The American Bahá’í/Volume 14/Issue 5/Text

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[Page 1]

1983

The American

Baha’i

Islamic judge: ‘No place in Iran for Baha’is’

The president of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Shir: Iran, is quoted in a newspaper ii terview as saying, ‘‘It is absolutely certain that in the Islamic Republic of Iran there is no place whatsoever for Baha’is and Baha’fism.””

THE interview with HojjatolIslam Qazai, which appeared in the February 22 edition of the daily newspaper Khabar-i-Junub, offers further evidence in support of what the Baha'is in Iran have always maintained, namely, that the government there is determined to eliminate the more active members of the Baha’i community, particularly those elected to Assemblies, in the hope that by coupling such action with constant pressure and harassment of* the mass of Baha’is, the Faith will be uprooted and destroyed.

“Before it is too late,’’ Mr. Qazai, who is also the religious judge in Shiraz, is quoted as saying, ‘the Baha’is should recant Baha’ism, which is condemned by reason and logic.

“Otherwise, the day will soon

The House of Justice forwards a prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in which mention is made of persecutions, martyrs. See Page 24.

come when the Islamic nation deal with the: accordance with its religious obligations, like it has dealt with other hypocrites who have appeared in more dangerous garb and have religious and satanic gatherings.’’

The Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, of which Mr. Qazai is president, has sentenced 22 Baha’fs to death, three of whomtwo men and one woman—were hanged in March.

Following are further excerpts from the interview with Mr. Qa

“The Iranian nation has arisen in accordance with Koranic teachings and by the will of God has determined to establish the Government of God on earth. “THEREFORE, it cannot tolerate the perverted Baha’is who are instruments of Satan and followers of the devil and of the super powers and their agents, such as the Universal House of

group desk).

Please confirm Convention plans

Time is growing short. Please be certain that you have received confirmation from the hotel for your housing reservations and from the Office of Membership at the Baha’i National Center for your seating reservations for the 74th Baha’i National Convention to be held May 26-29 at the McCormick Inn in Chicago.

Also, please be sure all children accompanying you have been

registered for the special children’s program.

Remember—this is the Memorial Day weekend and it may be difficult to secure travel reservations. The following special service numbers for the airlines may be of assistance:

American Airlines, 800-433-1790 (Texas, 800-792-1160); Northwest Orient Airlines, 800-328-7747 (Minnesota, 800-552-1290); Continental Airlines, 800-525-1130 (Colorado, 398-3000, ask for

Justice of Israel.

“It is absolutely certain that in the Islamic Republic of Iran there is no place whatsoever for Baha'is and Baha’ism ...

“We witness that these germs of corruption (Baha’is), who are offsprings of Satan and mercenary agents of the House of Justice of Israel,

have created, however

Shown (left to right) are Galadriel Billington, Michael Love, Jamaal Sneed, Unity Love, Gabriel Bil

ridiculously, a state within a state, and a government and administration different from that of Islam.

“It is laughable that in spite of this they claim to be loyal to the government and obedient to its laws. But this claim is a cover to hide their separation from the nation.

“The Baha'is of Iran have one-,

lington and Pani Land of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, after an Ayyém-i-Hé visit to a nursing

five--and 10-year plans, which are being formulated by the colonialist satans and are being executed by the followers of Bahda’ism. ...

“According to their religion, Baha’is consider themselves obligated to follow the Universal House of Justice, and the House of Justice is obligated according

See IRAN Page 23

home in Jacksonville Beach where they gave flowers to residents and spread Ayydm-i-Hia cheer.

Despite shortage, National Assembly raises budget goal

As the books are closed on one fiscal year and another is begun, the state of the National Fund is an important concern for the members of the American Baha’i

Goals Committee. Education.

Teaching 12-13 Business Ethics. 14-15 Classifieds . . 16 Race Unity 17 Persian . .

Publications +21 Spanish .. Vag Special Visits

The Media. .

In Memoriam.

community.

The contributions goal for B.E. 139 was not met, although, as of this writing (April 12) the exact contributions total is not known.

BY MID-APRIL, contributions for the year had reached $5,265,000. It was estimated that they would reach $5,700,000 before the end of the fiscal year on April 28.

That level of contributions would mean a shortfall of about $780,000 in the National Fund compared to last year’s minimum needs goal of $6,480,000.

One result of this situation is that the National Assembly has again been forced to secure a loan—this time for $120,000—to meet all of its obligations.

The effect of this development on the over-all condition of the

Fund has been a reversal of the progress the National Spiritual Assembly had made in repaying its bank debt.

As reported in the April issue of The American Baha’i, the total debt had been reduced to a balance of $360,000 by the end of March, down from a high in June 1981 of $900,000.

This progress has now been changed noticeably—the present loan balance is $480,000.

THE National Spiritual Assembly has, throughout all of the current fiscal year, curtailed spending by its committees and offices in an attempt to end the year as much under budget as possible.

Teaching plans, positions at the National Center, committee programs and expansion programs have been eliminated or reduced

to lessen the adverse impact of the contributions shortfall.

The net effect of the $780,000 deficit has been a decreased ability to meet the pressing demands of a vital, growing Faith.

At its meeting in March, the National Assembly consulted about last year’s contributions and planned its budget and National Fund contributions goal for the upcoming year.

In addition, the National Assembly took into consideration the goals given to the American community by the Universal House of Justice, the statements made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi about the unique station of the American Baha’i community, and the great capacity of the American believers.

FOLLOWING consultation on

these points, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided to push on, and has established an audacious National Fund goal for this year.

Rather than lessen its goals and expectations, the National Assembly has, with every anticipation of success, set forth the challenging contributions goal of $6,700,000, or $353,000 per Bahá’í month (about 18 per cent above last year’s actual contributions).

One of the most important factors in achieving this goal will be the continuity of contributions.

Historically, the first few months of a Baha’i year are not strong ones for the National Fund. This year, however, the National Spiritual Assembly is calling

See BUDGET Page 5

| ane REDRESS SS SS SSS

[Page 2]Ee ao PS VIEWPOINT

The American Baha’i

Feast letter

Ridvan brings hope, thankfulness

Dear Friends:

As you meet at Riḍván to offer prayers for our persecuted Iranian brothers and sisters, we join you in the ardent hope that their sacrifices are not in vain, that the trials inflicted on the Baha’i community result in its rapid expansion, that its will to victory be strengthened, and its life

spiritualized.

AT THE HOLY SHRINES in ‘Akká and Haifa we think of your steadfastness, of the time and energy you expend in the service of the Cause, and of the material sacrifices you make to ensure the achievement of the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

Our hearts are full of admiration for and gratitude to all of you who

have served on Local Spiritual Assemblies and on Jocal and

tional

committees, who have pioneered, traveled, conducted meetings and study classes, who have taught children, participated in the life of the summer schools, and have generously contributed to the various Funds.

Above all, we thank those who have manifested in their daily lives the transforming power of the Teachings of Baha'u'llah.

We hope and pray that in the difficult months and years that lie ahead the American Baha’i community, ever responsive to the guidance of the Universal House of Justice, will once again fulfill its high destiny.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Comment

Older Baha’is are valuable community

A strikingly lovely aspect of the Baha'i Faith is the principle that allows each human being to embrace the Cause of God and to work for that Cause in his or her unique and special way.

So it is that Baha’is, with such ideals before them, cherish the contributions of the very young, the talents of those with little or no formal education, the skills of men and women alike, and the services rendered by those who are very old as well.

OF THIS last group, with its many years of experience and achievement, there is much that can be said or written concerning its wealth of talent and untapped energies.

We seem to be content, however, on an individual and community level, to ignore these older members of the Faith, perhaps assuming that their years of work are finished.

Far too often, we likewise adopt the notion that they should quietly finish out their lives in a well-deserved vacation from work or effort.

Because of recent renewed enthusiasm for more fully involving a ET

The American Baha’i (USPS 042-430) Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536

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

‘Editor: Jack Bowers

‘Associate Bator: David B. Opron

‘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; color or black and white glossy photos should be included whenever possible. Address all materials to The Editor, The American Baha'i, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Copyright © 1983 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’fs of the United States. World, rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

The National Spiritual Assembly of

the Baha’fs of the United States

children, minority groups and others in Baha’f activities, it seems timely and appropriate to consider also the worth and involvement of older Baha'is.

Because of my contact with 92-year-old Alma Vernap, I am more convinced than ever that older Baha’is are no less valuable a resource than are other groups 4hat we are fond of isolating and then fostering.

ALMA breaks almost every rule we have arbitrarily set for older persons.

While in her 40s, during the great Depression, she moved with her husband and their three children to a farm in northern Ohio.

Having always lived in Cleveland, she had no experience with farm life; but with the help of pamphlets, the advice of neighbors, and much hard work, she lived on the farm, raising poultry and vegetables, and supplying much of the family’s food, until the children were grown.

After her husband’s death in 1945, Alma returned to schoolat age 57—and spent four years training to become a practical nurse.

Her specialty was home care for terminally ill cancer patients (it was cancer that had taken her husband’s life). She worked at that career, which she terms ‘‘rewarding,’’ until her ‘‘retirement’’ at age 74,

DURING those working years and afterward, Alma found time for extensive travel throughout the U.S. and Europe. She visited family members, toured museums, and took large numbers of photos.

Even today, compiling photo

More than 250 people attended a gala Naw-Riz celebration hosted by the Sparks-Reno, Nevada, Baha’f communities that featured

This month’s article was written by Kathleen Millhoff, a Baha’f from the U.S. who is presently pioneering to Saipan, a Pacific island in the central Marianas.

albums and corresponding with family and friends consumes a large part of her busy schedule.

Alma lives alone in an apartment, and does her own cooking, shopping and errands. Since many members of her large family live nearby, she has many visitors and frequently is invited to parties or other gatherings.

Alma was 67 when she declared her belief in Bahd’u’ll4h. Introduced to the Faith by a daughter, she was first attracted by the warmth of the friends and the informal manner of worship.

“‘] liked it,”” she says, “‘because you weren’t following anyone like a priest.’”

Alma has served Baha’i communities in New Jersey and Ohio, and for many years was the community librarian in Kettering, Ohio.

THIS brief, and perhaps incomplete, portrait is not painted here to try and set Alma Vernap apart from or above other older Baha'is.

Rather, it is meant to show that many of our ideas about older people, which seem to have become sancrosanct, may be in need of revision. é

“I was never set in my ways,’” says Alma. In her middle years she chose to alter radically her lifestyle. Later, she again regrouped her energies to undertake a new career.

As an older person, she found a spiritual rebirth in her acceptance

Irish, Persian, Gypsy and Native

American entertainment. The event was well-publicized in local newspapers, and many of the Ba of the Baha’i Faith. None of these changes and adjustments seems to be the kind we have come to expect from “‘older people.’’ Yet they are real, and by no means unique.

If we accept the idea that an older person can change, serve and contribute, what can we then do to facilitate such involvement?

Communities can make certain that transportation is available, not only for routine errands, but to community events and activities.

THE Spiritual Assembly can consult with the older believer about how he or she can best work for the Faith and contribute to the community’s efforts.

Often, work can be done for the community during the day when many people are busy at work or with a household. Some activities that are usually done at a par ha’fs who were present said it was the best Naw-Riz observance they had ever attended.

resource

ticular location can be done over the telephone.

For example, an older believer might help children to learn prayers. and passages from the Writings over the phone.

If, as sometimes happens, there has been a loss of hearing or visjon, meetings and activities can be altered to accommodate those difficulties.

Overriding any specific suggestions, however, is the broader concept that there is no room in the Baha’i Faith for discarding such a valuable resource as the encee and talents of any indivi ual,

“All are endowed with talents and faculties,”’ ‘Abdu’!-Bahá has written. The community of Baha’is has every opportunity to manifest the truth of that statement.

Business Committee’s third conference draws 73 from 8-state area to Atlanta

Seventy-three people from eight states attended the third regional conference of the newly formed Business and Professional Affairs Committee held February 12 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Larry Miller of Roswell, Georgia, vice-chairman of the committee, spoke on achieving Baha’i excellence at work.

His fellow committee member, Robert Henderson of Roswell, spoke on the importance of reaching people in the professions with the Message of Bahd’u’ll4h as a response to the desire of the Universal House of Justice that prominent people be given the Message as well as all mankind.

Wilma Brady, like Dr. Hen derson a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, was to have addressed the conference, but was unable to reach Atlanta because of a snowstorm on the East Coast.

Workshops were held after each of the talks in which participants shared their concerns and set forth ideas about ways in which to proclaim and teach the Faith in the workplace,

In the evening, those who could stay were treated to films including ‘‘The Pilgrimage.”

At least two states, North Carolina and Florida, were planning follow-up conferences.

The Atlanta conference was hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of North DeKalb County.

en RS RS SS ES

[Page 3]

LETTERS

May 1983

3

How we live is more important than where

To the Editor:

Karen Tarlo’s letter (October 1982) urging Baha'is in larger communities to homefront pioneer includes three assumptions that I feel the need to answer.

These assumptions reflect a point of view that is heard fairly often, and their publication seems an appropriate occasion on which to air another way of looking at the issue.

THE FIRST assumption in Ms. Tarlo’s letter concerns the passage quoted from Citadel of Faith.

Ms. Tarlo draws an implicit parallel between the Guardian’s letter to “American Baha'is in the Time of World Peril’? and the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

In making this connection she expresses an attitude found among some members of the community that the Guardian, in urging American Baha'is to leave the larger cities, was delineating a spiritual obligation.

My own understanding is that the Tablets of the Divine Plan is “Abdu’l-Baha’s commission to the North American Baha’i community to carry the Faith to all parts of the world; that it is our “‘mandate’’ (as the Universal House of Justice has stated), our charter for teaching, and that it does lay a spiritual obligation upon the Baha'is of North America collectively.

Shoghi Effendi did not, to my knowledge, ever refer to the quoted passage in such terms. The global plans promulgated by the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice are all based on the Tablets of the Divine Plan and constantly make references to that document.

BUT there is a difference between what was written as guidance for us in carrying out a particular phase of the Master’s Plan, and that Plan itself.

The passage on pp. 127-28 in Citadel of Faith is often selected by individuals for quotation and special attention, as though it held primacy among the writings of the Guardian.

I have seen nothing in his writings or elsewhere to indicate that either he or the Universal House of Justice has conferred extra spiritual weight on these paragraphs. In other words, those who. live in larger cities are not neglect ing a spiritual duty thereby.

It has been pointed out that when the Guardian wrote that letter, a much larger proportion of the U.S. population was found in rural areas and small towns than is the case today. There was an urgent need to achieve more balance and to establish the Faith in regions where the majority of the people lived.

While I do not have current population figures at hand, I wonder if today the majority of the U.S. population would not be found in large metropolitan areas,

while the majority of Baha’fs live outside such areas.

IT HAS also been pointed out that the Guardian’s letter was written at a particular time and under particular circumstances during the Ten Year Crusade. Indeed, the letter itself states that the special efforts called for are needed in “‘the year now entered,”” which was B.E. 111.

True, much of the letter can be applied to our present situation. Yet it need not be regarded as an order to us for all time.

Clearly, many individuals are moved to act upon these exhortations, and that is all to the good. But our present goals are found in the Seven Year Plan, which, while calling for “tan unprecedented increase in the number of avowed adherents of the Faith,” does not specify where these adherents are to be found, nor does it require an exodus from the cities as a precondition for such increase.

Finally, the passage states that 15 adult believers in each city would be adequate for “‘the maintenance of their local spiritual assemblies.””

Please note that ‘‘maintenance’ is not the same as efficient administration and vigorous prosecution of the teaching work. Who can say that 15 adult believers constitutes a community of the ideal size to teach the Faith to a city of several hundred thousand?

BY comparison, such a proportion of Baha’is to non-Bahda’is in an overseas goal area might well be regarded as cause for great alarm and pressing appeals for pioneers!

This last point leads to the second assumption in Ms. Tarlo’s letter. In her imaginary classified ad, the Big City Assembly tells the friends to “‘Get out! We don’t need you here!””

If 1 have learned one thing in nine years as a Baha’i and two years of inquiry before that, it is that no city, lage, country, land or territory has enough active, deepened Bahá’ís.

The need for Baha’is is urgent everywhere, and it is misleading to suggest that “‘the progress of the Cause’’ demands that we live in one place as opposed to another.

The third assumpti “neglect and apathy.”

It appears from Ms. Tarlo’s concluding paragraphs that she feels that not to leave the cities is the equivalent of falling into neglect and apathy.

WHILE it is indeed more difficult to keep the Faith at the center of one’s life when there are other things in the environment to engage one’s mind, it does not follow that all city Baha’is are apathetic.

I wish I could depict adequately the lives of some of my fellow believers in Philadelphia. The people who are struggling to lead exem

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, Baha’f National Center, Wilmette, TL 60091.

plary Baha’i lives in the middle of a decadent society, who center their energies in teaching, who expend their last drops of energy and resources for the Causethese people, wherever they live, are performing daily acts of heroism.

None of my remarks is meant to’ imply that city life is preferable to or more meritorious than homefront pioneering. I do not believe that; indeed, there are many good reasons why homefront pioneering is probably the wiser choice for many.

I simply want to make this point: how we live is more important than where we live.

At the risk of becoming too commercial, I would like to mention that the most balanced discussion I ever heard on the subject was a talk by Dr. Peter Khan at the 1980 Massanetta Springs Conference.

The talk, entitled “‘Pioncering and Leaving the Cities,’’ is available on tape from Images International.

Lorraine Appelbaum Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

To the Editor:

I found the “‘Comment”’ article by Edward Bartlett in the February issue of The American Baha’i to be well thought out, well written and timely.

I also found it heartwarming, a feeling that sprang from the realization that I am not alone in my thinking.

Mr. Bartlett’s comments, in my opinion, should not be allowed to pass unnoticed. His ‘‘check list’’ deserves to be the basis for a study, program to promote personal and community growth and behavior modification. It provides a framework for putting the Faith into ac tion. Janice Gray Los Angeles, California

To the Editor:

A recent letter in The American Baha’i said that according to prophecy the Caucasian race will be largely destroyed through the destruction of North America and Europe.

It would be helpful if writers would give references for prophecies. I know of no Baha’i writings that say this.

THERE are warnings that this sort of thing could happen if nothing is done to alleviate various conditions. But there are also many references prophesying that America will be the spiritual leader of the world and the herald of world peace.

In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Baha writes in the Tablet to the Western States that America will become united, then unite Europe, Africa and the whole world.

If every white person were to disappear from the face of the earth, prejudice would still be rampant. If every Baha'i today were ‘purified of his prejudice, with every new Baha’i there would again be prejudice among us.

When people join the Faith in troops and we become a refuge for the world’s hapless millions, every sin imaginable will be among us. People don’t become perfect by embracing the Faith. It takes long, hard work and self-discipline.

The Faith needs heroes. Baha’ is in the past earned their stations. Now those of us who are black, Native American, Asian, Eskimo or from any minority group must earn their spiritual station by living close to and loving their white brothers and sisters regardless of the attributes of those Baha’is and regardless of their own fears, distrust or hurt.

THIS selflessness and detachment is the only way Baha’i progress is ever made. The Baha'is who are white have exactly the same directive.

There is no way America can attain its God-ordained destiny as long as the Baha’is choose to separate themselves by race (or ethnic background, age, sex, education, intellect, economic level, and so on).

The ‘‘catastrophe’’ we speak of has been going on for nearly a century and a half now, and will

continue until we do our part, which is to show the world that people of all races can live together in love in spite of the past because they love God and wish human life on this planet to continue.

If you care about the unity of the Faith, or the injustice to minorities, or nuclear attack, or God, then ‘‘Be a sign of love, a manifestation of mercy, a fountain of tenderness, kind-hearted, good to all, and gentle to the servants of God, and especially those who bear relation to thee, both men and women. Bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people, and confront them not save with kindness, with great love and good wishes.”’ (Tablets of

• Abdu’l-Bahaé, Vol. III, pp.

619-20) Rouha Rose Normandy Park, Washington

A recent editorial in The American Baha’i which discussed the peace movement in this country indicated that Baha’is should not become involved in public demonstrations on this issue. I do not think that this is a correct understanding of the Baha’i teachings.

Shoghi Effendi has stated that it is not only permissible to participate in demonstrations, but that Baha’ is have a moral obligation to do so when others are publicly voicing vital Baha’i principles.

INDEED, to remain silent or indifferent in such circumstances would open the Baha’i community

See LETTERS Page 28

David S. Ruhe

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[Page 4]

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The American Baha’i

4b

FANNY A. KNOBLOCH

Fanny A. Knobloch first learned of the Baha’i Faith in Washington, D.C., from the renowned scholar, Mirza Abu’l-Fadl.

Even so, it was only after attending Baha’i classes for two years that she decided to embrace: the Cause. Eventually, her entire family became Baha'is.

BORN in Bautzen, Germany, on December 22, 1859, Miss Knobloch used her own earnings in the U.S. to enable her sister, Alma, to travel to Germany as a Baha’i pioneer in 1907 and to remain there until 1920 to help in firmly establishing the Faith in that country.

Fanny joined the teaching efforts during visits to Germany and while in France and Switzerland in 1913. She would later pioneer herself to South Africa for five years during the 1920s.

In 1908 Miss Knobloch, with her two sisters, had the privilege of visiting ‘Abdu’l-Baha in ‘Akká. Later, she recalled her happiness in meeting Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf; Munirih Khánum, the wife of ‘Abdu’l-Baháé; and Shoghi Effendi, the future Guardian of the Faith, as well as other members of the Holy Family.

“A strange and unknown feeling possessed me while in the presence of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf,’’ she said. “Possibly it can be described as a feeling of awe, a feeling very unfamiliar to me.

“Later, however, I realized that I had been in the presence of the greatest, the most holy woman in the history of the world—the Greatest Holy Leaf, the daughter of the Manifestation of God, Baha’u’llah.””

WHEN the group of pilgrims was leaving at the end of their nine-day stay, the Master observed, ‘You are not weeping?

See KNOBLOCH Page 25

Doris Holley, longtime pioneer, dies in Ireland

FOLLOWING CABLE DESPATCHED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

IRELAND:

PASSING DISTINGUISHED MAIDSERVANT BAHA’U’LLAH DORIS HOLLEY ROBS IRISH BAHA’{ COMMUNITY OUTSTANDING MEMBER ACTIVELY ASSOCIATED EARLY DAYS

FORMATIVE AGE CAUSE.

STAUNCH SUPPORT CLOSE COOPERATION

HER STERLING SERVICES IN

HANDCAUSE

HORACE HOLLEY WERE LATER ENRICHED AS PIONEER CONTINENTAL EUROPE AND FINALLY HER DEARLY LOVED

IRELAND.

HER CHEERFUL GENEROUS SPIRIT CONTRIB UTED CORDIALITY UNITY MANY BAHA’{ OCCASIONS. ASSURE LOVING PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE.

Doris Pascal Holley, who served on several national committees in this country, and who, following the death of her husband, the Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, pioneered first to Switzerland and later to Ireland, died April 4 in a Dublin hospital at the age of 88.

HER service record in the U.S. includes membership on the Contacts Committee (1925); the Public Relations Committee (194850); the Baha’i News Editorial Committee (1949-50 and 1951-5: the Temple Hospitality Committee (1953-58), serving most of that time as committee chairman; and the National Spiritual Assembly's Reviewing Committee (1958-60).

Born August 27, 1894, in London, England, Doris Pascal grew up in the West Indies after her father, a pianist at the Royal Academy of Music in London, contracted tuberculosis and moved the family to the Caribbean to help improve his health.

APRIL 4, 1983

She became a Baha’i in New York City in 1919 and was married to Horace Holley that same year.

During the years that Mr. Holley served as secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mrs. Holley regularly provided hospitality for the members during breaks in their meetings at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Wilmette, and also entertained numerous visitors to the eel Quds.

In January 1960 Mr. and Mrs. Holley left Wilmette for their new residence at the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, where Mr. Holley died only six months later.

