The American Bahá’í/Volume 16/Issue 6/Text

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June, 1985

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[Page 1]

dune 1985

The American

Baha'i

76th Convention lays groundwork for victory

Left photo: Robert Henderson (lef) and James Nelson keep things moving along during the

Nine Baha’is hear Secretary of State decry persecutions

A nine-member Baha’; delegation took part April 15-16 in an International Conference on Religious Liberty co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and several religious bodies.

IN OPENING the conference, which was held at the State Department in Washington, Secretary of State George Schultz described the Iranian government of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as “a blight on the history of Islam’’ for its brutal persecution of the Baha’ is in that country.

At the final session, held in the Old Executive Building adjacent to the White House, President Ronald Reagan, addressing an audience of selected conference participants, also mentioned the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran.

Baha’is attending the event included Dr. Peter Khan, a Coun See LIBERTY Page 4 Index

National Convention. Center: A delegate casts his vote for the members of the National Spiritual

Assembly. Right: There’s always time to stop and write a check for the National Fund.

WHAT A THRILL, A

SPECIAL JOY YOUR MESSAGE OF UNITY

HAS INSPIRED IN OUR HEARTS. THE HOPE, THE CERTITUDE

MUNITY A RALLYING POINT

AT CONVEYS WILL SURELY MAKE OF YOUR BELOVED COM OF ACTION, A BASTION OF

SUCCESS. THAT YOU MAY EXCEED BY FAR YOUR HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS WILL BE THE OBJECT OF OUR ARDENT SUPPLICATIONS ON YOUR BEHALF AT THE HOLY THRESHOLD.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

APRIL 30, 1985

The 76th Baha’i National Convention was held April 25-28 in an atmosphere charged with unshakable optimism as the American Baha’i community reviewed the many remarkable accomplishments of B.E. 141 and prepared for a final push toward victory in the Seven Year Plan.

SPECIAL guests at the Convention, which was held this year at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, included Counsellors Sarah Martin Pereira, Fred Schechter and Velma Sherrill; Jamshed K. Fozdar, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sri Lanka; Auxiliary Board member D. Thelma Jackson; and former Counsellor Edna M. True.

In addition, Mrs. Helen Gard

Thousands of youth, other Baha’is to attend ‘Triple Conference’ in Ohio

Thousands of Baha’is will be at tending the “‘triple conference’ to be held July 3-7 at Ohio State University in Columbus, and those who have not yet registered are urged to do so as quickly as possible. ALONG with the International Youth Conference, which is attracting young Baha’is from every continent, a Parent Conference and Children’s Conference will also be held.

The Parent Conference will feature the same speakers as the Youth Conference including the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem; Counsellor Hooper Dunbar, a member of the International Teaching Centre; Counsellors for the Americas Farzam Arbab and Fred Schechter; and members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the U.S. and Canada.

“This is the first time, to my knowledge, that such a wide-ranging event has taken place,”’ says Karen Pritchard, secretary of the National Youth Committee. “There truly is something for everyone! Not only will the youth have an inspiring and dynamic program, but their families will be given an opportunity to share the spirit with a program that is specifically designed to aid the youth in reaching their potential in service to the Cause of God.””

In addition, Baha’i children ages 18 months through 11 years will take part in an excellent program that will reinforce their Baha’i identity and help them to con Registration form, Page 7

nect their hearts with Bahá’u’lláh.

Registration for all three programs is simple. Those who wish to attend are urged to use the conference registration form on the Youth Page in this issue of The American Baha’.

WHILE June 1 was the deadline for early registration, all attendees are asked to pre-register using the form on Page 7 to facilitate on-site check-in.

Travel to and from the conference will provide many of the participants with an opportunity to teach.

A variety of pre- and post-conference projects is being coordinated in all areas of the country, and the National Teaching Com mittee is keeping a current list of all such projects. For details,

simply write to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

The friends should also note the following opportunities for service during the conference:

° A food drive is being sponsored by the Baha’i College Club at Ohio State. Attendees are asked to bring a small donation of boxed or canned food items and drop them off at registration. All food will be donated to an area agency for distribution to the needy.

A blood drive is also being set

up by the’Columbus area Bahá’ís in cooperation with the Red Cross. Participants are asked to

See CONFERENCE Page 7

Newsletter for non-Baha’is produced

under National Assembly’s auspices

The National Spiritual Assembly has begun publishing a new quarterly newsletter, ‘U.S. Baha’i Report,”’ aimed at officials in government and the United Nations and leaders of thought in other areas such as education, religion, philanthropy and various professional disciplines.

The first issue, Spring 1985, contains accounts of the White House observance last December of Human Rights Day, at which President Reagan referred to the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran, and the repudiation by Iran’s UN ambassador of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“U.S. Baha’i Report’ is being prepared for the National Assembly under the supervision of its Office of External Affairs. The press run for the first issue was 2,500.

At the National Convention in April, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, director of the Office of External Affairs, announced that ‘U.S. Baha’i Report”’ would be made available to those Bahd’{s who wish to subscribe at a cost of $10 per year (four issues).

ner and David Gardner, the widow and son of Counsellor Lloyd Gardner who died March 5 at his home in Canada, were present at a special memorial service for Counsellor Gardner which: was

Text of the National Spiritual Assembly’s annual report, Page 29

held Thursday evening in the auditorium at the House of Worship immediately preceding the opening of the Convention.

On Friday morning the delegates proceeded without delay to the tasks at hand, heartened by the ringing affirmation of the Universal House of Justice in its Ridvan message to the Baha’is of the world:

“Victory in the Plan is now within sight and at its completion the summation of its achievements may well.astonish us all.””

Consultation on that message was both wide-ranging and direct, with special emphasis on the following passage:

“THE TIME has come for the Bahdé’i community to become more involved in the life of the society around it, without in the least supporting any of the world’s moribund and divisive concepts, or slackening its direct teaching efforts, but rather, by 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.’’

Besides the annual reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Office of the Treasurer, each of which was presented Friday morning, the delegates and guests heard reports by the International Goals Committee, National Teaching Committee, National Youth Committee, PersianAmerican Affairs Committee, Race Unity Committee, Social and Economic Development Committee, and Office of External Affairs.

On Saturday morning the delegates, 158 of whom were present at the Convention, assembled at the House of Worship to elect the

See CONVENTION Page 24

[Page 2]

VIEWPOI

The American Baha'i

Judge James Nelson among guests at UNA-USA luncheon in New York

Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, was one of more than 100 honored guests at a luncheon given at the annual convention in New York City of the United Nations Association of the U.S.

THE UNA-USA, a non-goyernmental organization dedicated

to the support and improvement of the United Nations, is comprised of local UNA chapters throughout the country and more than 100 member organizations including the Baha’is of the U.S.

The national convention was held April 29-May 1 with the. luncheon for heads of organiza

Faryab Lohrasbi, a Bahá’í youth who came to the from Iran in 1980, is one of 71 high school students in Nashville, Tennessee, honored with a top science award

from the Tennessee Science Chair Award Symposium. He is pictured

addressing the other honor students at a breakfast ceremony tended by the mayor of Nashville. Faryab’s father, Mahmoud Lohrasbi, was the first Baha’i to be imprisoned in Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

tions held Tuesday, April 30.

Monireh M. Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN representative, attended the entire conference, which this year was focused on the issue of global peace.

Convention speakers included Professor Joseph Nye of Harvard University and Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Shustov of the Soviet Mission to the UN on nuclear non-proliferation, and Jack Smith of the Stanley Foundation on grassroots action to support the UN.

Among the Baha’is attending was Mrs. Evelyn Diliberto, president of the UNA chapter in Long, Beach, California.

MANY other UNA chapter presidents said they had Baha'is on their executive boards. Mrs. Peggy Sanford Carlin, senior vicepresident of the UNA-USA, praised the efforts of Baha’is working with local UNA chapters.

Ms. Kazemzadeh said she was “pleased to see that Bahá’ís are working at the local level to support the UN through their involvement with UNA-USA.

“Their contribution,’’ she said, “thas a very positive effect on other UNA members and ultimately on the UNA itself.”

Ms. Kazemzadeh added that she hopes that more Baha’is will become involved in local UNA work, citing it as one more way in which the American Baha’i community can demonstrate the Baha’i commitment to the work of the United Nations.

A oo a The Campaign of Unified Action was the topic for discussion among Assemblies, Groups and individuals March 30 as 174 Baha’is from Oregon and Washington state met in Portland, Oregon, to consult with Judge Dorothy Nelson, treasurer of the National Spirit Assembly, about their

The National Persian/American Affairs Committee (NPAAC) was formed in 1979 to help in the resettlement of Persian Baha’is in the U.S. and their integration into the American Baha’i community.

The committee has since established 16 Area Persian/American Affairs Committees in regions where there is a high concentration of Persian friends. These areas are:

Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego,

California; San Francisco Bay

Comment Systematic

This report outlines in brief a project initiated last year in southern Wisconsin entitled ‘‘Finder of Lost Baha’is.””

ITS PURPOSE was to either locate or verify the lack of a forwarding address for 78 Baha’is in the southern area of the state.

In November 1984, the project was approved by the District

Teaching Committee of Southern ——EEEEE

The American Baha’i

(USPS 042-430) Published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, $36 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL. 60091

Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Membership and Records, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, 11, 60091.

Editor: Jack Bowers

Editorial Assistant: Laura E, Hildreth

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

effort to find ‘lost Baha’is’ pays off

Wisconsin and -a list of missing Baha’ is (that is, those encoded as “mail returns’) was obtained from the National Teaching Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center. One person was enlisted to perform this service.

The project was begun in mid January and was completed at Naw-Rúz, March 21.

Of the 78 persons listed as mail returns, two-thirds had been transferred to mail return status before 1984 and one-third before. 1980. No date of transfer occurred earlier than 1977.

The following methods were used:

Phone directory. This was by far the easiest and one of the most productive sources of information. Many people were found through this method, some of whom had been listed as ‘‘missing’’ since 1977.

Directory assistance. This easy method was quite helpful since phone numbers ana addresses can be procured if requested. At

This month’s article, ‘‘Finder of Lost Baha’is,”’ is by Tim Wilson of Madison, Wisconsin.

times, when only the town a person had moved to was known, this was sufficient to find him or her.

City directory. While this helped very little if used after the phone directory/directory assistance to find someone, it did provide a good source for verifying that an individual no longer lived at a certain address.

Members of the community. This was an invaluable source for finding persons not located by means of the other methods listed here, and is the richest source of information. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive and the most difficult to avail oneself of.

Post Office. This method can only reveal that a person is no longer at an address or that he/she has a forwarding address. Since the Post. Office can’t reveal even the town to which a person has moved, it becomes the last resort

for finding an address or for verifying that no further address is known.

Of the 78 persons encoded as mail returns, 48 were found to have addresses, 30 were verified as having no further address to which to forward mail, and 13 additional persons were found to have changed addresses that were not on the listing.

Of the 48 who were found, five were deceased and three were administrative corrections (usually a double I.D. listing).

Among the heartwarming sidelights of the project:

° A family of four who had been listed as missing since 1977 was found, and all of them expressed pleasure at the thought of re-entering the Baha’i community.

¢ A man who was also ‘‘missing’’ since 1977 was found to have moved only a mile up the same road from his previous known address, and, after an eight-year absence, he showed up at his community’s annual meeting.

role in developing and implementing the campaign. The day-long consultation was centered around

removing impediments to individual initiative. Pictured with Judge Nelson during a break in the proceedings is Quddús Addison. (Photo by Larry Pedersen)

Persian/American Affairs Committee establishes 16 regional arms in U.S.

area; Los Angeles; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Salt Lake City, Utah; New York-New Jersey-Connecticut; Southern Louisiana; Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.

This initiative was supported by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated March 8, 1983, in which the Supreme Institution recommended to the National Spiritual Assembly that it ‘‘expand the wonderful services of the Persian Affairs Committee through the instrumentality of the regional committees.””

The over-all goal of an area committee is to serve as a resource agency for the local Assemblies in its area, and to work toward the early achievement of the integration of the community.

Fourteen of the area committees were formerly under the jurisdiction of local Assemblies. As of Ridvan 1985, all 16 of the atea committees were placed under the direct jurisdiction and supervision of the National Persian/American Affairs Committee to facilitate communication and coordination, especially in the area of refugee resettlement.

Youth need help

Native American youth from all over the country need your help to get to the International Baha’i Youth Conference in Ohio.

A dollar would go a long way for this all-important cause. Please send to: National Teaching Committee, earmarked for that purpose. Thank you!

ren st nn SESSA ESOT ES ST SS SSS ES SS ESSE SSE SERRE SES

[Page 3]LETTERS

dune 1985

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

To the Editor:

After reading the comments of one writer (March) regarding the practicing of “non-medical health care methods such as manipulation of, or applying pressure to, various parts of the body,”’ I felt moved to respond.

AS A licensed practicing Doctor of Chiropractic—which uses primarily the adjustment (or manipulation) of various parts of the body to restore health—I acknowledged the letter as a plea for more factual information on this subject, which I have found to be generally misunderstood within the Baha’i community.

Although this is a complicated issue, a brief clarification may prove helpful:

The letter could be construed as pertaining to chiropractic, naturopathy, therapeutic massage, touch for health, reflexology, acupressure, Shiatsu, or other natural systems of healing.

In this regard, the term ‘‘medical’’ should be examined.

It can apply to ‘‘medicines,” i.e., drugs, or to any system that is health-related—and in this respect, these systems are medical.

If, however, the writer intended “‘unscientific’? or ‘“‘unapproved’”’ treatment—which is how many people erroneously categorize the above-mentioned systems—it should be clarified that each has sound anatomical, physiological principles and established laws of physics as its foundation, even though these principles are not widely understood by the general population or even by many “medical authorities’ or ‘‘scientists.””

REGARDING approval of treatment, I find it interesting that many drugs which have been developed during the last 20 or so years are approved by both the American Medical Association and the Food and Drug Administration although the long-term effects on our kidneys or liver cannot possibly be known at this time, while acupuncture, which has been an accepted system of healing in China for 5,000 years, is considered ‘‘experimental’’ by the AMA.

Regarding the claim of inspiration from the Sacred Writings, it

is clear that advances in the arts, sciences and religion occurred in the middle or late 1800s, and that among these were the development of chiropractic, osteopathy and homeopathy.

This, however, does not guarantee their effectiveness, nor approval of them by the Faith, and any reference to that effect would obviously be 4 misconception.

Finally, regarding the quotation from the Guardian which the writer says needs ‘‘no further elaboration,”’ re-reading the passage in light of the above-mentioned facts should reveal that it pertains primarily to ‘‘spiritual’’ healers, not to people using known scientific methods or disciplines.

Of course, one should be selective about what methods he pesmits to be used on his body—but the ion should be based on solid information.

At issue is the fundamental principle of ‘‘independent investigation of truth.’’ This does not mean we should all be expected to behave identically or hold identical views, but that through our best understanding of the facts that we hold something to be true—for ourselves—without expecting everyone else to adopt the same attitude.

