The American Bahá’í/Volume 16/Issue 4/Text

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April, 1985

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[Page 1]

April 1985

The American

Baha’i

Louhelen lays groundwork for future Baha’i university

The Louhelen Baha’i School Council, with the enthusiastic approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, has launched a phased and systematic plan that will lay the groundwork over the next 10 to 15 years for the establishment of a Baha’i university.

RESPONDING to the Guardian’s continual encouragement

Congress urges Baha’i religious

More than 125 members of Congress have issued a bipartisan appeal urging action by the United Nations Human Rights Commission in support of religious freedom for Baha’is persecuted by the Iranian government.

SENATORS John Heinz and Christopher Dodd and Representatives John Porter and Gus Yatron announced the appeal at a press conference February 21 in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington.

They urged the UN Commission, which was in session in Geneva, Switzerland, to adopt a strong resolution condemning Iran’s continuing violations of human rights, especially its ‘‘re that Louhelen has “‘a peculiar responsibility to shoulder in connection with its development into that ideal Baha’i University of the future,’’ the Louhelen Council has consulted at length over the past two years about how to fulfill this vision of the school’s future.

The final plans call for the steady expansion and refinement

UN to support freedom in Iran

The complete text of the letter from Congress to the United Nations Human Rights Commission is on Page 4.

lentless acts of savagery against the innocent Baha’is.””

Also present at the press conference were Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Assembly.

Dr. Kazemzadeh called on other world parliaments to follow Congress’ example and urged the UN Commission to approve a resolution similar to its 1984 action which specifically condemned

See CONGRESS Page 4

State Department document decries repression of Iran’s Baha’i minority

For the second year in a row, the U.S. State Department’s “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1984’ has pointed to the repression of Iran’s Baha’i minority as an example of the most severe and repugnant human rights violations anywhere in the world.

THE STATE Department document, which summarizes the status of human rights in most other countries, is submitted annually to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“The Bahá’ís,”’ it says in discussing the attitude of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Government

Index Viewpoint . Letters .. The Funds IGC: Pioneering Youth News.

Classifieds . . Persian/American. The Media.......

In Memoriam.

toward minority groups, ‘‘are not officially recognized by the regime; they are viewed as heretics and suffer from severe persecution by the government.””

The persecution, the report goes on to say, “‘is mainly government-directed and aimed at the religious leadership, although there were some instances earlier of mob action against Baha’is.

“*Baha’i property has been confiscated, shrines demolished, businesses disbanded or confiscated, and known Baha’is denied employment by the government.

“These measures effectively deny employment to most urban Baha’is. Much of the Baha’( religious leadership has been arrested, as have many ordinary Ba ha’is. Charges are vague: ‘crimes See REPORT Page 4

of existing programs, the development of certain services into formal centers or departments, and the supplementation of existing facilities as the plans unfold. “The National Spiritual Assembly reviewed the Louhelen development plan at its meeting in November,’’ says Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National

Assembly, ‘‘and was excited by the vision and scope of the Council’s thinking.

“The plans are very much in line with the National Assembly’s own plans for the future, and the Council has our enthusiastic support and approval.””

The development of Louhelen into a full-time post-secondary in stitution based on the Baha’i teachings will proceed along four complementary lines. These four areas are comparable to the four arms of major universities, namely, an educational, a service, a research and publication, and a continuing education arm.

By developing these arms simul See LOUHELEN Page 24

Bruce Whitmore (below left), administrator of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, uses a portable radio to give directions as the Greatest Name symbol is lowered carefully some 138 feet from the center of the Temple’s dome to be cleaned, repaired and repainted. The clean-up operation, on February 21-22, marked the first time that the

symbol had been moved since its ins Above, maintenance workers at the House of Worshi

lation in the dome in 1952. lift the eight foot-wide symbol while others secure it in place for some last-minute

touch-ups before reinstallation.

Second ‘Day of Unity’ aims to win Fund victory

Full payments to the World Centre by the National Spiritual Assembly have continued; however, our bank debt remains, shadowing our successes.

FOR THE month of Sultén

must be maintained.

Plans made to assure 1,750 Assemblies

Plans have been made to ensure the establishment at Ridvan of 1,750 local Spiritual Assemblies. While 65 Assemblies must be formed to reach this goal, another 141 jeopardized Assemblies

Many Groups are close to Assembly status, and could form through the efforts of teachers or homefront pioneers. About 195 Groups have seven or eight members, and 182 have nine or more.

On the first day of Ridvan, communities should call the contact person in their district to report the Assembly’s formation. Assembly report forms should be completed and forwarded immediately to the Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

(ending February 6), individual participation edged above the 7,000 monthly goal by 126, but had dropped to 5,480 by the month of Mulk (ending March 1).

The National Fund fell short of its monthly contributions goal of $395,000 for the months of Sultan and Mulk.

Several communities have requested a follow-up to last year’s successful Day of Unity and Sacrifice at Ridvan. The National Spiritual Assembly has again endorsed the observance with the hope that the day may prove as fruitful and unifying as last year’s.

The American Baha’i community stands at the apex of a glorious new era: only 14 years remain before the establishment of the

Lesser Peace, a peace that is destined to encompass the globe.

Present world conditions dictate our shouldering the bulk of the financial responsibility for the worldwide propagation of the Faith. In addition, we must continue the long-range struggle to secure the retirement of our own bank debts.

Nearly $2 million is necessary to meet our budget goal this year, and little time remains.

With the success of last year’s Day of Unity and Sacrifice repeated, our goals stand to be realized. America’s spiritual destiny beckons as Baha’ is across the nation are challenged to reap the rewards of this year’s Day of Unity and Sacrifice.

[Page 2]VIEWPOINT

The American Baha’i

National Spiritual Assembly names new Women’s Committee to expand scope of women’s activities in U.S.

The National Spiritual Assembly has appointed a National Women’s Committee to “‘initiate systematic efforts to expand the scope of women’s activities within our community and to establish working relationships with other groups which share our principal motivation.”

COMMITTEE members are Tahereh Ahdieh of New York City, acting chairman; David Lepard of Woodbridge, Virginia,

Americas writing contest announced by Counsellors

As a step toward promoting the long-range goal of educating Baha’i children, the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas has established a writing contest and is inviting the believers throughout the Americas to submit stories in any of four languages (Spanish, French, English or Portuguese).

The stories should relate to building children’s character in relation to the Baha’i principles, and should be sent by contestants to the Continental Office, Apartado 6-3400, El Dorado, Panama, Republic of Panama, no later than June 15.

A prize of an all-expense-paid trip to a summer or winter school in the winner’s region of residence will be awarded for the best story submitted in each of the four languages.

Comment

acting secretary; Gail Haus of Morton Grove, Illinois; and Mary Sawicki of Darien, Connecticut.

The committee has been asked first to survey the U.S. Bahá’í community to determine what is being done in the area of women’s activities.

In response to that directive, the committee recently mailed a questionnaire to all local Spiritual Assemblies asking three questions:

1, During the past 10 years, what have been your community’s most successful activities to improve the condition of women?

2. What attitudes and traditions preventing the equality,of men and women has your community found most difficult to change?

3. What are ways you see that the Baha’i community can help in the development of women in the years ahead?

BESIDES answers to those questions, the committee is interested in receiving information about any non-Baha’i groups that are promoting women’s activities in concert with Baha’i principles.

The committee would like to have the names of any Baha’is or non-Baha’is, women or men, in your area who are willing to act as a resource for the committee.

To respond to the above questions and to supply names, addresses and background information about individuals or groups, write to the National Women’s Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

House of Justice laments death of Counsellor Lloyd Gardner

DEEPLY GRIEVED UNTIMELY PASSING ESTEEMED LLOYD GARDNER STALWART DEFENDER INTERESTS FAITH AMERICAS. HIS DISTINGUISHED LONGTIME SERVICE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANADA AND MEMBERSHIP BOARD COUNSELLORS AMERICAS SINCE INCEPTION MARKED BY INDEFATIGABLE LABORS ALL ASPECTS TEACHING WORK AND COMMUNITY LIFE, NOTABLY YOUTH ACTIVITIES. HIS STERLING CHARACTER, HIGH INTEGRITY, WARM-HEARTED NATURE,

TOTAL DEDICATION FAITH

WORTHY EMULATION. FER VENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS LUMINOUS SPIRIT ABHA KINGDOM AND SOLACE HIS SORROWING FAMILY. ADVISING ALL COMMUNITIES AMERICAS OFFER PRAYERS IN HIS NAME. REQUESTING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNITED STATES HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING

TEMPLE WILMETTE.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

MARCH 6, 1985

LLOYD GARDNER

UN ‘Day of Peace’ to replace World Peace Day observance

As a part of its continuing efforts to work in close harmony and cooperation with the United Nations, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided to replace its own World Peace Day with the UN International Day of Peace.

BEGINNING this year, Baha’i communities throughout the country are encouraged to plan observances and special programs in support of the Day of Peace which falls annually on the third Tuesday in September.

World Peace Day was initiated in 1959 by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly to call attention to the urgent need for the establishment of a lasting peace among the nations of the world.

Since that time, the third Sunday in September has been observed as World Peace Day by Ba ha’is and by an increasing number of non-Baha’i individuals and organizations.

On November 30, 1981, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the third Tuesday in September as International Day of Peace, stating that it should be “‘devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.’’

“The merging of these special event days is only natural,’’ says Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, ‘‘inasmuch as they share the same purpose and objectives.

“By combining our efforts (with the UN), we'll be able to bring the important issue of peace to even greater numbers of people and governments around the world.”’

Since 1970 the Baha’i International Community has been accredited as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It is also affiliated with the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Office of Public Information.

Archives seeks books

The National Baha’i Archives is seeking copies in good or excellent condition of the foliowing printings of Baha*u’llah and the New Era: Cloth, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1938, 1942, 1944, 1948, 1950, 1970; paper, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1938, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1956, 1960, 1970.

Chance meeting underscores power of Cause

During a short holiday Iwent to Vermont to visit the father of a friend who was married last summer at his father’s place—in a quiet, remote area near a lovely evergreen forest-covered mountain.

HE HAD driven into town to attend to some business, and I went for a walk with his pet dog down a tree-lined road toward the highway. emer NR RS

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.

Editor: Jack Bowers ‘Associate Editor: David E. Ogron

‘The American Baha'i 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 photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all ma

It was early autumn, and already the leaves were tinged with red and starting to fall from the trees.

As I approached a meadow near the highway, I saw a home nestled on a gently rolling hill. An old stone wall ran parallel to the road I was on, moving toward a stream and a small wooden bridge.

In the distance I saw a man cutting the overgrowth and weeds that had sprung up. As I drew nearer I saw that he wore a cowboy hat and was rather short, perhaps, I thought to my surprise, a Mexican or an American Indian.

Coming even closer, I saw that it was a machete he was swinging with a lifetime of expertise.

With my limited Spanish and his broken English we spoke, and had a remarkable conversation that I will share as best I can.

HE WAS, he said, an Indian from Guatemala who with his wife had taken refuge with one of the many organizations that are trying to help those who are fleeing for their lives from the death

This month’s column was written by Mark Sadan of Ossining, New York.

squads in that country.

He told me how no one was safe, how one can be taken away in the middle of the night and killed without even a trial or a chance to hear some accusation and respond to it.

I mentioned that my limited knowledge of Spanish had been acquired in Central and South America where I had produced two films for the Baha’i Faith.

Upon hearing the words “‘la Fe Baha’i”” (the Baha’i Faith), the man’s face lit up immediately with recognition.

“Bahá’u’lláh,’’ he said, pronouncing the name _ perfectly. “Many, many of my friends in the region I am from are Baha’is; even though I am a Christian, I love the Baha’i Faith and Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

“If only the world would listen to those teachings of justice and

unity, there would be no more killing and suffering.’”

I asked him how he knew so much about the Faith—was it from his friends or from reading?

HE REPLIED that most of the people where he was from had a limited education, but that several times a week there was a radio program starting at seven in the evening for several hours that he always listened to with many others.

The program, he said, played the music of his people; it taught useful things for farmers, mothers and families; and it spoke of Bahá’u’lláh, the history of the Faith, its teachings and prayers.

Friends, standing on that remote mountain road in Vermont, listening to this semi-literate Indian man from Guatemala who had sought refuge in this country, I was so moved by the power of Baha’u’llah, by the wonderful, immeasurable work and service of the pioneers in working with the local believers, that I wanted to share this message of hope and life

that so transcends the political and religious factionalism and confusion of our times.

When we teach, when we give to the Fund, when we pray and strive to do something, we form bonds of love between our hearts.

During our brief meeting this campesino from Guatemala and I were true hermanos. He knew of the suffering of Baha’is in Iran, and felt a solidarity between them and himself and the suffering of his own Indian people.

“‘And when things are better,’’ he said, “I will return to my home in Guatemala that is also very beautiful, like here in Vermont, to be with my family and friends ...’”

As we parted company, I could not help but reflect about how often Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum had spoken of how, once the indigenous peoples of North and South America had grasped the Light of Bahá’u’lláh, they would carry it forward as a beacon to our darkening, dying western civilization.

[Page 3]LETTERS

April 1985

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.’’—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The American Baha’ welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “‘letters’’ column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to derogate another’s opinion or attack anyone on a personal level.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a maximum of 250 words is suggested). Letters are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to the Editor, The American Bahá’í, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, TL 60091.

To the Editor:

Embodied in our Writings are guidelines to the spiritual solution of the financial crisis of our National Fund. The beloved Guardian exhorted us:

“‘Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new and noble principles ... can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and skeptical 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 Baha’u’llah.””

Where do we begin this endeavor? By diligent compliance with our four basic obligations, namely:

1. The daily obligatory prayers;

2. the Fast;

3. regular sacrificial donations to the Funds; and

4. teaching continuously.

“Know verily that the essence of justice and the source thereof are both embodied in the ordinances prescribed by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self of God amongst men, if ye be of them that recognize this truth.’’ (Gleanings, p. 175)

Rupert Pringle Whittier, California

To the Editor:

When someone joins the Faith we usually sign a book and give it to him as a present.

PERHAPS instead of (or in addition to) a book we could prepare and offer him a framed letter he could hang on a wall. Here is a sample:

“tears ':°2!2 t

“You are now a Baha’i, a believer in Bahá’u’lláh. Please accept our warmest greetings for a new and challenging future. Your recognition of Bahá’u’lláh and your love for Him is the greatest gift you could have received. We hope you will cherish and protect it for all the years to come.

“Acknowledging Bahá’u’lláh is just the beginning of a spiritual growth spurt that may last a lifetime and

“We are children of the king

dom; our first goal is to grow, to mature, to advance. This goal is best accomplished by the acquiring and sharing of knowledge. These are called deepening and teaching.

“‘Our second goal is to avoid the pitfalls, and to rise after a fall. This is called testing. As believers in Bahá’u’lláh, we are all in a spiritual race. Not to rise after a fall is to miss all the fun, especially that which comes later, after the race is over.

“‘NO ONE is spared from tests, even the great Messengers. Again, what can give us the strength to keep our balance and to rise from a fall is the gaining and sharing of knowledge.

“‘Let us see how these two virtues can conquer our most difficult test: learning to live in harmony with other Baha’is.

“‘e Gaining knowledge:

“I, Gives us the inspiration to be more kind and tolerant, and the strength to endure more.

“2. Shows us the ways of resolving the conflicts.

“‘e Sharing knowledge:

“1, Gives us the spiritual pleasure we crave, thus increasing our endurance.

“2. Keeps us preoccupied with growth, and thus does not leave time for conflict.

“3, Increases the divine bounties.

“To conclude: acknowledging Baha’u’llah is by far the most vital decision we can ever make. But it is what we do afterward that determines the ultimate value of that decision.

“Please save this letter and review it before and during every test. Cramming is discouraged.’’

Hushidar Motlagh Mount Pleasant, Michigan

To the Editor:

A point of clarification: RSVP at the end of an invitation means please give us the courtesy of telling us whether or not you can attend this function. Please respond also means please let us know if you plan to attend—either yes you will, or no you won’t.

Regrets Only means we are counting on you to be there unless you specifically tell us you are unable to attend. Usually, this request for a response is vital to the proper and economical planning of the affair.

This certainly should be included on invitations to Bahá’í functions. It is only with a frugal control of expenses that we can truly help our Funds to have a

'GOOD”’ day.

Now that we understand clearly that a reply (whether stated or not) is a courtesy and a compliment to one’s host, I’m sure that each Baha’j will make that important response.

Jane Schnackenberg Englewood, Colorado

To the Editor:

I recently heard of the enrollment of Harry Buffalohead. To the average reader, this may only register as another strange-sound ing Indian name; however, anyone even remotely familiar with American Indian culture will immediately recognize him as perhaps the premier musician and authority on Ponca Indian culture in the world.

If Harry had been born in Japan, he would long ago have attained the status of ‘‘national treasure.”

We know from the Writings that the American Indian has a significant contribution to make toward the spiritual progress of mankind. The only gift we have to offer lies in our spiritual traditions, and it is individuals such as Mr. Buffalohead, whose knowledge penetrates to the core of those traditions, who will be in the forefront.

If the American Indian is to be among the ‘‘standard bearers’’ of mankind, then assuredly the music of those such as Harry Buffalohead will be the inspiration.

Tokeya Inajin McLaughlin, South Dakota

To the Editor:

‘When Bahda’is introduce guests to each other or to the host or hostess at a Baha’i function such as a fireside, deepening or Holy Day observance, the introduction ought to include the full names of those who are being introduced, not just first names or nicknames.

And if there is something in addition to the name that should be known about one of the people being introduced, it would be courteous to mention it in the course of the introduction; for example:

.-my neighbor, Mary the Rev. James Smith, pastor of the 10th St. Baptist Church.”

, our Auxiliary Board mem

+» a member of the National a Assembly of . Most particularly, i guest is not a Baha’i, the friends should be made aware of this in.an unobtrusive way.

Julian Briggs Cloverdale, California

To the Editor:

I have been a Baha’i for 11 years now and during that time have read with great interest the articles in The American Baha’i.

I especially enjoy the column that calls to mind events that took place in the American Baha’i community 10 years ago. The progress of the Faith is wonderful to see as we look at activities held back then.

In reading the column, I’ve noticed that a great number of individuals who so selflessly served the Faith 10 years ago in our national community are still there. I refer to those who are either staff members or volunteers on committees around the country.

I would like to thank those dear souls for their devoted service over the long years, and also to extend my gratitude to those who are now working up to 10 years or

more. Although we Bahda’is in the field may not say it often, we certainly appreciate your loving sacrifices, and we pray that God will reward you all with His bounties. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Jonathan Ring Exeter, New Hampshire

To the Editor:

With regard to the Baha’i Fund, Horace Holley said it succinctly in the very first issue of the Baha’i News Letter:

“«...the Baha’i Fund is our opportunity to prove our spiritual faithfulness upon the plane of practical affairs as upon the plane of mind and heart.’’ (Reprinted in Baha’i News, December 1984)

It is too bad that we as a national community cannot put our material bounties back into the effort that will eventually direct all our affairs.

Neva Parmley Chico, California

To the Editor:

Need a new way to teach Baha’i unity, meet other Bahá’ís and have fun? How about “‘spiritual genealogy’’?

Unlike the regular type of family seeking, spiritual genealogy doesn’t require lengthy hours of searching, and best of all, many “ancestors’’ are still alive and teaching!

The first step is to locate your “spiritual mother and/or father’ and ask how and when they became Bahda’is; also, who taught

‘Available from:

Baha'i Distribution Service

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF

them about the Faith,

If you learned about the Faith through the media, use a significant person who helped you learn the laws or taught you how to “‘live the life.’”

From there, you just keep looking for your ‘“‘spiritual ancestors’’ until you’re satisfied.

As for me, I’m still searching for more ‘‘family.’’ Right now I’m trying to get in touch with my “great-great grandfather’’ in Hawaii. After that, I’ll look for his parents, their parents/teachers, and so on. Who knows? Maybe I’m your long lost cousin!

Jo-Ann Maxine Stephens Peru, Indiana

To the Editor:

This Day of God has given us the bounty of hundreds of pages written by Bahá’u’lláh. He encourages, exhorts, warns, pleads, promises and instructs us in the path of spirituality.

We have prayers to aid us in every situation. What, then, ‘can be our problem in achieving spiritual success?

Lack of faith. If we really believe all that has been revealed to us, there is no limit to our efforts or results!

But we must believe, ‘‘Oh,”’ you say, “‘that’s oversimplified and far too easy to be a solution to all that faces us.””

But is it? We have all the tools, all the instructions, and a picture of the finished product. But we must pick up the tools and begin

See LETTERS Page 32

JUSTICE

New from the Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

‘This compilation, deals with those important questions’ most frequently asked by the believers concerning the ‘establishment, infalibiity and powers of the Universal House of Justice.

Drawing from the Sacred Writings of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu'l-Babé, the letters of the Guardian and’ the Universal House of Justice itself, this important booklet helps us to under stand more fully the majesty and ‘Beatness of God's supreme institution ‘on earth, the “Centre of the Covenant” “to whieh all must turn.”

Compiled in a simple format for ‘easy reference, “The Universal House ‘of Justice" provides ample material for the study of the “unassailable found

ation” and clearly defined authority of ‘that body “which God hath

‘as the source of all good and freed from all error.”

ed all-subduing i detily raiod en of be Kingdom of eres

sovereignty and whose laws are inspired and spiritual.’

‘Abdu’ Bah

[Page 4]The American Baha'i

4

ion ders

Crthe bul

DOROTHY BEECHER BAKER

“‘She was carried to the heights of intercontinental Baha’i achievement by the impetus of the Master’s Divine Plan released through the Guardian, and she poured forth with superb energy and brilliance her unique contribution to the (first) Seven Year Plan and the World Crusade.””

THOSE words, spoken by her fellow Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, were used to describe the myriad Baha’i services of indefatigable Dorothy Beecher Baker.

In 1912, when Dorothy was a teen-ager, her grandmother, Betty Beecher, who was known to the Baha’is as ‘‘Mother Beecher,’’ took her to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The next day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá phoned Mother Beecher and said, “I called to say that your granddaughter is My own daughter. You must train her for me.””

After graduating from college, Dorothy taught school for a few years in Newark, New Jersey, where she was born.

Later, she met and married Frank Albert Baker and the couple moved first to Buffalo, New York, and then to Lima, Ohio. The Bakers had a son, William, and a daughter, Louise.

It wasn’t until about 1929 that Mrs. Baker gave her first public talk, during a Ridvan observance in Foundation Hall at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. From then on she was often. asked to speak at public meetings.

GIFTED with a special speaking ability that was especially attractive to young people, Mrs. Baker lectured in many colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad.

In 1937 she was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly on which she served for 16 years. During four of those years she was chairman of the Assembly.

Mrs. Baker made six trips to, Latin America, speaking about

See BAKER Page 10

Report

Continued From Page 1

against God,’ ‘corruption on earth,’ ‘warring against God,’ and ‘Zionism’ are among the most frequent.

“THE REAL reason for the arrests seems to be advocacy of Baha’ism.

“A minimum of 750 Baha’is are in jail. At least 194 have been executed or have died following tor ture since the beginning of the revolutionary period, at least 29 during 1984.

“In August 1983 the Prosecutor General issued an order that effectively bans all Baha’i religious activity, and provides the legal foundation on which virtually all members of the faith could be charged with crimes: participation in social welfare organizations is forbidden, as are the business corporations the Bahda’is operated; and teaching of the faith, even by par

Pictured are participants in a nineday Spiritual Enrichment Institute sponsored by the Baha’i community of Missouri City, Texas, and held last December 28-January 6. The institute was conducted by a

traveling teacher, Jenabe Caldwell (center, holding the Greatest Name). It was held in a retreattype atmosphere in which participants studied The Hidden Words and The Seven Valleys.

‘Martha Root Conference’ to be held at Pennsylvania’s Alliance College

The ‘‘Martha Root Conference’’ will be held May 31-June 2 at Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

Keynote speakers will be Mabel R. Garis, author of Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold, and Robert Stockman, a geologist and astronomer and author of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, which was to be released this month by the Baha’i Publishing Trust.

A wide range of children’s activities will be provided by the LEAP coordinators for western Pennsylvania, George Mark, Sondra Morgan and Janet Greene.

Alliance College has facilities for basketball, volleyball and short nature hikes, while fishing, horseback riding, golf and a birdwatching sanctuary are within a five-minute drive.

Also planned is a brief walking tour that will include the two Root family homes in Cambridge Springs.

A Saturday evening banquet and public meeting will feature an introductory talk on the Faith and entertainment by the ‘Magical Eye’’ performers from the Erie area.

An added highlight will be a narrated slide show of Martha Root and her travels.

There is a registration fee of $10 per adult or $20 per family. Approximate costs for accommoda tions and food are $10 per adult per night (double occupancy) and $20 for five meals. Linen costs are included in the room rates. Children under 12 years will be allowed to sleep in parents’ rooms if they bring their own sleeping

bags.

Baha’i hospitality is available on a limited basis. The cutoff date for pre-registration is May 4. Please make check or money order for registration and room deposit (one-half of weekend total) to Jim Gorney,

Waterford, PA 16441.

For more information about the conference or nearby camping sites, contact Deb Hilbert,

_ Cambridge Springs, PA 16403, or phone 814-796-6380.

Resolution passed

The Common Council of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently passed a resolution supporting the efforts of the Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee to alleviate the persecution of Baha'is in Iran.

After sending the council information about the persecutions, a sample resolution, and a letter asking that it consider such a resolution, the Assembly received a copy of the approved resolution in the mail.

In it, the Assembly was called ‘a noteworthy organization working for peace in the world.””

ents to children in the home, is not permitted.

‘There is concern that these actions may mark the beginning of even more severe measures.

“Although the Bahá’í national leaders dissolved the community’s organizations in obedience to the Prosecutor General’s edict, they were subsequently arrested, and at least some were executed.””

THE STATE Department document was released one week before more than 100 members of Congress issued a bi-partisan ap peal urging action by the UN Human Rights Commission in support of religious freedom for the Baha’is in Iran.

In a letter to the Human Rights Commission, which was meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the congressmen called on its members to adopt ‘‘yet another resolution”’ similar to its 1984 action which specifically condemned Iran’s repression of the Baha'is and appointed a special representative to investigate human rights conditions in Iran.

Congress

Continued From Page 1

Iran’s suppression of the Baha’is and appointed a special investigator to look into human rights conditions in Iran.

In a letter to their colleagues in Congress, Senators Dodd and Heinz said that while the frequency of executions of Baha’is in Iran “has decreased in the last year, there has been a wave of new arrests and additional repressive measures.

