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

←Previous

The American Bahá’í April, 1985

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

Louhelen lays groundwork for future Bahá’í university

The Louhelen Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í university.

RESPONDING to the Guardian’s continual encouragement that Louhelen has "a peculiar responsibility to shoulder in connection with its development into that ideal Bahá’í 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 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 institution based on the Bahá’í 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 simultaneously, the school will be able to provide a more comprehensive and integrated approach to its educational mission.

Congress urges UN to support Bahá’í religious freedom in Iran

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 Bahá’ís 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 "relentless acts of savagery against the innocent Bahá’ís."

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 Iran’s treatment of the Bahá’ís.

State Department document decries repression of Iran’s Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 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 Bahá’ís.

"Bahá’í property has been confiscated, shrines demolished, businesses disbanded or confiscated, and known Bahá’ís denied employment by the government.

"These measures effectively deny employment to most urban Bahá’ís. Much of the Bahá’í religious leadership has been arrested, as have many ordinary Bahá’ís. Charges are vague: 'crimes against God' and 'espionage for Zionism' are commonly used."

Plans made to assure 1,750 Assemblies

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

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 Ridván, 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 Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Bruce Whitmore at the Bahá’í House of Worship

Bruce Whitmore (below left), administrator of the Bahá’í 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 installation in the dome in 1952.

Above, maintenance workers at the House of Worship 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 Sultán (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 Sultán and Mulk.

Several communities have requested a follow-up to last year's successful Day of Unity and Sacrifice at Ridván. 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís across the nation are challenged to reap the rewards of this year's Day of Unity and Sacrifice. [Page 2]

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, 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 Bahá’í 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-Bahá’í groups that are promoting women’s activities in concert with Bahá’í principles.

The committee would like to have the names of any Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Americas writing contest announced by Counsellors

As a step toward promoting the long-range goal of educating Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

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. FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS LUMINOUS SPIRIT ABHÁ 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, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís and by an increasing number of non-Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies in good or excellent condition of the following printings of Bahá’u’lláh 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

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

During a short holiday I went 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.

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 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 Bahá’í Faith.

Upon hearing the words “la Fe Bahá’í” (the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís; even though I am a Christian, I love the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh, 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 Bahá’ís 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 Rúhíyyih Khánum 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

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

The American Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 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 Abhá Revelation.

“One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”

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:

“Dear . . . . .

“You are now a Bahá’í, 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 beyond.

“We are children of the kingdom; 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 Bahá’ís.

“Gaining knowledge:

“1. 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.

“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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’í 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-sounding 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 Bahá’ís introduce guests to each other or to the host or hostess at a Bahá’í 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 Brown.”

“. . . the Rev. James Smith, pastor of the 10th St. Baptist Church.”

“. . . our Auxiliary Board member.”

“. . . a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of . . . . . ”

Most particularly, if the guest is not a Bahá’í, the friends should be made aware of this in an unobtrusive way.

Julian Briggs Cloverdale, California

To the Editor:

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

I especially enjoy the column that calls to mind events that took place in the American Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í Fund, Horace Holley said it succinctly in the very first issue of the Bahá’í News Letter:

“. . . the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís; also, who taught 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 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

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE New from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom This compilation, deals with those important questions most frequently asked by the believers concerning the establishment, infallibility and powers of the Universal House of Justice. Drawing from the Sacred Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the letters of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice itself, this important booklet helps us to understand more fully the majesty and greatness of God’s supreme institution on earth, the “Centre of the Covenant” “to which 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 foundation” and clearly-defined authority of that body “which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error.” $2.75 Available from: Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 “Say, O People: Verily the Supreme House of Justice is under the wings of your Lord, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful, that is under His protection, His care and His shelter, for He has commanded the firm believers to obey that blessed, sanctified and all-subduing body, whose sovereignty is divinely ordained and of the Kingdom of Heaven and whose laws are inspired and spiritual.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

[Page 4]

DOROTHY BEECHER BAKER

"She was carried to the heights of intercontinental Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í services of indefatigable Dorothy Beecher Baker.

In 1912, when Dorothy was a teen-ager, her grandmother, Betty Beecher, who was known to the Bahá’ís 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 Riḍván observance in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í 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 the Faith.

Report

"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 Bahá’ísm.

"A minimum of 750 Bahá’ís are in jail. At least 194 have been executed or have died following torture 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís operated; and teaching of the faith, even by parents 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 appeal urging action by the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Pictured are participants in a nine-day Spiritual Enrichment Institute sponsored by the Bahá’í 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 retreat-type atmosphere in which participants studied The Hidden Words and The Seven Valleys.

Martha Root Conference

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 Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, which was to be released this month by the Bahá’í 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 bird-watching 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 accommodations 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.

Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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."

Congress

Iran's suppression of the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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 Human Rights Commission in support of religious freedom for the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís and appointed a special representative to investigate human rights conditions in Iran.

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

"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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís has not ceased. Since last September, 16 more Bahá’ís have been executed or have died in jails, many of them as a result of severe torture. More than 700 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 BAHÁ’ÍS 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 Bahá’í 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]

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

Last year, the Treasurer’s Office received many letters from individuals 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 Bahá’í 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 fund-raising picnic;
• garage sales of infinite variety;
• 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.”

STARRING: THE COMMUNITY OF VICTORS PRODUCED BY: THE CAMPAIGN OF UNIFIED ACTION

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! DAY OF UNITY AND SACRIFICE

Last year’s NO ‘show’ proved how well we work together. Let’s do it again!

WHEN: APRIL 21 (OR DAY OF YOUR CHOICE) WHERE: YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh—the National Bahá’í Fund.

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. There were inquiries about the Fund charts, Fund articles in The American Bahá’í, Feast tapes, and the local treasurer’s report.

The questions were designed to obtain a basic understanding of the feelings of the Bahá’í community 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 Page 25

Northern Minnesota tops 50 per cent mark, surges to top

Contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund by District

District Name	‘Starting Block’ Info			Current Month Info (Sharaf)
	Membership as of 12/9/84	Number giving	Percentage of participation	Membership (01/08/85)	Number giving	Percentage of participation
Alabama N
Alabama S/Florida NW
Arizona N
Arizona S
Arkansas
California C No. 1
California C No. 2
California N No. 1
California N No. 2
California S No. 1
California S No. 2
California S No. 3
California S No. 4

See CHART Page 30

The Winners’ Circle

Highest percentage participation	Most Improved Participation
1. Minnesota, Northern	1. Oregon, Eastern
2. Maine	2. South Carolina, South No. 2
3. Georgia, Northeast	3. North Carolina, Eastern
4. Vermont	4. Maine
5. Iowa	5. South Carolina, East No. 1
6. (tie) Tennessee, Eastern      Ohio, Northern	6. Texas, Central No. 2
8. Nebraska	7. Minnesota, Northern
9. Kansas	8. Texas, Northern
10. Wisconsin, Southern	9. Texas, Eastern No. 2
11. (tie) Minnesota, Southern      Michigan, Mainland	10. DelMarVa
13. Louisiana, Northern	11. Texas, Central No. 1
14. Pennsylvania, Western	12. Mississippi
15. Texas, Eastern No. 2	13. Vermont
16. Texas, Northern	14. Kansas
17. (tie) New Jersey      Pennsylvania, Eastern	15. Georgia, Northeast
19. (tie) Indiana      Connecticut	16. North Carolina, Western
	17. Ohio, Northern
	18. New Mexico S/Texas W
	19. Arkansas

[Page 6]

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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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 injunction to trust in Bahá’u’lláh is put to the test, at least for some of us. The Lusas were determined to 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 Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion, Violette Nakhjavání, arrived in Rota on the same plane as Michael and the children.

Several weeks later, the Lusas wrote that Wendy had found part-time 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 surprise to read of the Lusas’ appreciation for Rota’s “untouched beauty” and their love for the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 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 all-important 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 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.” (Bahá’í Administration, p. 18)

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.

Pioneers Michael and Wendy Lusa on the island of Rota in the South Pacific with the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (second from left) and Violette Nakhjavání (at right behind children).

No one excluded from command to arise, pioneer

“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 friendship 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 Bahá’ís 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.

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 prescribed 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)

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?

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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 succeed.

U.S. PIONEER ASSIGNMENTS

AFRICA

• (F) Benin: *2
• (E) Lesotho: 2
• (F) Mauritania: 3
• (E) Nigeria: 6
• (E) Tanzania: 13

(Outstanding, to be filled before Ridván)

ASIA

• (E) India: 2
• (K) Korea: 4*
• (E) Nepal: 2

AMERICAS

• Caroline Islands
  • (E) Kosrae: 1
  • (E) Palau: 2
• (E) Samoa (Western): 1
• Chile
  • (S) Easter Island: 1
• (S) Colombia: 3
• (E) Dominica: 2
• Ecuador
  • (S) Galapagos: 1
• (S) Yucatan, Mexico: 2
• (E) St. Vincent: 1

AUSTRALASIA

• (E) Tuvalu: 2

EUROPE

• (GR,T,E) Cyprus: 3
• (E) Ireland: 6*

TOTAL: 44

LANGUAGE KEY

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

• Persians preferred but others welcome

[Page 7]

Open letter to Bahá’í youth

Dearly loved friends,

The growth of the Bahá’í 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 attract large numbers of our contemporaries to the Faith while at the same time we build the internal energy and strength of the Bahá’í 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. IYY was launched in the Los Angeles area with a celebration, hosted by Bahá’í youth, which was attended by more than 500, many of whom were non-Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’í youth were subsequently appointed to the planning committee.

In Florida, a young Bahá’í was invited to draft the state IYY 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 IYY 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 IYY 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 Bahá’í Youth Movement through deeds of service and in contact with public officials.

IN A RECENT LETTER addressed to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice lists several key accomplishments of the Bahá’í community. It is significant that the Supreme Institution noted that “an upsurge of activity among the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í greetings and our continuing assurance of prayers,

Bahá’í National Youth Committee February 11, 1985

Bahá’í appears on Detroit radio program

On Sunday, January 6, Dr. Curtis Russell, a Bahá’í 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 station WXYT.

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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 ‎Columbia Colombia‎, Bolivia, Panama and Paraguay who are offering training at the Ruhí 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 Bahá’í 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.

Bahá’í National Center. Assistants for the various offices are needed. For more information or applications, please contact the Bahá’í National Youth Committee office, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313, or phone 305-584-1844.

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 youth conference. Topics discussed included chastity, self-discipline, 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 I 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 is: Serve the Faith! This summer, the opportunities are almost endless ...

• Before the International Youth Conference, there will be a variety of teaching efforts going on all over the country. Details are coming in on projects planned in 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.
• 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 consider going to Haiti, the Dominican Republic or the West Indies? The Bahá’í National Center is seeking 35 individuals to serve as traveling teachers in those areas during July and August.

See SUMMER Page 22

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 Bahá’í 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.

FUND RUN a ‘GOOD idea’ at conference

ANNOUNCING! A wonderful opportunity for all participants—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, Bahá’ís will be running to help the National Fund “Get Out of Debt.”

All runners will seek the support of Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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 for a 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 Bahá’í National Youth Committee, 1371 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, FL 33313. Questions? Phone 305-584-1844. [Page 8]

Partial listing of 1985 Bahá’í Summer Schools

Bosch (California) Summer theme: "Teach Ye the 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 Unbelieving World." July 28-August 1, "The Individual 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 Bahá’u’lláh." August 24-29, "The Dynamics of Teaching." August 30-September 2, Adult session, 15 and older. For brochure, write to Bosch Bahá’í 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, September 2. There will be Saturday and Sunday (weekend) conferences all summer. The weekly programs will start each week with Sunday supper and run through Saturday breakfast. For a list of programs, write to the Green Acre Bahá’í 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 Citizens’ 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. Accommodations: Lodging is comfortable; 43 motel-like rooms housing 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 children; hiking. 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.

Iowa Dates: June 20-23. Location: Scattergood School, West Branch, Iowa. Theme: "Experience the Dawn." Accommodations: Dorms, cafeteria. Lodging available on a first-come, 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 (15 or older), $8; children (3-14), $4; under 3, no charge. Deadline: June 1. Registrar: Amalia Smith, Ames, IA 50010. Phone 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, nature hikes, fishing, etc. Rates: Adults and youth (15 or older), $90; junior youth (8-14), $60; children (3-7), $50; infants, $30. Pre-register ($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, large hall for music and dancing. Pre-registration: Essential by May 12 to reserve your place. Registrar: Scott Duncan, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Phone 201-463-3683.

North Dakota Dates: August 22-25. Location: Lake Metigoshe, within 20 miles of the International Peace Garden on the U.S.-Canadian border. Theme: "Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God." Accommodations: 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. Pre-registration 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. Location: Bridgeport Baptist Camp, Bridgeport. Theme: "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, September-December. Location: Wilhelm Bahá’í property, Teaneck, New Jersey. Write: Wilhelm Bahá’í 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.)

We deliver. (Brilliant Star to your mailbox, that is.)

[ ] one year $12.00 (six issues) [ ] two years $23.00 [ ] foreign, surface, one year $15.00 [ ] foreign, surface, two years $28.00 [ ] foreign, air (A.O.), one year $25.00 [ ] foreign, air (A.O.), two years $47.60

Name __________________________ Street _________________________ City ___________________________ State & Zip ____________________ Age of recipient _______________

Enclosed is my gift of $ ________ to the Brilliant Star Endowment Fund, established in honor of the Bahá’í children of Iran, for the purpose of developing materials for children. I understand that my gift will become part of a perpetual fund whose earnings will support this purpose.

