The American Bahá’í/Volume 12/Issue 11/Text

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November 1981

The American

Baha’i

The District Conventions held throughout the country in October were presented with an urgent and weighty statement from the National Spiritual Assembly.

The secretary, Glenford E. Mitchell, spoke on behalf of the Assembly in a taped message that focused on the current challenges facing the American Baha’i community.

MR. MITCHELL began by describing briefly the present status of the Faith in the U.S.

During the 88 years that have elapsed since the first mention of the Message of Baha’u’llah here, he said, the administrative order has been well founded, reaching into 7,200 localities and guiding more than-1,600 Assemblies.

At the same time, the House of Worship, in itself a symbol of glorious victories for the Faith, is maintained, while pioneers and traveling teachers are sent from this country to all corners of the earth.

“« ‘Magnificent as has been this record,’’’ said Mr. Mitchell, quoting the beloved Guardian, “* ‘reminiscent as it is in some of its aspects of the exploits with which the dawnbreakers of an heroic age have proclaimed the birth of the Faith itself, the task associated with the name of this privileged community is, far from

What’s inside

MORE THAN 125 Bahda’is gather at the second Missouri Baha’i Institute. Page 2

ALBERT Windust, a ‘‘Champion-Builder”’ of the Faith, is profiled. Page 3

THE FIRST in a seven-part series on the Baha’{ Fund appears. Page 5

GREEN ACRE Baha’i School hosts the first of this year’s Regional Youth Conferences. Page 6

A_ NATIONAL Race Amity Conference is planned for next June in Washington, D.C. Page 12

Dr. Stanwood Cobb, a noted educator, author and lecturer who became a Baha’{ in 1906 at the Green Acre School in Maine, celebrated his 100th birthday November 6. Dr. Cobb, the founder of the Chevy Chase (Maryland) Country Day School, has written more than 20 books including Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Security fora Failing World, Discovering the Genius Within You, and The Importance of Creativeness. In 1918 Dr. Cobb founded and later was president of the Progressive Education Association.

District Conventions hear vital message from the National Spiritual Assembly

approaching its climax, only beginning to unfold.’ ’”

Mr. Mitchell then referred to the continuing persecutions of the believers in Iran and described how they have enlarged our awareness of the immensity of the tasks that lie before us.

These tasks, he said, are directly connected to the emergence of the Faith from obscurity—an emergence that is now evident in unprecedented worldwide publicity, in proclamation through the mass media in the U.S., and in the attention directed toward the plight of the Iranian Bahd’is by various governments and the United Nations Sub-commission for the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities.

6 more Bahda’is executed in Iran

RUTHLESS PERSECUTION DEFENCELESS COMMUNITY BAHA’iS IRAN FURTHER INTENSIFIED THROUGH RECENT EXECUTION BY FIRING SQUADS OF SIX STAUNCH MARTYRS, ONE IN TEHERAN HABIBU’LLAH AZIZI, FIVE IN DARUN NEAR ISFAHAN, BAHMAN ATIFI, IZZAT ATIFI, ATA’U’LLAH ROUHANI, AHMAD RIDVANI, AND GUSHTASB THABIT RASIKH. LAST FIVE WERE IMPRISONED FOLLOWING LARGE-SCALE SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON BAHA’IS IN THEIR HOMES AND ARREST OF SEVERAL OF

dertakings, making heavy calls on all the Funds.

The secretary continued by outlining the stark and cruel reality of the oppression of the Persian community by its avowed enemies who seek, through persecution of Baha’i leaders and financial strangulation of individual members, to eradicate that community, as well as to deal a vicious blow to the heart of the Faith of Baha’u’ll4h at the World Centre.

The result of these attacks has served only to weld more firmly the unity and resolve of the Persian believers.

“Even so,’’ said Mr. Mitchell, “the American Baha’i community remains like a sleeping giant who has stirred only fitfully in his slumber, but has not yet awak The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem (right) is interviewed by David Ogron of the Baha’f Periodicals Office during the

More than 1,100 at 22nd Green Lake Conference

THEM IN VILLAGES NEAR ISFAHAN. FAMILIES MARTYRS WERE NOT INFORMED OF EXECUTIONS WHILE RELATIVES THOSE EXECUTED IN DARUN ALSO NOT PERMITTED CONDUCT BAHA’! FUNERALS THEIR LOVED ONES, AND LAST THREE NAMED WERE BURIED UNCEREMONIOUSLY IN MUSLIM CEMETERY. NO ANNOUNCEMENT BY AUTHORITIES WAS MADE ABOUT EXE CUTION LAST FIVE. UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE SEPTEMBER 18, 1981

22nd Green Lake Bahi’i Conference held September 18-20 at Green Lake, Wisconsin.

YET, AS THE Universal House of Justice stated in its message of Naw-Ruz 1981, this emergence will impose the need for new un real danger.

ened in all his powers to repel the

Please See BUDGET Page 5

More than 1,100 people including 72 non-Bahá’is attended the 22nd annual Green Lake Baha’{ Conference September 18-20 at

Message from Board of Counsellors in the Americas

To the Baha’is in the Americas Dearest Friends,

Warmest loving greetings from the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas.

The second plenary meeting of the Counsellors since the ‘‘further step in the development of the institution’ was held for six days from August 6 through 11 in the shadow of the holiest House of Worship. All 16 Counsellors of the Americas attended.

DURING THOSE brief days a continual outpouring of prayers and thoughts reached out to each of you with longings that this institution, through the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, could truly bring you the ‘‘beneficent influence’’ of that “mighty titution,”’ the International Teaching Centre, raised up by our Universal House of Justice.

Prayers at the House of Worship were offered for each of the 36 National Spiritual Assemblies and communities of the Americas as well as for the six goal areas where National Assemblies are to be form

In the midst of our anguish at the news of our persecuted brethren, reports of the reactions in various international circles as well as in the media helped ease the pain.

It is obvious that the suffering of the friends in Baha’u’llah’s homeland is proclaiming the Faith throughout the world as never before. By raising our spiritual awareness to better serve each National As sembly, we can partially redeem the ordeal of their suffering.

A primary function of the Continental Counsellors is to consult and collaborate with all National Spiritual Assemblies. As the various institutions of Baha’u’llah’s World Order begin to understand the principle of consultation, a spiritual power is released leading to understanding and certitude.

WHEN THESE new National Assemblies—new pillars of the Universal House of Justice—are formed and begin consulting, a new power is released in that country. As this consultative process permeates all levels of Baha’i activity—Local Spiritual Assemblies with Auxiliary Board members and their assistants; family members with each other; believers at Nineteen Day Feasts, we witness communities embodying the distinguishing characteristics of Baha’i life and becoming magnets attracting the masses to the Cause of God.

This close collaboration will manifest a new reality in our lives which will change the world.

In the words of the Universal House of Justice to the friends in the French Antilles, ‘Each day is precious. Each Baha’{ must grasp his opportunity and ignite the candle that shall never be extinguished and shall pour out its light to illuminate the world of men.””

Warmest love,

Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas

Green Lake, Wisconsin.

The conference theme, ‘‘Emergence from Obscurity,’’ was taken from the Ridvan 1981 message from the Universal House of Justice.

THE GATHERING was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem who spoke on three occasions.

Other special guest speakers included Continental Counsellor Angus Cowan and Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland.

Speakers from the Baha'i National Center included the s retary of the Persian Affairs Committee and representatives of the Treasurer’s Office and Office of Public Affairs.

Mr. Khadem described the theme of this year’s conference, “Emergence from Obscurity,” as most appropriate in light of the present stage of recognition being reached in the non-Baha’i world as a result of publicity about the persecution of the friends in Iran.

During an informal hour-long interview presented on stage at the conference, Mr. Khadem shared some of his personal experiences while growing up in Iran, and told of his first meeting with the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi,

Please See GREEN Page 4

SRST RSE SE CER ARREST RARE MCR SEAS SSR ETS, EE CEES S|

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The American Baha’i

<_< VIEWPOIN

2

Editorial

moments to relax at their desks.

was strangely moved.

the first persor

mysterious and wonderful ways.

Never underestimate power of a single act

“An act, however infinitesimal, is, when viewed in the mirror of the knowledge of God, mightier than a mountain.”’—Baha’u' lh °

It was early June. To the casual onlooker the scene was ordinary—just two men who worked for the same insurance company talking. Perhaps it was over coffee. Or perhaps it was as both took a few

One of them, a man named William James, had been curious about sanskrit. In his search to learn more about that ancient language he had encountered a Syrian who told him not only about sanskrit but also about a prophet from Persia. Now Mr. James related to his fellow worker what he had learned from the Syrian.

SURELY ON THAT DAY in 1894, neither the speaker nor his listener probably realized that their casual conversation marked an historic moment. But as Thornton Chase listened to his fellow worker, his heart

The conversation’s ultimate result was that Thornton Chase became America to steadfastly embrace the Baha'i Faith, Quite often, scemingly insignificant events can yield mammoth results. A conversation with a stranger on a bus, a small newspaper ad, a letter to a friend can all, with the aid of God, lead the Faith forward in

We should not let the seeming mundaneness of our teaching experiences discourage us. So long as an effort is made to spread the happy news of God’s newest Prophet, we can rest assured that, ultimately, the results will be glorious beyond our imagination.

‘Heroes of God’ Missouri Institute theme

More than 125 Baha’is and guests from six states shared a weekend of study, prayer, song and fellowship at the second annual Missouri Institute, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Rock Hill, Missouri, August 28-30 at Trout Lodge in Potosi.

The theme, “Heroes of God,’” was reflected in talks by the three main speakers, Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy, Dr. Kerry McCord of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Dr. Jack McCants of Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Classes and activities for approximately 35 children at the Institute were coordinated by the Spiritual Assembly of Kansas City.

Saturday evening was devoted to music, fun and fellowship with “Daybreak”? and ‘‘Sounds of Light,”’ two singing groups from the St. Louis area and a surprise jisit by an accomplished saxophonist. .

A special treat was a slide pre

sentation on the life of Queen Marie of Rumania, given by Robert Postlethwaite, an assistant

More than 125 Baha’fs and their guests participated August 28-30 in the second annual Missouri In

In addition, there was ample time for horseback riding, swimming, boating and visiting with friends.

stitute ‘at Potosi, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Rock Hill, Missouri.

Letters

To the Editor:

After reading Mr. Pleasant’s letter (August 1981) regarding the American Baha’{ community’s response to the martyrdom and suffering of the Baha’fs in Iran, I felt impelled to offer a few thoughts of my own. 2

As horrible as these persecutions are, and as much as we would, from a humanitarian point of view, like to see them end, still I feel that our most appropriate response must come from our view of life as a whole.

BAHA'IS KNOW that our life in this world, when compared to the next world, is but ‘ta shadow that vanisheth swifter than the twinkling of an eye.’’ (Baha'i Prayers, p. 62)

Our 70 years here (or 50, or 20, whichever) will seem quite short from the next world. And the significance of our earthly life will not be measured by its length, but rather by the deeds we accomplish while we are here.

Among these deeds, the greatest a

The American Baha'i

‘Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL.

Béitor: Jack Bowers

Associate Editor: David E. Ogron

‘The American Babs’ welcomes news, letters and ‘other items of interest from individuals and the various institotions of the Faith, Articles should be

white glossy photos should be included whenever possible, Please address all materials to The Editor, ‘The American Babs'l, Wilmette, IL 60091, ‘Copyright © 1981 by the National Spiritual Assem: bly of the Bahs'is of the United States. World rights reserved, Printed in the U.S.A.

written in a clear and concise manner; black and ~

Life should be measured by deeds, not by length

is to testify to the truth of God’s Revelation in an age when most people have chosen to ignore or deny it.

And certainly, one of the greatest ways of testifying is to willingly give up your job, your home or, if need be, your life, rather than to give up your faith. There is great

heroism in this, and it is a sign of

great glory.

The persecuted Baha’is had a choice. They could have avoided material suffering simply by denying the truth of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation.

Perhaps a few have chosen that route, those with less of an understanding of His Revelation. But the vast majority have stood firm and have chosen to make a clear statement, by their deeds, that Spiritual treasures are worth more than material wealth, that spiritual joys are preferable to material pleasures, and that spiritual life is vastly more valuable than material life.

EVERYONE who hears of their actions is forced to wonder what could have inspired such faith, such tranquility, such assurance, unless it was the power of God.

Yes, we should let the world know that we care, that we are upset by the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Iran—as we are upset by every violation of human rights in the world.

But our most appropriate response is not to devote our energy toward protecting our fellow

Please See ESPERANTO Page 3

Comment

Adopting

How easy it becomes in this world of limited visual horizons to limit our spiritual sight as well.

The problems of daily life, the pressures of the Baha’i community, and our daily interactions tend to keep our finite resources centrally focused.

YET, THIS DAY of Baha’u'll4h is to illumine the entire world. And as world citizens, we must learn to see beyond today’s dimness into the brightness of a promised tomorrow.