I thank the writer for the letter, and thank the editor for prov: a forum for the exchange of opinions among Bahda’is.

Rick D. Brown, B.S., D.C. Ashland, Ohio

To the Editor:

In answer to the questions put forth in a letter (March) from John Aron Grayzel:

Please read page 15 in that same issue, which contains a review of the book, The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900. I think in this article you will find hope!

Teresa Todd Rolfe Santa Barbara, California

To the Editor:

The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of January 23 to all National Spiritual Assemblies, is telling us that the United Nations International Year of Peace (1986) is actually the International Year of Working for Peace.

One of the facets of peace that is interesting to the Bahaa Esperanto-Ligo (BEL) is ‘‘world peace through world language.””

Since 1973, when the House of Justice approved the establishment of BEL, we have not relaxed in our work for ‘‘world peace through world: language.”’ With adherents in more than 30 countries, we have managed to spread the Faith into every continent by means of Esperanto.

We understand, of course, that Baha’u’llah has ordained the appointment of an international committee of experts to choose a universal’ auxiliary language. So far, Esperanto is the only universal auxiliary language that is working world-wide.

The members of BEL are striv ing for ‘‘world peace through world language”’ until such time as the universal auxiliary language is officially chosen. Now almost 100 years old, Esperanto has proved itself worthy of adoption.

In the work of the Baha’is of the world for the International Year of Peace in 1986, the Bahaa Esperanto-Ligo stands ready and eager to help in any way possible. For information, suggestions or literature, please write to us at Desert Rose Mobile Home Park,

Gallup,

NM _ 87301, or phone 505-8636701.

Mrs. Roan Orloff Stone

Gallup, New Mexico

To the Editor:

I would like to add these thoughts to the recent discussion of numerical goals.

THOSE who express concern about the “‘numbers game’’ are absolutely right.

However, I would suggest that the problem lies not in the existence of numerical goals, which are necessary if we are to achieve anything at all, but in the misinterpretation of them by all too many believers and communities who do not see that the number itself is not the real goal but only the means to an end.

What, after all, is our ultimate goal? Surely, that there should be a healthy, functioning Spiritual Assembly in every locality, everywhere, and that every person, everywhere, should have an opportunity to learn of and to accept the healing Message of the Faith.

It is also clear that this is a qualitative, rather than a quantitative, goal.

But how are we to monitor our progress toward this goal, which when faced in its entirety seems overwhelming?

IT IS obvious that the numbers are at best a crude measure of how closely we may be approaching this ideal, but they are the only measure we have to keep tabs on how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.

Numerical goals, then, are a means of breaking down what we still must achieve into manageable units.

And—unfortunately—the state of our maturity is such that without such concrete measurements as these numbers provide, our progress would be, at best, much slower, despite the urgency presented by the conditions of our time.

I'd like to illustrate the truth of that statement by recounting a true experience:

At the very first Feast I ever attended, there was a great controversy—so much so that I wondered what on earth I had gotten myself into—when one of the believers suggested that the community adopt a target goal for the local Fund.

Not long afterward the Assembly did set such a goal, choosing a figure slightly higher than the average monthly total then being

contributed.

IT WASN’T long before it became clear that this goal was readily achieved at every Feast, and so the goal was doubled.

Again, it wasn’t long before the new goal was being met comfortably every month, and it was therefore doubled again.

The new goal was sometimes met and sometimes not; the community had found its level. But you may note that, solely by set‘ting specific goals, the community had in fact quadrupled its monthly contribution to the Fund.

The same principle applies to the teaching work and to every other aspect of our lives: we need the spur that goals provide.

Already, we are lagging far behind the needs of the world in spreading the Faith and developing the administrative institutions, and as circumstances worsen and our task becomes ever more urgent, we need every kind of help we can devise for ourselves if we are to fulfill our sacred obligation and accomplish our mission in the diminishing time at our disposal.

We must, however, keep our sights on our ultimate goal, and recognize the numerical goals for what they are: the stages on our way.

Judith Ehrich Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire

To the Editor:

I was intrigued by the suggestion in the letter from Jo-Ann Maxine Stephens (April) that we could benefit from some ‘‘spiritual genealogy” by tracing our spiritual ancestors through our first Baha’i teacher on back.

Not only does this sound like it would be fun, it could also lead to the discovery of important Baha’i historical facts such as how the Faith spread to a particular locality, how a Spiritual Assembly was formed, and what Baha’is contributed to the development of the American Baha’i community and others around the world.

Future researchers will be fascinated by details that are so close to us that they seem mundane. Fortunately, we have books such as The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 (released by the Publishing Trust in April) to help us put these details into perspective.

How many of us know who the first. American Baha’i woman was, or how many Baha’i localities there were in 1899? How many of us understand what really happened when America’s first Baha’ teacher broke the Covenant after bringing more than 1,500 people into the Faith? Or how the early Baha’is dealt with this ordeal?

Robert Stockman’s new book (the first of several volumes to uncover our spiritual ‘‘roots’’ on this. continent) will help us to see how our past has helped to shape our present, and how our present can have a bearing on our future.

Perhaps if we take note of historical links we can gather now, it

will be an important record for those in the future who will want to know more about us as individuals and as a sociological group

in America today. Anne Gordon Atkinson Wilmette, Illinois

To the Editor:

I agree with J.A. Grayzel (March) that religion and science must be in harmony. I also agree that we Bahá’ís must be careful when presenting the Faith to seekers and sharing our belief in Baha’u’llah’s ability to affect ‘‘precise events’ occurring in the world today, whether these be major or minor events.

ON THE other hand, I have also come to realize that few “world events,’’ especially those related to the Divine Plan, fall into the category of ‘‘undisciplined (01) unsupported wishful thinking.”

There is always a reason for things happening the way they do,

See LETTERS Page 23

from the Baha'i Publishing Trust

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‘THE BAHA'I FAITH INAMERICA

Origins 1892-1900

by ROBERT 1H STOCKMAN

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‘Available from

Baháa’i Distribution Service

415.LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091 1-800-323-1880

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[Page 4]The American Baha’i

Ciiainpion

MABEL HYDE PAINE

Mabel Hyde Paine is perhaps best known to Baha’is as the person who compiled the book titled The Divine Art of Living, which is composed of extracts from the Baha’i writings and which has served as both an introduction to the Faith and as a deepening source for Baha’is.

BORN December 7, 1877, in Rockville, Connecticut, Mabel Hyde was one of five children. Her father, who was pastor of the Congregational Church in Rockville, died when Mabel was two years old.

After graduating from high school at the top’ of her class, Mabel taught in a country school to earn money for college. With the help of a scholarship, she was able to attend Wellesley College, but suffered an attack of typhoid fever shortly after beginning her studies and was forced to return home.

After recovering, she again” taught school to earn enough money to return to Wellesley, which she was able to do.

One of Mabel’s teachers commented about her exactness and her “‘unusual brilliance of mind and strength of character.”’ She was graduated from college in 1902.

Six years later she met and married Ellery Burton Paine, a faculty member in the University of Illinois’ department of electrical engineering. Although Professor Paine never became a Bahá’í, he remained a close friend of the Faith.

IT WAS after moving to Urbana, Illinois, with her husband that Mrs. Paine, a Unitarian, learned of the Faith from a Unitarian minister, Albert Vail.

In 1915 Mrs. Paine became a Baha’i and resigned from the church, as did Mr. Vail and several other members of the church

See PAINE Page 31

Liberty

Continued From Page 1

sellor member of the International Teaching Centre, and four members of the National Spiritual Assembly: Dr. Wilma Brady, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Judge Dorothy Nelson and Judge James Nelson.

The other members of the Baha’i delegation, all of whom were invited to the session with ident Reagan, were Dr. jam Hatcher, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and professor of mathematics at Laval University in Quebec; Dr. Udo Schaefer, chief public prosecutor of the District Courts of Heidelberg, West Germany; Dr. Amin Banani, professor of Middle Eastern Studies at UCLA; and Dr. Juan Ricardo Cole, professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Brady was the only black American among the more than 200 conference participants from the U.S. and abroad. Less than 10 per cent of the registrants were women.

_THE conference included panel ussions on “‘The State of Religious Freedom,” ‘‘Religious Freedom in the Third World,” “Support of Religious Witness in Eastern Europe,” and ‘Action

Dallas film recounts story of Baha’i

“Today the overriding need is unity and harmony among the beloved of the Lord, for they should have among them but one heart and soul ...""—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

.

For many months now, a group of Baha’is in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area have been devoting their time and their hearts to a special project for the national Persian/American Affairs Committee.

THESE friends are bringing to life a screenplay written by Dorothy Freeman, the author of From Copper to Gold.

“For a Drop of the Lover’s Blood”’ is the story of a Persian girl who, while in prison awaiting martyrdom, recalls a visit to the U.S. a few years earlier.

Through flashbacks, the film portrays her impressions of the diversity and freedom that we as American Baha’is experience.

At the same time, the young girl senses the difficulties and occasional friction that such diversity can produce.

As she is about to die for her faith, she dreams that the differences in America have been resolved and that the light of unity has indeed enveloped this community.

The decision to make the film was only the first step in a long process. Next, a producer and director had to be located and a script written,

The Persian/American Affairs Committee contacted Manout

for International Religious Freedom.””

Dr. Kazemzadeh was chosen to serve on the panel discussing the state of religious freedom.

Each session had three or four speakers for some 20 minutes each, followed by discussion and questions from other participants.

Mr. Schultz, in his opening re marks, said, ‘‘Religious intolerance and repression are not limited to the Communist totalitarian societies. “Tran today, for example, has viciously repressed religious minorities in a manner far exceeding in brutality any of the previous excesses of the Shah.

“Members of the Baha’i Faith have been killed, imprisoned and persecuted, not only in violation of the universal principle of freedom of worship, but ironically, also the Islamic tradition of rel ious tolerance. Khomeini’s rule is a blight on the history of Islam.””

The U.S. government must, he said, ‘‘support in whatever way we can those around the world who seek only to worship God without fear of persecution and who struggle against the state’s efforts to control their thoughts and beliefs.

“Whether it is to be the rights of Jews in the Soviet Union to live as Jews, the rights of Baha’is in Iran to live as Baha’is, the rights

chehr Kazemzadeh who agreed to become the film’s executive producer.

CLARE Menking then offered to serve as producer/director, and when Dorothy Freeman heard about the project she volunteered to write the script.

Once the initial story line had been determined, months were spent writing the script which was then sent to the Persian/American Affairs Committee for its approval.

In January, Manoutchehr and Clare introduced the project to the Baha’is in the Dallas area. Twice as many people as expected came to the initial meeting.

Since that time more than 100 people have become involved (including a cast of 50). The friends have put in many long hours, but the complaints have been few.

The confirmations of the Blessed Beauty have also been amazing. For example, when the cast and crew arrived at an empty warehouse to shoot a prison scene, they were surprised to find a piano there.

No one knew where it had come from; it had not been there when the warehouse was inspected earlier.

THE PRESENCE of the piano enabled Farzad Khozain, the Baha’i musician who has devoted his time and talent to composing original music for the film, to use the inspiration of the moment to write

Pictured (left to right) are members of the Baha’i delegation to the International Conference on Religious Liberty held April 15-16 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.: Di z K:

of Buddhists in Vietnam to live as Buddhists, we must lend our support, moral and otherwise, to this most basic of human needs.

“We owe it to ourselves, to the world, and to God to protect and promote religious liberty everywhere.””

Co-sponsoring the conference with the State Department were

scene’ for the film ‘For a Drop of the Lover’s Blood’ which is being produced for the National

the score for that scene on the spot.

On another occasion a scene was to be taped at the Bahá’í Center. On the day of the taping it was found that additional furniture would be needed to create the proper atmosphere.

Quite unexpectedly, one of the friends arrived and offered the use of a great deal of furniture and lovely rugs from her home. They were immediately brought to the Center and the work proceeded on schedule.

The Persian/American Affairs Committee recognizes the hardships and struggles often encoun

zemzadeh, Dr. Udo Schaefer, Judge Dorothy Nelson, Dr. Peter Khan, Dr. William Hatcher, Di

ima Brady, Dr. Amin Banani Judge James Nelson, Dr. Juan Ricardo Cole.

the Institute on Religiori and Democracy, the American Jewish Committee, the National Associa tion of Evangelicals, the AntiDefamation League of B’nai B'rith, and the Jacques Maritain Center at Notre Dame University.

Baha’i participation in the conference was arranged by the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs.

Persian/American Affairs Committee by a group of Bahá’ís in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area.

tered by the Persian Baha’is as they try to adapt to life in this country.

We, as a community of Americans, Persians and many others, are trying to be Baha’is together. We may occasionally stumble or fall, but together we can /earn to be Baha’is of one heart and soul.

The experience of producing “For a Drop of the. Lover’s Blood’’ has caused this to happen at our local level: we hope that the film will do the same for the rest of the American Baha’i community.—Margaret Menking (assistant producer)

bea eT STERN SNR AAR A MO ATR AACR RR AE MAS TE A NN RRM BAe AS er ne MR a ne

[Page 5]

THE FUNDS

dune 1985

Treasurer’s Office unveils new Bank Draft System to promote regular giving to Baha’i Fund

In response to numerous requests, a Bank Draft System was unveiled in April at the Baha’i National Convention.

THIS new system is an optional method of contributing to the National Fund. It focuses on the principle of giving regularly.

The Bank Draft System benefits both the contributor and the National Fund.

Benefits to the contributor:

eliminates the cost of postage.

Benefits to the National Fund:

eliminates the cost of postage,

receipts, return Fund envelopes and bank deposits.

To enroll, you can follow these three easy steps:

Step 1. Provide written authorization to the National Spiritual Assembly to charge your bank account each month. (See ‘‘Authotization to Charge My Bank Account”’ cutout below.)

Step 2. Attach a sample void

check to the authorization making sure that the bank name and account number are clear.

Step 3. Mail the authorization and check to: National Baha’i Fund, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Once you have enrolled in the Bank Draft System, the National Baha’i Fund will charge your bank account the amount you have specified on your authorization.

Each withdrawal will be noted in your monthly bank statement. You will not receive a monthly receipt from the Treasurer’s Office but an annual statement will be mailed to you in January.

At present, the system is not able to handle earmarked contributions. These should be made separately.

Each contribution through the Bank Draft System is noted as one “thousehold.”” The ‘‘household’’ figures are included in the monthly National Fund participation chart.

If you have any questions about the new Bank Draft System, please write: National Baha’i Fund, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE MY BANK ACCOUNT

1, (Print full name)

Sia

(Street, city, state, Zip code)

hereby authorize the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States to charge my account each month the fixed amount of Se

Attached is a void check which names the bank and account number to which the above amount is to be charged.