IT WAS then that Mrs. Holley began her pioneering services, first in Switzerland where she remained for 12 years.

In the early 1970s she moved to Limerick, Ireland, serving as a member of that community’s Spiritual Assembly.

She later served on three other

DORIS PASCAL HOLLEY

Spiritual Assemblies in Ireland during more than a decade of pioneering service in that country.

There was a mutual attraction between Mrs. Holley and the Irish Baha’i youth, and she spent considerable time with the young people and was involved in many of their activities.

Mrs. Holley returned to Switzerland several times to attend summer or winter schools. She also made several trips back to the U.S., stopping in Wilmette during her last visit about five years ago.

Friends recall her candidness and a marvelous sense of humor that never failed her during her long and distinguished career of service to the Cause.

Several guests join Baha’is at Texas Ayyam-i-Ha party

About 50 Baha’is and their guests, adults and children, from Karnack, Texarkana, Naples, Marshall, Longview and Hallsville, Texas, participated February 27 in an Ayydm-i-Hé celebration at the Baha'i Center in Karnack.

Among the guests were the Rev. Robert Johnson, who has printed several complimentary articles about the Faith in his publication, “The First Amendment,” and his wife and children; and Mrs. Jean Brown Bradix, director of the Marshall Housing Authority.

In addition to gifts, refreshments, and a pifiata for the children, there was a brief explanation of the occasion by Fuad AkhtarKhavari.

Musicians are served

at Baha’i ‘restaurant’

In March, Baha'is in Vermont found a way to be of service to the people of their state when they rearranged one of their homes to provide a ‘‘restaurant’’? where they prepared and served dinner to more than 50 members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, which was performing in Burlington.

Because of a spring blizzard one busload of orchestra members couldn’t make it to Burlington while half a dozen other members had to spend the night and part of the following day at the Baha’i “restaurant”?

Lydia Martin dies; was on first Interracial Teaching Committee

KINDLY CONVEY FOLLOWING TO COUNSELLOR SARAH PEREIRA: ‘LOVINGLY SYMPATHIZE LOSS YOUR DEAR SISTER LYDIA MARTIN. BE ASSURED OUR ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES FOR PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM AND ON BEHALF YOURSELF AND CARLOS.”

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Lydia J. Martin, who was a member in 1953 of the first Baha’ Interracial Teaching Committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, died March 30 at Arlington Hospital in Virginia from the effects of a long illness that had become progressively worse during the last two to three years.

MISS MARTIN, an educator and librarian by profession, was the sister of Counsellor Sarah M. Pereira and daughter of two distinguished early Bahá’ís, Alexander H. Martin Sr. and Mary B. Martin.

At the time of her death, she was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Montgomery County East, Maryland.

She had previously served on the Spiritual Assembly of Montgomery County and for more than 10 years was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Cleveland, Ohio, where she was born in 1907.

MARCH 31, 1983

In 1939, while she was dean of women at Arkansas State College in Pine Bluff, Miss Martin arranged for Louis G. Gregory to be invited there to conduct the college’s religious emphasis week program.

During his month-long visit to Pine Bluff, Mr. Gregory, who would later be named a Hand of the Cause of God, spoke at the college chapel and elsewhere, and conducted Baha’i study classes.

Following his departure from the city, Miss Martin held followup classes for those who had been attracted to the Faith.

A GRADUATE of Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Miss Martin taught French, German and education at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, and at St. Augustine College in Raleigh.

Before being named dean of

women at Arkansas State, she held a similar position at Delaware State University in Dover.

Later, Miss Martin earned a master’s degree in library sciences at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and worked at the Cleveland Public Library and for 17 years at the Freiberger Library at Case Western Reserve University.

She served on the Interracial Teaching Committee for four_ years during which time she was” the committee secretary.

Following her retirement in 1968, Miss Martin moved to Silver Spring, Maryland.

Miss Martin’s parents learned of the Faith from Louis Gregory in 1913 and became Baha'is in Cleveland.

Her father, a prominent attorney in that city for some 60 years, was one of the founders of the Urban League of Cleveland and one of eight black Americans in the last century to become Phi Beta Kappa.

Miss Martin’s mother was the first black ever elected to membership on the board of education in Cleveland. She served for two terms, and at the time of her death

LYDIA J. MARTIN

had been elected to a third term. The Mary B. Martin School in Cleveland is named in her honor.

In addition to Dr. Pereira and her nephew, Carlos, Miss Martin is survived by a brother and sisterin-law, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart B. Martin of the Virgin Islands; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Alexander H. Martin Jr., and nephew, Paul A. Martin, both of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

[Page 5]

THE FUNDS

5

May 1983

Commentary April isn’t end, it’s only the beginning

Now that the administrative and fiscal year has come to a close, it is likely that every Baha’s has experienced, to some degree or other, a feeling of relief that the struggle to win the National Fund contributions goal is over, and perhaps some sense of discouragement that, in the end, after all our giving and sacrificing, we have fallen many hundreds of thousands of dollars short of our contributions goal.

WE MUST PUT any feelings of discouragement, disappointment, or even guilt, immediately to rest. Such feelings will only cause us to lose heart, and will hamper our further services to the Cause.

Helen Goodall and Ella Cooper relate this wonderfully uplifting story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in their book, Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akk4, January 1908 (p. 64): A x

“One day at luncheon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked us if we were glad to be at ‘Akká and if we were happy. We answered that we were very happy to be there with Him but that when we thought of our faults we were unhappy. He replied emphatically, ‘Think not of yourselves, but think of the Bounty of God. This will always make you happy.”

“Then He smilingly referred to the Arabic saying regarding the peacock, that ‘He is contented because he never looks at his feet—which are very ugly—but always at his plumage which is very beautiful.” ’”

The plumage of the American Baha'i community is resplendent ii deed. We have been named the “‘champion-builders”” of the new World Order. In addition, Shoghi Effendi has identified the following qualities as characteristics of our nation as a whole that are reflected within our Baha’i community: high intelligence, youthfulness, unbounded initiative and enterprise. *

“Upon these virtuous qualities,’’ he wrote, ‘‘...must depend, to a very great extent, the ability of (this) community to lay a firm foundation for the country’s future role in ushering in the Golden Age of the Cause of Bahd’u’ll4h.’’ (The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 16-17)

THESE ATTRIBUTES do not describe losers or quitters! This ‘‘plumage’’ is most beautiful! Turning our eyes continually toward this lofty vision of our capacity, rather than focusing them downward at what the punsters in the community might term ‘‘de-feet,”’ will strengthen us to work even harder this year.

Although we may feel relieved that we are no longer racing down to the finish line to win last year’s contributions goal, we must remember that a new race already has begun and that the harder and more consistently we work to win our new goal now, the easier it will be to sprint to victory next April.

We have run a good race. Let’s keep moving rapidly forward while our adrenalin is still surging!

Budget

Continued From Page 1

for increased dedication among the American believers to ensure that the National Fund can make a strong start for the year.

All of the thousands of Baha'is who have pledged to be “One of the 20,000”” are urged to remember that commitment—and those

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

National Baha'i Fund (Wilmette, LL 60091). Supports the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly to direct, coordinate and stimulate Baha'i activities throughout the country.

Continental Baha’ Fund (418 Forest Avenue, Wilmette, IL

who have not yet done so are asked to consider it.

UNFLAGGING support for the Fund is needed now, at this crucial time of the Baha’i year.

The Guardian advised the National Spiritual Assembly to “‘continue impressing upon the believers the necessity of their contributing regularly to the National Fund, irrespective of whether there is an emergency to be met or not.””

In that same letter (dated July 29, 1935), he made a further statement which, together with the facts of the Fund situation today, presents us with a clear message:

‘Nothing short of a continuous flow of contributions to that Fund can, indeed, insure the financial stability upon which so much of the progress of the institutions of the Faith must now inevitably depend,’”

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.

Baha'i 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.

Baha’i National Center Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(Central Time) Monday—Friday

Phone 312-869-9039

Treasurer ‘cooking up’ new approach to aid Gregory Institute radio station

Construction of the first Baha’i radio station in North America (to be located at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute in South Carolina) has been approved, and enthusiasm for the project is growing throughout the community.

A unique undertaking such as this calls for a unique approach to funding—and this accurately describes the approach that will be “served up”’ at the National Convention in May.

“‘Let’s Get Cooking!’’ is the title of a Bahá’í-oriented cook‘book, which has been designed to promote the station at the Louis Gregory Institute.

The cookbook will draw attention to the fact that this special project is “‘cooking’’ in South Carolina, and that it will benefit the American Baha’f community as well as the whole world.

Prepared by the Office of the Treasurer, the cookbook includes recipes for all Baha'i occasions and, as such, is uniquely suited to the Baha'i lifestyle.

For example, rather than organizing the book in the usual manner—appetizers; salads; breads; vegetable dishes; entrees; desserts, etc.—the recipes have been organized into sections that every Baha’i can relate to, such as:

Holy Days and Special Events—(Special parties, box socials, special meals for families and friends).

A Feast for Feasts—(Let’s keep it simple, inexpensive and plentiful).

Fireside Fare—(Or, special recipes when you want everything to be just right for your guests).

Potluck Plenty—(Or, feeding the masses!).

“‘No-Punch”” Punches—(Or, what do you drink when you don’t ‘‘drink’’?).

Traditional Persian Dishes(Or, how do you cook the rice?).

While Pioneering, I Learned to Cook ...

Traveling Teaching Treats(Easy, portable foods that keep well on the road).

Fast Foods—(Or, nutritious breakfasts to get you through the day).

Even the printer, Canaan Press of Western Springs, Illinois, which specializes in organizational cookbooks, has commented on how refreshing this new approach is.

The Treasurer’s Office solicited and received recipes from many sources (for example, NTRs, Auxiliary Board members, personal friends, etc.). The community will recognize recipes from dear friends, past and present, and the stories accompanying many of the recipes make the book a precious addition to any Baha’i home.

Of greatest importance is the attention the cookbook will draw to

love and reverence for Baha’u’llh such that they will teach, deepen. and consolidate others by their example.

The institute was established in South Carolina, the scene of great expansion by the Faith in the late 1960s and early ’70s, to fufill this pivotal role of consolidation.

The institute is well suited as the site for this new experiment of using radio for the promotion of the Faith in North America,

© The opportunity: The Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute’s radio station will be an effective tool in consolidation, providing a means for informing all strata of society in South Carolina about the existence of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation.

The station will also offer a wide range of community services such as educational programming in health, agriculture, local news and music appropriate to the region. It will help attract local believers to the institute and will help to communicate news of Baha’i events and activities in the area.

© The means: The help of the re American Baha’i community is needed to complete this recipe. The plans for the Gregory Institute, including the radio station and other capital improvements, will cost about $1 million.

See STATION Page 9

the new and exciting opportunity available to the Faith through the use of radio.

Broadcasting itself is seen as a new “‘recipe’’ for expansion and consolidation, which will require certain necessary ingredients:

¢ The place: The Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute was established to train indigenous Baha'is in such a way as to begin to function spon- ¢; taneously and independently as leaders in their own communiities.

The purpose extends beyond training these believers to function on committees and Spiritual Assemblies to instilling within them a

F National Bahai :

No TNT Nirol sy

Glory—Jalat 139 BE.

20,000 pao scat aa nana 10,000 t

5,000

$400,000

200,000

100,000

minimum goal

a SS SSE ST ROR CR [Page 6][Peete ar a eT Le ee ee ee YOUTH NEWS :

The American Baha’i

6

Two-member Baha’i Club makes big splash

Last summer Shirin Lee, a student at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, made a full-sized patchwork quilt that was hung in a local quilting shop as an example of design and workmanship.

The navy blue and maroon qui was later auctioned at the Bosch Baha'i School in Santa Cruz to raise funds for the two-member Baha’ Club at the university. The high bid was $501, thus making available the funds for the first Baha’i proclamation at the University of the Pacific.

FOUR months of planning were begun by Miss Lee and fellow Baha'i Club member Linda Allen with the guidance and approval of the Spiritual Assembly of Stockton.

An extensive publicity campaign included the distribution of 50 copies of the book A Cry from the Heart, which was the theme of the proclamation, to department heads, administrators, the campus library and bookstore.

More than 500 letters of explanation and invitations were hand delivered to faculty, administrators and student leaders.

Specially designed posters and banners asking ‘‘Why Should We Care?”’ about the persecution of Baha’is in Iran were hung all over the campus.

News releases were given to all university bulletin, calendar and media outlets. The university's Office of Public Relations sent a news release about the event to all newspapers, radio and TV stations in Stockton.

THE FOCUS of the proclamation was a showing of the video tape of Congressional hearings on the situation in Iran accompanied by a talk by Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.

‘The meeting was held in the Regents’ Dining Room, one of the most prestigious rooms on campus, which was filled to capacity.

Miss Lee’s professor of business law attended, and later spoke with

Group travel arrangements made for Alaska youth conference in June

Group travel plans are being made to the Continental Youth Conference to be held June 24-26 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The National Youth Committee has arranged a group flight departing from Seattle, Washington. To reserve space on this plane, passengers must contact the National Youth Committee (see coupon) and full payment must be made prior to May 20.

To Anchorage: Alaska Airways flight 81 departs Seattle at 7 p.m. (Pacific time) Friday, June 24, arriving in Anchorage at 8:15 a.m. (Alaska-Hawaii time) June 25. All passengers must make their own travel arrangements to Seattle.

To Seattle: Alaska Airways flight 396 departs Anchorage at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, June 26, and arrives in Seattle at 11:50) p.m: (Pacific time).

Those who wish to remain’ in Alaska after the conference to teach the Faith may make alternate flight arrangements, but must be booked on a return flight on Alaskan Airways before the ticket can be issued. The National Youth Committee will help in making retum travel plans for traveling teachers.

Costs: Round-trip air fare is $330 per person, and payment should be made directly to the National Youth Committee in full before May 20. Checks should be made payable to Baha’i Conference Fund.

Note: All conference attendees must make their own housing and registration arrangements. Brochures and forms are available from the National Youth Committee.

Judge Nelson.

During the question-and-answer period, the student body president of the Business School thanked Judge Nelson for coming and sharing this information. He also asked how he and others could help, and since then has asked more about the Faith.

Miss Lee sent letters to many Baha’i friends asking for prayers. for the success of the proclamation.

A MEANINGFUL response came in this cable from the Universal House of Justice:

“Kindly assure Baha'i Club University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, care of Shirin Lee, of our prayers successful proclamation

The successful event gained great recognition and respect at UOP. for the Baha'i Faith and the newly formed Baha'i Club.

Hundreds of faculty, students and community members learned about the Faith. It was an historic occasion, and quite an achievement for a two-member club.

The president of the university, Dr. Stanley McCaffrey, was the 1982 president of Rotary Interna

tional. He received a special in-;

vitation to the proclamation, acknowledged Judge Nelson's visit to the campus, and later appointed Miss Lee to the President’s Council composed of 10 students with whom he regularly consults.

“We hope the efforts of our small Baha’i Club will be an example and/inspiration to all college clubs, regardless of their size,’ says Miss Lee, “to per severe in bringing the healing Message of the Baha’i Faith to their campuses.

“The persecution of our dear friends in: Iran has opened the doors for us to become bold and fearless in presenting the Faith on. college campuses.””

Our great privilege

National Baha'i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

reece ALL ABOARD TO ALASKA! eect

b ALASKA GROUP TRAVEL COUPON

June 24-26, 1983

Yes! I want to reserve a seat on the group flight to Anchorage! I enclose full payment in the amount of $330 (payable to Baha’i Conference Fund).

Name Age. Sex.

Address Phone (_ ).

City State ZIP

I wish to return to Seattle: ___on Sunday, June 26___on a later date (please specify date: _______) I will be traveling to Seattle via ___car ___train ___air travel ___bus.

PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND PAYMENT TO: National Youth Committee,

Fort Lauderdal plans.

FL 33315. (Deadline is May 20!) You will receive a written confirmation of your travel.

Shirin Lee poses with the patchwork quilt she made that was auctioned for $501 last year at the Bosch Bahi’{ School to provide

funds for a proclamation campaign by the two-member Baha'i Club at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

1983 is 80th anniversary of first ‘official’ U:S. Baha’i hymn book

Research being done in the National Baha'i Archives has “uncovered the fact that 1983 is not only the 80th anniversary of the decision to build a House of Wor the Chicago area but also

the 80th anniversary of the publication of the first “‘official’’ Bahai hymn book, an important milestone in American Baha'i devotional life.

To most early North American Bahá’ís, the singing of hymns was an important part of Baha’i meetings and Holy Day celebrations.

Singing hymns was not only the accepted practice at religious events in their culture, it was also encouraged by ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

The records of the Chicago House of Spirituality (forerunner

of the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago) documents the steps taken. to fill this need for music.

In 1903 the House of Spirituality published a booklet of hymns for use at Chicago Sunday Baha'i meetings. The booklet was entitled “Songs of Prayer and Praise’” and included nine wellchosen Christian hymns including, of course, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s fa vorite, “‘Nearer My God to Thee.’” Later, hymns with Baha'i

themes were written and sung by carly Baha'is. Many of these early hymns survive in collections of personal papers and institutional records in the National Bahá’í Archives.

Youth Committee, 33315.

Youth Committee seeks course information

The National Youth Committee is seeking information on correspondence courses designed to deepen new believers. Any information (course outlines, curriculum designs, etc.) would be welcomed. Please send any pertinent materials to the National

» Fort Lauderdale, FL

|S SSS

[Page 7]YOUTH NEWS

May 1983

7

TERA GENA BENSON

8-year-old St. Louis Bahá’í beauty queen

Eight-year-old Tera Gena Benson of St. Louis, Missouri, was crowned “‘Miss Glamor Queen’’ at tiie Miss Continental U.S.A. beauty pageant held last summer in Hollywood, California.

Tera Gena, the daughter of Tyrone Benson, a Baha’i from St. Louis County, will serve as hostess for the 1983 Missouri pageants and will represent that state in next year’s finals.

Besides being a straight A student, Tera Gena’s accomplishments include many awards for gymnastic and acrobatic competition; a two-week stint in the play “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” at the St. Louis Municipal Opera; and an award for collecting $300 in a Muscular Dystrophy fund drive.

She and other members of her talented .family frequently entertain at Baha’i events and also make crocheted and stuffed animals which they sell for the benefit of the Fund.

Car wash a success for Louisiana club

As a service project, the Baha’i College Club at Southwestern Louisiana University in Lafayette held a recent car wash that proved quite successful as a teaching event.

The youth washed more than 20 cars, and many people, one club member reports, simply could not believe that someone would wash cars free of charge without ‘‘some catch to it.””

One man, who first insisted on paying, returned later with several cans of soft drinks; another person gave the youth some flowers.

Several people accepted Baha’i pamphlets.

The club also attracted seekers when it presented a copy of the book To Move the World to the university’s Afro-American Club.

Finally, club members and children in the Lafayette community hosted a picnic for Baha’i children in nearby St. Martinville. About 30 children enjoyed games and a picnic lunch.

As the last year of the threeyear second phase of the Seven Year Plan begins, the National Youth Committee notes the progress of the National Youth Plan goals.

These goals were officially launched at the Continental Youth Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1981, and much progress has been made toward reaching them.

“THE Youth Committee has been pleased to note the enthusjastic support for the Youth Plan,”’ says Albert Huerta, chairman of the Youth Committee. “in some instances, we've increased the goals because they were so readily achieved.’”

(The chart that accompanies this article indicates the current status of each of the numerical

goals.)

Great strides have been made in the areas of youth serving as international pioneers and traveling teachers and with the summer months ahead, these goals should

easily be won.

The Youth Network of clubs and committees has also grown significantly, and more clubs will be forming on college campuses when the school year begins in the fall.

In the areas of homefront pioneering and youth enrollments, fresh energies need to be applied so that victory can be assured within the next year.

Youth are encouraged to devote some time and talent to the teaching work with summer projects and in their personal contact with friends.

EXTENSIVE measures also are being taken to help youth relocate to homefront goal areas, and anyone who is interested in serving the Faith in this unique capacity should contact the National Youth Committee for specific and up-to-date information on goal areas.

“The key to victory,’’ says Mr. Huerta, “‘is to apply our energies to the tasks at hand now, and to

Youth press onward, aim toward victory in Plan THREE YEAR PHASE

1. aoGOx

| Eaotments eas eono ~ 22) 6) 6 % mo} sco x a © s

do all we can to achieve success before the last days of the phase.

“The youth have, in the last couple of years, demonstrated time and again their willingness to

respond with enthusiasm and energy to the needs of the Faith, and the National Youth Committee is confident that they will arise to win the remaining goals.’”

Youth Committee gears up for six Regional Conferences in ’83

The National Youth Committee is gearing up for its annual series of Regional Youth Conferences which are conducted in response to a goal of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan specified by the Universal House of Justice.

THIS year, the Youth Committee will be holding six conferences in various parts of the country, and youth from every area are encouraged to make an effort to attend at least one of these gatherings.

“These conferences have had a tremendous impact on Bahda’{

youth in the past two years,”” says Charles “Cap” Cornwell, secretary of the National Youth Committee, ‘and they have served to inspire youth to win many of the goals of the National Youth Plan.

“They're also excellent teaching opportunities, and we continue to hope that the Baha’i youth will invite their friends to these programs so that they can partake of the unique spirit and high level of enthusiasm generated at Regional Youth Conferences.”

The first of the conferences will be held over the Fourth of July

weekend near San Marcos, Texas, and will coincide with the 10th annual River Float sponsored by the Baha’i community of San Marcos.

Youth who wish to register for that conference may use the coupon below. In return, they will receive a fact sheet on the program and logistics of both the River Float and Regional Youth Conference.

CONFERENCES also are scheduled this summer in Colorado (site and dates are unconfirmed) and September 9-11 in the Fresno, California, area.

NAME Sex. age. mt RANE Sex age. IDE j NAME, Sex age 1D Address Phone /

City, State 2p.

YES! I want to go to the Regional Youth Conference in Texas (July 1-3, 1983)... enclose a registration deposit of $5.00 pex person (payable to Bahá'{ Conference

Fund) and look forward to receiving complete details on the program.

(Estimated

costs are $42.00 per person to include registration, housing and food.)

MAIL TO: Baha'£ National Youth Committee, _.. _ - THIS SUMMER IS GONNA BE HOT!

Friendship Teams! Border Teaching Projects!

Alaskan Continental Youth Conference!

Service Projects!

Regional Youth Conferences! Summer Teaching Projects! ..and much, MUCH more ...!

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

For details on all the upcoming HOT programs for youth, read your YOUth Hotline!

Other Regional Youth Conferences are planned for September at the Green Acre Baha'i Schoo! in Maine and in October at the Louhelen Baha'i School in Michi gan.

The last of this year’s conferences will be held over the New Year weekend at Disney World near Orlando, Florida.

Idaho community sets ‘singles’ conference

The Bahd’{ community of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, will sponsor its third Spiritual Energy Conference for single adult Baha'is June 24-26 at the Lazy F Camp and Conference Center in scenic Manastash Canyon near ElJensburg, Washington.

The conference will feature workshop sessions on exploring creative ways to teach the Faith, establishing successful relationships, and single parenting.

Recreation will include music and dancing, hiking, ping pong, and volleyball.

The conference begins at 7 p.m. Friday and ends after lunch Sunday. Please bring a sleeping bag, towels and personal articles,

The cost of $40 per person includes three meals Saturday, two meals Sunday and two nights lodgi

ing.

For more information phone Geralyn West, 509-255-9926, or Kathy Windsor, 208-667-0244.

To register, send a $10 deposit with your name and address to Spiritual Energy Conference, c/o Kathy Windsor, ee ep ne» ©COCUr d’Alene, ID 83814. Make checks payable to K. Windsor.

Due to the size of the conference, the sponsors regret that no child care cari be provided.