“THIS lack of respect for fundamental human rights should be noted and condemned by the

United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Its silence on this issue during the present session could be interpreted by the Iranjan government as a lessening of the world’s concern for the Baha’is.

“Please join us in our appeal to the Commission urging it to adopt yet another resolution condemning Iran for its continuing violation of human rights, and in particular of the human rights of the Baha’i religious community.”

As of February 21, 45 Senators and 84 Representatives had signed the written appeal to the UN Human Rights Commission.

Letter from Congress to UN Rights Commission

To the members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights:

We are writing to express our deep concern over the systematic repression of the Baha’i community by the government of Iran.

GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, your organization over the last three years has adopted a series of resolutions condemning the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its numerous violations of human rights, and particularly for its brutal persecution of the Baha’is, Iran’s largest religious minority.

The shock and dismay of the civilized world has been expressed repeatedly, through statements by prominent individuals and government leaders (including the President of the United States), and in the formal protests of legislative bodies such as the parliaments of Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and the legislatures of many of the states of the United States of America.

In September 1982 and again in June 1984, the U.S. Congress unanimously adopted concurrent resolutions protesting the repression of Iranian Baha’ is and calling upon the international community to raise its voice in defense of this peaceful and law-abiding community.

Current reports from Iran show that the pressure against the Baha’ is has not ceased. Since last September, 16 more Baha’is have been executed or have died in jails, many of them as a result of severe torture.

More than 700 Baha’is are currently held in various prisons. Recently, they have been offered their freedom if they will sign a pledge stating that they do not possess, either on their person or in their homes, any book, picture or symbol of the Baha’i Faith; moreover, they are forced to state that such possession would be tantamount to being ‘‘of those ‘who war against God’ "’ ... a crime which is generally considered to be a capital offense.

WHILE ALL BAHA’IS have been discharged from government service, many are now being compelled to repay all the salaries which they had legally earned during their years of service; retirees are required to return their pensions or face imprisonment.

Finally and most significantly, last December Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations declared that his country would not hesitate to violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We are committed to the axiom that it is unconscionable to stand silent in the face of such injustice.

Considering these relentless acts of savagery against the innocent, we appeal to you, as the world’s foremost guardian of human rights, to adopt yet another resolution reaffirming your commitment to human rights for the people of Iran and calling for the government to cease its persecution of the Baha’i religious minority. You can send a clear signal to the Iranian regime that the world notices and condemns this serious violation of internationally accepted standards of fundamental human rights.

Sincerely,

Signed by 45 Senators and 84 members of the House of Representatives

[Page 5]THE FUNDS

April 1985

5

April 21 set as 2nd ‘Day of Unity and Sacrifice’

How could we refuse? Communities have written the Treasurer’s Office requesting that we repeat last year’s highly successful Day of Unity and Sacrifice. So ...

LIHEN: APRIL 21 (OR DAYOF YOUR CHOICE)

WHERE: YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

IT’S DONE! Sunday, April 21, has again been designated as the time for a Day of Unity and Sacrifice. However, it’s not necessary to select that exact date; com lo

22 ey (3

munities are encouraged to choose a day that is convenient for everyone. Any day within the month of Jalal would be fine. Communities also are urged to

HE

UNIE

how sialic we Work togethen Let's do it againd

ADMISSION: LOVE AND SACRIFICE Treasurer’s Office reports on Assemblies’ Fund participation

Under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Treasurer’s Office each year conducts a Universal Participation report which includes the participation record of all local Spiritual Assemblies.

The foundation of the money that supports the work of the National Assembly comes from the local Spiritual Assemblies. The importance of this foundation cannot be overestimated as the National Spiritual Assembly finds itself with an ever-expanding number of projects to fund.

Local Spiritual Assemblies were notified by letter of this year’s Universal Participation report.

Communities are encouraged to examine and consult on their own record of participation.

The results of the report this year are as follows: 789 Assemblies contributed between 10 and 19 times during 1984; 369 Assemblies gave 1 to 9 times during the year, and 531 Assemblies were unable to contribute at all.

Stated another way, 46 per cent of Assemblies in the U.S. contributed 10-19 times, 21 per cent 1-9 times, and 33 per cent did not contribute,

The standard that the National Spiritual Assembly has asked each local Assembly to strive for is one

contribution to the National Baha’i Fund every 19 days.

The local Spiritual Assembly carries the responsibility of consulting and setting its National Fund goal. The local treasurer has the duty of carrying out the Assembly’s directions concerning the Fund.

We can feel proud that we have made a good start on the road toward the goal of monthly contributions. Regular contributions from each local Assembly will go a long way toward strengthening the life-blood of the Cause of Baha’u'll4h—the National Baha’i Fund.

District Name Membership

Alabama N Alabama S/Florida NW Arizona N Arizona S Arkansas California C No. California C No. California N No. California N No. California S No. California S No. California S No. California S No.

BYN—Don

as of 12/9/84

Northern Minnesota tops 50 per cent mark, surges to top

Contributions to the National Baha’i Fund by District ‘Starting Block’ Info

Number giving

Percentage of participation

Membership (01/08/85)

Current Month Info (Sharaf)

Number Percentage of giving _participation

See CHART Page 30

use their imagination and to be creative when planning their observances. There’s no shortage of creative ideas in the Baha’ community. Recall the successes that followed the “‘GOOD idea”’ proposed by the Baha’ community of Round Rock, Texas.

Last year, the Treasurer’s Office received many letters from dividuals and communities throughout the country who celebrated the Day of Unity and Sacrifice. Several of last year’s letters offered ideas to be shared with others.

One letter, for example, told of a community’s ‘‘stone soup supper.”” Instead of welcoming the Baha’i New Year with an extravagant celebration, they all brought ingredients for a soup dinner.

Also, a family told us how they consulted about ways to sacrifice for the Fund. Together, they developed a two-week menu with the goal of spending half the usual amount of money and donating the rest to the Fund.

“We ate lots of potatoes and noodle dishes but enjoyed the meals and no one complained,” they wrote. ‘Everyone became involved in planning and preparing the food to be attractive as well as palatable.’”

Other good ideas:

a home-style pancake breakfast;

auctions of various kinds;

a children’s ‘“‘read-a-thon.””

The tone of each letter reflected a renewed sense of unity and an eagerness to greet the challenges of the new year. This year, the importance of this day—both spiritually and financially—cannot be overemphasized.

A special comment from last year deserves mention: ‘‘...seeds are planted in spring and grow quickest in early summer. Treating our monies as seeds lets us all try to plant—or contribute—them to make our Fund grow faster this spring.””

Fund survey rates charts, Feast tapes

How did your Assembly or Group rate the National Fund charts, the Feast tapes ...?

THE OFFICE of the Treasurer annually sends out a ‘‘Fund Progress Survey’’ to find out the answers to such questions.

The survey helps in the planning and budgeting activities of the National Spiritual Assembly, and provides feedback for the Office of the Treasurer’s educational program.

The following study represents 492 Assemblies in communities consisting of 10,898 adults 751 youth and 3,655 children.

Three of the questions concerned communication from the National Center and a fourth examined local communication. These were inquiries about the Fund charts, Fund articles in The American Baha’i, Feast tapes, and the local treasurer’s report.

The questions were designed to obtain a basic understanding of the feelings of the Baha’i com munity about the effectiveness of this communication. National Fund charts

This year the Treasurer’s Office redesigned the National Fund charts. The change came just prior to administering the Fund Progress Survey.

While 67 per cent of the respondents felt the Fund charts were good, 24 per cent considered them fair and five per cent rated them as poor.

One of the changes made in the charts was that the year-to-date figure, actual, and goal information was deleted due to the feeling that it might be confusing. In response to comments made by a significant number of communities, the year-to-date information has been restored.

Feast tapes

Many Assemblies (80 per cent) said they felt the tapes were good; another 17 per cent rated them

See SURVEY e 25

The Winners’ Circle

Highest percentage participation 1, Minnesota, Northern 2. Maine 3. Georgia, Northeast 4. Vermont 5. lowa 6. (tie) Tennessee, Eastern Ohio, Northern 8. Nebraska 9. Kansas 10. Wisconsin, Southern 11. (tie) Minnesota, Southern Michigan, Mainland 13. Louisiana, Northern 14. Pennsylvania, Western 15. Texas, Eastern No. 2 16. Texas, Northern 17. (tie) New Jersey Pennsylvania, Eastern 9. (tie) Indiana Connecticut

Most Improved Participation

1. Oregon, Eastern

2. South Carolina, South No. 2 3. North Carolina, Eastern

4. Maine

5. South Carolina, East No. 1 6. Texas, Central No. 2

7. Minnesota, Northern

8. Texas, Northern

9. Texas, Eastern No. 2 10. DelMarVa 11. Texas, Central No. 1 12. Mississippi 13. Vermont 14. Kansas 15. Georgia, Northeast 16. North Carolina, Western 17. Ohio, Northern 18. New Mexico S/Texas W 19. Arkansas

[Page 6]IGC: PIONEERING

The American Baha’i

Apprehension turns to love at pioneer post

Once upon a time there was a family in Connecticut who wanted to pioneer. They contacted the International Goals Committee, sold their home and belongings, and waited for word of where they were to go.

WHEN advice was received from the Counsellors that the island of Kiribati (pronounced “kiri-boss’’) in the Pacific was not going to work out as a pioneer post for Wendy and Michael Lusa and their three children, disappointment was keenly felt by all.

Wendy and Michael had been attracted to Kiribati in their strong desire to fulfill the call to pioneer made by Baha’u’llah. Now it was impossible to go there.

What to do about it was a hard question to answer. Not that there were no other goals to fill, but a last-minute switch looked difficult for the Lusas who, sitting in an empty apartment with their remaining possessions packed in boxes, had no apparent post in which to settle.

At these times the inj trust in Bahá’u’lláh is put to the test, at least for some of us.

The Lusas were determined to

Teaching event set

in southern Cyprus

There will be a two-month teaching event in the southern (Greek) sector of Cyprus during September and October.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Cyprus warmly invites previous pioneers, traveling teachers and visitors who have made friends among the inhabitants of the island to participate in this teaching event. First-time visitors are most welcome too.

If you are able to participate, please contact the International Goals Committee for more information.

wait for Him to show them the next step that should be taken, possibly the step that was meant to be taken all along. God closes one door and opens another. Just have patience, right?

The respite gave the Lusas time to welcome another baby into the family. Then the Goals Committee recommended Rota in the Mariana Islands.

MICHAEL and Wendy liked that part of the world, but would it be difficult to find work there? Would their children like it? The Lusas wanted to take the chance.

Wendy went ahead of the others, arriving in Rota in June 1984. Michael followed with the four children a couple of weeks later.

Now, as one can imagine, there is a certain degree of anticipation felt by the Goals Committee staff when we see one of the pioneers actually departing for a post. Possibly a better description is one of mild anxiety.

Let’s face it, we are the ones who suggest the location, and we can’t simply forget the matter once the pioneer has left. That’s when the real waiting and wondering starts to happen.

We have confidence in all of our pioneers, but we also know that pioneering isn’t just a “walk in the park.”

So we look for indications that things are going well, signs that might indicate that everything is working out. The first few months are very important after pioneers arrive at their posts. We pray every day and wait to hear.

IT IS helpful to know that pioneers can count on their fellow believers for some help when they first arrive at their posts.

Wendy stayed at first with pioneers on Guam. It was thrilling for us to learn that the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khaénum and her com U.S. PIONEER ASSIGNMENTS

(Outstanding, to be filled before Ridvan)

AFRICA (F) Benin (E) Lesotho 2 (F) Mauritania 2 (E) Nigeria (E) Tanzania 3

AMERICAS

Chile

(Ss) Easter Island 1 (S) Colombia 3 (E) Dominica 2 Ecuador

(S) Galapagos 1

(S) Yucatan, Mexico 2 (E) St. Vincent 1

LANGUAGE KEY

E—English K—Korean F—French S—Spanish GR—Greek T—Turkish

ASIA

(E) India (K) Korea (E) Nepal

Bec

AUSTRALASIA Caroline Islands (E) Kosrae (E) Palau (E) Samoa (Western) (E) Tuvalu

ae se

EUROPE

(GR,T,E) Cyprus 3 (E) Ireland

TOTAL

Persians preferred but others

welcome

panion, Violette Nakhjavani, arrived in Rota on the same plane as Michael and the children.

Several weeks later, the Lusas wrote that Wendy had found parttime employment, and soon after, a four-bedroom house that they could afford. We were starting to feel relieved that it was going smoothly for the Lusas, relatively speaking.

To learn that Michael and Wendy love Rota and that the children have made friends was frosting on the cake.

What a pleasant sur] to read of the Lusas’ appreciation for Rota’s ‘‘untouched beauty’’ and their love for the Baha’is there. What more could we hope for?

Wendy wrote, “Our house is very beautiful. It’s on the mountain and is always cool. ...It’s so great to be a part of such a diverse and loving Baha’i community. We feel so blessed to be here ... Our children have never been happier.’”

COULD we hope for more? What a question when one is dealing with pioneers.

On August 4, Wendy wrote again: ‘‘Have great news! We both got fantastic jobs! Michael starts next week as a high school English teacher. I was hired as art director of Rota and will be giving lessons ...”’ (this in addition to her part-time job with a newspaper).

In the meantime, the . Lusas were busy making friends among the people of Rota and teaching the Faith with the other dedicated Baha'is in that area.

Later, we learned that the Lusas had started a small school of their own. And as correspondence from Wendy and Michael continues, we notice an ever-growing change from being Americans to being

Lusa on the ‘South Pacific with the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá

citizens of Rota.

There comes that important time when ‘‘our post’’ is synonymous with “our home,” and one has the sense that a trip to the U.S. would be interesting, but that going home to Rota (or Uganda, or Truk) is the ultimate goal.

THIS is when the process is complete and the pioneers, like the Lusas, have made that allimportant transition. It doesn’t happen overnight, and doesn’t even always happen, but there are times when it does, and it is that quality that makes pioneers so precious to the work of the Cause.

The Goals Committee thought that Rota would be a tough place

No one excluded from command

“Now is the time for the lovers of God to raise high the banners of unity, to intone, in the assemblages of the world, the verses of Sriendship and love and to demonstrate to all that the grace of God is one. Thus will the tabernacles of holiness be upraised on the summits of the earth, gathering all peoples into the protective shadow of the Word of Oneness. This great bounty will dawn over the world at the time when the lovers of God shall arise to carry out His Teachings, and to scatter far and wide the fresh, sweet scents of universal love.’’ (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 20)

.

The destiny of American Baha’is is profound. The effect we will have on the future of this country and the earth as a whole is inspiring to read about and uplifting to hear about.

SHOGHI Effendi clearly laid

out in The Advent of Divine Justice the directions we must follow, speaking confidently of our success and of the glorious rewards we'll receive as a result of our efforts to follow those guidelines.

The Universal House of Justice, re-emphasizing the hopes, desires and confidence of the beloved Guardian, continues to place great responsibilities on this community in each successive global Plan.

The Seven Year Plan has been no different. Our goals are clearly laid out, and are of obvious importance to the promotion and growth of the Faith around the world.

Whose responsibility is it to pioneer? Who are the precious souls who rise up to answer the call to sacrifice everything they have and serve the Blessed Beauty as international pioneers? How did they attain such devotion and spiritual purity to accomplish this most sacred of callings?

PY Rihiyyih Khanum (second from left) and Violette Nakhjavani (at right behind children).

to find work, suitable housing, and adequate education. The Lusas went to Rota with no job prospects and a limited reserve of money.

Possibly the words of our beloved Guardian best describe what the pioneers experience, what the Lusas experienced in their own way as they arose to serve the Faith:

“How great is the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of His grace are ready to be extended to every soul, for us all to form a broad vision of the mission of the Cause to mankind, and to do all in our power to spread it throughout the world.”” (Baha’i Administration, p. 18)

to arise, pioneer

Bahá’u’lláh says, “Speed ye forth from the horizon of power, in the name of your Lord, the Unconstrained, and announce unto His servants, with wisdom and eloquence, the tidings of this Cause, whose splendor hath been shed upon the world of being. Beware lest anything withhold you from observing the things pre‘scribed unto you by the Pen of Glory, as it moved over His Tablet with sovereign majesty and might.”’ (Quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 63)

MANY of us feel inadequate to answer so divine a calling, and assume that others who are better qualified will rise up to fulfill the goals of the Universal House of Justice.

But Baha’u’llah excludes no one from His command. He overlooks our own perceptions of our shortcomings and tells us to rely on Him, for then we will surely

See PIONEERS Page 30

[Page 7]YOUTH NEWS

April 1985

7

Open letter to Baha’i youth

Dearly loved friends,

The growth of the Bahaé’i Youth Movement in North America has, in the past year, served to create a fresh reservoir of internal energy among the youthful followers of Bahá’u’lláh.

BEGUN AS A DIRECT response to the Universal House of Justice’s urging that ‘‘youth can move the world,” the Movement has truly galvanized our spirits and redirected our activities. It has been a year of victory, a year of rekindled spirits and renewed commitment.

As we begin 1985, we face new challenges. But we face those challenges with greater strength and with new energy generated by both the discipline and discourse of the Movement. We are prepared, as never before, to serve, and we will serve in unity and in response to the needs of our precious Faith.

It is time for the youth of America to turn their attention to the tasks of International Youth Year 1985. We have been, at both the national and local levels, in the forefront of the planning of this commemorative year.

We must now execute those plans with enthusiasm and wholehearted support. This year offers us a priceless opportunity to become true champions of the Cause. By observing IYY, we can attract large numbers of our contemporaries to the Faith while at the same time we build the internal energy and strength of the Baha’i Youth Movement to greater proportions.

There are many fine successes already to be noted. In December, the youth attending a youth conference at Disney World in Florida planted 180 trees in a nearby park in memory of the recent martyrs in Iran. [YY was launched in the Los Angeles area with a celebration, hosted by Baha’i youth, which was attended by more than 500, many of whom were non-Bahda’is.

IN OREGON, the District Youth Committee sent a delegation of youth to the local United Nations office. Their presentation on the Movement and IYY caused the UN committee to move ahead with an area-wide observance of IYY, and three Baha’i youth were subsequently appointed to the planning committee.

In Florida, a young Baha’i was invited to draft the state [YY proposal which would later be approved by the governor. In Washington, D.C., the youth have formed an IYY committee that has offered its ongoing services to the national [YY Commission offices. Two members of the National Youth Committee have been extended invitations to attend White House receptions in connection with IYY.

In Nebraska, the youth held a regional [YY Conference in January, while the Northern Wisconsin District Youth Committee has set up an area-wide task force involving other youth organizations. The work of the task force has received local television coverage.

These are but a few of the deeds that are being performed in observance of International Youth Year 1985. And there will be countless more.

We call upon youth everywhere to marshal their talents and energies in support of International Youth Year, to reach out to ‘other youth organizations and involve them in all of our plans, to promote the Baha’i Youth Movement through deeds of service and in contact with public officials.

IN A RECENT LETTER addressed to the Baha’is of the world, the Universal House of Justice lists several key accomplishments of the Baha’i community. It is significant that the Supreme Institution noted that ‘an upsurge of activity among the Baha’i youth has started a movement which has caught the imagination of the friends far and wide.’’

Let us apply all our creative skills to the tasks at hand, and through our celebration of International Youth Year 85, reinforce the growth of that movement and of our precious Faith.

The National Youth Committee stands ready to help you in your efforts. We are eagerly awaiting word of your victories, and look forward to rejoicing in your accomplishments this summer at the gathering at Ohio State University.

With loving Baha’i greetings and our continuing assurance of prayers,

Baha’i National Youth Committee February 11, 1985

Baha’i appears on Detroit radio program On Sunday, January 6, Dr. station WXYT.

Curtis Russell, a Baha’i from the Detroit, Michigan, area who is an associate professor of psychology at Detroit’s Mercy College, appeared on an hour-long radio program, ‘Religion on the Line,” on

Dr. Russell’s talk on progressive revelation and the unity of mankind, which was. followed by numerous phone calls from listeners, marked the fifth appearance by Baha’is on the program.

Youth Committee urges 19 young people to arise for ‘Youth Year of Service’ on U.S. homefront

The Universal House of Justice, in its message of January 3, 1984, to the Baha’i youth of the world, asked that young men and women, “while still young and unburdened by family responsibilities ... give attention to the idea of volunteering a set period, say, one or two years, to some Baha’i service, on the home front or abroad, in the teaching or development field.’”

In response to this call, the National Youth Committee has set as its goal for the final phase of the Seven Year Plan, encouraging 19 youth to arise to serve one year in some capacity for the Faith.

The ‘Youth Year of Service’ program is off to a solid start with more than 65 youth requesting information and applications. The range of opportunities is varied. Positions now open are:

Mobile institutes. Under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice, several African nations including Cameroon, Chad, Kenya and Zimbabwe are sponsoring mobile institutes—schools that travel from one community to another teaching and deepening the believers.

Tutorial schools. Also guided by the Universal House of Justice are the South American nations of Colombia, Bolivia, Panama and Pataguay who are offering training at the Ruhj Institute in Colombia, followed by a year of service as part of a team that will work with tutorial schools in teaching children and helping to consolidate Baha’i communities.

World Centre. Still open are positions in the gardens, maintenance, security and others.

WLGI. An internship in radio broadcasting is open to the right individual.

Louhelen and Bosch Bahá’í Schools. Internships are available in child education, public relations, maintenance, etc.

Baha’i National Center. Assistants for the various offices are needed. For more information or applications, please contact the

Kansas City site for ‘Quad State’ youth conference

The state Youth Committees of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska have announced plans for a Quad-State Baha’i Youth Conference to be held May 31-June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Youth between the ages of 15 and 30 are encouraged to attend. Lodging will be available from May 30, the day before the conference is to open. The cost for five meals and two nights’ lodging is $34.

For more information, contact Luke Berglund,

Kansas City, MO 64119, or phone (evenings) 816-452-6235 or 816-452-0595.

Baha’i National Youth Committee office, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313, or phone 305-5841844,

Youth who are proficient in Spanish or French are especially

encouraged to apply. The prayers and support of the. Universal House of Justice are promised to all youth who will arise to this call of service.

About 40 young people gathered last December 14-16 at Camp Asbury in northern Ohio for a winter conference. Topics discussluded chastity, self-discip line, and value clarification. Plans were made for follow-up gatherings to nurture and maintain the flow of enthusiasm.

There are many answers to question, ' ‘What am | going to do this summer?’

Among the many questions you should be asking yourself (Are deeds, not words, my adorning? Did I send in my contribution to the Fund this month? Have I registered for the conference at Ohio State University?) is a burning question we all must answer: What shall I do this summer?

OF COURSE, the answer Serve the Faith! This summer, the opportunities are almost endless ...

Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and South Carolina, to name only a few. And, yes, you can travel and teach on the way to Columbus, Ohio, this summer. E After the conference in early July, you have even more possibilities for service and teaching. All of the District Youth Committees are being asked to set up service and teaching projects, so you can either head for home to help out the local believers or head for new territory and experience the rewards of traveling teaching.

If your sights are set on more

exotic experiences, why not con See SUMMER Page 22

FUNd RUN a ‘GOOD idea’ at conference

ANNOUNCING!

A wonderful

opportunity for all partici pants—youth, children and adults—at the International Youth Conference July 3-7 in Columbus, Ohio, to do a GOOD deed.

As it happens, this GOOD deed is also.a lot of fun. It is, in fact, the FUNd RUN. On Saturday, July 6, on the track at the French Field House, Baha’js will be running to help the National Fund ‘‘Get Out of

Debt.””

All runners will seek the support of Baha’is in their home district. For each 440-yard lap (1/4-mile), sponsors will pledge to pay a set amount (agreed on ahead of time by runner and sponsor) to the National Fund. The runner will naturally try to complete as many laps as possible, thereby increasing the sponsor’s donation to the Fund.

You can participate by requesting a FUNd RUN pledge sheet from the National Youth Committee office and asking all the Baha’is you know to do a GOOD deed by signing on as one of your sponsors. Pledges can be small (10 cents a lap) or large ($10 a lap). The idea, of course, is to achieve universal participation in your community.

So dust off those sneakers and start getting in shape now fora GOOD time at the FUNd RUN at OSU this summer.

What a GOOD idea! Please send me FUNd RUN information and pledge sheets so that I can begin signing up my sponsors now.

Name

Street

‘City State Zip

Return this coupon to the Baha’i National Youth Committee, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313. Questions? Phone 305-5841844.

|e SS RS TRESS TOS sss a a NESE Tepe a ammo |

[Page 8]EDUCATION

The American Baha’i

Partial listing of 1985 Baha’i Summer Schools

Bosch (California).

Summer theme: Cause of God.”

Schedule: June 29-July 4, Kodaly music workshop. July 6-11, “Vision of the Future: Finding Those Who Share It.” July 13-18, ‘World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.””

July 20-25, “Awakening an Unbelievi July 28-August 1,

lual and Teaching.” August 3-8, “‘The Place of the Individual in the House of God.””

August 9-15, “Feeling Good About Teaching.” August 17-22, “Our Covenant with Baha’u’llah.”’ August 24-29, “The Dynamics of Teaching.”” August 30-September 2, Adult session, 15 and older.

For brochure, write to Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387. For taped update of sessions and teachers, phone 408-423-3093.

Green Acre (Maine)

The school will open Saturday, June 29, and close Labor Day, Monday, S»ptember 2. There will be Saturday ar d Sunday (weekend) conferences all sui amer.

‘Vhe weekly programs will start each wee, with Sunday supper and run through Saturday breakfast.

Foi a list of programs, write to the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903, or telephone 207-439-0019.

Louhelen (Michigan)

June 7-9, Social and Economic Development Conference. June 22-28, Senior zens’ Week. June 22-28, Kodaly Music Training Institute. June 22-28, Personal Transformation Program.

July 7-10, Post-Youth Conference Youth Project. July 11-15, Entrepreneurs’ Conference. July 21-26, “Yousuf Education Course.

August 4-9, General session. August 11-16, Family Enrichment Week. August 18-23, General session. August 25-29, Junior Youth Week. August 30-September 2, Homecoming.

Accommodati ‘odging is comfortable; 43 motel-like rooms housing

“Teach Ye the

§ 1 unde

= 5010 Austin Rd.

one to four people each; each has a sink and toilet. Two rooms share tub and shower. Four rooms reserved for the disabled.

Classrooms: Lovely classrooms designed for children, youth and adults.

Recreation: Athletic field, small gym, swings and other equipment for

iB.

