The American Bahá’í/Volume 14/Issue 1/Text

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THE HAND OF THE CAUSE PAUL E. HANEY

Haifa auto accident claims his life; three others hurt

The Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney dies

WITH STRICKEN HEARTS ANNOUNCE SUDDEN IRREPARABLE LOSS THROUGH AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT 3 DECEMBER HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED GREATLY PRIZED HANDCAUSE GOD STAUNCH DEFENDER COVENANT PAUL HANEY.

THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVANT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH WAS BLESSED CHILDHOOD THROUGH ATTAINMENT PRESENCE ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. HIS NATURAL GENTLENESS, GENUINE HUMILITY, UNAFFECTED UNBOUNDED LOVE, HIS UPRIGHTNESS, INTEGRITY, HIS SINGLE MINDED DEVOTION CAUSE SINCE YOUTHFUL YEARS, HIS UNFAILING RELIABILITY, METICULOUS ATTENTION DETAIL, CHARACTERIZED HIS HISTORIC SERVICES BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS.

SPANNING MORE THAN HALF CENTURY HIS TIRELESS LABOURS INCLUDED LONG-TIME MEMBERSHIP AMERICAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. SINCE 1954 HE CONSECRATED HIS ENERGIES AS MEMBER UNIQUE COMPANY CHIEF STEWARDS FAITH AND LATER AS MEMBER BODY HANDS CAUSE RESIDING HOLY LAND AT ONE OF MOST CRITICAL PERIODS BAHÁ’Í HISTORY. LAST DECADE HIS EARTHLY LIFE WAS FULLY DEDICATED DEVELOPMENT NEWLY FORMED INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE. GENERATIONS YET UNBORN WILL GLORY IN HIS IMPERISHABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND BE INSPIRED BY HIS UNIQUE FORTITUDE.

ARDENTLY SUPPLICATING HOLY THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM. ADVISE HOLD THROUGHOUT BAHÁ’Í WORLD INCLUDING ALL MASHRIQU’L-ADHKÁRS MEMORIAL GATHERINGS BEFITTING HIS HIGH RANK AND HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICES.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DECEMBER 5, 1982

Mr. Haney, who was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, on March 19, 1954, was one of four persons in an auto that was involved in a one-vehicle accident in the early morning hours of December 4 in Haifa, Israel.

Slightly injured in the accident were two others.

Two more Bahá’ís are martyred in Iran, more than 125 are arrested in Shíráz

HEARTS SORELY GRIEVED EXECUTION DOCTOR ZIYÁ’U’LLÁH AHRÁRÍ BY FIRING SQUAD SHÍRÁZ 21 NOVEMBER. TRAGEDY OCCURRING SO QUICKLY UPON HEELS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HANGING HABÍBU’LLÁH AWJÍ AROUSES DEEP CONCERN FATE THREE OTHER FAITHFUL SOULS TOGETHER WITH WHOM THESE TWO WERE CONDEMNED TO DEATH BY RELIGIOUS COURT SHÍRÁZ LAST SEPTEMBER. JUDGE AT TRIAL OFFERED ALL FIVE 30 MINUTES TO RECANT AND BE FREE OR FACE DEATH SENTENCE. THEY INSTANTLY REAFFIRMED THEIR FAITH. FRESH MARTYRDOMS HIGHLIGHT INTENSITY PERSECUTIONS SHÍRÁZ WHERE WITHIN MONTH 40 FRIENDS WERE ROUNDED UP AND IMPRISONED ADDING TO STILL OTHERS PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED.

KINDLY INFORM AUTHORITIES MEDIA SEEKING, IF POSSIBLE, INTERVENTION YOUR GOVERNMENT BEHALF MORE THAN 50 PRISONERS ESPECIALLY THREE OVER WHOM DEATH SENTENCE HANGS.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE NOVEMBER 23, 1982

The above cable from the Universal House of Justice was followed on December 6 by a second message which reads in part: "Distressed further arrests Shíráz increasing number imprisoned friends to more than 80 last week."

A list of the 80 was appended to the message including the names of the three who have been sentenced to death: Gurj-Alí Mumtazí, Farhad Qudrat, and Hidayat Siyavushi.

These most recent arrests bring to more than 125 the number of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Shíráz in less than a month. At least 23 women are included in the latest group to be arrested.

Shíráz, the city in which the Báb declared His mission on May 22, 1844, has been the scene recently of some of Iran's most brutal treatment of Bahá’ís.

What’s inside

THE THIRD in a six-part series on how monies contributed to the National Fund are used. Page 5

YOUTH continue to move forward in fulfilling the goals of the Two Year Youth Plan. Page 7

LOUHELEN to offer a special deepening institute for married couples in February. Page 8

TWO NEW members of the National Education Committee are named. Page 9

MORE than 50 Bahá’ís attend a Public Affairs conference at Louhelen. Page 17

More than 30 members of Congress at D.C. lunch to thank Rep. Derwinski

U.S. Rep. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois (left) is given a certificate of appreciation by Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, during a luncheon sponsored by the National Assembly to thank the Congressman for his help in securing passage of a resolution condemning Iran's persecution of Bahá’ís.

By JACK BOWERS

More than 30 members of Congress were present December 9 at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly to thank Rep. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois for his help in securing passage of a concurrent resolution that censures the government of Iran for the continuing persecution of Bahá’ís in that country.

THE resolution was passed by the Senate last June 30 and by the House on September 30.

Its passage followed a hearing last May 25 before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations at which Rep. Derwinski, the second ranking minority member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined with Bahá’ís in offering testimony.

Among those who paid tribute at the luncheon to Rep. Derwinski, who is leaving Congress after 24 years to become a counselor at the Department of State, was the dean of House lawmakers, 86-year-old Claude Pepper.

Gregory radio station license okayed

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS ACHIEVEMENT LONG AWAITED STEP ESTABLISHMENT FIRST BAHÁ’Í RADIO STATION NORTH AMERICA ENABLING YOU PIONEER MODEL PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION UPLIFTMENT BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY SOUTH CAROLINA. PRAYING YOUR WISE MOBILIZATION BOUNTEOUS RESOURCES FOR MEDIA DEVELOPMENT IN UNITED STATES BEHALF BELOVED FAITH PROVIDING FURTHER IMPETUS TEACHING SOUTHERN STATES. LOVING GREETINGS

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DECEMBER 13, 1982

Permission for construction of the first Bahá’í radio station in North America has been granted by the Federal Communications Commission.

The 50,000-watt non-commercial station is to be built at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

APPLIED for just over a year ago, the "construction permit" recently issued by the FCC allows for work to begin on the station and provides a one-year period in which to begin broadcasting.

"Radio is a godsend," said Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. Referring to the large, dispersed community, he noted the potential for development.

New resolution would urge machinery to monitor persecutions

The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs has presented to the full House of Representatives a concurrent resolution condemning and opposing religious persecution and discrimination in various parts of the world with special emphasis on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

HOUSE Concurrent Resolution 433, introduced by Rep. Clement Zablocki of Wisconsin, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, calls upon the President to provide the necessary machinery to monitor such persecutions. [Page 2]VIEWPOINT The American Bahá's 2 Feast letter Homefront pioneering has top priority To the American Bahá'í community For the Feast of Sharaf Dear Bahá'í Friends: lus9 boo That time passes quickly is a truism. That one will live to regret wast- ing time is a truth well known to most of us. Only four months lie between us and Riḍván-the mid-point of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. We will gather in Chicago next May in the spirit of victory only if we have assured the fulfillment of the goals of that phase. . OUR ACHIEVEMENTS have been great. Proclamation throughout the country has far exceeded our most optimistic expectations. News- papers, magazines, radio and television have given the Faith unprece- dented coverage. We have increased and strengthened contacts with government au- thorities. Pioneers continue to leave these shores for difficult distant posts. The Southwest Bahá'í Institute has been inaugurated. The soft spots are the formation of Spiritual Assemblies and the in- crease in the number of Bahá'ís in this country. We have been moving Manchester Bahá'ís hold auction/tag sale to help Green Acre To help preserve the Green Acre Bahá'í School in Eliot, Maine, the Bahá'ís of Man- chester, Connecticut, sponsored a recent auction/tag sale at which $1,130 was raised for the Green Acre Building Fund. Of that sum, $27.60 was do- nated by the children's group, proceeds from their own auction. Among those who attended the event were Dick Grover, director of the Green Acre Bahá'í School, and William Roberts, a member of the National Education Com- mittee. too slowly and risk failure unless the friends bestir themselves in time. Comment Between now and Ridván homefront pioneering for the purpose of turning already existing large Groups into Assemblies must be our first priority. There are now more than 440 Groups of seven or more Bahá'ís. It would therefore take fewer than 200 pioneers to turn enough of them in- Faith FREE UTERATURE BAHAI FAITH Several Bahá'í communities par- ticipated last September in a proc- lamation at the Lake County Fair in Lakeport, California. Shown manning the Bahá'í booth are Carl Christensen (left) and Gor- don Craig. Two hundred pamph- lets were taken during the fair's three days and several firesides were held at the Bahá'í exhibit. EST system helpful, but Faith has to Assemblies, thus reaching the goal for the formation of Assemblies, best path to spiritual awareness It would take even fewer pioneers to achieve the goal for the opening of localities. IT SHOULD BE remembered, however, that the achievement of nu- merical goals is only a step in the campaign of expansion and consoli- dation. Above and beyond particular goals lies the obligation of every believer to share the Message of Bahá'u'lláh with the rest of humanity. Those who truly believe that the Teachings are the healing medicine for a desperately afflicted world have no choice but to offer that medi- cine to everyone who is without it. The pressure to teach the Faith ultimately comes not from the insti- tutions. The pressure, the anxiety, the fear of losing time, come from each individual's sense of obligation, from the desire to shorten hu- manity's travail, from the wish to alleviate its sufferings and to hasten the advent of the Lesser Peace. While the institutions of the Cause create and administer teaching plans, it is the individual Bahá'í who carries them out. We therefore turn to you, dear friends, as individuals, urging each one of you prayer- fully to turn inward, discover within you the great and largely untapped resources of love and dedication, and then to arise to fulfill your per- sonal mission of teaching the Word and spreading the Light of Bahá- 'u'lláh over this vast and great land. With loving Bahá'í greetings, Happy birthday These children celebrated the an- niversary of the Birth of the Báb last October 20 at a party in Camino Real Park, Ventura, Cali- fornia. Shown are (top left to right) Andrew Severns, Reiko Okuma, Tommy Kircher, and (bottom left to right) Jessica Severns, Charles Bolibaugh, Scott Okuma. The children learned about the Báb and His Message, played games and enjoyed refresh- ments. The American Bahá'í Published monthly by the National Spiritual As sembly the Bahá'is of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Editor: David E. Ogron The American Bahá'í welcomes news, letters and other items 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'i, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright 1983 by the National Spiritual Assem- bly of the Bahá'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States The Erhard Seminar Training, or as it is more commonly known, EST, is a powerful psychological experience designed primarily to bring to an individual an aware- ness of personal accountability for his/her life. Much of its power and effec- tiveness in achieving its purpose rests upon the methods employed and the training of the facilitators who implement the methods. THESE methods share much with classical brainwashing tech- niques and rely upon confronta- tion to focus the individual back upon himself as the source of his limitations. It attacks any supposition that personal limitations are the result of outside forces trapping the in- dividual in a fixed path or a par- ticular behavior pattern. When EST works well, and it typically does, it awakens the in- dividual to the awareness that it is his/her choice that permits others to influence or have any power or control at all. It places accountability for life circumstances squarely in the lap of the individual. It calls for the individual to take charge of his/her life and to live it in a re- sponsible manner without focus- ing on the role that others may play in shaping the circumstances. In the light of Bahá'u'lláh's ex- hortation (in The Hidden Words, Arabic No. 31) to call ourselves to account each day, 'Abdu'l-Bahá's emphasis on detachment as seeing with our own eyes and hearing Iwith our own ears (Some Answer- ed Questions, p. 46), and Shoghi Effendi's cautioning us to concern ourselves with our own develop- ment and avoid the temptation to focus on others (The Bahá'í Life, p. 3), this goal can easily be seen as consistent with the teachings on personal development in the Ba- há'í Faith. INDEED, the goals may well be This month's article, "The Ba- há'í Faith and EST: One Profes- sional's Opinion," was written by Dr. Dan Popov, a clinical psy- chologist who lives in Portland, Oregon. consistent as far as the goals of EST go. Unfortunately, they do not go far enough to be seen as equal to the eternal, transcenden- tal, mystical goals for the person as outlined by the Central Figures of the Faith. Without a strong emphasis on the spiritual nature of man, whose spiritual well-being is to be found only within the Covenant, whose personal desires must be subordi- nated for both the welfare of the community and mankind in gen- eral, and who must exercise mod- eration in all things to include per- sonal freedom, there is a danger that the self may become the focus of all choice. From that point it is but a short step to saying that exercising the self, expressing the self, and ac- tualizing self-potential is the cen- tral purpose of life. Because the methods employed are compelling, and the means by which they are employed engag- ing, it is easy for participants to attend EST to re-orient their thinking and to come away from the training having adopted either implicitly or explicitly a way of life. It is this danger that is most to be watched for, as this new way of life rarely includes the spirit of self-sacrifice necessary to develop as a spiritual being. AS individuals become aware that they are indeed accountable for their choices and their actions, it is difficult not to be caught up in the sense of power (and in many cases, increased self-control) and easy to dwell there as an end-point and become distracted from the next most important step, that of choosing to put God's will and pleasure before one's own, that of your neighbor before yourself. It is not that EST is inherently bad, for it is far from that. It is that EST is limited in its scope with some real dangers in its meth- ods. In most cases the dangers will do no psychological harm, but may present some significant spiri- tual dangers for the unsuspecting Bahá'í participant. A Bahá'í may find that EST's emphasis on self-expression dis- tracts him from the path of service best exemplified by the life of the Master, 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The powerful psychological methods employed may distract from the subtle but more powerful spiritual methods based on love and harmony taught to us by Bahá'u'lláh. FINALLY, a Bahá'í may find himself distracted by the sense of control that comes from psycho- logical mastery of one's life and lose sight of the spiritual goal of losing the psychological self in fa- vor of that spiritual identity that we truly possess for an eternity. As a means to come to grips with ourselves, rapidly and per- haps violently, to come to know our accountability for who and what we are, and to exercise more choice in our lives, EST has some- thing to offer if we can avoid the dangers. Yet, if we read The Hidden Words and believe the words to be more than mere words but Truth given to us simply and directly out of God's love for us, pray for clarity and understanding, and meditate on our lives and the sig- nificance of each event of every day, we will arrive at the same point without the dangers. Of the two choices, the second would be the preferred path to in- creased awareness. [Page 3]

A new approach to help solve problem of Fund

To the Editor:

For those faithful Bahá’ís who contribute to the Cause of God, the status of the Fund has become a never-ending agony; a constant source of great concern and a monthly cause of shame at every Feast.

The old appeals and inspirational programs haven’t worked. I would like to suggest a new approach based on the idea that the Faith is a religion for mature people—adults who can face plain talk and realistic language.

This approach is based on The Hidden Words:

No. 81, Persian: “O My Servant! The basest of men are they that yield no fruit on earth. Such men are verily counted as among the dead, nay better are the dead in the sight of God than those idle and worthless souls.”

No. 82, Persian: “O My Servant! The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.”

Every Bahá’í of more than a few months knows about the Fund, what it does, and what state it is in. I therefore claim that those who do not give to the Fund know the result of what they are doing; know that the Fund is being hurt and that important programs are being cut back.

Could not those who refuse to share what God has given them be called “the basest of men”—“that yield no fruit on earth” and are “counted as among the dead”?

Further, I would suggest that those who refuse to give are in a similar spiritual state as those who do not work and “whose death is better than their life,” people similar to beggars who Bahá’u’lláh calls the most despicable of men.

No. 80, Persian: “O My Servant! Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly and wondrous fruit, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom ... trees that yield no fruit have been and will ever be for the fire.”

Bahá’u’lláh: “I bear witness, O friends! that the favor is complete, the argument fulfilled, the proof manifest and the evidence established. Let it now be seen what your endeavors in the path of detachment will reveal ... ”

Charles Beachner Santa Rosa, California

To the Editor:

Concerning the article about Dr. Daniel Jordan’s untimely death (November), I feel impelled to register my deep sadness that none of his innumerable accomplishments, which helped many of us to gain a deeper understanding of God’s purpose for man in this day, were mentioned.

To say that he is “most fondly remembered by Bahá’ís for his warm and outgoing manner, his keen sense of humor and his remarkable musical talents” is to grossly understate the impact of Dr. Jordan’s Bahá’í life and service on Bahá’ís throughout the American community and probably the world.

Through lectures, such as ‘Keys to Harmony,’ applying ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s technique to demonstrate through musical analogy the means for resolving conflicts, he helped many to arrive at harmonious decisions.

His contributions through the development of deepening materials for individuals, Groups and Local Assemblies have been a continuing source of inspiration and reference.

The sacrifice of his “remarkable musical talents” for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must sometimes have been painful.

Indeed, at one time he told me that sometimes when he hurried past his grand piano his fingers unaccountably ached.

As Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh said in his eulogy, Dan “made of his life a work of art.”

LaVerne S. Rhode Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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.

To the Editor:

In the recent Fund chart there was some mention of “Uni-Pac” possibly having a materialistic effect or influence.

I would like to share a bit of wisdom about the symbolic side of Pac-Man that was brought to my attention by my 11-year-old daughter, Lisa.

She was saying that life is like a big game of Pac-Man. We are the Pac-Man, and the “ghosts” or “monsters” are the tests and difficulties of life which, if we allow it, will swallow us up in negativity.

However, if we run for the “power dot,” which is of course the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, we not only make the tests more manageable but actually a cause for scoring “points” (i.e., spiritual growth).

So you can see there are truths hidden even in something as seemingly materialistic as a game of Pac-Man. Kids are so great for showing us things we would never have thought of.

Maureen Sidio Edgar Springs, Missouri

To the Editor:

This is in response to the letter from Gail Meyer Selcuk (September) in which she suggested the possible use of a “feasibility study” to help determine a community’s capacity in setting Fund goals.

This experience was shared with our community (we were living in the U.S. at the time) by a visitor at one of our Feasts; while perhaps not possible on a national scale, it is an idea that could certainly be applied by local communities.

He told us he was serving on a newly formed Assembly in a university town where the bulk of the community consisted of students, most of whom worked part-time if at all, or were raising young families in addition to attending school.

When the Assembly met to consult on a goal for the Fund, it found itself at a loss to know the capacity of the community, so it was decided to go to the community itself for guidance.

At the next Feast, a box was provided, and each believer or family was asked to write anonymously on a slip of paper the amount they expected to be able to contribute regularly to the Fund.

The point was made that this was not intended as a pledge, but as a means of setting the community’s goal.

When the slips were added, the total amount was several times as great as the highest goal that the Assembly in its consultations had considered might be possible to set for the community.

Judy Ehrich Haifa, Israel

To the Editor:

I am surprised by the number of Bahá’ís who say they do not vote because they are Bahá’ís.

The fact that many Bahá’ís think that the Bahá’í Faith forbids voting in American elections might be attributed to the Bahá’í law that says we are not to participate in partisan politics.

In our prayer book, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says in the Prayer for America, “...O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious ... ”

As Bahá’ís, we have the same freedom to vote in American elections as we do in our own local and national Bahá’í elections.

If Bahá’ís continue to believe that we are not allowed to vote in American elections, this mistaken belief can be detrimental to the continuance of American democracy.

Whether or not we exercise our freedom to vote is a matter of individual conscience. However, when we fail to exercise a right, we often lose it.

If we as Bahá’ís fail to exercise our right to vote to keep America a democracy, we can only blame ourselves—not the Bahá’í Faith.

Dianne Ramos Sacramento, California

To the Editor:

During the last nine months we have said nine goodbyes to departing pioneers from this Pacific Ocean pioneer goal area of Ponape, Eastern Caroline Islands.

Only our family, the National Assembly secretary from Tonga, and an Auxiliary Board member remain.

