The American Bahá’í/Volume 12/Issue 3/Text
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Plans set for 72nd National Convention[edit]
The 72nd Bahá’í National Convention will be held April 30–May 3 at the McCormick Inn on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the friends that the National Convention is for Bahá’ís only.
CURRENT valid Bahá’í credentials are required for admittance. For U.S. believers, valid credentials are a current Bahá’í identification card issued by the National Spiritual Assembly.
For international visitors or transfers from other countries, a valid credential is one that is less than one year old issued by one’s previous National Spiritual Assembly.
Persian believers who do not have a current Bahá’í I.D. card issued by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly must contact the Persian Affairs Office at the Bahá’í National Center prior to their arrival at the Convention. The phone number is 312-869-9039, extension 213.
Lodging is available at the McCormick Inn or the nearby Essex Inn and Ascot House (a shuttle bus runs between these facilities and the McCormick Inn). See the January issue of The American Bahá’í for a rate schedule. You are, of course, free to make other accommodations.
For toll free reservations at any of the three hotels listed above, phone 800-621-6909 (in Illinois, phone 312-791-1901).
When making room reservations, please identify yourself as a Bahá’í. If confined to a wheelchair, please request a room that is equipped to accommodate your needs.
DEPOSITS are required for room reservations. Telephone reservations will be confirmed with an American Express Card (only) in lieu of a deposit. All other reservations require a personal check or money order.
Full payment for the room is required when checking in, unless one has a major credit card such
Marker placed on resting place of Robert Turner[edit]
The final resting place of Robert Turner, the first black person to become a Bahá’í in the West, has been located and identified with a gravestone placed by the National Spiritual Assembly.
The burial place is in Colma, California, just south of the San Francisco city limits.
MR. TURNER, who was a butler employed by Phoebe Hearst, was among the first group of 14 pilgrims from the West to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká in late 1898 and early 1899.
Among the other participants in that historic journey, organized by Mrs. Hearst, were Lua Getsinger and May Bolles (Maxwell).
Mr. Turner was born in Virginia on October 15, 1855 or 1856. He learned of the Faith from Edward and Lua Getsinger who had visited Mrs. Hearst in California.
About three years ago National Bahá’í Archivist Roger Dahl began research on the resting place of Robert Turner after Amoz Gibson, a member of the Universal House of Justice, pointed out the relative lack of information about the first black person to embrace the Faith in the West.
Mr. Dahl worked to locate Mr. Turner’s name in the 1900 U.S. census, then his death certificate, and finally a search for his burial place was begun.
During his search, Mr. Dahl learned that Mr. Turner’s remains had been moved from one cemetery to another sometime after his death on June 15, 1909.
Last May, Mr. Dahl visited the Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, where Mr. Turner’s resting place was found.
THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly then arranged for a stone marker to be placed on the previously unmarked grave.
An account of Mr. Turner’s first meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, recorded by the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, appears in World Order magazine (Vol. XII, No. 1, April 1946, p. 28):
“At sight of the Master he dropped to his knees and exclaimed: ‘My Lord! My Lord! I am not worthy to be here!’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá raised him to his feet, giving him a most affectionate, fatherly embrace.”
May Maxwell, in her book, An Early Pilgrimage, refers to Mr. Turner in describing a meeting in ‘Akká between the Master and the group of 14 early pilgrims from the West:
“On the morning of our arrival, after we had refreshed ourselves, the Master summoned us all to Him in a long room overlooking the Mediterranean. He sat in silence gazing out of the window, then looking up He asked if all
ROBERT TURNER
| What’s inside
SIERRA Madre, California, finds public service pays dividends in teaching. Page 2 A COMPLETE listing of numerically jeopardized Assemblies and Groups of seven or more adults. Page 3 THE FIRST Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference in the U.S. is held in San Fernando, California. Page 4 FURTHER responses from Local Spiritual Assemblies to the National Assembly’s appeal for funds are noted. Page 5 THE YOUTH Committee holds a pilot session for its Youth Leadership Training Program at the Louis Gregory Institute. Page 7 PERSONAL Transformation Program training sessions are held at two schools. Page 12 |
California project sees 400 declare in 4-week period
More than 400 people in the San Francisco Bay area, most of whom are Spanish-speaking, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the four weeks from December 23 to January 23, according to a report from the California Central District No. 1 Teaching Committee.
Earlier direct teaching efforts by believers in that District resulted in approximately 150 declarations from early July to mid-December.
THE PRESENT plan, organized by the District Teaching Committee and Spanish Teaching Committee
3rd winter teaching campaign in Texas, N. Mexico a success[edit]
For the third year in a row, the District Teaching Committee of Southern New Mexico-West Texas planned and carried out a successful teaching campaign during the December holiday season.
The results of 12 days of border teaching included four new Assemblies, nine localities opened to the Faith, and 121 enrollments.
IN ADDITION to these victories, three other communities have enough Bahá’ís to form their Assemblies.
This was accomplished by three to five teams (seven to 10 people) teaching.
The results exceeded the Teaching Committee’s ambitious goals of forming four new Assemblies, opening three localities, strengthening other Groups, and securing at least 100 enrollments.
The campaign opened with a weekend conference in Carlsbad, New Mexico, conducted by Auxiliary Board member Ernest Bruss who guided the friends through a series of awareness activities that required the active participation of everyone present.
After a Saturday evening fireside, one woman declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh and promptly
The Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery speaks at a ‘Tribute to the Hands of the Cause’ sponsored in January by the Spiritual Assembly of Irvine, California. More than 400 Bahá’ís attended the event.
Hands of Cause receive tribute in Irvine, California[edit]
A “Tribute to the Hands of the Cause of God” sponsored in January by the Spiritual Assembly of Irvine, California, was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery.
Also joining the more than 400 Bahá’ís who attended the evening of prayers, music, dinner, stories, history and inspiration were Counsellors Hooper Dunbar and Fred Schechter; National Spiritual Assembly members Daniel C. Jordan and James F. Nelson, and Auxiliary Board member Anthony Lease.
THE TRIBUTE grew out of consultation at the Feast of ‘Asmá last August after the friends learned of the passing of Dr. Adelbert MUhlschlegel, the fourth Hand of the Cause of God to have died in a matter of months (in November, the death of the Hand of the Cause Abu’l-Qásim Faizi brought the number to five).
The program was opened with the prayer for the Hands of the Cause of God revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.
Afterward, the master of ceremonies, Mr. Lease, welcomed the guests and introduced the first speaker, Hasan Afnan, a descendant of the family of the Báb and a well-known scholar of Bahá’í history.
The Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery, Counsellors Dunbar and Schechter, Judge Nelson and Dr. Jordan also spoke during the evening.
Dr. Giachery expressed his thanks to the friends for having organized such a meeting, adding his hope that a similar gathering would be considered to honor the Counsellors.
Noting that there are only 10 living Hands of the Cause, Dr. Giachery urged the friends to “love them, help them, cherish them, and pray for them.”
[Page 2]
VIEWPOINT
Editorial
The status of children[edit]
The February 1981 issue of The American Bahá’í announced the National Spiritual Assembly’s intention of making preparations to register children on its national membership list.
The announcement calls for reflection on the status of children in the Bahá’í community.
FOR MANY YEARS years there has been a misconception, born out of a mistaken understanding of the principle of the independent investigation of truth, that the children of Bahá’ís cannot be Bahá’ís themselves until they reach the age of 15.
The point needs to be made, in clear terms, that the children of Bahá’ís are Bahá’ís. To make them feel otherwise is spiritually damaging.
How sad it is that some Bahá’í children are made to feel that they are not a member of the community and of the Faith they have learned to love simply because they are not yet 15!
A basic tenet of the Faith is that one does not inherit one’s religion. Instead, we believe that the individual must make a conscious decision about his beliefs.
Bahá’í children, therefore, must affirm their belief in Bahá’u’lláh when they reach the age of 15—the age of spiritual maturity—but they should in no way be made to feel that they are not Bahá’ís until then. This does not accord with the dignity with which a soul, whether young or old, is to be treated.
Indeed, many a child has surpassed adults in faith and certitude, and some have made the supreme sacrifice of giving their lives for Bahá’u’lláh. Who can say that such souls are not Bahá’ís?
For more information on this subject, please see the September 1980 and October 1979 issues of the Bahá’í National Review.
The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and his wife, Marguerite, were the honored guests last December 14 at a farewell luncheon hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended by more than 300 Bahá’ís and their friends from throughout the state. It was the last stop on the North American continent for Mr. and Mrs. Sears before leaving for a pioneering post in Africa. The Hand of the Cause spoke twice, exhorting the believers to teach, to recognize the greatness of the gift we have to offer, and the knowledge we have to share—the Message of God to mankind for the day in which we live.
Comment
‘Cultural stereotyping’ slows fellowship[edit]
By DR. CAROLE ALLEN
Do you believe (or have you heard):
- that all Persian Bahá’ís are deepened, know all the Bahá’í teachings, and should have the answer to every question concerning the Faith?
- that all American Bahá’ís are administratively oriented?
- that Persian Bahá’ís are “spiritual” and American Bahá’ís are not?
- that all Persian Bahá’ís are wealthy?
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This month’s article, “Exploding Some Cultural Myths,” is the last in a three-part series by Dr. Carole Allen of Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Allen, a Bahá’í since 1952 and a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, is presently working on research in her field of anthropology. She and her husband, Dr. Dwight W. Allen, were pioneers to Lesotho, where she taught at the national university, from 1974-78. |
If you believe any of the above, you are making the mistake of “cultural stereotyping.”
It’s easy to fall into this trap. We all generalize in our statements. Studies concerning “national character” point out that people from a given culture often exhibit certain common characteristics.
HOWEVER, it would be naive to assume that all people from one cultural background would exhibit common characteristics to the same degree or in the same form.
Social scientists also attest to the range and variety of personality traits to be found in any one cultural system.
If we believe these “Bahá’í cultural myths” and pass them on to other Bahá’ís, we are guilty of pre-judging individuals whom we scarcely know or whom we have yet to meet!
We should avoid stereotyping people into categories simply because of their membership in a certain cultural group, for in so doing we deprive ourselves of a priceless opportunity to appreciate each person as an individual.
Let us destroy these “cultural myths” and free ourselves and our Bahá’í communities to respond to the needs of each individual and to appreciate the uniqueness of every human being.
O Son of Spirit!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic, No. 2)
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The American Bahá’í
(USPS 042-430) Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL. Editor: Jack Bowers The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other articles of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear and concise manner; black and white glossy photos should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1980 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. |
Children’s classes bring many benefits
To the Editor:
Much has been written lately about the responsibility of parents to educate their children.
The Spiritual Assembly of Oakridge, Oregon, would like to share the bounty its community has received from having children’s classes.
OAKRIDGE is a small logging town in the mountains of Oregon. Our first class began with one Bahá’í child two and one-half years ago.
Soon four children of seekers were attending, and it hasn’t stopped since. We always invite the children of seekers—offering rides and inviting the parents to come and hear what the children are being taught.
We have had eight declarations among these parents, due at least in part to our classes.
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The American Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. |
We always try to make the classes a time for social activity as well as learning. While the children play after their lessons, the parents talk. Everyone looks forward to it.
Each parent is expected to help in some way. Many of our teachers were Bahá’ís for only a few months when they began to teach.
We try to have two teachers for each age group. They trade off teaching, but are there each week.
WE USE lessons from the National Teaching Committee, use Child’s Way magazine, talk about spiritual principles, make plans for Holy Day celebrations, or tell stories from the Dawn-breakers.
We are writing this letter with the hope that it may encourage other communities to begin children’s classes for the sake of their children and their community.
of Oakridge, Oregon
To the Editor:
When I came into the Faith, I heard it said that we do not “convert” those of other religions to recognize Bahá’u’lláh—we find Bahá’ís who are ready to take on the responsibilities that go with recognition of His Cause.
If that is true, it could be inferred that we might soon run out of ready-made Bahá’ís, since there
New film gives marvelous view of ‘pilgrimage’[edit]
Have you longed to go on a pilgrimage but been unable to do so?
Soon you’ll be able to make a two-hour “pilgrimage” via a soon-to-be-released film produced by Prism Productions Inc.
The 16mm color film, entitled The Pilgrimage, was made with the approval and permission of the Universal House of Justice, and written, directed and narrated by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.
All the Bahá’í Holy Places in Haifa and ‘Akká are depicted in great detail: the prison at ‘Akká, Bahjí, the Riḍván garden, Mazra‘ih, and Haifa itself.
The Pilgrimage opens and closes with interviews of the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan and Paul Haney.
Details on renting or buying The Pilgrimage will soon be available in The American Bahá’í and the Bahá’í Publishing Trust Update.
Make plans now to use this unique and lovely film in your community deepenings. It will regenerate the spirit of the friends, draw them even closer to the Central Figures of the Faith, educate them about the history and importance of the Cause, and encourage them to go on pilgrimage.
Public service pays dividends in Sierra Madre[edit]
After more than 30 years of teaching and proclamation with minimal success, the Bahá’ís in Sierra Madre, California, a community of 13,000 near Pasadena, last year found a new way in which to “break the ice” with many influential people there.
The Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Madre sponsored a fundraising event on behalf of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
A CHILDREN’S show was arranged, the public was invited, an admission of $2 was charged, and proceeds were donated to the city for its use in purchasing new playground equipment.
The project gave the friends an opportunity to demonstrate their concern for children and dedication to community service in a way that spoke loudly to non-Bahá’ís.
It also enabled them to meet and work with a broad spectrum of influential people in Sierra Madre, and they found that almost everyone reacted favorably toward the Faith.
No attempt was made to teach the Faith yet, through answering questions that came up naturally, the Faith was taught more widely than ever before.
[Page 3]
TEACHING
TEACHING[edit]
Final push needed to win goals of Plan’s 1st phase[edit]
The first two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan is only weeks away from completion.
The U.S. presently has about 1,500 Local Spiritual Assemblies but needs 1,650 if it is to fulfill the wishes of the Universal House of Justice for the first phase of the Plan.
THE NEEDS of the homefront are listed below. There are 208 Groups with seven or more adults that need only a few more Bahá’ís while 92 Assemblies need help if they are to re-form at Riḍván.
The National Teaching Committee has been drawing greater attention to this urgent matter through its Homefront Pioneering Institutes, and will continue to do so in the coming months and years.
As the beloved Guardian wrote in Citadel of Faith: “The mighty and laudable effort exerted, by a considerable number of pioneers ...must, if this primacy is to remain unimpaired, be increased, doubled, nay trebled, and must manifest itself not only in foreign fields where the prizes so laboriously won ...must, at whatever sacrifice, be meticulously preserved, but throughout the entire length and breadth of the American Union, and particularly in the goal cities ...and which must ...become the scene of the finest exploits which the home-front has yet seen.”
Please, prayerfully consider this much-needed area of Bahá’í service, and call or write your District Teaching Committee or the National Teaching Committee for assistance.
GROUPS OF SEVEN OR MORE
Central States
- Illinois, North 1: Lake Forest 7, Oak Brook 8, Wood Dale 7.
- Illinois, North 2: Hoffman Estates 7, Mount Prospect 7, Northfield 8.
- Illinois, South: Centerville 8, Charleston 7, Galesburg 8.
- Indiana: Mishawaka 7.
- Iowa: Waverly 8.
- Kansas: Independence.
- Michigan, Mainland: Ludington 8, Meridian Township 7, Midland 7, Niles 8, Southfield 8, Clinton Township 7.
- Minnesota, North: Virginia 8.
- Minnesota, South: Wright County 7, Hopkins 7.
- Missouri: Rogersville 8, Lakecreek Township 7.
- Nebraska: Douglas County 7.
- North Dakota: Mandaree.
- Ohio, North: Cuyahoga Falls 7, East Cleveland 8, Euclid 7, Kent 7, Sylvania 7.
- Ohio, South: Fairborn 7.
- Wisconsin, South: Burke Township 7, Menomonee Falls 7, Wilson Township 8, Muskego 7.
Northeastern States
- Connecticut: East Hartford 7, Fairfield 7, Wallingford 7, Waterbury 8.
- Massachusetts: Attleboro 7, Greenfield Town 7, Haverhill 8, Holyoke 7, Nantucket 7.
- New Hampshire: Claremont 8, Lebanon 8, Woodstock 7.
- New Jersey: Camden 8, Cherry Hill Township 8, East Windsor 7, North Plainfield 7, Pleasantville 7, Verona 7, Westwood 7, Wayne 8.
- New York, East: Malone 7, Mount Pleasant Town 7, Poughkeepsie Town 8, Cortlandt 8, Monticello 7.
- New York, West: Farmington Town 7, Hilton 8, Oswego 8, Brighton Town 8.
- Pennsylvania, East: Pottstown Borough 7, York 8.
- Pennsylvania, West: Warren 7.
- Rhode Island: East Providence 8, South Kingstown 8, Newport 7.
- Vermont: Rochester 7.
Southern States
- Alabama, South/Florida, NW: Pensacola 7, Hunter Station 8, Prichard 7.
- Arkansas: North Little Rock 7, Conway 8, Hot Springs 7, Wrightsville 7, Woodson 8.
- Florida, Central: Hernando County 7, Ocala 8.
- Florida, South: Martin County 7, North Miami Beach 8, Coral Springs 7, Miramar 7, Pahokee 7.
- Georgia, North: Rome 7, Newnan 7.
- Georgia, South: Brunswick 8, Eastman 7, Ideal 7, Lee County 8, Moultrie 7.
- Louisiana, South: Hammond 8, Covington 8, La Place 8, Thibodaux 7.
- North Carolina, West: Boone 8, Gastonia 8, Old Fort 8.
- Oklahoma, East: Ada 8, Boynton 7, New Lima 8.
- Oklahoma, West: Altus 7.
- Tennessee, West: Arlington 8, Oakland 8.
- Texas, Central 1: Georgetown 8, Kerrville.
- Texas, Central 2: Alpine 8.
- Texas, East 1: Denison 7, Jacksboro 7, Midlothian 7, Wills Point 8, Longview 8.
- Texas, East 2: Walker County 7, Harris County NE 8.
- Texas, North: Olney 7, Tulia 8.
- Virginia, North: Harrisonburg 7, Augusta County 8.
- Virginia, South: Cumberland County 7.
- DelMarVa: Atlantic, Va. 8, Eden, Md. 8, Greater Vienna, Md. 7, Milton, Del. 8.
- Mississippi: Lucedale 7, Meridian 7, Tougaloo 8.
- North Carolina, Central: Clarkton 8.
- North Carolina, East: Belhaven 7, Elon City 7, Rocky Mount 8, Wake County 7.
- South Carolina, Central: Holly Hill North 7, Irmo 7, Richland County South 8, Unity 7.
- South Carolina, East: Boggy Swamps 8.
- South Carolina, North: Buffalo 7, Greater Cowpens 7, Hickory Grove 7, Liberty 7, Townville 7.
- South Carolina, West: Clark Hill 7.
- South Carolina, South: Colleton County 8, Dorchester County South 8, Grays Hill 7.
- West Virginia: Wetzel County 7.
Western States
- Arizona, North: Yavapai County 7.
- Arizona, South: Benson 7, Naco 8.
- California, Central 1: Carmel 7, Castroville 8, Los Altos 7, Millbrae 7, Pacific Grove 7, Seaside 7, Redwood City 8, Albany 7.
- California, North 1: El Dorado 7, Suisun City 8, Albany 7.
- California, North 2: Napa 8, Fort Bragg 8.
- California, South 1: Walnut 7.
- California, South 2: La Habra 8, San Bernardino MCD 7, Montclair 8.
- California, South 3: Grover City 8, Santa Paula 7, San Luis Obispo JD No. 2 South 7.
- Colorado, East: Beulah 7, Commerce City 7, El Paso County East 7, Florence 7, Fremont County 8, Westminster 8.
- Idaho/Washington, West: Moscow 7, Post Falls 7, Republic 8, Richland 8, Franklin CCD No. 3 7.
- Idaho, South: Bingham County 7.
- Montana: Miles City 7, Blackfeet Indian Reservation 7, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation 7.
- Navajo-Hopi: Ramah Chapter.
- New Mexico, North: Grants 8, Española 7.
- New Mexico, South: Anapra 7, Moon City 7.
- Oregon: Forest Grove 7, Marion County North 7, Burns 7, Lincoln County 7.
- Utah: Provo 7, San Juan County 7, Sandy 7.
- Washington, Northwest: Clallam CCD No. 2 7, Normandy Park 8.
- Wyoming: Rock Springs 7, Fremont County 7.
ASSEMBLIES IN JEOPARDY
Central States
- Illinois, North 1: Harlem Township 8, Zion 4.
- Illinois, North 2: Wheeling 8.
- Illinois, South: Galesburg 8, Edwardsville Township 7.
- Indiana: Hammond 6.
- Kansas: Dodge City 8, Salina 8, Emporia 8.
- Michigan, Mainland: St. Joseph 7.
- Minnesota: Burnsville 7, Bloomington 8.
- Missouri: Kirksville 5.
- Nebraska: Sarpy County 6.
- North Dakota: Minot 7.
- Ohio, North: Mentor 8, Weller Township 8.
- Ohio, South: Kettering 7.
- South Dakota: Mapleton Township 8.
- Wisconsin/Michigan: Eau Claire 6, Wausau 8.
- Wisconsin, South: Stoughton 7.
Eastern States
- Connecticut: New Canaan 7.
- New Hampshire: Bristol 8, Exeter 7.
- New Jersey: Englewood 8, Paterson 8, Trenton 8, Plainfield 8.
- New York, East: Oyster Bay 6, Plattsburg 8.
- New York, West: Henrietta Town 8.
- Pennsylvania, East: Bethlehem 8, Eaton Township 8, Lower Merion 8, Swarthmore 8.
- Pennsylvania, West: Altoona 8, Wesleyville 8.
- Rhode Island: Cranston 8.
Southern States
- Alabama, North: Madison 6.
- Alabama, South: Selma 8.
- Arkansas: Fayetteville 6.
- Florida, Central: Eatonville 8.
- Florida, North: Panama City 5.
- Florida, South: Cape Coral 7, Key West 6, Miami Beach 7, Plantation 8.
- Georgia, North: Jones County 8, Meriwether County 8.
- Maryland/DC: Frederick City 6, Montgomery County W 6.
- Mississippi: Biloxi 7.
- Oklahoma, East: Tahlequah 6.
- Oklahoma, West: Spencer 7.
- South Carolina, East: Bucksport 7.
- South Carolina, North: Edgemore 8, Spartanburg County N 6, Williamston 7.
- South Carolina, South: St. Andrews Parish 8.
- Texas, East 1: McKinney 7.
- Virginia, North: Arlington County NE 7.
- Virginia, South: Lynchburg 8, South Hill 8.
Western States
- Arizona, North: Gilbert 7.
- California, Central 1: Live Oak 8, San Carlos 5.
- California, North 1: Anderson JD 8, Vallejo 7.
- California, South 1: El Segundo 7, Hermosa Beach 5, Maywood 7, San Gabriel 8, Southgate 7.
- California, South 2: South Bay JD 8, Imperial Beach 8.
- California, South 3: Arroyo Grande Rural 8, San Luis Obispo 8.
- Colorado, East: Thornton 8.
- Colorado, West: Montezuma County 8, Glenwood Springs 3.
- Nevada, North: Carson City 4, Sunrise Manor 5, Washoe County 7.
- Navajo-Hopi: Gallup 7.
- Oregon: Creswell 7, Lake Oswego 5, McMinnville 7, Tigard 8.
- Washington, Northwest: Mercer Island 8.
- Washington, Southwest: Pierce CCD 1 7, Raymond 8, Thurston CCD 2 8.
- Wyoming: Riverton 6.
Marker[edit]
Continued From Page 1
were present.
