for a number of years, Mr. Scheffler currently engraves and prints “Americana Prints” at his studio in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
The Bahá’í House of Worship scratchboard engraving can be ordered through Bahá’í librarians. Isolated Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís in communities with no librarian may order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
|
VANGUARD Youth News |
4 U.S. Believers Report From S. Pacific[edit]
As you read this article, four believers, one an International Goals Committee member, are traveling in Papua New Guinea, spreading the Word of Bahá’u’lláh. On December 22, June Ritter, Mark Sisson, James Isham, and Darral Pugh left the United States for a four-month teaching trip to Fiji, New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
The team arrived in Nandi, Fiji Islands, last December 24. They were met by Timothy Serebi, who served as their companion while on the islands. A letter, dated January 4, 1979, gives the following information about their initial experiences while on the project:
“SINCE IT’S the summer holidays here, many Bahá’ís were free to travel with us except for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays when towns closed down and people went back to their villages. During this period we stayed in Sigatoka at the Bahá’í Center, which sits rather conspicuously on a hill overlooking the river that divides the town.
“Mahindra, who had traveled from Suva to assist the team, watched over us during this period. He taught us by example: how to sleep on mats, cook in over-sized pots, clean up Fiji-style, bathe in showers down the hill in two buckets, shop for food, and share our home with insects.
“Our first free day we visited the Bahá’ís on the eastern side of the river. The Indian friends are very gracious, even though they have very little. Generally the entire family are Bahá’ís, including the grandparents. Some have western chairs, etc., but most have lou akau—grass matting—which is spread in a shaded area in the yard or in the one-room house.
“We remove our shoes and collect ourselves on the mat in some sort of composed bundle so that others have space to sit and share a cup of tea, a cool drink, or grog (kava). This is all there is to offer guests, so we are obliged to drink at least one cup.
“ON DECEMBER 25 we went to Vaisasa Bunda Point, where the first Africans landed, and were introduced to ‘servu servu,’ the official ritual for greeting and accepting people into the village. After servu servu, you can spend the night or share meals with villagers.
“From Sigatoka to Suva by car was an experience. Most of the highway was not paved—it was pot-holed. The better sections were like a washboard that undulated and twisted during the drive. Some of the curves put hairpin curves to shame. We made it to the Suva Center where we spent the night with 10 zillion mosquitoes.
“The Summer School was different: not many people, not very intense, but you could sense a lot of energy. The team members taught classes, and they loved it.
“We have divided up in teaching teams to visit three villages. The first step is to visit the chief and do servu servu. The second step is to show the ‘Green Light Expedition.’ The third step is music and talk about the Faith and declarations. After two days we have 14 new believers for certain.
“THE PEOPLE here take lots of showers—at least once or twice per day. Many will offer to let you use their showers—a gesture of hospitality, not an insinuation that you are dirty.
“Aliti and Laku, a Bahá’í from Sigatoka and a near-Bahá’í friend, have joined the team since summer school. Laku has declared by now, I’m sure. They are teaching us songs in Fijian plus all sorts of phrases (banknocka vakalevu—thank you.)”
From the Fiji Islands, the teaching team traveled to the New Hebrides Islands. Correspondence from here includes the following details:
“We returned on Friday evening to Vila from Norsup where we did a public meeting without Mark, as he was ill. National Spiritual Assembly member George Carlo took his place. At the public meeting about 20 adult seekers came, and hordes of children peered through the windows.
“PEOPLE HERE are very shy and prefer to listen from the shadows. Therefore, to be in a well-lighted hall means fewer people will join you. A lantern in the middle of the floor or hung from the ceiling seems to produce the proper amount of light.
“We also visited a youth center. We invited many people to the fireside that evening. There were easily 80-90 people in attendance, including local church people. The local Bahá’ís were very pleased with the entire evening.
“We walked to the market to see and be seen. It is one of the meeting centers where news is collected and dispersed. We all went to different people, inviting them to the public meeting at noon, and meeting their friends and family.
“ONE MUST shake hands all around. We learned that it is bad manners to ask someone his name. You should ask someone else the name of the person in whom you are interested.
“We rode around a bit, saying hello, before actually returning home to collect the meeting equipment and set up mats and plastic sheets to accommodate the expected crowd. The plastic covered the wet places, and straw mats were placed in some of the dry areas.
“After the dry cell battery was hooked up with mikes, Mark and Darral began to drum (they bought drums in Fiji), letting people know that the meeting had begun.
“The crowd was good—about 30 or so people. Everyone loves the drums, and Darral’s dancing gets the greatest overt response.
“Bisun (an Indian man) and I (June) visited one woman who came to the public meeting and evidenced that she not only understood but also agreed with everything said, especially equality of men and women.”
ANOTHER team member wrote about specific events in Norsup, New Hebrides: “We arrived on January 10 and were placed in the loving and competent hands of Brent Deamer who was our guide while we were there. We were taken around the village to meet the Bahá’ís. There were a large number of Bahá’ís, and many people were very aware of its existence there.
“The highlights were: 1) our arrival in a small village totally without Bahá’ís. The villagers were very warm and hospitable; 2) our teaching activity in a small but beautiful British base where one native New Hebridean declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Our confidence as a group is building.
“I trust in God that our future activities will be great.”
The most recent letter includes the following comments: “The four of us opened the First National Youth Conference in New Hebrides. Mark will stay for the conference while the rest of us go to Tanna. The National Spiritual Assembly requested the presence of one team member.
“At the moment, the youth, young and old, are having a disco dance at the Bahá’í Center here.”
Watch the next issue of The American Bahá’í for the further adventures of these young ambassadors of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
Committee Profiles Exemplary Youth[edit]
(EDITOR’S NOTE: With this issue the National Youth Committee begins a new feature. Each month, exemplary youth or youth groups in the U.S. will be spotlighted. If you know of a person or group (perhaps yourself!) who would be appropriate for this column, please send a photo and information to the National Youth Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please include the name, age, address, and phone number of the person or persons concerned.)
RIAZ SHAHROKH
My name is Riaz Shahrokh. I’m 17 years old and live in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. My family consists of a Persian father, an American mother, a 13-year-old sister, Lorraine, an older sister, Roya, who is in college, and my grandmother, Katayon Shahrokh. I am a fourth generation Bahá’í (on my father’s side).
My parents did not push me toward the Faith, but simply showed me its importance. At 15 I declared my belief. Then at 16 I began to realize my duty to God and Bahá’u’lláh. I became aware of the closeness of God to all of us.
I HAVEN’T made school the most important thing in my life, but I have done well. My grades average to a B-plus. I plan to enter the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee or the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and study architecture or its related fields.
As far as school achievements, I have three awards for scholastic excellence in grades 7, 8 and 9; membership in the National Honor Society; two medals for physical fitness in high school, and an art award from junior high. I enjoy classes, especially when the teacher makes them interesting.
I am a cartoonist and humor writer for the school newspaper, am on the yearbook staff, am a member of the photography club, and do some things for the school’s literary magazine.
My other interests include reading Bahá’í books, racquetball, drawing, piano and mandolin.
I’VE HAD to be independent concerning the activities my friends and peers engage in, such as smoking pot and drinking alcoholic beverages. Being independent and “different” from others has many benefits; it can help one to “find himself” and not run mindlessly with a crowd.
Last summer I did some street teaching in another town, but haven’t done as much as I would like. I enjoy telling others about the Faith when the opportunity arises.
This fall I spent many hours constructing a Greatest Name banner out of fabric for the stage at the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference. The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears liked the banner, so I gave it to him.
I have participated in two youth work/study projects at the National Center, and have enjoyed them immensely. Any Bahá’í gathering is great, because one can feel the spiritual unity and make many good friends.
Youth Efforts Recognized[edit]
In response to the National Spiritual Assembly’s message of March 21, 1977, to Bahá’í youth, and the National Youth Committee’s and the International Goals Committee’s persistent efforts to win the goals of the Five Year Plan and the Two Year Youth Program, we are proud to list the following youth who have sacrificed the diversions of the day to serve God’s Cause.
International Pioneers: Linda Allen, Seychelles; Robert Allen, Seychelles; Nuri Creager, Benin; Christina Creager, Benin; Ramon Creager, Benin; Timothy Edwards, Lesotho; Dawn Jensen, Transkei (South Africa); Julie Lineberger, Colombia.
Chela Lucas, Costa Rica; Peter Newton, Ecuador; David Nicol, Mexico; Marcella Nicol, Mexico; Jack Jacobs, Mexico; Karen Heintz, Mexico; Destiny Pearson, Mexico; Loretta Rogers, Mexico; Cindy Leonard, Peru; Kristine Leonard, Peru.
Andrea Roth, Venezuela; Neda Michalchik, Thailand; Kevin Brown, Guam (Mariana Islands); Laura Randolph, Mexico; Karen Fitzpatrick, Transkei; Marc Wentzel, Thailand.
Homefront Pioneers: Teresa Chancellor, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Darrin Goucher, Weatherford, Oklahoma; Sadegh Hakiman, Madisonville, Tennessee; Soheila Nekveey, Narrows, Virginia; Akbar Piraneh, Trinidad, California; Millie Relph, Decatur, Georgia.
Sally Seale, Decatur, Georgia; James Qualls, St. Martinsville, Louisiana; Roy Qualls, St. Martinsville, Louisiana; Russell Weaver, Arlington, Washington; Linda Bonanno, Shirley, West Virginia; Gloria Allen, Monongalia County, West Virginia.
Locality Goal Remains Big Five Year Plan Target[edit]
Specific goals for each District in the U.S. were assigned by the National Teaching Committee in April 1978 for the final year of the Five Year Plan.
Exciting teaching projects held in many parts of the country moved the American Bahá’í community ever closer toward winning the goal of establishing 1,400 Local Spiritual Assemblies until, at sunset November 26 (the Day of the Covenant), exactly 1,400 Assemblies had been formed in the U.S. The goal was won!
SINCE THAT time an additional 32 Local Assemblies have been formed, putting the U.S. community well on its way toward achieving the new goal of 1,550.
Success in completing another numerical commitment, that of establishing 7,000 localities where Bahá’ís reside, has not been as rapid. A two-week campaign was launched at the end of December with the hope that the needed localities would be opened and the goal achieved.