As with so many demands we face as Baha’is, this one requires the delicate balancing of two seemingly opposite perspectives.

As we learn to enjoy our material possessions without being possessed by them, we need to learn also to function on an individual basis while recognizing, and contributing toward, our role in that all-encircling plan that aims for the ‘‘illumination and redemption of a whole world.” (Messages to the Baha’i World, p. 28)

Unlike the many bureaucratically-functioning institutions that run world, national and local affairs today, the Baha’i Administrative Order cannot function without the dedicated, consecrated efforts of the individual believers.

Without that ‘‘grassroots’’ participation, there would be no Local Spiritual Assembly, no National Spiritual Assembly, no Universal House of Justice ... and no

‘world view’ can help ease burden of daily pressures

This month’s article, larging Our Spiritual Horizons,” was written by Barbara R. L’Heureux of Kalispell, Montana.

growth.

Yet the growth that does occur in the Faith, based a ‘on the energies and talents of its individual constituents, is organized according to plans of Divine origin that resemble the growth of a single embryo into personhood.

BASED ON THAT analogy, the code we follow, as cells responding to the urgings of DNA’s fore-ordained message, is the Divine Plan for the redemption of the entire world.

And as the single cell cannot “see’’ the outcome of its purpose, neither can we, with any degree of accuracy, foretell the future Golden Age of the Cause of God on earth.

But with the resources of this fast-closing century at our disposal, we can broaden our vision and see, for the first time in human history, what the ‘‘other hand’’ is doing.

Through the printed word, and because of the vast speed of oral and visual communication, we can now recognize and share in the lives of virtually all the peoples of the planet. No longer is it possible to stand aloof and revel in otherness when we can truly see the oneness of mankind.

So what remains for the individual Baha'i to execute in his or her

own life and teaching efforts is to encapsulate, within, that spirit of “‘one-worldness.”’ View the daily tests and trials in the light of larger world torments and they fade into minute difficulties.

If we recognize that each and every action we take as individuals reflects upon the worldwide Baha’i community, and become aware of the interconnectedness of all life, we realize that as the “leaves of one tree,”” we move, sway and grow in a pattern that reflects the glory of God’s purpose for mankind.

Baha’u’llah endured untold misery so that we could learn to see, if only in our hearts and imaginations for now, a world united in love, friendship and awareness. As we are called, so should we develop.

Cape Girardeau Baha’is sponsor booth at fair

For the sixth year the Baha'is of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, sponsored a booth during the week of September 14-19 at the 126th annual Southeast Missouri District Fair in Cape Girardeau.

The booth featured an attractive display of pictures of the World Centre and the Baha'i Houses of Worship around the world.

Baha’ literature was displayed, and an ample supply of pamphlets was available for those who were interested.

[Page 3]LETTERS

November 1981

3

ion ders

Cyhe bul

ALBERT WINDUST

Born in Chicago ‘on March 28, 1874, Albert R. Windust is best known as the founder of the magazine “‘Star of the West’’ and its co-editor from the first issue, published at Naw-Ruz 1910, until May 1922.

- Although a childhood illness prevented Mr. Windust from completing his formal education beyond the sixth grade, he studied art at the Chicago Art Institute and learned the printing business as an apprentice in the printing firm where his father worked.

IT WAS IN 1897, when he was 23 years old, that Mr. Windust heard about the Faith and became

» a follower of Bahá’u’ll4h. In 1902 he was elected to Chicago's “House of Spirituality,” the forerunner of its Local Spiritual Assembly.

On behalf of the House of Spirituality, he communicated. with Baha’is in ‘Ishqabad, Russia, re ‘iving their letter describing the

initial stages of construction of

the first Baha’i House of Worship in that city.

Working closely with Charles Toas, the father of the Hand of the Cause of God Leroy loas, Mr. Windust drafted the peti from the Chicago House of Spirituality asking ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s permission to build a Temple in the U.S.

He began collecting and preserving Tablets from ‘Abdu’lBaha, and in the process founded what later would become the National Baha’i Archives. It was Mr. Windust who assembled those Tablets into the three volumes entitled Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, the first volume of which was published in 1909.

Working with Howard MacNutt, he helped publish the addresses that the Master delivered in the U.S. and Canada in 1912 under the title The Promulgation of Universal Peace.

In so doing, Albert Windust be Please See WINDUST Page 16

Esperanto board also elected at ‘grassroots’ level

Continued From Page 2

Bahd’{s from suffering in the path of God. I feel, rather, that we should respond in at least the four following ways:

1. By praying for their steadfastness and for their spiritual (not material) protection, as they have asked us to do.

2. By teaching the Faith as never before and telling everyone about these brave souls who have chosen spiritual life above physical existence.

3. By immersing ourselves in the Writings of this Revelation more deeply and more frequently than before, thus learning for ourselves the spiritual truths that the Baha'is in Iran have learned.

4. By meditating on their example so that when our own time of suffering comes we, too, will be able to testify, by our actions, to the reality of the spiritual life and to the truth of Bahd’u’llah’s Revelation.

“O wayward generation!” the Bab admonished the crowd before His own martyrdom. ‘‘Had you believed in Me every one of you would have followed the example of this youth (Anis, the young Babi who pleaded to die with Him), who stood in rank above most of you, and would have willingly sacrificed himself in My path.’’ (God Passes By, p. 53)

James E. Tyson Piscataway, New Jersey

To the Editor:

In the September issue of The American Baha’i, the editorial (Page 2) mentions the Baha’i District Conventions and goes on to say: ‘‘Nowhere else on the planet is there a group of people who, at the grassroots level, have the chance to participate in the election of an international governing body.””

For the information of your readers, may I say that the Universal Esperanto Association has an SS

BAHA’i HOUSE OF WORSHIP Wilmette, Illinois

Winter Hours (October 15 to May 14)

Main Auditorium (Upstairs)

7 a.m. to 10 a.m., open for prayer; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., open to visitors

Visitors Center (Downstairs)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Baha’i Book Shop 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Sunday Activities Devotional program, 3 p.m. Public meeting, 3:40 p.m. Information about transportation, food and lodging is available from the Baha’i House of Worship Activities Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

international governing body elected at the grassroots level, through a system of delegates from 100 countries around the world.

Its executive board includes a president from Belgium, vicepresidents from Italy and Iceland, a secretary-general from Hungary, and four other members from Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria and the United States.

The seat of the Universal Esperanto Association is in Rotterdam. Its summer university is taught by PhD’s from many countries, in every conceivable subject, free of charge to any Esperantist. It has branch offices in Antwerp, New York and Budapest.

Everything is conducted in Esperanto, a neutral language that will be 100 years old in 1987.

Mrs. Roan Orloff Stone Gallup, New Mexico

To the Editor:

I would like to recommend that Baha’{ communities throughout the country, either singly or ii joint efforts with neighboring communities, consider holding a race unity conference,

A group of people in a community or communities could be responsible for planning and coordinating such a conference under the guidance of a Spiritual Assembly so that the conference is cartied out effectively and, most important, that the program be structured in light of the sensitivity of this “‘most challenging issue.’”

UNDOUBTEDLY, we are all dealing with this issue, as the pivot of the Teachings is to promote unity.

Often in striving to glimpse the ideal of unity and to experience unity as a reality, we cannot help but become aware of the various emotions triggered by our own cultural/racial experiences and backgrounds.

Anger, guilt, denial, frustration, and so forth are all real and valid feelings uncovered as we turn inward to honestly assess where we stand with respect to eliminating prejudice.

While these feelings may seem inappropriate when we consider our goal as Baha’is, which is to usher in a new era for mankind, nevertheless, these feelings exist and are normal at this time when we consider that we are in the embryonic stage of our development and that we must live, work and raise our families in a world filled with hatred and prejudice.

A conference can provide an appropriate setting in which to better understand our feelings and curiosities.

On the other hand, a fireside, proclamation or public meeting is usually not an appropriate forum for our opinions and anxieties, as these events are designed to teach

The American Baha'i welcomes letters to the editor on any subject of general interest. Letters should be as brief as possible, and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address letters to The Editor, The American Bahd’t, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

the Cause of Baha’u’lláh. ~

THIS IS NOT to imply that our feelings are not valid, but only to

“say let us create a proper place,

such as a conference, in which to provide the opportunity for individuals to air their feelings.

For consultation in a conference setting to be effective and its outcome uplifting, and because this is a very sensitive issue, it would seem advisable that capable facilitators encourage all participants to honor the feelings of others, to respect the various stages of growth toward unity, and to assist individuals to assess their own attitudes, not those of others, in light of the Teachings.

A sharing of experiences in this way could prove most educational and beneficial.

Let us make such an effort to better understand the trials and glories faced by each racial or cultural group. God willing, through understanding, we will experience a new level of unity, advancing our beloved Faith closer to a new World Order.

Let us take a step forward by striving to eliminate the deeply implanted feelings that stem from prejudice by learning from each others’ experiences as well as being inspired by our individual and collective growth in battling the destructive forces of prejudice.

Kim Meilicke Highland Park, Illinois

To the Editor:

My mother had a saying for almost every situation. Often she would say, ‘A workman is no better than his tools.””

” Bahd’u'lláh has given us social “tools”? to build a new society. One of these is the Baha’i law for marriage.

The purpose of this law is, of course, to unify the families with the bride and groom.

What would you think if the Baha’{ community that witnessed ‘a marriage were to give a party for the parents?

Violet Wuerfel Clark Highland Park, Michigan

To the Editor:

The Spiritual Assembly of Anoka, Minnesota, would like to share an idea that has encouraging possibilities for the development of the Assemblies in Bloomington and Anoka have begun every Sunday morning to hold what is called a “devotional fellowship.’’, Writings on a certain topic are read and discussed among Bahda’{s and non-Bahda’{s in a kind of deepening/fireside format.

This leads to many interesting discussions. Selections from all of the holy books have been used.

Children’s classes are held simultaneously in another room. Various individuals rotate responsibility for refreshments, writings, and teaching the children.

Ads are run in the newspaper that include a quotation from the Writings relating to that week’s topic.

The local community and other Baha’is who attend (this is an excellent opportunity for inter-community interaction) are enthusiastic about the opportunity to come together to discuss the Writings.

These events also furnish a tool for individual development as members prepare selections from the Writings for each topic.

It is hoped that this idea may be of some use to other Baha’{ communities.

Spiritual Assembly of Anoka, Minnesota

SHILOREDS SORDEN

PARTY

~

THREE RIVERS, WASS.= > +

About 60 young guests from 11 Baha’{ communities enjoyed a Baha’{ children’s garden party June 13 in Three Rivers, Massachusetts. The children were entertained by ‘Presto the Magician’ and his helper, Carol (Larry and Carol Rothfedder) from Monson.

The children came from Eliot, Maine; Hartford, Wethersfield and Vernon, Connecticut; and Amherst, Belchertown, Brimfield, Ludlow, Monson, Orange, Palmer, South Hadley, Three Rivers and Wales, Massachusetts.

[Page 4]

The American Baha’i

4

in The American Baha’i

The National Spiritual Assembly announces plans for the first of 40 weekend seminars for Local Spiritual Assemblies to be held in Connecticut and South Carolina.

The seminars, which are primarily in response to the Ridvan 1971 message from the Universal House of Justice, will explore the functions of Spiritual Assemblies, their relationship to other Baha’ institutions, methods of consultation, and the handling of individual problems.

Twenty of the seminars, designed to strengthen Local Spiritual Assemblies, are planned for the current Bahd’i year, with the remainder to be held in 1972 ..

‘The ceremony commemorating the completion of the Baha’i House of Worship in Panama is set for April 29-30, 1972, to be followed by a two-day conference in Panama City.

The Universal House of Justice announces that it will be represented on this historic occasion by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhfyyih Khanum ... %

A five-week mass teaching and deepening campaign in Goldsboro, North Carolina, results in 397 declarations and the opening of 19 new localities. Nine of these localities have enough adult believers to form Assemblies at Ridvan.

During the project the friends erect a “‘tent city” staffed by 35 teachers during the week and by more than 100 on weekends ...

The Continental Board of Counsellors announces a weekend. deepening conference to be held November 26-28 at PhilanderSmith College in Little Rock, Arkansas ...

That same weekend, special three-day institutes commemorating the-SOth anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are planned at the Green Acre and Davyison Baha’i Schools ...

A week-long proclamation effort at New Trier East High School in Winnetka, Illinois, results in 13 declarations as well as the formation of new Baha’i high school clubs in Skokie and Evanston, Illinois, and a one-day proclamation at Highland Park High School ...

More than 60 Baha’is and their guests attend a Baha’i-sponsored observance of American Indian Day in Charlottesville, Virginia ...

More than 250 people attend a Baha'i public meeting in Reno, Nevada, following publicity that includes the use of a car with a loudspeaker ...

Green Lake Conference covers s wide range of cones

Continued From Page 1 and the events that led up to it.

MR. BIRKLAND shared a report from Iran detailing how Baha'i school children also are suffering for their Faith and how they are demonstrating to everyone a maturity and steadfastness far beyond their years.