Send to: Brilliant Star Suburban Office Park 5010 Austin Rd. Hixson, TN 37343

Deborah Birks, assistant editor of Brilliant Star

Author Guy Murchie (left) was the featured speaker February 9-10 at the first 1985 session of the Nine Oaks Bahá’í School in Arroyo Grande, California. Mr. Murchie presented an overview of his book, The Seven Mysteries of Life, to the 50 Bahá’ís who attended, and also spoke about Bahá’í history using as a text his most recent book, The Veil of Glory. In addition to the adult session, a small pre-youth session was held with six young people present.

Chicago dinner honors Native Americans

Eighty people including about ‎60-non Bahá’ís 60 non-Bahá’ís‎ 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 concentration 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 AITC members who spoke were Franklin Kahn, a Navajo; Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux; and John Cook.

The master of ceremonies was Pat Miller, a Bahá’í who works at the Bahá’ 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 Bahá’í from Vashon Island, Washington, on behalf of the Bahá’ís 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]

Family Unity Night (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...” (Bahá’u’lláh) 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 Báb, 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 (COURTESY-CONDUCT). Thought for the week: “Let truthfulness and courtesy be your adorning.” (Bahá’u’lláh) 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. Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 175, 168 (3rd Taráz). 4. The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 19-22. 5. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 126 (4th Ishráq). 6. Vignettes, p. 80, No. 61, 62; p. 77, No. 57; p. 28, No. 39; p. 42, No. 11; p. 78, No. 58. Activity: 1. “Simon Says” or “Mother, May I?” Play one or both of these old-time favorites. 2. For younger children, have a tea party with bears or dolls. Practice Bahá’í 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.

THIRD WEEK OF MAY: DECLARATION OF THE BÁB. Thought for the week: “It is better to guide one soul than to possess all that is on earth...” (the Báb) Prayer: Detachment, p. 55. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Kitáb-i-Íqán, pp. 65-66, 231-32, 234-35. 2. The Dawn-breakers, pp. 51-65. 3. Selections from the Writings of the Báb, pp. 4, 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 BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. Thought for the week: “Every dark night has a bright ending.” (Nisámí) 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 Bahá’u’lláh, p. 221. 7. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. ‎17018 17, 18‎. 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.

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 conference 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.

BAHÁ’Í CHILD EDUCATION CONFERENCE Registration Form
(Please print)
Name	________________________________________
Address	________________________________________
	________________________________________
Telephone No.	________________________________________
Please include registration fee and send to your conference registrar.

Central—Wilmette, Illinois (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, Bahá’í 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: June Remignanti, Westwood, NJ 07675. Phone 201-666-0918.

Southeastern—Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Registration fee: $3. Make check payable to “Louis Gregory Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554. Phone 803-558-5093.

Western—Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Registration fee: $15 deposit, non-refundable. Make check payable to “Bosch Bahá’í School.” $70 total for bed (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and $10 for conference packet and miscellaneous expenses. Registrar: c/o Registrar, Bosch Bahá’í 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 “Bahá’í Faith/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, Texas (Dallas Bahá’í Center). Registration fee: $6. Make check payable to “Plano Bahá’í 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.

Louhelen School sets conference on social, economic issues

The Louhelen Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í International Development Service; Paul Ojermark, the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 303-653-5033). Base rate for the weekend for one adult is $42.25.

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 Bahá’ís of Rapid City, Rapid City, SD 57709.

For more information about the Council Fire, phone 605-342-3562 or 605-343-1054. [Page 10]

Riḍván telephone contacts

District	Contact person	Telephone number
Alabama, Northern	Jacqueline Osborne
Alabama S/Florida NW	Betty Jones
Arizona, Northern	Dorothy Altman
Arizona, Southern	Winifred Byrd
Arkansas	Gladys Livermore
California, Central No. 1	Beatrice Link
California, Central No. 2	Kathy Balderama
California, Northern No. 1	Verna Rowley
California, Northern No. 2	Edna Thompson
California, Southern No. 1	Lynn Bruning
California, Southern No. 2	Paulette Langness
California, Southern No. 3	Mark Eaton
California, Southern No. 4	Eileen Norman
Colorado, Northeast	Harold Smith
Colorado, Southeast	Lori Ernst
Colorado, Western	Fred North
Connecticut	Rudy Jones
DelMarVa	George Stroop
Florida, Central	Barbara Griffin
Florida, Northern	Teresa Gordon
Florida, Southeast	Suzanne Cantville
Florida, Southwest	Fran Eury
Georgia, Northeast	Jan Perry
Georgia, Northwest	Art Cutting
Georgia, Southern	Joan Shinnick
Idaho N/Washington E	Carolyn Kirkpatrick
Idaho, Southern	Dawn Bowman
Illinois, Northern No. 1	Liz Helt
Illinois, Northern No. 2	Frank Lewis
Illinois, Southern	Bonnie Crim
Indiana	Thomas Davidson
Iowa	Fay Himes
Kansas	Stella Ranjbar
Kentucky	Bill Wiley
Louisiana, Northern	Delores White
Louisiana, Southern	Michael Sauce
Maine	Alma Warner Carr
Maryland/D.C.	Frances Coley
Massachusetts	Jamshid Ashourian
Michigan, Mainland	Hermione Pickens
Minnesota, Northern	Harlen Whitling
Minnesota, Southern	Philip Carlson
Mississippi	John Smith
Missouri	Joyce Smith
Montana	Karen Whisenhunt
Navajo/Hopi	NABI phone	x0180
Nebraska	Scott Bodie
Nevada, Northern	Rick Bily
Nevada, Southern	Bill Garbett
New Hampshire	Jonathan Ring
New Jersey	Kathy Tomarelli
New Mexico, Northern	Marie Griffith
New Mexico S/Texas W	Curtis Wynne
New York, Eastern	Elahe Schmeil-Varga
New York, Western	Cheryl Jones-Richter
North Carolina, Central	Sam Williams
North Carolina, Eastern	Carolyn Reusche
North Carolina, Western	Lillian Dobbs
North Dakota	Mavis Nymon
Ohio, Northern	Pleasant Montgomery
Ohio, Southern	Lorraine Turner
Oklahoma, Eastern	John Algeo
Oklahoma, Western	Mahtaban Danesh
Oregon, Eastern	John Lang
Oregon, Western	Megha Shyam
Pennsylvania, Eastern	Sandy Huening
Pennsylvania, Western	Art Leopold
Rhode Island	Edith Carpenter
South Carolina, Central	Sara Hatch
South Carolina, Eastern No. 1	Liz Ellis
South Carolina, Eastern No. 2	‎Lavivia Lavinia‎ Vereen
South Carolina, Northern	Helen Thomas
South Carolina, Southern No. 1	‎Glados Gladys‎ Ziegler
South Carolina, Southern No. 2	Donna Spahn
South Dakota, Eastern	Martha McKee
South Dakota	Amoz Gibson Project phone
Tennessee, Eastern	Edith Osborne
Tennessee, Western	Carolyn Eck
Texas, Central No. 1	Dale Ricklefs
Texas, Central No. 2	Naghmeh Fly
Texas, Eastern No. 1	Dinah Afsahi
Texas, Eastern No. 2	Dottie West
Texas, Northern	Sam Parker
Texas, Southern	Jessica Kasiri
Utah	Jan Saeed
Vermont	William Schmidt
Virginia, Northern	Georgia Diehl
Virginia, Southern	Letter forthcoming from DTC
Washington, Northwest	Carol Lenhard
Washington, Southwest	Fran Amundson
West Virginia	Sorour Payman
Wisconsin/Michigan	Thomas Rowe
Wisconsin, Southern	Gail Nylander
Wyoming	Nancy Moore

For the past eight years the Bahá’ís of Bellaire, Texas, have maintained a booth at the annual Fayette County Fair in LaGrange. The effort has been spearheaded by Barbara Christian, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Bellaire. Farid Bastani, who is pictured at the booth, made hand-tooled leather belts that were given away after a drawing. About 20,000 people saw the booth at which Bahá’í pamphlets and balloons 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 Bahá’í communities and the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America.

In 1945, she was one of the representatives of the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

Bahá’í 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 outstanding service enriched annals concluding years Heroic opening epoch Formative Age Bahá’í Dispensation."

Bahá’í artist’s exhibit results in publicity for Faith

Sara Kay Hatch, a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í principles as the unity of mankind and of religion.

The exhibit was part of a three-week teaching effort sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Columbia.

Also during that time, Marvin Hughes, a psychotherapist from Michigan who is a Bahá’í, 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. [Page 11]

Assemblies urged to adopt local teaching plans

Ridván represents a new beginning for Bahá’í 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 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 Bahá’í 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 Assemblies, ‘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. Bahá’u’lláh 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 so, 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 Hazíratu’l-Quds?

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

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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’u’lláh.

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 Bahá’í 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.

Kansas District Teaching Committee

Representatives of the Kansas District Teaching Committee came to the Bahá’í 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 firesides' last November. Unified action by the institutions of the Faith 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 Committee; Rebecca Gilleran, National Teaching Committee coordinator for the Central States; Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board members Robert Postlethwaite and Ronna Santoscoy; and Marcia Gitchell, a member of the Kansas District Teaching Committee.

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.

Louhelen to undertake training program for Bahá’í children's class teachers

The Louhelen Child Education Committee will begin a new program this August for training teachers of local Bahá’í 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, classroom 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 non-refundable $10 deposit to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 303-653-5033).

Our great privilege

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 12]

RACE UNITY

‘The great and fundamental teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are the oneness of God and unity of mankind. This is the bond of union among Bahá’ís 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

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 political future; the solution to social problems, and so on.

Is it not impossible 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.

More than 50 attend Va. Race Amity Conference

More than 50 people, 10 of whom were not Bahá’ís, from as far away as New Jersey and North Carolina, attended a Race Amity Conference sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and sponsored by the school’s Bahá’í Association.

Letter

It’s called ‘the most challenging issue’ for good reason

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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 ever go to any Bahá’í functions. Why?

Could it be that they were told certain things about the unity of mankind, then these new Bahá’ís go to functions, see the lack of sensitivity of the white Bahá’ís, and say to themselves, “It’s no different here than out there, and I 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í event I overheard some white Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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

In November, Bill Fountaine (right), a member of the Bahá’í community of Cleveland, Ohio, presented a program on the Faith at the city’s Jewish Community Center. Photos of the event are on display in a high traffic area of the JCC. Pictured with Mr. Fountaine are two members of the JCC, Larry Shapiro and Leon Worshay.

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).

Bahá’ís hold program for World Religion Day

Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í faiths proclaim the day’s theme, “The Oneness of Religion.”

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Schools Committee. [Page 13]

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

File:1949-08-19-Bahai-Picnic-Wilder-Park-Elmhurst-IL.jpg

BAHÁ’Í PICNIC OUTING WILDER PARK—ELMHURST ILL. AUG 19–1949

This photograph is of a Bahá’í picnic held August 19, 1949, in Elmhurst, Illinois. If you are able to identify anyone in the picture, please write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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.

Bahá’ís 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.

‘FIRE FROM WITHIN’ APPLICATION
Name ____________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________
Phone ________________________ Sex _____ Birthdate ________________________
Racial background _______________ Shirt size Small ____ Med ____ Lg ____
General health ____________________________________________________________
Bahá’í experience __________________________________________________________
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 308-381-2789.

Bahá’í authors book on corporate management

Lawrence M. Miller, a Bahá’í 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 the philosophy of business management that draws its inspiration from the Bahá’í 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 Naisbitt‎ Group: “‘American Spirit represents the clearest, most 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 Bahá’ís could use in their teaching work with business and professional persons.”

In the acknowledgement, he states that the book is based on Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í principles to business.”

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

Blend of wisdom, generosity needed when helping non-Bahá’í refugees

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 2 November which confirms the previous telephone call made to the Bahá’í World Centre by your Secretary conveying your concern about the accommodation of non-Bahá’í Iranian refugees at the home of a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís to offer hospitality to Iranian Muslims, it should also be borne in mind whether relatives back home in Iran, to be known to be residing in Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í greetings,

Universal House of Justice

Department of the Secretariat

November 25, 1984

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

Firefighters call Idaho Bahá’í ‘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.

“It 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.

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust
Selections from the Bahá’í Writings on the Reality and Immortality of the Human Soul
File:Selections-on-the-Reality-and-Immortality-of-the-Human-Soul-Cover.jpg	Are humans mortal or immortal? Is death a door to extinction or a portal to a new, 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.
	Compiled by HUSHIDAR MOTLAGH	130 pages 5¼ x 8¼ inches Softcover only	$7.95*
Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to:
Bahá’í Distribution Service
415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 ■ TEL. 1-800-323-1880
*Price valid only in the United States

[Page 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ or local communities can own the programs for about the cost of a one-time film rental.”

Ark of Destiny is especially inspiring because it shows in detail how the sacrifices of the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Báb is placed in the walls of the partially completed 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 day-to-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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Education in India and Trustees of the Merciful,” he says. “Bahá’í 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 sell for $40.

Individuals can 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.

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 month 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 misunderstandings,” says Mr. Johnson. “If they don’t, customers can call us toll-free for an explanation.”

Louhelen School sets publishing conference

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

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

Representatives of the Publishing Trust and Kalimát Press will present an overview of the future of Bahá’í 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.

