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

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The American Bahá’í May, 1985

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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 elements 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 21-week teaching campaign. Its efforts will reach a new peak

Ridván message to world from House of Justice

To the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í community of Bahá’u’lláh’s and the Báb’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 revolve—... 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-Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

WLGI Radio holds its grand opening ceremony

By DAVID E. OGRON

About 600 people including Bahá’ís 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-Bahá’í dignitaries were present March 23 at the WLGI grand opening ceremony at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í writings.

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, 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:

Wallace Brown Sr., director of the South Carolina Division of Rural Improvement, delivers the keynote address March 23 at the grand opening ceremony for WLGI Radio in South Carolina. Seated behind him are National Spiritual Assembly members Dr. Wilma Brady and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh.

Two more Bahá’ís executed in Iran

RECENTLY SAD NEWS OF FURTHER EXECUTIONS OF TWO Bahá’ís 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

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 Bahá’í World Centre;
• the additional cost of audio Feast messages;
• expansion of the Persian-American Affairs Office;
• increased cost of operating the permanent Bahá’í schools;
• an increase in the number of overseas goals for pioneers.

This year, the National Spiritual Assembly has resolved to eliminate 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 all Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í can help in winning the goals of the Seven Year Plan. [Page 2]To the Trustees of the Cause of God in the United States of America

Felicitations and Bahá’í 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 far-flung 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 miracle-tipped 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 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 Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe.”

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 Bahá’ís of Iran 5 ‘Alá 141 B.E.

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

At the second International Conference for Bahá’í Musicians, held in Costa Rica in February, everyone was tremendously excited about the musical talents within the Bahá’í 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 Ridván 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 Bahá’í musicians and Bahá’í 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 multi-cultural 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 important capacity, please join 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 financial support of the campaign, you may make a contribution to the Continental Bahá’í 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 ...

Rep. Porter asks support for Bahá’ís

The following statement was entered in the Congressional Record for Thursday, March 7, by Rep. John Edward Porter of Illinois.

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 Bahá’í Faith.

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 Bahá’í Faith have been the target of hostility on the part of the Muslim Shi’ite clergy ever since the inception of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran over 140 years ago. Under the regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini, nearly 200 Bahá’ís have been executed and more than 700, including women and children, are held in jails and face ruthless torture. In addition, all Bahá’ís 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 imprisonment.

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 Bahá’ís. This will make it clear to the Khomeini regime that the world is aware of its barbaric actions.

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

Acting on the initiative of a local Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís, among them several doctors, solely on the basis of their religious beliefs.

The deaths of 19 to 20 Bahá’í physicians have been documented including that of Dr. Manuchehr Hakim, an internationally known researcher in anatomy who was assassinated 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 Bahá’í 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.” [Page 3]"The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

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

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

To the Editor:

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 Huqúqu’lláh to the western believers, and ever since then I have been asking myself why.

Why?

Because the Huqúqu’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 whatever‎ 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 Huqúqu’lláh!

Sylvia Weitz Jenkins

Evanston, Illinois

To the Editor:

Raising kids isn’t getting any easier, and the Louhelen Bahá’í 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 present-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 Bahá’í parent feels that urgency and wants his child to be a part of that "new race of men" helping to quicken the appearance of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order.

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

Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School Child Education Committee is particularly aware of this, since our mandate has directed us to help provide courses "in the Bahá’í Teachings on parenthood, family life and the upbringing of children."

We believe that becoming acquainted with the thoughts, ‎value values‎ 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 stimulating thought and discussion in the community and by offering programs at Bahá’í schools and institutes at the local, regional and national levels, we can advance a process that will lead to knowledge and insight about, and most important, to the evolution of a common perspective on the vital issues that face parents of Bahá’í children.

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

‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ 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 Bahá’ís:

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í laws with credibility if pressure tactics are used toward Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’í say, "What do you do with your parents after you reach the age of 21?" It’s a good question. Who knows the answer?

If you chose 100 Bahá’ís 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 Kitáb-i-Aqdas, one of the...

See Letters Page 28

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Carl Scheffler

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

THE LARGE ledger book shows Carl to be the 665th person to become a Bahá’í 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’lláh 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

WLGI Grand Opening

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 Dell-Anvar 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 Bahá’u’lláh. "Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom..."

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

"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 Bahá’ís 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, Bahá’í Radio, 90.9 FM," were released in 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.

The National Spiritual Assembly 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 Dr. Deas.

A Chronological History of WLGI Radio

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

May 1983—A "Let's Get Cooking" campaign begins in an effort to raise within the American Bahá’í community the $1 million needed to get WLGI under way.

June 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 Bahá’í communities across the U.S. from studios at the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 p.m.

September 18, 1984—The FCC issues a station license.

October 15, 1984—The Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í Institute. [Page 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 Bahá’ís may find these averages beyond their means, 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 two-thirds 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 participation goal of 7,000 individuals is realized, an average of $41 per Bahá’í month from each individual 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 participation increases, the burden on individuals and institutions will lessen. For example, if monthly participation should reach 12,000 individuals—the yearly total of individuals presently participating in giving to the National Fund—then the average individual contribution per Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís and their guests attended the dance.

The non-Bahá’í guests understood that only the Bahá’ís could contribute to the Fund.

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

On February 24, the Bahá’í community of Redlands, California, raised $500 for the National Fund by conducting an “Ayyám-i-Há 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 Bahá’ís of the Monterey-Carmel (California) Judicial District organized a fund-raising 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 for Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Group of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and the Spiritual Assembly of Cheltenham sponsored a successful fund-raising 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 children 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 Bahá’u’lláh, 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 Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation of God in this Day—that is, the Bahá’ís 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, life-nurturing [See GARDEN Page 10]

1. _______ 2. _______ 3. _______ 4. _______ 5. _______ 6. _______ 7. _______ 8. _______ 9. _______

CLUES

1. Founder of the Bahá’í Faith 2. Lifeblood of the Bahá’í community 3. “O my God! _____ the hearts of Thy servants ...” 4. One who believes in something 5. Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith 6. Universal _____ is essential for the growth of the community 7. A quality of God is a _____ quality 8. Language spoken by Persian believers 9. The Son of Bahá’u’lláh

WHAT IS THIS WORD?

“_____ participation in the Fund is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount is not important.”

Puzzle by Louise and Mike Kalantar

Northern Minnesota leads 64 districts into double figures

Contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund by District

District Name	'Starting Block' Info			Current Month Info (Mulk)
	Membership as of 12/9/84	Number giving	Percentage of participation	Membership (03/13/85)	Number giving	Percentage of participation
Alabama N	—	—	—	—	—	—
Alabama S/Florida NW	—	—	—	—	—	—
Arizona N	—	—	—	—	—	—
Arizona S	—	—	—	—	—	—
Arkansas	—	—	—	—	—	—
California C No. 1	—	—	—	—	—	—
California C No. 2	—	—	—	—	—	—
California N No. 1	—	—	—	—	—	—
California N No. 2	—	—	—	—	—	—
California S No. 1	—	—	—	—	—	—
California S No. 2	—	—	—	—	—	—
California S No. 3	—	—	—	—	—	—
California S No. 4	—	—	—	—	—	—

See CHART Page 26

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. Florida, Northeast 13. Wisconsin, Southern 14. Kentucky 15. Idaho, Southern 16. California, Northern No. 1 17. Illinois, Northern No. 2 18. California, Southern No. 2 19. (tie) Nebraska Idaho N/Washington E

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

[Page 6]‘The destiny of America is the spiritual conquest of the entire planet’

Pioneers to Goal Countries: Riḍván 1984-1985

THANK YOU!

From ARIZONA Gordon and Emily Hansen Lee and Margy Campbell-Marder Cyrus Towfig Mary and Alex Zografov

From ARKANSAS Pearl Shoudel

From CALIFORNIA Michael and Doora Andreas Harold Ashly Elizabeth Bevan Ruth Breton George Brownson Carl and Susi Dämhesel Sandra Evanger Charles and Patricia Fanning Jeffrey Fulton Angela Gibson Donald Grubb Doris Hoffman Sabrina Hudson Janice Lineberger Julie Lineberger Victor Salvo Phillip Sisson Ron Stephens Donna Taylor

From COLORADO Roger and Donna Carson Josephine Johansen Judith Johnson Jalal Quinn

From CONNECTICUT Wendy and Michael Lusa Dorothea Martin David Walters

From FLORIDA Robert and Molly Harris

From IDAHO Philip and Mary Malberg

From ILLINOIS Dwight Cox Richard and May Czerniejewski James and Geraldine Holman

From KENTUCKY Don van Brunt

From MAINE Heshmat Moghaddam Beverly and Mike Rogers Mary Savignano Tim Wilson

From MASSACHUSETTS Alan, Fredda and Noah Bartolucci Claudia Delgado Andrew and Sally DiMauro Mehrdad Rafati

From MINNESOTA Peter and Lois Bergman Jerry Robinson

From MISSISSIPPI Ed Jones

From MONTANA Jim and Becky Fairley

From NEW HAMPSHIRE Mary Ruth Jeffries

From NEW JERSEY Robin Perskie

From NEW MEXICO Victor Beck Joan Belshaw

From NEW YORK John Craig Ann Maus

From NEVADA Patricia Lacefield Katherine Mason

From NORTH DAKOTA Alyce Blue Richard and Bonnie Cote

From OHIO Keith and Jacqueline Bookwalter Hazel Neave Jeanne Watson

From SOUTH CAROLINA Dennis and Goli Young

From TENNESSEE Mernoosh Mora

From TEXAS Dorothy and Robert Freeman Sarah Frye Virginia Rogers

From VERMONT Tory Ann Meade

From WASHINGTON, D.C. Elaine Field Adrienne Morgan

Pioneers from Other Countries Filling U.S. Goals Khosrow and Simone Kjavadi Teymour and Mitra Katirai Pani and Nemat Kazemi Tony Martinez Rosina Moghaddam

GOALS YET TO FILL:
Lesotho	Yucatán	Tuvalu
Nigeria	St. Vincent	Cyprus
Easter Island	India	Ireland
Colombia	Korea	Samoa
Dominica	Nepal	Mauritania
Galapagos Island	Caroline Islands	Tanzania

[Page 7]

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 Bahá’í youth has served to direct their energy toward service to the Cause, to transform their sense of Bahá’í discipline and to motivate and guide their actions.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH Committee has witnessed with great joy this revival of spirit among young Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í youth. The RYCs will work with the youth to organize activities for teaching, service, spiritual enrichment—activities 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. Bahá’í College Clubs and local Youth Clubs and Groups, 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís, 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 Bahá’í greetings,

Bahá’í National Youth Committee April 10, 1985

—CONFERENCE NEWS UPDATE—

YOUth can 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís can donate blood for area hospitals. Students on campus also will be participating.

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 Services 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!

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

Bahá’í 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 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 305-583-1844. The Youth Committee office always loves to hear from YOUth.

Alabama Bahá’í Club receives its charter

On November 12, the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Auburn University (Alabama) Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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.

Texas conference

About 40 young Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í youth movement and stressed the importance of carrying the Bahá’í message to young people in all walks of life.

As a part of the conference, the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í youth

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

Many, many summer projects are being set up. Several have been planned by District 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 Bahá’í.

Any questions? Phone the National Youth Committee, 305-584-1844.

Asia-Pacific meet set

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

More details will be published as they become available.