Now I am writing to share with you a most wonderful companion event—the unexpected arrival last week via the Peace Corps of a U.S. pioneer.

He is 25 years old; a deepened, active Bahá’í for most of those years; has a masters degree in agricultural education; was sent by the Peace Corps (although Micronesia was his third choice on the enlistment form); and will be serving as chairman of the department of agriculture at the Community College of Micronesia on Ponape—the same place I teach!

By the way, his name is Hilary Morris, my second oldest son. According to the Peace Corps, this is the first time in its history that a father and son have been performing community service in the same location and the father not serving in the Peace Corps.

Can you imagine the statistical chance of our arriving together—but separately—on this tiny island in the Pacific Ocean?

O Lord, increase my astonishment at Thee! Happy pioneering to you all.

Dr. David Morris and family Ponape, E. Caroline Islands

To the Editor:

He hugged me when I declared. He inspired me with piano music, showing how people can create harmony or discord with their spirits.

He wrote two pamphlets that I read over and over. They inspired me to become an educator. I never learned much about his ANISA model, but knew the spirit in which it was conceived.

He did something we all hope to do: he made the world a better place for having lived here.

His name was Daniel C. Jordan, and I miss him.

Susan A. Word Portland, Oregon

To the Editor:

Perhaps we are becoming desensitized on the subject of the Fund, as it is true that every year we find ourselves short of money. Many have written offering good suggestions, and I would like to share one from my heart.

Years ago, when Bahá’u’lláh pierced my distrustful, cynical armor and I was able to realize Who He is and become part of this wonderful Cause, because of family opposition the only way I could be active was to give to the Fund.

Now that I am free to participate more fully, I remember those days and thank God for them, as it ‎become became‎ a joy, not a duty.

During the Fast, whenever we think of food or drink and tell our bodies “no,” we are reminding ourselves that we are Bahá’ís and our minds are distracted from the material to the spiritual. When we give to the Fund, the same process occurs. We remind ourselves of our love for Bahá’u’lláh.

Look at what He endured for

See LETTERS Page 24

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[Page 4]

Luncheon

year-old Rep. Claude Pepper of Florida, who expressed his "appreciation, adoration and esteem" for his colleague, calling Rep. Derwinski "one of America's great statesmen."

The Congressmen who attended were part of a select list of lawmakers and other officials, including several from the U.S. State Department, who were invited by the National Assembly because of their helpfulness in dealing with the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly and one of four of its members who were present at the luncheon in the Rayburn House Office Building, read a letter of congratulations to Rep. Derwinski from President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.

"History is replete with examples of religious persecution and the denial of fundamental human rights," the letter read in part. "But this event brings well-deserved and added recognition of your role in bringing the persecution of the Bahá’ís to public attention."

ON BEHALF of the National Spiritual Assembly, Judge Nelson presented Rep. Derwinski a citation and framed copy of the concurrent resolution.

The lawmaker also was given a copy of the book, A Crown of Beauty, by Eunice Braun and Hugh Chance, and Mrs. Derwinski was presented a bouquet of roses.

Calling Rep. Derwinski "an upholder of human rights and a defender of those who are deprived of them," the citation says the Illinois Congressman's testimony "set the tone of the hearings that resulted in the passage of a concurrent resolution condemning the brutal repression of the followers of the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth."

Rep. Derwinski described passage of the concurrent resolution as "a team effort," adding that "I was just pleased to play a small role in the final culmination of an absolutely necessary resolution."

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, said in his brief remarks to the gathering that he considers the resolution to be a "milestone."

"It expresses the position of a great government and of a great nation," said Dr. Kazemzadeh, "and with this concurrent resolution the rulers of Iran... were put on notice.

"IT WAS like turning on a searchlight illuminating dark places and suddenly making visible the crimes that were being committed.

"We do have solid evidence," the secretary added, "that this sort of pressure, this kind of mobilization of public opinion, indeed alleviates the pressure against persecuted communities in Iran and in other lands as well."

Rep. Pepper, who said he had come to the luncheon simply to say a few words about a good friend, said Rep. Derwinski's "memory will always be vivid in the recollections that we have of his dedication to his country and his great service to this Congress and to our blessed land."

Also attending the luncheon were Counsellor Sarah M. Pereira; Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly; and National Spiritual Assembly member Dr. Wilma Brady.

Following is the text of the citation presented December 9 by the National Spiritual Assembly to Rep. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois:

The Honorable Edward J. Derwinski

You have served with distinction in the United States House of Representatives where you became a leader in the difficult but vital area of foreign affairs. You have repeatedly demonstrated your concern for peace and cooperation among nations, and for the well-being of your fellow men throughout the world.

It is concern for humanity that inspired you to become an upholder of human rights and a defender of those who are deprived of them. You have championed the cause of those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs, among them the Bahá’ís of Iran. Your testimony before your colleagues in May 1982 set the tone of the hearings that resulted in the passage of a Concurrent Resolution condemning the brutal repression of the followers of the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States recognizes the magnitude of your contribution to the struggle for human rights and expresses to you its admiration and gratitude.

Haney

members of the Universal House of Justice, Borrah Kavelin and Charles Wolcott.

MORE seriously hurt was Wesley Daniels, a staff member at the World Centre and former employee at the U.S. National Center. The extent of Mr. Daniels' injuries was not known.

Mr. Haney was laid to rest December 5 in the Bahá’í cemetery at the foot of Mount Carmel in Haifa.

The service was attended by his widow supported by the friends serving at the World Centre, and pilgrims. Also attending were a number of Israeli guests whose friendship and admiration Mr. Haney had won during his long residence in the Holy Land.

Before moving to Haifa in 1958, Mr. Haney, a native of Washington, D.C., was an economic adviser to one of the largest investment firms in this country. He was a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly from 1946 to 1958, and served as its chairman from 1950 to 1958.

From 1947-53 Mr. Haney was chairman of the Temple Trustees Construction Committee for the completion of the interior of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

He represented the National Spiritual Assembly at the formation of new National Assemblies in Canada (1948), South America (1951) and Italy and Switzerland (1953), and represented the Guardian at the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of South and West Africa (1956) and Alaska (1957).

In 1961 Mr. Haney represented the World Centre at the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Mexico, during which the first National Spiritual Assembly in that country was formed.

That same year he represented the World Centre at the U.S. National Convention, and later visited Bahá’í communities in 10 states.

Mr. Haney was a skilled and meticulous writer, and his essay on "The Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God" appears in Volume XIII of The Bahá’í World.

In November 1957, following the sudden passing of the Guardian, he was one of the 26 Hands of the Cause of God who gathered at the World Centre in Haifa for the purpose of taking "all necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard the highest interests of our Faith" and issued a proclamation to the Bahá’ís of East and West affirming their determination "to carry out every aspect of the Guardian's expressed wishes and hopes..."

Mr. Haney's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Haney, became Bahá’ís in 1900, and visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Akká in 1909.

His grandfather, Richard Haney, was one of the founders of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where Mr. Haney earned his degree in economics.

2 more young Bahá’ís named ‘Outstanding’

Two more Bahá’ís have been selected for inclusion in the 1982 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America.

They are Edwin Rousculp, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Toppenish, Washington, who is a pioneer to the Yakima Indian Reservation, and Don Erickson of Baytown, Texas.

Mr. Rousculp, a high school teacher in the privately run Yakima Indian Nation school system, is president of the area Literacy Council, which is actively engaged in helping adults learn to read.

Also included in the 1982 edition of the yearbook are Bahá’ís Timothy E. Tyson of Huntsville, Alabama, and Dr. Lawrence N. McCullough of Norfolk, Virginia.

Photo Captions

The Bahá’í communities of Tacoma, University Place and Olympia, Washington, last November commemorated the 56th anniversary of the visit of Queen Marie of Rumania to the Pacific Northwest by presenting several Bahá’í books, each of which mentions Queen Marie, to the Maryhill Museum of Fine Arts near Goldendale. Shown making the presentation to museum curator Harvey Freer is Tim Olsen (left), a member of the Bahá’í community of Tacoma. The Maryhill Museum was dedicated by Queen Marie during her visit to Washington in 1926 at the invitation of Sam Hill, who built the museum and named it after his daughter, Mary Mendenhall Hill.

Above: Rep. Claude Pepper of Florida (left) is greeted by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, as the guest of honor at the December 9 luncheon in Washington, Rep. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois, looks on. Below: Mrs. Derwinski is presented a bouquet of roses on behalf of the National Assembly by Dr. Kazemzadeh and Judge James F. Nelson. [Page 5]

Fund contributions support House of Worship

This is the third in a six-part series on how monies contributed to the National Fund are used. Since the National Fund is, as described by Shoghi Effendi, the bedrock on which all our activities rest, its ability to support these manifold activities depends on the sacrificial and regular contributions of the believers. This series is intended to provide the American community with a fresh look at the range of activities that are supported by the National Fund.

Surely the greatest symbol of the development of the Bahá’í Faith in the western hemisphere is the House of Worship in Wilmette, “...the symbol and precursor of a future world civilization...”

It was from the Bahá’í Temple Unity, the administrative body established to oversee the raising up of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, that the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada evolved.

SIMILARLY, the National Bahá’í Fund evolved from the early effort to acquire financial support for the Temple, the Temple Construction Fund having been merged in the 1920s with other funds to form the National Fund.

As the Guardian said, “...this noblest of the exploits which have immortalized the services of the American Bahá’í community to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh ... has itself immensely enhanced the prestige, consolidated the strength and expanded the subsidiary institutions of the community that made its building possible.” (Citadel of Faith, p. 348)

During the course of the more than 40-year struggle to find the means with which to raise this “bulwark of Bahá’í administration,” the nascent Bahá’í community was constantly encouraged and inspired, first by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and then by Shoghi Effendi.

They offered the believers a look at the spiritual majesty and future promise of an institution that would serve as the hub of the social structure of a new World Order.

They also illustrated the role the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár would play in the unfoldment of the Faith, and called for great sacrifice from the friends to help achieve its completion.

“...FROM that point of light,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá declared, “the spirit of teaching, spreading the Cause of God and promoting the teachings of God, will permeate to all parts of the world.”

He further promised, “Verily, the founding of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will mark the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

And the Guardian emphasized, “The role it is destined to play in hastening the emergence of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh ... cannot as yet be fathomed ... We stand too close ... to be able to visualize the future glories which the consummation of this institution, this harbinger of an as yet unborn civilization, must in the fullness of time disclose to the eyes of all mankind.”

To achieve this goal, the Guardian called again and again for an unprecedented level of sacrifice.

In 1949 he wrote, “...The sacrifice demanded is such as to have no parallel whatsoever in the history of that community (North America). The manifold issues inextricably interwoven with the campaign audaciously launched for the achievement of this high objective are of such a weighty character as to overshadow every enterprise embarked upon through the organized efforts of its members, in either the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith, or the first epoch of the Formative Age which succeeded it ...

“AN outpouring of treasure, no less copious than the blood shed so lavishly in the Apostolic Age of the Faith by those who in the heart of the Asiatic continent proclaimed its birth to the world, can befit their spiritual descendants ....” (Citadel of Faith, pp. 68-69)

Today the House of Worship stands complete—the fulfillment

See FUNDS Page 22

Treasurer’s Office survey notes Assemblies’ Fund participation

The Treasurer’s Office recently completed a study of Local Spiritual Assembly participation in giving to the National Fund for the 15 Bahá’í months beginning December 31, 1981, and ending October 15, 1982.

Assemblies that gave during eight or more of the months reviewed were considered “regular” contributors to the National Fund.

An overview of the number of regularly contributing Assemblies by region of the country shows no significant change in any one area:

	Percentage Contributing Regularly Jan.–Oct. 1982	Number Contributing Regularly Jan.–Oct. 1982	Change in Number from Fiscal 1981
Total	48%	772	-6
Northeastern	68%	91	-4
Western	62%	330	+3
Central	68%	167	-9
Southern	27%	184	+4

States in which at least 80 per cent of the Assemblies contributed regularly were Rhode Island (100 per cent), Iowa (92 per cent), South Dakota (91 per cent), Wisconsin (91 per cent), Missouri (86 per cent), and Nevada (80 per cent).

The number of Assemblies that gave at least once during the 15-month period was 1,085, and the monthly average of Assemblies contributing to the National Fund was 698.

The National Spiritual Assembly depends upon monthly contributions from Local Spiritual Assemblies to provide a firm foundation of support which is vital to all its activities.

At the present time, about half of the Local Assemblies contribute regularly to the National Fund. The National Spiritual Assembly is confident that every Assembly in this country is capable of fulfilling this vital requirement and, as in past years, will use the information gathered to help achieve universal participation by Assemblies.

National Treasurer’s Representatives will be working with various Assemblies to offer their services to help establish and consolidate that “continuous flow of contributions” that will “ensure the financial stability upon which so much of the progress of the institutions of the Faith must now inevitably depend.”

National Bahá’í Fund

Speech—Qawl 139 B.E.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION

• goal—20,000 individuals
• current participation (from graph): 5697

CONTRIBUTIONS

• challenge for growth—$421,000
• actual contributions (from graph): 412,483
• minimum needs—$341,000

YEAR-TO-DATE TOTALS

• shortfall: $782,119
• received
• minimum goal: $6,480,000

[Page 6]

Tech schools present pioneering opportunity

The time for considering and applying to colleges and technical schools has arrived, and with it the opportunity to become a homefront pioneer.

This chance to help fulfill the National Youth Plan goal of 75 youth as homefront pioneers, to open a new locality or support a struggling one, and to further your education while at the same time leading the thrust of teaching activity in the U.S., is a unique service that you can offer.

The Universal House of Justice has provided a guideline for your thinking about this phase of your life:

“Not yet having acquired all the responsibilities of a family or a long-established home and job, youth can the more easily choose where they will live and study or work.

“In the world at large young people travel hither and thither seeking amusement, education and experiences. Bahá’í youth, bearing the incomparable treasure of the Word of God for this Day, can harness this mobility into service for mankind and choose their places of residence, their areas of travel and their types of work with the goal in mind of how they can best serve the Faith.”

There are many areas that need youth as homefront pioneers. The following schools need Bahá’í students to maintain their Bahá’í College Clubs:

• Navajo Community College, Arizona.
• University of California Medical Center, San Francisco.
• University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
• University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
• Southeastern Massachusetts University, North Dartmouth.
• The School for International Training, Vermont.

CAMPUSES that have a high Native American enrollment provide a special opportunity for teaching the Faith to people about whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “...these Indians, should they become educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.”

Schools facilitating exposure to Native Americans that the National Youth Committee has targeted for the formation of Bahá’í College Clubs include:

• Brigham Young University, Utah.
• Haskell Indian Junior College, Kansas.
• Northeastern Oklahoma State University.
• Ft. Lewis College, Colorado.
• Phoenix College, Arizona.
• Black Hills State College, South Dakota.
• Eastern Montana College.
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
• East Central Oklahoma State University.

Requests have been received by the National Youth Committee for youth homefront pioneers to establish Bahá’í College Clubs at specific colleges. These colleges are:

• Fitchburg State College, Massachusetts.
• Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton.
• Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington.
• Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.
• Johnson Community College, Kansas City, Missouri.
• University of Missouri, Rolla.
• College of William & Mary, Virginia.

FINALLY, there are the nine states with the lowest Bahá’í populations as of March 1982. Youth who settled in these areas would fulfill a goal of the Universal House of Justice. The states are:

Delaware, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Maine and Kentucky.

Special mention must be made of technical schools.

The Bahá’í teachings are explicit about the station of work done in the spirit of service to humanity. All arts, crafts, and professions when done well with the spirit of service are the equivalent of prayer.

Society needs people trained in technical trades. Anyone attending such schools at the post-high school level will be fulfilling a goal of the National Youth Committee while performing a unique service to the Cause by establishing a Bahá’í College Club on his or her campus.

If you are considering continuing your education in the technical trades, please consider a school in one of the nine states with the lowest Bahá’í populations.

The National Youth Committee is happy to help potential youth homefront pioneers by providing information about schools in goal areas whenever possible.

It also suggests that you examine Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges and Lovejoy’s College Guide for profiles of schools that you may be considering.

These guides are available at most libraries and bookstores.

You are beginning your tomorrows today. Make them better tomorrows for everyone. Become a homefront pioneer.

Bahá’í College Clubs prepare to observe Black History Week

With Black History Week in February fast approaching, Bahá’í College Clubs are “revving up” for teaching activities commemorating the event.

Two resources are especially relevant teaching tools for Black History Week: To Move the World: Louis Gregory and the Advancement of Racial Unity in America by Gayle Morrison, and the Fall 1981 issue of “World Order” magazine which is dedicated to poet Robert Hayden.

Both publications focus on outstanding black Americans who made significant contributions to society as well as dedicating their lives to exemplary service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

An indication of the effect that Louis Gregory and Robert Hayden had on the world is the interest that their lives still generate in Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike, years after their deaths.

To help Bahá’í Clubs in this teaching activity, the National Youth Committee has copies of To Move the World and the Fall 1981 issue of “World Order” in stock.

To order your copy, simply fill out the coupon below and mail it to the Bahá’í National Youth Committee, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

Bahá’í College Club Materials Order Form

Item #	Title	Cost per Item
1.	Great GREAT Deeds: Bahá’í College Club Action Manual	$ 5.00
2.	Publicity Kit	$ 5.00
3.	Poster Series	$ 3.00
4.	Teaching Packet: Sacrifice in Iran (includes A Cry From The Heart, “The White Paper,” Spring 1982 issue of World Order, and press references)	$ 7.50
5.	Teaching Packet: Human Rights	$ 3.00
6.	Videotape rental: “Congressional Hearings on Human Rights Violations in Iran” (specify ½ or ¾ inch tape)	$ 5.00
7.	Film rental “Tomorrow Belongs to the Children”	$10.00
8.	Book: A Cry From the Heart	$ 2.50
9.	Book: To Move the World: Louis Gregory and the Advancement of Racial Unity in America by Gayle Morrison (with promotional material)	$16.00
10.	World Order Magazine, Spring 1982 Issue (contains the transcript of the Congressional Hearings and a review of A Cry From the Heart)	$ 3.00
11.	World Order Magazine, Fall 1981 Issue (honors poet Robert Hayden)	$ 1.60
12.	Information on the Association for Bahá’í Studies	No charge
13.	Bahá’í College Club Formation Packet	No charge

(Clip and Mail Today)

Please send me all the materials listed on this coupon. Enclosed is my check or money order for $ _______ (please make checks payable to the Bahá’í National Youth Committee). I understand that all materials are shipped Fourth Class. If First Class is wanted, an additional $2.00 is enclosed.

Qty.	Item #	Title	Price	Amount
SUB-TOTAL:
FIRST CLASS POSTAGE:
ORDER TOTAL:

Send to: __________________________________________________________________________

Bahá’í National Youth Committee • Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315

Los Angeles community reactivates 35-member Bahá’í Youth Workshop

The Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop, a group of about 35 young people from the Los Angeles area directed by Oscar DeGruy and supported by the Los Angeles and Southern California District No. 1 Youth Committees, has been reactivated.

The youth meet every Saturday to participate in activities that include drama, singing, dancing, travel teaching and deepening.

Parents of the youth are actively involved with providing meals, transportation, and helping with some of the activities.

Next summer, the young people are planning to travel and teach the Faith. Any group of Bahá’ís who would like to start a similar group in their area can write to the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Committee, Los Angeles, CA 90035.

Shown are members of the recently reactivated Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

Bahá’í youth from the Southern Oregon/Northern California District Youth Committee and the Bahá’í Youth Club of the Rogue Community College participated last October 22 in a fund-raising car wash in Grants Pass, Oregon. Proceeds were given to the Vitality Center, a local non-profit organization for the care of the elderly.