Rates: Adults, $105; youth (15-20 years), $95; junior youth (11-14), $86; children (4-10), $68; infants (1-3), $51; day students, $3.25.

Pre-registration: Those registering less than two weeks in advance pay $2 per person a day more.

Registrar: Ms. Hermione Pickens,

Davison, MI 48423. Phone 313-653-5033.

Alabama

Registrar: Lee Richardson, Tuskegee, AL 36088. Phone

205-727-0165.

Great Plains

Dates: July 21-27.

Location: Near Aurora, Nebraska.

Theme: “Charter for the Future: Patterns of Service.””

Registrar: David Clarke,

Bellevue, NE 68147. Phone 402-734-0344. Indiana (Nur’u’lláh)

Registrar: Joy Sylvester,

Indianapolis, IN 46201. Phone 317-632-4795. lowa

Dates: June 20-23.

Location: Scattergood School, West Branch, lowa.

Theme: ‘Experience the Dawn.””

Accommodations: Dorms, cafeteria. Lodging available on a firstcome, first-served basis, 75 beds. Hotel and motel nearby.

Recreation: Gym, hockey, soccer fields.

Rates: Adults, youth, junior youth, $41; children (9-10), $26.75; children (4-8), $16.50; day students, $32.25.

Pre-registration: Adults (1S or older), $8; children (3-14), $4; under 3, no charge. Deadline: June 1.

Registrar: Amalia Smith,

Ames, IA 50010. Phone

We deliver.

(Brilliant Star to your mailbox, that is.)

Age of recipient

Enclosed is my gift of $ to the Brilliant Star Endowment Fund, estab lished in honor of the Baha'i children of Iran, for the purpose of de ping ‘materials for children.

1 part of a ings will support this

oe Et

purpose.

ee

fend to: Brilliant Star Suburban Office Park

Hixson, Tn.

| | |

| large hall for m

515-292-0306. Kansas

Dates: August 9-12.

Location: Rock Springs Ranch, 10 miles south of Junction City.

Theme: “Beyond Victory.

Accommodations: Housing not air conditioned; dining hall is air conditioned.

Recreation: Archery, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, canoeing.

Rates: Adults (over 18), $55; youth (13-17), $50; children (5-12), $45; infants, $2 registration plus $5 for materials. Pre-registration deadline: July 25.

Registrar: Duane Herrmann,

Berryton, KS

66409. Phone 913-685-3287.

Maryland/D.C.

Dates: June 14-16.

Location: Western Maryland College, Westminster.

Theme: “Unity Through Communication: Focus on the Family, Community and Teaching.””

Registrar: Dorothy Page-Loten,

Silver Spring, MD 20906. Inquiries: Susan Barton, 703-255-2712.

Montana

Dates: July 28-August 4.

Location: Lions Camp, Red Lodge.

Theme: “Excellence in All Things.””

Accommodations: Meals served in main lodge hall, closed cabins for sleeping, bathrooms separate from cabins, rustic environment.

Recreation: Volleyball, hikes, fishing, etc.

Rates: Adults and youth (15 or older), $90; junior youth (8-14), $60; children (3-7), $50; infants, $30. Preregister ($5 per person) by July 1.

Registrar: Diana Virostko, P.O. Box 4754, Helena, MT 59604. Phone 406-443-4237.

New Jersey

Dates: May 17-19,

Location: Hudson Guild Farm, Andover.

Accommodations: Mostly two-person rooms (5-12 rooms in six buildings) with shared bathrooms.

Classrooms: Large meeting hall, living rooms in each building.

Recreation: Hiking, outdoor sports, ic and dancing.

Pre-registration: Essential by May 12 to reserve your place.

Registri scott Duncan,

Piscataway, NJ 08854. Phone 201-463-3683.

North Dakota Dates: August 22-25. Locati Lake Metigoshe, within 20 miles of the International Peace Garden on the U.S.-Canadian border. Theme: ‘Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God.’" Accommodations:

nature

Dining hall,

| hired kitchen staff. Sleeping: dorms

with bunk beds or camping.

Classrooms: Auditorium, fireplace area in each dorm, lots of outdoor space if weather permits.

Recreation: Swimming (beach), nature trails, baseball, volleyball, basketball.

Rates: Adults (15 or older), $55; junior youth/children (3-14), $35; infants, $6. Pre-register by August 1.

Registrar: Marian Kadrie,

Fargo, ND 58103.

Oregon, East Dates: July 13-17.

Location: Wallowa Lake Methodist Camp, Joseph.

Theme: ‘America’s Spiritual Destiny.””

Accommodations: Huge lodge, cafeteria, large meeting area, family cabins and dormitory cabins with bunks, two large bath houses with showers.

Recreation: Wilderness hikes, volleyball, crafts, outdoor games.

Rates: Adults, $47; youth, $47; junior youth (7-11), $37; children (3-6), $25; under 2 years, $9. Preregistration date: June 28.

Note: Cooking your meals costs $27 camp fee plus $3 per day per person for camp use.

Registrar: Sharon Hayes,

Joseph, OR 97846. Phone 503-432-1433. Oregon, West

Registrar: Kathy Laws,

Lake Oswego, OR 97034. Phone 503-636-5817.

Texas Dates: August 18-23. Locati Bridgeport Baptist

Camp, Bridgeport. T heme: “Spiritual Destiny of America.” Accommodations: Dorms, cabins, common dining hall-cafeteria.

Classrooms and recreation: Separate adult, youth and children’s buildings; lake, pool, volleyball, hiking.

Program: Includes LEAP-coordinated children’s program.

Pre-registration: By June 15.

Registrar: Soheila Nekoui,

Plano, TX 75074. Phone 214-423-6234,

Wilhelm (New Jersey)

Dates: January-June, December.

Location: Wilhelm Baha'i property, Teaneck, New Jersy.

Write: Wilhelm Baha’i School, 136 Evergreen Place, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Phone 201-837-3638.

Note: Classes every Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fellowship gatherings on last Sunday of each month. The “Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’’ to be held June 29. School is closed during. July and August.

Program: Adult and youth classes at the Evergreen Cabin; classes for children (ages 4-11) at Wilhelm House; new tot program began in March at Evergreen Cabin. (Applicable to the children’s program only, student rates are $12 for one child, $15 for two children, $20 for three children.)

September

Author Guy Murchie (left) was the featured speaker February 9-10 at the first 1985 session of the

royo Grande, California, Mr. Murchie presented an overview of

Life, to the 50 Baha’is who at book, The Seven Mysteries of

st recent book, The Veil of Glory. In addition to the adult sess pre-youth session was held with six young people

present.

Chicago dinner honors Native Americans

Eighty people including about 60-non Baha’is braved sub-zero temperatures January 19 to attend a dinner to honor Chicago’s Native American leaders.

Participants at the catered dinner, which was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, included four members of the American Indian Teaching Committee and members of the Chicago Indian Teaching Committee.

The event was held at the New City YMCA near a large concen tration of Chicago’s Native American residents. Jackie Delahunt, a Rosebud

Sioux and member of the American Indian Teaching Committee, explained aspects of the Faith and quoted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s description of the future of the Indian peoples.

Other who

AITC members

spoke were Franklin Kahn, a Navajo; Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux; and John Cook.

The master of ceremonies was Pat Miller, a Baha’i who works at the Baha’i National Center and is a member of the Stockbridge Munsee band of the Mohican tribe.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a large wooden sculpture by Gary Hillaire, a Native American Baha’i from Vashon Island, Washington, on behalf of the Baha’is to the Native American Educational Services College in Chicago.

The sculpture was presented by Mr. Cook to George Bennett, president of the college’s alumni association and manager of technical services for Indian programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Chicago.

[Page 9]EDUCATION

April 1985

9

Family

Unity oe Night

&K..

(Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF MAY: NUR/LIGHT (ROLE OF THE CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS AND AUXILIARY BOARD). Thought for the week: “Indeed He is a Light which is not followed by darkness ...”” (Baha’u’llah) Prayer: Unity, p. 204, or Spiritual Qualities, p. 153 (middle). Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Messages from the Universal House of Justice: 1968-73, pp. 29-33. 2. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 250, No. 203. 3. Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 61, 154-55. 4. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 108. 5. Gleanings, pp. 287-88, 325-26, 328-29. 6. Arabic Hidden Words, No. 11. Activity: 1. What’s missing? ‘One person prepares a tray of 10-20 objects (key, rubber band, penny, needle, string, etc.). Everyone studies the tray for four minutes, then it is removed from the room. The tray custodian removes one object and returns the tray to the room. Others guess what is missing. Variation: Study and memorize objects, tray is removed, and everyone makes a list of remembered objects. Winner may serve treats. 2. Take turns making shadow puppets on a wall. Find a good source of light (flashlight) and darken the room enough to show contrast of dark and light. Refreshments: Root beer floats.

SECOND WEEK OF MAY: ‘AZAMAT/GRANDEUR (COURTESYCONDUCT). Thought for the week: ‘Let truthfulness and courtesy be your adorning.”” (Baha’u’llah) Prayer: Protection, p. 135, or Forgiveness, p. 81 (top). Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 70-71. 2. Gleanings, p. 305. 3. Baha’ World Faith, pp. 175, 168 (3rd Tardz). 4. The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 19-22. 5. Tablets of Bah:

u’lláh, p. 126 (4th Ishraq). 6. Vignettes, p. 80, No. 61, 62; p. 77, No.

p. 28, No. 39; p. 42, No. 11; p. 78, No. 58. Activity: 1. “Simon Says” or “Mother, May 1?” Play one or both of these old-time favorites. 2. For younger children, have a tea party with bears or dolls. Practice Baha’ hospitality, manners, greeting, introductions, etc. For older children, have family members choose roles of guests, host and hostess, and practice Bahá’í hospitality. Refreshments: Sopapillas (fry bread) and honey.

the week: “It is better to guide one soul than to possess all that is on earth ..."” (the Bab) Prayer: Detachment, p. 55. Lesson: Read and discuss ‘one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Kitib-i-Lqin, pp. 65-66, 231-32, 234-35. 2. The Dawn-breakers, pp. 51-65. 3. Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 6-8, 54-55. 4. Days to Remember, pp. 45-64. Activity: 1. Memorize a prayer. Take a favorite prayer you've been wanting to memorize and break it into 19 units. Write individual units (19 in all) ‘on 3x5 cards or on paper. Post it where you can read it each day. The whole family might learn the same prayer, or each person might do his ‘own. 2. If the weather is warm enough for water play/work, wash the family car together. Or wash the windows and screens on your home. Enjoy friendly water fights (perhaps a water balloon toss?). Remember to have FUN while you work! Refreshments: Mom’s choice this FUN!

FOURTH WEEK OF MAY: ASCENSION OF BAHA’U’LLAH. Thought for the week: ‘Every dark night has a bright ending.”” (Nisami) Prayer: Tablet of the Holy Mariner or Tablet of Visitation. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Synopsis and Codification, pp. 43-46. 2. Deepening on the Fund, ‘Where There's a Will ...”” 3. Persian Hidden Words, Nos. 77, 78, 44. 4. Arabic Hidden Words, Nos. 32, 57. 5. Gleanings, pp. 345, 171, 153-55, 155-58, 158-63. 6. Tablets of Baha’u’llih, p. 221. 7. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 17018. 8. Vignettes, p. 75, No. 53. Activity: 1. Make a will. If a last will and testament has not been made by those 15 or older (especially parents), draw up a draft using the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and ‘Where There’s a Will ...”” as guides. If done, discuss with the family the obligation and importance of a last will and testament and its contribution to family unity. 2. Compliments and appreciation, Have everyone draw names. Throughout the next week, each person should look for good qualities in the person whose name he/she drew. Write these qualities on a piece of paper. At the next FUN, share the list with the family. Isn’t it nice to hear good things and know that others are appreciative of these attributes! Refreshments: Cheesecake with berry topping.

THIRD WEEK OF MAY: DECLARATION OF THE BAB. Thought for

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 Youth Committee, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313.

Varied programs to add spice to Memorial Day weekend regional Child Education Conferences

Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26, is the scheduled weekend for five of six Regional Baha’i Child Education Conferences to be held throughout the U.S.

THE SIXTH conference, at the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina, will be held June 15-16.

The all-day Saturday and Sunday programs will include workshops on various child education topics including ‘Development of a Baha’i Curriculum” and “‘Meeting the Needs of Youth and Junior Youth.”

Special conference features will include an ‘‘Activities Fair’’ (participants are encouraged to bring with them children’s activities or games that have proven successful in teaching children in their own areas) and participation by special guest speakers.

It is requested that travelers arrive at the conferences Friday night and return home on Monday (Memorial Day) if possible, so they can participate in the complete conference agenda.

Pre-registration for each conference is required. There is no provision for child care.

Information about each con- *

Louhelen School sets conference on social, economic issues

The Louhelen Baha’i School will hold a conference June 7-9 on social and economic development.

This is a follow-up to the successful conference held last June by the Midwest Regional Committee of the Association for Baha’i Studies.

“This year’s conference,”’ says John Nash, chairman of the Louhelen Council, ‘‘will be largely consultative in nature.

“It will give the friends a chance to exchange experiences and observations on development activities that have been initiated over the last year and to explore ways in which individuals and Assemblies can increase and enhance the effectiveness of their involvement in development work.’’

The faculty for the conference will include Counsellor Fred Schechter; Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and the Canadian Baha’i International Development Service; Paul Ojermark, the Bahd’j International Community’s UN representative for social and economic development; and two members of the U.S. Committee for Social and Economic Development, Sheila Banani and Anne Breneman.

Those who are interested in attending the conference may send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 303-653-5033). Base rate for the weekend for one adult is $42.25.

BAHA’i CHILD EDUCATION CONFERENCE Registration Form

(Please print) Name

Address

Telephone No.

Please include registration fee and send to your conference registrar.

ference is provided below. Those who are interested in attending should return the completed registration form with registration fee to the conference registrar by Friday, May 3.

Central—Wilmette, (Kendall College).

Registration fee: $8. Overnight cost: $12.50 per night (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), $4.50 (total) for blanket, or bring your own.

Meals: $15.50 per day ($3.25 breakfast, $5.50 lunch, $6.75 dinner). Monday continental breakfast, $2.50.

Registrar: Virginia Kerr, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

Northeastern—Wilhelm Institute, Teaneck, New Jersey.

Registration fee: $25 (includes meals). Make check ‘payable to “Wilhelm Institute.’” Overnight costs: $20 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Bedding provided; $15 per night with own bedding.

Registrar:

Illinois

June Remignanti,

Westwood, NJ 07675. Phone 201666-0918.

Southeastern—Louis Gregory Baha'i Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

Registration fee: $3. Make check payable to ‘Louis Gregory Baha’i_Institute.’’ Overnight costs: $8 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

Meals: $8 per day, $2 for Monday breakfast. Conference date: June 15-16. The purpose is to raise up native believers as children’s class teachers. Scholarships are available for those who have problems with finances.

Registrar: c/o Registrar, Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554. Phone 803-558-5093.

Western—Bosch Baha’ School, Santa Cruz, California.

Registration fee: $15 deposit, non-refundable. Make check payable to “Bosch Baha’i School.”” $70 total for bed (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and $10 for conference packet and miscellaneous expenses.

Registrar: c/o Registrar, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387.

Northwestern—Boise State

University campus, Boise, Idaho.

Registration fee: $5 (plus $5 to secure dorm. Make check payable to “Bah /LEAP”’).

Overnight costs; $5 per night, bring own bedding (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Single occupancy dorms. Meals: Participants will provide their own meals. Restaurants nearby.

Registrar: Gwen McCain,

Nampa, ID 83651. Phone 208-465-5506.

Southwestern—Dallas, (Dallas Baha’i Center).

Registration fee: $6. Make check payable to ‘‘Plano Baha’i Fund.”

Overnight costs: Hotel/motel list available on request. First 40 registrants will be guaranteed free housing (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Meals: $9 per day. Monday breakfast, $2.50.

Registrar: Rhonda Palmer,

Plano, TX 75074. Phone 214-423-5032.

Texas

Friends are invited to 3rd Great Plains Council Fire in June

The Spiritual Assembly of Rapid City, in cooperation with the Native American believers of South Dakota, invites you to attend the third annual Great Plains Council Fire to be held June 28-30 at Wanblee.

The purpose of the Council Fire is to promote the unity of mankind. Talks will be presented, workshops held, and children’s classes conducted.

Facilities are restricted to rustic camping on a first arrival basis. Each individual is responsible for providing his own camping equipment and food.

There are commercial accommodations in Kadoka, 28 miles north of the Council Fire site. Reservations should be made in advance.

To pre-register for the Council Fire (June 1 deadline), please send your name, address, number of adults and children in your party, number of days you’ll be attending with a $5 registration fee (optional) to the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Rapid City,

Rapid City, SD 57709.

For more information about the Council Fire, phone 605-342-3562 or 605-343-1054.

RR 2 SEY TET PES SEA SS SSA AST sR RTE A SEER OES [Page 10]The American Baha’i

District Alabama, Northern Alabama S/Florida NW Arizona, Northern Arizona, Southern Arkansas California, Central No. 1 California, Central No. 2 California, Northern No. California, Northern No. California, Southern No. California, Southern No. California, Southern No. California, Southern No. Colorado, Northeast Colorado, Southeast Colorado, Western Connecticut DelMarVa Florida, Central Florida, Northern Florida, Southeast Florida, Southwest Northeast Northwest

ia, Southern Idaho N/Washington E a Southern , Northern No. 1 , Northern No. 2 , Southern

Kentucky

Louisiana, Northern Louisiana, Southern Maine Maryland/D.C. Massachusetts Michigan, Mainland Minnesota, Northern nesota, Southern

Navajo/Hopi Nebraska

Nevada, Northern Nevada, Southern

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico, Northern New Mexico S/Texas W New York, Eastern New York, Western North Carolina, Central North Carolina, Eastern North Carolina, Western North Dakota

Ohio, Northern

Ohio, Southern Oklahoma, Eastern ‘Oklahoma, Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Rhode Island

South Carolina, Central

Ridvan telephone contacts

South Caroli South Carol

Northern

South Carolina, Western South Dakota Tennessee, Eastern Tennessee, Western Texas, Central No. 1 Texas, Central No. 2 Texas, Eastern No. | Texas, Eastern No. 2 Texas, Northern Texas, Southern Utah

Vermont Virginia, Northern Virginia, Southern Washington, Northwest \. Washington, Southwest West Virginia Wisconsin/Michigan Wisconsin, Southern Wyoming

Revenge

South Carolina, Eastern No. 1 South Carolina, Eastern No. 2

, Southern No. 1 South Carolina, Southern No. 2

Contact person Jacqueline Osborne Betty Jones Dorothy Altman Winifred Byrd Gladys Livermore Beatrice Link Kathy Balderama Verna Rowley Edna Thompson Lynn Bruning Paulette Langness Mark Eaton Eileen Norman Harold Smith

Lori Ernst

Fred North

Rudy Jones George Stroop Barbara Griffin Teresa Gordon ‘Suzanne Cantville Fran Eury

Jan Perry

Art Cutting

Joan Shinnick Carolyn Kirkpatrick Dawn Bowman Liz Helt

Frank Lewis Bonnie Crim Thomas Davidson Fay Himes

Stella Ranjbar

Bill Wiley

Delores White Michael Sauce Alma Warner Carr Frances Coley Jamshid Ashourian Hermione Pickens Harlen Whitling Philip Carlson John Smith

Joyce Smith Karen Whisenhunt NABI phone Scott Bodie

Rick Bily

Bilf Garbett Jonathan Ring Kathy Tomarelli Marie Griffith Curtis Wynne Elahe Schmeil-Varga Cheryl Jones-Richter Sam Williams Carolyn Reusche Lillian Dobbs Mavis Nymon Pleasant Montgomery Lorraine Turner John Algeo Mahtaban Danesh John Lang Megha Shyam Sandy Huening Art Leopold Edith Carpenter Sara Hatch

Liz Ellis

Lavivia Vereen Helen Thomas Glados Ziegler Donna Spahn Martha McKee Amoz Gibson Project phone Edith Osborne Carolyn Eck

Dale Ricklefs Naghmeh Fly Dinah Afsahi Dottie West

Sam Parker Jessica Kasiri

Jan Saced William Schmidt Georgia Dieh! Letter forthcoming from DTC Carol Lenhard Fran Amundson Sorour Payman Thomas Rowe Gail Nylander Nancy Moore

Telephone number

x0180

THE

BAHAI

andl Fay

FAITH

W8E are UNIFIES Howwin

For the ‘past eight years the Ba‘is of Bellai Texas, have sniatned a booth at the annu: Fayette County Fair in LaGrange. The effort has been by Barbara Christian, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Bellaire. Farid Bastani, who is pic

tured at the booth, made handtooled leather belts that were given away after a drawing. About 20,000 people saw the booth at which Baha’s pamphlets and ons bearing the inscription ‘Uniting the World, One Heart at a Time’ were given away.

Baker

Continued From Page 4

peace and international relations to various organizations. While there she helped establish many local Baha’i communities and the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America.

In 1945, she was one of the representatives of the Baha’i community of North America at the conference in San Francisco at which the United Nations charter was drawn up.

-Earlier that same year, she served as an observer at the Chapultepec Inter-American Conference.

When the Seven Year Plan for Europe was launched in 1946, Mrs. Baker traveled extensively on that continent, visiting France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

IN DECEMBER 1951, she was among the first contingent of the Hands of the Cause of God appointed by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

In her new capacity, Mrs. Baker represented the Guardian in 1953 at four Intercontinental Baha’i Conferences: in Kampala, Uganda; Chicago, Illinois; Stockholm, Sweden; and finally, New Delhi, India.

The Guardian asked that she remain in India for two months after the close of the New Delhi conference during which time Mrs. Baker traveled widely to speak at more than 50 colleges and universities.

Following her visit to India, Mrs. Baker was en route to join her husband with plans to pioneer to Grenada, West Indies, when the plane on which she was a passenger exploded and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Sicily. There were no survivors.

On January 18, 1954, eight days after the crash, an Italian vessel carrying the Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery and members

of the Baker family arrived at the site.

Floral wreaths were thrown into the sea, flags were lowered to half staff, and taps was sounded.

Baha’i prayers were read on deck and handfuls of carnations were strewn on the water.

The Guardian sent the following cable:

“Hearts grieved lamentable, untimely passing Dorothy Baker, distinguished Hand Cause, eloquent exponent its Teachings, indefatigable supporter of its institutions, valiant defender of its precepts. Long record outstan¢

service enriched annals concluding. years Heroic opening epoch Formative Age Baha’i Dispensation.’”

Baha’i ‘i artist’s

publicity for Faith

Sara Kay Hatch, a Baha’i who now lives in Columbia, South Carolina, was the subject of recent articles in two Columbia newspapers in connection with an exhibit of her paintings at the city’s Harbison Recreation Center.

The articles mention her affiliation with the Faith and its influence on the style and content of her art work.

They also mention that she spent six years as a pioneer for the Faith in Korea and the Philippines, and allude to such Baha’i principles as the unity of mankind and of religion.

The exhibit was part of a threeweek teaching effort sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Columbia.

Also during that time, Marvin Hughes, a psychotherapist from Michigan who is a Baha’i, visited the city and was interviewed for an hour on a radio talk show.

The mayor of Columbia was contacted and proclaimed World Religion Day in the city.

As a result of splendid newspaper, radio and TV publicity, many firesides were held, resulting in one declaration, the first in Columbia in four years.

mn 2 NR PE ESN RS SEEPS TP SOE SEIT RESTS EET ARETE SST SPREE EE NA AS

[Page 11]—_—_—_—_—_—_" nnn = eee TEACHING 11

April 1985

Assemblies urged to adopt local teaching plans

Ridvan represents a new beginning for Baha’i communities. An important part of this new start is to develop a teaching plan suited to the capacities of the community.

THE NEWLY elected local Spiritual Assembly should consider the formation of a teaching plan as one of its first items of business after electing officers. How else can a reasonable budget be planned or committees appointed without an idea of what needs to be done?

The Universal House of Justice longs to see every local Spiritual Assembly ‘‘adopt its own goals’” or welcome those assigned by the National Assembly.

“The adoption of a local plan by the local Assembly,”’ the Supreme Body writes, ‘‘can exert a far-reaching influence on its work and on the life of the community.””

The following excerpts from a letter from the House of Justice dated December 24, 1975, can help your community create its own teaching plan:

Any plan must have a term and specific goals, expressed preferably and if possible in numbers. For a Local Spiritual Assembly it would be better, at least in the early stages of its development, to have a term of nine months to a

North Carolina seeks ‘mustard seeds’ as Assembly nucleus

Could you be that ‘‘mustard seed’’ around which to form an Assembly? In North Carolina, we need hundreds of ‘‘mustard seeds’? that we can water with teaching to form new Assemblies.

We have teachers who can raise an Assembly overnight in almost any community, but we need strong local Baha’is to continue the teaching work and help consolidate the new believers.

You-will not be alone! You'll be trained in teaching and consolidation techniques so that you can continue the work in your new community.

We are rapidly raising all willing Groups to Assembly status and we need more localities to spread the healing Message of Baha’u’llah.

In Shelby there are more than 100 new believers; there are 10 in Mount Airy, 21 in Hamlet, 11 in Monroe, seven in Black Mountain and southeastern Mecklenburg County, and campaigns are being planned in Forsyth County, High Point and other places.

We have a Raha’i with the state Employment Security Commission who is willing to help you locate a job.

If you want to help the Army of God march to victory in North Carolina, write to P.O. Box 971, Yadkinville, NC 27055, or phone Sam Williams, 919-679-2133.

year. Of course it is also quite possible to have a series of plans of very short terms of say two to three months each, throughout the year.

THE EXAMPLES of local goals listed below are in the form of questions which each Assembly could put to itself, or may be directed to it by the National Spiritual Assembly. The questions are meant to lead to the adoption of a specific goal. An explanatory note follows items which may need clarification or comment.

A. Teaching

1. How many new believers? (The Plan calls for a ‘great increase in the number of believers’ and confirming individuals ‘from every stratum of society.’ The ideal is for each local community to double itself every year, since every believer should, in accordance with the wish of the Master, guide one soul to the Cause of God every year. In some areas this may be an ambitious project at the beginning, and at the outset a more modest goal could be adopted.)

2. How many firesides? (Shoghi Effendi urged the friends to hold one fireside every 19 days in their homes. The friends willing to respond to this wish could give their names to the Local Assembly.)

3. Can a pledge be made to have extension teaching activities outside the local area of jurisdiction? (Obviously, only strong Local Assemblies can sustain such a goal.)