The nationwide campaign resulted in an increase of 400 localities, but this was short of the goal. As of January 31, the number of localities open to the Faith in the U.S. was 6,386.
The National Teaching Committee has asked that the efforts to win this goal be continued through the Fast. Every District is being encouraged to open additional localities—even if its assigned goals have already been won.
The National Teaching Committee will keep its toll-free number (1-800-323-4390) in operation until the end of the locality campaign. The committee asks that it be notified immediately whenever a new locality is opened.
To offer insight into how each District is doing, the National Teaching Committee has prepared the following report.
The charts (opposite page) list the number of Assemblies and localities in each District as of April 1, 1978. They also give the assigned goals and progress made toward winning them through January 1979. Increased teaching activities will be needed to win the locality goal, since at the end of January a loss of more than 20 localities was suffered.
California Eyes Advent of ‘Entry by Troops’[edit]
“Project EBT” (Entry by Troops), an intensive teaching effort in Southern California that will last through the end of the Five Year Plan, got under way January 13-14 with a training institute in Los Angeles.
The project, sponsored by the California Regional Teaching Committee, is part of a vigorous campaign to initiate the process of entry by troops into the Faith, as spoken of by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Universal House of Justice’s Five Year Plan message to the Bahá’ís of the U.S. identified the initiation of entry by troops as one of America’s goals.
California Bahá’ís plan to carry out Project EBT in two ways. One is through an organized street teaching effort in the Spanish-speaking areas of East Los Angeles; the other is by teaching on a one-to-one basis through firesides, social gatherings, personal friendships and professional involvements.
FOLLOWING the institute, about 25 people made commitments to teach on weekends using the new teaching booklets recently distributed by the National Spiritual Assembly.
The teachers gather each morning for prayers and deepening, teach in groups of two or three in the afternoons, and come together again in the evenings to share their experiences and learn from each other.
The greater part of Bahá’í activity in Project EBT will focus on teaching the Spanish-speaking people in the area.
“They are extremely receptive to the Faith,” says Carol Allen, secretary of the California Regional Teaching Committee. “Several people from Spanish-speaking areas have enrolled recently in the Faith. We’re excited about the possibilities for the future.”
ABOUT 70 people came to the training institute in January to offer their support to the project and learn about ways in which they might become actively involved.
Richard D. Betts, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, spoke about the meaning of the process of entry by troops, and led a discussion of effective ways in which to teach.
Participants received copies of the new teaching booklets and learned how to use them. Each was given an opportunity to sign up for the project.
“The main idea we want to convey,” says Mrs. Allen, “is that not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something.
“The Regional Teaching Committee is working with the District Teaching Committees to coordinate the activities in California, and we are aware that many people already have made commitments.
“Our view is that if you are teaching anyone, you are a part of the project. After all, we’re all working for the same end result, to spread Bahá’u’lláh’s healing Message and to bring about world peace.”
Mrs. Allen expressed the Regional Teaching Committee’s confidence that many more people will become involved as the momentum and excitement of the teaching effort increase.
Two Bahá’ís at Ecumenical Workshop[edit]
Two Bahá’ís recently attended the fourth National Workshop on Christian-Jewish Relations in Los Angeles.
The Bahá’í representatives were Mary Zemke, president of the Women’s Interfaith Committee, and George Hill, public information officer for the Interreligious Council of Southern California (IRC).
One of the reasons the workshop was held in Los Angeles was to give participants an opportunity to interact with the broad cross-section of faiths represented in Southern California.
Eight major world faiths have membership on the IRC: Bahá’í, Buddhist, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, Protestant, and Vedanta (Hindu).
“This was the first time Bahá’ís were involved in the workshop,” said Mrs. Zemke. “We had an opportunity to contribute in seminars on ‘Family Values’ and a chance to share the principles of the Faith in a seminar on ‘Relations With Other Religions.’ ”
“It was also a fine teaching opportunity,” said Mr. Hill. “There were Christians and Jews from all over the U.S., and the majority of workshop participants were interested in improving interfaith communications and learning about other religions.”
The 1979 Christian-Jewish workshop will be held in Dallas, Texas.
Center Has Jobs Open[edit]
A critical need exists to fill job vacancies at the Bahá’í National Center. Positions now open can lead to challenging careers for those believers who are willing and able to serve the National Spiritual Assembly in this capacity.
Workers are needed both to fill current vacancies and to provide additional talents needed as the new Plan unfolds. These positions include: security guards, typists, librarian, switchboard operator, file clerk, records clerk, secretarial assistant, and administrative clerk-typist.
Resumés and work applications are now being accepted. For further information, please call Personnel at 312-256-4400.
The three-member Bahá’í Group in Antioch Township, Illinois, sponsored this display of Bahá’í materials for two weeks in November at the Antioch Public Library. It culminated a yearlong effort by the Antioch Group to present such a display at the library.
Bahá’ís Host ‘Rainbow’ Meeting[edit]
Eighteen Bahá’ís of Native American, African and Persian background gathered with members of the Mohawk Indian tribe December 16-17 on the St. Regis Reservation in upstate New York and Ontario, Canada, for the first “Warriors of the Rainbow Spiritual Conference.”
The conference was designed to facilitate a sharing of culture and prayers and for presenting the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the Mohawk people.
During the weekend:
- Ina McNeil and Tim Warner, Bahá’ís of Sioux Indian background, were invited to the Longhouse social dance (a traditional Iroquois gathering). In honor of their visit, the Iroquois hosts presented a traditional Sioux song.
- Some conference participants visited an Iroquois art show on the Reservation. Many exhibitors graciously accepted Bahá’í literature and heard Mahin Stuttman, a Persian believer, explain the Teachings.
- At a fireside, John “Range” Diabo, a member of the Bahá’í community of Caughnawaga, New York, opened with a prayer in the Mohawk language and discussed the ways in which Bahá’u’lláh has fulfilled the prophecies of the great Iroquois prophet, Dekanawida.
|
For reporting new localities and information about jeopardized Local Assemblies, call the National Teaching Committee Office toll-free at 1-800-323-4390. Lines are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time. |
During the conference plans were made for the formation of a traveling teaching team, the “Warriors of the Rainbow,” to travel on request to Reservations and Bahá’í communities. It is hoped that a group of teachers will be ready to travel by early spring.
The conference was held at Meadowview farmhouse, home of homefront pioneers Richie and Carol Ann Pellegrino and their three children.
|
Assembly Status | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Locality Status | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 Youth Participate In Work/Study Project[edit]
Bahá’í youth from a dozen states participated December 26–January 2 in the 13th Youth Work/Study Project at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.
Sponsored by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee, the week-long project gave 16 youth, ages 15 to 19, an opportunity to work at the National Center, attend classes, and socialize with their fellow projecteers from around the country.
ONE OF the youth, Maria Munoz, had become a Bahá’í last summer as a result of the California teaching campaign; another, Smokey Ferguson from Florida, declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh while on the work/study project.
All of the youth had a chance to work in the various offices at the National Center. A new method was used in which the youth chose in advance the offices where they worked.
One of the young people said later: “I learned quite a bit about how many different fields there are in the administration (Publishing Trust, committee offices, Secretariat, etc.).”
IN ADDITION to their “work” experience, the youth received excellent “study” experience as well, with sessions conducted by the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem; Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Dr. Magdalene Carney, the National Assembly’s assistant secretary for administration.
Also presented were a “History and Tour of the Bahá’í House of Worship,” and a talk on “Using the Example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”
A new aspect of the project was a “rap session on youth concerns” in which the projecteers shared their feelings and opinions on topics ranging from the National Youth Committee to Bahá’í Summer Schools.
Other activities included daily prayers at the House of Worship and a welcoming party. A snowstorm during the project led to some unplanned activities, such as building snowmen. (The storm also was an unexpected treat for those projecteers who hadn’t been in the snow.)
In summing up the week, the participants said it best: “I encourage other Bahá’í youth to attend future programs. It’s a great way to learn, teach, share experiences, and laugh with Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. I loved every minute of it, even the difficult times, because I learned the most from them.”
Another commented: “The friends I’ve made, and other things that will reach far beyond this week at the National Center, are at this time beyond measuring ... I can only say it has stirred in me a firmer faith, a deeper understanding, and a resolve to go and tell people about this all-embracing Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
Sixteen Bahá’í youth from a dozen states participated in the 13th Youth Work/Study Project December 26–January 2 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette.
‘Bahá’í: Follower of Light’ Reprinted by Publishing Trust[edit]
Bahá’í: Follower of the Light, the popular illustrated introduction to the Bahá’í Faith by Ray Meyers, has been reprinted by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. The book is economically priced at $1 for single copies or 75 cents each for quantities of 25 or more (25/$18.75 NET, 71 pp., 7-31-96).
Bahá’í: Follower of the Light has a simply written text, and its drawings are artistically arranged on each page—with ample white space—for easy, relaxing reading.
Bahá’í: Follower of the Light is priced somewhat higher than Gloria Faizi’s The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction, the best-selling introduction to the Bahá’í Faith that sells for 60 cents. Both are designed primarily as giveaways for seekers and gifts for new Bahá’ís, but Mr. Meyer’s book touches more lightly on the same subject matter and is printed in a larger (5½ x 8½ inch) format, with illustrations.
When Bahá’í: Follower of the Light was first printed in 1976, Tom and June Dunn, proprietors of the Dawn-Breaker Motor Lodge in Door County, Wisconsin, placed a copy in each of their motel rooms together with a Bible. A note in the book invited motel guests to “ask at the office” if they wanted a copy to take home.
“We had such an interest in that book,” said Mrs. Dunn. “We received more comments, and more people wanted a copy of Bahá’í: Follower of the Light than any other book or pamphlet we tried.”
The book is available through local Bahá’í librarians. Isolated believers and Bahá’ís in communities with no librarian may order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091. Enclose full payment, plus 75 cents postage and handling on orders under $5.
One of the places Bahá’í youth on the Work/Study Project were sure to stop was the Bahá’í bookstore at the House of Worship.
Conferences[edit]
Continued From Page 1
Plan, but as a vehicle for launching the Seven Year Plan as well.
The 70th U.S. National Convention will be held April 26–29 primarily at the Ramada O’Hare Inn, near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Those who wish to attend should write to the Bahá’í National Center for reservations, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Accommodations should be arranged separately with the O’Hare Inn.