“Seeing that one of the believers was absent, He said, ‘Where is Robert?’ ... In a moment, Robert’s radiant face appeared in the doorway and the Master rose to greet him, bidding him be seated, and said, ‘Robert, your Lord loves you. God gave you a black skin, but a heart white as snow.’ ”
A FEW YEARS after that pilgrimage, when Mr. Turner was seriously ill and was being cared for by non-Bahá’ís, relates the Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory, “...his attendants heard him often repeat, even when delirious, an expression strange and unknown.”
The last words spoken by Robert Turner on his deathbed were the Greatest Name.
The Universal House of Justice has indicated to the National Spiritual Assembly that it has a translation of a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Robert Turner but would like to obtain the original of that Tablet.
This task has been given to the national Archivist to carry out.
[Page 4]
THE MEDIA
1st Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference held[edit]
A fresh new direction in Bahá’í proclamation in this country was signaled January 16 with the opening of the first Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference to be held in the continental United States.
The three-day conference in San Fernando, California, cosponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly and Day 5 Productions of San Fernando, was set up to provide a forum for Bahá’í audio-visual specialists and non-professionals interested and involved in media work to meet and establish guidelines for using the media as a proclamation tool for the Faith.
TWO COUNSELLORS—Hooper Dunbar from the International Teaching Centre in Haifa, and Raúl Pavón, a Counsellor for the Americas, were among the more than 100 people from more than a dozen states as well as Alaska, Canada, Israel, and Central and South America who attended the conference.
The National Spiritual Assembly was represented by one of its members, Dr. Dwight W. Allen.
Also participating was K. Dean Stephens of Puerto Rico, adviser to the Audio-Visual Department of the Universal House of Justice and consulting engineer for Radio Bahá’í in Ecuador.
Dr. Allen opened the conference, presenting the National Spiritual Assembly’s perspective on the future of media proclamation in the U.S.
Counsellor Pavón spoke on using the media as an educator, referring specifically to Radio Bahá’í and its salutary effect on the indigenous people in its broadcast area in Ecuador.
Mr. Stephens then presented an international perspective of Bahá’í media development, particularly radio.
Counsellor Dunbar, who was passing through the area, was welcomed to the conference on its second day.
HE PRESENTED the greetings and blessings of the Universal House of Justice and all those at the World Centre, and spoke briefly about the proper use of the media, saying that it should be used to uplift human hearts and illuminate humankind.
The remainder of the second day was devoted to panel presentations by various media experts, covering such topics as the creation, production and distribution of media materials; obtaining and utilizing free and purchased media space; media owned by the Bahá’í Faith, and Bahá’ís as commercial media owners.
Two special presentations were given that evening. The first was by Counsellor Pavón, Mr. Stephens, and communications lawyer Paul Glist, who spoke about the possibility of establishing a Bahá’í radio station in the U.S.
The second presentation was by Dr. Allen; Dr. John Bustard, general manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust; Parks Scott, national Public Affairs Officer; and Gil Muro, manager of the Publishing Trust’s special materials department. They discussed the various resources available to the friends at the Bahá’í National Center, and how best to utilize them.
The final day of the conference saw the participants involved in a variety of task group sessions led by those who have special talents and experience in such fields as media committees, developing media materials, use of film and television, and so on.
Preliminary steps were taken toward the establishment of a Bahá’í radio station in the U.S., with a telegram sent to the Universal House of Justice asking for special prayers at the Holy Shrines that this may become a reality.
ALSO, A Bahá’í “media resource bank” was set up, beginning with a list of those attending the conference and their backgrounds, as well as commitments from a number of individuals willing to collaborate with one another in establishing an effective Bahá’í media network throughout the country.
Conference participants scheduled a meeting the following weekend to set up a Bahá’í media production and training center in San Fernando.
Twenty-five people, primarily from the Los Angeles area, attended that meeting along with the Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Scott.
The proposed location of the media center is the Bahá’í Center of San Fernando. Further discussion and consultation will soon be held to formalize and negotiate details of the proposed arrangement.
The energy and excitement generated by the first continental Bahá’í media conference gripped all the participants and left them on fire, eager to return to their communities and begin using the media as an effective way to establish the legitimacy of the Faith, and as a source of inspiration and progressive endeavor for the entire nation.
Counsellor Raúl Pavón emphasizes a point during the first Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference for the U.S. held January 16-18 in San Fernando, California.
Media handbook, press kit to be available soon[edit]
The Office of Public Affairs will soon make available to all Local Spiritual Assemblies and Media Committees a “Press Kit” and Proclamation Handbook.
Both of these items should be valuable resources for local communities in their efforts to utilize the powerful force of the media.
THE PRESS KIT contains general background information on the Bahá’í Faith, with an introduction to its Teachings, a history of its growth and development, a presentation of its World Centre, a description of its administrative structure in America including biographical data on the members
Twenty-five Bahá’ís from eight localities in North Dakota met last November 22 with Parks Scott (center), director of the national Office of Public Affairs, to plan a statewide Bahá’í Public Affairs Committee to be administered by the Spiritual Assembly of Jamestown. Shown with Mr. Scott are (left to right) Larry Gooden, a member of the District Teaching Committee of North Dakota, and Jim Knudsen, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.
Public Affairs Office restates media policy[edit]
As world events, especially the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís, focus more media attention on the Bahá’í Faith, the Office of Public Affairs wishes to reiterate the policy of the National Spiritual Assembly on dealing with the national media, and offer some guidelines for individuals seeking to represent the Faith in the best possible manner.
In 1973, the National Spiritual Assembly reminded the friends that “...without the explicit direction or approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís should not initiate any action which is designed to take up matters of a Bahá’í nature with representatives or agencies of the Federal or State Governments.”
MOREOVER, these instructions apply to all individuals of national or international status, such as
Leslie, Kelly, John Ford Coley team up, record first album[edit]
John Ford Coley, one-half of the highly successful recording team of England Dan and John Ford Coley in the 1970s, has re-emerged as part of a new group called Leslie, Kelly and John Ford Coley.
The group’s first album, on A&M Records, was released January 28, after which the trio, all Bahá’ís, embarked on a teaching and promotion tour from February through May.
THEY ARE appearing at high schools and universities in many parts of the country, conducting career seminars and holding informative discussions of the music industry.
Also during the tour, Leslie and Kelly and John are speaking at local firesides and presenting “Tomorrow Belongs to the Children,” a 16-minute film focusing on the plight of children all over the world and the Bahá’í viewpoint on education and the future of society.
John Ford Coley, who scored several hits with England Dan Seals including the million-selling “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” has known Leslie and Kelly since before they were label mates at Big Tree Records during the last few years.
Their first album together seems headed for similar success, with vocals and harmonies of power and energy coupled with inspired songwriting that aims for the heart and scores a bull’s-eye every time.
The trio of Leslie and Kelly and John Ford Coley whose first album together, on A&M Records, was released January 28.
[Page 5]
THE FUNDS
Local Assemblies respond warmly to Fund appeal[edit]
The following letters are a continuation of last month’s article citing excerpts from letters by Local Spiritual Assemblies in response to the National Spiritual Assembly’s appeal on behalf of the National Fund.
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Northeastern States
“ ...the tape was well-received and discussed in a spirited fashion during the consultative portion of Feast. Several suggestions were made with regard to the financial crisis which is upon us and, as always, this Assembly is attempting to respond to the Feast recommendations...”—Spiritual Assembly of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Dr. Unipar’s Spiritual Health Tips
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“Our Assembly intends to hold further deepenings on the Fund both for itself and the community as a whole. We are also going to arrange for a National Treasurer’s Representative conference as soon as possible, and after holding the conference, to look at our own Fund more specifically and set some definite goals as to how best to use the money we have.”—Spiritual Assembly of Yarmouth, Massachusetts
“Our Assembly has been reacting to the crisis since it was first mentioned in a Feast Fund letter several months ago.
“We sent letters on behalf of the National Fund to all the local believers on our newsletter mailing list, enclosing Fund envelopes. The Fund crisis has been stressed at every Feast, as well as in the newsletter.
“We recently increased our monthly contribution goal to the National Fund from $50 to $75.”—Spiritual Assembly of Middletown Township, New Jersey
“The response to the message was overwhelming. A report was given telling the community that the Assembly collectively had pledged a monthly amount to be given each month by its members. We hope this will set an example for the community.”—Spiritual Assembly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Sovereignty—Sulṭán
137 B.E. National Bahá’í Fund
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“The National Fund contribution was doubled a few months ago and the Assembly has recently made a decision to send the balance of its local Fund after local expenses have been met.”—Spiritual Assembly of Montpelier, Vermont
Southern States
“The Assembly has prepared a letter about the Fund to be sent to the believers, and all contributions exceeding the local Fund goal will be sent to National along with the regular contribution of $175 a month. Also, the Assembly is sponsoring a deepening on sacrifice to be presented by our National Treasurer’s Representative”—Spiritual Assembly of Polk County, Florida.
“ ...we’ve begun to have fundraising dinners at a different believer’s home twice each month where each family pays $15, or each individual $5 for the meal. We’re having great fun and we’re proud of the difference we see already in our Fund charts at each Feast.”—Spiritual Assembly of Carroll County, Georgia
“At Feast, the members of the community all expressed a desire for the Assembly to send more to the National Fund if more money could be gotten in the local treasury.
“At the next Assembly meeting it was learned that an unusually large contribution was made to the local Fund, and the Assembly was able to send an extra $250 to the National Fund that Bahá’í month. Hopefully, we will continue to be able to make these additional contributions.”—Spiritual Assembly of Rockville, Maryland
“We are fully aware that, with our brethren in Iran giving their life’s blood, this should be our finest hour. As of the 15th of this month, we are beginning deepenings on topics provided by the Treasurer’s Office so that we may give much more.”—Spiritual Assembly of Takoma Park, Maryland
“In response to your letter of October 21, 1980, we played the tape at Feast. Fifteen members heard it and increased their contributions. There was good consultation on the Fund.
“Our Assembly realizes the gravity of the situation and will encourage everyone to attempt to contribute more.”—Spiritual Assembly of Hurst, Texas
Central States
“Our Assembly Fund goal is ever-increasing because of this method: Whenever we meet our goal for three consecutive Bahá’í months, we consult and establish a higher goal for the ensuing months.
DO YOU NEED ESTATE PLANNING HELP?
The new National Spiritual Assembly program on planned giving accomplishes two primary objectives:
- It provides information that allows an individual to take advantage of time-proven estate planning techniques, and
- it is fast becoming a major source of support for the programs of the National Spiritual Assembly.
It helps both the individual and the Faith to achieve their respective goals.
Ask to be included on the mailing list. Simply return the attached coupon to the Office of the Treasurer, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. There is no obligation.
Feast report cornerstone of Fund education push[edit]
(This is the last in a three-part series on establishing a local Fund Education program.)
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The Fund report at the Nineteen Day Feast is the cornerstone of a healthy Fund Education Program.
This is where the believers hear about the Fund most often, so the local Treasurer and the Assembly should try to make the report interesting as well as inspirational.
THE FUND REPORT should have three parts. The first deals with the National Fund and includes the National Treasurer’s letter and Fund chart.
The Treasurer should also make use of the “notes” on the back of each Treasurer’s letter. These often include important information for the community.
Of course, the Treasurer (or other person making the presentation) should come to the Feast prepared to give this part of the report having studied the letter and notes beforehand.
The Assembly should also be informed of the contents of the back page. The Treasurer can alert the Assembly to relevant notes at Assembly meetings, even if the meeting is after the Feast.
The second part of the Feast report involves the local Fund. This includes the local goal and participation charts and other visuals the community may design.
The report should cover the condition of the local Fund, projects or Assembly decisions connected with the Fund, and a summary report of local expenditures.
The final part of every report should be inspirational in tone. This section should cover a basic Fund principle presented in a positive and enthusiastic way.
IT CAN TAKE the form of a selection from the Bahá’í Writings, a discussion of one or more Fund principles, a skit or other presentation, a filmstrip, a tape, a Fund quiz, or a discussion of how the money contributed to the Fund helps the Faith grow (locally, nationally or internationally).
The Treasurer may also wish to have a special demonstration. One inventive National Treasurer’s Representative used a blow torch and a nail to illustrate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s analogy of sacrifice of the iron in the fire.
[Page 6]
YOUTH NEWS
Fond du Lac site of 1st Wisconsin youth institute[edit]
The first Wisconsin Bahá’í Youth Institute, organized by the Southern Wisconsin Youth Teaching Committee, was held last December 26-28 at Camp Byron, near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
More than 75 people attended the institute including Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland and his wife, Nadjla.
The National Youth Committee was represented by Morris Taylor, a member of the International Goals Committee staff at the Bahá’í National Center.
In addition to classes, workshops, story telling sessions, and two addresses by Mr. Birkland, the weekend included musical performances, movies, games, and a dance.
Workshops dealt with the Writings of the Central Figures of the Faith, problems facing Bahá’í youth today, the sacrifices of Bahá’í youth through the years, teaching the Faith, developing oneself into a spiritually mature being, Bahá’í marriage, and “Bahá’í humor.”
A few days after the institute, one of the non-Bahá’ís who had attended declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
Despite below freezing temperatures, nearly 100 Bahá’ís from Florida, Kentucky and Ohio attended a youth camp-out and conference last December 26-28 sponsored by the South Florida District Youth Committee. Activities included dawn prayers, unity breakfasts, classes on teaching the Faith... and an opportunity to visit and enjoy the ‘Magic Kingdom’ of Disney World in Orlando and teach the Faith by word and example. Special order t-shirts were donated by a local believer, and the $500 profit was sent to the National Fund. In the photo at left, Donna Present (left) of South Broward County, Florida, and Margaret Randall of Pompano Beach share a hug with ‘Thumper’ at Disney World. At right, some of the youth huddle around a warming campfire while planning the day’s activities.
S. Minnesota youth undertake teaching campaign[edit]
As a response to the National Youth Plan published last October, the District Youth Committee for Southern Minnesota has organized a campaign of traveling teaching projects using the resources available through Bahá’í college clubs and an attractive social program.
In the past few months, the District Youth Committee has set up several information tables at various colleges in its district, following each with a public talk or presentation on the Faith.
The committee has emphasized social activities to enhance youth participation, and the results have included an increase in support and greater ties of unity between the youth.
The committee reports: “There is a high percentage of Persian youth in the district ... but the cultural differences have been overcome by an even greater bond of love and unity that exists between all the youth in the district.”
[Page 7]
YOUTH NEWS
Pilot session held for Youth Leadership Training Program[edit]
The National Youth Committee held a pilot session of a “Youth Leadership Training Program” December 29-January 4 at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina.
The Institute was filled to capacity by youth from all parts of the country who had been invited to attend the pilot program.
THE PROGRAM has been designed by the National Youth Committee to help youth to develop those qualities of leadership necessary to become effective Bahá’í teachers and administrators.
The program is now being revised and finalized by a specially appointed task force, and the committee hopes to schedule additional sessions at various Bahá’í schools during the spring school vacation period.
Parts of the program also will be made available for use at Bahá’í Summer Schools.
Included on the week-long agenda were classes such as “Channels for Change” conducted by Robert Phillips of Santa Cruz, California, which dealt with the “inner self” and the need to tap into the spiritual energy of the Cause; “Where Do You Want to Go and How Do You Get There?” by Jack and Joan Stearns of Boca Raton, Florida, who discussed the importance of effective goal-setting and goal achievement; and “Mass Teaching Skills” by Patricia and Morgan Barrett of Atlanta, whose role-playing techniques were instrumental in training the youthful participants, all of whom practiced their new skills in the South Carolina countryside, resulting in 11 declarations and many new seekers.
This was the first direct teaching experience for many of the 40 youth who attended the program, and everyone agreed that it had been one of the most exciting experiences they’d ever had.
Shown here are Bahá’í youth who attended the pilot session of the ‘Youth Leadership Training Program’ held last December 29-January 4 at the Louis G. Gregory Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina. Cap Cornwell (wearing white shirt), secretary of the National Youth Committee, is at the far right in the back row.
Pre-youth, young adults to get big welcome in K.C.[edit]
| “Goin’ to Kansas City...Kansas City, Here We Come!” |
Plans for the Continental Youth Conference to be held July 2-5 in Kansas City, Missouri, are well under way.
The National Youth Committee is pleased to announce that a special emphasis will be placed on attracting a diversity of age groups to the conference.
Even though the event is labeled a ‘youth conference,’ ” says Dawn Haghighi, a member of the National Youth Committee, “we’re planning special programs for pre-youth (ages 12-14) and young adults (ages 21-30).”
The National Spiritual Assembly has directed the Youth Committee to invite pre-youth, as these individuals are reaching a pivotal time in their Bahá’í life, says Miss Haghighi.
Oftentimes, the older youth, who have reached or passed their 21st birthday, play a vital role in the activities of other youth, and the Youth Committee expects a large turnout from this age-group.
In addition, a full-scale children’s program is being planned to complement the conference program, and will accommodate young people through the age of 11.
“We fully expect to welcome several hundred Bahá’ís ranging from infancy to adulthood,” says Miss Haghighi, “with a wide diversity of racial backgrounds and national origins as well.”
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A special invitation is being extended to seekers to attend the Continental Youth Conference in Kansas City.
The National Youth Committee has announced that the conference will be open to individual seekers as long as they are hosted by a registered Bahá’í and have a genuine interest in the Faith and a basic knowledge of the Teachings.
This open program is sure to attract many “pre-believers,” and it is hoped that the experience of sharing the joy and unity of the conference will inspire many of these seekers to make a lasting commitment to the Faith.
56 attend East Texas Bahá’í Youth Seminar[edit]
Fifty-six people from East Texas attended a Bahá’í Youth Seminar last November 8-9 at the Brazos Bahá’í Center sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Texas A&M University.
The over-all theme of the seminar was “Call to the Nations.”
Saturday’s deepening sessions focused on “Call to the Nations” (conducted by Mary Helen Brown), “Personal Transformation” (Richard Fisher), and “Bahá’í Administration” (Donald Hawley).
Each deepening was followed by a related workshop. The deepening on “Bahá’í Administration” included mock Assemblies that were given problems on which to consult.
A dance was held Saturday evening in the ballroom of the university.
Sunday’s session included deepenings and workshops on “Integration and Disintegration: A Two-fold Process” (conducted by John and Jean Miranda), and “‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Exemplar” (Massoud and Linda Kazemzadeh).
The Texas A&M Bahá’í Club is planning to sponsor a similar event at the same time in 1981.
Fifty-six people attended a Bahá’í Youth Seminar on ‘Call to the Nations’ last November 8-9 at the Brazos, Texas, Bahá’í Center. The event was sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Texas A&M University.
Library program fetes Children’s Day[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Palmer, Monson, Brimfield and Wales, Massachusetts, celebrated Universal Children’s Day last October 4 with a program at the Palmer Public Library.
The program included a magic act by one of the friends from Monson; a children’s movie, “The Red Balloon,” and refreshments.
Those present also explored the meaning of UNICEF, the purpose of Universal Children’s Day, and the part Bahá’ís play in its observance throughout the world.
Attending were 18 children (four of whom have Bahá’í parents), five non-Bahá’í adults, and eight adult Bahá’ís.
Bahá’ís must obey Selective Service laws[edit]
Questions have recently been raised concerning the obligation of Bahá’ís to register with the U.S. Selective Service System.
The National Youth Committee advises that, in accordance with guidance previously given by the National Spiritual Assembly, the Bahá’í principle of obedience to government requires that all Bahá’í male youth register with the Selective Service System.
The law presently in effect calls for youth to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, by going to the nearest U.S. Post Office, picking up a form, filling it out and giving it to the postal clerk who will check the form with an identification.
It should be emphasized that a draft is not now in effect. Should a draft be implemented, Bahá’ís would apply for noncombatant status on the basis of religious training and belief. A full statement on this subject may be found in Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, pp. 100-101.
It should also be noted that the Universal House of Justice has advised Bahá’ís against seeking or continuing a career in the military service.
While a voluntary system is in effect in this country, Bahá’ís should not voluntarily enlist unless they can do so without making themselves liable to undertake combat service.
Anyone seeking further information about this matter should consult with his Local Spiritual Assembly.
Continental YOUTH Conference ’81
Kansas City, Missouri ❃ July 2-5
[Page 8]
IGC: PIONEERING
Some of the Bahá’í youth from the U.S. who taught the Faith in the Bahamas in July and August 1980 are shown at the Hazíratu’l-Quds in Nassau. Cher Weimer, who wrote the accompanying article about the experience, is third from the left in the middle row.
Traveling to other countries great way to teach the Faith[edit]
By CHER WEIMER
What is it that you are doing this summer? Planning an exciting visit and vacation to enhance your well being, concentrating on rest and relaxation while renewing your energy and enthusiasm?
Of course, that’s it—a traveling teaching project!
HAVE YOU thought of combining your time away from daily responsibilities at home with service to the Faith? Well, begin to plan now.
Travel-teaching is a marvelous way to teach the Faith, visit a new country, and meet and learn about people from different cultures than your own.
Traveling and teaching means working in cooperation and living with other Bahá’ís. Count on a growth-enhancing experience!
I was one of 15 Bahá’ís from the U.S. and Canada who met in Nassau, Bahamas, in mid-July 1980 to teach there under the guidance of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas. I’d like to share with you something of what traveling teaching meant to us:
Most of us had never met before. On the first evening a member of the National Assembly, who was the project coordinator, introduced us to the teaching priorities, the teaching tools, and to our responsibilities.
As followers of Bahá’u’lláh we began to teach and to work together in a friendly manner. As time went by we learned about each other’s character and qualities and became friends.
Actually, we became more than friends. We are members of one extended Bahá’í family.
TRAVELING teaching means living in a Bahá’í-saturated environment. It is truly a joy!
Have you ever lived where everyone around you is a Bahá’í, and everyone is exerting an effort to live the Bahá’í life? It is something of a heaven on earth. Dawn prayers, firesides, deepenings, public meetings, and everyone is involved!
To call such a venture a teaching project is really a misnomer. One learns, through these activities and through his close association with other Bahá’ís, far more than he teaches. So one must come to learn as well as to teach.
One important thing to remember: traveling teachers are under the direction of the host National Spiritual Assembly. Its goals for the project are primary, and should be respected as such.
At the end of each day we would gather in the front room of the Hazíratu’l-Quds in Nassau to share our teaching experiences.
One day we were privileged to have a press conference about the youth teaching project that was aired on the local radio and television stations. An article and photo appeared in the local newspaper.
One member of the group, Frank Esposito, told us of a gentleman who didn’t seem at all interested when the Bahá’ís introduced themselves.
RESPECTING his wishes, Frank and the other teacher bade him good day, but before they left Frank gave him a passage written by Bahá’u’lláh.
As the man read it, they saw a new expression come over his face. He became more friendly, and invited the friends into his home to discuss the Faith.
One woman, it was said, had dreamed that people from Bahá’u’lláh would come to see her that day, as indeed they had.
Sheldon Hawley and I taught children on their doorstep how to pronounce the name “Bahá’u’lláh.”
The next day, as we passed their house, they recognized us and called out, “Bahá’u’lláh!”
These are only a few ways in which we saw the omnipotence of Bahá’u’lláh at work in people’s hearts. Teaching, however, is not without tests. How else are we to apply and practice what we have learned, if not through tests?
Some tests may be peculiar to your teaching group. These require
Goals Committee lists 1981 overseas teaching projects for spring, summer[edit]
The following is a partial list of spring and summer 1981 teaching projects compiled by the International Goals Committee.
NORWAY: The Norwegian National Teaching Committee is planning to station a mobile camping trailer at various locations throughout the country that will be used for teaching during July and August. Two to four young people are needed to help with this teaching effort.
GUATEMALA: Traveling teachers are needed during the summer months to help with the consolidation work in some of the outlying Bahá’í communities. Participants need to speak Spanish and to be able to spend two to four weeks in Guatemala.