On Saturday, March 9, the Baha’is of Round Rock, Texas, organized a ‘GOOD’ (Get Out of Debt) fund-raising dinner party and auction. About 90 people from Round Rock and nearby communities attended, and $3,002 was raised for the National Fund. Not long before, the Baha’is of San Marcos said they would top Round Rock’s initial $100 contribution to the campaign and challenged Round Rock and other Assemblies to ‘stay in the game.’ Round Rock’s response was to organize its fund-raiser to say to the friends in San Mai » ‘We'll see you and raise you.

7 “/hanle You For your participation

in the Day of Unity and Sacrifice

“«. . .the unity of the friends in sacrifice draws upon them the confirmation of the Blessed Beauty.”’ —The Universal House of Justice

Signed: Baha’i 1.D. Number: \e Y Date: Mesermnomee so OEE Mail to: NATIONAL BAHA’i FUND, WILMETTE, IL 60091. lowa leads way with resounding 77.1 per cent 9 oa Contributions to the National Baha’i Fund by District Winners Circle ‘Starting Block’ Info Current Month Info (‘Alé) _ District Name Membership Number Percentage of _| Membership Number Percentage of ‘ (12/9/84) giving participation (03/13/85) giving participation Highest Percentage Participation | Most Improved Participation Ribena 1. lowa 1. Oregon, Eastern ‘Alabama S/Florida NW 2. Montana 2. South Carolina, East No. 1 ArischaN 3. Minnesota, Northern 3. Montana Arizona S 4, Nevada, Southern 4. Iowa Arkansas 5. Maine 5. Nevada, Southern California C No. | 6. New Hampshire 6. West Virginia California C No. 2 7. Washington, Southwest 7. Arizona, Southern California N No. 1 8. West Virginia 8. Nevada, Northern California N No. 2 9. Wyoming 9. Maine California S No. 1 10. Tennessee, Eastern 10. Minnesota, Northern California S No. 2 11. Nevada, Northern. 11. Texas, Central No. 1 California S No. 3 12. Kentucky 12. Wyoming California S No. 4 13. Georgia, Northeast 13. Georgia, Southern Colorado NE 14. Wisconsin, Southern 14. North Carolina, Eastern Colorado SE 15. Colorado, Northeast 15. Washington, Southwest Coles 16. California, Northern No. 116. New Hampshire Sopnectiont | 17. Illinois, Northern No. 2 17. Florida, Southwest ‘Gee VIE CHART Pace 30 18. Ohio, Northern 18. California, Southern No. 4 SeeiViE CHART Page 38 19. Vermont 19. Texas, Northern

|

[Page 6]IGC: PIONEERING

The American Baha'i

6

For eager pioneers, reaching post is worth the long wait

If you were to ask a worker in the International Goals Committee office if there were one thing that stands out about Baha’is who want to go pioneering, the answer would be the diversity of background that they bring to pioneering service. You name the field, and the prospective pioneer has done it.

SOME kinds of training and experience are more in demand than others. It depends on what the trends or needs are in the world at a given time.

Keep that point in mind as we tell you the story of two pioneers, Gordon and Emily Hansen, and their two children.

When the Hansens first contacted the Goals Committee, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they were sincere in their desire to pioneer. There was also little doubt that getting them to a

Belated ‘thank you’ to more pioneers

A belated but heartfelt “thank you” to additional pioneers filling U.S. goals by van 1985;

From Cal Frank Mahanian.

From Florida—Geoffrey Harris (youth).

From Minnesota—Steve and Mehran Farabi-Iverson.

From Ohio—Jim and Jackie Hagan.

From Texas—Gholam ShaGrace and Ulysses Trem

y. From Malaysia (filling a U.S. goal)—M. Arumugam.

post was going to be easy.

Now, before you jump to conclusions, remember that hard-topredict world hiring market? The Hansens had good skills for the U.S. job market, but where was an industrial sales and product manager going to find work in the “Third World’’?

We felt stymied as we contemplated the difficulty, and we also tried to be encouraging to these two dedicated and eager prospec tive pioneers.

We felt that we had found a valley heretofore unknown, the “Eighth Valley of Unlikelihood.””

The Hansens may have felt the same, but they were steadfast in their desire. They followed up on every lead we offered them, however remote the location or the possibility of success.

GORDON and Emily had first come to the Goals Committee office in the summer of 1982. It was now approaching the winter of 1984. And still, nothing.

A possibility in the Caribbean and an exploratory trip to apply for a job yielded no fruit.

At this point you may be wondering whether the Hansens’ story gets any better. Remember, we did introduce them to you as pioneers.

As time went by, we would receive calls from Emily or Gordon letting us know that they were still there and still interested in pioneering. It was sometimes difficult to determine who was encouraging whom! We always felt better after we had talked to them—and so did they.

In September 1984 the Goals Committee office received a cable

Thirty-four Bahá’ís from 15 states and one visiting pioneer from the Turks and Caicos Islands attended the Pioneer Training Institute held April 11-14 in Wilmette, Illinois. Guest speakers included the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem; Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem; Dr. Rob

Committee representatives from Towa and Connecticut and one local Spiritual Assembly representative from Iowa. The prospective pioneers were preparing to go to Barbados, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Ireland, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, St. Vincent, Rota, Taiwan and an American Indian Reservation.

from the Caroline Islands. Much to our astonishment, it said there was a small local industries project formed to help the natives of Truk. A director was needed immediately.

Have you ever seen a group of people arrive at an idea at the same time without a word being spoken? The facial expressions of the office staff said it all.

After several phone conversations with the Hansens and some communication with the Caroline Islands, we received a call from Gordon. He had learned he was just the kind of person they were

QUICK, get on the telephone. Call Gordon and Emily, and hurry! Do you think they’ll want to live in Truk?

looking for.

Every bit of his experience was needed, even his knowledge of smelting aluminum for recycling, which he had learned as a youth.

Actually, he would be doing on a smaller scale what he had done in the U.S., selling and product management. Of course, the application would be different.

Emily, a nurse, wanted to stay at home with their two children while at a pioneer post, and she would have that opportunity. Housing would be furnished, as would travel expenses, and there would be a stipend too. Unbelievable?

Gordon wrote recently, ‘I don’t believe that anyone could find a better position to help foster social and economic devel opment.’”

This is the never-ending story of pioneers who arise to serve our beloved Cause.

««.., the all conquering potency of the grace of God, vouchsafed through the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh will, undoubtedly, mysteriously and surprisingly, enable whosoever arises to champion His Cause to win complete and total victory.” (Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 149)

Not only had the Hansens achieved their cherished goal, but after their arrival in Truk they had some exciting and confirming encounters with the people there, another job offer, and ... well, all that is for the July issue of The American Baha’i.

GOALS YET TO FILL: Nigeria

Easter Island Colombia Dominica Galapagos Island Yucatan

India

Nepal

Caroline Islands Tuvalu

Cyprus

Ireland Mauritania

Tanzania

Baha’is aid library in tutoring adults

Five Baha’is in the Sacramento, California, area are helping that city’s public library as tutors in its project on illiteracy which was begun last October.

The Baha’i tutors, each of whom spends 2-3 hours a week with adult learners (18 and over) teaching basic English skills, are Peggy Trelufian, Harold Moore and Peter Kosel from Sacramento, Donald Erby from South Sacramento, and Louise Serven-Klaiber from Elk Grove who is also on the staff as a project assistant.

= de Wi eh tai & ® Qe LRG OE About 70 people including 43 nonattended a combined AyHa and Chinese New Year celebration February 25 at a Chinese restaurant in Morton Grove,

Ilinois. Among the guests were 18 Chinese, most of whom are grad

\

4

uate students at Northwestern University in Evanston. The dinner party was arranged by a group of Baha’is from various communities in the northern Chicago suburbs.

Overseas projects, schools beckon to summer vacationers

Have you planned your vacation yet? If not, a number of countries have asked for help this summer. The following countries are English-speaking:

Belize. Spend 2-4 weeks. The year-long ‘We Cannot Fail Them’’ project started in May. Youth and adults, teaching and consolidation, music appreciated. Most of the project will be in Dangriga in the south of Belize among the Carib people. Approximate cost of air fare is $285 (round trip) from Miami.

Liberia and Sierra Leone. Both countries are in West Africa, In Sierra Leone one can teach, consolidate, hold children’s classes, contact dignitaries and officials, and play musical instruments. The National Spiritual Assembly of

Liberia has asked youth and adults to become involved in service projects such as teaching the illiterate, working with the handicapped, environmental sanitation, agricultural assistance, nutrition, child care, and general home and environmental sanitation for Baha’i women. Approximate air fare (round trip) $1,800. Hospitality is usually provided.

St. Vincent. Teaching and consolidation from July 20-27 with Summer School from July 28-August 3. Youth and adults.

Bermuda. Village and beach teaching for youth from August 21-25 followed by Summer School from August 26-29. Hospitality provided.

Guatemala. Youth project, 18 and over, after U.S. Youth Con

ference through August. Hospitality provided. Approximate air fare $500.

Peru. Youth Conference in Lima from August 2-5 conducted in Spanish.

Are you going to Europe? Perhaps you can attend a Summer School during your trip. Finland, June 21-24; Iceland, June 23-30; Ireland, July 20-28; Norway, July 7-13; Spain, July 18-20; Switzerland, July 6-13.

The need is great, the workers few, and the enthusiasm and life you can bring to these countries cannot be measured in terms of time or money. For more information, phone the International Goals Committee today, 312-869-9039. Your help is needed.

[Page 7]

YOUTH NEWS

7

dune 1985

Tree planting project given big boost as D.C. area Baha’i youth plant 5,000

EXTEND HIGHEST PRAISE CONGRATULATIONS AREA YOUTH 5,000 TREES PLANTED. ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION GOAL 20,000 HAS SET HIGH STANDARD FOR UNITED STATES BAHA’i YOUTH. YOUR DEDICATION, ENTHUSIASM, HIGH SPIRITS WILL TRULY MOVE WORLD. ABUNDANT LOVE, AD MIRATION.

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE

The above cable was sent to the Baha’i youth of metropolitan Washington, D.C., shortly after news of their heroic efforts reached the National Youth Committ

These youth have made a significant contribution toward the goal for youth to plant 20,000 trees in memory of the Dawnbreakers as a contribution to our observance of International Youth Year 1985.

The National Youth Committee reports that as of early May, at least 8,497 trees had been planted

APRIL 19, 1985

by Baha’ youth, which represents 44 per cent of the goal for IYY.

Reports of plantings continue to filter in daily to the Youth Committee office, and anyone who can contribute to this goal is asked to advise the committee by writing to __ Sunrise, FL 33313, or by phoning 305-584-1844.

Copies of the Tree Project Information Kit are available for those who would like more information about this important effort.

N. Carolina youth offers ‘GOOD’ idea to support FUNd Run at Ohio conference

Denise Martin of Pinebluff, North Carolina, recently wrote to the National Youth Committee with a ‘G.O.0.D.”’ idea that we want to share with everyone.

Denise wrote that she had read about the FUNd Run and wants to sponsor a runner but doesn’t

ican Baha’i so that others can take advantage of this opportunity as well. She suggested that these sponsors could pledge a fixed amount per runner entered in the Run and/or an amount based on the total laps run in the entire event.

Thanks for the G.O.O.D. idea,

know anyone who'll be partici- REGISTRATION z pating inthe Run, _ Denise. We hope many of the PLAN Ws. ator Panton Means: ideiidag veces Therefore, she suggested that friends will follow your lead. | ~\Guapawwom Fy i Se Be =we place a coupon in The Amer- —_Here’s the coupon: 8: DOUBLE ay ae ee mis ran ¢! SINGLE E " ' F This is a G.O.0.D. idea! I wish to pledge ____ per runner entered es ra Bm ae in the FUNd Run at the International Youth Conference this sum- witood package — 51.00 56.00 4600 46.00 56.00 mer, OR I will pledge ___ per lap for the total number of laps E: OFF-CAMPUS 1800 20.00 1000 1000 2000 completed in the event, OR I will do both. My pledge is $. “Children under 5 are not charged for food or housing when staying on campus with an adult, per runner and/or $______ per lap. NUMBER RATE Iunderstand that I will be contacted after the Conference with the cae Btvece : * total amount that I have pledged. Then I will mail my check Vantiidiel earn RE cree directly to the National Fund. rkcults Paiehe progharnt AONE Ni Adults (Youth Program) x TOTAL FEES ame + LATE CHARGES. sca ENCLOSED: $____ Street: City State Zip) am panama veplaration formes ie r pee pare na er ah say 1, 1985. Those post-marked after this date or people registering at

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM Baha’i Youth Conference, July 3-7, 1985, Columbus, Ohio

ALL THOSE REGISTERING ON THIS FORM WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE SAME ROOM. A MAXIMUM OF FOUR PERSONS MAY REGISTER PER FORM (NOT INCLUDING CHILDREN UNDER 5). PLEASE ENCLOSE FULL PAYMENT FOR ALL THOSE LISTED BELOW.

‘Race/Etne Conterence Attending Name Sex| Age. toe Beckground Youth Parent Chiron 1 hi aie. cence eee 3. an o4 ere Cees, RIES. Registration confirmation should be mailed to; ees Name Mailing Adcress Re AM NDew eT CUMS: Cayton hpaee keh ne 5 County PontavZiP Code List person(s) handicapped and if assistance is needed aie nei seging ae Estimated Date/Time of Arrival — dp Of Departure? eee Oate Time Dae Tove

Mode of Travel: ___ Air. ___ Bus ___ Train __ Car Other: _

1s anyone in your group under 15 years? If yes, state the name of their adult (over 21) sponsor

Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. If anyone in your group is willing to serve as a volunteer, please state their name(s) and we will send more detailed information

FEES: Registration fees include four nights’ housing, all meats, and registration costs. Materials fees for the Children’s Conference are includedas ‘applicable,

Return to: Baha’i National Youth Committee,

Sunrise, FL 33313.

Conference Continued From Page 1

consider donating blood and can sign up for this important community service at registration. Those who plan to donate blood should be prepared to answer questions about serious illnesses, medication and shots, and the family history of jaundice.

© A FUNd Run is being held

during the conference on Saturday with proceeds going to the National Baha’i Fund (another “G.0.0.D.” idea!), and everyone is urged to walk, jog or run in this event. A pledge sheet for signing up sponsors will be mailed to each pre-registered attendee.

for a few hours (or a day or more) should plan to get involved!

All in all, this ‘‘triple conference’? promises to be very special. Everyone in the family can be involved, and each of us can return home with fresh inspiration that will assuredly result in many victories for the U.S. Baha’i community.

S. Houston Baha’is to sponsor refugees

The Baha’i community of South Houston, Texas, is sponsoring the move to this country of a Baha’i refugee family of three who are presently in India.

The refugees were to arrive in the U.S. in mid-May or early June.

The Spiritual Assembly of Houston has agreed to be a backup sponsor to offer moral and emotional support.

see SRS ST SRS AR TSR aS |

All checks must be In United States funds and are payable to: BAHA'I IYC 1985. MAIL TO: BAHA'I NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE © 1371 Sunset Strip * Sunrise, Florida 33313 U.S.A. © Phone (305) 584-1844

To Register: Fill out the form above and mail it to the Baha’i National Youth Committee, enclosing all fees. Payment should be in U.S. funds and checks or money orders should be made payable to ‘‘Baha’i IYC, 1985.””