A large number of activities will be carried from the National Convention to the satellite conferences. First of all, delegates and others who attended the Convention will have an opportunity to share their experiences in Chicago with the friends at the satellite conferences.
Audio-visual presentations that are made at the National Convention will be duplicated and shown at the conferences.
NATIONAL Committees will also make presentations and prepare displays for the regional conferences.
The National Teaching Committee and International Goals Committee will have representatives there to receive offers for pioneering, traveling teaching, and other services that can be immediately committed to help fulfill the goals of the new Seven Year Plan.
Further information about the satellite conferences will be printed in the April issue of The American Bahá’í.
L.A. Bahá’ís Present Human Rights Awards[edit]
Six hundred non-Bahá’ís were among an estimated 850 persons who were present on the campus of UCLA for an observance of “Children’s Rights Sunday” December 10, sponsored by the Bahá’í communities of Los Angeles County.
The event was co-sponsored by the Southern California United Nations Association and the UN International Year of the Child Commission. It included a Courtyard Festival and a program commemorating the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
A HIGHLIGHT of the program was the 10th annual Human Rights Day awards presentation conducted by the Bahá’í communities of Los Angeles County.
The annual event commemorates the adoption by the United Nations in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s presentation was made even more meaningful, as it prefaced the beginning of the International Year of the Child to be celebrated worldwide in 1979.
Singer Burl Ives, who is not a Bahá’í, provided entertainment at the awards ceremony as the Bahá’ís honored one individual and two groups for their outstanding services to humanity.
The awards were presented by Judge James F. Nelson of Los Angeles and Dr. Dorothy W. Nelson, dean of the University of Southern California Law School, both of whom are members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
THE RECIPIENTS were Dr. Marianne Frostig, whose Center for Educational Therapy treats more than 160 learning-disabled individuals on a full-time basis each year and tutors many others on a part-time basis; the Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for the outstanding work of its state Pre-School Head Start program; and the bi-lingual children’s television program, “Villa Alegre.”
Countless children have benefited from a diagnostic test developed by Dr. Frostig that is used in educational centers throughout the U.S.
Delta Sigma Theta’s Head Start program, begun in 1965, offers multicultural classes at 17 sites in central Los Angeles, Venice, and Santa Monica, California. The project has helped more than 8,000 youngsters since its inception.
“Villa Alegre” has been aired since 1974 on Public Broadcasting System stations in the U.S. It is based on the concept that “a country’s children are its future and its most valuable resource.”
The program features imaginative characters and spins intriguing tales to foster child development in human relations, food and nutrition, the environment, energy, and other subjects.
On a light-hearted note, the UN Association and UN International Year of the Child Commission presented Mr. Ives with the title of “UN International Year of the Child Honorary Grandfather.”
The Bahá’í communities of Los Angeles County presented their 10th annual Human Rights Awards last December 10 during a ‘Children’s Rights Sunday’ program on the campus at UCLA in Los Angeles. The event was co-sponsored by the Southern California UN Association and International Year of the Child Commission. Recipients of the Bahá’í awards are (from left to right) Estella Lee and Marilyn Franklyn, representing Delta Sigma Theta; Dr. Marianne Frostig of the Frostig Center for Educational Therapy; and Rene Cardenas Jr. of the bi-lingual public television program, Villa Alegre.
Consolidation Integral Part of Southern Campaign[edit]
While winning the Five Year Plan goal of establishing 1,400 Local Spiritual Assemblies was a remarkable victory for the U.S. Bahá’í community, its accomplishment last November 26, the Day of the Covenant, marked only the beginning of a long and difficult process of strengthening and nurturing these young and relatively inexperienced institutions.
Not only are many members of these new Assemblies unfamiliar with their unique role and responsibility, many hundreds of them have only recently become Bahá’ís. These believers now face two tasks—becoming deepened in the Faith, and learning to function as members of an Assembly.
THIS IS especially true in Georgia and South Carolina, which have the largest number of new Bahá’ís and the majority of new Assemblies.
In a message from the Universal House of Justice dated February 14, 1972, Bahá’ís were instructed to “continue unabated their efforts to reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard won victories.”
In following up that directive, the National Teaching Committee has sent guidelines to District Teaching Committees on the most effective ways to carry out the twin tasks of teaching and consolidation.
“The plan for consolidation in the mass taught areas is based on the early formation of the Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly,” the guidelines say. “Bahá’u’lláh instructed us that when there are nine followers of His Faith an Assembly is to be formed. His instruction does not assume a degree of administrative ability or functioning, any more than the creation of a human being assumes any level of intellectual ability on the part of the new soul.”
The consolidation plan for Georgia and South Carolina has been formulated and begun. It contains five basic elements:
- MAINTENANCE of the teaching work in the community being consolidated and in surrounding areas.
- Identification of people of exceptional capacity within the Bahá’í community.
- Monthly regional institutes to develop those individuals further so that they will be able to initiate teaching and consolidation activities in their own communities.
- Distribution of correspondence courses to every new believer and to those who express an interest in the Faith.
- Assignment of teaching teams to each new Local Spiritual Assembly.
Following is a brief summary of consolidation efforts in these three important areas:
NORTH GEORGIA[edit]
Teaching teams have been formed and assigned to visit new Spiritual Assemblies on an average of once every 19 days. It is estimated that three-quarters of these Assemblies have been visited at least once since their formation.
Weekend institutes for new believers are scheduled in various locations around the state. The first one was held February 4 at Griffin, a town about 30 miles south of Atlanta. The primary purpose of the institutes is to give the friends an opportunity to study the Faith while fostering a spirit of love and fellowship.
“We feel good about the way things are going here, though we also feel a bit overwhelmed too,” said Mrs. Carey Murphy, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board who lives in Decatur, Georgia.
She estimates that at least 15 to 20 more deepened Bahá’ís are needed to help visit communities and adequately consolidate the region.
“Some people we’ve re-contacted after many years are extremely steadfast and very interested in remaining Bahá’ís,” said Mrs. Murphy. “Getting something in the mail each month, such as The American Bahá’í, has helped to sustain their faith.”
SOUTH GEORGIA[edit]
Spiritual Assemblies are being visited regularly by teaching teams. Teams usually meet in Fort Valley at the home of Fereydoun and Ann Jalali, and from there proceed to other towns to meet the new Bahá’ís. Teams hold prayer meetings and deepenings with the friends.
In rural Pulaski County, five members of one family are members of the Local Assembly in their town.
“Actually, there are several families like that in Georgia,” said a member of a teaching team. “Each time you go back to visit, there are other family members or friends who want to be Bahá’ís. We can see how the teaching work is an outgrowth of making strong communities.”
South Georgia is in need of families who would be willing to pioneer to the southwestern part of the state.
Bahá’ís in South Georgia plan to rent or borrow a bus at Riḍván to take many of the newer Bahá’ís to an institute where they can meet some of their fellow believers. It is hoped that the same thing can be done the weekend of May 26-27 when Atlanta hosts one of six regional conferences that will mark the beginning of the new Seven Year Plan.
SOUTH CAROLINA[edit]
Teaching teams have visited more than half of the Bahá’í communities in the state for a second time. Present plans call for at least six visits to each community by Riḍván.
Many communities would like to be visited more often, but there is not enough manpower to do this.
A teacher training institute was held January 13-14 at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway. Topics included the life of Bahá’u’lláh and the concepts of the unity of mankind and the oneness of God.
THERE ARE far too few cars available to carry on the consolidation work in South Carolina, and more are desperately needed, according to Mrs. Trudy White of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Office. The state also could easily use four or five more full-time teachers, she said.
U.S. enrollment figures for December 28-January 25 show that 98 new believers were enrolled in Georgia, 91 in South Carolina. Many of them became Bahá’ís when contacted by teaching teams that were visiting new Assemblies.
The Spiritual Assembly of Andalusia, Illinois, was elected last September 30 and held its Recognition Ceremony on November 18. Members are (front row left to right) Lucy Brock, Alice Brown, Connie Brock, Linda Haskins, and (back row left to right) Jay Snell, Robert Freeburg, Roy Brown, Richard Schenebricker. Not shown is Clyde Smith.
Remember that the 70th Bahá’í National Convention will be held April 26-29 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, and the Ramada O’Hare Inn, near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Come and celebrate the successful conclusion of the Five Year Plan and the beginning of the new Seven Year Plan!
N.Y. City Efforts Attract Native Americans[edit]
Several months of ardent prayers and friendly contact with Native Americans on the East Coast by the Native American Relations Committee of the Bahá’ís of New York City were culminated last October by a three-week series of special proclamation events highlighted by an appearance by the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem.
A combined audience of 600, including many Native Americans, attended the events. Among the immediate results were four enrollments and several interested seekers who are now studying the Faith.
THE FIRST seed in this proclamation effort was planted at a Powwow last April 22, the second day of Riḍván, when some of the friends were introduced to Bill Wapehpah, one of the national coordinators of “The Longest Walk,” a peaceful march that began in February in San Francisco and took several hundred Indians across the country to Washington, D.C., to attract public attention to anti-Indian legislation pending in Congress.
Although its stated goal had political implications, the walk itself, called for by the elders (the traditional Indian spiritual leaders) was the second step toward the unity of all Indian tribes initiated at the 1977 United Nations Conference on Discrimination held in Geneva, Switzerland.
This process of Indian unity, Bahá’ís were told at the Powwow, is a fundamental element in the fulfillment of ancient prophecies foretelling the unity of the human race.
Since these prophecies echo ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words about the important role of the Native Americans, the committee decided that this afforded an excellent opportunity for teaching the Faith.
MEMBERS of the committee and Ina McNeil (a Sioux Bahá’í living on Long Island) attended weekly Indian-organized meetings and met representatives of many tribes who were told about the Faith and the Master’s prophecies concerning the destiny of the American Indians. The response was always warm.
On June 23, Mr. Wapehpah, visiting New York City, informed the committee of a special National Day of Prayer for Native Americans on July 16. He expressed respect for Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, adding that “the Indians need the prayers of the Bahá’ís.”
The committee conveyed the information to the National Spiritual Assembly, the Spiritual Assembly of New York City, the American Indian Teaching Committee, and several friends around the country.
The committee was delighted to learn that prayers for Native Americans were said July 16 at the House of Worship in Wilmette, as well as at the Holy Shrines in Haifa.