LEEWARD AND VIRGIN ISLANDS: The National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands has requested a team of traveling teachers consisting primarily of black youth to teach the youth of seven islands. The dates for this project are July 25 to August 16.
BELIZE: Participants in this summer project will be helping primarily with consolidation work in the only English-speaking country in Central America. A two- to four-week commitment is needed for joining this project during August.
JAMAICA: The need in Jamaica is for traveling teachers to sing and do street teaching. Teachers are needed immediately to help with the formation of eight new Local Spiritual Assemblies before Riḍván 1981.
WINDWARD ISLANDS: These islands will be forming their National Spiritual Assembly during Riḍván 1981 and need assistance with the consolidation work during the summer of 1981. They can also use teachers between now and Ridván.
Juarez, Mexico, to host border teaching confab[edit]
A United States-Mexico Border Conference to be held April 4-5 in Juarez, Mexico, has as its theme “New Vistas of Cooperation: A Conference to Ignite New Believers and Reanimate the Old.”
Speakers will include Continental Counsellors Carmen de Burafato and Fred Schechter, and Auxiliary Board members Raul Gomez, Arturo Serrano, Lucia Villamontes Haley, Nancy Phillips and Ernest Bruss.
THE CONFERENCE, co-sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Spiritual Assemblies of El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, will be bi-lingual with translations of speakers and workshops in Spanish and English.
Workshop sessions will be held on the power of prayer during tests and difficulties, and on how to foster cooperation and unity across the borders.
Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís and their friends are welcome. Arrangements are being made for child care.
The conference site is the Motel Colonial Las Fuentes, 1355 Avenue Americas, Juarez. Blocks of rooms have been set aside for participants.
Room rates including tax are $23.15 a day (one person), $26.63 (two people), $31.41 (three people), and $34.55 (four people). A $10 deposit is required to confirm a reservation.
Reservations should be made as soon as possible, and should be sent with the required deposit to Border Conference, Bahá’ís of El Paso, 2701 N. Kansas, El Paso, TX 79902.
CONFERENCE registration will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4.
Prior to the conference, everyone is welcome to attend a fiesta in El Paso, from 7:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 3.
There will be border teaching for those who are able to arrive early or remain after the close of the conference.
For more details please telephone Susan Hill, 915-544-1721 (work) or 915-532-2910 (home).
Farewell reception held for pioneer[edit]
Thirty-two people including 22 non-Bahá’ís attended a reception last December 13 in Lake Placid, New York, for Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas of Manhasset, New York, who was leaving the U.S. to pioneer to Bermuda.
Mrs. Thomas was accompanied by Mrs. Ayako May Tanaka. Both women spoke about the Faith at the buffet supper.
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The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith 112 Linden Avenue, |
The evening’s entertainment included a slide presentation on “The Unity of Mankind” by Mrs. Rouhieh McComb of Lake Placid, and guitar music and songs by Allen Plymale of Saranac Lake, New York.
[Page 9]
IGC: PIONEERING
Friends urged to arise to win U.S. overseas goals[edit]
“They that have forsaken their country for the purpose of teaching Our Cause—these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its power. ...By my life! No act, however great, can compare with it, except such deeds as have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, the Most Mighty!”—Bahá’u’lláh
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With less than two months remaining in the initial phase of the Seven Year Plan, the International Goals Committee is making a final plea for prospective pioneers to arise and enter the international field of service.
The American community, spiritual descendants of the illustrious Dawn-breakers and witnesses to the current persecution of their Iranian brethren, are being called upon to fulfill the remaining high priority pioneering goals—goals established by the Universal House of Justice at the beginning of the Plan that must be met by Riḍván 1981.
Each of the following countries needs one to three pioneers to settle before the beginning of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan:
ZAIRE—Previously known as the Congo, Zaire today covers an area in the heart of Africa more than a third the size of the continental United States.
Zaire was opened to the Faith by native believers who learned of the Faith in neighboring countries and returned home to teach their own people. At this point in its development, the Bahá’í community there needs help both in teaching and consolidating the administrative structure of the Faith.
The American Bahá’í community is responsible for sending at least three more pioneers to Zaire before Riḍván 1981. The pioneer to Zaire needs flexibility, adaptability and steadfastness. It is a post offering both challenges and great rewards.
Employment is available in Zaire for those who can spend some time looking for it. There are a number of international firms operating there that occasionally hire foreigners. The best way to find work, however, is to go and look for it in person.
Accountants can almost always find work, and these jobs often allow one to live in the interior—an ideal situation since that is where Bahá’ís are most needed. Computer engineers are needed, especially those who are able to start their own computer consulting business.
Medical specialists, chief surgeons and radiologists are needed, especially husband and wife teams, where both can work in health fields. A variety of ongoing engineering and construction projects provide job possibilities in those areas.
There are universities in Zaire that are always in need of French-speaking teachers. As always, there is a demand for teachers of English as a second language. It is not necessary to speak French to get a job teaching English. French is, however, the official language of the country and the pioneer should be willing to learn it.
WINDWARD ISLANDS—The Windward Islands group includes four independent Caribbean countries: Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. All four islands are under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Barbados and the Windward Islands at this time, but at Riḍván 1981, a new National Assembly for the Windward Islands themselves is to be formed.
The new National Center will be on St. Vincent, and it is this island that has the greatest need for pioneers. The types of pioneers needed most are married couples, old or young, especially black or interracial couples, or young single men.
The islands need professional people of all kinds, especially doctors, dentists and specialty therapists. Psychiatric teaching nurses are especially needed.
Teachers are in demand, and a degree in any field can qualify one to teach the subject. A teaching certificate is not needed, though it will command a higher salary.
The medical schools on Dominica and Grenada are frequently in need of qualified instructors and practitioners, and both the university and teacher’s college on Dominica occasionally hire foreign instructors. Math and industrial arts instructors are especially needed.
One of the best ways to pioneer to this area is to set up your own small business and employ one or two local workers. The National Assembly there can provide guidelines on the kinds of businesses that are most likely to succeed.
BOTSWANA—Botswana is an English-speaking country in southern Africa where the Faith is just becoming visible. Foreigners are rare and pioneers are therefore noticeable and their very presence is a form of proclamation.
There are jobs available in Botswana, especially for teachers, engineers, and other professional and technical people. The government of Botswana is trying to upgrade its educational system and is literally desperate for teachers and educators of all sorts in primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. Math, science and English teachers are particularly in demand. If you are a teacher, you can find work in Botswana.
People with a background in social work and human services delivery stand a good chance of obtaining work with AID in Botswana. In addition, if you have some capital, it is relatively easy to start a business, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana is ready to offer advice on the kinds of businesses that are most likely to be approved by the government.
FRENCH GUIANA—French Guiana lies on the northeastern coast of South America and includes several off shore islands. The landscape includes both lowlands and high plateaus laced throughout with waterways and forests that are a nature lover’s dreamland.
French Guiana is presently under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Surinam and French Guiana, but a separate National Assembly for French Guiana is to be established during the Seven Year Plan.
Much work remains to be done in order to establish a firm base for the new National Assembly, and pioneers are badly needed. At this time there is still one unfilled goal in French Guiana.
The ideal pioneers would be a married couple in a position to start their own business. Businesses such as restaurants, bakeries, repair shops, agricultural enterprises, or day nurseries are needed.
In addition, businesses involving the manufacture of wood products that make use of the country’s extensive forest resources would be successful.
The official language of the country is French, and the pioneer should be willing to learn to speak it if he does not already.
TOGO—Togo is a tropical country lying on the west coast of Africa. Although Togo is only about the size of West Virginia, there is a tremendous amount of cultural diversity among its people.
The people are exceptionally open and friendly toward foreigners and very receptive to the Faith. The most promising job possibilities are for teachers.
Even without a teaching degree it is often possible to obtain work teaching English as a second language, and there are a variety of primary, secondary and post-secondary schools as well as an American Cultural Institute and an American school that provide jobs to foreigners with the right qualifications.
It is not necessary to speak French to teach English, but speaking French is a distinct advantage and the pioneer should be willing to learn it.
BAHAMAS—The Bahamas are still in need of pioneers to help support the new National Spiritual Assembly. The U.S. has one unfilled goal left in the Bahamas and a request for still more pioneers over and above that goal.
As in so many other places, teachers are in demand. Highly qualified doctors, nurses and lab technicians, as well as computer specialists, may find work.
In addition, there is a considerable need for people with international banking experience, for CPAs and high level accounting personnel. Retired couples and other pioneers with independent incomes would be ideal for this goal area.
•
The International Goals Committee wishes to emphasize that each of these countries is a high priority goal. It is important that prospective pioneers be as debt-free as possible before leaving for a foreign post; however, financial assistance for initial relocation and settling is available for anyone who is able to fill one of the specific pioneering assignments.
The committee is most anxious to hear from all who feel that they are in a position to settle in any of these areas. It is confident that many of the American believers will arise and dedicate their lives to the precious work of international pioneering.
Anyone desiring further information should write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
Thirty people participated in a Pioneer Training Institute held January 29-February 1 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. The friends were making plans to pioneer to China, Togo, the Caroline Islands, Mexico, Chile, Australia, the Seychelles, Peru, St. Kitts, the Windward Islands, Paraguay, Japan, Zaire, and Costa Rica. Also attending were traveling teachers for the Belize Project and Central America, as well as representatives of the Spiritual Assemblies of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Traveling[edit]
Continued From Page 8
consultation. What is best for the group?
REMEMBER, consultation and submission to the decisions that are reached are essential to harmony and success.
Even though you’ll be teaching in a new land, you’ll also be teaching at home. Friends and family will wonder where you are traveling to, why you are going, and with whom.
This is a perfect opportunity to tell them about the Faith. When writing post cards, tell of your new friends and activities. Share how you spend your days and what you are learning in a way they’ll understand.
With all of the sharing, learning, testing and expanding, you can’t help but return home with renewed energy, spirit and enthusiasm.
Traveling teaching is service in His Cause! It is a home away from home, and a family away from family.
[Page 10]
TEACHING
Enthusiastic support noted for ‘Operation Befriend’[edit]
The American Bahá’í community has enthusiastically responded to the service project, Operation Befriend, envisioned by the beloved Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.
It was reported in the December 1980 issue of The American Bahá’í that Operation Befriend was launched in Washington, D.C., and the goal states of California, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York, and that Assemblies in those areas should consult with their Bahá’í community about possible ways in which to be of service to their fellow-men, thus creating new respect for the Faith and attracting new believers.
IT WAS also reported that all other states would be invited to join and swell the ranks of the Army of Light by participating in Operation Befriend starting at Riḍván 1981, but if they wished to get a “head start,” the National Teaching Committee would be happy to provide them with the plan.
The response has been overwhelming. Letters have flooded into the National Teaching Committee office requesting Operation Befriend packets, and the staff has been kept busy filling those requests.
As an example of the enthusiasm generated, here are excerpts from a few of the letters:
“Our new Assembly is anxious to implement this plan and attract more of the masses to the Healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.”
“Our community wants to get started right away!”
“Thrilled by ... this great idea ...Please rush the plan to us. We pray a flood of such requests engulf your ... Committee, and that each area meets with great victories.”
“ANXIOUS TO JOIN AND SWELL RANKS OF SPIRITUAL ARMY STOP PLEASE DISPATCH GENERAL LOVE AND CAMPAIGN FOR OUR DETACHMENT ARMY OF LIGHT IMMEDIATELY STOP”
MANY BAHÁ’Í communities are in the process of formulating plans to be of service to their neighbors, and the National Teaching Committee eagerly awaits reports of their ideas and how their community at large has responded.
If you would like to begin planning service projects for your neighborhood community prior to Riḍván, please ask your Assembly to contact the National Teaching Committee and we will dispatch “General Love” to introduce Operation Befriend to you.
Please write to the National Teaching Committee c/o the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
To help stimulate teaching activities in its area, the District Teaching Committee of Northern California No. 2 sponsored a unity feast last July 13 at the old Bosch Bahá’í School (that is no longer in use) in Geyserville, California. More than 250 of the friends, some from nearby districts, attended the gathering. Kenton Allen, a member of the National Teaching Committee, was master of ceremonies. Speakers included Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher; Richard Groeger, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco; and Waldo Boyd, former manager of the Geyserville school. Also present were Claire Irwin of Healdsburg and Rex Collison, who lives in the original Bosch home next to the school, both of whom are in their 90s and attended activities at the school from its earliest days. The District Teaching Committee is considering making the unity feast an annual event.
Secretary’s visit big Twin Cities event[edit]
By RONALD W. BROWNE
A visit to the Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, area last January 16–18 by Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, has resulted in publicity for the Faith unprecedented since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Minneapolis in 1912, according to the public information representative for the Spiritual Assembly of Minneapolis.
Mr. Mitchell, who was in the Twin Cities to speak at a World Religion Day observance, met with Bahá’ís from six states and was the subject of several newspaper, radio and television interviews.
HE WAS INTERVIEWED by the city’s major daily newspapers, the Minneapolis Star and Minneapolis Tribune, and appeared on the popular local television talk show, “Open Forum,” on KSTP-TV, one of the most powerful and highly rated stations in the north central U.S.
Mr. Mitchell’s remarks also appeared in a Minneapolis community newspaper, Insight News, and he was interviewed on an FM radio talk show.
Paid spots announcing the World Religion Day observance were aired on an FM station in Anoka, Minnesota, while news of the event appeared in various community newspapers and on television.
Some 300 persons including Bahá’ís from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, and many non-Bahá’ís, attended the World Religion Day meeting at which Mr. Mitchell reminded his audience that “religion is the greatest means for the establishment of peace in the world,” and that world peace “is no longer a luxury ... it is an absolute necessity.”
The previous day, Mr. Mitchell had spent much of his time meeting with representatives of Local Spiritual Assemblies and District Teaching Committees, and with persons interested in the media.
Among other things, he said that Bahá’ís should try to keep a world embracing vision, complain less and show more patience, get out among the general public, increase their capacity to read the Writings with “understanding, selflessness and care,” and be “less frenetic and more moderate” in their approach.
Mr. Mitchell reminded the friends that they should be responsible for their own lives and well-being and concentrate less on the perceived faults and shortcomings of others.
Larry and Janet Buckner of Minneapolis, Minnesota, man the large Bahá’í bookstore that was set up for the World Religion Day observance January 17 in the Twin Cities. The speaker was Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Christianity examined in ‘World Order’[edit]
An article on Christianity as it had developed by 1844 A.D. highlights the Spring/Summer 1980 issue of World Order magazine.
The article, by Nosratollah Rassekh, is the first in a trilogy examining Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith 138 years after their inceptions.
Jack McLean, in his “Dedication of Jesus,” provides a more theologically oriented discussion of the process by which Jesus was declared to be the essence of divinity walking on the earth.
A review of Ramona Brown’s Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rounds out the issue. The review is by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, who has known the author since he was a teenager.
The publication of the Spring/Summer issue of World Order represents an effort to put the magazine back on schedule. Conditions beyond the control of the editors have led to the decision to publish two combined issues.
The Spring/Summer 1980 issue will be followed by the Fall/Winter 1980–81 issue. The magazine will then resume quarterly publication.
“Each subscriber, however,” says Mr. Kazemzadeh, the editor of the magazine, “will receive the correct number of issues for which he subscribed.”
A statement explaining the two double issues will appear in the Fall/Winter 1980–81 issue.
Teaching ... Questions and answers[edit]
Question: With just about a month remaining until the end of the first phase of the Seven Year Plan, what plans does the National Teaching Committee have for fulfilling the remaining goals?
Answer: The National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee are, as with any Plan, dependent upon the individual believer to arise and fulfill the goals of the Seven Year Plan.
Regardless of the desires or plans that are formulated by the National Spiritual Assembly, the tasks of successful expansion and consolidation of the Faith devolve upon each and every follower of Bahá’u’lláh. It is the individual who must arise and teach.
Concerning this point, the beloved Guardian tells us (in Citadel of Faith): “Without his (the individual’s) support, at once whole-hearted, continuous and generous, every measure adopted, and every plan formulated, by the body which acts as the national representative of the community to which he belongs, is foredoomed to failure.
“The World Centre of the Faith itself is paralyzed if such a support on the part of the rank and file of the community is denied it.” He goes on to say, “The sustaining strength of Bahá’u’lláh Himself ...will be withheld from every and each individual who fails in the long run to arise and play his part.”
With this in mind, every follower of Bahá’u’lláh must assess his resources and abilities and arise to meet the most urgent need of the hour—teaching.
With only a few weeks remaining until the completion of this first phase of the Plan, every Bahá’í must keep in mind the words of the beloved Guardian: “...let us be on our guard ...lest too much concern in that which is secondary in importance, and too long a preoccupation with the details of our affairs and activities, make us neglectful of the most essential, the most urgent of all our obligations, namely, to bury our cares and teach the Cause, delivering far and wide this Message of Salvation to a sorely-stricken world.”
[Page 11]
TEACHING
Border teaching great success in Texas-N. Mexico[edit]
Continued From Page 1
joined the teaching teams.
Following briefings on Sunday afternoon, two teams were sent to Las Cruces, a four-hour drive from Carlsbad.
San Miguel and Rincon, rural communities within an hour of Las Cruces, were the top priority goals for Assembly formation.
ONE TEAM, teaching in San Miguel, raised and formed its Assembly in two days, dedicating its effort to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran.
That team then joined the other team in Rincon, where by the end of the day there were seven declarations—a significant number, since teaching there was dedicated to the seven martyrs of Yazd.
The Assembly in Rincon was formed the next day, with the election completed by sundown December 24.
In Lovington, two hours east of Carlsbad and the third goal locality for an Assembly, there were eight declarations during the week, raising the number of believers to 13.
By Friday, December 27, while two teams taught in small communities near Carlsbad, another team undertook a three-hour trip to Alpine, Texas, just across the border from two unopened counties in the West Texas sector of the District.
After opening Marfa, the team requested permission to travel 90 miles south of Alpine to the unopened border communities of Presidio, Texas, and Ojinaga, Mexico.
In three days of teaching there, this team of two believers, commuting 180 miles each day, found 25 souls who declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.
TWO MORE TEAMS then joined the first one, and after two additional days of teaching there were 30 declarants in Ojinaga and 21 in Presidio.
Two Bahá’ís from Denver, Colorado, who drove 800 miles to participate, were sent 100 miles farther south, to Van Horn, Texas, two hours east of El Paso, where there was one homefront pioneer.
In three days of teaching the number of believers in Van Horn was raised to 15, and on January 2 the fourth Assembly of the campaign was formed there.
Meanwhile, two days of teaching in Alpine by two teams resulted in 12 declarations, including nine adults, paving the way for the formation of its Assembly in the near future.
On the final Saturday of the project, two teams, on their way home, opened two localities in the El Paso area including the Tigua Indian Reservation.
Those who participated in the project are:
Northern New Mexico—Chris Cholas, Belen; Dorie Scher, Jemez Springs; Sharon Smith, Grants.
Southern New Mexico/West Texas—Sara Simon and Mary Lou Holland, Carlsbad; Tim Mullen, Las Cruces; Richard and Margaret Gurinsky, Mescalero; Liz Welch, Van Horn; Oscar Arrambide, Susan Hill, Sergio Ortiz and Mahnaz Rowhanian, El Paso.
Colorado—Joan Hoover and Judy Courtwright, Denver. Iowa—Kim Odiasc, Ames. Louisiana—Mehnoosh Zaeri, Broussard. Texas—Shirley Ibsen, Alpine.
A group of Vietnamese believers, some of whom came to the U.S. only recently and others of whom have become Bahá’ís since arriving here, are shown with other members of the Bahá’í community of Beaumont, Texas, during a recent meeting at the Beaumont Bahá’í Center.
Bay Area registers large growth[edit]
Continued From Page 1
is continuing until Riḍván with a number of smaller teaching projects in various communities throughout the District.
The District has been divided into teaching zones, each of which is named for one of the recently-deceased Hands of the Cause of God.
The teaching has been carried out by teams of two believers including many who do not speak Spanish.
One woman reported three declarations in one day in spite of the fact that those who declared do not speak English and neither of the team members speaks Spanish.
“It was the love of Bahá’u’lláh that showed them,” she said.
The first declarations last summer were in the village of Chualar (population 400), 10 miles south of Salinas.
Greenfield, a town of 3,000 about 30 miles south of Salinas, now has 92 believers.
THE MOST RECENT phase of the campaign, known as “Victorious Hands of the Cause of God,” was begun last December 20.
The first week saw more than 100 declarations; the second week, December 29-January 4, the declarations totaled 124.
The pace continued through the next two weeks, bringing the total to more than 400 as the end of January drew near.
California has a goal of doubling its Bahá’í population of 7,000 by the end of the first two-year phase of the Seven Year Plan at Riḍván.
Anyone who wishes to aid the teaching effort in Central California may contact the District Teaching Committee directly by telephoning Jeff Rhodes at 408-688-3350.
Conifer Hill session to feature work/study, children’s camps[edit]
The annual Conifer Hill Bahá’í Summer School in Colorado opens July 6 with the first of three work-study camps.
In addition to the work-study camps, there will be a family camp from July 17-23 and children’s camp—a first for Conifer Hill—from July 31 through August 6.
THE DATES for the work-study camps are July 6-15, July 24-30, and August 7-13.
While the property known as Conifer Hill was given to the National Spiritual Assembly on July 5, 1980, it continues to be used as a Bahá’í summer school, as it has for the past 11 years.
The work-study camp is especially designed for youth; however, people of all ages have attended and enjoyed the total Bahá’í life.
Three hours each morning are spent in active work such as improving the grounds and facilities. Study classes are held during the afternoon.
Classes for children are not planned during these sessions.
Children from 8 to 15 years of age may enroll in the children’s camp. A camping program and classes will be used to emphasize the Bahá’í way of life.
Bahá’í counselors and teachers will maintain the highest safety standards while everyone has a splendid time.
FAMILY CAMP programs are designed for every age group from toddlers through the adult years. Classes are scheduled in the mornings and afternoons, with plenty of time for recreation, discussions, and/or resting.
Conifer Hill is in a lovely mountain valley with two small lakes, several meadows, aspen trees and abundant wild flowers. The surrounding hills are covered with evergreen trees (conifers) and rock outcroppings.
The 200 acres now owned by the National Spiritual Assembly include 38 one-acre cabin sites that have been leased for 75 years.
To receive a Conifer Hill brochure, please send your name, address, phone number and Bahá’í identification number to Mrs. Marilyn Fisher, Conifer Hill Bahá’í School Council, 437 Pine, Boulder, CO 80302, or phone 303-443-6422.
|
TWO-YEAR PHASE GOALS Localities 7000
7000
7200
Assemblies 1400
1488
1650
Indian 25
35!!
Assemb. with 0
599
700
ENROLLMENTS Cal.
829
7000
Ill.
609
2500
N.Y.
188
1800
Mass.
110
900
D.C.
7
125
0
percent 50 fulfilled
100
|
[Page 12]
EDUCATION
Bosch, Florida hold training for Personal Transformation[edit]
The Florida Winter School and Bosch Bahá’í School had a special item added to the curriculum during their winter sessions.
The item was a Personal Transformation Program facilitator training session. Bosch had been the location for a training session several years ago, but this was the first time one was held at the Florida school.
THESE TRAINING sessions were unique because they were held during actual school programs.
Participants in the training attended the regular winter school classes in the morning and received facilitator instructions in the afternoon. This enabled them to take part in the courses being offered at the school as well as become trained facilitators. This method proved to be a success.
The first of the training institutes, in Florida, was held last November. Twenty people participated including the trainers, John and Bonnie Brown.
It was a multiple success. Since September 1979, the Browns had been the only facilitators in Florida. As a result of this training session, there are now 16 additional facilitators there.
So not only was a facilitator training session completed, but now more people in Florida will have an opportunity to take advantage of the Personal Transformation Program.
The training session at Bosch, held in December, represented multiple achievements for different reasons.