The newly organized District Youth Committee planned to present a puppet show in December in Yreka, California, while the Bahá’í Club at Rogue Community College was to continue its weekly firesides using ‘The Light of Bahá’u’lláh’ study program tapes and booklet. [Page 7]

YOUTH NEWS

James Cardell, an 18-year-old Bahá’í youth from Portland, Oregon, is listed in Who’s Who for High School Students for 1981-82. Mr. Cardell, who came to the U.S. from England several years ago, won a scholarship to Portland Community College where he is majoring in commercial art. As a high school junior, he was chosen the school’s outstanding artist, and the TAG (Talented and Gifted) program gave him a scholarship to study at the Pacific College of Art while he was completing his senior year. He is active in outdoor school work with teenagers and younger children, and also participates in the Bahá’í Tri-County Youth Club.

Youth move ever closer to winning goals of plan

In a few months the American Bahá’í community will enter the final year of the three-year second phase of the Seven Year Plan established by the Universal House of Justice.

At the beginning of this phase, the National Youth Committee launched a Youth Plan at the Continental Youth Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1981.

THE PLAN calls for specific numerical achievements as well as qualitative objectives to be addressed by the individual Bahá’í youth.

At its most recent meeting early in December, the National Youth Committee reviewed the progress of the Youth Plan and noted the tremendous strides being made in almost every aspect of the plan.

“Youth are making excellent progress toward winning these goals,” says Charles Cornwell, secretary of the National Youth Committee. “We’ve noted a great increase in the establishment of Bahá’í Clubs and committees, whether on college campuses or in local communities. And the Youth Committee was pleased to note that the goals for international service are either won or are close to being reached.”

In fact, 80 per cent of the international pioneers have reached their posts while the goal for international traveling teachers has been won and exceeded.

The goal for establishing local and college clubs is nearly won, with 88 per cent of the clubs now formed and functioning.

“MOST noteworthy,” says Mr. Cornwell, “is the tremendous increase in activity on college campuses with Bahá’í College Clubs.”

The clubs have been instrumental in showing the video tape of the Congressional hearings on human rights violations in Iran and in observing special days such as Human Rights Day and United Nations Day.

Many of the clubs are gearing up for Black History Week in February and Race Unity Day in June.

Unfortunately, the goal that is of primary importance, that of increasing the number of youth enrollments, has fallen short.

In an effort to more accurately assess our progress in this area, the National Youth Committee has decided to aim for a total of 6,000 youth enrollments by the end of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

“The primary aim of this goal is teaching,” says Mr. Cornwell. “Youth should be teaching the people of their own generation through firesides, teaching projects, and personal efforts, for they have the greatest impact on their peers.”

With respect to personal goals, such as contributing regularly to the Fund, deepening, and performing community service, the National Youth Committee has noted a significant increase.

“Youth seem to take these goals quite seriously,” says Mr. Cornwell, “and are taking steps to develop their understanding of the Faith and are making an effort to serve the Cause in their localities.”

More than 40 youth at Missouri conference

The Bahá’í youth of Columbia, Missouri, hosted a statewide youth conference November 5-7 that was attended by more than 40 youth from all over the state.

The conference, which began with a party Friday evening, included deepening sessions on teaching the Faith (conducted by John and Barbara Willenberg); the history and principles of the Faith; the “Lesser Peace” and “Most Great Peace” (by Robert Almony); and life after death (by Meg Berger).

Recreational activities were scheduled between classes, and on Saturday evening everyone went out to supper and a movie.

Money to underwrite the cost of the conference was earned by the Bahá’í youth in Columbia through several fund-raising events. Housing was provided for participants by three Bahá’í families in Columbia.

District Youth Committees given goals

District Youth Committees were recently assigned specific teaching goals by the National Teaching Committee, a step that not only provides youth with clear direction for their teaching sacrifices but signals national recognition of the vital services youth can offer to the all-important teaching work.

The goals established by the National Teaching Committee for District Youth Committees call for the establishment of a youth enrollment goal to be reached by Riḍván 1983 as well as the establishment of a teaching goal for youth.

This latter goal is to be chosen through consultation by youth with the District Teaching Committees in their respective areas.

“The National Youth Committee was pleased to convey these new assignments to the District Youth Committees,” says Jacqueline Eghrari, a member of the committee. “We hope that every youth, whether serving on a District Youth Committee or not, will make a special effort to help win the goals for their area.

“Each Bahá’í youth has a part to play in bringing this teaching thrust to a successful conclusion.”

This float, entered by the Bahá’í Club at the University of Alabama in the school’s annual Homecoming parade last October 23, tied for first prize in the organizations category. Thousands of people from all over the state saw the float, whose theme was ‘Mankind—Flowers of God’s Garden.’ The announcement that the Bahá’í float had tied for first place was made during halftime at the Homecoming football game which was attended by more than 75,000 people.

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday-Friday Phone 312-869-9039

Alaska Youth Conference reset for June 1983

The Continental Youth Conference scheduled to be held next summer in Anchorage, Alaska, has been rescheduled.

The new dates for the conference are June 24-26, 1983.

The National Youth Committee hopes that many young people from the U.S. will plan to attend, and expects that the new dates will allow greater participation from our national community.

More details will be published as they become available. Youth are encouraged to consider their travel plans soon for this exciting activity for youth.

Literature displays work well for U. of Maryland Bahá’í Club

For more than a year, the University of Maryland Bahá’í Club has been sponsoring weekly literature displays on campus.

The club has had several public meetings, but the literature displays have proven to be a far more effective proclamation tool.

A SIMPLE strategy is used. A room across from the main restaurant in the Student Union building is reserved during lunchtime hours once a week.

A large eye-catching poster is displayed on the door so that anyone passing in the hallway can’t miss it. Free posters are made available on another outside display for those who don’t wish to enter the room.

Inside, pamphlets and introductory books are offered, as well as impromptu firesides. The campus bulletin announces the literature display free of charge.

The club also had great success with its open air display during the first month of classes.

All clubs were invited to prepare a booth, and the Bahá’í Club booth, festooned with helium-filled balloons, was the most popular. Two hundred balloons were distributed, and many inquiries were made about the Faith.

The club’s latest project consists of bookmarks with Bahá’í information that have just been made available in the campus bookstore.

Shown is one of the posters used to proclaim the Faith on campus by the University of Maryland Bahá’í Club.

The Bahá’í Club of The University of Maryland

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” — Bahá’u’lláh [Page 8]

Indiana’s ‘Magnet’ newsletter enters 3rd year

The Magnet, a quarterly newsletter on early childhood development produced by the Indiana Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP) is now entering its third year of publication.

The Magnet is aimed at providing the parents of children ages 0-5 years, youth, educators, Local Spiritual Assemblies, and community members with information about how children grow and develop.

RECENT issues have included articles on the patterns of daily life in the family, public schools, community support for mothers, the working parent, and spiritual fathering.

Thought-provoking book reviews are among the regular features of the publication, and plans are being made to include regular columns on the physical, intellectual and spiritual development of children, as well as a series on health.

Also planned is a column on practical life activities designed to foster growth and development.

The Magnet recently expanded its staff to enable the newsletter to better serve subscribers. Staff additions include editorial assistants, a secretary, treasurer and subscriber service.

Response to The Magnet has been encouraging. The editor reports that subscriptions have been received from many countries including several National Spiritual Assemblies.

THE MAGNET also has been distributed at the United Nations by the National Spiritual Assembly’s representative to that body, Nancy Mondschein.

In speaking of The Magnet, the National Spiritual Assembly said:

“...What a marvelous publication! You have made us very happy by the initiative you have taken to render a special service to our beloved Cause. This newsletter will be a welcome support to parents and non-parents alike.”

The Magnet would like to invite interested persons to submit articles (200-300 words long) and photographs (good quality black and white, any size). Also welcome are art work and graphics. Please send submission to Sandra Dapoz, editor, Greenfield, IN 46140.

Those who are interested in subscribing within the U.S. may send $5 for one year or $9 for two years to The Magnet, Greenfield, IN 46140.

Overseas subscriptions also are welcome. Send $6 for one year or $10 for two years to the above address.

September ’82 Bahá’í Directory is now available

The September 1982 Bahá’í Directory, which lists all of the Local Spiritual Assemblies, District Teaching Committees, and Auxiliary Board members for the U.S., is presently available to all Assemblies and Groups.

The limited supply of directories will be sent only to those communities that request them.

Please submit your request to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

17 N. Illinois Assemblies cooperate to create Summer Garden School

Seventeen Assemblies in Northern Illinois cooperated last summer to create the first Summer Garden Bahá’í School, a four-week long day school for children from four to 12 years old.

The experience proved so successful that plans are being made to repeat the school this summer.

UNDER the co-sponsorship of the National Education Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, a quality program was developed using a team teaching approach.

The school had two primary purposes: (1) to demonstrate to the Bahá’í community that it can take advantage of the time our children have in order to train them better; and (2) to develop an international community trained to serve mankind.

Planning began in the summer of 1981 when interested people from various Chicago and North Shore communities met and formed teams that were responsible for the physical arrangements, curriculum and publicity.

Registration began slowly in January 1982, but soon grew to include 25 children. Scholarships were made available.

“Quality teachers make the program,” says Dixie Rouleau, who helped plan the physical set-up and iron out individual problems. “Finding these teachers should be the first step in planning a program like this. Let the good teachers—who may or may not have professional training—have free ‎reign rein‎ and give them what they need to accomplish their goals.”

The school consisted of three classrooms (for 4-5 years, 6-8 years, and 9-12 years).

Each classroom was structured carefully according to the age group, and great care was taken to provide a course of learning suited to both the age group and the needs of the individual children.

FOR EXAMPLE, the class for 4-5 year olds had a well thought out environment that provided specific opportunities for the children to interact with their world and with each other, as well as encouraging the development and practice of good manners, courtesy and love and the integration of all subject matter.

Topics studied in all classes included the history of the Faith, geography, language skills, and the Kingdoms of God.

Reaction by parents and children alike was uniformly positive. In a telephone survey last fall, almost all parents said they would send their child again next year, almost all said they had seen a change for the better in their child’s behavior, and many children established friendships at the school that are ongoing.

“This was such a good program with such excellent teachers,” said one parent, “that I would love to send my children year round.”

“This was my child’s happiest school experience,” said another.

According to the National Education Committee, a handbook will soon be available with suggestions and ideas for setting up similar programs in other areas.

For information, please contact the National Education Committee and ask about the “Summer Garden Bahá’í School Handbook.”

Children combine study with play during a session of the Summer Garden Bahá’í School, co-sponsored by the National Education Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Illinois.

Bahá’í wins agronomy scholarship, mentions Faith in acceptance speech

Rebecca Jalali, an Iranian Bahá’í studying agronomy at the University of Maryland in College Park, was given a 1982-83 Delaware-Maryland Plant Food Association scholarship for scholastic excellence and was able to use her acceptance speech to mention the Faith.

On October 28, Ms. Jalali was invited with four other scholarship winners to the association’s 14th anniversary observance in Dover, Delaware.

Before an audience of 70, Ms. Jalali expressed her gratitude to the group, explaining that as a Bahá’í she could not return to Iran because of religious persecution there, and was thankful for the support and encouragement represented by the scholarship.

Her talk was well received, and several people subsequently asked about the Faith.

Louhelen to offer deepening for married couples

The Louhelen Bahá’í School will offer a deepening institute February 11-13 especially designed for married couples.

“The purpose of the institute,” says registrar ‎Herione Hermione‎ Pickens, “is to help deepen the participants’ understanding of the nature of Bahá’í marriage, to engender a greater sense of appreciation for their spouses, and to help them renew their commitment to their marriages and to acquire better communication skills.”

The conference will be conducted by Dr. Dan Popov and Mrs. Linda Kavelin Popov.

Dr. Popov, a psychologist, has worked for many years as a consultant in the behavioral sciences with extensive clinical experience in family, marital and child therapy. He also has trained professionals to work in these fields.

Mrs. Popov, a former member of the National Education Committee, has worked for the past seven years as a family therapist.

“The institute,” Ms. Pickens explains, “is not designed for couples in a year of patience. We are not prepared to offer help at that level of need.”

Unlike other conferences at Louhelen, this one will not include a children’s program.

“This is so that couples can concentrate fully on their marriage,” says Ms. Pickens. “We are encouraging couples to make other arrangements for child care that weekend.”

The Louhelen school has a capacity for 43 couples.

The Louhelen Council hopes that the marriage enrichment institute will become a regular feature of its programming and that it will contribute significantly to strengthening the institution of Bahá’í marriage in the U.S.

The Council also hopes that Local Spiritual Assemblies will encourage couples to attend the institute, and will offer financial help where needed.

Those who wish to attend the conference may send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. [Page 9]

Need help with kids? Call a LEAP coordinator

If you would like help in meeting the educational needs of your Bahá’í children, the National Education Committee encourages you to contact the Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP) coordinator in your state or district.

This person can provide you with materials and can suggest local community strategies for Bahá’í child education.

Following is a list of LEAP district coordinators with telephone numbers:

California, Central No. 1: Kathy Kelley, 415-333-2157. California, Central No. 2: Maureen Rezac, 209-298-7296. California, Northern No. 1: Shahin Hardwick, 916-920-5045. California, Northern No. 2: Carol Leo, 707-725-2421. California, Southern No. 1: Elaine Offstein, 213-963-9580. California, Southern No. 2: Isabel Kaupang, 714-793-8225. California, Southern No. 3: Janice Okuma, 805-642-0822. Colorado, Western: Mary Wilson, 303-259-3625. Connecticut: Marjorie Blizard, 203-423-5803. Florida, Central: Sharon McCord, 813-866-0863. Idaho/Washington: Lana Jefferson, 509-265-4537; Joye Lucas, 509-765-1909. Illinois, Northern No. 2: Sandra Clark, 312-996-6728. Indiana: Sandie Dapoz, 317-462-9450. Iowa: Vicki Abel, 515-292-6156. Kansas: Shirley Johnson, 316-669-9074. Kentucky: Sally Wiley, 512-227-7427. Louisiana, Southern: Kate Simmons, 504-246-0984. Maryland/D.C.: Rosemary Davis, 301-596-6154. Massachusetts: Sylvia Andross, 413-443-3282; Carol Weigert, 617-376-4121. Michigan: Rob Voigt, 517-371-1414. Minnesota, Southern: Steven Milston, 612-888-7158. Mississippi: Phyllis Edwards, 601-684-8185. Nebraska: June Fritz, 402-821-2027. New Hampshire: Barbara Hayden, 603-225-3440. New Jersey: Sharon Karnick, 201-361-0445. New Mexico, Northern: Barbara Fisk, 505-892-9891. New York, Eastern: Betty Santora, 516-239-4065. New York, Western: Dennis Smith, 716-668-6649. North Carolina, Western: Robert Pickering, 704-433-4407. Ohio, Northern: Pat Seibert, 419-734-5368. Ohio, Southern: Julie Brown, 614-891-4872. Pennsylvania, Eastern: Mary Ann Rood, 215-678-0859. Pennsylvania, Western: George Mark, 814-643-3317. Rhode Island: Sylvia M. Andross, 413-443-3282; Carol Weigert, 617-376-4121. Texas, Central No. 1: Rhea Kester, 512-392-9816. Texas, Eastern No. 2: Bonnie Wilder, 713-531-6692. Texas, Northern: Barbara Parker, 806-293-3030; 806-293-3605. Texas, Southern: Steven Ramirez, 512-381-0617. Vermont: Dawn Staudt, 802-295-2387. Virginia, Northern: Roger Davis, 703-997-5722. Washington, Northwest: Roger Olsen, 206-293-4373. Wisconsin/Michigan: Valerie Konopacky, 715-341-6933.

Shown here are district coordinators for the Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP) who attended a two and one-half day conference October 9-11 in Wilmette, Illinois, sponsored by the National Education Committee.

National Assembly names two Education Committee members

Dr. Linda Giardina and Dr. William Roberts have been appointed to the National Education Committee by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dr. Giardina, a native of Massachusetts, is a partner in Sure-Care Inc., a firm that provides support and management services to family day-care providers.

HER DOCTORATE in education is from the University of Massachusetts.

Since enrolling in 1972, Dr. Giardina has served the Faith in various capacities. Besides being on Local Spiritual Assemblies, she was a member of the Green Acre Children’s Task Force and served as a trainer for the Assembly Development Program.

Dr. Giardina, who lives in Beverly, Massachusetts, is presently an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Nat Rutstein.

DR. LINDA GIARDINA

Dr. Roberts, who also is a native of Massachusetts, is a clinical psychologist in private practice and is a partner in the firm Valley Psychiatric Service of Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

A Bahá’í since 1970, Dr. Roberts has served on several Local Spiritual Assemblies and has undertaken traveling teaching trips in the U.S. and Canada as well as in the Caribbean and most recently in West Africa.

Dr. Roberts lives in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and is an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Adrienne Reeves.

DR. WILLIAM ROBERTS

Louhelen to host nine-day institute on marriage

The Louhelen Bahá’í School near Davison, Michigan, will be the site next August 12-21 of an intensive nine-day institute on marriage, the Louhelen Council has announced.

The institute will be conducted by Dr. Hossain Danesh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

DR. DANESH, an associate professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Ottawa, also serves as chairman of the executive committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

The program will center around the Bahá’í view of marriage as envisioned for mankind by Bahá’u’lláh, and will draw upon both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í sources.

Students will be expected to undertake rigorous study and to work hard. Readings will be assigned and students will engage in activities such as group discussion, role playing, and writing papers.

“We are delighted to be able to offer such a course,” says Dr. William Diehl, Louhelen’s director of administrative affairs. “It is exactly in line with what we want to do at Louhelen: provide a setting for serious study of the Faith in areas of vital importance to the community.”

“A unique feature of the institute,” adds Dr. Geoffrey Marks, the school’s director of academic affairs, “will be the selection of five to 10 students who will be assigned readings and areas of research before the institute and will help Dr. Danesh conduct some of the workshops and further his research.

“It is hoped that some of them will contribute material to a book Dr. Danesh is writing on marriage that he hopes to finish soon.”

Those who are interested in applying for the research positions should send a letter with a curriculum vitae to Dr. Marks at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, ---- Road, Davison, MI 48423. Applications are due March 15.

Those selected will be oriented and given assignments at a weekend conference at Louhelen sometime in April. It is expected that applicants will have a fundamental knowledge of social and psychological research and experience in writing papers and teaching classes at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Those who wish to attend the institute as students may send a $10 deposit (non-refundable) to the Registrar at the above address. Non-Bahá’ís are especially welcome.

Shown here are trainees in the National Education Committee’s Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP) at the last of three training sessions held last November 20 in Gassaway, West Virginia. From left to right are Roger Davis, who conducted the session; Joni Constante-Knowlton, Janet Zimmerman, Sorour Payman, Ed Grych, Kathy Hutchinson.

‘Bahá’í Studies’ welcomes abstracts

The Midwestern Regional Conference Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies welcomes the submission of abstracts of papers and samples of artistic or theatrical presentations to be reviewed for possible inclusion in the program of the second Midwestern Regional Conference of the Association to be held April 29-May 1 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Papers or presentations should address some aspect of the Bahá’í Faith.

Abstracts, which should be about 250 words long, and samples, which may be audio or visual, may be sent to Diane Taherzadeh, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. The deadline for submission is March 15. [Page 10]

ORCELLA REXFORD

Orcella Rexford used her nearly 30-year career as a professional lecturer to good advantage in carrying out a personal traveling teaching campaign that took her across the U.S. and to Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

BORN June 12, 1887, in Tracy, Minnesota, Orcella was graduated from the University of California at Berkeley where she had studied four languages and majored in education to prepare for a career as a college professor.

She undertook graduate work in philosophy and psychology, discovered that her interests had changed, and instead became a lecturer and writer.

She also changed her name from Louise Cutts-Powell to Orcella Rexford, a cryptogram made up of letters chosen for her by an acquaintance.

To Orcella, the new name symbolized her wish to link her personality to cosmic forces for good which would give her the greatest impetus for development.

Orcella studied the Faith with Dr. Edward Getsinger in Boston and became a Bahá’í there in 1918 or 1919.

To Orcella, belief and action were inseparable. While studying with Dr. Getsinger she brought along two-students from her own classes who also became Bahá’ís. Soon she began organizing Bahá’í study classes for Dr. Getsinger.

IN RESPONSE to the Tablets of the Divine Plan in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called for pioneers to arise, Orcella left for Alaska in 1922.