New Publishing Trust titles

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

Unto Him Shall We Return, a compilation of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í, the most recent Sunflower Activity Book for children ages 3-7, contains interesting ideas that will create and reinforce a child’s Bahá’í identity. $5.95. Sunflower Books 1-4 are now on sale for $3.50 for the set.

Special Strengths, a character-development book of four stories relating to the application of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

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 Ridván and the National Convention.

From the U.S. Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í.

The final book is Roger White’s The Shell and Pearl ($2.50 SC). This short essay is an account of the martyrdom of ‘Alí-Asghar, one of the seven martyrs who died in Yazd, Iran, in the spring of 1981.

Kalimát 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Writings. 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 Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Quan.	Item	Amt.		Quan.	Item	Amt.
___	Ark of Destiny, video tape, VHS or Beta (circle one)	$35.00		___	From Discontent, SC	$5.95
___	Bahá’í DayBook, SC	3.75		___	I Am a Bahá’í, SC	5.95
___	Bahá’í Faith in America, HC	19.95		___	Loving Hands, CS	8.00
___	Bahá’í Faith: Emerging Global Religion, HC	14.95		___	Phoenix and the Ashes, SC	4.95
___	Bahá’í Prayers, HC	7.00		___	Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, HC	7.50
___	Bahá’í Prayers, SC	3.50		___	Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, SC	3.00
___	Consultation: Lamp of Guidance, HC	9.95		___	Shell and the Pearl, SC	2.50
___	Consultation: Lamp of Guidance, SC	4.95		___	Special Strengths, SC	4.50
___	Education/Trustees, video tape, VHS or Beta (circle one)	40.00		___	Sunflower Books 1-4, SC/set	3.50
___	El Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís, SC (on order)	4.00		___	Teaching Cards, Wilmette HOW	25/3.50
___	From Discontent, HC	13.95		___	Unity in Diversity, CS	8.00
				___	Universal House of Justice (on order), SC	2.75
				___	Unto Him Shall We Return, SC	7.95
				___	Waging Peace, SC	7.95

Total plus 10 per cent postage ($1.50 minimum for postage) __________

Enclose a check for the full amount, or

VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE __________

CARD NO. __________________________________

Name ________________________________________

Address _____________________________________

City ___________________ State _______ Zip ________

Credit card orders ($10.00 minimum) are accepted by phone: 800-323-1880 (outside Illinois), or 312-251-1854 (within Illinois).

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091

TAB 4/85 Prices good through May 31, 1985 [Page 15]

The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh: A clear summons to world of humanity

With the approach of Ridván, we are reminded of the supreme significance of that great event: the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh, with its implications for a new era of peace for all of humanity.

THERE, IN THE GARDEN of Ridván, amidst the fragrances of roses and the singing of nightingales, Bahá’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 Bahá’u’lláh’s Station, we have only to utilize one of the outstanding compilations of the writings, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, 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 Bahá’u’lláh, "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 Bahá’u’lláh’s words reach our friends and acquaintances, our political rulers and leaders of thought, our libraries.

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

Copyrighted materials should not be duplicated without author's permission

The Bahá’í 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 institutions invest a great deal of money and time in preparing manuscripts and recorded materials—sometimes 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.

The fewer copies of an item that are sold, the less revenue there is for the production and introduction of new materials.

When the publisher looks at the sales of the book or cassette and sees that sales are low, fewer copies of similar new items are manufactured.

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 Trust.

Ordering from Bahá’í Distribution Service

Individuals living anywhere in the world can order titles listed on this page from the Bahá’í Distribution Service at the prices quoted. 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.

Bahá’í institutions outside the 48 contiguous states should order directly from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Trust releases Bahá’í Faith in America, Vol. 1

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is pleased to announce the release of The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í communities in North America, how they survived the disaffection of Ibrahim Kheiralla (their first Bahá’í teacher), and how they became firmly grounded 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.

"It opens new vistas for Bahá’ís interested in their community's past. Mr. Stockman has laid the groundwork for future Bahá’í historians, who will delve even deeper into the origins of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í communities began when he was asked to do a research project for the Bahá’ís of Providence, Rhode Island.

"I became fascinated," he says, "with the process of uncovering historical facts about the early Bahá’ís in this part of the world.

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

Mr. Stockman, a Bahá’í since 1973, holds degrees in geology and archaeology from Wesleyan University, a master's degree in planetary geology from Brown University, 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 Bahá’í Studies.

In 1980, he won the award given annually by the Association for Bahá’í Studies for the best research on the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, which sells for $19.95, can be purchased from the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

A chance to critique Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í calendar with the Gregorian one. This year's decision to begin the Datebook in March, the first Bahá’í month, and each week with Saturday, the first day of the Bahá’í week, reflects a new direction—that of moving toward a Bahá’í "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 Bahá’í 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_ 4. Did you appreciate the fact that the Datebook began with the week of March 21, the beginning of the Bahá’í year? Yes No 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? Yes No 7. Would you be willing to pay more (say, $4) for a Datebook with the Gregorian, 15-month format? Yes No. 8. Please comment on the general usefulness (or uselessness) of the new Datebook format. 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, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

New titles

Bahá’í DayBook: Passages for Deepening and Meditation. A daily book of readings, questions/answers, and explanations about Bahá’í life. $3.75

Unto Him Shall We Return, compiled by Hushidar Motlagh. A selection of Bahá’í 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 [Page 16]

Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List - 1 April 1985

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091 800-323-1880 312-251-1854 (in Illinois)

Price List 1 April 1985

Explanations of abbreviations and symbols

*

On Order

CA

Calendar

CD

Cards

CS

Cassette

FD

Folder

HC

Hardcover

LP

Record

LT

Lightweight edition

PA

Pamphlet

PER

Persian

PP

Photograph or Lithograph

PR

Poster, etc.

PS

Pocket-sized edition

SC

Softcover

SPN

Spanish

TC

Teaching Card

VT

Videotape

Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice

Title	Type	Price
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London	HC	$17.00
Advent of Divine Justice	HC	12.00
Advent of Divine Justice	SC	8.00
Call to the Nations	HC	6.00
Christ’s Promise Fulfilled	SC	3.00
Citadel of Faith	HC	12.00
Constitution: Universal House of Justice	SC	1.50
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf	HC	11.00
Foundations of World Unity	HC	10.00
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	14.25
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	8.00
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	PS	3.75
God Passes By	HC	14.50
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	5.75
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh--British Edition	SC	3.00
Kitáb-i-Íqán	HC	14.25
Kitáb-i-Íqán	PS	3.75
Light of Divine Guidance	HC	21.00*
Memorials of the Faithful	HC	10.00
Messages to the Bahá’í World	HC	10.00
Messages from the Universal House of Justice	HC	9.00
Messages from the Universal House of Justice	SC	4.00
Paris Talks	SC	5.00
Prayers and Meditations--British Edition	HC	11.00
Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	7.50
Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.00
Promised Day Is Come	HC	8.00
Promulgation of Universal Peace	HC	16.00
Secret of Divine Civilization	HC	11.00
Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	10.00
Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	1.00
Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi	SC	1.00
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	12.50
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	6.00
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	LT	6.00*
Selections from the Writings of the Báb	HC	10.00*
Selections from the Writings of the Báb	LT	6.00*
Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys	HC	6.00
Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys	SC	3.50
Seven Year Plan--1981	SC	.50
Some Answered Questions	HC	13.25
Some Answered Questions	PS	3.75
Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas	HC	2.50
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	12.00*
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	LT	6.00*
Tablets of the Divine Plan	HC	10.00
Tablets of the Divine Plan	SC	5.00
Traveler’s Narrative	HC	10.00
Traveler’s Narrative	SC	5.00
Unfolding Destiny	HC	43.50
Wellspring of Guidance	HC	9.00
Wellspring of Guidance	SC	4.00
Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	1.25
World Order of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	11.00
World Order of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	6.50

Compilations

Title	Type	Price
Bahá’í DayBook	SC	3.75*
Bahá’í Education	SC	3.50
Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life	SC	2.75
Bahá’í Meetings/the 19 Day Feast	SC	2.00
Bahá’í Prayers	HC	7.00
Bahá’í Prayers	SC	3.50
Bahá’í Prayers--White Gift Edition	HC	6.00
Bahá’í Readings	SC	5.50
Bahá’í Readings--Leather	HC	15.00*
Centers of Bahá’í Learning	SC	1.50
Consultation Compilation	SC	1.50
Continental Boards of Counselors	SC	3.00
Days to Remember	HC	7.00*
Death: The Messenger of Joy	SC	2.50
Importance of Deepening	SC	2.00
Individual and Teaching	SC	1.50
Inspiring the Heart	HC	9.00
Inspiring the Heart	SC	4.50
Lights of Guidance	HC	16.00
Living the Life	SC	1.75*
Local Spiritual Assembly	SC	.50
National Spiritual Assembly	SC	1.00
Pattern of Bahá’í Life	SC	1.75
Power of Divine Assistance	SC	2.00*
Principles of Bahá’í Administration	HC	6.00
Principles of Bahá’í Administration	SC	4.00
Quickeners of Mankind	SC	1.00
Special Measure of Love	SC	1.00
Spiritual Foundations	SC	1.00
Universal House of Justice	SC	2.75*
Unto Him Shall We Return	SC	7.95
Waging Peace	SC	7.95*
Words of God	SC	1.00

General Titles

Title	Type	Price
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Center of the Covenant	SC	6.95
America’s Spiritual Destiny	SC	5.00
Another Song, Another Season	SC	2.00
Báb: Herald of the Day of Days	HC	11.95
Bábí and Bahá’í Religions	HC	29.50
Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion	HC	14.95
Bahá’í Faith--Perkins and Haynesworth	SC	2.00
Bahá’í: Follower of the Light	SC	3.00
Bahá’í Proofs	HC	16.00
Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Development	SC	6.50
Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Health and Healing	SC	6.50
Bahá’í Studies Notebook: Marriage	SC	6.50
Bahá’í Studies 4: Bahá’í History	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Studies 6: Violence-Free Society	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Studies 7: Response to Revelation	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Studies 9: Manifestation	SC	5.00
Bahá’í Studies 12/13: Persecution 1844-1984	SC	5.00
Bahá’í World Volumes 1-12 (set)	HC	200.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 1 (I)	HC	11.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 2 (II)	HC	15.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 3 (III)	HC	15.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 4 (IV)	HC	20.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 5 (V)	HC	26.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 6 (VI)	HC	26.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 7 (VII)	HC	27.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 8 (VIII)	HC	27.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 9 (IX)	HC	27.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 10 (X)	HC	25.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 11 (XI)	HC	25.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 12 (XII)	HC	26.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 13 (XIII)	HC	27.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 14 (XIV)	HC	16.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 15 (XV)	HC	17.50
Bahá’í World: Volume 16 (XVI)	HC	20.00
Bahá’í World: Volume 17 (XVII)	HC	22.50
Bahá’í Writings: A Concordance	SC	9.00
Bahá’u’lláh: King of Glory	HC	24.00
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era	HC	10.00
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era	SC	2.50
Bahá’u’lláh: The Word Made Flesh	SC	3.95
Bahíyyih Khánum: Greatest Holy Leaf	HC	10.00
Bahíyyih Khánum: Greatest Holy Leaf	SC	5.00
Christ and Bahá’u’lláh	SC	2.95
Circle of Unity	SC	9.95
Commentary: Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	2.25
Concordance: Gleanings Writings/Bahá’u’lláh	SC	9.95
Concordance to The Hidden Words	SC	2.50
Concordance to the Kitáb-i-Íqán	SC	9.95
Concordance: Selected Writings/‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	9.00
Consultation: Lamp of Guidance	HC	9.95*
Consultation: Lamp of Guidance	SC	4.95*
Crown of Beauty	SC	14.35
Cry From the Heart	SC	2.50
Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká	SC	5.00
Dawn Over Mount Hira	HC	4.50
Dawn Over Mount Hira	SC	2.00
Dawn-Breakers--British Edition	HC	14.00
Dawning Place	HC	20.00
Dawning Place	SC	12.00
Days To Remember	SC	7.00*
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of NSA/LSA	SC	1.00
Deepening Packet for New Believers	FD	3.50
Desire of the World	SC	5.25
Diary of Juliet Thompson	HC	14.95
Diary of Juliet Thompson	SC	9.95
Door of Hope	SC	9.75
E. G. Browne and the Bahá’í Faith	HC	12.95
Earth is But One Country	SC	8.00*
Fire and Blood	SC	7.95*
For the Good of Mankind	HC	10.95
For the Good of Mankind	SC	4.95
Fortress for Well-Being--Gift Edition	HC	12.00
Four on an Island	SC	4.50
From the Auroral Darkness	HC	23.50
From the Auroral Darkness	SC	9.95
From Copper to Gold	HC	15.95
From Copper to Gold	SC	7.95
From Discontent	HC	13.95*
From Discontent	SC	5.95*
From Strength to Strength	SC	2.00
George Townshend	HC	19.50
George Townshend	SC	9.50
Glad Tidings of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	6.95*
God Loves Laughter	SC	5.50
God’s Great Plan	SC	2.00
He Loved and Served	SC	6.50
Heart of the Gospel	SC	2.75
Imperishable Dominion	SC	8.75
Index of Quotations	SC	24.50
Iran’s Secret Pogrom	SC	3.50
Khadíjih ‎Bagum Begum‎: Wife of the Báb	SC	3.75
Khánum: The Greatest Holy Leaf	SC	2.75
Light of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	2.50
Light Shineth in Darkness	HC	10.95
Light Shineth in Darkness	SC	6.95
March of the Institutions	HC	7.50
March of the Institutions	SC	3.50
Mark Tobey: Art and Belief	SC	8.95
Martha Root: Herald of the Kingdom	HC	16.00
Martha Root: Lioness at Threshold	HC	21.00
Martha Root: Lioness at Threshold	SC	14.00
Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	10.00
Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	6.00
Mighty River	SC	.50
Miracles and Metaphors	SC	8.95
Mission of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	8.95
Mothers, Fathers, and Children	SC	6.95*
My Memories of Bahá’u’lláh	SC	8.95
Mystery of God	HC	21.00
Other People, Other Places	HC	13.75
Phoenix and the Ashes	SC	4.95*
Portals to Freedom	SC	6.50
Power of the Covenant, Part 1	SC	2.00*
Power of the Covenant, Part 2	SC	2.00*
Power of the Covenant, Part 3	SC	2.00*
Prescription for Living	HC	4.75
Priceless Pearl	SC	5.00*
Promise of All Ages	HC	8.95
Promise of All Ages	SC	2.75
Religion for Mankind	SC	4.95
Renewal of Civilization	SC	2.50
Response	SC	4.95*
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1	HC	15.95
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1	SC	9.75
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2	HC	17.95
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2	SC	9.95
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3	HC	18.50
Seven Martyrs of Hurmuzak	HC	8.50
Seven Year Plan: Statistical Report	SC	2.50
Shell and the Pearl	HC	12.50
Shoghi Effendi: Recollections	HC	13.95
Some Bahá’ís to Remember	HC	14.95
Some Early Bahá’ís of the West	HC	12.95
Stories from the Delight of Hearts	HC	9.00
Story As Told	SC	2.50
Story of My Heart	HC	14.95
Story of My Heart	SC	7.50
Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History	HC	19.95
Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History, Vol. 2	HC	19.95
Sudden Music	HC	11.95
Táhirih the Pure	HC	10.95
Teaching the Bahá’í Faith	SC	4.35
Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká	SC	5.00
These Perspicuous Verses	HC	4.50
Thief in the Night	HC	6.50
Thief in the Night	SC	2.95*
To Move the World	SC	8.50
239 Days	HC	10.00
Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	13.50
Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	5.95
As We Grow Up	HC	7.95
Wine of Astonishment	SC	2.75
Witness of Pebbles	SC	5.95
Youth in the Vanguard	HC	10.00