THE PERSONAL Transformation Program is proceeding so well in California that there was a great need for more trained facilitators.
Consequently, the training session, conducted by Paul and Ruth DeFay, gives California 18 new facilitators, allowing more people to experience the process of transformation.
During the next several months, facilitator training sessions will be held in several states, such as Ohio, Nevada, Arizona and Oklahoma, in which the program is not currently available. The friends in those states will be notified when the program is accessible to them.
The National Education Committee says that in the not too distant future every state will have facilitators so that everyone can participate in the Personal Transformation Program.
The Spiritual Assembly of Memphis, Tennessee, was the host last November 9 at an Auxiliary Board Team Conference whose theme was ‘The Impending Challenges.’ Presiding at the conference was Counsellor Angus Cowan of Invermere, Canada. Also present were Auxiliary Board members Sam McClellan of Danville, Kentucky, and Susan Gerard of Meridian, Mississippi. Among the highlights was a presentation of the film ‘Bahá’í Jubilee Samoa.’
Child’s Way magazine undergoes a ‘facelift’[edit]
Child’s Way magazine has recently undergone a “face-lift,” and subscribers to the Bahá’í magazine for children and parents have noticed an improved quality in recent issues, both in content and design.
The magazine is a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S., and has recently been placed under the jurisdiction of the National Education Committee.
“THE NATIONAL Education Committee sees Child’s Way as a special vehicle for encouraging the development of a Bahá’í identity in our children,” says David L. Smith, secretary of the National Education Committee.
“We hope the national community will increasingly discover and make use of this valuable resource for Bahá’í education,” he adds.
“The friends are encouraged to share with the National Education Committee their ideas and suggestions for the continued improvement of Child’s Way. This magazine belongs to the friends, and is intended to serve their needs.”
The National Education Committee encourages Local Spiritual Assemblies to subscribe to Child’s Way so that issues can be made available in Bahá’í libraries for families in the local community.
Child’s Way is published every other month. Subscriptions are $6 a year ($11 for two years), and should be sent to Child’s Way/Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Manuscripts and editorial correspondence (children’s contributions are especially welcomed) should be addressed to Mary K. Radpour, editor, 6446 Lake Road, Hixson, TN 37343.
Mary Bemmel leads some of the children in song during the deepening conference held last November 14-16 at DeGray State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas deepening conference heralds ‘Time of Opportunity’[edit]
“A Time of Opportunity” was the theme of a deepening conference last November 14-16 at Arkansas’ DeGray State Park sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Little Rock for the Bahá’ís of Arkansas and neighboring states and their families and friends.
The principal speakers at the conference were Glenford E. Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, who dealt with opportunities for the individual; his wife, Bahia Mitchell, a biochemist, who discussed opportunities for the family; and B.J. McCoy, a member of the cabinet of the governor of Arkansas, who outlined the opportunities available to the community.
Nearly 100 people attended the conference that included, in addition to its working sessions, prayers, fellowship, singing, hiking, boating and loving consultation.
Bahá’í Parent Program Available[edit]
A Bahá’í Parent Program including nine topics ranging from “Discipline” to “Prayer, Meditation, and Deepening in the Home” is available from the National Education Committee office.
The program is designed as a group program and would have limited benefit for individual study.
If the local community wishes to form a Bahá’í Parent Group, it should designate someone to serve as a group coordinator. Materials will be sent directly to that individual.
The cost for materials is $20. This also covers mailing costs.
Orders should be sent to the National Education Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Checks should be made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund,” earmarked “Parents.”
Service for the Blind[edit]
AVAILABLE NOW:
- In Braille or on tape—
- Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
- The Priceless Pearl
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb
- he Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh (Vols. 1 and 2)
PLUS more than 80 other titles.
For a printed catalog write:
- Bahá’í Service for the Blind
- 3110 East Lester St.
- Tucson, AZ 85716
[Page 13]
EDUCATION
Local Assembly: Bedrock of Administrative Order[edit]
This is the first installment in a regular series of features on the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies, prepared by the National Education Committee. Since the annual Riḍván elections will soon be taking place, this installment is centered around the formation and election of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
•
1. Why is it important to form Local Spiritual Assemblies?
Bahá’u’lláh has revealed, “The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá (9)...” (Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 13)
And the Guardian has written, “...the absolute necessity of these Assemblies is manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local House of Justice...” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 37)
2. Is it obligatory then to form a Local Spiritual Assembly?
Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, wrote, “...in any locality where the number of adult believers reaches nine, a local Assembly should be established. He feels this to be an obligation rather than a purely voluntary act.” (Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 45)
3. How is a Local Spiritual Assembly formed?
“Whenever, in any locality of the United States, the number of Bahá’ís resident therein recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these shall ... convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that community ...
“When, however, the number of Bahá’ís in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these shall ... constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration...” (Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Article VII)
4. When is the Local Spiritual Assembly elected?
The Guardian has instructed, “...to ensure uniformity throughout the East and throughout the West, all local Assemblies will have to be re-elected once a year, during the first day of Riḍván, and the result of polling, if possible, be declared on that day.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 41)
5. Who has responsibility for electing the Local Spiritual Assembly?
Shoghi Effendi emphasized, “...every declared believer of twenty-one years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently in the election ... of his own local Assembly.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 39)
6. Who is eligible for election to the Local Spiritual Assembly?
“Any Bahá’í whose membership is in good standing, who is at least twenty-one years of age and is a resident of the Assembly’s area of jurisdiction, is eligible to vote or to be elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly. The only exceptions are Hands of the Cause of God and Continental Counsellors, who are exempt from administrative duties on elected institutions.” (Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, p. 31)
7. Can a person announce beforehand that he does not wish to be elected to an Assembly?
The Guardian has stated, “I desire to remind believers of the necessity for unconditional acceptance of whatever position and duties may be assigned them ...I deprecate all refusals of candidature.” (Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 18)
8. Is It permissible to vote for oneself?
Shoghi Effendi has written, “This is entirely a matter of conscience; if the individual feels for some reason justified in voting for himself, he is free to do so.” (Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 47)
9. Does an elector have to cast exactly nine votes?
The Guardian wrote, “Inasmuch as Spiritual Assembly membership ... has been limited for the present to nine members, it follows that no electoral vote can be effective unless it is cast for exactly that number.” (Principles of Bahá’í Administration, p. 47)
10. Are there special qualities an elector should consider when voting for Assembly members?
Shoghi Effendi stated, “...it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 88)
The Guardian, through his secretary, also stated, “...the qualifications ... are really applicable to anyone we elect to a Bahá’í office, whatever its nature. But these are only an indication, they do not mean people who don’t fulfill them cannot be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can.” (Letter of October 24, 1947, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles)
11. What should be done if the results of an election indicate a tie vote?
“If two or more persons receive the same number of votes for the ninth position, a second ballot to break the tie must be cast by those present at the election meeting. Each voter should vote for one of the individuals who have tied ...
“There is an exception to this procedure if a person representing a minority is involved in the tie. In such a case that person should be accorded the priority without a re-vote. Where there is doubt, however, a re-vote should definitely be taken.” (Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies, p. 32)
12. How can the community determine if one of the tied individuals represents a minority?
“In the United States, where there are a plethora of nationalities, the question of what constitutes a minority must be determined according to race. In a given community, many members could justly claim to belong to various nationalities—Polish, Scottish, Tongan, Lithuanian, and so on. This makes the settling of a tie on the basis of nationality unworkable.” (Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local Assembly dated July 22, 1980)
13. In case of tie votes, then, are Persian Bahá’ís considered a minority?
“...Persian Bahá’ís are not considered a minority in cases of tie votes in Bahá’í elections. When the Persian believers come to this culture, they are regarded by the Government as Caucasians. Therefore, it is not possible for us to view them as a minority.” (Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local Assembly dated January 4, 1980)
14. How extensive should the tellers’ report be when informing the community of an election result?
“With regard to the extent of the tellers’ report, the tellers normally report the names of the Assembly members and the number of votes received. If the community, by majority vote, wishes to know more, it may. Whether the names of all who received votes are reported, or whether the report is concluded with the reading of the names of the nine Assembly members is left to the community to decide.” (Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to a Local Assembly dated May 6, 1980)
15. How should the community regard the newly elected Assembly?
The Guardian wrote, “Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurance that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is, in truth, appointed of God, that its verdict is truly inspired, and that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 65)
|
Teaching Fever Is CONTAGIOUS! — |
(Additional information on the formation and election of Local Spiritual Assemblies can be found in Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies and The Bahá’í Electoral Process, available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.)
Youth[edit]
Continued From Page 6
“Out of approximately 30 youth, only two could be considered totally inactive. The ties of unity seem to be well-established since all the youth are continually getting together, even when no event has been planned.”
The District Youth Committee has set future goals to travel and teach in other parts of the Southern Minnesota district, and is offering the talents and energies of the youth to provide services to the local communities.
Most of the 85 people who attended the first Great Plains Bahá’í Winter School near Aurora, Nebraska, last November 27-30 gathered for this group photo. The teachers included Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy, Mrs. Arlene Jennrich, and Mrs. Geri Marshall. There were children’s classes for all age groups including a nursery for the toddlers.
[Page 14]
LETTERS
World events give Bahá’í teacher ‘ripened fruit’[edit]
Continued From Page 2
are a finite number of people in the world who are “waiting souls.”
BUT THERE IS little likelihood that “the well will run dry”; each day, events here and around the world conspire to shake the “ripened fruit” from the trees.
Education produces a number of souls who, from childhood, have adopted beliefs born of outworn philosophies, only to reach intellectual disillusionment with unreasonable religious dogma.
Psychological groups abound in today’s free-wheeling society, each one reaching for freedom from self- or parentally-imposed interpretations of life and spirit.
Those who seek material success see their gains drain away as the economy runs into heavy weather.
In these processes, old religious beliefs are shattered along with the secular.
These are but a few of the thousands of situations and events that are making Bahá’ís faster than they could possibly be found in a day or a year, and no sooner are they found than the shrinking of the world and of time produces many more.
By whatever means it reaches that state, the ready soul reveals itself to the watchful eye, ear and heart of the teacher who would share the Glad Tidings.
A CHANCE remark clothed in anguish; a tear of loneliness; a wistful sigh when someone speaks of a better world to come—these are signals to the Bahá’í who has been prepared through prayer and meditation to deliver the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
And if the teacher is patient and loving, and immersed in the Writings, he becomes as a hollow reed, and the waiting soul slakes his thirst and, headlong or cautiously, according to his nature, embraces the Bahá’í concept of the universe.
The matrix of the dying social order produces a new student here, another there, a hundred elsewhere, a thousand all around, continuously.
We need make no effort to “convert” anyone. We do not seek to wean anyone away from Jesus, or Buddha, or Muhammad; on the contrary, we find our greatest delight when our unique Message takes root in a waiting heart and helps that soul to recognize the true greatness of the Messengers of the past.
It follows that while an occasional exuberant foray into a neighborhood by singing, laughing, happy Bahá’ís may sow a few seeds, a loving, watchful eye and ear in our everyday lives will find those ready souls who were elsewhere and missed the passing parade.
As Bahá’ís, we seek those who, by the nature of their life experience to this moment, are looking for the very Message we have to bring to them.
The “well” cannot, and will not, “run dry.” If we are living the Bahá’í life, the waiting souls will “knock and it shall be opened” to them—and it is the door of the teacher’s heart that opens.
Geyserville, California
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to two articles in the November 1980 issue of The American Bahá’í.
The first, about the annual Green Lake conference, addresses itself in part to the problem of race relations in the Bahá’í community. The second, headed “An early lesson in human relations,” shows the lack of Bahá’í education that some of our children are receiving.
I’LL COMMENT on the second article first. There are one or two questions that need to be answered. First, why did the child in that article not know that the Bahá’í community is made up of people of all races and colors?
Second, why did his parents wait until he was faced with what must have been a strange situation to him before telling him that Bahá’ís aren’t all one color?
It is hard for me to understand how we can call ourselves Bahá’ís and yet fail to teach our children one of the basic principles of the Faith, the oneness of mankind.
If that particular principle were taught with all its ramifications, then our children, even if they never saw anyone who was of a different color, would be prepared to accept all people.
I don’t know what point the article was trying to make, but it pointed out to me the important and vital job we have—that of giving our children the fullest possible Bahá’í education.
They are our future, and unless they are taught the laws and principles of Bahá’u’lláh and the purpose for their being, how can we expect them to continue to build a Bahá’í world?
MY SECOND comment concerns Dr. William Smith’s talk at Green Lake. The point he makes about the existence of prejudice within the Bahá’í community is one that has bothered me for some time.
You know, we are told that the best way to teach is by example. Well, that’s a little hard to do when, for instance, one sees other Bahá’ís at a grocery store and before he can say “hello” they have turned away.
We should be so enamored of one another that when we meet, such love is shown that others will wonder why we feel the way we do.
As Dr. Smith says, first we have to acknowledge that a problem exists. Perhaps if this is done, we will be able to talk frankly about the issue.
We cannot teach others about the Faith and expect them to accept it when we are not being true examples ourselves.
Yet, I don’t know what can be done to help change our hearts. For surely, that is what is needed.
If we love Bahá’u’lláh and we love the Bahá’í Faith, we should do all in our power to rid ourselves of all prejudices. This is God’s Will, given to us in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Takoma Park, Maryland
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Jim Harrison’s letter (January 1981) concerning contributions to the Fund.
I got the impression that he is belittling any Bahá’í who can’t give at least $5 a month to the Fund.
But who are we to pass judgment on others? Not everyone is of the same economic status.
To him, $5 seems “meager”; to someone else, however, it may be substantial (like the difference between eating that day or not).
With such attitudes being expressed, someone who is sacrificing 13 cents may feel that his or her amount is inadequate (because he or she “should” be giving “$5 a month”) and thus may feel too embarrassed to give anything at all.
The point we are overlooking is sacrifice. And it is not up to us to tell someone else what amount he or she should sacrifice. That is between the individual and God.
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
To the Editor:
Every year, public libraries have a day on which borrowers may return books, even those that are long overdue, without a line.
I think we should have a similar occasion each year on which to return Bahá’í books and materials we have borrowed from one another.
| Arise! |
It is unfortunate that precious items Bahá’ís entrust to each other sometimes go unreturned, through lapse of memory, or when the friends move to a new locality.
Wouldn’t the Intercalary Days, a time of happiness and gift-giving, be an appropriate time for the friends to return all borrowed books to their owners?
Sacramento, California
Resources[edit]
Continued From Page 4
of the National Spiritual Assembly, and historical background and perspectives on the persecution of the Faith in Iran.
The material comes in a laminated folder and includes a captioned photo of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette for use with any newspaper article.
Local Bahá’í communities will be able to use the press kit in introducing themselves and the Faith to the local radio, TV and print media.
It can be kept on file for reference whenever an organ of the media has questions or requires additional information about the Faith.
The press kit has been designed as a flexible resource for local Bahá’í communities. By adding pamphlets, already available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, to the basic materials in the kit, a local community can give the press kit its own special emphasis.
For example, if a community is presenting the press kit to a local black-oriented newspaper, it may add the pamphlets on racial equality produced by the Publishing Trust.
SIMILARLY, a college newspaper or radio station might have the pamphlets on education added to its press kit. Pamphlets on the equality of men and women or the Bahá’í solution to the economic problem may also prove useful in some instances.
The Office of Public Affairs also has reprints of articles from the national and international press on the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran, and local communities may request this material for inclusion in their kits.
The Proclamation Handbook is designed to provide additional resources and materials for use by local communities in their efforts to proclaim the Faith.
It includes suggestions and approaches for dealing with the media, sample press releases and public service announcements for every Bahá’í Holy Day and special event day, and transcripts of taped radio spots, also available from the Office of Public Affairs.
In addition, the handbook contains camera-ready ads and a brochure for advertising the Faith and local firesides in one’s area.
For those communities with an active media committee, the handbook can provide suggestions and ideas, while other communities can use the material in the handbook as it appears in “camera-ready” form.
IT IS BEING produced in three-ring binder form, which will allow the Office of Public Affairs to update its contents regularly.
Both the press kit and proclamation handbook will be distributed and made available through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Next month’s issue of The American Bahá’í will include information for ordering.
The press kit will become a stock item at the Publishing Trust, so local communities can order as many copies as they require.
The Bahá’í community of Palm Springs, California, sponsored one of the 141 floats entered last October 18-19 in the fifth annual Palm Springs Town Faire that was seen by hundreds of children and their parents. The two-day fair opened with a parade in which the Bahá’í entry, manned by children from Palm Springs and nearby Palm Desert wearing ‘One Planet, One People ... Please’ t-shirts and carrying ‘Love That Child’ balloons, won second place in the ‘novelty’ category. Following the parade, the Bahá’ís opened a booth at Angels Stadium in Palm Springs where much literature about the Faith was distributed. The weekend festivities ended with a public celebration of the anniversary of the Birth of the Báb at which the filmstrip ‘Land of Resplendent Glory’ was shown.
[Page 15]
NATIONAL CENTER
Publishing Trust strives for high quality at low cost[edit]
Second of two parts
In a letter of April 29, 1953, to the American Bahá’í community outlining U.S. tasks in the Ten Year World Crusade, the beloved Guardian called for “the establishment of a Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Wilmette, Illinois.”
In response to that directive, the National Spiritual Assembly established the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in April 1955. The Trust superseded the former Bahá’í Publishing Committee.
THE GENERAL manager of the Publishing Trust is Dr. John Bustard who came to Wilmette from Urbana, Illinois, last August.
The Trust, he says, has “two primary goals. First, to make the Sacred Texts available to the believers at the lowest possible cost; and second, to practice economy so that no financial subsidy from the National Fund is required.”
Unfortunately, he adds, the Trust now finds itself in severe financial straits.
“For a number of reasons,” says Dr. Bustard, “the Trust has operated at a loss for several years, and is indebted to the National Fund and to banks for a large amount of money.”
To reverse that trend and to make inroads into a shortage of ready cash, he says, “we’ve been forced to cut deeply into our production schedule and to institute rather harsh restrictions on all expenditures.
“It will be necessary in the future to apply strict criteria to any proposed acquisition before deciding whether to invest our limited resources.
“Thus, some of us may find that materials we’ve considered our favorites have been dropped from the Trust’s catalog.”
THE GENERAL manager points out that these difficult decisions are being made based on the best available information.
“We hope,” says Dr. Bustard, “that the Publishing Trust can develop and distribute books and other materials that will help Bahá’ís at every age level, and in whatever circumstances they find themselves, to strengthen their Bahá’í identity and to spread the Teachings.”
Dr. Bustard is assisted by an executive secretary, Brenda Barker, and by Jane McCormick, another secretary in the Trust’s general and administrative department.
The Trust’s operations and finance manager is Keith Cornelison who came to Wilmette shortly after Dr. Bustard.
Last year, says Mr. Cornelison, the Publishing Trust’s distribution center shipped orders to 126 countries. Some of the sea freight shipments weighed several hundred pounds.
“We provide more specialized services than those offered by most commercial publishers,” he says.
For example, a believer in Africa lost his entire Bahá’í library and ordered replacements that he requested be shipped to him in small packages since he had to carry them from the nearest town over the mountains to his home.
ACCORDINGLY, his books were placed in a number of small packages before shipping.
“The Trust always tries to meet any special requests it receives, within reason,” says Mr. Cornelison.
The Publishing Trust’s order processing and shipping departments are in the distribution center at 523 Green Bay Road in Wilmette, about a mile from its administrative offices at 415 Linden Avenue.
The distribution center houses a $900,000 inventory of books, pamphlets and special materials, a total of some 670 titles.
Orders are shipped from the center throughout the U.S. and to other countries.
The center’s over-all operation is the responsibility of fulfillment coordinator Christopher Dillon.
Orders are processed by two full-time staff members, Jeffery Johnson and Yvonne Russo, while customer service representatives Jean Eaton and Frances Hannen handle any problems that may arise with orders or accounts.
BILLING MACHINES in the order processing department are operated by Davie Harris and Jody Nye; financial records are kept by Gloria Frazin.
Subscriptions for Bahá’í News, World Order and Child’s Way magazines are processed by subscriber service representative Terri Armstrong. Renni Bailey handles secretarial duties at the distribution center.
Three full-time staff members work in shipping and receiving, says Mr. Dillon, with additional workers brought in during rush periods.
Staffers in shipping and receiving are crew chief Richard Warlick, Michael Halpin and Frederick Kronk.
Newly approved publishing projects from the editorial or special materials departments are passed on to the production department for implementation.
That department, says production manager Terrill Hayes, is responsible for seeing that books and other materials are produced economically according to specifications that do not compromise the Trust’s high standards of quality.
“It’s our task,” he says, “to translate the dreams of the editorial and special materials departments into reality at a reasonable cost.”
MR. HAYES has two production assistants, Diane Lange (editorial) and J.F. Strain (special materials).
Other members of the production department are design consultant John Solarz, typesetter Bonnie Taylor, and keyline (pasteup) artist William Dennisuk.
“My assistants,” says Mr. Hayes, “act as purchasing agents, buying composition, design and manufacturing including printing, record pressing, cassette tapes, film and filmstrip duplicating, jewelry manufacturing, and so on.”
The problems faced by religious publishing houses, says the production manager, are unique because they are aimed toward a relatively small portion of the over-all market.
“One of the most difficult things to do,” he says, “is to manufacture items in small quantities at reasonable prices.”
Even so, says the general manager, Dr. Bustard, the Publishing Trust is actively seeking ways to offer lower-priced books.
For example, newer editions of Bahá’í books include such cost-saving features as standardized size, cover materials, and paper selection.
Another recent innovation is the elimination of dust jackets on some books to avoid the additional printing costs.
Present short-range priorities, says Dr. Bustard, include “the creation of adult materials, filmstrips and other special materials, as well as the creation of lower-priced materials that are easier to understand.”
Above: Operations and finance manager Keith Cornelison (seated at left in second row) with the staff at the Publishing Trust’s warehouse. Below: Dr. Bustard confers with his secretary, Brenda Barker. Other secretaries (left to right) are Marge Mindel, Jane McCormick and Marie Ternier.
Dr. John Bustard, general manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, addresses the staff during a recent biweekly luncheon meeting.
Bookkeepers Judy Hanley (above left) and Lisa Emmet (right) are an important part of the Trust’s finance department.
Production manager Terrill Hayes (second from left) with his assistants (left to right) J.F. Strain, Bonnie Taylor, Diane Lange, John Solarz, William Dennisuk.
[Page 16]
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIED notices in The American Bahá’í are printed free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no commercial or personal messages can be accepted for publication.