[Page 8]

IGC: PIONEERING

The American Baha'i

Two Bahai

“* ‘Light as the spirit,’ ‘pure as air,’ ‘blazing as fire,’ ‘unrestrained as the wind’— ...such is Bahá’u’llah’s own admonition to His loved ones in His Tablets, directed not to a select few but to the entire congregation of the faithful—let them scatter far and wide, proclaim the glory of God’s Revelation in this Day, quicken the souls of men and ignite in their hearts the love of the One Who alone is their omnipotent and divinely appointed Redeemer.’’—Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 120

°

Letters from two of our pioneers describe some of their feelings and thoughts about the pioneering experience.

Louise Garnett Chile:

How did I feel when I came to Chile? It was a surprising experience; I felt 1 had come home.

This feeling hasn’t changed. How do I share with you the joy, contentment and happiness which has come into my life on a daily basis. I only know it is there.

WHEN I look back to when I was introduced to the Faith and declared myself a Baha’i, I recall thinking and feeling that it was and would be the happiest day of my life. I could not have begun to imagine that that feeling could be experienced in varying degrees on a daily basis.

writes from

Baha’is from the Washington, D.C., area display an illuminated copy of the Qur’án that evoked the most spirited bidding during a recent auction that raised more than $5,000 for capital improve pioneers from U.S. write of their experiences

Of course, there are ups and downs, but they teach me so much and enable me to cast off that which prevents me from being my true self and detached from all save God.

Through pain we grow, and I am learning that the faster I detach, the less pain there is. Also, the confirmations and joys come faster.

I am gradually understanding better why ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked, “Are you happy?”’ and why the Prophets of the past would desire to live for one moment in this day.

If Lam not happy or growing as a Baha’i, I have no other place to look but within myself.

Why are so many Baha’is not radiating their joy? (I’m not talking about always having a smile on our faces.)

The Faith offers each of us so many ways to serve and teach our beloved Cause. I feel I have found my way to serve through pioneering.

Roxanne Terrel has been a pioneer to Taiwan for many years. She recently changed her post to Macau. These are some of Roxanne’s thoughts about pioneering:

Bahá’u’lláh Himself testifies, “They that have forsaken their countries in the path of God and subsequently ascended unto His presence, such souls shall be blessed by the Concourse on High and

ments at the Washington Baha’i Center and for the Baha’i International Fund. Scores of items were contributed by Baha’is in the Washington area and elsewhere on the East Coast.

ec 4

It

Br

rilliant Star, please enter my subscription for 1 one year. $900 (six issues) © two years. 1200 foreign, surlace, one year. $00 foreign surface, two years. $2100 G foreign. ait, one year, $1500. (5 foreign. att, two years, $2800 Please enclose payment. name x : street Su et fede esas i SEN state & zip Send to, Brilliant Star/Child's Way Subscriber Service Suburban Office Park 5010 Austin Rd. Hixson, Th. 37343

bee Bee ei

PIONEER FOS) kk

PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE of the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA‘'IS of the UNITED STATES

their names recorded by the Pen of Glory among such as have laid down their lives as martyrs in the path of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.””

For some years it has been my joy and privilege to meet the pioneers, traveling teachers and first believers in many countries and witness first hand their happiness and their suffering, their courage and their sweet humor in the face of difficulties. How deeply I admire and love you.

No doubt when quotations such as the one above are read by these dear ones they think, ‘Me’ ‘Blessed by the Concourse ...” My name? ‘recorded by the Pen of Glory ...2 Not me! I’m the one who has been laboring day and night to learn the language of my new country only to be met with looks of wonder and amazement when I speak to the people who clearly have no idea of what I am saying! Oh, will I ever learn ..

The laughter, the frustrations, the tears, the homesickness (“‘Oh,

to see just one episode of Dallas—the series and the football team’’), your first friend, your first fireside in that new “‘home,”” the first declaration there!

Ah, the wonder of it all. And what would we have in life if we did not have these memories,

» LOUISE GARNETT

these humble offerings of service to Baha’u’llah?

As our dear Martha Root once wrote: “How true the words that life, after all, is a one way street we are passing down; all we do, we must do it now for we come not back this way.’”

ROXANNE TERREL

Summer projects beckon to traveling teachers

Have you given any thought to. serving our beloved Cause in another country? Listed here are additional 1983 summer projects. Perhaps you would like to participate in one or more of them?

ARGENTINA could use traveling teachers. Right now the value of the dollar is high there, which means you can do a lot on a little money, and if you're worried about how you will be treated as a result of the recent Falklands war—don’t! There was not much anti-American sentiment to begin with, and traveling teachers will be going to places and among people who are little affected by politics.

Calling all nature lovers! A month-long teaching campaign will be held in August in BELIZE, Central America, a country famed for its wildlife and orchids.

Traveling teachers in teams are needed for deepening and consolidation for the entire month of August. Hospitality will be provided in some areas.

The amount of money required is $100 to $150 U.S. per week. The language spoken is English. Begin planning now for your trip. Study the history, customs and geography of Belize and then contact the International Goals Committee.

The National Spiritual Assembly of MEXICO extends a warm

welcome to everyone to come teach in that beautiful, spacious country with its wonderful diversity of race, religion and culture.

A teaching project is to begin July 6 and continue through August in the mountainous, historic city of Oaxaca with its 18 indigenous groups of people.

One last teaching campaign: The Baha’is of GREENLAND are again happy to have the opportunity to invite everyone to attend the third Summer School in the history of their small but growing community.

The school will be held June 19-24 in Sisimut/Holsteinborg on the west coast of Greenland where a small but thriving Bahd’{ community is aiming to establish its own Spiritual Assembly, a critical step in helping to establish a National Assembly in Greenland.

Traveling teachers are needed in many parts of the world to spread the Message of Bahd’u’ll4h and help to consolidate new Baha’i communities.

Your participation could prove invaluable to this ongoing work and give you an opportunity to experience teaching the Cause in other countries, which may help you to consider and prepare for future pioneering activities.

If you would like to participate in any of these overseas teaching

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

Please do so, if possible, at least two months before your departure to assure that your project runs smoothly and is of maximum ser vice to the Baha’is where you go.

Judith Leeb, pioneer to Brazil, Pakistan and Venezuela, dies

Judith Leeb, who was forced by illness to return last July with her husband, Howard, from their pioneering post in Brazil died April 2 in McLean, Virgii

The Leebs need to Brazil in March 1982, They also pioneered to Pakistan during the Nine Year Plan and were former pioneers to Venezuela and Colombia.

The Continental Board of Counsellors for South America said of them: ‘‘These devoted pioneers are doing their best to serve Bahá’u’lláh and are a credit to the American Baha’i commuDY. ~ a7

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith

National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 9]IGC: PIONEERING

May 1983

9

Goals Committee appeals to friends to help other countries win overseas goals of Plan

For the past year and four months, the International Goals Committee has placed emphasis on sending as many pioneers as possible to the goals assigned in November 1982 by the Universal House

of Justice.

Recently, from a copy of a letter from the Supreme Body to an individual believer, the committee has learned that 145 goals from that original assignment

Station

Continued From Page 5

The National Spiritual Assembly hopes to raise these funds by next April. The formal announcement of the campaign to raise the needed money will be made at the 74th National Convention in Chicago from May 26-29. The “leaven’’ that will ‘‘raise’’ this radio station is the widespread and generous participation of the friends.

Whenever a copy of ‘‘Let’s Get Cooking!” is purchased, the friends are not only getting a helpful cookbook, they are contributing to the first fund-raising effort in support of the radio station.

Service for the Blind AVAILABLE NOW In Braille or on tape¢ Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh © The Priceless Pearl © More than 80 other titles For a catalog send $1 to: Baha'i Service for the Blind 3110 East Lester St. Tucson, AZ 85716 (Please specify complete catalog or catalog for tapes and cassettes only)

have not been filled.

While awaiting new goals, which are expected some time after the International Convention, the committee appeals to the American community to

come forward and help our sister communities

The book will be priced at a minimum of $6. For that minimum $6, the individual has purchased the recipe collection for $3 and made a $3 contribution toward the radio station (tax-deductible).

However, the friends will be en couraged to pay as much as they can for the cookbook, thereby in

throughout the world to complete their original assignments. As of February 15, the following countries needed pioneers (see chart):

creasing their support for the station.

“Let’s Get Cooking!”’ will be on sale at the National Convention in May, but you will find an order blank below that can be used for advance orders. These orders will be filled as soon as possible after the cookbooks are printed.

COOKBOOK ORDER FORM

Please send me copies of “‘LET’S GET COOKING!”” Enclosed is my check for S. . (U.S. only) ($6 minimum for each book) Name: Baha’i I.D. No. _____ Address: City: State: Zip: Make check payable to:

National Bahd’{ Fund

(L.G. Gregory Inst, Radio)

Wilmette, IL 60091

Proceeds from the sale of “‘LET’S GET COOKING!”’ will be used to promote the first North American Baha’i Radio Station at the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute in South Carolina. At $6, you are making a contribution of $3 to this project—but you are encouraged to contribute as much beyond $6 per book as you would like in support of the Radio

Station!!

Outstanding Pioneer Goals

AFRICA

Burundi Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Chad The Gambia Guinea Bissau Ivory Coast and Mali Mali Guinea Madagascar Malawi Mozambique Morocco Reunion Senegal Cape Verde Islands Sierra Leone Sudan Djibouti Somalia Tanzania Tunisia Uganda Zaire Zimbabwe Angola Total Africa

AMERICAS Haiti Leeward Islands Suriname & Fr. Guiana French Guiana Suriname Trinidad & Tobago Virgin Islands British Virgin Is. 2 Windward Islands St. Vincent 1 Total Americas 12

ASIA Hong Kong

Macau 4 Japan 5 Nepal 2

QAN— NNON =

Ne N=—w

Bw ve--an

a=

eros

Sri Lanka Thailand 4 Total Asia 16

AUSTRALASIA

Caroline Islands Belau Kosrae

Kiribati

Mariana Islands Tinian

New Caledonia & Loyalty Is. New Caledonia Loyalty Islands Marquesas Tuamotu Arch, Cook Islands Niue

Papua New Guinea

Solomon Islands

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Total Australasia

EUROPE Belgium Cyprus Denmark Ttaly

Malta 5 Portugal

Azores 1

Madeira 2 Total Europe 25

z SE OnNNe =

“Brau -an—wn

pos

Summary—Outstanding Goals

Africa 48 Americas n Asia 16 Australasia 44 Europe 25

Total 145

Shown here with members of the International Goals Committee staff and other guests are most of the 30 Baha’is who participated April 7-10 in a Pioneer Training Institute at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. The

participants, from 15 states, were making plans to pioneer to Malta, Martinique, Sierra Leone, Bolivia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Guadeloupe, Bhutan, Macau, India, South Africa, Finland and Australasia. Special guests at

the Institute included Edna True (front row, second from left), Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson (front row, fourth from left) and pioneers who have returned from Nigeria

UN Conference on Aging theme of 3 Sheboygan proclamations

The United Nations International Conference on Aging was the theme of three proclamation events last year in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.

Last summer, a Baha'i float displaying a heart with the words “Love Is Ageless” was shown in parades in Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls and Kiel.

Over the Labor Day weekend, an essay contest on “The Elderly Person Who Means the Most to Me’? and a fair booth were held at the Sheboygan County Fair.

The contest was open to child ren ages 7-15 and prizes included copies of the book The Secret in the Garden, the National Geographic World Magazine and a UNICEF record album, “‘Kampuchea.””

On October 24, a UN Day award program honoring the most outstanding elderly person or couple was held at the Senior Center in Sheboygan.

Certificates signed by the mayor of Sheboygan and by Nancy Phillips, a Baha’i who was UN Day chairman, were given to two local women. 2

Norfolk Baha’is participate in service projects as part of community’s Ayyém-i-Hé observance

Baha’is in the Norfolk, Virginia, area participated in several service projects during Ayyém-iHa

Together with Bahda’is from neighboring Portsmouth, they collected food which was given to a needy individual.

Baha’is spent an afternoon of yard cleaning and other work at a local community house for handi capped adults, which resulted in an interest in the Faith being shown by one employee.

At a local psychiatric hospital, one of the Baha’js presented slides of Kenya and other parts of Africa to young residents.

Participation in these projects by the husband of a Baha’i resulted in his embracing the Faith during Ayydm-i-Ha.

[Page 10]EDUCATION

The American Baha'i

10

Rob Dosenbach (standing), an as. sistant to Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips (seated to his left facing audience) conducts a class on ‘The True Spirit of the

Faith in Baha’f Administration’ during the 1983 Arizona Baha’f Winter School held January 29-30 at the Bahd’{ Center in Phoenix.

Arizona Baha’i Winter School held at Phoenix Baha’i Center

The 1983 Arizona Baha’i Winter School was held January 29-30 at the Baha’i Center in Phoenix.

Its theme was ‘Fostering the Spiritual, Intellectual and Social Life of the Baha'i Community.”

Adult teachers included Dan and Pam Wegener of Phoenix, Gail Powers of Tucson, and Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips and some of her assistants.

Classes for youth were conducted by Maureen Thur of Paradise Valley and Jeff Kiely of Pine Hill, New Mexico.

Children’s classes, supervised by Melanie Martinez of Tollenson, included learning centers in the arts and sciences, stories, songs, games and filmstrips.

The evening program consisted of family game time and singing.

Newly designed Brilliant Star magazine devotes its second issue to language, speech

The newly designed Brilliant Star devotes its second issue, May/June 1983, to language and speech.

Michael Hughey has designed an intriguing cover with a built-in puzzle. The history of language, a “Janguage tree’? examining all of the relatives of English, and prayers in many languages are only a few of the selections in this issue.

Plan now to present to your community the spectacular play “World Order Wizards,’’ which includes stage directions, an array of characters, and popular tunes. A real treat!

Also presented in this issue are a story about the Cherokee Indian language, some word origins that may surprise you, an article about Esperanto entitled ‘‘Ludwig’s Language,’’ and an essay on advertising.

The whole effort is rounded out with printmaking activity, an interview with the musical duo “Do’a,”’ and a thought-provoking parents’ page on consultation.

Subscribe now! The price is $9 for one year, $17 for two. Send to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, Hixson, TN 37343.

Children sought to write for Brilliant Star

Attention all children who would like to write for Brilliant Star!

The January/February 1984 issue of Brilliant Star will be done by children, so we need the help of

Its theme will be animals. invite stories, poems, music, science articles, media and book reviews, history, games, puzzles, crafts, photos, drawings or anything else a child might do that is about animals.

Do you have an unusual pet? Are you an expert on the care and feeding of a wombat? Do you know a story from Bahd’{ history

that involves an animal? Do you have a favorite “‘animal joke’’? Have you seen a movie about an animal that shouldn’t be missed? We want to see your ideas!

We need all submissions in our editorial office by July 1, 1983. Please send materials written by children to:

Brilliant Star/Child’s Editorial Office,

Road, Hixson, TN 37343.

We look forward to hearing from brothers and sisters, friends, summer school classes, children’s classes, and individual children from whose work we will construct an issue written solely by our Baha’i children.

Way,

Complete listing of U.S. Baha’i Summer Schools

Alabama

Dates: July 14-17.

Location: University of Montevallo.

Information: Joyce Kendall, secretary, Huntsville, AL 35803; 205-723-2560. Arizona

Dates: July 1-4.

Location: Beimont property near Flagstaff.

Registrar: Lottie Chunowitz,

Phoenix, AZ 85023; 602-993-2347. Bosch

Dates: June 18-23, June 25-30 (junior youth), July 2-7, July 9-14, July 16-21, July 23-28, July 30-August 4, August 6-11, August

Baha’i

13-18, August 20-25, August 27-September 1. Registrar: Jeremy Phillips,

Bosch Baha’f School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; 408-423-3387.

Southern California Dates: June 18-23. Location: Pilgrim Pines, Yucaipa. Registrar: Gerald Healy, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007.

Colorado East Dates: June 25-July 1. Registrar: Don Brayton, P.O. Box 1033, Woodland Park, CO 80863; 303-687-3351.

Conifer Hill (Colorado)

The school will not hold a session this summer. The committee will work on programming for future sessions while the access road is under repair.

Information: Marilyn Fisher, secretary, Boulder, CO 80302; 303-443-6422.

Great Plains (Nebraska) Dates: July 25-31. Location: Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska. Registrar: Dave Clarke, . Omaha, NE 68147; 402734-0344.

Green Acre (Maine) Dates: July 2-September 5. Location: Eliot, Maine. Registration: Green Acre Baha’f School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903; 207-439-0019.

Green Lake (Wisconsin)

Dates: September 16-18.

Location: American Baptist Assembly Conference Center, Green. Lake.

Registration: American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, W1 54941. Reservations for cabins and lux

Baha’i National Center Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday—Friday

Phone 312-869-9039

ury housing before mid-July, phone 414-294-3323. Idaho

Dates: June 16-19.

Location: Camp Sawtooth near Sun Valley.

Registrar: Dale Sollars,

Blackfoot, ID 83221;

208-785-4495.

Indiana (Nur’u’llth)

Dates: June 21-26.

Location: Camp Kikthawenund, 30 miles from Indianapolis.

Registrar: Carol Niss,

Indianapolis, IN 46218; 317-547-3691. (Register by June 6 for a discounted rate.) Kentucky Institute

Dates: July 1-4.

Location: Bellarmine College, Louisville.

Information: Don Van Brunt, Route 586, Monticello, KY 42633; 606-348-8268.

Louhelen (Michigan)

Dates: June 4 (world peace); June $-10 (senior citizens); June 11-12 (teaching conference); June 12-24 (youth); June 26-July 1 (teacher training); July 2-4 (pioneering, travel teaching); July 10-22 (adult study program); July 2A-August 2 (junior yout gust 7-12 (general session); August 12-21 (adult study: marriage); August 21-26 (general session); August 28-September 1 (general session); September 2-5 (homecoming).

Location: Davison, Michigan.

Registration: Louhelen Baha’f School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423; 313-653-5033. Minnesota

Dates: July 25-29.

Location: Camp Onamia in Onamia, Minnesota.

Registrar: Steve Grams, Star Route Box W-18, Togo, MN 55788.

Missouri Institute

Dates: August 11-14.

Location: Potosi.

Registrar: Robert A. Yoder III,

St. Louis, MO 63119; 314-962-9011. Montana

Dates: July 24-30.

Location: Red Lodge, Montana.

Registrar. Belinda Hawkins, secretary, 220S Lymam, Billings, MT 59102; 406-652-4097.

New Jersey Information: Betty Ann Turko, Lakewood, NJ 08701; 201-367- 2155.

New Mexico—Gladys Weeden Institute

Dates: September 3-5.

Location: Camp Mary White, May Hill.

Information: Spiritual Assembly of Alamagordo, P.O. Box 1461, Alamagordo, NM 88310; 505-434-0378.

New York Dates: August 26-28. Information: Alex Rehayam, Fresh Meadows,

NY 13366; 212-380-3313.

Nine Oaks (California)

Dates: The school holds oneday sessions (sometimes two days) in April, June, October and December.

Registration: Nine Oaks Baha'i School, P.O. Box 8, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.

North Carolina

Dates: July 4-10.

Location: Pembroke State University, Pembroke.

Information: Celeste Hicks, Secretary, Monroe, ONC 28110; 704-289-6274. Oklahoma

Dates: August 5-10.

Location: Central Oklahoma Christian Camp, Guthrie.

Information: Elizabeth Wakeham, P.O. Box 955, Shawnee, OK 74801; 405-273-3385. Oregon East

Dates: July 16-19.

Location: Wallowa Lake Methodist Camp.

Registrar: Virginia Storey,

Pendleton, OR

97801; 503-276-6356.

Oregon West

Dates: July 14-17 (Badasht); August 7-12 (Kalimat).

Location: Apserkaha Campground near Ashland.

Registrar: OBSC/West Regis trar, Eugene, OR 97404, Pennsylvania Information: Eaton Township Baha’i Group, c/o Joyce A. Williams, Tunkhannock, PA 18657. Tennessee Institute Information: Iraj Radpour, Chattanooga, TN 37343; 615-842-7799. Texas Dates: August 14-19. Location: Bridgeport. Information: James Collins, secretary, - _ Duncanville, TX 75116. Washington East Dates: August 21-27. Location: Camp Wooten. Registrar: Edwin Rousculp, Toppenish, WA 98948; 509-865-5453. Washington West Information: Karl Sechorn, Kent, WA 98031; 206-631-7475.

Wilhelm (New Jersey) Dates: Weekly ongoing school. Information: Stephen Karnik, Dover, NJ 07801; 201-361-0445.

Wisconsin Dates: July 4-8. Location: Camp Byron, Brownsville. Registrar: Charles Kennel, . .Waukesha, WI 53186; 414-542-2120,

Wyoming Information: Margaret Creech, Laramie, WY 82070; 307-745-8378.

|S SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS)

[Page 11]a | EDUCATION

May 1983

11

Q and A on Personal Transformation Program

Q. What is the Personal Transformation Program?

A. The Personal Transformation Program is an exciting new approach to personal deepening that is available through the National Education Committee in the form of an extended study course.

Essentially, the program provides individuals with a method for translating the Creative Word into personal goals for self-development and spiritual well-being.

Trained volunteers, called ‘‘facilitators,’’ guide the participants through 10 weekly sessions, each of which lasts about 1 1/2 hours.

The books from the Comprehensive Deepening Program, the dynamics of group interaction, personal study and meditation, and supplementary recorded lectures are used to provide an opportunity for individuals to better understand the purpose and meaning of being a Baha’i and to develop methods for translating this knowledge into day-to-day thoughts and actions.

Q. What makes the Personal Transformation Program different from other deepening pro grams?

A. ‘Abdu’l-Bahaé has written that any accomplishment or the attainment of any goal ‘‘is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action.’’ The Personal Transformation Program is designed specifically to meet all three of these prerequisites for spiritual development by (1) increasing the participant’s knowledge, (2) arousing his volition, and then (3) stimulating him into action and

Louhelen School invites designs for school logo

Graphic and commercial artists, artists and designers: the Louhelen Baha’i School Council needs your talents in designing a suitable logo for the school to be used on stationery, envelopes, brochures and the like.

We hope the logo will personalize and identify the school in a visual context. The guidelines are:

1. Dark brown lettering and design on a beige background.

2. Suitable for reduction.

3. No words except ‘‘Louhelen Baha’i School.””

4. A simple, abstract or semiabstract image that captures the spirit of the Baha’i principles rather than specific environmental features of the school.

The winner of the competition will receive free tuition, room and board at a session of his or her choice at the newly reconstructed Louhelen Baha’i School.

Please send non-returnable designs with your name, address and phone number to:

LOGO, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 49423. Deadline for entries is June 30, 1983.

helping him to monitor his progress.

The qualities and attitudes of the Baha’i life are carefully examined and used by the individual to set goals and objectives for his own spiritual transformation. Exercises for strengthening the volitional competence of each person to carry out his plan of action also are presented.

Q. What kind of results does this program typically produce?

A. People who have participated in the program report that the Personal Transformation Program was an enjoyable and a profound experience that had a significant effect on their personal lives.

An increase in self-knowledge, positive changes in both personal and professional interactions, and a new vision of what it means to live a Baha’i life are among the results that many individuals have said are a direct result of having participated in the program.

In addition, the National Education Committee feels that this program, in large measure, fulfills the Seven Year Plan instructions for us to “engage in a nationwide program of spiritual enrichment designed to inspire and deepen the friends ...

Q. Ten weeks seems like a long time—can the program be studied in an abbreviated form?

A. It has been found that the maximum benefit is achieved when the material is presented in a 10-week course of study. In some ways this span of time is too short a period in which to reshape patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that have been established over a period of years.

However, the 10-week format allows most people sufficient time in which to realize their potential for change and to make tangible progress toward the attainment of their personal transformation goals.

Q. Is the program available to isolated believers and Groups as well as to larger communities?

A. Isolated believers and smaller communities are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the program; however, it should

be sponsored by a Local Assembly to ensure®that proper arrangements are met and maintained, course materials ordered, etc.