In March, six young Bahá’ís from the Chicago area made a four-day teaching trip to Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, during which they celebrated Naw-Rúz 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 Riḍván. The visits are helping to consolidate the local Bahá’ís while bringing the friends from Wisconsin and Illinois closer together in a spirit of brotherhood. On the last night of the March visit, a party of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís numbering 19 shared a turkey and venison dinner and saw the movie, “The Green Light Expedition.” Afterward, there were two declarations. [Page 8]

More Bahá’í Summer Schools

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! Speakers: Auxiliary Board member William 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 303-443-6422.

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. Location: American 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 Zikrullah 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 Kitáb-i-Íqán, Dr. Steven Ellis on “The Covenant.” 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, hiking. Rates: Includes lodging, meals and registration. Adults, youth, junior youth (9 years and older), $70; children (3-8 years), $42. Weekend only—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’lláh) Dates: July 18-23. Location: Camp Kikthawenund, Frankton. Theme: “Look at Me, Follow Me, Be As I Am.” Accommodations: Boy Scout camp in the woods; rustic but not primitive. Dorms, cots, outhouses and cold running 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 Palmer. 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. Registrar: Joy Sylvester, Indianapolis, IN 46201. Phone 317-632-4795.

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

Massanetta (Virginia) Dates: August 30-September 1. Location: Massanetta Conference Grounds. Speakers: The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah 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, Onamia. 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. Registrar: Pre-register by July 7, please. Steve Grams, Togo, MN 55780. Phone 218-376-4472.

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 Bahá’í 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 Justice,” 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Dates: August 17-18. Location: 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 and towels. Dining supplied by facility. 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: Loch Leven Conference Center, Mentone. Theme: “Impact of the Bahá’í 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: Pool, volleyball, basketball, 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. 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 801-292-4534.

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 Seehorn, 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 Frazer, 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 Bahá’í schools in neighboring states.

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 “Bahá’í Services Fund” and mail to: Personal Transformation Program National Education Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 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. 3. Bahá’í 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 BAHÁ’Í 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. Bahá’í 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. Bahá’í 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 week: “... Each of these souls shall be regarded as one thousand persons ...” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: No. 1, p. 19. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. 1. Bahá’í 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.

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

Five of six Regional Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Curriculum” and “Meeting the Needs of Youth and Junior Youth.”

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

It is requested that travelers arrive at the conferences Friday night and return home on Monday (Memorial Day) if possible, so they can 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, Saturday and Sunday), $4.50 (total) for blanket, or bring your own. Meals: $15.50 per day ($3.25 breakfast, $5.50 lunch, $6.75 dinner). Monday continental breakfast, $2.50. Registrar: Virginia Kerr, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

Northeastern—Wilhelm Institute, Teaneck, New Jersey. Registration fee: $25 (includes meals). Make check payable to “Wilhelm Institute.” Overnight costs: $20 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Bedding provided; $15 per night with own bedding. Registrar: June Remignanti, Westwood, NJ 07675. Phone 201-666-0918.

Southeastern—Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Registration fee: $3. Make check payable to “Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute.” Overnight costs: $8 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Meals: $8 per day, $2 for Monday breakfast. Conference date: June 15-16. The purpose is to raise up native believers as children’s class teachers. Scholarships are available for those who have problems with finances. Registrar: c/o Registrar, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554. Phone 803-558-5093.

Western—Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Registration fee: $15 deposit, non-refundable. Make check payable to “Bosch Bahá’í School.” $70 total for bed (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and $10 for conference packet and miscellaneous expenses. Registrar: c/o Registrar, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387.

Northwestern—Boise State University campus, Boise, Idaho. Registration fee: $5 (plus $5 to secure dorm. Make check payable to “Bahá’í Faith/LEAP”). Overnight costs: $5 per night, bring own bedding (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Single occupancy dorms. Meals: Participants will provide their own meals. Restaurants nearby. Registrar: Gwen McCain, Nampa, ID 83651. Phone 208-465-5506.

Southwestern—Dallas, Texas (Dallas Bahá’í Center). Registration fee: $6. Make check payable to “Plano Bahá’í Fund.” Overnight costs: Hotel/motel list available on request. First 40 registrants will be guaranteed free housing (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Meals: $9 per day. Monday breakfast, $2.50. Registrar: Rhonda Palmer, Plano, TX 75074. Phone 214-423-5032.

Association sets regional conference at Bosch School

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

The conference theme is “Bahá’í Scholarship.”

Several contributed and invited papers will be presented dealing primarily with four aspects of Bahá’í scholarship: the importance of Bahá’í scholarship, fostering Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or by phoning 408-423-3387.

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

Archives has guide to open collections

The National Bahá’í 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 recollections, giving the collection title, quantity, and some information about contents and significance.

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

Illinois Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís and several non-Bahá’ís 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?

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. [Page 10]

A letter from first WLGI listener to become a Bahá’í

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,

When you asked me to tell you the story of how I became a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 three visits I became a Bahá’í. My 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 Bahá’í spirit of caring and sharing the Faith. They really live what they teach. They have the patience needed for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. They truly are assets to the human family.

Since my declaration I share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’ís.

With a lamp of love and faith, I 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.

Alláh’u’Abhá,

Coris Stubbs Effingham, South Carolina

Coris Stubbs (center) of Effingham, South Carolina, the first person to have become a Bahá’í as a result of listening to WLGI Radio in Hemingway, is pictured with one of her teachers, Mrs. Rassekh (right). At the left is one of Mrs. Stubbs’ two daughters.

Kansas

Continued From Page 1

in May when more than 35 traveling teachers led by the Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem and William Sears will criss-cross 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 Bahá’í.

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís from a four-state 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 Bahá’ís.

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 drop—to 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!

Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Sanctuary; Father Robert Talmadge, pastor of the Liberal Catholic Church of Miranda; and a Bahá’í, Chris Beere.

Also participating in the program was Donna Landry, a representative 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 Bahá’ís gather in Michigan, take part in ‘youth service weekend’

Nineteen Bahá’í youth and pre-youth from as far away as Iowa 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 Bahá’ís. 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 Bahá’í youth from an American Muslim background, told why he became a Bahá’í.

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

Be like the fountain— empty yourself, and be refilled National Bahá’í 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)

Only three weeks after its formation, the Bahá’í Club at Hilton Head (South Carolina) 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.

Phil Morrison and John Catizone, two Bahá’í 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 well-attended performance that raised $100 for Ethiopia. [Page 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 Bahá’í-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 projects.

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 Bahá’ís who are planning a vacation or travel near project sites may wish to offer some of their time to participate in this invaluable Bahá’í 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.

Bahá’ís 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.

A message of love from Kansas

To the American Bahá’í community “O ye apostles of Bahá’u’lláh ...”

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 Bahá’ís 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’l-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 Bahá’u’lláh.”

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 Bahá’í Cause may appear and become manifest in the world of existence.”

Please know that you all are constantly in our prayers. Warmest Bahá’í love,

The Bahá’ís of Kansas April 3, 1985

PROJECT TABARSI Location: South Carolina. Dates: June 1985-April 1986. Sponsor: South Carolina District Teaching Committee Eastern No. 2. Contact: Ellen McAllister (803-382-9738) or the Regional Teaching Committee office (803-558-5194). 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 (404-548-6495). Service: Travel teaching (Caravan of Cars) to the Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Ohio.

EXTENSION TEACHING PROJECT—GEORGIA Location: Norcross, Georgia. Dates: Ongoing. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Gwinnett County. Contact: Fuad Monajem (404-925-1572). Service: Teaching/service.

PROJECT 1000 Location: Washington, D.C. Dates: Ongoing. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Washington, D.C. Contact: Shirley Giana (202-829-0731). Service: Ongoing proclamation-expansion.

AMOZ GIBSON PROJECT—NEBRASKA Location: Omaha Indian Reservation, Macy. Dates: March 21-June 23. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of the Omaha Indian Reservation. Contact: Kaye Webster (402-846-5459). 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 (605-462-6309). 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 (701-223-8473). Service: Teaching/service.

NORTHERN OHIO DYC Location: Ohio to Columbus and the IYC ending with a nine-mile walk into Columbus. Dates: June 30-July 3. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Mentor, Ohio. Contact: Cindy Hall (216-257-4781). 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 IYC. Dates: June 19-July 3. Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Hutchinson, Kansas. Contact: Gail Etzenhouser (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. 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 (715-341-3084). Cost: $5 per day/food. Service: Mass teaching project using youth. Goal is to form an Assembly in the UP. Limited to 20-25 youth.

INDIAN TEACHING PROJECT Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Dates: Ongoing. Sponsor: District Youth Committee of Chicago. Contact: Mark Perry (312-869-9039) or Cordelia Norder (715-588-3323). Cost: $60 for five days for food and lodging. Service: Teaching and consolidation.

NORTHERN MINNESOTA DYC Location: Bemidji, Minnesota area (White Earth, Cass Lake, ‎Leach Leech‎ 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 (312-579-5408). 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 (505-753-2144) or Gerardo Vargas (505-753-3428). Service: Teaching and service.

SUMMER TEACHING PROJECT Location: Southern New Mexico (possibly cross-border teaching in Mexico). Advance notice is needed; Spanish-speaking teachers preferred. See TEACHING Page 25 [Page 12]

RACE UNITY

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

Commentary

Creative Word of God can overcome every illness including race prejudice

Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís to understand the full implications of this newly proclaimed teaching of Bahá’u’lláh: “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 Bahá’í, and Louisa Mathews, a white Bahá’í, 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 Bahá’ís, titled “The Advent of Divine Justice,” includes an outstanding analysis of the racial situation in America. Most efforts by Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís.

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

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

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

“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.” (Bahá’í 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 feet. Among the animals racial prejudice does not exist.” (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 19)

See RACE UNITY Page 26

Bahá’í researcher wins Angel Award for book on religious broadcasting

Dr. George H. Hill, a Bahá’í from Carson, California, 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 Bahá’ís who have won the Angel Award are Marcia Day, for the record album “Happy Ayyám-i-Há!”; 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. Hill, “that someone who is black and a Bahá’í 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 Resource 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.

Dr. George H. Hill (left), a Bahá’í 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 for the book, Religious Broadcasting, 1920-1983, which he co-authored with Dr. Lenwood Davis of Winston-Salem (North Carolina) University.

Ga. Bahá’í booth wins ‘Award of Merit’

A booth entered by the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, was located in a prominent place and was seen by many of the visitors to the fair.

It marked the sixth year in which the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í display and asked that another Bahá’í presentation be made at next year’s event.

Women’s conference

An inter-regional Bahá’í 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.

Race unity meeting is held in Kansas

Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í concept of unity in diversity.

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

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

[Page 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 self-reliant requires some meditation about these goals in our lives. How many Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 long-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 Bahá’í community most wants to take. Funds also include the time of the Bahá’ís 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.

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 agency.

Build on our strengths and our uniqueness. Demonstrate how it can and should be done. Use Bahá’í resources. Ours should be a record of accomplishment to demonstrate vividly that we believe in self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

Questions to be addressed in the next few months: Should we apply for a grant to begin our social and 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 Bahá’í 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 considered, 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 Bahá’í Institute in Arizona, and the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina.

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 Bahá’í community.

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

Members of the Nottingham Recreation Center for the Physically Limited enjoy an Ayyám-i-Há ‘pizza night’ sponsored by the Bahá’ís 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 extensive 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.