•
WORLD CENTRE. Applications are being accepted for the following positions at the Bahá’í World Centre: Accounting Assistant—The Finance Department has an opening for an individual with an accounting background and data processing experience. Knowledge of payroll and internal control systems would be helpful. Archivist—This position is responsible for the collection, organization and management of materials of historical significance to the Faith, including documents relating to the Central Figures and the Guardian. The position requires the development of an archives program in consultation with existing research and conservation staff at the World Centre. Qualifications are an M.L.S. or an M.A. in history (or its equivalent), including graduate training and professional experience in archives administration. Knowledge of Persian would be helpful. Conservator of Holy Texts—This position is responsible for the proper protection and preservation of the Holy Writings, books and other archival documents at the Bahá’í World Centre. Requirements include a graduate degree in chemistry with experience, preferably in paper or textile chemistry. Construction Foreman—The construction foreman should have at least 10 years experience. The position has responsibilities connected with maintenance and repair of the various Holy Places and other buildings at the World Centre. In anticipation of the occupancy of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice the World Centre is seeking applications for prospective personnel in the following areas: Electrical Technician with 10 or more years of experience with special emphasis on maintenance of large buildings. This position will be primarily responsible for maintenance of electrical systems at the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Janitorial and Security Personnel are also needed for the buildings and grounds of the Seat of the House of Justice. Information Analyst—The World Centre maintains a data base describing the world-wide progress of the Faith. The data base is presently being transferred onto a computer system. The information analyst position requires considerable skills in data analysis and in organizing the presentation of complex reports. Both training and a professional background in statistics or data processing will be necessary. Iron Worker—This position requires several years experience in working with cast and wrought iron ornaments, preferably of the type used to adorn the Bahá’í Holy Places and gardens. Microfilm Technician—The World Centre is in the process of microfilming Tablets and letters from and to the Central Figures of the Faith, the Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice for security storage and eventually for retrieval. The microfilm technician should have technical expertise in preparation and filming of documents and storage of microfilm. Some knowledge of maintenance of microfilm equipment also would be helpful. Purchasing Agent—The wide variety of purchasing needs of the World Centre requires a creative approach to acquiring goods at the most economical cost to the International Bahá’í Fund. The position requires maintenance of current contacts and development of new sources of supply, and is an important interface between the World Centre and Israel’s business community and government. An undergraduate degree in business would be helpful, coupled with purchasing experience, and/or general business knowledge and experience. A knowledge of or willingness to learn Hebrew is essential, and experience in dealing with customs procedures would be helpful. Typist—The typing pool in the Secretariat is responsible for the production of finished copies of all correspondence for the Universal House of Justice. There is an opening for a fast and accurate typist with office experience who is competent in spelling. Familiarity with word processing systems would be helpful, as would a knowledge of or willingness to learn to use a teleprinter. Those who are interested in and qualified for any of these positions should apply directly to the Department of Organization and Personnel, Bahá’í World Centre, P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel.
BRISTOL, New Hampshire, site of a radiant, active Bahá’í community for many years, welcomes fellow-believers. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll remember beautiful Newfound Lake and the adjacent White Mountains. Bristol, an excellent place in which to retire, also has employment opportunities at an international rubber packing firm, nearby Plymouth State College, area hospitals, etc. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Bristol, c/o Doreen Powden, secretary, Beech St., Bristol, NH 93222.
JOBS are available in Trinidad for medical specialists, especially pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists. Highly qualified engineers may also find work there. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
AVAILABLE: 36 back issues of Child’s Way magazine dating from January 1969 to June 1978. Write to Dan MacLachlan, P.O. Box 94, Uniontown, OH 44685.
THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Healdsburg, California, would warmly welcome homefront pioneers who might wish to move to that community. At the moment, Healdsburg is in danger of losing its Assembly status. Healdsburg, a small but growing community of 7,000, is 70 miles north of the San Francisco Bay area in the picturesque Redwood Empire. There are a number of job opportunities in this rapidly developing region (a city of 80,000 is 15 miles to the south) in the medical, teaching, electronics, banking and insurance fields. There are also a state university and a junior college in the area. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Healdsburg, P.O. Box 158, Healdsburg, CA 95448, or phone Jean Houg at 707-433-3897.
A TEACHING conference is to be held April 4 in Denver, Colorado. Its purposes are to increase participation in teaching the Faith, to help the friends lose their fear of teaching, and to build a better frame of unity. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Washington Park Community Center. The conference ends at 5 p.m. Child care will be provided. For more information please contact Denver Teaching Committee members Mona Danesh, 50 Corona St., Apt. 10, Denver, CO 80218 (phone 303-733-6817), or Craig Long, 7500 E. Harvard, Apt. 104, Denver, CO 80231 (phone 303-750-4026).
THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is numerically jeopardized after having maintained Assembly status since 1969. Students may attend the University of Arkansas; prefer people to settle. Please contact Lani Froelich, 123 S. Duncan, Fayetteville, AR 72701, or phone 501-521-1925.
WANTED: Personal papers of early Bahá’ís, especially letters, diaries, personal recollections and photos. The National Bahá’í Archives Committee wants to locate and acquire, if possible, the papers of early Bahá’ís of national import. The committee would like to learn the names of descendants of early Bahá’ís, whether they are Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, so that they may be contacted about these papers. Among the papers being sought are those of Robert Abbott of Chicago, Arthur Agnew, Albert Hall of Minneapolis, Alain Locke, Louise Dixon Boyle of Washington, D.C., Howard MacNutt, El-Freda Spaulding, and Chester I. Thatcher. Anyone having information about the personal papers of these or other early Bahá’ís should write to the National Bahá’í Archives Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
TWO DEEPENED Bahá’ís are needed in a goal area where direct teaching has brought in many declarants. Two guaranteed jobs are available for Bahá’ís willing to homefront pioneer, one as a vegetarian cook, the other as a housekeeper. Please contact Dr. and Mrs. George Lord Jr., P.O. Box 867, Washington, GA 30673, or phone 404-678-3396 (call collect if seriously interested in either job).
THE EASTERN Literature Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany is looking for qualified translators of Albanian, Bulgarian, Polish, Rumanian, Russian, White Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Latvian. Qualifications: Good command of English; language into which one translates should be his mother tongue; should not have left mother country more than 10 years ago; adequate training in translation. Please send name, language, and resume to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, for forwarding to Germany.
OPPORTUNITY for a homefront pioneer in Helena, Montana. A managerial position is open for a postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service. Helena, the capital of Montana, has abundant natural scenery, with fishing and hunting available nearby. Send resume to the U.S. Post Office, Helena, MT 59601.
NATIONAL CENTER. Applications are being accepted for the following positions at the Bahá’í National Center: Billing and Finance Coordinator, Bahá’í Publishing Trust—Supervises billing operations including payables and receivables through general ledger. Working knowledge of data processing operations and basic accounting procedures is essential. Compensation and Benefits Representative—Assists the personnel officer in developing a wage and salary program, oversees employee compensation and benefits administration. Communicates with staff at all levels. Experience desired includes degree in personnel administration or related field. Data Processing Manager—Supervises programmers and analysts, prepares budgets, evaluates software packages, oversees equipment service and maintenance. Requires B.S. degree in data processing or related field and working knowledge of COBOL and RPG. Executive Secretary—Requires superior secretarial skills, typing 70-plus wpm, shorthand, 100-plus. Must have proven ability to work with confidential information, ability to work well under pressure with limited supervision. Must be mature, discreet and well-organized. General Office Support—Receptionist, records clerk, clerk-typist needed. Previous office experience is necessary. Senior Editor, Bahá’í Publishing Trust—Under direction of the general editor, works with authors in conceiving, evaluating, developing and refining manuscripts for production. B.A. or B.S. required, M.A. or higher degree preferred. Must have one or more years experience as a copy editor and additional experience as a substantive editor. For information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Personnel Affairs, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
WANTED: Bahá’í community in need of a family of four. This summer we’ll be looking for a place in which to settle for 3-5 years in a small- to medium-sized town or city where we can teach in the public schools. I am an industrial arts teacher, and my wife is an elementary school teacher. We both have experience on an Assembly and in teaching Bahá’í children’s classes. Please help us serve the Cause! Write to Phillip Howardell, S-181 Shawnee II Apts., Blacksburg, VA 24060, or phone 703-951-3049.
PIONEERS are urgently needed in Tavelín, a small town in Argentina’s Chubut province that is surrounded by mountains and has cool, pleasant weather the year ‘round. Pioneers must know Spanish and be self-supporting, since there are few job opportunities. The local Hazíratu’l-Quds, which is next to a Bahá’í Institute, needs a caretaker. Material satisfactions are not overly plentiful in Tavelín, but the spiritual bounties more than make up for their lack. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Exeter, New Hampshire, situated in the state’s seacoast area, is in jeopardy with seven adult believers. The Assembly has prepared a packet of information about the town (including particulars on the brand new and progressive hospital; Exeter’s 200-year-old prep school, Phillips Exeter Academy; the public school system; housing; job information; business, and recreation) as well as a description of Exeter’s Bahá’í community and its teaching and other activities. We would love to welcome you as a part of this loving, unified community. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Exeter c/o Phyllis Ring, secretary, P.O. Box 384, Exeter, NH 03833, or phone (collect) 603-772-4680.
CQ CQ CQ: An amateur radio callbook for Bahá’ís only is soon to be published. If you would like to be listed and receive a free copy of the callbook, please send your name, call sign, class of license, and complete address to Terry L. Bebertz, 111 W. Oak, Apt. 2, Vassar, MI 48768.
HELP SAVE the jeopardized Spiritual Assembly of Pierre, the capital of South Dakota. Clerical and administrative positions are available through the Department of Personnel, State Capitol Building, Pierre, SD 57501. Please write to that address for applications and a list of positions for which you may qualify. You may also contact Job Service of South Dakota, 116 W. Missouri, Pierre, or by phoning 605-773-3372. If you are interested in coming to Pierre, please contact the Spiritual Assembly c/o Mrs. Marinell Rhine, secretary, 220 S. Grant, Pierre, SD 57501, or phone 605-224-0336.
A CONFERENCE for composers, arrangers and performers of music on Bahá’í themes is being planned for later this year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Colombia, South America. Its objectives include the creation of an international organization to stimulate creativity
[Page 17]
LOUHELEN
Support needed to begin Louhelen reconstruction[edit]
In less than 15 months the planning for the $1.8 million reconstruction of the Louhelen Bahá’í School near Davison, Michigan, has reached the point at which construction is about ready to begin.
The Louhelen task force, which includes Sam Clark, project coordinator; Robert Armbruster, Fred McCoy, and David Pauls, reports that plans, designs, work drawings and preliminary bids have proceeded along the timetable approved by the National Spiritual Assembly.
AT THE SAME time a second task force has been at work developing the school curriculum.
The Louhelen School, nurtured through its infancy under the careful guidance of the Guardian, stands ready to move into a new phase of its development.
Shoghi Effendi’s great hopes for the institution he described as a “landmark in the history of the Cause” and as “one of the vital and outstanding organs of the Administrative Order of the Faith,” can be seen in a letter written on his behalf that states: “The Guardian hopes that Louhelen will increase its Bahá’í activities in every way possible, and spread abroad the benign influence of the love for and dedication to the service of humanity for which it stands. ...He cherishes great hopes for the future of this Bahá’í Center.”
The one important remaining element for the reconstruction of the school is financing. To date, the promissory note issue, specifically prepared to help fund the project, has had only minimal acceptance.
To begin construction, $1.25 million is needed. Unless this figure is met by August 31, the project will have to be stopped, and hopes for the reconstruction of the Louhelen School will be delayed.
The use of promissory notes is a common fund-raising practice used by other organizations for years.
THE METHOD, simply put, is equivalent to the Bahá’ís lending money to the National Spiritual Assembly for a specified time at a fixed rate of interest, so that the school can be built immediately. The notes are then repaid by setting aside money from contributions in the coming years.
Some of the friends may not see themselves or their fellow Bahá’ís as being in a position to lend money to the National Spiritual Assembly because of their sacrifice in giving to the various Funds.
Nevertheless, over the years individuals with fairly modest incomes who contribute regularly to the Fund may accumulate assets of a size that will surprise them.
These assets come through personal savings, increased equity in their home, inheritances, and, possibly, pensions and profit-sharing plans of their employer.
Especially in their middle years they may find they have assets that will be important to them in their retirement years. Certainly many of these individuals will want the Faith to benefit from these assets.
By converting them to promissory notes, for example, individuals who have a special interest in Bahá’í education are now able to lend money to the National Spiritual Assembly that will allow the early completion of the new buildings at the Louhelen School.
At the same time, they will receive income from the notes to supplement their living expenses.
Information concerning the financing of the school may be received from the National Treasurer’s Office by using the attached coupon.
“...the Louhelen School...
will grove in the future to be
a seat of Bahá’í education.”
Human Rights Day big Atlanta event[edit]
The Bahá’ís of the Greater Atlanta, Georgia, area observed United Nations Human Rights Day last December 10 with the largest single proclamation effort ever held in that metropolitan area.
More than 300 people attended a Human Rights Day program at which the Bahá’ís called attention to the importance of human rights by presenting awards for humanitarian service to Monica Kaufman, a black television newscaster, for her sensitive treatment of human rights issues; to William Bolling, a white man who manages a community kitchen, for helping to feed the city’s hungry people; and to the local Latin American Association for providing cultural and social services to its community.
THE EVENT was covered by Atlanta’s leading radio station.
Speakers for the evening were Dr. William Maxwell, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Fiji, and Dr. Jane Faily, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Maxwell, an educator, spoke of the need to instill a respect for human rights in children, while Dr. Faily, a clinical psychologist, discussed the importance of honoring those who champion human rights.
Because of the crisis in Iran the Bahá’í Information Council of Greater Atlanta was able to obtain several interviews for Dr. Faily (and other Bahá’ís) with the media.
In the course of a few days there were two radio interviews (one of which was an hour-long call-in show), two local television interviews, one national cable TV interview, and two newspaper interviews (one of which resulted in a half-page article in the city’s leading newspaper).
The Human Rights Day observance was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County and was supported by other Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups in the metropolitan Atlanta area as well as by the Bahá’í Information Council of Greater Atlanta.
More than 300 people attended a United Nations Human Rights Day award ceremony last December 10 in Atlanta, Georgia, at which three awards for humanitarian service were presented by the Bahá’ís in that area. At the podium is Harold Edwards, chairman of the sponsoring Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South DeKalb County.
Curt Bush (right) declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh on the evening of his recent wedding to Bahá’í Cleda Taylor (cutting the cake) of Pierce County No. 2, Washington.
Four permanent Bahá’í Funds[edit]
Local Bahá’í Fund (Local address)—Supports teaching, consolidation and administrative work of the local Bahá’í community.
National Bahá’í Fund (112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091)—Supports the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly to direct, stimulate and coordinate Bahá’í activities throughout the country.
Continental Bahá’í Fund (418 Forest Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091)—Enables the Continental Board of Counsellors and its Auxiliary Boards to perform their missions of protection and propagation of the Faith.
Bahá’í International Fund (P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31-000)—Enables the Universal House of Justice to assist the work of National Spiritual Assemblies around the world, to maintain and beautify the Holy Shrines at the World Centre, and to provide services to Bahá’í pilgrims.
[Page 18]
PUBLICATIONS
Trust releases new Laotian, Vietnamese literature[edit]
New literature in Laotian and Vietnamese is now available, according to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the Publishing Trust.
To aid in the teaching work among Laotians are two new booklets and one inexpensive pamphlet, all in Lao.
THE INTRODUCTORY pamphlet, entitled The Oneness of God (Catalog No. 7-97-02), sells for 10/$1.50; 50/$7; 100/$12. It is a simple black-and-white french-fold pamphlet containing a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.
The Fulfillment of Buddhist Prophecies (Catalog No. 7-97-04) is an 84-page discussion, in Lao, of Buddhist prophecies fulfilled in the Bahá’í Faith. It sells for $1.50.
The New Garden (Catalog No. 7-97-03) is a longer, but simple, introduction to the Faith in Lao by Hushmand Fathea’zam. It sells for $3.
The new book in Vietnamese is entitled Kinh Bahá’í (Bahá’í Prayers) (Catalog No. 7-96-55). It is an 80-page collection of prayers in Vietnamese for seekers and Bahá’ís. It sells for $1.50.
Already available from the Publishing Trust is Prayers and Hidden Words in Lao (Catalog No. 7-97-01), a handy compilation selling for $1.
All five publications in Lao and Vietnamese were photocopied from texts supplied by the Universal House of Justice.
Every effort has been made to keep the prices as low as possible by selecting economical text and cover stock and by using a vendor specializing in short-run publishing.
To order any of these materials, see your local Bahá’í community librarian, or order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Please include 10 per cent for postage and handling (minimum $1) on orders under $100, or include 10 per cent discount on non-NET items over $100.
New pendants, hangings, puzzle to be available[edit]
New pendants, a double puzzle for children, and calendar wall hangings from Taiwan highlight a series of new special material items coming to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, according to Gil Muro, special materials manager.
The new pendants both feature embossed Greatest Name symbols. Both are round, but one has a nine-pointed filigree border and the other, nine graceful points breaking the roundness of the circle.
BOTH WILL BE available in gold or in gold with red or green enamel backgrounds.
The pendants are double gold plated and feature 18-inch chains.
Children will find the new four-color Puzzle Puzzle a double treat. Put the 50 pieces together on one side and learn the 19 Bahá’í months in English and Arabic. Turn the puzzle over and assemble a garden full of flowers and happy children from the Come and Sing album cover.
The new calendars expected from Taiwan are printed on a wrinkle-resistant and colorfast silk-like material (12 x 27 inches) complete with ring for hanging.
They feature the 19 Bahá’í months for the year B.E. 138. Gregorian days and months are printed beside Bahá’í days for easy reference.
One calendar features a mountain scene with a quotation from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: “If it be Thy pleasure ...stir me up and bend me into conformity with Thy pleasure.”
The other one features bright flowers and birds and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer, “O God! Educate these children.” Either will make a handsome home or office wall decoration.
Details on all these new special material items will be available in forthcoming issues of The American Bahá’í and in the Bahá’í Publishing Trust Update.
Faith’s growth, development chronicled in ‘Bahá’í World’[edit]
Are you a parent or teacher eager to help your children or students develop a stronger sense of Bahá’í identity?
Have you yourself ever hungered for a clearer understanding of where the Bahá’í community has come from and where it is going?
Volumes 1 through 12 of The Bahá’í World (the first three volumes of which became available on February 1) are a sound investment for the enrichment of your children’s and your own Bahá’í experience.
You might think of The Bahá’í World as a kind of Bahá’í “encyclopedia” comprising a comprehensive chronicle of the Faith’s unfoldment year by year. Volumes 1 through 12 survey the Faith’s growth from 1925 to 1954, almost the entire period of the Guardianship.
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 record developments in the Faith from 1925 to 1930. Each volume takes the reader on a journey through Bahá’í history in the words of those who made it.
Who were the Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh? Volume 1 will give you their pictures.
How did a much smaller and less well-organized community deal with the persecutions faced by its Persian fellow-believers in 1926? Volume 2 tells the story.
What was the now destroyed House of Worship in ‘Ishqábád, Russia, like? Volume 3 provides photos and the account of an American Bahá’í who visited it.
Other treasures abound. In Volume 2 Queen Marie of Rumania relates the story of her first contact with the Faith and its effect upon her.
Volume 1 gives us an appraisal of the life and work of Dr. J.E. Esslemont. Volume 3 includes an essay by Dr. Auguste Forel, the famous Swiss scientist converted to the Faith through the Tablet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed for him.
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 also contain essays by such outstanding Bahá’ís as Horace Holley, Martha Root, Louis G. Gregory, and George Townshend.
Each volume includes precious photos of Bahá’ís, some well-known, others not so well-known, whose contributions paved the
Cassettes feature Hands of Cause[edit]
Have you ever wanted to plan a series of deepenings and invite five Hands of the Cause of God?
Well, now it’s possible, according to Gil Muro, manager of the special materials department at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.
FIVE CASSETTE tapes by five Hands of the Cause, in a series entitled “Legacies of Service,” are to be released this spring. Three of the tapes are new; two are reissues.
The three new tapes include a 60-minute talk by the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga entitled “Are You Happy?” (Catalog No. 6-31-52, $6.50).
Mr. Olinga talks of the spiritual quality of happiness and the joy of teaching, citing examples from the lives of Bahá’ís.
The Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander is featured on a 70-minute cassette called “My Only Desire ...Was to Serve His Cause” (Catalog No. 6-31-51, $6.50).
Miss Alexander relates the story of her introduction to and acceptance of the Faith and her pioneering experiences. Throughout, one feels her deep dedication to the Cause of God.
“The Triumph of the Cause” (Catalog No. 6-31-53) is the title of a 30-minute talk by the Hand of the Cause Hasan M. Balyuzi.
Recorded at the 1963 World Congress in London, the talk places the Ten Year World Crusade in an historical perspective. Mr. Balyuzi also gives us Shoghi Effendi’s guidelines for winning the goals of all the plans generated by the administrative institutions of the Faith.
THE TWO cassettes being reissued are by the Hands of the Cause Taráz’u’lláh Samandarí and Leroy Ioas.
Mr. Samandarí’s meeting with Bahá’u’lláh is the topic of the 60-minute cassette entitled “In His Presence” (Catalog No. 6-30-99, $6.50). The talk is translated by Marzieh Gail.
In the 60-minute cassette entitled “In the Days of the Guardian” (Catalog No. 6-31-50), Mr. Ioas shares moments spent with Shoghi Effendi that reveal the Guardian’s power, wit and compassion.
Other tapes in the “Legacies” series are being prepared. The next one to be issued will be by the Hand of the Cause Abu’l-Qásim Faizi.
The “Legacies of Service” tapes can all be used for individual deepenings, as well as for deepenings for youth or adults on an institution that has been a precious asset to the Faith since the first Hands of the Cause were appointed by Bahá’u’lláh in 1890.
To order individual tapes or the entire “Legacies” series of five tapes (Catalog No. 6-31-54, $28), see your local Bahá’í community librarian, or order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Please include 10 per cent for postage and handling (minimum order $1) on orders under $100, or include 10 per cent discount on non-NET items over $100.
Rights Day proclaimed[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Grand Junction, Colorado, commemorated Human Rights Day last December 10 by proclaiming the Faith through a proclamation by the mayor of Grand Junction, $100 worth of ad space in a local newspaper, and public service announcements on all local radio stations.
[Page 19]
RACE UNITY
“When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine, the day of eternal glory and bliss will dawn, the spirit of God encompass and the divine favours descend.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)
Opinion
Diversity holds key to unity[edit]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered us a vision of the benefits gained by diversity when He said:
“The differences in manners, in customs, in habits, in thoughts, opinions and in temperaments is the cause of the adornment of the world of mankind. This is praiseworthy.
“LIKEWISE this difference and this variation, like the difference and variation of the parts and members of the human body, are the cause of the appearance of beauty and perfection.
“As these different parts and members are under the control of the dominant spirit, and the spirit permeates all the organs and members, and rules all the arteries and veins, this difference and this variation strengthen love and harmony and this multiplicity is the greatest aid to unity.” (Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 295-96)
What an important message! But have we really grasped its meaning? We have been told that:
- Diversity is “praiseworthy.”
- Diversity creates “beauty and perfection.”
- Diversity builds “love and harmony.”
- And finally, diversity is “the greatest aid to unity.”
How often do we stop to consider that if our Bahá’í community lacks diversity, we are depriving ourselves of the realization of these goals? Diversity is a necessary component in attaining these attributes.
Perhaps now is the time to consider again the diversity of our Bahá’í community. Does our community represent all of the possible groups which it might?
If not, community consultation should include plans for reaching out and attaining the reality of that vision of diversity offered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:
“If in a garden the flowers and fragrant herbs, the blossoms and fruits, the leaves, branches and trees are of one kind, of one form, of one color and of one arrangement, there is no beauty or sweetness, but when there is variety in the world of oneness, they will appear and be displayed in the most perfect glory, beauty, exaltation and perfection.” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 296)
Children often lead way in combating prejudice[edit]
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Superiority and Suspicion |
O thou whose years are few, yet whose mental gifts are many! How many a child, though young in years, is yet mature and sound in judgment! How many an aged person is ignorant and confused! For growth and development depend upon one’s powers of intellect and reason, not on one’s age or length of days. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 142)
Parents and teachers have an especially great responsibility in helping children cope with racial prejudice. An essential goal is to teach them that racism is a sickness: we can cure it only by recognizing it and speaking out against it with courage and compassion.
The following are true stories illustrating how two Bahá’í children confronted the problem of racism.
Children are even as a branch that is fresh and green; they will grow up in whatever way ye train them. Take the utmost care to give them high ideals and goals, so that once they come of age, they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world, and will not be defiled by lusts and passions in the way of animals, heedless and unaware, but instead will set their hearts on achieving everlasting honour and acquiring all the excellences of humankind. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 136)
Elizabeth “Chickie” Washington asked her mother’s help because a boy in her class had a problem and she wanted to help him.