B. Proclamation

4. Are mass media facilities such as radio, television and the press available to the Local Assembly? Can a goal be adopted for such activities?

5. Can public meetings be anticipated? If so, how many?

6. What methods can be adopted for the dissemination of Baha’i literature, such as distribution of books to local libraries, etc. ...? Can this goal be expressed in a challenging form?

7. Can the local community participate in the social and humanitarian activities of the society of which it forms a part? Could a modest step be taken along this line?

C. Consolidation

8. Can the attendance of the friends at Nineteen Day Feasts be improved upon? What about the Anniversaries? Can the increase in attendance be expressed numerically, such as in terms of the percentage of those attending?

9. Can regular meetings for the benefit of the local friends be held? If so, how often and when? (In the recent compilation on ‘Meetings’ released to all National Spiritual Assembli *Abdu’l-Bahá exhorts the friends to hold such meetings as a ‘constant’ activity, and praises weekly meetings. He repeatedly counsels the believers to read and recite the

Holy Word in such meetings and deliver speeches on the teachings, the proofs and the history of the Faith.)

10. Can daily early morning prayer sessions be held? If so, where and when? (If this is not feasible every day, an effort could be made to hold such sessions less frequently. At such devotional! meetings not only prayers, but suitable selections from the Sacred Writings could be read. Baha’u’llah has pointed out that upon the Word of God ‘must depend the gathering together and spiritual resurrection of all men,’ that ‘every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame,” and that were man to ‘taste the sweetness of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His commandments.’ It is because of such considerations that the Five Year Plan calls for the friends to memorize selections from the Writings. If a believer finds it difficult to memorize, he may be encouraged to make for his own use a selection of extracts, however brief, which he could reread and enjoy at his own leisure, to satisfy his inner soul.)

11. Can youth activities be encouraged? If in what way?

12. Can activities and classes for children be established? If so, could a specific goal be adopted?

13. Can youth activities be maintained? Could this be expressed in the form of a goal?

14. Is the community strong enough to establish a local Hazfratu’!-Quds?

15. Can a local endowment be acquired and maintained, and possibly used as an investment for

Last call issued for entertainers at July conference

Last call for entertainers who wish to perform at the International Youth Conference this summer!

Those of you who are interested in singing, dancing, acting or playing a musical instrument at the youth conference in July should act now by contacting the National Youth Committee.

Send us a sample (cassette tape, photographs, etc.) of your talent; after it is reviewed, we'll let you know if we can include you or your group on the program.

But please hurry ... get your audition materials in before May 15! Send information to the committee at 1371 Sunset

Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313.

the community?

16. How can local contributions to the local Fund be encouraged? Can a target be adopted?

17. Can the local community serve as host to a district conference of neighboring communities and localities?

18. Can the Local Assembly issue a regular Newsletter?

When the goals are finally decided upon, it is important that they should be announced to the friends. It should be borne in mind that Shoghi Effendi longed to see every believer involved in Baha’i service, so that universal participation may be achieved.

It would be most effective if the Local Assembly, prior to such an announcement, would appoint local committees, to each of which a branch of activity or one or more of the local goals could be assigned. Such committees need not consist of many members.

When the committee appointments are made, the Local Assembly will be fully prepared to announce its goals and its committee appointments to the community at a Nineteen Day Feast or a specially called meeting of the community.

The Universal House of Justice December 24, 1975

Representatives of the Kansas District Teaching Committee came to the Baha’i National Center in March to make plans for the state’s ‘Victory Month’ to be held in May as a follow-up to the ‘month of sides’ last November. Unified action by the institutions of the Faith in developing

the plan was demonstrated by the participation of (left to right) Charles Cornwell, secretary of the National Teaching Committee;

Phyllis Medrano, a member of the Kansas District Teaching Com mittee; Rebecca Gilleran, National Teaching Committee coordinator for the Central States;

of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board members Robert Postlethw: and Ronna Santoscoy; and Marcia Gitchell, a member of the Kansas District Teaching Committee.

Louhelen to undertake training program for Baha’? children’s class teachers

The Louhelen Child Education Committee will begin a new program this August for training teachers of local Baha’i children’s classes. The program will involve those wishing to be trained serving as apprentices to experienced master teachers.

“We're really excited about this program,”’ says David Douglas, a member of the committee. ‘‘It will give teachers a chance to work side by side with expert teachers, to learn why they do what they do, and absorb things you can’t absorb by attending classes on how to teach. We think this ‘hands-on’ approach will be quite effective.”

Each master teacher will have two apprentices working under him. At the end of the day, there will be an evaluation and discussion of the day’s activities and a planning session for the next day.

Training will emphasize the importance of arranging the educational environment, planning, observation of the children, class room management, and adult role modeling.

An effort will be made to give each trainee the kinds of experience he or she needs. Toward the end of the week, trainees will plan and carry out a lesson.

Training sessions will be held August 4-9 and August 18-23. Those who are interested in serving as apprentices should indicate the age level with which they would like to work (0-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-10 or 11-14).

A special training session for teachers of junior youth will be held during Junior Youth Week, August 25-29.

The cost for the training session is $105. To register, send a nonrefundable $10 deposit to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 303-653-5033).

Our great privilege

National Baha’ Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

SAREE RECREATE CTR ET SPIE AE A SE SET TT RE ES TT SSE OAT RE SS RE TE |

[Page 12]

RACE UNITY

The American Baha’i

12

Commentary True ‘stereotypes’ are nonexistent

What does the word ‘‘stereotype’’ really mean? It comes from a simple metal device used in printing. It is a form or mold by which the desired image is cast onto paper or some other material.

THE STEREOTYPE is merely a metal plate, the use of which greatly simplifies the production of a regular and repetitive series of imprints.

In society we stereotype in two ways: (1) we say that a person is “stereotypical”’ of his social group; and (2) we also say that a prejudiced person “‘stereotypes’’ others.

In reality, however, these two uses of adjective and verb are identical, for both originate in the mind of the prejudiced person.

No two human beings are alike, no two families are alike, no two groups are alike, no two towns are alike, no cities, no countries, no continents—and the earth itself is unique as are all other planets and created entities. This we know from the teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the impossibility of reincarnation (see Some Answered Questions, p. 326)

Therefore, it is incorrect to refer to someone as being ‘‘stereotypical,’’ meaning that he exactly represents, and is identical to, all other members of his ‘‘race,’’ ‘‘nation’’ or ‘‘class.’”

The real stereotype is the mind of the prejudiced person, for it alone functions like a metal form which stamps out identical images of other people.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE that often the energies and talents of many of the best-trained minds are devoted to the delicate arrangement of various distinct prejudices—theories of race, color, creed, nation, age or sex—which they overlap one upon the other in intricate, esoteric formulae to arrive at an analysis of human evolution; the immediate po the solution to social problems, and so on. possible to understand the infinite variety of human beings

by the finite arrangement and rearrangement of mental images that are as rigid and limited as a metal printing plate? Such an understanding is as so much shuffling of a deck of metallic cards.

How fortunate are those who have shunned the reduction of their minds to the kindred of a cold and extreme metal form, and who have, upon the invitation of Bahá’u’lláh, turned their backs on all limitations and immersed themselves in the infinite ocean of Divine utterance.

In November, Bill Foun

(right), 2 member of the Baha’i community of Cleveland, Ohio, presented a program on the Faith at the city’s Jewish Community

Pictured with Mr. Founline are two members of the JCC, Larry Shapiro and Ieon Worshay.

Center. Photos of the event are on

‘The great and fundamental teachings of Baha’u’llah are the oneness of God and unity of mankind. This is the bond of union among Baha’is all over the world. They become united among themselves, then unite others. It is impossible to unite unless united.’— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Prom. Universal Peace, p. 156

More than 50 attend Va. Race Amity Conference

More than 50 people, 10 of whom were not Baha’is, from as far away as New Jersey and North Carolina, attended a Race Amity Conference sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Baha’i Association and held February 16 in Richmond, Virginia.

The conference was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Leonard Hippchen, a former professor at VCU who helped sponsor the first Baha’i Race Amity Conference at the school in 1978-79.

The speakers were Dr. Carole J. Allen of Norfolk; Jim Sturdivant of Greenbelt, Maryland; Van Gilmer of Fort Washington, Maryland; and Charles Ioas of Falls Church.

The VCU campus newspaper, The Commonwealth Times, sent a reporter and photographer to cover the event.

Plans are already under way for a third Race Amity Conference at VCU in February 1986.

Pictured is one of the workshop sessions at a Race Amity Conference held February 16 at Vir

ginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and sponsored by the school’s Baha’i Association.

Letter

It’s called ‘the most challenging issue’

Dear Friends,

This letter is in response to a letter from Blaine Gamble on the Race Unity page (January).

When we sign our declaration cards, we declare our love for and belief in Baha’u’llah and all that our faith in Him stands for.

BUT WE must realize and understand that we do not automatically change, or flip sides, as it were—especially when it concerns thoughts, reactions and attitudes that have been drummed into us from day one.

Our mind says one thing, but unconsciously we do or say other things.

The ‘‘most challenging issue’’ has been called that for good reason. It is the most difficult attitude for both races to come to terms with.

For instance, there are many declared blacks (I use the term for lack of a better one) who hardly

Pre-Youth Conference service project slated

The Spiritual Assembly of Mentor, Ohio (near Cleveland) is supervising a service project to be held prior to the International Youth Conference in July.

We would like the friends to arrive June 30, work on the project July 1-2, and go to Columbus for the conference July 3.

We are asking for a $15 contribution to cover food costs. Hospitality provided.

For more information, please contact Cindy Hall,

Mentor, OH 44060 (phone 216-257-4781).

ever go to any Baha’i functions. Why?

Could it be that they were told certain things about the unity of mankind, then these new Baha’ is go to functions, see the lack of sensitivity of the white Baha'is, and say to themselves, ‘‘It’s no different here than out there, and LT really don’t have to put up with it”

So they become inactive, and we go blissfully along in our own little world, saying, ‘Well, it’s their problem, not ours’’—when actually, it is our problem.

As white Baha’is it behooves us to become as sensitive to the black culture as possible, in our private as well as our public lives.

THE BLACK culture is different from ours, from cooking to family structure. But who takes the time to find this out? Very few, in my personal experience.

At a recent Baha’i event I overheard some white Baha'is expressing their opinion about having a class on race unity and the lack of black participation in the community.

One of them said that not all conferences could be about race unity, and that if the blacks chose not to come, it wasn’t her problem. That is the attitude I’ve run into a lot.

I feel that racial unity should receive much attention at Baha’i functions until we are able to deal with and overcome this problem. Otherwise, the Faith will remain seriously hindered.

According to Shoghi Effendi (in Circle of Unity, p. 49), white Ba for good reason

ha’is must ‘‘make a supreme effort in their resolve to contribute their share to the solution of this problem, to abandon once for all their usually inherent and at times subconscious sense of superiority, to correct their tendency towards revealing a patronizing attitude towards the members of the other race, to persuade them’ through their intimate, spontaneous and informal association with them of the genuineness of their friendship and the sincerity of their intentions, and to master their impatience of any lack of responsiveness on the part of a people who have received for so long a period, such grievous and slow-healing wounds.’” Charlotte Brown Glasco, Kansas

Baha’is hold program for World Religion Day

Baha’is in Landrum, South Carolina, and Tryon, North Carolina, joined forces again this year for a World Religion Day program at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Tryon.

About 50 people heard speakers representing the Hindu, Jewish, Christian and Baha’i faiths proclaim the day’s theme, ‘‘The Oneness of Religion.”

The Baha'i speaker, Celeste Hicks of Charlotte, North Carolina, is president of Celestial Productions Inc., a television production company.

She is a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Charlotte and the North Carolina Baha’i Schools Committee.

[Page 13]The American Baha’i

April 1985

13

to identify anyone in the picture,

This photograph is of a Baha’i please write to the National Baha’i

picnic held August 19, 1949, Elmhurst, Illinois. If you are able

Neat ae

Met) pret het i)

Pai Te ais

yee |

Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Baha’i authors book on corporate management

Lawrence M. Miller, a Baha’ from Roswell, Georgia, who is president of L.M. Miller & Company of Atlanta, a management consulting firm, is the author of American Spirit: Visions of a New Corporate Culture, a book about

from the Baha’i Writings. American Spirit, published by William Morrow and Company, New York, has drawn praise from businessmen all over the U.S. Writes Jeff Hallett, president of TRAC and former president of

the Naisbett Group: ‘American

the philosophy of business man- e Spirit represents the clearest, most

agement that draws its inspiration Blend of wisdom, generosity needed when helping non-Baha’i refugees

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States Dear Baha’i Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 2 November which confirms the previous telephone call made to the Baha’i World Centre by your Secretary conveying your concern about the accommodation of non-Baha’i Iranian refugees at the home of a Baha’i man and his Christian wife. We are asked to convey the following reply.

THE SPIRIT of hospitality demonstrated by the couple concerned is highly commendable under the circumstances and is in keeping with the humanitarian principles of our Faith.

Indeed, if the Baha’i community had adequate resources, its members could more readily succor those who are forced by intolerable conditions in their homelands, including Iran, to flee to other countries.

As you know, the influx of Baha’i refugees has placed a heavy burden on the resources of the friends, a burden which will undoubtedly increase in the next few months. But to the extent that the friends are able within their limited means to hold out a helping hand to the fugitive no bars should be placed upon them.

Wisdom is, of course, always necessary in these situations. In this instance, although it would not necessarily hurt the Baha’is to offer hospitality to Iranian Muslims, it could be a problem to Muslims, or their telatives back home in Iran, to be known to be residing in Baha’i homes.

THIS POINT should be made by the friends to Iranian Muslims likely to be the objects of their hospitality. It should also be borne in mind that being an Iranian refugee does not necessarily make one friendly to the Baha’i Faith.

Concerning the reactions of the Iranian Bahá’ís to any such display of generosity on the part of the friends, your Assembly is well able to offer them necessary guidance, reminding them of the lofty principles for which their beloved fellow-believers in Iran are sacrificing their very lives.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat November 25, 1984

precise, and strongest articulation I have seen of the challenge, the realities and the specifics of response to today’s management environment.””

Among his motives in writing the book, says Mr. Miller, ‘‘was the desire to provide a book that Baha’is could use in their teaching work with business and professional persons.”

In the acknowledgement, he states that the book is based on Baha’i principles. The urge to write it, says Mr. Miller, ‘‘came largely out of my work on the Business and Professional Affairs Committee and the recognition that there was no book that related Baha’i principles to. business.”

American Spirit is priced at $16.95 and is available in bookstores or from the publisher, William Morrow and Company.

efighters call Idaho

Baha’i ‘real lifesaver’

Jon Lyksett, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Blackfoot, Idaho, was credited by volunteer firefighters in January with saving the life of a 74-year-old man whose home was burning when Mr. Lyksett entered and pulled him to safety.

“Tt was nothing extraordinary,’’ Mr. Lyksett said of his rescue effort. ‘It was just something that had to be done.””

After noticing smoke billowing from the man’s home, Mr. Lyksett drove to a nearby house to notify the fire department, then returned to drag Orin Turner from his burning home.

Mr. Lyksett, a psychiatric technician, is a former paramedic with the Salt Lake City Fire Department.

Kansas youth, Assembly plan varied summer service project

A task force of youth from the heart of America.and their sponsor, the Spiritual Assembly of Hutchinson, Kansas, are planning a “Fire from Within’ summer youth project.

It is centered around service, tree-planting and teaching events to be held in several cities in nine of the Central States.

Participants will caravan from Grand Island, Nebraska, June 13 to begin the project in Smith Center, Kansas, and then begin a 19-day teaching trip to more than 15 Midwestern communities.

The project will end by joining the District Youth Committee of

Ohio on a nine-mile walk to Columbus in time for the International Youth Conference.

Estimated costs for the project are $200 with a $50 pre-registration fee. Participants are responsible for their own conference costs, pocket money and return travel expenses. Participation is limited to 25 youth ages 15 and older.

Baha’is who would like to take part should fill out the application and send it with letter(s) of recommendation by April 21 to the Spiritual Assembly of Hutchinson, P.O. Box 1332, Hutchinson, KS 67504.

Poo on

‘FIRE FROM WITHIN’ APPLICATION

Name Address Phone

Racial background

General health

Baha’i experience

Shirt size Small__Med___Lg___

Sex ___ Birthdate

Laces Serer Ceci ttre

I would like to participate because

Please supply letters of recommendation from your Assembly, DTC, DYC, Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

If you have any questions, please phone 308-381-8491 or I 308-381-2789.

HAS YOUR COMMUNITY APPOINTED A PUBLIC INFORMATION REP? WRITE TO THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS TODAY FOR YOUR STARTER KIT!

from the Bahai Publishing Trust

Selections from the Baha'i Writings

on the rae ase Immortality of the Human Soul

@ Are humans mortal or immortal?

@ Is death a door to extinction or a portal to anew, everlasting life?

@ What is the purpose of earthly life?

These and other provocative questions about life—here and hereafter—are answered in this unique compilation.

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[Page 14]

=

BAHA’I DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

The American Baha'i

14

New ‘Ark of Destiny’ video tape ready in May

Ark of Destiny, a new 40-minute video tape about the building of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, will be available in May from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

THE TAPE will be available in both Beta and VHS formats at a cost of $35.

“This is our first serious venture into video tape distribution,’”’ says marketing manager Robert Blum, ‘‘and we hope it will meet a need that appears to exist within the Baha’i community.

“For several years the number of film and video tape productions available has been quite limited. Now we’re seeing a sudden increase in the number of video productions.

“By putting films on tape,’’ he says, ‘‘individual Baha’is or local communities can own the programs for about the cost of a onetime film rent

Ark of Destiny is especially inspiring because it shows in detail how the sacrifices of the Baha’i world brought the magnificent building into being, says Mr. Blum.

The film begins with the International Convention in 1973 and the ceremonies that inaugurated the historic project.

From there we see the architects in Iran begin their work to bring the concept of the building from theory to minute detail, conceiving a structure that will serve the needs of the Supreme Institution for centuries to come while living within the means of the Baha’i

Distribution Service changes, clarifies its invoice procedure

Changes have been made in the invoices sent out with orders placed with the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

“We're trying to make the invoices a little clearer,”’ says fulfillment manager Jeffery Johnson, ‘‘especially for people who may place orders only once or twice a year.

“We've added a complete explanation of all terms to the back of the invoice to eliminate any possible confusion about how much money we received and if there is a balance due or a credit owed to the individual.”

The changes, says Mr. Johnson, will be most helpful to those who order books directly.

“Our accounts,’’ he says, “‘receive statements at the end of each monih that help them reconcile their accounts, But individuals who may be unfamiliar with our invoices were having a few problems understanding them.

“‘We hope the changes we’re making will eliminate any mis lings,’’ says Mr. Johnson. “‘If they don’t, customers can call us toll-free for an explanation.””

RRS Re RA AAT NED SE CARTS ESD SII RG RIP EE SRASA SORT SISA PT Se Ram eI eee manera ced

community of today. \

The film then shows how the face of Mount Carmel was excavated to prepare for construction of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Following the excavation, cement is poured for each part of the structure while across the Mediterranean in Greece the marble that will adorn the cement core is cut from quarries.

At one point the work stops for the ceremony at the 1978 International Convention when dust from the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Bab is placed in the walls of the partially completed structure.

Louhelen School sets publishing conference

A conference on Baha’i literature and publishing will be held May 10-12 at the Louhelen Baha’i School.

Miss Isabelle Windust will talk about her father, Albert Windust, and his work as the first publisher of Baha’ books in the U.S.

Representatives of the Publishing Trust and Kalimét Press will present an overview of the future of Baha’i publishing.

An auction of out-of-print books will also be held to raise funds to remodel the archives building at Louhelen or to build a new structure.

AFTER the marble shell is in place and the columns adorn the outside of the building, the film takes us inside to see the completed edifice as it functions dayto-day.

We see the various departments of the World Centre housed within the building as well as the council chamber of the Universal House of Justice.

“This is the first of several new films from the International Baha’i Audio-Visual Centre which we plan to distribute,” says Mr. Blum. ‘‘Two others are also being prepared for distribution and will be sold as one tape.

“The films are Baha’i Education in India and Trustees of the Merciful,”’ he says. “‘Baha’i Education is an excellent example of the work of the Faith in social and economic development. It can be used in teaching activities or proclamation events, and would also be excellent for conferences or summer schools.’”

Trustees of the Merciful is a shorter film, also made in India, showing the workings of the administrative order, and has more applications in a deepening setting than for showing to those who are investigating the Faith, says Mr. Blum.

Both films, on a single video tape in either Beta or VHS, will

New Publishing Trust titles

Baha’i DayBook: Passages for Deepening and Meditation, a unique combination of quotations from scripture, explanations of the Baha’i calendar and teachings, questions and answers, definitions of difficult words, and illustrations. $3.75.

Unto Him Shall We Return, a compilation of Baha’i extracts on the reality and immortality of the human soul with a focus on life here as preparation for hereafter. $7.95.

I Am a Baha’i, the most recent Sunflower Activity Book for children ages 3-7, contains interesting ideas that will create and reinforce a child’s Baha’i identity. $5.95. Sunflower Books 1-4 are

Oo

Ark of Destiny, video tape, VHS or Beta

(Gircle one) Bahá’í DayBook, SC —Bahá’í Faith in America, HC

Z7Om wBmon

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now on sale for $3.50 for the set.

Special Strengths, a characterdevelopment book of four stories relating to the application of Baha’i principles, for children ages 7-11. $4.50,

Loving Hands, a stereo cassette of vibrant new music by ‘“Heartbeat,’’ for children and adults of all ages. Side 1: songs about growing up and Baha’i life; side 2: devotional songs. $8.

NEW Teaching Cards of the Wilmette House of Worship, an assortment of five views in different seasons, 25/$3.50.

For ordering information, please see the coupon on this page.

Amt. Quan. Amt. as ‘pin becuase ae ($1.50 minimum for postage) —1Ama Baht’i, SC 5.95 ae = | wing Haacaacs: ste Enclose a check for the full amount, or 19.95 —Phoenix and the Ashes, SC 495 “Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, HC 7.50 VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE — Proclamation of Bahd'u'llah, SC 3.00 . 2.50 CARD NO. 4.50 3.50 2573.50 Name 8.00 4.00 —Universal House of Justice (on order), SC 2.75 —Unto Him Shall We Return, SC 7.95 Address 13.95 —Waging Peace, SC 795 City State

Baha'i Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091

sell for $40.

Individuals can place advance orders by using the coupon on this page. Communities with accounts

can order by phone or through the mail. The price on these video tapes is at net.

Seven new books, one music tape slated to arrive in time for National Convention

Seven new books and a new music tape are expected by the Distribution Service in time for Ridvan and the National Convention.

From the U.S. Baha’i Publishing Trust, The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 ($19.95 HC) is the first of a proposed three-volume set.

The first volume tells of 1,500 new Baha’is brought into the Faith in that period, explores their backgrounds and their first tests, and takes a close look at a core group who would take leadership roles in the spread of the new Revelation.

Four of the new books are from George Ronald, Publishers, in England.

“The book we expect will have the widest appeal,’’ says marketing manager Robert Blum, ‘‘is Consultation: The Universal Lamp of Guidance ($9.95 HC, $4.95 SC) by John Kolstoe.

“This is not a compilation; rather, it’s a discussion on the applications of consultation in all aspects of life based on the author’s 30 years of Baha’i experience.’’

The second offering from George Ronald is The Phoenix and the Ashes ($4.95 SC) by Geoffrey Nash, author of Iran’s Secret Pogrom. This is a discussion of the Baha’i Faith and the threat of apocalypse, says Mr. Blum.

The two other George Ronald books take a more literary bent.

From Discontent: The Biography of a Mystic is a novel featuring a young man named Adam who grows up in the ’60s and ’70s and becomes a Baha’i.

The final book is Roger White’s The Shell and Pearl ($2.50 SC). This short essay is an account of the martyrdom of ‘Ali-Asghar, ‘one of the seven martyrs who died

Credit card orders ($10.00 minimum) are accepted by phone: 800-323-1880 (outside Illinois), or 312251-1854 (within Illinois).

TAB 4/as

in Yazd, Iran, in the spring of 1981.

Kalimat Press is publishing the compilation Waging Peace ($7.95 SC) which contains selections from the writings of the Faith on universal peace.

Finally, a new music cassette, Unity in Diversity ($8), performed by Gordi Munro, a Baha’i from Canada, is also expected in April. Mr. Munro is well-known in Canada and his music has spread his reputation to the U.S.

All seven of these items can be ordered by using the coupon on this page.

Los Angeles Times gives new book favorable review

The Baha’i Faith: The Emerging Global Religion was favorably reviewed February 17 in the Sunday book review section of The Los Angeles Times.

Reviewer Marianne Sawicki said the book by William Hatcher and Douglas Martin “‘presents a concise history of that new religion and introduces its teachings and Sacred Wri s. The picture that unfolds is fascinating ... There is much to touch the heart and mind of the sympathetic reader in this book, which is neither catechism nor critique ... over-all, this is an appealing and informative work.””

The full-column review ran prominently on the third page of the book section and was the result of efforts by Harper & Row’s publicity department, which also arranged an interview about the book on a Chicago radio station.

The Fund is the Life-Blood of the Faith

National Baha’i Fund

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[Page 15]

BAHA’I PUBLISHING TRUST

April 1985

15

THE BAHA’I WRITINGS

The Proclamation

of Baha’u’llah:

A clear summons

to world of humanity

With the approach of Ridvan, we are reminded of the supreme si: nificance of that great event: the declaration of Baha’u’llah, with its implications for a new era of peace for all of humanity.

THERE, IN THE GARDEN of Ridvan, amidst the fragrances of roses and the singing of nightingales, Baha’ u’lláh unveiled His true Station to the believers who were with Him.

Now we, who are the descendants of those early believers, 122 years later, have the opportunity to pass on the same Great Announcement that Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed in 1863—and to share the same vision for the future.

To do so, and to remind ourselves of the importance of Baha’u’llah’s Station, we have only to utilize one of the outstanding compilations of the writings, The Proclamation of Baha’u’llh, published by the Universal House of Justice.

Here we find the major addresses of Bahá’u’lláh to the kings and rulers of the world and to the world’s religious leaders, collectively and individually, Here, too, the challenge for humankind is given in clear and unequivocal language:

“The time must come,’’ writes Baha’u’llah, ‘‘when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men ...””

Surely such powerful words as these cannot fail to have an effect upon us. Indeed, they are a challenge to us to use the eight months before the International Year of Peace begins in 1986 to study in depth the all-important matter of world peace. It is up to us to see that Baha’u’llah’s words reach our friends and acquaintances, our political rulers

Trust releases Baha’i Faith in America, Vol. 1

The Baha’i Publishing Trust is pleased to announce the release of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, the first of a multi-volume work by Robert H. Stockman.