Class enrollment is also important and should be no less than eight (8) or more than fifteen (15) persons. In a class of less than eight, group dynamics are altered significantly; conversely, a group of more than 15 does not allow for the full participation of everyone in all of the activities.

Q. Can non-Baha’is participate?

A. Yes! In fact, a number of non-Baha’is have declared their belief in Bahdé’u’ll4h while participating in the program.

Seekers and newly enrolled believers, as well as Baha’ is of many years standing, have found the Personal Transformation Program to be of great help in confirming and strengthening their commitment to the Cause.

Q. Can the Personal Transformation Program help me to be a more effective teacher of the Faith?

A. Absolutely. It is impossible to be effective teachers unless we manifest the teachings and principles in our own lives. The Personal Transformation Program is designed to help the individual to conform his life to the standards of the Faith.

The following quotation from Shoghi Effendi makes clear the significance of our efforts to exemplify the Baha’i life and the impact this has on our teaching work:

“‘Not by the force of numbers, not by an organized campaign of teaching—no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character—not even by the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim of the Abha Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in

their manifold aspects. the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”” (Baha’{ Administration, p. 66)

Q. Is the Personal Transformation Program available everywhere in the U.S.?

A. The program is presently in 37 states and should be available throughout the continental U.S. by Ridvan 1984.

Q. How do I arrange to parti-__|

cipate in the program?

A. Contact your Local Spiritual Assembly and express an interest in having the program presented in your community. If you are an isolated believer or part of a Baha’i Group, go to the Assembly nearest you. op)

The Assembly can then either contact one of the trained facilitators in its area or the National Education Committee office. An appointment will be made for a team to meet with the Assembly to explain the program in detail, answer any questions, and make specific plans to present the program in your area.

Bosch School begins large expansion project

The Bosch Baha’i School near Santa Cruz, California, has begun. construction of a 7,000-squarefoot educational building, six tent structures, a bath house and parking sites for recreational vehicles.

THE long-awaited approval for these new structures was received early in December from the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission. Approval for the RV sites had been received earlier.

“The approval of this project,’” says school administrator James Kelly, ‘‘will allow us to continue with our planned expansion and improvement of the Bosch facility to better serve those who attend this Baha’i-owned school.’

The structures are part of a long-range plan to increase accommodations to lodge up to 125 overnight students.

At this time, the school can provide housing and food for about 90 students.

The tent structures will house an additional 36 guests, and fees will be about 25 per cent lower in

the tents than in the existing cabins.

“What we are striving for,” says Mr. Kelly, ‘‘is to increase our ability to serve the various economic needs of those who wish to attend Bosch.””

ALL of the new buildings will be constructed of wood with earthen colors to blend with the natural surroundings.

The multi-purpose educational building, to be located near the existing lodge, was designed by architect Gordon Jackson, a Baha’i from Eugene, Oregon.

The upper level will contain an auditorium, office area, audiovisual rooms, and children’s ‘‘cry room.” The downstairs will house several classrooms. Rest rooms will be provided on both levels.

Mr. Kelly says it is hoped that construction of the building will be completed this fall. Most of the work will be contracted.

The auditorium, designed to seat 200, will double the space now available in the lodge.

Louhelen School to host intensive study session for educators

The Louhelen Baha’i School will be the site June 26-July 1 of an intensive study program for professional teachers and for those involved in local Baha’i education programs.

The five-day session, sponsored by the National Education Committee and the Louhelen Council, will include courses on moral development and moral education, how to teach abstract concepts to children, raising children to be free of prejudice, and the family’s role as an integral part of child education.

A highlight will be the viewing of a video tape of Dr. Daniel C. Jordan’s talk on educational philosophy given at the first National Teacher Training Week at the Green Acre School in 1974.

The faculty for the week include Dr. Linda Giardina, a member of the National Education Committee; Dr. Susan Stengle, Dr. Larry McCullough, Dr. Leela McCullough, and Dan Rea, all of whom have had extensive experience in both child and teacher education.

The faculty also represent a good diversity in background, philosophy and training.

Students at this session will plan and teach lessons in the children’s program, which will be conducted as a demonstration school. The children’s program will be offered for children through age 14.

Additional information about times, rates and accommodations for the National Teacher Training Week is available from the Registrar, Louhelen Bahd’{ School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

Pre-registration can be made by sending a $10 (non-refundable) deposit to the Registrar.

The Bosch Bahd’{ School will increase its capacity this summer to 125, the maximum allowed by its county use permit, with the completion of six tent structures and four sites for recreational vehicles. Construction of the wood and canvas tent structures and an adJoining bath house is being done by skilled volunteers. Construction is also expected to begin soon on a new classroom/meeting hall building. All work is being overseen by NSA Properties Inc.

With a raised platform at the speaker’s end, more formal and dramatic musical presentations will be possible. Small dressing rooms will be included, and the platform area will be large enough to be closed off from the rest of the auditorium.

THE UPPER level will also have a large lobby with registration office, and an audio-visual control room for lights, recordings, and slide and film presentations.

Two of the lower-level classrooms will be about 850 square feet each, while the other will en See BOSCH Page 15

(enc ESE SESSA SE RR A EE AE

[Page 12]TEACHING

The American Baha'i

12

The homefront

pioneer

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

One of the most difficult posts for homefront pioneers is living in an isolated area. Brenda and Rick Snyder and their children, Elaine and David, have been pioneering for almost four years in Fillmore, New York. The following letter from them is a wonderful example of the tests and bounties of such a post. é Dear Friends:

We have been homefront pioneering in the ‘‘middle of nowhere” in Fillmore (population 650) for almost four years now. The nearest Baha’is are almost an hour’s drive away by car.

We decided to have a family Naw-Riz party this year. Adults we invited were surprised when we said they could bring their children (who usually aren’t welcome at non-Baha’i parties).

OUR 12-year-old daughter, Elaine, planned the children’s activities, games and food, and this kept her busy and enthusiastic for a week in advance.

Five local families came, and two Baha’i families from Olean—about 25 people in all.

Some people asked about the “‘unspiked’’ punch, the Baha’i Holy Days and calendar, and had many other questions. ~ One woman phoned three times to say what a good time she had at the party. What a great fireside!

Since settling here we have tried to make friends slowly, as ‘Abdu’l-Baha recommends. The people who came to the party came because they are our friends.

Everyone in town knows we are Baha’is, whether they like us or not (the word spreads fast here).

PIONEERING in an isolated area isn’t easy. There are many tests.

The worst is being away from other Baha’is, and then having to travel so far to work and shop. But we are a family, we have each other, and we have Baha’u’llh.

The advantages are that the air is cleaner, the schools smaller, the people friendlier, and the small town we live in safer (physically and morally) for our children to grow up in.

We don’t have formal Baha’i classes, but our children know

See HOMEFRONT Page 13

Extension teaching goals vital in winning Plan

The Universal House of Justice has requested that all Local Spiritual Assemblies adopt an extension teaching goal and actively teach there. Winning these goals is vital if we are to have the victories anticipated by Ridvan 1984.

“The selection of an extension teaching goal is very important. It should be a Group that can be brought to Assembly status by Ridvan 1984.

The National Teaching Committee has established priorities for selecting extension teaching goals and asks that each Local Spiritual Assembly consult and share these priorities with its community.

1. Select an extension teaching goal of seven or more Baha’fs and

Gregory Institute issues revised summer schedule

Louis Gregory Baha’f Institute Revised Summer Schedule, 1983

June 3-5: Youth Leadership Program, sponsored by the National Youth Committee.

June 12-25: Youth Development Program, ‘‘Preparing for Tomorrow's World.’’ Attendance will be limited to 30 youth. Teachers will include Auxiliary Board member Eunice Braun and Ruth Rosenwald.

July 1-4: Louis Gregory Institute Summer School. Classes for adults and children will be presented.

July 10-14: Junior Youth Week, a program for youth 10-14 years old.

July 24-30: Singles Conference Week, for single adults only. The conference is designed for sharing the joys and challenges of living the life and teaching the Faith as a single adult. <

August 6-9: LEAP workshop, sponsored by the National Education Committee (closed session).

August 10-14: Children’s Week, ages 6-9. Fun, games, special instructions.

Rates: Room and board, 15 and older, $16 per day; 5-14 years, $13 per day. Meals only, $2 breakfast, $2.50 lunch, $3.50 supper.

The Coachman Inn motel in Hemingway has non-holiday rates: 1 person, $25 per night; 2 people, $28; 4 people, $35.

We can accommodate only a limited number of students at the Institute, so please make reservations early.

For more information please write to the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554, or telephone 803-558-5093.

bring it to Assembly status by Ridvan 1984.

2. Select a goal that is relatively close by.

3. If there is no nearby Group of seven or more, choose a Group of five or six.

4. In some cases the National Teaching Committee, in consultation with the District Teaching Committee, will suggest a goal to a Baha’i community.

5. Choose only one extension teaching goal at a time, win it, then choose another.

6. Do not choose a jeopardized Assembly or a non-functioning Assembly as an extension teaching goal. District Teaching Committees will assist in those areas.

7. Report your extension teach 6 eae ea These Baha’is from six communities in middle and southern Georgia gathered January 29 in Fort Valley for a day of teaching

ing goal to the National Teaching Committee and your District Teaching Committee by June 1, 1983.

8. When your goal is won, help them to form their Local Spiritual Assembly. .

9. Choose another extension teaching goal and inform the National Teaching Committee.

Remember to choose a goal that no other Assembly has chosen. If you need help in selecting a goal, contact your District Teaching Committee.

How to Help an Extension Teaching Goal to Assembly Status

1. Become friends with everyo1

Ne. 2. Establish at least one ongoing fireside in your goal area.

and consolidation in neighboring communities. The District Teaching Committee of South Georgia

3. Meet with your extension teaching goal Group socially, with a potluck, breakfast or some other social event.

4. Place Baha’i books in the lo ~ cal library.

5. Help the Group to meet on its own, contribute to the Baha’i Fund as a Group, hold Feasts, etc.

6. Attract people to the Faith © through public meetings, lecture series, etc., and then invite them to firesides.

Do not wait to be invited to your extension teaching goal. The Local Spiritual Assembly is asked to take the initiative and execute a teaching plan for its extension teaching goal immediately and to include everyone in the plan.

hopes to sponsor similar activities from time to time to help the teaching work in the district.

Video tapes make S. California meeting possible

The District Teaching Committee for Southern California District No. 2 used video tapes to present a recent conference for goal Groups in that district.

When planning the conference, the committee learned that the speakers it wanted—the Hand of the Cause of God Ali-Akbar Furitan and Juana Conrad, chairman of the National Teaching Committee—would not be available on that date.

A committee member volunteered a video camera/recorder, and Mr. Furdtan was taped before he spoke to the San Diego community in December. Meanwhile, Mrs. Conrad did her taping during a lunch hour.

Both tapes were then shown to a surprised and delighted audience at the conference three weeks later.

National Race Unity Conference canceled

The national Race Unity Conference which was scheduled to be held June 10-12 in Washington, D.C., has been canceled and will be replaced by a series of regional conferences. The Race Unity Committee urges the friends to support the conference in their area.

Their remarks inspired the members of the goal Groups to such an extent that each Group left the conference with a fully developed plan for teaching and proclamation.

The District Teaching Committee termed the conference, which had 100 per cent participation of the goal Groups, an unqualified success.—David Langness

Washington, D.C., launches campaign to bring 1,000 new believers into Faith

More than 100 Baha’is gathered March 19 at the Baha’i Center in Washington, D.C., to launch a mass teaching project designed to bring at least 1,000 new believers into the Faith.

The idea for the campaign was conceived by traveling teachers during a program at the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute in South Carolina.

Participants heard Robert G. Wilson, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, speak about the importance of having regular firesides and how giving a fireside is something everyone can do.

Mr. Wilson suggested that if a person is not interested in the Faith after hearing about it, a Ba ha’i should always invite him or her to investigate further so that he knows a door is always open. Auxiliary Board member Albert James introduced his assistants and spoke about the need to teach and the spiritual bounties that are derived from arising to serve.

Other speakers included Paul Glist, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Washington, D.C., and two members of that community’s teaching committee, James Sturdivant and John Russo.

The evening began with a potluck dinner that was followed by music performed by another member of the D.C. Teaching Committee, Evander Gilmer.

{ene SSS

[Page 13]TEACHING

May 1983

Teaching Committee sees victories

There is an increase in teaching momentum across the country as individuals arise to hold firesides, move to secure the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies and support the teaching projects introduced by the iristitutions of the Faith.

THE NATIONAL Teaching Committee sees a year of victories ahead and has established a teaching plan that will secure the goals in this last year of the three-year phase of the Seven Year Plan.

Individual believers must arise and dedicate themselves to the

teaching effort. No plan, no matter how well-conceived, can succeed without the support of the individual Baha’.

The Universal House of Justice calls upon us to:

© Devise and implement plans to take maximum advantage of the current favorable atmosphere for proclamation of the Faith through the media and the fostering of cordial relationships with people in authority and leaders of thought throughout the country.

Action: Proclamation will be a part of every teaching effort.

from western Oregon.

Oregon saves its jeopardized Assemblies The National Teaching Committee has received thrilling news

Faced with the possible loss of seven Spiritual Assemblies, that district came alive with the resolve (o save them. Mindful of the divine station of Assemblies and the injunction of Baha'u'llah that ‘‘from them the spirit of life streameth forth in every direction,’’ the friends were determined to spare no effort and to make whatever sacrifices were necessary to save those ‘‘shining lamps.’”

The District Teaching Committee of Western Oregon reports that all seven Assemblies have been saved. The National Teaching Committee applauds the valiant efforts and the single-mindedness that made this victory possible.

Local Spiritual Assemblies will be directed to begin reaching business and professional people in their communities. Each teaching plan will be analyzed first by its

ing effort and the proclamation activities that enhance that effort.

© Strive to achieve an unprecedented increase in the number of avowed adherents of the Faith throughout the country and from all levels of society.

Action: Twenty mass teaching projects to bring in 200 new Local Spiritual Assemblies.

¢ Endeavor to increase the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities in those states where their number is relatively small, thus achieving a more balanced distribution.

Action: Cities with Baha'i populations of more than 30 have been asked to produce a nationwide total of 200 homefront pi neers who will form at least 100 new Local Spiritual Assemblies. Many of these homefront pioneers

See GOALS Page 26

Members of the National Teaching Committee's staff at the Baha’f National Center are (clockwise from lower left) Candace Moore, executive secretary; Regina Anchondo, minority teaching coordinator and traveling teacher coordinator; Gretchen Misselt, regional coordinator for the Northeastern states and homefront pioneer coordinator; Robert G. Wil ‘Friendship teams’ formed to aid teaching plans

To help everyone teach and participate more fully in meeting the goals of the Seven Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee and the Persian Affairs Committee have met and established “friendship teams.”’

Friendship teams will help many of the Persian believers to participate in local and national teaching plans.

A FRIENDSHIP team consists of one Persian Baha'i and one or two others as a minimum. Three individuals are ideal.

A friendship team can form vo)untarily or can be helped by a Local Spiritual Assembly.

We suggest that the first priority for Persian believers be those not presently involved in the teaching work, those without transportation, older Baha’is, those with language problems, those who are newly arrived, and

then those who are actively participating.

Responsibilities of ‘friendship teams’

The friendship team will hold its own firesides. Members will set a time for the fireside, secure a place, and plan refreshments.

They will invite personal friends, advertise, and give out invitations where appropriate. Their goal is to make friends with the seekers.

The national goal, called for by the National Teaching Committee and the Persian Affairs Committee, is to have at least 1,000 friendship teams formed by July 1, 1983.

Friendship teams are also encouraged to support their Local Spiritual Assembly’s teaching plans and offer their services, as a team, to their District Teaching

Border teaching campaign scheduled for July 17-30 in Ensenada, California

A Spanish-speaking border teaching project will be held July 17-30 in Ensenada, California.

The project, sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Southern California District No. 4 and the Regional Teaching Committee of Baja, California, will use American and Mexican believers in a joint effort to teach the Spanish-speaking residents of Ensenada.

Needed are 15 to 20 individuals who speak Spanish, are accustomed to rugged living conditions, and are willing to spend two weeks

teaching the Faith in Ensenada.

It is estimated that $150 to $200 would cover personal expenses for one person for that period.

If you would like to participate, please send your name, address, age, phone number and Baha'i LD. number to the District Teaching Committee of Southern California | Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Please indicate whether you have a car, are fluent in Spanish, and have the necessary funds or will need deputization.

Committee.

They could teach on university campuses, reach a significant minority group in a particular area, plan and host a public meeting, or help their community with its extension teaching goal.

Their main focus, however, is to hold regular ongoing firesides.

Friendship teams, when formed, are asked to submit their plans to. their Local Spiritual Assembly; the Assembly, in turn, will forward them to the National Teaching Committee so we can work toward our national goal of 1,000 friendship teams holding regular firesides.

Teaching Committee asks 200 Assemblies to provide homefront pioneers this year

The National Teaching Committee has selected approximately 200 Local Spiritual Assemblies and asked them to provide homefront pioncers for the new homefront pioneer program during the coming year.

The pioneers would be prepared to settle at their new posts by Ridvn 1984 and would greatly assist ‘us in winning the goals of the second phase of the Seven Year Plan.

The Local Assemblies have been asked to report back on the

number of people in their community who might be interested and the amount of help the community could provide for a pioneer.”

At this point, the Assemblies will be helped with recruitment and training and given a list of specific goals for the homefront pioneers to fill. If only one pioneer were to arise from each of these communities, we could casia aes all our goals at Ridvan 1984.

week and be insured for $100. Some film titles are:

life.

Committee.

Teaching Committee has films available

The National Teaching Committee has several films available. Any District Teaching Committee, Local Spiritual Assembly, Baha’{ Group or individual believer can use these films. They are free; the only requirements are that they be returned within a

A New Wind—Documentary of the World Centre and Baha’i

One and a Half Dreams—Contrasts and similarities in opening space and new worlds of opportunity on earth.

Have You Heard the News, My Friend?—Teaching activities in the Deep South and Jamaica in 1971.

And His Name Shall Be One—A 1966 CBS-TV presentation produced for the series ‘‘Lamp Unto My Feet.’”

For more information, call or write the National Teaching

son, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Robert Ferguson, regional coordinator for the Southern states and chief coordinator; Fran Amundson, regional coordinator for the Central states and inquiries correspondent; James Mock, administrative assistant; and Marion West, regional coordinator for the Westem states.

Homefront Continued From Page 12

they are Baha’is. We have prayers and Feasts together and sometimes go to Olean for Feasts, Holy Days, etc.

Thank God for the Olean Baha’{ community! When things got tough the first few years (we knew no one here), they were there, and their activities inspired us.

Thank God, too, for traveling teachers. Keep coming!

Most of all, we have learned that we must rely on God, for there is no refuge save in Him. And it’s worth it!

Brenda and Rick Snyder (and Elaine and David) Fillmore, New York

The National Teaching Committee has been calling Local Spiritual Assemblies in larger Baha’{ communities near jeopardized Spiritual Assemblies asking them to find a homefront pioneer to help save that Assembly. We would like to thank the homefront pioneers reported to our office who arose to save these Assemblies:

Gilbert, Arizona—Randy Hamilton and Kevin Travis.

Richland, Washington—Christine Heunneke.

Fillmore, California—Phyllis and Michael Kircher and son Tommy.

We are sure that there are many more homefront pioneers who have arisen to save Assemblies this Rigvan. We would like to thank all of them for their sacrifice and effort.

pee Ss

[Page 14]NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

14

Many Bahá’ís have found themselves frustrated, embittered or disillusioned by business dealings with other Bahd’{s. Because this problem is becoming more acute, the National Spiritual Assembly has asked Lawrence M. Miller, president of Tarkenton and Company in Atlanta, Georgia, to prepare an article on the subject with the hope that Baha’ fs will heed its sound advice and conduct such relationships in a more businesslike manner.

‘ .

By LAWRENCE M. MILLER

As Baha’ is, we desire to devote our entire lives to the Faith and to the creation of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order. Unfortunately, we must live in the world of today, and that, for most of us, means working eight hours a day, five days a week (at least).

Many Baha’fs have felt that if they could work side-by-side with fellow Baha’is their working lives would be more rewarding. Many have endeavored to do this by hiring Baha’ fs or by forming businesses with their fellow believers.

WHILE the motives of these ventures are almost always worthy, many of them have turned sour, not only failing to achieve the hoped-for rewards but resulting in personal conflicts, disharmony in the community and, in some cases, financial loss.

I would like to offer some guidelines for Baha’is who are considering joint business ventures which I hope may increase the number of succesful ventures and help reduce the number of disappointing experiences.

Of course, no guidelines are a substitute for sound judgment and for following the principles of ethics and sound business practices.

When entering into a business, many Bahá’is have felt that their Faith offers principles that are superior to the common principles of business. They have therefore chosen to ignore common and accepted business practices, feeling that they would be guided by the principles of the Faith.

This is a mistake. If one is to be successful in business one must understand and follow sound and commonly accepted business practices. The overwhelming majority of these practices are wholly consistent with Baha’i teachings and are necessary.

Only the Baha’i who first understands these practices and is experienced in business can then begin to apply Baha’i principles to refine and improve business practices. This same principle is true in the fields of science, education, the arts, etc.

1. On hiring Baha’is:

Hiring someone is quite a different matter than entering into a joint business venture. If you are hiring someone, you are already in the business and have a position of responsibility to the organization.

If you have the authority to hire, you have been given the trust of finding the best possible person to fill a position. Ethically, you must work to fill the position with the most competent, dedicated and trustworthy person available.

If this person is also a Baha’, that is well and good. However, because someone is a Baha’i that does not assure that he or she is the most competent, dedicated or even trustworthy person for this job.

2. Investing in another’s venture:

beyond one’s daily living requirements (including regular contributions to the Baha’i Funds), it is wise to invest those funds so that they are working to produce additional

revenue.

Many Baha’is have been presented with investment opportunities by fellow Baha’is and have welcomed the opportunity to put the money to use to help a fellow Baha’i and with someone whom they feel they can trust.

As in other joint business dealings, sound business practices should be followed when investing, regardless of the Faith or familiarity of the person with whom one is dealing. The following are some principles that may help you consider investment opportunities: 2 A. Don’t take risks you can’t afford.

Do not invest funds that you need for living expenses. Thé only investments available today that involve no risk are those that are insured by the Federal government. These investments include savings accounts or other deposits in banks or savings and loan institutions. Because they involve little risk, they also produce a relatively low return on the money invested.

The very concept of investment is one of a return for taking a risk. The greater the risk, the greater the possible return (or loss); the lower the risk, the lower the possible return.

If there are funds that you must have for your daily living, it is irresponsible to be taking a risk with those funds. Never borrow against the equity in your home to use the borrowed funds for a risky (although possibly highly profitable) venture.

B. Evaluate risks realistically.

Baha’ is are very often optimists. This optimism sometimes causes us to overstate the likelihood of a return and to understate the risks involved in any venture. We don’t like to be negative, therefore we don’t like to talk about the possible loss.

It is important that when you invest you have a realistic understanding of the potential of losing your money, as well as of the potential of gaining a profit. Always ask about the risk of loss. Ask for information about similar investments managed by the same person with whom you are now considering investing. Ask for references.

Remember that there is a general, yet lawful relationship between the potential for high return and the potential to lose your money. In other words, you are unlikely to lose your money investing it in a fund that has consistently produced a 10 per cent return.

But investing in a real estate venture, a new invention, or a start up business that may produce a return of several hundred per cent on your investment is likely to be very risky and there is a high possibility that you will lose some or all of your money.

Such investments are generally wise only for those who can afford to lose the money

that they invest and still be able to cover.

their current living and retirement needs. You should seriously question any investment that claims a very high return, yet very low risk. It is such ‘claims that usually are intended for the naive investor and are often presented by either incompetent or dishonest individuals.