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

William E. Davis (chairman), Menlo Park, California; 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 Bahá’í National Center.

Former W. German Chancellor visits Shrine of the Báb

Former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, accompanied by a party of 16, visited the Shrine of the Báb 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 secretary-general and deputy secretary-general, respectively, of the Bahá’í International Community, and Mrs. Ruhe.

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

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The first book to uncover the captivating details of the introduction of the Bahá’í Faith to the Occident in 1892 and to trace its development through its first 8 years in North America

VOLUME 1 of

THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH IN AMERICA

Origins 1892-1900

by ROBERT H. STOCKMAN

What were the factors that inspired almost 1,500 North Americans to accept the Bahá’í teachings before 1900?

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

What ‎lead led‎ to the shaping of a distinctive community that would create Bahá’í institutions and help spread the Faith around the globe?

$19.95, hardcover only

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

Available from

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091 1-800-323-1880 [Page 14]

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

Larry Bucknell, general manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, speaks to local Distribution Representatives during a conference March 23-24 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in California. The conference 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.

A new book on the life of poet Robert Hayden is drawing praise from poets within and outside the Bahá’í 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 Hayden places Hayden with the 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 Bahá’í 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 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 Bahá’í-sponsored events.

Now available at special sale prices

Several books take close look at Bahá’í ‘roots’

In conjunction with the release of The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, by Robert Stockman, a number of books that deal with America’s Bahá’í “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 Bahá’ís as Phoebe Hearst, Helen Goodall, Ella Goodall Cooper, and Kanichi Yamamoto (the first Japanese Bahá’í). The price was $10; during the sale, it is $7.50.

The second book, Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 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 ‎‘Akka ‘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 made to the U.S. and Canada in 1912 to deepen the early band of Bahá’ís described in Mr. Stockman’s The Bahá’í Faith in America. The retail price is $10; it is on sale for $7.50.

“All five books, read in conjunction with The Bahá’í 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.

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í youth.

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

Bahá’í Verlag, the German Publishing Trust, has just released The Secret of Divine Civilization ($4, 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 Risáliy-i Madaníyyih.

Mexico slates varied menu of plans for year

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

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

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

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

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

Three titles from the Bahá’í 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 $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.

ORDER FORM

Quan.		Amt.	Quan.		Amt.
___	‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, HC	$9.50*	___	Per: Secret of Divine Civilization, SC	$4.00
___	Bahá’í DayBook, SC	3.75	___	Per: Sel. Letters of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. 2, HC	6.00
___	Bahá’í Faith in America: 1892-1900, HC	19.95	___	Promulgation of Universal Peace, HC	16.00
___	Building a Unified Community, PA	10/3.25	___	Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, SC	3.75*
___	Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, SC	3.75*	___	To Move the World, SC	7.50
___	From the Auroral Darkness, HC	23.50	___	239 Days, HC	7.50*
___	From the Auroral Darkness, SC	9.95	___	Unfolding Destiny, HC	28.50*
___	Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC	7.50*	___	Unto Him Shall We Return, SC	7.95
___	Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC	4.50*	___	Waging Peace, HC	7.95
___	Mystery of God, HC	12.00*	___	Youth in the Vanguard, HC	7.50*

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

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

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

Enclose a check for the full amount, or

VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE ________

CARD NO. _____________________________

Name ________________________________

Address ______________________________

City ___________________ State _______ Zip _______

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

TAB 5/85 Prices good through June 30, 1985 [Page 15]

Bahá’í Faith in America helps us trace ‘roots’

What is your link with the first Bahá’í communities in North America? Whether you are from New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, or Maine, with some sleuthing in the new information released in Robert Stockman’s The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 you can probably figure out how the Faith spread from the earliest communities to yours.

Details concerning such early Bahá’í localities as Chicago (Illinois); 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 three-volume series.

Tracing your own Bahá’í 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 Origins, 1892-1900. Reading is believing when it comes to discovering the remarkable and dramatic events that led to the establishment of Bahá’í roots on the North American continent.

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

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

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 Bahá’í life, thus demonstrating to their fellow-countrymen the beneficent effects of the Bahá’í 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 Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, and have entitled it “Bahá’í Writings.” With this issue we revert to an in-depth consideration of the Creative Word—its meaning, its purpose, its power in our lives—and 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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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.

Other New Titles

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

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

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

Special Strengths, a character-development book of four stories relating to the application of Bahá’í principles, for children ages 7-11. $4.50.

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

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

For ordering information, please see the coupon on the Bahá’í Distribution Service page in this issue.

Why Deepen?

“The Sacred Literature of the Bahá’í 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

Ordering from Bahá’í Distribution Service

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

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

Last chance to critique Datebook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Would you be willing to pay more (say, $4) for a Datebook? Yes___ No___

8. Please comment on the general usefulness (or uselessness) of the Datebook. __________

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

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

Publishing Trust observes 30th year at luncheon meeting

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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

Loving Hands

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 Bahá’í life for children (and adults) of all ages. Other Bahá’í materials recognized by Angel Awards in the past include The Secret in the Garden by Winifred Barnum Newman and the album Happy Ayyám-i-Há! Religion in Media is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of religious programming on radio and TV. Loving Hands is available for $8 from the Bahá’í Distribution Service. [Page 16]Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís—you 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, Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MINORITY Teaching Center in Fillmore, California, needs bi-lingual, 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 with help from those who speak Spanish better than we do, we can accomplish things that will astound the Bahá’í 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: Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 316-685-1111.

BAHÁ’Í 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, AMI-trained 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, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Carey, 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 Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

CHIROPRACTORS: Replace a Bahá’í 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., 404-548-8984 or 404-353-3612.

COME to the heartland—Iowa needs you! This loving, unified Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í school planners scheme, and the friends are well known for their gracious firesides and generous contributions to the Fund. For more information, please contact the Iowa District Teaching Committee, c/o Mrs. Fay Himes, secretary, P.O. Box 45, New Liberty, IA 52765, or phone 319-843-2450.

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

ATTENTION traveling teachers for Bahá’u’lláh: 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 Bahá’í School, why not travel through New Hampshire? For more information, please contact the New Hampshire District Teaching Committee, c/o Jon Ring, secretary, 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 Meyjes, 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 Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEEDED: For the Louhelen Bahá’í School library, the following copies of the small Star of the West (called “Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í-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 Bahá’í-based curriculum. You’ll have an opportunity to try out your own ideas in Bahá’í education while receiving good preparation for pioneering or possibly setting 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, Bahá’ís with experience in teaching story-telling. We will arrange to consult by phone. Please contact Margaret Alvarado, La Quinta, CA 92253, or phone 619-564-6155.

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

A DEVOTED, deepened Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039. This goal should have been filled by Riḍván 1985.

NEEDED homefront pioneers? Individual Bahá’í couple wishes to relocate in an area with a large Group or jeopardized Assembly. [Page 17]

CLASSIFIEDS

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 Bahá’í 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 206-435-8612.

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 administration or relevant banking experience is necessary. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking the personal papers of New York City Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í 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 Ridván, there are goal localities in each of our 94 Bahá’í districts. If you can consider moving to a goal area, please contact the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í 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, prepare reports in French and English. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Datebook 142 B.E. with its new format. Turn to the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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) Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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. Let us know your particular area of service for the Bahá’í 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

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

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 communities 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 602-283-4821) or Jeff Kiely, P.O. Box 415, Houck, AZ 86506 ‎(phone 602-367-5126, ext. 0180. (phone 602-367-5126, ext. 0180)‎.

Summer school and children’s school teachers—don’t miss the opportunity to utilize I Am a Bahá’í, 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 Bahá’í Book, My Favorite Prayers and Passages, God and Me, and Our Bahá’í Holy Places, are on sale as a set of four. Special Strengths is another resource that will spark discussion of Bahá’í principles (for the 7 to 11 year old). For more information, please turn to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust page in this issue.

HANDS ON!, a workbook of Bahá’í educational activities for children by Sandy and Alonzo Coleman and Diane Bogulu Petit is available from the Louhelen Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í history, the Central Figures and Shoghi Effendi, religious history, the Bahá’í teachings, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í who is a certified nurse-midwife. Strong Bahá’í community, lovely ocean and mountain setting. Contact Polly Malby, RN, Crescent City, CA 95531, or phone 707-464-5277.

HELP! Male Bahá’í 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 inspector, maintenance worker, welders, correctional officers, various farm occupations. “Bahá’í home” is for sale in Bell Glade, or housing available in surrounding areas. Come join us. Write to the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í children’s classes, set up a schedule for the various locations. For more information about the positions and application process, please contact the 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 Ridván 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

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

BAHÁ’Í 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/agronomist: 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 Bahá’í 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 DeLonghery, Orangeburg, SC 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

OGLALA Lakota College instructor of natural resources science courses and Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Learning Center. The donation or loan of a copy of this out-of-print book will be a highly valued part of the Bahá’í 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 Montserratian‎ daughter. Seeking a live-in 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 [Page 18]

House of Worship offers 4 splendid February programs

February 1985 will long be remembered at the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í and, until his retirement, city editor of the Chicago Defender newspaper whose founder, Robert Abbott, was also a Bahá’í.

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

Activities Committee issues call for volunteers

The Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Committee is pleased to extend an invitation to all Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í in the country to take part in the unique and priceless experience of serving at the Mother Temple of the West. Many Bahá’ís consider this experience to be one of the most memorable of their lives. Imagine introducing Bahá’u’lláh’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.

The 1985 Special Visit Programs to the Bahá’í National Center*

View relics of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arranged especially for your visit by the National Archives.

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

Learn how the construction of the “Mother Temple of the West” was a primary stimulus for the development of the American Bahá’í community. Tour areas of the building normally closed to visitors.

Tour the entire Bahá’í National Center visiting the:

• Office of the Secretary
• Office of the Treasurer
• National Committee Offices
• Bahá’í Publishing Trust
• Bahá’í Home

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

• The Special Visit Programs are for Bahá’ís only!

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)

HOUSING College Dorm: Single ___ Double ___ (see details below)

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

I am making other arrangements for housing ___

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

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 “Bahá’í Services Fund.”

Name ____________________________________________	List additional names (and
Address __________________________________________	ages of children) here:
City ________________________ State ______ Zip __________
Phone (Area Code ________) __________________________

Return registration form to: Special Visit Programs, Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 19]

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, understanding, 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 Bahá’í Faith.

افتتاح رسمی رادیو بهائی

W L G I

در تاریخ ۲۳ مارچ ۱۹۸۵ در مؤسسه‌هائی لوئیس گرگوری نزدیک شهر همینگوی در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی و با حضور متجاوز از ۶۰۰ نفر از احبای مقیم ایالات کارولینای جنوبی و شمالی و جورجیا و علاقه‌مندان و شنوندگان رادیو بهائی W L G I - FM اولین فرستنده رادیو بهائی در آمریکای شمالی، و تعدادی از شخصیتهای غیر‌بهائی طی مراسمی با شکوه افتتاح رادیوی مذکور رسماً برگزار گردید.

سرکار خانم روت پرینگل عضو محترم هیأت مشاورین قاره آمریکا، نه نفر اعضاء محفل مقدس روحانی ملی، دو عضو محترم هیئت معاونت خانم دکتر کارل آلن و سرکار خانم الیزابت مارتین و کلیه اعضاء لجنة مجلّهٔ ملی تبلیغ نیز از جمله شرکت‌کنندگان در این مراسم باشکوه بودند.