MEANWHILE, Behnam Attar, a Persian Bahá’í who is studying film making and working at the Contact Press Images agency, had succeeded in interesting world-renowned news photographer Gianfranco Gorgoni in covering “The Longest Walk.”
As media coverage of the walk was almost nonexistent, the two photographers, introduced by members of the Native American Relations Committee, were warmly welcomed by the Indian leaders who acknowledged the committee’s help.
During the week of July 15-23, nine Bahá’ís from the New York City area and John Lawyea, a Mohawk Bahá’í from Connecticut, attended nonpolitical events of “The Longest Walk” in Washington, D.C. Representatives of more than 300 tribes were in the nation’s capital for these events.
Mr. Wapehpah and other Indian leaders were told of the Bahá’í response to the National Day of Prayer and expressed their appreciation.
THE FOLLOWING weekend, Mr. Attar and members of the committee were at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Maine to participate in an American Indian Seminar. They presented a report of the committee’s activities and a slide show and photo exhibit on “The Longest Walk” by Mr. Gorgoni.
Hawk Little John, a Cherokee medicine man from the Boston Indian Council, who was a guest speaker at the Green Acre seminar but knew little about the Faith, accepted an invitation to attend a meeting October 8 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City.
While in Washington, Mr. Attar had suggested to Indian leaders that they consider a fund-raising concert built around a photo exhibit to benefit “The Longest Walk,” which was in need of funds.
The American Indian Community House in New York City undertook the project, and the Native American Relations Committee obtained approval from the Spiritual Assembly of New York City to cooperate in the planning.
THE ASSEMBLY offered to donate the rental fee of an auditorium for the program, a gesture that left the Indians both astonished and grateful.
The event was first planned for September 23, then reset for October 7. By the time planners met September 16 at a Powwow in Oakland, New Jersey, the Bahá’í Faith had become a familiar name among Indians in the New York City area, upstate New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
The committee learned that its proposed guest speaker for the October 7 event would be unable to appear, but had provided an excellent replacement, medicine man Donald Perrote Jr., son of a Potawatomi elder who was at that time director of “The Longest Walk” national office in Washington.
Mr. Gorgoni and the staff at the Contact Press agency had donated time and talent to prepare and install a photo exhibit on the second floor of the Bahá’í Center.
A press release was sent to several newspapers announcing the week-long event that on opening day also included Mr. Gorgoni’s presentation of a slide show on “The Longest Walk” and the film, “The Sands of Time,” about Bahá’í artist David Villaseñor.
A FRIENDSHIP dinner celebrating a “Day of Solidarity” with the Indians was held October 6 at the home of two Bahá’ís in New York City. It was initially attended by 37 people including 21 Indians, but several others arrived during the evening and many stayed to participate in firesides that went on well into the night.
The proclamation events at the Bahá’í Center were quite successful with overflow audiences spilling into the lobby in front of the closed circuit television. The Saturday slide show and film had been announced as a “ciné club” program and benefited from the club’s usual free publicity in magazines and newspapers.
Mr. Perrote recalled his father’s counsel to him to keep his heart pure for the time he would “come to the East and talk to people speaking with strange accents.” He said his experience at the friendship dinner hosted by Bahá’ís from many countries had fulfilled that prophetic vision.
SUNDAY’S spiritual meeting was opened with a Pipe Ceremony performed by Hawk Little John and Mr. Perrote, who then spoke of Native American religions and their own experiences.
This was followed by a Buddhist drum ceremony by two monks from Hiroshima, Japan, who had participated in “The Longest Walk.” Both of these gentlemen attended every Indian program at the Bahá’í Center.
Following a Bahá’í prayer, the main speaker, Ina McNeil, great-granddaughter of the great Sioux leader Sitting Bull, spoke of events of a prophetic nature during Bahá’u’lláh’s ministry.
She quoted from the book “Black Elk Speaks,” in which Sioux Holy Man Black Elk described in 1890 his clear vision of Bahá’u’lláh. She then spoke of her own experience as a Bahá’í, and invited her Indian brothers and sisters to investigate the Faith.
ABOUT 100 Native Americans attended these events including singer/actress Buffy Ste. Marie and her husband, Sheldon Wolfchild, who coordinated “The Longest Walk” social events in Washington and agreed to join the guests on stage for a question-and-answer session.
The following Wednesday, a large audience welcomed Bahá’í speaker Philip Lane Jr. from Washington State who came to New York from the first North American Bahá’í Native Council on the Yakima Indian Reservation.
The New York Assembly, buoyed by the success of the proclamation events, hoped to arrange a meeting between Indian leaders and the Hand of the Cause Mr. Khadem, who was visiting in the New York City area.
THE CATALYST for such a meeting came from Mr. Perrote who telephoned the friends to say he would soon be in New York City again to tape a TV broadcast. He would come, he said, with Wallace Black Elk, great-grandson of Sioux Holy Man Black Elk, and wished to introduce Mr. Black Elk to Bahá’ís in New York City.
The New York City Assembly quickly arranged a public meeting October 25 at the Bahá’í Center. Mr. Khadem was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Perrote, Mr. and Mrs. Black Elk, and other Indian leaders at a dinner preceding the program that was attended by 30 people including 16 Indians.
In spite of the short notice, the auditorium at the Bahá’í Center was filled to capacity for the public meeting. Mr. Perrote spoke of the vision that should sustain Indian regeneration; Mr. Black Elk explained the meaning of the Pipe and related his great-grandfather’s vision of the regeneration of the Sacred Tree of Life of the Indians and mankind. Mr. Khadem then beautifully summed up both talks, affirming that the Sacred Tree of Life is Bahá’u’lláh Himself.
Four days after the meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Perrote phoned the friends to say they had decided to declare their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. A few weeks later they visited New York accompanied by a friend who declared and later was enrolled.
Meanwhile, a young woman at the Contact Press agency who had helped Mr. Attar in involving the agency in “The Longest Walk” also declared her faith in Bahá’u’lláh, bringing to four the number of enrollments resulting directly from the project.
Breakfast[edit]
Continued From Page 1
an international prayer breakfast, exchanging views and ideas that had been brought up at their separate gatherings.
Their attendance at the breakfasts in the nation’s capital marked the climax of a week-long teaching trip by Mr. and Mrs. Kahn to the East Coast.
The visit began in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where the Kahns were asked to display their Indian arts and crafts and jewelry at Hess’ Department Store on January 15. The Bethlehem Globe Times featured a large article on their appearance, including a discussion of their beliefs and activities as Bahá’ís.
Later that week, Mr. Kahn was a guest speaker at Allentown High School in several classes in religion as well as in classes that included a study of the Southwestern U.S.
During a proclamation event featuring the Kahns in Allentown, one woman declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Her enrollment assures the formation of a new Local Spiritual Assembly in the area.
The Kahns also participated in teaching and proclamation efforts in the Washington, D.C., area.
More than 200 Bahá’ís gathered at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs last September 23-24 to commemorate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit there in 1912. The weekend included well-organized children’s classes and memorable talks.
Colorado Marks Master’s Visit[edit]
One-hundred seventy-two adults and 53 children from seven states gathered September 23-24 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs to commemorate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit there in 1912.
The featured speakers included Auxiliary Board members Dennis Jenkyns, Margaret Gallagher and Jalil Mahmoudi, and assistants to the Auxiliary Board Christopher Cholas, Benjamin Heffer and Peter Haug.
Well-organized children’s classes were a special addition to the weekend.
At the conclusion of the commemoration, believers from the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in Ignacio, Colorado, sounded the “Eagle Song” on the lawn of the hotel using a large hand-made drum.
Big Effort Needed to Save Jeopardized Assemblies[edit]
The first of the three “major objectives” of the Five Year Plan is the “preservation and consolidation of the victories won.” Applied to Local Spiritual Assemblies, this should alert the American Bahá’í community to the fact that we cannot afford to lose any Assembly.
While we have surpassed the goal of forming 1,400 Spiritual Assemblies, nearly 90 of them stand in jeopardy of losing their Assembly status at Riḍván. Many need only one or two adult believers to secure the Institution.
The National Teaching Committee has prepared a list of each of the known jeopardized Assemblies and is calling for the assistance of the believers in three ways.
FIRST IS a call for prayers. The committee is asking that all of the believers keep the list of jeopardized Assemblies before them and pray that every one will be returned to full strength before this Riḍván.
In its Five Year Plan message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice said with reference to Assemblies, “This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished, nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for.”
Second is a call for homefront pioneers. Adult believers in strong Assembly locales are encouraged to make the effort to save jeopardized Assemblies by homefront pioneering. A homefront pioneer should not move, however, if this places his own Assembly in jeopardy.
A third means of effective support is through traveling teaching. Bahá’u’lláh has stated, “The movement itself from place to place when undertaken for the sake of God hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world. In the Books of old the station of them that have voyaged far and near in order to guide the servants of God hath been set forth and written down.”
TEACHERS would carry out teaching activities planned by these Assemblies including firesides and other methods of direct teaching. The goal is to raise up new believers to insure the security of the Institution.
The National Teaching Committee reminds us that a jeopardized Assembly’s first priority is to return itself to full strength. It will be necessary, therefore, to stimulate the creation of teaching plans and encourage its members to carry them out.
The committee is to be kept informed of developments and plans in these localities on a regular basis.
To assist the jeopardized Assemblies and those who are interested in working with them, the National Teaching Committee has installed a toll free number in the National Teaching Office to speed the communication process. The number is 1-800-323-4390. It is in operation weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time.