Origins: 1892-1900 covers the introduction of the Faith to the Occident and depicts the drama of the first conversions of North Americans to the Faith.

It also describes the growth and development of the first Baha’i communities in North America, how they survived the disaffection of Ibrahim Kheiralla (their first Baha’i teacher), and how they became firmly gounded in the Covenant.

“The first volume,” says Richard Hill, one of the Publishing Trust’s editors, ‘‘uncovers facets of our history that few people have hitherto known.

“Tt opens new vistas for Baha’is interested in their community’s past. Mr. Stockman has laid the groundwork for future Baha’i historians, who will delve even deeper into the origins of Baha’i communities and institutions in North America.”

To bring to light details of this fascinating story, Mr. Stockman probed hundreds of letters, rare books, and memoirs. His interest in studying the history of the early American Baha’i communities began when he was asked to do a re

ef

ome

search project for the Baha’is of Providence, Rhode Island.

“I became fascinated,” he says, “‘with the process of uncovering historical facts about the early Baha’is in this part of the world.

“FIRST, I began collecting information about Thornton Chase, who according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was ‘the first American Baha’j.” But it became such an enormous project that the Publishing Trust encouraged me to write a book about the origins of the Baha’i community. That has become a multi-volume work.’’

Mr. Stockman, a Baha’i since 1973, holds degrees in geology and archaeology from Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in planetary geology from Brown Univer

and leaders of thought, our libraries.

The Proclamation of Bahd’u’ll4h is an excellent tool for accomplishing all this. What better time to begin than during the season of Ridvan, when Bahá’u’lláh Himself proclaimed His mission?

Copyrighted materials should not be duplicated without author’s permission

The Baha'i Publishing Trust has become aware that some of the friends are making photocopies of books and other printed materials and duplicating cassette tapes without asking permission.

ASIDE from being prohibited by law, there are other important reasons why copyrighted materials should not be duplicated without permission.

Authors, performers and insti

Ordering from Baha’i Distribution Service

Individuals living anywhere in the world can order titles listed on this page from the Baha’i Distribution Service at the prices quoted (see the coupon on Page 14). U.S. customers should add 10 per cent for postage and handling (minimum $1.50) for UPS or fourth class mail; foreign customers should add 15 per cent (minimum $1.50) for surface mail.

Baha’i institutions outside the 48 contiguous states should order directly from the Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden

Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

tutions invest a great deal of money and time in preparing manuscripts and recorded materialssometimes several years and many thousands of dollars.

The author or performer frequently receives a royalty or percentage of the profit on each book or cassette that is sold. This makes it possible for them to invest more money in new projects.

People who ‘‘pirate’’ copies of the book or cassette by privately duplicating them set in motion a chain reaction that is detrimental to everyone concerned.

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THE RESULT is a higher cost for each new book or cassette, and thus a higher price for you, the consumer.

These higher costs do not benefit the authors or performers, they do not benefit the Publishing

See COPYRIGHT Page 24

A chance to critique Baha’i DateBook

Now that you’ve had a few weeks to use your new Bahá’í Datebook 142 B.E., what are your impressions of it?

The Publishing Trust has the difficult task of meshing a Baha’i calendar with the Gregorian one. This year’s decision to begin the Datebook in March, the first Bahd’{ month, and each week with Saturday, the first day of the Baha’i week, reflects a new direction—that of moving toward a Baha’i ‘“‘rhythm’’ with the calendar.

An additional change in format—putting two weeks instead of a Gregorian month on a double-page spread—allows for more writing space,

As always, change is tumultuous, and many responses to the new Datebook have come back to the Trust—some wildly enthusiastic, others vehemently opposed to it.

By filling out the answers to the questions below and sending them to the Publishing Trust, you’ll help us evaluate the new format and consider suggestions for inclusion in next year’s Datebook.

1. Do you like the Baha’i Datebook’s new format, with two weeks visible on a double-page spread? Yes__ No___

2. Do you prefer the old format with a Gregorian month on a double-page spread? Yes___ No___

3. Do you find the additional writing space in this year’s Datebook format useful? Yes___ No___

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5. Would you prefer that the Datebook begin on the Gregorian new year? Yes___ No___

6. Do you like the fact that each week starts on Saturday?

Sy a ald 9 [aad rae

7. Would you be willing to pay more (say, $4) for a Datebook with the Gregorian, 15-month format? Yes. No

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9. Please comment on design elements, such as cover, color of ink, etc,

Please include any other comments or suggestions and mail your response by May 24 to the Promotions Department, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

a8 Robert H. Stockman, author of The Baha’ Faith in America, will be available at the National Convention to autograph Volume 1.

sity, and a master of theological studies degree from the Harvard Divinity School.

He is at present teaching astronomy at Bentley College while pursuing a doctorate of theology in the history of religions in America at Harvard.

Mr. Stockman is an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Carole Allen, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Somerville, Massachusetts, and chairman of the New England Committee of the Association for Baha’i Studies.

In 1980, he won the award given annually by the Association for Baha’i Studies for the best research on the Baha’i Faith.

“Mr. Stockman will be at this year’s National Convention,” says Mr. Hill. ‘Delegates and visitors will enjoy discussing his book with him and will be able to get their copies autographed. In fact, they may want to buy books for all of their community members so they can take home signed copies.””

Members of the Publishing Trust staff plan to wear period costumes at the Convention to dramatize the excitement of uncovering the roots of the North American Bahá’í community.

The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, which sells for $19.95, can be purchased from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

New titles

Baha’i DayBook: Passages for Deepening and Meditation. A daily book of readings, questions/answers, and explanations about Baha’j life. $3.75 Unto Him Shall We Return, compiled by Hushidar Motlagh. A selection of Baha’i writings on the reality and immortality of the soul. $7.95 Special Strengths, by Gail Radley. Four character-development tales for children ages 7-11. $4.50

(9S RES SE A RA TS EE EE PTR ANOS ACB SSOP TPM ECS SST PCT [Page 16]

Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List LApriiisss = 1 Bahá’í Distribution Service of Band‘u'116n Lr 6.008 415 Linden Avenue of the Divine Plan HC 10.00 . of the Divine Plan sc 5,00 ‘Wilmette, IL 60091 Traveler's Narrative HC 10.00 800-323-1880 Traveler's Narrative sC 5.00 Unfolding Destiny HC 43.50 312-251-1854 (in Illinois) Wellspring of Guidance HC 9.00 Wellspring of Ouidance sc 4,00 WAI1 and Testanent of ‘Abdu! so 1,25 Price List 1 April 1985 World Order of Bahá'u'I16h RC 11,00 Expl ‘st sare and symbols Worlé Order of Bahá'y'114n sc 6.50

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Abéa'1-Bahá in London RC $17.00 National Spiritual Assembly 1.00

Advent of Divine Justice HC 12,00 Pattern of Bahá’í Life sc 1.73 eens ee =e = tag Power of Divine Assistance sc 2,008 B Principles of Bahá'{ Adaintstration He 6,00 Christ's Promise Pulfitied SC 3.00 principles of Bahd'{ Administration SC 00 Citadel of Faith WC 12.00 Quiexeners of Mankind sc 1.00 Constitucton: Universal House of Justice $C_——-1.50 gaactai Measure of Love sc 1.00 Eptatle to the Son of the Wolf RC 11,00 sotrieual Foundations SC 1.00 Foundations of World Unity HC 10,00 ntversal House of Justice sc 2L7S# Gleanings from the Writings of Bahd'u'lláh AC 14.25 oe Him Shall We Return sc 7.95 Gleanings from the Writings of Bané'u'11h $C 8.00 aging Peace sc 7.958 Cleanings from the Writings of Babé'u'lláh —-PS_—3.75 words of God sc 1,00 God Passes By RC 14.50 Ridden Words of Bahá'u'liéh me 5.75 General Titles | Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lidh--British Eéition $C 3.00 ‘Abdu’l-Bahár Center of the Covenant sc 6.95 Kieéb-t-Tqén RC 14.25 America's Spiritual Destiny sc 5.00 Kiedb-t-Taén PS 3.75 Another Song, Another sc 2,00 Light of Divine Guidance RC 21.00 gb: Herald of the Day of Days BC 11.95 Memorials of the Faithful BC 10,00 Bábf and Bahd'{ Religions RC 29.50 Messages to the Bahd'{ World FO 10,00 -Bahd'f Faith: The Emerging Global Religion HC 14.95 Messages from the Universal House of Justice HC 9,00 Bahd'{ Faith=-Perkins and Raynesworth sc 2.00 Messages fron the Universal House of Justice SC 4.00 Bah! {1 Follover of the Light sc 3.00 Parts Talks SC 5.00 Baha! Proofs HC 16.00 Prayers and Meditations--British Eaition HC 11,00 Bah! Studies Notebook: Development sc 6.50 Proclamation of Bahd'u'114n HC 7,50 Band? Studies Notebook: Health and Healing SC 6.50 Proclanation of Bahá’u’lláh SC 3.00 Bahá'{ Studies Notebook: Marriage sc 6.50 Promised Day Te Cone é RC 8,00 BabA'{ History sc 5.00 Promutgation of Universal Peace FC 16,00 Violence-Free Society sc $.00 Secret of Divine Civilization HC 11,00 Bahd"£ Studies 7: Response to Revelation $C 5.00 Selected Writings of Bahá'u'114n HC 10.00 Ban" Studies 9: Manifestation sc 5.00 Selected Writings of Bahá'u'11én sc 2,00 Bahá'{ Studies 12/13: Persecution 1844-1984 SC 5.00 Selected Writings of Shoghi Effend{ SC 1,00 -Bahd'{ World Volumes 1-12 (set) RC 200.00 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu't-Bahá HC 12,50 Band'{ World: Volume 1 (1) RE 11.00 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá SC 6,00 Bah" World: Voluse 2 (IT) RC 15.00 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá LT 6.00" World: Volume 3 (IIT) HE 15.00 Selections from the Writings of the Báb HC 10,00" World: Volume 4 (IV) HC 20,00 Selections from the Writings of the Bab Ir 6,00" World: Volume 5 (¥) HC 26.00 Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys He 6,00 Worlé: Volune 6 (VI) HC 26.00 the Four Valleys sc 3.50 World: Volume 7 (VII) RC 27.00 Seven Year Plan--1981 sc 80 World: Volune 8 (VIII) RC 27.00 ‘Some Answered Questions Re 13.25 World: Volume 9 (IX) RC (27.00 Some Answered Questions 3.78 World: Voluse 10 (Xx) Re 25.00 Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-t-Agd RC 2,50. BahA"{ World: Volume 11-(xI) RC 25.00 Tablets of Bané'u'l1&h HC 12,00" BahA!{ World: Volume 12 (XII) Re 26.00

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Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List 1 April 1985 2 Bahd'{ World: Volume 13 (XIII) BC 27.00 Mystery of God RC 21.00 Band'{ World: Volume 14 (XIV) RC 16,00 Other People, Other Places RC 13.75 Bahf'{ World: Volune 15 (XV) HC 17,50 Phoenix and the Ashes sc 4,958 Bahá'{ World: Volune 16 (XVI) FC 20,00 ‘Portals to Free¢on sc 6.50 Bané'{ World: Volume 17 (XVII) HC 22.50 Pover of the Covensnt, Part 1 sc 2.00" Bahd'{ Writings: A Concordance SC 9.00 Power of the Covenant, Part 2 sc 2.008 dh: King of Glory BC 24.00 Power of the Covenant, Part 3 sc 2.008 uh and the Kew Era HC 10,00 Prescription for Living we 475 Bahá"u'11dh and the Nev Bra SC 2,50 Priceless Pearl sc 5,008 Bahá'u'lidh: The Word Made Flesh SC 3.95 Prowise of All Ages HC 8,95 Bahfyyih Kaénum: Greatest Holy Leaf RC 10,00 Promise of All Ages SOE RTS Bahfyyih Khérum: Creat: $C 5.00 Religion for Mankind sc 4.95 Christ and Bané'u't1éh SC" 2,95 Renewal of Civiltzatton sc 2.50 Ctrele of Unity SC 9,95 Response sc 4,958 Comentary: Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá SC 2.25 ‘Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volune 1 HO 15,95 Concordance: Gleanings Writings /Bahá’u’lláh SC 9,95_—-Revelation of BahA"u'lláh, Volume 1 sc 9.75 Concordance to The Hidden Words SC 2,50 Revelation of Bahá'u'l1én, Volume 2 RC 17.95 Concordance to the Kitáb-t-Igan SC 9.95 Revelation of Bahá'u'liéh, Volue 2 $05." -8195 Concordance; Selected Writings/‘Abéu'l-Bahá SC 9.00 Revelation of Bahá'u'114h, Volune 3 HC 18.50 Consultation: Lamp of Guidance HC 9,95" _ Seven Martyrs of Burauzak H 8.50 Consultation: Lamp of Guidance SC 4.95 Seven Year Plan: Statistical Report sc 2.50 Crom of Beauty HC 14,75 Shell and the Pearl sc 2,508 Cry Fros the Reart SC 2,50 Shoghf Effendi: Recollections Ho 13.95 Daily Lessons Recetved at ‘AKké SC 5,00 Sone Bahá'{s to Remember RC 14,95 Dawn Over Mount Hira HC 4,50 Some Early Bahá'{s of the West RC 12.95 Dav Over Mount Hira SC 2,00 Stories from the Delight of Hearts RC 9,00 Dawn-Breakers--British Edition HC 14,00 ‘Story As Told sc 2.50 Davning Place HC 20.00 Story of My Heart RC 14.95 Dawning Place $C 12.00 _Story of My Heart x 7.50 Days To Renenber SC 7.00% Studies in Báb{ and Bané't Ristory HC 19.95 Declaration of Trust and By-Lave of NSA/LSA SC_'1.00_—Studfes in Báb{ and Bahá'{ History, Vol. 2 HC 19.95 Deepening Packet for New Believers FD 4.00 Sudden Music ° RC 11.95 Desire of the World sc 5.25 Táhirih the Pure ROR eS Diary of Juliet Thoapson FC 14.95 ‘Teaching the Band"{ Faith sc 4.35 Diary of Julfet Thompson SC 9,95 Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká sc 5.00 Door of Hope SC 9.75 These Perspicuous Vers: sc 4,50 E.G. Browne and the Bahá'{ Faith HC 12.95 ‘Thief fn the Night He 6.50 Earth Ts But One Country sc Trief tn the Night ic’: 7a Fire and Blood SC. 7.95# To Move the World sc 8.50 Yor the Good of Mankind RC (10.95 239 Days RC 10,00 For the Good of Mankind SC 4.95 Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abéu'l-Bahá FC 13.50 Fortress for Well-Being--Cift Edition RC 12.00 Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abéu'l-Bahá sc 5.95 Four on an Island SC &,50.__-‘Hhen Ke Grow Up RO 7.95 From the Auroral Darkness - BC 23.50 ‘Wine of Astontshnent sc 2475 Yrom the Auroral Darkness SC 9,95 ‘Witness of Pebbles sc 5.95 From Copper to Gold RC 15.95 Youth in the Vanguard RE 10.00 re ee muse Children and Youth ‘From Discontent sc 5.95% BC 10.95. From Strength to Strength sc 2.00 sc 5.95 George Townshend RC 19,50 Anthology for the Bahá?f Chilé sc 3.008 George Townshend SC 9.50 3. J+ and the Language of the Woodland sc 375 Glad Tidings of Bah'u'11én Re 6,95¢ _-Baha"{ Prayers and Tablets for the Young RC 5,00 God Loves Laughter Sc 5.50 ‘Birth of che Bahá"f Fateh sc 1,00 God's Great Plan SC 2,00 Diamond in the Darkness sc 3.508 He Loved and Served SC 6150 Dragons of Rizvanta RO 8.95% Heart of the Gospel SC 2,75 Flickerings sc 3,50 Inperishable Doainton sc 8.75 Fly Away Hone sc 5.00 Index of Quotations SC 24.50 “From Behind the Veit sc 3.75 Iran's Secret Pogrom SC 3.50 Horse of the Moonlight sc 3.50 Rhad{jih Begum: Wife of the B&D SC 3,75. T Am a Band'f--Sunflower Set 2 sc 5.95 Whine: The Greatest Holy Leaf SC 2.75 Magnified Be Thy Nane Re 5.508 Light of Babé'u'iién SC 2,50 Mull Fusayn sc 3.50 Light Shineth in Darkne HO 10.95 My Baby Book RC 5.00 Light Shineth in Darkne: SC 6.95 My Nane ts Nab{1 He 6.00 March of the Tnetitutions “HC > 7.50 Mine Holy Days sc 3.008 March of the Institutions SC 3.50 O God, My God Fe 6,00 Mark Tobey: Art and Beltef SC 8.95 Quddts sc 3.50 Martha Root: Rerald of the Kingdon HC 16.00 Refuge, and the Cave sc 5.508 Martha Root: Idoness at Threshold HC 21,00 Second Birth Re 8,00 Martha Root: Lioness at Threshold SC 14.00 Second Birth sc 4,508 Memories of ‘Adéu'l-Bahá HC 10.00 Secret in the Garden He 4,50 Memories of "Abéu'1-Bahá SC 6.00 Secret tn the Garden sc 2.75 Mighty River SC .50._-—-—Spectal Strengths sc 6,50 Miracles and Metaphors SC 8.95 Spotlessly Leopard sc 3.75 Mission of Babé'u'lláh HC 8,95 ‘Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sc 4,50" here, and Children SC 6.95 Sunflower Books--Set 1 sc 3.50 of Bané'u'liéh SC 8.95 Sunshine Tree Re 9.75 eee ene ne rg SaNOT EEN EES SSS ac aa

[Page 17]RR ST SS Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List

L April 198ss = 3

Téhirth Wonderlamp Zahra's Search

Foreign Language

PER/ARA: Tablets of Bahá'u'I1éh

PER: Badayt'u'! Athar 1

PER: Badayt'u'l Athar 2

PER: Bahá'{ Faith Not Political

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PER: Children's Prayer Book

PER: Compilation Ridden Words/Tablets PER: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf PER: Fire and Light

PER: Gleanings

PER: Glimpses of Hope

PER: Glorification ané Pratse

PER: History of the Martyrs of Yazd PER:

PER: PER:

in *Akká Bahh 2

Prayers of "Abdu! PER: Prayers of ‘Abéu'l-Bahá 3 PER: Prayers of Bahá'u!114h

PER: Prayers of Shoght Effendi PER: Principles of the Bahd'{ Paith PER: Secret of Divine Civilteatton

PER: Selected Letters of 'Abdu’l-Bahá PER: Selected Letters of ‘Abdi PER: Selected Letters of ‘Abdu PER: Selected Writings of the Bab

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Pamphlets, Cards and Folders

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888

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21,50 11.00 12.00 4,00 1.50 7.95 4.95 20,00 17,50 11.00" 9.95 12.95 12,98 10,50 15.95 4.95 4.95 8.95" 2.50% 2.50 4.008 8.00 5.00 6.00" 15.00 12.95 12,00" 19.95 16.00% 9.95 3.75 3.00 7.008 3.008 5.00 +10 4.50 3.75 4.008 1.50 5.50 1.25 3.75 6.008

2.00 7.00% 1.00 4.50

+50 2:00

1.50 4,75 3.50 6.00%

2.50 50 14.00 3.50 4.00 2,00 3.00 1.50 3.25 3.25 1.00 3.00 1.75 5.00 3,00

Open Door--vith Envelope, Pkg of 10 PA 7,50 Political Non-Tnvolvenent sc 1,008 Promise of Disarmanent and Peace $C 1,008 Teaching Cards--Wiinette HOW, Pkg of 25 Tr 3.50 Video Tapes and Recordings Apostles of Bahá'u'l1én cs 7.00 Ark of Destiny Videotape--Beta vt 35,008 Ark of Destiny Videotape--ViS YE 35.008 Because We'Love the Faith...Collins/Baker C$_—=—7.00 Eéveation/Trustees Videotape--Beta vr 40,00 Eéucatton/Trustees Videotape--VRS Yt 40,008 Flight 4,00 Foundations of Learning cs 7.00 Happy Ayyée-1-R& 4,00 TE You Only Knew cs 7.008 In the Days of the Guardian...toas cs 7.00 In His Presence...Sanandart cs 7,00 Legacies of Servi 3 30,00 Light of Bahá’u’lláh 3 (74.50 Lote Tree LP 4,00 Loving Hands 3 8.00 My Only Desire. ..Alexander cs 7.00 Strengthening Administrative Order...Holley CS 7.00 Triumph of Cause. ..Balyurt 37.00 Unity in Diversity cs 8,008 Viste With the Master...true cs 7.00 We Are Band’ fs cs 7.008

Photographs, Calendars and Posters

Addu'1-Bahá Color Lithograph, 11" X 14"

‘Abdu’ 1-Bahá Color Lithograph, 5" X 7" ‘Abdu’l-Baha Lithograph, 10.5" X 15"

abdu'1-Bahá Lithographs, Set of 7

Greatest Nase, 3" X 4", Black, Pkg of 10 Greatest Kane, 8" X 10", Stiver Scroll Calendar--162 3.E., Cloth Scroll Calendar--162 B.B., Wooden Seat of Universal House of Justice Poster Wilmette House of Worship Poster

BAISSIIIIIT

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Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List 1 Aprili9s5 = 4

from the Baha'i Publishing Trust

Daily devotions to help us spiritualize our lives and bring us closer to Baha’u’llah’s|Revelation.

Deepening and Meditation

k

Passages for

New and veteran Bahá’ís alike will appreciate this resource for daily inspiration and deepening.

Bahd'f DayBook includes: © passages from scriptures 8 questions and answers = explanations of Feast Days and Holy Days 8 definitions of difficult words from the writings =e. © illustrations to inspire 1 topics such as consultation, work, marriage, child a hee ny raising, Spiritual sine nl let cai Assemblies, Bahá’í history Doras fa pat teed see ey and eee Fm pte a mam Den yrogressive revelation, a arnt ae unity, and justice.

SAMPLE Facy A joint project of the "°*SES. Reoucey Baha'i Publishing Trust and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States

Avasable trom Band’ Distribution Service 1 a

‘poem ae oan ere 24 pages 44x inches $37 a

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[Page 18]

CLASSIFIEDS

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Classified notices in The American Bahá’í 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.

°

BOSCH Baha’i School invites applications for staff positions: single adults or mature youth for 3-6 months (renewable) as student-staff or apprentice staff and for full-time summer staff. Special talents and abilities to be considered in selection. Opportunity for learning, leadership experience, and service in a unique Setting secluded in redwood forest but near city, community colleges, UCSanta Cruz. Possibility of internship or work credit from your college by your own arrangement. Interviews will be arranged in northern and southern California for those being considered, following receipt of a letter of application, resumé, name, together with the name, address and phone number of your Assembly secretary, Send to: School Administrator, Bosch Baha’i_ School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, is planning a grand Reunion Banquet for all present and former members of the Baha’i community to commemorate the. 50th anniversary of the formation of its Assembly. Any Baha’i who has ever been a member of the Nashville community or associated with it in any way is cordially invited to attend. For more information, contact Farsheed Ferdowsi,

Brentwood, TN 37027, or phone 615-373-1103 or 615-327-4202.

THE SCHOOL of the Nations in Brasilia, Brazil, is seeking qualified, experienced elementary school teachers, especially at the primary level. This Baha’i-run institution now has a student body, K-8, consisting of children from 25 nations including embassies and Brazilian State Department families. Help strengthen this important goal in the eyes of prominent people in Brazil while pioneering in the new and beautiful city of Brasilia with its continual spring-like climate. To apply, write to the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

IOWA needs you! This loving, unified district is working hard to save its jeopardized Assemblies:

Bettendorf (five adults), Marshall- .

town (seven) and Marion (eight). Each stands ready to help potential pioneers in seeking housing and jobs. Come catch the spirit of this central state where LEAP activities abound, Baha’i school planners scheme, and the friends are well-known for their gracious firesides and generous contribu tions to the Fund. For more information, please contact the District Teaching Committee for Iowa, c/o Fay Himes, secretary, P.O. Box 45, New Liberty, IA 52765, or phone 319-843-2450.

ARE YOU moving before Ridvan? If so, please consider moving to a goal area. There are many jeopardized Assemblies in each district. Call the National Teaching Committee for the number of the District Teaching Committee where you plan to move. They'll give you a list of jeopardized Assemblies and other goals in that district. District Teaching Committees are not able to find jobs for potential pioneers, although they may sometimes provide leads or advice. Write to the National Teaching Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHA'I family would like to hear from other Baha’is who are interested in ‘‘Waldorf”’ education or have children enrolled in Waldorf schools. Please contact Laurie and Tom Dodge,

Gilroy, CA 25020, or phone 408-842-1741.

BAHA’{ with opportunity to pioneer in the West Indies on a citrus plantation needs first-hand experience. Will pay room and board. Please contact Vafa,,

. Brooklyn, NY 11217, or phone 718-624-3188.

HOMEFRONT pioneers, especially those from minority groups, are urgently needed to bring strength and diversity to Dallas Center, a goal community 20 miles northwest of Des Moines, Iowa. The goal is to raise an Assembly there: by Ridvan 1986. Strong support is available from nearby county Baha’is and from the Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines, which has adopted Dallas Center as its extension teaching goal. We have a teaching plan and are eagerly pursuing it, but we could sure use your help! For more information, please contact the National Teaching Committee or phone 515-992-3381.

SUMMER jobs at the Green Acre Baha’i School include those for program directors, teachers for the children and youth programs, registrars, book sales, housekeepers, and maintenance assistant. For information, please contact the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

WORK, study and great cameraderie at the Conifer Hill Baha’i School; limited dorm space or rustic camping in the high Rockies. For more information, write

to Sunshine, Englewood, CO 80110. CHARMING Orcas Island,

nestled amidst the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, would make a beautiful spot for homefront pioneers—two adults would rekindle Orcas Island’s Spiritual Assembly. Orcas is about three hours north by car and ferry from Seattle, and close

to the Canadian border. There are several contractors on the island, some small businesses for sale, and it’s a perfect site for cottage industries. Teaching positions in public schools often are available; applications should be filed in the spring or summer preceding the new school year. There is also a Waldorf school. It’s helpful to come with some cash reserves; Orcas would certainly be great for retired persons. Please write to the Baha’i Group of Orcas, P.O. Box 490, Eastsound, WA 98245, or phone Carla Shaffer-Bauck, 206376-2906.