Housing: On-campus housing has been arranged in campus dormitories adjacent to the meeting facilities. While most youth and fami will be housed in quad-style suites, there are also some double and single rooms available. Each suite has its own bath, local phone service, air-conditioning and linen service. Children under five staying in on-campus facilities are not charged for food or housing.

Those staying off-campus must make their own housing arrangements in area hotels. Group rates have been secured at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, 328 West Lane, Columbus, OH 43201, phone 614-294-4848. To make reservations, phone or write them directly and mention that you are with the Bahá’í group. Rates are $31/single, $37/double per night. Additional guests are $5 per night, children under 12 are free. Rooms will be held with no deposit if your arrival is before 6 p.m. on July 3.

Food: All meals, beginning with breakfast Thursday, July 4, through breakfast Sunday, July 7, are included in Plans A, B and C. Unlimited servings are available, served cafeteria-style in on-campus dining rooms. A varied menu has been chosen for those on vegetarian diets, and salad bars are open for lunch and dinner. Meal tickets will be issued at registration, and can be purchased for those staying off-campus (Plan D), and individual meals can be purchased: breakfast ($2.75), lunch ($4), dinner ($5.75).

Conference Schedule: Registration will be open at noon Wednesday, July 3, and will remain open throughout the conference. The first session will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday; the final session ends at noon Sunday, July 7.

Sponsorship: Those under 15 attending without a parent or legal guardian must have an adult (over 21) sponsor staying with them at the conference. A sponsor agreement form will be mailed with the confirmation letter, which is to be filled out and turned in at the on-site registration.

Medical Releases: Those under 18 attending without a parent or legal guardian must bring a medical release form to the conference. A form will be mailed with the confirmation letter, which is to be filled out and turned in at the on-site registration.

[Page 8]PAGINA HISPANA

The American Baha’i

La fuerza del Espiritu: da energia a la Administracion; influye los eventos

Al redactor:

Aunque fue por la Administracién Baha’i que la base y la estructura de esta Fe Mundial fueron establecidas, no obstante, es la energia espiritual contenida en la Doctrina Divina que enciende el alma de los creyentes.

La Fe es como un ser humano cuyo cuerpo es la Administracién, y cuyo alma es la Doctrina Divina.

Debe ser imperativo volverse profundizado en las Ensefianzas Baha’is. Las grandes verdades de esta Revelacién sdlo se puede comprender por medio de la meditacion.

Baha’u’llah, en Sus Escritos, enfatiza muchas veces la necesidad absoluta de meditar y lograr la dimensién de profundidad.

Obviamente, la profundizacién no puede ser el resultado de esfuerzos colectivos. Creer que cierto nivel de profundizacién se logra escuchando platicas es un triste

estado de auto-decepcién.

Busquemos individualmente los tesoros espirituales especialmente contenidos en ‘‘Los Siete Valles’” y “Las Palabras Ocultas,”” para asi lograr niveles mds altos de conciencia.

“‘Sumergios en el océano de Mis palabras que descifréis sus secretos y decubrdis todas las perlas de sabiduria que yacen ocultas en sus profundidades.”’ (Baha'i World Faith, p. 35)

Luis E. Aguirre Newport Beach, California

Al redactor:

Estoy de acuerdo con JA Grayzel (marzo) que la religién y la ciencia deben estar en harmonia. También estoy de acuerdo con que los baha’is debemos ejercer cuidado al presentar la Fe a interesados compartiendo nuestra creencia en la capacidad de Bahá’u’lláh para afectar ‘‘eventos pre

Recordativo de nuestros jovenes: dar la Fe la perspectiva correcta

Este poema es una traduccién de la revista Juventud Bahá’í de la India y su autor es desconocido. Fue citado en Noticias Bahá’ís de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Baha’ is de El Salvador, agosto-septiembre de 1982.

. “Pero Hoy No’’

Estuve afuera hasta tarde en una fiesta anoche.

Fui con un buen amigo,

y sé que hay una Fiesta Baha’i de 19 Dias esta noche

en realidad deberia asistir;

pero estoy cansada y tengo dolor de cabeza que no

quiere desaparecer.

Tengo intenciones de ir a la Fiesta la préxima vez,

pero hoy no.

Sé que nos dicen que debemos orar a Dios a la mafiana, al mediodia y a la noche, para ayudarnos a profundizar en la Fe, ayudar a mostrarnos el mal del bien;

pero hay tantas cosas que parecen

estar de por medio.

Tengo intenciones de orar a Dios,

pero hoy no.

Nos piden ensefiar la Fe de Dios

y ofrecerla amorosamente,

porque la palabra de Dios ayudard a la humanidad, ayudara a liberarlos de verdad;

pero hay bailes, cine y futbol y en la tele un programa espectacular.

Tengo intenciones de contarle a alguien de la Fe,

pero hoy no.

Nos piden sostener el Fondo baha’i,

la sangre y vida de nuestra Causa,

para que podamos llevar a cabo la Voluntad de Dios, traer a la humanidad a Sus leyes; ' pero hay un vestido primoroso en una vitrina en mi tono favorito de gris.

Tengo intenciones de donar algo al Fondo,

pero hoy no.

Tuve un suefio la otra noche.

Habia dejado este plano terrenal,

pero un portén cerraba mi paso al reino celestial. Yo lo golpeé en vano;

y mientras que rogaba que me dejaran entrar, se oy una voz decir:

“Tengo intenciones de abrir el portén,

pero hoy no.””

icine eeaieiearameeenntanenamemntentetiatammeminemataiaimimmaimmeanimpiaimmmemteemnemamanae

cisos’’ que ocurren en el mundo. hoy en dia, sean estos mayores 0 menores.

POR OTRO lado, también he Ilegado a darme cuenta de que pocos ‘‘eventos mundiales,’’ especialmente los que estan relacionados con el Plan Divino, caen bajo la categoria de “‘creencias sin disciplina (0) apoyo, inspirades por el deseo.’”

Siempre hay una raz6n por la cual las cosas ocurren, y la figura siempre presente de Baha’u’llah se siente por todas partes (‘‘El que tenga ofdos, que oiga’’).

La harmonia de la religién con la ciencia no elimina la posibilidad de que haya fuerzas inexplicables que cambian o afectan el curso de los sucesos, y que hasta pueden desbaratar el orden natural de las cosas.

Tenemos demasiados ejemplos durante nuestra corta historia como baha’is para negar esto.

Podemos citar ejemplos numerosos desde las palabras proféticas del Bab anunciando la invencién de la comunicacién masiva para la proclamacién de este nuevo Dia de Dios hasta las advertencias y profecias de Baha’u’llah a los reyes y soberanos de ‘Su tiempo.

Piensa en las palabras proféticas contenidas en las Tablas de Baha’u’llah a Napoleon III, al Zar Alejandro II y el Papa Pio IX.

LA AUSENCIA fisica de un Profeta no elimina Su poder en el mundo temporal. Quizas ya no recibimos Tablas dramaticas 0 proféticas, pero seguramente El tiene mucho que ver en cuanto al estado actual de nuestros asuntos. Nos seria corto de vista desconocerlo.

Dos 0 trés afios antes de la revolucién en el Iran, un Consejero en Sudamérica me relaté que él habia dejado ese pais para ir de pionero a Sudamérica a instancias de Shoghi Effendi.

El amado Guardian habia insistido, por medio de cartas y exhortaciones, que los baha’is saliesen del Iran porque la situaci6n se volveria intolerable en el futuro cercano.

Asi, el resultado de los sucesos en Iran no sorprendié ni a mi, nia ningun otro que habia leido las cartas del Guardian.

Apenas puedo creer que estos eventos no sean efecto de una causa que es demasiado misteriosa para que nosotros la comprendamos racionalmente.

LLamandolo ‘‘creencias sin disciplina (0) apoyo, inspiradas por el deseo’’ porque no podemos disecarlo o explicarlo en términos matematicos precisos nos colocaria en el mismo nivel que las muchas facciones materialistas que existen hoy en dia.

Oscar Cardozo Coral Springs, Florida

El 24 de febrero, aproximadamante 96 personas incluyendo 34 no-baha’is asistieron una fiesta de Ayy4ém-i-Ha patrocinada por los baha’is de South Tucson, Arizona. Se incluyeron musica, bailes indigenas, una pifiata, tamales y otros platos. Un baha’{ indigena abrié las festividades con un baile

de tambor, cantando y rezando por la unidad y el éxito de la propagacién in South Tucson. Cuarenta y dos personas en la fiesta representaron cinco grupos minoritarios distintos: hispanos, persas, indigenas, negros y una persona de Bangladesh.

Delegacion de baha’is participa en Conferencia Internacional de

Juventud en Kingston, Jamaica :

La Comunidad Internacional Baha’i fue representado en la Conferencia Internacional de Juventud que tomé lugar en Kingston, Jamaica, del 6 al 9 de abril en celebracién del Afio Internacional de la Juventud (1985) de la Organizacién de Naciones Unidas.

Los trés observadores—Shiva Tavana de las oficinas de la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í en Nueva York, Helen Mirkovich de Sanchez de Costa Rica y Dalton Nelson de Jamaica—se encontraron con delegados jévenes del mundo entero quienes se reunieron para formular una ‘‘Declaracién de Principios: afirmacién de participacién, desarrollo y paz

en la libertad.’”

La conferencia se dividié en trés sesiones plenarias y sesiones para trés comités de funcionamiento sobre los temas del Afio Internacional de la Juventud: Participacion, Desarrollo y Paz.

La delegacién baha’i tuvo la oportunidad de circular la declaracién de la Comunidad Internacional Baha’i sobre la contribucién de la juventud a la paz mundial, enfatizando que no es posible, sino inevitable.

También la delegacién baha’i fue entrevistado por una compaiiia norteamericana de peliculas que esta produciendo un documental sobre la conferencia.

Personnel officer from World Centre plans to visit U.S.

Guido Colard, personnel officer at the Baha’i World Centre, will be visiting the U.S. from June 26-July 27 to identify Baha’is as potential candidates for filling existing, as well as future, openings. His itinerary is as follows:

June 26-July 2, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, Illinois; July 4-6, Baha’i International Youth Conference, Columbus, Ohio; July 8-9, Louis Gregory Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina; July 11-14, Los Angeles Baha’i Center; July 16-17, Bosch Baha’i School, Santa Cruz, California; July 23-24, Green Acre Baha’i School, Eliot, Maine; July 26-27, New York City Baha’i Center.

In each of these areas, Mr. Colard will be able to answer questions about service at the World Centre and, for those who have a definite interest in serving there, the possibility of an interview can be arranged.

Archives seeks letters

The National Baha’i Archives is trying to determine how many individuals or local Spiritual Assemblies have in their possession original letters from Shoghi Effendi or those written on his behalf.

Anyone with original letters from the Guardian is asked to write the Archives stating the number of letters, who they were addressed to, and the dates.

Individuals are of course entirely free to keep original letters from the Guardian and to pass them down to their family. However, if the originals are retained the National Archives would like to receive a good photocopy, which will be shared with the World Centre.

Any confidential material in the Guardian’s letters will be safeguarded.

Those who have original letters from the Guardian should write to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i_ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 9]

EDUCATION

dune 1985

20 pre-youth gather at Green Acre School

for its first Fun Day

On Saturday, April 27, 20 preyouth from five New England states met at the Green Acre Baha’i School’s Fellowship Hall for the first annual Fun Day.

The youngsters planned and presented a Unity Feast, and in the afternoon learned Baha’i concepts through the use of cooperative games led by Carolyn Cruikshank of High Rise Camp in Ver Family Le Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF JULY: MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB. Thought for the week: “‘Of all pilgrimages the greatest is to relieve the sorrow-laden heart.”” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 216. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the selected lesson ma

terials. Focus on the relationship between obedience and happiness. 1. MORE ao , Selected Writings of the Bab, p. 16, para. 1 and 2; p. 22, para. 1. 2. The Meanwhile, a deepening on the a, B&b (Balytzi), pp. 154-159. 3. The Dawn-breakers, pp. 501-08. 4. Vig- book “‘How to Really Love Your Me

from memory. For Ayyaém-i-Ha, the children, who range in age from two to 15 years, sponsored a pizza party for the community, planning the activity with only

On March 10, the Bahá’í children’s class of Des Plaines, Illinois, presented an ‘End of the Year’ program during which the youngsters enjoyed talks on the history

nettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 9. No. 2; p. 111, No. 3; p. 115, Child” was presented for the parNo. 10. 5. Memorials of the Faithful, pp. 26-28, 36-38. 6. Cassette or LP, ents.

“Happy Ayydm-i-Ha,” the Bab. Activity: “Pilgrimage.” Make clues The Vermont LEAP network of beforehand and conceal around the house, like a scavenger hunt. Make coordinator and advisers accepted different clues for each family member or for teams if you have younger the task of planning a second Fun

children. Examples of creative clues: hard-boiled eggs with food color messages, oranges with arrows made of tape, etc. At the end of the grimage,”” everyone should wind up in a favorite family spot where members can share their unique clues. Refreshments: Arrange peeled orange sections around a center of raw sunflower kernels. Make one large sunflower or small flowers for each person.

SECOND WEEK OF JULY: FEAST OF KALIMAT (WORDS). Thought for the week: “The heart is like a box, and language is the key.”” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: *‘Intone, O My servant ...”’ (on flyleaf of Baha’i Prayers). Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 60-61. 2. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 192-93, No. 162. 3. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 93, No. 54. 4. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 210, No. 184. 5. Gleanings, p. 278, No. 2, pp. 303-4, Nos. 1-2. 6. Cassette, “‘Words of Wisdom,”’ Baha’i Publishing Trust. Activity: Play a family word game, such as Scrabble, or make up a word game: using paper and pen, cut out several alphabets into tiles with extra sets of vowels and draw a board on a large sheet of paper. Using consultation, build words based on attributes or names and places from Baha’i history. Refreshments: On a tray, arrange several kinds of fruit into the shape of a heart. Cover with a prettily decorated box with a “‘keyhole’ cut in the front. Make a “‘key’” out of raisins, stick candy or carrot sticks and place on tray next to the box:

THIRD WEEK OF JULY: THE BAHA’l CALENDAR. Thought for the week: ‘‘Let them at all times concern themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of their fellows, offering to someone love, consideration, thoughtful help.”” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: Baha'i Prayers, pp. 144-45. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. The Hidden Words, p. 3, No. 1. 2. Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 24, para. 1. 3. Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 37-39. 4. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 10, paras. | and 2. 5. Baha’i World Faith, pp. 102-3. 6. Comprehensive Deepening Program, ‘The Meaning of Deepening,” pp. 25-26. Activity: Make a ‘‘family attribute calendar” to use this week. Choose the names of seven of the Bahd’{ months to use. On a large sheet of paper, set the calendar up in rows, one for each family member, with seven boxes in each row, making each one big enough for a sticker or drawing. Decorate with pretty borders or photos of people displaying attributes. Then strive all week to display the day’s attribute! Look at the calendar each morning. Before going to bed each night, let family members place a sticker or drawing in their row if they feel they’ve succeeded. Share stories! Key: take every opportunity to find success in the day’s activities. Refreshments: Prepare a special ““gracious’’ snack. Set the table with your best dishes, add flowers, candles or a pretty nicknack. Serve fruit and cheese or an extra special family favorite cake or pie with iced fruit juice.

FOURTH WEEK OF JULY: THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE. Thought for the week: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them ...’’ (Revelations 21:3) Prayer:Baha’i Prayers, pp. 197-98. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials. 1. Baha'i World Faith, pp. 442-43, 446. 2. Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 1-3. 3. Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 455, No. 7. 4. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 13, No. 5; p. 16, No. 9. 5. Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 24, No. 16, para. 2. 6. Baha’i World Faith, pp. 10-11. 7. Cassette, ‘‘The Universal House of Justice."’ Activity: Using the art of consultation, select tonight’s activity. For example, choose between a walk in the park, a game, a sight-seeing drive, reading a favorite story aloud, or simply gathering around the table and talking about the day’s activities. Refreshments: Peanut butter cookies and lemonade.

of the Faith and recited prayers slight supervision from parents.

Day next spring.

If you are traveling outside the United States for any reason, please contact the International Goals Committee office. A temporary Baha’/ identification card will be issued to you, if needed.

Child/parent education materials that are presently available from the Child Education Office at the Baha’i National Center:

¢ Baha’i Curriculum Guide. Includes (1) educational topics, (2) suggested methods for teaching various topics, and (3) suggested age levels at which topics are best taught. Provides a framework from which specific lesson plans can be developed. Cost: $3.

© Developing Baha’i Lesson Plans: Workshops I and II. The morning part of Workshop I is devoted toa broad philosophical framework; the afternoon is devoted to developing specific lesson plans which are then carried out in the classroom and/or community. At Workshop II, held 4-6 weeks later, lesson plan results are shared and evaluated, and new lesson plans are developed. Special resources to the workshops are the Baha’i Curriculum Guide and the Baha’ calendar. When ordering, please specify the anticipated number of participants so the correct number of materials can be sent. Cost (both workshops): $5.

© Child Education Teacher Training Handbook. Especially designed for the Baha’i classroom teacher. Topics include ‘‘Educational Principles and Methods,”’ ‘‘Materials and Resources,” ‘‘Curticular Samples.’’ Cost: $9.

© Guidelines for Organizing a Baha’i Children’s Class Program. Simple guidelines for starting Baha’i children’s classes in one’s local community. Also included is a community deepening on Baha’i child education, and sample mandates for an intercommunity class program. Cost: $4.

Bahá’í Parent Program. A group program that is practical in nature, allowing parents the opportunity to translate guidance from the Baha’i Writings on specific parent topics into action within the

home. Program materials include three resource books, a coordinator’s guide, and an introductory cassette tape. Cost: $20.

¢ Youth Programs for Baha’i Schools: Director’s Resource Guide. Cost: $1.50.

© Guidelines for Parents. A booklet that addresses practical issues of child-rearing, and focuses especially on the need for firmness and discipline on the part of parents in training their children. Written by Margaret Ruhe. Cost: $1.50.

Local community consolidation activities (guidelines/materials) that are available, free of charge, from the Child Education Office:

¢ Baha’i Child Education Planning Experience. A three and one-half hour workshop designed to help adults in the local community become aware that the Bahd’{ education of children and youth can be provided within the natural processes of community life.

Inventory Questionnaire. Identifies the needs of children, youth and families in the local community. Results of the questionnaire can be an information resource for the local Spiritual Assembly.

© Unity Celebration. This afternoon-and-evening program is especially suitable as an intercommunity (or large city) activity. The Unity Celebration helps friends explore creative ways of celebrating the devotional, consultative and social portions of the Feast.

Investigation Exercise. A simple deepening format that can be used for any topic. By substituting

statements, questions or quotations relevant to any topic, an activity can be conducted that will draw out feelings and views in an effective way.

Available workshops:

TV in the Home. Cost: $4.

° Addressing the Needs of Junior Youth and Youth. Cost: $8.

Other materials:

Handbook for the Summer Garden Baha’i School. A daily summer school program for children.

Cost: $6.

UNICEF Packets for Parents. Each packet contains (1) a UNICEF calendar (with Baha’i Holy

Days), (2) a special packet of lesson plans, maps, etc., for grades 4 through 6 (teachers can adapt the materials for younger children) entitled ‘‘Big World, Small World, My World,”’ and (3) a fact sheet entitled “The Baha’i Faith and Its World Community”’ (for the teacher’s information). Cost: $7. (Orders will be filled from October through January.)

Checks should be made payable to ‘‘Baha’i Services Fund’’ earmarked ‘‘Children’’ and sent to: Child Education Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 10]TEACHI

The American Baha’i

10

Doors swing open as Kansas prepares for ‘Victory Month’

A complete report of Kansas’ “Victory Month’? activities will appear in next month’s issue of The American Baha’i.

Meanwhile, here is a brief summary of plans that have been made as the intrepid Kansas Bahá’ís prepare for the celebration of their victory during the “Month of Firesides’’ last November and the imminent arrival of their special guests led by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and his wife, Marguerite.

When Governor John Carlin learned that Judges Dorothy and James Nelson would be in Topeka, he requested a meeting with them and canceled another ap

March 23-24 for the Astoria (Oregon) Teaching Conference held at the ‘Colonel’s Corner,’ an historic old house near the community of Hammond. The speakers included Auxiliary Board member Opal Conner (‘‘Reciprocity’’), Florence

A capacity audience was on hand

pointment to make it possible.

Also, the governor plans to proclaim the month of May ‘‘Kansas Baha’i Month’’ while the Nelsons are there.

¢ Kansas Supreme Court Justice David Prager also asked to meet with the Nelsons and will give them a tour of the new Kansas judicial buildings.

¢ Richard Rogers, a Federal Circuit Court judge, notified the Bahá’ís that he is a friend of Judge Dorothy Nelson and has invited the Nelsons and members of the Spiritual Assembly of Topeka to be guests at a luncheon with some of his colleagues.

When Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy mentioned

Mayberry (‘“‘Shoghi Effendi”), Jack Stone (‘Direct Teaching”’) and Linda Choquette (‘Fireside Teaching”), shown here as she paused to answer a question from one of the friends. (Photo by Larry Pedersen)

Navajo-Hopi Committee continuing campaign in honor of Gordon Tong

The Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee is sponsoring a continuation of the teaching campaign launched last December in honor of Dr. Gordon H. Tong.

The campaign got under way May 29 and is scheduled to continue through September 7.

_ Small teams of visiting teachers, actively supervised and guided by people who enjoy the trust of local residents, are involved in service projects and consolidation efforts throughout the district. The teams consist of five-six visitors and one or-two resident Baha’is.

The most urgent concerns are the communities of Houck-Burntwater, Oak Springs-Pine Springs, Tuba City, Red Lake-Crow Springs, Kaibito, Hard Rock-Dinnebito, Sawmill, Fort Defiance, St. Michaels-Window Rock, Polacca, Aneth, Crownpoint-Smith Lake, and Ganado.

Teachers are asked to strike a balance between work and recreation. The average day on the pro ject incorporates both.

The main concerns of each teacher are leading activities for children and youth, helping local residents, especially the elderly, with home and yard maintenance, and gaining respect and appreciation for the Navajo and Hopi cultures.

Daily deepening and prayer are also an integral part of the program with universal participation expected.

Participants including youth will be thoroughly oriented to local culture and circumstances before going into the commanities.

Be prepared for warm. days, cool nights and thunder showers anytime. Bring sleeping bags, tents (if possible) and good work clothes. Swim wear must be modest.

Come and be a part of this latest effort at spreading the

Cause of God!

to her colleagues on the Wichita Interfaith Board that Mr. Sears would be visiting Kansas, several of the religious leaders asked to meet with him.

They understand the station of a Hand of the Cause and will be present at a dinner and reception for 200 religious leaders and dignitaries to hear Mr. Sears speak about the Faith.

¢ The mayor of Emporia intends to be present at a fireside in that city when Juana Conrad, a member of the National Teaching Committee, speaks on ‘‘Women for International Peace and Arbitration Today.’”’

Committee notified some Centers for Independent Living that Danny Deardorff was offering to perform at those facilities for the handicapped, the national chairman for Special Music Education took the ball and ran with it.

This national, non-Baha’i office has made all arrangements and has widely advertised the Danny Deardorff performances. It has rented the locations for public concerts as well, and all advertisements say: ‘‘Sponsored by the Baha’is of Kansas.””

© When word got out that the Kansas Baha’is were planning a pow-wow to honor Haskell Indian Junior College, the event quickly turned into a huge affair with In dian leaders all over the country phoning to say they’ll be there. At least four Reservations have each pledged a carload of attendees.

Marion Steffes, the first Native American Baha’i, attended Haskell Indian College. Her son, Wayne Steffes, will be present at the pow-wow with several other Native American Baha’is including Alice Bathke, Harry Buffalohead, Chester Kahn and Kevin Locke.

These are but a few of the exciting things happening in Kansas as its ‘Victory Month’? approaches. Next month, we’ll have complete coverage of these events and their equally exciting results.

House of Justice says Assemblies may form at any time during last year of Seven Year Plan

The Universal House of Justice has decided that during the last year of the Seven Year Plan—that is, from April 21, 1985, to April 20, 1986—lapsed Assemblies

S.F. Center hosts day-long ‘Alcathon’ for Native Americans

On Saturday, April 27, more than 100 Native Americans and their friends gathered at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center for an “All-Indian Alcathon’”’ sponsored by Thunderbird Lodge in San Francisco.

Residents, staff and family members from five Northern California recovery facilities were there to share their experiences and to learn from professionals in the field of alcoholism the latest information on all aspects of the disease.

While meetings were held in the Ella Goodall Cooper room, video tapes were being played in the youth room, children were being cared for in the children’s room, and lunch and dinner were being prepared in the kitchen.

The day ended with a drum ceremony performed by members of the Three Rivers Lodge in Manteca, and with the presentation of tributes to George and Rubye Smith, staff members of the Thunderbird Lodge.

Texas Baha’is author

book on parks, camps

George Miller and his wife, Delena Tull, Baha'is from San Marcos, Texas, are the authors of Texas Parks and Campgrounds: North, East, and Coastal Texas, published recently by Texas Monthly Press.

Mr. Miller, a zoologist and freelance writer and photographer, and Ms. Tull, an environmentalist who specializes in fisheries and wildlife, traveled throughout Texas for a year compiling material for the book.

which achieve adequate strength to regain their Assembly status, as well as local Assemblies that are being established for the first time, may be formed at any time during the year.

Assemblies that are formed at Ridvan 1986 will not be counted toward the fulfillment of the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

According to the National Teaching Committee, the number of Assemblies in the U.S. as of Ridvan 1985 stood at 1,710 with a goal of 1,750 by the end of the Plan. The total of 1,710 represents an increase of 49 from Ridvan 1984.

The Teaching Committee also reports a 22 per cent increase in the number of enrollments this past year, with 2,737 enrolled

compared to 2,238 the previous year.

Two of every seven new enrollees this year were youth, while one of every seven was a Native American.

The number of Assemblies on Indian Reservations now stands at 56, compared to the Seven Year Plan goal of 50.

South Dakota led the nation this year with 334 enrollments, many as a result of the Amoz Gibson Teaching Project in and around the Wanblee area. The number of Assemblies in the state rose during the year from nine to 20.

South Carolina posted a net gain of 39 Assemblies, bringing its total to a record 259. There were 193 enrollments in that state.

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[Page 11]TEACHING

dune 1985

11

Badasht Conference ushers in Project Tabarsi

The name alone is intriguing: “The Conference of Badasht1985.””

It evokes inspiring images of that immortalized gathering of distinguished and steadfast Babis who were determined to break with the past and galvanize their allegiance to the new Revelation of God.

SUCH inspiration and noble example no doubt played a part in choosing the name for a conference that was held April 6-7 at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

The conference was conceived by the South Carolina Eastern District Teaching Committee No. 2 and convened for the entire state by the Regional Teaching Committee.

Among the more than 60 adults

a Dr. Roy Jones, the newly appointed director of the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, speaks at the Conference of Badasht1985, held April 6-7 at the In stitute to launch the four-phase 1l-month Project Tabarsi in South Carolina.

and youth in attendance were Auxiliary Board member Elizabeth Martin, several assistants to the Auxiliary Board, and members of various local Spiritual Assemblies and the state’s District Teaching Committees.

Special messages of encouragement from the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee demonstrated the spirit of unified action at work.

“We are here,’’ said Ellen McAllister, the conference coordinator, “‘to rededicate ourselves to the task given to us by the Supreme Body, that of achieving a vast increase in the number of avowed adherents to the Cause.’”

But did the Conference of Badasht—1985, like its namesake, have an element of breaking with the past? It did indeed.

WHEN a light shone from South Carolina in the 1970s in the form of thousands of new believers embracing the Cause of God, we were electrified by the news. It marked the start of teaching on a scale never before attempted in

this country. That first taste of ‘‘entry by troops” was heady. We were

thrilled and exhilarated. At the same time, we were, in many ways, inexperienced and ill-prepared. The phenomenon was new to us.

But the work continued and the Faith has grown steadily in South Carolina. Now, more than a decade later, we have learned an important lesson: reaching the masses is not a question of events or activities; it is, rather, a process of moving entire populations—all of us—closer to Bahá’u’lláh, understanding that each individual will move along that path at his or her own pace.

That is what the friends pondered at Badasht—1985.

Dr. Roy Jones, the newly appointed director of the Gregory Institute, explained that we need

the Faith!

Gibson Project adds more victories

The Amoz Gibson Teaching Project in South Dakota continues to compile an impressive record of victories as the Seven Year Plan enters its final year with 90 enrollments on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations during the Ridvan period and 17 Assemblies re-formed during that same period.

This brings to more than 400 the number of new believers entering the Faith in South Dakota since last Ridvan. Last year, South Dakota had the highest number of enrollments of any of the continental United States, 334 (from April 21, 1984, to April 20, 1985). This does not include the 90 who were recently enrolled.

Some of the Assemblies are beginning to function, working with ‘Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies’ and even sponsoring teaching projects themselves. The Assembly in Pine Ridge sponsored a meeting among the local churches to help families deal with the problems of drugs, alcohol and family violence.

The demand for Baha’i teachers is great. Some people have been upset because Baha’is have not yet come to tell them about

This summer, a continuous teaching and consolidation campaign will be held with an emphasis on child education. Baha’is who are interested in taking part can phone Phil Castillo, 605-462-6309, or Dana Haghighi, 605-224-1041.

The spirit of the Amoz Gibson Project has now spread to four states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska ana Arizona.

to take on a new future by reinforcing our ties with the Dawnbreakers and renewing our commitment to build Bahdé’i communities where the seeds have been sown through teaching the masses.

“*We are saying that this gathering is our Conference of Badasht and the Louis Gregory Institute is our Fort Tabarsi,’’ said Dr. Jones.

“‘WE MUST come away with the feeling that we, too, are committed to being the followers of the Black Standard that Mulla Husayn carried back then.””

He reminded the friends that our task in America today, unlike that of our brothers and sisters in Iran, is to live for our Faith, not to die for it.

But this, said Dr. Jones, ‘‘takes no less courage. In fact, the Writings suggest that it is more difficult”” because living for our Faith requires that we live up to its teachings.

Auxiliary Board member Elizabeth Martin captivated the friends by sharing recollections of the “Deep South Project’? which was launched in 1968 by the Hands of the Cause of God. The project was responsible for bringing Mrs. Martin and her family to South Carolina 17 years ago.

Carey Murphy of the Regional Teaching Committee office later guided a review of the compilation “A Special Measure of Love,’’ prepared by the Universal House of Justice, impressing on the friends the importance of re-reading that booklet to arrive at a better understanding of our sacred obligation to teach.

At another time, seven longtime homefront pioneers to South Carolina brought many of the friends to tears as, one by one, they related touching stories of the earliest efforts, successes and setbacks in bringing the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to so many receptive souls in the Palmetto State.

AN important aspect of the conference was preparation for Project Tabarsi, the first phase of which began June 8.

Ms. McAllister, on behalf of Eastern District Teaching Committee No. 2, explained the four phases of the 11-month campaign which is scheduled to end at Ridvan 1986 when all of the state’s goals have been won.

Teachers will be based both at the Gregory Institute and in towns and villages with local believers. Each day will begin with prayers, meditation, and memorization of the Creative Word as the foundation of the teaching activities.

The teachers will be working with the Baha’is of South Carolina in their own communities in expansion and consolidation, training the local believers to carry on this precious, priceless work.

Among the goals of the project are establishing children’s classes

Pictured are many of the friends from South Carolina who attended the historic Conference of Badasht—1985 held April 6-7 at the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina. ‘The conference helped launch the

and training teachers for them; forming study classes aimed especially at youth and based on study of the Creative Word; conducting family deepenings; and helping communities to strengthen their local Spiritual Assemblies and to understand the importance of the Nineteen Day Feast.

Widespread proclamation will aim at reaching all people including leaders of thought. During the first phase, a mobile institute will use slides, films and other materials and will hold book exhibits throughout the state.

WLGI Radio will work handin-hand with the friends’ efforts in its area, announcing such events as public meetings and firesides.

Phase One of Project Tabarsi will end on August 17.

Phase Two, from September through November, is known as the ‘‘shoe leather’’ fund-phase. During that period, the friends in South Carolina will encourage their fellow Baha’is across the country to consider donating the price of their lunch to the National Fund as a sacrificial response in remembrance of the bleak period in Fort Tabarsi when the Babis had nothing to eat except their shoe leather.

A highlight of Phase Three, which lasts from December 1985 through January 1986, will be a Tabarsi Winter Conference at the Gregory Institute whose purpose is to accelerate the process of entry by troops.

Finally, Phase Four, from February-April 1986, will feature the march toward a successful completion of the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

For teachers participating in Project Tabarsi, the cost of room and board is $16 per day.

ALL OF the friends are invited to contribute to a deputization fund, in care of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee office, to help defray expenses for those teachers who, for

state’s ambitious 11-month Project Tabarsi whose goals are to win the state’s goals of the Seven Year Plan and spark a vast increase in the number of avowed adherents of the Faith in South Carolina.

financial reasons, would not otherwise be able to take part.

Prospective participants may also wish to look into the possibility of deputization by their local Spiritual Assembly.

Transportation is urgently needed: those teachers who are able to do so should plan to come with their automobiles.

Children who wish to accompany their parents in teaching are encouraged to do so. Accommodations for children’s classes will be provided at the Gregory Institute.

Dormitory space is limited and additional sleeping room will be provided in tents. Please bring sleeping bags.

If you plan to attend the International Youth Conference at Ohio State University in July, check the ‘Project Tabarsi’’ booth for more information.

Or, you can contact Carey Murphy at the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee office,

Hemingway, SC 29554, or phone 803-558-5194.

The energy will be high and contagious during the project. The Black Standard has been raised! Come join us at Project Tabarsi! ‘‘Be not idle but active, and fear not!””

Peace bulletin has statement by Baha’i

A world peace bulletin circulated by the Peace International networking service of Ontario, Canada, includes this quote by a Baha’i, the late conservationist Richard St. Barbe Baker, founder of the ‘‘Men of the Trees”:

“I have a vision of the earth made green again through the efforts of children planting trees. Children of all ages, of all colors and races, holding hands encircling the earth, working together to bring harmony and peace to all people, to all nations, and to our relationship with the natural world.”

eR RR ERS NE IR RE I EEN RS ER EC RE RE SS

[Page 12]

RACE UNITY

The American Baha'i

12

‘The great and fundamental teachings of Baha’u’llah are the oneness of God and unity of mankind. This is the bond of union among Baha’is all over the world. They become united among themselves, then

unite others. It is impossible to unite unless united.’ Commentary

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Prom. Universal Peace, p. 156

Persians, Americans all ‘victims of prejudice’

By MARILYN GREENE

Imagine that each time you elect to your National Spiritual Assembly people for whom you have the highest regard, you know it is likely to become their death sentence.

IMAGINE that the heroes of your Faith, many of whom you have known all your life, have been imprisoned or executed.

Imagine that all your belongings have been confiscated, or that to preserve any of the precious Possessions that are part of your family history, you have to cope with hostile bureaucratic fiat.

Imagine that you are secreted out of your home with only the clothes on your back and forced eventually to become dependent on the largesse of friends or relatives.

Imagine that you are forced to flee your homeland, leaving behind relatives who have been tortured or executed, imprisoned relatives, missing relatives and endangered relatives.

Imagine that you are thrust into a society whose language, economy and social structure are almost totally alien to your own.

Imagine that you are a Persian from post-1979 Iran. Imagine that you are in the U.S., a foreign country, and that your primary identification is with the Baha’i Faith in America.

THESE are the Bahá’ís who were forced to leave Iran, more than 10,000 of whom have settled in the United States.

Now they are forced to make quick choices among lifestyles in a

sense, in the U.S., most of those choices are based, inevitably, on the racial stratification of American society.

When you arrive in the U.S.

in which you experience culture shock. In the U.S. bureaucracy, you have a group identity as Iranian refugees.

You are a ‘“‘victim of prejudice.’’ Prejudice against the Baha’ is drove you from Iran and has cast you into a land infected with the cancerous disease of racial prejudice.

In the U.S. it is still acceptable to be a Bahá’í, but it is uncomfortable to be a minority. Here you are forced to make choices about whether to identify with the majority race which holds the reigns of economic, political and social power, or with the minorities who, for the most part, are still powerless in American society.

WHEN you are shown a home to buy or an apartment to rent, you are automatically directed to white neighborhoods because you are perceived as white in a whiteblack society.

If you are affluent, you are advised to locate in areas where property values are protected by perhaps unspoken, unrecorded restrictive covenanting where no American minorities are allowed.

When you try to find employment, re-establish your career, enter the economic system, you are counted as white, but also as Iranian. In social situations you are faced with the duality again, a

strange culture. In a very real

About 35 people attended a festive dessert potluck and sing-along 90th birthday celebration March 12 in Palo Alto, California, for Vivian Wesson (center), a Knight of Bahda’u’llah who pioneered

during the Ten Year Crusade to Togo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, remaining in Africa for 17 years. The party was hosted by the Baha’i community of Palo Alto.

duality not unknown to many Americans.

In Iran you did not have to think of yourself racially. In your country there are class and religious distinctions, the latter of which can be devastating, but the pervasive evil of racial prejudice was not a reality with which the Baha'is had to contend.

In this country, Americans have defined you as white and now you must define yourself. When you are counted, you are counted as white.

However, Americans have a concept of who is white based on lineage, physical appearance and speech patterns. Iranians do not necessarily fit that concept.

SO, though you are counted as white and think of yourself as white, most Americans regard you as yet another minority.

Now, a behavioral characteristic of many Americans is that if you are not considered part of the majority, you are held in suspicion and contempt by virtue of being part of a minority.

So, once in the U.S., you may become, again, the victim of scorn, hatred and prejudice. How would you react? What would be your natural response?

The natural response may be to try to identify with and be accepted by the majority as much as possible. Who wants to suffer unnecessary discrimination if he can avoid it? To identify with the majority is a normal response.

Soon your numbers swell in a particular locale, your Assembly elections reflect your majority, and after a time those diligent Baha’is who have toiled in the vineyards of American communities over long periods of time feel displaced by the sheer force of numbers and by activities conducted in the language of the majority of believers, Persian.

What would be the normal response? Perhaps frustration, confusion, desperation, even resentment and inactivity.

SO THEN everyone becomes a “victim of prejudice” of one kind or another, most of it unintentioned, some of it unrecognized, and much of it not analyzed, understood or resolved.

The consequences for the American Baha’is are great. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has told us that ‘‘Attendance at the gatherings of the friends is specifically to keep them alert, vigilant, loving and attracted to the divine Kingdom.” (Selected Writings of ‘Abd Bahá, p. 205) A lapse in activity denies one these bounties.

The consequences for the Persian Baha’is are equally serious for the missed opportunity to become a force for unity in the Faith and the world. For has not ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that all must cleanse their hearts from even the slightest trace of hatred and spite, and they must set about being truthful and honest, conciliatory and loving to all humankind so that East and West will, even as two lovers, hold each other close; that hatred and hostility will perish from the earth, and universal peace be firmly rooted in their place.”’ (Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 244)

What then can the American believers do to help their Persian brothers and sisters maintain an immunity to the disease of racial prejudice? And what can the Persian believers do to assuage the fears and doubts of their American brothers and sisters?

“Let them call to mind, fearlessly and determinedly, the example and conduct of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá while in their midst. Let them remember His courage, His genuine love, His informal and indiscrimating fellowship, His conSee en cateriiiaiien aaa

, tempered by His tact and any

“LET THEM revive and perpetuate the memory of those unforgettable and historic episodes and occasions on which He so strikingly demonstrated His keen sense of justice, His spontaneous sympathy, for the downtrodden, His ever-abiding sense of the oneness of the human race, His overflowing love for its members, and His displeasure with those who dared to flout His wishes, to deride His methods, to challenge His principles, or to nullify His acts.”” (Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 29)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself told us in no uncertain terms that ‘‘Prejudices of any kind are the destroyers of human happiness and welfare.” (Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 181)

It has been noted by many that Persian family customs are much akin to those of many American minority groups, especially blacks.

Traditional cultural characteristics of both groups include the emphasis on the family unit which honors and reveres the relationships between husband and wife, parents and children, siblings and the generations.

Notable among these similarities is the devotion to the extended

family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and the augmenting of families with significant others.

Of course, the most obvious similarity to the Baha’is in the USS. is belief in and dedication to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. The Master has advised us to focus on our sameness:

“CLEANSE ye your eyes, so that ye may behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness. And in this new and wondrous age, the Holy Writings say that we must be at one with every people; that we must see neither harshness nor injustice, neither malevolence, nor hostility, not hate, but rather turn our eyes toward the heaven of ancient glory.

“For each of the creatures is a sign of God, and it was by the grace of the Lord and His power that each did step into the world; therefore they are not strangers, but in the family; not aliens, but friends, and to be treated as such.” (Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 24)

Without recognizing the nuances, the reality and the danger of these problems arising in the Baha’i community, we are contributing to and supporting the apparatus of prejudice in the U.S. and the world.

“Abdu’l-Bahá taught us how to consider these matters when He said:

“Reflect ye as to other than human forms of life and be ye admonished thereby: those clouds that drift apart cannot produce the bounty of the rain, and are soon lost; a flock of sheep, once scattered, falleth prey to the world, and birds that fly alone will be caught fast in the claws of the

‘See VICTIMS Page 31

N.C. Baha’i inducted into ‘Hall of Fame’ for black entrepreneurs

James E. Robinson, a member of the Baha’i community of Asheville, North Carolina, was inducted in February into the “Chamber of Echoes,”’ a Hall of Fame sponsored by the Central Asheville Optimist Club that recognizes the achievements of western North Carolinians as a part of Black History Month.

Mr. Robinson, a native of Asheville, is the founder and president/general manager of that city’s WBMU-FM.

[Page 13]

THE MEDIA

dune 1985

13

INTERMEDIA

News from the Office of Public Affairs

Significant Mentions

The New York Times and The Washington Times both reported that Secretary of State George Schultz described the Iranian government of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as ‘‘a blight on the history of Islam’’ because of its persecution of members of the Baha’i Faith. Mr. Schultz’ comments received coverage in the April 16 editions of both papers.

Addressing the International Conference on Religious Liberty at the U.S. State Department, Mr. Schultz said that ‘members of the Baha’i Faith have been killed, imprisoned and persecuted, not only in violation of the universal principle of freedom of worship, but ironically, also the Islamic tradition of religious tolerance.”

Amnesty Action, a publication of the U.S. section of Amnesty International, has made numerous references to the Baha’i Faith since the Iranian Revolution. In its April 1985 issue, the paper cites members of the Iranian Baha’i community as being victims of ‘‘brutal treatment.’’ In an article headlined ‘‘Iran’s Secret Detention Centers: Sites of Torture, Mock Executions, Killings,’’ it is reported that ‘Iranian torturers usually carry out their work (against Baha’is and others) in“attempts to extract confessions about political activities, to obtain information about political activists and their meeting places, or to induce victims to recant their political or religious beliefs before television cameras.”

Busy Baha’is

Baha’is in Pensacola, Florida, report that the Academy Awards broadcast in April included an extra surprise for local viewers. In the station break just before the announcement of the best actor/best actress awards, the ABC affiliate in that area broadcast a Baha’i public service announcement, thereby proclaiming the Faith to a sizeable audience. Also in Pensacola ... “‘A New Reality,” a weekly column that focuses on Baha’i principles and themes, is now available via the Associated Press wire service. The column is published in The Pensacola Voice and is written by Lynda Couture, a member of the Baha’i community of Pensacola.

.

The Baha’i Public Affairs Committee for the state of Washington has organized a statewide ‘Unified Action Proclamation/Teaching Program.”’ From late February through Ridvan (April 21), weekly ads using the Creative Word have appeared in 114 newspapers giving a toll-free telephone number (1-800-25BAHAI) that inquirers can call for more information. Fifty-one local Assemblies, committees and Groups have made financial contributions to support the campaign. Thus far, it is reported that more than 115 messages have been received and four people have expressed their desire to become Baha’ is. For more information about the 1-800-25BAHAI campaign, contact the Washington Baha’i Public Affairs Committee, P.O. Box 10074, Seattle, WA 98101, or Phone 206-441-9163.