Children and Youth

Title	Type	Price
Ali’s Dream	HC	10.95
Ali’s Dream	SC	5.95
Anthology for the Bahá’í Child	SC	3.00*
B. J. and the Language of the Woodland	SC	3.75
Bahá’í Prayers and Tablets for the Young	HC	5.00
Birth of the Bahá’í Faith	SC	1.00
Diamond in the Darkness	SC	3.50*
Dragons of Rizvania	HC	8.95*
Flickerings	SC	3.50*
Fly Away Home	SC	5.00
From Behind the Veil	SC	3.75
Horse of the Moonlight	SC	3.50
I Am a Bahá’í--Sunflower Set 2	SC	5.95
Magnified Be Thy Name	HC	5.50*
Mullá Husayn	SC	3.50
My Baby Book	HC	5.00
My Name is Nabíl	HC	6.00
Nine Holy Days	SC	3.00*
O God, My God	HC	6.00
Quddús	SC	3.50
Refuge and the Cave	SC	5.50*
Second Birth	HC	8.00
Second Birth	SC	4.50*
Secret in the Garden	HC	4.50
Secret in the Garden	SC	2.75
Special Strengths	SC	4.50
Spotlessly Leopard	SC	3.75
Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	4.50*
Sunflower Books--Set 1	SC	3.50
Sunshine Tree	SC	9.75

[Page 17]Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List 1 April 1985 3

Tāhirih	SC	3.50
Wonderlamp	HC	12.95
Zahra’s Search	SC	3.25
Open Door—with Envelope, Pkg of 10	PA	7.50
Political Non-Involvement	SC	1.00*
Promise of Disarmament and Peace	SC	1.00*
Teaching Cards—Wilmette HOW, Pkg of 25	TC	3.50

Foreign Language

Code	Title	Format	Price
PER/ARA	Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	21.50
PER	Baday’i’u’l Athar 1	HC	11.00
PER	Baday’i’u’l Athar 2	HC	12.00
PER	Bahá’í Faith Not Political	SC	4.00
PER	Bahá’í Life	SC	1.50
PER	Children’s Prayer Book	HC	7.95
PER	Compilation Hidden Words/Tablets	HC	4.95
PER	Epistle to the Son of the Wolf	HC	20.00
PER	Fire and Light	HC	17.50
PER	Gleanings	HC	11.00*
PER	Glimpses of Hope	SC	9.95
PER	Glorification and Praise	HC	12.95
PER	History of the Martyrs of Yazd	HC	12.95
PER	Kitáb-i-Íqán	HC	10.50
PER	Memoirs of 9 Years in ‘Akká	HC	15.95
PER	Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2	HC	4.95
PER	Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3	HC	4.95
PER	Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh	HC	8.95*
PER	Prayers of Shoghi Effendi	HC	2.50*
PER	Principles of the Bahá’í Faith	SC	2.50
PER	Secret of Divine Civilization	HC	4.00*
PER	Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	HC	8.00
PER	Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	5.00
PER	Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #2	HC	6.00*
PER	Selected Writings of the Báb	HC	15.00
PER	Some Answered Questions	SC	12.95
PER	Tablet of Ahmad	HC	12.00*
PER	Tablets/Bahá’u’lláh After Kitáb-i-Aqdas	HC	19.95
PER	Tablets for the Departed	HC	16.00*
PER	Traces of the Supreme Pen	HC	9.95
SPN	‎Adventimiento Advenimiento‎ De Justicia Divina	SC	3.75
SPN	Asamblea Espiritual Nacional	SC	3.00
SPN	Bahá’u’lláh y La Nueva Era	SC	7.00*
SPN	Christo y Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.00*
SPN	Constitución: Casa Universal de Justicia	SC	5.00
SPN	Datos Básicos	PA	.10
SPN	El Día Prometido Ha Llegado	SC	4.50
SPN	La Dispensación De Bahá’u’lláh	SC	3.75
SPN	Estudio-Escritos Bahá’ís	SC	4.00*
SPN	La Fe Bahá’í Teaching Booklet	SC	1.50
SPN	Kitáb-i-Íqán	SC	5.50
SPN	On Becoming a Bahá’í	SC	1.25
SPN	Oraciones Bahá’ís	SC	3.75
SPN	Oraciones Y Meditaciones	SC	6.00*
SPN	Palabras De Dios	SC	.30
SPN	Palabras Ocultas	SC	2.00
SPN	Pasajes-Escritos De Bahá’u’lláh	SC	7.00*
SPN	Poder De Asistencia Divina	SC	1.00
SPN	Principios De ‎Admistración Administración‎ Bahá’í	SC	4.50
SPN	Quienes Dios Confia	PA	.50
SPN	El Regalo	SC	2.00
SPN	Renovación De Civilización	SC	1.50
SPN	La Sabiduría De ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	SC	4.75
SPN	Sinopsis and Codificación Kitáb-i-Aqdas	SC	3.50
SPN	Tablas de Bahá’u’lláh	SC	6.00*

Video Tapes and Recordings

Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh	CS	7.00
Ark of Destiny Videotape—Beta	VT	35.00*
Ark of Destiny Videotape—VHS	VT	35.00*
Because We Love the Faith...Collins/Baker	CS	7.00
Education/Trustees Videotape—Beta	VT	40.00*
Education/Trustees Videotape—VHS	VT	40.00*
Flight	LP	4.00
Foundations of Learning	CS	7.00
Happy Ayyám-i-Há	LP	4.00
If You Only Knew	CS	7.00*
In the Days of the Guardian...Ioss	CS	7.00
In His Presence...Samandari	CS	7.00
Legacies of Service—Set of 5	CS	30.00
Light of Bahá’u’lláh—Set of 18	CS	74.50
Lote Tree	LP	4.00
Loving Hands	CS	8.00
My Only Desire...Alexander	CS	7.00
Strengthening Administrative Order...Holley	CS	7.00
Triumph of Cause...Balyuzi	CS	7.00
Unity in Diversity	CS	8.00*
Visit With the Master...True	CS	7.00
We Are Bahá’ís	CS	7.00*

Photographs, Calendars and Posters

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Color Lithograph, 11" X 14"	PP	10.00
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Color Lithograph, 5" X 7"	PP	4.00
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Lithograph, 10.5" X 15"	PP	2.50
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Lithograph, Set of 7	PP	5.00
Greatest Name, 3" X 4", Black, Pkg of 10	PP	1.50
Greatest Name, 8" X 10", Silver	PR	2.50
Scroll Calendar—142 B.E., Cloth	CA	8.00
Scroll Calendar—142 B.E., Wooden	CA	8.00
Seat of Universal House of Justice Poster	PR	3.00
Wilmette House of Worship Poster	PR	1.00

Pamphlets, Cards and Folders

Bahá’í Answers, Pkg of 10	PA	2.50
Bahá’í Faith Presentation File Folder	FD	.50
Bahá’í Faith Teaching Booklet, Pkg of 10	PA	14.00
Bahá’í World Faith for Modern Man, Pkg of 10	PA	3.50
Basic Facts of Bahá’í Faith, Pkg of 50	PA	4.00
Blossom—Assortment of 3, Pkg of 12	CD	2.00
Building a Unified Community, Pkg of 10	PA	3.00
Communion With God—Large Type	SC	1.50
Divine Law: Source of Human Rights, Pkg of 10	PA	3.25
Equality of Men and Women, Pkg of 10	PA	3.25
God’s New Age, Pkg of 10	PA	1.00
In Search of Supreme Talisman, Pkg of 10	PA	3.00
Loyalty to Government, Pkg of 10	PA	1.75
Meaning of Worship, Pkg of 10	PA	5.00
Message of Bahá’u’lláh, Pkg of 10	PA	3.00

Ordering Instructions

To process your order, the Distribution Service needs your name and address and a daytime telephone number. For each item ordered you must give the quantity, title and type (HC, SC, CS, etc.). Since stock numbers are no longer used in ordering books, it is essential that the type of item be included.

Payment must accompany orders from individuals. You may pay by check, money order, VISA or MasterCard. When paying by check or money order, include 10 per cent for postage and indicate if you prefer fourth class mail or United Parcel Service (UPS does not deliver to post office boxes).

Fourth class mail is not insured, and the Distribution Service cannot accept responsibility for lost shipments unless the loss is due to an error on our part. VISA and MasterCard orders should include the full account number and the date of expiration of the card. Credit card orders may be placed over the phone on our toll-free line, 1-800-323-1880.

Order forms for new and selected items appear each month in The American Bahá’í.

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Daily devotions to help us spiritualize our lives and bring us closer to Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.—

Bahá’í DayBook Passages for Deepening and Meditation

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

Bahá’í DayBook includes:

• passages from scriptures
• questions and answers
• explanations of Feast Days and Holy Days
• definitions of difficult words from the writings
• illustrations to inspire
• topics such as consultation, work, marriage, child raising, Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í history and administration, progressive revelation, race unity, and justice.

SAMPLE FACING PAGES, REDUCED

A joint project of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

• Available from Bahá’í Distribution Service, Wilmette, IL, U.S.A. at $3.75 plus 10% for postage and handling.

Available from Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 • TEL. 1-800-321-1880

384 pages 4½ x 6 inches ISBN 0- Softcover $3.75* [Page 18]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

BOSCH Bahá’í 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, UC-Santa 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, résumé, name, address and phone number of your Assembly secretary. Send to: School Administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, is planning a grand Reunion Banquet for all present and former members of the Bahá’í community to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of its Assembly. Any Bahá’í 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 Brasília, Brazil, is seeking qualified, experienced elementary school teachers, especially at the primary level. This Bahá’í-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, Bahá’í 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), Marshalltown (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, Bahá’í school planners scheme, and the friends are well-known for their gracious firesides and generous contributions 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 Riḍván? 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHÁ’Í family would like to hear from other Bahá’ís 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.

BAHÁ’Í with opportunity to pioneer in the West Indies on a citrus plantation needs first-hand experience. Will pay room and board. Please contact ‎Vafa,, 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 Riḍván 1986. Strong support is available from nearby county Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

WORK, study and great camaraderie at the Conifer Hill Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Group of Orcas, P.O. Box 490, Eastsound, WA 98245, or phone Carla Shaffer-Bauck, 206-376-2906.

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 Bahá’í 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 minorities; there are two predominantly 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 513-372-2588.

MARTHA’S Vineyard: an update. (Winter population, 10,000 ... Bahá’í 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 nine-month winter season can run about $250 a month. Carpenters have the best chance of finding work, but others might be lucky. Contact Victoria de León, 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 Bahá’í pioneers. Please write to Dr. B. Payman, P.O. Box 940, Hinton, WV 25951, or phone (evenings between 7-9 EST) 304-466-5296.

WANT to teach children but need training? The Louhelen Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

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 Bahá’í 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 1 1/2-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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

ACCOUNTANT for offshore company is needed in Cyprus. Experience in branch accounting and foreign exchange. Contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í 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 216-257-4781).