GRAPHIC designer with a degree in graphic arts and three years experience is needed in Cyprus. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

COME LIVE in a teaching and proclamation committee’s paradise: Xenia, Ohio. Xenia offers what you’ve always dreamed about, a Baha’i Information Center in the heart of town (across from the court house at the intersection of three major highways).. An ideal location for reaching all strata of society, especially norities; there are two predomi: nantly black universities just outside of town. Since Xenia opened its Center three years ago, we’ve had 10 declarations (six of whom are Nigerian students). This year, six of the community’s members will be leaving, five of whom hope to fill a very important international goal, Nigeria. Come help this small but dynamic community flourish. For employment and housing information, phone 513372-2588.

MARTHA’S Vineyard: an update. (Winter population, 10,000 ... Baha’i population, 1). A great place for college students who want to take a year off from studies (and teach) or recent graduates who, after years of studying, want to rest and relax (and teach) in a “‘quaint’’ New England resort area. Rent for the ninemonth winter season can run about $250 a month. Carpenters have the best chance of finding work, but others might be lucky. Contact Victoria de Leén, P.O. Box 994, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or phone 617-693-4581.

NEEDED: Obstetrician/gynecologist and radiologist, American-trained, to practice in Hinton, West Virginia, a lovely summer resort area with a great need for Baha’i pioneers. Please write to Dr. B. Payman, P.O. Box 940, Hinton, WV 25951, or phone (evenings between 7-9 EST) 304-4665296.

WANT to teach children but need training? The Louhelen Baha’i School is offering two apprenticeships under an experienced master teacher for each age level at the August 4-9 and August 18-23 sessions. Age groups are 0-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-10 and 11-14 years.

Training will emphasize arranging environments, planning, observation, classroom management and modeling. For more information, write to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313653-5033.

GREEN Acre’s Work/Study Program offers two weeks of activity at the school for people over age 15. For information, contact the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Tuba City, Arizona, one of the largest towns on the Navajo Indian Reservation and near the Hopi Reservation. Help save a functionally but not numerically jeopardized Assembly, one of the few functioning ones in the district. Teachers and medical personnel are in demand. Salaries for public school employees are quite good, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff is only a 11/2-hour drive from Tuba City. If interested, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Tuba City, c/o Penny Boivin, secretary, P.O. Box 2558,-Tuba City, AZ 86045.

TECHNICAL manager for offshore company needed in Cyprus: knowledge of micro and super micro computers necessary. Contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-8699039).

ACCOUNTANT for offshore company is needed in Cyprus. Experience in branch accounting and foreign exchange. Contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i_ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Mentor, Ohio (near Cleveland) is supervising a service project to be held prior to the International Youth Conference in July. We would like the friends to arrive June 30, work on the project July 1-2, then leave for the conference July 3. We are asking for a $15 contribution to cover food costs. Hospitality provided. For more information, please contact Cindy Hall, Mentor, OH 44060 (phone 216-2574781).

RECREATION directors are needed for summer programs at the Louhelen Baha’i School. Experience leading cooperative games, folk dancing and team sports especially useful. If you have experience planning and leading activities for people of all ages, please send a resumé to Dr. Geoffry Marks, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Room, board and a stipend are offered. Service can be for one to 10 weeks.

THE NATIONAL Baha’ Archives Committee is planning to hold its 1985 Archives Institute on August 22-25 at the Baha’i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. Those who are interested in attending the institute should submit to the National Archives a

will be responsible for his or her

brief statement of their background and why they would like to attend the institute which is designed to introduce believers interested in the archival field to the nature and functions of a Baha’i archives. Attendance will be limited to eight persons, and each one

own expenses and housing. Please address requests to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AVAILABLE to an interested composer: a recently completed libretto entitled ‘‘Táhirih’’ based on the life story of the famous Babi poetess and heroine. To obtain a copy of the manuscript, write to Nurani Philippe,

P.Q., Canada J9Z 2V4.

PIONEER needed to help restore a fallen Assembly. Get out of the snow and cold; come to sunny Puerto Rico—not to a life of fun and beaches, but to help Baha’u’llah! Get out of the cosmopolitan, congested areasPonce, an aristocratic town on the south side of the island, needs you. The only jobs available are for teachers with degrees, and perhaps for domestic help. Prefer retired persons or those with an income. Spanish not necessary but would be helpful. A stipend of $50 a month is available for one year. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHA’i youth—or adultswishing to help out in the summer in Alaska: canneries in the Aleutians and on Kodiak Island hire workers out of Seattle and other West Coast cities. Youth in these areas might investigate the possibilities for work during the summer in Alaska canneries as canneries are a good place in which to reach out to a diversity of people while being paid well for long hours of work. The Aleutians is an area that is expensive for traveling teachers but accessible to cannery workers whose travel expenses are paid by canneries. This would greatly help us in the teaching work! No skills are required, only a willingness to be trained and to work long, hard hours and live in a dormitory situation. For more information, contact the National Teaching Committee of the Baha’is of Alaska, 13501 Brayton Drive, Anchorage, AK 99516.

FEMALE chiropractor is looking for associate or holistic health practitioner to join her in her new practice in the Deep South. Please write to Amy Newman,

Rock Hill, SC 29730, or phone 803-327-7978 anytime,

ARTISTS and others with creative ideas are invited to submit proposals for performance, exhibition, workshops, and talks for the annual Green Acre Arts Conference, to be held May 10-12 at the Green Acre Baha’i School. A

See ADS Page 31

PSR I TES aE IER EP RO PSE TaN EAA SS TN A RE A A A TEE ANT EE [Page 19]ee ee ee eee PERSIAN/AMERICAN

19

April 1985

Contrasts in language, custom must not become barriers

In The Advent of Divine Justice, the Guardian called upon the American Baha’i community to ponder important spiritual prerequisites of success for all teaching plans, Temple projects, and financial schemes.

HE REFERRED to these prerequisites as the bedrock on which our efforts ultimately rest, and indicated that on the extent to which they are met ‘‘must depend the measure of the manifold blessings which the All-Bountiful Possessor can vouchsafe”’ to the American believers.

Among the spiritual requirements mentioned by the Guardian was ‘‘complete freedom from prejudice in their (the American believers’) dealings with peoples of a different race, class, creed, or color.’”

The statement applies to all members of our community, including those dear Persian believers now residing in this country. The Guardian’s statement challenges our resolve to move forthrightly ahead as a community to achieve through integration of the newly arrived Persians into the mainstream of all Baha’i activity.

We must ask ourselves if we have exhausted our creativity and resourcefulness in ensuring that the obvious differences in language and custom do not become barriers to the achievement of unity in diversity within the American Baha’i community.

Consulting on integration opportunities where they exist and then arising to act upon them should be high on the list of things to do in our communities.

INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE is essential to help bring about this process. Individuals can volunteer to form friendship teams, engage in constructive dialogue on cultural differences, and seek opportunities to eliminate the potential for isolation of different peoples within our community.

In the spirit of the Campaign of Unified Action, the National Persian/American Affairs Committee calls upon our readers to share their views and ideas in this column.

Articles focusing on issues related to integrating newly arrived Persian friends into the American Baha’i community are welcomed and will be considered for publication. Simply send your comments, ideas and articles to the committee c/o the Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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Rocky River, Ohio 44116

[Page 20]

PERSIAN/AMERICAN

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[Page 22]

The American Baha’i

22

EYE ON NATIONAL

Last month we gave some of our employees the chance to answer the question, “What is it like to work here?”’ in their own words.

‘WE CONTINUE that theme this month, but the employees who appear in this article are among the one-quarter of our staff who are not Baha’is. What is it like for them here? What is different ... what is the same?

Kathleen Magill in the National Teaching Committee office gave us the definitive answer: ‘‘I’ve never met a group of people who get together so often to eat—and who enjoy it so much!’’ This is true (it’s potluck central here) but Kathleen also had some other comments—that we ‘‘practice what we preach’’ when it comes to unity, lack of proselytizing, equality.

She said ‘‘the profit motive and office competitiveness are absent here because nobody is ‘better’ than anyone else.”’ In terms of work, she was surprised by how much work there is to do—and how hard it is—but said she stays because she likes the people and the atmosphere.

Kathleen says she is sure we are ‘‘hard-core Baha’is’’ because of the work she sees everyone doing, and would like to meet some Baha’is in a local community. As she said, “‘It’s different here—but it’s good!””

Security guard Eugene Porter agrees with Kathleen on a couple of major points—the eating (naturally), and the people.

Gene, who has been with us for almost two years, says his favorite aspect of working at the National Center is ‘the chance to meet many different people from many different places,”’ and adds that ‘‘I’ve never met a nicer bunch of people in my life.”’

Gene is friendly too, and likes working in a place where people will

stop and talk with the guard at the front desk. He says he especially enjoys the attendees at Pioneer Training Institutes since they come from all parts of the country. Gene worked security at last year’s National Convention and found, he says, that ‘‘Baha’is are ‘all alike’—from all over, they’re all the same—friendly and enjoyable to talk to.’”

For another perspective, we talked with Linda Shaw, finance coordinator at the Baha’i Publishing Trust who has worked there for seven years. Since the Trust is a separate operation—from building to budget—any Trust employee’s viewpoint about working at the national administrative center is bound to be a little different—and also a little bit the same!

Linda, too, mentioned the lack of politics and cut-throat infighting at the Publishing Trust. ‘It’s a nice, easy atmosphere in which to work because the people here work well together.”” She said she likes the personal touch of working at the Trust, which is a smaller operation, noting that management understands one’s concerns about family commitments (childhood illnesses, school activities, etc.) which she is responsible for as a parent.

How does she see things as a staff member who is not a member of the Faith, working in a Baha’i-run business and surrounded by Baha’is? Linda says she never feels “isolated or shut out because of the Faith.”” Her observation is that, besides all the eating that goes on, we also have a /ot of meetings, and sometimes, when a meeting is so Baha’i in context, she would rather be doing her work. We thought that was not only understandable, but laudable as well!

Every business should be as lucky as we are to have such fine employees, both Baha’i and non-Baha’i.

In issues to come, we'll take a closer look at the various departments at.the National Center and the people who work in them. Remember to direct your comments or questions about the National Center to the Personnel Office so that we can know what you want to know!

Data on Faith in schools, texts sought

The Department of Statistics at the Baha’ World Centre in Haifa is interested in obtaining information regarding the inclusion of the Faith in the curricula of schools and universities.

Specifically, the department wishes to know if the Faith has been included in any public school or university textbooks produced in the U.S. It is also interested in learning about any courses on the Faith that have been, or are being, taught in such institutions, as well as

in any instances where study of the Faith has been accepted for academic degrees.

If you have any information that might help in responding to this request, please send it to the Office of the Secretary, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

A prompt response would be appreciated, as it will enable us to forward the information to the World Centre in a timely manner. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Compilation from House of Justice notes courage of Iran’s Baha’i youth

The Universal House of Justice has sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies a compilation of stories about the sacrifices of Baha’i youth in Iran.

INCLUDED are an account of the expulsion from school of a 16-year-old boy; the kidnaping and interrogation of two teen-age sisters; the influence of Baha’i prayers upon the students and staff at another school; and the execution in Shiraz of Ru’ya Ishraqi, a teen-age girl who was martyred with her parents.

During her trial Miss Ishraqi, permitted to see her father for the first time in more than a month, was confronted by the judge, who said to her:

“‘Isn’t it a pity that you refrain

Summer

Continued From Page 7

sider a foreign teaching opportunity.

While it helps if you speak a foreign language (French and/or Spanish, preferably), there are several projects planned for English-speaking youth. Some of the countries hosting international projects include Guyana, Guatemala, Finland, Spain, Cyprus, Papua New Guinea and Sierra Leone ... and more details are coming in daily.

So, you ask, what steps do I take? First, pray about it. Then take a look at your finances to see what you can afford. And then, contact the National Youth Committee.

You can phone or write ... but be sure to let us know what you want to do to serve the Cause this summer and how much time you’ll have available. The committee will try to steer you to a project that is right for you.

Write to us at 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313, ot phone 305584-1844. Pictured are participants in a Baha’f school sponsored by the Spir itual Assembly of Frederick nty, Virginia, which meets on alternate Sundays at a farmhouse in White Post. Fourth from the

left is Mary Davis, an exchange

from saying only one word—that you are not Bahá’ís—by which you could avoid such trouble. If you say those words, all three of you will be free and all the frozen assets of your father will be given to him.””

Ru’y4 replied, ‘‘The love between parents and children is natural, but my love for my Beloved is even greater than my love for my parents.’”

The judge then asked, ‘Are you holding to this view until the moment of your execution?’’

“I pray and hope that to the last breath,”’ said Ru’ya, “‘I will stand firm in my love for my Beloved.””

MISS Ishraqj did stand firm, as have so many Baha’i youth in Iran in the face of threats, intimidation and even death.

Their courage, as depicted in the compilation from the Universal House of Justice, calls to mind the Dawn-breakers, those early heroes and heroines of the Faith who gave their lives and fortunes so that the Cause of God might grow and prosper.

It is hard for us in the West to imagine being expelled from one’s. high school class and summoned before the High Priest of the town, engaging in a religious debate with him, then being told never to return to school, as happened to one 16-year-old Baha’i in Tran.

That young man calmly and politely defended the Faith against charges of apostasy, political intrigue, and giving aid to Israel before he was told by a Mulla that there was no choice but to expel him from school.

His dismissal order is one of the documents preserved in the hands of the Baha’is in Iran.

In another instance, two teenage sisters, stopped on the street for a routine check, replied to a question about their political affiliation that they had none—they

ol . student from New Zealand who asked to attend the school while en route to New Zealand after spending a year in Oklahoma. Several of those who attend the school have enrolled in the Faith.

were Baha’ is.

THE TWO were immediately blindfolded and taken to prison where they were placed in separate cells.

Later, they were interrogated at length by a revolutionary committee, and after their release a group was sent to their home to confiscate Bahá’í books and family albums.

After harassing a member of the family and breaking the frame of a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the group left.

The other incident recorded in the compilation concerns two Baha’is, ages 11 and 12, who refused to join in the congregational Muslim prayer.

When asked the reason for their refusal, they replied that they were Baha’is, and that congregational prayer is forbidden in the Faith.

The teacher, becoming furious, said, “In that case, say your own prayer!””

WHILE about 500 children were engaged in congregational prayer, one of the Baha’is, obeying the teacher’s instruction, chanted a prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The other children stopped their prayers and gathered around him to listen and watch, an action that greatly moved the teacher.

He took the boy to the office of the principal where other teachers were gathered for prayers and encouraged him to chant prayers there too.

These prayers also greatly influenced the teachers and the principal, who said with kindness, “Hereafter you say your own prayers at the school.’”

Writing contest set

5 The Baha’i Publishing Trust is sponsoring a writing competition about youth during 1985, the International Year of Youth.

The winning entries will be published by the Trust.

Categories include stories by youth about youth submitted by persons ages 15-20; stories by youth about youth by persons ages 20-25; and stories by adults (over age 25) about youth.

Stories (fiction or non-fiction) should reflect realistic situations and Baha’i values, but should not be moralistic in tone.

They should be typewritten or computer printed, doublespaced, with a ragged right margin. Fifteen pages is the maximum length (maximum word count, 4,000-5,000).

More details and deadlines are available by writing to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 23]THE MEDIA

——————>—————————_ _——RmaRaLz—L——aS

April 1985

23

INTERMEDIA

News from the Office of Public Affairs

Significant mentions

The New Yorker magazine’s ‘‘Talk of the Town’’ section in the February 4 issue featured more than a full page of commentary on the persecution of Bah’is in Iran. calling it ‘‘the world’s foremost contemporary example of the genocide of a noncombatant people.’”

The Smithsonian magazine’s February issue included an article about Bahda’i artist Alice Barney who arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1889. The article mentions that she was a Baha’i and includes a photo of a drawing she did of Mirz4 ‘Abu’l-Fadl who visited Washington to teach the Faith in the West. z

The February 17 edition of The Los Angeles Times reviewed the new book, The Baha’i Faith: The Emerging Global Religion, by Canadian Baha’is William Hatcher and Douglas Martin. The reviewer says, “There is much to touch the heart and mind of the sympathetic reader in this book, which is neither catechism nor critique.’”

Busy Baha’is

Baha’is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, join the list of local communities who have succeeded in getting their town councils to pass resolutions condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. They were also among the many communities observing World Religion Day in January. Headlining the Milwaukee Sentinel’s religion page was an article, “Seminar Aims for Oneness in Love of God.’’ The Baha’is co-sponsored a program with the Milwaukee Association of Interfaith Relations at the University of Wisconsin which emphasized the oneness of God in all spiritual journeys. The Milwaukee Journal featured a news item about the event headed, “‘It’s Not Just Super Bowl Sunday.””

The World Religion Day program held at the Dakota County Library in West St. Paul, Minnesota, attracted a lot of media attention. An article headlined, ‘Baha’ is to Note Religion Day”’ was included on the religion page of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. A film crew from CBS affiliate 'WCCO-TV shot several minutes of film at the observance; it was aired on the station’s six o’clock evening news.

The Baha’is in Edmond, Oklahoma, undertook an ambitious direct mail campaign using the ‘‘Shopping News and TV Guide,”’ a local free shopping paper, to distribute a circular that reached more than 25,000 homes. A letter addressed to “‘Dear Neighbor”’ offered free information about the Faith and stated: ‘‘Because we do not proselytize, we decided to leave the information at your door, so you can read it in the privacy of your home.”’ Another paragraph gave an overview of the principles of the Faith and a phone number to call for information about Baha’i activities. A tear-off reply card was included for those who wanted a free book (with a breakdown of topic preferences offered) and/or wanted to be placed on a mailing list for a calendar of events. There was also a space to check if they would like to be visited. So far, there have been 36 requests for literature and calendar of events.

The Baha’is in San Antonio, Texas, sponsored a full weekend of events for World Religion Day. A Saturday evening potluck was attended by 30 people. Dr. William Maxwell, a former member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, spoke on the history of the Faith. A deepening on The Advent of Divine Justice was held Sunday morning, and that afternoon Dr. Maxwell spoke to an audience of more than 35 at a public meeting on ‘‘Religion: Source of World Unity.’’ The program was video taped for use at future firesides and deepenings. As a result of the publicity, among those who phoned for more information were a well-known newspaper columnist and a religion instructor from a local college.

The friends in Champaign-Urban: linois, have an impressive ongoing schedule of events sponsored by the Bahá’j Club at the University of Illinois. A series of meetings on such topics as ‘Living in a Global Society,” ‘‘Assistance to Developing Countries,”’ ‘Interracial Communication’’ and ‘‘African Rights and Oppression’’ has been very successful. Future talks are planned on world technology and unity. In addition, the Spiritual Assembly of Urbana was contacted by the local chapter of Amnesty International and asked to provide a speaker on the Iranian situation. The talk was presented to 35 people. As a result, the local AI group published an excellent two-page summary in its newsletter, and is considering what actions it can take on behalf of the Baha’is in Iran.

COMING SOON TO A RADIO STATION NEAR YOU .. .

WAGE PEACE PSA’s for radio

STILL IN PRODUCTION—DUE BACK FROM THE STUDIO VERY SOON

Thanks for your patience in waiting for these orders: to be filled.

PI reps should ‘plug in’ to Information Network

Communities that have appointed local Public Information Representatives to handle their publicity work should be sure they are plugged into the national Baha’i Public Information Network. ALL communities with reps currently working should submit the name, mailing address and telephone number of their PI rep to the National Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs.

“All PI reps who are part of the network regularly receive an assortment of materials and information from the National Center,” says Shirley Lee, coordinator of the Office of Public Affairs.

“We are able to provide not only the most current news about the persecutions in Iran, but also news

MARY MRUGALSKI

Associated Press honors Baha’i radio news reporter

Mary Mrugalski, a Baha’i from Evanston, Illinois, who is a news reporter. for WMAQ Radio in Chicago, has been honored for her work by the Associated Press.

Ms. Mrugalski, who uses the professional name Mary Ann Meyers, won the AP’s 1984 Best Documentary award for the state of Illinois.

It was presented for a 30-minute documentary titled ‘‘Chicago’s Teen-age Assassins,” an in-depth look at street gangs that was broadcast on WMAQ as a public affairs program and as a five-part series.

Ms. Mrugalski, a native of Detroit, Michigan, has been in radio for seven years and before coming to Chicago worked in Denver, Colorado, and Madison, Wisconsin.

She became a Bahá’í last November.

To prepare the documentary on street gangs, Ms. Mrugalski rode with Chicago police officers, witnessed gang violence first-hand (including one murder), interviewed gang members and former gang members, the mother of a 12-yearold murder victim, police, prosecutors, a judge, and the Cook County medical examiner.

about other important events that can be used in the various local media outlets. For any PI rep who sincerely intends to work with the local media, the services we offer are invaluable.””

Besides the current news releases from the National Center, each PI rep who is listed with the Public Information Network also receives:

informative articles that explain how to work with the various branches of the local media;

special event day packets for

use in observing and public ing

THANKS FOR PUTTING BOUNCE INTO OUR LIVES! WE LOVE GETTING YOUR CLIPPINGS, LETTERS

FULL OF EXCITING REPORTS OF YOUR SUCCESSES, * AND PHOTOS, TOO!

Please understand that sometimes

our volume of mail is so great that we can’t respond personally to every

clipping

are appreciated.

KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERSAND CLIPPINGS—COMIN’!

Baha’i Audio-Visual Conference to be held.in Trinidad, West Indies

An International Baha’i AudioVisual Conference will be held August 2-5 in Trinidad, West Indies.

The International Baha’i Audio-Visual Centre is collaborating with CIRBAL in organizing the event.

The conference, designed for Baha’is who are already working in Baha’i radio or other audiovisual media as well as those with

such days as World Religion Day, Race Unity Day, etc.

At the present time, there are 694 reps and 140 committees plugged into this unique and historic media network. Every Baha’i community should take full advantage of the resources of the national office to more fully proclaim and publicize the Faith in their area.

Note: This only applies to reps who are directly involved in taking these news releases to media outlets. If you are a member of an intercommunity committee but not the individual charged with this specific responsibility, you need not submit your name. The committee itself is already listed.

we get—but thay sure

little or no experience, is to provide practical workshops in Baha’i radio production, performance and programming.

Those who would like to attend should write to the International Baha’i Audio-Visual Centre,

- Ontario L3T 2A1, Canada, or phone 416-8898168.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Legislative activity is alive and well around the country. Following is a brief status report on the passage of Teetions condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. STATES Resolutions passed Passed by one House — House passed Arkansas State House Louisiana Georgia Senate Montana Illinois House South Carolina Kansas House Utah Maryland House New York House North Dakota House West Virginia CITIES Resolutions passed Proclamations signed Adelanto, CA Greenville, SC Jefferson Parish, LA Florence, SC Greenfield, ‘oseville, ewood, OH aut The total number of states that have passed resolutions is 26.

[Page 24]Dee enn ee egestas arian

The American Bahá’í

Louhelen

Continued From Page 1 taneously, the Council intends to make significant progress toward the establishment of a diversified and well-developed institution of higher learning by the year 2000.

Educational arm

As the first step in developing the academic arm, the Council is opening a small residential college in connection with the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College in Flint.

Under this program, about 25 Baha’j students would helen and take credit-bearing courses at one of the colleges. A‘ ditionally, they would receive courses in Baha’i studies and in developing study skills, and would receive help in academic, personal and moral development from resident Baha’i counselors.

The program would be for one ‘or two years, with students then transferring to four-year schools or completing associate degrees.

“Our goal,” says Dr. Geoffry Marks, Louhelen’s academic director, “is to have 25 students for the fall of 1986. We would certainly open the program in the fall ‘of 1985 if we had enough students to make it viable.

“In fact,’’ he adds, ‘the response we’ve had to a survey of parents of Baha’i youth and to very limited publicity has been encouraging. More than 40 students have already indicated a desire to enroll in the program over the next three years.

Dr. Mehrdad Ehsani

man of the Spiritual Assembly of Bryan, Texas, and an assistant professor of electrical engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, has been honored by the local society for professional engineers as its 1984 Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year. Dr. Ehsani, the inventor of a new class of electronic power supply that has found application in large super-conductive magnets and energy storage systems, earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

at Lou- *

“We have also been quite pleased at receiving full support for these plans from the officials at UM-Flint and Mott Community College.”

The residential college would initially be limited in size so that Louhelen could continue to offer weekend conferences and summer and winter sessions for the Baha’i community.

Over the course of the subsequent 10 years, the student body would increase and more lodging facilities would be added so that Louhelen could continue to hold conferences as well.

As the student body increases, steps will be taken leading toward independent accreditation.

Initially, credit for the Baha’i and study skills courses would be secured. Then, increasingly, courses in other areas would be taught at Louhelen by Baha’i faculty until the entire curriculum would be offered at Louhelen with full accreditation.

Service arm

Over the next decade a number of service agencies will be established, designed to help the general community in areas in which the Baha’i Faith has a special impact. The first of these agencies is the Center for Interracial Understanding.

That Center, presently composed of a committee of Baha’is from Michigan with recognized expertise in race relations, education and business, is currently conducting assessments of need and preparing position papers to define clearly the role of that agency in working with educational, business and government institutions. The Center is expected to begin functioning by the fall of 1986.

The Center, as well as the other service agencies, will conduct workshops, hold conferences, provide consultative services, undertake research, and work with other public and private agencies.

Through its services, and through conferences sponsored at Louhelen, the Center would support itself financially after the first one or two years. Initially, it will be staffed by an executive secretary and volunteers.

Other service agencies envisioned by the Council include centers for teacher training, marriage and family life, and youth development.

Research and publication arm

Louhelen is actively engaged in the production and dissemination of educational and special materials through its ‘Reflections’ office.

Audio and video cassettes of major talks given at Louhelen are presently being produced, as are some child education materials, most notably ‘“‘Hands On!,’’ an extensive handbook of class activities developed by Sandy and Alonzo Coleman and Diane Petit.

These activities will continue as one aspect of the research and publication arm, and will be grad ually expanded.

In addition, materials produced by the Center for Interracial Understanding and other service agencies, and by the residential college, will be developed and distributed. Educational activities books and games employing Baha’i principles but geared to a general audience will be developed for sale.

Scholarly publications, resulting from a. scholar-in-residence program in connection with the college, will also be developed as part of research activities into the application of the Baha’i teachings to important social, educational and theological issues.

Continuing education

Since Louhelen opened in-1931, it has functioned as a retreat and conference center for members of the Baha’i community. Under the newly adopted plan, the retreat and conference center would continue to evolve, increasing the quality and quantity of its programs.