The Bahá’í Mass Media Committee of Greater Milwaukee has set a goal of 19 billboard displays in the Milwaukee area. Sixteen billboards already are in place thanks to the contributions of local believers throughout the area. ‘‘We’ve found that by having a (specific) goal the friends are very supportive,’’ says Mary Mineau of the committee. The committee further reports that the billboard company has allowed the Baha’is to display their ads for just the cost of labor with no rental fee.

°

“The Spiritual Revolution”’ is now being shown on cable television in Indianapolis—but the way it reached the air is somewhat unusual. A different talk show series was scheduled to begin airing in March; although the program was sponsored by another religious group, its production staff was composed entirely of Baha’is. Impressed by the Bahd’{ teachings, the sponsors decided to use ‘‘The Spiritual Revolution’ series on an occasional basis as part of their regular broadcasts. Tragically, the company inadvertently erased the tapes of the original program. The result is that ‘“The Spiritual Revolution’ is now being shown in its entirety at no cost to the local Baha’is.

.

Radio station KABQ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, aired a series of three-minute Baha’i tapes over a six-week period. The Spanish-language tapes, produced in Venezuela, were broadcast immediately following the Billy Graham program. The North Central New Mexico Intercommunity Media Committee is negotiating with combined stations KQEO and KZZX for a long-term contract for additional advertising starting this fall.

.

In recognition of her many charitable and humanitarian activities within the community, Baha’i public information representative Nosrat Scott of Birmingham, Alabama, was recently named an ‘‘Honorary Lieutenant Colonel

ities have included organization of Birmingham’s first Race Unity Day, an intercultural revue, and a fund-raiser for Ethiopia appropriately titled ‘‘The Triumph of the Golden Rule.””

26 Bahda’is from eight states attend orientation seminar for Public Information Consultants

Twenty-six Baha’is from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey attended an orientation seminar for potential Public Information Consultants May 4-5 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.

THE weekend conference, conducted by the National Office of Public Affairs, was co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Amherst.

“This is part of our ongoing program to boost effectiveness at the local level,” said Shirley Lee, national Public Affairs Cooxdinator, ‘‘by appointing consultants as extra ‘arms’ for the national office and to train and motivate public information representatives.”

Ms. Lee opened the conference by giving an overview of the role of the national office and its relationship to the Baha’ Public Information Network, which has been expanded to include the newly appointed consultants.

Vernyce Dannells, a journalist, public relations professional and P.I representative in New Jersey, gave a high-spirited workshop on becoming a P.1. motivator.

Marcia LeRoy, audio-visual program coordinator for the National Office of Public Affairs, presented a ‘‘how-to’’ session on putting together a media confer Journalist Vernyce Dannells (left) and Marcia LeRoy of the National Office of Public Affairs discuss ence.

Later, Ms. Dannells and Ms. LeRoy teamed up to discuss ‘‘Integrating Media with the Total Plan,” which schooled _participants on the importance of including publicity as a part of proclamation, expansion and consolidation efforts.

DONALD Camp, a photographer and long-time member of the former Baha’i Delaware Valley Public Information Office, conducted a session called “The Intercommunity Committee: Trials and Triumphs,” and a panel of media experts including Ms. Dannells; Ms. LeRoy; Gil

George Savitt (left) with Garth Reeves, editor and owner of The

‘Phil Ossofer’ shows message of Faith can be fun as well as deep, meaningful

“A happy marriage is one in which each wins the other's love. Thus their two hearts are won.””

“Alcohol will pickle you but it won't preserve you.””

“When I get in a jam, God jars me, but only to preserve me.””

°

Media personnel as a general tule tend to be outgoing people with vibrant personalities and exciting, albeit frenetic, schedules. At the age of 74, George Savitt, a Baha’i in Miami, Florida, seems to epitomize perfectly this image.

WRITING under the pseudo

Miami Times.

nym ‘‘Phil Ossofer,’” Mr. Savitt authors a popular weekly column in The Miami Times, a newspaper with a predominantly black readership.

His columns explore various topics ranging from black history to spiritual education; from God’s covenants to the divine purpose behind suffering. All of them include a touch of homespun humor and most are directly related to Baha’i principles.

An experienced columnist, Mr. Savitt has worked for three Miami.

See SAVITT Page 28

‘integrating media’ during a seminar for Public Information Consultants in Amherst.

Muro of ABC News, New York; and Tom Howe, news diréctor of WNDS-TV in New Hampshire, answered participants’ questions about working with the print and ‘broadcast media.

Participants enjoyed a video evening where the latest tapes were ‘shown including a feature about WLGI and the Baha’i Faith which aired on the South Carolina Educational Network on a program entitled ‘Carolina Journal.””

This is the third in a series of conferences scheduled to train and recruit Public Information Consultants throughout the country. All P.I. representatives in the conference area receive invitations.

Because it is important that this work be coordinated with the institutions, a special effort is made to include members of the District Teaching Committees and the Auxiliary Board.

Senate reschedules genocide pact vote

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was scheduled to vote April 23 on whether or not to move the Genocide Convention to the Senate floor for action (see The American Baha’i, May 1985, p. 23).

That date Was changed to May 7, and then once again changed to May 16. The committee must vote first in order to bring the issue before the full Senate.

Baha’is all over the country have written to their senators urging them to ratify the Convention which was drafted in 1947 and signed by the United Nations’ participating countries of that time including the U.S.

However, a small group of senators blocked its acceptance and the document still awaits its ratification.

Questions about this project can continue to be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs,

New Haven, CT 06510. Phone 203-787-0303.

[Page 14]Were cee te oe ee BAHA’I!I DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

The American Baha'i

14

than your

aa)

Closer Than Your Life-Vein, a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, is now available from the U.S. Baha’i Distribution Service for $4.50. The book, by Henry Weil, was first published in 1978. In the introduction, Stanwood Cobb called Closer Than Your Life-Vein a fascinating study of the reality of man; a discussion of ‘the nature of body, mind and soul—not merely as theory, but as a means of self-improvement ...’

Five pamphlets on aspects of peace available

Five new pamphlets focusing on the multiple aspects of peace are to be available this month from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

THE pamphlets were produced by the National Teaching Com mittee office with production help from the Baha’ Publishing Trust.

“This is our first response to the recent letter from the Universal House of Justice regarding the United Nations International Year

Standing order list new customer service

It is now possible for individuals who want to receive new titles immediately from the Baha’i Distribution Service to be placed on the standing order list.

STANDING orders are the first shipments processed and are sent out within a day or two after new books arrive.

“The Distribution Service is able to offer this service only to those who use either VISA or MasterCard,” says Distribution Service spokesman Robert Blum. “That’s because we don’t have the ability to open charge accounts for individuals, so orders must be prepaid.

“Anyone who wants to be placed on the standing order list should send their name, address and daytime phone number, along with their credit card number, expiration date, and the method of shipment they prefer to the Distribution Service.

“We'll begin shipping new books immediately as they arrive in our warehouse,’’ says Mr. Blum, ‘‘and will continue to do so as long as the customer wants the service.

“People who are on the standing order list will have to remember to notify us if they plan to move, or else their shipment could be lost.’”

Mr. Blum says standing order customers can specify soft- or hardcover copies of books that are published in both formats, can request not to receive books from certain publishers, or request not to receive special materials, i.e., posters, music and/or audio tapes.

If you have questions about the service, you may phone the Distribution Service (from outside Illinois) on its toll-free phone line, 1-800-323-1880.

DayBook, Baha’i Readings show strong sales

Two recent publications are showing strong sales that indicate they are meeting a need within the Baha’i community.

Baha'i DayBook: Passages for Deepening and Meditation ($3.75) only became available in April and already has become one of the most popular new books ever published by the Baha’i Publishing Trust, aceording to General Manager Larry Bucknell.

“This book has been talked about for a long time,’’ he says, “‘and it’s obvious from the reaction of the Baha’is that it was needed.

“We literally couldn’t keep the book in our warehouse, it sold so quickly. We mailed more than 3,000 copies in April and have orders | for Pa a thousand more.”

It’s even more surprising, he says, because of the publication a year ago of Bahá’í Readings from Canada. Mr. Bucknell says that

of Peace in 1986,”’ says Paul Lample, a member of the Teaching Committee staff at the National Center.

“The idea,”’ he says, “‘is that these pamphlets will be used by the friends at the grassroots level as they interact with people involved with social issues, especially the peace movement.

“What we want to show with these pamphlets is that peace is not simply the absence of war but includes a variety of issues beyond that.””

Four of the five pamphlets focus on aspects of peace: an introduction to Baha’i views on peace; the relationship between peace and race unity; world order; and the oneness of religion.

“The fifth pamphlet,”” says Mr. Lample, “‘is an introduction to the Baha’i community originally produced by the National Spiritual

Assembly of Canada, which we redesigned.’’

THE peace pamphlets, he says, are quite direct in their approach and rely heavily on quotations from the writings of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

“We've tried to make the pamphlets attractive,’’ says Mr. Lample, “‘while keeping the cost as low as possible.’ Each has a four-color cover and several photographs.

Two other series of pamphlets are planned. One will consist entirely of quotes from the Sacred Writings; the other will deal with the central teachings of the Faith such as progressive revelation or the equality of women and men.

The pamphlets will sell in mixed packages of 10 for $2 or 100 for $10. The five individual pamphlets also will be sold separately in packages of 50 for $7.50.

‘Baha’i Challenge’ both name and aim of new board game to test skill, memory

“Baha’i Challenge’’ is both the name and the aim of a new game being published late this month by the Baha’ Publishing Trust.

““BAHA’I Challenge’’ is meant to be fun but has an underlying serious purpose, according to Dr. Dwight Allen, one of the game’s five authors.

“‘We know that almost everyone will be able to answer some of the questions, and about one-sixth of them no one will know,”” says Dr. Allen.

“Some of the answers will bring an ‘I didn’t know that’ response, and we hope the others will spur the players to further study that topic and, as a result, become more deepened.

“In short, we see the game as a joyful method of deepening.’”

Dr. Allen says a game on the Faith called “‘Baha’i Quiz’? was part of The Light of Baha’u’llah series of materials developed between 1968-72. That game contained 1,500 questions, many of which were used for the new game.

The popularity of games such as “Trivial Pursuit,’ he says, re vived the game idea after 12 years.

THREE Baha’i youth—Helen, John and Amy Danesh—reviewed 65 books to generate more questions; Dr. Allen and his son Douglas went through another two dozen for more questions. The work of all five authors was donated to the project.

The result is a game with 500 questions in each of six categories: administration, Baha’i history, the Central Figures, heroes and heroines, laws and teachings, and progressive revelation.

It’s possible either to play the game using a “Trivial Pursuit’’ game board or using one of several other suggested sets of rules which accompany it.

“‘Baha’i Challenge’ will have a unique pricing idea. Youth and senior citizens will pay $17.50, adults $20. The extra revenue generated by the higher price for adults will be used to help produce youth-oriented materials.

Advance orders for ‘‘Baha’i Challenge’? can be placed using the coupon on this page or through your local Distribution Representative.

Total plus 10 per cent postage

Qui Amt. when Baha'i Readings came out, Baha'i Challenge 32.008 ($1.50 minimum for postage) the Publishing Trust was in the Baha'i DayBook, SC 10.008 final stages of completing the Ba- Baha'i Faith in America: Ongins, HC 7.508 Enclose a check for the full amount, or , —Bahá’í Readings, SC 1.308 ha’i DayBook. —Bahá’í Readings, Leather 1.508 VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE “At first,’? says Mr. Bucknell, —Closer Than Your Life-Vein, SC hi ator ee “there was some feeling that pub- —Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, SC —Peace Pamphlets “Worl " pks. ER NO ea ed She —Dragons of Rizvania, HC —Phoenix and the Ashes, SC 495 lishing these two books at almost Tleanings from Writings of Baha'u'llah, HC Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, SC 315° the same time might present a con- Gleanings from Writings of Bahd’u'lláh, SC 339 Days, HC 750° Name flict. Gleanings from Writings of Bahd’u'ldh, PS —Unto Him Shall We Return, SC 795 Re “ “Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, HC Youth in the Vanguard, HC 7.50° ‘But sales continue to be strong —Memories of *Abdu’l-Bahá, SC 1s re aks ei OOTESR: 1

for both books and for the leather limited edition of Baha’i Readings ($15).

“Plans for a second printing of the Baha’i DayBook are presently under way,” says Mr. Bucknell, “and we are hopeful that they will arrive before-the first printing is completely sold o

‘*Sale price; expires July 31, 1985, or when supplies are exhausted. 517.50 for youth and senior citizens. Both prices are NET. ‘whese prices are NET.

City

Bahá’í Distribution Service

415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091

Z£7POn Deez

TAB 6/85

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

State

Zip

£7Onm DPmORO

Prices good through July 31, 1985

[Page 15]

BAHA’I PUBLISHING TRUST

15

dune 1985

The Creative Word

Gleanings: A guide, companion to ‘rekindle new light’ in hearts

of Baha’is everywhere

Pocket-sized edition

Question: What book did the Guardian believe ‘should be the continued guide and companion of every believer’’?

Question: What book did the Guardian hope would “‘rekindle in the heart of all the friends a new light’?

Question: What book (of several) did the Guardian feel ‘‘that the young Baha’ is should gain mastery of’’? *

The answer to all these questions is Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, still perhaps the most significant compilation of the writings of the Founder of our Faith, which gives us a keen vision and understanding of the purpose of life, our relationship to God, and the

source and outcome of the current world upheaval.

Can we afford to let this monumental work collect dust on the shelf while our lives get busier and more and more books come on to the Baha’i market? Do we fall into the pattern of thinking, ‘‘I’ve read that before,’’ and fail to make it a continued ‘‘guide and companion’’?

Reading and re-reading the Creative Word will give us the perspective we need to balance our lives and to do our share in bringing about the

Lesser Peace.

Sharing the Creative Word with others will hasten the transformation process of the entire world—beginning, of course, with our own friends,

neighbors and local leaders.

Gleanings, available in three editions and price ranges, remains one of the most potent teaching and deepening tools we have.

The beautifully embossed hardcover edition sells for $14.25. The softcever edition sells for $8, and the pocket-sized version is only $3.75.

Question: Which edition will you adopt as your companion during this last, crucially important year of the Seven Year Plan?

Splendid new compilation on Baha’i life to be released at Ohio conference in July

Unrestrained as the Wind, a new compilation that is to be released at the Baha’i International Youth Conference in July, provides a concise yet comprehensive and integrated view of what it means to dedicate one’s life to Bahá’u’lláh, according to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the Baha’i Publishing Trust.

“This exciting compilation,’’ she says, “‘contains chapters on one’s relationship with God, the distinctive character of Bahá’í life, exemplary lives and heroic deeds, education, teaching, interpersonal relationships, and social relationships.