Earlier that day the teacher had asked him to give each child in the class a cookie. When he came to the girl in front of Chickie, he refused to give her one because, he said, she was a “nigger.”
Without hesitating, Chickie said to the boy, “Black people are not ‘niggers.’ White people aren’t ‘niggers’ either. You come to my house and meet my father and he’ll give you all the cookies you want. You’ll like my father ... he’s not a ‘nigger.’ He’s very black!”
The boy, surprised, looked hard at Chickie. His eyes grew large, and he gave the other girl a cookie.
Chickie’s mother told her she had handled the problem very well indeed.
Every child is potentially the light of the world—and at the same time its darkness; wherefore must the question of education be accounted as of primary importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed at the breast of God’s love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that he may radiate light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and learning, and take on the characteristics of the angelic host. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 130)
Caeli Smith’s teacher phoned her mother to report that she had seen Caeli with one of her schoolmates in front of the school as the bus left to take some black children back to Boston.
The boy said to Caeli, “You belong on the bus with those children, Caeli.”
As the teacher stepped forward to intervene, Caeli said firmly, “Just a minute. In this world there are black people, white people, brown people, red people, and yellow people. There are all kinds of people.
“And we brown people are going to go where we want and live where we want. So if you want to be happy, you’d better learn to get along with all kinds of people, because we are all going to be happy anyway.”
The boy appeared stunned as he silently pondered her words.
Among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by man to Almighty God is the education and training of children, young plants of the Abhá Paradise, so that these children, fostered by grace in the way of salvation, growing like pearls of divine bounty in the shell of education, will one day bejewel the crown of abiding glory. (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 133)
Believers offer further responses to Master’s statement on race unity[edit]
Here are more responses from Bahá’ís to the Master’s statement on race relations quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice.
The Race Unity Committee welcomes your response too. Send it to Ernest Lopez, corresponding secretary, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
“Strive earnestly,” He (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) exhorts both races, “and put forth your greatest endeavor toward the accomplishment of this fellowship and the cementing of this bond of brotherhood between you. Such an attainment is not possible without will and effort on the part of each; from one, expressions of gratitude and appreciation; from the other, kindliness and recognition of equality. Each one should endeavor to develop and assist the other toward mutual advancement...”
•
The Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh about the oneness of humanity was the concept that attracted me initially to the Faith. That ‘Abdu’l-Bahá should state that black people should feel gratitude and appreciation toward whites was difficult for me to understand.
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Your Turn |
As a white person myself, I felt that almost all the white people I had ever known considered themselves far superior to blacks and had no sense of guilt at the exploitation of blacks by whites.
Certainly white people were (at least in my experience) kind to those black people whom they employed, but would not consider having one as a friend whom they would see socially.
I don’t know that I have yet come to fully understand this statement by the Master, except that whites were leaders in the Abolition movement, helped blacks to escape from slavery, and fought the Civil War. The record afterward, however, is not as elevating in the generality of society.
Nevertheless, if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says this, I accept it as so. There are many things we cannot see or understand fully, and for me, I consider that this area of my understanding is limited.—Iris Tarafdar
As Bahá’ís we should recognize that there are those among us who are prejudiced but would prefer not being so and are striving to overcome it—especially when intermarriage is mentioned.
Many whites and blacks would prefer that like marry like. There is a racial pride that must be dealt with in that area.
My back went up when I read that “Such an attainment is not possible without will and effort on the part of each; from one, expressions of gratitude and appreciation; from the other, kindliness and recognition of equality.”
Gratitude and appreciation for what? That must mean from the black one (?) because I know I am equal (this is my sensitive area).
My reaction to the racial situation is that time and constant contact with each other will bring about an understanding between races. To love one another, we must first get close enough to know one another.
Yes, each of us should endeavor to develop and assist the other toward mutual advancement.—Name Withheld
My initial reaction to this statement after our experience with weekly five-day sessions on the “most challenging issue” at Green Acre in the summer of 1979 is gratitude that the question continues to be addressed.
We found here that we whites continue to unconsciously or inadvertently say and do things that hurt our fellow-believers who are black.
What I feel I personally need to do is learn all I can about what kinds of statements and actions on the part of whites are offensive to blacks and strive to eradicate them from my own behavior.
Of course, I love my fellow-believers and I believe in the oneness of mankind, but that is not enough.
Further, living in a predominantly white area, I need to take a more active part in the NAACP, which I belong to, and in other ways find opportunities to teach the few blacks in our area.—Jane Grover
As always, the exhortations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are pure truth. To strive earnestly and put forth our greatest endeavor takes a sustained effort in deepening in the Faith and obtaining a knowledge of the people we are trying to become brothers with.
We cannot associate only at Bahá’í meetings. Interaction by both races is necessary in all aspects of life.
Gratification and appreciation are possible only if we, the majority, deal with the minorities with complete equality, not condescension.
Even today in some of our Bahá’í communities we’ve too often had the attitude, “See, this is our black Bahá’í. We’re not prejudiced!”
It is difficult to show gratitude and appreciation if one dwells only on the wrongs that have been done and refuses to recognize and take advantage of the good that has been done and put it to constructive use.
Also, it is difficult to show kindliness and recognition of equality if the works one tries to do for the betterment of others are downgraded and not appreciated.
Both sides must meet as blind men, and not see the color. We must appreciate the attributes of one another and blend them into one effort for unity.—Frank Stowart
World[edit]
Continued From Page 18
way for the Bahá’í community we know today.
Bound in handsome navy and stamped in gold, the first 12 volumes of The Bahá’í World (Catalog No. 7-33-00) are a bargain at $176 NET.
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 became available February 1. Volumes 4, 5 and 6 will be available May 1. Volumes 7, 8 and 9 will be available August 1, and Volumes 10, 11 and 12 will be available November 1.
To order The Bahá’í World, see your local Bahá’í community librarian, or order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 523 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.
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PERSIAN PAGE
[Page 21]
PERSIAN PAGE
[Page 22]
PERSIAN PAGE
[Page 23]
NATIVE AMERICANS
Members of the American Indian Teaching Committee’s task force for eastern Montana are (left to right) Ivan Cottrill of Billings, Lillian Beatty of Poplar, and Steve Hammar of Miles City
E. Montana task force named by Indian Teaching Committee[edit]
The American Indian Teaching Committee has appointed a three-member task force to coordinate assistance to three Reservation Assembly areas in eastern Montana.
The task force members are Ivan Cottrill of Billings, Lillian Beatty of Poplar, and Steve Hamman (correspondent) of Miles City.
Their areas of focus are the Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne, and Crow Reservations.
The task force assignment is to work with the local believers in those areas to help them deepen their knowledge of the Faith and their understanding of Assembly functions.
Task force members also are to recruit homefront pioneers and traveling teachers, especially to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations that are remote from large Bahá’í population centers and have appealed for several years for resident pioneers.
There are employment opportunities for teachers in the public school systems, for medical personnel at the Crow Agency serving both Reservations, and some positions for engineers and technicians in the expanding coal mining operations.
For more information on homefront pioneering and/or traveling teaching opportunities, please write to Steve Hamman, 520 S. 5th St., Miles City, MT 59301.
Native Americans first to respond to Montana plea[edit]
A trio of Native Americans from the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada were the first to respond to requests for traveling teachers by the newly appointed consolidation task force for eastern Montana.
The Bahá’í teaching team consisted of Connie Hunter, Ernestine Moore and Tina Salomon.
Ernestine and Tina were members of the “Trail of Light” teaching teams that journeyed to Alaska and Canada following the second North American Native Council last July in Wilmette, Illinois. Mr. Hunter is Ernestine’s father.
After meeting with the task force, the three traveling teachers proceeded to the Fort Peck Reservation for a three-day visit last December 29-31.
Highlights of the trip included prayer meetings, sharing teaching experiences and consultation with local believers, impromptu firesides and an interview at the Wotanin Howapi, the Fort Peck tribal newspaper.
The friends had allowed an hour for the newspaper interview, but returned three hours later—the interviewer wanted to know more about the Faith, and wouldn’t let them leave!
This teaching effort by Native American believers, on their own initiative and responding to the needs of a sister community more than 1,000 miles away, is an example of the continuing commitments that are being made when the joy and bounty of arising to teach and serve the Faith is realized.
Tribute[edit]
Continued From Page 1
Mr. Afnan said that Bahá’u’lláh had created the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God in the later part of His life.
WHEN HE appointed the first contingent of four Hands, the Blessed Beauty charged them with the protection and propagation of the Cause of God and the diffusion of the divine fragrances and sweet savors of God.
Mr. Afnan related little-known stories of the extraordinary service and devotion of those early Hands of the Cause. A common theme throughout was their obedience to Bahá’u’lláh, their devotion to teaching, and their steadfast protection of the Cause from its enemies.
The Institution of the Hands of the Cause was confirmed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and came to flower under the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, who appointed 32 Hands of the Cause between December 1951 and October 1957.
The stewardship of these Hands of the Cause of God from the passing of the Guardian in November 1957 until the election of the Universal House of Justice at Riḍván 1963 is unparalleled in the annals of religion.
That period, said Dr. Jordan, will remain “one of the most extraordinary in our history—not only because of the dangers faced during that time, but because extraordinary human beings whom Shoghi Effendi had appointed took the reins of the Cause and held it together until the Universal House of Justice was brought into being.”
In June 1968, after prolonged consultation with the Hands of the Cause, and aware that only the Guardian could appoint the Hands, the Universal House of Justice assured the continuation of that Institution by establishing the Continental Boards of Counsellors.
THE COUNSELLORS, who now number 16 in the Western Hemisphere and 63 throughout the world, are assisted by the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.
In June 1973 the Universal House of Justice created the International Teaching Centre, located in Haifa, with a membership that includes the members of the House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, and three Counsellors, one of whom is Mr. Dunbar.
After Dr. Giachery expressed the wish during his talk that the friends might find a place in which to collect the papers and effects of the Hands of the Cause, Judge Nelson, the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, answered that wish by announcing that a place has been reserved for the papers of the Hands of the Cause of God in the new national administrative building in Evanston, Illinois.
The announcement was greeted with appreciation by Dr. Giachery and the other friends at the meeting.—Cynthia McDaniel/Jan Smith
Correction[edit]
An error was made in the January 1981 Bahá’í National Review under the headline “Teaching Committee Offers 7 Year Plan Quiz.” Question No. 7 should have read: “Which House of Worship must be completed during the Seven Year Plan” instead of “during the first two years” as it was stated.
We regret the error.
Native American Bahá’ís (left to right) Ernestine Moore, Connie Hunter and Tina Salomon from the Reno-Sparks (Nevada) Indian Colony were the first to answer a plea for traveling teachers by the eastern Montana consolidation task force, traveling last December to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for three days of teaching.
A group of Bahá’ís from Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona, is shown with newly enrolled Indian believers at St. John’s Mission, Gila River Indian Reservation, near Phoenix. As a result of regular teaching efforts, St. John’s now has enough believers to form its first Local Spiritual Assembly.
Monterey presents Human Rights Day awards[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of Monterey, California, sponsored a Human Rights Day award luncheon last December 6 on behalf of the several Assemblies and Groups on the Monterey Peninsula.
A capacity crowd of 85 was present at a local restaurant as Mrs. Nancy Costello was honored for her outstanding work in aiding migrant workers in the Salinas Valley.
More than half of those attending were non-Bahá’ís.
The master of ceremonies was Dennis Gayle, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Monterey. Speakers included Stan Sheldon, who gave the Bahá’í viewpoint on human rights, and the president of the local chapter of the United Nations Association.
The award recipient, Mrs. Costello, was introduced by the mayor of Monterey.
Articles and paid ads were placed in three newspapers and spot announcements were aired on radio and television.
[Page 24]
CLASSIFIEDS
Classifieds[edit]
Continued From Page 16
in the field of music; proclamation of the Faith at all levels through concerts for the general public and high government officials; recording cassette tapes and/or records to be used in spreading the Faith all over the world; and the production of short films that could be used in theatres in various countries. A search is being made for a suitable theme and motif for the conference. Ideas should be sent to the Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Colombia, Apartado Aereo 51387, Bogota, Colombia, South America.
NEEDED: Bahá’ís to help maintain the jeopardized Spiritual Assembly of South Bay J.D. of San Diego County in Chula Vista, California, with freeways to everywhere (a 25-minute drive to San Diego). Chula Vista combines beauty and cleanliness with proximity to famous Balboa Park, theatres, museums, restaurants and beaches, as well as to Southwestern University, good public schools and excellent hospitals. The weather is superb. Job transfers account for the present dilemma. The secretary will help in every way to relocate. For more information please phone Mrs. Myrtle McLellan, 714-426-5215, person-to-person collect.
ENTRIES for the arts festival to be held April 15-19 in Sacramento, California, will be accepted beginning April 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at 626 I St., Sacramento, in the recreation room. Those who prefer to ship their articles may send them to Doris Klumb, 800 Sernas Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95822. It is recommended that shipments be insured. Judging of entries will take place at 1 p.m. April 12, with the opening reception for the festival on the evening of April 16. For more information please write to Doris Klumb at the above address, or phone 916-447-6153.
BEAUTIFUL opportunity for a retired couple to homefront pioneer. Low rent in exchange for care of a farmhouse 35 miles from the industrial Tennessee Valley near Cullman, Alabama. All conveniences and garden available. Please contact Parks Scott at the Bahá’í National Center, 312-869-9039.
HIGH SCHOOL teaching jobs are available in Western Samoa. The salaries are low, but the jobs are available at the leading government high school. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed to maintain and strengthen a jeopardized Assembly in Nevada City, California, a community of 2,500 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Work opportunities abound in the blossoming electronics industry, tourist trade, real estate, solar technology, construction, forestry and logging. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Nevada City, P.O. Box 913, Nevada City, CA 95959, or come see for yourself!
DEEPENED Bahá’í couple with two children (ages 10 and 15) wishes to relocate early next summer in one of these states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Kentucky. It must be a goal area near a college with a nursing program. Husband has extensive training in food service, all areas. Wife would prefer to work in a Bahá’í-owned restaurant, but would accept best offer. For more information please contact Jeanne or Anthony Batista, 129 Otter Avenue, Salem, VA 24153, or phone 703-563-1920.
NEEDED: Bahá’ís to help reform and revitalize several older communities in the greater Cleveland, Ohio, area. There are many jobs for those who know computer programming including two at one company that have been open for more than a year. Some travel is involved, and knowledge of both hardware and software is essential, but no specific experience is required. These jobs involve working with computer communications in a mainly UNIVAC environment. For more information write to Don Huff, Chi Corporation, 21111 Chagrin Blvd., Beechwood, OH 44122, or phone 216-991-9000.
COME HELP establish a Spiritual Assembly in a challenging suburb of Chicago. Enthusiastic homefront pioneers are needed to work with varied ethnic groups in Blue Island, Illinois. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful. There are employment opportunities in health care and local business. Easy access to Chicago via train or freeway. For more information please write to 2138 W. 135th Place, Apt. 4, Blue Island, IL 60406, or phone Becky or Nick Gostas at 312-839-7139.
BAHÁ’Í students who plan to pioneer to countries where there is a need for French, Spanish, German, Russian or Chinese speakers, and who are interested in a variety of internationally oriented programs, should know about the Monterey (California) Institute of International Studies. The student body is made up of people from many parts of the world, and many of the faculty are native speakers. These advantages could undoubtedly help one to become familiar with life in different countries. There also exists in the surrounding communities a need for Bahá’ís to help with teaching in the area. For further information please contact the school directly; Monterey Institute of International Studies, c/o Dr. Isabelle Armitage, director of language studies and humanities, P.O. Box 1978, Monterey, CA 93940.
TEACHING JOBS are available at the University of Macao, a new facility that is to open in the fall of 1981. Teachers are needed for these subjects: finance, economics, geography, history, mathematics, personnel management, philosophy, psychology, sociology, statistics, music and fine arts, accounting, and literature. The language of instruction is English. For more information please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.
SEAL BEACH, California, invites you to help save its jeopardized Spiritual Assembly. Come and homefront pioneer in this lovely beach community of 30,000, centrally located between Orange and Los Angeles counties. Numerous job opportunities and diverse living accommodations are available. For information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Seal Beach, P.O. Box 2875, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
CONIFER HILL staff and teachers needed from July 4-August 14. Director, cooks, work/boss maintenance person. Send resume with pertinent job information and Bahá’í experience. Teachers: If you have a course in mind, please send an outline and your Bahá’í experience. Mail to Conifer Hill Bahá’í School Council, 437 Pine, Boulder, CO 80302.
PROFESSIONAL(S) with family(ies) can fill an urgent need in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, a small, lovely but expensive suburb of Philadelphia, on the commuter line, that has had an Assembly for more than 10 years. Most of the Bahá’ís in the area are young, single, non-homeowners who can’t afford to live there. A home and family plugs you into the community life of this borough while you fill the vacancy (or vacancies—some of the friends are always on the verge of being priced out) on the Assembly. Please write to Joyce Perry, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Swarthmore, 345 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, or phone 215-543-5921.
SINGLE Bahá’í would like to relocate to Colorado or the Midwest, preferably to a smaller town or rural area that needs Bahá’ís to help form an Assembly. Have experience as a library clerk, CRT operator, cashier, salesperson, general office worker. If your community needs Bahá’ís and is interested, please contact Laurie Appel, 240 Glover Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 92010, or phone 714-425-1325.
WE NEED YOU in Erie, Pennsylvania. Homefront pioneers and prayers are needed to restore our numerically jeopardized Assembly to full strength. Erie is a lovely city on Lake Erie with employment possibilities in several manufacturing companies. Bahá’í students will find a university, three colleges, and several trade schools. For more information please contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Erie, c/o Terrie Szymicki, secretary, P.O. Box 7163, Erie, PA 16510.
HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed to help restore the Spiritual Assembly of Highland Park, Illinois, 20 minutes north of Wilmette with excellent mass-transportation service to job opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center, in Chicago, or the North Shore area. There are presently six Bahá’ís in Highland Park; highly motivated believers are needed to help establish a strong nucleus. Help will be provided by the Spiritual Assembly of neighboring Deerfield, an active community with regular Bahá’í activities including children’s classes. For information please contact Steve or Pat Jackson, 1414 Stratford Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, or phone 312-945-3331.
CUSTOM-MADE dulcimer for sale ($200) with proceeds to go to the National Fund. A four-string elliptical-shaped dulcimer made by Dan Doty of Tennessee. Pine top with a walnut body, f-shaped sound holes, one year old but with new strings. Comes with a custom-made case. Write to the treasurer, Spiritual Assembly of Piscataway, P.O. Box 326, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
JOBS are available on the Grand Cayman Islands for teachers, doctors, nurses and psychologists. Medical specialists can have visiting status with the local hospital and spend a few months a year on the islands. The Cayman Islands are located 180 miles northwest of Jamaica. For more information phone the International Goals Committee at 312-869-9039.
THE BAHÁ’Í community of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is looking for one to three “caretakers” for its Bahá’í Center. The Philadelphia Center is located between New York City and Washington, D.C., and serves as a resource for the Bahá’í communities of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Readily accessible to public transit, the Center is in a convenient location for students who are planning to attend one of the Philadelphia area’s many colleges or universities. The “caretakers’ quarters” include two bedrooms, a modern kitchen, living room, dining room, and bath offered at a moderate rent. Tenants will be expected to perform some light maintenance. For more information please write to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Philadelphia, 2013 Susquehanna Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
PLAN your summer now. Set aside two weeks in Montana. Spend a week at the Montana Bahá’í Summer School, and another visiting the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The summer school convenes July 19-25. For full information please contact Diana Virostko, P.O. Box 4754, Helena, MT 59601, or phone 406-443-1061.
HELP SAVE an incorporated Assembly! Come to the city of Binghamton in upstate New York where Bahá’ís are needed to develop and implement teaching plans, to save the Assembly, and to help win the goals of the Seven Year Plan. Employment is available in high technology computer and flight simulation fields. Binghamton is a county seat and has a symphony orchestra, an opera company, a pops orchestra, a museum/science center, and a community college. Please write to Dorothy P. Holmlund, 3 Johnson Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13905, or phone 607-724-5075.
NEED a homefront pioneer in your community in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts or upstate New York? Bahá’í woman, age 57, presently living in Florida, would like to relocate. Qualified as a manager in the following fields: hotel, motel, restaurant, mobile home park, apartment building, ranch, kennel, or in property management. Please write to Pat Wallace, c/o Gemma, 7761 N.W. 32nd St., Hollywood, FL 33024.
TIRED of ice and snow? Come south to the mild climate and beautiful rolling hills of Jefferson County, Alabama (suburban Birmingham). Many cultural opportunities and educational institutions are here. The area’s largest employer is the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a large medical complex including fine medical and dental schools. The Spiritual Assembly of Jefferson County needs two members to maintain Assembly status. If you’re thinking of moving this way, please contact the Assembly secretary, Linda Langley, 3324 Monte D’Oro Drive, Birmingham, AL 35216, or phone 205-823-2698.
PROFESSIONALS in the mental health fields are invited to present interactive workshops at the second seminar on Self, Psychology and the Spiritual Being to be held in early June 1981. For a list of topics and other information please write to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Grand Junction, P.O. Box 2805, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
NEEDED: A Bahá’í couple or family with the financial resources to move to Mercer Island, Washington, an affluent Seattle suburb, to help save its jeopardized Assembly. Mercer Island is in beautiful Lake Washington, 15 minutes from downtown Seattle and 15 minutes from Bellevue. The lovely Pacific Northwest and one of the most livable cities in the country are waiting (Mount St. Helens is 150 miles to the south and quiet). Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Mercer Island, P.O. Box 702, Mercer Island, WA 98040, or phone 206-232-6572 or 206-232-8702.
THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Santa Cruz, California, where redwood-covered mountains meet warm sandy beaches, needs help. Santa Cruz is the home of a branch of the University of California and a top-rated community college. Employment opportunities are limited, but it is an excellent location for students or retired persons. Recreation includes hiking, swimming, surfing, sailing, etc. The Assembly will gladly help in finding housing.
Sierra Madre[edit]
Continued From Page 2
Thus a “non-teaching” effort became the best teacher of all.
Furthermore, it cost the Bahá’ís nothing except their time and effort. Here’s how they did it:
A committee of three worked under the Assembly to organize the event. The Spiritual Assembly of Glendale co-sponsored it, helping with manpower at the show and with a loan for publicity.
HUNT BUSHNELL, a Bahá’í from El Monte who is a professional entertainer, was hired to present two performances of his variety show on Saturday, October 25. The show includes marionettes, live trained birds, and a miniature circus museum.
Next, the committee acquired the necessary permits from the city council and asked for a list of projects to which the profits might be donated. From that list the Assembly chose playground equipment for the public parks.
The final step was publicizing the show. Especially effective were the more than 2,000 flyers that were distributed to children at 10 schools in the area.
Also effective was a banner over the main intersection in Sierra Madre. Newspaper articles and posters in store windows supplemented these efforts.
Publicity emphasized that this was a fund-raising event for public playgrounds, sponsored by the Bahá’ís.
The day before the show, tickets were sold to merchants, business associates and friends who wished to contribute to the project, giving the Bahá’ís yet another opportunity to interact with the public.
The results, especially when compared with past efforts, were overwhelming. More than 200 children and their parents attended the show, in spite of heavy competition from a school carnival and other pre-Halloween events.
MORE THAN $250 was cleared, after expenses, to donate to the city. A reminder during intermission that proceeds from the show were being given by the Bahá’ís to the city was greeted with applause.
The most significant result, however, was the number of friends made for the Faith.
The city administrator now knows several Bahá’ís by name; the librarian is warm and helpful; the newspaper editor is favorably impressed and willing to accept more news releases and photos; school officials have become aware of the Faith; and friends and business associates see the Faith in a new light.
The principle of not accepting funds from non-Bahá’ís for Bahá’í use came up often and was met with respect and astonishment.