RECREATION directors are needed for summer programs at the Louhelen Bahá’í 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 résumé to Dr. Geoffry Marks, Louhelen Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Archives Committee is planning to hold its 1985 Archives Institute on August 22-25 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. Those who are interested in attending the institute should submit to the National Archives a 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 Bahá’í archives. Attendance will be limited to eight persons, and each one will be responsible for his or her own expenses and housing. Please address requests to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AVAILABLE to an interested composer: a recently completed libretto entitled “Ṭáhirih” based on the life story of the famous Bábí 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 Bahá’u’lláh! Get out of the cosmopolitan, congested areas—Ponce, 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.

BAHÁ’Í youth—or adults—wishing 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í School. A [Page 19]

Contrasts in language, custom must not become barriers

In The Advent of Divine Justice, the Guardian called upon the American Bahá’í 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 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í community are welcomed and will be considered for publication. Simply send your comments, ideas and articles to the committee c/o the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

لجنه جدید‌التأسیس اماء‌الرحمن

محفل مقدس ملی اخیراً لجنه ملی اماء‌الرحمن را تشکیل داده و هدف اصلی آن را "بذل مساعی منظم بمنظور بسط دامنه فعالیت‌های اماء‌الرحمن در جامعه بهائی و ایجاد ارتباط با انجمن‌هایی که اهداف و مآرب مشترک با ما دارند" تعیین فرموده‌اند.

اعضاء محترم لجنه عبارتند از:

Tahereh Ahdieh David Lepard Gail Haus Mary Sawicki

سرکار دکتر طاهره عهدیه جناب دیوید لپارد سرکار خانم گیل هاووس و خانم مری سا ویکی

لجنه جدید‌التأسیس مأموریت یافته است که ابتدا فعالیتهای کنونی اماء‌الرحمن را در جامعه بهائی بررسی نمایند. لجنه من‌بعد نامۀ اماء‌الرحمن را امتثالاً بدستور ‎سوؤل سؤال‎ ‎مخصوحی مخصوصی‎ به کلیه محافل روحانیه محلیه ارسال فرموده‌اند و علاوه بر جواب سؤالات مطرح شده لجنه امیدوار است اطلاعاتی راجع به جمعیت‌ها و تشکیلات غیر‌بهائی که فعالیت‌های خاص نسوان در جهت اصول و مبادی بهائی ترتیب میدهند جمع‌آوری نماید. یاران گرامی میتوانند به نشانی ذیل با لجنه ملی اماء‌الرحمن مکاتبه فرمایند.

National Women’s Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, Illinois 60091

میدان خدمت

تشکیل محافل روحانیه محلیه

طرحهائی تهیه شده است که در یوم اول رضوان 1750 محفل روحانی محلی در ایالات متحده تشکیل شود. برای رسیدن به این رقم 65 محفل جدید بایستی تشکیل شود و در عین حال از انحلال 141 محفل که در خطر است جلوگیری شود.

بسیاری از جمعیت‌های بهائی از لحاظ تعداد نزدیک به حد نصاب لازم برای تشکیل محفلند و با همکاری و کوشش مبلغین یا مهاجرین عزیز موفق خواهند شد. برای مثال 195 جمعیت هفت یا هشت عضو دارند و 182 جمعیت به حد نه نفر یا بیشتر رسیده‌اند.

هر جامعه محلی که توفیق تشکیل محفل روحانی را حاصل میکند بایستی روز اول عید رضوان تلفنی بشارت تشکیل را به رابط ناحیه اطلاع دهد و ورقه مخصوص را بلافاصله تکمیل نموده به دارالانشاء محفل روحانی ملی ارسال دارد.

مدرسه بهائی لوهلن

کلاس جناب دکتر ریاضی قدیمی

دوره تحصیلی یوسف 1 (دوره اول) 21 جولای تا 26 جولای 1985 دوره تحصیلی یوسف 2 (دوره دوم) 28 جولای تا 2 آگوست 1985

به استادی جناب دکتر ریاضی قدیمی بزبان فارسی

این دو دوره فشرده تحصیلی و کاملاً مشابه فقط برای دوستان عزیز بهائی میباشد. بعضی از دروس تدریسی عبارتست از: تاریخ ادیان، مطالعه بعضی الواح منتخب از جمله کلمات مبارکه مکنونه، حیات و وظایف بهائی...

نظر به تعداد کثیر متقاضیان شرکت در این دوره‌ها، خواهشمند است هر چه زودتر نامنویسی و دوره مرجح خود را مشخص بفرمائید. مبلغ نامنویسی شامل غذا برای بالا‌تراز:

20 سال	105 دلار	15 تا 20 سال	95 دلار
11 تا 14 سال	86 دلار	4 تا 10 سال	68 دلار
1 تا 3 سال	51 دلار	و کمتر از 1 سال	10 دلار

مبلغ ثبت نام مخصوص اطاقهای 3 و 4 تخته است. برای اطاقهای دو‌نفره، 25 دلار برای هر نفر اضافه میگردد. 10 درصد تخفیف برای خانواده‌های 4 نفره و بیشتر منظور خواهد گردید. کارت‌های اعتباری VISA و Master Card پذیرفته میشود. برای اطلاع بیشتر و ثبت نام با دفتر مدرسه تماس حاصل فرمائید.

Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 South State Road Davison, Michigan 48423 Phone: (313) 653-5033

برنامه تربیت معلم

کمیسیون تربیت اطفال مدرسه لوهلن اعلان نموده است که در ماه آگست سال جاری برنامه خاصی بمنظور کارآموزی معلمین کلاسهای اطفال ترتیب داده‌اند. شرکت کنندگان در این برنامه بعنوان کارآموز تحت نظر معلمین خبره کار خواهند نمود. کمیسیون معتقد است کارآموزان در اثر این تجربه عملی مهارت‌هائی را کسب مینمایند که با شرکت در کلاسهای معمولی تربیت معلم نمیتوان بدست آورد.

هریک از معلمین خبره مسؤول دو کارآموز خواهد بود و در انتهای هر روز باتفاق فعالیتهای آنروز را ارزیابی کرده برنامه کار روز بعد را تنظیم مینمایند. در اواخر هر دوره یکهفته‌ای کارآموزان مستقلاً طرح درس تهیه میکنند و کلاس را اداره مینمایند.

مخارج هر دوره 105 دلار است و برای ثبت نام داوطلبان میتوانند مبلغ 10 دلار بعنوان پیش‌پرداخت غیرقابل استرداد بعنوان ذیل ارسال دارند.

Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 South State Road Davison, Michigan 48423 Phone: (313) 653-5033

تصحیح و اعتذار

متأسفانه در صفحات فارسی امریکن بهائی ماه‌های فوریه و مارچ اشتباهاتی رخ داده که با اعتذار ذیلاً تصحیح میشود.

1 — در صفحه 21 نشریه ماه مارچ سطر آخر پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی مورخ 29 ژانویه 1985 حذف شده بود. تمنا میشود تکمیل فرمائید. ... که در زمان اشتغال قانونی به خدمت دولت دریافت داشته‌اند... بیت العدل اعظم

2 — در صفحه 21 نشریه ماه فوریه ابیات 6 و 7 از اشعار جناب عرفانی تحت عنوان "آفتاب عشق" بایستی بصورت ذیل اصلاح شود.

یکدلی آزادگی صدق و صفا چون زلال چشمه در جوشیدن است قصد آن کو جانفشانی میکند مرده دل را زندگی بخشیدن است

حقوق‌الله

یاران ساکن ایالات متحده میتوانند پرداخت‌های مربوط به حقوق‌الله را توسط یکی از اعضاء هیئت امناء که نشانی آنان ذیلاً درج میگردد ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Elsie Austin P. O. Box 927 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, Ohio 44116 [Page 20]

به یاد شهدای نوک

نوشته ذیل بقلم جناب موهبت الله هاشمی علیه بهاءالله الابهی بعنایت جناب کوچک مجیدی واصل گردیده که بدینوسیله از این دو یار روحانی صمیمانه قدردانی میشود.

جناب محمدحسین معصومی / امة‌الله شکرسا معصومی

در ایالت نیویورک امریکا این مرثیه مسدس در رثاء محمدحسین معصومی پسر غلامرضا ساکن نوک از قراء مجاور بیرجند و رثاء زوجه‌اش شکرسا صحراگرد بنت حبیب‌الله اهل سیکان که از قراء مجاور بیرجند تحریر شده. ‎مثلاً الیهما مشار الیهما‎ در روز شنبه اول شهر القول ۱۳۷ و یکم آذر ۱۳۵۹ ساعت ۱۱ بعد از ظهر در قریه نوک بدست جمعی از اهل جور و ظلم سوخته و ‎کداخته گداخته‎ و در آتش نمرودی آنان بریان و شهید شدند. شکرسا، بعد از سوختن ۶ روز در قید حیات بوده و محمدحسین معصومی در همان شب در میان آتش جان داده و شهید شده است. شرح حرقت و شهادت این زوجین ‎نفرین ؟‎ در پانزده صفحه مرقوم و مندرج گشته خلاصه آن آنکه شبانه ظالمین در داخل و خارج خانه آنها کمین کرده‌اند تا آن که محمدحسین معصومی بدون خبر از اطاق بیرون رفته که به گوسفندهایش علوفه دهد آنان بدرون آمده زن را طناب پیچ کرده در کنار دهلیز اطاق خوابانده لنگه در سنگین برای او گذاشته و مقداری هیزم و پنبه روی شده و لباسها و بدن زن به تمامه سوخته و آن زن از میان آتش درآمده و بیرون شده و بمنزل همسایه رفته و ماوقع را بالتمامه برای آنها بیان کرده و استمداد طلبیده ولی همسایه‌ها از جرئت نکرده بیرون شوند و مرتکبین محمدحسین را در کوچه دستگیر و کلنگ بر سرش فرود آورده و او را کتک زده و در گودال افکنده و آتش زده‌اند و وقتی بدن او سوخته است و جان را تسلیم نموده است هریک بمنزل خود رفته‌اند و "ویل" للظالمین.

سوختید ای مرد و زن در آتش اهل جفا قلب و روح پاکتان مملو بُد از عشق بهاء چون خلیل آتش گلستان گشت از بهر شما محضر الله حاضرید و رزقتان شهد لقا در حیات خویش مردم مشکلی بود و بلا لیک صبر و استقامت در شما بد پایدار

اول آذر رسید و آذری رخ برکشید شعله‌های آذرش در نوک بالا می‌جهید در میان شعله‌ها سوزان بد آن مرد رشید او همی در سوز بود و ظالمان مشغول دید رقص اندر آتش نمرودیان کرد آن شهید تا که روحش شد روانه سوی دارالقرار

ای محمد ای حسین برگو تو معصومی چرا گو که جان دادم روان دادم ره دین بهاء سوختم بریان شدم از نار افرادی شقا بسکه رقصیدم میان شعله‌ها گشتم فدا سوی عرش کبریا رفتم شنیدم این ندا مثل و مانندت کجا دیده است چشم روزگار ای شکر ای خانم مظلومه ای شکر نسا ای که جسم و جان تو برسوخت در راه وفا ای که در ایام عمرت داشتی شرم و حیا ای که بر نوع بشر کردی محبت بی ریا هر فقیر را ز خوان خویشتن دادی غذا لم یزل را روز و شب زدی سوی پروردگار زنده زنده سوختن مشکلترین رنج و عنا ای شکر در حین سوزش ذکر حق حاجت روا بر لبت یاد خدا بود و دلت پراز رجا نزد همسایه برفتی ما وقع گفتی بجا هم بها و گفتنی که الطاف بها بی منتهی بوده آندم لطف حق شامل ترا در حال زار

بر شنیده هر کسی این قصه را نالان شده اشکها ‎بسیا ر بسیار‎ در این فاجعه ریزان شده قلب‌های اصفیاء زین واقعه در غلیان شده با ‎رواغبا ر رواغیار‎ جهان زین ماجری گریان شده ساحت علیا ملایک ‎رآسشان رأسشان‎ عریان شده حزنشان یک بیک عیان باشد حضور کردگار من نمیدانم که این ظلم و شقاوت تا بکی این همه دزدیدگی جور و قساوت تا بکی نزد ارباب قلم سوء قضاوت تا بکی این همه کوری و ‎کجهل کژهل‎ و غشاوه تا بکی خالی از عقل و تهی بودن صباوت تا بکی تا بکی هستند سالک عازم دارالبوار از محبت از وداد از مهربانی از وفا کی زبان دیده کجا ‎مژ مهر/مرگ‎ و خطر گشته بپا در کتاب و نص و امر مرسلین و انبیاء ما همی خوانیم حب و معرفت صلح و صفا حق بیان فرموده تا اندر عمل آریم ما پس بدار آخر باشیم خوش با افتخار مقصد از خلقت مودت هست در بین بشر ما همه اثمار یک داریم و برگ یک شجر در نفاق و ظلم وجور و قتل ‎صرافت ضرافت/شرافت‎ و خطر مرحمت کردن بجمع دشمنان باشد هنر وین هنر در الفت و صلح جهان دارد اثر هاشی از الطاف حق ‎شکرا نه شکرانه‎ کن بس بیشمار

مرقومه سرکار خانم شیلا بنانی

مساعد هیئت معاونت در کالیفرنیا مورخ ۱ فوریه ۱۹۸۵

احبای عزیز، در این اواخر عده‌ای از بهائیان هم ایرانی و هم آمریکائی ساکن لوس‌آنجلس و نواحی آن درباره نظریاتی که این دو گروه درباره همدیگر دارند سخن گفته‌اند و اظهار نگرانی کرده‌اند. اجازه بدهید چند کلمه در این زمینه با شما در میان بگذارم و شما را به دو بیان مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء و تأمل و تفکر در آن تشویق کنم: برطبق اصول تعالیم بهائی البته همه بهائیان کوشش می‌کنند که برعکس آراء عمومی، اقوام مختلف بشر را به خلقیات و کلیات موصوف نکنند، مخصوصاً اگر این توصیفها جنبه منفی داشته باشد. این نوع سنجیدن گروه‌ها هیچوقت دقیق نیست و تنوع افراد را در آن گروه نشان نمیدهد. وقتیکه در سخنان ما صحبت از "ما" و "آنها" ست میدانیم که به همه سنجشهای نادرست مشغول شده‌ایم که مقصود از آن جدائی و تفاوت بین گروه‌هاست. تشخیص دادن و ارزش مثبت دادن به تنوع یکی از حادترین نشانه‌های سلامت روحانی و اجتماعی جامعه بهائی است. شناسائی فردیت هر شخص به ما کمک می‌کند که قدر همدیگر را بدانیم، و ما را برای قدم بعدی که مهمترین قدم زندگانی ماست آماده می‌کند که بقول مبارک حضرت عبدالبهاء "دیگر بیگانه نبینیم و همه را آشنا دانیم".