The National Spiritual Assembly assures these communities of its prayers for the preservation of these jeopardized Assemblies.
| Arizona (1) | |
| Chinle Chapter | 4 |
| No. Maricopa County | SAVED! |
| Arkansas (1) | |
| Fayetteville | 7 |
| California (30) | |
| Alameda | 8 |
| Arcata J.D. | 6 |
| Belmont | 7 |
| Capitola | 8 |
| Claremont | 8 |
| Colmont | 8 |
| El Monte | SAVED! |
| El Segundo | 6 |
| Fullerton | 6 |
| Healdsburg | 7 |
| Indio | SAVED! |
| Laguna Beach | SAVED! |
| Lakewood | 5 |
| Los Banos | 6 |
| Monterey Park | 8 |
| Napa | 6 |
| Norwalk | 8 |
| Ontario | 7 |
| Poway | 8 |
| Redondo Beach | SAVED! |
| Rohnert Park | 8 |
| Santa Maria J.D. | 8 |
| Sebastopol | 8 |
| South Gate | 8 |
| So. Pajaro Valley | 6 |
| So. Pasadena | SAVED! |
| So. San Francisco | 6 |
| Temple City | 8 |
| Vista | 8 |
| Whittier J.D. | 7 |
| Florida (4) | |
| Brevard County | SAVED! |
| Hialeah | 7 |
| Largo | 7 |
| Leon County | 8 |
| Georgia (2) | |
| Albany | 8 |
| Smyrna | 7 |
| Idaho (2) | |
| Moscow | 7 |
| Post Falls | 8 |
| Illinois (8) | |
| Buffalo Grove | 5 |
| Chicago Heights | 6 |
| Elmhurst | 5 |
| Forest Park | 5 |
| Northfield Township | 8 |
| Prospect Heights | 7 |
| Washington | 8 |
| Zion | 8 |
| Iowa (1) | |
| Garrison | 7 |
| Maine (2) | |
| Eastport | 5 |
| Kittery | 7 |
| Massachusetts (5) | |
| Arlington | 8 |
| Brockton | 5 |
| Ipswich | 8 |
| Salem | 8 |
| Woburn | 5 |
| Michigan (8) | |
| Avon Township | 6 |
| Benton Township | SAVED! |
| Meridian Township | 8 |
| Midland | 5 |
| Pittsfield | 6 |
| Saginaw Township | SAVED! |
| Superior Township | 7 |
| St. Joseph | 8 |
| Minnesota (3) | |
| Bloomington | 6 |
| Burnsville | SAVED! |
| Falcon Heights | SAVED! |
| Missouri (2) | |
| Clayton | 7 |
| University City | 8 |
| Montana (1) | |
| Miles City | 8 |
| New Jersey (2) | |
| Pleasantville | 8 |
| Trenton | 8 |
| New Mexico (3) | |
| Rio Arriba County | 5 |
| Roswell | 8 |
| Ruidoso | 8 |
| New York (3) | |
| Cheektowaga | 6 |
| Farmington | 7 |
| Hamburg | 7 |
| North Carolina (3) | |
| Boone | 5 |
| Cherokee Reservation | 7 |
| Mt. Airy | 8 |
| North Dakota (2) | |
| Bismarck | 6 |
| Minot | 8 |
| Oklahoma (1) | |
| Ponca City | 8 |
| Oregon (1) | |
| Klamath Falls | 8 |
| Pennsylvania (1) | |
| Middletown Township | 5 |
| Rhode Island (1) | |
| Pawtucket | 7 |
| South Carolina (3) | |
| Clemson | 8 |
| Easley | 8 |
| St. Andrews Parish | 7 |
| South Dakota (1) | |
| Pierre | 8 |
| Virginia (2) | |
| Blacksburg | SAVED! |
| Hampton | 8 |
| Washington (7) | |
| Auburn | 5 |
| Kent | 7 |
| Lynnwood | 6 |
| Mason C.C.D. #3 | 6 |
| Pierce Co. Penn. | 8 |
| Port Angeles | 6 |
| Sumner | 8 |
| TOTAL = 89 |
New Teaching Booklet Now Available for Sale[edit]
The new teaching booklet, The Bahá’í Faith, that was distributed to many communities in December by the National Teaching Committee is now available for sale from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Prices of both the Spanish and English editions are $1 for single copies and 60 cents each for quantities of 25 or more (25/$15). (Catalog Numbers: English 7-67-02; Spanish 7-94-05).
Introduced in the United States in the fall, The Bahá’í Faith quickly became the single most used teaching aid in mass teaching areas and goal communities. Its large bold type, beautiful color photographs and big (8½ x 11 inch) glossy pages help convey the Message of Bahá’u’lláh simply and reverently.
The Bahá’í Faith serves as a visual aid for the teacher, who uses the photographs, diagram of Progressive Revelation, and text to help spark the love of Bahá’u’lláh in the heart of the seeker and communicate basic information about the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, and the Faith’s Central Figures, administration, laws and teachings. Two Bahá’í prayers are included in the 23-page booklet.
This visual aid is based on guidelines from the Universal House of Justice in its message of July 13, 1964, that says, “The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey.” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 32)
The Bahá’í Faith was prepared by Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors in Central America, originally developed in Belize, the booklet was later translated into Spanish and French and printed in Mexico and Haiti. It has now been printed in quantities by the Publishing Trust.
Both the English and Spanish (La Fe Bahá’í) editions can be ordered through local Bahá’í librarians. Isolated believers and Bahá’ís in communities with no librarian may order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Enclose full payment, plus 75 cents postage and handling on orders under $5.
Allwin DeGroot (seated), mayor of Jamestown, North Dakota, signs a proclamation declaring September 17 ‘World Peace Day’ in the city as members of the Jamestown Bahá’í community (left to right) Mike Moum, Vera Barron and Dierdre Moum look on. The photo appeared in the local newspaper, the Jamestown Sun.
Indiana Conference Helps Train Child Consultants[edit]
To help local communities integrate their children into all Bahá’í activities, 55 Bahá’ís from 10 Indiana communities met for the sixth time January 20-21 near Indianapolis, thus completing the first phase of a National Education Committee-sponsored program to train local Child Education Consultants.
The National Education Committee first began its Child Education Program on a regional basis in December 1975 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina, training 18 people from the South to help local Bahá’í communities initiate and upgrade their children’s activities.
TRAINING sessions later were held in Los Angeles and at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Maine. These resulted in a cadre of 130 regional Child Education Consultants.
The primary role of the Child Education Consultant is to help communities meet the Bahá’í educational needs of their children and to help children participate more fully in community life, thereby fostering a Bahá’í identity.
A “Bahá’í identity” may be defined as knowing that one is a Bahá’í, understanding what it means to be a Bahá’í, and finding pleasure in serving the Faith.
In addition to serving as counselors to local Bahá’í communities, the services of nationally trained Child Education Consultants have been used in planning and teaching children’s programs at summer schools, state conventions, and regional conferences.
ALTHOUGH great strides have been made in the area of child education, the Education Committee has found that nationally-trained consultants often are too far away from the communities they help, and that the friends themselves must ultimately be responsible for the Bahá’í education of the children in their community. The local Education Consultants can play a vital role in this process.
Indiana was chosen as the site of the pilot project. In July, Spiritual Assemblies in Indiana were invited to select representatives to attend weekend institutes once a month over a six-month period.
During these sessions, participants received a broad overview of their role as change agents in the community, an in-depth review of the Writings about child education, practice in observing and diagnosing community needs, work in communication skills, and the opportunity to share these experiences with the children in their local communities.
Participants in the National Education Committee’s educational consultant program near Indianapolis help plan children’s activities.
Session six, conducted by National Education Consultant Ann Schoonmaker, was planned as an opportunity to put the skills consultants had previously learned into practice.
FAMILIES from all over Indiana were invited to participate in a weekend of activities designed to enable adults and children to interact in an atmosphere of mutual love and fellowship.
The program opened Saturday afternoon. The friends shared a bag lunch and took the opportunity to renew old friendships and make new acquaintances.
The participants were organized into groups, starting off in groups of two and eventually working up to four “extended family groups” of 16 members each.
EACH “FAMILY” included infants, toddlers, children, youth, and adults who were assigned tasks to accomplish. Consultation on how to get each job done was an essential part of helping the friends come to know and love each other.
One “family” task was to prepare part of the evening meal for the 55 people present. One “family” was responsible for the stew, another made fruit salad, a third made cornbread and hot cocoa, while still another was responsible for table decorations. The room hummed with activity. Each child and adult found the best way in which he or she could contribute.
“It was fun,” was the comment most frequently heard from the children when asked about their reaction to the weekend’s activities. The look on their faces confirmed the statement.
It was not unusual to see a child sitting on the lap of someone other than a parent while quietly talking or working on some task.
The Education Committee’s hope for the future is that these programs will be conducted in other parts of the country in an effort to upgrade the quality of adult-child interaction in community life. The friends left the sessions with the feeling that they were more free to be creative and flexible in finding new ways to foster unity, and were more eager than ever to try.
To commemorate the United Nations International Year of the Child in 1979, the Bahá’í community of Wilton Manors, Florida, presented to the Wilton Manors Elementary School a painting whose theme was that all children are ‘flowers of one garden.’ The artist, Carol Walborn, is a Bahá’í who lives in Lake Worth, Florida. Shown making the presentation last October 24 to Mrs. Krum, principal of the school, is Lee McBride, a member of the Bahá’í community of Wilton Manors.
Green Acre Winter School Students Translate Teaching Lessons Into Action[edit]
Students at the annual Winter School held December 24-January 1 at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, translated classroom lessons into action, taking to the streets of goal areas in the state to open new localities to the Faith.
The direct teaching experience capped a week of preparation in the classroom entitled, “How to teach when you don’t think you can; or, Bahá’u’lláh, I think you’ve got the wrong person for the job.” Several contacts were made, and students returned to the school with a renewed understanding of what “heart-to-heart” teaching means.
IN ALL, 99 adults, 16 youth and 31 children attended the Winter School. They came from Hawaii, Brazil, California, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Virginia and from states all over the East Coast.
During the week, the friends were treated to an interesting account of pioneering in the Arctic by Will van den Hoonaard.
Mr. van den Hoonaard, who is employed by the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations, also presented an enlightening talk on the function of the Bahá’ís at the UN. He later was interviewed on a local radio show with Jim and Jeannine Sacco, pioneers to Brazil who had returned here briefly to visit their families.
During an evening program, the Saccos played a lovely and touching tape recording made for the Bahá’ís in the U.S. by a native believer in Brazil. The friends responded with a tape of songs and messages in Portuguese and Spanish to be taken back to Brazil by the Saccos.
IN RESPONSE to a Feast letter from the National Spiritual Assembly asking for increased attention to our young people and their needs, a weekend youth conference was held December 30-31.
The youth also brought their special spirit to the Feast of Sharaf in the Eliot community. Those who participated in the conference expressed their happiness at being able to come together as a group for this weekend.
Children’s classes were also held, and a special weekend program on “Children in the Bahá’í Community” was given by the Rochester, New York, Bahá’í community.