When the assistant city administrator learned that the friends intended to donate all the profits to the city, he said, “That’s incredible.”
When the money was presented to the city, a city council member expressed his gratitude to the Bahá’ís because, he said, so many groups talk about helping but never follow through.
An article and photo about the project, whose large headline read “$250 Raised by Bahá’ís for Play Equipment,” appeared in the local newspaper after the show.
The paper described the show as an annual event. And who knows? Since it was so successful, the statement may prove to be prophetic!
Curiosity is written on the faces of these children who encountered a clown during a fund-raiser sponsored last October 25 by the Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Madre, California, for that city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Adults and children alike were captivated by Bahá’í entertainer Hunt Bushnell’s marionettes at a fundraiser last October 25 for the city of Sierra Madre, California, that was organized by that city’s Spiritual Assembly.
220-plus attend S.C. ‘Homecoming’[edit]
More than 220 believers attended the first South Carolina Bahá’í “Homecoming” last December 19-21 at Hickory Knob State Park in McCormick.
Guest speakers at the weekend gathering, which was sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors, included Counsellor Sarah M. Pereira; Auxiliary Board members Robert Harris, Elizabeth Martin, Adrienne Reeves and William Tucker; Debbie Wigfall, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas, and Alberta Deas, secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee.
THE PROGRAM, designed to inspire and deepen the friends in a love-filled atmosphere, featured special children’s classes and time for fellowship. The gathering had as its theme “A Greater Sense of Community.”
Participants enjoyed a presentation of the Canadian film, “Bahá’í Jubilee Samoa,” portraying the dedication of the House of Worship in Western Samoa.
In addition, a program of music, singing and dance was enjoyed by young and old alike.
Dr. Pereira shared stories about the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory and discussed the quality of Bahá’í life.
Mr. Harris spoke on “101 Ways to Teach the Faith,” while Dr. Tucker spoke about the purpose and power of the Covenant.
The more than 30 youth who were present attended a special youth session. Children’s classes also had an attendance of more than 30.
WHEN THE TOTAL contributions to the National Fund were announced, several believers were moved to make last-minute contributions.
Suddenly it seemed that nearly everyone present was offering one last contribution with the thought of our brothers and sisters in Iran in mind.
The total contribution for the weekend, including a silent auction, was more than $1,500.
After the close of the homecoming a handful of Bahá’ís who were later joined by local believers visited residents in McCormick and nearby Greenwood.
As a result, 23 people declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and McCormick, site of the homecoming conference, was opened to the Faith.
Caswell Ellis (center), who served as chairman of the first South Carolina Bahá’í Homecoming last December 19-21 in McCormick, discusses program arrangements with Auxiliary Board members William Tucker and Elizabeth Martin.
A children’s session is held during the first South Carolina Bahá’í Homecoming last December 19-21 at Hickory Knob State Park in McCormick.
Trust does ‘business as usual’ even with 2 mailing addresses[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust now has two mailing addresses, but business is going on as usual, according to the general manager, Dr. John M. Bustard.
Some may have wondered if the Publishing Trust’s building at 415 Linden Avenue in Wilmette, purchased in 1970, has been vacated.
NOT SO, says Dr. Bustard. The 415 Linden address houses the general management and finance offices, along with the editorial, special materials and production departments.
At 523 Green Bay Road, about a mile from 415 Linden Avenue (but still in Wilmette) is the order, billing and warehouse section of the Publishing Trust.
The Publishing Trust, says Dr. Bustard, leased the Green Bay Road space in March 1980 when another warehouse proved to be too small. All orders are now received and processed at and shipped from the Green Bay Road address.
“One drawback,” says the general manager, “is that the phone company isn’t able to connect the two buildings on the same phone line.”
Hence, one still must call 312-251-1854 to reach the offices at 415 Linden Avenue, but must call 312-256-4690 to reach the Green Bay Road facility. Calls to one cannot be transferred to the other.
On the positive side, the expanded facilities have provided much-needed office space. The Publishing Trust hopes that this expansion will enable it to serve the Bahá’í community even better than it has in the past.
Proper media relations vital to Cause[edit]
Continued From Page 4
the President, Cabinet members, ambassadors, representatives of the federal or state governments and their agencies, or nationally prominent persons.
These instructions of the National Spiritual Assembly extend to the national news media as well.
Thus, if the friends are approached in their community by writers from any national publication, for example Time, Newsweek, Life, the New York Times, Associated Press, United Press International, or any other organs of the national TV, radio, or print media, they should gather the pertinent information from the writer or reporter and assure him/her that they will respond to the inquiry as soon as the proper information can be developed.
They should then contact the Office of Public Affairs at the Bahá’í National Center (312-869-9039), and that office, working with the Office of the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, can determine the precise nature of the inquiry and frame an appropriate response, consisting of uniform and accurate information.
At that point, either the Office of Public Affairs or the local Spiritual Assembly will be authorized to contact the writer or reporter.
This policy is especially important as our beloved Faith approaches an era of intense scrutiny and, perhaps, intensified opposition.
AS USUAL, local matters fall within the jurisdiction of the Local Assembly. Local officials and the local press should feel free to contact the local Bahá’í community about any matter.
In fact, the National Spiritual Assembly and Office of Public Affairs encourage all Local Spiritual Assemblies to establish and develop a rapport and an open line of communication with local officials and media.
The Office of Public Affairs is preparing a handbook and “press kit” that will help local communities with their proclamation efforts. The handbook will include suggestions on facilitating an ongoing relationship with the news media.
It is evident that local communities play an indispensable and irreplaceable role in the unfoldment of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order. Indeed, the Universal House of Justice stated in its message to the first Oceanic Conference in August 1968:
“Wherever a Bahá’í community exists, whether large or small, let it be distinguished for its abiding sense of security and faith, its high standard of rectitude, its complete freedom from all forms of prejudice, the spirit of love among its members, and for the closely knit fabric of its social life.
“The acute distinction between this and present day society will inevitably arouse the interest of the more enlightened, and as the world’s gloom deepens the light of Bahá’í life will shine brighter and brighter until its brilliance must eventually attract the disillusioned masses and cause them to enter the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, who alone can bring them peace and justice and an ordered life.”
THROUGH THE concerted and effective use of the powerful force of the media, local Bahá’í communities can bring their unique perspectives, informed and suffused by the transforming Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, before the general public’s attention.
Finally, as the friends increase their contact with the media and the opportunities for public proclamation of the Faith increase, the importance of presenting the Faith in a dignified manner, guarding always the integrity of its teachings and asserting fearlessly its status as an independent world religion, becomes ever more apparent.
The possibilities for misunderstanding among a press accustomed to the framework and categories of the old world order abound, and the local believers must be ready to counter intelligently misconceptions about the Faith that arise from its origin in the Middle East and its association with a politically volatile area of the world.
Moreover, in a political and social environment so fragmented into single “issues,” local reporters and writers might be eager to focus on the Teachings of the Faith on matters of personal conduct, such as drinking, abortion, monogamy, homosexuality or chastity. While defending the integrity of the Faith’s teachings on these and other matters, the friends should avoid focusing upon such issues.
Rather, they should always emphasize the larger, world-embracing dimensions of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and underscore the pattern of a social fabric and personal code of conduct that makes the Will of God for this day the central preoccupation of a human life.
In this way, the friends will have an opportunity to demonstrate that the Bahá’í Faith is far more than a rigid formula for personal behavior or a compendium of opinions on political or economic issues.
A PRESS that is often eager to pass judgment on the political “correctness” of a religion’s views, or to consign its teachings to the restrictive categories of “liberal” or “conservative,” should prompt the friends in local communities to assert that the revolutionizing and potent character of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation has implications for every aspect of mankind’s “ordered life”—personal and social—and that the Faith must be seen as an organic whole and not as a series of positions on the transient social or political issues of the day.
In a letter to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly dated July 21, 1968, the Universal House of Justice wrote:
“The guidance that Bahá’í Institutions offer to mankind does not comprise a series of specific answers to current problems, but rather the illumination of an entirely new way of life ...” and “... It should be the aim of the Bahá’ís to avoid becoming involved in such matters so that their primary purpose of leading men to Bahá’u’lláh is not obscured.”
The Office of Public Affairs hopes that these few guidelines will help local communities to recognize their areas of responsibility in dealing with the national and local news media.
Bahá’í youth (left to right) Cindi Lambert, Larry Skrenes, Riaz Shahrokh and Brian Skrenes make music during the first Wisconsin Bahá’í Summer Institute held last July.
2nd Wisconsin Summer Institute slated[edit]
The second Wisconsin Bahá’í Summer Institute will be held July 6-10 at Camp Byron, near Brownsville, Wisconsin.
The school, patterned after other Bahá’í summer schools, is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, under the guidance of the National Education Committee.
Last year’s Institute was attended by 100 people from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa.
One of those who attended, Charles Scaise of St. Charles, Illinois, declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the Institute.
Camp Byron, a United Methodist property, is situated on spacious grounds with swimming pool, playgrounds, nature trails and camping facilities in addition to comfortable double rooms in a two-story dormitory.
The cost will be about $14 a day for a room and three meals.
For more information about this year’s event, please write to Mrs. Grace Shahrokh, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Fond du Lac, 91 S. Reserve Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
Michigan school named in honor of Enoch Olinga[edit]
On Sunday, November 2, 1980, the inter-community Bahá’í school of South Oakland County, Michigan, was officially renamed the Enoch Olinga Bahá’í School during a ceremony at the YMCA in Royal Oak, Michigan.
The school was renamed with the permission of the Universal House of Justice to honor the Hand of the Cause of God who was murdered with his wife and three of their children in September 1979.
Nearly 100 of the friends attended the dedication ceremony, arranged by the school committee and presided over by its director, Richard Fogle.
The committee is comprised of representatives of several Assemblies and Groups in the area and is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Oak Park, Michigan.
Auxiliary Board member Stephen Ader spoke about the role of an inter-community school and its place in the Seven Year Plan.
Brief talks on the history of the school and on the life of Mr. Olinga were presented by Betty Brogan and James Springston.
Entertainment included a flute solo by Lydia Pauls of Inkster and a delightful rendition of “God Loves the Best of Us” by the 7- to 9-year-old class at the school, directed by Susan Pauls and Pat Armbruster.
The inter-community school has existed in South Oakland County under various names and sponsors for more than 20 years.
Responses[edit]
Continued From Page 5
“As a result, we have increased our goal per Bahá’í month from $56 when the Assembly was formed in August 1979, to our new goal, set last month, of $189. This was the fourth increase in little more than a year!”—Spiritual Assembly of Lenora, Kansas
“Our own Assembly’s reaction to the tape is hard to describe. It seemed that an almost overwhelming cohesive force took control of the Assembly. Some of the friends remember what they called a ‘charged atmosphere.’ Our deliberations seemed much more clearly directed toward a single goal ...
“We see within our community a renewed enthusiasm and desire to make positive, personal contributions to the success of the opening phase of the Seven Year Plan and in the process to contribute to the fulfillment of God’s Plan for mankind.”—Spiritual Assembly of Prairie Village, Kansas
“The Assembly plans to contact each community member by letter, informing them of the state of the local Fund as well as discussing other community goals, and encourage everyone to increase his participation. It also plans to make other efforts (such as starting a community newsletter) designed to spark interest and increase participation in all aspects of community life, including the Fund.”—Spiritual Assembly of Lincoln Park, Michigan
“As a community we had already considered having a fund-raising event, and finalized plans for a fund-raising dinner in Superior Township on December 6 ...
“The dinner was a huge success and we were happy to be able to send more than $750 to the National Fund.”—Spiritual Assembly of Ypsilanti, Michigan
Western States
“As a result of consultation at the Feast, our community recommended to the Assembly, and the Assembly subsequently moved, to double our monthly contribution to the National Spiritual Assembly, raising our commitment from $225 to $450 every Bahá’í month. The community agreed that it was a most moving message, and we sincerely hope it bears the fruit much needed at this time.”—Spiritual Assembly of Walnut Creek-Danville JD, California
“The friends deeply appreciate the situation of the National Assembly and will each try to contribute more sacrificially to the life-blood of the Cause. The Assembly gives first priority in financial matters to the National Fund.”—Spiritual Assembly of El Segundo, California
“The friends who heard the message at Feast tried to think of ways that they could all sacrifice and thereby increase our community’s contribution to the National Fund.
“In the Assembly meeting following the Feast, our Assembly listened to the tape once again and approved an increase of $25 a month to the National Fund.”—Spiritual Assembly of Yakima CCD No. 1, Washington
“The Assembly has decided to sponsor a statewide auction to raise additional money for the National Fund.
“(In addition), the Assembly will attempt to raise the believers’ awareness of the importance of giving directly to the National Fund.”—Spiritual Assembly of Logan, Utah
Convention[edit]
Continued From Page 1
as Visa, Master Card, etc.
Those who wish to share a room to reduce expenses must locate their own roommates prior to making reservations or be prepared to pay the full single rate. The Bahá’í National Center staff and hotel staffs will not assume the responsibility for finding roommates.
Room reservations received after April 1 cannot be guaranteed.
The nearest campgrounds are in Waukegan, Illinois, about 50 miles north of Wilmette.
Caution: A Wilmette ordinance prohibits sleeping in campers, trailers, tents, etc., within the Wilmette village limits. This includes the parking lot at the Bahá’í House of Worship and other local Bahá’í properties.
Camping or sleeping overnight in vehicles also is not permitted in hotel parking lots.
THE YMCA in Chicago (30 W Chicago Avenue) has separate dormitories for men and women. Rates are $15 a day with communal showers and access to sports facilities. Phone 312-944-6211 (please make reservations two or three days in advance).
There is a YMCA (men only) at 1000 Grove St. in Evanston. Rates are $14 a day with communal showers and access to sports facilities. Phone 312-475-4400 (please make reservations one day in advance).
Public transportation (the “el” and buses) is convenient to the McCormick Inn. However, traveling at night in the city can be dangerous; therefore, using public transportation at night is discouraged. But if you must travel after dark, it is suggested that you do so in groups.
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust will have a large bookstore at the Convention, across the hall from the main assembly room, with a large complement of literature and special materials carried by the Publishing Trust. A number of these items will be offered at special sale prices.
A quality program will be provided for children ages 3-14 years. All children who attend the Convention must be enrolled in the program.
A cooperative nursery will be available to parents with infants up to age three. The children’s class program and cooperative nursery will only operate during the morning and afternoon Convention sessions.
CHILDREN from 7-14 years old will have planned afternoon field trips including a tour of the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette and Evanston.
Parents will be required to sign up for one morning or afternoon time-block (there will be seven time-blocks in the 3 1/2-day Convention schedule) to provide assistance, as needed, to the fulltime children’s teaching staff.
Parents will be responsible for their children during lunch and dinner. No children’s programs are planned for the evenings, and parents will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
Special arrangements can be made for the children of delegates whose parents must attend evening sessions.
Registration for the Convention will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the McCormick Inn (see the January issue of The American Bahá’í for a registration coupon).
A materials fee of $2 per non-delegate will be collected at the registration desk.
Ample parking is available at the hotel parking lot for $5.25 a day. When parking at the Bahá’í House of Worship, please follow the instructions of the parking attendant.
IF YOU USE the lakeside parking lot at the House of Worship, please use the pedestrian underpass to cross Sheridan Road.
If traveling to Chicago by air, Midway Airlines travel fares (to Midway Airport) are generally lower than those of other airlines, especially from Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, New York (LaGuardia), Omaha, Kansas City and Washington, D.C.
Continental Air Transport provides regular bus service to the McCormick Inn. Check the Continental counter on arrival for a schedule.
Taxis to McCormick take about 25 minutes. The fare is about $20.
To reach the McCormick Inn by car:
1. Driving south on Lake Shore Drive, Route 41. Stay in left lane, take ramp exit marked “McCormick Place, 23rd Street.” At top of exit ramp turn right. McCormick Inn is immediately on your left.
2. Driving south on Michigan Avenue, Route 54. Proceed on Michigan to Cermak Road (22nd St. South). Turn left on Cermak and continue about six blocks. McCormick Inn is on your right.
3. Driving north on Lake Shore Drive, Route 41. Stay to left, take ramp exit marked “McCormick Place, 23rd Street.” At top of exit ramp turn left. McCormick Inn is immediately on your left.
4. Driving east on the Stevenson, Route 55. Stay to the right, exit at King Drive. Turn left (north) on King Drive and continue one long block to 23rd St. Turn right on 23rd. McCormick Inn will be on your right.
Chicago bus routes that come to or within one block of the McCormick Inn are No. 126 (Jackson to McCormick Place), No. 22 (Cermak), No. 4 (Cottage Grove), and No. 3 (King Drive).
Those who would like more information about the Convention may phone 312-869-9039, extension 211.
In memoriam[edit]
- Mrs. Ariel Ainslie
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- December 31, 1980
- Mrs. Lois Allen
- Columbia, S C
- March 1980
- Mrs. Dorothy Beaumonte
- Portland, Oregon
- July 18, 1980
- Mrs. Dorothy Becker
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- November 13, 1980
- Mrs. Flora T. Brunner
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- October 1980
- Mrs. Angela Connaughton
- Santa Barbara, Calif.
- December 16, 1980
- Frank Dixon
- Clewiston, Florida
- 1980
- Cornelius L. Fiske
- Tucson, Arizona
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Ida M. Fox
- Fort Pierce, Florida
- November 15, 1980
- Felix Garcia
- Watsonville, Calif.
- November 29, 1980
- Fernando Gomez
- Sonora, Texas
- Date Unknown
- Thomas Gulling
- Rosharon, Texas
- December 22, 1980
- Iver C. Gustafson Jr.
- Mountain View, Calif.
- December 17, 1980
- Benny Johnson
- Manor, Texas
- December 1980
- Daniel P. Keller
- Somerville, New Jersey
- August 28, 1980
- John W. McAllaster
- Morro Bay, Calif.
- December 31, 1980
- Mrs. Nina H. Nadler
- Clearwater, Florida
- December 17, 1980
- Mrs. Ethel R. Parpart
- Washington, D.C.
- December 27, 1980
- Anthony Payne
- Harvey, Illinois
- Date Unknown
- Frederick U. Redding
- Alameda, California
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Margaret U. Ruiz
- Fairfield, California
- Date Unknown
- Ibrahim Sadighian
- Englewood, Colorado
- December 25, 1980
- Ms. Dawn Schindler
- San Juan Capistrano, California
- December 27, 1980
- Mrs. Jean Shinnick
- St. Simon’s Island, Ga.
- February 24, 1980
- Warren Stillday Jr.
- Ponemah, Minnesota
- November 1979
- Mrs. Ada Sutherlin
- Sedalla, Missouri
- October 1980
- George Weddle
- Beaverton, Oregon
- 1980
- Ollie Whitley
- Sedalla, Missouri
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Gertrude Williams
- Lewisville, Texas
- December 5, 1980
The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Hamilton County, Tennessee, was formed last August 25. Its members include (seated left to right) Michael McKenna, Jeanne Holman, Shahrzad Naderi, Ata Rassekh, and (standing left to right) Nader Naderi, Fakhreh Rassekh, Ruth Bley, George Bley. The ninth member of the Assembly, Thomas Bley, is not shown.
Classifieds[edit]
Continued From Page 24
Know the bounty of helping to save our high-in-spirit but numerically jeopardized Assembly. Please write to the Bahá’ís of Live Oak, P.O. Box 3068, Santa Cruz, CA 95063.
JOBS in the Cameroons. An elementary school principal and couples who are elementary school teachers are needed for an international school in Yaounde. Teachers must be certified. The language of instruction is English, but some knowledge of French is helpful. A two-year contract, housing, and air fare are provided. For more information phone the International Goals Committee office, 312-869-9039.
FAIRFIELD, Iowa, is seeking homefront pioneers to replace a family leaving soon for a pioneering post in Africa. Fairfield is the home of Maharishi International University. Friendly relationships already established with the university and in the town are opening opportunities for active teaching, with regular firesides attracting as many as 30 seekers at a time. Come help stabilize a recently formed Assembly. For more information write to the Spiritual Assembly of Fairfield, P.O. Box 255, Fairfield, IA 52556.
NORTH CAROLINA: Help save the jeopardized Spiritual Assembly of Chapel Hill, a city of about 30,000 that is the home of the University of North Carolina. Chapel Hill, in the lovely Piedmont area of North Carolina, offers a moderate climate and many wonderful opportunities to serve the Faith. A wide variety of jobs are available through the university, the 700-bed university hospital, and the nearby Research Triangle Park. For more information contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chapel Hill, Box 1065, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Poet Hayden is honored by Language Association[edit]
Robert Hayden, an acclaimed poet and a Bahá’í who died in February 1980, was among four late American poets honored last December 28 during the annual convention of the Modern Language Association in Houston, Texas.
The tribute to Mr. Hayden was delivered by Michael Harper of Brown University. Mr. Harper, a long time friend of Mr. Hayden’s, has had his own poetry published in World Order magazine, for which Mr. Hayden served for many years as poetry editor.
MR. HARPER read several of Mr. Hayden’s poems before an overflow audience at the special session, mentioning after one of them that the Bahá’í Faith had been a central influence in Mr. Hayden’s life and work.
The other poets honored at the convention were Elizabeth Bishop, Muriel Rukeyser and James Wright.
Mr. Hayden, a native of Detroit who was a professor of English at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor at the time of his death, served for two years (1976-77) as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. He was the first black ever to hold the position.
In May 1979, Mr. Hayden was elected to the prestigious American Academy Institute of Arts and Letters.
His books of poetry include American Journal (nominated in 1978 for a National Book Award), Angle of Ascent, The Night-Blooming Cereus, Words In the Mourning Time, Heart-Shape in the Dust, Figure of Time, and A Ballad of Remembrance, which won the grand prize at the first World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966.
Selections of Mr. Hayden’s works appeared in many other books of poetry. He also edited Kaleidoscope, a collection of poems by black Americans that was published in 1967.
ROBERT HAYDEN
Colorado site of self-aw[edit]
About 50 people including 11 non-Bahá’ís attended a seminar on “Self, Psychology and the Spiritual Being” last October 31-November 2, one of a series of events sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Grand Junction, Colorado.
The three-day gathering used a workshop format each morning with Bahá’ís and mental health professionals as group leaders.
AFTERNOONS were spent with a panel of the day’s workshop leaders moderated by non-Bahá’í mental health workers from the Grand Junction area.
Separate meetings for Bahá’ís dealing with mental health in the Bahá’í community and the question of forming an affiliation of Bahá’í mental health professionals also were held in the afternoons.
These Bahá’í sessions were led by Linda Jones, a family therapist from Hilton Head, South Carolina, who represented the National Education Committee at the seminar.
In addition to exploring the need to integrate the spiritual being with the physical and psychological aspects of the individual, the seminar touched on innumerable guidelines from the Bahá’í Writings on the requirements for mental health.
Workshop leaders included Marion West (“Self-esteem and the Purpose of Life”), Dr. Richard DaBell (“The Damaged Self” and “Treating the Damaged Bahá’í”), Dr. Dan Popov (“The Beginning of Self” and “Marriage”), Dr. Frank Haendel (“Self as the One Who Chooses”), Charlotte Ingram (“The Use of Art in Therapy”) and Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi (“Understanding the Soul, Spirit and Intellect”).
Methods used by Bahá’í therapists were shared throughout the seminar, while the Bahá’í Writings were cited repeatedly as source material for handling the problems some members of our society experience.
IN DISCUSSING the feasibility of an affiliation of Bahá’í mental health professionals, it was decided that since there is no “Bahá’í therapy” per se, such an affiliation would serve no useful purpose at this time.
As Dr. Haendel observed: “We already have the tightest affiliation there is—we’re Bahá’ís!”
As a result of the great enthusiasm generated at the conference, the Grand Junction community approved the idea of hosting another one in June 1981.