About 200 young people participated in the children’s program that featured classes for various age groups that were supervised by a faculty of 25 full-time teachers augmented by parents and other volunteers.

The program for adults included nine optional ‘‘workshop”’ sessions focusing on various aspects of the emerging Baha’ nity: single adult Baha’is, the individual believer and the developing Assembly, Baha’i scholarship, the “most challenging issue,”” expanding public relations, merging. the cultures of Persian and American believers, Baha’i child education, pre-youth sessions, and an introduction to the Faith for nonBaha’is who attended.

Workshop leaders and participants included the secretaries of the National Education Committee, Persian Affairs Committee and Race Unity Committee, the general editor of the Baha'i Publishing Trust, a professor of AfroAmerican history and race relations, and an instructor in sociology and marriage and the family.

FOR THE CONVENIENCE of conference participants, each workshop session was presented three times.

The children’s program was designed to meet the youngsters’ intellectual, ial and spiritual needs. Activities included prayer, study of the pe of the Faith,

Children at the 22nd Green Lake Baha’i Conference in Wisconsin receive a warm greeting from Angus Cowan, a member of the Con singing, puppet shows, outdoor exploration, créative movement, and art projects.

The conference theme was_set to music and lyrics written and performed by Jerry Johnson of Shorewood, Wisconsin, who also coordinated other musical presentations at the conference, most of which consisted of original compositions by Baha’is.

Shokouh Rezai Davis of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a well known performer in her native Iran, recited portions of the Writings in Persian and chanted

poems by Tahirih, the renowned

Baha’i poetess. Mrs. Davis was accompanied by Kiumars Haghighi of Glenview, Illinois, who played the santour, a classical Persian instrument.

Stephen Jackson, assistant to the National Treasurer, and Paul Lample, a staff member at the National Treasurer’s Office, discussed the spiritual implications of the Funds.

Speaking about the “‘spiritual institution rather than the Fund box,’’ Mr. Jackson portrayed the Fund as a tool to help each of us grow spiritually.

Mr. Lample emphasized that the voluntary nature of giving to the Fund does not mean that Bahda’is have a choice between giving or not giving. Rather, he said, the choice concerns the nature of our contribution, its amount and purpose.

He reminded the audience of the Guardian’s words, published in Bahá’i Administration (p. 42) describing the Fund as “ ...the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Baha'u'llah who desires to see His Cause advance ...’”

The film ‘‘Nine Baha'is Talk About Their Faith’’ was shown at

tinental Board of Counsellors for the Americas who was one of the speakers at the annual gathering.

Children enjoy one of the many games planned for them at the 22nd Green Lake Baha'i Con the conference, and two audiovisual presentations from the Holy Land, ‘Symbol of Emergence’’ and “‘Prayers and Emerging Treasure,’’ were made.

erence. Twenty-five full-time teachers aided the program.

Provisions for registering for next year’s 23rd Green Lake Conference were made available to those at this year’s weekend gathering.

In Memoriam

Husnieh Ashchi Winter Haven, Fla. August 21, 1981

Naomi Bell Hattie Jackson Newport News, Va. Maysville, S.C. July 31, 1981 Date Unknown

Daniel D. Beranek Lincoln, Nebraska Date Unknown

Tone A. Billington Peoria, Arizona August 20, 1981

Malissa Cheeseboro Elloree, S. Carolina Date Unknown

William L. Dobson Sarasota,-Fla. September 21,

La Porte, 1981

Rachel Edwards Lexington, S.C. October 22, 1979

Booker Felder Elloree, S.C. Date Unknown

Annie Fraser Georgetown, S.C. August 1981

Volo Gilvin Washington, Ga. August 1981

Nashville,

Beatrice Hill Gretna, La. Date Unknown

Albert J. Johnson Elloree, S. Date Unknown

Lydia Kazemzadeh Santa Monica, Calif. September 13, 1981

Prince Lewis Elloree, S. Date Unknown Frances G. Locher July 2, 1981

Robert Martinson Bloomington, Minn. June 9, 1980

Farry Miller Elloree, S. Date Unknown Julia Miller Elloree, S. Date Unknown Roy Miller

September 8, 1981

Ainon B. Olson Gaubaldi, Oregon July 15, 1981

Merdis Rawl Lexington, S.C. Date Unknown

Hattie Rembert Washington, D.C. 1978

Carolina

Emma Robinson Elloree, S.C. Date Unknown

Paul L. Sanford New Orleans, La. August 30, 1981

iC.

Joe Shard Elloree, S.C. Date Unknown

Texas

Ruth Sjoby Chicago, Ill. August 22, 1981

Victoria Smith Lexington, S.C. Date Unknown

CG

Eddye M. Solomon Palo Alto, Calif. August 30, 1981

Cc

Hammie Spann Maysville, S.C. 1981

Tenn.

Willie Glover Susan Moncree John Strotter Pahokee, Florida Stevens, Georgia Lexington, S.C. 1981 August 1981 Date Unknown William Grant Lawrence B. Mull Florie Windley Alcolu, S.C. Lynwood, Calif. Plantersville, S.C. Date Unknown June 1981 March 1981

Ernest Hassman Wauwatosa, Wis. January 21, 1981

[Page 5]THE FUNDS

November 1981

Budget deficit rising at $100,000 a month

Continued From Page 1

“The real danger,’’ he explained, ‘‘is a weakness in human and fina: resources.”

Mr. Mitchell pointed out that the National Spiritual Assembly feels that the American community’s response to the situation does not yet meet the challenge.

He added that we have not yet exploited the available opportunities for teaching on an individual level, nor have we met the challenge to revolutionize our attitudes toward practical matters such as giving regularly to the Funds, raising our young in a Baha'i environment, or coping with diversity in the community.

SPECIFICALLY with regard to the Fund, Mr. Mitchell described a deficit that is growing at the rate of $100,000 per Gregorian month.

A contributions goal of $6 million was established at the beginning of this fiscal year because that was the level of giving successfully sustained for the final half of the last fiscal year. That level, however, is not being met, and the Fund is now in grave peril.

So serious has the situation become, said Mr. Mitchell, that for the first time in 10 years the National Assembly is unable to mect its financial obligations to the World Centre, and is currently forwarding none of its $1 million pledge to the Supreme Body.

At the same time, he said, staff and program cuts are being made at the National Center, resulting in the loss of opportunities that may never occur again.

Mr. Mitchell appealed for support of the National Assembly's goal to have 20,000 individuals

contribute directly to the National Fund each Baha’i month.

“Will you who are attending these Conventions,” he asked, “be among the 20,000 who will arise ... with the same devotion that characterized the self-sacrificing Dawn-breakers?””

Expressing the appreciation of the National Assembly to those believers who, time and again, have responded to its urgent calls for assistance, Mr. Mitchell assured the friends that it was not the intention of the Assembly to pressure any of the friends.

RATHER, he said, it is the obligation of that body to direct the attention of the community to the pressing needs of the present hour as it sees them.

This idea was more fully expressed in the concluding statement of the tape, which quoted a letter written July 19, 1956, on behalf of the beloved Guardian:

“The friends are not being forced to do anything, either by the Guardian or by the National Assembly. However, the condition that the world is in is bringing many issues to a head ...

“<...because of the desperate needs of the world, the Baha’is find themselves, even though so limited in numbers, in financial strength and in prestige—called upon to fulfill a great responsibility.

“They must, at all times, remember that when the Guardian makes his appeals to the friends, he is only presenting the'situation to them. Each one must evaluate what his own response can be ...There is no other pressure than the pressure of historical circumstances.

Cr

"

» i

i

=—=5

Say

each itt <

HELPIII Please include your Baha'i ID number with each

contribution to the National Fund. This will help us smoothly process

THANK You /

“He fully realizes that the demands made upon the Baha'is are great, and that they often feel inadequate, tired and perhaps frightened in the face of the tasks that confront them...On the other hand, they must realize that the power of God can and will assist them ...

“The American Baha'is have so far never failed in any mission they undertook ... he feels sure that with the help of Baha’u'll4h, they will arise to the occasion which history has literally thrust upon them.’’

Panama Temple slide program is presented

Rupert Pringle, a Baha'i from Panama, presented a slide program on the Baha'i House of Worship in Panama to a large group consisting mainly of young people in August in Brentwood, California.

The program was preceded by a dance and buffet dinner.

Mr. Pringle and his wife were guests of Mrs. Kathleen Reeves, an isolated believer in Brentwood.

The Bahá’i community of Chicago sponsored an auction August 9 that raised about $3,000 for the Louhelen Bahd’{ School in Michi

gan. Here William Irving of Chicago reacts with enthusiasm after outbidding everyone else to win a video camera outfit.

Giving to Baha’i Fund is a spiritual act in which sacrifice surpasses size of gift

This is the first of a seven-part series on important aspects of the Baha'i Fund. Although man functions in a material world through material expressions, he is called upon to acquire divine attributes and to manifest spiritual behavior. The Fund, as a Divine institution, provides man with a means to grow spiritually and to demonstrate that growth through action. The purpose of this series is to highlight the spiritual principles that underlie the outwardly material act of giving to the Fund,

.

The first principle to be addressed in this series is; the spiritual nature of giving. There should be no mistake—giving to the Fund is a spiritual act, not a material one.

When a Manifestation of God comes to the world, He respiritualizes the entire creation. Perhaps in no other area of life is this more necessary than that of giving money to religion.

IT WAS NOT LONG ago that an individual could buy forgiveness of his sins and assure himself a ‘‘place in heaven,”” It may still be possible to do this in some churches today.

Such distasteful practices have created in the minds of many a generally negative attitude toward the relationship of religion and money.

Baha'u'llah has spiritualized thi

hanged and rerelationship.

Many times during His exile, Baha’u'll4h and His companions were subjected to complete poverty and severe hardships.

Referring to these difficulties, He wrote: “Despite their sufferings, the Pen of the most high hath, at no time, been willing to refer, nor even to make the slight‘est allusion to the things that pertaineth to this world and its treasures,”

Baha'u'llah further explained that, with regard to. soliciting funds in the name of God, “‘it would be impossible to conceive of any act more contemptible.” He was not interested in acquiring men’s riches, only in attracting their hearts,

In the same passage Baha’ u’ll4h. continued: “And if, at any time, any gift were presented to Him, that gift was accepted as a token of His grace unto him that offered it.”

“This statement is actually the

foundation of the spiritual signifi cance of the Fund, for Baha’u'lláh states that if something is given to Him he giver who receives a gift.

THE ABILITY to give to the Cause of God is a privilege. Every contribution that we make should be seen in this way.

Shoghi Effendi explained that the Kingdom of God is Baháwllah’s gift to mankind. Baha'is are the only ones who can play a role in providing the material re=

sources that are needed.

It is also interesting to note that if administrative rights are taken from a believer because of flagrant violation of Baha'i law, one of the privileges removed is that of contributing to the Fund.

Atarecent fund-raising event in ~ Chicago one of the members of the Continental Board of Counsellors told the story of a $2 contribution he made for the construction of the House of Worship in Wilmette.

At the time, he said, he was a small boy in Iran. To his surprise and delight, in return for his donation he received a hand-written receipt from the Guardian! Today, he said, he would not exchange that receipt for a million dollars.

For such a seemingly small effort this individual had received a priceless gift. Yet, even more than this, that piece of paper is totally worthless compared to the everlasting privilege of having helped to build the Mother Temple of the West.

We who are serving the Cause in these days must strive to acquire this understanding of our relationship to the Fund: We are blessed to be able to contribute to the work of building the Kingdom of God on earth.

The opportunities for service now open to us can never be recaptured. ,

eee eee

[Page 6]YOUTH NEWS

The American Baha'i

Youth Plan goals include 25 young overseas pioneers

One of the goals listed in the National Youth Plan is that of a minimum of 25 international youth pioneers who will stay at their posts for a minimum of one year.

The Youth Plan also encourages youth to incorporate study abroad with pioneering.

Many U.S. colleges and universities have set up international study programs that enable American students to study at an overseas school for a year, and many of these programs offer scholarship funding or material aid.

In addition, there are independent organizations such as the United Nations that offer scholarships to students who wish to study at an overseas school.

Baha’i college students are encouraged to investigate these opportunities and to aim their educational goals toward present and future service to the Faith.

The National Youth Committee and International Goals Committee can provide background information for interested students.

For a list of goal countries and some general information on studying at an overseas school, please contact either the National Youth Committee or International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

College inter-club councils encouraged

In some areas of the country in which there are several Baha’{ College Clubs, the members of these clubs have gotten together to plan inter-club activities. The National Youth Committee encourages, wherever possible, the formation of these inter-club councils.

An inter-club council can be formed by having each member club appoint or designate a representative. These representatives can meet and exchange ideas for club-sponsored activities as well as share plans and solicit support and participation from other clubs in that area.

Major activities such .as largescale proclamations and teaching events can be coordinated by the council to ensure greater participation and support from all of the clubs in a given area.