C. Have your agreement in writing. Any time you give someone your money

should receive a signed document in exchange. This document should, at a minimum, acknowledge the receipt of the money, the purpose for which it is to be used, the terms and conditions under which it will be returned, and any guarantee or security for its return. The document should be signed by both parties and witnessed by an impartial third party.

I strongly recommend that you make use of an attorney for the writing of such documents if the investment is significant. But significant or not, you should have a signed document.

Many Baha’is have a mistaken attitude toward signed documents. Often, they feel that asking for a signed document is an in dication of mistrust in the other person and ”

is therefore insulting.

Two parties who do not trust each other should not enter into any business arrangement regardless of_its nature, risks or conditions. Our management consulting firm will not do business with anyone whom we do not trust, and we don’t expect anyone to employ us if they do not trust us. However, we always have a signed agreement that specifies the objectives, methods, time and fees for any work. This is simply a sound business practice that is a protection for both parties.

If two people trust each other there is no reason not to put the understanding in writing. The discipline of writing down the agreement will most often force the two parties to come to grips with the real issues, discuss those issues, and acknowledge the mutual understandings. Attorneys are trained to identify the important issues in a business relationship and to write agreements in a manner that will not be open to misinterpretation.

When considering an investment presented to you by another Baha’i, ask yourself the following questions: ¢

1. Can | afford to lose the money I am investing? If not, your money should remain in a secure or guaranteed fund.

2. Does the stated potential for risk logically match the potential for profit? If the potential for return is very high, yet the risks appear to be very low, you probably don’t know enough about this investment. Inquire further.

3. Does the person who will manage the funds or investments have a proven track record of managing similar investments? What knowledge do you have of those investments?

4. Are all of the understandings regarding this investment in writing and agreed to by all parties?

3. Going into business:

When discussing investments I was discussing passive investments, those in which one shares ownership but does not plan to become actively involved. In this section I will present some guidelines for participating actively in a business venture with another Baha’i.

Starting a new business venture is risky. The majority of all new businesses fail within the first couple of years. It is a good bet that your new business, your hope and your dreams, in which you have invested your money, will fail!

While this sounds negative, it is nevertheless a fact, and you are most likely to succeed or be protected from failure if you are realistic about your chances. Hopefully,

Advice for Baha’is considering business relationships

risks and maximize the probability of success. Here are some suggestions: A. Who will contribute what?

Let us assume that we are starting a new business. Let us further assume that our new business will be a retail store that will import and sell jewelry.

Three Bah’is plan to enter into this business together. Tom has inherited a large sum of money and will provide the capital required to start the business. Paula has sold jewelry before, is presently unemployed, and will manage the store. Armand has friends in foreign countries who can purchase excellent jewelry at a good price and he has been an artist himself, so he will purchase the jewelry. These are the three partners in our new business, ‘‘New Era Jewelry.””

It would appear that they have a reasonable blend of capital, expertise and time. These are the three elements most needed by a business and are the most common forms of contribution required.

The first question that might be asked is, who will own the business? Will this be an equal three-way partnership, or should Tom, because he has contributed all of the capital, hold all of the stock, while the other two parties act as employees?

There is no right answer here. What is important is that all parties openly discuss the value of what they are going to contribute to the business and the control and compensation that they expect in return.

Let us assume, for example, that the parties agree that Tom will own 60 per cent of the stock in the company, Paula will own 20 per cent and Armand 20 per cent. They also agree that Paula will be paid a full salary because she will work full-time; Armand will be paid on a consulting basis for the time he will put in; and Tom will receive no compensation. Profits, it is agreed, will be distributed according to the ownership shares.

Regarding control: It should always be understood that control can legally be exerted by the person who owns 51 per cent or more of the shares in a business. It is amazing how many people enter into business and fail to understand the importance of this.

This may seem insignificant during the dreamy days of the formation of a business. It is always highly significant when the business is either succeeding or failing, and it always does one of the two.

Discuss the implications of stock ownership both in terms of exercising control and distributing profits. Be certain that these matters have been fully discussed and that all parties have the same understanding before the business is begun. Remember that decisions cannot be avoided, they must be made. Who will make what decisions?

Regarding compensation: An agreement regarding compensation should be reached at the formation of a business. In our example it may be reasonable for Tom to accept no salary because he does not plan to spend any time running the business. He does plan, however, to receive profits for his shares of stock.

It is certainly reasonable for Paula to receive a salary because she is going to be working full-time in the business; however, Armand is going to keep his regular job and manage the purchasing on weekends and evenings. When paying for expertise, rather

See BUSINESS Page 15

When one has funds available above and _for investment purposes or for a loan, you you will do those things that minimize the

[Page 15]NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

May 1983

15

Business

Continued From Page 14

than time, the amount and form of compensation is not nearly so obvious. But it is often expertise that enables a business to succeed. What shal! be fair compensation for this expertise? Again, the no one right answer. The point is to reach a prior agreement on the matter.

Many partnerships fail because the parties have failed to specify and agree on who will make what contribution and the fair and reasonable compensation and control that will result from each contribution. Before the business is begun, reach these agreements after full and frank discussion and put those agreements in writing. B. Develop a realistic, written plan

What are your goals? How are you going to reach those goals? When are you going to reach them? What check points are there along the way?

Every good business person understands the importance of a clear and agreed upon plan. Logical, consistent and enthusiastic action is motivated by a plan that all parties can understand and implement. We like to see plans laid out before us. We like to see plans unfold. We feel good when points on the plan are achieved. We feel bad when we miss checkpoints or goals.

These dynamics are critical to the management of any business, or any activity of a group of peo

ple that is purposeful and produces results. This is why the Guardian of our Faith was always planning, measuring results, asking for goals, and praising success. This concept is central to business and management.

Invite all of the key members of your business to participate in the development of your plan. Use the principle of consultation here. This will result in a plan that all understand, to which all are committed, and which everyone feels is realistic and fair.

C. Plan for failure

Successful business people have learned to anticipate events that may affect their business. Because failure is a common outcome of a new business venture, you should discuss how matters are to be handled if the business fails:

Will one party have any claims on the other parties? For example, if our jewelry store does not succeed, customers are inadequate, cash flow is negative, and the capital is rapidly being consumed, at what point will the partners agree to terminate the business? If Tom loses all of his capital, will he expect Paula or Armand to share in this loss? .

What if Tom decides to borrow money to put into the business. Will this change the ownership relationship? And what will happen if two months into the bus iness, Tom decides that this is not a wise decision and moves to terminate his involvement, take out his money and sell the merchandise that has been purchased?

D. Communicate openly

Open and frank communication among key associates in a business is absolutely essential. Problems arise quickly when there is not much consultation. A business partnership is much like a marriage. Conflicts and differing opinions are inevitable. The business, as the marriage,-can succeed only if the participants are determined to make it succeed by openly and honestly sharing their views, listening to one another, being willing to compromise, and acting in unity after a consultative decision is reached.

E. Recognize cultural differences One of the strengths -and ap peals of the Bahd’{ community is the diversity of its members. We come from a broad range of social, economic, educational and cultural backgrounds.

These differences include different understandings about money, authority and management, the relative values of different contributions to a business, etc. It is much easier to go into a business partnership with some‘one who has all of the same understandings as yourself. If your partner comes from a different cultural background, he or she will have different views, some, of which may be the basis for misunderstandings.

For this reason, it is even more important that all of the issues discussed above are consulted upon, agreed to and planned for prior to entering into the business.

Louhelen sets rigorous program of study especially for youth

For 12 days, from June 12-24, the Louhelen Baha’i School will be the site of a challenging and rigorous program of Baha’i study specifically geared toward youth (ages 15 and older).

Modeled after the intensive and successful Youth Week held last December, the program will feature an in-depth study of some of Shoghi Effendi’s writings, structured periods of prayer and meditation, and discussion of issues that are of special interest and concern to youth.

Athletics, recreation and time for fellowship will be included, but the intent of the program is to foster a serious study of the Faith and its relevance to young people in their personal struggles.

“During the Youth Week in December,” says Changiz Geula, a member of the Louhelen Council, ‘‘we found the youth re sponding quite positively to rigorous study and a combination of lecture, discussion groups and individual study.

“We feel we began to develop a framework for teaching and inspiring youth during that- week, and we plan to build on that framework at the upcoming conference.

“Our intention is to challenge the youth to come to grips with the Faith in a new way and to expand their capacity for service and devotion to the Faith.’”

The conference is being planned by the Louhelen School Council. Additional information about the conference, including information about rates, scholarships and accommodations, is’ available from

.the Registrar, Louhelen Baha’i

School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Phone 313-6535033.

Association for Baha’i Studies to hold eighth annual Conference in Chicago

The eighth annual Conference of the Association for Baha'i Studies will be held October 8-10 at the Palmer House in Chicago.

The first two days of the Conference will be open and will include the presentation of the 1983 essay contest awards for excellence in Baha’i studies, the third annual Hasan Balydzi lecture, and the annual meeting of the Association.

The third day of the Conference will be devoted to the theme “Strategies for Social Change: An Ever-Advancing Civilization.’’

A special Conference rate for rooms at the Palmer House of $50 per night has been secured whether for single, double, triple or quadruple occupancy.

The Association has reserved a block of 300 rooms at this special rate. Early registration is strongly recommended, as the rooms can

only be held until a month before the Conference. After that time, regular rates of $100 per night for a single room and $120 for a double room apply.

Those who are doing research or studies on the Faith are invited to submit abstracts for review toward possible inclusion in the Conference program. All accepted manuscripts will be presented at the Conference and considered for publication.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is July 15, and full texts must be received in Ottawa by September 15.

For registration and other Conference information, write to the Association for Baha’i Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIN 7K4.

One more suggestion: Many who are planning to go into business fail to deal with these issues up front because they are not entirely comfortable discussing potential sources of conflict. These are pushed under the rug and the business is started on the prayer that they will not surface. They will surface!

If you are not comfortable discussing any issue or possibility regarding a business venture with a potential partner, you should not go into partnership with that person. Either you, or the other person, lacks the maturity or other qualities necessary fora-successful business partnership. If you are uncomfortable discussing these matters before beginning a business, you will have to discuss them later when they will not be anticipated problems but real ones. This will be much more un The Spiritual Assembly of Placerville J.D. West, California, invites Baha’fs to come and help pan for ‘spiritual nuggets’ during the ‘Gold Fever Conference’ to be held June 17-19 at Eldorado High

School in Placerville. The roster of speakers includes two Counsellors and members of the National Teaching Committee and

Auxiliary Board. On Saturday

comfortable for you.

I believe that we Baha’is should be the most successful business people in the world. Our understanding of the trends in the world, our model of consultation, and.our spirit of service are all assets that are sought after qualities in a manager.

Our spiritual understandings can enhance our ability to manage a business if we are willing to “walk the spiritual path with practical feet.” We must remember that in this new era there is no contradiction between the spiritual and the practical.

If we pursue excellence in all our affairs, as the Master encouraged us to do, and if we are able to deal frankly and honestly with the important issues in our businesses, we will be examples for all in our professions.

evening there will be an old-fashioned hoedown dance. Placerville is the place where gold was first discovered in California in the mid-19th century. For more conference details contact the Spiritual Assembly of Placerville J.D. West, Placerville, CA 95667, or telephone 916-626-0341.

Bosch

Continued From Page 11

compass about 500 square feet. Two of these classrooms will be connected by a removable divider.

These rooms, which will be used primarily for children’s activities, are all larger than the existing children’s classrooms. Also planned is a room specifically designed for audio-visual workshops and slide show production.

The bath house/tent structure will be combined with a previously approved project to construct several parking spaces for recreational vehicles.

The bath house, to be located central to the tents and RV sites, will include men’s and women’s facilities and a coin-operated laundry.

TENT structures, about 300 square feet each, will be simple in construction and house from four to six people per unit.

The RV parking spaces, with water and electricity at each site, will be screened by trees and shrubs so as not to detract from

the forest setting.

Tents, to be built north of the existing cabins, will have permanent roofs, half walls topped by screen and canvas, and small decks.

Both the bath house and tents were designed by contractor Mark Beers, a Baha’i from Milpitas, California.

The decision to construct tent structures and RV parking spaces was supported by a survey taken last spring of Assemblies and Groups in California.

Construction of these facilities was begun in February.

“We hope to have the bath house and some of the tents and RY sites completed this summer,”” says Mr. Kelly.

After the educational complex is completed, he says, the existing lodge will be remodeled to expand the dining room to the main room. Other future plans include kitchen expansion, a new library, and continued improvement of the office and staff cabins.

All construction projects at the school are overseen by NSA Properties Inc.

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[Page 16]CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha'i

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Classified notices in The American Bahd’( are published free of charge as a service to the Baha’i 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.

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WANTED: Successful advertisements and media releases that have been used by Baha’is in small towns and isolated areas. The recently formed Wyoming Baha’i Information Council is soliciting materials for a file of articles, ads, taped messages, classified notices and other media techniques that have been used to proclaim the Faith. These materials will be used to inspire additional media releases, and in cases where the material has not been copyrighted, re-released. The council would be happy to share this collection of ideas with other Baha’i media representatives around the country. Please send ideas and/or materials to the Wyoming Baha’i Information Council, c/o Richard Mee secretary,

Gaeper: WY 82609.

BAHA'IS are needed in Citrus Heights, California, a suburban community 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, the state capital. Although the community is presently numerically adequate, several of its members are seeking to pioneer while others may have to relocate. Citrus Heights is within commuting distance of ample employment opportunities including those in aeronautics and electronics. In the area are a state university, several community colleges and good medical facilities. The city is close to several major ski areas, recreational facilities (summer and winter), Lake Tahoe, Reno and San Francisco. The climate is generally mild. The most immediate need is for Baha’is who are willing to participate in community activities, helping

to consolidate and increase our numbers. For more information please write to the Bahá’ís of Citrus Heights, P.O. Box 1294, Citrus Heights, CA 95610.

FINLAND needs English teachers at the kindergarten, college and adult levels. University qualifications preferable. The National Spiritual Assembly of Finland writes: ‘‘Let’s be honest about Finland. There are jobs for qualified English teachers or English majors. Technical background is an advantage. Yes, it is cold here but that is outside, not inside, as everywhere is centrally heated. The language is difficult, as it is not Indo-European, but you can learn it. Social welfare provides practically free medical, dental and educational services, especially for children. We need Baha’is, especially pioneers in goal towns. Interested?”’ If so, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SUMMER jobs at the Green Acre Baha’i School include those for cooks, innkeeper, registrar, librarian, and directors of programs for adults, youth and children. For an application, please write to the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

REGISTERED Nurses are badly needed to help fill two important goals in Asia and Australasia. You may be one of the only possible candidates who can fill these positions. For more information, write to the International Goals Committee, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. Please do it now!

“FOURTEEN homefront pioneers for West Virginia,’’ says the National Teaching Committee. With fewer than 200 Bahá’ís in the state and only three Spiritual Assemblies, your teaching efforts greatly contribute to expansion and consolidation. Whether you long for the rural life along country roads or for life in the cities

The Bahá’ís of North Las Vegas, Nevada, recently presented four books to the North Las Vegas Public Library, adding to its sizable collection of Baha’i books.

Shown with library administrator Thomasine Carson (left) is Joan McWhirter of the North Las Vegas Baha’i community.

along the banks of major tributaries, West Virginia can offer you opportunities for reaching pure hearts with the Message of Baha’u’ll4h. Come to the place where you belong, West Virginia. Write to Sorour Payman, secretary, District Teaching Committee of West Virginia, P.O. Box 940, Hinton, WV 25951 (phone 304-466-5296).

PIONEER and invest in a developing country. Honduras needs financially self-sufficient pioneers who can invest in agricultural projects and live in rural areas. Earn money on your investments while opening and consolidating new areas for the Faith. Needed are several Baha’is who can live in the country. Honduras also has an excellent medical school with no entrance exams. For more informa tion contact the International Goals Committee, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL

60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

TWO homefront pioneers are needed to help maintain the fiveyear-old Spiritual Assembly of Smithtown, New York, a suburban community in Suffolk County, Long Island, about an hour’s drive from New York City. A Baha’{ who is an experienced real estate broker is willing to help in finding housing. For more information write to the Spiritual Assembly of Smithtown, c/o Mrs. Mildred Moore,

St. James, NY 11780, or ¢ 516-584-7576.

THE ROSEVILLE, Michigan, Baha’i TV Project would like to borrow video tapes of the series “The Spiritual Revolution” in Spanish for showing at the Latino Community Center in Detroit. If you have any information about these tapes, please contact the Roseville Baha’i TV Project, c/o Linda C. Worphner, secretary,

Detroit, MI 48219, or phone 313-532-4584.

PIONEERS in Papua New Guinea would be grateful to borrow either individual volumes or the entire set of the now out-of-print Baha’ Lesson Plans Grades K-8, some to be used for a month and returned by registered air mail. If anyone can help, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

RADIO Baha’ del Lago Titicaca in Peri needs a managerial assistant. A radio-trained, Spanish-speaking, single man with a background that permits him to form a good team with Chilean Baha’is is the candidate being sought. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed and welcomed in the small mountain town of Buckhorn, Kentucky. The Buckhorn Children’s Center, a residential home for about 20-30 children, has job

openings for houseparents (must be couples, five days on, two days off, for six to eight children ages 10 to 18, salary about $14,000); nurse (community education stressed, house furnished, responsible for nutrition of Center childdren); education coordinator (operates the campus Learning Lab which has computers and many other exciting teaching tools, helps children to attain specific skills in math and reading); and volunteers (to give six months to a year of their time to the Center. Housing and food furnished, perhaps a small amount of money; skills such as crafts, gardening, recreation, teaching, arts/drama welcomed). Please contact Nellie Shore at the Buckhorn Children’s Center, Buckhorn, KY 41721, or phone her at 606-398-7435 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Eastern time) only.

BOLIVIA: The soon to be installed Baha’i radio station in Caracollo, Oruro, needs qualified and experienced personnel. Applicants should be in good health, preferably male, single, and fluent in Spanish. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A BAHA'I who owns two taxi cabs in Austin, Texas, has openings for a driver and an auto mechanic who would be willing to live in nearby Georgetown, a goal community of the Spiritual Assembly of Round Rock, and help with the teaching work there. The driver must have a spotless driving record; driving would be done in Austin, 30 miles from Georgetown. Mechanic would work in the Round Rock-Georgetown area. Relocation expenses will be paid. For more information phone Manouch Ziari, 512-2558101, mail resumés to

Round Rock, TX 7866, or contact the Assembly secretary, Dale Ricklefs, 709 Andover Drive, Round Rock (phone 512-255-5600, evenings).

NATUREGRAPH Publishers is a privately owned publishing company that publishes some Baha’{-related books, particularly books about the American Indians. Anyone wishing to be placed on the mailing list may write to Naturegraph, P.O. Box 1075, Happy Camp, CA 96039.

SCHOOL teachers: The International Goals Committee has received a new listing of teaching positions worldwide. There are many university positions in the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe, as well as primary and secondary positions. ‘We need many more pioneers to fulfill the needs of the Faith in other lands. Obtaining teaching jobs is one of the ways in which pioneers are able to go and remain at their posts. If you can teach,

have the proper credentials and/or experience, and would like to pioneer to another country, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039,

BELGIUM needs pioneers. Teachers of English and history have the possibility of jobs at a British school. A bachelor’s degree and certificate are required. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

THE BAHA'IS of the Navajo Nation extend a warm and loving invitation to everyone to come and help them bring the Faith to Native Americans. There is an immediate opening for-a nutritionist to work with the Navajo WIC program (please send a resumé for this position), and other jobs are available in nursing, medicine, education and other fields. For more information please contact Annie Heist, P.O. Box 743, Fort Defiance, AZ 86504, or phone 602-871-4531.

IF YOU are interested in homefront pioneering, please consider beautiful Sanford, Florida, a small community only 15 miles from Orlando. The Spiritual Assembly of Seminole County has a goal of raising the Sanford Group to Assembly status. For more information please contact Linda Reimer, selberry, FL 32707 (phone 305-834-3538) or Dr. Monib Collestan, 305-862-8661.

GRANTS, New Mexico, desperately needs a Spanish/Englishspeaking Baha’ to help us communicate with several new believers. Grants, which has a mild climate and plentiful housing to rent or buy at low prices, is surrounded by mountains including Mt. Taylor, which is sacred to the Navajo Indians. Work is available at the local hospital or in nearby

See ADS Page 27 ESATA

’{ HOUSE OF WORSHIP Wilmette, Hlinois Summer Hours (May 15 to October 14) Main Auditorium (Upstairs) Open 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for prayers; open 10 a.m, to 10 p.m. for visitors Visitors Center (Downstairs) Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, daily Baha’i Book Shop Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Sunday Activities Devotional Program, 3 p.m.

BAH.

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

[Page 17]RACE UNITY

May 1983

17

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

Seattle Assembly sponsors regional conference on ‘challenging issue’

Pictured at the Baha’f-sponsored Black History event held in February in Mount Airy, North Caro

lina, are Baha'is Neda Nikoul (left) and Johanna Merritt (center) and their friend, Lynn Ceaser.

Mount Airy community salutes black history with observance

More than 65 people, half of whom were guests, attended a gala party presented by the Baha'i community of Mount Airy, North Carolina, as a part of its Intercalary Days celebration during Black History Month in February.

Over the years the Baha’is in Mount Airy have strived to teach their many black friends about the Faith, but to date there has been only one enrollment.

The party was an attempt to teach the Faith through an atmosphere of unity between the races in a social setting in a home while teaching the white Baha’is more about black history.

The program, arranged by a friend of the Baha'is at their request, featured a musical presentation on black history by members of six black church choirs.

The spirit of unity created by the moving program carried over into the festivities of the rest of the evening.

An additional effort to teach Baha'is and others about black history during February took place at the montuly community deepening session when Dirk Anderson, a Baha’i who was enrolled in the Faith only six months before, presented a review of To Move the World, Gayle Morrison’s biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory.

The president of the local NAACP chapter attended the meeting and expressed his admiration for Mr. Gregory.

Asa result of the deepening session, two other friends of the Baha’fs have also read the book. One of them is black, the other white.

The Spiritual Assembly of Seattle, Washington, sponsor of the To Move the World Committee, invites everyone to attend its first regional conference on “‘the most challenging issue” June 17-19 at the University of Washington.

THE purpose of the conference is to help establish a world commonwealth ‘tin which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded, thus contributing to an ever-advancing civilization, creatil ¢ unity of the human race as

(Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, pp. 203-4)

The conference is dedicated to the memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory.

It will provide a number of structured activities including, but not limited to, workshops, seminars, institutes and lectures.

Some of these will concern the rsity of the extended family; living museums (a series of cultural rooms); information on foods, languages, clothing, mannerisms, artifacts and religions of many cultures; principles of mass teaching and consolidation; religion and its relationship to man; and the historical basis of racism and its effect on the Baha’i community.

Those who plan to attend the conference are asked to prepare themselves by reading the follow

Panel discussion keynotes observance of Race Unity Day in N. Las Vegas

The Bahda’is of North Las Vegas, Nevada, observed Race Unity Day last June with a panel discussion on “Race Unity: The Promise and the Challenge’ whose participants included leaders of southern Nevada’s black and Hispanic communities.

The keynote speaker was Mrs. Carolyn Hensley, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas.

Other presentations were made by Jean Childs, an educational administrator and long-time member of the NAACP, and Bob Rivas, executive director of Las Vegas’ Center for Employment Training.

A panel discussion and question-and-answer session was moderated by Aleda Nelson, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas.

ities

, A Participating in a Bahd’{-sponsored program on ‘Race Unity: The Promise and the Challenge’ last June in Las Vegas, Nev:

were Bob Rivas (standing) and Jean Childs, who represented the Hispanic and black communities, respectively, in Las Vegas.

ing reference materials:

‘The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd; the Tablets of the Divine Plan; the Development of Baha’i Administration; the Seven Year Plan (Universal House of Justice); and The Advent of Divine Justice (Shoghi i) Move the Worl Measure of Love’ mulgation of Universal Peace.