Dr. Gayne Gregory, a dentist in Anchorage, was the first person in Alaska to become a Bahá’í through Orcella's efforts. They were later married, and Dr. Gregory gave up his practice to become business manager for his wife's lecture tours.

In 1925 the Gregorys left Alaska for Honolulu, Hawaii.

License

And primarily rural Bahá’í community in South Carolina, he observed that radio "will make it possible to present Bahá’í deepening programs and general programs for the benefit both of the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í public on health, the education of children, and the development of proper moral and psychological attitudes."

Broadcasting on a frequency of 90.9 MHz, the signal from the station's 500-foot tower will be heard throughout eastern and central South Carolina where the largest number of the state's Bahá’í communities are located, according to Dr. Alberta Deas, director of the Gregory Institute and secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee.

The Teaching Committee is to operate the station, which will be licensed to the Gregory Institute.

"WE SEE the station as serving the community as a whole," said Dr. Deas.

The new station, she said, will broadcast programs designed to help listeners with health and economic matters in its role of assisting the total community in addition to scheduling teaching and deepening programs.

Bahá’ís in South Carolina had a foretaste of Bahá’í radio programs during 1981 when 40 quarter-hour deepening programs prepared by teams of Bahá’í were broadcast by an FM station in Sumter. Those now-discontinued programs were heard in 16 counties.

Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, said that NSA Properties Inc., which is in charge of Bahá’í properties throughout the U.S., will be heavily involved in the construction of the new radio station.

The excitement about building the first Bahá’í radio station in North America is high, said Dr. Carney.

"Its potential is great," she said, "and the challenges it presents include raising the funds to build the station and establishing an endowment to support it."

The hope, said Dr. Deas, is that Bahá’ís will feel that this is their radio station, regardless of where they live.

"I am a part of that station," she said. "I helped get it going. When each of us has that attitude, it will be like building the House of Worship.

"That's the kind of feeling we're trying to foster among Bahá’ís in the U.S. and even outside the country," she added.

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina, site of the first Bahá’í radio station in North America.

More than 600 attend memorial service for Dr. Daniel C. Jordan

More than 600 people gathered December 4 beneath the dome of the Mother Temple of the West to attend a memorial service for Dr. Daniel C. Jordan.

Dr. Jordan, the vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, was found murdered last October 15 in Stamford, Connecticut.

Among the Bahá’ís who took part in the memorial program were Edna True, Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson, and several members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

One of the selections sung by the House of Worship's a cappella choir was from The Hidden Words, "O Son of the Supreme! To the Eternal I Call Thee," which had been set to music by Dr. Jordan.

Copies of the memorial program are available by writing to the House of Worship Activities Office, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Good Neighbors Come in all Colors

A Bahá’í float sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Wapato, Washington, took part last summer in a dozen parades in that area including the Omak Stampede Parade. The float won many prizes including two first place trophies and two blue ribbons.

The theme, 'Good Neighbors Come in All Colors,' promoted the Faith to an estimated 100,000 people at the various events.

Bahá’í children entertain at the West Virginia District Convention last October 3 in Beckley. Front row (left to right) are Mark Knowlton, Rebecca Zimmerman, Cathy Wise. Back row (left to right) are Roberta Longesu, Parisa Payman, Monica Cooper, Rad Payman, Michael Doonan, Curt Morganroth, Eli Zimmerman. Top: Joe Hutchinson.

A VERY SPECIAL GIFT

The Bahá’í World Volumes 1 through 12 $135.00 per set

THESE VOLUMES COVER THE YEARS 1925-1954. THEY ARE AN INVALUABLE HISTORICAL CHRONICLE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAITH DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF THE FORMATIVE AGE.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091 [Page 11]

Letters from veteran pioneers tell of bounties

PIONEER POST

PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

Pioneer Post is a newsletter for pioneers sent to them four times a year by the International Goals Committee. It is composed mostly of excerpts from letters from the pioneers themselves.

In the September 1982 issue, a number of letters from pioneers who are senior citizens were published. A smattering of them are shared here, to illustrate the bounties and rewards that are experienced by them in the pioneering field.

Wanita George, Honduras—Having lived in Honduras for 20 years, I feel more Honduran than gringa. The friends came for a potluck supper June 30, the night of my 76th birthday, bringing a huge cake; and though I had been ailing, the spirituality and the love evidently changed my whole being and I felt perfectly well.

The Hondurans are full of love and dedication to the Faith, and if I can make the minor contribution of leaving my bones and thus rejoice the beloved Guardian, and contribute to making 100% Bahá’í my beloved adopted country, I shall be happy.

Ully and Gracie Tremblay, Belize—We came to Belize in 1975, working in the central part until 1980... Now we have returned, and being retired this time, we have come to the isolated, southernmost area of the country where the Bahá’ís have never been able to establish a pioneer post because jobs are scarce down here.

The great need is to consolidate these communities... We pray, “Open Thou the door...” and folks spend hours talking about God and our relationship to Him... We had never had a real home of our own here before, so when we came back we brought a travel trailer with the idea of being able to stay in the different villages long enough to really get acquainted with the people and deepen with them, and at the same time be at home ourselves.

Elouise Sanders, Liberia—It was a real pleasure to have an Auxiliary Board member come and go on a teaching trip into the interior; of course, the car stopped as we went into the water. The spark plugs and motor got wet, so we sat for awhile, then we got started again.

We had a very successful meeting in the village. Nothing stops the work of Bahá’u’lláh...

To pioneers in other lands, they must continue to pray and remain steadfast in the Faith. Teach the Cause and have faith in Bahá’u’lláh. What He has said will come true. He will open doors for you.

The Louhelen Bahá’í School was the site of the most recent Pioneer Training Institute, held November 19-21. Guest speakers included Auxiliary Board member Dorothy Borhani; Dr. Alfred Neumann, chairman of the International Goals Committee; Dr. Robert Kim-Farley; Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Fuller, who recently returned from Taiwan; and Mr. and Mrs. Travis Griffith, former pioneers to Bolivia who are now working at Louhelen. Those present also included a representative of the Spiritual Assembly of Toledo, Ohio. Participants were planning to pioneer to Botswana, Malawi, the Marshall Islands, Grenada, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Hong Kong, and Ivory Coast.

Retired Bahá’ís needed to hasten growth of many communities throughout world

Retired Bahá’ís are needed in all parts of the world, where their expertise can be put to use in the service of emerging nations, and where their Bahá’í experience can hasten the growth of the Bahá’í communities in other lands.

Many retired people want to spend the rest of their lives in the pioneering field and have been preparing and looking forward to the day when their financial independence would allow them to devote all of their energies to the Faith.

SOME countries welcome retirees over workers, preferring that available jobs go to their own citizens. The only Bahá’í pioneers who can obtain permanent visas in these places are those with outside funds.

Understandably, there are some senior citizens who shudder at having to uproot themselves from the comfortable homes for which they have worked so long and so hard.

The thought of leaving children, grandchildren, and friends is too much to consider. Even then, there are many opportunities to serve abroad.

One program that would allow retired Bahá’ís with special skills to travel for short periods of time is called International ‎Executives Executive‎ Service Corp., at New York, NY 10017.

This non-profit organization, funded by large corporations and the U.S. AID program, will send a man and his wife to other countries for limited periods of time, all expenses paid, to advise small businesses on how to develop.

ONE COUPLE has been sent for three-month periods each year to various countries in Central and South America, even though they have no knowledge of Spanish.

While her husband is busy with his assignment, the wife holds fireside meetings and works with the local community.

See RETIREES Page 19

Flow of pioneers, traveling teachers abroad slows while need to fill goals of Plan persists

The constant flow of pioneers and traveling teachers which the beloved Guardian looked forward to during his lifetime, and which our Supreme Institution refers to as having started during the Seven Year Plan, has slowed somewhat during the last few months.

Many people want to fill goals, and think that because the U.S. almost filled the numerical goals given to it last November, the task is done until new goal assignments are given to us by the Universal House of Justice.

NOTHING could be further from the truth. The countries listed here are high priority goals until the House of Justice tells us differently, and as many people should go to those countries as possible. And the sooner the better.

Two retired women are responsible for filling two more goals in Denmark, one of the countries where the U.S. did not meet its commitment before Riḍván 1982.

The seven goals would have been filled with the arrival of Mrs. Velda Piff and Mrs. Sarah Frye, except that two previous pioneers were unable to stay in Denmark. Their leaving reopened two goals.

The other country that needs a pioneer to complete the assignment for last Riḍván is Morocco. The original pioneer who went there felt she should move on to her native Finland, thus reopening that goal. Retired people are welcomed by Morocco.

Kosrae in the Caroline Islands also remains unfilled, but the Goals Committee is counting on a pioneer in the Marshall Islands to go there with his Kosraen bride.

A retired postal worker, Clint Frierson, is scheduled to arrive soon in the Marshalls to replace one of the pioneers who had to leave for reasons of health.

THE U.S. was asked to help all other countries to fill their goals, and we have been directing people to every country on the list because of the desperate need each country has for pioneers.

While the goal countries are the most important at this moment, there are many other countries that need pioneer assistance.

People who are thinking about pioneering should first make every effort to fill a goal, but if that is not possible for one reason or another, they should consult the Goals Committee about pioneering to countries that might not appear on the goals list but that are very much in need of pioneers.

PIONEER GOALS

Riḍván 1982—Riḍván 1983

AMERICAS (E) Bahamas (S) Colombia (F) French Guiana (F) Guadeloupe (F) Haiti (E) Leeward Islands (F) Martinique (E) Trinidad and Tobago (E) Windward Islands Dominica Grenada St. Vincent ASIA (J) Japan (P,E,C) Macau (E) Nepal (E) Sikkim (E) Sri Lanka (E,T) Thailand

AFRICA (P) Angola (F) Burundi (F) Chad (F) Congo (E) Gambia (F) Guinea (P) Guinea Bissau (E) Liberia (F) Madagascar (F) Mali *(A,F,S) Morocco (P) Mozambique (F) Réunion (F) Rwanda (E) Sierra Leone (A,E) Somalia (E) Tanzania (F) Tunisia (F) Zaire AUSTRALASIA (Pacific Islands) (E) Caroline Islands *Belau *Kosrae *Ponape *Yap (E) Chatham Island

* (E) Cook Island (E) Fiji (E) Kiribati (F) Loyalty Islands (E) Marianas Guam Rota Saipan (F) Marquesas (E) Marshall Islands (F) New Caledonia (E) Niue (E) Papua New Guinea (F) Society Islands (F) Tuamoto Archipelago (E) Tuvalu (F,E) Vanuatu EUROPE (F) Belgium (Gr,E) Cyprus *(D) Denmark (F) France (E) Malta (P) Portugal *Azores *Madeira

LANGUAGE KEY

A-Arabic, C-Chinese, D-Danish, E-English, F-French, Gr-Greek, J-Japanese, P-Portuguese, S-Spanish, T-Thai

RE-OPENED GOALS

*Denmark	2
*Kosrae	1
*Morocco	1

[Page 12]

TEACHING

The homefront pioneer

(Image of John H. Wilcott)

John H. Wilcott, homefront pioneer from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Kendall, Montana from 1910 until his death in 1963.

In October the National Teaching Committee sent a letter to all isolated believers offering encouragement and specific suggestions for attracting others to the Faith.

We received an almost immediate response from the following two isolated believers. Their letters provide an example and an inspiration for all of us in our teaching efforts.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

I just received your letter and brochure on the individual in action and had to write!

I have been an isolated believer most of my Bahá’í life (nine years) and have always tried hard to be an example for the Faith—but always felt kind of lonely about it—and here for the first time (aside from the Writings, of course) I receive a guidebook and encouragement. It truly hit the spot!

I LOVE the brochure and plan on setting up an individual goal plan right away. It’s great to receive encouragement and suggestions. I guess I missed previous ones (if there were any) as I’ve lived in such remote corners of the world and have moved around so much—my job takes me to Bureaus of Indian Affairs and government schools all over.

Because of my isolated residences I find it difficult to host firesides at home (I live in a log cabin 25 miles from town and use snowshoes/four-wheel drive to get out) but find that many times at work, I can bring the Faith or its principles into discussions in a meaningful way.

Also, during the Fast I get lots of opportunities to talk about the Faith because everyone wants to know why I’m not eating with them.

Anyway, glad to hear from you and hope to hear more!

Catherine Collier Rollinsville, Colorado

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Moving out of a rather large Bahá’í community to become a homefront pioneer was always a goal for me.

See HOMEFRONT Page 13

List of numerically jeopardized Assemblies

The following is a listing of numerically jeopardized Assemblies in the U.S. as of December 15 compiled by the National Teaching Committee. The number of Bahá’ís in each locality is in parentheses.

Alabama, N: Decatur (6). Alabama, S/Florida, NW: Selma (7). Arizona, N: Coconino E (8), Gilbert (8), Maricopa County N (8), Peoria (8), Tolleson (8). Arizona, S: Casa Grande (8). Arkansas: North Little Rock (8). California, C No. 1: Boulder Creek (8), Campo Guzman (8), Campo 21 (3), Lafayette (8), Pacific Grove (8). California, N No. 1: Placerville JD E (8), Placerville JD W (7). California, S No. 1: Norwalk (7). California, S No. 2: Stanton (6). Colorado, E: Fremont County (8). Colorado, W: Montezuma County (8). Florida, N: Atlantic Beach (8), Jacksonville Beach (7). Florida, SE: Boca Raton (8), Marathon (7). Florida, SW: Collier County (4), Fort Myers (?), Lutz (8). Georgia, NE: Columbia County W (7), Jones County (8), Wilkes County (7). Georgia, NW: College Park (7), Douglasville (8). Georgia, S: Dooly County (8). Idaho, N/Washington, E: Greater Walla Walla (4), Lewiston (7), Millwood (7), Pasco (8), Pullman (5). Illinois, N No. 1: DeKalb (8), Round Lake Beach (6). Illinois, N No. 2: Berwyn (8). Illinois, S: Centerville (7), Champaign Twp. (5), Limestone Twp. (7), Mound City (7), Normal (8). Indiana: Centerville (?). Kansas: Lenora (8), Prairie Village (8). Maine: Gorham Town (8), South Portland (8). Maryland/D.C.: Anne Arundel County E (8), Gaithersburg (5). Massachusetts: Dartmouth Town (6), Everett (7). Michigan, Mainland: Bloomfield Twp. (8), Fruitport Twp. (6), Hamlin Twp. (4), Kalamazoo Twp. (8), Meridian Twp. (7). Minnesota, N: Moorhead (8). Minnesota, S: Coon Rapids (8), Mankato (6). Mississippi: Oktibbeha County (7), Warren County (8). Montana: Flathead County (6). Nebraska: Crete (7), Gering (5), Sarpy County (5). New Hampshire: Exeter (6). New Jersey: Bergenfield (7). New Mexico, N: ‎Parajito Pajarito‎ (5). New York, W: Sodus Point (7), Tonawanda Town (7). North Carolina, C: High Point (8). North Carolina, E: Apex (8), Zebulon (6). North Carolina, W: Greater Cornelius (5). Ohio, N: Kent (8). Oklahoma, W: Noble (?). Oregon: Deschutes County (7), La Grande (?), Oakridge (8). Pennsylvania, E: Middletown Twp. (5), Swarthmore (7). Pennsylvania, W: State College (7). Tennessee, E: Hamblen County (7). Tennessee, W: Greater Somerville (6). Texas, E No. 1: Addison (6), Denison (7), Hurst (5), University Park (7). Texas, E No. 2: Fort Bend (7), Livingston (?). Texas, S: Harlingen (8), Portland (8). Utah: Murray (8). Virginia, N: Frederick County (5), Vienna (7). Washington, NW: Juanita (6), Kingsgate (6). Washington, SW: Olympia (7), Pierce CCD No. 1 (7). West Virginia: Monongalia County (8). Wisconsin, S: Monona (7), Stoughton (8).

Day-long Peace Day program is held in Shaker Heights, Ohio

The Spiritual Assembly of Shaker Heights, Ohio, observed World Peace Day last September 26 with a day-long program at Cuyahoga Community College in Warrensville Township.

More than 100 people including children attended the event whose speakers included Auxiliary Board member Dorothy Borhani; William Fountaine of Cleveland, and Barbara Francioso of Mentor, Ohio.

Certificates of recognition for contributions toward promoting an ever-advancing civilization were presented by the Bahá’ís to Project: LEARN, a Cleveland literacy improvement organization; the Cleveland Committee for UNICEF, and the Cuyahoga Community College’s Special Programs for the Elderly.

Attendees also saw a video tape of the U.S. House Subcommittee hearing on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

(Image Captions)

The Bahá’ís of Santa Cruz County, California, won first place in the non-commercial division for their float September 12 in the Capitola Begonia Festival’s nautical parade. The parade theme was song titles, and the Bahá’ís chose Seals & Crofts’ ‘Hummingbird,’ with the float depicting a flying hummingbird pollinating a flower. Bahá’ís from several communities worked together on the float, and many spectators asked about the Faith and accepted pamphlets.

As a part of ‘Operation Befriend,’ the Bahá’ís of San Diego North, California, prepared a lunch in August for the Braille Social Club. One week earlier the club’s weekly luncheon was prepared by the Bahá’í community of Escondido. Shown here (left to right) are members of the San Diego North community Louise Sweeney, Doris Wolfson, Joan Engman, Louis Mascali and Louise Morgan. Mr. Mascali has been a sighted volunteer with the Braille club for 22 years. The club itself was founded in 1958 by a Bahá’í, Paul Park, to serve the needs of the visually handicapped.

Shown manning one of three booths sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Gallup, New Mexico, last October 23 during the Open Market in Gallup are (left to right) Roan Orloff Stone, James Stone, JoAnn Penak and Mary Treiber. On November 7, some 50 people including some non-Bahá’ís were present at a potluck lunch honoring Mr. and Mrs. Stone for their 50 years in the Faith. [Page 13]

U.S. community drives toward Riḍván victory

The American Bahá’í community is preparing for Riḍván. Under the guidance of the National Teaching Committee, the following are directing their energies toward victory on the homefront:

Large Groups—There are 430 Groups of seven or more believers in the U.S. Teaching must be focused on these large Groups to bring them to Assembly status by Riḍván.

Local Spiritual Assemblies—Members of communities with an Assembly where there are only nine or 10 Bahá’ís are asked to maintain Assembly status at all costs. Every effort should be made by each individual not to move and put the Assembly in jeopardy.

Extension teaching goals

Extension teaching goals should be brought to Assembly status by Riḍván. Many Assemblies have been called and asked to take a specific nearby Group of seven or more believers as a goal, and to bring that Group to Assembly status.

A teaching plan has been outlined for creating activities in extension teaching goals:

1. In December—establish regular firesides in your extension teaching goal.

2. In January—hold a teaching conference on “Years of Service in His Cause”; ask veteran Bahá’ís to tell stories about the early days. Make this a joyous occasion.

In February—hold a program, potluck or study class in your extension goal on a significant minority group in your area, or on the elimination of prejudice.

In March—use all methods of public proclamation available in your extension goal. Advertise the ongoing firesides.

In April—have prepared, and ready to move, homefront pioneers to assure the formation of your extension teaching goal Assembly.

Jeopardized Assemblies are requested to intensify individual firesides, request a visit from a traveling teacher, and will also be assigned individual believers to help them in teaching.

District Teaching Committees are being asked to regain all Assemblies lost last Riḍván and to form at least one new Local Assembly. They are also reporting non-functioning and newly jeopardized Assemblies to the National Teaching Committee.

District Youth Committees are requesting important teaching goals from their District Teaching Committees, especially to help in bringing Groups to Assembly status.

Traveling teachers trained by the National Teaching Committee are being assigned to help stimulate activity in Groups of seven or more. Any Assembly or Group wishing the services of a traveling teacher should contact the National Teaching Committee.

Homefront pioneers are being prepared locally and nationally to move to mass-taught areas, help form Spiritual Assemblies, increase the Bahá’í population in low-population areas, and open new localities to the Faith.

Isolated believers have been asked to increase their teaching efforts and to call on the District Teaching Committee or a nearby Local Spiritual Assembly for assistance.