In Ohio, several clubs have joined forces to teach the Faith on campuses where no club yet exists, and their inter-club group has held conferences to exchange ideas on media materials and teaching aids that are effective on campus.

Clubs that are interested in contacting other college clubs in their area to set up an inter-club council may contact the National Youth Committee for a listing of all existing clubs in their vicinity.

The Baha’{ Youth Committee of Columbus/Upper Arlington, Ohio, sponsored a reception Au

gust 8 for seven students from

a

Dr. David Ruhe, a member of the Universal House of Justice, receives a scroll addressed to the Supreme Body by participants in the first Intercontinental Bahd’i Youth Conference of the Seven Year Plan, held last July in Kansas City, Missouri, from 13-year-old

Swaziland who are attending Ohio State University. The event included a potluck cookout, a talk by Dwight Thompson of Toledo

Laurie Berger of Columbia, Missouri, who was on pilgrimage to the World Centre with her mother and grandparents shortly after the conference and volunteered with them to hand-carry the scroll to Haifa.

who explained how he became a Bahd’{ while living in Chad, Africa, and entertainment by Dell

First Regional Youth Conference held at Green Acre Bahai School

The first of this year’s Regional Youth Conferences was held in mid-September at the Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot, Maine, where a capacity crowd gathered to discuss the National Youth Plan and to focus on the conference theme, ‘‘The Baha’i Faith Believes in YOUth.””

Youth from all of the Northeastern states and from Ohio, Florida and Georgia attended the event at the Baha’i property which was blessed by the presence of

• Abdu’l-Baha in 1912.

THIS HISTORICAL inspiration was enhanced by the participation of two Auxiliary Board members, Nat Rutstein and Katherine McLaughlin, and by a special visit from Dr. Stanwood Cobb, who declared his belief in

Regional Youth Conference to be held in December at Disney World theme park near Orlando, Florida

Disney World will be the site of the next Regional Youth Conference sponsored by the National Youth Committee.

The Walt Disney resort near Orlando, Florida, was chosen as the site for the Southern states, and youth from all over the country are expected to attend the conference, to be held December 27-30.

Included will be presentations by members of the National Youth Committee with a focus on the National Youth Plan and the role of youth in fulfilling its objectives.

A visit to the Disney World theme park, the ‘Magic Kingdom,”’ will be a part of the program.

Most of the conference partici

pants will stay at Fort Wilderness, in a group camping facility adjacent to the Magic Kingdom park. Hotel accommodations also will be made available.

A brochure with details of the conference will be mailed to all Bahdé’i youth in the Southern states by mid-November.

Anyone living outside that area who would like to receive information about the conference should contact the National

Youth Committee, Bahd’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office, 305-462-1919.

Other Regional Youth Conferences will be held at Camp Arrah Wanna near Mount Hood, Oregon, March 19-21, 1982; at Green Lake Assembly, Green Lake, Wisconsin, April 9-11, and at Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore, Oklahoma, April 9-11.

ry = . Campbell who came from Wilmette, Illinois, especially for the meeting.

Baha’u’ll4h at Green Acre in 1906!

“The program was designed to acquaint the youth with their special role in service to the Faith,”’ said Tracey Jeter, a member of the National Youth Committee who participated in the conference.

“The youth can serve the Faith in so many ways,’’ she continued. “They can serve their local communities, strive to meet the goals of the Youth Plan, and offer the Teachings to their peers.’’ .

Each of these areas of service was dealt with during the discussion groups and presentations at the conference.

Mr. Rutstein spoke about the spirit that is so effectively generated at these gatherings of youth, and asked the youth to do all they could to keep alive that spirit after they returned home.

Other program highlights included dawn prayers at Mount Salvat, a spot that was visited by the Master and designated by Him as the site of a future House of Worship; a talent night that was attended by more than 225 people; a videotape of an address to the Kansas City Youth Conference by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum; and an introduction to ‘‘The Rhythm of Growth” presented by Jan Uebel, a staff member of the National Teaching Committee.

Regional Youth Conferences are being planned for each of the regions in the U.S., and youth are encouraged to attend at least one of these gatherings that were called for by the Universal House of Justice in its message concerning the goals of the three-year second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

[Page 7]YOUTH NEWS .

November 1981

7

Youth make steady progress toward winning goals

The National Youth Committee is pleased to announce that the youth have made steady progress toward winning the goals of the three-year second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

“We're only seven months into the plan, and already the American youth have made significant gains in achieving the goals of the Youth Plan,’’ says Albert Huerta, a member of the Youth Committee.

SIXTY PERCENT of the goal for the establishment of youth and college clubs and committees has been won, he says, and the Youth Committee is receiving information on new clubs each day.

Twenty-one youth have served as international traveling teachers since the plan was unveiled at the Youth Conference in Kansas City in July, and the Youth Committee expects that the goal of 50 international teachers can be met by the end of next summer.

“One of the goals that is often difficult to keep tabs on is that of homefront pioneers,’? says Mr. Huerta. ‘The Youth Committee defines a ‘homefront pioneer’ as one who moves to an area for the purpose of teaching and expanding the Faith in that area.

“Many Bahd’{ youth have moved to colleges away from home or have found housing in a goal area so that they can be of service to the Faith, and these people are considered homefront pioneers,’’ he says. “It is difficult for the Youth Committee to record these sacrifices, and we must rely on reports from the youth themselves.””

Any youth who meets these requirements in service as a homefront pioneer should contact the National Youth Committee so that their service to the Faith may be counted in the victories of the plan.

“We often receive letters from youth who are investigating schools in goal areas or would like to attend schools where no Baha’i College Club yet exists,”’ says Mr. Huerta.

The National Youth Committee keeps track of jeopardized communites and other goal areas and is happy to supply anyone with that information.

“ANOTHER of the goals that needs to be focused on,”’ says Mr. Huerta, “‘is that of youth serving as pioneers to other countries.

“Working closely with the International Goals Committee, the Youth Committee tries to keep youth informed about international study programs and scholarships so that they can combine their education with service to the Faith at an overseas post.”

The Universal House of Justice has stated that Baha’ youth are in a unique position to serve the Faith in this capacity:

“Not yet having acquired all the responsibilities of a family or a

GOAL

6000

YOUTH POPULATION

500 25

NETWORK INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL HOMEFRONT & PIONEERS TRAVELING PIONEERS Reported as CLUBS TEACHERS of 9/1/81

Three Year Phase

50 75

2?

ae GO) <

long-established home and job, youth can more easily choose where they will live and study or work. In the world at large young people travel hither and thither ... Bahd’i youth, beating the incomparable treasure of the Word of God for this Day, can harness this mobility into service

for mankind and can choose their place of residence, their areas of travel and their types of work with the goal in mind of how they can best serve the Faith.””

One of the goals of the Youth Plan that needs constant attention, according to the Youth Committee, is that of teaching

other youth, thereby doubling the number of American youth in the Faith to 6,000.

“One of the ways that we can win this goal,” says Mr. Huerta, “is to strive to be an example of the Bahai Teachings. By living the Baha’i life and practicing the

Youth Committees in key ‘network’ role

District Youth Committees were recently assigned numerical goals for the formation of Baha’i College Clubs and local or high school clubs in given areas.

“The National Youth Committee felt that these District Youth Committees, which are a vital part of the Baha’i youth network, could play a significant role in expanding that network,” says Nanette Graves, a member of the National Youth Committee. ‘‘We are asking all functioning District Youth Committees to help in the formation of these clubs and to enable us to reach the goal of 500 clubs and committees specified in the National Youth Plan.””

At District Conver s, the District Youth Committees made presentations on their goals to

elicit support from the communities in their area.

“In districts that do not have functioning District Youth Committees,”” says Miss Graves, ‘‘the National Youth Committee is trying, as a first priority, to get a District Youth Committee started. These new committees can then tackle the goal of forming new clubs.””

In these areas, she says, the District Teaching Committees are being asked to adopt the goals until a District Youth Committee can be established.

Packets were mailed to all District Youth Committees and their sponsoring Spiritual Assemblies, as well as to all District Teaching Committees, in September.

The packets outlined the goals

and advised each committee of the clubs that are presently functioning and recognized in each area.

“If each district does its part,’” says Miss Graves, ‘‘the goals will be readily won. The National Youth Committee stands ready to assist all of the District Youth Committees in winning their assigned goals.””

Jazz album well-received

A new jazz album by John Clarke, a member of the Baha’i community of New York City, was given a favorable review in the September 5 issue of the New York Post.

The album, ‘‘Faces,’’ includes a song entitled ““Abhd Kingdom’ that was especially well received.

principles of the Faith, we attract our peers.””

The Youth Committee is certain, he says, that with dedication and enth m, the American youth can easily win all of the goals assigned to this community.

La. youth raise $1,000 for Louhelen

It took only two months for the Baha'i Youth Club of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, to reach its goal of raising $1,000 for the Louhelen Baha’i School fund.

The youth held a car wash and auction, raising a total of $1,014 for the school.

For the car wash, the young people took “reservations” for a week, then went to their customers’ homes to wash and wax cars.

More than 40 Baha'is attended the auction, held July 18 in Baton Rouge. A large Persian carpet was the best fund-raiser .

Other club activities this year have included weekly youth firesides and several youth deepenings.

[Page 8]IGC:PIONEERING

The American Baha'i

Three people declared their belief in Baha’u’ll4h during the first of a series of six weekly institutes July 25-26 in Tanna, Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides), that was attended by about 25 believers and their guests ...

Grant Miller, a Baha'i from Auckland, New Zealand, who is a musician, composed a song entitled “‘We'’re All Looking for Love"’ that was used as the theme song for an International Year of the Disabled telethon in that country ...

Twenty-five residents of Turrialba, Costa Rica, a small town named for a nearby volcano, expressed their desire to study the Faith as a result of a proclamation effort conducted by members of the local Bahaé’i community on four consecutive Sundays ...

The Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts was interviewed by Radio Botswana and an unsolicited article about him was published in the Daily News during a visit to Botswana April 8-18 by Mr. Robarts and his wife, Audrey ...

One hundred-fifty Bahd’is from all parts of Brazil attended a national conference July 4-6 in Rio de Janeiro to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in that country by the late Continental Counsellor Leonora Armstrong ...

A teaching campaign among the

Aymara Indian people in Perd’s.

Huancané province on the north side of Lake Titicaca resulted in the formation last Ridvan of three new Spiritual Assemblies, the first among the Aymaras in that zone ...

More than 140 believers including representatives of 20 Indian tribes participated April 26-30 in the second national Native Council in Rawdon, Quebec, Canada ...

Belete Worku of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, combined a two-month business trip through seven countries with a traveling teaching effort during which he taught the Faith in 27 cities in Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and countries in the Middle East.

During his trip from January to March 1981, Mr. Worku made direct contact with 150 seekers and more than 2,000 Baha'is across North America ...

More than 160 artists attended an artists’ workshop April 25-26 in Georgetown, Guyana, that was organized by five Baha’{ artists and sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana ...

More than 200 members of Parliament from various political parties in the United Kingdom passed a motion in July protesting the persecution of Baha'is in Iran ...

Plan now to attend ’82 Baha’i Conferences

“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.”’—Bahi’u’llah, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 70

.

Now is the time to make your plans to attend what promise to be the largest and most exciting Baha'i gatherings of the decade—the 1982 International Conferences called by the Universal House of Justice.

Each of these conferences will have a Hand of the Cause of God present representing the Universal House of Justice.

THE CONFERENCES are dedicated to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahiyyih Khanum, the daughter of His Holiness Baha’u’ lah.

Consider the many opportunities that will be presented when the many friends attending these conferences undertake teaching assignments in connection with their travel to and from the events.

How significantly great is this movement of the friends to the four corners of the globe. Here is your chance to diffuse the gladtidings far and wide.

Consider the effect of just two families:

Charleen and Nasrollah Maghzi who recently returned from Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean report that in the 17 airports and 55 hours in airplanes, they had the

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES 1982

The International Goals Committee wants to get an estimate of how many people will be going to each of the International Baha’i Conferences next year. If you think you might be able to go to one or more of them, please check the appropriate box(es) and send this coupon the the International Goals Committee, Baha’i Na tional Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. "Date Place

May 7-9

[7 Sune 24-27 Dublin, Ireland Collis Featherstone

[zl August 68 Quito, Ecuador Paul Haney

[1 August 19-22 Lagos, Nigeria William Sears

[C1 September 3-5 Montreal, Canada Amatu’I-Baha Rabiyyih Khanum

To get the best bargains, tickets to some countries must be bought as soon as possible. Ground arrange ments are extra.

Manila, Philippines

POLL

Hand of the Cause

Ugo Giachery

Name Baha’i ID No.

Approximate Air Fare

From Los Angeles $900-$1,000

From New York $650-$800 +

From Miami $506-$620

From New York $1,112-$1,488

From New York $113-$174, plus tax Large range of fares

opportunity to give the Message to more than 65 people.

Tim and Diana Schaffter wrote about the ease of conversation they had with students in Haiti whom they met in a park.

Each of the countries to be visited by those attending the Int national Conferences will offer its

own unique teaching opportunities.

As we consciously arise to proclaim this Faith to our fellow men, we can rest assured that we will be divinely guided.

Imagine the unconstrained spirit released when together we go forth with assurance, knowing

how unspeakably glorious this chance is for mankind.

Do plan to attend one or more of the conferences and exert yourselves to teach along the way. The International Goals Committee stands ready and eager to help you in this all-important endeavor.

Overseas projects planned for Bolivia, France in ’82

Two overseas teaching projects are being planned for the summer of 1982, one in France and one in Bolivia.

The project in France needs at least four American participants during July and August. These teachers may be any age, but should be fluent in French.

IT WOULD be appreciated also if some had musical talent such as guitar playing or singing.

Only air fare and pocket money ES

World goals filled

As of October 15, the U.S. Baha’i community had filled 48 of the world pioneer goals for the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

During 1981-82, the International Goals Committee is striving to fill SO of the 279 world pioneer goals for the second phase of the Plan.

Goals filled by U.S.

World goals 48 Non-goals, overfills and refills 61 “

Total 109

will be needed. The friends in France will provide hospitality and travel expenses within the country.

The Bolivian project is seeking 10 youth to participate in village teaching in the mountains of Chuquisaca and in the semi-tropical regions of Santa Cruz.

The youth should be fluent in Spanish and have musical skills.

In honor of the beloved Hand of the Cause of God Ramatu’llah Muhdjir, the project is called “The Dr. Muhdjir Bolivian Youth Project.’”

Youth who are interested in participating can contact either the National Youth Committee or the International Goals Committee, but should start thinking now about the money they will need.

Remember, the Youth Committee has set a goal of 50 youth traveling teachers during the three-year second phase of the Seven Year Plan, and to date only 13 have undertaken such trips.

This photo of a puppy appeared in the Birmingham News on Sunday, September 20. What makes it of more than passing interest to Bahd’fs is that the puppy’s forepaws are resting on a copy of the book Thief in the Night, by the

‘ema SUMINEWAY

‘MARIO PUTO, A MOWLARLT (1.

Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. The photo was passed along by the Baha’fs of Jefferson County, Alabama, who say that to their knowledge, the Bahi’fs had nothing to do with staging the photo.

[Page 9]EDUCATION

November 1981

oo

Assemblies, Auxiliary Boards have close ties

This is the seventh in a series of articles on the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies prepared by the National Education Committee. This month’s article outlines the Assembly’s relationship with Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

°

1. Are there any general guidelines Auxiliary Board members and Local Spiritual Assemblies should follow in relating to one another?

The Universal House of Justice has written: ‘‘Above all, the Auxy Board members should

uild up a warm and loving relationship between themselves and the believers in their area so that the Local Spiritual Assemblies will spontaneously turn to them for advice and assistance.” (The Continental Boards of Counsellors, p. 40)

And the National Spiritual Assembly states: ‘‘The relationship of the Local Assembly to the Auxiliary Board is one of loving collaboration. Local Assemblies should therefore keep in touch with the Auxiliary Board members assigned to their areas, invite them to visit their communities, share with them their plans and concerns and ask for their advice and counsel when they feel the need.’”” (Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, p. 112)

2. How does collaboration with the Auxiliary Board members assist the Assembly in meeting the needs of its community?

The Universal House of Justice writes: “‘It is ... inevitable that the Assemblies and committees, being burdened with the administration of the teaching work as well as with all other aspects of Baha’i community life, will be unable to spend as much time as they would wish on stimulating the believers.

“Authority and direction flow from the Assemblies, whereas the power to accomplish the tasks resides primarily in the entire body

Education Advisers in Kentucky are shown planning for the children’s and youth programs at the District Convention. Similar planning sessions were held in all districts in which the Local Education Adviser Program

of the believers. It is the principle task of the Auxiliary Boards to assist in arousing and releasing this power.’ (The Continental Boards of Counsellors, p. 37)

3. It is often stated that because an Auxiliary Board member does not administer, he may not give advice on administrative matters. Is this statement correct?

The Universal House of Justice has written: ‘This is quite wrong. One of the things that Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members should watch and report on is the proper working of administrative institutions. The statement that they do not have anything to do with administration means, simply, that they do not administer. They do not direct or organize the teaching work nor do they adjudicate in matters of personal conflict or personal problems. All these activities fall within the sphere of responsibility of the Spiritual Assemblies. But if an Auxiliary Board member finds a Local Spiritual Assembly functioning incorrectly he should call its attention to the appropriate Texts ...’’ (The Continental Boards of Counsellors, p. 39)

4. How do assistants to Auxiliary Board members relate to Local Spiritual Assemblies and their Baha’{ communities?

The Universal House of Justice has stated: ‘‘Their aims should be to activate and encourage Local Spiritual Assemblies, to call the attention of Local Spiritual Assembly members to the importance of holding regular meetings, to encourage local communities to meet for the Nineteen Day Feasts and Holy Days, to help deepen their fellow-believers’ understanding of the Teachings, and generally to assist the Auxiliary Board members in the discharge of their duties.”’ (The Continental Boards of Counsellors, p. 54)

5. Are assistants to Auxiliary Board members exempt from serving on administrative institu been introduced. Advisers in a given district represent a network of adults who work together on district-wide projects for children and youth. The programs for District Convention provide a focus for cooperative action.

oats,

“Jy

tions?

The Universal House of Justice writes: “Believers can serve at the same time both as assistants to ry Board members and on istrative institutions.”’ (The

Continental Boards of Counsellors, pp. 54-55)

Tim Gorman, a Baha'i from Tempe, Arizona (in wheelchair), presents a plaque to Ed Leware of the Arizona Church Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona, commemorating the installation of

6. Why is it difficult sometimes to understand the concept of the “learned’’ in Baha’{ administration?

The Universal House of Justice has explained: ‘The existence of institutions of such exalted rank, comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a feature of Baha’i administration unparalleled in the religions of the past. The newness and uniqueness of this concept make it difficult to grasp; only as the Baha’{ community grows and

fh Se two ramps for the handicapped at the Center as participants in the Arizona Baha’i Summer School look on. The Spiritual Assembly of Prescott provided funds for the ramps in honor of the United Na

the believers are increasingly able to contemplate its administrative structure uninfluenced by concepts from past ages, will the vital interdependence of the “‘rulers’’ and the “‘learned”’ in the Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable value of their interaction be fully recognized.”’ (The Continental Boards of Counsellors, p. 45)

(Additional information on the Assembly’s relationship to Auxiliary Board members and their assistants can be found in’ Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies and The Continental Boards of Counsellors, available through the Baha’i Publishing Trust.)

tions International Year for Disabled Persons. Baha'is from the western states have attended summer classes at the Center for the past 11 years.

More than 170 attend 2nd Kentucky Baha’i Institute

More than 170 Baha’is and their guests participated July 9-12 in the second annual Kentucky Baha’{ Institute at Morehead State University in the lovely Appalachian foothills of northeastern Kentucky.

The theme of this year’s institute was ‘‘Preparing for the New Era.””

SPEAKERS included Dr. Dwight W. Allen, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board member Nat Rutstein; Mary K. Radpour, editor of Child’s Way magazine; Mrs. Kathy Reimer of Asheville, North Carolina; and Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, a pioneer to Cyprus who is author of the book, When We

Grow Up.

The youth, children’s and preschoolers’ programs were highlighted by visits from each of the five speakers, and also featured crafts and recreational activities.

A nursery area was provided with closed circuit television coverage of the adult sessions.

Evening programs included an observance of the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab; a puppet show by the Wilson family from Benton Harbor, Michigan; folk dancing led by Yael Wurmfeld of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; and a public meeting that featured an audio-visual presentation created and shown by Doug Crawford of Corydon, Kentucky.

Another feature of the Institute was a ‘‘singles workshop” whose sessions were led by Mrs. Reimer and Mrs. Radpour.

The workshop provided an opportunity for single Baha’ is to become better acquainted and to share their experiences, ideas and feelings about life as a single Baha’i.

An exciting part of the weekend was a spontaneously organized street teaching effort during lunch breaks in Morehead. The results included one declaration and contact with several interested residents.

In addition, one Institute registrant declared her belief in Baha*u'llah.

[Page 10]

CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha’i

10

CLASSIFIED notices in The American Baha’i are printed free of charge as a service to the Baha’i community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no commercial or personal messages can be accepted for publication.

.

NEEDED: 20,000 individuals to contribute to the National Baha’{ Fund every month! If interested, please contact UNIPAR, Treasurer's Office, Baha’i Na

tional Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. ALSO NEEDED: Baha'i ID

numbers to accompany all contributions to the National Fund. This helps the Treasurer’s Office to quickly handle and properly receipt all donations. Your number can be found on your Baha’i ID card, or on the mailing label for this paper. Thank you for your help!

HOMEFRONT pioneers (at least one) are needed to help save the jeopardized Assembly in Ridgecrest, California, in the clean, fresh air of the Mojave Desert, an easy three-hour drive from Los Angeles. Excellent employment opportunities exist for computer programmers and technical writers in private industry. Ridgecrest is adjacent to the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, so there are also many civil service openings for people with all kinds of occupational backgrounds. Ridgecrest also offers Cerro Coso Community College, which has excellent two-year programs that can provide a foot in the door to a computer programming career. The Baha’i teaching work is positive and active. For more information please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Ridgecrest, P.O. Box 1479, Ridgecrest, CA 93555, or phone Mary O’Neal-Rush at 714-375-4662.

AN INTERNATIONAL Baha’i Winter School will be held December 30-January 3 in the Kyushu, Japan, area. The theme will center around building an international community. They are requesting the help of traveling teachers to enhance their program. Those who are interested in attending this Winter School should contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WANTED: One or more Baha’is (women if possible) who have had experience in NETWORKING and who would be willing and able to lead workshops on that subject next July as well as possibly give a talk on how Baha’ is can apply the concept both within the Baha’i community and in relation to the larger community in which we live. Please contact Mrs. Jane R. Howard,

, Apt.

nS

2N, Chicago, IL

INTERESTED in Youth for One World? If you belong to or

are interested in YOW clubs and ideas, you may wish to subscribe

to the YOW Clearinghouse, published periodically by the Spiritual Assembly of Redlands, California. If you would like the next four issues of the Clearinghouse, please send your name, address, and $1.50 to help cover mailing costs to YOW, P.O. Box 229, Redlands, CA 92373. Information on YOW also is available frofh this address, or by phoning 714-793-7201.

HAVE YOU ever lived in Humboldt County, California, or in neighboring Del Norte or Trinity counties? Baha’i is gathering data for a history of the Faith in northwestern California; especially sought are any details from before the fall of 1961, when the first long-term Bahda’i residents arrived, plus any stories of activities or episodes that would add some flavor to the raw facts of the community’s growth. If you have any memories to share, as either a Baha’i or pre-Baha’i, please contact Ken Rockwell,

Soquel, CA 95073.

WE NEED five adult Baha’is in La Place, Louisiana, 20 miles from New Orleans and 40 miles from Baton Rouge, to help forma new community. Teaching projects by three nearby Baha’i communities are under way in this area. Persian families are urged to consider seriously this opportunity. For more information write to Place, LA, or phone Mr. or Mrs. Robert Anker, 504-652-6512.

ANYONE who would like a pen pal in Belize may write to Pen Pals, c/o Anthony Tucker, P.O. Box 72, Belize City, Belize, Central America.

PLEASE consider moving to beautiful Inglewood, California, where the gravesite of Thornton Chase; the first Baha’i in America, is located and which was blessed by the presence of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Luxurious one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums are being offered for sale starting at $54,500. For information please contact the District Teaching Committee of Southern California No. 1.

SENIOR citizen female Baha’{ is offering a pleasant, furnished room in a modern home in suburban Grand Rapids, Michigan, to a mature woman. Close to business areas and civic center. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Grand Rapids, P.O. Box 1112,

Grand Rapids, MI 49501, or phone 616-454-3500 or 616-361-7996.

WANTED: Enthusiastic, active Baha’i youth and adults to live in Lowell, Massachusetts, for at least two years and help build the community to Assembly status by Ridvén 1982. Lowell is about eight miles from the New Hampshire border and an hour’s drive from the Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot, Maine. This historic city offers a full curriculum of studies in engineering science at

the local university, city bus transportation, and substantially lower rents than surrounding cities in eastern Massachusetts. There are ample employment opportunities in all technical fields, especially electronic/computer technology. Answers to specific questions can be obtained by writing to the Baha’i community of Lowell, c/o Lorraine Matthews,

Lowell, MA 01851, or by phoning 617-459-1604 after 5 p.m. (EST).

BAHA’E children’s classes interested in becoming pen pals with children’s classes in other countries should contact the Baha’i National Youth Committee,

Fort Lauderdale,

FL 33315.

WANTED: A theme song for the Baha’i Women’s Conference to be held in the Chicago area over the Fourth of July weekend in 1982. The conference theme is “Women Achieving the Balance the Baha’i Way.’’ Sheet music, tapes, and correspondence should be sent to the Chicago Women’s Conference Committee, c/o Ms. Wanda Faily,

Chicago, IL 60626, or phone 312-761-6434.

HOMEFRONT pioneer(s) are needed to share or sub-lease a nice two-bedroom apartment in the warm, friendly Baha’{ community of Wayne, Pennsylvania, a Main Line suburb of Philadelphia that is close to transportation, shops, schools, jobs. Please write to Keith Gross or Bob Ward,

Wayne, PA 19087, or phone 215-964-1183.

THE MEDIA Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago is seeking help from friends for whom English is a second language. Chicago is a veritable mixing bowl of ethnic groups, and the committee would like, to offer them news releases in their mother tongues. No matter what your native language, someone in the Chicago area probably prints a newspaper or broadcasts in it. If, given a few weeks to work on an item, you can help the committee by translating one or a series of media items, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, c/o Mrs. Lily Ayman, secretary,

Chicago, IL 60603, or phone 312-236-7771.

ENGINEERS! Homefront pioneering opportunity in the Fort Walton Beach area of northwest Florida. Electronic engineering positions are available at all levels of experience. For details, please contact Ron and Marsha Fowler,

Florala, AL 36442.

HOMEFRONT pioneers: come to Oklahoma! Eastern Oklahoma desperately needs deepened Baha’i families to help give new Baha’is a firm foundation in the Faith. Especially needed are non-Anglo and interracial couples and fam ilies, as many of the seekers and declarants are non-Anglo and most of the present Baha’{ community is Anglo. There are large Indian and black communities in Eastern Oklahoma who are waiting to hear the Message! There are many universities and junior colleges for those seeking an education, and the recent oil boom means that job opportunities are abundant; the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country. For more information please contact Liz Wakeham, secretary, Eastern Oklahoma District Teaching Committee, P.O. Box 128, Prague, OK 74864 (phone 405-567-3049), or Shahrokh Khazé, chairman, Eastern Oklahoma District Teaching Commit tee, _ Ponca City, OK 74601 (phone 405-765-8504).

PIONEER needed: One English teacher in Talara, Pert. The job pays very well. Oil industry personnel. Some knowledge of Spanish helpful. Not an easy post. Job starts in February 1982. For details please write to the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

BECOME a homefront pioneer in Southwestern Iowa. A semi-retired farm couple, the only Bahd’is within 40 miles, who live on a lovely hill farm with fishing ponds and wooded pastures, would like to contact someone interested in living in the area. Could provide space for a trailer home and garden in return for sharing farm chores. Large recreation area nearby. Varied work opportunities in the area. Contact Leslie Rogers,

Corning, IA 50841, or phone 515-322-3652.

WANTED: The National Baha’i Archives Committee is seeking the records of Regional Teaching Committees for the 1930s and 1940s, especially minutes and correspondence. Anyone having such records is urged to write to the National Baha’{ Ar chives Committee, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AN ACTIVE Baha’i community in Cookeville, Tennessee, needs American Bahd’fs to help develop its teaching plans, since all the Baha’is in Cookeville are Persian. Cookeville is the home of Tennessee Technological University, well known in the South for its engineering colleges. For more information please write to B. Fani,

Cookeville, TN 38501, or phone 615-526-7733.

GORHAM, Maine, is seeking to diversify and rescue its numerically jeopardized Assembly. Rural Gorham, the home of the University of Southern Maine, is 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and little more than an hour from the Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot. Traveling teachers,

also are being sought, and ample lodging is available. Plan a teaching trip to New England and come look us over. For more information please write to the Baha’is of Gorham, Box 265, Gorham, ME 04038, or phone Marie Hoover at 207-839-6449.

BAHA’{ with professional video and theatrical production experience would like to work with other Baha’{ professionals in the production of films and video programs with Baha’{ themes. Willing to work freelance or fulltime. Would prefer staying or living’ in communities that need Baha’is. Please contact Pamela Dedrick,

Burnsville, MN 55337, or phone 612-890-3134.

CARROLL COUNTY, Maryland, a close-knit, active Baha’i community, may soon lose four of its 11 members, thus jeopardizing the Assembly. The area combines the advantages of rural living with proximity to Western Maryland College, the city of Baltimore, and York and Hanover, Pennsylvania. The community welcomes everyone, but especially needs older Baha’is and members of minority groups. Please contact Rich or Clenda Phillips,

Millers, MD 21107, or phone 301-374-2436.

BAHA’{ FAMILY is pioneering to Papua New Guinea and must sell its home in Spring Hope, a community of 15,000 about 50 miles east of Raleigh, North Carolina. What is needed is an active Baha’i family (the location is ideal for children) who will continue the hard work here and help the District Teaching Committee and Auxiliary Board member in the deepening and consolidation of 11 newly formed Spiritual Assemblies. The new owner would be isolated but within easy driving range of other Baha’{s. The home is available in 60 days, sooner if needed, at a price of $42,000 that includes the three-bedroom house on an acre of land, furniture (including appliances), a car, motorcycle, and well-behaved, loyal bird dog. The mortgage is VA-assumable at 11 percent (monthly payments are $364). For more details write to Kathleen Wilkinson, P.O. Box 297, Spring Hope, NC 27882, or if you are in a hurry, phone 919-478-5030. You are needed in North Carolina!

WANTED: Performing artists such as musicians, singers, dancers, comedians, actors, etc., to entertain at the Bahd’i Women’s Conference to be held in the Chicago area over the Fourth of July weekend in 1982. It is preferred that most of the participants be women; they need not be professionals. The major objective will be to ‘‘showcase”’ the multi-varied creativity of women, since developing their creative talents and fostering those of their children is

Please See ADS Page 16

ee AA PRS STS SRST RP PRBS RE RR SSS SSE SESSA SOSTREE PMOONEeC c

[Page 11]

PAGINA HISPANA

October 1981

11

r

Es bien sabido ya el tumulto que ha sufrido aquél pais en los tiltimos tres afios. La intranquilidad y la afliccién se han apoderado de la Naci6n, y no se encuentra solaz en ninguna parte.

La condicién de la Comunidad Baha’ es particularmente penosa, que es la minoria religiosa mas grande de Iran, ahora es victima de una ola creciente de intolerancia y persecuci6n instigada por un grupo de fandticos implacables.

ENTRE OTROS abusos, los lugares sagrados baha’is han sido confiscados y destruidos, miembros de la Fe Baha’i han sido golpeados, violados y aterrorizados, varios de sus lideres han sido sumariamente ejecutados y otros detenidos sin juicio, los cementerios han sido profanados, la propiedad privada saqueada e incendiada, los ahorros de toda la vida de varios millares de familias confiscados arbitrariamente, y toda la comunidad sometida a muchas formas de discriminacién y humillacién. Un editorial en el New York Times del 21 de julio de 1980 describe la persecucién como una “‘busca de chivos expiatorios.””

La mayoria de la minorias religiosas iranjes han sufrido hasta cierto punto durante los ultimos disturbios, pero los: baha’is han sido sefialados deliberadamente. Aunque el niimero de baha’is asciende a cerca de medio mill6n, no se les ha concedido ningun derecho civil.

£Por qué han sido marcados los baha’is?

La raz6n principal esta en el hecho de que los baha’fs creen que Baha’u’ lah, el Fundador de su religién, es el Mensajero de Dios para nuestra época. La ensefianza principal de Baha’u’llah es la unidad de Dios, la unidad de todas las religiones y la unidad de la humanidad.

Baha’{s creen que los Fundadores de todas las grandes religiones de la humanidad son por igual los mensajeros del mismo Dios tinico, y que la religién es necesariamente continua y progresiva, de acuerdo a las necesidades cambiantes del hombre en

cada época.

Esta creencia es considerada por los musulmanes fundamentalistas como una amenaza contra Islam, que ellos sostienen es la religién final para todos.

La persecucién de la Fe Baha’i en Iran comenz6 tan pronto como nacié la religién en 1844. El Bab, uno de los Fundadores de la Fe, y Heraldo de Baha'u'llah, fue martirizado en 1850. Durante los aiios sucesivos, mas de 20,000 miembros de la nueva Fe fueron masacrados en persecuciones salvajes instigados por el clero musulman,

Estas persecuciones han continuado a intervalos hasta hoy, sin tomar en cuenta los varios cambios en el régimen politico, éstas son mds severas ahora porque los elementos en el poder han aprovechado el tumulto revolucionario para intensificar sus ataques.

{Qué relacién tiene la Fe Baha’i con el Islam?

La relacién es mas 0 menos igual que aquella entre la Fe Cristiana y el Judaismo. La Fe Baha’i surgiéd del Islam del siglo diecinueve, Aunque el clero musulman insiste que la Fe Baha’i es una secta “‘herética’’ del Islam, es ahora generalmente considerada como una religion mundial independiente con su propio Fundador, escrituras, leyes e instituciones.

Las Naciones Unidas le han conferido plena calidad como una de las Organizaciones No Gobernamentales de la ONU.

La Fe Baha’{ considera al Islam como una de las grandes religiones reveladas, como el Cristianismo, el Judaismo, y Budismo. Algunas ensefianzas baha’{s, sin embargo, son fuertemente opuestas por los musulmanes fundamentalistas.

Varios de los baha’is prominentes quienes han sido ejecutados recientemente fueron condenados porque, segin se pretende ellos habian ‘‘esparcido la corrupcién”’ al ensefiar su fe:

Igualdad de hombres y mujeres: Porque Bahd’u’llah ensefio la igualdad de los sexos, mujeres baha’js en Iran rechazaron el uso del velo y han tomado la misma parte en la administracién de los

Un ejemplo sobresaliente de los resultados de la ensefianza se encuentra en el Sur del Valle Pajaro

en California. Saludos a nuestros nuevos amigos de la Fe Baha’i.

asuntos de la comunidad baha’i como sus esposos y hermanos. A consecuencia, por mucho tiempo han sido denunciadas por el clero musulman como ‘‘prostitutas.’”

Estudios cient : Baha’u’llah ensefio que la verdadera fe esta en armonia con los principios de investigacién cientifica. Los musulmanes fundamentalistas, sin embargo, consideran que la mayoria de las cinecias son ‘‘occidentales’’ y ‘‘satdnicas,’’ y sostienen que aquellos que se dedican a ellas son responsables por la sovacacién de la fibra moral de la sociedad.

Educacién universal: Las Ensefianzas Baha’is ponen gran énfasis en la educacién. Como resultado, un porcentaje alto de los miembros de la Fe en Iran han sido entrenados en las miltiples profesiones.

En un pais como Iran, faltando una clase media y repentinamente obligado por el poder de la historia a una modernizacién rapida, grandes nuimeros de_ baha’is fueron empleados por el servicio civil, la industria privada, etc. Esto los ha expuesto a ser acusados de ‘‘explotacién del antiguo régimen.””

{Cuan grande es el peligro para los Baha’is?

El propésito final de los mullahs y ayatollahs quienes son los instigadores de las persecuciones es la completa erradicacién de la Fe Baha’i de la tierra de su nacimiento. Esperan desmoralizar las masas de los baha’is para obligarlos a renunciar su fe y convertirse al Islam.

Dada la historia de un siglo de la comunidad baha’i resistiendo tal presién y el odio profundamente arraigado que anima.a los perseguidores, parece estar formAndose una tragedia de dimen Campamento de Refugiados

siones espantosas.

{Qué se esta haciendo para proteger a los Baha'is Iranies?

Las comunidades baha’is alrededor del mundo han apelado a sus propios gobiernos y a varias organizaciones internacionales para intervenir. El 15 de septiembre de 1980, la Comisién de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas adopt6 una resolucién protestando por el tratamiento contra la comunidad bahda’{ irani y sus lideres elegidos.

El 19 de septiembre, el Parlamento Europeo, luego de registrar su creencia de que los bahd’is iranies fueron victimas de una campafia sistematica de persecucién, condené los ataques, pidid al gobierno de Iran “‘conceder a la comunidad baha’i el reconocimiento legal y proteccién a las cuales todas las minorias tienen derecho.”’

Hasta la fecha, todos los esfuerzos de la comunidad de ‘naciones para persuadir al gobierno

Por que estan perseguidos los Baha’is en Iran?

irani a parar las persecuciones, lamentablemente no han recibido ninguna respuesta.

Un esfuerzo paralelo fue hecho por las comunidades baha’{s del mundo para llevar a la atencién de los érganos masivos de comunicacién la historia de la odisea de sus correligionarios en Iran. Una de las razones importantes de este articulo es revelar que los responsables de las persecuciones tienen la intencién de disfrazar su odio religioso por medio de alegaciones de tipo politico.

Los baha’is confian en que, si se mantiene la atencién e indignacién mundial, las autoridades iranies eventualmente seran obligadas a intervenir, Mientras tanto, los baha’is de Iran han asegurado que estan preparados para defender su Fe con sus vidas.