Special programs for everyone included a pageant on Progressive Revelation, a concert by the musical group Do’a, a talk on an American Indian Powwow that was sponsored by Bahá’ís, a slide show on the history of Green Acre, a pilgrimage report, and a concert by musicians Nancy Ackerman and Carolyn McDade.
Members of the Spiritual Assembly of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, say they received a warm welcome last November when donating books to the St. Clair Shores library, discussing the Faith for half an hour with the library director. Shown here (left to right) are M. Sahari, library director Arthur Woodford, and J. Esfahani.
S. Florida Hosts ‘Celebration of Arts’[edit]
More than 100 people were present in January for a World Religion Day “Celebration of the Arts” program sponsored by the University of South Florida Bahá’í Club.
The diverse program featured the music of Mozart performed by the 60-member University Choir; interpretations of a Shaker hymn and Jewish prayer by Firethorn, a professional dance troupe; a guitar/harp duo, three poets and one dramatic reader.
Publicity included three newspaper articles with photos, ads, posters, and flyers that were sent to all area Bahá’ís, as well as to churches, civic organizations, the Chinese community, seekers and friends. All local radio and television stations were contacted and made aware of the event.
At the university, posters were placed all over the campus and a window display and table were set up at the Student Center.
The celebration coincided with the start of a regular university course on the Bahá’í Faith in the Religious Studies Department.
[Page 13]
Robert Canard of the Creek Indian Nation (Oklahoma) discusses ‘The Sacred Circle’ during the third annual Council-Fire sponsored by the Inter-Community Indian Teaching Committee of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the foreground is Lee Evans, a Bahá’í youth. Thirty-five Bahá’ís and 100 American Indians attended the event.
Council-Fire At Milwaukee[edit]
The third annual Council-Fire sponsored by the Bahá’í Inter-Community Indian Teaching Committee of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was held recently at the United Indian Center in Milwaukee. Thirty-five Bahá’ís and 100 American Indians attended the event.
Speakers discussed the Bahá’í Faith as well as Native American religious custom and thought. The Bahá’í presentation was made by Negatu Molla, a native of Ethiopia.
Bill Gollnick, an Oneida Indian, described the “Longhouse Religion” that originated among the Iroquois, while Robert Canard of the Creek Nation (Oklahoma) spoke on “The Sacred Circle.”
A social Powwow was held following the council. Bahá’ís were invited and participated in the Powwow; an Indian group from Chicago came to join in the drumming and dancing.
The Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee, sponsoring body for the Intercommunity Indian Teaching Committee, has placed great emphasis on teaching the Faith to the estimated 8,000 Native Americans who presently live in Milwaukee County.
Trust Slates Two Books on Master[edit]
Two new books on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are planned for publication this spring by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Both books deal with the Master’s historic journey to America.
239 Days: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey in America, by Allan L. Ward, is a detailed account of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sojourn in the United States and Canada between April 11 and December 5, 1912. Tracing the journey almost day by day, the book draws heavily on articles about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His talks published in newspapers at the time. The story is greatly enriched by excerpts from the diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s secretary during His tour of the Western world.
In Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Recollections of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Faith in California, author Ramona Allen Brown recalls the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to California and the effect His visit and the Tablets of the Divine Plan had on the early believers. The book describes the highlights of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s 26-day visit and tells how He instructed the friends through His actions and His words.
Some of the Bahá’ís profiled in the book are Helen Goodall, Dr. Edward and Lua Getsinger, May Bolles Maxwell, Shichiro Fujita, and Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í.
Prices and publication dates of the new books will be announced by Bahá’í librarians and in The American Bahá’í.
Classified Ads[edit]
CLASSIFIED ADS in The American Bahá’í are intended as a service to the U.S. Bahá’í community and are printed free of charge.
CHALLENGING CAREER openings are now available at the Bahá’í National Center: Security guards—to patrol and protect the House of Worship area. Retirees okay. Administrative clerk-typist—to type and assist with much detail work in Plans Office. Records/files clerk—to serve in critical area. Must be mature, deepened Bahá’í. Typists—to serve the Secretariat. Must have English skills and ability to type statistical reports. Librarian—to maintain, index, and inventory library. Some typing and ability to compose letters. Secretarial assistant—to coordinate work flow and develop human resources program. Challenging. Switchboard operator—to keep communications lines open. May require work on evenings/weekends. Records worker—to process Assembly formation forms accurately, then transfer elsewhere at Center. Please send resumes and employment applications to the Bahá’í National Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 (Attention: Personnel). For more information or application forms, phone Personnel at 312-256-4400.
HELP THE HEARTLAND! The Columbus, Indiana, Bahá’í Group needs two adults to re-form its Assembly. There are excellent job opportunities in engineering, design and business. Columbus is known for its architecture and civic-mindedness (see the September 1975 issue of National Geographic). The city also is an hour’s drive from Indiana University’s main campus and medical center. To help, contact the Columbus Bahá’í Group, P.O. Box 1472, Columbus, IN 47201, or phone 812-372-5936 or 812-376-0555.
WANTED: HOMEFRONT pioneer family or group to buy or take over management of a 180-acre turkey farm in southern Ohio’s Scioto County. It would require 18 hours of work per day for one person. Present owner wishes to retire and will train interested persons. Contact Ralph Pickard, Route 1, Otway, OH 45657, or phone 614-372-2441.
INCORPORATION. The Canon City, Colorado, Bahá’í community needs at least two more adult members by April 21 for incorporation. Canon City is in southeastern Colorado. Jobs are available. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Canon City, P.O. Box 1169, Canon City, CO 81212.
UNOPENED COUNTY. Custer County, Colorado, a rural area in the southeastern part of the state. Jobs are available within a 30-mile radius. The goal is to open the county by Riḍván. For more information write to the Spiritual Assembly of Canon City, P.O. Box 1169, Canon City, CO 81212.
PASCO, WASHINGTON, needs three adult homefront pioneers to help maintain its Assembly status. Work in the area is plentiful. For more information write to Karen McConnell, secretary, 802 South 4th, Pasco, WA 99301, or phone 509-547-4451.
LOVELY ORANGE PARK, Florida (Clay County area) needs homefront pioneers to help win this locality goal of the Five Year Plan. Orange Park, 10 miles south of Jacksonville on the St. John’s River, is rich in potential. It recently was cited by the State Commerce Department as Florida’s fastest-growing area. Three miles from a large Naval Medical Center, it would be ideal for an elderly couple or retired military personnel. Efforts to establish a Bahá’í Group there will be assisted by the Spiritual Assembly of Jacksonville. For information contact Jan McKamy, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Jacksonville, 2344 Gilmore St., Jacksonville, FL 32204.
EXPANDING AREA with many job opportunities in the electronics field (the industry has overbuilt what the local population can supply, and is avidly seeking employees). Come to Salt Lake County, Utah, a unique and historic part of the U.S. with excellent educational opportunities (such as the outstanding medical center at the University of Utah), and 12 major ski resorts within 30 minutes of Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake County Spiritual Assembly has the goal of forming two Assemblies in the county, and is looking for Bahá’ís to live WEST of the Jordan River in the Kearns, Granger, Hunter and Taylorsville areas (which also are contiguous to many of the electronics-based industrial parks). An excellent bus system serves the area, and the cost of living is lower than the West Coast. For more information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Salt Lake County, Kathy Brown, secretary, 2393 East Sundown Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84121.
SCREEN PRINTERS—pioneer to Fremont, Ohio, and help its Bahá’í Group grow, or settle in one of the many nearby towns and open a new locality to the Faith. There are excellent job opportunities available with an expanding young company for experienced personnel. If you are a pressman, layout artist, technician, darkroom specialist, screen maker, die cutter, or steel rule die maker, contact the Bahá’ís of Fremont, c/o Hans J. Neumann, 518 S. Wayne St., Fremont, OH 43420, or phone 419-332-0943.
THE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH of Salt Lake City are holding another great Youth Conference this year. The dates are May 4-6. The theme is “Look at Me, follow Me, be as I am...” with emphasis on the life of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and on the new Seven Year Plan. What better way to start the new Plan than to raise your spirits in the lovely Rocky Mountain canyons surrounding Salt Lake City with your fellow Bahá’í youth? For more information, please write to the Bahá’í Youth Committee of Salt Lake City, 305 Douglas St., Apt. 3, Salt Lake City, UT 84102.
TWELVE BAHÁ’Í YOUTH will serve as counselors for Junior Youth from June 22-29 at beautiful Bosch Bahá’í School in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. To apply, please write to the program director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
WANT TO PIONEER on the homefront but don’t know where? Check out Ramah, Colorado! Houses are available starting at $7,000; there are also some for rent. Contact the Bahá’ís of Ramah, P.O. Box 147, Ramah, CO 80832, or phone 303-745-2325 or 303-745-2765.
RICHMOND, INDIANA, the “Gateway to the Midwest,” needs traveling teachers to embark on a massive teaching campaign with intensive media coverage to be held March 24-31. Bring your green teaching booklets! For more information contact the Bahá’ís of Richmond, 526 Peacock Road, Richmond, IN 47374, or phone 317-962-4346.
NEPTUNE BEACH, Florida, just north of Jacksonville and Atlantic beaches, needs a young Bahá’í or couple to open the locality. Neptune, a small strip of beach about a mile long, offers a challenging opportunity to teach the Faith in a community of mostly young adults. Living accommodations range from $180-$300 a month. Temporary living arrangements are available with area Bahá’ís. The Spiritual Assembly of Jacksonville Beach is helping the teaching work in Neptune Beach in an effort to win this Five Year Plan goal. For information please contact Sheri Palermo, Spiritual Assembly of Jacksonville Beach, 2400 1st St. South, Apt. 1-4, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.
THE PUEBLO, COLORADO, Bahá’í community urgently needs an individual Bahá’í or Bahá’í couple to act as caretaker of its Bahá’í Center. There are many opportunities for teaching and deepening in Pueblo, which presently has seven adults in the community. Pueblo has a large Spanish-speaking population, a university, and a Bahá’í College Club. The basement apartment in the Bahá’í Center became available February 1. If interested, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Pueblo c/o Rebecca Houseman, secretary, 19 Dartmouth, Pueblo, CO 81005, or phone 303-566-1621 or 303-543-8036.
THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School Children’s Committee is looking for talented and experienced people to teach children’s classes during the summer of 1979. We are interested in sincere, patient people who love children. Those interested should send a resumé to Sally Eiler, program director, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, ME 03903.