All Bahá’ís are being asked to increase their teaching activities, especially by holding regular firesides. They should be helped and encouraged by their Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Minority Teaching

Regional Asian and Spanish Teaching Committees will be calling on Local Assemblies to help them with their February activities in their extension teaching goals, and are working to raise up Asian and Hispanic believers.

All committees and Assemblies are being asked to put teaching first on their agendas. Arise now; Riḍván is only a few months away and victory is within our grasp!

Rockford Bahá’í part of International Fair

Bahá’ís in the Rockford, Illinois, area participated last October 23-24 in an International Fair held at one of the largest shopping malls in northern Illinois.

About 20,000 people attended the fair at Cherry Vale Mall, while professionally done publicity reached well over 100,000 people.

Free publicity obtained by the Bahá’í media committee included newspaper articles, a television interview, TV news coverage, and public service announcements on radio and TV.

The cost to the Bahá’ís, who spent a year preparing to participate in the event, was less than $100.

House of Worship developing new programs to attract large audiences

A series of unique, high quality presentations designed to attract large and diverse audiences to the Bahá’í House of Worship is presently being developed.

Plans call for innovative programs that explore the application of spiritual principles to relevant issues in world affairs, education, science, and the arts.

Types of programs being considered include art exhibits, music showcases, demonstrations using audio-visual aids, etc.

If you have attended a quality presentation by a Bahá’í that you benefited from and enjoyed, or if you have an idea for an exciting program that you think could be implemented at the House of Worship, please send your recommendations to the Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Include a brief description of the program, the names of individuals who presented it, and, if you are the presenter, the names of people who could be contacted for additional recommendations.

Nearly 400 people participated in a World Peace Day observance September 19 in Santa Barbara, California, among whose highlights was a free concert by the Bahá’í group Michael Kelly and Paradise Express. People of all ages shared in an afternoon of music and dancing, united in their desire for world peace, and almost 300 signed a petition calling upon world leaders to work to establish a lasting peace. Copies of the petition were to be sent to Washington and to the United Nations.

Traveling teachers set to help win Plan victories

As Riḍván approaches, more and more traveling teachers will be contributing their energy to winning our goal of 1,844 Local Spiritual Assemblies.

While most of them will be engaged in activities specifically requested by the National Teaching Committee, some are also available to lend assistance to those communities that would like some help in achieving this victory.

To HELP you decide if your community needs a traveling teacher and to help you in making the best use of one, we offer the following suggestions:

1. Be sure that your community already has a plan that a traveling teacher can fit into. You may want to schedule him to speak at a public meeting, on radio or television, or at a fireside attended by seekers who have shown interest in the Teachings.

2. Once you have made arrangements for the activities that the traveling teacher will participate in, be sure that they are well publicized. Take advantage of the fact that your speaker is from out of town; request biographical data from him that can be used in newspaper articles. Let your town know about him before the events, not after.

3. Appoint someone to be responsible for the traveling teacher during his stay in your community. This person should know the date, time, and means of the teacher’s arrival, and meet him. He also should know the schedule of activities and be responsible for getting the traveling teacher where he needs to be on time.

4. Be sure that the traveling teacher understands what is expected of him beforehand. Tell him about the audiences he’ll be addressing so that he can prepare adequately. Give him as much help as you can; remember—he’s a guest of your community!

5. Use the traveling teacher in your extension teaching goal, especially at one of your planned upcoming events.

6. Don’t let the possibility that no one will attend your meeting keep you from requesting a traveling teacher. They are also prepared to give deepenings and will enjoy your fellowship.

7. Have plans ready for following up on any interest in the Faith generated by the traveling teacher. Don’t miss any opportunity!

If you would like to invite a traveling teacher to your community or extension teaching goal to enhance the work you are doing, we encourage you to contact the National Teaching Committee at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you can’t write, phone us at 312-869-9039.

Homefront

Continued From Page 12

My wife (who is a Protestant Christian) and I decided to move to Clyde, Ohio, a rural village of 6,000 people.

DURING the course of my relationship with my wife’s church, the Faith has been a frequent topic of discussion. About 30 members of the Clyde Christian Church including the pastors have become our personal friends.

This church’s adult Sunday school class was to sponsor an 11-week study of comparative religion this fall and I was asked by the pastor to talk on the Bahá’í Faith.

Of course I accepted, and also volunteered to talk on Muhammad, the Koran, and Zoroaster.

For two consecutive Sunday sessions I spoke on “The Life of Muhammad” and “The Holy Koran” using the informative materials available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust as my guide.

On November 7 I spoke on Zoroaster from a study I saw before I became a Bahá’í.

My main purpose was to show the unity of the Manifestations of God and progressive revelation.

On November 14, after a short introduction on the Bahá’í Faith, I answered many questions; most were accepted well due to the groundwork laid in the previous talks.

DURING the talks and at the session wrap-up, many members said they were glad to learn about other religions. One member, whose views on religion are conservative, said the experience had been truly enlightening.

Another commented, “Their beliefs are not too different from ours.”

The pastor, who is a woman, referred to the Bahá’í Faith as “one of the great world religions.”

The spirit of Bahá’u’lláh touched all of those who attended these talks, and it showed in everyone’s face.

After the discussion of the Faith, a gentleman whom I do not know well immediately came to me and shook my hand—the look in his face was beyond description.

About 16 “friends of the Faith” were made by Bahá’u’lláh in the Clyde Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) this fall. Many more are on the way.

John Krochmalny Clyde, Ohio [Page 14]

Curso de estudio 10: Conflictos económicos

No es necesario ser extremadamente inteligentes para darnos cuenta que la humanidad ‎esta está‎ sufriendo trastornos fundamentales en todos los campos de la interacción humana.

Es aparente, por ejemplo, a los ojos de cualquier observador cuidadoso que en el campo económico las diferentes teorías y escuelas de pensamiento han fracasado en una forma casi humillante.

No hay una que haya logrado establecer alguna estabilidad a nivel mundial. Continúan las guerras económicas, persisten las huelgas cada vez en mayor escala y aumenta la miseria que azota a la mayor parte de los habitantes del globo.

Arthur Kitson, economista inglés dijo hace más de medio siglo: “El genio inventivo del hombre ha puesto al alcance de la humanidad incalculables riquezas, suficientes para que cada habitante de este planeta goce de la vida sin usurpar los materiales de sus semejantes ...

“Más, entre toda esta abundancia estamos con miradas de gente hambrienta y andrajosa. Todo porque no tenemos la inteligencia para ver que las viejas teorías económicas se han vuelto falacias ... y que así como los métodos de producción, a los cuales debemos nuestro actual bienestar, han sido revolucionados, de la misma forma todo nuestro sistema económico debe ser reorganizado.”

Una de las más desafiantes enseñanzas Bahá’í es que ningún sistema económico puede tener el éxito deseado si es que no está fundamentado en algo que nosotros consideramos una de las leyes más grandes de la creación: la Unidad del Género Humano.

Es decir, todos los hombres formamos una sola especie, una sola familia bajo el cuidado del Creador, y habitamos un hogar común, la tierra. Mientras no nos demos cuenta de que la tierra es un solo país y la humanidad sus ciudadanos, mientras sigamos enaltecidos por nuestro amor a la patria en lugar de nuestro amor al mundo entero, mientras permanezcamos indiferentes al hecho de que la humanidad entera constituye un organismo viviente cuya salud depende de la salud de cada uno de sus componentes y mientras sigamos pensando egoístamente en nuestros propios intereses, olvidándonos de los de otros miembros de nuestra sociedad, el establecimiento de un sistema duradero que garantice la seguridad económica de cada individuo es imposible.

Es decir, el primer paso a tomarse en la resolución del problema económico es el de inculcar en cada individuo, sin distinción de raza o clase, sentimientos, pensamientos y hábitos más nobles, más elevados, más espirituales, transformando las cualidades animales que dominan la vida actual de la humanidad en cualidades dignas de nosotros, hombres creados a imagen del Señor y por lo tanto quizá la expresión más sublime de perfección en este universo.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, hijo del Fundador de la Fe Bahá’í hablando sobre los problemas económicos dijo, en una charla dada en París en el año 1912:

“Un financista con riquezas colosales no debería existir si cerca de él hay un hombre en extrema miseria. Cuando vemos que la pobreza alcanza los límites del hambre, es un signo seguro de que en alguna parte existe tiranía.

“Los hombres deben darse cuenta de este asunto y no demorar más tiempo la modificación de las condiciones que causan la miseria y la cruel pobreza a un gran número de gente.

“Los ricos deben dar una parte de su abundancia, deben tener el corazón menos duro y cultivar una compasiva inteligencia pensando en aquellos infelices que carecen de lo más necesario para la vida.

“Deberán establecerse leyes especiales que tratan de las condiciones de riqueza y pobreza extremas. Los gobiernos deberán sujetarse a la ley divina que da igual justicia a todos.

“Esta es la única manera de abolir la superfluidad de la riqueza exagerada, así como la desmoralizadora y degradante pobreza.”

Debemos recordar que el fundamento de la prosperidad y del orden social no es otro que el mandamiento espiritual dado por Cristo hace tantos años: “Amaos los unos a los otros.” La Fe Bahá’í enseña la aplicación práctica de este principio en un mundo moderno.

Hablando en términos un poco más específicos y concretos, el punto de vista Bahá’í en lo que se refiere a los pasos a tomarse en la resolución del problema económico social es expresado muy bien en la siguiente cita del libro “La Renovación de la Civilización” por el Dr. David Hofman:

“La cooperación debe reemplazar a la competencia desenfrenada y debe ser desarrollado un programa económico que abarque todo el planeta ... Las tarifas, las manipulaciones de monedas, el monopolio de materias primas, los bajos salarios; he aquí los grandes saboteadores de la prosperidad del mundo. Aunque no son más que agentes; el verdadero criminal ‎el es‎ la propia suficiencia económica. Casi todas las naciones o grupos de naciones han tratado de practicar esta política y se han glorificado de lo que creyeron era su habilidad para sostenerse a ‎si sí‎ mismas; El autoaislamiento económico nace del temor del egoísmo, y conduce directamente hacia la guerra.”

Aunque la solución dada por la Fe Bahá’í al problema económico social tiene un fundamento espiritual, no se puede negar que el llevar a la práctica cualquier sistema económico necesitaría ciertas Instituciones. Al respecto, dice el Dr. Hofman:

“El problema económico, como toda dificultad de proporciones que nos enfrenta hoy, es insoluble excepto a escala mundial. No podemos admitir la pobreza en un país y prosperidad en los demás. Tampoco podemos salvar de la pobreza y del desempleo a ‎una un‎ país solamente, ya que las naciones, quiéranlo o no, son ahora económicamente interdependientes.

“Una Legislatura Mundial puede resolverlo. Puede liberar las energías ahora ‎dedicantes dedicadas‎ a la guerra, consagrándoles al servicio de las artes de la paz y puede suministrar la maquinaria necesaria para un intercambio más fácil y mayor de productos y servicios.

“Semejantes cosas como una moneda mundial, un banco mundial, un solo sistema de pesas y medidas deberían estar incorporados dentro de sus estatutos. Debe mantener el libre acceso a las materias primas del planeta y proteger los derechos de todos los pueblos, mantener un nivel de vida mínimo universal y limitar el poder económico de los individuos.”

Son éstas las únicas armas con las cuales podremos derrotar los conflictos económicos que desde siempre no han ocasionado sino el derramamiento de sangre y más sangre.

“La equidad es la más fundamental entre las virtudes humanas. La evaluación de todas las cosas necesariamente depende de ella ... Observad la equidad de vuestros, juicios, hombres de corazón comprensivo. Aquel que sea injusto en sus juicios le faltan las características que distinguen la estación del hombre.

“La luz de los hombres es la justicia. No la apaguéis con los vientos contrarios de la opresión y la tiranía. El propósito de la justicia es la aparición de la unión entre los hombres.” —Bahá’u’lláh

Comité Nacional de Enseñanza entrena 100 Bahá’ís como maestros viajeros

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza acaba de entrenar aproximadamente 100 Bahá’ís ‎comos como‎ maestros viajeros.

Como representantes del Comité, ellos están encargados de inspirar y ayudar la comunidad Bahá’í a traer el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh a nuestras compatriotas, y participar en la profundización de la comunidad en las enseñanzas que hemos abrazado.

Los servicios de los maestros viajeros ‎se ofrecerá se ofrecerán‎ por medio del Centro Bahá’í Nacional, a grupos de siete o más Bahá’ís y Asambleas Espirituales Locales que desean aumentar el número de creyentes en sus locales.

Hasta ahora hacen falta maestros de habla hispana, una de las metas que nos ha dado la Casa Universal de Justicia en el Plan de Siete Años.

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza les invita a comunicarse con ellos o para pedir ayuda en cuanto a sus actividades relacionadas con la enseñanza y profundización, o para sugerir personas de habla hispana que pueden servir como maestros viajeros.

Izquierda a derecha, Su Alteza Masiofo Lili Malietoa, la Mano de la Causa Ugo Giachery, Su Alteza Malietoa Tanumafili II, Sr. Marzio Zambello.

‎Cuan Grande las Bendiciones Cuán grandes las bendiciones‎ que esperan al Rey!

Hace cien años Bahá’u’lláh, Fundador de la Fe Bahá’í, proclamó, en lenguaje claro e inequívoco, a los reyes y gobernantes del mundo ... que la prometida era de paz y hermandad mundial había aparecido por fin, y que Él Mismo era el Portador del nuevo mensaje y poder de Dios, que habrían de transformar el sistema prevaleciente de antagonismo y enemistad entre los hombres y crear el espíritu y forma del orden mundial predestinado.

Del mundo entero, solamente un alma entre los reyes de la tierra reconoció la Voz de Su Creador, solamente los labios ‎del de‎ Su Alteza Malietoa Tanumafili II ‎declaro declaró‎ que Bahá’u’lláh era el Mensajero de Dios para esta nueva era. [Page 15]

PUBLICATIONS

The Creative Word— inspiring you to live the Bahá’í life

A Traveler’s Narrative

A Traveler’s Narrative: Written to Illustrate the Episode of the Báb is more than a short history of the Báb’s life. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself gives us, in clear and simply stated phrases, a summary of the first 24 years of the Bahá’í cycle.

The Báb’s life and the character of His Mission, glimpses of a few of His followers, the history of Bahá’u’lláh’s life until His imprisonment in ‘Akká, quotations from Bahá’u’lláh illustrating the grandeur and purpose of His Revelation—all are brought together in this account that was intended to correct false ideas about the Faith that were circulating in the Persia and Europe of the late nineteenth century.

“The Báb was a young merchant of the Pure Lineage. He was born in the year one thousand two hundred and thirty-five (A.H.), ... and when after a few years his father ... died, He was brought up in Shíráz in the arms of His maternal uncle. ...”

So begins a narrative that, used in a personal, family, or community deepening, is sure to lend an air of wonder and excitement to the occasion, giving children and adults alike a deeper understanding of and love for the beauty and sacrifice of the extraordinary life a Manifestation of God must lead in the process of fulfilling His Mission.

Used alone, or in conjunction with the Dawn-Breakers, A Traveler’s Narrative (Catalog No. 106-027, $10 hardcover; 106-028, $5 softcover) gives ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ a clear picture of the effect of the advent of the Twin Manifestations upon those who accepted Their claims—and upon those who actively worked against them. Passages from A Traveler’s Narrative are sure to spark discussions about how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s stirring account can inspire you to live the Bahá’í life.

To order A Traveler’s Narrative (1) see your local Bahá’í librarian; (2) send a check or money order for the total amount (plus 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust; or (3) use the coupon on this page of The American Bahá’í.

Titles from Around the World

ABS—Association for Bahá’í Studies	HI—Hawaii
BIC—Bahá’í International Community	WO—World Order
GR—George Ronald	HC—hardcover
	SC—softcover

Bahá’í History Calendar 1983 Highlights Bahá’í pilgrimage with color photographs, map, and quotations from the Bahá’í Writings and provides ample space for noting your daily activities. (HI) (SC, Cat. No. 769-081, $4.50)

Bahá’í Studies Notebook, Vol 2, No. 1 (Health) A special issue devoted entirely to health featuring Drs. Hossain B. Danesh and S. Pattabi Raman, and others. (ABS) (SC, Cat. No. 332-066, $5.50)

Bahá’í Studies, Volume 10 (Creativity) Essays and poems on the theme of creativity. (ABS) (SC, Cat. No. 332-058, $4.00)

The Bahá’ís in Iran The Bahá’í International Community’s revised white paper on the persecution of a religious minority—the Bahá’ís. (BIC) (SC, Cat. No. 555-100, $3.00)

A Commentary on the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá A revised edition by David Hofman. (GR) (SC, Cat. No. 332-094, $2.25)

A Crown of Beauty The unfolding of the Bahá’í Faith in the Holy Land told in words, photographs, and drawings. By Eunice Braun and Hugh E. Chance. (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 332-097, $14.75; SC, Cat. No. 332-098, $9.75)

The Desire of the World Passages for meditation from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh compiled by Rúhíyyih Khánum. (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 315-076, $8.50; SC, Cat. No. 315-077, $3.50)

Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Annamarie Honnold’s collection of stories, sayings, and comments about the Master. (GR) (HC, Cat. No. 332-095, $13.50; SC, Cat. No. 332-096, $5.95)

World Order, Spring 1982 (Human Rights Testimony) Contains written testimony presented before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organization. Timeless—and perfect for presentations to dignitaries in your community. (WO) (SC, Cat. No. 555-163, $3.00)

To order these titles (1) see your local Bahá’í librarian; (2) send a check or money order for the total amount (plus 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust; or (3) use the coupon on this page of The American Bahá’í.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

Bay area Bahá’ís mark Master’s visit with ‘author’ party

Mrs. Marion Yazdi autographs a copy of her book, Youth in the Vanguard, at Berkeley.

Forty guests from many parts of the Bay area shared Berkeley, California’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Berkeley in 1912 by attending a “meet-the-author” tea on Sunday, October 10, at which Marion Carpenter Yazdi autographed copies of her new book, Youth in the Vanguard.

Marion, who was the first Bahá’í student at the University of California in Berkeley, told the gathered friends how her academic career had been shaped by letters from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and of her romantic meeting of Ali Yazdi, a dashing young Persian graduate student who was destined to become her husband.

Marion and Ali went on to serve the Berkeley Bahá’í community together for 30 years as Assembly members, teachers, and role models for the growing community.

The actual date of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Berkeley, October 9, is, coincidentally, Marion Yazdi’s birthday. Hence a special birthday cake for the occasion added another note of celebration to the afternoon tea.

Missed a Bahá’í meeting lately?

The new 1983

• Wall Calendar $1.00
• Pocket Calendar 10/$1.00
• Date Book $1.50

will help you remember Feasts, Holy Days, and special event days such as Race Unity Day

and

provide space for jotting down your own engagements.

Use the coupon on this page to order now from the

Bahá’í Publishing Trust Wilmette, IL 60091

Trust to distribute Association materials

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust has become the sole distributor in the 48 contiguous states of the United States of printed materials produced by the Association for Bahá’í Studies, according to Larry Bucknell, general manager of the Publishing Trust.

Two Association publications—the Bahá’í Studies volume devoted to creativity and the Bahá’í Studies Notebook devoted to health—are now available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust (see ad and coupon elsewhere on this page).

New publications from the Association for Bahá’í Studies are on the way. Back issues of Bahá’í Studies and Bahá’í Studies Notebook will be added to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust catalog in the coming months.

Coupon for Ordering Titles on This Page

Qty.	Book	Price
—	Trav. Narrative, HC	$10.00
—	Trav. Narrative, SC	$5.00
—	Youth Vanguard	$14.00
—	Wall Calendar	$1.00
—	Pocket Calendar	10/$1.00
—	Date Book	$1.50
—	History Calendar	$4.50
—	Health Notebook	$5.50
—	Creativity	$4.00
—	Bahá’ís in Iran	$3.00
—	Com. Will/Test.	$2.25
—	Crown Beauty, HC	$14.75
—	Crown Beauty, SC	$9.75
—	Desire World, HC	$8.50
—	Desire World, SC	$3.50
—	Vignettes, HC	$13.50
—	Vignettes, SC	$5.95
—	Spring World Order	$3.00

Enclosed is my check or money order for $______ (including 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum $1.50).

Charge to: ($10.00 minimum order)

Visa ____________________ Card expires __________

MC ____________________ Card expires __________

Name ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________

City ____________________ State _____ Zip _______

(All orders are NET—no discounts. No charges on librarians’ accounts accepted. Credit card orders accepted by phone: 1-800-323-1880.)

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

Prices valid only in 48 contiguous states of the United States [Page 16]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.

APPLICATIONS are being accepted by the Personnel Office, Bahá’í National Center, for the following positions: Regional Teaching Coordinator, National Teaching Committee—Works with District Teaching Committees in the Western and North-eastern states to help achieve the teaching goals of the Seven Year Plan. Requires Bahá’í administrative experience and strong written and verbal communication skills. Organizational and volunteer management experience is necessary, as well as general office and typing skills. The nature of the position requires a minimum two-year commitment. Secretary, NSA Properties—Assists the general manager by compiling records and reports, maintaining files, answering telephone, routing mail, answering routine correspondence. Must be well organized and type at least 65 wpm. Previous experience is required. Promotions Coordinator, Bahá’í Publishing Trust—Writes ad copy, jacket copy, newsletters and articles. Corresponds with Bahá’í institutions and local community librarians. Maintains marketing files. Requires proven experience in writing accurate, effective and persuasive prose and working under deadlines. Please send resumés and requests for applications to the Personnel Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

HAM RADIO operators: The second amateur radio callbook for Bahá’ís is being readied. Please send your name, address, call, and class of license if you haven’t sent it before, to WD8CAW, Terry Bebertz, Vassar, MI 48768.

RETIRED couple is needed to live in the Martha Root Bahá’í Institute outside the city of Mérida, Mexico. The Institute primarily needs someone with “handyman” skills who is willing to care for the building. A car will be necessary; rent is free. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is examining the feasibility of offering a three-month program in Bahá’í studies for youth who have just graduated from high school or have completed one to two years of college. The program would run from September to December and would be repeated for another group of students from January to April. It would feature an in-depth study of the fundamental teachings of the Faith, involvement in community service and teaching activities, and strong recreational and physical fitness programs. Youth and parents who would be interested in such a program are asked to phone 313-653-5033 or write to the Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

IF YOU have talent in the performing arts or as a sound/light technician, and are interested in being part of a traveling teaching troupe for occasional weekends in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, Delaware, Maryland and New York areas, or if you could help with even one performance, please respond by writing to Anne Gordon Atkinson, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

THE LOUIS Gregory Institute needs land-clearing equipment for construction of the first Bahá’í radio station in North America. Needed are an equipped tractor suitable for land-clearing or a bulldozer, and a dump truck. The equipment will be used to clear land on the Gregory Institute property where the recently authorized station is to be built. If you would like to donate any of the needed equipment, please contact Dr. Alberta Deas, director, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, SC 29554. Phone 803-558-5093.

A BAHÁ’Í Women’s Conference, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Olean, New York, will be held July 1-3 on the campus of St. Bonaventure University in Olean. Accommodations will be quite reasonable, starting at less than $20 per person per day for room and three meals. Anyone with any ideas for workshops is asked to send them to the address listed below. We are looking for sessions on such topics as communication skills, career planning, parenting, blended families, spiritual mothering, educating young children, Bahá’í marriage, balancing home and career, etc. Please send proposals and ideas to Dorothy Hai, Olean, NY 14760, or telephone 716-372-7021.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Fredericksburg, Virginia, an historic city located between Richmond and Washington, D.C. There is a Bahá’í couple in Fredericksburg who need help in forming a Group or an Assembly. Housing and employment are available. Mild weather. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA 22301, or phone 703-683-3751.

QUALIFIED Bahá’ís who can teach English or are trained in school administration are needed for the Santititham Secondary School in Yasothon province, Thailand. The Ministry of Education in Thailand recognizes the school as a Bahá’í school; it is the only Bahá’í-oriented educational institution in the southeast Asian basin. Teachers selected will not only teach English but will also oversee the development of Bahá’í aspects of the curricula and assist in the vocational and commercial classes that have been initiated. The academic year in Thailand begins in May, and considerable time must be allowed to secure entry permits, so interested persons must act quickly. Proficiency in the Thai language is not necessary. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

COME to the oldest city and the newest Assembly in Texas: historic Laredo on the Mexican border where the weather is warm all year round. This young Assembly is on the verge of jeopardy. Laredo has two accredited colleges, one of which offers the only graduate course in international trade in the world. Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís are especially welcome. Learn the basics of overseas pioneering while still in the U.S. Please contact Jeanne Watson, Laredo, TX 78040. Phone 512-726-0394.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Australia needs caretakers for the House of Worship property in Sydney. The caretakers must be a married couple. It requires people of some independent means, perhaps a small retirement income, as no salary is provided. However, a subsistence allowance may be negotiated to supplement a small independent income. The couple must be healthy, physically and mentally, as the work is demanding. Caretakers still teach and guide visitors around the Temple, in addition to normal caretaking duties. Please reply as soon as possible to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

A PIONEER couple is needed to maintain the Ruhi Bahá’í Institute in ‎Puerta Puerto‎ Tejada near Cali, Colombia. The school offers regular courses to young people who come from various parts of the country, and occasionally hosts teacher training sessions for nearby countries. A couple is needed to live at the Institute, develop the surrounding land, and coordinate various activities. Interested persons should contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

RECENTLY our community decided to put its archives in order. In doing so, we asked an older member who was here at the beginning to compile a community history. This has given our community new life, and given me the idea that there may be other interesting stories of communities getting started. I would like to compile these stories in a book, not only for historical purposes but, more important, to help others in getting started and dealing with the challenges that this task involves. If you or your community would like to share its beginnings, please send your story, with your name and address so that you can be contacted for further information, to Rick LaBrant, Medford, OR 97501.

A VERY Western town needs homefront pioneers. Wickenburg, Arizona, is an old mining town that has become a dude ranch capital—and an extension goal of the Phoenix Bahá’í community. Wickenburg, about an hour’s drive from Phoenix, is a popular retirement area for people in relatively good health who like year-round mild temperatures and clean air. There are no employment opportunities outside the tourist industry. Please contact Maxine Thompson, P.O. Box 1329, Wickenburg, AZ 85358, or the Spiritual Assembly of Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Ramah, Colorado (population 100) to help form an Assembly to serve as the hub of rural teaching efforts in eastern Colorado. Low-cost housing and city services provide an ideal environment for retirement or raising a family. Plenty of employment in Colorado Springs (40 miles away) with daily car pooling. Great schools and the hush of country living. Write to Judy Jenkyns, P.O. Box 68, Ramah, CO 80832, or phone 303-541-2682.

KOREA: A position is open for a high school English teacher, preferably with some knowledge of Korean, in a priority homefront goal area. The position, which becomes available in March 1983, pays $650 a month for 20 hours of work and includes permission to engage in private tutoring or other work that might double that salary. The school will provide all visas and work papers. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

TEACHERS wanted at the Louhelen Bahá’í School for the summer months. Those interested in applying for a position as teachers of children and youth during June, July and August may send a letter with a curriculum ‎vita vitae‎ and resumé of their teaching experience in the Bahá’í community to the Child Education Committee, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Please indicate which ages you would like to teach.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of New Caledonia is looking for caretakers for its National Center. The ideal couple would be a French-speaking Persian couple, but it is essential that the couple speak French in any case. The National Assembly reports that a Persian couple should have no difficulty obtaining visas, as the Assembly is in a position to obtain special visas for such caretakers. Simple housing is provided at the Center, but it would not accommodate children. Since there is no salary, and it is not feasible to find full-time work in the area, it is necessary for the couple to have at least some independent income. A retired couple would be ideal. Duties would primarily involve serving as hosts, deepening local believers, and teaching the Faith to those who are interested. The Center has a delightful garden, and anyone who loves gardens will enjoy living there. New Caledonia is a priority goal area in the South Pacific. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

RETIRED couple needed in Papua New Guinea to stay at the Bahá’í Institute in Sogeri, Port Moresby, as caretakers. There will be light support money for a couple who can come on a missionary visa. Papua New Guinea, situated in the Pacific off the coast of Australia, is a high priority pioneering goal for this phase of the Seven Year Plan. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

APPLICATIONS for research assistant positions are being accepted at the Louhelen Bahá’í School from individuals who are interested in helping Dr. Hossain Danesh conduct an institute on Bahá’í marriage August 20-21 at Louhelen and in contributing written material to a book he is writing on the subject. Those selected will be oriented and given assignments at a weekend conference, probably at Louhelen, sometime in April. Applicants are expected to have a fundamental knowledge of social and psychological research and experience in writing papers and teaching classes at the undergraduate or graduate levels. Those who wish to apply may send a letter with a curriculum vitae to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Applications are due by March 15. Those wishing to register as students for the August 12-21 institute may send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the registrar.

HOMEFRONT pioneer is sought in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area. A mature woman is needed for a pioneer post in which many new French-speaking Bahá’ís need consolidation. Knowledge of French is helpful but not necessary. More important, need a sensitive, wise, patient, loving and deepened Bahá’í who is ‎willling willing‎ to be of service. An elderly Bahá’í woman offers her home—free

See ADS Page 24 [Page 17]

50-plus attend media conference at Louhelen

More than 50 Bahá’ís from around the country met November 19-21 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan for the first of what it is hoped will be a regular series of Public Affairs conferences.

“Most of those who attended were people who either are professionals in radio, television or print media, or who haven’t yet been involved in proclaiming the Faith through the media,” says Parks Scott, the national Public Affairs Officer.

“WE KNOW there are many more people out there with similar skills who we haven’t yet identified. We hope that in the coming years these people will be taking part in this kind of meeting.

“The purpose of the conference,” he adds, “was really to begin to develop a group of resource people for the Public Affairs Office who can help perform many of the tasks we are not yet able to handle.”

Mr. Scott says these people may be called upon to give talks on behalf of the office, to act as advisers, and to produce materials for distribution to media committees and representatives nationwide.

“The events in Iran have forced what is a fairly new office to start off in high gear,” he says. “This conference helped us get a feel for what needs to happen in the future to improve our methods for proclaiming the Faith and the materials we’ll need to do the job.”

The conference allowed Bahá’ís from various areas to share some of the successes and ideas for proclaiming the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

“WE WISH there had been more time,” says Mr. Scott, “so that we could have shared more of the materials that have been produced in local campaigns ‎that from these local campaigns that ‎ ideas and materials come for national distribution.”

Robert Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, gave a talk that dealt with the process of becoming an active Bahá’í.

Keyvan Nazerian, vice-chairman of the National Teaching Committee, spoke on the inter-relationship of proclamation, expansion and consolidation, so often emphasized in the writings of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.

“We feel this conference was an integral step in the process of strengthening the proclamation efforts in this country, efforts which have been given such a high priority in the Seven Year Plan, and especially in this phase,” says Mr. Scott.

“Our job is to let the people of this nation know that the Faith exists, and to make a positive impression about this great Cause. The banner must then be taken up by the teachers who will bring interested persons into the Cause.”

Above: A participant in the Louhelen media conference makes a point. Below: One of the speakers at the conference was Parks Scott, the national Public Affairs Officer.

In a cooperative effort, Bahá’ís from Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and Siloam Springs, Arkansas, presented this booth at the Washington County Fair last September. The friends gave out 500 helium-filled balloons with accompanying literature, and made many personal contacts. Shown at the booth are (left to right) Ashley Nelsen, Cindi Franck, and Coral Jentz.

‘Fireside Playhouse’ orders show large increase

The new low price for the “Fireside Playhouse” radio series has increased tenfold the orders for that series, according to the Office of Public Affairs.

The price for the series was cut recently from $250 to only $50.

“THE original price was an attempt to recover some of the production costs,” says Parks Scott, the national Public Affairs Officer, “but we realized it was defeating our primary purpose. We want people to use the series because it is so well produced, and that is what is happening now.”

Fireside Playhouse, says Mr. Scott, was produced by Betty Deborah Ulius, a Bahá’í who has worked as a radio dramatist for years.

Her contacts made it possible to use some of the country’s most talented actors and actresses at well below what they otherwise would have been paid.

Fireside Playhouse is a 13-week series of dramas that weave the Bahá’í message into the plots of timely dramas.

Its high degree of professionalism is one of the series’ strongest selling points, says Mr. Scott.

So far, Fireside Playhouse has been heard on more than 100 radio stations in this country and in several U.S. territories.

New tax laws favor contributions

Changes in the federal income tax laws for 1982 have added a tax incentive for those individuals who make charitable contributions but cannot itemize their deductions.

Starting this year, anyone who contributes to the Local, National or Continental Bahá’í Funds, even if he only takes the “standard deduction,” can deduct from his adjusted gross income 25 per cent (not to exceed $25) of his contributions.

We can all now receive tax benefits by contributing to the Fund. Remember—December 31 is the contributions deadline for 1982 tax purposes.

Judge James Nelson seen on Spokane TV

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, appeared on television and radio in November during a two-day visit to the Spokane, Washington, area.

On November 4, Judge Nelson taped a 10-minute interview as a part of “Genocide: Extermination of a Religious Community,” which was shown November 21 on KHQ-TV in Spokane.

Judge Nelson also was interviewed on KHQ and KSPO radio in Spokane, spoke at a public meeting attended by more than 75 people, and appeared at a press conference that generated more than 30 column inches of copy in local newspapers.

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پیامهای ارض اقدس

ترجمه پیام معهد‌الاعلى مورخ ۱۸ نوامبر ۱۹۸۲ که با تلکس مخابره شده است

اخیراً بر شدت تضییقات وارده بر یاران بسیار ستم کشیده ایران افزوده شده. مساعی روبه صفتان جهت نا‌امن ساختن معارف زندگانی آنان شدیداً تقلیل یافته. اخراج از کار، لغو اجاره کسب و ضبط اموال خصوصی بدون مراعات ادامه دارد. هزاران نفوس بی‌خانمان به اعانت اقوام و دوستان پناه برده‌اند. تعداد اطفالی که بمدرسه راه داده نمیشوند روزبروز بیشتر میشود. پس از وقفه‌ای در اعدام احباء، ظالمانه به سفک دماء یاران پرداخته‌اند.

با قلوبی مغموم اعلام میداریم که جناب حبیب‌الله اوجی از احبای خدوم و فعال در ۱۶ نوامبر در شیراز بدار آویخته شده است. مدارکی که اخیراً بدست آمده شهادت دو تن از حامیان امر الهی را که چندی قبل اتفاق افتاده تأیید میکند: جناب یدالله سپهر‌ارفع در طهران تیرباران شده و جناب منوچهر وفائی در خانه‌اش در طهران توسط مهاجمین ناشناس بقتل رسیده و قاتلین نوشته‌ای روی بدن او چسبانده بودند که دلیل اقدام به این عمل شنیع را ایمان مقتول بیگناه با مر بهائی قلمداد میکرد...

بیت العدل اعظم

ترجمه پیام معهد‌الاعلى مورخ ۲۳ نوامبر ۱۹۸۲ که با تلکس مخابره شده است

قلوب از اعدام جناب دکتر ضیاءالله احراری توسط جوخه آتش در ۲۱ نوامبر در شیراز بشدت محزون و مغموم. این حادثه تأسف‌انگیز که بفاصله کوتاهی پس از اعلان بدار آویختن شدن جناب حبیب‌الله اوجی اتفاق افتاده است سبب نگرانی شدید جهت سرنوشت نه نفس با وفای دیگر شده است که همراه این دو نفر در سپتامبر گذشته در دادگاه اسلامی شیراز محکوم باعدام شده‌اند. قاضی دادگاه در جریان محاکمه بهر پنج نفر نیمساعت مهلت داد که تبری نموده، آزاد شوند والا برای مرگ آماده باشند و این یاران باوفا بکلّاً مکرّر مراتب ایمان خود را تأکید نمودند. وقوع شهادت‌های جدید شدت تضییقات را در شیراز که در یکماه اخیر در آنجا چهل نفر از احباء توقیف و یا محبوس شده‌اند بر تعداد محبوسین قبلی افزوده شده است بیش از پیش نمایان و آشکار میسازد...

بیت العدل اعظم

کربلای عشق ایران است هان

ابیات ذیل، قسمتی از منظومه‌ای که یکی از یاران ثابت قدم ایران در منظومه‌ی "جفائی" سروده‌اند، بیاد احبای مظلوم و ستمدیده‌ی آن سرزمین بطبع میرسد.

دلا در عاشقی شوری بپاکن بنال و با نوای نی نوا کن نوای عاشقی سر ده در این دشت که کارت از صبوری نیز بگذشت در این دشت بلا غیر از بلا نیست که ایران، هم کم از کرببلا نیست نمود اهل سها، در این زمانه حسین‌آسا تمامی عاشقانه بدون کمترین جرم و گناهی شهید راه حق گشتند گاهی ‎بپیرس بپرس‎ از ظالمان بی مروّت گناه ما چه باشد جز محبّت گواه ما، در رفتار و کار است بلی "حقانیّت" این افتخار است بها‌ئی خلق و رفتارش بنام است دلایل کافی و حجت تمام است

میدان خدمت

طبق اطلاع واصله از لجنه اهداف بین‌المللی محفل روحانی ملی نیوکالدونیا احتیاج به یک زن و شوهر آشنا بزبان فرانسه برای نگاهداری از حظيرة‌القدس ملی دارند. داوطلبان بایستی دارای درآمد مستقل باشند. محل اقامت با‌ده‌ای در اختیار آنان خواهد بود.

بیت العدل اعظم الهی علاقه‌مندند که چند خانواده ایرانی برای مهاجرت به جمهوری آیسلند قیام نمایند. داوطلبان بایستی از لحاظ مالی خود‌کفا بوده برای استقرار در هر نقطه‌ای که محفل روحانی ملی تعیین نمایند آماده باشند. هدف اصلی بایستی اجرای منویّات معهد‌اعلی باشد. وجود اطفال در خانواده کمک مؤثّری خواهد بود. محفل ملی آیسلند ممکن است بتواند کمک‌های مالی مختصر و موقتی بنماید.

علاقه مندان میتوانند برای کسب اطلاع بیشتر به لجنه اهداف بین المللی در دارالانشاء محفل ملی مراجعه فرمایند.

تذکرات محفل روحانی ملی

محفل مقدس روحانی ملی احبای الهی را متذکر میشوند که قبل از مبادرت به هرگونه فعالیت تجارتی، بالاخص بصورت شراکت، اولاً با یکی از وکلای دادگستری مشورت نمایند و کلیه قراردادها و موافقت‌ها را بصورت کتبی و رسمی درآورند و ثانياً از کسانی که در این کشور سابقه و تجربه کافی در رشته کار و تجارت مورد‌نظر دارند نظر بخواهند. باین ترتیب از بروز بسیاری از مشکلات و اختلافاتی که بین یاران روحانی بروز میکند و موجب تضییع اوقات محافل معظمه میگردد جلوگیری خواهد شد. زیرا غالباً این نوع مشکلات نتیجه سوءتفاهم‌هائی است که از قول و قرارهای شفاهی و عدم آشنائی با روش کار و تجارت در این مملکت ناشی میشود.

محفل مقدس همچنین یاد‌آور میشود که اگرچه در ایران بعضی محافل روحانیه مسؤولیت اجرای مفاد وصیت‌نامه احبای الهی را بتقبّل میفرمودند این کار در ایالات متحده مقدور نیست. باین دلیل احبای عزیز بایستی هنگام تنظیم وصیت‌نامه محفل روحانی محلی یا محفل روحانی ملی را وصیّ خود قرار ندهند.