Cada uno de los baha’is prominentes ejécutados en recientes meses fue presionado para renegar de su Fe, a lo cual ellos se rehusaron firmemente, atin cuando se les ofrecié el indulto.

[Page 12]The American Baha’i

Ea Oe ee Te EE EN I RACE UNITY

12

A national Race Amity Conference is being planned from June 10-13, 1982, in Washington, D.C. Baha’is are urged to make plans now to attend this important gathering. Furthermore, all Groups and communities are encouraged to hold race amity conferences during 1982.

The inspiration for such conferences dates back to instructions given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1920. The following passage about Mrs. Agnes Parsons, taken from Volume 5 of The Baha’ World, gives some details.

“(MRS. PARSONS’) second visit to the Presence of the Master in Haifa, Palestine, was made during the winter and early spring of 1920. During this second visit she received from ‘Abdu’l-Baha a remarkable instruction—a command—which, carried into execution, placed her in the ranks of those who rendered pioneer services to the Cause. ‘The blessings that come to one are greater than those one seeks,’ said ‘Abdu’lBaha. This instruction was not sought by Mrs. Parsons; it came to her from the heaven of the Master’s Divine Will, and was in truth and in fact a great and overwhelming surprise to Mrs. Parsons herself. The Master’s instruction was as follows:

“* “I want you to arrange a Convention for unity of the colored and white races. You must have

people to help you.’

“After Mrs. Parsons returned to America she often spoke of this command. In those days ‘to arrange a Convention’ seemed a tremendous undertaking, but she always said, ‘I will be able to do i must for it is the Will of ‘Abdu’ lBaha.’ And in accordance with the explicit command of the Master she succeeded in gathering around her a helpful, active and earnest Committee.

“During the period of preparation for this Convention (and the preliminary work consumed weeks and even months), Mr. Mountfort Mills was in Haifa. He returned to this country in time to serve as Chairman of one of the Convention sessions. At this meeting he read the following message from ‘Abdu’l-Baha sent through him to be read at the Convention:

“* Say to this Convention that never since the beginning of time has one more important been held. This Convention stands for the Oneness of Humanity; it will become the cause of the removal of hostility between races; it will be the cause of the enlightenment of America. It will—if wisely managed and continued—check the deadly struggle between these races which otherwise will inevitably break out.’

“Immediately after the close of the Convention Mrs. Parsons sent the following cable to ‘Abdu’l Baha: ‘Convention successful. Meetings crowded. Hearts comforted.’ And ‘Abdu’l-Baha_replied at once by cable: ‘The whitecolored Convention produced happiness. Hoping will establish

same in all America.”

“The Tablets of the Master which followed, not only to Mrs. Parsons but to others, indicated that this first Amity Convention

‘When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine...’ ((Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)

Race Amity Conference to be held in June 1982

was termed by the Master ‘the mother. convention’ from which many Amity Conventions would be born, and in one Tablet He called it a perfect convention.’”

Race Unity Committee sponsoring an art contest

The Race Unity Committee is sponsoring an art contest. Children (ages 5-9, 10-14), youth (15-20) and adults (21 and older) are invited to submit contributions relating to RACE AMITY in the following categories:

1. Line drawings in black and white—8 1/2 x 11 inches.

2. Mixed media.

3. Photos—in black and white (8 x 10) or color (unlimited size).

Be sure to include your name, city or town, and age with your entry.

Prizes will be awarded to children, youth and adults in each category. Selected entries will be placed on display at the national

Race Amity Conference next June in Washington, D.C. All entries become the property of the Race Unity Committee and cannot be returned.

Please send all entries to Dr. Carole Allen, secretary, Norfolk, VA 23508.

Athos Costas (second row center), a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas, met with the friends in Miami Beach, Florida, August 2 en route from his pioneer post in Bolivia to a meeting of the Board of Counsellors in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Mr. Costas, a native of Argentina, has been a Baha’i since 1942 and has served as a Counsellor since the Boards were created by the Universal House of Justice in 1969. This was his first visit to the U.S. since he attended the Intercontinental Conference in Wilmette in 1953.

More than 100,000 people had an opportunity to see this Baha’i display July 23-26 at the Monmouth

County Fair in New Jersey. The display was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Middletown

|

Township, New Jersey, with help from the Baha’fs in Monmouth and Ocean counties. This marked the fifth straight year for Baha’{ participation in the Fair.

Bahd’is invite speaker, reap reward |

While it is often difficult to arrange for a Baha’i to be invited to address a local organization, it may be easier to invite a member of the organization to address the Bahd’is as a means of starting a dialogue.

The Spiritual Assembly of Middletown Township, New Jersey, used this approach with the local chapter of the NAACP with significant results. They write:

“On November 29, 1980, Mr. Augustino Monteiro, president of the Greater Red Bank chapter of the NAACP, spoke to a small racially mixed group of Baha’is on his organization and the needs and desires of the black community.

“In turn, we were able to present the Bahd’i view on race,

reading excerpts from ‘‘The Most | Challenging Issue” in The Advent of Divine Justice.

“We subsequently received a letter praising our sincerity in this area as well as a phone call requesting literature and information on meetings for other members of the NAACP chapter to whom Mr. Monteiro had spoken about his meeting with us.

“Also, several members of our community plan to try to attend the local NAACP meetings to increase our association with the black community.

“It seems that this simple idea is already having positive effects and, hopefully, more are to come.’” 7 Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Middletown Twp., New Jersey

Clone year 6 issues) $6.00 Utwo years $11.00

name.

1981-82 Race Unity Committee

Dr. Ann Marie Carpenter, chairperson. Dr. Carole Allen, secretary,

23508.

Dr. William Smith, treasurer.

Mrs. Bess Daniels, Mr. Behruz Hedayaty, Mrs. Annamarie.Honnold, Mr. Ernest Lopez.

As in the past, the Race Unity Committee welcomes your comments and articles. Correspondence should be sent to the secretary, Dr. Carole Allen, at the address given above.

Norfolk, VA

‘Abdu’l-Baha on the Five Races

“In short, five races exist upon the surface of the globe: the white, black, brown, yellow and red races. This resembles the different species and colors of doves, but, on the other hand, there is no distinction of color among them, on the contrary the white, black, yellow, blue, red and purple doves, all associate together in the utmost love and harmony. How can man who is endowed with reason and intelligence be limited by these considerations of color? This is nothing but heedlessness, ignorance and counter to human laws.’’—Star of the West, Vol. 11, No. 10, p. 165 (November 8, 1920)

street city state & zip.

send to: child’s way Baha’i Subscriber Service §23 Greenbay Road Wilmette, Il. 60091

[Page 13]

PUBLICATIONS

November 1981

13

Catherine Andreasen of Des Moines, Iowa, is given a scroll listing some of her Bahia’ activities that was signed by the 80 guests at a celebration August 9 of her 50 years as a Baha’{. Making the pre

sentation is Jennifer Wickersham, a Baha’{ child in the Des Moines community. Bahd’is and others from Illinois, Nebraska and many

communities in Iowa attended the event.

Publishing Trust to discontinue _ Mini-Catalog, refocus strategy

During the last several months the Publishing Trust has been monitoring closely the order coupons that appear in the MiniCatalog.

The relatively few orders that have been received show no direct link between the purchases made and the items advertised in that month’s catalog.

IT APPEARS that the coupons are being used primarily as a convenient general order form and not for orders stimulated by a particular ad.

Since general order forms are already available from the Publishing Trust, it would seem that a good deal of writing, photography, typesetting and paste-up are going into the production of a Mini-Catalog that few people save and even fewer order from.

Moreover, the income generated from the catalogs does not cover the expense of almost $1,500 for each issue.

Instead of continuing the MiniCatalog, the marketing manager at the Trust has decided to concentrate his efforts on the following:

1. The production of a regular catalog that will appear in sections in The American Baha’i.

2. A survey of Baha’i librarians to find ways to serve the community better.

3. Revision of the librarians’ handbook.

Diagnostic test uses passage on Faith

Shirley Ganao, a Baha’ who is working as a professional diagnostic tester in Washington, D.C., has found a new way to teach the Faith.

Ms. Ganao, an assistant psychometrist in a diagnostic testin; unit of the University of the District of Columbia, worked on a two-year study of diagnostic test

ing and placement programs funded by the Ford Foundation.

Students preparing for tests that place them in appropriate levels of English and math must read informative passages and then answer questions designed to measure their memory and understanding.

Ms. Ganao used a passage on the Baha’i Faith and its Teach

The order and bil

more than a decade.

ments of the Publishing Trust. Returning the order

partment.

Linden Avenue.

2 Trust offices return to Linden

ing departments of the Bahd’i Publishing Trust, which for the past year have been housed at 523 Green Bay Road in Wilmette, have once again joined the management, editorial and marketing departments that have been at 415 Linden Avenue for

All correspondence should now be directed to the 415 Linden Avenue address. However, any mail already sent to 523 Green Bay Road will be forwarded to 415 Linden Avenue.

All package returns should continue to be sent to 523 Green Bay Road, which continues to house the warehouse and shipping depart and billing departments to 415 Linden Avenue will make the processing of orders more efficient and will bring the customer service department in closer proximity to the marketing de The move also obviates the need for extensive remodeling at 523 Green Bay Road, thus helping to cut costs. The Baha’i subscriber service department also has returned to 415

ings, which at last count had been read and studied by more than 1,000 students in June, July and August of 1981 alone.

The passage also is included as a sample in the final report of the study, which has been sent to all major universities in the country.

Displays, literature help proclaim Faith in New York City

Baha’{ displays and literature tables have been increasingly evident recently in the New York City area.

For the first time in recent memory, three tables were presented in different parts of the city on September 13.

The Brooklyn Teaching Committee had a display as part of the Fifth Avenue Fair; the Display Committee had a booth at the TAMA County Fair on Third Avenue in Manhattan; and the Manhattan Teaching Committee manned a literature table at Central Park South and Sixth Avenue.

4. The promotion of two major new titles due for release in spring 1982.

5. An ongoing series of articles in The American Baha’{ to keep everyone informed about the progress of all of the above.

If you would like to express your feelings or opinion on any of the topics discussed here, please do so by writing to Greg Weiler, marketing manager, Bahd’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

New book surveys Western views of Faith’s growth from 1844-1944

The Babi and Baha’i Religions, 1844-1944; Some Contemporary Western Accounts, edited by Moojan Momen and published by George Ronald, is now available from the Baha’i Publishing Trust (Catalog No. 332-052-10, $28.50).

The book, the result of seven years’ research by editor, examines the extensive writings and documents about the history of the Baha’i Faith by Western authors not themselves Baha’is.

THE FIRST PART of the book is a 60-page survey of these Western accounts, in which the editor describes how news of the Babi and Baha’i Faiths reached the West, considers the contributions, of various scholars and authors, and examines some of the misconceptions that abounded in the early reports. No such comprehensive survey has previously been attempted and there are lessons to be learned here by all students of religious history.

The second part of the book consists of reports, mainly by European diplomatic and consular staff, missionai and _trayelers—organized in four chronological sections relative to the istries of the three Central Figures of the Faith, the Bab, Baha’u’ll4h and ‘Abdu’l-Bahdé, and of the Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.

The reports concern episodes in

Babi and Baha’{ history of which the writers were eyewitnesses or had been given first-hand accounts. They shed a fascinating light on these episodes, and have particular relevance to recent and present events affecting the Baha’i community in Iran. rs

The accounts in the book are set in context, with much background information and evaluation of their accuracy. For the convenience of the reader, reports in other European languages have been translated into English.

TWO VALUABLE appendices add to the usefulness of this book. The first contains tables of the names and dates of rulers, and governmental and diplomatic personnel in Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and Palestine during the hundred years under review.

The second contains nearly 300 biographical notes about the authors of the reports and the main participants in the events, a great help to students of the Baha’i Faith and Persian history, who often find these names mentioned.

The book also includes 45 illustrations, chiefly of authors and participants, which add considerable interest to the text.

The extensive bibliography is not only a measure of the editor’s far-ranging research, but provides a guide to all who would pursue scholarly studies in this field.

About 40 Baha’is and their guests gathered recently in Woodside, California, for an informal discussion of the Faith led by Dan Seals, best known for his topselling records as a part of the team of England Dan and John Ford Coley. Mr. Seals gave a 20-minute introduction to. the

Faith, then answered questions from some of those who attended. He and his new partner, Rafe Van Hoy, then mingled with the guests for refreshments before leaving for a concert engagement. The discussion was sponsored by the

Baha’is of Southern San Mateo

County

[Page 14]PERSIAN PAGE

The American Baha'i

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[Page 15]

NATIVE AMERICANS

November 1981

Council Fire

mulls plans

for S:W. Baha’i Institute

Approximately 65 people from Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico attended the Southwest Baha'i Institute Council Fire August 15-16 on the Navajo Indian Reservation at Burntwater, Arizona.