"نظراً زمشاهده غیر یکدیگر را مانند شب بیگانه نبینند بلکه جمیع را آشنا دانند زیرا با وجود ملاحظه بیگانگی محبت و یگانگی مشکل است" (ص ۲۲)

"چون جهت جامعه که نفوذ کلمة‌الله است حاصل گردد این اختلاف آداب و رسوم وعادات وافکار وآراء وطبایع سبب زینت عالم انسانی گردد و همچنین این تنوع و اختلاف چون تفاوت و تنوع فطری خلقی اعضاء و اجزای انسان است که سبب ظهور جمال و کمال است و چون ‎ابن این‎ اعضاء و اجزای متنوعه در تحت نفوذ سلطان روح است و روح در جميع اعضاء واجزاء سریان دارد و در عروق و شریان حکمران است این اختلاف و تنوع مؤيد ائتلاف و محبت است و این کثرت اعظم قوه وحدت." از منتخبات حضرت عبدالبهاء (ص ۲۸۰)

گزارش وزارت امور خارجه

در سال ۱۹۸۲ نیز مانند سال گذشته گزارش وزارت امور خارجه ایالات متحده در خصوص مراعات اصول حقوق بشر در ممالک مختلف از تضییقات وارده بر بهائیان ایران بعنوان نمونه‌ای از شدیدترین و کریه ترین موارد تعدی به حقوق بشر نام برده است.

در این گزارش که برای تقدیم به کمیسیونهای روابط خارجی سنا و کنگره آمریکا تهیه میشود ضمن اشاره به رفتار دولت جمهوری اسلامی ایران با بهائیان متذکر شده‌اند که "رژیم بهائیان را رسماً نمیشناسد و آنها را خارج از دین میداند و مورد ایذاء و آزار قرار میدهد". در دنباله مطلب آمده است که این آزارها از جانب دولت ایران هدایت میشود و هدف آن رهبران دیانتی است. ضمن تشریح انواع صدماتی که به احبای مظلوم وارد شده و میشود گزارش مذکور علت اصلی دستگیریها را اعتقاد به دیانت بهائی دانسته است.

یک هفته پس از انتشار این گزارش بیش از ۱۰۰ نفر از اعضاء جمهوریخواه و دمکرات کنگره ایالات متحده قطعنامه‌ای صادر نمودند که طی آن از کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد تقاضای اقدام در جهت تأمین آزادی عقیده برای بهائیان ایران کرده‌اند. [Page 21]يا مَن تَقَرَّبتَ بِالوَرقاءِ الأَنقَى بِيَانِ بَدِيْعِ الْفُرْقَانِ قُلْ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللهِ يُؤْتِي مَن يَشَاءُ وَ إِنَّ اللهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْمُتَعَالِ (در لوح مبارک مندرج است)

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۲۵ فوریه ۱۹۸۵

هم‌اکنون خبر غم‌انگیزی دریافت داشتیم که روح‌الله سپهر به ابدیت پیوست. مشارالیه که در تاریخ ۲۵ فوریه ۱۹۸۵ مقتول گردید خدمت‌گزار صمیمی دیگری در آن جامعه مظلوم به شمار آمد که نامش در فهرست‌های شهدای آن دیار با افتخار ثبت خواهد شد. برای علو درجات آن روح نجیب و صبر و اجر برای اعضای خانواده‌اش در آستان الهی دعا می‌کنیم. خواهشمند است مراتب همدردی صمیمانه ما را به خانواده ایشان ابلاغ نمایید.

بیت العدل اعظم

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۶ مارچ ۱۹۸۵ ‎گبسیله بوسیله‎ تلکس

از صعود نابهنگام جناب لبیب باستانی که از مدافعین شجاع امرالله در تایلند بودند عمیقاً متأسفیم. خدمات صادقانه و ممتد ایشان در محفل ملی کانادا و در هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای امریکا از مد نظر ساقط نخواهد شد. رجعت باشکوه نامبرده‌ای که در محافل بین‌المللی و در تحکیم اساس جامعه تایلند علی‌الخصوص در زمینه خدمات جوانان نقشی مهم داشته و همواره مورد ستایش و احترام بود و علو طبع و عطوفت قلبی و سادگی و صفا از خصوصیات بارز او به شمار می‌آمد مایه غم و اندوه بسیار برای جوامع مختلف در دو قاره امریکا و آسیا است. به اعضای محترم آن روح پرفتوح دعا می‌کنیم و از محفل ملی تایلند تقاضا می‌شود مراتب همدردی صمیمانه ما را به اعضای محترم خانواده نامبرده در آن کشور و سایر خویشاوندان ایشان در اقطار عالم در شرق و غرب ابلاغ نمایند.

بیت العدل اعظم

خطاب به پیروان جمال قدم جل ذکره‌الاعظم در اقطار عالم مورخ ۴ ژانویه ۱۹۸۵

یاران محبوب

در این هنگام که پی‌در‌پی خبرهای امور طوریه و آثار کبری الهی با آن مواجه است و فرصت‌های فوق‌العاده‌ای که در جهت خدمت به بارگاه مقتدرش برای عامه فراهم آمده است به ویژه با مژده جلوس جمال اقدس ابهی در اقطار جهان ارسال گشته، روحمان مسرور می‌گردد.

دعوت مؤکد ما را در طلب شفاعت یاران عزیز در صعود و عروج و پیروزی فوری به امر الله الهی با فعالیت‌های گسترده‌ای که در جهت بسط تعالیم الهی در سراسر جهان صورت می‌گیرد و مقاومت جانانه شما در مقابل خصم عنود و غدار را با کمال تحسین و سپاسگزاری نظاره می‌کنیم.

تنها در هندوستان یکصد و پنجاه هزار نفر معترفین جدید به جامعه بهائی پیوسته‌اند. در ساموا معبد مذکور اخیراً ضمن مراسمی که با امضای اعضای خاندان سلطنت و اعضاء تاجگذاری تایلند با شکوه و عظمت افتتاح گردید. شروع طرح و برنامه‌های سازندگی دائمی که مقرر است در حول قوس مظهر منور برپا گردد مطابق جدول زمان‌بندی معینه رو به پیشرفت و اقدام است. این مجهودات متنوع با لزوم توسعه امور اجتماعی و اقتصادی که برای تأسیس مدارس و درمانگاه‌ها و رادیوهای محلی و سایر طرح‌های توسعه و ترویج امور فلاحتی و فعالیت‌های بهائی شروع و به نتایج مورد نظر رسیده است ارتباط مستحکم دارد.

علاوه بر این مژده با توجه به امر الهی که در سراسر عالم با سرعتی بیش از پیش افزایش یافته مستلزم توسعه دستگاه‌های اداری و اجتماعی و سیاسی اولیای دول و اطلاعات و اخبار جدید و تماس با اولیای دول و بویژه آنکه با عمل مسئولانه و دائم در اقطار عالم با یاری باران بیش از هر زمان دیگری در معرض افکار و قضاوت عقلا قرار گرفته و این موضوع درخور تدارک و دقت خاصی می‌باشد.

در سال قبل در برزیل وکلای محترم در کنفرانس ملی بهائیان مملکت متحده امریکا با اتفاق آرا قطعنامه‌ای در جهت حمایت از جامعه مظلوم بهائیان ایران صادر کردند. وصول سیل تقاضاها از جانب نمایندگان احزاب و گروه‌های مختلف از کشورهای گوناگون نشانگر آن است که طرح‌های جدیدی در اقطار عالم برای حمایت از جامعه بهائی و جلب افکار عمومی پدید آمده است.

با توجه به تصمیم اخیر مجمع عمومی ملل متحد به مناسبت سال بین‌المللی جوانان مقرر شده تا با تاسی از تعالیم مبارکه مربوط به نظم عالم‌آرا به تشکیل همایشی برای بررسی حقوق الله به منظور تشویق جوانان در کلیه امور اقدام گردد.

در تداوم این مسیر سهم مهم و اساسی یاران و مبلغان و خادمان جمال قدم جل ذکره‌الاعظم — و ای حکم مرقوم در فهرست‌های ممتد و کتب مکرمه الهی — برای یاران و مروجان و معتقدان به امر الهی مایه امید و مسرت بخش و مستمر و گرانمایه جهت آموختن فنون لازم برای ترویج و تحکیم و بسط و اداره امور و تربیت نسل جوان در جهت استمرار و دوام این جنبش عظیم الهی است.

موقوفه دارالإنشاء بیت العدل اعظم الهی

یاران عزیز روحانی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده

مکتوب مورخ ۳ نوامبر ۱۹۸۴ آن محفل که مؤید پیام تلفنی مبنی بر مخالفت صریح و تکراری از سوی محافل و مراجع محلی و حاکم بر آمریکا در مورد تملک یکی از اجزاء و فرضیه صحیحی از املاک متعلق به امر الهی در آن منطقه و به منظور ایجاد یک مرکز علمی و اهل تحقیق گردیده است و مورد مطالعه دقیق قرار گرفت و به آمال کنونی شما در مورد ایجاد چنین مرکزی آگاه هستیم.

تداوم با سوگواری عائله مذکور در تحت شرایط موجود مورد تقدیر و تحسین ما است و با اصول روح دوستی و صمیمیت شما برای صلح و صفا مطابقت دارد. هر چند فی‌الحقیقه بهائیان از امکانات کافی برخوردار نبوده و برای آنها میسر نیست که بیش از این به این امر کمک نمایند، اما به هر حال مساعی شما در این مورد درخور تحسین است.

بهائیان در هر موطنی که زندگی کنند ملزم به تبعیت و اطاعت از دولت و وفاداری صادقانه به مصالح کشور متبوعه می‌باشند، نه تنها در حرف بلکه در عمل. عقاید و نظرات شخصی هر فرد بهائی نسبت به امور سیاسی در روش جامعه بهائی دخالت نخواهد داشت و به هیچ‌وجه نباید منبعث از اغراض باشد. ولیکن تا آنجا که امکانات محدود ما اجازه دهد که با کمال خلوص برای رفاه عموم کوشیده و در هر مسیری به سوی پیشرفت و ترقی قدم برداریم.

البته رعایت حکومت متبوعه از اهم امور است. در انتها این موضوع اگر چه مایه اندوه است اما با موازین اخلاقی و آرمان‌های بهائیان کاملا وفق می‌دهد و امیدواریم در آینده فرصتی برای جبران به دست آید.

ابراز مساعی مستمر شما برای ممانعت از اقدامات حاد علیه بهائیان ایران در امریکا مشهود است و مورد تقدیر و تشکر قلبی ما می‌باشد.

به اعضا و مامورین و مسئولیت تقویت مقامات متنوعه کشور امریکا در این ایام خطیر و بحرانی در تاریخ جهان که قسمت عمده‌ای از یاران عزیز را به متذکر میداریم تقویت صندوق‌های امریه از هر زمان بیشتر اهمیت و ضرورت حیاتی یافته است. این اجتماع و مبرات فعلی نه تنها برای استمرار حیات جامعه در امریکا ضرورت حیاتی است، بلکه اثرات مستقیم بر کل عالم بهائی و آمال جامعه جهانی در این زمان که به مقتضای حوادث و جریانات کنونی در راه مقتدر شدن است خواهد داشت. این فعالیت‌ها از طرفی باعث اتحاد و پیشرفت و از طرفی دیگر سازنده جهانی خواهد بود که مجد و اعتلای والای بشری را تأمین نماید.

با تحیات ابهی، بیت العدل اعظم

ساحات ابهی دارالانشاء بیت العدل اعظم ۱۵ نوامبر ۱۹۸۴ [Page 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 Bahá’ís. 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 Bahá’ís” because of the work she sees everyone doing, and would like to meet some Bahá’ís 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 “Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í-run business and surrounded by Bahá’ís? 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 lot of meetings, and sometimes, when a meeting is so Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í.

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 know what you want to know!

Compilation from House of Justice notes courage of Iran’s Bahá’í youth

The Universal House of Justice has sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies a compilation of stories about the sacrifices of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í prayers upon the students and staff at another school; and the execution in Shíráz of Ru’yá Ishráqí, a teen-age girl who was martyred with her parents.

During her trial Miss Ishráqí, 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 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’yá 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’yá, “I will stand firm in my love for my Beloved.”

MISS ISHRÁQÍ did stand firm, as have so many Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í in Iran.

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 Mullá 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 Bahá’ís in Iran.

In another instance, two teen-age sisters, stopped on the street for a routine check, replied to a question about their political affiliation that they had none—they were Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’ís, 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.”

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, or phone 305-584-1844.

Pictured are participants in a Bahá’í school sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Frederick County, Virginia, which meets on alternate Sundays at a farmhouse in White Post. Fourth from the left is Mary Davis, an exchange 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.

Data on Faith in schools, texts sought

The Department of Statistics at the Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í 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.

Writing contest set

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í values, but should not be moralistic in tone.

They should be typewritten or computer printed, double-spaced, 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, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 23]

THE MEDIA

{{{notes}}}

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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í artist Alice Barney who arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1889. The article mentions that she was a Bahá’í and includes a photo of a drawing she did of Mírzá ‘Abu’l-Fadl who visited Washington to teach the Faith in the West.

The February 17 edition of The Los Angeles Times reviewed the new book, The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion, by Canadian Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís Bahá’ís in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, join the list of local communities who have succeeded in getting their town councils to pass resolutions condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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, “Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 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-Urbana, Illinois, have an impressive ongoing schedule of events sponsored by the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 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:

• a catalog of media materials including more than 70 items to help in proclamation and publicity efforts;
• informative articles that explain how to work with the various branches of the local media;
• special event day packets for use in observing and publicizing 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 Bahá’í 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.

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 we get—but ‎thay they‎ sure are appreciated. KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS—AND CLIPPINGS—COMIN’!

MARY MRUGALSKI

Associated Press honors Bahá’í radio news reporter

Mary Mrugalski, a Bahá’í 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-year-old murder victim, police, prosecutors, a judge, and the Cook County medical examiner.

Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference to be held in Trinidad, West Indies

An International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Conference will be held August 2-5 in Trinidad, West Indies.

The International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre is collaborating with CIRBAL in organizing the event.

The conference, designed for Bahá’ís who are already working in Bahá’í radio or other audio-visual media as well as those with little or no experience, is to provide practical workshops in Bahá’í radio production, performance and programming.

Those who would like to attend should write to the International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre, Ontario L3T 2A1, Canada, or phone 416-889-8168.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Legislative activity is alive and well around the country. Following is a brief status report on the passage of resolutions condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.

STATES

Resolutions passed	Passed by one House
	State	House passed
Arkansas	Georgia	Senate
Louisiana	Illinois	House
Montana	Kansas	House
South Carolina	Maryland	House
Utah	New York	House
	North Dakota	House
	West Virginia	House

CITIES

Resolutions passed	Proclamations signed
Adelanto, CA	Greenville, SC
Jefferson Parish, LA	Florence, SC
Greenfield, MA
Roseville, MN
Lakewood, OH

The total number of states that have passed resolutions is 26. [Page 24]

Louhelen

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 Bahá’í students would live at Louhelen and take credit-bearing courses at one of the colleges. Additionally, they would receive courses in Bahá’í studies and in developing study skills, and would receive help in academic, personal and moral development from resident Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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, vice-chairman 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.

"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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í and study skills courses would be secured. Then, increasingly, courses in other areas would be taught at Louhelen by Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Faith has a special impact. The first of these agencies is the Center for Interracial Understanding.

That Center, presently composed of a committee of Bahá’ís 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 gradually 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 circumstances.

Dr. Geoffry Marks (left), the Louhelen Bahá’í School's academic director, and Dr. William Diehl (right), Louhelen's administrative director, are pictured with Charles Rickard, director of admissions at the University of Michigan-Flint, and Dr. Angela M. Reeves, director of admissions at Mott Community College in Flint.

"This development plan allows such flexibility. Equally important, it calls for each of the arms of the school, after a year of start-up, 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 a donation.

Also, the National Spiritual Assembly has established the Faizi Endowment for Education, which will be instrumental in the long-range 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 Bahá’í 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.

Copyright

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.

Milwaukee Bahá’ís, Interfaith group co-sponsor Religion Day observance

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í from Denver, were "Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith," "The Nuclear War Crisis-Spiritual Dimensions," and "Armageddon-Religious, Philosophical and Sociological Perspectives."

Sixteen students were enrolled in the course on Armageddon, 14 in the course on the nuclear war crisis, and seven in the introductory course on the Faith. [Page 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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 Bahá’í including the so-called “inactive” Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’ís. 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í community. Ministering to the needs of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh will attract attention and seekers from all walks of life.

‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ 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.

We are building a new World Order, using the principles 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 Bahá’í community are the same as those personal attributes we are trying to acquire in our daily lives.

W. Washington School seeks teachers

Are you interested in being a teacher of children or youth at a quality Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Schools Committee warmly invites you to be a teacher at either its week-long summer session (late July or early 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 for” or have made plans for the coming year, contact us anyway for 1986 or 1987.

Please contact either of the following: Karl Seehorn, 24615 112th Ave. S.E., Kent, WA 98042 (phone 206-631-7475). Becky Cleere, 3108 Oak St., Longview, WA 98632 (phone 206-425-3703).

Be like the fountain— empty yourself, and be refilled National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Idaho Bahá’ís give Native Americans dignity through remedial education

A small community of Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 education 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 ‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ 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 Bahá’í Center and a soon-to-be-vacated church across the street as the educational and vocational hub for that area.

Their focus is to enable people to become self-sufficient and self-reliant and to feel the dignity that Bahá’u’lláh speaks of. They are eager for pioneers to join the community and are especially interested in attracting Persian believers.

Lapwai is a vital and important start toward the goal stated by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván 1984 message to the U.S. to launch pilot projects of social and economic development on one or two Indian Reservations.

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 handling the Feast tapes has been informed of these comments and is working toward a tighter format.

Fund articles

Short of individual letters, The American Bahá’í 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 communities (34 per cent) rated the Fund report as fair while five per cent thought they were poor.

This appears to be the communications 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 Bahá’í. 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

New I.D. cards sent in March

New red and white Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í membership card by mid-April should contact the Office of Membership and Records. We’ll need to know your name, present address and Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

New Music from HEARTBEAT!

LOVING HANDS

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, synthesizer, percussion, recorder, dulcimer, fiddle and banjo.

Side 1: Songs about aspects of Bahá’í life

Side 2: Devotional music for quiet moments

$8.00*

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:

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 ● ILL: 1-800-323-1880

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 26]

JAVIER HUSAYN CUBERO

Joven bahá’í no deja la barrera de idioma impedir su progreso

En 1974, cuando a los ocho años vino a los Estados Unidos desde España, Javier Husayn Cubero hablaba casi nada del inglés.

“Tenía que escribirle tarjetas en español e inglés,” dice su padre, el Dr Antonio Cubero, “para que pudiera comunicar.”

Desde aquel entonces, el joven Javier, miembro de la comunidad bahá’í de Largo, Florida, ha hecho progreso notable.

Después de un año en la escuela media, le pusieron en un programa para estudiantes talentosos.

Completó la escuela media y la secundaria de Largo con notas superiores en todas las materias, logró un promedio de 4.46 y como el mejor estudiante ganó el derecho y honor de dar el discurso de despedida al fin del curso.

El profesorado le dió, unánimemente, el honor más alto de la escuela, el Premio Balfour por excelencia en erudición, realización y lealtad.

Además Javier fue presidente de los clubs de ajedrez y computadoras, vice-presidente del club español, miembro de la Sociedad Nacional de Honor, receptor de premios por excelencia en escritura, matemática, inglés, ciencia y estudios sociales, y recibidor de un premio de la Asociación Nacional de Maestros de Inglés por un cuento que escribió.

Fue un Escolar de Mérito Nacional y recibió varias becas universitarias de hospitales y otras organizaciones tanto como cartas de congratulación del Presidente Reagan, miembros del Congreso y otros funcionarios.

Presentemente Javier está en el programa de honores en la universidad de Florida en Gainesville donde también sirve como tesorero del Club Bahá’í.

Nuestro gran privilegio Fondo Nacional Bahá’í 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 propósito es permitir un intercambio libre y abierto de ideas y opiniones, sin derogar la opinión de otra persona o atacarla de manera personal. Nos gustaría recibir cartas en español, también.

Las cartas deben ser tan breve como posible (se sugiere un máximo de 250 palabras). Las cartas estan sujetas a redacción en cuanto a largo y estilo. Favor de enviarlas a: Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Estimado Redactor:

Una de las metas fundamentales de la religión es alcanzar la presencia de Dios. ¿Cómo podemos practicar la realidad de la Presencia de Dios? ¿Cómo podemos recordar a El cuando todos los días tenemos que atender el cuido del cuerpo, la muerte, la familia, el hogar, la vecindad y la comunidad?

¿CÓMO podemos comulgar con Dios cuando debemos pasar nuestros días entre las distracciones del mercado, en la escuela o el trabajo, en la sociedad o el recreo?

Es lo más difícil volverse desprendido del mundo, como sugieren nuestras enseñanzas, hasta aprender la gran realidad de la religión, el gran secreto del misticismo—que el espíritu de Dios está 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 religión solamente en términos de la iglesia y la oración, 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 bahá’í de “sumisión radiante” se vuelve nuestra respuesta diaria a los desafíos 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 mí todos los que estáis fatigados y cargados, que yo os aliviaré.”

Dice Bahá’u’lláh (Pasajes, p. 122): “...por cuanto El, el Soberano Señor de todo, ha dispuesto revelar su soberanía 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 revelación que en todo el universo, no puede descubrirse nada que no refleje ‎se su‎ esplendor. En tales circunstancias toda consideración de proximidad o lejanía es eliminada ...”

Y otra vez (Pasajes, p. 123): “Sin embargo, aquellos corazones que son conscientes de su Presencia, están cerca de El y deben considerarse como que se han aproximado su trono.”

¿No sería maravilloso si como los niños en la cuenta de hada, tuviéramos una botella con un genio oculto adentro que nos otorgaría cada deseo?

¡Tenemos! ¡Tenemos! ¡Tú eres la “botella,” y el “genio” es el Espíritu Santo! ¿Cuál es tu deseo, o hijo de Dios—¿cuál es tu deseo? Charles Beachner Santa Rosa, California

Estimado Redactor:

No hay tema más discutido en la comunidad bahá’í que los mártires y la persecución de los bahá’ís en Iran.

TOCA cada comunidad y afecta cada nivel de la vida bahá’í. Sin embargo, demasiadas veces los mártires se vuelven la causa de ‎demasiado demasiada‎ pesadumbre y ansiedad. Con demasiado frecuencia, la verdadera naturaleza de su sacrificio está mal ‎entendido entendida‎, en la cara de nuestra respuesta profundamente emocional a su situación.

Para los bahá’ís en Iran, las alternativas son claras: vivir la vida bahá’í y sufrir, talvez hasta ser matado; o perder la vida y vivir en la seguridad y comodidad relativas.

Encuentro casual demuestra poder de la Causa

Durante una vacación corta fui a Vermont a visitar al padre de un amigo en una área tranquila y remota cerca de una montaña hermosa.

EL HABÍA ido al pueblo de negocio, y yo fui de paseo con su perro por un camino bordeado de árboles 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 seguía el camino, extendiéndose hacia un riachuelo y un puente pequeño ‎d de‎ madera.

En la distancia vi a un hombre cortando la maleza excesiva que había crecido. Al acercarle vi que llevaba un sombrero estilo “cowboy” y que era de bajo de estatura. Talvez, me dije sorprendido, un mexicano o un indígena.

Acercándole más, vi que usaba un machete con una ‎diestreza destreza‎ adquirida por una vida de experiencia.

Con mi español limitado y su inglés fragmentario hablamos, y tuvimos una conversación extraordinaria que relataré lo mejor que puedo.

El era, dijo, un indígena de Guatemala quien con su esposa buscó refugio de las cuadrillas de muerte en ese país.

ME CONTÓ como ninguno está 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 acusación y responder.

Mencioné que mi conocimiento limitado del español fue adquirido en Centro- y Sudamérica donde producí dos películas sobre la Fe Bahá’í.

Al escuchar las palabras “la Fe Bahá’í,” se iluminó la cara con reconocimiento.

“Bahá’u’lláh,” dijo, ‎pronunciado pronunciando‎ la palabra ‎perefectemente perfectamente‎. “Muchos, muchos de mis amigos

Este comentario fue escrito por Mark Sadan de Ossining, New York.

en mi región son Bahá’ís; aunque yo soy cristiano, amo a la Fe Bahá’í y las enseñanzas de Bahá’u’lláh.

“Si al menos el mundo ‎escuchiera escuchara‎ esas enseñanzas de justicia y unidad, ya no habría matanza y sufrimiento.”

Le pregunté cómo sabía tanto sobre la Fe—¿de sus amigos, o por haber leído algo?

REPLICÓ que la mayoría de la gente de su región tenían una educación limitada, pero varias veces por semana había un programa por radio que comenzaba a las siete de la tarde que él y muchos otros escuchaban.

El programa tocaba música de su gente; enseñaba cosas útiles a los agricultores, madres y familias, y hablaba de Bahá’u’lláh, la historia de la Fe, sus enseñanzas y oraciones.