TAIWAN: English conversation teachers can easily obtain jobs that will adequately support pioneering efforts, and that leave ample time to serve the Faith and afford plentiful opportunities to meet seekers. For teaching in universities or in private schools a B.A. (in anything) is preferred, but not necessary. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
HISTORIC ASSEMBLY lost! Racine, Wisconsin, had a Local Spiritual Assembly for 75 years, but by last Riḍván the community was down to only four adult members. Now we almost have enough adults to restore the Assembly. Can you help? Racine, a city of 95,000, is on the shore of Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago and has the bounty of being only a 1¼-hour drive from the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. It offers much business and industry, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and many other attractions. If you are able to relocate, please consider coming here. For information contact Bahzed and Jaleh Samimi, 4926 Taylor Avenue, Apt. 1, Racine, WI 53403, or phone 414-554-1041.
A BAHÁ’Í PHYSICIAN can open the town of Anahuac, Texas (population 2,000) to the Faith. The city is building a clinic that will be made available to a physician relocating there. Anahuac is 60 miles from Houston and only two miles from hunting, fishing and boating areas. For more information please contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Baytown, P.O. Box 501, Baytown, TX, or phone 713-424-1683 or 713-424-7869.
FROM TIME TO TIME there are personnel requirements at the World Centre in Haifa that must be filled, and the Universal House of Justice wishes to build up its file of individuals or couples who possess specific skills and who would be willing and able to serve in the Holy Land on a temporary or permanent basis. Here is a list of job classifications of special interest: Archivist/Conservator; Construction and Maintenance; Custodian; Finance; Indexer; Janitor; Librarian; Mail Clerk; Night Watchman; Publishing; Printer-Offset; Secretary/Typist/Clerk (dictaphone secretary, executive secretary, Persian/English secretary, receptionist/switchboard operator, records analyst, statistical records clerk, typist); Translator (from English to Spanish/French/Persian, Persian/English); office Assistant. Bahá’ís interested in being considered when such openings occur should submit information about themselves, their qualifications and experience to their National Spiritual Assembly for forwarding to the World Centre.
Parents Must Seize ‘Teachable Moments’[edit]
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth of six articles on children and learning by Deborah H. Christensen of London, Ontario, Canada. Mrs. Christensen has a master’s degree in education, specializing in early childhood, and has served on the U.S. National Education Committee.)
Every day, opportunities present themselves that Bahá’í parents can exploit to help their children learn. These are sometimes referred to as “teachable moments.” At these times your child is interested in something, and you use that interest to take him one step further toward understanding.
For example, let us say that your three-year-old child is building with various colored blocks, and you ask him or her to build a tower using only red blocks. In so doing, you have made a game out of sorting and color recognition.
Or perhaps you are reading a story about sacrifice (such as Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince) to your eight-year-old, and you use the opportunity to talk about why sacrifice is pleasing to God.
YOU DON’T have to wait until your child finds his own teachable moments; you can plan them yourself. Informal activities like bread baking or special craft and service projects can teach many things. Family excursions can be educational as well as recreational. Trips to museums, historic sites, or even a park offer many opportunities for learning. Your interest in your child’s learning teaches him that you value education; therefore, he will too.
For better or worse, television is a large part of the lives of most North American children. It certainly has its good points, but it also can be dangerous.
One study indicates that by the time a child enters first grade he will have seen between 25,000 and 50,000 acts of violence on the TV screen!
The principles that come to mind with respect to TV are moderation and interpretation. We should certainly know what our children are watching and regulate the amount of their viewing. Each family has to decide what is acceptable to watch and what is not.
IT IS ALSO of great value to watch TV with your children. Besides sharing entertainment, you can help them interpret what they see by highlighting Bahá’í principles and by pointing out godly and ungodly behavior. There is no need to be heavy-handed about this; such discussions, like many family learning experiences, should be spontaneous and enjoyable.
Children can be excellent teachers of other children. One of the best ways to reinforce what one has learned is to teach it to someone else. An older or more mature child, having just learned something, is often in a better position to explain it to another child—more in tune with the child’s perspective than an adult would be. It helps the older child, too. The mutual assistance fosters cooperation and service.
Many useful techniques relate to communication. Feedback and reinforcement are critical factors in learning. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá used the term “awaken” in reference to educating. He was always praising and uplifting people.
This is a parent’s responsibility to his children: showering them with praise and encouragement, cheering and sharing in their victories, whether they are learning to walk, ride a bike, control their tempers, or show kindness. Stating limits in positive terms (“we walk” rather than “don’t run,” “let’s do this” rather than “don’t do that”) preserves the child’s dignity and addresses his potential.
IT IS ALSO true that children need accurate feedback. They need to know the standard. They should be taught to strive for excellence, and to measure themselves against it in a constructive way. They can thus learn the difference between a pretty good job and one’s very best job. Parents can help children make these distinctions. (“Which of your gymnastics routines was the best? Why?” “What was the nicest thing you did today?”)
Children need room to make mistakes and still know that they can do better next time. Punishment should educate the child. It should always be made clear to him why he is being punished, and parents should work especially hard to distinguish between the child and his actions. (“I love you, but I don’t like it when you play outside in your good clothes.”)
Open communication in a family is critical. Consultation should begin with very young children. They should be given choices, listened to, and reasoned with. This communicates love and respect for the child, and helps teach the techniques of moral reasoning.
It does not mean that children have to agree with every parental decision, only that they should see parental authority as just, rather than dictatorial and arbitrary. In the words of the Master:
“ACCORDING to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the family being a human unit must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother, none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father likewise has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each the comfort of all; the honor of one the honor of all.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Vol. 1, page 163)
Play is a child’s work. It is how he learns what no one else can teach him, and how he consolidates and expands what others have taught. It does not merely refer to experimenting in a sandbox or building a block tower.
For the sake of this discussion, play includes all of the ways in which a child interacts with his environment. It begins in the infant and expands as the child develops more skills. It starts with concrete objects and expands into imitation of the daily activities he observes.
As a result of the development of language and imagination, a child can assume different roles, test hypotheses, and, through fantasy, explore what he sees in the world at large within the safety of his prescribed limits.
IMAGINATION is a wonderful gift that should be encouraged. It allows children their first contact with something beyond themselves, thereby laying the foundation for creative expression and spiritual understanding.
As imagination develops, the two- or three-year-old child often confuses reality and unreality, claiming such things as “I saw an elephant in my sandbox,” or waking from a nap screaming, “That monster’s gonna eat me!”
Parents need to patiently help children learn the difference between what is real and what isn’t. Obviously, children need to know this so they can distinguish truth from falsehood.
Parents can help by giving children the proper language to express the situation and making the distinction for them. (“You saw an elephant in your sandbox? Let’s pretend there is a whole zoo in there and build cages for them. Can you make believe you are an elephant?”)
PARENTS can also encourage children to talk out their experiences. (“You were dreaming about a monster? Tell me about it.... Really?”) The child can then explain what he remembers, and in this way (along with verbal and non-verbal support from the parent) can master his fear.
Two good books about imagination from a child’s point of view are Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss. As children learn to distinguish what is real from what is not, they can begin to understand truth and falsehood.
Parents can keep in mind several principles to help their child’s learning through play. One basic but not necessarily obvious principle is the importance of order and clarity in the child’s world.
We want our children to learn to be orderly. This is a Bahá’í virtue. Children won’t learn it, however, if their surroundings are always chaotic.
One simple way to help create order for a child is to provide a separate container for each toy or kind of toy, and shelves for convenient, accessible storage. The child can then see each toy (not just a jumbled mess to dig into), make a selection, and easily return it. Again, the parents’ example is critical.
This attractive booth was exhibited by Bahá’ís last September 21–October 1 at the 1978 Kern County Fair in Bakersfield, California. A continuous slide show, pamphlets and posters helped to inform a large number of people about the Faith. Since the Fair, the booth has been placed permanently on display free of charge at a weekly Bakersfield ‘swap meet’ with the permission of the non-Bahá’í owner. Approximately 5,000 people have an opportunity to see the booth each week.
Above, members of the audience are presented with Chinese brush paintings during an Asian-American Arts Festival held last November in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Below, Robert Imagire of Woodbridge, Virginia, demonstrates Japanese flower arranging at the Festival.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Mrs. Molly Adams
- Georgetown, Texas
- 1978
- Mac Alford
- Rowland, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Lillie Mae Bailey
- Monticello, Florida
- October 1977
- Willie Brantley
- Conway, S.C.
- 1972
- David Brockington
- Andrews, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Norman Bromell
- Conway, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Bobbie Brown
- Leesburg, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Joe H. Brown
- Smoaks, S.C.
- July 1978
- Mrs. Frances P. Brown
- Willingboro, N.J.
- December 28, 1978
- Winston Campbell
- Patrick, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Charles E. Carter
- Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Angela Connaughton
- Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Date Unknown
- Charles W. McCrary
- Phoenix, Arizona
- January 5, 1979
- Jackson Dargan
- Darlington, S.C.
- August 27, 1976
- John Davis
- La Jolla, Calif.
- October 23, 1978
- Lacie Durant
- Florence, S.C.
- 1976
- Mrs. Gretchen Dyson
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- January 8, 1979
- Harold Edwards
- Cordele, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Robert J. Etheredge
- Saluda, S.C.
- March 13, 1978
- Mrs. Fanie Fordman
- Hillsboro, Texas
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Hazel Fradenburgh
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date Unknown
- William Frazier
- Salters, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Merril Gamble
- Kingstree, S.C.
- February 1978
- Mrs. Bessie Lee Gibson
- Ellaville, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Thomas Glover
- Elloree, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Dorothy Green
- Altadena, California
- May 8, 1978
- Henry Hammond
- Cordele, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Bertha Heining
- Scarsdale, New York
- November 8, 1978
- Mrs. Earlene Hemingway
- Tabor City, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Wilbert Henderson
- Bronwood, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Elizah Jackson
- Cordele, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Pearl Jones
- Latta, S.C.
- 1972
- Charley Johnson
- Temple, Texas
- Date Unknown
- Huey Johnson
- Cuthbert, Georgia
- 1977
- Rufus Jones
- Latta, S.C.
- 1971
- Mattie Keith
- Rembert, S.C.
- 1977
- Robert Kirvin
- Darlington, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Ruth Linge
- Santa Rosa, Calif.
- Date Unknown
- Grady Lockhart
- Ellaville, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Billy Long
- Hillsboro, Texas
- Date Unknown
- Donnie Ray Love
- Hartsville, S.C.
- December 25, 1978
- Mrs. Mary McDonald
- Clearwater, Florida
- December 25, 1978
- Willie McRay
- Key Largo, Florida
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Mary Ida McNair
- Rowland, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Archie McNeill
- Rowland, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Willie Mae Mears
- Rowland, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Lizzie Meyers
- Elloree, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- Lucille Pauling
- Elloree, S.C.
- Date Unknown
- George Peeples
- Ellaville, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Beatrice Ricks
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- November 24, 1978
- Mrs. Emma Roepke
- Medina, Ohio
- January 5, 1970
- Mrs. Reta G. Seeley
- Bountiful, Utah
- November 21, 1977
- Mrs. Mae Etta Shaw
- Alachua, Florida
- November 1978
- Charlie Simmons
- Smoaks, S.C.
- 1976
- John Simmons
- Monticello, Florida
- 1976
- Allen Skinner
- Cheraw, S.C.
- 1973
- Keto Slator
- Bishopville, S.C.
- January 18, 1979
- Mrs. Althea Ruth Smith
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- September 15, 1978
- Mrs. Marian Steffes
- Granada Hills, Calif.
- Date Unknown
- Carol Svarti
- Riverside, Calif.
- Date Unknown
- John H. Taylor
- Wilmington, Delaware
- December 15, 1978
- Lawrence Thomas
- Tabor City, N.C.
- 1975
- Mack Thompson
- Rowland, N.C.
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Cleo Walker
- Dayton, Ohio
- December 12, 1978
- Frank K. Whitefoot
- White Swan, Wash.
- December 13, 1978
- Mrs. Estella Williams
- Bronwood, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Fred Williams
- Quincy, Florida
- August 4, 1978
- Douglas Wimberly
- Perry, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Beatrice Mary Witt
- Westlake Village, Calif.
- December 3, 1978
- Mrs. Rose De Woskin
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- February 2, 1978
Faith Featured At Talent Show[edit]
Through his participation in a school talent show, Terrel Trotter Jr., a Bahá’í from Midlothian, Illinois, who teaches at nearby Dixmoor Junior High School, was able recently to introduce the Faith to the entire student body.
Accompanied by guitarist Charles Nolley, a Bahá’í from Blue Island, Illinois, Mr. Trotter sang “One Heart, Ruby Red” and a brief prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set to music. The performance was well-received by an audience that included the district school superintendent.
Article on Master[edit]
Secretariat News, a publication of the United Nations staff at UN headquarters in New York City, includes on Page 3 of its July 1978 issue a statement by the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, on “war and peace.” The statement was selected for publication on the occasion of the Special Session of the UN General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament during May and June 1978.
The Central Florida District Teaching Committee ended an intensive three-week teaching campaign last September with a picnic at Lakeland. Bahá’ís and their guests came from many Florida communities to join in the singing, games, and discussions about the Faith.
E. Montana Club Fetes ‘Rights of Child’[edit]
To kick off its observance of the United Nations International Year of the Child in 1979, the Bahá’í Club at Eastern Montana College in Billings sponsored a panel discussion November 2 on “The Rights of the Child.”
About 40 people (including 10 Bahá’ís) attended the on-campus event that was planned as a kick-off for IYC-1979. It featured talks by four professional people who are actively involved in children’s services and a performance by the Billings Community Children’s Choir.
SPEAKERS included the assistant director of Billings’ Voice for Children; an instructor of family/child nursing; the director of the college’s Reading Center, and George Galinkin, a Bahá’í who is professor of social welfare at Montana State University in Bozeman.
The Children’s Choir presented a half hour of international songs and a skit about friendship.
A table with pamphlets from city agencies, Bahá’í pamphlets pertinent to children, and a list of available community services for children and youth was provided.
Afterward, a group of community youth organization leaders asked for a representative of the Bahá’í Club to attend a luncheon meeting to help plan activities to commemorate IYC.
An inter-agency steering committee has been formed and is planning to organize a “speakers’ bureau” of people willing to speak on children’s rights and affairs. Also in the works is a “cultural fair” involving Scout groups, boys’ clubs, etc., to share international foods, culture and crafts.
Naw-Rúz, Riḍván Are Most Joyous Bahá’í Occasions[edit]
The close of the Bahá’í calendar year brings with it several occasions on which the friends are encouraged to focus their energies in service to others and to seek spiritual revitalization through meditation and prayer.
The four “intercalary days” (five during leap years), called Ayyám-i-Há, are a festive time of gift giving, celebrating and helping one’s fellow men. They are followed by a Bahá’í month (19 days) of fasting during which the friends should not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset.
NAW-RÚZ, the Bahá’í New Year, falls on March 21, the first day of spring, and is observed by Bahá’ís all over the world.
Naw-Rúz (Persian for “new year”) is one of nine Bahá’í Holy Days on which work associated with trade, commerce, industry or agriculture is suspended and children are excused from school.
This is a joyous occasion when Bahá’ís gather to share music, prayers and fellowship. It coincides with the reawakening of life symbolized by the vernal equinox—the day when the sun crosses the equator and the day and night are of equal length everywhere in the world.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained the significance of such days as Naw-Rúz at a New Year celebration in 1912 at Alexandria, Egypt:
“All should rejoice together, hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may be demonstrated in the eyes of all ...
“DURING such days institutions should be founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people ...
“Today there is no result or fruit greater than guiding the people. Undoubtedly the friends of God, upon such a day, must leave tangible philanthropic or ideal traces that should reach all mankind and not pertain only to the Bahá’ís. In this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity without exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of God. Therefore, my hope is that the friends of God, every one of them, may become as the mercy of God to all mankind.” (Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p. 188)
The Bahá’í Holy Days offer a focal point for the community in which to teach children about Bahá’í history and improve the life of the community.
IN RESPONSE to a request from the National Education Committee, made through The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í parents have offered some of their ideas and experiences concerning ways in which these Holy Days are observed with their families and in their communities.
One couple reported that they plant seed flowers and tomatoes at Naw-Rúz and talk with their children about the likenesses between springtime in nature and the Divine Springtime spoken of by Bahá’u’lláh.
Some families wear clothes saved for special occasions such as Naw-Rúz and decorate the house in a festive way.
One Bahá’í Group, as a service to the city, planted a tree in a town park to commemorate the new year.
ANOTHER community planned a musical presentation and social evening for the people at a nursing home in that town.
Communities may wish to plan games, dances, dinners, service projects or gift giving and invite non-Bahá’í friends to share in the fellowship.
There are innumerable ways to demonstrate the unity of the Bahá’í community and its philanthropic ideals.
On April 21, Bahá’ís begin a 12-day commemoration of Bahá’u’lláh’s public announcement of His Mission in April 1863. These Holy Days, known as the Festival of Riḍván (pronounced “rez-vahn”), call to mind Bahá’u’lláh’s stay at a lovely garden-park on the outskirts of Baghdád, Iraq, where He informed members of His family and others who shared His exile of His Station as the Promised One of God and Unifier of Mankind.
Bahá’u’lláh’s followers designated the spot the Garden of Riḍván, which is Persian for “paradise.”
ADIB Taherzadeh’s book, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh (Volume 1) is one of several that tell of the events that led to Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration and the impact it had on His followers.
For eight years, Bahá’u’lláh lived in the area around Baghdád. Although He was of course aware of His Station, He did not reveal it publicly. People of every class and background were drawn irresistibly toward Him and longed to hear Him speak, to be in His presence, or merely to catch a glimpse of Him in passing.
Despite the high esteem in which He was held by the people, the Consul General of Persia in Baghdád sent many messages to the Sháh saying that Bahá’u’lláh was a threat to Islám, the dominant religion of Persia, and that He must therefore be banished to some more remote place where His influence could not harm the people.
Finally, the Persian government concluded an agreement with the governments of Turkey and Iraq under which Bahá’u’lláh would be banished in 1863 to Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey.
THE PEOPLE were so grief-stricken when they heard the news of Bahá’u’lláh’s impending departure that they flocked to His house to be near Him. It soon became apparent that Bahá’u’lláh’s house was far too small to accommodate the many people who wished to be with Him.
A prominent citizen of Baghdád offered his garden, Najibíyyih, to Bahá’u’lláh and His family as a place where they could remain to greet the friends before the arduous journey to Constantinople.
Shortly after Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival at the Garden of Riḍván on April 21, He declared His Mission to the companions who were present and announced the beginning of the Festival of Riḍván. The grief of the friends was turned immediately to overwhelming joy.
THIS MARVELOUS Day is celebrated by the Bahá’ís with dignity and reverence as that most special Day when Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the fulfillment of the prophecies of old and the new light for mankind in this Day.
Bahá’u’lláh pointed out the sacred nature of the Days of Riḍván in these words:
“Rejoice with exceeding gladness, O people of Bahá, as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His House, proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of His name, the All-Merciful.” (The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Vol. 1, p. 275)
Nabil, the matchless Bahá’í historian, also described the events of that time. He recounts one of the practices of Bahá’u’lláh:
“EVERY DAY ere the hour of dawn, the gardeners would pick the roses which lined the four avenues of the garden, and would pile them in the centre of the floor of His blessed tent. So great would be the heap that when His companions gathered to drink their morning tea in His presence, they would be unable to see each other across it. All these roses Bahá’u’lláh would, with His own hands, entrust to those whom He dismissed from His presence every morning to be delivered, on His behalf, to His Arab and Persian friends in the city...” (The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Vol. 1, pp. 275-76)
On the ninth day of Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in the garden, His family joined Him. This day, the ninth day of Riḍván, is commemorated on April 29.
The twelfth day of Riḍván also is a special Holy Day on which work should be suspended. It signalizes the end of Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in the Garden of Riḍván and the beginning of His exile to Constantinople, the second of four banishments that would lead eventually to the prison-city of ‘Akká where He spent the last 26 years of His life.
Naw-Rúz and the 12 days of Riḍván signify the spiritual rebirth of mankind through the Word of God. These days are observed each year with gladness, and with thankfulness that Bahá’u’lláh has ushered in the Divine Springtime for which the whole of humanity has been longing and praying.
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