An extensive, innovative program is planned for children and

youth: with race questions answered through the arts.

Entertainment is planned for each evening with guests invited from all over the world. There will be exciting ethnic programs with the group “Drums for All Nations” as the highlight.

For more information about the conference write to To Move the World Committee, P.O. Box 396, Seattle, WA 98111.

We Deacon Ben Grant of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Port Washington, New York, receives the Louis Gregory Award for contributions to race unity and service to his fellow man from Beverly

Dunn, secretary of the Teaching Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Town of North Hempstead. The award ceremony was held February 19.

North Hempstead Baha’is honor Baptist deacon for service to race unity, mankind

The Baha'is of the Town of North Hempstead, New York, gathered February 19 with members of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Port Washington to honor Deacon Ben Grant for his outstanding contributions to race unity and service to his fellow man.

The Baha’i-sponsored program, chaired by Rick Zeff, a Baha’i from North Hempstead, included a presentation on the life of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory by Mrs. Viola Wood, sec retary of the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.

Following the talk, the Baha’i community of North Hempstead presented Deacon Grant with its first Louis Gregory Award and a copy of the book To Move the World, the biography of Mr. Gregory by Gayle Morrison,

About 60 people attended the event including several members of the Mount Pleasant church and Baha'is from throughout the metropolitan New York area.

Amoz Gibson teaching campaign scheduled

The American Indian Teaching Committee and the South Dakota District Teaching Committee are co-sponsoring the 1983 Amoz Gibson Teaching Project from June 8 through August 14.

The goal of the project is to strengthen Reservation Assemblies in Fort Thompson and Wamblee, South Dakota, and Macy, Nebraska.

Included will be (1) children’s classes and activities, (2) an extensive deepening program using dramatics, puppetry, dance, music, study groups and audiovisual presentations, and (3) a heart-to-heart teaching campaign

supported by media proclamation,

“By going to the Indian Reservations and helping the Indian people, working with them side by side,”’ says Cathy Cook, secretary of the American Indian Teaching Committee, ‘“‘the friends will be helping to win the goals of the Seven Year Plan and realizing the dreams and hopes of our dear brother, Amoz Gibson.”’

For information about how you can share your skills, resources and talents on these Reservations, please contact Maureen Reiber,

Crete, NE 68333, or phone 402-826-2586,

[Page 18]

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[Page 19]PERSIAN PAGE

May 1983

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The American Baha'i

20

At the

UNITED NATIONS

On December 17, 1979, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 1985 as International Youth Year (IYY).

The purpose of IYY is to bring about a greater international awareness of the challenges and problems facing youth as well as the positive contributions that youth can make to the world and to the process of economic and social development in the less-developed countries.

THE GENERAL Assembly has chosen three central themes for TYY: participation, development and peace.

Since 1979, the UN, national governments and _ international non-governmental organizations have used these themes as a guide in the development of special programs and activities for the observance of IYY.

Within the UN system itself, the General Assembly has established an advisory committee on LYY, which has formulated a specific Programme of Measures and Activities to be undertaken as part of the observance.

The measures decided upon include the possible drafting of an international declaration concerning the rights and responsibilities of youth; the preparation of five regional conferences to develop regional plans for IYY; the implementation, recently approved by the General Assembly, of a worldwide .campaign for treeplanting during the year; and the creation of national coordinating committees in each country—13 of which have already been formed including one in the U.S.

THE community of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) associated with the UN—which includes the Baha’i International Community and the American Baha’i Community, the two Baha’i offices at the UN—has also been active in preparing its own pro . jects for International Youth Year, largely through the activities of the NGO Committee on Youth.

Among the projects that this committee is considering are the creation of a cultural radio program featuring musical compositions written by young people from around the world, and the elaboration of plans for a treeplanting project—calling for each young person around the world to plant a tree in 1985.

Both the Bahd’{ International Community and the American Baha’{ community’s offices at the UN are contributing to the development of these plans through the activities of their respective representatives to the Committee on

See UNITED NATIONS Page 28

The Baha’is of Los Altos, California, recently elected the first Spiritual Assembly in that community. Its members include (front row left to right) Carol

Louhelen School to host two-day conference on pioneering

The Louhelen Baha’i School Council is pleased to announce a two-day conference July 2-4 designed to help Baha’is learn more about the rewards and the problems of international pioneering.

“We've talked to many Baha’ is who are considering pioneering as a way to serve the Faith,”’ says Dr. Geoffry Marks, Louhelen’s director of academic affairs. ‘‘We find that many people don’t know enough about whether pioneering is the best form of service for them, about how they should prepare themselves, about what to expect.

“This conference won't be like the Intetnational Goals Committee’s Pioneer Training Institutes, which are geared to pioneers en route to their posts.

“Rather, it is for those who are considering pioneering sometime

Briber, Steven Beedle (treasurer), Fru Michalchik, and (back row left to right) Janice ThompsonBeedle, Abbas Effendi (vice-chair in the future and want to learn more about it.’”

Two members of the International goals committee, Farhang Javid and the committee secretary, Mary Louise Suhm, will be at the conference, as will some former pioneers.

The conference will present a realistic view of pioneering including its joys and sorrows, its rewards and tribulations, and will include sessions on travel teaching, learning to understand and value other cultures, and how to decide if pioneering is right for you.

A program for children up to age 14 will be provided. Social activities and food will be international in nature.

Additional information about the conference is available from the Registrar. To pre-register,

Children’s Race Unity Conference to be held in June in Washington, D.C.

A children’s Race Unity Conference will be held Saturday, June 11, at American University in Washington, D.C. onference, sponsored by ual Assembly of Washington and the district LEAP committee, is designed for children 6 to 14 years old and their parents. Non-Baha’is are welcome.

Workshops emphasizing principles of race unity will clude those in dance, music, international cooking, computers, ceramics and clowning.

The evening program will feature the premier performance of a play based on the book The Secret in the Garden.

For information phone 301596-6154 evenings and weekends; 301-839-2055 from noon to 7 p.m. Eastern time; or 301-589-1545, ext. 229 during office hours.

Lone Baha’i engineers effective proclamation

Darlene Key, an isolated Baha’i in New London, Connecticut, recently planned a whirlwind twoday visit to that city by Ruth Rosenwald, a Baha’i from Weston, that included:

© Poetry reading and a question-and-answer session on a local radio station.

• A meeting with teachers and

students at a high school where Ms. Rosenwald was asked to conduct. a full class on “The American Dream.””

• A three-hour session at Connecticut College with Richard McLellan, director of Unity House, a

center for international and interracial students, and members of that organization.

© A deepening at the home of a Baha’i couple in nearby Norwich.

¢ A four-hour public meeting at the New London Public Library that was well-attended by a diverse racial and religious group.

Aneth, Utah, slates Summer Celebration

The Baha'is of Aneth, Utah, are sponsoring the first Aneth Baha’{ Summer Celebration July 1-4 on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Everyone is invited to bring tents, campers, trailers, teepees, rafts, hiking boots, swimsuits, baseball gloves, handicrafts, musical instruments and food for a weekend of deepenings, firesides,

Alex Briber (secretary),

man), Mike Michalchik (chairman), Minuo Effendi. Not pictured is Soheil Effendi.

send a $10 (non-refundable) deposit to the Registrar, Louhelen Baha'i School, 3208 S. State

Road, Davison, MI 48423. Rates will vary depending upon the kind of accommodations and

camping, rafting, swimming and

playing. For more information and di

Be like the fountainempty yourself, and be refilled

National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL, 60091

rections, write to Mitchell and Robin Silas, P.O. Box 512, Aneth, UT 84510.

age of the registrant, but will average about $42 for the program, lodging and meals.

New from George Ronald, Publisher

The Sunshine Tree

and Other Tales from Around the World

Retold by Wendy Heller Illustrated by Brian O’Neill

A fascinating collection of nineteen tales gathered from diverse countries and cultures, all reflecting universal themes especially appropriate to today’s. world: the value of perseverance, kindness, contentment, and unity, as well as the results of gossip, greed, and vanity.

To assist parents and teachers, each book comes with a 16-page Guide including discu: questions, suggested activi Bahd’{ quotations for each tale,

96 pages, 7 +x 9 +inches, 19 illus. Hardcover $9.75* Catalog No. 352-088 Softcover $4.75* Catalog No. 352-089

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to

Bah@ i Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 21]

PUBLICATIONS ' May 1983 2 ]

A festival of books

SPRING BOUNTIES

for ¢ Children ¢ Youth ¢ Adults

The Creative Word For Children—With Love Nine Holy Days New Perspectives Inspiring the Heart B.J. and the Language of Stories about Bahá’í Holy Days for Adulte A small compilation (181 pp.) the Woodland to share with children. 48 pp. The Earth Is But One Country of selections from the Writings A captivating chapter book (Great Britain) For those who feel religion is of the Bab, Bahá’u’lláh and about a small frog that finds SC, Catalog No. 353-022, $3.00 based on “superstition and “Abdu’l-Baha. communication perilous—and Mull& Husayn escapism’’—John Huddleston’s HC, Catalog No. 315-080, $8.50 rewarding. Text by Alvin N. A brief account about the first analysis of the problems facing SC, Catalog No. 315-081, $4.00 Detvert, Detshtfut illustrations believer in the Bab—for children mankind and the solutions i “Abdu’ y Carol Joy. and youth. 37 pp. (South Africa) proposed by the Baha’ Faith. eat Loreen Neen SC, Catalog No. 352-019, $3.50 SC, Catalog NP 352.091, $3.00. (Great Britain) of conversations taken down The Spotlessly Leopard ahirin SO CIO CIRC SAE IE) when the Master visited London _ Being one’s own special self The story of the foremost heroine Door of Hope: A Century of the in 1911 and 1912. Includes is a lesson the ambitious leopard _ of the Babf era, retold for Baha'i Faith in the Holy Land MESSAGES TO THE ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s first public has to learn the hard way. Text children and youth. 32 pp. (South For pilgrims and visitors to the BAHA'I WORLD address. and whimsical illustrations by Africa) Baha’i Holy Places and World a HCG, Catalog No. 106-041, $15.00 Winifred Barnum Newman. SC, Catalog No. 352-093, $3.00 Centre of the Faith—David S. Fath for very Man SG MENG APO atti Ee ge a Extracts from the writings of Children and Youth For children and youth—an drawings. (George Ronald) ‘Abdu’l-Baha on the themes of =—From Abroad account of the favorite disciple HC, Catalog No. 332-099, $18.75 God and creation, man’s reality, of the Bab. 37 pp. (South Africa) sc’ Catalog No. 332-100, $9.75 the Manifestation of God and Magnified Be Thy Name SC, Catalog No. 352-092, $3.00 i a ee religion, laws and ordinances, Prayers and thoughts for children The Green Years Baha4’{ Studies Notebook (The , and Christianity and other from the Creative Word. Ai Geties Of Short historical Divine Institution of Marriage)

Excellent for devotions and ; Eight essays on various aspects ye szati sketches covering the entire Babi *, 7 SC, Catalog No. 106-042, $3.00 memorization. Includes glossary period. For 6-10 year olds. (India) of marriage and the family.

of difficult words. 53 pp. ; (Association for Baha'i Studies) ‘The Mystery of God (Great Britain) HC, Catalog No. 352-090, $5.00 Sc. Catalog No. 337-052, $6.50 A popular volume of photographs HC, Catalog No. 315-083, $5.50 The Sunshine Tree

of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and of passages | ¢¢ Thy breeze refresh them Tales from around the world

from His writings. retold by Wendy Heller. Includes HC, Catalog No. 315-082, $18.50 uc same text as tie US. parents’ and teachers’ guide.

‘ , (George Ronald) The Unfolding Destiny of the the Young, but rearranged and 43, Catalog No. 352-088; $9.75

• . interspersed with four-color British Baha’f Community photographs. (Great Britain) SC, Catalog No. 352-089, $4.75

490 pages of messages from . Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’ís.of fC, Catalog No. 315-079, $5.50 A note to parents the British Isles. An Anthology for Baha’i Children Since many children’s books HC, Catalog No. 108-040, $40.00 Evers, shore quotations, aol are available for relatively Messages to the Balé's World promote interaction between stiont periods” (6 year Or two)

i's moving letters parents and children and to ih soil patehase books row written during the last seven years’ attract children to the Baha’i that may be too “old”? for your of his life including his comments Faith. 47 pp. (Great Britain) child and save them for the apon the five-fold historic SC, Catalog No. 353-023, $3.00 | propriate time, when the books : HC, Catalog No. 108:015, $10.00 aye Te 5 OSE Coupon for Ordering from the Publishing Trust Qty. Book Price Qty. Book Price Enclosed is my check or money order for $___ (in—— Inspiring Heart, HC 8150), rece Days Bap cluding 10 per cent for postage and handling, minimum ___ Inspiring Heart, SC 4.00 ____Mulld Husayn , 1.50). ——‘Abdu’l-Bahá London 15.00 __ Táhirih 3.00 ay) re ____ Faith for Every Man 3.00 ___ Quddús 3.00 Charge to: ($10.00 minimum order) ___ Mystery of God 18.50 ___Green Years 5.00 __ Unfolding Destiny 40.00 ___ Sunshine Tree, HC 9.75 Visa Card expires. __B.J. and Language 3.50 ___ Sunshine Tree, SC 4.75 __ Spotlessly Leopard 3.00 ___ Earth One Country 7.00 . Magnified Be Thy Name 5.50. ___ Door of Hope, HC 18.75 MC_a Card expires. ___ Let Thy Breeze 5.50 ___ Door of Hope, SC 9.75 x ___ Anthology Children 3.00 ___ Notebook-Marriage 6.50 lame

Address

Cy A Ea at ee Uae Biel Zi a

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

are qe . (Do not order forthcoming titles. BahaiPi uublish ur igTrust Details coming next month.) - §/83 TAB 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Prices valid only in 48 contiguous states of the United States

| Sem SET NETS I IT TP TS RES, SSS [Page 22]PAGINA HISPANA

The American Baha'i

22

En Seattle, Washington

-Conferencia de ensefianza para ‘Mover el Mundo’

“Oh como anhelo ver a los amados tomar a su cargo las responsabilidades de la Causa!

.. Mis ofdos estan atentos hacia el Este y hacia el Oeste, hacia el Norte y hacia el Sur, que felizmente pueda oir las canciones de amor y confraternidad cantadas en las reuniones de los fieles.”’ (La muerte de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 27-28)

LA ASAMBLEA Espiritual de los Baha’is de Seattle, Washington, patrocinadora del Comité Para Mover el Mundo, presentara la. primera conferencia regional del noroeste el viernes, sabado y domingo, 17-19 de junio de 1983.

El tema de la conferencia se refirird a lo que el Guardian llamo “‘el tema mas vital y desafiante,’’ la falta de unidad entre las razas.

La conferencia tomara lugar en la Universidad de Washington y se extiende una invitacién cordial a los amigos de toda la nacién para que asisten.

El propésito de esta conferencia historica es ayudar en el establecimiento de una mancomunidad

mundial ‘‘en la que todas las naciones, razas, credos y clases estén estrecha y permanentemente unidas, en la que la autonomia de sus estados miembros, la libertad personal y la iniciativa de los individuos que la componen estén definitiva y completamente resguardadas, asi contribuyendo a una civilizacién de progreso continuo, creando la unidad de la raza humana como la vid Bahá’u’lláh.”” (Shoghi Effendi, La orden mundial de Bahd’u'llah, pp. 203-4)

Esta conferencia ofrecera a los Baha’fs la oportunidad de consultar y estudiar este tema profundamente, en un ambiente seguro, carifioso y espiritual.

CREARA una fuente de harmonia de la cual naceran maestros dedicados a ensefiar a todos los niveles de la sociedad, tal como lo hacia la Mano de la Causa Louis Gregory (la primera Mano de la Causa de color, quien luchaba contra el perjuicio racial y a quién ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describid como

hecho de “‘oro puro” por su

Dos marteras Baha’is

A todas las asambleas espirituales nacionales

Queridos amigos baha’is

La Casa Universal de Justicia ha enviado los mensajes siguientes por cable a asambleas espirituales nacionales seleccionadas y ha pedido que

se compartan los textos con ustedes.

AFLIGIDOS ANUNCIAR EJECUCION POR AHORCA EL 12 DE MARZO DE DOS AMIGOS INOCENTES SH{RAZ YADU’LLAH MAHMUDNIZHAD Y RAHMATU’LLAH VAFA’f. ESTE CRIMEN ATROZ COMETIOSE AL D{A SIGUIENTE DE ADOPCION RESOLUCION COMISION DE DERECHOS HUMANOS DE ORGANIZACION DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS QUE EXPRESA PREOCU PACION VIOLACION LIBERTADES FUNDAMENTALES Y QUE PIDE QUE SECRETARIO GENERAL SIGA CON ESFUERZOS SALVAGUARDAR DERECHOS BAHA'IS IRAN.

PEDIMOSLES APELAR CONCIENCIA L{DERES DE GOBIERNO,

PUBLICO, HACER ESFUERZOS POR PREVENIR TALES ACTOS DE DESAF{O POR REGIMEN ACTUAL IRAN.

SUPLICAMOS UMBRAL DIVINO LIBERACION HERMANOS IRAN QUE CON VALENTIA ESTAN HACIENDO FRENTE A

CRUELDADES INTENSAS.

CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA

SIGUIENDO CON TEMA NUESTRO TELEX 14 DE MARZO ACABAMOS DE TENER CONOCIMIENTO DE NOTICIA AFLIGENTE SENORA TUBA ZA’IRPUR FUE EJECUTADA POR AHORCA JUNTO CON DOS AMIGOS MENCIONADOS NUESTRO MENSAJE ANTERIOR. CUERPOS DE LOS TRES FUERON ENTERRADOS EN CEMENTERIO BAHA’{ POR GUARDIAS DE PRISION SIN CONOCIMIENTO, PRESENCIA PARIENTES. EJECUCIONES NO FUERON ANUNCIADAS NI A FAMILIAS. ESTA INFORMACION ADICIONAL DEBE INCLUIRSE SU ACCION CON LIDERES DE GOBIERNO, MEDIOS NOTICIEROS. CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA

Si su asamblea nacional ha tomado accién en casos similares en el pasado, deben ustedes sentirse en libertad de hacer uso de esta informaci6n al hacer contacto con medios noticieros y/u officiales gubernamentales en su pais. Favor de compartir estos mensajes con los creyentes

en su comunidad. Con carifiosos saludos baha’is,

Departamento de Secretaria Casa Universal de Justicia 15 de marzo de 1983

cardcter y paciencia ante la discriminacién), alistando creyentes reconocidos bajo el estandarte de Baha’u’ lah.

También la conferencia creara y proveera muchas oportunidades para todos los participantes experimentar el valor de la dinémica del grupo hacia la hermandad espiritual del hombre en una variedad de formas, moviendo el mundo hacia la reconciliacién racial, negando para siempre la expresion de esta falta mds grave y desviada de nuestro cardcter.

La conferencia proveeré una variedad de actividades estructuradas como talleres, seminarios, institutos y lecturas.

Algunos de ellos se trataran de la diversidad de la familia; museos contempordneos (una serie de salas culturales); informacién sobre muchas culturas; algunos de los principios de ensefianza en masa y consolidacién; religién y su relacién al hombre; la base hist6rica del racismo y su efecto en la comunidad Baha’i.

Aprenderémos como el racismo ha afectado el cardcter y la calidad de los esfuerzos para ensefiar la Fe en el presente y el pasado

Concientes de que sdlo el Espiritu de Bahá’u’lláh puede efectuar estos cambios, les rogamos que se preparen antes de asistir la conferencia leyendo los libros siguientes: Voluntad y testamento de ‘Abdu’l-Baha; Tablas del Plan Divino; Desarrollo de la administraci6n Bahd’{; El primer Plan de Siete Afios; Advenimiento de la justicia divina (pp. 12, 25, 38) entre otros.

Se esta planeando un programa extensivo e inovador para los nifios y la juventud. También habra entretenimiento cada noche con invitados internacionales.

Para més informacién escriba Baha'i: To Move the World Committee, P.O. Box 396, Seattle, WA 98111.

las cosas

Con este articulo se introduce el nuevo serie: ‘‘Excelencia en Todas Las Cosas,’’ compilado por El Departamento de Investigacién de Ja Casa Universal de Justicia.

° Extractos de los Escritos de Baha’wllgh

... Di: Cuidado, oh pueblo de Bah, no sea que andéis por los caminos de aquellos cuyas palabras difieren de sus hechos. Esforzaos que sedis habilitados para manifestar a los pueblos de la tierra los signos de Dios y reflejar sus mandamientos.

Que vuestros hechos sean guia para toda la humanidad, pues lo que profesan la mayoria de los hombres, sean nobles, o humildes, difiere de su conducta. Es por vuestros actos que podéis distinguiros de los demas.

Por ellos puede ser derramado sobre toda la tierra el brillo de vuestra luz. Feliz es el hombre que atiende mi consejo y guarda los preceptos prescritos por Aquel quien es el Omnisciente, el Omnisapiente. (‘‘Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh,”” Seccién CXXXIX, pag. 202, EBILA 1978)

ane .. Que cada amanecer sea mejor que su noche y cada mafiana mas rica que su ayer. El mérito del hombre reside en el servicio y la virtud y no en el fausto de la opulencia y las requezas ... Cuidaos del ocio y la pereza, y asios a aquello que beneficie a la humanidad, sedis jévenes 6 viejos, encumbrados o humildes. (‘Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh Reveladas después

del Kitab-i-Aqdas’’

ord

Los compafteros de Dios son, en este dia, la masa que debe levantar a los pueblos del mundo. Ellos deben manifestar tal sentido de integridad, de veracidad y de perseverancia, tales hechos y testimonios de conducta que todo el género humano pueda benefici Excelencia en todas

arse de su ejemplo. (Citado en “‘Advenimiento de la Justicia Divina,’’ pags. 37-38, EBILA 1972)

eee

Dile, nadje en este mundo puede pretender relacién alguna conmigo excepto aquellos quienes, en todas sus acciones y en su conducta, siguen mi ejemplo, de manera tal que todos los pueblos de la tierra serian impotentes para impedirles hacer y decir aquello que es digno y apropiado. (Citado en ‘‘Dios Pasa,’’ pag. 127, EBILA 1977)

Esforzaos para adquirir tanto las perfecciones internas como externas, pues siempre han sido y serdn los frutos del Arbol humano. No es deseable que un hombre quede falto de conocimientos y habilidades, porque entonces, él no es mas que un drbol estéril.

Por consiguiente, tanto como le permitan la capacidad e idoneidad, necesitaréis cubrir el drbol del ser con los frutos del conocimiento, sabiduria, percepcién espiritual y lenguaje elocuente. (Recopilacién sobre ‘‘Educacién Baha’i,”’ pag. 4, EBILA 1978)

aoe

Incumbe a los nifios esforzarse al maximo para adquirir el arte de la lectura y la escritura, un dominio de la escritura que prevea lo indispensable para las necesidades mas urgentes, sera sufficiente para algunos; luego es mejor y més apropiado que gasten su tiempo estudiando aquellos ramos del conoci ap que sean de utili Lo escrito anteriormente por la Pluma Suprema, se debe a que, en cada arte y oficio, Dios ama la més alta perfeccién. (Compilacién sobre ‘‘Educacién Baha’i,’”’ pag. 6, EBILA 1978)

‘the harder the sacrifice, the more meritorious will it be ...’

National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Un proyecto de ensefianza fron

Radiolocutor Cubano

Se solicita un radiolocutor Cubano con objetivo de desarrollar y producir cufias de 30 y 60 segundos para usar en Miami y otros lugares donde existen radiodifusoras al servicio del pueblo cubano.

Dirijase a John Nicol, Comité Hispanico Baha’i de Ensefianza para los Estados del Sur, teléfono 813-924-5726.

terizo tomara lugar el 17-30 de julio en Ensenada, California.