The retreat and conference center is analogous to the continuing education arm of a university and will continue to play an important role in the expansion and consolidation of the Baha’i community as the other arms of the school develop.

Prospects

“One of the challenges we face in ‘developing long-range plans,”’ says Dr. William Diehl, Louhelen’s administrative director, “‘is that we know from the Writings and messages of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice that the next 10 to 15 years will be full of enormous potential for development as well as for destruction.

“‘We can’t foretell how soon or how rapidly the Faith will expand or how the world’s financial and political situations will change and affect us. So we have to have plans that are phased and systematic, and that can be held at a certain level or expanded rapidly, depending upon changing circum Copyright Continued From Page 15

Trust, and they do not benefit you. The only people who profit are the manufacturers of the books or cassettes.

When the friends wholeheartedly support the Publishing Trust by freely purchasing new materials, its income increases, the inventory expands, and the prices you pay are lower as the manufacturing costs decrease.

There are occasions when the Publishing Trust gives permission to duplicate its materials. If you or your community feels that you have such a need, please telephone the Publishing Trust and ask to speak to someone regarding copyright. permissions.

The staff will be happy to advise you about your situation and help you avoid violating copyright laws.

Dr. Geoffry Marks (left), the Louhelen Baha’i School’s academic director, and Dr. William Diehl (right), Louhelen’s administrative director, are pictured with Charles

stances.

“This development plan allows such flexibility. Equally important, it calls for each of the arms of the school, after a year of startup, to be financially self-supporting and hence not a drain on the resources of the National Fund or the operating budget of the retreat and conference center.””

Such financial self-sufficiency is vital to Louhelen’s development plans. The Council intends to do this in several ways.

First, the Council is seeking about $70,000 in seed money to start the residential college, expand the publications services and support the executive secretary for the Center for Interracial Understanding during the first year.

Some funds have already been contributed and pledges for more funds have been made. The Council welcomes additional contributions and will be happy to talk with anyone interested in making

Milwaukee Baha’is,

Rickard, director of admissions at the University of Michigan-Flint, and Dr. Angela M. Reeves, director of admissions at Mott Community College in Flint.

a donation. s

Also, the National Spiritual Assembly has established the Faizi Endowment for Education, which will be instrumental in the longrange support and development of Louhelen.

The Faizi Endowment has been in place for two years, and several thousand dollars has been contributed and invested in secure investments. Once the Endowment has $500,000, the interest will begin to be used to help Louhelen become self-sufficient.

The Louhelen Baha’i School Council encourages the friends to write to the school for more information about any aspect of these plans, to apply for entrance into the residential college, or to volunteer services or materials in any area. Presentations about the school’s development plans may also be arranged upon request.

The school’s address is 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

Interfaith group

co-sponsor Religion Day observance

The Baha’i community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, co-sponsored a World Religion Day observance in January with the Milwaukee Association for Interfaith Relations (MAIR).

About 75 people attended the program whose theme was ‘‘The Oneness of God: Exploring the Impact.””

The keynote speaker was the Rev. John Fischer, executive director of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches, who spoke on. “One God and Contemporary Realities.””

Following his address, workshops explored the oneness of God from several perspectives. They were conducted by a rabbi, a Protestant minister, a Catholic theologian, three university, professors, and Auxiliary Board member Dr. Khalil Khavari.

Music was provided by the tape “Loving Hands,”’ recorded by the Baha’i group ‘‘Heartbeat.’”

Publicity included articles in two Milwaukee newspapers, interviews on two television programs, a public radio broadcast, and spots on other radio and TV stations.

Courses on Faith given

at Denver university

Three courses related to the Faith were offered recently at the Denver (Colorado) Free University.

The courses, each of which was taught by Seymour Weinberg, a Baha’i from Denver, were “‘Introduction to the Baha’i Faith,” “The Nuclear War Crisis—Spiritual Dimensions,’’ and “‘Armageddon—Religious, Philosophical and Sociological Perspectives.”

Sixteen students were enrolled in the course on Armageddon, 14in the course on the nuclear war crisis, and seven in the introductory course on the Faith.

[Page 25]SOCIAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

April 1985

25

Questions and Answers

Does social, economic development mean undertaking a service project?

This is the first in a series of questions which the national Social and Economic Development Committee will be presenting to the community to be used as springboards for consultation in communities as they begin the process of social and economic development. This will be a forum in which the committee will be able to respond to the questions that are being raised among the friends.

.

Question: Is social and economic development a service project?

Answer: Maybe. In the October 1983 letter from the Universal House of Justice, we find these statements:

“The steps to be taken must necessarily begin in the Bahd’{ community itself, with the friends endeavoring, through their application of spiritual principles, their rectitude of conduct and the practice of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus become self-sufficient and self-reliant. Moreover, these exertions will conduce to the preservation of human honor, so desired by Baha’ u’ lah. In the process and as a consequence, the friends will undoubtedly extend the benefits of their efforts to society as a whole, until all mankind achieves the progress intended by the Lord of the Age.””

Some communities and individuals, in their eagerness to begin social and economic development (SED), have apparently failed to notice this part of the letter. These efforts require the community to first assess its own needs; that is to say, the needs of the individual Baha’ is including the so-called “‘inactive’’ Baha’is.

There are a variety of ways to determine needs, but the scope of the inquiry should be directed toward identifying the personal needs of the Baha’is. This may range from problems of unemployment, loneliness, career counseling, health care, education, etc. These problems may be the result of racism or discrimination against women or minorities.

SED means that the Baha’i community must define the boundaries not by municipal lines, but rather by the human needs of the friends. Beginning to assess the needs of the friends should also cause the community to assess its resources (human and financial) to determine how best to address its needs.

It should be clearly understood that SED is not an optional activity; rather, it is the core activity of the Baha’i community. Ministering to the needs of the followers of Baha’u’llah will attract attention and seekers from all walks of life.

Baha’ is represent a cross-section of the people of this country. The letter from the House of Justice indicates that in ‘‘the process’? of undertaking these endeavors and ‘‘as a consequence,’’ we will extend its benefits to the greater community.

Weare building a new World Order, using the Berean of the Faith as our guide. This effort requires that each community find out how the “dynamic coherence”’ (application of spiritual principles to practical problems) will work. Learning comes through experience.

There aren’t any prescribed fool-proof systems to plan. There are numerous methods that have been developed by professionals in the development field, by management consultants.and the like. Many of those approaches have much to offer in aiding a community.

However, many of these “technical approaches” may be beyond the education of the friends or may be too technical for them. Each community in beginning its own needs assessment will also learn about the establishment of a community. A community is built on love, caring, trust and sound vision, not on a formula.

The enduring attributes that should characterize the Baha’i community are the same as those personal attributes we are trying to acquire in our daily lives.

W. Washington School seeks teachers

August) or the three-day winter session (late December).

The committee will pay your tuition and may be able to offer scholarships (full or partial) to any family members accompanying you. If you’ve already been ‘‘spoken ror’”” or have made plans for the coming year, contact us anyway for 1986 or 1987.

Please contact either of the fol Are you interested in being a teacher of children or youth at a quality Baha’i school?

Would you like to take a week’s vacation in the beautiful Northwest and be able to use the travel costs as a tax deduction?

Good! Because the Western

Washington Baha’i Schools Com- fe mittee warmly invites you to be a teacher at either its week-long summer session (late July or early

lowing: Be like the fountain— Karl Seehorn, empty yourself, and be refilled Kent, WA 98042 Natiocal abel’ resia (phone 206-631-7475). Becky Cleere, Longimette, IL. 1 Nibae. coca rams view, WA 98632 (phone 206-4253703).

Idaho Baha’is give Native Americans dignity through remedial education

A small community of Baha’is in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation had consulted for more than a year about how they could best serve the needs of the Indian community.

ONE OF the believers, Ferris Paisano, who had training as a GED teacher, conducted a study of the educational needs of the people and found that 80 per cent of the youth ages 18-30 had not completed high school, and that the unemployment rate among that group was nearly 90 per cent.

At the same time, the Tribal Council refused to allow the Baha’i community to hold meetings in its building. This community, the majority of whom are Native Americans, immediately decided it was necessary to have their own facility where they could hold meetings and offer remedial edusagen classes for the young people.

Soon afterward, a building became available for $10,000. It was formerly the first Indian-owned bank in the U.S. and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The national Social and Economic Development Committee consulted with the friends about their plans and ideas. They decided to buy the building, and within six weeks had raised $2,000 as a down payment.

The Baha’is have now taken occupancy of the building and are fixing it up. Since January they have offered classes as a service to the Native Americans on the Reservation.

LONG-RANGE plans are not completed, but they visualize the Baha’i Center and a soon-to-bevacated church across the street as the educational and vocational

New I.D. cards sent in March

New red and white Baha’i identification cards were printed for distribution during March. They were mailed by state/region over a one- to two-week period and should arrive by mid-April.

Anyone who does not receive his/her new red and white Baha’i membership card by mid-April should contact the Office of Membership and Records. We'll need to know your name, present address and Baha’; identification number so we can be sure our records are correct.

A new membership card will be issued as soon as you let us know you did not receive one. Please write to the Office of Membership and Records, Baha’i_ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

hub for that area,

Their focus is to enable people to become self-sufficient and selfreliant and to feel the dignity that Baha’u’llah speaks of. They are eager for pioneers to join the community and are especially interested in attracting Persian be Survey

Continued From Page 5

fair, and only one per cent considered them to be poor.

Several of the comments about the tapes pointed to the feeling that they were too long or varied in quality. The committee han ling the Feast tapes has been it formed of these comments and is working toward a tighter format.

Fund articles

Short of individual letters, The American Bahda’i serves as the most direct means of communication. Therefore, the Office of the Treasurer is deeply concerned that this communication vehicle is effective and well-liked by the community.

In 76 per cent of the cases, Assemblies felt that the Fund articles deserved a good rating; 18 per cent rated them fair, while two per cent considered them poor.

Several commented that they only skimmed the page and usually did not read it in detail.

Local treasurer’s report

The majority of the Assemblies (59 per cent) rated their report as good. However, many communi

lievers.

Lapwai is a vital and important start toward the goal stated by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridvan 1984 message to the U.S. to launch pilot projects of social and economic development on one or two Indian Reservations.

ties (34 per cent) rated the Fund report as fair while five per cent thought they were poor.

This appears to be the communicatons form that requires the most work.

To help, the Treasurer’s Office has begun ‘‘Fundamentals,”’ a bi- _ monthly newsletter for local treasurers designed to inform, educate and share creative ideas throughout the country.

In addition, a wealth of materials is available from your National Treasurer’s Representative (NTR). These can help your community with inspirational and educational matters related to the Fund.

For a complete listing of NTRs, please refer to the October 1984 issue of The American Baha’i. The NTRs are a good resource ... get to know them!

The Fund Progress Survey provides an opportunity to evaluate objectively the effectiveness of the Office of the Treasurer and the Fund-related activities of the local community.

We do enjoy hearing from you and would appreciate your comments. Write to the Office of the Treasurer, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

___ from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Le

New Music from HEARTBEAT!

60 minutes: stereo cassette only

order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to:

Bahd‘i Distribution Service

413 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 w ik. 1-800+323<180

Price valid only in the Lins

Nineteen songs by Jean Marks & Susan Engle (of the Come and Sing album) that will delight children

of all ages. A blend of vocals, guitar, piano,

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, dulcimer, fiddle and banjo.

Side 1 Songs about aspects of Baha'i life

Side 2:

Devotional music for quiet moments

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ee ee

[Page 26]

PAGINA HISPANA

26

JAVIER HUSAYN CUBERO

Joven baha’i no deja la barrera de idioma impedir su progreso

En 1974, cuando a los ocho afios vino a los Estados Unidos desde Espajia, Javier Husayn Cubero hablaba casi nada del inglés.

“Tenia que escribirle tarjetas en espafiol e inglés,”’ dice su padre, el Dr Antonio Cubero, ‘‘para que pudiera comunicar.””

Desde aquel entonces, el joven Javier, miembro de la comunidad baha’i de Largo, Florida, ha hecho progreso notable.

Después de un aiio en la escuela media, le pusieron en un programa para estudiantes talentosos.

Completé la escuela media y la secundaria de Largo con notas superiores en todas las materias, logré un promedio de 4.46 y como el mejor estudiante gand el derecho y honor de dar el discurso de despedida al fin del curso.

EI profesorado le dié, unanimemente, el honor mas alto de la escuela, el Premio Balfour por excelencia en erudicién, realizacién y lealtad.

Ademas Javier fue presidente de los clubs de ajedrez y computadoras, vice-presidente del club espafiol, miembro de la Sociedad Nacional de Honor, receptor de premios por excelencia en escritura, matematica, inglés, ciencia y estudios sociales, y recibidor de un premio de la Asociacién Nacional de Maestros de Inglés por un cuento que escribié.

Fue un Escolar de Mérito Nacional y recibié varias becas universitarias de hospitales y otras organizaciones tanto como cartas de congratulacién del Presidente Reagan, miembros del Congreso y otros funcionarios.

Presentemente Javier esta en el programa de honores en la Universidad de Florida en Gainesville donde también sirve como tesorero del Club Baha’i.

Nuestro gran privilegio

Fondo Nacional Baha’i Wilmette, IL 60091

Buscando la presencia de Dios

Cada mes The American Bahá’í recibe cartas al redactor sobre cualquier tema de interés general. El propésito es permitir un intercambio libre y abierto de ideas y opiniones, sin derrogar la opinién de otra persona o atacarla de manera personal. Nos gustaria recibir cartas en espafol, también.

Las cartas deben ser tan breve como posible (se sugiere un maximo de 250 palabras). Las cartas estan sujetas a redaccién en cuanto a largo y estilo. Favor de enviarlas a: Editor, The American Baha’, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

°

Estimado Redactor:

Una de las metas fundamentales de la religién es alcanzar la presencia de Dios. ;Como podemos practicar la realidad de la Presencia de Dios? ;Cémo podemos recordar a El cuando todos los dias tenemos que atender el cuido del cuerpo, la muerte, la familia,

el hogar, la vecindad y la comunidad?

~COMO podemos comulgar con Dios cuando debemos pasar nuestros dias entre las distracciones del mercado, en la escuela 0 el trabajo, en la sociedad o el recreo?

Es lo mas dificil volverse desprendido del mundo, como sugieren nuestras ensefianzas, hasta aprender la gran realidad de la religin, el gran secreto del misticismo—que el espiritu de Dios est4 presente en todos estos lugares’y actividades, en todas las criaturas y todos los hombres.

Nos volvemos verdaderamente religiosos cuando dejamos de pensar en la religién solamente en términos de la iglesia y la oracién, de santuarios y el clero.

El esclarecimiento mencionado en los escritos sagrados nos viene en grados mientras nos damos cuenta de que siempre estamos en la presencia de Dios.

Cuando el poder de la Presencia unificadora de Dios llega a ser una realidad viva en nuestras vidas, entonces el gran principio baha’i de “‘sumision radiante’’ se vuelve nuestra respuesta diaria a los desafios inevitables de la vida.

ENTONCES las pruebas y dificultades, la vida experimentada como un problema diario, se desvanecen, y las palabras de Cristo toman un nuevo. significado: “‘Venid a mi todos, los que estais fatigados y cargados, que yo os aliviaré.””

Dice Bahd’u’ll4h (Pasajes, p. 122): ‘*...por cuanto El, el Soberano Sejior de todo, ha dispuesto revelar su soberania en el reino de los nombres y atributos, toda cosa creada, por el acto de la Voluntad Divina, ha sido hecha un signo de su gloria.

“Tan penetrante y universal es

esta revelacién que en todo el universo, no puede descubrirse nada

Encuentro casual demuestra poder de la Causa

Durante una vacaci6n corta frui

a Vermont a visitar al padre de un amigo en una area tranquila y remota cerca de una montafia hermosa. EL HABIA ido al pueblo de negocio, y yo fui de paseo con su perro por un camino bordeado de Arboles hacia la carretera.

Al aproximarme a una pradera cerca de la carretera, vi una casa recostada en una colina. ondulante. Una vieja muralla de piedra seguia el camino, extendiéndose hacia un riachuelo y un puente pequefio d madera.

En la distancia vi a un hombre cortando la maleza excesiva que habia crecido. Al acercarle vi que levaba un sombrero estilo ‘‘cowboy’” y que era bajo de estatura. Talvez, me dije sorprendido, un mexicano o un indigena.

Acercandole mas, vi que usaba un machete con una diestreza adquirida por una vida de experiencia.

Con mi espaifiol limitado y su inglés fragmentario hablamos, y tuvimos una conversacién extraordinaria que relataré lo mejor que puedo.

El era, dijo, un indigena de Guatemala quien con su esposa buscé refugio de las cuadrillas de muerte en ese pais.

ME CONTO como ninguno estd seguro, como a uno se le puede llevar en medio de la noche y matarlo sin ni un juicio ni la oportunidad de escuchar la acusacién y responder.

Mencioné que mi conocimiento limitado del espafiol fue adquirido en Centro- y Sudamérica donde produci dos peliculas sobre la Fe Baha’i.

Al escuchar las palabras ‘‘la Fe Baha’i,’’ se iluminé la cara con reconocimiento.

“Baha'u'llah,” dijo, pronunciado la palabra perefectemente. “Muchos, muchos de mis amigos

Este comentario fue escrito por Mark Sadan de Ossining, New York.

en mi regién son Baha’js; aunque yo soy cristiano, amo a la Fe Baha’i y las ensefianzas de Baha’u’llah.

“Si al ‘menos el mundo escuchiera-esas ensefianzas de justicia y unidad, ya no habria matanza y sufrimiento.””

Le pregunté como sabia tanto sobre la Fe—gde sus amigos, o por haber leido algo?

REPLICO que la mayoria de la gente de su region tenian una educacin limitada, pero varias veces por semana habia un programa por radio que comenzaba a las siete de la tarde que él y muchos otros escuchaban.

El programa tocaba musica de su gente; ensefiaba cosas utiles a los agricultores, madres y familias, y hablaba de Bahá’u’lláh, la historia de la Fe, sus ensefianzas y oraciones.

Amigos, estando en ese camino remoto de las montafias de Vermont, escuchando a este indigena

medio analfabeto de Guatemala

que habia buscado el refugio en ese pueblo, fui tan conmovido por el poder de Baha’u’llah, por el maravilloso, inconmensurable labor y servicio de los pioneros en trabajar con los creyentes locales, que quise compartir este mensaje de esperanza y vida que tanto supera el faccionismo politico y religioso, y la confusién de nuestra era.

Al ensejiar, al contribuir al fondo, al rezar y esforzarnos para hacer algo, forjamos lazos de amor entre nuestros corazones.

Durante el breve encuentro este campesino de Guatemala y yo éramos verdaderos hermanos. El sabia del sufrimiento de los baha’is en el Iran, y sentia una solidaridad entre ellos, si mismo y

el sufrimiento de su propia gente indigena.

“Y cuando mejoren las cosas,”” dijo, ‘‘regresaré a mi pueblo en Guatemala que también es muy hermoso, como aqui en Vermont, para estar con mi familia y amiBOs ...””

Al despedirnos, no pude sino reflexionar sobre Rúḥíyyih Khanum quien habia hablado de como los indigenas de Norte- y Sudamérica, al comprender la Luz de Baha’u’llah, la llevaran adelante como un faro para nuestra civilizacién oscura y moribunda occidental.

El Estudio tos

Escri Baha’

Recopilacién de Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y cartas de Shoghi Effendi, sobre la necesidad de profundizar las Ensefanzas, realizada por el Departamento de Estudios de la Casa Universal de Justicia.

Enc. rdstica Obtenible de: Baha’i Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

honee 1S:cne

que no refleje se esplandor. En tales circunstancias toda consideracién de proximidad o lejania es eliminada ...””

Y otra vez (Pasajes, p. 123): “Sin embargo, aquellos corazones que son conscientes de su Presencia, estan cerca de El y deben considerarse como que se han aproximado su trono.”’

iNo seria maravilloso si como los nifios en la cuenta de hada, tuviéramos una botella con un genio oculto adentro que nos otorgaria cada deseo?

iTenemos! ;Tenemos! /Ti eres la ‘“‘botella,’’ y el **genio”’ es el Espiritu Santo! ,Cual es tu deseo, © hijo de Dios—gcual es tu deseo? Charles Beachner

Santa Rosa, California

Estimado Redactor:

No hay tema mas discutido en la comunidad baha’i que los martires y la persecucién de los baha’is en Iran.

TOCA cada comunidad y afecta cada nivel de la vida baha’i. Sin embargo, demasiadas veces los miartires se vuelven la causa de demasiado pesadumbre y ansiedad. Con demasiado frecuencia, la verdadera naturaleza de su sacrificio esta mal entendido, en la cara de nuestra respuesta profundamente emocional a su situacién.

Para los baha’is en Iran, las alternativas son claras: vivir la vida bahd’i y sufrir, talvez hasta ser matado; o perder la vida y vivir en la seguridad y comodidad relativas.

Véase CARTAS Pig. 27

ere

144 pags. $4.00

4

[Page 27]The American Baha’i

April 1985

27

More ads

SINGER/instrumentalist looking for 4-5 other accomplished musicians in the Chicago area (drummer, bassist, guitarist, keyboard player, sax/brass) to form a dance band for light jazz, rock and pop styles. Need good players who can devote two or three evenings a week on a flexible schedule for rehearsal. Am hoping to have an ensemble ready for the Ohio State Youth Conference in July. If interested, please phone Merrill Miller, 312-945-6639, evenings.

TWO MEDICAL doctors needed to fill a goal in Lesotho and take over practice for 11/2 years with possible extension. House and car provided. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

JOB available for teacher of English: no experience needed, will train in second language teaching skills and provide room, board and Spanish lessons. Be a guest of the Javier-McKeever English Language Institute in southern Mexico for summer terms (May 16-July 1 or July 1-August 15) or come for school year (September 1-July 1). Opportunities to teach eager native seekers and deepen with believers. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

HELP fill a goal: teach English as a second language in Guatemala. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312869-9039).

DATA processing manager needed in Cyprus: fluent in English, university degree with computer science, 2-3 years experience in data processing and experience in NCR equipment desirable. Contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania, a lovely and historic small town surrounded by hills and farm land but only two hours from Philadelphia or New York, needs homefront pioneers to help save its two-year-old Assembly. The city is part of a rapidly growing tri-city area (Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton) known as the Lehigh Valley, which has five universities and several major industries. The Baha’is of the Lehigh Valley are a dynamic, caring, active community of 21 adults, four youth and 14 children, but if the Bethlehem Assembly (now down to eight members) is lost, there will be no Assembly in the area. We need you! Write to Bridget George, secretary,

Bethlehem, PA 18015, or phone 215-867-1689.

Carlsbad Bahda’is offer crime/safety program

Responding to the Universal House of Justice’s letter encouraging service projects, the Baha’is of Carlsbad, California, recently presented a crime preventionsafety education program, “‘Housewise Streetwise,’ for the parents and children of Carlsbad.

The day-long program, presented in cooperation with the Carlsbad Police Department and Casa de Amparo, a home for battered

children, drew more than 50 youngsters from age six to teenagers.

Originally developed in Greenville County, South Carolina, as a week-long presentation, it was adapted by the Baha’is in Carlsbad as a one-day event which covered the salient points.

The program comes complete with curriculum guides and other materials and employs films, artwork, games, activity sheets, guest speakers, discussions, and even a puppet show to teach children

how to make choices in difficult situations or emergencies.

A member of the Baha’f community of Carlsbad heard about’ the program from a traveler on an airplane on which she was a stewardess.

After sending for the materials, she enlisted the help of friends in Carlsbad, found a local school in which to hold the program, and, with the help of another Baha’i as well as community members, set about putting it on.

Also helping were many youth from the area who helped man the activity areas.

To receive information about the packaged program, which would be suitable for almost any community, one need only write to ‘‘Housewise Streetwise,’’ Room 318, Greenville County Courthouse, Greenville, SC 29601. The cost for the program is minimal.

Children in Carlsbad, California, view a puppet show as a part of ‘Housewise Streetwise,’ a daylong crime prevention-safety education program presented for par ents and children in that city by the Baha’is of Carlsbad in cooperation with the city’s Police Department and Casa de Amparo, a home for battered children.

Nashville Assembly to commemorate its 50th anniversary

The Bahaé’{ community of Nashville, Tennessee, is planning a year-long series of events this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of its Assembly.

Using as its theme “‘The Baha’i Faith in Nashville: A Source of Unity for 50 Years,” the community is planning a.number of major events including a Reunion Banquet over the Memorial Day weekend.

Any Bahda’i who has been associated in any way with the Nashville community over the past 50 years is cordially invited to attend.

Other anniversary year programs are planned for World Peace Day and Human Rights Day.

Cartas

De pag. 26

A cada uno se da el derecho de escoger. La mayoria han escogido vivir la vida bahd’i, y aguantar la persecucidn salvaje que sigue tal decisién.

Cuando a un bahd’i se le mata por rehusar negar su Fe, es como una rafaga de luz cegadora. La luz es tan intensa, tan terrible, que muchas veces es la tinica cosa que recordamos.

Se nos olvida que esta muerte, por tan cruel que sea, es nada mas un instante, y concentramos demasiado en el hecho de matar y morir. Por eso cargamos solamente el pesar, la amargura, el dolor de sus vidas.

Se nos escapa la felicidad de sus vidas, y su humanidad.

SE DEBE recordar que estos hombres y mujeres son no sdlo héroes y heroinas, no son seres superhumanos con qualidades superhumanas; son gente como nosotros.

Como nosotros nacieron, crecieron, declararon su fe, alababan

Bahai Faith

in Nashville

A SOURCE OF UNITY FOR FIFTY YEARS

Anyone wishing information about the Reunion Banquet or any other event is asked to contact Farsheed Ferdowsi,

Brentwood, TN

. 37027. Phone 615-373-1103 or

a Dios, se sentian frustrados, lloraban, enseaban, aprendian, conocian gran felicidad y dolor, vivian y trabajaban en sus comunidades, y dieron sus vidas.

Para nosotros los obstéculos son superar nuestra timidez, forjar conecciones con el resto del mundo, y aplicarnos al labor dificil de nuestra transformacién personal.

Para ellos, los obstaculos son la persecuci6n, la amenaza constante de ser tomado preso y la ejecucién, y el desafio de vivir la vida baha’i en una sociedad que es abiertamente hostil.

Esta gente han dado sus vidas a Dios, no sélo en morirse sino en el hecho mismo de vivir. Contra condiciones aparentemente insuperables, encarados con la amenaza de la muerte, han escogido ensefiar, proclamar la Fe y seguir las leyes de Bahá’u’lláh.