مراسم افتتاح رادیو بهائی توسط فرستنده رادیوی مذکور مرتباً پخش میگردید.

جناب والاس براون، رئیس امور توسعه روستائی در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی که توسط شهردار شهر همینگوی، جناب ویلیام ب. هارمن، به حضار معرفی گردیدند یکی از ناطقین این جشن باشکوه بودند و با استناد به آثار بهائی بیاناتی در خصوص "رادیو و تأثیر آن در امر تعلیم و تربیت" ایراد نمودند.

جناب براون ضمن بیانات خود اشاره نمودند که متصدیان این فرستنده نه تنها در انجام امور محوله اطمینان کامل دارند بلکه به وظیفه و مسؤولیت خطیری که در قبال شنوندگان و علاقه‌مندان رادیو بعهده گرفته‌اند توجه دارند و در ادامه سخنان خود بیان جمال اقدس ابهی را در لوح مقصود که میفرمایند "انسان را بمثابه معدن که دارای احجار کریمه است مشاهده نما بتربیت جواهر آن بعرصه شهود آید و عالم انسانی از آن منتفع گردد" یادآور شدند و گفتند با توجه به این بیان ‎بمرن بر من‎ واضح است که شما با اطمینان و وقوف کامل انجام این مهم را بعهده گرفته‌اید.

به منظور قدردانی از خدمات خانم دکتر آلبرتا بدیر در طول مدت چهار سال و نیم ریاست مؤسسه لوئیس گرگوری و زحمات و کوششهای صادقانه ایشان جهت تأسیس رادیو بهائی WLGI در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی تصویر بزرگی از ایادی محبوب امرالله جناب لوئیس گرگوری علیه غفران‌الله از جانب محفل ملی به ایشان اعطاء شد. جناب دکتر روی جونز از شهر چارلستون نیز بعنوان رئیس جدید مؤسسه مزبور توسط اعضاء محترم محفل ملی به حضار معرفی گردیدند.

کلیه مدعوین و حاضرین در این مراسم از قسمتهای مختلف فرستنده رادیو WLGI بازدید نمودند و کارمندان رادیوی مزبور جناب دل‌انور کامپل و جناب مارک سنت‌کلر ضمن عرض خیرمقدم به سئوالات مدعوین پاسخ میدادند.

سال آخر نقشه هفت‌ساله و احتیاجات صندوق ملی

آخرین سال نقشه هفت‌ساله شروع میشود ومحفل مقدس روحانی ملی رقم کل بودجه سال جدید را ۸/۳ میلیون دلار تعیین فرموده‌اند. این رقم شامل ۷ میلیون دلار مخارج برنامه‌های جاری است (یعنی نیم میلیون دلار کمتر از بودجه سال قبل) و ۱/۳ میلیون دلار قرض بانکی که بایستی تأدیه شود.

بر اساس تجربه گذشته انتظار میرود که دو ثلث این مبلغ از محل تبرعات افراد تأمین شود و یک ثلث دیگر توسط محافل روحانی محلی. باین ترتیب اگر انتظار محفل روحانی ملی که ۷۰۰۰ نفر از یاران مستقیماً به صندوق ملی تبرّع کنند برآورده شود بطور متوسط هر یک از آنان بایستی در هر ماه بهائی ۴۱ دلار تقدیم صندوق مذکور نماید تا جمعاً ۵ میلیون و نیم یعنی ۲/۳ کل بودجه از این راه تأمین شود. البته این میزان متوسط فرضی است و در عمل جمعی کمتر از این مبلغ و بسیاری بیشتر از آن تبرّع خواهند نمود.

در گذشته مخارج ضروری برای رفع احتیاجات حیاتی جامعه بهائی هیچگاه تا این میزان بیش از مبلغ کل تبرّعات نبوده است. بعضی از هزینه‌های عمده سال گذشته عبارت بوده است از:

• توسعه دفتر امور محافل روحانی محلی برای ارتباط با مقامات دولتی و وسائط ارتباط جمعی.
• افزایش تبرّعات تقدیمی به ساحت رفیع بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی
• افزایش هزینه جهت سوار مخصوص ضیافت نوزده روزه
• توسعه دفتر لجنة ملی امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی
• افزایش مخارج مدارس بهائی دائمی
• افزایش سهمیه اهداف مهاجرتی بین‌المللی

در سال جاری محفل ملی مصمم است با تشویق یاران به افزایش تبرّعات تقدیمی به صندوق ملی بمیزان ۲۲ درصد بتوانند مبلغ ۱/۳ میلیون دلار قرضه بانکی را مستهلک نمایند. کاهش بودجه داخلی محفل ملی در سال مالی ۸۶-۱۹۸۵ به ۷ میلیون دلار نیز بهمین منظور بوده است.

تعدادی از دوائر دارالانشاء محفل ملی بعلت این کاهش مجبور شده‌اند تعداد کارمندان خود را تقلیل بدهند و حتی بعضی از دوائر من جمله لجنة ملی تعلیم و تربیت کلّاً تعطیل شده است.

در این آخرین سال نقشه هفت‌ساله، محفل مقدس روحانی ملی از کلیه مؤسسات بهائی و تک‌تک احبای جامعه دعوت فرموده‌اند که با شرکت مستمرّ خود در امر تبلیغ و انعاد مرتب جلسات تبلیغی و با از خود گذشتگی بیشتر نسبت به تقدیم تبرّعات در "برنامه وحدت عمل" Campaign of Unified Action مشارکت فرمایند. باین ترتیب هر فرد بهائی میتواند سهمی در تحقق اهداف نقشه هفت‌ساله داشته باشد.

مهاجرت داخلی

لجنة ملی امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی از دوستان عزیزی که در سال تشکیلاتی ۱۴۱ بدیع به یکی از نقاط لازم‌المهاجره داخلی مملکت نقل مکان نموده و جهت تشکیل محفل روحانی جدید و یا تقویت محفل روحانی محلی کمک مؤثری نموده‌اند و یا فعالیتهائی با ابتکار فردی در زمینه نشر نفحات الله یا تعمیم معارف امری انجام داده‌اند مستدعی است گزارشی از خدمات و مجاهدات خود و یا دوستانشان که ‎بچینین بچنین‎ خدماتی قائم بوده‌اند تهیه فرموده به ضمیمه یک قطعه عکس به دفتر این لجنه در دارالانشاء محفل مقدس روحانی ملی ارسال فرمایند.

همکاری یاران گرامی موجب مزید تشکر و امتنان است.

با افتتاح رادیو بهائی در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی اهمیت انتقال احبای ایرانی بآن ایالت افزایش یافته و در ردیف اول فعالیتهای مهاجرتی داخله قرار گرفته است. کمک به تشکیل محفل، تزئید معلومات امری احبای محلی، و سرکشی ‎با حبای به احبای‎ پراکنده در نقاط مختلف از اقدامات مهمه محسوب است. لجنه مربوطه در صورت احتیاج از کمکهای اولیه جهت انتقال بآن مرکز امری مضایقه‌ای نخواهد داشت. جهت همکاری و قیام باین خدمت با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی نیز میتوان تماس حاصل نمود.

Persian/American Affairs Committee c/o National Bahá’í Center 256 Sheridan Road Wilmette, Illinois 60091

انتشارات جدید

جلد دوم کتاب "منتخباتی از مکاتیب حضرت عبدالبهاء" که اخیراً از ارض اقدس واصل شده بقیمت جلدی شش دلار ارائه میگردد. طالبین و علاقه‌مندان میتوانند از طریق مؤسسه انتشارات امری با کتابدار محلی کتاب مذکور را خریداری نمایند.

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

مجموعه‌ای نفیس از اشعاری که احبای ایران در تجلیل و تقدیر از شهدای محبوب و جانباختگان عزیز ما در ایران سروده اند توسط خانم دکتر طاهره خدادوست فروغی جمع‌آوری گردیده و تحت عنوان "بلاغی عنایتی" بفارسی و انگلیسی بقیمت هر نسخه ۵ دلار در دسترس علاقه‌مندان قرار گرفته است. جهت ابتیاع این مجموعه اشعار مستقیماً میتوانید با خانم دکتر فروغی به آدرس ذیل تماس حاصل فرمایید.

Dr. Tahirih Khodadoust Forought Reno, Nevada 89503 [Page 20]۲ آوریل ۱۹۸۴

یاران ساکن ایالات متحده بدینوسیله از حقوق خود با اطلاع شده و توسط یکی از اعضاء هیئت امناء که نشانی آنان در ذیل می‌آید تقاضای خود را کتباً ارسال فرمایند.

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

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, Ohio 44116

... که در نقشه الهیه مذکور گردیده و یا در آگاهی که در مستقبل ایام توسط محفل ملی تشریح می‌شود یاران الهی خود را با محفل ملی و با کمک خویش یاری کننده به میزان حق و حدود الله می‌باشند و غیر از این هم نمی‌تواند باشد چه این کیفیت روحانی است که روی از هر چه غیر از اوست برگردانیده و کمال مقصود است یعنی در راه طاعت به ضوابط نوشته شده و به مفاهیم که در چهارچوب مقرره اجرا قرار داد که ۱۲۰ نقطه به بیست سال در محله میان مدت طرح می‌نماید تا به بیت العدل اعظم در تاریخ مورخ ۴ شهر القدرة سال ۱۴۰ مطابق ۹ نوامبر ۱۹۸۳ امر فرموده که حقوق الله در سرتاسر دنیا را به رغبت قلبی و سادگی وجدان به حقوق الله تسلیم نمایند تا در تحت ظل ربوبیت و عنایت تامه الهیه قرار گیرند و به توفیق غیرمنتظره نصیب یاران مقیم آمریکا فرموده و محفل مقدس روحانی ملی را موفق ساخته که با هدایت بیت العدل اعظم قدم بزرگی در راه شناسایی امر در کشور را به موافقت و اعتبارات و نظامات حقوق الله کما هو حقه با کمال طیب خاطر و همچنین در کشور کانادا که همواره با محافل ملی هماهنگی داشته است در رفع نزاعات محلی همواره با ایشان مأمور بوده با فعالیت‌هایی که با راهنمایی‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم تداوم یافته است نسبت به اجرای حکم الهی معطوف گردد و برکات الهی را بر ملاء لایق نصیب ایشان سازد.

دوستان عزیز جهان آبستن حوادث سهمگینی است که بفرموده مولای حنون اهل بهاء "منتشأ بیداء" از هر پس پرده پنهانی ظاهر می‌گردد و مستمراً است که وقایع موجود در ‎انواع الواح‎ الهیه همواره ریشه در بطن مقتضی به حوادث روزمره جهان و وسعت یافتن سریع دایره مخاصمات و انقلابات و تهاجمات شدیدی دارد که خویش با دورترین و غنی‌ترین مخازن تاریخی هماهنگی دارد. در این مرحله انتقالی تاریخ بشر که از یک طرف با معرفی تجربه و زوال غبار نظامهای موجود در دنیا و در سوی دیگر با تزلزل و دگرگون شدن نظامات مادی در دنیا و انحطاط در ارزش‌های موجود در تمدن بشری که در معرض فروپاشی است همراه می‌باشد.