اگرچه در گذشته نیز اعلام گردیده که شروع دوره نامزدی از زمانی است که رضایت والدین دو طرف ازدواج به محفل محلی رسیده است معذلک هنوز مشاهده میشود که احبای الهی گاهی حتی پس از تعیین تاریخ ازدواج و چاپ و توزیع اوراق دعوت به محفل مراجعه نموده تقاضای تعیین نماینده برای عقد ازدواج بهائی را مینمایند. چه بسا که در این قبیل موارد بعلت کافی نبودن مدارک و یا لزوم تأیید اوراق و مکاتباتی که از کشور دیگری ارسال گردیده انجام مراسم عقد بهائی به تعویق میافتد و موجبات ناراحتی و عدم رضایت دوستان فراهم میشود.

صعود ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب پل هینی

ترجمه نامه محفل مقدس روحانی ملی بهائیان آمریکا مورخ ۵ دسامبر ۱۹۸۲

یاران الهی:

با تأثر و تحسّر شدید صعود نفس جلیل، رفیق شفیق، عضو محبوب جامعه بهائی آمریکا و عضو اسبق محفل روحانی ملی در سالیان متوالی، ایادی امرالله جناب پل هینی را باطلاع میرسانیم. بیت العدل اعظم آگهی خاطره درخشان این خادم عظیم‌الشأن امر الهی را با پیام ذیل تجلیل فرموده‌اند:

"با قلوبی کئيبه و مغموم فقدان ناگهانی و جبران ناپذیر ایادی بسیار ممتاز و جلیل القدر امرالله و حامی و مدافع غیور عهد و میثاق الهی جناب پل هینی را در اثر تصادف اتومبیل در سوم دسامبر اعلام میداریم.

این خادم برازنده آستان جمال اقدس ابهی در سنین صباوت به فیض لقای حضرت مولی‌الورى فائز و متبرّک گردید. خدمات تاریخی‌اش در میادین ملی و بین‌المللی به خصائل و خصایص برجسته‌ای چون ملایمت طبع و خضوع و خشوع ذاتی و عشق و ولای بی شائبه و سرشار و سلامت نفس و شرافت و امانت و حصر اوقات در عنفوان شباب بخدمت امر رب‌الارباب و جلب ثقه و اعتماد تامّ اطرافیان و بذل توجّه خاصّ به جزئیات امور مختص و ممتاز بود. مجهودات خستگی‌ناپذیرش متجاوز از نیم قرن ادامه یافت و از جمله شامل عضویت محفل روحانی ملی امریکا طی سنین متمادی بود. از سال ۱۹۵۲ به بعد با عضویت در عصبه‌ی بدیعه و بی مثیل حارسان امر الهی و سپس در یکی از بحرانی‌ترین ادوار تاریخ بهائی در سمت عضویت در هیئت ایادی‌امر‌الله مقیم ارض اقدس قوای خود را در مجهودات مربوطه به آن عصبه جلیله متمرکز و مصروف داشت و آخرین دهه حیات عنبریش وقف توسعه و تکمیل دارالتبلیغ جدید‌التأسیس بین المللی گردید. نسل‌های آینده به موفقیت‌های ابدی‌الاثارش فخر و مباهات نمایند و از متانت و شکیبائی بی نظیرش الهام گیرند.

در اعتاب مقدسه علیا اعتلای روح پرفتوحش را در ملکوت ابهی از صمیم قلب و فؤاد ملتمسیم. توصیه میشود در سراسر عالم بهائی از جمله در کلیه مشارق اذکار محافل تذکری که شایسته مقام شامخ و خدمات لائقه‌اش باشد منعقد گردد."

با تحیات ابداع ابهی

منشی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان امریکا فیروز کاظم‌زاده

حقوق الله

احبای عزیز میتوانند چک یا حواله بانکی مربوط به حقوق الله را بنام Bahá’í Huquq صادر نموده به آدرس یکی از امناء و معینین محترم امین حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

در غرب ایالات متحده

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, California 90402

در شرق ایالات متحده

Mr. Moussa Mostaghim P. O. Box 296 Ephrata, PA 17522

پیشنهادهای رسیده

جناب عبدالحسین میثاقی ضمن اظهار محبّت توصیه فرموده‌اند به یاران روحانی یادآور شود که شرح مستقیم به صندوق محفل روحانی ملی در این ‎ایان ایام‎ ضروری است تا از فرصت‌های غیرمنتظره‌ای که برای ابلاغ کلمه الهیه حاصل گردیده حداکثر استفاده بشود، و این تبرّعات سوای تبرّعاتی است که به سایر صندوق‌ها من‌جمله صندوق محفل روحانی محلی تقدیم میشود. بعبارت دیگر اگر احبای الهی میل دارند طلای محفل مقدس ملی را لبیک گفته در زمره ۲۰۰۰۰۰ نفسی باشند که بیاد شهدای صدر امر هرماه بهائی به صندوق ملی تبرّعی تقدیم میدارند بایستی مبلغ مورد نظر را مستقیماً به دفتر امین صندوق ملی در دارالانشاء محفل روحانی ملی در ویلمت ارسال فرمایند و یا با کمک امین صندوق محلی به حساب محفل ملی واریز نمایند.

پیشنهاد دیگری بدفتر لجنه امور احبای ایرانی رسیده مبنی بر اینکه مجدداً از احبای عزیز تمنا شود در اسرع وقت تغییر محل اقامت یا شماره تلفن خود را مستقیماً به دفتر احصائیه محفل روحانی ملی یا توسط منشی محفل محلی اطلاع دهند تا تأخیری در کار ارسال نشریه آمریکن بهائی و سایر مراجعات حاصل نگردد. امید است دوستان گرامی به این توصیه مهم توجه مخصوص خواهند فرمود.

تصحیح

متأسفانه در شرحی که در شماره ماه اکتبر امریکن بهائی در معرفی مجله آوا درج گردیده بود اشتباهی در نشانی آن نشریه رخ داده که بدینوسیله با عرض معذرت اصلاح میشود. نشانی صحیح چنین است:

AVA P.O.Box 4506 Berkeley, California 94704 [Page 19]Bahá’í youth at the Bosch School in California recently made a glass art work with the Greatest Name and gave it to the National Youth Committee, which presented it to the Louhelen Bahá’í School on their behalf. Shown during the presentation December 4 at Louhelen are (left to right) Linda Giardina (National Education Committee), Albert Huerta (National Youth Committee), William Roberts (Education Committee) and Jackie Eghrari (Youth Committee).

Retirees

Continued From Page 11

children’s classes and serves the community in a number of ways. They stay at the best hotels and enjoy their yearly stints immensely.

American Bahá’ís who are retired and who have owned their own businesses or have otherwise distinguished themselves in the business world need only send a letter and resumé to IESC in New York City.

Once accepted and assigned, the International Goals Committee should be contacted so that it can write a letter of introduction to the Bahá’í institutions in the country or countries to be visited, and otherwise advise the retired travelers.

For longer periods of service, there are other opportunities. Every year the Goals Committee receives at least six requests for retired Bahá’ís to be caretakers of local and national Bahá’í Centers throughout the world (see the classified ads in this issue).

These posts offer free living accommodations and a constant climate for teaching.

THE ENTIRE American system trains us to be able to organize and administer, but most Americans, unless they go out of the country, do not appreciate the talents they possess, and which are needed in varying degrees by many other national Bahá’í communities.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá is quoted in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 75-76: “The American people are indeed worthy of being the first to build the tabernacle of the great peace and proclaim the oneness of mankind ...May America become the distributing center of spiritual enlightenment and all the world receive this heavenly blessing. For America has developed powers and capacities greater and more wonderful than other nations ...It will lead all nations spiritually.”

People who retire without a plan of action deteriorate rapidly because they have no interests in life, which in turn makes them less effective Bahá’í teachers.

How much better to go to the countries where they are needed, where they can demonstrate by their lives that religious leadership is no longer in the hands of the priests, but is a way of life that includes every aspect of human endeavor.

Every precious Bahá’í is needed to work for this great Cause, and each one’s contribution is hastening the advent of the Most Great Peace, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.

---

RETIRED BAHÁ’ÍS ----

International Goals Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

I am a retired Bahá’í and am interested in knowing more about how I can serve the Faith internationally. I am interested in _____ pioneering _____ travel teaching for _________________ starting _________________ (length of time) (date) Name ________________ Bahá’í I.D. No. ________________ Address _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ______________________ Telephone ____________________

The Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone and Mrs. Featherstone met with about 200 Bahá’ís and their guests August 16-17 at meetings hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of St. Louis, Missouri. Following a reception in their honor August 16, Mr. Featherstone shared highlights of the recent International Conference in Dublin, and Mrs. Featherstone recounted the first gathering to be held in the new Seat of the Universal House of Justice—a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The following evening, about 100 people, some from as far away as Illinois, Kansas and New Jersey including many seekers heard Mr. Featherstone speak at a public meeting whose topic was “A Changing World.”

About 170 hear Dr. Kazemzadeh at fund-raising dinner, dance in New York

About 170 people attended a fund-raising dinner and dance November 14 in New York City that commemorated the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and the 70th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s departure from New York City.

The featured speaker was Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

A special guest was Mrs. Giti Ghadimi Vahid, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran.

Bahá’ís in Morristown help plan prayer service

Bahá’ís in Morristown, New Jersey, helped plan and participated in the city’s annual Thanksgiving prayer service last November 24.

James Larcara, a Bahá’í from Morristown, read ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Prayer for America during the service, which is sponsored by the local Clergy Council, to which the Bahá’í Group of Morristown sends a representative.

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP Wilmette, Illinois Winter Hours (October 15 to May 14)

Main Auditorium (Upstairs) 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., open for prayer; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., open to visitors

Visitors Center (Downstairs) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Bahá’í Book Shop 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

Sunday Activities Devotional program, 3 p.m. Public meeting, 3:40 p.m.

Information about transportation, food and lodging is available from the Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

ANNOUNCING a new STAR!

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Starting with the March/April 1983 issue, Child’s Way will be known as Brilliant Star

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World NEWS

Jones Wongtillon, a Bahá’í from Nome, Alaska, who is a counselor in a state program dealing with the problems of alcoholism, has been given three awards for his contributions by three public organizations including the state legislature.

Mr. Wongtillon was cited for his services as a counselor and for program development in the Northern Sound region of Alaska ...

Bahá’ís Honorio Cabrera and his son, Mario, who volunteered during the most recent Bahá’í Convention in Costa Rica to become homefront pioneers, have raised up a community of 11 believers in Convento.

Securing books from the National Teaching Committee, the Cabreras moved to Convento where they began holding firesides that were attended by up to 40 seekers ...

The first mention of the Faith on television in Norway occurred recently in the form of a four-minute report on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

The report was carried on an evening news program that is seen across the country ...

“The Increasing Social Unrest in the World Today and Its Solution” was the theme of a well-attended public symposium August 12 at the Bahá’í National Center in Karachi, Pakistan.

Speakers included representatives of the Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Zoroastrian and Bahá’í communities ...

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa were welcomed last August 21 to the home of Prime Minister Vaai Kolone of Samoa by Mr. Kolone and his wife, in spite of an illness that was keeping him at home.

After prayers for Mr. Kolone’s health were read, the prime minister responded warmly, demonstrating his sympathy for the aims of the Faith ...

Counsellor Donald Witzel addressed a dozen students from North, Central and South America last September 16 at the official opening of the new CIRBAL training center in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

The students were starting a four-week course in broadcast management and engineering conducted by K. Dean Stephens of CIRBAL, which is an acronym for the Spanish name “Centro para Intercambio Radiofónico Bahá’í de América Latina.”

CIRBAL is a medium for the exchange of information and materials among Bahá’í institutions engaged in radio broadcasting in Latin America and the Caribbean ...

Local Bahá’í Fund (local address). Supports teaching, consolidation and administrative work of a local Bahá’í community.

National Bahá’í Fund (Wilmette, IL 60091). Supports the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly to direct, coordinate and stimulate 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 in the Americas.

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 pilgrims.

Bahá’ís in Middle Georgia celebrated World Peace Day last September 19 at Central City Park in Macon, Georgia. Music was provided by Don Erdman, Carl Schmidt, Terri Earle and Carrie Ganong. Pamphlets on the Faith were given to about 15 people.

The first Spiritual Assembly of Bountiful, Utah, was elected July 25. Its members include (front row left to right) Roya Nabili, Doris Valken-LeDuc, Kathy Coover (secretary), and (back row left to right) Russ Coover (chairman), Nelson Valken-LeDuc (treasurer), Omid Milani, Paul Webb (vice-chairman), Walter Rothaar. Not shown is Karen Webb.

Fifty-one people including 32 non-Bahá’ís of Filipino origin shared a recent ‘Evening in the Philippines’ with Bahá’ís and other guests in a program sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Arroyo Grande Rural, California. The Filipino guests brought a large display of their arts and crafts. One sang songs from their homeland, and another presented a slide program portraying the history, customs and lifestyle of the Philippines. Dr. Guenther Mayer-Harnisch gave a brief explanation of the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of mankind.

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Send to: VARQA c/o P.O. BOX 19 NEW DELHI 110001 INDIA. [Page 21]‘When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine . . .’ (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54)

‘Let’s Move World’ theme of race unity seminar

Nearly 250 adults and children from Illinois and Wisconsin attended a seminar October 24 on “the most challenging issue,” racial prejudice in America, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Illinois, and held at Kendall College in Evanston.

The seminar, entitled “Let’s Move the World,” was led by Auxiliary Board member Dr. Khalil Khavari of Bayside, Wisconsin, and dedicated to the memory of Dr. Daniel C. Jordan.

In his keynote address, Lennel Grace of Chicago compared the seminar to the conference at Badasht, the purpose of which was to help the Bahá’ís free themselves from the ways of the past.

To that end, events throughout the day included a panel discussion on “The Psychology of Prejudice” conducted by three local Bahá’í psychologists, a slide program on the quality of spirit exhibited by the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, and a series of skits designed to call attention to the subtle prejudicial biases present in society.

Participants were able to attend any two of five workshops: “Weeding Out the Inheritance,” “Love and Our Affirmative Actions,” “Points of Oneness and Distinction,” “Who’s Responsible to Do What?” and “Prejudice and the Education of Our Children.”

A separate children’s conference was held to introduce the young people to various ethnic cultures and traditions.

Shown are participants in a workshop session at the day-long seminar on race unity last October 24 sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Illinois. More than 250 adults and children attended the event.

Master’s remarks on race must be taken in context of the times

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to a letter from Rahim Samadani in your October issue about statements by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as to how white Bahá’ís should be regarded by black Bahá’ís.

The Master’s statements are no doubt true. I have often pondered the meaning of those statements, and my first response, that they did not tell the full story, remains my feeling, giving full consideration to the time (1912) when they were made.

FURTHER, it is my feeling that whatever good has been done has been reciprocated ten-fold in many cases and in many ways, and is still being reciprocated. I am sure that many whites, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, would agree if they were honest with themselves.

The slaves in that day were no doubt grateful for the North’s victory that meant the abolition of physical slavery.

Your Turn

Now, 120 years have passed since the abolition of slavery, and 75 years since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America. Much water has passed under the bridge, so to speak, since then.

It is my hope that white Bahá’ís have not become complacent because of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statements on race unity. We cannot live harmoniously together by resting on past deeds and laurels.

To that point, may I refer you to an article written by Rúḥíyyih Khánum in Bahá’í News (June 1961, U.S. supplement) concerning the differing capacities of each of us.

As for black Bahá’ís who have sought the reward of having been faithful to the teachings of Jesus, “loving our neighbors as ourselves,” I think you will find this

See YOUR TURN Page 24

74th National Convention

See the November/December issues of The American Bahá’í for seating registration forms, children’s registration, housing and travel arrangements.

Regrettably, Northwest Orient and Continental Airlines did not alert their staffs to expect your calls. This has now been done.

The toll free number for Continental Airlines is 1-800-525-1130. In Colorado, phone 398-3000 and ask for the group desk.

Warning

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to inform the friends that David Ringue, who reportedly lives in a van in the San Francisco, California, area, has been moving from community to community masquerading as a Bahá’í.

Mr. Ringue was removed from Bahá’í membership in April 1973.

Mayor Ted Herrmanns of Montrose, Colorado, signs a proclamation declaring Sunday, June 13, ‘Race Unity Day’ in that city as Bahá’ís (left to right) Mardi Gebhardt, Ken Kennemur and Robert Burton look on. The photo appeared with a comprehensive article about Race Unity Day in the local newspaper, the Montrose Daily Press.