El proyecto, patrocinado por el Comité de Ensefianza del Distrito California del Sur # 4 y el Comité Regional de Ensefianza de Baja California, contaré con la participacién de creyentes americanos y mexicanos en un esfuerzo colectivo para ensefiar los residentes de Ensenada de habla hispana.

Se necesita 15 a 20 personas de habla hispana, acostumbrados a condiciones incémodas y dispues

tos a pasar dos semanas ensefian Proyecto de ensefianza en Ensenada, California

do la Fe en Ensanada.

Se ha calculado que los gastos personales lIlegaran a $150-$200 por persona durante el periodo.

Si desea participar, favor de mandar su nombre, direccién, edad, mimero de teléfono y ntmero Baha’i de su carnet de identificacién a: District Teaching Committee of Southern California #4, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Favor de indicar si tiene auto, si habla bien el espafiol, y si dispone de los fondos necesarios 0 necesitara ayuda financiera.

ae ae Coe a a a

[Page 23]

SPECIAL VISITS

\

May 1983

| 23

Iran

Continued From Page 1

to Baha’ principles to follow the government of Israel.

“IN SPITE of all this, the Baha’is in Iran are not being arrested merely because they are Baha’is; those who are active members of their administration are being arrested because of their direct or indirect relation with the House of Justice.

“Only those who attach no value to the martyrs of the Islamic Republic, and to the people and government of Iran, are imprisoned. Such people are clear manifestations of ‘the leaders of infidelity and Koffar-i-Harbi’ (infidels against whom war is incumbent).

“T hereby announce to the Baha’is that if they consider themselves loyal to the laws of the Islamic Republic and its Constitution, then in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution any activities on the part of the Baha’is are against the Constitution, and the election of their Assemblies, the committees, Feasts, etc., are all crimes, and according to the Constitution those who commit such crimes are considered criminals. nN “I take this opportunity to advise all fair-minded and intelligent

Baha’ is to return to the bosom of highly-esteemed Islam and wash from their faces the shame of following Baha’ism, which is a product of colonialism. ...

“Before it is too late the Baha’is should recant Baha’ism, which is condemned by reason and logic.

“Otherwise, the day will soon come when the Islamic nation will deal with them in accordance with its religious obligations, as it has dealt with other hypocrites who have appeared in more dangerous garb and have religious and satanic gatherings.

“BAHA'IS should know that they are not more powerful than the hypocrites and that the nation of the Party of God (Muslims) is not powerless in uprooting them.

“Praised be to God that many Baha’is return to the bosom of Islam every day and curse the leaders of Baha’ism. Daily newspapers are a witness to the logical action of some of these people.””

Speaking of the condemnation to death of more than 20 Baha’is in Shiráz, Mr. Qazai says:

“‘It has been proven that those who are condemned to death have: been active members of Baha’ ism, from whom the simple people cannot escape.

“The attachment of these condemned Baha’is to internal and

external devils is true beyond any.

doubt, and their enmity to Islam and Muslims largely evident.’”

nee Shown are Bahá’ís and their guests from the greater Louisville,

Kentucky, area who attended a Bahá’í-sponsored World Peace

Day picnic last September 19 in Louisville.

Louisville Baha’is sponsor ‘World Peace Week’

The Bahá’í communities of greater Louisville, Kentucky, sponsored ‘‘World Peace Week’” last September 10-19.

The week centered around World Peace Day and included two public panel discussions at the University of Louisville and a picnic/proclamation on World Peace Day, September 19.

More than 60 non-Baha’is attended at least one of the events, while another 300 or more received invitations or Baha’i calendar cards that included an outline cue principles on the reverse side.

Media coverage included a fullpage headline and brief article in the University of Louisvi dent newspaper, calendar in other local papers, and a oneminute interview with film foot _age on the Sunday news by one of “the major television stations in Louisville.

Proclamations recognizing “‘World Peace Week’? and “World Peace Day’’ were presented to the Baha’is by the mayor of Louisville and the county administrator of Jefferson County.

Speakers at the Baha’i-spon sored panel discussions included the executive director of the Kentucky Human Rights Commission, the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, a prominent professor of anthropology at the University of Louisville, and clergy or lay members of local religious organizations. A Baha’i speaker also was on each panel, and each discussion was moderated by a Baha’i.

The panel topics were “‘Eliminating Prejudice: Prerequisite to Peace’’ and ‘Uniting for Peace: The Role of Religion.”

The 1983 Special Visit Programs to the Baha’i National Center*

National Archives.

visiting the:

View relics of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Baha arranged especially for your visit by the

See first hand how the National Spiritual Assembly conducts its business.

Learn how the construction of the ‘‘Mother Temple of the West’’ was a primary stimulus for the development of the American Baha’i community. Tour areas of the building normally closed to visitors.

Tour the entire Baha’i National Center

¢ Office of the Secretary

© Office of the Treasurer

¢ National Committee Offices ¢ Baha’i Publishing Trust

© Bahá’í Home

Have fun, make new friends, and participate in a spiritual experience you’ll never forget.

• The Special Visit Programs are for Baha’is only!

A. College Dorm conditioned)

Single (1 person) Double (2 persons)

vices Fund.””

Within. walking distance (not

All rooms have one or two twin beds

Register early!

Housing Packages: Total Cost—Four Days, Three Nights B. Evanston Holiday Inn Near public transportation to Wilmette Single (1 person).... Double (2 persons). . Each additional person. i Children under 19, sharing parents’

air . $17.50 - $25.00. room,

Send a $20.00 deposit to reserve each room. Please make checks payable to “‘Baha’i Ser- .

Registration Form: Special Visit Programs 1983

- $46.00

- $6.00

are free

(June 30-July 3

August 4-7

(Please check one of the above)

Name. List additional names here: Address. City. State es: Maz yee Phone (Area Code ). Program attending Housing For Official Use Only

(I am arranging my

own

(College Dorm

Single Double Share Double (if possible)

(Evanston Holiday Inn

Single Double

Other

Tate Received nse Deposit Amount.

Check Number.

Acceptance Sent. Phi _bistbas) Balance Due.

Remarks

Return registration form to: Special Visit Programs, Baha’i House of Worship Activities Office, Wilmette, IL 60091

{17 RR ARTA RS OM I ME I TIS AE ES TET

[Page 24]

The American Baha'i

24

World NEWS

United Nations Day was observed in Bermuda last November 7 with a program at the city hall in Hamilton that was sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Bermuda.

One of the guest speakers was His Excellency Sir Richard Posnett, the governor of Bermuda, who is a long-time friend of the Faith.

Another of the speakers was Nancy Mondschein, the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly’s representative to the United Nations, whose topic was ‘‘The Baha’i Faith and the United Nations ...””

Twenty Filipino Baha'is from five major islands in the Hawaiian chain attended the first Filipino Teaching Conference in Hawaii last February 4-6 at the Baha’i National Center in Honolulu.

Among the speakers at the conference, which was sponsored by the National Teaching Committee of Hawaii and conducted in Iocano, the predominant Filipino dialect spoken in Haws Counsellor Ben Ayala, who is himself Filipino ...

Nine teaching teams, formed recently in Argentina to carry out expansion and consolidation work, are proclaiming the Faith to all strata of society.

Eight of the teams are dedicated to the memory of recent Baha’i martyrs in Iran, while the other is dedicated to the memory of Amoz. Gibson, a member of the Universal House of Justice who died last year...

Translations of the short Obligatory Prayer have now been made in two new dialects of Zapotec, an Indian language spoken extensively in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, bringing to 19 the number of Zapotec dialects into which this prayer has been translated ...

One hundred-sixteen Baha’is and their guests including 41 children from all six districts in Belize participated last December in a four-day Baha’i Winter School held on a farm in the west-central part of the country near its border with Guatemala ...

About 150 Baha’is from 25 communities in Alaska attended a “Winter Weekend”’ last January 1-2 at the National Guard Armory in Wasilla.

Classes were offered on marriage and family life, combating prejudice and fault-finding, the life of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and pioneering ...

Nearly 100 people from seven African countries, Canada and the United States participated last December 26-January | in a weeklong Baha’i Summer School at the Baha’i National Center in Mba

Mail returns costly for children’s magazine

Brilliant Star/Child’s Way needs your help. We have a growing list of mail returns of the magazine.

This is costly to the subscriber, and also costly to us—each issue of Child’s Way cost $1.08 to be mailed and returned, and since Brilliant Star is larger, and therefore weighs more, mail returns will cost us $1.42 in postage per issue.

_ In addition to the obvious fi nancial concern, we don’t want anyone to miss a single issue of Brilliant Star/Child’s Way.

If you are moving, please include us on your list of address changes to be made, and drop us a postcard c/o Brilliant Star/ Child’s Way Subscriber Service,

. Hixson, TN 37343.

In the meantime, if your name

appears on the list below, or if you

these subscribers, please let us know:

Kaija McKague, Auryan DeseLloyd, Donald Gerard III, Robin White, May Farnoush, Rezvan Samary, Carolyn Staples, Kristen Wolfe, E.V. Altman.

Also, Misty Jasaira, Joann and Leslie Faye Martin, Jason Batchclor, Joe Williams, Jeremiah and Nathaniel Sarkett, Jason Alynn, Dr. Peter T. Haug, Rebecca Williams, the Canterbury children.

Also, June C. Thomason, Rachel Fanska, Suzette Llamas, Lua Jean Daniel, Eva Janey, Patrick Finnegan, Ladan and Babak Agahi, Derrick and Yvette Van de Ven, Sandra Vadlamudi.

Also, Parish Tofighian, Michael W. Orr, Sunie Sanchez, Katherine and Mark Seubert, Tina Ejte Mai, Chalet and Eric Minney, John Dale, Stacey Hutchinson, Hilary Keller, Melissa Macharia.

New movie reviews life of 93-year-old Baha’i dancer Grace DeC. Ross

“Grace: A Portrait of Grace DeCarlton Ross,’’ a 50-minute film portrait of a 93-year-old member of the Baha'i community of Portland, Maine, who remains an active dancer and dance teacher, had its premiere May 1 in Portland.

The film chronicles Mrs. Ross’s involvement in circus, vaudeville, silent movies, theatre, ballet, and modern dance, as well/as her current performing and teaching activities in Portland.

Included are excerpts from two of her silent movie roles circa 1916.

In the film, Mrs. Ross mentions the great influence the Faith has

know the whereabouts of any of

f 4

This photo of the Spiritual Assembly of Cortez, Colorado, appeared in a special section of the Montezuma Valley Journal in

photo caption explained that there is no clergy in the Faith whose affairs are administered in each community by an elected body of

had in her life. She has been a Baha’ since 1945.

February that was devoted to International Clergy Week.

nine adult Baha'is called the Local

The Spiritual Assembly. In Cortez, the

The Universal House of Justice has sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies the following prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in which mention is made of persecutions, the martyred friends and their relatives. The prayer is for general use.

°

He is God

O Lord my God! O Thou Helper of the feeble, Succourer of the poor and Deliverer of the helpless who turn unto Thee.

With utmost lowliness I raise my suppliant hands to Thy kingdom of beauty and fervently call upon Thee with my inner tongue, saying: O God, my God! Aid me to adore Thee; strengthen my loins to serve Thee; assist me by Thy grace in my servitude to Thee; suffer me to remain steadfast in my obedience to Thee; pour forth upon me the libcral effusions of Thy bounty, let the glances of the eye of Thy loving-kindness be directed towards me, and immerse me in the ocean of Thy forgiveness. Grant that I may be confirmed in my allegiance to Thy Faith, and bestow upon me a fuller measure of certitude and assurance, that I may wholly dispense with the world, may turn my face with entire devotion towards Thy face, be reinforced by the compelling power of proofs and testimonies, and, invested with majesty and power, may pass beyond every region of heaven and earth. Verily Thou art the Merciful, the All-Glorious, the Kind, the Compassionate.

O Lord! These are the survivors of the martyrs, that company of blessed souls. They have sustained every tribulation and displayed patience in the face of grievous injustice. They have forsaken

bane, Swaziland.

all comfort and prosperity, have willingly submit Prayer by Master mentions persecutions, martyrs

ted to dire suffering and adversity in the path of Thy love, and are still held capt in the clutches of their enemies who continually torment them with sore torment, and oppress them because they walk steadfastly in Thy straight path. There is no one to help them, no one to befriend them. Apart from the ignoble and the wicked, there is no one to associate and consort with them.

O Lord! These souls have tasted bitter agony in this earthly life and have, as a sign of their love for the shining beauty of Thy countenance and in their eagerness to attain Thy celestial kingdom, tolcrated every gross indignity that the people of tyranny have inflicted upon them.

O Lord! Fill their ears with the verses of divine assistance and of a speedy victory, and deliver them from the oppression of such as wield terrible might. Withhold the hands of the wicked, and leave not these souls to be torn by the claws and teeth of fierce beasts, for they are captivated by their love for Thee, entrusted with the mysteries of Thy holiness, stand humbly at Thy door and have attained to Thine exalted precinct.

O Lord! Graciously reinforce them with a new spirit; illumine their eyes by enabling them to behold Thy wondrous evidences in the gloom of night; destine for them all good that aboundeth in Thy kingdom of eternal mysteries; make them as brilliant stars shining over all regions, luxuriant trees laden with fruit and branches moving in the breezes of dawn.

Verily, Thou art the Bountiful, the Mighty, the Omnipotent, the Unconstrained. There is none other God but Thee, the God of love and tender mercy, the All-Glorious, the Ever-Forgiving.

Assembly’s members are (left to right) Nancy Yengel, Carole Hitti, Kerry Hart, Frank Hitti, Jacque Hart, Jerry Martinez, Deby MarMike McGechie, Donna

tinez, McKnight.

Many non-Baha’is at proclamation in Marina del Rey

One hundred people, most of whom were not Baha'is, attended a Baha'i proclamation in February in Marina del Rey, California, the first in a seven-month series of meetings sponsored by the Baha’i community of Culver J.D.

The speaker was photojournalist Paul Slaughter, himself a member of the Baha’i community of Culver J.D., who presented a pictorial description of China and its people, emphasizing the Baha'i concept of the unity of East and West.

The meeting was publicized by posters displayed throughout Marina del Rey and by a half-page newspaper interview with Mr. Slaughter.

Persecutions scored in Times editorial

The lead editorial in the February 21 edition of the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest and most influential newspapers in the country, is entitled ‘‘Iran: the Murdering of a Faith,”’ and deals with the persecution of Baha’is in the Cradle of the Faith.

(SSS SS SSS

[Page 25]THE MEDIA

25

May 1983

New 30-second television spot being run in many areas

More than 35 Baha’i communities around the country are using the television public service announcement that is being distributed by the Office of Public Affairs.

Reports from Bahda’is, in these communities say the spot runs regularly on stations in their area.

THE ANIMATED-live action announcement features singersongwriter Danny Deardorff and is one of the most professional productions ever undertaken by Baha’ is in this country.

Production of the spot took more than a year to complete, according to Sharon Solomon, the Baha’i from Santa Monica, California, who created and designed the ad.

“We began thinking about the idea after a media conference in Southern California in January 1981,” she says.

“The concept was approved in May of that year, and as soon as the funds were available we went to work. The most difficult part was the animation.””

Most of the 30-second production is animation set to the lyrics of the song ‘‘Over the Rainbow.” In the last few seconds the animation dissolves into live-action of Danny Deardorff singing the words to the song.

“WE SHOT Danny’s singing first,’’ says Ms. Solomon, “‘because the animation had to exactly match the live footage.

“Then I interviewed every animation studio in Hollywood. They were all interested in the project, but most wanted much more for the animation than the budget for the entire project.

“After two months I found someone who would do it at a price we could afford. It took more than two months to complete the animation so that each frame of the film of Danny matched each frame of animation.

“Sam Lopez, a Baha’i cinema

‘National newspaper’ features article on Iran persecutions

USA Today, a new “‘national newspaper”’ that is compiled and distributed via satellite to many cities throughout the country, included in its issue of March 16 a sympathetic article about the recent persecution of Baha’is in Iran.

A part of the article focused on the execution in December 1981 of Kamran Samimi, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, and its effect on his family including a daughter and son-inlaw, Samira and Douglas Samii Moore of Highland Park, Illinois.

It then listed a series of actions taken in recent weeks by U.S. and world bodies to protest the executions and mistreatment of Baha’is in Iran.

tographer from San Francisco, shot the live-action sequences, and David Lurie, a Bahd’{ who is a professional film editor in- Los Angeles, put the final product together,” Ms. Solomon says. “Another Baha’i, Burl Barer, did the audio track from his home in Walla Walla, Washington, and

sent it down to us.’”

While the Baha’is had to hire a professional director and animator, she adds, ‘‘all the other time was donated by Baha’i professionals.

“The titles and special effects were finished last fall, and now the spot is being used all over the

local stations,”’ says Parks Scott, the national Public Affairs Officer. ‘We do know that to buy the time we are able to get for free with the spot would cost a small fortune, so public service messages like this one are invaluable.’”

country.”

Copies of the public service spot are available for $20 from the Office of Public Affairs. It comes in either 2-inch video tape or 3/4-inch formats.

“We really have no way of knowing how many people are seeing the spot when it runs on

Wyoming media council seeks media materials for ‘library’

The Wyoming Baha’i Information Council, which was recently formed to establish a professional relationship with the media in that state and to use all possible means to proclaim the Faith in Wyoming, plans to start and maintain a collection of articles, advertisements, press releases and tapes that have been used successfully in other areas to inform the public about the Revelation of Baha’u'll4h.

Through trial, error and inspiration, Baha’is in various communi have devised eye-catching ads and effective techniques for attracting the media and the public to the Faith.

The Council wishes to take advantage of the skills and experience of others who have dealt with the media to establish a “clearing house’’ to serve as a library of materials that can be used directly (if free from copy Knobloch

Continued From Page 4

Do not weep! Many friends weep because they wish to remain longer.””

Fanny Knobloch replied, ‘‘No, we have received so many blessings and are eager to go out and share them with all who are ready to listen.””

En route to the U.S., Miss Knobloch visited Stuttgart, Germany, where she and her sister, Alma, addressed a large gathering of the friends and brought them news of “Abdu’l-Baha.

Then, in response to the Master’s wishes, she visited Paris and London to convey His greetings. Later, she shared news of her experiences in ‘Akk4 with the friends in Washington, Baltimore and New York City.

When ‘Abdu’l-Baha came to the U.S. in 1912, Fanny and her sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Joseph Hannen, were invited to Dublin, New Hampshire, as His guests.

WHILE visiting in Germany in 1913, Miss Knobloch received a telegram inviting her to Paris as a guest of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

From 1923-26 she worked to promote the Faith in Capetown, Kimberley, Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa.

Ill health forced her to return to

rights, etc.) or as the inspiration for other media releases.

If you, your Group or Assembly has had experience with various media techniques and would be willing to share the materials, ideas and/or experience, please contact the Wyoming Baha’i Media Council, c/o Rich “ard Miller, secretary,

Casper, WY 82609.

The Council would also appreciate hearing from media/teaching committees in other areas that may have suggestions and/or contributions for the library.

The Council will gladly share materials collected from Baha’is around the country (and in other countries as well),

Please label contributions with your name; how the contribution was used; its success (if known); and if the material has any use restrictions such as copyright, or if it requires permission for use.

the U.S. in 1926, but two years later, at the age of 68, she returned to Africa where she pioneered for two more years.

She spent her later years living with a nephew in Wilmette, IIlinois, within sight of the House of Worship.

“If you thanked God on your knees every remaining hour of your life,’’ she said on her 89th birthday, ‘‘you could never thank Him enough for having allowed you to live at this time.””

The eldest of three sisters, Fanny Knobloch was the last to pass

. to the Abhd Kingdom. She was

only 13 days short. of her 90th birthday when she died in 1949.

On learning of her passing, the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, cabled: ‘Grieve passing dearly loved distinguished exemplary pioneer Faith Fanny Knobloch. Memory her notable services imperishable, her reward Abha Kingdom bountiful, assured, everlasting.”

35 at Euclid seminar

About 35 Bahá’ís attended a seminar on teaching and ‘‘the most challenging issue’’ February 20 sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Euclid, Ohio.

Included on the agenda was a panel discussion chaired by Richard Thomas, a Bahd’{ from East Lansing, Michigan.

Mayer-Harnisch, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Arroyo Grande Rural, as Lemuel Henderson, vice-chairman of that Assembly, and Mrs. Emmy Hofmann, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Grover City, look on, The photo appeared in the Five Cities Times-Press-Recorder in Arroyo Grande.

The Baha’is of Grover City and Arroyo Grande Rural, California, recently presented a copy of To Move the World, Gayle Morrison’s biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, to the South County Regional Library in Arroyo Grande. Shown presenting the book to librarian Lilly Grabil (left) is Dr. Guenther

Notes from here ’n there Inviting editors is a good idea

Communities on the list will receive updates on materials from CIRBAL, which distributes media materials in Latin America, as well as materials produced in this country.

If you would like to be included on the list, please write to the Office of Public Affairs ...

Major newspapers in the U.S. is have carried recent articles or editorials about the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.

Among them are the New York Times, New York Post, the Chimeans a potential eight million cago Sun-Times, USA Today, the half-hour ‘‘firesides’’ over the Los Angeles Times, the Tucson next 26 weeks. One community of Arizona Daily Star, the Wichita a dozen Baha'is raised $2,000 in Eagle-Beacon and the St. Louis one night to help support the ef- Post-Dispatch ...

Notes from the Office of Public, Affairs:

Derry, New Hampshire, suggests that Baha’is who belong to interfaith councils ask that the local newspaper editor be invited to council meetings. They also sug-/ gest that the council could they offer weekly articles to the pay on a rotating basis ... fe

“The Spiritual Revolution’ going on a statewide television network in Kansas this summer with an average audience of 300,000 people per night. This

fort ... «1 fee A local AM-FM station in Flint, Meanwhile, a new TV station in é 2, Melbourne, ‘Florida, is airing Michigan, carried four hours of

interviews with William ‘‘Bluey’’ Diehl, a co-director of the Louhelen Baha’i School in Davison. Two hours were devoted to the new school and the other two to

“The Spiritual Revolution’ for 52 weeks at a cost of less than $7 per half-hour program. The station’s signal reaches more than a million households in the Orlando-Day- 5 tona Beach area ... the kata

The Office of Public Affairs-is Wilmington has Delaware’s trying to develop a mailing list of, first ever Baha’i billboard, and media committees and reps in after two years of semi-continareas which have Spanish-lan- uous negotiations, proddings and guage media or a significant Span- what-not, Boston has two billish-speaking population. + boards displayed in that city ...

1 ST ST SSR SS [Page 26]The American Bahaa’i

26

JOSIE REYNOLDS

Michigan Baha’i winner of IBM ‘service award’

Josie Reynolds, a member of the Baha'i community of Oak Park, Michigan, has won a prestigious “IBM Means Service’’ award which recognizes non-management IBM National Marketing Division personnel in branch/ regional offices for outstanding accomplishments in service.

As an award winner, Ms. Reynolds received a gold “IBM Means Service” award brooch, an engraved gold-filled pen and pencil set, $100 cash, and an invitation to the IBM National Marketing Division Administration conference June 27-29 in San Diego, California.

In nominating Ms. Reynolds for the award, her manager wrote that she “‘has experienced and exhibited the most significant overall development and the most outstanding quality performance within her function.

“‘In her very new career, she has already established herself as a leader, receiving respect. from management and peers. ...

“I recommend that Josie receive her first IBM Means Service award for her outstanding participation and contributions to the branch."”

Indianapolis Assembly to mark its 50th year

The Spiritual Assembly of Indianapolis, Indiana, is inviting former residents and others to come to Indianapolis and help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of that Assembly.

The festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. June 4 with a Homecoming celebration, followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Atkinson Hotel. On Sunday, June 5, the Nineteen Day Feast will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information please write to Alice Brawley, a Indianapolis, IN

46208.