Information about how the first conference was planned along with complete notes on each session is available from the Grand Junction Bahá’í community, c/o Diana Carson, secretary, P.O. Box 2805, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
Feasts[edit]
Continued From Page 5
While a demonstration need not go that far, there is certainly room for considerable creativity!
The inspirational portion of the Fund report at Feast may also be presented by community members other than the Treasurer.
The Assembly may decide that the believers should take turns at each Feast, thereby providing an opportunity for each member of the community to learn more about the Fund by preparing a report.
Youth and children may also be called upon to develop a special presentation for this part of the Feast report.
Resources for Fund education are easily obtainable. In addition to the abundant materials on Fund principles, almost any aspect of the development of the Faith can be related to its “lifeblood”—the Fund.
Resources include the Writings of the Central Figures, the Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice; “Accounting Procedures for Bahá’í Treasurers”; “Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies”; the back of each Treasurer’s letter; Child’s Way magazine (beginning in March 1981); The American Bahá’í; the Canadian publication, “Bahá’í Funds and Contributions”; the National Treasurer’s Representatives and their deepening programs; and other special tapes, filmstrips and deepening materials available from the Office of the Treasurer or your NTR.
A workshop session held during the first seminar on Self, Psychology and the Spiritual Being last October 31-November 2 sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Grand Junction, Colorado. Linda Jones, who represented the National Education Committee at the conference, is seated fifth from left.
Declaration highlights course on Faith in Little Rock[edit]
The declaration of a student was among the highlights of a six-week course on the Bahá’í Faith offered last October 14-November 18 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
The course was a part of the Open University program at UALR, which is offered to the public at a very low cost.
The course was taught by Dr. Allan L. Ward, vice-chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Little Rock and professor of speech communication at UALR. It included the introduction of basic Bahá’í principles, an explanation of the Station of the Central Figures of the Faith, and a discussion of the role of a Bahá’í in helping to develop a world community.
Bahá’í Publishing Trust[edit]
MINI CATALOG[edit]
New Books
Mothers, Fathers, and Children: Practical Advice to Parents: NEW for parents
A practical and encouraging guide for parents and teachers by the Hand of the Cause of God A. Furútan on how to train a child according to Bahá’í principles while dealing with day-to-day family and classroom situations. Contains chapters on respect for children, children and freedom, moral and social training, and training children in the spirit of religion. A must!
- Cloth 7-32-70 $9.00
- Paper 7-32-71 $1.50
Fly through the Bahá’í Year: NEW for 5-10 year olds
A red bird and a yellow butterfly introduce children, in rhymed verse, to the Wilmette House of Worship and to the Bahá’í year filled with Holy Days and other observances. Written and colorfully illustrated by Terry Ostovar.
- Paper 7-52-75 $5.00
Ali’s Dream: The Story of Bahá’u’lláh: NEW for youth
By John Hatcher. For 11-15 year olds: a fictional story of 11-year-old Ali, whose life becomes a quest for the meaning of a dream that leads him to an understanding of his Bahá’í heritage and his spiritual destiny. Into the story of the search the author weaves scenes from Bahá’í history, drawing from them truths about the acquisition of spiritual qualities.
- Cloth 7-52-80 $9.95
- Paper 7-52-81 $4.95
The Bahá’í Faith: NEW introduction
By Mary Perkins and Philip Hainsworth. Have you been looking for an introduction to the Faith with slightly more information than the Faizí book but still less than Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era—and with photographs? The Bahá’í Faith is your book! It has three chapters on how the Faith began, what Bahá’ís believe, and how Bahá’ís live. 87 pp.
- Paper 7-32-65 $4.00
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era: Revised Cloth, Paper Editions
By J.E. Esslemont. Called by Shoghi Effendi “that splendid, authoritative and comprehensive introduction to Bahá’í history and teachings,” Dr. Esslemont’s book continues to be one of the most widely used of all Bahá’í books. Cloth edition features attractive new jacket and cover design. Pocket edition features photograph of Wilmette House of Worship. An essential book for every Bahá’í library and an excellent choice for donations to public libraries.
- Cloth 7-31-04 $12.00
- Paper 7-31-05 $1.50
Quickeners of Mankind: NEW on pioneering
A new compilation essential for all pioneers and all prospective pioneers. Includes extracts from the Bahá’í writings and The Universal House of Justice on topics such as the purpose and urgency of pioneering, and the qualities of a pioneer. Also includes guidance from the Hands of the Cause of God and the Continental Boards of Counselors, as well as information on Marion Jack, the “shining example to pioneers.”
- Paper 7-15-68 $1.00
Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude: NEW booklet
- Paper 7-15-66 $1.50
Consultation: A Compilation: NEW booklet
- Paper 7-15-64 $1.50
Centers of Bahá’í Learning: NEW booklet
For those interested in Bahá’í schools and institutes of all kinds.
- Paper 7-15-58 $1.50
New Cassettes for Deepening
Plan a deepening, and invite five Hands of the Cause of God! “Legacies of Service” is an ongoing series of cassettes featuring Hands of the Cause. Five are now available. Three are new; two are re-releases. Buy one, or buy the set at a savings. Featured are the Hands of the Cause of God Agnes Alexander, Enoch Olinga, Hasan Balyúzí, Leroy Ioas, and Ṭaráẓ’u’lláh Samandarí.
Use for:
- □ Gifts for new believers
- □ Deepening classes
- □ Personal library
- □ Summer schools
- □ Youth classes
“Are You Happy?” Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga talks of the spiritual quality of happiness and the joy of teaching.
- 60 minutes: NEW Catalog No. 6-31-52 $6.50
“My only desire ... was to serve His Cause.” Hand of the Cause of God Agnes Alexander shares the story of her introduction to and acceptance of the Faith, her pioneering experiences, and her dedicated service to the Faith.
70 minutes: NEW Catalog No. 6-31-51 $6.50
“The Triumph of the Cause.” Hand of the Cause of God Hasan M. Balyúzí, in a recording made at the 1963 World Congress in London, gives a historical perspective of the Ten Year Crusade and leaves us with Shoghi Effendi’s guidelines for winning the goals of the plans generated from the administrative centers of the Faith.
30 minutes: NEW Catalog No. 6-31-53 $5.00
“In the Days of the Guardian.” Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Ioas shares moments spent with the Guardian that reveal his power, wit, and compassion.
60 minutes: Reissue Catalog No. 6-31-50 $6.50
“In His Presence.” His meeting with Bahá’u’lláh is the focus of Hand of the Cause of God Ṭaráẓ’u’lláh Samandarí’s talk. Marzieh Gail translates.
60 minutes: Reissue
- Catalog No. 6-30-99 $6.50
“Legacies of Service,” set of 5 cassettes
- Catalog No. 6-31-54 $28.00
A Mysterious Power in This Cause/Írán: Crisis and Challenge: NEW Cassette
Two inspiring talks on one tape for a very special personal, family, or community deepening. On one side of the cassette the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem, drawing on quotations from the Writings and stories of early Bahá’ís, speaks on the significance of Riḍván and the latent power available to the Bahá’í community. On the other side Dr. Iraj Ayman gives a moving account of the transformation of the believers in the Cradle of the Faith brought about by tests and difficulties during a year of crisis. 90 minutes.
- 6-31-66 $6.50
Forging an Eternal Bond: Building and Maintaining the Institution of Marriage: NEW
Thinking of getting married? Plan an evening with Geoffrey and Amy Marks drawing upon the Bahá’í writings and their own experiences as they share some insights on building and maintaining the institution of marriage. 60 minutes.
- Cassette 6-31-67 $6.50
Coming Soon
Your favorite albums on stereo cassettes
The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
Flight—The Lote Tree—Happy Ayyám-i-Há
New Non-English Titles
The New Garden: NEW Laotian edition
Now available for the Laotian teaching work, a simple introduction to the Bahá’í Faith by Hushmand Fatheazam. 5½ x 7½ inches.
- Paper 7-97-03 $3.00
Fulfillment of Buddhist Prophecies: NEW Laotian Edition
For the Laotian teaching work: a small 84-page booklet that discusses Buddhist prophecies fulfilled in the Bahá’í Faith. 5 1/4 x 7 7/16 inches.
- Paper 7-97-04 $1.50
Kinh Bahá’í (Bahá’í Prayers): NEW Vietnamese edition
For Vietnamese Bahá’ís and seekers: a small collection of Bahá’í prayers in Vietnamese. 80 pp. 3¾ x 5¼ inches.
- Paper 7-96-55 $1.50
The Oneness of God: NEW Laotian pamphlet
An inexpensive introductory pamphlet on the oneness of God. French-fold; contains photograph of Wilmette Bahá’í House of Worship.
- Paper 7-97-02 A
Prayers and The Hidden Words: NEW Laotian Edition
For the Laotian teaching work: a small 54-page compilation of Bahá’í prayers and Hidden Words in Lao. Attractively printed with mustard-color cover. Handy for purse and pocket. Inexpensively priced. 5¼ x 4¼ inches.
- Paper 7-97-01 $1.00
The Kitáb-i-Íqán: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-26 $5.00
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-22 $5.50
The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-34 $4.00
Some Answered Questions: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-66 $5.50
Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-79 $1.50
Tablets of the Divine Plan: Spanish
- Paper 7-94-01 $2.00
The Unfoldment of World Civilization: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-81 $1.00
The Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-40 $3.50
The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-42 $3.00
The Goal of a New World Order: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-83 $1.50
The Promised Day Is Come: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-35 $5.00
God Passes By: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-99 $6.50
Bahá’í Prayers: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-13 $2.00
The Constitution of The Universal House of Justice: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-75 $.50
The Divine Art of Living: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-20 $3.00
The Pattern of Bahá’í Life: Spanish
- Paper 7-94-03 $2.50
The National Spiritual Assembly: Spanish
- Paper 7-94-02 $3.00
Principles of Bahá’í Administration: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-32 $3.00
Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-89 $2.00
The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-55 $1.50
The Renewal of Civilization: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-38 $2.00
Christ and Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Paper 7-93-17 $2.00
The Message of Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-97 10/$4.00
The Spiritual Significance of Adversity: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-96 10/$3.50
The Spiritual Solution of the Economic and Social Problem: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-57 10/$1.50
The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-84 10/$1.00
The Dawn of a New Era: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-49 5/$1.50
The Equality of Men and Women: Spanish
- Pamphlet 7-93-73 10/$1.00
Works on the Bahá’í Faith
A Concordance to The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh: NEW
By Jalil Mahmoudi. An excellent aid to help you find passages in The Hidden Words. Almost every word in the book is listed in alphabetical order. Every phrase in which the word appears is listed under that word’s entry. Use it to select readings for Feast or to plan an unusual deepening. Foreword by Hand of the Cause of God A.Q. Faizi.
- Paper 7-68-52 $5.00
Circle of Unity: NEW Booklet
A handsome presentation piece prepared as a tribute to the original inhabitants of America. Contains a brief common history and presentation of the Bahá’í Faith; representative Indian activities; and much more.
- Paper 7-41-09 $1.00
Stories from the Delight of Hearts: The Memoirs of Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí: NEW Book
Learn about the fascinating life story of one who braved the persecutions of family, friends, and fellow-countrymen to embrace the Bábí Faith. Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí’s commitment to the new religion finally took him to the Holy Land, where he attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated and abridged by the Hand of the Cause of God A.Q. Faizi. 163 pp., notes.
- Cloth 7-31-98 $9.00
The Bahá’í Faith teaching booklet: Revised Edition
For your teaching and consolidation plans. A newly revised and redesigned edition of the English version of the popular “green teaching booklet.” Contains more text and many new photographs. Let Counselor Aḥmadíyyih and the National Teaching Committee help you and your local community teach the Faith. 24 pp.
- Paper 7-67-02 $1.00 12/$10.00
Building a Unified Community: New Pamphlet
A popular, new proclamation pamphlet essential for UN and Human Rights Day observances. Unified communities emerge, the pamphlet says, when every individual develops characteristics that enable him to interact successfully in his family, in his marriage, and in his local, national, and international communities. An indirect presentation of Bahá’í principles prepared by the Bahá’í International Community. French folds to 3⅝ x 8½ inches. 6 pp.
- Paper 7-40-98 A
One World, One People: New Pamphlet
Another popular, new proclamation pamphlet for UN and Human Rights Day observances prepared by the Bahá’í International Community. Drawing on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s remarks on the “seven candles of unity,” One World discusses the spiritual standards needed to resolve the economic and social problems of our day. Also discusses the contributions Bahá’ís are making to the process. French folds to 3⅝ x 8½ inches. 6 pp.
- Paper 7-40-99 A
Becoming Your True Self: Revised Pamphlet An old favorite back in a revised format. Dr. Daniel C. Jordan discusses the nature of human potential and explains how the Bahá’í Faith enables the individual to release his potential. Cover design by Pepper Peterson. 19 pp.
- Pamphlet 7-40-15 D
In Search of the Supreme Talisman: A Bahá’í Perspective on Education: NEW Pamphlet
In a companion piece to the popular Becoming Your True Self Dr. Daniel C. Jordan surveys the forces that have brought a crisis in culture and education. After analyzing the effect of these forces on individuals, he proposes that the education of man—“the supreme talisman”—hinges on the emergence of a culture in which spiritual values dominate. Cover design by Pepper Peterson. 3⅝ x 8½ inches. 17 pp.
- Paper 7-40-77 D
For Children and Youth
The Secret in the Garden: NEW
A charming new book for 5-10 year-olds. An old woman brings a special gift to a lovely but not very peaceful village. A small, observant girl finally helps the villagers see that unity in diversity is the secret in the garden. Excellent for gifts to non-Bahá’í friends and to public libraries. Written and illustrated by Winifred Barnum Newman. Now available in a Secret in the Garden cassette narrated by Susan Engle, who composed a song especially for the book. 32 pp.
Now Available!
- Cloth 7-53-13 $5.00
- Cassette 6-32-05 $3.00
- Book/Cassette 7-53-15 $7.50
Come and Sing: NEW Stereo Cassette/Album
For putting the children to bed, for trips, and for children’s classes! Come and Sing is now available as an LP album and as a stereo cassette, the first produced by the Publishing Trust. This appealing collection of songs was created to assist children to understand and develop the attributes of God. Ideal for children of any age or faith. Produced by Warren Kime and Susan Engle.
- LP Album 6-35-21 $7.50
- Stereo Cassette 6-32-20 $8.00
My Baby Book: NEW Book
An excellent tool for reinforcing your small child’s sense of Bahá’í identity. My Baby Book provides you with a handy place for keeping records of your child’s physical and spiritual growth. For your child it is a book to which he can return again and again for a personalized account of his first years. 8½ x 11 inches. 32 pp.
- Cloth 7-52-53 $14.00
Sunflower Books, Set of 4
Simple first-person text and suitable activities help children learn simple Bahá’í concepts and gain a sense of Bahá’í identity. Includes My Bahá’í Book, My Favorite Prayers and Passages, God and Me, and Our Bahá’í Holy Places. 3-7 years.
- Paper 7-53-05 $7.50
Bahá’í Prayers and Tablets for the Young
Features 28 prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and 10 Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for children and youth. For younger children, older children, and youth.
- Cloth 7-15-54 $4.00
Blessed Is the Spot
This illustrated book will help your young child learn a passage from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and understand that he can talk about God almost anyplace. Easy-to-read type. 1-3 years.
- Cloth 7-52-40 $4.50
The Cornerstone: A Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America
A story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s laying the cornerstone of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette introduces your child to the building and its significance. 3-7 years.
- Paper 7-52-71 $2.50
The Unfriendly Governor: A Story About ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land
A governor plotting against the Bahá’ís and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s unexpected response helps young children understand courage, assurance, forgiveness, integrity, and obedience. 3-7 years.
- Paper 7-52-73 $2.50
The Wonder Lamp
To explain progressive revelation A. Q. Faizi uses an allegory of a lamp whose light princes and kings try to obscure. 5-10 years.
- Paper 7-52-54 $1.00
Stories of Bahá’u’lláh by Pokka
Betty Reed’s story of a Finnish child will give every child a glimpse of another culture and acquaint him with stories of Bahá’u’lláh and the Holy Family. 3-7 years.
- Paper 7-52-67 $3.00
Happy Ayyám-i-Há! Between musical selections Hand of the Cause of God William Sears shares “grandfatherly” talk with a group of children, explaining the songs and the Bahá’í Faith. Produced by Joyce and Danny Deardorff. Don’t be fooled by the title. For all year long!
- Stereo LP 6-35-19 $7.50
Don’t miss on page 1
A. Furútan’s Mothers, Fathers, and Children
O God, Guide Me: NEW Paper Edition
The prayer-book favorite for young children is now available in a paper edition. Features large, easy-to-read type and interracial line drawings by Gordon Laite. Easier to hold open than the cloth edition. 39 pp.
- Paper 7-52-48 $2.50
Children’s Prayers Card: NEW Card
Excellent teaching aid and gift for children, friends, and family. Attractively illustrated card featuring two of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayers for children: “O God, guide me” and “O God! Educate these children” (Bahá’í Prayers, Nos. 5, 8). A useful item for Universal Children’s Day. Easy to mail.
- Card 7-06-35 10/$1.00
The Black Rose: A Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America
An illustrated story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s encounter with a group of boys, including a black boy, in New York City in 1912. Helpful for teaching young children about unity in diversity. 24 pp.
- Paper 7-52-70 $2.50
The Proud Helper: A Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Holy Land
A picture-story book for young children relating Lua Getsinger’s efforts to help ‘Abdu’l-Bahá serve the poor in ‘Akká. Adapted from story in Portals to Freedom. 22 pp.
- Paper 7-52-72 $2.50
The Birth of the Bahá’í Faith: New Book for Youth
A brief illustrated history of major events in the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Faith, from the Báb to the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Attractive line drawings and straightforward text provide meaty material for lively discussions at deepening classes and Bahá’í schools. Excellent for teaching and deepening youth and new Bahá’ís of all ages. Text and illustrations by Debbie D. Wittman. 7x10 inches, 23 pp.
- Paper 7-52-55 $1.00
Clementine and the Cage: NEW Children’s Book
For 7-9 year olds. A fable of a bird who goes beyond the squabbling and limited vision of other birds. Text by Wendy Heller. Illustrations by Rex J. Irvine. Published by Kalimat Press. 11 x 8½ inches. 32 pp.
- Cloth 7-52-74 $8.00
1981 Calendars
1981 Bahá’í Date Book: NEW
Need to keep track of all your appointments and meetings, Feasts, and Holy Days? The 1981 Bahá’í date book is a must. Includes 15 months (January 1981-March 1982), larger squares for each day, and Gregorian and Bahá’í days of the month. Weeks begin on Sunday, end on Saturday. New gatefold cover allows you to mark the month or carry extra notes. Metallic silver cover features filigree ornamentation on Wilmette House of Worship. 3½ x 6½ inches.
- Date Book 6-69-31 $1.50
1981 Bahá’í Wall Calendar: NEW
New format features a 10-inch picture of the Seat of The Universal House of Justice (suitable for framing) and an 8½ x 11-inch, 15-month calendar that is easier than ever to read. The type is larger than last year’s, Feasts and Holy Days are color coded, and Bahá’í months for the year 138 alternate in white and yellow. Hang the calendar on the wall for easy reference and a conversation piece; fold picture over and carry to meetings. 8½ x 11 inches, folded.
- Calendar 6-69-41 $1.00
1981 Bahá’í Pocket Calendar: NEW
Fits conveniently in purse or billfold. 2¼ x 3½ inches.
- Calendar 6-69-61 10/$1.00
1981 Bahá’í Memo Pad/Planning Calendar: NEW
Back again! A 15-month calendar pad with one Gregorian month per tear-off sheet. Indicates all Bahá’í Holy Days and Nineteen Day Feasts. Includes ample space for writing in dates of your appointments, meetings, and firesides. Use flat on desk, hang on wall, or carry in three-ring binder. Use for planning Assembly, committee, and personal engagements for the entire year. 8½ x 11 inches.
- Calendar 6-69-91 $1.50
Greatest Name Emblems/Albums
Greatest Name Plaques
Enrich your home with elegant Greatest Name plaques printed on parchment. One has gold foil printed on tan stock, the other silver on grey stock. Presentation folder makes both excellent gifts for new Bahá’ís—or old friends. 8 x 10 inches.
- Gold Foil 6-64-10 $3.00
- Silver Foil 6-64-09 $3.00
Flight
Enliven your firesides and youth gatherings with the musical styles of 11 groups ranging from the soft sounds of England Dan and John Ford Coley to the rhythm and blues of John and Sharon Barnes. 14 songs.
- Stereo LP 6-36-09 $7.50
The Lote Tree
Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, on side one, will help you start a fireside by setting the mood and discussing the significance of the Bahá’í Faith. Seals and Crofts and families, on side 2, share 5 songs. For deepenings, firesides, radio proclamation.
- Stereo LP 6-35-18 $7.50
The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
Donna Kime’s lyrical voice and thoughtful improvisations bring out the poetic beauty of Bahá’u’lláh’s Hidden Words. Excellent for Feasts and deepenings.
- Stereo LP 6-35-14 $7.50
Do You Have These in Your Library?
The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh’s letters to the kings and rulers of the world and to its religious leaders, together with His summons to mankind, introduced by The Universal House of Justice. Excellent for study classes and proclamation gifts.
- Cloth 7-03-12 $7.50
- Paper 7-03-13 $2.00
Tablets of the Divine Plan
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s “supreme charter” for teaching the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. A must for understanding all teaching plans initiated by Shoghi Effendi and The Universal House of Justice, including the current Seven Year Plan.
- Cl/w/map 7-06-09 $10.00
- Cl/w/out map 7-06-10 $9.00
- Paper 7-06-11 $4.00
Memorials of the Faithful
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s loving remembrance of 79 early believers bound together by their love for Bahá’u’lláh. Plan an unusual study class on the essence of commitment to the Cause as related by the Master.
- Cloth 7-06-12 $9.00
Bahá’í World Faith
A comprehensive selection of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on a variety of subjects. Will not be reprinted when the present stock is depleted.
- Cloth 7-15-20 $10.00
Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950-1957
To better understand the current Seven Year Plan, read about the unfolding of the Ten Year World Crusade, the first global plan, and the development of the administrative order in preparation for the election of The Universal House of Justice.
- Cloth 7-08-15 $9.00
Principles of Bahá’í Administration
Compilation concerning the relations and functions of individuals and of local and national Bahá’í institutions. From passages written by and on behalf of Shoghi Effendi. A handy book for reference.
- Cloth 7-15-28 $6.00
- Paper 7-15-29 $4.00
Ideas for Study Classes
Bahá’í Education
The most complete compilation to date of teachings on Bahá’í education. It has provided the basis for the Publishing Trust’s publishing program for children and youth. It can help you plan classes in your community.
- Paper 7-15-59 $3.00
The Greatest Gift
A guide that takes you through a day’s discussion on the importance of the Tablets of the Divine Plan and of teaching. Use to lead into booklets described below.
- Paper 7-65-07 $1.50
The Individual and Teaching: Raising the Divine Call
Plan several discussions of this compilation before you finish your summer teaching plans. Gives guidelines to be followed in teaching.
- Paper 7-15-60 $2.00
A Special Measure of Love: The Importance and Nature of the Teaching Work among the Masses
Discuss in tandem with The Individual and Teaching. Deals with teaching and consolidating the masses.
- Paper 7-15-47 $1.50
Each One Teach One: A Call to the Individual Believer
Questions and answers help you understand how important it is to bring one person into the Faith each year.
- Paper 7-67-08 $1.00
Deepening Packet for New Believers
Be prepared for new Bahá’ís with the eleven modules in question-and-answer format in this packet. It will help you deepen new believers on basic Bahá’í beliefs.
- Paper 7-65-15 $4.00
Soon you can travel or entertain in a new style with all your favorite albums on stereo cassettes.
WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENT!