The American Bahá’í/Volume 16/Issue 5/Text

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[Page 1]

1985

The American

Baha'i

WILLIAM SEARS

Kansas ablaze as Mr. Sears’ arrival nears

“These 12 central states of the United States are like unto the heart of America, and the heart is connected with all the organs and parts of man. If the heart is strengthened, all the organs of the body are reinforced, and if the heart is weak all the physical ele ments are subjected to feebleness.’ (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan)

The spark of teaching has again been lit and is burning brightly in America’s heartland.

Fanned to flame in Kansas with victory in the ‘‘month of firesides’’ competition, teaching efforts have spread quickly throughout the state, raising a signal fire to attract and lead the rest of the nation in the last year of the Seven Year Plan.

SINCE the month of firesides last November, Kansas has carried on a 2]-week teaching campaign.

Its efforts will reach a new peak

See KANSAS Page 10

aoe

Ridvan message to world from House of Justice

To the Baha’is of the World Dearly-loved Friends,

As we enter the final year of the Seven Year Plan, confidence of victory and a growing sense of the opening of a new stage in the onward march of the Faith must arouse in every Bahda’{ heart feelings of gratitude and eager expectation. Victory in the Plan is now within sight and at its completion the summation of its achievements may well astonish us all.

BUT THE GREAT, the historic feature of this period is the emergence of the Faith from obscurity, promoted by the steadfast heroism of the renowned, the indefatigable, dearly loved Baha’i community of Bahá’u’lláh’s and the Bab’s native land.

This dramatic change in the status of the Faith of God, occurring at so chaotic a moment in the world’s history when statesmen and leaders and governors of human institutions are witnessing, with increasing despair, the bankruptcy and utter ineffectiveness of their best efforts to stay the tide of disruption, forces upon us, the Bahá’ís, the obligation to consider anew and ponder deeply the beloved Guardian’s statement that “The principle of the Oneness of mankind—the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh re volve—... implies an organic change in the structure of present day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced.’”

Intimations in the non-Baha’i world of a rapidly growing realization that mankind is indeed entering a new stage in its evolution present us with unprecedented opportunities to show that the Baha’i world community is ‘‘not only the nucleus but the very pattern” of that world society which it is the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh to establish and toward which a harassed humanity, albeit largely unconsciously, is striving.

See MESSAGE Page 22

WLGI Radio holds its grand opening ceremony

By DAVID E. OGRON About 600 people including Baha’is from Georgia and the Carolinas; listeners to WLGI-FM, the first Bahá’í-owned and operated radio station in North America; and a number of non-Baha’i dignitaries were present March 23 at the WLGI grand opening ceremony at the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

AMONG those who attended were Ruth Pringle, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas; all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board members Dr. Carole Allen and Elizabeth Martin, and the six members of the National Teaching Committee.

The ceremony, held in a large tent erected on the Institute property, was broadcast live over WLGI.

The keynote speaker, Wallace Brown Sr., director of South Carolina’s Division of Rural Improvement, was introduced by the mayor of Hemingway, the Hon. William B. Harmon.

During his address on ‘‘Radio:

Its Role in Education,” Mr. Brown quoted from the Baha’i writings.

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual As sembly, served as master of ceremonies.

Four members of the National Assembly, Dr. Dwight Allen, Dr. Alberta Deas, Dr. Robert Henderson and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, also spoke during the ceremony.

DR. DEAS, the outgoing director of the Gregory Institute, was honored for her four and one-half years of service in that capacity. She was presented a framed portrait of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, for whom the Institute is named.

Earlier in the day, the members of the National Assembly and special guests had attended a luncheon at the Institute during which Dr. Roy Jones of Charleston, the incoming director of the Gregory Institute, was introduced.

Among the guests who attended the luncheon and grand opening

See WLGI Page 4

Two more Baha’is executed in Iran

RECENTLY SAD NEWS OF FURTHER EXECUTIONS OF TWO BAHA'IS IN IRAN RECEIVED, MR. RUHULLAH BAHRAMSHAHI, AGE 50, EXECUTED YAZD 25 FEBRUARY, MR. NUSRATULLAH SUBHANI IN TEHERAN 5 MARCH. KINDLY INFORM PRESS AND AUTHORITIES. UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

MARCH 14, 1985

Index

South Carolina Division of Rural Improvement, delivers the keynote address March 23 at the grand opening ceremony for

/ in South Caroli Seated behind him are National

Wilma Brady and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh,

National Assembly resolves to eliminate $1.3 million bank debt

The National Fund sustained an estimated $600,000 deficit in the year just ended.

AS A result, the cumulative Fund balance deficit grew to $2.2 million ($1.3 million of which is short-term bank debt).

Never before has it been necessary to spend so much above our level of contributions to carry out the vital needs of the Faith.

Noteworthy expenditures this past year included:

© the expansion of the External

Affairs (diplomatic) Office; © increased support of the Baha’i World Centre;

© the additional cost of audio Feast messages;

• expansion of the PersianAmerican Affairs Office;

¢ increased cost of operating the permanent Baha’ schools;

• an increase in the number of

” overseas goals for pioneers.

This year, the National Spiritual Assembly has resolved to eli minate the $1.3 million bank debt by encouraging a 22 per cent increase in contributions while greatly curtailing operating expenses. A reduced operating budget of $7 million for fiscal 1985-86 reflects this commitment.

A NUMBER of offices at the National Center have suffered a reduction in staff while other offices (such as the National Education Office) have been largely eliminated.

In this final year of the Seven Year Plan, the National Assembly

has issued a call for a// Baha’ institutions and all individual believers to join the Campaign of Unified Action by becoming involved in an active teaching campaign, encouraging regular firesides, and giving regularly and sacrificially to the Fund,

In this way, every Bahd’{ can help in winning the goals of the Seven Year Plan,

ees

[Page 2]The American Baha'i

ee ee ee eee ee a ee rere VIEWPOI

2

To the Trustees of the Cause of God in the United States of America

Felicitations and Baha’i greetings on the occasion of the New Year, the Festival of Naw-Rúz, and the completion of the Fast, to those faithful believers, those courageous defenders of the Cause of God who, under the direction and guidance of the Supreme Institution, are constantly engaged in unstinting and fruitful efforts for the vindication of the rights of the persecuted friends in Iran. We humbly express our deepest appreciation for your support and protection of these oppressed ones who have been subjected to countless woes and tribulations.

THE OUTSTANDING victories of those zealous protectors and proponents of this exalted Cause—‘‘the standard-bearers,”’ in the words of the beloved Guardian, ‘‘of the new world-order of the Faith of God’’won as a result of the impressive endeavors in their appeals to international organizations and tribunals, to public officials and to heads of states, in conjunction with the persistent dissemination in the major media throughout the world of the reports of the severe and unrelenting hardships and the ceaseless and overwhelming adversities that have befallen the devoted followers of the Chosen King, have raised the prestige and increased the credibility of this most mighty Cause and demonstrated its majesty and grandeur.

They have served to both prove to the leaders of the world the meekness of these oppressed ones and the legitimacy of their claims, as well as strengthen the spiritual fortitude of these servants, and encourage and inspire us to greater selflessness and sacrifice in the path of the Merciful Beloved.

Though at times it may seem that such efforts have had an adverse effect on the affairs of individual believers, in general they have served the Cause of God. They have resulted in the dissemination of the sweet savors of the Lord and the exaltation of His Word throughout the farflung regions of the earth and in the fulfillment—the responsibility for which was placed in the capable hands of that gloriously illumined community—of the Divine promises that streamed forth from the miracletipped pen of the peerless and beloved Guardian.

At the same time, we who have been deprived of serving at the Divine threshold, these broken-winged and forlorn birds, are ready for any sacrifice and martyrdom for the advancement and triumph of the Cause of the Blessed Beauty. We are deeply grateful, proud and honored to have received the support and protection of those Holy doves of the Lord, those heroes of the Faith of God who have been vested with this trust, who are rendering this greatest and most noble of services, and who have been honored by the Will of the Ancient of Days as the defenders of the lofty aims of the beloved Cause, a task they are most splendidly accomplishing.

THESE INVALUABLE and historic services will no doubt remain forever inscribed in the annals of the world, their luminous influence shining on through successive epochs and ages.

In closing we adorn this letter of appreciation with selections from the gem-like utterances of the Center of the Covenant of God which give tidings of the lofty character and exalted station of those revered friends and steadfast co-workers, and of the copious Divine bounties bestowed upon them. | “The range of your future achievements still remains undisclosed. I | fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and shaken by the results of your achievements. The hope, therefore, which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused throughout the East and the West, and the advent of the Kinggon of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the glo

and again:

“The moment this Divine Message is carried forward by the American believers from the shores of America, and is propagated throughout the continents of Europe, of Asia, of Africa, and of Australasia, and as far as the islands of the Pacific, this community will find itself securely established upon the throne of an everlasting dominion. Then will all the peoples of the world witness that this community is spiritually illumined and divinely guided. Then will the whole earth resound with the praises of its majesty and greatness.””

Happy are those blessed and selfless servants who have, through the boundless favors of the Exalted Lord, attained such a magnificent bounty. The bells are tolling the greatness of those chosen ones throughout the world and the heavenly echoes are, with every passing moment of these sensitive times, ringing on and on in the ears of all mankind.

It is absolutely certain that the crucial efforts and noble endeavors of those loved ones of the King of Creation, the servants of the realms of the Monarch of Unity, will illumine the darkest corners of the world with the rays of the triumphal souls of the martyrs in the Blessed Beauty’s homeland who have tinged the earth with their precious blood, and will perfume both east and west with the sweet and fragrant savors of His Holiness.

With fondest greetings and supplicating your prayers,

The Baha’is of Iran 5 ‘Ald 141 B.E.

Comment

Costa Rica music conference unleashes vast potential of music for teaching, deepening

At the second International Conference for Baha’i Musicians, held in Costa Rica in February, everyone was tremendously excited about the musical talents within the Baha’i community and the great potential for using those talents to proclaim the Faith.

THIS assurance, as well as the fervent desire to respond to the supreme sacrifices being made by our Iranian brothers and sisters, led to the adoption of a campaign of proclamation, teaching and deepening through music to take place throughout the summer of 1985 in the West Indies, Central and South America.

The campaign, entitled ‘We cannot fail them ...,”” based on the stirring appeal by the Universal House of Justice at Ridvan 1984, is under the auspices of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas in collaboration with the Continental Pioneer Committee for the Americas and the National Spiritual Assemblies of all the countries involved.

One of its goals is to encourage the use of music by local Baha’ musicians and Baha’i communities, so that music will continue to be a vital part of community life and teaching long after the visiting musicians have gone.

‘The campaign will consist of individuals and groups of up to four musicians who will present public concerts and provide music for more informal gatherings such as firesides.

Since we'll be teaching in multicultural areas, we especially need musicians of minority background, and we wish if possible to have multi-racial performing groups.

BESIDES musicians, we'll need those with technical knowledge of sound systems and equipment. Our aim is to provide groups with portable sound equipment for open-air concerts.

If you have such equipment, please consider making it available. And if you have the requisite technical skills and wish to serve the Faith in this papacy capacity, please j us!

We plan to launch ‘‘We cannot fail them...” June 1-7 at the Amoz Gibson Training Centre in Puerto Rico with a seminar of deepening, rehearsals, group formations, and exchange of technical equipment. We also hope to give some performances there that same week.

The seminar, while beneficial to all, may be especially helpful for those who will perform and teach in the Caribbean area and in northern South America.

The costs will vary a good deal depending on where individual participants travel, for how long, and whether they will be staying in hotels or elsewhere. Some funding may be available.

If you are interested in participating in this campaign, whether or not you are a musician, please write to ‘‘We cannot fail them ...,”” c/o Marian Dessent, secretary,

Durham, NC 27705, or telephone 919-383-2306.

IF YOU have specific questions about the campaign, please write to Gregory P.P. Meyjes, coordinator,

Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or

phone 919-929-9282. If you cannot take part, but would like to contribute to the

nois.

Faith.

ment.

Rep. Porter asks support for Baha’is

The following statement was entered in the Cc ord for Thursday, March 7, by Rep. John Edward Porter of Ili Mr. Speaker, last month over 140 members of the House and Senate joined me in sending an appeal to the UN Human Rights Commission urging the adoption of a resolution condemning the government of Iran for its persecution of members of the Baha’i

Over the past three years the Commission has adopted a series of resolutions condemning the government of Iran for its violations of human rights. My colleagues and I are hopeful that the Commissioners will adopt a similar resolution during their meeting in Geneva (Switzerland) this month.

Members of the Baha’i Faith have been the target of hostility. on the part of the Muslim Shi’ ite clergy ever since the inception of the Baha’i Faith in Iran over 140 years ago. Under the regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini, nearly 200 Baha’is have been executed and more than 700, including women and children, are held in jails and face ruthless torture. In addition, all Baha’is have been discharged from government service; many are being compelled to repay the salaries they earned during their years of service, and retirees are required to return their pensions or face imprison These acts of savagery cannot be allowed to pass in silence. It is critical that members of Congress and human rights advocates around the world continue to call attention to the plight of the Baha’is. This will make it clear to the Khomeini regime that the world is aware of its barbaric actions.

Rec

financial support of the campaign, you may make a contribution to the Continental Baha’i Fund earmarked for ‘‘We cannot fail them ...’”

Friends, the dramatic impact music has in proclamation and consolidation of the Faith has been demonstrated time and again. This is especially true in the areas concerned, because these are music-loving cultures in which music is a vital tool.

Those with musical talent have an enormous responsibility to rise to meet this challenge. Our Iranian brothers and sisters are challenged to the utmost. Can our endeavors fail to match theirs?

Their sacrifices have released great spiritual energy. What is our response to this challenge? We must think big and act quickly! We cannot fail them ...

1,100 L.A. doctors send letters to UN protesting executions

Acting on the initiative of a local Bahd’{ physician, some 1,100 physicians in the Los Angeles area have addressed letters to the UN Secretary-General in New York protesting the execution in Iran of Baha’is, among them several doctors, solely on the basis of their religious beliefs.

The deaths of 19 to 20 Baha’i physicians have been documented including that of Dr. Manuchehr Ḥakím, an internationally known researcher in anatomy who was assasinated in his clinic in Tehran in January 1981.

The letter of protest to the Secretary-General says in part:

“We, the physicians of Los Angeles of various religious backgrounds such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and the Baha’i Faith, are deeply concerned about continued violations of human rights in Iran ...

“We are confident that the United Nations should be the institution to stop these horrible (and) irresponsible acts of violence.”

OA SET The American Baha’ (USPS 042-430) Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL. 60091 Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of

Membership and Records, Bahá'{ National Center, ‘Wilmette, IL 60091.

Editor: Jack Bowers

Associate Editor: David E. Ogron

‘The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear and concise manner; color or ‘black and white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wil‘mette, IL. 60091.

Copyright © 1985 by the National Spiritual Asem: ‘bly of the Baha'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

en a

[Page 3]LETTERS

May 1985

3

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only aft of differing opinions. Baha

The American Bahd’{ 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 ions, never to derogate ’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 Baha'i, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

To the Editor:

I was one of those at the 1984 National Convention who signed the petition to the Universal House of Justice to apply the law of Huqtiqu’ll4h to the western believers, and ever since then I have been asking myself why.

Why?

Because the Ḥuqúqu’lláh is an obligation in the same sense that tithing is—that is, you are obliged (forced) to give, whereas contributions to the Fund should come from the heart. One gives what one can afford to give, even if only a penny at each Feast.

The preamble to the prayer for the Fund in the most recent prayer book states: ‘‘All the friends of God should contribute to the extent possible, however modest their offering may be. ...”” and then goes on to say what the material blessings will be.

A few years ago, the Treasurer’s Office submitted a plan to the friends that was suggestive, not obligatory; that is, if so many believers pledged to contribute a certain amount (the amounts were on a sliding scale) consistently, problems with the Fund might be de-escalated.

Evidently the plan met with disfavor because it was not carried over into ensuing years.

And what ever happened to the 20,000 pledges we had hoped to get? Is it the word ‘‘consistently’” that is the stumbling block?

If you can afford to give $100 to the Fund at each Feast, by all means give it. And if you can afford only a penny at each Feast, give it. But be consistent—give something at each Feast!

Remember that the element of sacrifice plays an important part. It isn’t how much money a person has, but how that money is used.

Start now—don’t wait for the law of Huguqu’llah!

Sylvia Weitz Jenkins Evanston, Illinois

To the Editor:

Raising kids isn’t getting any easier, and the Louhelen Baha’i School Child Education Committee wants to talk about it.

INCREASING numbers of parents are openly expressing their doubts about the ability to rear their spiritual charges given pres ent-day conditions. And well they might.

The vital urgency of rearing spiritual children is a daily lesson made obvious by the media and personal experience in a world fraught with tumultuous, often disastrous change.

Every Baha’i parent feels that urgency and wants his child to be a part of that ‘‘new race of men’’ helping to quicken the appearance of Baha’u’llah’s new World Order.

But many obstacles frustrate parents’ efforts to rear Baha’i children. Parents must combat the destructive forces that assail their children in the neighborhood, at school, and through radio and television.

Baha’i parents strive to keep marriages intact and families unified. Single parents with children struggle under a double load, seemingly with half the time.

THESE pressures and responsibilities are further complicated by such needs as personal career development, economic stability for the family, and providing acceptable peer relationships and social experiences. Add to these the Baha’i commitments to teach, deepen, serve on Assemblies, committees and so on.

Our communities seem befuddled over the whole parent education question, even though parent training was identified five years ago by the National Spiritual Assembly as an important consolidation activity for the Seven Year Plan.

What seems needed is an ongoing dialogue about parenting and the role of the family in the emerging Baha’i society. Clearly, the station of parents needs to be uplifted and the quality of family life strengthened. How can we do this?

Parent education is one of the most critical consolidation tasks that presently exists in our communities. The Louhelen Baha’i School Child Education Committee is particularly aware of this, since our mandate has directed us to help provide courses ‘‘in the Baha’i Teachings on parenthood, family life and the upbringing of children.””

We believe that becoming acquainted with the thoughts, views and opinions of parents is the first step toward developing approaches to parent education that will help strengthen the family and ultimately the fabric of the entire Baha’i community.

PARENTS are invited to write this committee about their needs, thoughts and experiences. We will then study and summarize responses, compile a report and share it with the Louhelen Council and other interested groups or individuals.

The Louhelen Baha’i School Child Education Committee wants to be a catalyst in this process. We profess no answers, nor can we offer any quick or sure remedies.

We do believe that by stimulat

ing thought and discussion in the

community and by offering pro grams at Baha’ schools and in stitutes at the local, regional and

national levels, we can advance a

process that will lead to knowl edge and insight about, and most

important, to the evolution of a

common perspective on the vital

issues that face parents of Baha’i children.

Louhelen Baha’i School

Child Education Committee

Elizabeth Diehl

David Douglas

Jeanne Gazel-Kelly

Loretta LaFramboise

Geoffry Marks

Dean Silveri

Candy Voigt

Rob Voigt

To the Editor:

The U.S. is the cradle of range science in arid lands and has many of the world’s finest range management courses of study.

In light of the Universal House of Justice’s emphasis on social and economic development, because millions of people depend on rangelands for their livelihoods, and because this is the United Nations International Youth Year, I, as a professional range manager, challenge Baha’i youth with agricultural backgrounds or a deep interest in outdoor and overseas careers to consider careers in range or arid lands management, bringing to the task the excellence and devotion requested of us by Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.

Baha’is can bring a new spirit into this branch of agriculture so it can bear the fruits of its possibilities.

Thomas C. English Yakima, Washington

To the Editor:

I would like to relate an incident that may be of interest to other Baha’ is:

Last summer, as a part of a youth teaching project organized by our District Teaching Committee, the youth ordered 50 special T-shirts that were to be sold at a profit.

The shirts bore the emblem “Warriors of Peace—Albany Baha’i Youth Project’’ and showed a pair of doves, one black and one white, embracing a heart. Inside the heart was printed ‘‘Uniting the world, one heart at a time.’”

The youth did generate interest with the T-shirts and made some money, which was sorely needed. However, in their haste the project committee failed to notice that the design used was conceived by a Baha’i in California, and by using it we violated copyright law.

Everyone concerned was sorry and apologetic, and vowed it would never happen again.

Perhaps our experience can serve to remind others that those lovely designs and slogans that appear on books, stationery, posters, bumper stickers and T-shirts and that are purchased through such agencies as the Publishing

Trust, Images International, Special Ideas, Ansar Associates, etc., are patented designs that should not be copied without the permission of the artist or the agency selling the product.

We've learned our lesson the hard way, and hope we can spare you our embarrassment and difficulty.

Joan Shinnick, secretary South Georgia

District Teaching Committee Brunswick, Georgia

To the Editor:

In your December issue (pages 1 and 5) was an article entitled “Concern grows over Fund’s condition,” which for the most part was well-documented and factual.

HOWEVER, what concerns us is the following statement on page 1: “Contributions so far this year have fallen considerably below what the assembled delegates at last year’s National Convention and the National Spiritual Assembly itself confidently expected would be achieved.””

The passage unfortunately seems to be encouraging greater contributions through ‘‘guilt’’ rather than devotion to the Cause.

We wish to point out that the Guardian, in Principles of Baha’i Administration, p. 90, under the heading ‘‘strictly voluntary,”’ states:

“I feel urged to remind you of the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardinal principle that all contributions to the Fund are to be purely and strictly voluntary in character. It should be made clear and evident to everyone that any form of- compulsion, however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root of the principle underlying the foundation of the Fund since its inception.””

We believe that the above passages demonstrate that the National Spiritual Assembly ought to show greater discretion and love when approaching the believers about the Fund.

We both wish to state that the National Assembly should follow the beloved Guardian’s instructions on the procedures for soliciting contributions.

Otherwise, how can the National Assembly sincerely enforce Baha’i laws with credibility if pressure tactics are used toward Bahda’is, individually or collectively, in getting revenue?

We understand that the condition of the Fund is grave; but we feel that the National Spiritual Assembly is forgetting that the ills of the Faith are a spiritual rather than a material problem.

Let us hope that a more enlightened approach toward receiving money for the Cause can help us to earn the distinction as “spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers.””

John and Laura Simmons Columbus, Ohio To the Editor:

Laura Craig’s letter (November) brought up a point that has been on my mind for a long time: our attitude toward our parents.

Recently I heard a Baha’i say, “What do you do with your parents after you reach the age of 212”? It’s a good question. Who knows the answer?

If you chose 100 Baha’is at random and asked them to answer, what replies would you get? For some reason, we haven’t paid a great deal of attention to this important question.

In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, one of the

See LETTERS Page 28

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[Page 4]

The American Baha’i

CARL SCHEFFLER

Carl Scheffler was only 16 years old in 1899 when he was listed as a follower of Bahá’u’lláh by a Baha’i who recorded the name and enrollment year for each member of the newly formed Baha’i community of Chicago.

THE LARGE ledger book shows Carl to be the 665th person to become a Baha’i in Chicago.

After learning of a special “teacher’’ who was giving lectures, several members of the Scheffler family including Carl and his mother had begun attending classes taught by Dr. Ibrahim Khayru‘llah who brought the Faith to Chicago from the Middle East.

Although Mr. Scheffler had little education, older Bahá’ís including Thornton Chase (the first American believer), Albert Windust and Albert Greenleaf took a great interest in him and helped guide his spiritual development.

Mr. Scheffler was 24 years old when, in 1907, he had the bounty of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká while on a_ pilgrimage accompanied by Mr. Chase and Arthur Agnew and his family.

Mr. Scheffler served as a member of the ‘House of Spirituality” in Chicago and, later, as a member of the Baha’i Temple Unity, a forerunner of the National Spiritual Assembly.

IN 1925, he was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada and continued as a member until 1938, serving part of that time as treasurer.

Mr. Scheffler was in great demand as a Baha’i speaker and exhibited ‘a particular appeal to youth,

Professionally, he was trained as a commercial artist and later became the owner of an art academy in Evanston, Illinois, and art director in the North Evanston

See SCHEFFLER Page 26

WLGI

Continued From Page 1

ceremony were South Carolina State Rep. John Snow; Judge Arthur McFarland, chief municipal court judge in Charleston; representatives of the National Conference of Negro Women; officials from the Georgetown (South Carolina) Hospital, and the director of food services at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Medical Center.

All had an opportunity to tour the WLGI studios, which are located in a large trailer on the Institute property.

They were greeted by WLGI management team members DellAnvar Campbell and Mark St. Clair who answered the visitors’ questions about the station.

DURING the grand opening ceremony, each of the distinguished visitors was welcomed by Dr. Deas.

Dr. Henderson, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, spoke of the significance of WLGI:

“In this age,’’ he said, “‘when so few are struggling to accomplish so much, (the station) is the highest hope and the best gift that the Bahá’ís in the U.S. and in South Carolina can offer to the people of this state—that somehow, what Louis Gregory’s life stood for, the principles and goals for which he struggled so hard and so long, can live on and can multiply through the programs broadcast on WLGI.””

“You have not only a great trust in what you now undertake,” Mr. Brown said in his prepared remarks, “‘but you also have a great opportunity and thus a great responsibility to those who will listen to your broadcasts.

“* ‘Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value,’ ’’ he continued, quoting Baha’u’llah. “« “Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom ...’

I

u®& The WLGI grand opening ceremony is video taped for future use.

ne Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assem

“This statement of mission,’’ said Mr. Brown, “‘tells me that you have considered well what you are undertaking to do.’”

LATER in his address, the representative of the governor of South Carolina repeated the quotation from Gleanings about the importance of education.

He asked the Baha’is to urge their listening audience to value education as much as they value freedom.

“Remind them,” he said, ‘‘that we must learn the skill of reasoning together. ... Radio can be and is a great tool in the educational process.”

At the close of the program, a group of balloon-carrying children was ushered into the tent where they sang for the enjoyment of those present and those listening on WLGI Radio.

Later, the balloons, bearing the inscription ‘‘WLGI, Baha’i Radio, 90.9 FM,”’ were released in

These balloons bearing the WLGI call letters and frequency were released in the area.

ah ae

= bly, addresses the audience of

around 600 during the WLGI

the area around the Institute. Refreshments were served under smaller tents set up on the Institute grounds, and shortly after sunset members of the National Assembly were present as Dr. Deas cut the first piece from a three-tiered dedication cake.

\

grand opening ceremony March 23 at the Louis Gregory Institute.

bly warmly praised the work of the ad hoc committee that was appointed to plan the grand opening ceremony. Its members were Carol Yetken of Oak Park, Illinois; Alonzo W. Nesmith Jr. of Charleston; Carolyn Fulmer of Clemson, South Carolina; and

The National Spiritual Assem- Dr. Deas.

A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WLGI RADIO

November 1982—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants a construction permit to the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute to build an FM radio station.

May 1983—A ‘“‘Let’s Get Cooking” campaign begins in an effort to raise within the American Baha’i community the $1 million needed to get WLGI under way.

Sune 1983—The National Spiritual Assembly appoints four of its members—Dr. Dwight Allen, Dr. Alberta Deas, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh and Judge Dorothy Nelson—and Sirouss Binaei, manager of NSA Properties Inc., to a WLGI Project Committee to oversee and monitor the construction of WLGI.

August 1, 1983—WLGI Radio begins its first ‘‘broadcast”’ to local Baha’i communities across the U.S. from studios at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Meanwhile, land is being cleared, a road is being built, and the site for WLGI’s tower is being prepared at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

October 16, 1983—An official groundbreaking ceremony is held at the future WLGI tower site with Counsellor Sarah Martin Pereira and members of the National Spiritual Assembly present.

December 12, 1983—The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears makes a dramatic and significant taped appeal to the American Baha’i community to win the $1 million goal for WLGI by the December 31 deadline.

December 28, 1983—Three days before the deadline, the National Spiritual Assembly announces that the $1 million goal has been met and in fact surpassed.

March 21, 1984—The erection of WLGI’s 500-foot tower is begun.

May 23, 1984—At 4:35 p.m., WLGI goes on the air for the first time as Mr. Sears, himself a former radio and television announcer, says, “This is radio station WLGI, 90.9 megahertz, the voice of the Louis Gregory Baha’ Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina.””

June 4, 1984—Frequency testing is completed.

June 20, 1984—The FCC gives permission to begin program testing.

July 2, 1984—WLGI begins regular broadcasting, 6 a.m. to 6

.m. September 18, 1984—The FCC issues a station license. October 15, 1984—The Baha'is of Williams Hill ‘‘host’’ the

first Nineteen Day Feast (the Feast of ‘Ilm, or Knowledge) to be

broadcast on WLGI.

March 23, 1985—Counsellor Ruth Pringle and all members of the National Spiritual Assembly are present with invited guests for the WLGI Radio grand opening ceremony at the Louis Gregory Baha’; Institute.

[Page 5]THE FUNDS

May 1985

5

Budget for final year of Plan is announced

The National Spiritual Assembly has announced the budget for the final year of the Seven Year Plan.

THIS budget, tentatively set at $8.3 million, is aimed at retiring all bank debt and securing a fresh start for the next Plan.

An understanding of this goal can be gleaned through the use of averages.

Of course, individuals can best determine for themselves what constitutes a sacrifice for the Fund; however, by breaking down. the annual goal into small realizable amounts, an increased level of individual understanding may be realized.

Some Baha’is may find these

while others may be able to give much more.

This year’s annual goal is both realistic and achievable. This is especially true when participation increases.

To illustrate, individual contributions presently comprise twothirds of the total contributions to the National Fund while Assembly contributions make up the other one-third.

THIS means that if current trends continue, individuals will be responsible for $5.5 million of the goal and Assemblies the remaining $2.8 million.

In other words, if the pat pation goal of 7,000 individuals is realized, an average of $41 per Ba

averages beyond their means, ha’ month from each individual ee AV L a Bl CR 2. ‘ais Laem 3. a Ae meee ee Cree SLs oR eee Ree 6. CS A a ie oe oan

"1, Founder of the Baha’i Faith 3. “O my God! 5. Guardian of the Baha’i Faith 6. Universal munity ie A quality of God is a

8. Language 9. The Son of Baha'u'llah

CLUES 2. Lifeblood of the Baha’i community the hearts of Thy servants ...’” 4. One who believes in something

is essential for the growth of the com spoken by Persian believers

WHAT IS THIS WORD? “ss _ participation in the Fund is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount is not important.’”

Puzzle by Louise and Mike Kalantar

quality

contributor would be required to attain our goal.

The figure represents an average individual contributions base of $785 per year.

Of course, if the level of partici pation increases, the burden on in- dividuals and institutions will lessen. For example, if monthly participation should reach 12,000 individuals—the yearly total of in

dividuals presently participating in giving to the National Fund—then the average individual contribution per Baha’i month could drop to $24 and the goal would still be met.

Taken one step further, if participation increased to 20,000 individuals, the average contribution needed to achieve the goal would decrease to about $14.50

per Baha’i month.

Consequently, individual participation plays a major role in the realization of our Fund goals.

Fulfilling the challenge of this new annual goal will enable us to make a fresh new beginning for the upcoming Six Year Plan and will constitute a crowning achievement as we bring to a close the Seven Year Plan.

Variety of fund-raisers held to aid National Fund

In response to the GOOD (Get Out of Debt) campaign announced by the National Spiritual Assembly, three Bahá’ís in Evanston, Illinois, organized a New Year’s Eve disco dance that netted $300 for the National Fund.

In spite of a snowstorm that dumped more than six inches of snow on the Chicago area, about 75 Baha'is and their guests attended the dance.

The non-Baha’i guests understood that only the Baha’is could contribute to the Fund.

The Baha’is who organized the dance were Candace Moore, Morris Taylor and Joel Williford.

.

On February 24, the Baha’i community of Redlands, California, raised $500 for the National Fund by conducting an ‘‘Ayyami-Ha store.”

The friends from Redlands and nearby communities contributed numerous hand-made items, etchings and baked goods. Included were items made either by or for the children in the community.

Also popular were recipes for such foods as bean soup and waffles.

.

As a response to news of the condition of the National and International Funds, the Baha’is of the Monterey-Carmel (California) Judicial District organized a fundraising dinner to which invitations were sent to communities within a 75-mile radius.

In addition to the dinner, one of the community members, an artist, donated hand-painted cards

District Name Membership as of 12/9/84 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

Contributions to the National Baha’ “Starting Block’ Info

Northern Minnesota leads 64 districts into double figures "i Fund by District

Number Percentage of giving _ participation

Membership (03/13/85)

Current Month Info (Mulk)

Number Percentage of giving —_ participation

See CHART Page 26

for Baha’i occasions to be sold at the event.

More than $1,000 was raised, which was divided equally between the National and International Funds.

.

In March, the Baha’i Group of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and the Spiritual Assembly of Chelten ham sponsored a successful fundraising Persian dinner.

Besides a variety of delicious Persian dishes, there were a number of high-quality items for sale at a Persian/American auction.

Some 45 people including child ren contributed a total of $1,868.50 to the National-Fund.

‘Garden’ of Faith needs water, care so that Cause can grow and flourish

Again and again the Bahá’í Writings compare our Faith to a garden.

THE followers of Baha’u’llih, in all their diversity, are likened to flowers.

The appearance of Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation are referred to as the coming of the spiritual springtime—a time of verdant growth.

Gardens need to be watered, tended and cared for. And those who are responsible for the garden of our Faith on this earth are the souls who have recognized Bahd’w'llah as the Manifestation of God in this Day—that is, the Baha’is themselves.

News that, once again, our National Fund is drying up; that once more we are hundreds of thousands of dollars short of our budget goal, summons up the vision of tender plants withering for lack of moisture in parched, dry soil.

Only a few months ago, at the last possible moment, there was a veritable downpour, a torrent of contributions to the National Fund as a result of one day of unity and sacrifice.

This was welcome indeed! The garden was saved!

BUT sudden downpours are not what gardens long for. Instead of sinking deep into the soil, providing long-term moisture to the roots, much of the rain that comes, in buckets runs off uselessly.

In the case of our National Fund one would suspect that this “run-off’’ disappears in the form of interest on money borrowed during the ‘‘drought”’ to meet expenses.

Contrast the torrential rains coming sporadically with gentle,

steady rains coming at regular intervals. Life-giving, nurturing

See GARDEN Page 10

Winners’ Circle

Highest Percentage Participation 1. Minnesota, Northern 2. Iowa 3. Nevada, Southern 4. Minnesota, Southern 5. Pennsylvania, Western 6. (tie) Louisiana, Northern Wisconsin N/Upper Michigan Maine

9. New Hampshire

10. Tennessee, Eastern

11. Vermont

12. Georgia, Northeast

13. Wisconsin, Southern

14. Kentucky

15. Idaho, Southern

16. California, Northern No. 1 17. Illinois, Northern No. 2 18. California, Southern No. a 19. (tie) Nebraska

Most Improved Participation 1. Oregon, Eastern 2. Louisiana, Southern 3. Texas, Central No. 2 4, Nevada, Southern 5. South Carolina, Central 6. Florida, Northern 7. North Carolina, Eastern 8. South Carolina, East No. 1 9. Arkansas 10. Texas, Northern 11. Minnesota, Northern 12. Florida, Southeast 13. California, Southern No. 4 14. Maine 15. Virginia, Northern 16. Iowa 17. Pennsylvania, Western 18. New Mexico S/Texas W 19. Florida, Central

Idaho N/Washington E

[Page 6]

IGC: PIONEERING

The American Baha'i 6

‘The destiny of America is the spiritual conquest of the entire planet’

Pioneers to Goal Countries: Ridvan 1984-1985

THANK YOU!

From ARIZONA Cyrus Towfig From KENTUCKY From NEW HAMPSHIRE From SOUTH CAROLINA Gordon and Emily Hansen Mary and Alex Zografov Don van Brunt Mary Ruth Jeffries Dennis and Goli Young Lee and Margy Campbell-Marder

-\y ~~_From MAINE From NEW JERSEY From TENNESSEE From ARKANSAS iat Moghaddam Robin Perskié, Mernoosh Mora Pearl Shoudel y and Mike Rogers’? apr ee Savignano /** 4“ From NEW MEXICO From TEXAS From CALIFORNIA Wilson “D Victor Beck ., Dorothy and Robert Freeman Michael and Doo Joan Belshaw , ( “Sarah Frye Harold Ashly < m MASSACHUSETTS a7} 5 aa Rogers Elizabeth Bevan (tan, Fredda and Noah Bartolucci From NEW TORK g SS Ruth Breton ‘Claudia Delgado John Graig 5 Brom YERMONT }, George Brown: oo&ndrew and Sally DiMauro Ann M re Tory Ae eae ef Carl and Susi Di ‘ |ciMehrdad Rafati \ ne Sandra Evanger i a rf Ss y From WASHINGTON, D.C. Charles arid Patric’ ee ae “Robert and pel Harris rom MINNESOTA .7 oe Patricia Lacefield Elaine Field Jeffrey Fulton —2 Se 3 f~ ger and Lois Bergeian > __) Katherine Masort Adrienne Morgan Angela Gibson °2> Ffom ID. a big Jecry Robinson; sony { Donald Grubb “asi wi Pan Mary Malbere. / f ek or ‘> From NORTH DAKOTA Pioneers from Other Countries Peer ornae sf J \ yy From MISSISSHPPI { { Alyce Blue Filling U.S. Goals SY ee poenads age S From ILLINOIS : Bd Jones 4 8 9e Richard and Bonnie Cote Khosrow and Simoae ae » Dwight Cox 4A Ahi Teymour and Mista Katirai Victor Save ¢ _ Richard and May\Czerniejewski From MONT NA From OHIO Pani and Nemo! gem Phillip Sisson © vas James and Geraldjne Holman Jim and) Beg ky Fra ley Keith and Jacqueline Bookwalter Rian aie \ Ron Stephens ¥ 4 Hazel Neave eo or aan Jeanne Watson

Donna Taylor (

\ foi i ee s \ V oy GOALS YET TO FILL: Lesotho Yucatan O Nigeria St. Vincent Y Easter Island q India 4 Colombia Korea . Dominica Nepal Galapagos Island Caroline Islands

Lee a eeiepmmacaenl| [Page 7]YOUTH NEWS

May 1985

An open letter from Youth Committee

An open letter to the friends:

Among the many recent victories in which we can rejoice is the rapid development of the Bahá’í Youth Movement in North America. This fresh response of Baha’i youth has served to direct their energy toward service to the Cause, to transform their sense of Baha’i discipline and to motivate and guide their actions.

THE NATIONAL Youth Committee has witnessed with great joy this revival of spirit among young Baha’is, and expects that with the observance of International Youth Year 1985 and the holding of the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, this summer, the youth will redouble their efforts to bring the Faith to their contemporaries. We sense that the youth are flexing their ‘‘spiritual muscles’’ in their early attempts to ‘“‘move the world.”

In an effort to support and reinforce their service and sacrifices, we have elected to broaden the channels of communication and management of youth affairs. In this respect, we are happy to announce the formation of 12 Regional Youth Committees which, under the supervision and sponsorship of the National Youth Committee, will work closely with local and district youth agencies to foster the growth of the Baha’i Youth Movement in all areas of the country. These regional committees are being appointed and briefed this spring, and should be fully operational by summer.

The purpose of Regional Youth Committees is to aid the growth of the Youth Movement through contact with youth groups and committees as well as individual Baha’i youth. The RYCs will work with the youth to organize activities for teaching, service, spiritual enrichmentactivities that expand the scope of the movement while, at the same time they underscore the commitment of the individual.

The Regional Youth Committees will assume the sponsorship, direction and guidance for all District Youth Committees. This shift will allow District Youth Committees access to a broader base of resources than before as they work with local communities to encourage and stimulate youth activity. Baha’i College Clubs and local Youth Clubs and committees, all under the guidance of their respective Spiritual Assemblies, will also be called upon by these newly formed Regional Youth Committees to support a unified campaign for the growth of the Youth Movement.

THE DEVELOPMENT of the Baha’i Youth Movement has been reinforced by the support of the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada and the U-S. as well as by the recent praise from the Universal House of Justice. Born in response to the urging of the Supreme Body that ‘‘youth can move the world,’’ the Movement has proven to be a mighty force that will prepare our youth for the positions of leadership they must assume as we approach the close of this historic century.

The National Youth Committee asks that the unified support of all Baha’is, youth and adult, individual and collective, be offered to these Regional Youth Committees so that the spirit that directed the steps of our spiritual forebears, the Dawn-breakers, may guide our steps through the closing months of the Seven Year Plan.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Baha’ National Youth Committee April 10, 1985

from

—CONFERENCE NEWS UPDATE YOURE cea move the world!

July 3-7, 1985 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio

The momentum is building and gaining strength daily ... the spirit of the International Youth Conference is already a bold reality!

This July 3-7, thousands of Baha’i youth and their guests will be attending the International Youth Conference at Ohio State University in Columbus. YOU will want to be a part of this life-changing, energizing event. For registration information, phone the National Youth Committee, 305-584-1844, or check the March issue of The American Baha’i for a registration form.

.

Not only will attendees at the Youth Conference be learning more about their Faith and having a good time, they’ll also be serving the Columbus, Ohio, community in several creative ways.

The Spiritual Assembly of Columbus has been hard at work developing a number of projects that will be easy to take part in and will leave a lasting impression of the Faith on the Columbus area.

A tree-planting is planned that will benefit the

Ohio State University campus for years to come.

A blood drive will be set up on campus for the duration of the conference so that Baha’is can donate blood for area hospitals. Students on campus also will be participatin

A food drive also is planned. Each person attending the conference is asked to bring something to contribute—canned meats, powdered milk, any canned items are good choices. Boxes will be placed at the registration site so your donations can be dropped off when you register.

In addition, youth who have a day or two.to spare following the conference are encouraged to remain in the Columbus area where a special project is being planned in conjunction with the Ohio Youth Servi Network, a youth organization umbrella agency, in recognition of International Youth Year.

And, of course, don’t forget the FUNd RUN!

So bring your sneakers, canned goods, work clothes, courage (for the blood drive), and enthusiasm, and we’ll see you at Ohio State!

In March, six young Baha’ the Chicago area made a four-day teaching trip to Lac du Flambeau,

Wisconsin, during which they celebrated Naw-Riz with some of

the Native American believers there. Thanks to the hospitality of Cordelia (Corky) Norder and Nick Hockings, traveling teachers have been able to visit Lac du ‘Flambeau three times since last Thanksgiving and planned a

fourth trip at Ridvan. The visits are helping to consolidate the local Baha’is while bringing the friends from Wisconsin and Illinois closer togethe a spirit of brotherhood. On the last night of the March visit, a party of Baha’ is ind non-Baha’is numbering 19 shared a turkey and venison dinner and saw the movie,

Green Light Expedition.”’ Afterward, there were two declarations.

Baha’i youth breaking out jeans, shovels to tackle tree-planting goal of 20,000

Baha’i youth nationwide are breaking out their blue jeans and sharpening their shovels for the spring tree-planting rush.

District Youth Committees, local youth clubs, Assemblies, and Groups are either making final arrangements or completing their tree-planting projects now in connection with the International Youth Year goal to plant 20,000 trees throughout the U.S. in memory of the Dawn-breakers.

This month, youth in the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area are planting 1,500 trees.

Gainesville, Florida, will be donating 1,000 trees to that community.

Groups in every state are participating, but to win the goal each district will need to do its share.

The National Youth Committee

Alabama Baha’i Club receives its charter

On November 12, the anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, the Auburn University (Alabama) Baha’i Club was granted a charter, ending a long and arduous effort to overcome opposition, red tape and the club’s own fewness of numbers.

After a year-long probationary charter period, the club was refused a permanent charter on the grounds of instability and failure to meet its obligations.

The Baha’is on campus, knowing the charges were false, appealed the decision, began a membership drive, and on November 12 went before the review committee and won their appeal.

hopes to put the 20,000th tree in the ground on the campus of Ohio State University at the International Youth Conference to be held there July 3-7. So make your arrangements now, if you haven’t already done so.

As many trees as possible should be planted in May or June so that this goal can be won. And please, report your tree count to the National Youth Committee office as soon as your trees are in the ground, either by using the coupon below or by phoning 305583-1844. The Youth Committee office always loves to hear from YOUth.

Texas conference

About 40 young Baha’is took part February 15-17 in a Youth Conference at College Station, Texas, sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Texas A&M University.

The main speaker was Dann May who emphasized discipline and discourse as two elements vital to the Baha’i youth movement and stressed the importance of carrying the Baha’i message to young people in all walks of life.

As a part of the conference, the Baha'is took part in a service project, cleaning the university’s outdoor theatre, ‘‘The Grove.”

On Saturday evening, the youth danced to more than 300 records at a campus snack cove called “Rumors,’”’ which was rented specially for the evening.

They also enjoyed a splendid performance by two 10-year-old break dancers who call themselves, “The Dawn-breakers.””

Exciting, busy summer ahead for Baha’i youth

The Youth Conference at Ohio State University is only one aspect of what promises to be a most successful summer for Baha’i youth.

Many, many summer projects are being set up. Several have been planned by rict Youth Committees, such as the one organized in northern Minnesota.

Some are planned to run prior to the Ohio conference: ‘‘The Fire from Within’? will send out a group of young teachers to cover the Midwest, while northern Ohio and northern Washington state will be enlisting youth to travel as a group to the conference while performing services for the many communities through which they will pass.

Several exciting international traveling teaching opportunities are available in Europe, Africa, and Central and South America... the missing ingredient is you!

Do yourself a favor; give yourself a summer to remember. Become a part of these mighty plans and serve the Faith during the summer of ’85.

For details on domestic service and teaching projects, check the teaching page in this issue of The American Baha'i.

Any questions? Phone the National Youth Committee, 305-5841844,

Asia-Pacific meet set

To commemorate the International Year of Youth 1985, an Asia-Pacific Baha’i Youth Conference will be held August 1-4 in Port Dickson, Malaysia.

More details will be published as they become available.

[Page 8]

EDUCATION

The American Baha’i 8

Alabama Dates: July 25-28. Location: University of Montevallo, Montevallo. Theme: “Be Thou As a Flame of Fire.” Accommodations: Deluxe dorms, swimming—a great time! uxiliary Board member m Roberts, Duane Troxel, Dr. Rassekh, Bobbie Piper, Mahin Pourgyhma, Karen Berson, Kathy Taylor. Special Persian classes too. Great children’s classes; a dynamic youth program! Registrar: Debbie Wix, Calera, AL 35040. Phone 205-668-0442. Conifer Hill (Colorado) Registrar: Marilyn Fisher, Boulder, CO 80302. Phone 303-4436422. Florida Dates: August 8-11. Location: Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach. Theme: “Thy Will Be Done. Accommodations: Dorms; improved/enriched food and a salad bar. Recreation: ‘‘New World”” games. Pre-registration: Please avoid the $5 late fee by pre-registering by July 30. Send $5 per person. Registrar: Miriam Drevitch, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334, Phone 305-563 7931. Georgia Dates: August 16-18. Location: Northeast Georgia Complex, Carnesville. ‘Theme: ‘‘Emerging from Obscurity: Tests, Trials, Tools.” Contact person: Deborah Darrell, Athens, GA 30605. Phone 404-353-3612. Green Lake (Wisconsin) Dates: September 13-15.

More Baha’i Summer Schools

Locatior merican Baptist Assembly, State Highway 23, Green Lake.

Accommodations: Wide variety available. Meals served cafeteria-style on site. Classrooms, central meeting hall for most adult sessions; 10-12 ‘smaller classrooms for nursery, children, pre-youth and youth,

Recreation: Meadows, indoor swimming pool, bicycling, boating, fishing, tennis, golf.

Pre-registration: Pre-register as soon as possible. Contact the following for rate information: American Baptist Assembly Registration, Green Lake, WI 54941. Phone 414-294-3323 or (toll free) 1-800-558-8898. For program information only, contact Ian Bamber,

Baraboo, WI 53913.

Note: The speakers will include the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem and Douglas Martin, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

Idaho Dates: June 12-16. Location: Sawtooth near Sun Valley/Ketchum. ‘Theme: ‘Make Firm Our Steps.”” Teachers: Roy Jones on the Kitib-iDr. Steven Ellis on “The Cov

Accommodations: Tent cabins; limited RV space. Main lodge for family dining. Cool to cold nights in a mountain setting. Note: Warm coats are advisable, also warm sleeping bags recommended.

Classrooms: Heated classrooms for adults, Tent cabins for youth and children’s classes.

Recreation: Volleyball, basketball,

Includes lodging, meals and registration. Adults, youth, junior youth (9 years and older), $70; children (3-8 years), $42. Weekend only

Now available in a limited edition! THE PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM Textbook,

Single volume contains the complete text of:

The Meaning of Deepening Knowledge, Volition, and Action The Supreme Gift of God to Man

A Fortress for Well-Being

plus selected chapters from The Dynamic Force of Example

$13 each

(includes postage)

Make checks payable to “Baha'i Services Fund’’ and mail to:

Personal Transformation Program National Education Committee Baha’ National Center

Wilmette, 11, 60091

adults, $70; children, $21.50; infants, no charge. Pre-registration: By June 1. Registrar: Dale Sollars, Blackfoot, ID 83221. Phone 208-785-4495.

Indiana (Nur’u’lah)

Dates: July 18-23.

Location: Camp Kikthawenund, Frankton.

Theme: ‘‘Look at Me, Follow Me, Be As | Am.””

Accommodations: Boy Scout camp in the woods; rustic but not primitive. Dorms, cots, outhouses and cold ru ning water, hot showers. Families divided by sex unless camping in a tent or trailer, Shaded trailer sites without hookup. Full meal service.

Classrooms: Adults in dining hall; children in cabins, pavilions and outside.

Recreation; Swimming pool, hiking, fishing, wooded trails, sunny meadows.

Highlights: Quality programs for children, youth and adults organized around the theme of ‘‘Our Spiritual Destiny.”” Youth program emphasis on ‘America’s Spiritual Destiny.” Music program by Walt and Rhonda Pa'mer.

Rates: Pre-registration discounted price shown first. Full price applies after June 4, Adults/youth over 9 years, weekly rate $66/$76, weekend $30/$35, daily $9/$10. Children 3-9 years, weekly $50/$60, weekend $25/$30, daily $8/$10. Children 1-2, weekly $35/$45, weekend $15/$20, daily $4/$5. Children 0-1, weekly $5/$6, weekend $2/$3, daily $1.

Regist Joy Sylvester,

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

Louisiana/Mississippi Dates: June 3-7. Information: Randy Landry, Schriever, 70395. Phone 504-446-1826.

Massanetta (Virginia)

Dates: August 30-September 1.

Location: Massanetta Conference Grounds.

Speakers: The Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem; Soo Fouts, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board members Javidukht Khadem, Nat Rutstein and Dr. William Tucker; Jack McCants, Hussein Ahdieh, Tahereh Ahdieh.

Registrar: Flora Brooks,

Staunton, VA 24401. Phone 703-885-6247.

Minnesota Dates: July 22-26. Location: Camp Onamia, Onami: Theme: “Capturing the Vision. Teachers: Holly Vick, from the Holy Land, will speak on “Social and Economic Development’; Little Brave Beaston will speak on “Native American Contributions and Perspectives.” There will also be optional enrichment programs. Accommodations: Retreat Center, family rooms with private baths. Meals cafeteria style; classrooms overlook lovely Lake Shakopee. Recreation: Swimming, boating, biking, indoor pool, sauna, volleyball, shuffleboard, pool table, and more. Rates: Adults, $114; youth (15-17), $80; junior youth (8-14), $60; children (5-7), $40; infants (0-4), $20.

LA

Registrar: Pre-register by July 7, please. Steve Grams, Togo, MN 55780. Phone 218376-4472.

Missouri Registrar: Robert Yoder, Rock Hill, MO 63119. Phone 314-962-9011.

Nine Oaks (California)

Location: Arroyo Grande, a central coast vacationland attraction.

Dates: June 29, adult session: “Health and Healing,” Dr. John Stroessler; “World Peace: A Baha'i Perspective,”?. Dorothy Stroessler. Classes for children and youth also provided. August 24, adult session: “Single Again,” Margaret Alvarado; “A Sense of Vision: The Advent of Divine Justi Kenton Dunbar. Classes for children and youth. October 29, adult session: “Emerging from Obscurity,” Edward Diliberto. Classes for children and youth. December 14, adult session: “Attaining Your Bahd’s Station,” Margaret Gallagher. Classes for children and youth.

Rates: $7.50 per person.

Pre-registration: One week before each school session, please. All reservations must be pre-paid.

Registrar: Registrar, Nine Oaks Baha’i School, c/o Corrine Christensen,

Lompoc, CA 93436. Phone 805-735-1410.

Oklahoma

Dates: June 12-16.

Location: Shawnee.

Registrar: Al Daniels,

Oklahoma City, OK 73131. Phone 405-686-2722. Oregon West (Badasht)

Dates: August 18-21.

Location: Silver Falls State Park, 30 miles east of the state capital, Salem.

Theme: “Establishing a Baha’i Identity.”

Accommodations: Small cabins for lodging; meals prepared and served in dining hall/kitchen.

Classrooms: Excellent, both indoor and outdoor.

Recreation: Hiking, swimming, arts and crafts.

Rates: Adults (16 and older), $39; youth (6-15), $29; children (0-5), $15.

Pre-registration: Please pre-register by August 15.

Registrar: Kathy Laws,

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

South Dakota ugust 17-18. Camp Bob Marshal, Black Hills, 6 miles east of Custer, next to Wind Cave National Park and a two-hour drive from Wanblee and the Amoz Gibson Project.

Theme: ‘‘America’s Spiritual Destiny.’”

Accommodations: 16 cabins, capacity 16 campers; provide own bedding

ity. , Classrooms: Auditorium, crafts and classroom building with social center and camp store.

Recreation: Hiking, volleyball, croquet, horseshoes.

Rates: Adults, $30; youth (9-17), $20; children, $12.75.

Pre-registration: Important. Please register by July 15.

Registrar: Bob Haugen,

Rapid City, SD 57702." Phone 605-342-3562.

Southern California

Dates: August 3-8.

Location: Lock Leven Conference Center, Mentone. &

‘Theme: “Impact of the Baha’ Faith ‘on the World Community.””

Accommodations: 115 dormitory beds, plus 20 motel-style beds for adults only.

Classrooms: 6 indoor rooms, 10 outdoor areas.

Recreation: ketball, hiking.

Rates: Adults, $115; youth/junior youth, $95; children, $75; infants 2 and under, free; day students, $5 per day.

Pre-registration: Essential by July 26.

Pool, volleyball, bas Registrar: Alvin. Lewis, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Phone 213-223-7781.

Utah Dates: August 9-11. Location: Utah State University, Logan. Contact: Russell Coover, Bountiful, UT 84010. Phone 801292-4534.

Washington West

Dates: August 11-16.

Location: Seabeck Conference Center, Seabeck.

Theme: “The Century of Light.””

Accommodations: Family, couples and individual housing with meals and bedding provided.

Classrooms: Seven classrooms for full program serving infants through adults.

Recreation: Swimming, boating, hiking, volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer.

Rates: Adults, $135 (high), $115 (low); youth 12-18, $125 (high), $105 (low); junior youth 8-11, $87 (high), $73 (low); children, $67 (high), $57 (low); infants 0-3, free.

Pre-registration: By July 10. After that, a late fee will be charged.

Registrar: Karl Sechorn,

Kent, WA 98042. Phone 206-631-7475.

Wisconsin

Dates: July 22-26.

Location: Camp Byron, Brownsville.

Theme: “Promise of the Future.”

Accommodations: Dormitory and campsites with or without electricity. Good home-cooked family-style meals at a minimal cost.

Recreation: Pool, hiking, tennis, volleyball, softball.

Rates: Include meals, lodging and registration fee. Adults, youth, junior youth, $90; children under 10, $40; under age 5, free. Day students, $4 for lodging (ages 10 and older). Campsite registration fee, $4 daily, $20 weekly.

Pre-registration: By June 30.

Registrar: Beverly Fraker,

Waukesha, WI 53186. Phone 414-542-0674.

Kentucky, Colorado West, Heartland (Illinois). These schools will not hold sessions this summer.

Ohio, New York. These schools will no longer hold any sessions. Please support our Baha’ schools in neighboring states.

[Page 9]

EDUCATION

May 1985

9

Family Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF JUNE: RACE UNITY. Thought for the week: ‘Love must be free from boundaries.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: Unity No. 1, p. 204. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. How does this apply to your city? 1. Paris Talks, pp. 35-39. 2. The Divine Art of Living, pp. 108-111. Baha’ World Faith, pp. 257-60. 4. The Hidden Words (Arabic), No. 30. 5. The Hidden Words (Persian), No. 76. 6. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 144-45. 7. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 113. Activity: On a large sheet of paper, design together the City of Unity. Create attribute buildings and roads from the qualities that promote unity. Example: the “house of kindness’? and “‘road of cooperation.” Refreshments: Celery stuffed with raisins and peanut butter; apple juice.

SECOND WEEK OF JUNE: THE BAHA'I FUND. Thought for the week: “It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations.”” (The Universal House of Justice) Prayer: The Fund, p. 84. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. How can your family increase its Fund participation? Emphasize universal participation and sustained efforts. 1. Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 19-21. 2. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 114-15. 3. Paris Talks, pp. 99-101. 4. The Hidden Words (Arabic), Nos. 52, 56. 5. The Hidden Words (Persian), No. 37. 6. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 238-239. 7. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 216-217. Activity: Make a Fund Bank for the family. Use a large, sturdy shoe box or oatmeal box. Decorate by covering with paper or cut-outs. ‘Then decorate a long, business-type envelope with the name of each family member. Discuss ways that you can make “deposits.” Refreshments: Use the money you would spend on this week’s refreshments to make your first deposit, then share a hug! (Soul Food!).

THIRD WEEK OF JUNE: THE FEAST OF RAHMAT (MERCY) JUNE 24. Thought for the week: ‘The foundation of the Kingdom of God is laid upon justice, fairness, mercy, sympathy and kindness to every soul.”” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: No. 3, p. 29. Lesson: Read and discuss one ‘or more of the suggested materials. How do we know when justice is needed, and when mercy is needed? 1. Baha'i World Faith, pp. 412-13. 2. Bahá’í World Faith, p. 114. 3. Gleanings, pp. 252-53. 4. The Hidden Words (Arabic), No. 2. 5. The Divine Art of Living, pp. 12-13. 6. The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 22-24. 7. Baha’i Administration, pp. 63-64. 8. ‘The Dynamic Force of Example,” p. 64. Activity: Take a family walk in the park. Can you find examples in nature of justice and mercy? Refreshments: Make a family ice cream sundae. Let each member pick one ingredient to add. Yum!

FOURTH WEEK OF JUNE: WORK IS WORSHIP. Thought for the

‘‘... Each of these souls shall be regarded as one thousand per(‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: No. 1, p. 19. Lesson: Read and discuss

one or more of the suggested materials. 1. Baha’i World Faith, pp. 401-402. 2. The Hidden Words (Arabic), No. 12. 3. The Hidden Words (Arabic), No. 43. 4. The Divine Art of Living, pp. 61-62. 5. Paris Talks, pp. 62-64. 6. “The Dynamic Force of Example,” pp. 175-182. Activity: Write the name of each family member on a piece of paper and draw them out of a hat. Interview the person whose name you draw about his/her job. What exactly do mom or dad do at work? Children can talk about what they want to be and what they think that job will be like. Refreshments: Popcorn and lemonade. Try different spices as seasonings for the popcorn, such as garlic, chili, curry, cinnamon or celery.

Illinois Baha’i youth make presentation

Bahá’í youth made a presentation titled “Applying Spiritual Principles’? during a conference March 2 at the University of Illinois at Chicago sponsored by the Cook County Sheriff's Office’s Youth Services Department.

About 30 people attended the half-hour workshop which introduced the Faith and centered on the themes ‘‘Man Is One Family’ and ‘‘The Individual in Action.”

More than 100 young people stopped at the Baha’i booth to ask questions and accept pamphlets.

As a result of the conference, the District Youth Committee

held a mini-conference March 30 titled ‘‘Symposium for Advanced Thought.”

About 20 Baha’is and several non-Baha’is attended that event at Kendall College in Evanston and discussed such topics as the world economy, political structures, and ideas for the promulgation of a new World Order.

Teaching Fever Is CONTAGIOUS! have YOU Caught the Fever Yet?

‘Activities Fair,’ guest speakers to highlight six big Regional Child Education Conferences

Five of six Regional Baha’i Child Education Conferences will be held over the Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26.

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

The all-day Saturday and Sunday programs (at five of the conferences) will include workshops on various child education topics including ‘‘Developing a Baha’i Curriculum’’ and ‘‘Meeting the Needs of Youth and Junior Youth.””

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

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

The Louis Gregory conference will include an all-day Saturday program. Sunday’s agenda will give participants a chance to carry out child education methods and approaches learned on Saturday.

Pre-registration for each conference is required, and there are no provisions for child care.

Information about each conference is given below. Those who are interested in attending should return the completed registration form with registration fee to the conference registrar immediately.

Central—Wilmette, Illinois (Kendall College).

Registration fee: $8. Overnight cost: $12.50 per night (Friday,

Association sets regional conference at Bosch School

A California Regional Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies will be held May 31-June 2 at the Bosch Baha’ School near Santa Cruz.

The conference theme is ‘‘Baha’i Scholarship.”

Several contributed and invited papers will be presented dealing primarily with four aspects of Baha’i scholarship: the importance of Baha’i scholarship, fostering Baha’i scholarship, promoting an atmosphere of tolerance, and strengthening the core of the believers’ faith.

The registration fee (which includes room and board) is $72 per person ($60 for a summer cabin). You may register by writing to the registrar, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or by phoning 408423-3387.

The conference will begin with dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, May 31, and end at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

Saturday and Sunday), $4.50 (total) for blanket, or bring your own.

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

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

Northeastern—Wilhelm Institute, Teaneck, New Jersey.

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

Registrar: June Remignanti,

Westwood, NJ 07675. Phone 201666-0918.

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

Registration fee: $3. Make check payable to ‘‘Louis Gregory Baha’i_ Institute.’’ Overnight

costs: $8 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

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

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

Western—Bosch _Baha’i School, Santa Cruz, California.

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

expenses. Registrar: c/o Registrar, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock

Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387.

Northwestern—Boise State University campus, Boise, Idaho.

Registration fee: $5 (plus $5 to secure dorm. Make check payable to ‘‘Baha’i 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 Baha’i Center).

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

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

Registrar: Rhonda Palmer,

Plano, TX

• 75074. Phone 214-423-5032.

Archives has guide to open collections

The National Baha’i Archives has available a guide to those collections open for research.

The 19-page guide covers 149 collections of institutional records, personal papers, community histories and personal _recollec tions, giving the collection title, quantity, and some information about contents and significance.

The guide can be ordered for $2 from the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Members of the Brilliant Star editorial board gathered recently in

Tennessee for their bi-annual meeting. Pictured (left to right) are Mimi McClellan, Deborah Bley, Rita Leydon and Mary K. Radpour. Also present were Keith

Boehme and Janet Richards. As one can see from their faces, the board members are pleased with the many letters and suggestions that it has received from adults and children alike.

aah elite lena

[Page 10]

TEACHING

The American Baha’i

A letter from first WLGI listener to become a Baha’i

The following letter was written to Dell Campbell, a member of the WLGI Radio management team, by Mrs. Coris Stubbs of Effingham, South Carolina, the first person to have enrolled in the Faith as a result of listening to WLGI:

Dear Dell,

Kansas Continued From Page 1

in May when more than 35 traveling teachers led by the Hands of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem and William Sears will crisscross the state visiting the believers, conducting firesides and public meetings, presenting concerts, and meeting with leaders of thought.

Many of them will be transported across Kansas in a private plane owned by an individual Baha’i.

Media efforts are planned for communities all over the state including television and radio spots, flyers, billboards, a_ toll-free phone number for information about the Faith, and the presentation of information packets to public officials.

The traveling teachers each hold Separate itineraries so that all areas of Kansas will receive the benefit of their efforts.

The visit of Mr. Sears and his wife, Marguerite, ‘first prize’’ in last November’s fireside contest, will take them to seven cities in nine days.

IN ALL, the traveling teachers, among whom will be seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly and four Auxiliary Board members, will take part in more than 100 separate activities in more than 20 cities and towns from May 18-June 15. Highlights of the “prairie fire’ that will rage across Kansas include:

° A breakfast for Mr. and Mrs. Sears with an isolated Vietnamese Baha’i who now makes his home in Liberal.

• Meetings of National Assembly members James and Dorothy

Nelson with Gov. John Carlin of Kansas and state Supreme Court Justice David Prager.

A Native American pow-wow in Wichita to be attended by Chester Kahn, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Ponca Indian tribal leader Harry Buffalohead; Lakota Sioux hoop dancer Kevin Locke; and Native American Baha’is from a fourstate area.

¢ The participation of a number of musicians and groups including Dan Seals, Danny Deardorff, Mark Ochu, Do’a, and others.

© A quad-state Youth and Adult Conference in Kansas City.

° A series of three “‘victory parties’” from May 23-27 in Hutchinson, Kansas City and Wichita that will include Mr. Sears and a number of other visiting Baha’is.

When you asked me to tell you the story of how I became a Bahai it didn’t seem important enough to write. Since then I’ve considered the facts, and I’m delighted to know I’m the first person to become a Baha’i as the result of listening to station WLGI.

I’M PROUD to be a member of a network that contains a diverse group which are dedicated and harmoniously working to obtain World Order.

On Saturday, while listening to the radio, I tuned in a station I hadn’t heard before. I know now that it wasn’t by accident that I tuned to that particular station.

It (the station) presented music and public service announcements in a different manner. It spoke of Unity, Peace and the Unification of Mankind.

It was a unique experience to hear a message proclaiming a new World Order in these troubled times. It really aroused my interest and curiosity.

A telephone number was given by the announcer for anyone who wanted to know more about the Faith. To learn more about Baha’i was exactly what I wanted to do.

The telephone number I called was that of Dr. Rassekh. When I called him, he was pleased to know that I wanted to learn of the Faith.

HE TOLD me a date and time when he and his family would visit me. When they visited my home for the first time, they brought with them a warmth and sincerity. I felt as if I'd known them for many years.

He explained the principles and spiritual teachings for today in a way that was exciting to my heart and ears. I knew I wanted to know more.

I was very pleased when he asked if my family would like for him to return and teach us more. After

“ Only three weeks after its forma tion, the Baha’j Club at Hilton Head (South Caroli High School invited two other campus clubs, Interact and the Z Club, to co-sponsor a benefit concert to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

and aid the Ethiopian relief effort.

only regret is that I didn’t learn of the Faith at an earlier time.

Dr. Rassekh and his lovely wife have shown my family the true Baha’i spirit of caring and sharing the Faith. They really live what they teach. They have the patience needed for the Cause of Baha*u’llah. They truly are assets to the human family.

Since my declaration I share the Message of Bahd’u’ll4h with family and friends, neighbors, and anyone who is willing to listen. In that short period of time, two of my daughters and three young people in the community have become Baha’is.

With a lamp of love and faith, { intend to light the pathway of others.

Let me take this opportunity to thank you and your staff, especially Shirlene Brown, for the hours of listening pleasure WLGI has brought me. May you continue successfully.

Allah’u’Abha,

Coris Stubbs Effingham, South Carolina

Garden

Continued From Page 5 showers coming every 19 days!

Was it not Portia, in ““The Merchant of Venice,” who cried, “The quality of mercy is not strained. It falleth as the gentle rains from heaven upon the earth below”?

Just so, the quality of our love for Bahá’u’lláh is evidenced by the regular pouring out of our material substance—drop by dropto nurture His garden.

Each drop, joined by thousands upon thousands of other drops, is the sustenance needed to strengthen the roots of His Cause—to turn this world into a veritable rose garden—to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth!

a

Phil Morrison and John Catiz two Baha’i musicians who happened to be playing at a nearby resort hotel, enlisted two other musicians and they lent their time and talent to a lively and wel attended performance that raised $100 for Ethiopia.

Coris Stubbs (center) of Effingham, South Carolina, the first person to have become a Baha’i as a result of listening to WLGI

in Hemingway, is pictured with one of her teachers, Mrs. Rassekh (right). At the left is one of Mrs. Stubbs’ two daughters.

Bahda’is of Arcata, California, sponsor successful UN Human Rights Day panel

About 30 people attended a UN Human Rights Day panel discussion December 10 sponsored by the Baha’i community of Arcata, California.

Panel members were Val Ramos, deacon of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fortuna; Ron Quaccia, coordinator for the Central America Solidarity Committee; Maureen Kellogg, spokesman for Humboldt Churches for Sanc

tuary; Father Robert Talmadge, pastor of the Liberal Catholic Church of Miranda; and a Baha’i, Chris Beere.

Also participating in the pro "gram was Donna Landry, a rep resentative of the local chapter of the NAACP, who closed the meeting with a prayer and song.

Refreshments and an open discussion followed the formal program.

19 young Baha’is gather in Michigan, take part in ‘youth service weekend’

Nineteen Baha’i youth and preyouth from as far away as lowa and Ohio, accompanied by five adults, gathered February 8-10 in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan, for a “‘youth service weekend.”

The young people deepened, consulted, carried out several service projects, and generally had a good time.

They painted a new group therapy room for a local family counseling center, prepared a wall hanging and seat cushions, shoveled snow free of charge for local residents, visited a nursing home, and made favors for the patients—all in one afternoon.

The youth were lodged in homes generously opened by local Baha’is. Saturday morning began

with devotions before the youth headed off for service projects.

That evening, a dance was held at the St. Joseph YWCA for the youth and their invited guests.

At a Sunday morning fireside, the youth and adults asked questions about various aspects of the Faith, and Kareem Abdullah, a recently declared Baha’i youth from an American Muslim background, told why he became a Baha’i.

Articles in two local newspapers announced the Sunday fireside and outlined briefly the youths’ weekend service activities.

Be like the fountainempty yourself, and be refilled

National Baha’i Fund ‘Wilmette, IL 60091

Guidance from the beloved Guardian

“*And now as I look into the future, I hope to see the friends at all times, in every land, and of every shade of thought and character, voluntarily and joyously rallying around their local and in particular their national centers of activity, upholding and promoting their interests with complete unanimity and contentment, with perfect understanding, genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigor. This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life, for it is the fountainhead from which all future blessings will flow, the broad foundation upon which the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest. May we not hope that now at least the dawn of a brighter day is breaking upon our beloved Cause?”’—Shoghi (‘Letters from Shoghi Effendi,”’ p. 67)

iii ata

[Page 11]

TEACHING

May 1985

11

Local projects to carry flame of teaching across country

The flame of teaching activity in Kansas and the heartland will be carried throughout the country in a number of Baha’i-sponsored projects as the last year of the Seven Year Plan gets under way.

The objectives of these locally developed projects range from teaching to consolidation to service in an effort to enhance the progress of the Cause for that specific area.

An army of traveling teachers, adults and youth, will be needed to assure the success of these pro jects. Basic facts for 23 of the projects accompany the map on this page. Anyone who would like to travel and teach should contact the representative for each project to finalize details.

Those Baha’ is who are planning a vacation or travel near project sites may wish to offer some of their time to participate in this invaluable Baha’s service.

A fundamental shift in strategy from previous years accompanies this summer’s projects. The National Teaching Committee is encouraging each district to create a project that includes long-term plans for systematic development of the Faith,

Baha’is could then consider returning to the same project each year to cultivate the seeds they have planted, or even become homefront pioneers to their chosen area to provide an even more solid foundation for growth. Of this year’s projects, Arizona, South Carolina and South Dakota presently have such plans.

Foremost among the goals for the coming year is the attainment of an unprecedented increase in the number of avowed adherents of the Cause.

Support of these projects, coupled with a rededication to the fundamentals of fireside teaching and establishing firm bonds of friendship, will result in the accomplishment of all the remaining goals of the Seven Year Plan.

PROJECT TABARSI

Location: South Carolina,

Dates: June 1985-April 1986.

Sponsor: South Carolina District Teaching Committee Eastern No. 2.

Contact: Ellen McAllister (803382-9738) or the Regional Teaching Committee office (803-5585194).

Cost: $16 per day for room and board.

Service: Proclamation and expansion.

YOUTH ON THE MOVE

Location: Athens (Clarke County area), Georgia.

Dates: June 21-27.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Clarke County.

Contact: Sohayl Moshtael (404548-6495).

Service: Travel teaching (Caravan of Cars) to the Baha’i International Youth Conference in Ohio.

EXTENSION TEACHING PROJECT—GEORGIA Location: Norcross, Georgia. Dates: Ongoin; Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Gwinnett County.

A message of love from Kansas

To the American Baha’i community “O ye apostles of Baha'u'llah ...”” Dearest friends,

This is how the beloved Master addressed the believers of the U.S. and Canada in the Tablets of the Divine Plan in which He calls upon each one of us to ‘turn his face toward some direction and summon the people to the Kingdom of God ...’”

The Baha’is of Kansas humbly suggest that now is the time to take to heart ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s supplication. Now is the time to remove any impediment, any boundary, any excuse that may be keeping us from divesting ourselves of ‘‘the garment of attachment to this phenomenal realm’’ and becoming ‘‘wholly severed from the physical world’’ so that we may ‘‘become angels of heaven and travel and teach through all these regions’’ and fulfill America’s spiritual destiny.

In the Tablet to the Central States, ‘Abdu’!-Bahá tells us: ‘Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should success crown your enterprise, America will assuredly evolve into a center from which waves of spiritual power will emanate, and the throne of the Kingdom of God will ... be firmly established.’’ We feel that success is indeed crowning our enterprise and that we, in America, are on the brink of a ‘‘vast increase in (the number of) avowed adherents to the Cause of Baha’u’llah.””

Let us join our hearts and energies together as we redouble our efforts to proclaim, teach and deepen in the Faith, knowing that “all the ideal forces and lordly confirmations will rush to his (our) support and reinforcement.’’ Let us take this opportunity to strive for ‘fellowship, fellowship! Love, love! Unity, unity!—So that the power of the Baha’i Cause may appear and become manifest in the world of existence.””

Please know that you all are constantly in our prayers. Warmest Baha’i love,

The Bahi’is of Kansas April 3, 1985

AUMUND ES EE CBE PI YTS ARE REE EE

Contact: Fuad Monajem (404925-1572).

Service: Teaching/service. PROJECT 1000

Location: Washington, D.C.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Washington, D.C.

Contact: Shirley Gianao (202829-0731).

Service: Ongoing proclamationexpansion. AMOZ GIBSON PROJECTNEBRASKA

Location: Omaha Indian Reservation, Macy.

Dates: March 21-June 23.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of the Omaha Indian Reservation.

Contact: Kaye Webster (402846-5459).

Cost: $5 per day/tent camping.

Service: Teaching and expansion.

AMOZ GIBSON TEACHING PROJECT—SOUTH DAKOTA

Location: South Dakota Indian Reservation, Wanblee.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: District Teaching Committee of South Dakota.

Contact: Phil Castillo (605-4626309).

Service: Teaching and consolidation.

AMOZ GIBSON TEACHING PROJECT—NORTH DAKOTA

Location: North Dakota Indian Reservation.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: District Teaching Committee of North Dakota.

Contact: Alan Schulte (701-2238473).

Service: Teaching/service.

NORTHERN OHIO DYC Location: Ohio to Columbus and the IYC ending with a ninemile walk into Columbus. Dates: June 30-July 3. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Mentor, Ohio.

Contact: Cindy Hall (216-2574781).

Cost: $15/food.

Service: Teaching and service.

FIRE FROM WITHIN PROJECT (SUMMER YOUTH) Location: Traveling 19 days through more than 15 Midwestern communities on the way to the TYC, Dates: June 19-July 3. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Hutchinson, Kansas. Contact: Gail (308-381-8491). Cost: Estimated cost is $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. Service: Tree-planting, teaching events, and service projects to be held in several cities in nine of the Central States.

TO MOVE THE HEART Location: Kansas.

Etzenhouser

Dates: 21 weekend teaching projects. Sponsor: District Teaching

Committee of Kansas. Contact: Phyllis Medrano (316 662-8243).

Service: Unprecedented growth. PROJECT ‘UP’—NORTHERN

WISCONSIN/UPPER MICHIGAN PENINSULA

Location: Marquette, Michigan.

Dates: June 23-29.

Sponsor: District Teaching

Committee of Northern Wisconsin/Upper Michigan.

Contact: Thomas Rowe (715341-3084),

Cost: $5 per day/food. ice: Mass teaching project using youth. Goal is to form an Assembly in the UP. Limited to 20-25 youth.

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INDIAN TEACHING PROJECT

Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: District Youth Committee of Chicago.

Contact: Mark Perry (312-8699039) or Cordelia Norder (715588-3323).

Cost: $60 for five days for food and lodging.

Service: Teaching and consolidation.

NORTHERN DYC

Location: Bemidji, Minnesota area (White Earth, Cass Lake, Leach Lake).

Dates: July 15-21.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Bemidji.

Contact: Shirene Akhavan (612-365-5956).

Service: Teaching.

AVALON PARK_ ILLINOIS TEACHING PROJECT

Location: Chicago.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: South Chicago Teaching Teams.

Contact: Mark Elderkin (312579-5408).

Service: Individual teaching efforts resulting in close relationship with a local church.

PROJECT DAYBREAK

Location: Northern New Mexico.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Espanola, New Mexico.

Contact: Lea Andersen (505753-2144) or Gerardo Vargas (505753-3428).

Service: Teaching and service. SUMMER TEACHING PROJECT

Location: Southern New Mexico (possibly cross-border teaching in Mexico). Advance notice is needed; Spanish-speaking teach See TEACHING Page 25

MINNESOTA

[Page 12]RACE UNITY

The American Baha’i

12

Commentary

Creative Word of God can overcome ‘ every illness including race prejudice

Baha’u’llah says that it is within the power of the Creative Word, the revealed Word of God, to overcome every illness and weakness facing mankind. _

ONE WORD from God brought creation into being, another word endowed every created being with the capacity to manifest His attributes. The word ‘‘unity,”’ one of the attributes of God, is capable of bringing about an end to all forms of disunity.

The racial disunity we see in America and throughout the world is being replaced by the oneness of mankind as believers carry out the teachings of Baha’u’llah. These believers use the Word of God in their prayers, their homes, their schools, their jobs, and in all aspects of their daily lives, in each case drawing on the spiritual potency and power in those words to inspire their efforts to bring about unity and freedom from racial prejudice.

Race unity has been a goal of the American Baha’i community since its inception in the early 1900s. It received a major impetus during the visit to America in 1912 of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Son of Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith.

At that time, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called for the establishment of the unity and oneness of mankind among all people and cultures in America. In many of His talks, He urged American Baha’is to understand the full implications of this newly proclaimed teaching of Baha’u’llah: ‘‘the Oneness of Mankind.””

He called for the elimination of prejudice in all its forms, but especially racial prejudice, which He said had no foundation in the world of reality.

On many occasions He set up a situation or used natural settings to demonstrate powerfully the value of racial unity and understanding. He also encouraged interracial marriage by suggesting that Louis Gregory, a black Baha’i, and Louisa Mathews, a white Baha’i, marry. Once married, He gave them His constant support and encouraged others to follow their example, saying, ‘‘This is a great service to humanity.””

A SECOND major impetus to racial unity in America was the letters and cables of Shoghi Effendi, grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He was able to put the goal of establishing the oneness of mankind in increasingly sharper focus.

One of Shoghi Effendi’s major letters to the American Baha’is, titled “The Advent of Divine Justice,”’ includes an outstanding analysis of the racial situation in America. Most efforts by Baha’fs to establish racial unity since that time have used his guidelines.

Shoghi Effendi calls eliminating racial prejudice the ‘‘most vital and challenging issue’’ facing America. He further declares that freedom from racial prejudice should be the watchword of all American Baha’ is.

The Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative body of the Baha’i Faith, has continued the focus on freedom from prejudice, especially racial prejudice, in its messages to the Baha’is of the world. It points out that prejudice is one cause of disunity, and that disunity is the chief ill facing mankind today.

Every Baha’i is called upon to purge himself of every trace of prejudice through daily vigilance and effort. Every Baha’i must make unity and the oneness of mankind the chief goal of his life.

PASSAGES SUCH AS the following are among those which inspire Baha’is to the noble goal of establishing the oneness of mankind throughout the world. From the Writings of Baha’u’llah:

“O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together, and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of contention amongst you.’’ (Gleanings, p. 217)

“Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other.”’ (The Hidden Words, p. 20)

“The light of men is justice; quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity amongst people.”’ (Baha’i World Faith, p. 82)

From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“Let all be set free from the multiple identities that were born of passion and desire, and in the oneness of their love for God find a new way of life.”” (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 19)

“We are of one physical race even as we are of one physical plan of material body; each endowed with two eyes, two ears, one head, two Jeet. Among the animals racial prejudice does not exist.’’ (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 19)

See RACE UNITY Page 26

for book on

Dr. George H. Hill, a Baha’i from Carson, Califor who is director of the Institute of Research, has won a_ prestigious Angel Award from Religion in Media for the book, Religious Broadcasting, 1920-1983, which he co-authored with Dr. Lenwood Davis of Winston-Salem (North Carolina) University.

Dr. Hill, who received his award during ceremonies in Los Angeles, is the first black male to be so honored by Religion in Media, the national religious broadcasting association.

Blacks who previously won the Angel Award are Dr. Beverly Robinson of UCLA (1982) for her book, Aunt Phyllis, and Jackie Hargrave (1980) for a newspaper column, ‘Bible Answers.”

Other Baha’is who have won the Angel Award are Marcia Day, for the record album ‘‘Happy Ayyam-i-Ha!”’; Wendy Heller, for the book Clementine and the Cage; and Winifred Barnum Newman, for the book The Secret in the Garden.

Dr. Hill also authored Airwaves to the Soul, a history of religious broadcasting in America, which was published in 1983.

Religious Broadcasting, 1920-1983 is a bibliographic work that lists more than 1,600 newspaper and magazine articles, books, theses and dissertations on religious broadcasting in radio and television, covering the entire range of religious broadcasting including networks, personalities, ministries, producers and directors, performers, entertainers, public relations and religious journalism.

“I am especially proud,”’ says

Dr. George H. (left), a Baha’i from Carson, California, receives Religion in Media’s prestigious Angel Award from entertainer Pat Boone during ceremonies in Los Angeles. Dr. Hill won the award

Dr. Hill, “that someone who is black and a Baha’ can be recognized for authoring a book that is 99 per cent about white Christians.””

Other books by Dr. Hill include Black Media in America—A Re ‘The great and fundamental teachings of Baha’u’llah are the oneness of God and unity of mankind. This is the bond of union among Baha’is all over the world. They become united among themselves, then unite others. /t is impossible to unite unless united.’— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Prom. Universal Peace, p. 156

Baha’i researcher wins Angel Award religious broadcasting

for the book, Religious Broadcasting, 1920-1983, which he authored with Dr. Lenwood Da’ of Winston-Salem (North Caro

source Guide and Black Business and Economics—A Selected Bibliography.

Soon to be published is Blacks in the American Armed Forces, 1776-1983, also co-authored by Dr. Davis.

Ga. Baha’i booth wins ‘Award of Merit’

A booth entered by the Bahd’{ communities of Rome and Floyd County, Georgia, in the recent Coosa Valley Fair in Rome received the ‘‘Award of Merit.”

The booth, which included a display of posters and pamphlets and a photo of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, was located in a prominent place and

Women’s conference

An inter-regional Baha’i Women’s Conference will be held August 9-11 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Among those scheduled to take part is Dr. Magdalene Carney, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa.

More details will be published as they become available.

‘was seen by many of the visitors to the fair.

It marked the sixth year in which the Baha’is have taken part in the fair, and the first in which an award was won.

A representative of the fair’s sponsoring body, the Exchange Club of Rome, commented on the message of the Baha’i display and asked that another Baha’ presentation be made at next year’s event.

Baha’i National Center Office Hours

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

Phone 312-869-9039

Race unity meeting is held in Kansas

Baha’is from six communities in northwestern Kansas gathered March 17 in Hays to help carry out a proclamation meeting on race unity.

Several foreign exchange students from Fort Hays State University and a number of local residents attended the meeting whose speaker was Marcia Gitchell.

Mrs. Gitchell, who recently returned with her husband from a pilgrimage to the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, presented slides of the Holy Land and spoke about the Baha’i concept of unity in diversity.

The meeting was covered by radio and television, and two articles appeared in the local news Paper.

[Page 13]

SOCIAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

May 1985

13

Social/ Economic Development

Development is spiritual process whose aim is honor, ennoblement of mankind

Social and economic development is a state of mind.

This definition redefines social and economic development. Most literature focuses on statistics measured to indicate the ‘‘status”’ of people. What are we measuring? Economic and health indices are used to categorize people. We do not know and never care to ask whether those who are to “‘receive’’ this attention have the same aims and aspirations.

THE UNIVERSAL House of Justice calls for a dynamic coherence in this area. It further calls for approaches that lead to self-sufficiency and reliance as necessary for the preservation of human honor.

Most of us think of huddled masses in the subcontinent of Asia or in South America or Ethiopia when we hear these words. True, the material needs are greatest in those places. But the message applies even here in this land of plenty.

To call for communities and individuals to be self-sufficient and selfreliant requires some meditation about these goals in our lives. How many Baha’i communities approach their tasks with a goal to be self-sufficient and self-reliant?

It would seem that one dimension of this message is for the Baha’i community to reflect on its destiny and to chart clearer paths toward the achievement of that glorious promise. This message says that the two fundamental criteria that must be relied on in building the foundation are self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

The second level definition is characterized in terms of activities, projects that help individuals or groups help themselves to improve their education, health, etc. A program of social and economic development involves a longer time frame than a project that is target-oriented.

THIS PROCESS relies upon consultation to determine what the needs and priorities should be. Quite obviously, we cannot address all the needs at once. Based on an assessment of need that requires the community’s involvement, there will emerge a clear set of priorities. These priorities should be cast in /ong-term, mid-range and short-term projections. Nothing is permanent, but this process enables the community to set its goals and keep them in mind as it progresses toward them.

Two of our biggest problems are money and impatience. Because of the existence of thousands of foundations, government programs, and the like, funds seem almost too easy to obtain. It seems that many individuals have ideas for projects requiring funds and are eager to find ways to tap into those funds.

Funds become necessary when we commit our limited minds to an activity. We should be certain this is the action the Bahd’{ community most wants to take. Funds also include the time of the Baha’is involved. Time devoted to building and establishing a community represents the clearest statement of priority by that community.

Seeking funding from any source must come only after the previously discussed process has been explored. Otherwise, the funding becomes the aim, and the project will not address the matter of how it is to become self-sufficient. The aim is the preservation of human honor and the ennoblement of man. c

IMPATIENCE IS a societal problem. This is the world of instant results. The technological revolution has captured the imagination. We cannot help feeling that with sudden swiftness technology will dramatically improve our lives.

But remember what we are measuring. The spiritual process, while able to transform individuals and communities, does not lend itself to the quick fix that is being sold by the computer companies. As communities wrestle with their roles, responsibilities, plans, projects, failures and the like, they grow. Their growth is tied to action in the field. Growth is directly related to effort, not necessarily to success.

In sum, we must realize that this is both a process and a task. The process of achieving our spiritual destiny is linked to our using these spiritual teachings in social and economic development. The community’s consciousness about its own responsibilities must be an integral part of the development process. Targets or projects that take steps toward achieving these goals are then made within a broad framework. Otherwise, it seems we are in danger of becoming just another goodwill agen Build on our strengths and our uniqueness. Demonstrate how it can and should be done. Use Baha’i resources. Ours should be a record of accomplishment to demonstrate vividly that we believe in selfsufficiency and self-reliance.

Questions to be addressed in the next few months: Should we apply for a grant to begin our soci ind economic development program? What are the areas of need that we should focus on? How do we measure the success of our efforts?

Committee looks toward regional conferences

When the Social and Economic Development Committee was appointed in April 1984 by the National Spiritual Assembly, it was charged with the responsibility of helping the American Baha’i community as it responded to the letter of October 20, 1983, from the Universal House of Justice in which the friends were called to service in their communities in the area of social and economic development.

A national conference was con sidered, but from correspondence and consultation with the friends and the National Spiritual Assembly, it was decided that. regional conferences could most effectively stimulate local initiative.

To date, conferences have been held in Atlanta; Minneapolis; Seattle; San Francisco; Norman, Oklahoma; the Native American Baha’i Institute in Arizona, and the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina.

z & Members of the Nottingham Recreation Center for the Physically Limited enjoy an Ayyam-i-Hi ‘pizza night’ sponsored by the Ba

hi’is of Hamilton Township, New

Jersey. Everyone participated in making and eating his or her own pizzas.

235 attend Northeast Conference on Campaign of Unified Action

About 235 Bahá’ís gathered February 23 in Hartford, Connecticut, for a day-long Northeast Regional Conference on the Campaign of Unified Action.

Among the speakers were Dr. Farzam Arbab, representing the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas; Dr. Alberta Deas, representing the National Spiritual Assembly; and Dr. Eugene Andrews, representing the National Teaching Committee.

At least one member from each of 63 local Spiritual Assemblies attended. Both in formal sessions and informally over lunch, the friends took advantage of the many opportunities to exchange ideas and share experiences on common problems.

Consultation, which was exten

Members of the Social and Economic Development Committee for 1985-86:

William E.

Alice Bathke (secretary), Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sheila Banani, Santa Monica, California; Anne Breneman, Florence, South Carolina; Jack Guillebeaux, Montgomery, Alabama.

Marge Work is the committee’s administrative coordinator at the Baha’i National Center.

sive and informative, centered on the question of how best to release individual initiative in the communities.

Also explored was the matter of how Assemblies can expand the concept of teaching beyond a mere sharing of facts about the Faith to one of connecting hearts with Bahá’u’lláh.

The consultation ended with a session on ways in which to prepare the communities for growth and increasing diversity without losing the sense of spiritual brotherhood and intimacy that many of them now enjoy.

Former W. German Chancellor visits Shrine of the Bab

Former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, accompanied by a party of 16, visited the Shrine of the Bab on January 30.

Mr. Brandt was greeted at the World Centre by two members of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. David Ruhe and Ian Semple.

Also accompanying the group to the Shrine were Donald Barrett and Ronald Bates, the secretarygeneral and deputy secretary-general, respectively, of the Baha’i International Community, and Mrs. Ruhe.

As a memento of his visit, Mr. Brandt was given a copy of the. book A Crown of Beauty.

(eee PAG REESE STE SSS SESW SS RR SRE ST SRSA ESS SS SSS

During the coming year, the committee hopes to extend this opportunity to as many areas of the country as possible. Fourteen sites have been identified:

Rocky Mountain area—Lapwai, Idaho; Denver, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Midwest—St. Louis, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; Terre Haute, Indiana.

Northeast—Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo, New York.

Southeast—Raleigh, North Carolina; Asheville, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Miami, Florida.

The focus of the regional meetings is on reviewing the letter of October 20, 1983, and on discussing the implications of that letter for the Baha’i community.

The goal is to raise awareness and discuss possibilities for social and economic development within the community.

from the Baha't Publishing Trust

The first book to uncover the caprivating details of the introduction of the Baha's Faith to the Occident in 1892 and to trace its development through its first 8 years in North America

VOLUME 1 of

THE BAHAI FAITH INAMERICA

Origins 1892-1900

by ROBERT H. STOCKMAN

What were the factors that inspired almost 1,500 North Americans

to accept the Baha't teachings before 1900?

How did these early believers survive the disaffection of their leader and attain firmness in the Covenant?

What lead to the shaping of a distinctive community that would create Bahs't institutions and help

spread the Faith around the globe? $1995, hardcover only

194 pages, 23 photographs, notes, annotated bibliography, index. ‘Companion volumes forthcoming

‘Available from Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 UNDEN AVENUE

WILMETTE, IL 60091 1-800-323-1880

[Page 14]BAHA’!I DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

The American Baha’i

14

Larry Bucknell, general manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, speaks to local Distribution Representatives during a conference March 23-24 at the Bosch Baha'i School in California. The con In conjunction with the release of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, by Robert Stockman, a number of books that deal with America’s Baha’i “roots’’ are being made available at special sale prices.

Two of these books furnish details about the fledgling Bahá’í community in California which is discussed in Mr. Stockman’s new book.

The first, Youth in the Vanguard, by Marion Carpenter Yazdi, explores the early days of the Faith in Northern California and provides first-hand glimpses of such early Baha'is as Phoebe Hearst, Helen Goodall, Ella Goodall Cooper, and Kanichi Yamamoto (the first Japanese Baha’f). The price was $10; during

Two new volumes of Master’s writings

in Persian available

Two new volumes of the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are now available in Persian from the Baha’ Distribution Service.

From World Centre Publications comes the second volume of Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ($6, HC). In this volume are vital topics covering a broad range of issues faced in daily life including steadfastness in the Covenant, persecutions, family relations, the station of man, world conditions, and standards of behavior for Baha’i youth.

The book has 285 pages including an index. The title in Persian is Muntakhabati Az Makatib-i Hadrat-i ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Baha'i Verlag, the German Publishing Trust, has just released The Secret of Divine Civilization (84, SC) in the original Persian.

First written in 1875, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed His message to the people of Persia and its rulers. The title in Persian is Risiliy-IMadaniyyih.

ference was one of a series of such meetings being held around the country to explain the new directions being taken by the Publishing Trust and its Distribution Service.

Now available at special sale prices Several books take close look at Baha’i ‘roots’

the sale, it is $7.50.

The second book, Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Baháé, by Ramona Allen Brown, provides a warm look into the lives of the early believers in the San Francisco area before 1912, recounts ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit in that year, and describes its effect on the believers.

Its hardcover price was $10 and has been reduced to $7.50; the softcover price of $6 is now $4.50 for this sale.

Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, by Julia M. Grundy, is the recollection of her visit to the Master’s household in 1905 and several talks by members of the Holy, Household. Its price was $5; it is on sale for $3.75.

Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká: January 1908, by two early California Bahá’ís, Helen S. Goodall and her daughter, Ella Goodall Cooper, includes descriptions of their pilgrimage and questions answered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It was $5 and is on sale for $3.75.

A final book, 239 Days: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey in America, by Allan L. Ward, details the coast-to-coast visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá jie 2 et Sa

Quan.

‘Abdu Bahá in London, HC —Baha'i DayBook, SC

—Bahá' Faith in America: 1 —Building a Unified Comm —Daily Lessons Received —From the Auroral Darkness, HC

_From the Auroral Darkness, SC Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC —_Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC —Mystery of God, HC

Z£FOm RPmORO

A new book on the life of poet Robert Hayden is drawing praise from poets within and outside the Baha’i community.

From the Auroral Darkness ($23.50 HC, $9.95 SC), by Dr. John Hatcher, ‘‘examines the various dimensions of Hayden’s poetry, and especially the link between the poet and his Faith ...’”

Dr. Hatcher says he believes the book not only offers insight into the life of Robert Hayden but also offers a valuable proclamation tool for use in the black community.

Says Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Richard Eberhard: ‘‘John Hatcher’s thoroughgoing biography of the late poet Robert

1900, HC

Hayden places Hayden with the

1912 to deepen the early band of Baha’is described in Mr. Stockman’s The Baha’j Faith in America. The retail price is $10; it is on sale for $7.50.

“‘All five books, read in conjunction with The Baha’ Faith in ‘America: Origins, 1892-1900, will enrich your understanding of the devotion and sacrifice of our forebears,” says Dr. Betty Fisher, general editor of the Publishing Trust.

For ordering information, see the coupon on this page. Sale prices are good through July 31.

Mexico slates varied

menu of plans for year

Among the activities planned during the coming year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Mexico are these:

A National Youth Conference (July 27-28) in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

An Indigenous Council (August 3-4) in Yucatan.

An Indigenous Council (August 24-25) in Oaxaca.

A National Youth Conference (December 27-30) in Baja California Norte.

best Afro-American poets of our country.

“‘Hayden’s challenging stand was that he was a poet first and always, and that this reality was more important than anybody’s skin color. Mr. Hatcher’s skillful, enticing biography should give pleasure to Hayden admirers for years to come.”

Roger White, a well-known Baha’i author and poet, calls the book ‘‘a wonderful service for the Faith, for Robert Hayden, for those who will follow in his wake, and for poetry ...’”

Plaudits also come from poet Coleman Barks:

“‘Hayden’s subtle and unusual poetry has found an interpreter

Three titles from the Baha’i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom are again being offered at reduced prices. Unfolding Destiny, normally $34.50, is now $28.50; The Mystery of God is $12, down from $21; and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London is $9.50, reduced from

New book on life of Baha’i poet Robert Hayden elicits warm words of praise from many quarters

equal to the task. I teach the Afro American survey here at (the University of) Georgia, and I find his book on Hayden very helpful in trying to describe the qualities of that complicated, and much-neglected, artist.’”

William Stafford, National Book Award-winning poet and former poetry editor of World Order magazine, says, “‘Robert Hayden was one of the heroes, and you have helped readers know him and his special life and art.’”

Since the publication of From the Auroral Darkness, Dr. Hatcher has given talks on the book at the University of Florida in Gainesville, the University of South Florida in Tampa, and at several Baha’i-sponsored events.

mi

H

H Dy | 1 i Hy

$17. Sale prices on these books will remain in effect until present stocks are sold. The reduced prices offered by the Distribution Service are the result of a special offer from the Publishing Trust in the United Kingdom and may not be repeated.

• Sale price ends July 31, 1985, or while supplies last

Amt. Quan, Amt 1.50 minimum for postage} $9.50" __Per: Secret of Divine Civilization, SC $4.00 : Coe 375 “Per: Sel. Letters of ‘Abdu'LBahd, Vol. 2, HC 6.00 at —Promalgation of Universal Pescet HC. 16.00 Enclose a check for the full amount, or 10/3.25 “¥en Daysin the Light of “Aka, SC 315° a 3.75" —To Move the World, SC 7.50 VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE 23.50 239 Days, HC 7.50° a 9.95 —Unfolding Destiny, HC 28.50° CARD NGG ae 7.50° Unto Him Shall We Return, SC 795 450° —Waging Peace, HC 195 12.00" —Youth in the Vanguard, HC 730° Name Address City State

Baha’ Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE

WILMETTE, IL 60091

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

TAB 5/85

Total plus 10 per cent postage

Zip

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Prices good through Jume 30, 1985

| areas se a ETS SR AR SR ES SRE SES RN RE ER EY A EE A

[Page 15]BAHA’I PUBLISHING TRUST

May 1985

15

Baha’i Faith in America

What is your link with the first Baha’i communities in North America? Whether you are from New Mexico, Colorado, Arkan sas, or Maine, with some sleuthing in the new information released in Robert Stockman’s The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892 The Creative Word

How does it relate to Seven Year Plan?

As you sit down to read the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, you may or may not realize that your action relates directly to a goal of the Seven Year Plan, a goal asking us to ‘‘pursue a nationwide campaign, with emphasis on the use of the Creative Word, designed to inspire every believer to live the Baha’i life, thus demonstrating to their fellow-countrymen the beneficent effects of the Baha’i way of life achieved through adherence

to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.””

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE of Justice has explained that in the context of the Seven Year Plan goal, the ‘‘Creative Word”’ refers to the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. (‘‘Sacred Text’? refers to the writings of all of the Manifestations of God, together with the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.)

In the past, we have broadened this column to include the writings of the Bab, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, and have entitled it “Baha’i Writings.” With this issue we revert to an in-depth consideration of the Creative Word—its meaning, its purpose, its power in our livesand how reading the various books of Bahá’u’lláh can help us achieve our personal goals in an important goal of the Seven Year Plan.

Eleven months remain—11 months we can use to gain a richer understanding of the ‘‘celestial potency” that characterizes the Words of the Blessed Beauty. It is not enough merely to read Bahá’u’lláh’s Words. “Abdu’l-Bahá exhorts us to “‘Live ... in accord with the teachings of Bahd’u’ll4h. Do not only read them. There is a vast difference between the soul who merely reads the words of Bahá’u’lláh and the one who

tries to live them.””

The time is short, but if we make use of it to immerse ourselves in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and to so transform ourselves that our friends will ask us why we shine with purpose, we will do our part in fulfilling an important goal of the Seven Year Plan.

helps us trace ‘roots’

1900 you can probably figure out how the Faith spread from the earliest communities to yours.

Details concerning such early Baha’ localities as Chicago (IIlinois); Enterprise (Kansas); Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine (Wisconsin); Baltimore and Princess Anne (Maryland); Fanwood, Hudson County and Weehawken (New Jersey); New York City and Ithaca (New York); Cincinnati (Ohio); San Francisco’ (California); Fairhope (Alabama); Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); Washington, D.C., and London, Ontario (Canada) are found in this first exciting volume of a projected threevolume series.

Tracing your own Baha’i roots back to one of these early communities could uncover some interesting details about the growth and development of the Faith.

But a focus on the earliest communities is only one aspect of Oripu, 1892-1900. Reading is being when it comes to discovpa the remarkable and dramatic events that led to the establishment of Baha’i roots on the North American continent.

The Bahd’{ Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 is now available from the Baha’i Distribution Service, in hardcover only, for $19.95. Order today!

Why Deepen?

“The Sacred Literature

of the Baha’ Faith conveys enlightenment.

It inspires life.

It frees the mind.

It disciplines the heart.

For believers, the Word is not a philosophy to be learned, but the sustenance of being throughout the span

of mortal existence.””

—Horace Holley Religion for Mankind, p. 64

Last chance to critique Datebook

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

Ordering from Baha’i Distribution Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Did you appreciate the fact that the Datebook began with the week of March 21, the beginning of the Bahá’í Year? Yes___ Noose

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? ‘Yes. INOS 8. Please comment on the general usefulness (or uselessness) of the Datebook.

9. Please comment on design elements, such as cover, color or DO Oc a rN gee ip a

Please include any other comments or suggestions and mail your response by June 10 to the Promotions Department, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Picts Venue. wens INAMERICA

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ees ste nee

Volume 1 of The Bahá’í Faith in America uncovers our earliest roots in the western hemisphere. It is now available from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

Publishing Trust observes 30th year at luncheon meeting

The Baha'i Publishing Trust observed its 30th anniversary Friday, April 5, with a luncheon at Hackney’s Restaurant in Glenview, Illinois.

The event commemorated the 30th year since the Trust’s establishment in 1955 as a goal of the Ten Year Crusade.

Among those present were the Publishing Trust’s current manager, Larry Bucknell, who has been with the Trust for three years; and Dr. Betty J. Fisher, the general editor for the past 14 years, who gave a brief history of the Publishing Trust.

Other long-time employees at the luncheon included Bea Somerhalder, who has managed the House of Worship’s bookstore for 22 years; Gloria Frazin, with nearly 15 years of service; and Nida Kern, who has been a paid staff member for nine years and a volunteer for “‘more years than I can remember.’’

Also attending was one past manager of the Publishing Trust, Dr. John Bustard. Eunice Braun, who served as general editor for 19 years, was traveling and unable to attend.

The Publishing Trust’s 17 present employees have served a total of more than 99 years, or an average of nearly six years each.

Trust Advisory Board holds first gathering

The Baha’i Publishing Trust’s Advisory Board held its first meeting February 23-24 in Wilmette, Illinois.

The board was created by the National Spiritual Assembly to advise both the Publishing Trust and the Trustees of the Publishing Trust.

Members of the Advisory Board are Auxiliary Board member Steve Birkland; Geoffry

See BOARD Page 25

Other New Titles

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

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

I Am a Bahá’í, the most recent Sunflower Activity Book for children ages 3-7, contains interesting ideas that will create and reinforce a child’s Baha’i identity. $5.95. Sunflower Books 1-4 are now on sale for $3.50 for the set.

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

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

NEW Teaching Cards of the Wilmette House of Worship, an assortment of five views in different seasons, 23/$3.50.

For ordering information, please see the coupon on the Baha’i Distribution Service page in

Loving Hands, a cassette tape of vibrant new music by ‘‘Heartbeat,”” won a certificate of excellence at the 1985 Angel Awards ceremony in Hollywood, California, sponsored by Religion in Media. Loving Hands features music about aspects of Bahd’{ life for children (and adults) of all ages. Other Baha’i materials recognized by Angel Awards in the past include The Secret in the Garden by Winifred Barnum Newman and the album Happy 7a iss ie ipeton emt t a@ non-profit organization dediEe ee eee: on radio and vv. Loving Hands is available for $8 from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

{cme TSS RSET SSR A SRE SR RUMEN

[Page 16]

CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha’i

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

°

THE NATIONAL Baha’i Archives Committee plans to hold its 1985 Archives Institute on August 22-25 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. Those interested in attending should submit to the National Archives a brief statement of their background and why they would like to take part. The institute is designed to introduce believers in the archival field to the nature and functions of a Baha’ archives. Attendance is limited to eight persons, and each participant is responsible for his or her own expenses and housing. Please send requests to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

HOMEFRONT pioneers, especially from minority groups, needed to bring strength and diversity to Dallas Center, an Iowa district goal community. This is a lovely, friendly farming community 20 miles northwest of Des Moines. 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. Beware, roving Baha’isyou might just find yourself putting down roots! For more information, contact the National Teaching Committee or phone 515-992-3381.

STUDIO apartment on the beach available for $230 a month from a pioneer who wishes to reach his post this summer. Good landlord plus $2,000 in discount coupons for goods and services in the South Portland, Maine, area. Pioneer must be replaced in this community of nine adults. For information, contact Tim Wilson, 207-799-7993, or the National Teaching Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039, ext. 235).

DESIGN consultant’s office in Cyprus needs a qualified person to do landscapes, interiors, restorations, area planning, land development and graphics. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MINORITY Teaching Center in Fillmore, California, needs bi: gual, bi-cultural Spanish-speaking individuals to help with ongoing, successful teaching effort. Homefront pioneers are preferred; traveling teachers are warmly welcomed. We are a small community (nine members) but feel that wi

help from those who speak Spanish better than we do, we can accomplish things that will astound the Baha’i world. We have the possibility of large enrollments, Spanish radio proclamation, and the production of audio tapes and

Spanish-language literature. Please write to Fillmore, CA 93015, or

phone G. Quinn, 805-524-4577.

NEEDED: Baha’ is of American background! Our potlucks are delicious, but we need a balance. Could you help us increase the 25 per cent non-Persian population in our Round Rock, Texas, community? There are many employment and educational opportunities in Round Rock and in Austin (13 miles south). Our school system is one of the best in Texas. Join our small, international community! For more information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Round Rock, P.O. Box 433, Round Rock, TX 78680, or phone 512-255-4191 (nights).

FAMILY practice resident physician and family wish to homefront pioneer, want to work with another Baha’i doctor, and must live in a medically underserved area of the U.S. or its territories. Will complete residency in June 1987. Please contact Hannah Rishel, M.D.,

Wichita, KS 67208, or phone 316-685-3748 or 316-6851111.

BAHA’I youth: Spend the summer on Martha’s Vineyard where the population swells to 70,000 (from a winter population of 10,000) and find a good-paying summer job. Just think of the fireside possibilities! Also, AMItrained Montessori teacher wanted for an indescribably wonderful Montessori school on the vineyard. For information, contact Victoria de Leon, P.O. Box 994, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or phone 617-693-4581.

NEEDED: Person with accounting training and experience and supervisory skills for a position in St. Vincent, a goal country. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. ,

FIRST class secretary needed for advertising agency in Cyprus, a goal country. Fluent in English and French with top-level working experience. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WE NEED a few good youth! Between Memorial Day and the Youth Conference in July, we’re planning a teaching and service project in Sawmill, Arizona, a small community on the Navajo Reservation—a one-day trip from Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and Canyon de Chelly. There will also be opportunities to work and study at the Native American Baha’i Institute in

Burntwater, Arizona. If you’d like to join us, please write to Dr. Dawn K. Smith, P.O. Box 73, Fort Defiance, AZ 86504, or phone (evenings) 602-729-2417.

ERIE and Altoona, two of the four Assemblies in western Pennsylvania, are in jeopardy. We need dedicated homefront pioneers to help save them. If you can help, contact Betsy

Altoona, PA 16601 (phone 814-946-5176), or Sue Leopold, Erie, PA 16502

(phone 814-454-5493).

POSITION is available for a bank manager in St. Vincent, a goal country. Experience and/or professional qualifications in banking necessary. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A WRITING contest about youth is being sponsored during 1985 by the Baha’i Publishing 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 about youth by adults (over 25). Stories (fiction or non-fiction) should be typewritten or computer-printed, double-spaced, with a ragged right margin. Maximum length is 15 pages. For details and deadlines, write to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, Baha’i Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

NEEDED: Public relations officer for a hotel in Cyprus, a goal country. Fluency in English, Greek and one other European language required. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

CHIROPRACTORS: Replace a Baha'i chiropractor in Athens, Georgia, and help save a jeopardized Assembly. Athens, home of the University of Georgia, is 50 miles from Atlanta. We have an active and warm community that could use you. The practice is well-established, five years old, with an excellent location and reputation. Willing to finance. Phone Debra Darrell, D.C., 404-5488984 or 404-353-3612.

COME to the heartland—lowa needs you! This loving, unified Bahda’i district is working hard to save its jeopardized Assemblies: Bettendorf (5 adults), Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Marshalltown (7), and Marion (8). Each stands ready to help potential pioneers in seeking jobs and housing. Come catch the spirit of this central state where LEAP activities abound, Baha’i school planners scheme, and the friends are well known for their gracious firesides and generous contributions to the Fund. For more information, please contact the Iowa District Teaching Committee, c/o Mrs. Fay Himes, secretary, P.O. Box 45, New Liberty, IA 52765, or phone 319-8432450.

COMMUNITY health professional needed for position as senior health educator in St. Vincent, a goal country. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

ATTENTION traveling teachers for Bahd’u’ll4h: Here is your golden opportunity to retrace the steps of the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He traveled through New Hampshire on His way to the Western U.S. On your way to the East and the Green Acre Baha’i School, why not travel through New Hampshire? For more information, please contact the New Hampshire District Teaching Copuatitees c/o Jon Ring, sec etary, Exeter, NH 03833, or phone 603-772-4680.

VERSATILE acoustic guitarist needed to accompany experienced vocalist/traveling teacher to the Caribbean anytime between mid May and the end of June. Affinity for Brazilian and other Latin American music a plus, as is financial independence. For details, please write to Gregory Paul Mey jes, _ . Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Phone 919-929-9282.

ENDANGERED Assembly in a lovely seaport city within 45 minutes of Boston with good employment opportunities needs a Baha’i family to homefront pioneer. Write to Bruce Anderson, P.O. Box 5414, Magnolia Station, Gloucester, MA 01930.

DEVELOPMENT corporation manager is needed in St. Vincent, a goal country. Duties include general management of administrative activities, investment promotion, job creation, etc. One of several business degrees acceptable for qualification. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEEDED: For the Louhelen Baha’i School library, the following copies of the small Star of the West (called ‘‘Baha’i News’’), Volume 1—3 copies of no. 2; 3 copies of no. 3; 2 of no. 5; 2 of no. 6; 2 of no. 7; 1 of no. 10; 2 of no. 13; 2 of no. 15; 1 of no. 16; 2 of no. 18; and 2 of no, 19. Will trade or duplicate copies of World Order or Bahá’í News. Write to Mrs. Rebecca Wideman,

. Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-4276.

TEACHING positions are available for the 1985-86 school year in a Baha’i-owned private elementary school. Female teachers, college students or older retired teachers are welcome. Completed degree or teaching certificate not required. Must be able to live in relative poverty in a rural area and be willing to help develop a Baha’j-based curriculum. You'll have an opportunity to try out in Baha’i educaing good prepai ‘ion for pioneering or possibly set

ting up other schools. College credit and NSL deferment is possible. Check with your education department. Also, arrangements may be made to attend a local state college part-time. Housing, partial board and a small stipend provided. Send SASE to Bill Bright, principal, _ Alamosa, CO 81101.

WANTED: For an experimental Bahá’í course in Southern California, Baha’is with experience in teaching story-telling. We will arrange to consult by phone. Please contact Margaret Alvara La

do, Quinta, CA 92253, or phone 619564-6155.

YOUR HELP is needed to record history. A book is being compiled on the Hands of the Cause of God. Needed are any short stories (one or two pages) and/or photographs. Stories can be humorous or educational -as this will be a picture book which will be used to teach Baha’is of all ages about the Formative Age of the Faith. Any submission is appreciated, especially anything about the early Persian Hands. Please contact Mrs. B. Rainwater

Nichols, Sparks, NV 89431. THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of

West Pasco County, Florida, incorporated in 1972, needs two individuals or a couple to help save the Assembly. We are near Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg with lots of sunshine, close to beaches, colleges and shopping centers. Please contact the Baha’is of West Pasco County, c/o Mrs. Kittie A. Shetterly, secretary,

Holiday, FL 33590, or phone 813-937-1584.

COMPUTER services firm in Cyprus has openings for senior and trainee programmers/analysts. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A DEVOTED, deepened Baha’i couple is needed in Mauritania, a French-speaking goal country in Africa where no open teaching takes place, but the friends entertain in their homes. The greatest chances for work for the wife are in one of the many embassies as a bi-lingual secretary. If the husband were a mechanic for Land Rovers, he also would probably find work. This is a difficult post, but we are certain that the House of Justice would not have assigned it if it were not possible to find the right people for the two goals. If you fit the above description, please do not hesitate; contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039. This goal should have been filled by Ridvan 1985.

NEED homefront pioneers? Interracial Bahá’í couple wishes to relocate in an area with a large Group or jeopardized Assembl:

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May 1985

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Must have good employment opportunities in computer programming and/or Montessori primary education. Could relocate immediately to the right area. Please write to Mike and Melanie Powell,

Atlanta, GA 30340, or phone 404-457-7350.

QUALIFIED electrician sought as homefront pioneer to Arlington, Washington. We would like to pioneer overseas and must give up our electrical repair business. Arlington is a small town about 50 miles north of Seattle; ours is the only electrical shop in the immediate area, and business is good. We have an active Baha’i Group, and there are several larger communities nearby. This is an ideal opportunity to strike out on your own. Please contact Don Youngquist, Arlington, ‘WA 98233, or phone 206-4358612.

LOANS administrative officer needed to supervise development of financing at a development corporation in St. Vincent, a goal country. Degree in finance, commerce, accounting, business admininstration or relevant banking experience is necessary. For more information, contact. the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Baha’i Archives is seeking the personal papers of New York City Baha’is including those of William Hoar, Frank Osborne, Arthur P. Dodge family, Howard MacNutt, James Brittingham and Roy C. Wilhelm. The Archives is especially interested in original letters, diaries, personal recollections, manuscripts and photographs. Anyone having information about the personal papers of these or other New York City Bahá’ís is asked to write to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

TEACH summer classes on the Amoz Gibson Project in South Dakota. Children’s teachers are needed for this work which is crucial to the consolidation efforts of our Native American believers. Please contact the South Dakota District Teaching Committee, c/o John Retzlaff, P.O. Box 922, Pierre, SD 57501, or telephone 605-224-1041.

ARE YOU moving soon or in the coming year? It’s never too late to help a large Group or jeopardized Assembly. Even after Ridvan, there are goal localities in each of our 94 Baha’i districts. If you can consider moving to a goal area, please contact the National Teaching Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

NEEDED: Rugged person to fill a goal in Mauritania. USAID job open for motor pool supervisor: control use of vehicles, supervise garage personnel, pre-_ pare reports in French and English. For more information, con

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

DATEBOOK critique—Don’t pass up the opportunity to let the Publishing Trust know how you feel about the new Baha’i Datebook 142 B.E. with its new format. Turn to the Baha’i Publishing Trust page for a handy form to clip out and send in with your comments.

WANTED: Personal computer. The secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly in a relatively small Baha’i community (Dominican Republic) is interested in acquiring a used, major brand PC, preferably an IBM, Tandy, Wang or Texas Instruments. The machine would be owned by an individual but would be used for National Assembly word processing and membership records. Please send price information and description of the computer to Mark Freehill, U.S. Embassy—Consulate, APO Miami, FL 34041.

INTERESTED in serving the Faith by teaching or working with children? Your talents and abilities are needed September 13-15 at the 1985 Green Lake (Wisconsin) Baha’i Conference. Contact Judy Amburn, children’s class coordinator, P.O. Box 103, Arlington, WI 53911, or phone 608-635-2853.

SCRIPTS wanted (film, TV). Treatments acceptable on Baha’i themes, lives, principles—features, docu-dramas, documentaries. Write to Rosenwald, c/o New Dawn Productions,

Malibu, CA 90650.

WANTED! Teachers (specialists in art, movement/dance, performance) and group leaders and facilitators for the Children’s Conference this July in Columbus, Ohio. us know your particular area of service for the Baha’i children who will be attending the conference July 3-7. Contact David Douglas, Children’s Conference Task Force, c/o National Youth Committee,

Sunrise, FL 33313.

GENERAL manager needed: St. Vincent, a goal country, has position for a person with five years experience in an executive business position. MBA is an advantage. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A FREE catalog of tapes, T-shirts and other materials including ‘‘Mankind Is Ong’’ T-shirts and sweatshirts in 12 languages is available from ‘‘Reflections,’’ Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Phone 313-653-5033.

THERE ARE openings for teachers at the high school level in Shiprock, New Mexico, and at the elementary school level in Naschitti and Newcomb. These are predominantly Navajo communi ties in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico, near the Four Corners. Shiprock is near shopping and amenities in Farmington, New Mexico, and Cortez and Durango, Colorado. Naschitti and Newcomb are equidistant from Farmington and Gallup, New Mexico. Please contact Gary Boivin, P.O. Box 2558, Tuba City, AZ 86045 (phone 602-2834821) or Jeff Kiely, P.O. Box 415, Houck, AZ 86506 (phone 602367-5126, ext. 0180.

SUMMER school and children’s school teachers—don’t miss the opportunity to utilize I Am a Baha’i, four exciting Sunflower activity books in one, in your children’s classes (ages 3-7) this summer. In addition, the first four Sunflower books, My Baha’i Book, My Favorite Prayers and Passages, God and Me, and Our Baha’i Holy Places, are on sale as a set of four. Special Strengths is another resource that will spark discussion of Baha’i principles (for the 7 to 11 year old). For more information, please turn to the Baha’i Publishing Trust page in this issue.

HANDS ON!, a workbook of Baha’i educational activities for children by Sandy and Alonzo Coleman and Diane Bogulu Petit is available from the Louhelen Baha’i School. It includes a chapter on creating learning centers and more than 100 practical activities for children along with 80 photos depicting the activities, which deal with Baha’i history, the Central

Figures and Shoghi Effendi, reli- _

gious history, the Baha’i teachings, Baha’i institutions, and the dynamic force of example. Sample record-keeping forms and reproducible activities (crossword puzzles and word searches) also are included. Designed for use in child education classes. 178 pages. Cost, including binder and shipping, is $19. Send check to Hands On!, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Phone orders (VISA or MasterCard) accepted at 313-653-5033.

OBSTETRICIAN needed for medically isolated coastal community to work with a Baha’i who is a certified nurse-midwife. Strong Baha’i community, lovely ocean and mountain setting. Contact Polly Malby, RN,

Crescent City, CA 95531, or phone 707-464-5277.

HELP! Male Baha’i youth will be attending school in New York City in the fall; needs a reasonable place to live. If a family or roommate is interested, please write to Chris. Hampton,

___ Carrollton, GA 30117, or phone 404-834-8683.

WANTED: Homefront pioneers to move into unique multilingual agricultural communities in south central Florida along Lake Okeechobee. Employment help provided. Present job openings for library assistant, building inspector, health services inspec tor, maintenance worker, welders, correctional officers, various farm occupations. ‘‘Baha’i home’’ is for sale in Bell Glade, or housing available in surrounding areas. Come join us. Write to the Baha’is of Belle Glade,

Belle Glade, FL 33430, or phone 305-996-7952.

TEACH summer classes on the Amoz Gibson Project. Children’s teachers are needed for this work which is crucial to the consolidation efforts of our beloved Native American believers. 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.

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

CHILDREN’S teachers are needed for the Amoz Gibson Project in South Dakota. Positions are open for two full-time teachers to travel to various sites on the project. Room, board, a vehicle and gas will be provided for teachers who will develop and implement materials for Baha’i children’s classes, set up a schedule for the various locations. For more information about the positions and application process, please contact the South Dakota District Teaching Committee, c/o John Retzlaff, P.O. Box 922, Pierre, SD 57501, or phone 605-224-1041.

COME live in Vermont! The Spiritual Assembly of Hartford (look for White River Junction on the map) needs to replace two members who are going pioneering by Ridvan 1986. Their home and four acres of land are for sale for $50,000 and available for occupancy in June. For more information, please contact Dawn and Larry Staudt,

White River Junction, VT 05001, or phone 802-295-2387.

FINANCIAL management adviser/accountant is needed to manage, supervise and prepare operating budgets for a development corporation in St. Vincent, a goal country. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BOSCH Baha’ School invites applications for staff positions: single adults or mature youth for 3-6 months (renewable) as student-staff or apprentice staff and for full-time summer staff. Special talents and abilities to be considered in selection. Opportunity for learning, leadership experience, and service in a unique setting secluded in redwood forest but near city, community colleges, UCSanta Cruz. Possibility of internship or work credit from your college by your own arrangement. Interviews will be arranged in northern and southern California for those being considered, following

receipt of a letter of application and resumé together with the name, address and phone number of your Assembly secretary. Send to: School Administrator, Bosch Baha'i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

BAHA’I physician graduating from an accredited pediatric residency program in December 1985 (board eligible at that time) wishes to join a group or individual practice in pediatrics in an area where he can be of service to the Faith. Will consider overseas locations and general practice opportunities. Please contact Dr. Aspi Khorsandian,

_ Parma, OH 44130 (phone 216-888-2344).

CROP specialist/agronmist: become a homefront pioneer to South Carolina where you are urgently needed, and buy a stable and growing crop consulting business at below commercial rates from a Baha’ couple who are returning to school, possibly this ‘August! Services offered: irrigation scheduling, soybean and cotton scouting, soil sampling for fertility and nematodes. I will train, but you need a B.S. in agriculture. Expect minimum $30,000 receipts in ’85 (37% expenses). Contact immediately for business summary Richard De Loughery, Orangeburg, 29115, or phone 803-536-5194.

NEEDED: Someone with a degree in industrial property management or experience in that area to act as project development officer in St. Vincent, a goal country. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

sc

OGLALA Lakota College instructor of natural resources science courses and Baha’i schools curriculum developer is seeking a copy of Guy Murchie’s book, The Seven Mysteries of Life, to be used to enhance scientific interest among Native Americans at the Amoz Gibson Project’s Baha’i Learning Center. The donation or Joan of a copy of this out-of-print book will be a highly valued part of the Baha’i library and instrumental in forging paths to social and economic development through education and career aspirations. Please write to Louise Watson, Martin, SD 57551.

CALIFORNIA: Santa Barbara south to Los Angeles. Does a community in this coastal area need a homefront pioneer? Mature U.S. citizen living in the West Indies for 22 years must relocate in the U.S. to acquire citizenship for nine-year-old adopted Montserratian daughter. Seeking a livein situation with a young family as cook, nanny, gardener or with a boarding school as houseparent or cook. Presently operating a gour See ADS Page 27

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[Page 18]HOUSE OF WORSHIP

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House of Worship offers 4 splendid February programs

February 1985 will long be remembered at the Baha’ House of Worship. Four outstanding programs, as well as displays of art and memorabilia, highlighted the month-long effort.

THE MONTH pivoted around a tribute to the late David Kellum,

a long-time Chicago Baha’i and, until his retirement, city editor of the Chicago Defender newspaper whose founder, Robert Abbott, was also a Baha’i.

In 1929 Mr. Kellum gathered together several hundred Chicago children for a parade and picnic.

Activities Committee issues call for volunteers

The Baha’i House of Worship Activities Committee is pleased to extend an invitation to all Baha’is in the U.S. to become part of the House of Worship’s volunteer staff.

FOR THE FIRST TIME a program has been organized to enable any Baha’i in the country to take part in the unique and priceless experience of serving at the Mother Temple of the West. Many Baha’is consider this experience to be one of the most memorable of their lives. Imagine introducing Baha’u’llah’s Message to 500, 1,000—even 2,000 people in only a few hours.

When arranging your vacation, plan to spend 10 days, a week, or even one or two days teaching at the House of Worship. Once your plans are completed, simply complete and return the registration form below. The House of Worship Activities Office will confirm your teaching schedule and send you an information packet.

The packet includes a study plan and guidance to help you prepare for your volunteer service; information on food, transportation, housing and Chicago-area attractions; and a special copy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for the House of Worship. We regret that we have no child care facilities.

In addition to the bounty of serving at the Mother Temple of the West, you will, as a volunteer staff member, receive periodic newsletters. These reports will keep you informed of the latest accomplishments and plans as the House of Worship continues to fulfill ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s hope that ‘‘all religions, races and sects’’ will ‘‘come together within its universal shelter’’ and “that the proclamation of the oneness of mankind’’ will ‘‘go forth’’ from its hallowed precincts.

Growing yearly in popularity and influence, the ‘‘Bud_Billiken’’ parade today attracts tens of thousands of viewers.

David Kellum also created the annual Bud Billiken Easter Music Festival and the Bud Billiken Thanksgiving Day party and amateur show.

Such stars as Nat (King) Cole, pianist Dorothy Donegan, and Ray Nance, a trumpeter with the Duke Ellington orchestra, attributed their success to the inspiration received at the Billiken parties.

What is a Billiken? Mr. Kellum explained that it is a mythical Chinese god who represents “things as they should be.”” Thus, children belonging to the Bud Billiken Club were taught that they should be honest and trustworthy, obey their parents, and respect one another.

“BUD” is used to indicate a closeness of relationships. In other words, Bud is short for Buddy.

Mr. Kellum’s wife, Kathelynea, who still guides weekly at the House of Worship, permitted for the first time the display of many items of memorabilia tracing the history of David’s accomplishments.

Included were photographs of Mr. Kellum with Bill (Bojangles) Robinson, Lionel Hampton, Jackie Robinson, James Cagney, Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dr. Ralph Bunche and Eddie (Rochester) Anderson from the Jack Benny radio show; signed photos to David from Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald; and» various awards and proclamations including one from the governor of Illinois designating September 24, 1972, as “David W. Kellum Day” in the state.

Also displayed throughout February were paintings by two black artists, Deremiah Phillips (whose works hang in the Chicago Art Institute and noted area galleries) and Harvey Pikes, plus 24 posters prepared by third graders at Lincolnwood School in nearby Evanston that recounted the contributions of several black Americans including Mary Bethune, Dr. George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, the Rev. Richard Allen, Jesse Owens and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The month’s first program was an all-day affair, highlighted by provocative discussion groups (“The Power of Religion and How It Affects Racial Unity,’

“Prejudice and the Education of Children,” etc.), an outstanding children’s program that included the launching of 100 helium-filled “One Planet, One People... Please’’ balloons from the steps of the House of Worship, and a talk by Professor Leon Forrest of Northwestern University, a noted author and poet.

THE GUEST speaker at the second program was Roosevelt Vonil, executive director of Chicago’s Near North Community Organization.

Mr. Vonil capsulized several hundred years of history leading to the current plight of blacks in the U.S., advising Baha’is that we can be more effective in helping to overcome racial prejudice in our society if we will learn more about black history and culture and how it relates to today’s issues.

The third February program featured Illinois State Rep. Jesse White and the Cabrini Green Tumblers.

Cabrini Green is a low-income housing development in Chicago that has been the site of social unrest and gang violence for years. Mr. White organized his tumblers more than 20 years ago, and more

‘See FEBRUARY Page 26

_ arranged especially for your visit by the National Archives.

See first hand how the National Spiritual Assembly conducts its business.

community. Tour areas of the building normally closed to visitors.

Tour the entire Baha’i National Center visiting the:

© Office of the Secretary

© Office of the Treasurer

© National Committee Offices

¢ Baha’i Publishing Trust

¢ Bahá’íj Home ~*

• The Special Visit Programs are for Baha’is only!

View relics of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Learn how the construction of the ‘‘Mother Temple of the West’? was a primary stimulus for the development of the American Baha’i

Have fun, make new friends, and participate in a spiritual experience you’ll never forget.

HOUSING

of Worship

Name. Address.

Phone (Area Code

College Dorm: (see details below)

City Gi sass cis te State. Zip.

Single __

I am making other arrangements for housing __

The 1985 Special Visit Programs to the Baha’i National Center*

REGISTER EARLY! Please indicate program you are attending and your housing choice July 4-7 SPECIAL VISIT FOR FAMILIES (children’s classes and special activities for the family will be planned)

August 15-18 REGULAR SPECIAL VISIT (Note change of date) (no programs for children)

Double __

Please send a listing and rates for area hotels/motels (some of which are accessible to the House of Worship by public transportation)

Dormitory at the National College of Education, two blocks from the House

All rooms have two single beds; the building is not air-conditioned. NO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 ARE ALLOWED IN DORMITORIES

Rates for four days, three nights: Single (1 person per room), $37.50 Double (2 persons per room), $75.00

Send a $20 deposit to reserve each room needed. Please make checks payable to “‘Baha’i Services Fund.”

List additional names (and ages of children) here:

Return registration form to: Special Visit Programs, Baha’i House of Worship Activities Office, Wilmette, IL 60091

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[Page 19]PERSIAN/AMERICAN

19

May 1985

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Racism: crippling, fatal disease

There is a crippling disease that no amount of medical research can cure, no amount of fund-raising by telethon can prevent.

It is a disease most often transmitted from parent to child; left unchecked in its early stages, it can be fatal.

The disease is called racism. Its early symptom is the belief that one’s own racial group is somehow superior to others. In advanced stages, the symptoms of racism include violence, death and destruction.

A cure, however, exists. It is a non-surgical change of heart, and it takes time, effort, compassion, forgiveness and respect.

Let us agree today that in our homes, in our hearts,

and in our lives, we will all promote and encourage racial harmony, unity and understanding.

This message, in support of race unity, is brought to you by the Baha’i Faith.

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[Page 20]

The American Baha'i

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[Page 21]PERSIAN/AMERICAN

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[Page 22]The American Baha'i

22

EYE ON NATIONAL

Our first seven months of “Eye on National’’ articles have familiarized you with many facets of the Baha’i National Center. We have focused on the Center ‘‘plant,’’ given you an idea of how many people do what kind of work in which offices, and told you about our employees and what it is like for them to work here.

BUT WE HAVEN'T told you that our hired staff don’t do ail the work! Who else is there, you ask? Volunteers, of course! Volunteers who may come once, or may come year after year to help out with the workload.

While most of the tasks and the man-hours needed to complete them are handled by paid staff, we nevertheless receive invaluable help each year from individuals from all walks of life who volunteer their time to serve at the National Center—and we depend on the continued efforts of these wonderful people to help us “‘get the job done.”

How much do we depend on volunteers? Within the last year, more than 50 people have logged some volunteer service for a total time in excess of 600 hours! Untold envelopes have been stuffed, endless stacks of forms have been collated, alphabetized and filed, outdated computer printouts have been shredded—all by willing volunteer hands.

Other kinds of jobs that volunteers are frequently needed to do include guiding at the House of Worship, typing, computer input, photocopying, making telephone calls, and other clerical duties.

Some jobs are routine in nature and require little training; others are special projects involving specialized skills and experience. For example, the National Teaching Committee office can always use people with expertise in transcription typing or computer input—but they also need people simply to help them answer their phones during the ‘‘busy sea sone As another example, the House of Worship Activities Office has been

partially run by regular volunteers for about a year. People in the Wilmette area who can volunteer a regular “‘shift’’ during the week or the month have been trained as office assistants to help the staff with its ongoing work. Others—a total of 200 volunteers in all!—help as teachers, task force members, fireside leaders, etc., and have been a tremendous asset to the Temple.

YOU MAY BE ASKING yourself why we’ve taken this much space to tell you about volunteerism at the National Center. There are two reasons.

First, every American Baha’i should know to what extent we depend on volunteers to help us—and should translate that into dollars saved for the National Fund.

Second, we know that many believers are not aware that the oppor tunity to offer volunteer service to their National Center even exists. And it is a precious bounty. While you are here as a volunteer, you become part of the pulse-beat at the heart of the American Baha’ community. You see a wider view of the work the American believers are privileged to shoulder. You attend meetings, join in potlucks and other social events, maybe meet and interact with people you’ve only read about, whose faith and learning “‘rub off on you’’ to take back home. And you have the untold wonder of the holiest House of Worship—the Mother Temple of the West—only minutes away.

The National Center staff love having friends from around the country and the world come to yolunteer, and we want you to actively consider the possibility. If you have a vacation due and no idea where to spend it, consider serving here. If you’re already planning a trip, to visit the House of Worship or to see friends in the area, consider extending your visit by a day or a week, to volunteer. The Office of Personnel Affairs can answer your questions about volunteering at the National Center, so feel free to write or telephone.

And if you still have a doubt about what precious service awaits you here, ask the Schnackenbergs from Colorado (they try to come for two weeks each year)! Or Albert ‘‘Binky’’ Williams Jr., age 10, who comes after school and on vacations to shred paper to his—and our—heart’s content! Or Amy Krichko out in California who came to volunteer in the International Goals Committee office and graced us with a chant during our regular monthly staff meeting at the House of Worship. Or Shahnaz Furudi from India who came for a week to serve and to learn whatever she could to take back to help at her own National Center! Or...

‘Peace It Together’ conference slated

The District Youth Committee of Central California No. 1 is sponsoring a peace conference, “Peace It Together,” June 1 at Stanford University in Palo Alto.

Besides bringing together many diverse proponents of peace in the area, the Baha’is will present an Academy Award-nominated short film on peace.

Message

Continued From Page 1

The time has come for the Baha’i community to become more involved in the life of the society around it, without in the least supporting any of the world’s moribund and divisive concepts, or slackening its direct teaching efforts, but rather, by associatio exerting its influence toward unity, demonstrating its ability to settle differences by consultation rather than by confrontation, vio lence or schism, and declaring its faith in the divine purpose of human existence.

BAHA’I youth are taking ad vantage of the United Nations’ designation of 1985 as the Year of Youth to launch their own campaign of active co-operation with other youth groups, sharing with them Baha’i ideals and a vision of what they intend to make of the world.

The Baha’i community will be strongly represented at the cul minating event of the United Nations’ Decade of Women in this same year. 1986 has been named the Year of Peace and the Faith will be far from silent or obscure on that issue. Even now the House of Justice is making plans for the presentation of the Baha’i concepts on peace to the governments and leaders of the world and, through the Baha’i world community, to its national and local and to all sections of ated world society.

But it is in the local Baha’i communities that the most widespread presentation of the Faith can take place. It is here that the real pattern of Baha’s life can be seen. It is here that the power of Bahá’u’lláh to organize human affairs on a basis of spiritual unity can be most apparent.

Every Local Spiritual Assembly which unitedly strives to grow in maturity and efficiency and encourages its community to fulfill its destiny as a foundation stone of Baha’u’llah’s World Order can add to a growing groundswell of

Baha’is say prayer at mayor’s breakfast in Illinois community

Each year, the mayor and city council of Prospect Heights, Illinois, invite representatives from various community groups to a breakfast to give them a chance to share what they are doing and to learn about the workings of other clubs and groups.

Baha’is have attended the breakfast for the past two years, and this year, when the minister who was to deliver the invocation was late, the mayor began looking for someone else to do so.

As it turned out, the Bahá’ís were the only religious group present, so they were asked to say an opening prayer.

Thus Baha’u’llah’s prayer for unity was heard by most of the influential people in Prospect Heights.

communities, and above all by strengthening and deepening our understanding of the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation we shall be preparing ourselves to play our part in bringing about that transformation of human life on this planet which must take place ere it becomes fit to receive the bounties and blessings of God’s own Kingdom. With loving Baha’i greetings, The Universal House of Justice Ridvan 1985

interest in and eventual recognition of the Cause of God as the sole hope for mankind.

SUCH considerations as these are now occupying the earnest attention of the Universal House of Justice. Their specific implementation will form a large part of the next Plan which will follow immediately on the completion of the present one and will be of six years’ duration.

By winning the Seven Year Plan, by consolidating our local

| Chicago sets Race Amity Conference

| A Day of Unity’’ describes the upcoming Baha’ Race Amity Conference to be held June 8 at the People’s Church in Chicago. The conference, organized by the Chicago Task Force for Race Unity, evolved from the National Race Unity Committee’s invitation to Spiritual Assemblies in Illinois to take part in such an event. | Its main purpose is to demonstrate the Baha’i point of view on | race amity in concert with the community at large, thereby af| fording all persons the opportunity for involvement.

Baha’i presentations at the conference include the keynote address by Dr. Roy Jones of Charleston, South Carolina, chairman | of the National Race Unity Committee, and a wrap-up discussion

led by Auxiliary Board member Dr. Khalil Khavari of Bayshore,

Wisconsin. | Also, Dr. Thomas Kochman, a professor of communications at | the University of Illinois-Chicago and a nationally recognized ex| pert in black language and culture and black-white cross-cultural | communication, will present a talk titled ‘“Basic Black and White | Styles in Communication.” | A panel discussion will include representatives of the Asian, | black, Hispanic and Native American communities. In the even| ing, there will be a concert featuring a variety of professional mu| sicians and other artists. | The conference, which is free and open to the public, includes a | simultaneous program for children and youth. The People’s | Church is at 941 W. Lawrence St. in Chicago. | Pre-registration for adults is strongly urged, and is mandatory | for children and youth. To pre-register, send your name(s) and | address to Dalen Corazon, P.O. Box 69, Forest Park, IL 60130. For information, or to volunteer to help, phone Dalen Corazon, 312-366-7517, or Patricia Piehl, 312-878-1700, ext. 2114, or 312-784-2329.

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[Page 23]THE MEDIA

May 1985

23

INTERMEDIA

News from the Office of Public Affairs

Significant mentions

© The Washington Times published a lengthy question-and-answer format interview with Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, on the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran, headed ‘“‘Insidious Genocide Faces Baha’is in Iran,” in its March 4 issue. The article opens with an editorial statement that says in part, “These people with a ‘gentle’ religion which seeks world unity, are undergoing some of the most vicious religious persecution in modern times at the hands of extremists among the Shia Moslems.’”

¢ The Boston Herald printed Don Feder’s commentary, headed ‘‘Islamic Intolerance,”’ in its April 1 issue. The column addresses the persecution all the religious minorities in Iran suffer and devotes several paragraphs to the Baha’ situation, calling it ‘the most notorious example of Moslem intolerance’ and outlining the persecution activities.

© The Colorado Springs Sun’s March 10 Sunday morning edition featured a front-page article about genocide, headed ‘‘Bahd’{ Hanged/Family: He Died for Faith.’”’ A photograph of Sohelia Afnani and her husband, Moeen, residents of Colorado Springs, accompanied the article. Sohelia’s father, Nosratu’llah Sobhani, was executed March 5 in Iran. In addition to an in-depth interview with the family, a separate Loa displayed the text of the Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the Ba "i Faith.

• WBBM-AM radio in Chicago has been seeking interviews with Baha’is and broadcasting with increasing frequency news related to the

persecution of the Baha’is in Iran. On February 13, Judge James Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, was interviewed after the State Department released its annual report on human rights which singled out the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran, citing incidents of rampant torture, executions and assassinations. The persecutions were discussed in depth with Judge Nelson’s answers to questions about the origin and beliefs of the Baha’is.

On March 7, WBBM interviewed Margaret Knight, a representative of the Baha’i International Community, about the meeting in Geneva of the UN Human Rights Commission at which Gerald Knight, a representataive of the Baha’i International Community at the UN in New York and head of the Baha’i delegation to the Commission, reported the grave violations of human rights being perpetrated against the Baha’ is in Iran.

Busy Bahá’ís

In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Baha’is have mounted a systematic publicity campaign that has ‘‘put us on the map,”’ according to the Spiritual Assembly of Eden Prairie. Aside from furnishing news articles, the Bahá’ís have placed ads in the Eden Prairie News. Assembly secretary Nancy Furst writes, “‘They were especially impressed with the quality ad slicks we got from your office.”

In North Bay, California, the Media Committee has been so swamped with inquiries about the Faith as a result of Channel 50’s broadcast of “The Spiritual Revolution” that they are consulting about ways in which to respond and keep up firesides so that no one community is overburdened with the volume. Don’t you wish your community had such a problem?

The Baha’is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, received three column inches of coverage with a photo of the Shrine of the Bab in the Leader Telegram in an article headlined ‘‘Bahá’í Religion Gaining Recognition, Membership/New Faith Blossoms.’’ The article begins by covering the festivities of Intercalary Days and goes on to discuss other Holy Days and aspects of the Baha’i calendar, lists the basic principles of the Faith, and discusses the administrative order, teachings on life after death, and Baha’i laws.

Yakima, Washington reports that Baha’( television public service announcements (psa’s) are ‘getting a massive amount of exposure’’ in the Tri-Cities area on ESPN, CNN and MTV cable networks. Meanwhile, the Baha’is in Northern Ohio recently purchased the TV psa’s and are excited about presenting them to their local stations.

Resolution news

Congratulations to the latest states to succeed in getting resolutions

passed condemning the persecution of the Bahd’{s in Iran: Kansas,

North Dakota and West Virginia!

Seattle begins classified ad campaign

The Baha’i Public Affairs Committee of greater Seattle, Washington, has begun a ‘‘unified action’ teaching/proclamation campaign using weekly classified ads in 114 community newspapers in that state.

Those who respond to the ads are sent pamphlets, and Baha’is

who are nearby follow up by inviting the seeker to a fireside.

Anyone who would like more details about the campaign may write to Dawn Edwards, secretary, Bahá’í Public Affairs, Box 10074, Seattle, WA 98101, or phone 206-441-9163.

30 Baha’is meet at University of Texas to learn about role of Public Information Consultants

Thirty Baha’is from Texas and Oklahoma gathered March 30-31 at the University of Texas’ Dallas campus to learn about the role of Public Information Consultants and their relationship to the greater Baha’i community.

THE WEEKEND conference was conducted by the National Office of Public Affairs and was co-sponsored. by the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs for Greater Dallas-Fort Worth.

Media-experienced Baha’is were invited to serve as consultants to local communities on behalf of the National Office of Public Affairs.

“Even though a network numbering more than 800 P.I. Representatives and committees sounds impressive,’’ says Shirley Lee, Public Affairs coordinator at the Baha’i National Center, “‘there are still more than 6,000 localities in which Baha’is reside in this country that are not tuned in to the use of media.

“By appointing a select group of Public Information Consultants who can train and demonstrate the value of media to local volunteers, we hope to give a tremendous boost to the effectiveness of every local program.’*

Ms. Lee opened the conference by explaining the significance of the media, the role of the National Public Affairs Office, and those of the Public Information Representatives and the newly appointed Consultants.

Doug Carpa, a founder and long-time member of the Greater Phoenix Baha’i Public Affairs Committee, spoke on ‘‘The InterCommunity Committee: Trials and Triumphs,” and ‘‘On Becoming a P.I. Motivator.””

MORRIS Taylor explained the use of media materials distributed by the National Office of Public Affairs.

He also presented a ‘‘how-to’’ session on putting together media conferences which are designed to motivate and train local Baha’i Public Information Représentatives.

A video evening featured some of the latest audio-visual materials including ‘‘Ark of Destiny,’’ a detailed account of the building of the permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

A session called

“Ask the

CALLING ALL P.1I. REPS If you move—tell the Office of Public Affairs—directly.

Address changes processed through Membership & Records do NOT automatically get passed along to other offices.

Please let us know your latest whereabouts and whether or not| you will be serving as a Rep

in that locality.

Morris Taylor of the National Baha’i Office of Public Affairs demonstrates the use of media ma

Pros’? provided an opportunity for questions to be answered by a panel of media experts that included members of the DallasFort Worth Baha’i Office of Public Affairs.

The expansion of the national network and the training of new consultants for Bahá’í communities responds to the need ex terials to participants at the recent Public Information Consultants’ orientation in Dallas, Texas.

pressed in the Universal House of Justice’s statement of January 3, 1985, which says, ‘‘Worldwide attention to the Faith has increased during the past year with an even greater rapidity than before, demanding new measures to coordinate public information services and contacts with governments and leaders of thought.”

Assemblies encouraged to urge senators to ratify UN’s Convention on Genocide

In March, the National Spiritual Assembly asked several local Spiritual Assemblies in the U.S. to write to their senators and urge them to ratify the United Nations Convention on Genocide.

THE Genocide Convention was drafted in 1947 and signed by all the member nations including the US.

In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, President Truman asked the Senate to ratify the Convention. A small group of senators, however, blocked its ratification.

Since then, every President (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan), both Republican and Democrat, has unsuccessfully urged its ratification.

The letter sent to those Assemblies from the Baha’i Office of External Affairs stated, ‘The recent genocidal policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the Baha’is have made ratification of the Genocide Convention by the U.S. more desirable than ever, for

a nation that does not adhere to the Convention cannot demand that others live up to its provisions.”

The Office of External Affairs wishes to thank the friends for such prompt and poignant responses to its request.

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vicechairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, said, ‘“‘We are delighted with the response of the friends who can always be relied upon to serve the Cause when called upon to do so.””

ALTHOUGH debate about the Convention and a vote on its ratification were originally scheduled for mid-March, as of this time it was expected that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would vote April 23 on whether or not to move the Convention to the Senate floor for action.

Questions about this project can be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs, 258 Church St., New Haven, CT 06510. Telephone 203-787-0303.

• • • WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE*

AS PROMISED—NOW READY FOR A RADIO w

STATION NEAR YOU! ‘WAGE PEACE’ PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE NOW IN STOCK AND WE HAVE BEGUN SHIPPING YOUR ORDERS.

ORDER INFORMATION: Specify ‘‘Wage Peace’’ PSA’s. Enclose $5 per tape; allow 75 cents for postage. Send to Baha’i Office of Public Affairs and make checks payable to ‘‘Baha’i Services Fund.””

Tape includes five 30-second PSA’s on peace themes and one 60-second PSA on the Bahá’í Faith.

• WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE

+*mopmy mars*

A G E P E A Cc E

PE

| SS

[Page 24]Dn cm

PAGINA HISPANA

The American Baha'i

24

Febrero un més de eventos especiales en el Templo

Febrero de 1985 se recordaré por mucho tiempo en la Casa de Adoracién Baha’i. Cuatro programas sobresalientes que incluyeron exposiciones de arte y recuerdos fueron toques de luz durante el més.

EL MES especial giré sobre un homenaje al difunto Sr. David Kellum, un baha’i de muchos afios de Chicago y, hasta su jubilacién, redactor del periédico Chicago Defender, cuyo fundador, Robert Abbott, también era baha’i.

En 1929 Sr. Kellum reunié a nifios de Chicago a centenares para un desfile y un picnic. Creciendo anualmente en popularidad e influencia, el desfile ““Bud Billiken’”” hoy atrae decenas de miles de espectadores.

David Kellum también creé el Festival de Musica de Pascua Bud

Billiken anual y el Bud Billiken Fiesta del Dia de Gracias. Estrellas como Nat (King) Cole, la pianista Dorothy Donegan y Ray Nance, trompetista con la orquesta de Duke Ellington, atribuyeron su éxito a la inspiracién que recibieron de las fiestas Billiken. 4Qué es un Billiken? Sr. Kellum explicéd que es un dios chino mitico que representa ‘‘las cosas como deben ser.’’ Asi, a los nifios que pertenecian al Club Bud Billiken se les ensefiaba a ser honestos y fidedignos, obedecer a sus padres y respetar el uno al otro. “‘Bud’’ se usa para indicar la amistad, la forma corta de “‘buddy.” LA ESPOSA del Sr. Kellum, Kathelynea, quién sigue su trabajo semanal como yoluntario en el

Desafios modernos al ensefar la Fe, y logrando el desarrollo espiritual

Al Redactor:

Cuando se considera el hipérbole desenfrenado en nuestra sociedad, no es sorprendente que tenemos dificultades en atraer la atencién de la gente a las ensefianzas baha’is.

CONSIDERA un anuncio para soda. Al consumidor se le promete la diversién, juventud, alboroto, accién y el ser miembro de un grupo. Este se ofrece con arte grafica deslumbradora, velocidad y musica ent

Si uno Ilega cinco minutos después y habla de la civilizacién mundial, o la harmonia de la religién con la ciencia, es dificil competir con las promesas de un producto de 50 centavos que

es para que los otros puedan sentir lo que nosotros sentimos. Por ejemplo, el poder en esta Fe bates Wea ean ‘id giuecksaened misica, arquitectura y Lapse formales de los mas finos del mundo. Estas formas artisticas encarnan las cualidades espirituales que deseamos comunicar.

Bahá’u’lláh, y Cristo dejé sdélo una oracién. Conozco a otra mujer quien fue aun convento y dejé a las 20 monjas casi llorando por la hermosura de las oraciones baha’is. He aqui otros “‘regalos’”” que

podemos ofrecer: tenemos una perla, una espada, un océano y una familia, por los cuales quiero decir ‘la perla sin precio”’ (Shoghi Effendi), la espada de Mull Husayn, el océano de las palabras de Bahá’u’lláh, y una familia mds carifiosa que la mayoria de los que no son baha’is han conocido—la comunidad baha’i.

Loehle

Craig Aiken, South Carolina

Al Redactor:

Durante una reunién de ensefianza reciente patronizada por la Asamblea Nacional Espiritual con las Asambleas Espirituales locales del sur de California para consultar sobre la agenda de la Campafia de Accién Unificada, Chester Kahn, el coordinador, usé la fisica de la rueda de una carreta para ilustrar la dindmica de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh.

Como las funciones de la rueda, dijo, construida para distribuir igualmente en cada rayo el peso de la carreta y su carga, asi las diversas instituciones de la Fé son disefiadas para llevar en adelante el progreso de la Causa de Dios.

Los comentarios del Sr. Kahn se siguié por un examen més amplio de la operacién de la rueda, incluyendo el cubo, el eje y los cojinetes. Fue indicado que la lubricacién es un ingrediente esencial para que la rueda funcione correctamente.

La ‘“‘lubricacién’”’ espiritual se identificé como el cumplimiento del individuo con los cuatro ingredientes basicos del desarrollo espiritual, es decir, (1) las oraciones obligatorias, (2) el ayuno, Q) contribuciones regulares y sacrificatorias al Fondo, y (4) la ensefianza continua.

Dios permita que los amigos, sin mas hesitacién, se dediquen a cumplir con estos cuatro requi Rupert Pringle Whittier, California

Templo, permitié por primera vez la exposicién de muchos recuerdos que esbozan la historia de los logros de David.

Se incluyeron fotos del Sr. Kellum con Bill (Bojangles) Robinson, Lionel Hampton, Jackie Robinson, James Cagney, Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dr. Ralph Bunche y Eddie (Rochester) Anderson del programa Jack Benny; fotos dedicados a David de Lena Horne y Ella Fitzgerald y varios premios y proclamaciones, entre ellos una del Gobernador de Illinois que nombré el 24 de septiembre de 1972 “David W. Kellum Day.”

También se exponijan pinturas de dos artistas de color, Deremiah Phillips (cuyas obras se encuentran en el Chicago Art Institute y galerias de arte en la drea) y Harvey Pikes, y 24 carteles preparados por estudiantes del tercer grado en Lincolnwood School en Evanston, que ilustraron las contribuciones de varios americanos de color como Mary Bethune, Dr. George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, el pastor Richard Allen, Jesse Owens y el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

El primer programa del més fue evento de un dia entero, con grupos de discusién provocativa (‘El poder de la religion y cmo afecta la unidad de razas,”’ ‘‘Prejuicio y la educacién de los nifios,’’ etc.), un programa sobresaliente para nifios que incluyé el lanzamiento de 100 globos que llevaron el mensaje ‘‘Una planeta, un pueblo ... por favor’’ de las escaleras del Templo, y una charla por el Profesor Leon Forrest de la Universidad Northwestern, un autor y

poeta.

EI conferenciante especial del segundo programa era Roosevelt Vonil, director ejecutivo del Near North Community Organization de Chicago.

SR. VONIL repasé varios siglos de la historia que precedian las circunstancias actuales de gente de color en los EEUU, aconsejando a los baha’is que podemos ser mds efectivos en ayudar a vencer el prejuicio de raza en nuestra sociedad si aprenderemos mas sobre la historia y cultura de los negros y cémo se relacionan a los temas actuales.

El tercer programa destacé al diputado del estado de Illinois Jesse White y su equipo, los Volteadores de Cabrini Green.

Cabrini Green es un barrio de ingreso bajo en Chicago que ha sufrido de la inquietud social y la violencia de pandillas por muchos afios. Sr. White organiz6 su equipo de volteadores hace mas de 20 afios, y mas de 600 jévenes han participado en su programa. Entre ellos, sdlo uno ha tenido problemas con las autoridades.

El afio pasado el equipo did mas de 250 realizaciones y hizo un anuncio comercial de televisién

nacional para Coca Cola. Su ultima realizaci6n antes de venir a la Casa de Adoracién, fue ante 20,000 espectadores en Pontiac, Michigan.

Fue una experiencia animadora verlos saltar tan altos que casi Ilegaron al techo de la sala de conferencias.

Dr. Robert Henderson, secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional y coordinador del evento, la nombré “‘una realizacion estupenda.”

EL CUARTO y iltimo programa de febrero fue la primera presentacién anual del premio Bud Billiken a ciudadanos de color distinguidos, quienes han servido. de modelos dindmicos y positivos para jévenes de todas razas.

Este programa present6é una realizacién por el Coro Juvenil de Greater Walters African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church de Chicago, muchos miembros de cuya congregacién se encontraron entre el puiblico.

Los recibidores del Premio Bud Billiken fueron el Honorable Harold Washington, alcalde de Chicago, y Dra. Margaret Burtroughs, fundadora y presidente emérito del Museo DuSable de Historia Africana/Americana.

Sr. Washington fue instrumental en obtener la condena de la persecucién de los baha’is en Iran por el City Council de Chicago, y también firmé dos _proclamaciones para eventos baha’is, lo més reciente siendo World Religion Day, el 20 de enero.

Al aceptar el premio, Dra. Burroughs habl6é de su amor y admi

El Estudio Baha'is Recopilaci6n de Escritos de Bahá'u'lladh y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y cartas de Shoghi Effendi, sobre la necesidad de profundizar las Fn sefianzas, realizada por el Departamento de Estudios de la Casa Universal de Justicia. .

Enc.rdstica Obtenible de: Baha’i Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

racién para con los baha’is.

Antes de la ceremonia present6 a varias personas con varitas, explicando que esas se usaba como cepillos de dientes en Africa por muchos siglos, y demostrando como se los usaba.

LA observancia, que duré un més y coincidié con el Més de Historia del Negro, fue planeado por una fuerza de tarea, dos de los cuales no eran baha’is.

Su éxito se demostr6 por los centenares de visitantes de color que vinieron al Templo durante el més de febrero, y por las muchas amistades que se ha establecido con ciudadanos destacados de color en la area de Chicago.

Hay planes para nombrar fuerzas de tarea adicionales para desarrollar programas de un més semejantes en la Casa de Adoracién en honor a asiaticos, hispanos ¢ indigenas.

La observancia del Mes de Historia del Negro, de aqui en adelante, sera un evento anual en la Casa de Adoracién.

Memorial program

A special memorial program honoring Marian Crist Lippett will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the Jones Library Gallery in Amherst, Massachusetts, with a reception to follow in the Amherst Room.

All friends and admirers of Marian’s life work are warmly invited to attend.

For more information please contact Dr. Phyllis GudgerPorter, 413-586-5193 or

413-586-9440.

10:0 15 Comes =

144 pags. $4.00

[Page 25]Pee en ee ae ee ee ee ra |

The American Baha

May 1985

25

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This is a photograph of the Baha’is of Oakland, California, that was taken in 1934. The National

Teaching

Continued From Page 11 ers are needed.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: District Teaching

Committee of Southern New Mexico/West Texas.

Contact: Richard Gurinsky (505-437-0173).

Archives would like to identify the Baha'is in the picture. If you have any information about them,

Service: Cross-border teaching project. NORTHWEST WASHINGTON DYC

Location: Beginning in the Northwest, caravaning to the [YC in Columbus, Ohio.

Dates: Tentative?-July 3.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Issaquah, Washington.

Contact: Sheila Afnan (206547-1051).

In Connecticut, persistent effort pays off as newspaper carries 2 articles on Faith

As a result of patient work over many months by the Baha’is of Milford, Connecticut, that city’s newspaper, The Milford Citizen,

New committee to aid deaf, hearing impaired

The National Spiritual Assembly recently appointed a fourmember Committee for Services for the Hearing Impaired and Deaf for 1985-86.

Serving on the committee are Barbara Loeding of West Lafayette, Indiana; Paula Calkins of Truro, Iowa; Michael Sullivan of St. Petersburg, Florida; and Virginia Jacobs of Altadena, California.

Those Baha’is who are deaf, hearing impaired, or know sign language are requested to contact the committee c/o Barbara Loeding, convenor, 219-10 Minitz, West Lafayette, IN 47907, and the Baha’i Sign Newsletter (produced by the Northern Virginia Baha’i Committee), P.O. Box 128, Boyce, VA 22620.

Our great privilege

National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

carried on January 4 two Baha’i articles on its religion page.

One was a press release on the persecution of Baha’is in Iran; the other was a feature article written by Tom Armistead, the Milford Baha’i community’s public affairs representative.

When first approached in the spring of 1983, the Citizen’s editor said she probably would not print articles about the persecutions in Iran because hers was a small paper with little coverage of national news, let alone international.

But the Baha’is persisted, and eventually articles about the Faith began to appear.

During the next 18 months, many articles on the plight of Iran’s Baha’is were published, drawing the attention of many residents of Milford, a city of about 50,000, to the Cause of Baha’u’llah.

As a result of the articles that appeared in January, Mr. Armistead was invited by the Milford Clergy Association to attend its meetings and to sign up for the submission of future articles to its regular weekly column in the Citizen.

please write to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Service: Teaching, service, caravan to IYC.