Two Baha’i

James and JoAnn Lavadour, Baha’is from Adams, Oregon, who are professional artists, attended a recent reception in their honor at the state capitol building in Salem hosted by Oregon's Gov. Victor Atiyeh and Mrs. Atiyeh.

The governor recognized the Lavadours for their contributions. and talents as artists, and also drew attention to Mr. Lavadour’s Native American heritage and to the services the couple has rendered to residents of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The reception was connected to a traveling exhibit of Mr. Lavadour’s work, sponsored by the University of Oregon and being shown throughout the Pacific Northwest.

At the governor's request, the one-man exhibit was brought to the Oregon statehouse for an extended’ stay there.

After mentioning Mr. Lavadour’s French and Walla Walla Indian heritage, the statement accompanying his exhibit says: “‘Influenced by the Baha’i Faith, he believes that art is an act of worship expressing man’s ability to perceive and understand the world, to uplift the spirit, and to give thanks for being.’”

Besides the governor, his wife, and several Baha’is from Oregon, the reception was attended by dig Goals

Continued From Page 13 will be directed to these states.

© Continue the special teaching. plans and consolidation activities already under way in the states of California, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York, and in the District of Columbia, designed to attract greater numbers to the Faith.

Action: Special conferences are scheduled in each of the goal states. These conferences will include: 1. setting specific and attainable goals; 2. reaching the waiting mas 3. establishing “friendship teams”* (using more Persians in our teaching work); 4. reaching business and profes

September 82 Baha’i Directory is now available

The September 1982 Baha’ 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, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Goy. Victor Atiyeh of Oregon (center, wearing dark trousers) is shown with Bahd’fs and other guests at a recent reception honoring Baha’i artists JoAnn and

nitaries from the Oregon Arts Commission.

Mr. Lavadour’s exhibit is billed as ‘“‘expressionistic landscapes and abstract interiors.’” He describes his work as abstractions which

sional people; S. identifying and teaching a significant minority group; 6. developing the District Teaching Committees; 7. holding personal firesid increasing proclamation activities; 9. _recruiting and placing homefront pioneers.

• Raise the number of Local

Spiritual Assemblies to at least 1,750 including 50 on Indian Reservations.

Action: The traveling teachers will be asked to help in the formation of 50 Local Spiritual Assemblics; homefront pioncers will assist h 100; mass teaching will bring in at least 200; there will be seven formed on Indian Reservations. The total Assembly goal set dvan 1984 is 357 new Local Spiritual Assemblies. ncourage the adoption and pursuit of extension teaching goals by all Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Action: District Teaching Committees and the National Teaching. Committee will help Local Spiritual Assemblies to choose extension teaching goals that can be raised to Assembly status by Ridvan 1984. The goal is 800 extension teaching goals.

© Raise up Spanish- and Chinese-speaking Baha’i teachers.

Action: Forty-five major S have been chosen to raise up either two Chinese or two Hispanic Baha’{ teachers, which will give a total of 90 Baha'i teachers. These cities will be helped by the Re

artists honored by Oregon governor

"James Lavadour (fo Gov. Atiyeh’s left, wearing white flowers) at the state capitol building in SaJem. At the far right is Auxiliary

suggest experiences and places he remembers.

Oil is his favorite medium, and cach, painting is completed in one continuous sitting.

“‘T see the diversity and progress

gional Asian and Hispanic Teaching Committees.

© Intensify teaching activities among significant minorities, and provide an effective means for the integration of all believers into the life of the Baha’i community.

Action: Continue to study methods of reaching the Gypsy people and continue the attempts that are already being made. Also, working with the Race Unity Committee and the Regional Asian and Hispanic Teaching Committees to reach all minority people through proclamation, teaching projects, bi-lingual firesides and study classes.

• Greatly intensify teaching activities among and by American

Indians and ensure their participation in the promotion and development of the Faith, thus hastening the fulfillment of the high destiny envisioned for them by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Action: Sponsorship, with the American Indian Teaching Committee, of the “Trail of Light’’ teaching campaign in September and increasing the number and quality of activities on Indian Reservations through proclamation and traveling teachers.

• Give support to the vigorous

activities of Bahd’{ youth in promotion of the Faith.

Action: Development of youth projects for the summer and participation of youth in some 20 direct teaching campaigns.

a

Board member Paul R. Pettit. Standing between Mr. Pettit and the Lavadours are Mr. Lavadour’s parents.

of the arts as an unfolding expression of man’s spectacular potential and ‘capacity,”” says Mr. Lavadour. “‘Art is a way of disciplining oneself to achieve that exhilarating, visionary experience.”

LET’S MAKE WAVES!

Travel and teach ... and yenture out to the 1983 Amoz Gibson Summer Project, spon sored by the American Indian Teaching Committee. The dates are June 8-August 14 (spend one day or more). The sites are: Omaha Indian Reservation Macy, Nebraska Crow Creek Sioux Reservation Ft. Thompson, South Dakota Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation Wamblee, South Dakota Contact Maureen Reiber, ___ i Crete, NB 68333, or phone 602-826-2586 for details. We will respond by rushing to you a Project Packet! FLOOD THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT WITH THE LOVE OF BAHA’U’LLAH

Video tapes available

A few copies of the video tapé of the Congressional hearings on Iran are still available from the Office of Public Affairs. Copies for home video machines are $30 in either VHS or Beta formats.

The 3/4-inch format tape for television is $45. Copies for use on cable or standard TV stations can be rented for a month for $5.

Many communities are having success in using excerpts from the Congressional hearings tape as Bae of an interview with local Ba

| SSS SSS SSS

[Page 27]

The American Baha'i

May 1983

27

in The American Baha’i

Delegates from 113 National Spiritual Assemblies participate in the third election of the Universal House of Justice on the ninth day of Ridvan.

The third International Convention, held at the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, is convened by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Baháé Ruhiyyih Khdnum ...

Pre-registration for the third U.S. National Baha’i Youth Conference, to be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, exceeds 1,500. It is announced that speakers at the conference are to include the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, several members of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board member Dr. Peter Khan.

Entertainers scheduled to perform at the conference include two of the country’s most popular recording duos, Seals and Crofts and England Dan and John Ford Coley ...

More than 800 Local Spiritual Assemblies are formed during the last Ridvan election of the Nine Year Plan. This exceeds by more than 200 the goal assigned to the U.S. of 600 Local Assemblies ...

Plans are announced for the Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone to make a brief visit to the National Center in Wilmette on June 17-20 during an extensive tour of Baha’i communities in Canada ...

Nearly 100 Mi Wuk Indians learn of the Faith during a special meeting held on their land, known as the Tuolumne Rancheria in the mountains near Yosemite National Park in California.

Among the Baha’is who are invited to speak at the meeting, which is arranged by the chairman of the Mi Wuk tribal council, is David Villasefior, a well-known Indian artist and sand painter ...

The 10th Pioneer Training Institute to be held in Wilmette since 1970 attracts 40 adults and youth. This last Institute of the Nine Year Plan, held March 22-25, fills the remaining U.S. pioneering goals of the Plan ...

On two occasions, a newly formed youth club, the ‘‘New Wind Club,”’ visits residents of a Wapato, Washington, nursing home to sing, bake cookies, an¢ make paper flowers for elderly residents.

The club, sponsored by the Baha’{ community of Wapato, includes 10 to 15-year-olds from the Wapato area who work with an adult adviser ...

Ads

Continued From Page 16

Albuquerque. Enjoy a warm and loving Bahd’{ community of six adults and the chance to be a homefront pioneer. If interested, please write to the Baha’i Group of Grants, P.O. Box 122, Grants, NM 87020 (phone 505-287-4502).

‘WOULD anyone care to start a “‘pen-pal’’ correspondence with another Baha’i? Due to circumstances at home, it isn’t possible for me to go to various functions in other areas, but I would love to hear how other communities are doing, how they handle teaching problems, etc. There must be other Baha’is in a similar situation who would enjoy a formal correspondence. If so, I would like to hear from you. Mary Kuebler,

. South Gate, CA 90280.

WARM, dry, spacious southern Nevada needs homefront pioneers in all areas except the Las Vegas vicinity. Three counties need to be opened. Rural, small community living, excellent for retired or selfsupporting individuals, as employment opportunities are limited. For information please write to the Southern Nevada District Teaching Committee, c/o Victory Kastelic, chairman, 2509

_ North Las Vegas, NV 89030, or phone Carlotta Haren, 702-877-0377.

CUBAN radio announcer is wanted to develop and produce 30- and 60-second radio spots to be used in Miami and other places where there are radio stations serving the Cuban population. Please call John Nicol, Baha’i Spanish Teaching Committee for the Southern States, 813-924-5726.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in King City, California. Especially sought are: 1. members of minority groups; 2. a Persian family; 3. someone who can open a home for Feasts, etc.; 4. someone who is bilingual or would be willing to learn Spanish; 5. someone who can furnish transportation for others; 6. someone who can teach children’s classes; and 7. someone who can attend Assembly meetings so that we can have a quorum. A member of the com Baha’i who met Master dies in Wisconsin at 79

Jesse Robinson, a Baha’i who had the bounty as a 9-year-old child of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Chicago in 1912, died March 31 in Pleasant Springs Township, Wisconsin. He was 79.

His parents, Rose and Albert Robinson, were among the first hundred or so people in this country to embrace the Faith.

Mr. Robinson, a shop and music teacher for 42 years in the Chicago public school system, moved to Wisconsin after his retirement in 1968.

munity will help someone to find work and a place to live. Please contact the Baha’is of King City, c/o Mrs. Alice V. Lovejoy, secretary, P.O. Box 954, King City, CA 93930 (phone 408-385-4932).

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Fairburn, Georgia, a city of 5,000 18 miles southwest of Atlanta. Fairburn offers country living but its near access to Atlanta offers vast employment opportunities and ongoing cultural

events in that city. Our Assembly is jeopardized and we need your help. If interested please write to Marion K. Smith,

Fairburn, GA 30213, or phone (anytime day or night) 404964-4031.

DENMARK: This goal neéds to be filled! There is an opening for a teacher at the International High School. A master’s degree and certificate are required; also, familiarity with International Bac calaureate Program. For more information contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

FREE 10-lesson postal course in the international language, Esperanto. Send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Darlene Evans,

Glenwood, IL 60425.

Mrs. Harriet Anderson Lexington, KY February 14, 1983 Mrs. Bertha Bell Roseville, MN February 8, 1983 George Birdtail Harlem, MT

Date Unknown Charlotte Brazil Rhinelander, WI October 21, 1982 Mrs. Louise Calhoun Grantville, GA Date Unknown Roger E. Carter Sr. Fostoria, OH November 7, 1982 Mrs. Rosa Charles Florence, SC December 7, 1982 Cornelius Cribb Sellers, SC

Date Unknown Mrs. Louise Cribb Sellers, SC

Date Unknown Ulysses Davis Americus, GA. December 7, 1975 Mrs. Debbie Di Feo Turlock, CA December 18, 1982 Mrs. Ida Dixon Jackson, MS February 4, 1983 Carl E. Douglas Duarte, CA August 24, 1982 Mrs. LaBlanche Douglas Duarte, CA January 4, 1983 Mrs. Nellie Duff Findlay, OH November 1982 Mrs. Mabel Eastman Des Plaines, IL September 18, 1982 Fred Ellis Greenwood, MS 1982

Charley R. Faraone Afton, MO

1982

Mrs. Rose W. Ford Vassar, MI

March 16, 1983

Dr. Alberta Franklin Sellers, SC

Date Unknown

Mrs. Irene Fridy Edwardsville, IL February 5, 1983

In Memoriam

Mrs. Mary Graham Hemingway, SC

Date Unknown

Selma Graham Pahokee, FL Date Unknown

Major Green Wagoner, OK

Date Unknown

Mrs. Joyce F. Hall Rockwall, TX January 1983

Miss Phyllis Hall Freeport, ME February 6, 1983 Mitchel Harlin Wagoner, OK

Date Unknown

Mrs. Willie Mae Harper New Jerusalem, AL February 15, 1983 Mrs. Lillian Hauck Naranja, FL February 22, 1983 Mrs. Emma G. Hayes Hobbs, NM

March 10, 1983

Mrs. Julia O. Homayoon East Islip, NY February 26, 1983 Herbert Houck Waterloo, IA October 1982

~ Josh Jackson

Cameron, MO Date Unknown Melvin Johnson Beaumont, TX Date Unknown Willie Jones Beaumont, TX Date Unknown Mrs. Marie Jordan N. Babylon, NY July 20, 1980

Mrs. Gladys Lancaster Apple Valley, CA January 8, 1981 Judith Leeb McLean, VA April 2, 1983 Albert Locke Wichita Falls, TX January 1983 Miss Betty Lockhart Los Angeles, CA May 10, 1982 John Love Berkeley, CA March 9, 1983 Irving W. Lovely E. Providence, RI March 21, 1983

Mrs. Helen MacBird Pasadena, CA January 11, 1983 Raymond Manuelito Tohatchi, NM February 11, 1983 Alinda Martin Aberdeen, WA February 23, 1983

Morris Matza Zuni, NM

Date Unknown Thelma B. Maxwell Madrid, ME December 14, 1980 Lillie W. Mays Rock Hill, SC Date'Unknown_

Walter McDougal Dillon, SC January 1981

Mrs. Annie McNeil Latta, SC

Date Unknown

Parker Mead Rural Verde Valley, CA Date Unknown

_ Robert Miles

Darlington, SC Date Unknown

Edmond Moultrie Oglethorpe, GA March 26, 1982 Mrs. Evelyn Nichols Milwaukee, WI Date Unknown

Mrs. Rentha Park Ottawa, KS

June 1981 Dorothy Paskell Lansing, MI

Date Unknown Mrs. Mary Perdue Jonesboro, GA Date Unknown

Mrs. Henrietta Phillips Pamplico, SC

Date Unknown

James Porter Greenwood, MS January 25, 1983

Harry E. Pringle Orlando, FL Date Unknown

Ali Mohammad Rafraf Garland, TX December 1982

Farajullah Rahbar Hawthorne, CA March 11, 1981 Mrs. Lila Raysor Sellers, SC

Date Unknown Jesse A. Robinson Stoughton, WI March 31, 1983 *

Mrs. Alfear Rush Andrews, SC

July 5, 1981

David Samuel Hartsville, SC

1982

James Sanders

N. Little Rock, AR February 1, 1983

John Scott

Sellers, SC

Date Unknown Mrs. Julia Seminek Long Beach, CA March 16, 1983 Russell Soper Spokane, WA April 9, 1982

Mrs. Beryl Walker Marysville, WA May 12, 1981 William M. Walsh Rogers, AR February 24, 1983 Lucille Whittington Sellers, SC

1981

Myrna E. Wickliffe Glendale, CA

February 18, 1983

Mrs. Ruth Williams Pontiac, MI

February 11, 1983 Wheeler Willis Jackson, MS

Date Unknown

Cecil H. Wittner Spokane, WA February 1982 David Wright Sr. Mira Loma, CA February 10, 1983

Hugh E. Wright New Port Richey, FL January 25, 1983 Kheirullah Yazdani Marietta, GA

March 2, 1983

-casetrmm m RDPEUOOESSIS N E OATA ANT N T ATE E AE N E TE N E [Page 28]

next two years to develop plans

The American Baha'i Second Class a od Postage Paid 8 hue At Wilmette, =! A May 1983 ilinois United Nations for’Bahá’í youth and Baha'i col. aa Mae Af ES 1 lege clubs that are geared specif- Moving? Name Mes eae ically to IYY. ! Teli us your Mee I Continued From Page 20 Such activities might include the | jew address esere , AL) eS I Youth, Cary Littlefield and Brian Observance of an TYY Days mac bys sas amma dn nr Tea Sone ae Sie RETOUR | Lepard. tional photo and poster contests; | ceiving your copies of The American a Re | ‘i ‘ debates on the role of youth in J Bab#'! send your new address and Cay Siate Zip Code The Bahá’í International Com- ‘i ‘capa your failing bel which laclodes say 1 = rs ‘ promoting participation, develop- J your 10 ume to the Office of pees munity will be contacting Na- ment’and peace; and Bahá’í par- Membership. and Records, Bahá’í Sireat_ Rurai Route, or Post Office Box Number = Scant tional Spiritual Assemblies in the ticipation in the UN tree-planting 1 National Center, Wilmette, IL 1 60081, as soon as you know that near future to encourage them to ji s z a sane Rie? 1 develop programs that emphasize Bees tits il be. We mil do ou bet Home °"Y hon ae ia YY goa cher as past Porat apf Plans develop, the UN office [aise ia Gane we pel Taopone —_—_—_Yaapnong —___—__f ad to ongoing Baha’i youth inittee wi f our new home is accomplished with prmecoe (c/o Area Code * Number ! Soe y mittee will make contact with lo- | 3i'tuuibieaeed 1 activities in each country. cal communities and youth clubs, | New Bea ies amy Within the American Baha’i suggesting special projects, such Name of Local Assembly, group. or isolated locality where this person resides. j community, the UN office and the as those outlined above, in which | NOTE: hi 1 National Youth Committee are _ they can participate. I ¢ Use this Mowing Oate. SA Ase tie tinct Le ass ts ——i ‘ form for individual ‘Mailing label should accompany address change form. I cooperating to develop and en- Ultimately, however, the real ne 1 ae ouragAVOUIL aclivilics: thats finer. matsers Of LhmobesrarciGhIVVaatt ce ee We have been receiving more than one copy 1 ther the goals of IYY. in the American Bahá’í communi- | one — i, Because we oe | ON ONE hand, the activities ty will depend upon the initiative | DIES DRO Rarnee no cy Deb that are being pursued as part of of individual Bahá’ís and local fromthe mailing list for this publication. 1 the nationwide Bahá’í Youth Plan Bab'i communities and youth eee \ already represent a significant clubs. A”) r] contribution to the YY goal of Now is the time for clubs and | BAU tira es 1 developing youth participation. communities to begin developing | 1 More than 13 regional confer- ideas for the observance of lYYin | s 1 ences have been held to date as __ their localities. 1 1 part of this plan, attracting more Interested youth and localcom- |, I than 2,500 participants, and a munities are encouraged to submit 4 I Continental Youth Conference is some of their ideas and sugges- 4 Se { planned for 1985. tions to the national UN Baha'i | i On the other hand, the UN of- office, 866 United Nations Plaza, y | i fice and the National Youth Com- New York, NY 10017, as exam- I i mittee will be working closely ples of the kinds of activities that 1 2 t together over’ the course of the other communities might be interested in pursuing. 1

a a a a a a ee ae a a nr

Letters

Continued From Page 3

to justifiable charges of hypocrisy. Our actions must say the same thing as our words.

“That Bahá’ís may take part in demonstrations was made clear by Shoghi Effendi when a number of Baha'i students at the University of Chicago joined a_ protest against racial prejudice and carried a placard with the word ‘Baha’?” on it.

“Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell asked the Guardian: ‘Is there anything wrong in the protesting of Baha’i student groups against racial prejudice along with other student organizations?’

“The beloved Guardian replied through his secretary (January 1948): ‘He does not see any objection to Baha’ students taking part as Baha’fs in a protest such as that mentioned in the (newspaper) clipping. On the contrary, he does not see how they could remain indifferent when fellow students were voicing our own Baha’i attitude on such a vital issue and one we feel so strongly about.’ ’’ (Baha’ News, Insert, June 1964) The principles of world peace and international disarmament are such central teachings in the Baha’i Faith, and are so clearly stablished in the writings of a’u'lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and hoghi Effendi that Baha’is dare jot remain silent while so many others within the peace movement are fearlessly expressing their concern and support for these same issues.

yisit to America in 1912, asked all good people to do exactly this: “« ..all people of good-will must ever strive to make international peace the great issue: They must work unceasingly to turn public opinion in favour of this line of action.”’ (Quoted in Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, p. 258)

Many Baha’is have refrained from involvement in the peace movement, or from any form of social action, in the mistaken belief that simply by becoming Baha’is and working to strengthen the Baha’i community they have absolved themselves of all responsibility to work for the betterment of society (outside of Baha’ channels). This view can sometimes be taken to extremes.

I remember listening in horror to a conversation between two devoted Baha’is.

One wanted to become involved in helping Southeast Asian refugees, feeling that the Baha’i teachings on the unity of mankind required that she do something to help.

The other believer advised her that anything she could do to help the refugees would be an insignificant drop in the bucket, and that rather, she should turn all her energy toward Baha’i teaching Lot administrative work and let

others help those in need.

THIS Baha’i allowed that all of the people of the world have a responsibility to help the homeless Southeast Asians, except the Baha’is, since they have more important work to do!

Such a position is clearly untenable, and is flatly contradicted

(see, for example, Baha’i Administration, p. 126) and the Universal House of Justice (for example, Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 134-35). This is not to mention innumerable statements by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and His own shining example of humanitarian service. Naturally, when Baha'is become inyolyed in social action, they must guard against becoming involved in partisan issues that would identify them with one party or another, and they should refrain from actions that are violent, illegal, or contrary to Baha’i law. fut this leaves a vast field of service still open. We cannot retreat from this field out of fear or over-caution, especially as the Faith begins to emerge from obscurity, if we wish to be taken seriously by those who battle in that field for the principles that we as Bahá’ís profess. Anthony A. Lee Los Angeles, California

To the Editor:

For the second time in less than a month someone has telephoned to interest me in a distributorship—a euphemism for many of the pyramid-structured businesses so popular in the innovative American business community.

The difference between my previous encounters and these last two callers is that these were Baha’is whom I had known only briefly in the past.

I DO NOT know if such a use of the Baha’i relationship is strictly a violation of Bahá’í law, nor do I condemn out-of-hand all bus ship type of organization; but when Baha’is use their acquaintances in the Faith to promote such enterprises, I think the special Bahda’i relationship is being flagrantly violated,

Such a use of Baha’i friendship taints and makes suspect all Baha’i friendships, and allows the worst and most insidious aspects of the crass materialism infecting contemporary society to invade, harshen and undermine the Baha’i community. ‘

We cannot live in this society without being affected by the aberrations and ills so clearly attacking the fabric of human relationships; but we can ensure as best we are able that we do not abet the inroads of such social diseases in this Faith.

I do not condemn people who are involved in such ventures, but it is one thing when the attempt to involve a fellow Baha’i arises naturally out of a developed friendship and quite another when the Baha’i relationship is being abused, when the sole basis for contacting a Baha’ is to sell a product or to seek material gain.

Just as the Guardian cautioned against letting any of the odious practices of Western politics infect our ‘own election process, so, I feel, we must not let our desire for economic survival override our ies in protecting the bond of love and friendship that must nurture us in this Faith.

Ata time such as this, when few other relationships can support our struggle for spiritual growth, let us guard against letting the Baha’{ relationship become some

thing we must also view with caution or a suspicious eye. John S. Hatcher Tampa, Florida To the Editor:

Within almost every Baha’i community there are elderly believers who have little, if any, opportunity to leave their homes to teach the Faith.

Many of the rest of us tend to ignore, or take for granted, the older Baha’is in our community, and we fail to realize that if it were not for their selfless efforts to spread the Faith we might not have been blessed with this wondrous awakening.

Each of us should take the time to consider what great harm is being done by not being there for the elderly, as they have been there for us.

It doesn’t take much time to phone a relative or loved one, but not many of us take the time or plan our day to include the people who brought us the Baha’i Faith in the first place.

Please, let us not forget these generous, loving souls who may not have much time left with us in this world but who will ever be rewarded for their undying efforts in the Kingdom of Abha.

At a time when materialism is overwhelming and sickening, and the true love of God and His continous Revelation is being swept aside, let us regain our spiritual strength and not forget those who have given freely of themselves to spread the Faith of Bahd’u’ll4h throughout the world.

Judy E. Pandelis Hueytown, Alabama

‘ABDU’L-BAHA, during His by statements by Shoghi Effendi _ inesses that employ a distributor