Han abandonado una vida de seguridad por una de peligro constante. Esto no es un motivo para la tristeza; es motivo para la felicidad.

POR MEDIO de su sacrificio

Name

Address

Phone number ( )

Will you attend with your family? ___ Yes ___ No.

Number in your party

Will you require accommodations or transportation while in Nashville? Yes No

Please mail to Farsheed Ferdowsi, Brentwood, TN 37027.

615-327-4202.

If you would like to attend the Reunion Banquet, simply clip and send the registration form.

han mostrado que la fe del individuo puede superar el odio y brutalidad de una sociedad entera.

En su decisién de aguantar han encontrado la libertad, y han sefialado el sendero hacia ella para toda la humanidad.

No niego el dolor que el sufrimiento de los bahd’is iranies nos ha traido. Yo lo siento, y continuaré a sentirlo mientras sigua el sufrimiento. Y si, creo que debemos recordar a los mértires frecuentemente.

Pero cuando los recordamos, que lo hagamos no sélo con lagrimas. Que los recordemos con nuestras sonrisas, nuestra risa y nuestras vidas.

Compartamos con ellos su libertad. Y compartamos su regocijo, un recocijo que la violencia salvaje de este mundo nunca podra deslustrar o superar.

Sélo de esta manera podemos aliviar el pesar, terminar la amargura y empezar a curar el dolor.

Charles P. Martin Concord, California

To see how much teaching $10 can buy, try World Order

How far will $10 go? What kind of teaching can $10 buy?

Nowadays, $10 will perhaps buy a tank of gas to take you to an extension teaching goal, but not much else.

But there is a way to spend $10 for teaching, a way that you can be sure will have a lasting effect.

It costs only $10 for a one-year subscription to World Order magazine, a subscription that any person, committee or Spiritual Assembly can buy for your local library.

You can make sure that your library carries not only the Creative Word but a journal that speaks to today’s issues.

About 200 libraries in the U.S. subscribe to World Order, either directly or as a gift. Would the library in your town be interested? World Order is a $10 teaching tool your town can’t afford to be without.

For more information, write to Subscriber Service, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

|e ee EEO LET TE ME TE IE TE AR A RS ET FPR TS EE RESTS

[Page 28]MEMBERSHIP & RECORDS

The American Baha’i

28

Please tell us where you want your Assembly mail to go and what the Assembly’s current address is.

Remember that all Assembly mail will be sent in care of the secretary unless you request that Fund receipts be sent directly to

the treasurer. \

N N N

Please fill all information requested for officers of your Assembly including name, Baha’i identification number, current address and telephone numbers.

If you are not able to elect officers right away, please appoint a temporary correspondent ‘and list that person’s name, address, Baha’i identification number and_ telephone number in the box for corresponding secretary. ‘When you elect officers at a later date, report them on the Local Spiritual Assembly Officer and Address Change form.

Election forms which have been sent to existing Assemblies will have the Assembly’s address label already attached over the upper right-hand box where the locality name, Baha’i locality code

and district are requested.

If this is not the case with your Assembly, please be sure to provide your locality name, Baha’i locality code and district in this

box.

Your Baha’i locality code can be found on your membership printout or your mailing label on the Assembly’s copy of The

American Baha'i.

XN

Zk / LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY FORMATION REPORT FORM Fee 00 oat <= - See 7

ASSEMBLY MAIL

[Send ait mait tor Secretary to: Sendmail for Treasurer to: © Assembly address given below C Assembly address given below

(Post Office Box, Banat (Post Office Box. Bahai Center etc)

Center. etc) JO Secretarys nome address Treasurer's home address

lAssemblys Agdress (t atterent man Secretary's home address)

Locality Name

Baha’ Locality Code _

District __

The Communtys Bans} Locauty Code Can be lound on any compute pred Arseny manng

Sweet Rasa Raia wr Post Once Box Nomber

Gay, Sia. Ee oom

COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOUR ARE REPORTING AN ASSEMBLY ELECTION

For each Assembly member, provide the following information:

Votes

Name 10 Received

Remember to send the yellow copy to the National Center and keep the blue copy for your files.

You can look for identification numbers on your community membership printout, the person’s Baha’i membership card, or & person’s address label from The American Bahá’í.

COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS FORM

‘ centity, on behalf of the Local Spintual As thal all nine members. ‘of the Assembly are Banaiis in good stanaing and that they are registered by the National Spiritual Assembly o! the Bahais of the United States as members of the Amencan Bahai community.

Signature Print Name

Home Phones a) aie

Work

Monies) sc oy ‘ives Cae ‘ies Coe

In this box, please list all nine names and Baha’i identification numbers of Assembly members, and the number of votes each member received. You need not fill in this section if you are forming by

The secretary of the Assembly, or the person assigned to help in its formation, should complete this box certifying that he or she has verified the membership of each Assembly member.

Please be sure to priut your mame, as well as sign it, and to provide us with your telephone numbers.

[Page 29]

MEMBERSHIP & RECORDS

29

April 1985

Here are samples of both sides of the Rigvan election form for this year. We have highlighted each section with a short explanation to help you questions you may have about the form. In addition, please note the following:

1. Remember to complete both sides of the form and to include all requested information.

2. If you are not able to find an identification num of side B.

If you are forming by election, please complete the top section

ber or some other piece of information, please attach an explanation to the form, such as, ‘‘new believer, doesn’t have ID card yet.’’

3. If your Assembly does not receive election materials in time for Ridvan, you may request extra forms and instructions from your District Teaching Committee or the National Spiritual Assembly, or you may cut these forms out of The American Bahdé’{ and use them.

4. Please review the forms before sending them in to be sure you've included as much information as po: je and an explanation for anything you have had to omit. Remember that we are receiving and recording information from more than 1,700 Assemblies, and sometimes inadvertent mistakes and incomplete or incorrect information on an election form will cause delays in getting your Assembly’s information properly recorded.

An election meeting was heldon ___

Number Voting in Person | Number Voting by Absentee Ballot

Total Number of Ballots Cast

Number of invalid Ballots, If Any

Total Number of Valid Ballots Cast Number of Believers Not Voting

Total Number of Adult Believers in Locality

T E L L E R s R E P ° R t

COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE REPORTING AN ASSEMBLY ELECTION

The following should be reported to the community after the ballots are counted:

[TELLERS (There must be more than one) * (HAS THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTED THE TELLERS’

SIDE B

REPORT’ ou a Pane NS ‘Pane No Pree Re ‘Sepaire of Chel Tener ae

(COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE REPORTING A JOINT DECLARATION

An election meeting was held on _. 19. at pm.

If you are forming by joint declaration, please complete the bottom sectien of side B.

1D Number* Name

Signature

You can look for identification numbers on your community membership printout, a person’s Baha’i membership card, or a person’s address label from The American Bahá’í.

ZO-A>DPromO AZZ—-OT

‘The Community» Bana: Locanty Cade can be fovnd on ary comouse prise ‘aoe

7 Assemey ang Indra! Numbers are on he memeoe'sho at he mamoerao coe, and The American Baha baarens

PLEASE REPORT ELECTION OF OFFICERS ON| REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM

[Page 30]The American Baha'i

30

VIE Chart

Continued From Page 5 ‘Starting Block’ Info

District Name Number Percentage of as of 12/9/84 giving _ participation

Colorado NE _ ~ ~Colorado SE

Colorado W

Connecticut

DelMarVa

Florida C

Florida N

Florida SE

Florida SW

Georgia NE

Georgia NW

Georgia S

Idaho N/Washington E

Idaho S

Illinois N No. 1

Illinois N No. 2

Ilinois S

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Loui Louisiana S Maine

Maryland W/D.C. Massachusetts Michigan Mainland Minnesota N Minnesota S Mississippi Missouri

Montana Navajo/Hopi Nebraska

Nevada N

Nevada S

New Hampshire New Jersey

New Mexico N New Mexico S/Texas W New York E

New York W North Carolina C North Carolina E North Carolina W North Dakota Ohio N

Ohio S

Oklahoma E Oklahoma W Oregon E

Oregon W Pennsylvania E Pennsylvania W Rhode Island South Carolina C South Carolina E No. 1

South Carolina N South Carolina S No. 1 South Carolina S No. 2 South Carolina W South Dakota Tennessee E

Tennessee W

Texas C No. I

Texas C No. 2

Texas E No. 1

Texas E No. 2

Texas N

Texas S

Utah

Vermont

Virginia N

Virginia S

Washington NW Washington SW

West Virginia

Wis. N/Peninsular Mich. Wisconsin S

‘Wyoming

Current Month Info (Sharaf) Membership Number Percentage of (01/08/85) giving participation

As a means of raising money to finance a trip to the International Youth Conference next July in Columbus, Ohio, by Baha’i youth on the Indian Reservation in Wanblee, South Dakota, the District Youth Committee of Colorado is taking bids in a ‘silent auction’ for this painting by Ms. Jalal Quinn, a Bahai artist from Boulder, which honors Mirz4 Mihdi, the ‘Purest Branch.’ By ‘silent auction’ is meant that the highest bidder will receive the painting, but the money collected from all lower bids will be retained and go to the special fund. Since the painting is

valued at $600 and the frame at $100, it will be given only to one who bids more than $300. However, any bid lower than that will be welcomed and considered as a contribution to this fund. Bids will be opened Thursday, May 2. If you would like to bid, please make your check or money order payable to ‘Bahá’í District Youth Committee of Colorado’ and send it to the committee c/o Chris Weixelman,

Boulder, CO 80303. If you have any questions, write to that address or phone 303-499-1350.

Pioneers Continued From Page 6

succeed in whatever we do for the Faith.

No believer, if he or she relies upon Baha’u’llah, is incapable of pioneering to serve the Faith. Shoghi Effendi tells us:

“The task summoning us to a challenge, unprecedented in its gravity and force, is too vast and sacred, the time too short, the hour too perilous, the workers too few, the call too insistent, the resources too inadequate, for us to allow these precious and fleeting hours to slip from our grasp, and to suffer the prizes within our reach to be endangered or forfeited.’’ (Messages to America, p. 10)

When we wait, for whatever reasons, for others to fill the goals which truly are ours as well, we allow precious opportunities to slip away instead of taking action and finding out for ourselves what it is to serve Bahd’u’ll4h in another

It is the duty of each one of us to give serious and thoughtful

consideration to whether or not we can fill an international pioneering goal.

We each have unique and valuable qualifications that no one else has. Each one of us may be one of the special ones who alone can fill a particular goal because of the special talents and faculties we possess.

Let us not be among those who say, ‘‘I can’t go, but someone else will go anyway.””

Let each of us stop to pray and meditate about pioneering. Let us deepen on the Writings of the Central Figures of the Faith and study what they have to say about pioneering.

Only by increasing our understanding of the call to pioneer, and the destiny of those who answer that call, will we truly be able to rise up and leave our homes for our Lord.

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 31]The American Baha'i

April 1985

31

Te “dG

... in The American Baha’i

More than 100 Bahá’ís are present at a special meeting to inaugurate a teaching program for Washington, D.C.

The meeting is held in the room in the former Agnes Parsons home where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with the friends in 1912.

Among those present are Counsellor Sarah Martin Pereira; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Daniel C. Jordan, vice-chairman of the National Assembly; and Auxiliary Board member Albert James.

The goals that are set include tripling the number of Baha’is in Washington; sending at least nine pioneers to overseas goal countries during the Five Year Plan; establishing a full-time secretariat for the local Spiritual Assembly; and increasing the use of media for proclamation. ...

Native American Bahá’ís representing the Ute, Choctaw, Navajo, Sioux and Oneida tribes attend a special conference on Indian teaching at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

The gathering is sponsored by the National Teaching Committee.

Among those who discuss ways to expand the teaching work in Indian areas and win the goal of establishing 25 local Spiritual Assemblies on Indian Reservations are Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips and members of the American Indian Teaching Committee and Navajo-Hopi Indian Committee. ...

The National Youth Committee schedules 51 state and district youth conferences to spur achievement of the goals of the Two Year Youth Plan.

One of the conferences is to be held on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. ...

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) invites. the Bahd’{ International Community to send two delegates to the International Women’s Year World Conference in Mexico City. The delegates are to be chosen by the Universal House of Justice. ...

Forty-two prospective pioneers arrive in Chicago to attend a Pioneer Training Institute at the

House of Worship in Wilmette in

spite of a sudden blizzard that closes Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for 24 hours. ...

More than 60 people, many of whom speak Spanish, attend a proclamation meeting in Northfield Township, Illinois, that is supported by Baha’is from several Chicago-area communities. ...

Ads Continued From Page 18

major address or performanceworkshop by an accomplished artist in any field is especially needed. Please send your recommendations and proposals immediately to the Green Acre Baha’i Arts Committee, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

NURSES wanted for orthopedic private clinic in Cyprus. Please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

CHILDREN’S teachers are needed for the Amoz Gibson Project. Positions are open for two full-time teachers to travel to various project sites. Will provide room, board, vehicle, and gas for teachers who will: develop and implement materials for Baha’i children’s classes, set up a schedule for the various locations. For more information about the positions and application process,

lease contact the District Teachae Committee for South Dakota, c/o John Retzlaff, P.O. Box 922, Pierre, SD 57501, or telephone 605-224-1041.

YOUTH needed (ages 18-25) to write a review of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 by Robert Stockman for possible publication in the ‘‘Youth Hotline’’ and other places., Interested persons should contact the Promotions Department, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

FOR A FREE brochure describing the Louhelen Baha’i School’s programs from February through August 1985, write to the school at 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313653-5033.

HOST an autograph party for a Baha’i author in your area—a unique way to teach the Faith, gain media attention, and promote Baha’ literature. But first, write to the Promotions Department at the Bahd’{ Publishing Trust for a check list for the event and other information and ideas.

Pearle Easterbrook, well-known Baha’i teacher, dies at 94

Pearle Easterbrook, a Baha’i since 1927 and a_ well-known teacher of the Faith, died January 19 in Lincoln, Illinois. She was 94 years old.

Miss Easterbrook, a public school teacher who taught for 25 years in Peoria, traveled from 1940 to 1960 on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly to advise and help troubled local Assemblies throughout the U.S.

After retiring, she pioneered to the Deep South, helping to bring into being the first Assemblies in North Carolina and South Carolina and to re-establish the Spiritual Assembly of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Even if you don’t know of a nearby author, it may be possible for an author to travel to your area. Address inquires to Anne Atkinson, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

COME and live in lovely Seal Beach, California, and help us save our Assembly. You'll live in a city of about 20,000 close to the greater Los Angeles area but near the beach, in a clean, wholesome environment, with all the conveniences of a large city. The elementary and secondary education system is excellent. All established, self-sufficient individuals and families are invited to become homefront pioneers to Seal Beach. Come and join us now! For more information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Seal Beach, P.O. Box 2875, Seal Beach, CA 90740, or phone 213-493-1891.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Nantucket, Massachusetts, is in jeopardy. Will welcome family, couple, individual. Many jobs of all kinds in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, real estate, at the airport, in building and related trades, arts and crafts, TV channel. Anna Hall, _ Nantucket, MA 02554 (phone 617-228-2904) has room for one female. Phone now before the room is gone. It can be yearround.

A SOCIAL and Economic Development Conference is scheduled June 7-9 at the Louhelen Baha’i School. Presenters will be Counsellor Fred Schechter; Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and the Canadian Baha’i International Development Service; Paul Ojermark, the Baha’i International Community’s UN representative for social and economic development; and Sheila Banani and Anne Breneman, members of the U.S. Committee for Social and Economic Development. To register, send a $10 non-refundable deposit to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313653-5033). Base rate for an adult is $42.25.

SENIOR programmer/analyst needed. Requires a person with at least four years experience as a programmer/analyst in a business environment using COBOL plus other languages. The candidate should have worked in an active high-production environment developing and programming new systems. Experience with minicomputer, Data Base and on-line processing also required. Write to the Personnel Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SUN CITY, Arizona, has attracted thousands of senior citizens from all over America, even from California. Challenging opportunities for Iranian or American Baha’i pioneers. Excellent medical facilities. Cultural and recreational attractions abound in this active community of residents

over 50. You may try it out for a week in a fully furnished garden apartment with twin beds and a living room at a Crestview Vacation special rate of $150 per week from May through September as compared to $350 during the rest of the year. Reservations are necessary, and can be made by telephoning 602-975-2270. For information about Baha’i activities in the area, you may write to Mrs. Bahia F. Gulick, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Glendale, Glendale, AZ 85301, or phone 602-939-8733.

CHILDREN’S school teachers: have you considered using the recently published Sunflower activity book, I Am a Baha’j, in your classes? It’s ideal for fostering a Baha’i identity in children ages 3-7 and offers many exciting activities. For ordering information, see the coupon on the Baha’i Distribution Service page in this issue of The American Baha’i.

A FREE catalog of tapes, T-shirts and other materials including ‘‘Mankind Is One’’ T-shirts and sweatshirts in 12 languages is available from ‘‘Reflections,”’ Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

BAHA’{ couple (husband retired) would like to move to a small community in Montana, Arkansas or Missouri. If we can be of service to your community, please write to Bob and Barbara Burke, P.O. Box 25, Brogan, OR 97903.

ATTENTION: Baha’i managers, scientists, teachers, policemen, pilots, farmers, builders, interior decorators, artists, etc. The National Youth Committee needs you! The Career Fair at the International Youth Conference at Ohio State University July 3-7

needs Bahá’ís from all walks of life to present to youth, children and parents information about your chosen profession. If you can help us, please contact the National Youth Committee office, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313. Phone 305-584-1844.

THE NATIONAL Baha'i Archives is seeking to locate original Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the following Baha’is: Mary Movius, Dr. Channing Stiles, Peter Maus, Richard Mayer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moxey, Edith Horn, the Rev. B. Alfred Hills, J. Wellman Marsh, Dorothy Barbour, Nellie M. Holmes, Gloria Baker, Lucille Bates and Viola Silver. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these or any other original Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá should contact the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SUMMER jobs at the Green . Acre Baha’i School include those for cooks; directors and staff for children, youth and adult programs; registrars; librarians; book sales; housekeepers; kitchen workers, and maintenance helper. Apply to the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

Mrs. Abrarpour, oldest Baha’i in Clear Lake

Mrs. Robabeh Abrarpour, the oldest member of the Baha’i community of Clear Lake, Texas, died February 19 at age 83.

Mrs. Abrarpour, who was born in Hamadan, Iran, in 1902, came to the U.S. with her husband in 1979 to visit their children. Because of the Islamic revolution in Tran, they remained in this country as religious refugees.

Mrs. Abrarpour’s husband, Agha Jan, died in October 1982.

In Memoriam

Sallie Bell Brady Federalsburg, MD Date Unknown Willie Byrd Suffolk, VA

Date Unknown

Edward Howard Chicago, IL February 1, 1985 Devah Ingold Franklin, TN January 23, 1985

John Payton Joliet, IL November 10, 1984 Marie K. Pearl Santa Clara, CA February 9, 1985

Mary Creekmore Ann Koplon Tlanon (Ida) Saffold Amherst, MA Eagle, WI Elsinore, CA January 11, 1985 Summer 1984 January 21, 1985 Antonio Cardozo Roy King Pearl Smith Arlington, MA New York, NY Peoria, IL December 9, 1984 November 5, 1984 October 13, 1984 Pearle Easterbrook George Knoerr Vera Terry Lincoln, IL Oconomowoc, WI Saginaw, MI January 1985 October 1984 October 25, 1984 Francis Enghretson Thomas Many Guns Karen Thornquist Sussex, WI Browning, MT Des Moines, IA December 31, 1980 January 26, 1985 January 3, 1985 Gabriel Figueroa William Miller Grant Whiterock Bisbee, AZ Ocala, FL Tonalea, AZ December 31, 1984 November 21, 1984 January 5, 1985 Arthur Goode Moftakhar Munir Francis Yazzie

Schofield, WI November 3, 1984 Mohamed Hammon Modesto, CA December 1983

Westlake Village, CA Date Unknown

Kaibito, AZ October 1983

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[Page 32]The American Baha’i

April 1985

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE, IL. PERMIT NO. 479

32

Letters

Continued From Page 3 to use them.

Many times, we see ‘‘fire’”’ used as a symbol in the Writings. Consider that a fire must be started and then fed on a constant basis to keep it going. The more fuel we use, the brighter the flame.

Reading, praying, teaching and having faith will cause a fire that is visible to all mankind, at all times and under all conditions.

Perhaps the following slogan will help us to remember how important faith is:

Find the seeker.

Approach in love.

Invite to fireside.

Teach with confidence.

Heal his ills.

If we begin each day believing that God can use us, will use us, and we can make a difference to mankind, these United States will be set afire with the faith and love of the Baha’is.

I believe we will do it, and I'd like to call on you to have the bounty of sharing in this exciting and everlasting joy. Just take the first step—start believing!

Sheila Shenkman Austin, Texas

To the Editor: Two previous letters (June and November) tried to justify the heavy reliance on drugs by many physicians while discounting the Baha’i Writings which say the preferred way to treat disease is through diet, refraining from the use of drugs.

A MAJOR problem with discounting the present usefulness of the Bahá’í Writings with respect to health and healing is that there is mounting scientific evidence to support them. For example:

Baha’u’llah’s statement, ‘‘Treat disease through diet, by preference, refraining from the use of drugs is supported by the book Food Is Your Best Medicine by Dr. Henry G. Bieler, which dis-cusses the use of “proper food instead of drugs to prevent and cure disease.””

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statement that “medical science ... has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground’’ is supported by the new book The XO -Factor, by Dr. Kurt Oster, which presents convincing evidence that our nation’s No. | killer, coronary heart disease, is directly caused by consumption of homogenized milk and milk products (which do not grow out of the ground).

Baha’u’llah’s statement, ‘‘Ab-, stain from drugs when health is good, but administer them when necessary’ is supported by the book How to Raise a Healthy Child ... In Spite of Your Doctor by Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, which says that ‘‘there is no convincing scientific evidence that mass inoculations can be credited with eliminating any childhood disease,” but there is a growing suspicion that they may be responsible for

the dramatic increase in diseases such as cancer, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, lupus erythematosus, and the GuillainBarre Syndrome.

THE THEORY that polio was eradicated by the Salk vaccine (expressed in the November letter) is at best debatable considering that most of the decline from the peak of reported cases occurred prior to the introduction of the Salk vaccine, and many of the remaining cases are now diagnosed as other diseases such as aseptic meningitis.

Many diseases have declined without the use of vaccines, as did polio among unvaccinated populations.

Medical science will lead to healing with foods, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, for if something offending to the taste may, at the outset, ‘yield some advantage, in the long run its harmfulness will be established.”

‘Can you imagine our remorse as Baha’is if in the future it were established that, for example, thousands of Sudden Infant Deaths (SIDs) among unsuspecting non-Baha’i populations were caused by mass vaccination programs carried out by Bahá’ís as part of some new social development project?

Steve Sullins San Diego, California

To the Editor:

In the December issue of The American Baha’i, on Page 3 of the “Fireside Spirit Continues’? insert, a New England couple, he a psychiatrist and she a composer, is mentioned for the spirit of their firesides.

Surely they are the couple who took us in when my husband and I suddenly became homeless, and they spared no pains on our behalf. Being with them for awhile was truly a revelation! All you have said about them is true.

Carolyn des Granges Roxbury, Massachusetts

To the Edit

IT am writing in response to an article (December ’84) written by the National Treasurer’s Office and titled ‘‘Every believer is a ‘deficit buster.’””

I question the use of the phrase “firmness in the Covenant”’ in the following paragraph from that article: ‘‘Firmness in the Covenant therefore implies that each individual is making an effort to support the Baha’i Fund regularly.”

I feel that the use of any phrase taken from context out of our sacred texts should be prohibited by a greater concern to preserve the meaning in its original, undiluted intent.

We must all make a serious effort to ensure, with reverence, that the words of Divine Revelation held in the words of our Teachings not be traced by an intention to use them piecemeal to give our appeals an extra emphasis.

| MOVING? TELL US YOUR

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of THE AMERICAN BAH:

send your new address and your mailit label to the OFFICE OF MEMBERSHIP & RECORDS, Bahd’j National Center, Wil

This form may be used for one person or your entre family. Please be sure 10 lst 4 FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for

all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

I NEW ADDRESS mette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new

! address will be. I A

1. | IDF Title Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames Ia. ! IDe Title Full name [| 3. I 1D# Title Full name I 4.

1D# Title Full name I | B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: (C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: | House/Space #, Street or Description P.O. Box or other Mailing Address City State Zip ity State Zip I D—NEW.COMMUNITY: I Name of new Baha’i community & Moving date | E-HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: i Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are. / /

[Area Code Number

Area Code

1 Area Code

the last names and addresses on our

We do not want extra copies, so address labels do not match exactly.

please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.

Wilmette, Illinois 60091

|BAHA | FAITH

We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive ‘only one copy.

BAHA’{ NATIONAL CENTER

Number

‘Number

Name

Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, 1.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

Unless we are cautious in our use of phrases taken from the holy texts, we run the risk of fashioning a jargon that will serve only to dilute the power of the Creative Word.

By making the statement cited above, we are, in effect, humiliating those Bahá’ís who, while able to serve the Cause in many ways, may not be able to give regularly to the Fund due to debt, unemployment or other reasons.

Must their poverty be compounded by the guilt associated with not being ‘‘firm in the Covenant’’?

If the structure we are building from the blueprint given to us by Bahá’u’lláh is to embody the meaning He has infused in that blueprint, we can ill afford to make anyone falter in his course

of understanding by imposing upon him an unfair interpretation of our Teachings. ai

I believe that if the National Treasurer’s Office wishes to interpret the sacred writings, they must adhere to the same restraints that govern us all.

First, they should make it clear to everyone that it is merely their viewpoint. And they must make an effort, whenever using phrases from the holy texts, to include the whole sentence, which better allows the reader to understand the writer’s usage.

I would also suggest that such articles be signed by the writer.

Carol R. Goodrich Bellingham, Washington

To the Editor: Within the last two years I

bought a lovely pictorial book called ‘‘The United States of America.’’ The author is Bill Harris.

Recently, while going through it again, I was elated to find, on Page 161, a striking full color photograph of our Baha’i House of Worship with an identifying caption on the opposite page.

1 wanted other Baha’is to know about this. What a delight to find the House of Worship pictured in such a delightful book. Others will be finding it too!

George Murray Garden Grove, California

The Bedrock of All Other Institutions National Baha’i Fund ‘Wilmette, IL 60091