NAVAJO-HOPI SUMMER TEACHING PROJECT

Location: Navajo and Hopi Reservations.

Dates: May 27-September 2.

Sponsor: Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee.

Contact: Gary Boivin (602-2834821) or Jeff Kiely (602-367-5126). Service: Teaching, deepening, service.

ASIAN TEACHING PROJECT

Location: Porterville, California.

Dates: Ongoing.

Contact: National Teaching Committee office (312-869-9039). Service: Consolidation of Hmong believers.

HISPANIC TEACHING FORT Location: Moses Lake, Wash EF ington. Dates: Begins in July. Contact: National Teaching

Committee office (312-869-9039).

Service: Effort to reach Hispanic people. NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE PROJECT

Location: Goal is to plant 20,000 trees in the U.S. during the summer.

Dates: Summer 1985.

Sponsor: National Youth Committee.

Contact: National Youth Committee office (305-584-1844).

Service: Service project. MICHIGAN TEACHING-SERVICE PROJECT

Location: Louhelen Baha’i School.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: Louhelen Baha’i School.

Contact: Dr. Geoff Marks (313

Conference of Nur to discuss legacy of the beloved Guardian

“Shoghi Effendi: Architect of the New World Order’’ is the theme of the annual Conference of Nur to be held June 14-16 at Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) College.

Counsellor Velma Sherrill will speak on ‘‘The Legacy of Shoghi Effendi.””

Other speakers and their topics:

Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem (‘‘The Beloved Guardian’’); Diana Malouf Jenkins (‘His Literary Gifts’’); and George Karamalis (slide program, “The Master Designer’).

Separate programs will be offered for children, pre-youth and youth.

For play and nap time, please bring marked mats, blankets and toys for infants to 4-year-olds.

The cost for two nights and five meals is $52 for 9-year-olds and up, $26 for 3-8, and free for infants to age two. The registration fee is one-half the total, 10 per cent of which is non-refundable.

Commuter fee is $2.50 per day.

653-5033. Service: Teaching/service. DR. KAMBIZ SADIQZADIH TEACHING PROJECT Location: Lake Jackson and Lufkin, Texas. Dates: June 1-September 8. Sponsor: District Teaching Committee of East Texas No. 2 and Spiritual Assembly of Lufkin. Contact: Shiidon Hawley (713933-0903) or Farhad Kazazi (713438-4411). Service: To increase the local communities’ awareness of the Faith and its principles.

To pre-register, make checks payable to Elizabethtown Baha’i Fund and mail to George Brehman, registrar, Baha’i Conference, P.O. Box 50, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

For more information, phone 717-367-5075.

Board

Continued From Page 15

Marks, director of academic affairs at the Louhelen Bahd’{ School; Keyvan Nazerian, a member of the National Teaching Committee; Gwen Clayborne; Nancy Mondschein; Don Schneider; and Publishing Trust staff members Larry Bucknell, Dr. Betty Fisher, and Terrill Hayes.

Among the items considered at the first meeting were creative ways to publish the works of Shoghi Effendi; a compilation of messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986; and a compilation of materials from the House of Justice dealing with personal aspects of Baha’i life.

“The consultation at the Advisory Board’s first meeting was animated by the spirit of Louhelen,”” said Mr. Bucknell, the general manager of the Publishing Trust.

“‘We are delighted to have the input of an Auxiliary Board member, a school administrator, a member of the Teaching Committee, and a number of active Baha’is in the field. The board is an example of the Campaign of Unified Action at work.’’

‘New from Kalimat Press

G

Selections from the Bahá’í Writings on Universal Peace A compilation of the words of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu‘}Bahs and Shoghi Effendi

Where do Baha'is stand on the issue of war and peace? These quotations from the Baha'f Writings—some

nowhere else in print—make the answer crystal clear. An excellent teaching tool!

Casebound only. $7.95*

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to

Baha'i Distribution Service

415 Linden Avenme, Wilmette, IL 60091

• Price valid onlly in the United Siates.

[Page 26]The American Baha'i

26

VIE Chart

Continued From Page 5 scsscing Block’ Info

District Name Membership as of 12/9/84 giving

Colorado NE Colorado SE Colorado W Connecticut DelMarVa

Florida C

Florida N

Florida SE

Florida SW Georgia NE Georgia NW Georgia S

Idaho N/Washington E Idaho S

Illinois N No. 1 Illinois N No. 2 Ilinois S ' Indiana

lowa

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 $/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

Number Percentage of participation

Current Month Info (Mulk)

Membership (03/13/85)

Number giving

Percentage of participation

February

Continued From Page 18

than 600 youth have participated in the program, only one of whom has ever been in trouble with the police.

This past year the troupe gave more than 250 performances and made a_ nationally distributed Coca Cola commercial. Their performance previous to coming to the House of Worship was before an audience of more than 20,000 in Pontiac, Michigan.

It was an exhilarating experience to watch them leap so high in the air that they came within a few feet of the top of the Foundation Hall auditorium.

DR. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and chairman of the event, called it ‘‘a stunning perform The fourth and final February program was the first annual presentation of the Bud Billiken Award to distinguished black ci zens who have served as dynamic, positive role models for youth of all races.

The program featured a performance by the youth choir of the Greater Walters African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Chicago, many members of whose congregation were in the audience.

The recipients of the Bud Billiken Award were the Honorable Harold Washington, mayor of Chicago, and Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founder and president emeritus of Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African/American History.

Mr. Washington was instrumental in obtaining condemnation by the City Council of Chicago of the Iranian government’s persecution of Baha’is, and also signed two proclamations for Baha’i events, the most recent of which designated January 20 of this year as World Religion Day in Chicago.

Although the mayor was unable to be present for the ceremony, his office invited representatives of the House of Worship to City Hall to present the award, and indicated they would make sure there was press coverage of the event.

IN ACCEPTING her award, Dr. Burroughs spoke of her longstanding love and admiration for the Baha’is.

Prior to the ceremony she presented several people with small sticks which she explained were used for centuries in Africa as toothbrushes, and then demonstrated their use.

The month-long observance, which coincided with Black History Month, was planned by a task force, two of whose members were not Baha’is.

Their success was demonstrated by the hundreds of black visitors who came through the House of Worship during February, and by the many friendships that have been established with leading black citizens in the greater Chicago area.

Plans are under way to appoint additional task forces to develop plans for month-long programs at the House of Worship honoring Asians, Hispanics and Anterican Indians.

The observance of Black History Month will henceforth be an annual event at the House of Worship.

Scheffler

Continued From Page 4

public schools. Mr. Scheffler also taught art in parochial schools in Evanston and Wilmette.

After his retirement, Mr. Scheffler began to write on the topic of applying Baha’i teachings to one’s daily life. For his essays on that theme, he drew upon his lifetime of study and considerable knowledge of the Baha’i writings.

Mr. Scheffler died May 17, 1962, at the age of 79. When the Hands of the Cause of God in the Holy Land learned of his passing, they sent the following message:

“Grieved passing much loved Carl Scheffler steadfast devoted tireless servant Master early days Faith America. Outstanding services Temple teaching administrative fields period beloved Guardian’s ministry unforgettable. Convey deepest sympathy family assure ardent prayers Holy Shrines.””

‘Our Sacred Obligation National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Race unity

Continued From Page 12

“God did not make these divisions,”’ He affirms, “these divisions Res had their origin in man himself.’’ (The Advent of Divine Justice,

“Do not listen to anything that is prejudiced, for self-interest prompts men to be prejudiced.’’ (Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.

42)

Shoghi Effendi said, ‘‘To discriminate against any race on the ground of its being socially backward, politically immature, and numerically in a minority, is a flagrant violation of the spirit that animates the Faith of Baha'u'llah.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 29)

It is words such as the above that inspire and motivate Baha’is to take up the insistent challenge of overcoming racial disunity and prejudice. Bahda’is invite all people of like mind to work with them to bring about unity and freedom from racial prejudice. If you are such a.person, you may wish to increase your efforts to help establish the oneness of man kind.—Duane D. Dumbleton

snr SEE SEPT SE SET SE EEE SHE TT

[Page 27]The American Baha’i

May 1985

.. in The American Baha’i

Special guests at the 66th Baha’i National Convention, which marks the National Spiritual Assembly’s 50th anniversary, include the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and Counsellors Sarah M. Pereira and Edna True.

Wilmette public officials and other guests join Mr. Sears for dinner, and a full-page newspaper ad invites residents of the North Shore village to a devotional program at the House of Worship prior to the opening of the Convention to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the National Assembly.

During the Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly announces a comprehensive twoyear training program for local Spiritual Assemblies that is designed to help their members develop a fuller understanding of Baha’ administration ...

As a gift to the National Spiritual Assembly on its 50th anniversary, the Spiritual Assembly of Wichita, Kansas, presents it with an original Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that was recently discovered in Kansas.

A translation of the Tablet is read to the Convention audience ...

Among those addressing the National Convention is Harry Penrith, an Australian Baha’i of aboriginal background who, with his wife and daughter, is touring the U.S. and other countries to study indigenous and immigrant housing policies ...

Three hundred people including members of at least 21 American Indian tribes take part in a Naw-Rúz pow-wow organized by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, California.

Among those present is the director of the local Indian Center who expresses his interest in working with the Spiritual Assembly to develop a regular cultural program at the Center ...

Bahá’ís from 24 California communities attend a two-day institute in Los Angeles that focuses on various approaches to teaching the Faith to Native Americans.

Among the speakers are Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips; David Villasefior, a Baha’i who is a well-known Indian artist; and three other Baha’is from the Oneida, Yakima and Cupa tribes ...

The first teaching institute for all of the Bahamas is held in the newly acquired national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Nassau.

Ads

Continued From Page 17

met take-out service emphasizing whole natural foods. For details of experience and qualifications, please contact Theresa King Peterson, Amersham Village, Montserrat, West Indies (Leeward Islands).

FREMONT, Colorado, has an Assembly but needs homefront pioneers. Ideal climate, retirement area. Rural, yet encompasses suburbs of Canon City. Can commute to Colorado Springs or Pueblo. A two-bedroom frame home on a half-acre of land in Canon City is for sale by Baha’i owner. Suitable for retirement, available immediately. Please contact the Assembly c/o Hampson,

Canon City, CO 81212, or phone 303-2758039.

PROGRAMMER /analyst needed. Requires a person with at least four years experience as a senior programmer/analyst in a business environment using COBOL plus other languages. The candidate would have worked in an active, high-production environment developing and programming new systems. Experience with mini-computer, Data Base, and on-line processing is important. Write to the Personnel Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WOULD YOU believe it? A youth conference for parents? Yes, parents of youth and young Baha’is are invited to attend a special Parent Conference while the youth attend their big international event July 3-7 at Ohio State University in Columbus. Something for everyone! Even the children have their own tailormade program. Columbus is the place to be this summer! For complete details and registration information, contact the National Youth Committee,

_ Sunrise, FL 33313, or phone 305-584-1844.

ARE YOU a radio technician or engineer? The International Baha’i Audio-Visual Centre would very much like to be in touch with Bahá’ís who have experience in radio station equipment purchase or maintenance. Radio technicians and/or engineers please contact: IBABC, Gerald Filson,

Ontario L3T 2A1, Canada, or phone 416-8898168.

WANTED: anyone who is free to come and help re-establish an Assembly in Washington state’s

Pioneer to Barbados killed in cycle mishap

Sandra Lee, a 32-year-old pioneer to Barbados, died March 6 when the motorcycle she was riding was struck by a bus.

Ms. Lee, who went to Barbados in July 1983, worked as an occupational therapist.

Columbia basin where the Snake and Yakima rivers flow into the Columbia. We have ample housing, a two-year college, large shopping centers, hospitals and health care centers. There is fishing, hunting and boating, and we are near skiing facilities. The population is a mixture of mostly Mexicans and blacks; a great opportunity for those who can speak Spanish. For more information, please write to Herbert Ochlwein,

__ Pasco, WA 99301 (phone 509-547-6104).

DATA processing positions are available in Pierre, South Dakota, within commuting distance of the Amoz Gibson Project. Programmer/analyst, senior programmer/ analyst, senior DP specialist. A minimum of two years experience on an IBM main frame is required. CICS, COBOL, SAS, ADADAS, or NATURAL experience preferred. Send salary history and resumé to the Spiritual Assembly of Pierre, P.O. Box 954, Pierre, SD 57501.

Baha’ in Virginia wins praise for

patient education

Annette Rykwalder, a Baha’i from Charlottesville, Virginia, who is employed as a patient education coordinator at the University of Virginia Medical Center, was the subject of an article in the November 1984 issue of the Center’s monthly publication, ‘‘The Draw Sheet.””

Her extra efforts on behalf of patients, the newsletter says, help to explain why “‘UVa’s patient education department recently was named one of the 10 best nationwide.

“The American Hospital Association gave UVa its leadership award for patient education—the only one given to a Virginia hospital.””

Recently, Ms. Rykwalder was elected chairman of the State Patient and Family Education Subcommittee, an organization that promotes statewide development of these programs.

The position includes an appointment to the Virginia Health Education Advisory Committee.

Edward B. Belcher, pioneer to Uruguay for 30 years, dies

Edward B. Belcher, a pioneer to Uruguay for 30 years, died February 11 at his post in Pando. He was in his 80s.

Mr. Belcher, who became a Baha’i in Binghamton, New York, had served as a homefront pioneer in Syracuse; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Boise, Idaho, before pioneering to Uruguay in 1955.

He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Uruguay until 1973 when poor health forced him to confine his work to Pando,

Survivors include his wife, Margarita (Coca) Belcher and a son, Richard Darwin Belcher.

1 NOOSE

Pictured at a weekend Board team deepening November 30-December 1 at the Bosch Baha’ School near Santa Cruz, California, are Counsellors Fred Schechter and

members Joyce Dahl, Margaret Gallagher and Anthony F. Lease, and assistants to the three Auxiliary Board members.

In Memoriam

Tooran Aflatooni Frank K. Kinney William Potts. Bremerton, WA Vero Beach, FL Maywood, IL February 8, 1985 March 1, 1985 December 21, 1984 Henrietta Bompus Pearl Kirchner Ataeyh Ramzi Rock, WV Bloomington, MN Los Angeles, CA March 13, 1985 March 2, 1985 February 26, 1985 Kenneth Bonaparte David L. Koonce —_— Martha Rinkowski Orangeburg, SC Ayden, NC Woodhaven, NY

November 3, 1984

Florence Bradley Ozone, AR

Date Unknown

Linda May Lehi Blanding, UT

Date Unknown

Caroline Romero Espanola, NM

February 23, 1982 December 1984 Date Unknown Esther Brown Edvard Lindstrom Einullah Rowshan New York, NY Bedford, NH Bethlehem, PA June 9, 1984 February 24, 1985 Date Unknown Harry R. Copsy Janet Lindstrom David Samuel Pacoima, CA Bedford, NH Timmonsville, SC March 9, 1985 July 3, 1984 Date Unknown Adrian Crampton Norma Luker Alice Sheldon Kittery, ME Urbana, IL Selma, AL

1984 February 26, 1985 Date Unknown Booker Crumpton Ken Mahan Vera B. Terry Selma, AL Sandsprings, OK Saginaw, MI

Date Unknown March 24, 1984 October 25, 1984 Gabriel Figueroa Dessie Majar Meta Wetterau Bisbee, AZ Bennettsville, SC Milwaukee, WI December 30, 1984 1973 April 17, 1982 Donald Frazier Danel T. Mejia Marilyn Whitehouse Orangeburg, SC Wapato, WA Dallas, TX

1982 Date Unknown March 26, 1985 Jan T. Graham Judge McDonald Charles Williams Casper, WY Florence, SC Topeka, KS February 8, 1985 Date Unknown March 1985

Dale Hitchcock George Mitchell Harry Williams Sterling, IL Selma, AL Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown August 1984 December 1984 Ruth C. Hoffman Mahmud Mohtadi Lizzie Williams Salisbury, MD Campbell, CA Grand Prairie, TX March 10, 1985 January 28, 1985 Date Unknown Emmy L. Hofmann Archie Moore Lizzie Williams Grover City, CA Bronx, NY Florence, SC

September 1, 1984

Berry Holloway Pompano Beach, FL

March 22, 1985 January 7, 1985 Susana Javier John V. Para Fremont, CA Lawrence, KS March 11, 1985 January 30, 1985 Margot Jay Zula Pardis Sandpoint, ID Placerville, CA

Date Unknown

John Henry Jones Union Springs, AL

April 1984 1984

February 28, 1985

Behrouz Nourgostar Mission Viejo, CA

November 23, 1984

Viola Pittman Fairmont, NC

Date Unknown Rosa Bell Williams Union Springs, AL June 12, 1984 Irene Woods Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown Ozieb Wright Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown

[Page 28]——————_—_—_—_—_—a——_—_—XK&K<_—_——EEESEs=eaea===

The American Baha’i

May 1985

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE, IL. PERMIT NO. 479

28

Letters

or not they are Bahd’

We all need to give this a great deal of thought. In our lives we need to practice the art of honoring and loving our parents. This should be a mark of distinction of

every Baha’i. Margaret Ruhe Haifa, Israel To the Editor: As a new Baha’i four years ago,

I was overwhelmed by the duties and responsibilities of deepening, teaching, serving the Faith, my fellow Bahá’ís, and our local Assembly, in addition to working full time, raising two children, surviving my second divorce and overcoming the ravages of alcohol addiction.

MY declaration of faith had been preceded by many years of searching fraught with hardship, pain and suffering; the decision was an intensely personal one, a spiritual reaching out in private desperation.

If 1 was almost completely absorbed in my own personal transformation, I was even more perplexed about how to teach my children about the Faith.

Navajo-Hopi project

The Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee is sponsoring a comprehensive teachHi project May 27-September

The project will focus on service, teaching and deepening, and will be based at and proceed from the Native American | Baha’ Institute in Houck, Arizona.

Specific work projects will be carried out at the Institute itself and in several communities around the Navajo and Hopi Reservations. The program content will be determined in consultation with the people in each community.

The teams traveling to each of the communities will number no more than five or six, to minimize logistical problems.

We welcome anyone who is willing to spend time learning from and teaching the Faith to the Navajo and Hopi people. Orientation and deepening will be integral parts of the project on an ongoing basis.

If interested, please contact Gary Boivin, ‘DTC secretary, 602-283-4821, or Jeff Kiely, 602-367-5126, ext. 0180.

My close Baha’i friend who had introduced me to the Faith simply said: ‘‘Take them to summer school.”

Although at that time we could barely afford it, I obeyed; and if I live to be 120, I could never thank that friend enough.

My summer school experience at Camp Byron (Wisconsin) refreshed and rejuvenated my soul, revived my interest in deepening, and served by example to encourage my belief in what our future new world society would be like.

And my children learned more in that one week than I could have taught them in a year!

‘THE loving warmth and accepting family atmosphere created by the intimacy of a small group of believers isolated from the cares of the world for one week in the verdant beauty of rural Wisconsin is a spiritual oasis of tranquility second only to pilgrimage.

Needless to say, we’ve looked forward to going every year since then, with my children, starting in January, counting the days until Camp Byron, and myself teaching children’s classes for the last three years.

Now, as a member of the school committee, I hope to contribute my energies toward continuing to provide this immeasurably valuable experience to others in an effort to repay a small fraction of the enormous bounty I have received from attending.

So if you are tired, burnt out and overwhelmed, pack up the family and take a “‘spiritual vacation’’ for one week this year and you’ ll be back every year!

The dates are July 22-26 (Monday through Friday). It’s the least expensive and most rewarding vacation you’ll ever take. Come to Camp Byron in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, July 22-26... and you'll never want to leave!

af Rebecca A. McKenty Shorewood, Wisconsin

To the Editor:

In following what seems to be a discussion in the letters column of “numerical” vs. “‘quality’’ enrollments, I cannot help but look back over 20 years of Baha’i influence in my life with gratitude.

The Faith didn’t seem to have gotten “quality” when I was added to the rolls. I had no knowledge of the Covenant, or of Baha'i community life.

My life was rife with instability and non-Baha’i habits. I had so much of me to work on that little change would be apparent for years, at least outwardly. Had I lived in a Baha’i community, they would have despaired.

But I somehow knew that my life depended on interacting with and growing from the Writings of the Faith, and so they have molded me over the years and healed so much that was damaged in myself. God willing, they will continue to do so.

Back then, in 1964, someone

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving

This form may be used for one person or

MOVING? your copy of THE AMERICAN BAHA'I, your entire family. Please be sure to list send your new address and your mailing FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for TELL US YOUR label to the OFFICE OF MEMBERSHIP & all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who I RECORDS, Baha'i National Center, Wil- will be affected by this change. NEW ADDRESS mette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be. A 1. ID# Title Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames 2. IDs Title Full name 3. IDe Title Full name 4. ID# Title Full name B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: (C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: House/Space #, Street or Description P.O. Box or other Mailing Address City State Zip City State Zip D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Baha'i community Moving date

Z

‘Area Code Number

a

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 1.D. number(s) are listed above,

Wilmette, Illinois 60091

BAHA'I | FAITH

got a ‘‘numerical’’ enrollmentnot very tidy or deepened. But I

got the rest of my life made worthwhile.

I believe people know when they want to accept Bahá’u’ll4h, and each individual determines what the Faith will do and become in his or her life.

If we teach with sincerity, we needn’t become overbalanced on either side, ‘‘numbers”’ or ‘‘quality.”

Diana Carson Grand Junction, Colorado

To the Editor: 1am writing to express my concern over an issue that has bothered me for the past few years. EVERY year at this time, when Baha’is engage in the month of

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

Z

L

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 reccords, their corrections omly one copy.

BAHA’{ NATIONAL CENTER

fasting, I encounter many wellmeaning but rather insensitive Baha’is who feel it is their personal right to know why I am not refraining from food or drink from sunrise to sunset.

In those cases when I have explained that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) prevents me from the physical part of the fast, many of the friends have insisted on giving me advice and/or have insisted that perhaps I am ‘‘over-dramatizing’’ my health problem.

I’ve said very little when confronted with such admonitions, but cannot be silent any longer.

Baha’is should be aware of the truth of the adage, ‘‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”’ Regarding the fast, Baha"w'llah has written: “He has ex F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are.

Area Code Number

Area Code Number

Name

Name

Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. 1 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.

empted from this (the fast) those who are weak from illness or age,’’ and ‘‘the traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or pune suck, are not bound by the fast

The fact is that whether I fast or not, for whatever reason, is between me and Bahá’u’ll4h. No one has the right to interfere in my, or anyone else’s, decision about fasting.

If I felt that the friends were more loving and supportive about my inability to fast, I would feel much more comfortable about the fast in general, rather than often seeing it as an unpleasant time that has caused me a certain amount of distress over the years.

Susan

Chicago, Ilinois