Speakers included Auxiliary Board members Ernest Bruss and Nancy Phillips; John Cook and Wayne Steffes, members of the American Indian Teaching Committee; Henry Bainbridge, a member of the Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee; Franklin Kahn, a Navajo Indian from Flagstaff, Arizona, who is a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly; and David Villasehor, a Baha'i .from Glendora, California, who is a well known Indian sand painter and sculptor.

IN ITS JANUARY 1981 message to the Baha'is of the U.S. concerning the three-year second

Kevin Locke (back to camera), a Sioux Indian Baha’{ from Vermillion, South Dakota, plays the flute during a pow wow at the sec phase of the Seven Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice called upon the friends to ** ...construct and develop a teaching institute on the Navajo Reservation ...”” This was the focus of consultation at the Council Fire.

Sponsored by the Southwest Baha'i Institute Planning Committee with the help of the Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee, the Council Fire commemorated the 19th anniversary of the first mass teaching effort on the Navajo Reservation, which was also one of the first such projects in the U.S.

In 1962, Franklin and Chester Kahn invited the friends to launch a teaching campaign in their Reservation village of Pine Springs, Arizona.

In response to that invitation, about $00 people including the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru ond annual Grand Portage (Minnesota) North American Native Institute held August 29-30.

150 Bahda’is gather in Minnesota for Grand Portage Native Institute

About 150 people from Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and northwestern Ontario traveled to the Grand Portage Ojibway Indian Reservation in northeastern Minnesota the weekend of August 29-30 to attend the second annual Grand Portage North American Native Institute.

The Institute is sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Northern Minnesota, with help from the National Youth Committee and American Indian Teaching Committee.

Its primary objectives are to give those who attend a better understanding of the life and spiritual teachings of Native Americans, and to create bonds of unity between Canada and the United States.

In addition to prayers, pipe ceremonies, addresses and demon (aS SSS

Strations by Native Americans, presentations were made by representatives of the African and Persian cultures.

A Saturday evening pow wow, held in honor of the Native American drum, featured an address, hoop dance and flute playing by Kevin Locke, a Sioux Indian Baha'i from Vermillion, South Dakota.

About 30 children learned crafts and Indian ways during the afternoon children’s classes,

Sunday's program began with dawn prayers on the shores of Lake Superior and a pipe ceremony near a 350-year-old cedar tree that is sacred to the Indians in that area.

Tt was followed that afternoon by a unity feast that included songs, dancing, and fry bread and venison stew.

David Villasefior, renowned Native American sand painter and sculptor, explains the symbols of

lah Khadem; Amoz Gibson, now a member of the Universal House of Justice and then a member of the U.S. National Spiritual As Indian culture to the friends at the Southwest Baha’{ Institute Coun

sembly; and busloads of Baha'is from California traveled to Pine Springs.

As a result of that teaching ef Redlands Assembly undertakes ‘Homestay’ program for students

As a part of its ‘Operation Befriend’? program, the Spiritual Assembly of Redlands, California, has begun a ‘‘Homestay’’ program for foreign students in that community.

About 100 students from all over the world come to Redlands each year to study and learn English from American International Education and Training at the University of California at Redlands,

The Redlands ‘‘Homestay’’ program involves placement of advanced English-speaking students into American homes so that they can practice the language in a real-life situation and benefit from exposure to American family life and culture.

The response to the program from families and students has been so positive that the number

What’s going on here.. .?

... and all over the Baha’i world!

of families has been increased to include non-Baha’{ families.

The program is being directed on behalf of the Redlands Assembly by Matthew Wagner.

2nd ‘Spiritual Being’ conference draws 37

Thirty-seven Bahd’is and 10 non-Bahd’is from a_nine-state area attended the second annual seminar on Self, Psychology and the Spi al Being sponsored by the Spi Junction, Colorado.

Of the 18 professionals who attended, six were non-Bahda’is, reflecting an increased interest in the application of Baha’f perspectives on mental and spiritual wellbeing by the outside community.

cil Fire held August 15-16 at Burntwater, Arizona.

fort, more than 100 residents of Pine Springs declared their belief in Baha’u’llah.

AITC names Oklahoma task force

As a result of recent successful teaching campaigns in Oklahoma, the American Indian Teaching Committee has appointed a threemember task force to stimulate and coordinate teaching among. Native Americans in that state.

Task force members are Bill Wakeham, Dennis Wahkinney and Laurie Wasson. Mr. Wahkinney is a great-grandson of the Comanche Chief Quanah Parker (1845-1911).

The task force welcomes traveling teachers to Oklahoma; Native American Baha'is are especially needed. Its address is P.O. Box 128, Prague, OK 74864 (phone 405-567-3049).

You'll find the answer in Baha’i News. Now more than ever it’s the news you need to keep you up-to-date on what is happening in*Bahá’{ communities throughout the world. To subscribe, simply complete the coupon and mail it to Baha’i News, ‘Subscriber Service Department, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.

Please enter my subscription to Baha'i News. | enclose my check, bank draft, or money order for the amount indicated (for Baha'is only).

Within United States All other countries

1 year, $8.00; 2 years, $15.00 Contact your National Spiritual Assembly

Name__ Address_ —— City__ State and Country. Zip Code__

Sorry, we are unable to provide billing service. PI

[Page 16]ee eT

The American Baha’i

pees Leng cs

y¥

— tO

November 1981

Second Class Postage Paid At Wilmette, Ilinois

16

Windust

Continued From Page 3

came the first publisher of the Writings of the Faith in the U.S. He printed booklets, early editions of Baha’i prayers, and The Hidden Words of Bahd’u'lláh.

MR. WINDUST was among a group of Chicago believers that included .Thornton Chase, the first Baha’i in America, who be‘came excited by Mirz4 Ahmad Sohrab’s proposal that a magazine called “‘The East and the West”’ be published with English and Persian sections to help with the teaching work.

That publication never materialized, but after the New York board, forerunner of that city’s Local Spiritual Assembly, stopped publication of its news bulletin, the stage was set for Mr. Windust to establish ‘‘Star of the West.”’

After forming a legal partnership with Gertrude Buikema, who assisted him with editorial duties, Mr. Windust produced “‘Star of the West” for the first time in 1910.

Called ‘‘Bahd’i News Magazine”’ for the first year of its existence, ‘‘Star of the West’’ was published until the mid-1930s when it evolved into the first “World Order”’ magazine.

The present ‘‘Baha’i News’’ was created in 1924 to assume the news reporting functions of ‘‘Star of the West.””

The new magazine played an important role in advancing the U.S. Temple project and frequently carried Tablets attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahd as well as accounts of His historic visit to the U.S. in 1912. The publication was circulated in the East as well as in

the U.S. and Canada, helping to bring Baha’is from the East and West into closer contact.

MR. WINDUST’S association with Baha’{ publications did not end with his resignation in 1922 as editor of ‘‘Star of the West.” Three years later, with his health improved, he accepted appointment to the publication committee and later to the editorial committee of The Bahd’t World.

The accuracy of these publications is due in large measure to his belief that nothing short of perfection was tolerable for any Baha’i publication.

Two of Mr. Windust’s longterm goals were realized before his death in 1956: a pilgrimage to Haifa to meet Shoghi Effendi, which took place in 1931, and his attendance at the ceremony in 1953 marking the dedication of the completed Bahd’i House of Worship in Wilmette.

Ads

Continued From Page 10

a part of the over-all theme, “‘Women Achieving the Balance the Baha’i Way.’ If you wish to perform, please contact Ms. Wanda Faily,

IL 60626, or phone 312-761-6434.

A BAHA’I from the U.S., possibly attached to military services, is sought to reopen the goal of Chagos Archipelago, formerly named Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory. This territory was opened during the Ten Year Crusade but has not had a pioneer in many years. If you know of someone who might be able to become established in this important post, please contact the

Glenford E. Mitchell (right), secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, is interviewed by newsman Bill Kurtis of Chicago’s CBSaffiliate, WBBM-TV, at the Bahi’{ House of Worship in Wil interview, broadcast ‘Focus’ report on the WBBM evening news, centered around the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran.

mette. The September 22 as a special

your mailing label which includes your ID number to the Office of

bership and Records, Babs’ Center, Wilmette, |. a8 soon as you know that you ‘are goirig to move and what your new

Address ii Street, Rural Route, or Post Oltice Box Number

Mailing label should accompany address change form

Me 2 Name Mis. ges See nO Moving? Miss Fair name=BO NOT use nicknames Tell us your Residence adores: bys e gt new address coe House or Space Number. Street, of Description To avoid unnecessary delays in recxiving your copies of The American ui Baht send your new address and Giiy State Zip Cod

address will be. We will do our best alk State; to see that changes are processed New Bana’ quickly so that the transfer of mail to Community its Jour pew boas Je accomplished: wit Name of Local Assembly. group. or isolated locality where this person resides ll possible speed. Moving Date. paar

Baha'i Nationa! Center, Wilmette, Illinois 600°*

Jt slora dotted tne: Maiting label shouts accompany address change form.

International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

GEYSERVILLE, California, area needs Baha’is to maintain corporate status. Come to the beautiful Redwood Empire. Exceptional climate for working, retirement, and teaching opportunities. Pacific Ocean and Russian River. Please reply to P.O. Box 46, Geyserville, CA 95441, or phone 707-857-3434 for more information.

BI-LINGUAL Spanish-English speaking homefront pioneers are needed by a Baha’i Group of four in Hawaiian Gardens, California. The city is one mile square, bordered by Lakewood, Long Beach, Cerritos and Cypress. Rentals or property’to buy are scarce but can be found. The Group is aiming for Assembly status by Ridvan 1982, but to do so must reach the 80 percent Spanish-speaking population. Contact Lila Kirkpatrick,

Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716, or telephone 213-429-8409.

WANTED: A _ ‘“‘logo’’ for t-shirts and lapel buttons for the Baha’i Women’s Conference to be held in the Chicago area over the Fourth of July weekend in 1982. Suggested concepts: ‘‘Men and Women—Wings of one Bird’’ and/or ‘Equality of Men and Women—A New Reality.’’ The logo should be such that it can be used by both men and women and should stress their essential unity and interdependence. Designs and correspondence should be addressed to the Chicago Women’s Conference Committee, c/o Mrs. Jane R. Howard,

E _ ~~ Chicago, IL 60615.

GUATEMALA has jobs on a banana plantation in Bandegua. There is an immediate need for one civil engineer, two agronomy engineers, two agronomy engineers with experience in pathology, two agronomy engineers

with experience in nematology, one licensed enterprise administrator, one licensed human relations person experienced in labor, and one mechanic or chief of equipment maintenance with 5-10 years experience. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

RETIRED COUPLE willing to open home for Bahd’i activities desperately needed in Grants Pass, Oregon, a city of 15,000 that has lost its Assembly and the Group knows of no Baha’is who are able to help. Many people come there to retire, as there is a good climate and lovely scenery. For more information please write to the Baha’ is of Josephine County, P.O. Box 2022, Grants Pass, OR 97526, or phone Marilyn Schoen at 503-479-1006.

HIDDEN treasures are waiting for those with that “pioneer spi in the Sierra Valley, 5,000 feet up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The “treasures’’ include clean mountain air, secluded lakes, meadows, rustic range lands and surrounding National Forests, friendly waiting souls, good schools and realistic prices for housing. The towns in the valley are small: Chilcoot has 200 people, Loyalton 1,000, and Portola, 20 miles away, only 13,000. There are only two adult Baha’is living in this big, beautiful ranching and logging area. Chilcoot is 29 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, where there are many good job opportunities. For more information please contact Bob and Suson Bonés, Box 157, Chilcoot, CA 96105, or phone 916-993-4267.

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma, needs a pioneer family or single Baha’{ who might be able to stay and help the community with teaching among the Creek Indians. A position is presently available on the Reservation for a communications specialist (public

' It relations and audio-visual). General requirements include a degree in journalism or radio/TV/film or progress toward a degree or equivalent work experience. Contact Gary Robinson (Baha’f), Communication Department, Creek Nation, P.O. Box 580, Okmulgee, OK 74447, or telephone 918-756-8700, ext. 302 (work) or 918-756-4886 (home).

YOUR IDEAS for creative displays are needed to help organize a booklet to describe professional yet simple display techniques. The booklet is intended to be useful to Baha’i communities in the presentation of attractive displays and visual aids that can be used for various community projects. Please send your ideas, methods and the situations in which they were, or could be, used to: Deborah Hastings,

Birmingham, AL 35226, or phone 205-823-1965 (home) or 205-328-8210 (business).

Potluck dinner in Santa Rosa raises $340-plus for Louhelen

In response to the appeal for funds for the Louhelen reconstruction project, the Baha’i community of Santa Rosa, California, held an international potluck dinner and auction August 22 to raise money for the school.

More than $340 was raised at the auction, and was collected in a reconverted box made to look like a “‘little red school house’’ by one of the Baha’i youth.

After food and fellowship, the evening was ended with some special entertainment. Every member of the community was responsible for entertaining every‘one else for at least one minute.