Earl Healy, a Bahá’í from the Blood Reserve in Alberta, Canada, who is a member of the Blackfoot Indian tribe, and his family were special guests October 8-10 at the second annual Four Nation Pow Wow held on the Nez Perce Reservation near Lewiston, Idaho. Mr. Healy and his wife, Allison, are members of the Continental Indigenous Council and are active traveling teachers. The pow wow is sponsored by the young people of four Indian Nations (Nez Perce, Flathead, Yakima and Umatilla). When it became known to members of the Pow Wow Committee that Mr. Healy is a Bahá’í, he was asked to dance the honor song and to say the invocation. The Bahá’ís of the Nez Perce Reservation are inviting native and non-native neighbors to several gatherings, hoping to use the visit of the Healy family as a strong bridge of interest. (Photo: Lewiston Morning Tribune/Patrick Sullivan) [Page 22]The American Bahá'í 23.2 22 Funds teer Bahá'í guides at several "sta- tions" throughout the building. Coordinating the volunteers, ad- ministering their training, and of every promise made by 'Ab- providing materials costs in excess Continued From Page 5 du'l-Bahá. "...it may be confidently as- serted," said Shoghi Effendi, that the House of Worship "has con- tributed to the diffusion of the knowledge of His Faith and teach- ings in a measure which no other single agency, operating within the framework of the Administra- tive Order, has even remotely ap- proached." Let us examine that "measure." Visitors cards. A new adver- tising innovation within the last 15 months, these high-quality bro- chures are supplied free of charge with the intention of increasing the flow of visitors to the House of Worship. Some 60,000 cards have been distributed since the inception of the program to such diverse recip- ients as the Chicago Visitors Cen- ter; many Chambers of Com- merce; about 50 major hotels; more than 35 travel agencies; ma- jor universities (such as North- western) for new student orienta- tion; 11 area libraries; and "wel- come wagon" programs. In addition, more than 800 cards were requested by the Archi- tectural Center of Chicago and 18,000 by the Chicago Tourist In- formation Center. Plans are set to make the visitors cards available to international air carriers with the expectation of reaching many tourists who come to the area. THE initial printing of 100,000 cards costs $4,500, or 4 cents each. The benefits, however, are incalculable. Visitors brochures. Every vis- itor to the House of Worship re- ceives a free brochure outlining some of its history, construction, and purpose, and introducing the principles of the Faith. This well- received item costs about $8,000 to $9,000 each year. Guides. Visitors to the House of Worship are greeted by volun- Got a new address? MOVING? Got a new tele- phone number? Don't forget to let your local community secretary and the National Spiritual Assembly know about your new address and phone number right away so there will be no interruption in receiving your Bahá'í mail. For your convenience, there is an address form on the last page of this issue of The Amer- ican Bahá'í. Simply put it in an envelope and mail to: Bahá'í National Center, Office of Membership and Records, Wil- mette, IL 60091. Teaching Fever Is CONTAGIOUS!- I have YOU Caught the Fever Yet? of $25,000 per year. Programs. An additional $20,000 is spent each year for pro- gram development. This includes the presentation of special public meetings, Holy Day observances and celebrations, weekly devo- tional programs, etc. Among the other expenses that must come out of the total House of Worship Activities bud- get (which is $120,000 this year) is $3,000 for a full-page ad that ap- pears yearly in Chicago, a pub- lication of the Chicago Conven- tion and Tourism Bureau which receives international distribution. Requests for information about the House of Worship have been received from all over the U.S. and from as far away as Belgium. An annual $350 membership fee to the Bureau allows the com- mittee access to information on all convention groups visiting Chi- cago. Invitations to visit the House of Worship have been sent to every convention over the past three years; 290 invitations have been extended this year alone. Many of these organizations have printed this information in their publica- tions and several have scheduled large tours. TO VISITORS, one of the most attractive features of the House of Worship is the gardens. The en- virons of the Temple are kept looking their best through much hard work and considerable ex- pense. Here are some examples of typi- cal expenditures to beautify the Temple grounds: From March through Novem- ber a dazzling array of flowers adorns each garden. The tulips, which emerge first after the long Chicago winter, often seem the most beautiful. Twelve thousand tulip bulbs are purchased every year at a cost of $250 per thousand. More than 1,000 bulbs are planted in each of the large gardens, and 3,000 are planted in the rectangular plot at the front approach to the build- ing. Planting, cultivating and maintaining the display beds within all of the nine gardens from March through November costs more than $18,900 a year. Grounds work at the House of Worship has been budgeted this year at about $160,000. Examples of expenditures for this type of work are: ance. $16,200 for lawn mainten- $2,300 for annual plants. $3,200 for tree maintenance. $3,200 for the maintenance of the hedges throughout the gardens and perimeters. $1,500 for rose garden care. $4,300 for equipment service and repair. $1,500 for snow removal. $3,200 for general area clean- ing (litter pick-up, etc.). Labor costs for maintaining a full-time crew that last year work- ed 19,000 man-hours beautifying the grounds. THIS past summer the Grounds Department performed major re- pairs in addition to the regular seasonal work. Following the extensive work done on the apron and walkway of the House of Worship, two gar- dens required restoration (re- sodding, replanting, etc.). Rail- road tie retaining walls for erosion control were placed in the parking lot area and along the Sheridan Road perimeter. Numerous expenses are in- curred in the basic operations of the Temple, some of which are not as readily apparent as the work ac- complished in the gardens: Property insurance will cost $10,500 this year. Liability insurance costs $1,100 a year. 0 Electricity costs average $2,700 per month. . Water/sewer costs were $2,700 last year. Heating costs exceeded $48,000 last year. • One recent month's labor charges for maintenance service calls alone exceeded $8,000. Addi- tionally, there are a number of maintenance contracts and out- side professional service and re- pair fees for everything from a photocopier to plumbing. Visitors can see a slide pre- sentation in Foundation Hall that serves as a basic introduction to the Faith. Within the last year and a half, $5,000 has been allocated to upgrade audio-visual equip- ment at the Temple, with the re- sult that developing new, multi- image slide programs can now be done inexpensively. For example, the cost of the soon-to-be-com- pleted introductory program will only be about $1,200, complete with multi-imagery and original music, thanks to the improved equipment and volunteer help. A comparable audio-visual pro- gram would have cost several thousand dollars if produced by a public relations firm. A security staff must be main- tained at the National Center, and the largest portion of the security budget of $168,000 is attributable to the House of Worship's special requirements as a unique religious bhows Exterior view showing some of the exquisite ornamentation of the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wil- mette, Illinois. structure that is open to the pub- the friends in Iran a story of sac- lic. rifice by a western woman, whose spirit of love we might all strive to emulate: THE EXAMPLES listed above are paid for by contributions to the National Fund. In addition, long-term maintenance and im- provement of the House of Wor- ship must be planned. These major capital projects are financed by a separate fund de- rived from estate bequests and earmarked contributions. The role that the House of Worship must play in teaching takes on added significance at this time of emergence from obscurity. For the potential of the Temple as a teaching instrument to be ade- quately realized, while at the same time accomplishing the other ob- jectives of our national commu- nity, we must have a healthy Na- tional Fund. Can any level of sacrifice in support of the work of the Cause at this time fall short of the high example set for us during the con- struction of the Mother Temple of the West? 'Abdu'l-Bahá once shared with Medical text quotes Bahá'í Writings The first edition of the medical textbook Biochemistry, a part of the Little, Brown Medical Review Series used in medical schools throughout the country to explain the fundamentals of biochemistry to medical students, includes in its $2,000 for reflecting pool preface a quotation from Glean- maintenance. ings from the Writings of Bahá- • $2,600 for interior house plants. 'u'lláh. The textbook, published in 1977, was written by Dr. Paul Jay Friedman, a Bahá'í who now lives in Leawood, Kansas. The quotation used in the book is as follows: "All the atoms of the earth bear witness, O my Lord, to the greatness of Thy power and of Thy sovereignty; and all the signs of the universe at- test to the glory of Thy might." "...the edifice of the Mash- riqu'l-Adhkár is being raised in the very heart of the American continent, and numerous souls from the surrounding regions are contributing for the erection of this holy Temple. "Among these is a highly es- teemed lady of the city of Man- chester, who hath been moved to offer her share. Having no por- tion of goods and earthly riches, she sheared off with her own hands the fine, long and precious tresses that adorned her head so gracefully, and offered them for sale, that the price thereof might promote the cause of the Mash- riqu'l-Adhkár...Ponder and re- flect how mighty and potent hath the Cause of God become! "A woman of the west hath given her hair for the glory of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. Nay, this is but a lesson unto them that per- ceive." Bahá'í set to appear on ABC-TV in January The interview on the ABC-TV program "20/20" with Reinee Pasarow, a member of the Bahá'í community of Encino, California, is now set for nationwide broad- cast on January 27. During the interview, which concerns a "near death experi- ence," Mrs. Pasarow mentions the Faith. [Page 23]

Ten years ago... in The American Bahá’í

As the Nine Year Plan enters its closing months, the International Goals Committee reports that we are in clear sight of accomplishing the "lion's share" of goals assigned to the U.S. by the Universal House of Justice.

Teams of traveling teachers are assigned to certain areas of the world to carry out specific tasks, which proves to be an effective teaching activity, according to the Goals Committee, which plans to organize more international traveling trips...

The National Spiritual Assembly appoints Mabel Garis of Amherst, Massachusetts, as its United Nations observer, succeeding Mary Sawicki who becomes the executive assistant to Dr. Victor de Araujo, the UN representative for the Bahá’í International Community.

Mrs. Garis, who also serves on the UN Association's committees for environment and economic and social affairs, participates in weekly briefings with other representatives of the UN's Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)...

Two hundred seventy-five Bahá’ís from seven states and Canada attend a deepening conference November 11-12 in Virginia, Minnesota.

Speakers include Auxiliary Board member Peter Khan who discusses "How to Live the Spiritual Life in a Material World" and Ruth Hampson and Chuy Villagomez, two Bahá’ís from the National Center.

As a result of teaching activities during the conference, the goal town of Moorhead now has 10 adult believers, and the formation of an Assembly there is anticipated...

United Nations Day is observed in Alameda, California, with good newspaper and radio publicity. The friends there also distribute posters and flyers announcing a Bahá’í-sponsored program that features two films, "And His Name Shall Be One" and a film from the UN...

The Spiritual Assembly of Aynor, South Carolina, follows a weekend proclamation effort with a weekend institute and weekly deepening classes.

The friends proclaim the Faith to every home in Aynor and adopt Galivant's Ferry as an extension teaching goal...

About 25 Bahá’ís and their guests participate in a World Peace Day picnic sponsored by the Bahá’í communities of Whittier and Whittier J.D., California ...

House Resolution regarding Iran

The resolution on the Committee on Foreign Affairs is similar to the resolution on Iran passed earlier this year by the House and Senate, except that this resolution is far broader and more inclusive.

According to Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the resolution is the result of the full year of work done by the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations, the same body before which the Bahá’ís testified last May 25.

"When this latest resolution lists religious persecutions throughout the world, it lists the Bahá’ís ahead of everyone else," says Dr. Kazemzadeh, who was one of four Bahá’ís who testified before the House subcommittee.

The recently introduced resolution reaffirms the traditional position of the U.S. government on freedom of religion and addresses itself specifically to the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran:

"Whereas, in Iran the Bahá’í community has been singled out for extermination by the Islamic authorities solely because of their faith (as evidenced by the execution of more than 100 Bahá’ís; by the disappearance, torture, persecution and harassment of Bahá’ís; by the desecration of Bahá’í shrines and cemeteries and by Bahá’ís being deprived of personal property and employment) and the barbaric attacks on these gentle people continue and their situation grows more desperate."

THE resolution condemns all forms of religious persecution and discrimination, and adds:

"...the President and other offical representatives of the United States (1) should work for the establishment at the 39th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of a working group on the elimination of all forms of religious persecution and discrimination; (2) should, at every opportunity, raise the issue of violations of freedom of religion and belief at any appropriate international forum; and (3) should encourage the United Nations regional organizations and individual governments (a) to condemn all forms of religious persecution and discrimination whenever and wherever they occur, and (b) to adopt effective measures to eliminate all forms of religious persecution and discrimination.

"In addition," the resolution continues, "it is the sense of the Congress that the President should give high priority to reviewing United States policy toward international treaties which seek to protect against persecution and discrimination on the basis of religion."

The clause in the resolution that calls for the creation of a working group within the UN Human Rights Commission is of particular importance, says Dr. Kazemzadeh, because, if successful, it would create within the UN an agency that would be constantly monitoring the status of human rights throughout the world and would be giving continuing reports to the UN Commission on Human Rights of any violations of such rights.

HOUSE Concurrent Resolution 433 is signed by Democrats Donald Bonker of Washington state (for himself); Michael D. Barnes of Maryland; Mervin Dymally of California; Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, and Benjamin Rosenthal of New York; and by Republicans Millicent Fenwick of New Jersey; Jim Leach of Iowa; John E. Porter of Illinois, and Joel Pritchard of Washington state.

As of December 15, the House had not yet acted on the concurrent resolution. By calling it a concurrent resolution, says Dr. Kazemzadeh, the hope is expressed that the Senate will act favorably upon it and indeed make it concurrent.

Orcella Rexford

After teaching there, they returned to the mainland for extensive traveling teaching work.

When speaking to an audience on various topics including diet, fashion or interior decorating, Orcella would refer them to a presentation on the Faith that would follow the paid lecture.

Her teaching method was fruitful. In Denver, for example, 1,800 people attended meetings on each of two nights to hear her speak about the Faith, and a study class of 435 people was formed.

At one time or another Orcella spoke in California, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida. She also traveled to Mexico.

IN 1926 the Gregorys received permission to visit the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in Haifa, and afterward returned to the U.S. with renewed spiritual strength.

In Phoenix, Arizona, Orcella was injured in a fall, an accident that was to end her career as a lecturer. After convalescing in Hollywood, California, she attended the 38th Bahá’í National Convention in Wilmette, Illinois, and on her way home spoke about the Faith in various cities and at the Geyserville (California) Bahá’í School.

Three months later, on August 11, 1946, Orcella Rexford passed away suddenly.

Among the many tributes that came from all over the world was one from Mamie L. Seto who wrote of Orcella, "...she gave one of the most convincing opening talks on the Faith I have ever heard...I can think of few people who loved a new idea as much as Orcella did...She was born to conquer and overcome those obstacles which stand between one and his goal..."

The Guardian cabled to Dr. Gregory: "Deplore loss indefatigable, gifted promoter Faith. Heartfelt sympathy. Fervent prayers. Shoghi."

Orcella Rexford's earthly remains were laid to rest in Inglewood Park Cemetery, near the grave of Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í.

Dr. Carney special guest as Bahá’í Club inaugurated at Colorado's Mesa College

Dr. Magdalene M. Carney (second from left), assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, is shown during her visit last October 9-12 to Grand Junction, Colorado, to help inaugurate the Bahá’í Association at Mesa College. With Dr. Carney are (left to right) Dan Beard, president of the Bahá’í Association; its faculty sponsor, Don Meyers; and the Association secretary, Mary Frances Pool.

Dr. Magdalene M. Carney, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, visited Grand Junction, Colorado, last October 9-12 to help initiate the Bahá’í Association at Mesa College.

During her visit Dr. Carney participated in firesides and deepenings, spoke at a public meeting at the college on the topic "The Destiny of America: A Bahá’í Perspective," attended a prayer breakfast and took part in a nature walk at the Colorado National Monument.

The Mesa College Bahá’í Association, thus suitably launched, sponsored a UN Day observance November 24 that included a presentation of the video tape of Congressional hearings on the persecutions in Iran.

Weekly firesides are being held, and as a follow-up to the observance of the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Ruth Hampson of Canon City, Colorado, spoke on "Prophecy Fulfilled."

The Mesa College club presently consists of three students, one alumna, two immediate family members, and a sponsor who is studying the Faith.

In Memoriam

John Alexander Yazoo City, MS January 1982

Harley M. Beasley Laramie, WY November 6, 1982

Miss Delia Brandin Fresno, CA March 1982

A. Haskell Drymon Lompoc, CA November 10, 1982

Mrs. Mamie Gaines Greenville, SC 1981

Mrs. Olive Graham University City, MO June 1982

Miss Jofreh Jananpour Encino, CA October 2, 1982

Mrs. Margot Johnson Batavia, IL November 19, 1982

Mohtaram Keredian Concord, CA November 28, 1982

Watkins LeClaire Warm Springs, OR Date Unknown

George D. Miller Butte, MT November 4, 1982

Mrs. Glovie Reid Cleveland, OH October 18, 1982

Mrs. Emma Schiller Lemon Grove, CA November 15, 1982

Lonnie Sheppard Salisbury, MD September 15, 1982

James Thomason Greenville, SC Date Unknown

Thomas Walker Sr. Fresno, CA Date Unknown

Martin A. Wynne Twentynine Palms, CA November 20, 1982 [Page 24]

Ads

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housing (if necessary), board negotiable. An excellent opportunity for service for the right person. References required. Please write to Mrs. Jene Bellows, Skokie, IL 60076, or phone 312-677-3663.

LOOKING for a place for a community retreat? Attractive accommodations, good food and tranquil surroundings are available at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan from January 28-30, February 4-6 and 18-20, March 4-6 and 18-20, and weekends in the spring at reasonable rates. Phone 313-653-5033 or write to the school at Davison, MI 48423.

WANTED: Good quality slide projector for use in teaching and deepening work at a pioneer post. We are looking for a projector that has trays or carousels for ease of transport and use. Also, a cassette recorder for use with A-V presentations and for copying cassettes of Writings in the local Creole language. All reasonable offers considered. Please write (air mail) to Dean and Lenore Martineau, 18 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 97200 Fort-de-France, Martinique, French West Indies, or phone 596-70-38-49.

PRINEVILLE, Oregon, needs Bahá’ís to help strengthen and consolidate its Assembly status. Ideal for a deepened, self-supporting couple or professionals who would enjoy the serene environment of a high-desert community of about 6,500. For more information please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Eugene, P.O. Box 10743, Eugene, OR 97401, or telephone Suzanne Mann at 503-484-9565.

THE BAHÁ’Í community of Santee, California, needs active and enthusiastic adult Bahá’ís to maintain its Assembly status. If you have lived in the East or Midwest, you’ll appreciate the wonderful Southern California weather in Santee. For more information please contact Farzaneh Taifoori, secretary, P.O. Box 614, Santee, CA 92071.

RETIRED? Want to get away from city life? Financially secure and don’t need work? The Spiritual Assembly of Illinois Valley in southwestern Oregon needs more “helping hands.” There’s just not enough of us to accomplish all we’d like to do, and there is a possibility of becoming jeopardized. Illinois Valley is the home of the Oregon Caves, surrounded by the wild beauty of wilderness areas—a lovely place for those who long to breathe clean air, have a small farm, or hunt, fish, raft, etc. A redwood forest is nearby and the famous coastline is a short distance away. Housing is no problem. Any Bahá’í willing to work hard with us would be most welcome. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Illinois Valley, P.O. Box 973, Cave Junction, OR 97523, or phone 503-592-2863.

A PARENT CONFERENCE sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Grand Island, Nebraska, will be held May 7-8, 1983, near Aurora, Nebraska. Details will be provided in a forthcoming issue of The American Bahá’í. For information, please phone Mrs. Gwen Parmenter, 308-381-1112.

A BAHÁ’Í pioneer to Belize, a registered nurse who is employed by the government of Belize in a health clinic, writes that there is a desperate need for equipment and supplies such as sterile bandages, hypodermic needles, vitamins with iron, antibiotics, and lab supplies including blood and urine testing equipment, etc. A Bahá’í friend of the nurse needs ideas about how to help, including information about how to establish a foundation or charity organization. Please write to Mrs. Cher Weimer-Gutta, Palos Hills, IL 60465.

Letters

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us, what He has given to us. Why do we doubt that if we give of our goods, give of our time, give of our lives, that He will not come to our aid and fill our fountains again?

Can you imagine giving a gift to Bahá’u’lláh and having the bounty of Him accepting it! How can we deprive ourselves of this incredible bounty!

Anne Anderson

Prineville, Oregon

To the Editor:

It seems to me that extensive deepening is needed on two subjects: (1) the Day in which we are living, and (2) who we, the avowed followers of Bahá’u’lláh, are.

Bahá’u’lláh tells us of the first, saying, “That which hath been made manifest in this pre-eminent, this most exalted Dispensation, standeth unparalleled in the annals of the past, nor will future ages witness its like.” (Guidance for Today and Tomorrow, p. 147)

How fortunate we are to be alive today, conscious of this Day!

The Universal House of Justice informs us of who we are, saying, “The mighty ones of this world rejected the call of Bahá’u’lláh, and it is now upon us ordinary men and women that He has conferred the inestimable bounty of raising up the Kingdom of God on earth.” (Letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated December 29, 1970)

What a bounty we have been given, and what a responsibility!

Our long-suffering brethren in Iran fully understand both these subjects. When we American Bahá’ís achieve their plane of understanding, we will become “martyrs” of a sort, dying to live our Faith.

An important way to do so is to make regular and sacrificial contributions to the Bahá’í Funds.

George Savitt

Miami, Florida

To the Editor:

In the August issue of The American Bahá’í you printed a letter from me concerning the peace movement.

I suggested that it could present a great opportunity for Bahá’ís to teach the Bahá’í peace plan and Bahá’í teachings in general. Since then, I’ve had an opportunity to do just that.

The Spiritual Assembly of Santa Rosa received an invitation to participate in a planning meeting arranged by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Catholic Worker for a major event called an “Interfaith Day Against the Arms Race” with Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit as the keynote speaker. I was named to represent the Assembly at this first session.

What followed is an example of what Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings can do if we have the courage to speak out.

At the beginning of the session there was talk of having three main speakers; prominent political names were mentioned.

I said that this would then be an event of talk, talk, talk with VIPs pushing their programs. I suggested that we make the event a people or folk day with art, music, crafts and work sessions. The result:

1. One speaker instead of three with an opportunity for at least 10 “ordinary” people to give three-minute talks on their thoughts and feelings about peace. Approved.

2. CHANGE the name of the event from “Interfaith Day Against the Arms Race” to “Interfaith Peace Day,” thus eliminating the idea of force. Approved.

3. There was talk of civil disobedience. When I responded that no Bahá’í could accept this, the subject was dropped.

4. I mentioned that since the event was being sponsored by a religious faith, the underlying theme should be religious and should begin with readings about peace from the world’s religions. Approved.

Friends, there is an invincible power in our Cause that will topple all the walls of opposition—if we follow the instructions and act.

Charles Beachner

Santa Rosa, California

To the Editor:

Yet another book is out dealing with non-Christian religions which mentions the Faith, this time referring to it as a “cult.”

The book, written by Bob Larson and published by Tyndale Press, is entitled Larson’s Book of Cults.

The Bahá’í Faith is included because it is not an “evangelical Christian” religion, which is Mr. Larson’s criterion for calling any faith a cult.

Therefore, we are lumped together with other ‎religious religions‎ such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Krishna movement, Eckankar, and the Children of God.

Though Mr. Larson believes that he has based his account on substantial sources of information, one has only to read his “background sources” to see that his main references are previous books about cults, and non-Bahá’í magazine articles.

Though we can obviously see the flaws in such shallow research and reasoning, this type of book appeals to many people, making it extremely important that we be able to clearly show the true relationship of the Bahá’í Faith to Christianity when teaching Christians about the Promised Day.

Mark Nunley

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Your Turn

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reward on page 391 of The Advent of Divine Justice wherein ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that Bahá’u’lláh “once compared the colored people to the black pupil of the eye surrounded by the white. In this black pupil is seen the reflection of that which is before it, and through it the light of the spirit shineth forth.”

Christ did promise a spiritual kingdom, and as Bahá’ís we know that this kingdom is at hand.

W.F.D. Muhammad

Hartford, Connecticut

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday—Friday Phone 312-869-9039