به فضل الله چنانچه به مقتضای روح الهی و بصیرت به سوی میثاق الله و حقیقت آیین رحمانی با سلحشوری به نهضت و خدمت برخاسته و با مدد الهی خدمات را به سدی مستحکم آراسته و اسرافیل ملکوت بصیر و جوان را به راه ملکوت آیین فراخواهند خواند. در این عرصه مبارک سرمستان جام وفا در میدان الهی شده‌اند و با رستاخیز نهضت جدید جهان را بیدار خواهند ساخت و با فداکاری‌های خود سد راه نفوذ و شمول آزار و تعدی دشمنان خود خواهند بود و با استوار و خستگی ناپذیر آیین مقدس الهی را از دوران مجهولیت به عالم شهود کشانده تا نهضت الهی را از فشار و استتار به سوی بیداری و ظهور و استقلال سوق دهند تا راهی که برای درخشش و نفوذ نام خداوند در سراسر جهان و استقلال امر در عالم را در پیش دارد بطور مستمر مشحون نظم بدیع قرار گیرد و با انقباض و استهلاک هم پیش رفته و دست اعظم را در پیش روی دیده از راهنمایی‌های الهی یاری دهند. این مطلب را ولو برای یک لحظه نباید دور از نظر داشت که سادگی و سادگی و سادگی در تفکرات و تأملات و حقوق الله که باید مانند انتظار روحی و نظائر آن با ‎بفای بقای‎ جان و روان را شیرین و پرطراوت ساختند و به مصداق این نکته بسیار مهم و نیرومند فرموده‌اند که هر قدر آثار عظمت و غلبه و ابهت را در تضییقات و شداید بیشتر در جهان ظاهر می‌گردد و مؤسسات الهیه ازدیاد یافته و استحکام پذیرد مطاع و مراتب اطاعت عظمی سریعاً افزایش می‌یابد و با بیچارگی و بذل و فداکاری یاران در این مسیر بر سبیل استجابت دعا می‌باشد. بیت‌العدل اعظم به بیانی در نامه مورخ ۷ ماه مه بیت العدل که به یاران عزیز بیان داشته است از سنگینی که به سبب بحرانهای اقتصادی و نوسانات جهانی که اخیراً دامنگیر ملل مشرق الاذکار گشته، با سختی‌هایی که در راه گشودن امر الهی با آن مواجه‌اند اشاره نموده و اظهار امیدواری نموده‌اند تا یاران با ایثار و همت مالی خود مبالغ ۳،۵۰۰،۰۰۰ دلار را که برای بودجه سال ۱۹۸۴ در نظر گرفته شده بود تأمین نمایند. مع ذلک با کمال تأسف به علت عوارض و مشکلات موجود مالی که یاران با آن مواجه‌اند این برنامه متوقف گردیده است. محفل ملی روحانی ادامه داد تا یاران با تأمین ۳،۱۵۰،۰۰۰ دلار کسر بودجه روبرو گردند.

حقوق الله که ادای آن اعظم فریضه هر فرد بهائی است و عواید آن در تحت نظر مرجع امر در هر زمان است بالآخره امر به جوانان عزیز ارجاع می‌گردد و مقرر است که نه تنها ادای حقوق الله را با رغبت و کمال امتنان انجام دهند بلکه اجرای آن را از احکام و منصوصات است که مانند نماز و روزه از فرائض مبرمه است که ادای آن به خدمت صاحب امر و ‎ابناء امناء‎ دین پرداخته شود. لذا برای جلب برکات الهی و جلب رضا و عنایت حق تعالی اهل بهاء باید با نهایت دقت و توجه به ادای آن اقدام نمایند.

در این ضمیمه که احیای امر در ممالک آمریکا را در بر می‌گرفت به تفصیلی پرداخته است که در طی سال جاری در ایالات متحده در سطوح منطقه و در سطوح مختلف محافل محلی و کمیته‌های محلی از وظایف محافل محلی است که یاران را تشویق نمایند تا در امر تبرع و انفاق همت گمارند و از احتیاجات مالی آستان مطلع گردند. برای سال مالی که از اول مه شروع می‌گردد و منتهی به ۳۰ آوریل ۱۹۸۴ است میزان مبالغ جمع‌آوری شده در حدود ۲،۵۰۰،۰۰۰ دلار می‌باشد. محفل روحانی در پایان یادآور شده است که برای برطرف ساختن بحران مالی که یاران در سرتاسر ایالات متحده با آن روبرو هستند، به نصایح و راهنمایی‌های بیت العدل اعظم و محفل ملی استناد جسته و با انفاق و تبرع مستمر مشحون به تأمین گردد و در کمال دقت به رعایت حقوق الهی که یکی از فرائض مهم در دیانت بهائی است قیام نمایند. موضوع مهمی که باید به عنوان حقوق الله تقدیم گردد موضوعی مالی است که با تشریفات و آداب دینی و موازین مذهبی با یکدیگر منطبق است. هر فرد بهائی در ادای حقوق الله و تبرعات مالی خود مختار است و هر شخصی که مایل به پرداخت حقوق الله باشد باید...

نامه سرگشاده بدوستان عزیز بهائی

از جمله پیروزی‌های مسرت‌بخش و اخیراً نصیب جامعه ما گردیده است توسعه و پیشرفت خیره‌کننده تشکیلات جوانان بهائی در آمریکا می‌باشد. ضرورت انجمن جوانان عزیز ما در این نهضت بدین‌جهت است که با شور و اشتیاق و نیروی جوانی به خدمت آستان الهی و تقویت حس انضباط و مسئولیت بهائی و هدایت فعالیت‌های آنان بوده است.

لحظه حیاتی جوانان با شعور موفور نافذ و ناظر این موفقیت‌های چشم‌گیر جوانان عزیز بوده است و در پی آن که با شروع سال جهانی جوانان (۱۹۸۵) و نزدیک شدن کنفرانس بین‌المللی جوانان در شهر کلمبوس در ایالت اوهایو (Columbus, Ohio) آن عزیزان مجدداً شور و اشتیاق خود را در صف اول خدمت به این جامعه نشان خواهند ساخت. جامعه جوان و موفق را فدای آرمان‌های خویش ساخت. آمال بلند با اقدامات مؤثر خود در این امر را ابعاد نمایند. منظور نماید تا بدین‌وسیله نظمی در دنیا ایجاد نمایند. تشکل جوانان تحت نظر محفل‌های محلی جوانان در این ممالک تشکیل خواهد شد تا با همکاری جوانان و با لجان‌های ناحیه‌ای جوانان در هر نقطه جوانان خود را در سراسر مملکت به سر برند.

نهضت جوانان متعهد به این راه به سعادت جامعه منجر خواهد گشت و در راه ملکوت پیش خواهد رفت. سعادت جوانان ما مرهون مساعدت با نهاد و مؤسسات جوانان و در مقابل روحیه سلحشورانه و ایثارگونه و با تحمل سختی‌های راه به طرف مقصد پیش روند. فداکاری و سلحشوری راه را برای پیروزی میسر می‌سازد و از طرف خداوند به راه هدایت الهی مدد خواهد شد.

لحظه حیاتی جوانان از کلیه اعضاء، مخصوصاً از خرد و کلان و پیر و جوان منشاء بیداری از کم‌کاری‌ها و سستی‌های خود نسبت به این امر حیاتی گردیده و در راه خدمت به آستان الله تا به نهایت الهی که راهنمای آحاد انسانی ما در آن بطور مستمر وجود دارد در این ماه‌های آخر قرن در راه آرمان‌های آستان الله به عهد و پیمان خود عمل نموده و راه سعادت الهی را بیابیم.

بر طبق پیشنهاد محفل ملی روحانی بهائیان آمریکا ۱۰ آوریل ۱۹۸۴ [Page 21]PERSIAN/AMERICAN May 1985 21

پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی

مورخ ۱۲ مارچ ۱۹۸۵ ترجمه تلکس بیت العدل اعظم الهی اعضاء محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایران

بمناسبت خجسته سال جدید و عید سعید صیام و نوروز، جهان افروز صمیمانه ترین تبریکات بهائیه بـه یاران ایران و حضور محترم جمهور متبوعشان و مؤسسات و محافل محلی آگاه تقدیم و با دلی سرشار از مهر رحمن که در مجمع احبای حق با آن رنج‌های ‎مستدیده مستدیمه‎ با ایثار جانی منزه و در کمال همت و استقامت و تسلیم تذکار نمودند و قلوب جهانیان را در ورای انظار با آن انوار مشتعل نمودند و با تحمل صبر و توکل و امید و اطمینان، قـلـوب مـخـلـصان را در تمام نقاط جهان به پیوند مـودت و محبـت مـسـتـحکم و مـنـسـجم و به دعا و ثنا و تـضـرع و ابـتـهال و تـقـدیـر و سـتـایش از هـمـت عـالـی آنـان بـرانـگـیـخـتـنـد. از ایـن وهـلـه تـاریخی نـوشـتـه و حـمـاسـه ای از اعـتـقـادات مـؤثـر و پـایـدار تـرسـیـم و فـصل جـدیـدی در تـاریـخ پـر افـتـخـار ایـن امـر مـقـدس و والای مـهـجـور و سـوام بـا تـأثـر و تـأسـف مـسـؤولـیـت مـتـوجـه الـیـه بـر جـای نـهـادنـد و بـا انـتـشـار آخـریـن تـصـمـیمـات مـثـبـتـه دربـاره تـعـقـیـب و تـعـذیه و سـرانـجام بـه امـر بـازداشـت مـحـتـرما بـه سـایـر اقطار و اقطـار و مراکز مـسـؤولـیـت در جـمـیـع اقطار و اقالیم به سـلـسـلـه مـکـاتـبات مـنـتـشره و هـمـکاری گـروهـی بـه مـسـاعـی مـشـکـور نـهـاده، مـوجـب تـردیـد حـیـثـیـت و اعـتـبـار و تـشـتـت همـچـنـیـن و مـخـالـفـت در جـهـان بـا مـظـالـم و فـشـارهـای مـسـتـمـر در سـراسـر عـالـم شـده اسـت.

در ایـن مـقـام از طـرف دیـگـر بـا تـشـریک مـسـاعـی و مـسـاعـی مـنـسـجـم در بـرگـزاری کـنـفرانس هـا و تـرتـیـب تـظـاهـرات عـظـیـم بـه وسـیـلـه مـؤسـسـات و مـحـافل جـوانـان بـه عـمـل آمـد و مـوجـب تـحـکـیـم رویـه روحانی و تـشویـق و تـرغـیـب و تـجـمـع بـیـشـتـر ایـن خـادمـان بـه کـار نـیـکـی و جـاه و جـلال در سـبـیـل رضـای الـهـی مـی‌گردد. گـرچـه سـختی اوقـات مـعـطـلـه بـه عـکـس کـمـال بـهـره بـخـش مـنـافـع اعـظـم آمـاده و افـراد را بـه حـمـایـت مـعـهود از اهـداف مـقـدس مـشـتـاق تـر نـمـوده اسـت و تـحـقـق مـواعـیـد ربـانـیـه را که در هـمـه اعـصـار مـجـالـی خـواهد داشـت و هـدف کـلـی صـلـح عـمـومـی را در ایـن نـظـام مـحـتـوم مـسـلـم مـی‌نماید. مـحـافـل مـورد مـهـر مـا کـه بـا تـأمـل بـیـشـتـر بـا نـگـاه مـحـبـت آگـیـن بـه هـیـئت مـرکز نـقـطـه اتـصـال مـؤمـنـان مـی‌نگرید در عـیـن حـال کـه از مـصـیـبـت و رنـجـی کـه بـر یـاران واقـع گـشـتـه مـتـأثـر اسـت، ولـی بـا بـشـارت و هـمـاهـنـگی در جـهـت بـسـط و گـسـتـرش هـر چـه بـیـشـتـر امـر جـمـال ابـهـی در آن آسـتـان شـکـسـته از حـمـلات و عـنـایـات آن مـقـقام نـامـتـناهی بـرای بـرخـورداری و اسـتـمـرار آمـیـن گـویـد کـه عـهـده‌دار ایـن رسـالـت عـظـیـم و انـجـام ایـن خـدمـت اکـرم و انـجـام ایـن خـدمـت هـای مـسـتـدام گـردد. قـدم هـایـی بـه مـورت الـهـی مـفـتـخـر و بـه حـفـظ مـعـالـم الـیـه در امـوری مـوجـه و مـوجـه تـر گـردد و بـا مـدیـح و مـدح و سـپـاس از مـنـشـاهـای هـوشـمـنـدانـه تـریـن بـیـن مـلـت هـا واقـعـاً بـسـیـار سـتـودنی اسـت.

بـدیـهـی اسـت در مـیـان خـدمات مـهـمـه تـذکـار بـه تـاریـخ بـی نـظـیـر در دفـتـر روزگـار دشـت و آثـار بـهـائی و اسـتـعـداد مـرکـز مـیـثـاق مـورد نـظـر آقـای بـراون در سـفـر خـود بـه سـمـت ایـالـت مـتـحـده را کـه بـیـشـتـر مـشـحـون بـا مـطـالـب عالیه و سـیـره و مـواهـب طـلـعـت عـدلیـه بـود آن را بـا یـاران و بـا بـاوران قـویـم و پـا بـر جـای نـشـسـتـه امـیـن نـهـاده و بـا مـلـت حـضـور گـوش داشـتـه انـد.

مـوقعـیـت شـمـا در حـال مـعـلـوم شـد. امـیـدواریـم کـه بـزودی مـوفـقـیـت شـمـا بـرای تـحـقـق جـنـبـه مـثـبـت مـرتـفـع گـردد و در سـایـر تـکـالـیـف عـالـم نـیـز مـوفـق و مـؤیـد شـویـد. نـظـر مـشـتـرک مـا در تـداوم تـجـلـی تـجـلـیـات مـنـسـجـم در جـمـیـع قـطـعـات عـالـم مـتـاثر بـاشـد کـه سـتـایش بـر آنـان و رضـای الـمـعـبـود دهـیـد و سـتـودن و مـظـهـر بـاشـد.

انـشـاءالـلـه تـوجـه ویـژه ای چـون از اقطار امـریـکـا و اروپـا و آسـیـا و افـریـقـا و اسـتـرالـیـا و جـزایـر بـا سـفـنـدیـار مـوفـق گـشـتـه و بـر سـریـر سـلـطـنـت ابـدیـه جـلـوس نـمـایـنـد و سـتـایش و تـمـنـای نـجـات و هـدایـت ایـشـان بـه آفـاق رسـد و آوازه ی مـذکـور را بـه سـمـع جـهـانیـان بـرسـانـد.

عـلـیـهـذا تـوجـه بـه آن خـادمـان قـاطـعـا بـه عـنـوان بـیـک امـثـال کـه تـا حـال بـه هـمـت والای مـحـافـل بـا ایـن نـظـم مـنـسـجم و قـوی مـفـتـخـر بـاشـنـد و آوازه ی تـبـلـیـغ بـرای کـنـفـرانـس هـا در سـراسـر عـالـم در ایـن اسـتـقـامت سـه سـنـه بـنـا بـر مـقـتـضـای حـال مـحـافـل را بـه تـنـظـیـم و تـقـسـیـم خـدمـات مـهـمـه و تـخـصـصـات عـالـیـه و تـعـمـیـم آنـهـا بـا مـلـوک و مـلـکـوت سـلـطـان احـبـاء مـرتـبـط و بـیـن نـفـوس مـؤمـنـه خـبـر مـهـمـه و بـا اهـداف عـظـیـم تـریـن مـواردی را بـه سـمـط غـیـر بـا اشـتـراق انـوار الهـی و تـشـعـشـعـات مـعـنـوی نـویـد پـیـروزی مـؤمـنـان جـمال ابـهـی کـه زمـیـن را بـا شـؤونـات روحـانـی خـویـش روشـن سـاخـتـه انـد تـا مـشـکـلاتی دور و بـر یـاران را بـا تـوجـه بـا اصـرار بـر آن زدوده.

بـا دعـای دعـای خـیـر بـرای تـداوم خـدمـت شـمـا یـاران ایـران

تفتیش عیار

بـه یاران در ایـران بـا اهدای صـمیمانـه‌تریـن درودها و عواطـف قـلبـیـه یـاران ایـران

ای صبا خوش خبر از بوم و بر یار بیار بوی مشک از سر و گیسوی دل‌آرا بیار عالم از ظلم و جفا گشت تیره و تار نوید صبح از رخ آن تابنده رخسار بیار اهریمن ظلمی انداخته در سینه خلق راه یزدان صفا و میانه عالم انوار بیار دوستا خسته ره و قضا شده تند بر سر مخلصان ابر سرور بار بیار طیر مظلوم تو در بند کلاغ افتد است ای تو عنقای بقا عدل به ما را بیار ناجی و محکمه تفتیش عیار آمد است ای تو مرآت لطیف خیر و معیار بیار ترک درس مصلحت تأمل با داغ و درفش شرح قتل و دستگیری قوم تبهکار بیار با شکنجـه سر و دست و کمر و پا بکشند قصص همتی بدل مردم خودخوار بیار دین حق منتشر شود با کلک و دانش و دوست چشم بینا و دل روشن و بیدار بیار وای بر ملت و قومی که مرا بشکست اسم اعظم مصر دستور استظهار بیار

ع. بشیر الهی

هو الله رضوان ۱۴۲ رضوانی یاران در آستان سپاس ما از ایالت متحده امریکا و کانادا علیهم بهاءالله الابهی

ستایشی است که تعدادی از شما عزیزان، شریک و دمساز با آن گشته و ساکن این اقطار شده‌اید. تنها به تعداد مکاتبات مألوفه اخیر در ماههای اخیر با امواج حوادث از زادگاه خویش به این ارض جدید رانده شده و با الحاقی به مجمع عظیم قابل ملاحظه از خیرخواهان دلسوز و با وفای اجداد بهائی و اکنون با یاران عدل در دولت‌آباد و محله‌های الهی همزاد و هم آواز گردیده و حضور آنها را در جمع خود و همگام با همۀ مؤمنان و دوستداران الهی و مؤمنان عزیز در انتظار چنین ایامی بودند که با یاران آن دیار همدم و هم آواز و هم پیوند شوند.

هر چند در آغاز این هجرت ناخواسته و به ظاهر دور از آستان قطع و تسلیم و رضا و عشق و وفا بود که در طول تاریخ بشعشع این امر جهانی را بر گستره این ارض محقق نموده شده است و بدیهی است که از این آرزو تلاطم و هیجان و دلهره‌ها برمی‌خیزد. در این مقام جهت حسن خدمات مـهـم و جـدّی بـه تـوسـعـه و تـرفـیـع بـیـشـتـر امـر بـا تـقـدیـم تـشـکـر از یـکـایـک آنـان تـقـدیـر نـمـوده و با نـشـر تـعـالـیـم الهـی عـزم تـوجـه بـه آتـیـه را بـرای آنـان در ایـن ارض تـازه کـه بـا حـمـایـت حـضـرت عـبـدالـبهـاء بـنـا شـده اسـت.

امـیـدواریـم کـه هـمـانـطـور کـه جـمال ابـهـی الـبـتـه تـا حـال وعـده بـلا شـرط و هـدایـت بـخـشـیـده و در وادی ایـمـن مـسـتـقـر فـرمـوده و هـر چـنـد کـه مـشـیـت الـهـی آن عـزیـزان را از زادگـاه خـود جـدا کـرده ولـی در سـایـه جـمـال مـبـارکـش تـا بـقـای هـسـتـی بـاشد. لذا اکـنـون در ایـران بـا ایـن امـواج مـهـیـب بـلا و مـصـیـبـت بـیـکـران تـا سـاخـتـمـان و بـقـای ایـن هـیـکـل مـقـدس را بـا کـمـال قـدرت و مـسـؤولـیـت تـا تـمـامـی نـیـازهای مـلـی را در ایـن راه بـه پـایـان بـرسـانـند و بـا فـداکـاری مـشـتـعـل و اتـفـاق تـوام بـا ایـقـاد و جـهـاد بـرای پـیـروزی و هـدف مـقـدم جـهـاد کـوشـا بـاشـنـد تـا بـا ایـن نـعـمـت هـای پـا یـدار و بـا عـظـمـت و بـا الـطـاف پـی در پـی تـا قـطـره آخـریـن نـشـان نـدهـنـد.

الـبـتـه تـا حـال تـوجـه بـیـت الـعـدل اعـظـم مـورخ ۲ ژانـویـه ۱۹۸۵ و مـصـادیـق آن تـا تـنـظـیـم آن مـرجـع مـصـطـفـی و خـطـاب بـه بـهـائیـان عـالـم را بـا کـمـال جـدّیـت و مـسـؤولـیـت مـطـالـعـه و خـواهـنـد گـرفـت تـا راهـنـمـای آنـهـا در شـؤونـات حـالـیـه و حـیـاتـی شـان بـاشـد. شـرح فـداکـاری از حـدود طـاقـت بـرون و بـیـان نـقـشـه ۷ سـالـه و نـتـایـج آن بـه استـحـضـار بـیـت الـعـدل اعـظـم در مـسـیـر دائـمـی، اخـیـراً ۱۸ مـحـفل جـدیـد بـه مـحـافل مـوجـود مـی بـاشـنـد. تـا پـایـان سـال جاری، ازدیـاد مـحـافل مـحـلـیه بـه بـیـش از ۵۰۰۰ مـحـفـل مـی رسـد. شـرکت مـؤثـر بـهـائـی در تـوسـعه قـارات مـخـتـلـف بـه ۵۰ - ۴۰۰ جـایـگاه و نـشـر تـعـالـیم مـقـدس در تـمـامـی نـقـاط مـحـروم جـهـان - افـزایـش اجـتـمـاعـی و اقـتـصـادی و مـدارس و مـوا در شـهـرهـای مـسـلـمـان مـلـل و اقـوام و ۱٥۰۰ مـؤمـن جـدیـد در سـتـون نـتـایـج عـظـیم امـتـنـان طرح ادراک را مـی بـخـشـد. بـه خـصـوص در مـنـطـقـه ای از هـنـدوستان و مـوشـوی جـوانـان در انـتـظـار کـنـفـرانـس بـیـن الـمـلـلـی جـوانـان در لـنـدن هستند. [Page 22]

EYE ON NATIONAL

Our first seven months of "Eye on National" articles have familiarized you with many facets of the Bahá’í 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 all 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 seasons."

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 Bahá’í 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 opportunity 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 Bahá’í 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 volunteer, 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 Bahá’ís will present an Academy Award-nominated short film on peace.

Message from the Universal House of Justice

The time has come for the Bahá’í 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 association, exerting its influence toward unity, demonstrating its ability to settle differences by consultation rather than by confrontation, violence or schism, and declaring its faith in the divine purpose of human existence.

BAHÁ’Í youth are taking advantage 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 Bahá’í ideals and a vision of what they intend to make of the world.

The Bahá’í community will be strongly represented at the culminating 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 Bahá’í concepts on peace to the governments and leaders of the world and, through the Bahá’í world community, to its national and local authorities and to all sections of the variegated world society.

But it is in the local Bahá’í communities that the most widespread presentation of the Faith can take place. It is here that the real pattern of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order can add to a growing groundswell of 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 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 Bahá’í greetings, The Universal House of Justice Ridván 1985

Bahá’ís 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.

Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’u’lláh’s prayer for unity was heard by most of the influential people in Prospect Heights.

Chicago sets Race Amity Conference

"A Day of Unity" describes the upcoming Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í point of view on race amity in concert with the community at large, thereby affording all persons the opportunity for involvement.

Bahá’í 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 expert 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 evening, there will be a concert featuring a variety of professional musicians 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.

From the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

for each day of the Bahá’í year

Bahá’í DayBook Passages for Deepening and Meditation

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

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Ideal for new and veteran Bahá’ís! 384 pages 4 x 6 inches $3.75*

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to: Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 TEL.1-800-323-1880

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 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 Bahá’ís in Iran, headed “Insidious Genocide Faces Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 “Bahá’í 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 box displayed the text of the Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the Bahá’í Faith.

• WBBM-AM radio in Chicago has been seeking interviews with Bahá’ís and broadcasting with increasing frequency news related to the persecution of the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís.

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

Busy Bahá’ís

In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Bahá’ís 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’í 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 Bahá’ís in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, received three column inches of coverage with a photo of the Shrine of the Báb 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 Bahá’í calendar, lists the basic principles of the Faith, and discusses the administrative order, teachings on life after death, and Bahá’í laws.

Yakima, Washington reports that Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís in Iran: Kansas, North Dakota and West Virginia!

Seattle begins classified ad campaign

The Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís meet at University of Texas to learn about role of Public Information Consultants

Thirty Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í community.

THE WEEKEND conference was conducted by the National Office of Public Affairs and was co-sponsored by the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs for Greater Dallas-Fort Worth.

Media-experienced Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í National Center, “there are still more than 6,000 localities in which Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í Public Affairs Committee, spoke on “The Inter-Community 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 Bahá’í Public Information Representatives.

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 Pros” provided an opportunity for questions to be answered by a panel of media experts that included members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs.

The expansion of the national network and the training of new consultants for Bahá’í communities responds to the need expressed 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.”

Morris Taylor of the National Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs demonstrates the use of media materials to participants at the recent Public Information Consultants’ orientation in Dallas, Texas.

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 U.S.

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 Bahá’í Office of External Affairs stated, “The recent genocidal policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the Bahá’ís 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, vice-chairman 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.

CALLING ALL P.I. 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.

***WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE***WAGE PEACE*

AS PROMISED—NOW READY FOR A RADIO 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 Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs and make checks payable to “Bahá’í 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 PEACE*

[Page 24]

Febrero un mes de eventos especiales en el Templo

Febrero de 1985 se recordará por mucho tiempo en la Casa de Adoración Bahá’í. Cuatro programas sobresalientes que incluyeron exposiciones de arte y recuerdos fueron toques de luz durante el mes.

EL MES especial giró sobre un homenaje al difunto Sr. David Kellum, un bahá’í de muchos años de Chicago y, hasta su jubilación, redactor del periódico Chicago Defender, cuyo fundador, Robert Abbott, también era bahá’í.

En 1929 Sr. Kellum reunió a niños 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 creó el Festival de Música de Pascua Bud Billiken anual y el Bud Billiken Fiesta del Día 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 inspiración que recibieron de las fiestas Billiken.

¿Qué es un Billiken? Sr. Kellum explicó que es un dios chino mítico que representa “las cosas como deben ser.” Así, a los niños que pertenecían al Club Bud Billiken se les enseñaba 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 voluntario en el Templo, permitió por primera vez la exposición 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 fotos dedicadas‎ a David de Lena Horne y Ella Fitzgerald y varios premios y proclamaciones, entre ellos una del Gobernador de Illinois que nombró el 24 de septiembre de 1972 “David W. Kellum Day.”

También se exponían pinturas de dos artistas de color, Deremiah Phillips (cuyas obras se encuentran en el Chicago Art Institute y galerías de arte en ‎la área el área‎) 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 mes fue evento de un día entero, con grupos de discusión provocativa (“El poder de la religión y cómo afecta la unidad de razas,” “Prejuicio y la educación de los niños,” etc.), un programa sobresaliente para niños que incluyó el lanzamiento de 100 globos que llevaron el mensaje “‎Una planeta Un 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.

El conferenciante especial del segundo programa era Roosevelt Vonil, director ejecutivo del Near North Community Organization de Chicago.

SR. VONIL repasó varios siglos de la historia que precedían las circunstancias actuales de gente de color en los EEUU, aconsejando a los bahá’ís que podemos ser más efectivos en ayudar a vencer el prejuicio de raza en nuestra sociedad si aprenderemos más sobre la historia y cultura de los negros y cómo se relacionan a los temas actuales.

El tercer programa destacó 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 años. Sr. White organizó su equipo de volteadores hace más de 20 años, y más de 600 jóvenes han participado en su programa. Entre ellos, sólo uno ha tenido problemas con las autoridades.

El año pasado el equipo ‎dió dio‎ más de 250 realizaciones ‎y hizo e hizo‎ un anuncio comercial de televisión nacional para Coca Cola. Su última realización antes de venir a la Casa de Adoración, fue ante 20,000 espectadores en Pontiac, Michigan.

Fue una experiencia animadora verlos saltar tan altos que casi llegaron al techo de la sala de conferencias.

Dr. Robert Henderson, secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional y coordinador del evento, lo nombró “una realización estupenda.”

EL CUARTO y último programa de febrero fue la primera presentación anual del premio Bud Billiken a ciudadanos de color distinguidos, quienes han servido de modelos dinámicos y positivos para jóvenes de todas razas.

Este programa presentó una realización por el Coro Juvenil de Greater Walters African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church de Chicago, muchos miembros de cuya congregación se encontraron entre el público.

Los recibidores del Premio Bud Billiken fueron el Honorable Harold Washington, alcalde de Chicago, y Dra. Margaret Burroughs, fundadora y presidente emérito del Museo DuSable de Historia Africana/Americana.

Sr. Washington fue instrumental en obtener la condena de la persecución de los bahá’ís en ‎Iran Irán‎ por el City Council de Chicago, y también firmó dos proclamaciones para eventos bahá’ís, lo más reciente siendo World Religion Day, el 20 de enero.

Al aceptar el premio, Dra. Burroughs habló de su amor y admiración para con los bahá’ís.

Antes de la ceremonia presentó a varias personas con varitas, explicando que esas se ‎usaba usaban‎ como cepillos de dientes en Africa por muchos siglos, y demostrando como se los usaba.

LA OBSERVANCIA, que duró un mes y coincidió con el Mes de Historia del Negro, fue planeado por una fuerza de tarea, dos de los cuales no eran bahá’ís.

Su éxito se demostró por los centenares de visitantes de color que vinieron al Templo durante el ‎més mes‎ de febrero, y por las muchas amistades que se ha establecido con ciudadanos destacados de color en ‎la área el área‎ de Chicago.

Hay planes para nombrar fuerzas de tarea adicionales para desarrollar programas de un mes semejantes en la Casa de Adoración en honor a asiáticos, hispanos e indígenas.

La observancia del Mes de Historia del Negro, de aquí en adelante, será un evento anual en la Casa de Adoración.

Desafíos modernos al enseñar la Fe, y logrando el desarrollo espiritual

Al Redactor:

Cuando se considera ‎el hipérbole la hipérbole‎ desenfrenado en nuestra sociedad, no es sorprendente que tenemos dificultades en atraer la atención de la gente a las enseñanzas bahá’ís.

CONSIDERA un anuncio para soda. Al consumidor se le promete la diversión, juventud, alboroto, acción y el ser miembro de un grupo. Este se ofrece con arte gráfica deslumbradora, velocidad y música entusiasmadora.

Si uno llega cinco minutos después y habla de la civilización mundial, o la ‎harmonía armonía‎ de la religión con la ciencia, es difícil competir con las promesas de un producto de 50 centavos que parece ofrecer tanto.

Cuando ofrecemos esta Fe a otros, tomemos en cuenta la necesidad de expresar que hermosa es para que los otros puedan sentir lo que nosotros sentimos.

Por ejemplo, el poder en esta Fe ha ‎gendrado engendrado‎ como fruta en muy poco tiempo música, arquitectura y jardines formales de los más finos del mundo. Estas formas artísticas encarnan las cualidades espirituales que deseamos comunicar.

Tenemos otros regalos para conmover los corazones. Conozco a una señora bahá’í en una escuela quiropráctica donde un grupo se reunía para rezar en la mañana, un grupo cristiano.

ELLA formó parte del grupo y contribuyó sus oraciones bahá’ís. Los otros se quedaron conmovidos, especialmente por las oraciones para la curación. Esto porque en 2,000 años ningún cristiano ha podido escribir ni una oración tan hermosa como las palabras de Bahá’u’lláh, y Cristo dejó sólo una oración.

Conozco a otra mujer quien fue a un convento y dejó a las 20 monjas casi llorando por la hermosura de las oraciones bahá’ís.

He aquí 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 Mullá Husayn, el océano de las palabras de Bahá’u’lláh, y una familia más cariñosa que la mayoría de los que no son bahá’ís han conocido—la comunidad bahá’í.

Craig Loehle

Aiken, South Carolina

Al Redactor:

Durante una reunión de enseñanza reciente ‎patronizada patrocinada‎ por la Asamblea Nacional Espiritual con las Asambleas Espirituales locales del sur de California para consultar sobre la agenda de la Campaña de Acción Unificada, Chester Kahn, el coordinador, usó la física de la rueda de una carreta para ilustrar la dinámica 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, así las diversas instituciones de la Fe son diseñadas para llevar en adelante el progreso de la Causa de Dios.

Los comentarios del Sr. Kahn ‎se siguió se siguieron‎ por un examen más amplio de la operación de la rueda, incluyendo el cubo, el eje y los cojinetes. Fue indicado que la lubricación es un ingrediente esencial para que la rueda funcione correctamente.

La “lubricación” espiritual se identificó como el cumplimiento del individuo con los cuatro ingredientes básicos del desarrollo espiritual, es decir, (1) las oraciones obligatorias, (2) el ayuno, (3) contribuciones regulares y sacrificatorias al Fondo, y (4) la enseñanza continua.

Dios permita que los amigos, sin más hesitación, se dediquen a cumplir con estos cuatro requisitos básicos.

Rupert Pringle

Whittier, California

Memorial program

A special memorial program honoring Marian Crist Lippitt 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 Gudger-Porter, 413-586-5193 or 413-586-9440.

Novedades de E. B. I. L. A.

EDITORIAL BAHÁ’Í INDO-LATINOAMERICANA Manuel Ugarte 3188 · Buenos Aires · Argentina

El Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís

Recopilación de Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh y ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y cartas de Shoghi Effendi, sobre la necesidad de profundizar las Enseñanzas, realizada por el Departamento de Estudios de la Casa Universal de Justicia.

Enc. rústica - 10 x 15 cm. - 144 págs.

$4.00

Obtenible de: Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 25]

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

File:American Bahá'í 1985-05 25.jpg

This is a photograph of the Bahá’ís of Oakland, California, that was taken in 1934. The National Archives would like to identify the Bahá’ís in the picture. If you have any information about them, please write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

This is a photograph of the Bahá’ís of Oakland, California, that was taken in 1934. The National Archives would like to identify the Bahá’ís in the picture. If you have any information about them, please write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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.

To pre-register, make checks payable to Elizabethtown Bahá’í Fund and mail to George Brehman, registrar, Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís in the field. The board is an example of the Campaign of Unified Action at work.”

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).

Service: Cross-border teaching project.

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON DYC

Location: Beginning in the Northwest, caravaning to the IYC in Columbus, Ohio.

Dates: Tentative?-July 3.

Sponsor: Spiritual Assembly of Issaquah, Washington.

Contact: Sheila Afnan (206-547-1051).

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 (602-283-4821) 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 EFFORT

Location: Moses Lake, Washington.

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 Bahá’í School.

Dates: Ongoing.

Sponsor: Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Contact: Dr. Geoff Marks (313-653-5033.

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 (713-933-0903) or Farhad Kazazi (713-438-4411).

Service: To increase the local communities’ awareness of the Faith and its principles.

In Connecticut, persistent effort pays off as newspaper carries 2 articles on Faith

As a result of patient work over many months by the Bahá’ís of Milford, Connecticut, that city’s newspaper, The Milford Citizen, carried on January 4 two Bahá’í articles on its religion page.

One was a press release on the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran; the other was a feature article written by Tom Armistead, the Milford Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís persisted, and eventually articles about the Faith began to appear.

During the next 18 months, many articles on the plight of Iran’s Bahá’ís were published, drawing the attention of many residents of Milford, a city of about 50,000, to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

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.

New committee to aid deaf, hearing impaired

The National Spiritual Assembly recently appointed a four-member 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 Bahá’ís who are deaf, hearing impaired, or know sign language are requested to contact the committee c/o Barbara Loeding, convenor, 219-10 ‎Minitz Nimitz‎, West Lafayette, IN 47907, and the Bahá’í Sign Newsletter (produced by the Northern Virginia Bahá’í Committee), P.O. Box 128, Boyce, VA 22620.

Our great privilege National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

WAGING PEACE

New from Kalimát Press

WAGING PEACE

Selections from the Bahá’í Writings on Universal Peace A compilation of the words of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi

Where do Bahá’ís stand on the issue of war and peace? These quotations from the Bahá’í Writings—some available 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 Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

• Price valid only in the United States.

[Page 26]

VIE Chart

Continued From Page 5

District Name	‘Starting Block’ Info			Current Month Info (Mulk)
	Membership as of 12/9/84	Number giving	Percentage of participation	Membership (03/13/85)	Number giving	Percentage of participation
Colorado NE
Colorado SE
Colorado W
Connecticut
DelMarVa
Florida C
Florida N
Florida SE
Florida SW
Georgia NE
Georgia NW
Georgia S
Idaho N/Washington E
Idaho S
Illinois N No. 1
Illinois N No. 2
Illinois S
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana N
Louisiana S
Maine
Maryland W/D.C.
Massachusetts
Michigan Mainland
Minnesota N
Minnesota S
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Navajo/Hopi
Nebraska
Nevada N
Nevada S
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico N
New Mexico S/Texas W
New York E
New York W
North Carolina C
North Carolina E
North Carolina W
North Dakota
Ohio N
Ohio S
Oklahoma E
Oklahoma W
Oregon E
Oregon W
Pennsylvania E
Pennsylvania W
Rhode Island
South Carolina C
South Carolina E No. 1
South Carolina E No. 2
South Carolina N
South Carolina S No. 1
South Carolina S No. 2
South Carolina W
South Dakota
Tennessee E
Tennessee W
Texas C No. 1
Texas C No. 2
Texas E No. 1
Texas E No. 2
Texas N
Texas S
Utah
Vermont
Virginia N
Virginia S
Washington NW
Washington SW
West Virginia
Wis. N/Peninsular Mich.
Wisconsin S
Wyoming

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 performance.”

The fourth and final February program was the first annual presentation of the Bud Billiken Award to distinguished black citizens 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 Bahá’ís, and also signed two proclamations for Bahá’í 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 long-standing love and admiration for the Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’ís.

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 American 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 Bahá’í teachings to one’s daily life. For his essays on that theme, he drew upon his lifetime of study and considerable knowledge of the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Race unity

Continued From Page 12

“God did not make these divisions,” He affirms, “these divisions have had their origin in man himself.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, 31)

“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 Bahá’u’lláh.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 29)

It is words such as the above that inspire and motivate Bahá’ís to take up the insistent challenge of overcoming racial disunity and prejudice. Bahá’ís 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 mankind.—Duane D. Dumbleton [Page 27]

Ten years ago...

... in The American Bahá’í

Special guests at the 66th Bahá’í 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 two-year training program for local Spiritual Assemblies that is designed to help their members develop a fuller understanding of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Villaseñor, a Bahá’í who is a well-known Indian artist; and other Bahá’ís from the Oneida, Yakima and Cupa tribes ...

The first teaching institute for all of the Bahamas is held in the newly acquired National Hazíratu’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 Bahá’í owner. Suitable for retirement, available immediately. Please contact the Assembly c/o Hampson, Canon City, CO 81212, or phone 303-275-8039.

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 Bahá’ís 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 tailor-made 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 Bahá’í 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 416-889-8168.

WANTED: anyone who is free to come and help re-establish an Assembly in Washington state’s 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 Oehlwein, 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 ADABAS‎, or NATURAL experience preferred. Send salary history and resumé to the Spiritual Assembly of Pierre, P.O. Box 954, Pierre, SD 57501.

Bahá’í in Virginia wins praise for patient education

Annette Rykwalder, a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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.

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.

In Memoriam

Pictured at a weekend Board team deepening November 30-December 1 at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California, are Counsellors Fred Schechter and Velma Sherrill, Auxiliary Board members Joyce Dahl, Margaret Gallagher and Anthony F. Lease, and assistants to the three Auxiliary Board members.

Tooran Aflatooni Bremerton, WA February 8, 1985	Frank K. Kinney Vero Beach, FL March 1, 1985	William Potts Maywood, IL December 21, 1984
Henrietta Bompus Rock, WV March 13, 1985	Pearl Kirchner Bloomington, MN March 2, 1985	Ataeyh Ramzi Los Angeles, CA February 26, 1985
Kenneth Bonaparte Orangeburg, SC November 3, 1984	David L. Koonce Ayden, NC Date Unknown	Martha Rinkowski Woodhaven, NY Date Unknown
Florence Bradley Ozone, AR February 23, 1982	Linda May Lehi Blanding, UT December 1984	Caroline Romero Espanola, NM Date Unknown
Esther Brown New York, NY June 9, 1984	Edvard Lindstrom Bedford, NH February 24, 1985	Einullah Rowshan Bethlehem, PA Date Unknown
Harry R. Copsy Pacoima, CA March 9, 1985	Janet Lindstrom Bedford, NH July 3, 1984	David Samuel Timmonsville, SC Date Unknown
Adrian Crampton Kittery, ME 1984	Norma Luker Urbana, IL February 26, 1985	Alice Sheldon Selma, AL Date Unknown
Booker Crumpton Selma, AL Date Unknown	Ken Mahan Sandsprings, OK March 24, 1984	Vera B. Terry Saginaw, MI October 25, 1984
Gabriel Figueroa Bisbee, AZ December 30, 1984	Dessie Majar Bennettsville, SC 1973	Meta Wetterau Milwaukee, WI April 17, 1982
Donald Frazier Orangeburg, SC 1982	‎Danel Daniel‎ T. Mejia Wapato, WA Date Unknown	Marilyn Whitehouse Dallas, TX March 26, 1985
Jan T. Graham Casper, WY February 8, 1985	Judge McDonald Florence, SC Date Unknown	Charles Williams Topeka, KS March 1985
Dale Hitchcock Sterling, IL Date Unknown	George Mitchell Selma, AL August 1984	Harry Williams Grand Prairie, TX December 1984
Ruth C. Hoffman Salisbury, MD March 10, 1985	Mahmud Mohtadi Campbell, CA January 28, 1985	Lizzie Williams Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown
Emmy L. Hofmann Grover City, CA September 1, 1984	Archie Moore Bronx, NY February 28, 1985	Lizzie Williams Florence, SC Date Unknown
Berry Holloway Pompano Beach, FL March 22, 1985	Behrouz Nourgostar Mission Viejo, CA January 7, 1985	Rosa Bell Williams Union Springs, AL June 12, 1984
Susana Javier Fremont, CA March 11, 1985	John V. Para Lawrence, KS January 30, 1985	Irene Woods Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown
Margot Jay Sandpoint, ID Date Unknown	Zula Pardis Placerville, CA November 23, 1984	Ozieb Wright Grand Prairie, TX Date Unknown
John Henry Jones Union Springs, AL April 1984	Viola Pittman Fairmont, NC 1984

[Page 28]

Letters

Continued From Page 3

exhortations is to “honor one’s parents” (Synopsis and Codification, p. 49)

To “honor” means to treat with respect or deference; to revere; to venerate; to regard with respectful and affectionate awe.

To honor one’s parents means to love them, to care for them, to pay attention to them, to spend time with them, and to be concerned with their well-being and happiness, regardless of whether or not they are Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’í.

Margaret Ruhe

Haifa, Israel

To the Editor:

As a new Bahá’í 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 I was almost completely absorbed in my own personal transformation, I was even more perplexed about how to teach my children about the Faith.

My close Bahá’í 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!

Rebecca A. McKenty

Shorewood, Wisconsin

Navajo-Hopi project

The Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee is sponsoring a comprehensive teaching project May 27-September 2.

The project will focus on service, teaching and deepening, and will be based at and proceed from the Native American Bahá’í 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.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

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

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

A
1.	ID#	Title	Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames
2.	ID#	Title	Full name
3.	ID#	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 Bahá’í community			Moving date
E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:		F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Area Code     Number		Area Code     Number	Name
		Area Code     Number	Name
G
[ ] We receive extra copies because: [ ] We do not have the same last name. [ ] We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.		[ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.	[ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER Wilmette, Illinois 60091

BAHÁ’Í FAITH

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í community life.

My life was rife with instability and non-Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 got a “numerical” enrollment—not 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’lláh, 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:

I am writing to express my concern over an issue that has bothered me for the past few years.

EVERY year at this time, when Bahá’ís engage in the month of fasting, I encounter many well-meaning but rather insensitive Bahá’ís 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.

Bahá’ís should be aware of the truth of the adage, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Regarding the fast, Bahá’u’lláh has written: “He has exempted from this (the fast) those who are weak from illness or age,” and “the traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or giving 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’lláh. 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 Pershing

Chicago, Illinois