Amigos, estando en ese camino remoto de las montañas de Vermont, escuchando a este indígena medio analfabeto de Guatemala que había buscado el refugio en ese pueblo, fui tan conmovido por el poder de Bahá’u’lláh, 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 político y religioso, y la confusión de nuestra era.

Al enseñar, 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 sabía del sufrimiento de los bahá’ís en el Iran, y sentía una solidaridad entre ellos, si mismo y el sufrimiento de su propia gente indígena.

“Y cuando mejoren las cosas,” dijo, “regresaré a mi pueblo en Guatemala que también es muy hermoso, como aquí en Vermont, para estar con mi familia y amigos ...”

Al despedirnos, no pude sino reflexionar sobre Rúhíyyih Khánum quien había hablado de como los indígenas de Norte- y Sudamérica, al comprender la Luz de Bahá’u’lláh, la llevarán adelante como un faro para nuestra civilización oscura y moribunda occidental.

Novedades de E. B. I. L. A.
EDITORIAL BAHÁ’Í INDO-LATINOAMERICANA Manuel Ugarte 3188 - Buenos Aires - Argentina
El Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís
Recopilación de Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y cartas de Shoghi Effendi, sobre la necesidad de profundizar las Enseñanzas, realizada por el Departamento de Estudios de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
Enc. rústica - 10 x 15 cm. - 144 págs.
$4.00
Obtenible de: Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 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 1 1/2 years with possible extension. House and car provided. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í 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 312-869-9039).

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, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís offer crime/safety program

Responding to the Universal House of Justice’s letter encouraging service projects, the Bahá’ís of Carlsbad, California, recently presented a crime prevention-safety 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 day-long crime prevention-safety education program presented for parents and children in that city by the Bahá’ís of Carlsbad in co-operation with the city’s Police Department and Casa de Amparo, a home for battered children.

Nashville Assembly to commemorate its 50th anniversary

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

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 615-327-4202.

If you would like to attend the Reunion Banquet, simply clip and send the registration form.

The Bahá’í Faith in Nashville A SOURCE OF UNITY FOR FIFTY YEARS

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.

Cartas

De pág. 26

A cada uno se da el derecho de escoger. La mayoría han escogido vivir la vida bahá’í, y aguantar la persecución salvaje que sigue tal decisión.

Cuando a un bahá’í se le mata por rehusar negar su Fe, es como una ráfaga de luz cegadora. La luz es tan intensa, tan terrible, que muchas veces es la única cosa que recordamos.

Se nos olvida que esta muerte, por tan cruel que sea, es nada más 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 sólo héroes y heroínas, no son seres superhumanos con cualidades superhumanas; son gente como nosotros.

Como nosotros nacieron, crecieron, declararon su fe, alababan a Dios, se sentían frustrados, lloraban, enseñaban, aprendían, conocían gran felicidad y dolor, vivían y trabajaban en sus comunidades, y dieron sus vidas.

Para nosotros los obstáculos son superar nuestra timidez, forjar conexiones con el resto del mundo, y aplicarnos ‎al labor a la labor‎ difícil de nuestra transformación personal.

Para ellos, los obstáculos son la persecución, la amenaza constante de ser tomado preso y la ejecución, y el desafío de vivir la vida bahá’í en una sociedad que es abiertamente hostil.

Esta gente han dado sus vidas a Dios, no sólo en morirse sino en el hecho mismo de vivir. Contra condiciones aparentemente insuperables, encarados con la amenaza de la muerte, han escogido enseñar, 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 han mostrado que la fe del individuo puede superar el odio y brutalidad de una sociedad entera.

En su decisión de aguantar han encontrado la libertad, y han señalado el sendero hacia ella para toda la humanidad.

No niego el dolor que el sufrimiento de los bahá’ís iraníes nos ha traído. Yo lo siento, y continuaré a sentirlo mientras ‎sigua siga‎ el sufrimiento. Y sí, creo que debemos recordar a los mártires frecuentemente.

Pero cuando los recordamos, que lo hagamos no sólo con lágrimas. Que los recordemos con nuestras sonrisas, nuestra risa y nuestras vidas.

Compartamos con ellos su libertad. Y compartamos su regocijo, un regocijo que la violencia salvaje de este mundo nunca podrá deslustrar o superar.

Sólo 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. [Page 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.

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, Bahá’í locality code and district are requested.

If this is not the case with your Assembly, please be sure to provide your locality name, Bahá’í locality code and district in this box.

Your Bahá’í locality code can be found on your membership printout or your mailing label on the Assembly’s copy of The American Bahá’í.

LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY FORMATION REPORT FORM

SIDE A

Please type or print

ASSEMBLY MAIL

Send all mail for Secretary to:

• [ ] Assembly address given below (Post Office Box, Bahá’í Center, etc.)
• [ ] Secretary’s home address

Send mail for Treasurer to:

• [ ] Assembly address given below (Post Office Box, Bahá’í Center, etc.)
• [ ] Treasurer’s home address

Assembly’s Address (if different than Secretary’s home address) _________________________________________ Street, Rural Route or Post Office Box Number _________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code

LOCALITY INFORMATION

Locality Name ________________________________ Bahá’í Locality Code __________________________ District _____________________________________ The Community’s Bahá’í Locality Code can be found on any computer printed Assembly mailing label.

COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE REPORTING AN ASSEMBLY ELECTION

For each Assembly member, provide the following information:

Name	ID	Votes Received

In this box, please list all nine names and Bahá’í 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 joint declaration.

OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN Name _________________________ ID No.* ______ Address ____________________________________ City/State ______________________ Zip ________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

VICE-CHAIRMAN Name _________________________ ID No.* ______ Address ____________________________________ City/State ______________________ Zip ________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Name _________________________ ID No.* ______ Address ____________________________________ City/State ______________________ Zip ________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

TREASURER Name _________________________ ID No.* ______ Address ____________________________________ City/State ______________________ Zip ________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

OTHER OFFICER (IF ANY) Office Held ________ Name _________________________ ID No.* ______ Address ____________________________________ City/State ______________________ Zip ________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

• Individual ID Numbers are on the membership list, the membership card, and The American Bahá’í address label.

SEND YELLOW COPY IMMEDIATELY TO: BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091 KEEP BLUE COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS

CERTIFICATION

COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS FORM

I certify, on behalf of the Local Spiritual Assembly, that all nine members of the Assembly are Bahá’ís in good standing and that they are registered by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as members of the American Bahá’í community.

Signature ____________________________________ Print Name ___________________________________ Home Phone (___) _______ Work Phone (___) _______

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 print your name, as well as sign it, and to provide us with your telephone numbers.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

Please fill in all information requested for officers of your Assembly including name, Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í 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.

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 Bahá’í membership card, or a person’s address label from The American Bahá’í. [Page 29]Here are samples of both sides of the Riḍván election form for this year. We have highlighted each section with a short explanation to help you with 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 number 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 Riḍván, 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 Bahá’í and use them.

4. Please review the forms before sending them in to be sure you’ve included as much information as possible 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.

If you are forming by election, please complete the top section of side B.

If you are forming by joint declaration, please complete the bottom section of side B.

You can look for identification numbers on your community membership printout, a person’s Bahá’í membership card, or a person’s address label from The American Bahá’í.

SIDE B

COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE REPORTING AN ASSEMBLY ELECTION

An election meeting was held on ____________________, 19____ at _________ a.m. / p.m. The following should be reported to the community after the ballots are counted:

T E L L E R S R E P O R T 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 .......................................... = _________

TELLERS: (There must be more than one) HAS THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTED THE TELLERS’ REPORT? Name (Please print) __________________________ Phone No __________ Name (Please print) __________________________ Phone No __________ Name (Please print) __________________________ Phone No __________ Signature of Chief Teller ___________________________________

COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE REPORTING A JOINT DECLARATION

An election meeting was held on ____________________, 19____ at _________ a.m. / p.m.

J O I N T D E C L A R A T I O N ID Number* Name Signature                                                       *The Community’s Bahá’í Locality Code can be found on any computer printed Assembly mailing label. Individual ID Numbers are on the membership list, the membership card and The American Bahá’í address label.

PLEASE REPORT ELECTION OF OFFICERS ON REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM

[Page 30]

VIE Chart

Continued From Page 5

District Name	‘Starting Block’ Info			Current Month Info (Sharaf)
	Membership as of 12/9/84	Number giving	Percentage of participation	Membership (01/08/85)	Number giving	Percentage of 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
Illinois S
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana N
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 E No. 2
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. 1
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

As a means of raising money to finance a trip to the International Youth Conference next July in Columbus, Ohio, by Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í artist from Boulder, which honors Mírzá Mihdí, 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 Bahá’u’lláh, 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 Bahá’u’lláh in another land.

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 Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 31]

Ten years ago...

... in The American Bahá’í

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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís from several Chicago-area communities. ...

Ads

Continued From Page 18

major address or performance-workshop by an accomplished artist in any field is especially needed. Please send your recommendations and proposals immediately to the Green Acre Bahá’í Arts Committee, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

NURSES wanted for orthopaedic private clinic in Cyprus. Please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í children’s classes, set up a schedule for the various locations. For more information about the positions and application process, please contact the District Teaching 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 Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

FOR A FREE brochure describing the Louhelen Bahá’í School’s programs from February through August 1985, write to the school at 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

HOST an autograph party for a Bahá’í author in your area—a unique way to teach the Faith, gain media attention, and promote Bahá’í literature. But first, write to the Promotions Department at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust for a check list for the event and other information and ideas.

Even if you don’t know of a nearby author, it may be possible for an author to travel to your area. Address inquiries to Anne Atkinson, Bahá’í 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 year-round.

A SOCIAL and Economic Development Conference is scheduled June 7-9 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. Presenters will be Counsellor Fred Schechter; Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and the Canadian Bahá’í International Development Service; Paul Ojermark, the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033). 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, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í, in your classes? It’s ideal for fostering a Bahá’í identity in children ages 3-7 and offers many exciting activities. For ordering information, see the coupon on the Bahá’í Distribution Service page in this issue of The American Bahá’í.

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 Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

BAHÁ’Í 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: Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Archives is seeking to locate original Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the following Bahá’ís: 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 Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SUMMER jobs at the Green Acre Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

Pearle Easterbrook, well-known Bahá’í teacher, dies at 94

Pearle Easterbrook, a Bahá’í 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.

Mrs. Abrarpour, oldest Bahá’í in Clear Lake

Mrs. Robabeh Abrarpour, the oldest member of the Bahá’í 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 Iran, they remained in this country as religious refugees.

Mrs. Abrarpour’s husband, Agha Jan, died in October 1982.

In Memoriam

Name	Location	Date
Sallie Bell Brady	Federalsburg, MD	Date Unknown
Edward Howard	Chicago, IL	February 1, 1985
John Payton	Joliet, IL	November 10, 1984
Willie Byrd	Suffolk, VA	Date Unknown
Devah Ingold	Franklin, TN	January 23, 1985
Marie K. Pearl	Santa Clara, CA	February 9, 1985
Mary Creekmore	Amherst, MA	January 11, 1985
Ann Koplon	Eagle, WI	Summer 1984
Ilanon (Ida) Saffold	Elsinore, CA	January 21, 1985
Antonio Cardozo	Arlington, MA	December 9, 1984
Roy King	New York, NY	November 5, 1984
Pearl Smith	Peoria, IL	October 13, 1984
Pearle Easterbrook	Lincoln, IL	January 1985
George Knoerr	Oconomowoc, WI	October 1984
Vera Terry	Saginaw, MI	October 25, 1984
Francis Enghretson	Sussex, WI	December 31, 1980
Thomas Many Guns	Browning, MT	January 26, 1985
Karen Thornquist	Des Moines, IA	January 3, 1985
Gabriel Figueroa	Bisbee, AZ	December 31, 1984
William Miller	Ocala, FL	November 21, 1984
Grant Whiterock	Tonalea, AZ	January 5, 1985
Arthur Goode	Schofield, WI	November 3, 1984
Moftakhar Munir	Westlake Village, CA	Date Unknown
Francis Yazzie	Kaibito, AZ	October 1983
Mohamed Hammon	Modesto, CA	December 1983

[Page 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 Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’í 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:

Bahá’u’lláh’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 discusses 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. 1 killer, coronary heart disease, is directly caused by consumption of homogenized milk and milk products (which do not grow out of the ground).

Bahá’u’lláh’s statement, “Abstain 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 Guillain-Barre 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 Bahá’ís if in the future it were established that, for example, thousands of Sudden Infant Deaths (SIDs) among unsuspecting non-Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í, 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 Editor:

I 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 Bahá’í 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 tainted‎ by an intention to use them piecemeal to give our appeals an extra emphasis.

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.

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 Bahá’í House of Worship with an identifying caption on the opposite page.

I wanted other Bahá’ís 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

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í, send your new address and your mailing label to the OFFICE OF MEMBERSHIP & RECORDS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

	ID#	Title	Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames
1.
2.
3.
4.

B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS:

House/Space #, Street or Description
City	State	Zip

C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS:

P.O. Box or other Mailing Address
City	State	Zip

D—NEW COMMUNITY:

Name of new Bahá’í community

Moving date

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

Area Code

Number

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are.

Area Code	Number	Name
Area Code	Number	Name

G We receive extra copies because:

[ ] we do not have the same last name.

[ ] We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.

[ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. 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.

[ ] 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, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER Wilmette, Illinois 60091

BAHÁ’Í FAITH

The Bedrock of All Other Institutions

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091