“Tt will help everyone to see education, teaching, marriage, sexuality, career preparation, and our relationship to society at large as integrated facets of Baha’i life.””

The compilation draws on materials from Bahá’u’lláh, the Bab, “‘Abdu’l-Baháé, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice addressed to youth and adults.

Unrestrained as the Wind, available in softcover only at $7.95, will be on sale through the Baha’i Distribution Service following the July youth conference.

‘Discovering roots’ Trust’s Convention theme as Baha’i Faith in America makes its debut

The Baha’i Publishing Trust had as its theme for the 76th Baha’i National Convention ‘‘Discover Your American Baha’i Roots.””

A highlight of the Convention was the release of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 18921900, by Robert Stockman.

A sale of other books related to American Baha’i history included Youth in the Vanguard, Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, and 239 Days.

The sale continues through July 31. See the ordering coupon on the Baha’i Distribution Service Page.

A number of staff members from the Publishing Trust and National Center offices wore turnof-the-century costumes at various times during the Convention to illustrate the theme, and buttons bearing such slogans and questions as ‘“‘Discover Your Roots,” ‘‘Who was the first American Baha’i woman?”’ “‘Ask me who Henry Goodale was,” and ‘‘Where was the first Local Spiritual Assembly?”

Some of the costumed staff helped serve refreshments during a reception for delegates on Thursday evening; another group gave dramatic readings based on Mr. Stockman’s book at the nondelegate session Saturday morning at the National Center.

A special display of photographs and relics from the first eight years of Baha’i history in North America was arranged by the National Baha’i Archives.

Besides Mr. Stockman, several other authors were present to au The release of The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900 by Robert H. Stockman was marked by the author’s appearance in turn-of-the-century top hat and tails during the recent Baha’i National Convention in Wilmette. In the spirit of the book’s subject matter—an uncovering of our roots—an autograph corner was set up that reflected the era of the beginnings of the Faith on this continent. Plans are now being made for a West Coast author tour this summer. The Bahd’é Faith in America is the first of a three-volume series that uncovers the roots of Baha’i history in North America. In hardcover only, it sells for $19.95 and is avail

Trust says thanks for your critiques

The Baha’i Publishing Trust would like to thank those who mailed in critiques of the Baha’i Datebook 142 B.E. The results of the questionnaire and the Publishing Trust’s decision concerning the 1986/143 B.E.

Datebook will be forthcoming.

Ordering from Baha’i Distribution Service

Individuals living anywhere in the world can order titles listed on this page from the Baha’i Distribution Service at the prices quoted (see the coupon on Page 14). U.S. customers should add i0 per cent for postage and handling (minimum $1.50) for UPS or fourth class mail; foreign customers should add 15 per cent (minimum $1.50) for surface mail.

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

Trust places display ad, scholar’s review of Baha’i Faith in America in May issue of Choice, magazine of library science

The Baha’i Publishing Trust has placed an ad for The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 18921900 in the May issue of Choice magazine.

The ad includes a review statement by Dr. Ninian Smart, a wellknown scholar in the field of religion and professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Dr. Smart describes the first volume of The Baha’i Faith in America as ‘‘A fascinating story that shows how some of the early

converts found the religion an answer to their millenial concerns, and how they were taught by a teacher whose knowledge and credentials were shaky and who yet created a community that survived its problems to become the foundation of the vigorous Bahd’{ Faith in North America today. It is an extraordinary story that will interest historians of religion and the lay public alike. Robert H. Stockman has done a fine job. I look forward to his next two volumes.””

able from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

tograph their books. They included Marion Yazdi (Youth in the Vanguard), Steven Bret Breneman (Fly Away Home), and Bruce Whitmore (The Dawning Place). Special plaques with laminated book covers were presented by the Publishing Trust to Mrs. Yazdi,

The 19th century came alive again at the 76th Baha’i National Convention in April as Baha’i Publishing Trust staff members and

Mr. Motlagh (compiler of Unto Him Shall We Return).

The “‘roots’’ theme served to remind Convention participants of our past and how far we have come as a community since 1892.

Stockman, and Hushidar

their friends young and old dressed up to help promote Robert Stockman’s new book, The Bahá’í Faith in America.

Plan now to observe Martyrdom of the Bab

As the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab approaches, there are many ways in which to prepare oneself by deepening on the station of the Bab, the glorious and youthful Forerunner to the Blessed Beauty.

One way is by turning directly to the Bab’s own words published in Selections from the Writings of the Bab.

We can also read in A Travel er’s Narrative ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s account of the life of the Bab. And we can read in The Dawn-breakers, God Passes By, and Release the Sun stirring, passages that depict the Bab’s life and martyrdom.

Preparing for our Holy Days will help us to deepen in the Faith and give us the perspective that these days are far more precious and significant than ordinary holidays.

The Baha’i writings use an analogy likening the human soul to the sun and the earth to the physical body. Considering this analogy, how is the body dependent on the soul? How is the soul independent of the body? (See page 45 in the new compilation, Unto Him Shall We Return)

1 seers}

[Page 16]—_—_—___ YEAR IN REVIEW a American Baha’i 1 6

B.E. 141: Grand accomplishments, great strides forward

MAY © For the second time in two years, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations hears testimony about the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran and repression of the Faith by that country’s Islamic Revo lutionary Government. The lead-off witnesses are Elliott Abrams, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian

SAID ESHRAGHI

Affairs, and Rep. John Porter of Illinois, the co-chairman of the House Human Rights Caucus and co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 226, introduced in November 1983, which ‘condemns the persecutions in Iran.

Bahá’ís appearing before the panel are Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Wilma Brady, vice-chairman of the National Assembly; and Said Eshragi, an Iranian-born Baha’i now living in Texas whose father, mother and 22-year-old sister were hanged in Shiraz in June 1983.

© Twenty days after the hearing, on May 22, the House approves Concurrent Resolution 226 which holds Iran’s government responsible for protecting the rights of all its citizens including the Baha'is and condemns the edict of August 1983 which labeled all Baha’i activities “‘criminal acts.’”

The antenna is connected to the station’s 500-foot FM tower only minutes before the initial broadcast. Not long afterward, station operators at the Louis Gregory Baha'i Institute near Hemingway begin to receive phone calls from listeners in several localities who report hearing the new Baha'i radio voice.

In response to news of the victory, the Universal House of Justice cables: “SHARE YOUR JOY MAIDEN BROADCAST WLGI. WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS.”

© The National Spiritual Assembly convenes a special conference May 25-27 at the Louhelen Baha’i School that is attended by eight of its mem‘bers along with Counsellors Farzam Arbab, Sarah Martin Pereira, Fred Schechter and Velma Sherrill; Dr.

Peter Khan, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre; representatives of 10 national committees and one regional committee; liary Board members Stephen id, Dorothy Borhani and Khalil members of the senior staff at the Baha’i National Center; and senior staff from the Baha’i Pul ing Trust and the Louhelen School.

Its purpose, says the National Assembly, is ‘to forge a new and common understanding of the Campaign of Unified Action’’ and to use that understanding as the basis for a cohesive and dynamic strategy for winning the goals of the Seven Year Plan.

Following the meeting, the Counsellors and National Assembly address a letter to “‘the community of victors, the Baha’is of the United States.”’ The letter restates the purpose of the Campaign of Unified Action and calls upon each local Assembly to evaluate the progress of its plans and to remove every impediment to individual initiative.

After consultation, the youth design a plan of action that receives the enthusiastic endorsement of the Counsellors and the U.S. and Canadian National Assemblies.

The participants pledge to lead at least 222 people to the Faith before the start of the International Youth Conference in Canada in August.

On May 9, Dr. Peter Khan addresses an audience of Chicago-area Baha’is at the House of Worship in Wilmette, his first stop on a two-week visit to eight U.S. cities.

Also on Dr. Khan's itinerary are stops in San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., Boston and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

FARZAM ARBAB

On May 26-27, more than 300

people from 13 states attend a regional Race Amity Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts, whose theme is “Race Amity ... Hope for the Future.”

Among the participants are Dr. Roy Jones, chairman of the national Race Unity Committee; another member of the committee, Mary K. Radpour; and several prominent educators and pro fessionals from the Northeastern states.

Two hundred people attend the

first National Baha’i Child Education Conference which is sponsored by the National Education Committee and held near the Baha’i National Center.

Workshops focus on programs for Baha'i youth, inter-community schools, curriculum development, the Local Education Adviser Program, and Baha’i summer day school pro JACKIE EGHRARI

grams.

The National Youth Committee

chooses the phrase ““YOUth can move the world,” from a recent message from the Universal House of Justice, as the theme for the Continental Baha’i Youth Conference to be held July 3-7, 1985, at Ohio State University in Columbus.

Counsellor Farzam Arbab and his

family are the special guests at the sixth Regional Conferencia Hispanica at the Green Acre Baha’i School in Maine. More than 50 Spanish-speaking people from a number of countries in Central and South America attend.

Dr. Wilma Brady, a member of

the National Spiritual Assembly, is named vice-president for development and public relations at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

More than 45 paintings by the late

Mark Tobey, a Bahá’í whose works of art are internationally known and praised, are on display through June 17 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

JUNE

On June 15, the U.S. Senate follows the lead of the House of Representatives and unanimously approves

Concurrent Resolution 226 which condemns the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran,

Speaking on behalf of the resolution are senators from Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, inesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota.

On June 26, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National

Spiritual Assembly, appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to present testimony about the torture of Baha'is in Iran.

Dr. Kazemzadeh quotes from letters and eyewitness accounts in identifying at least 19 Iranian Baha'is whose deaths as a result of torture have been documented including five men executed within the past three months. His testimony is buttressed by graphic displays depicting the horrors of torture in Iran.

On June 18, Newsweek magazine

publishes a full-page article headlined “Death inside Khomeini’s jails."’ One week later, U.S. News and World Report mentions the Faith in an article headed ‘Plague of religious wars around the globe.””

Also on June 25, the Baha'i International Community announces that

the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has decided to appoint a special representative to make a thorough study of the human rights situation in Iran including the plight of that country’s 300,000 Baha’is.

In response to the message of October 20, 1983, from the Universal

House of Justice, the National Spi tual Assembly appoints a four-member Social and Economic Development Committee to help in the implementation of its development programs.

The new committee schedules its first conference for December 7-8 at the Louhelen Baha’i School.

One hundred thirty-eight Baha’is

from Canada and the U.S. take part June 1-3 in a conference on social and economic development at the Louhelen School that is sponsored by the Association for Baha’i Studies’ Midwestern Regional Committee.

Among the speakers are Counsellor Fred Schechter; Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; and Paul Ojermark, director of the Social and Economic Development arm of the Baha’i International Community.

The National Spiritual Assembly

establishes an Office of External Af

PETER KHAN

fairs, based in New Haven, Connecticut, and headed by its vice-chairman, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, to deal with government, media, and leaders of thought, and to expand and consolidate the Faith’s recent gains in the area of recognition.

Jacqueline Eghrari, a member of

the National Baha’ Youth Committee, and Albert Cheung, a doctoral candidate who has been serving as the

committee's representative to the International Year of Youth (YY) Commission, attend a meeting in Washington, D.C., with the commission’s Domestic Policy Committee, the group charged with planning the year-long observance in 1985.

Miss Eghrari also attends a White House reception during which President Reagan speaks about the [YY observance.

Two Counsellors, five Auxiliary

AND

JANE FAILY

Board members and 45 assistants to the Auxiliary Board attend a conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, that is organized by Counsellor Sarah Martin Pereira and has as its theme “Raising the Standard of the Campaign of Unified Action in the Southern States.””

Repair work on the dome of the

Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette begins June 11 and is to continue through mid-December.

The National Assembly creates

new District Electoral Committees in each of the country’s 94 Baha'i districts to oversee the organization of the annual District Conventions.

The National Teaching Committee makes available a new ‘‘Homefront Pioneering’ booklet that lists

and explains the committee’s priori for homefront pioneers and offers other helpful information.

The National Youth Committee

calls for nine College Club conferences to be held at various sites in the fall to begin the Campus Teaching Plan for the 1984-85 school year.

JULY

© In messages dated July 3 and 5, the Universal House of Justice reports the execution of two more Baha’is in Iran; Nusratu’llah Vahdat, hanged June 17 in Mashhad, and Thsanu’llah Kathiri, executed June 27 in Tehran after 11 months in prison.

© Ina message to the House of Justice dated July 28, the National Teaching Committee announces 250 enrollments on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations in South Dakota as a result of the Amoz Gibson Teaching Project, bringing the goal of 50 Spiritual Assemblies on Indian Reservations within sight.

Among the recent visitors to the Reservations, the committee reports, is the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem.

[Page 17]

YEAR IN REVIEW

dune 1985

17

The Distribution Service will also be the outlet for books, audio and video tapes, posters and other materials from Baha’i publishers and producers elsewhere in the world.

Glenford E. Mitchell, a member

of the Universal House of Justice and former secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, visits the House of Worship on July 26 and addresses an audience composed of Baha’is.

The National Spiritual Assembly

reports that because contributions to the Fund have reached only 60 per cent of the goal, it has been necessary to borrow $200,000 to meet basic needs including the commitment to send $125,000 each calendar month to the Baha’i World Centre.

One hundred-ten people attend a

weekend conference July 15-22 at the Louis Gregory Baha’ Institute that is part of a special ‘*Youth Week” designed to help launch the Army of Light’s Campaign of Unified Action in South Carolina.

During the week, more than 30 people including eight youth and an 87-year-old man declare their belief in Baha'u'llah.

AUGUST

As a part of the Campaign of

Unified Action, the National Spiritual Assembly calls on the American Baha’i community to launch during the month of Qudrat (November 4-22) the greatest wave of fireside teaching ever seen in this country.

Among the ‘‘prizes’’ to be awarded to the district with the greatest number of firesides per capita during that month is a week-long visit by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and his wife, Marguerite. Also, the National Assembly will meet that weekend in the winning district, and its members will take part in as many firesides as they can.

Some 800 U.S. Baha’i youth are

ad

ROBERT HARRIS

among the nearly 2,000 young people from 52 countries who attend Canada’s first International Baha’i Youth Conference, held August 25-27 in London, Ontario.

Among the speakers are the Hands of the Cause of God ‘Ali-Akbar Funitan, John Robarts and ‘Ali-Muhammad Varq4; Counsellors Farzam Arbab and Lloyd Gardner; and four members of the National Spiritual As

sembly of Canada.

© The persecution of Baha’is in Iran is specifically mentioned in the fifth resolution condemning the violation of human rights in that country which is passed August 24 by a vote of 14-1 with six abstentions by the UN Human Rights Commission’s subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.

During July and August, Puran

Stevens of the National Center’s Office of Persian Affairs and Vahid Hedayati, a Baha’ from Graham, Texas, visit Immigration and Natural

‘ALI-AKBAR FURUTAN

ization Service processing centers in Austria, Italy and Spain on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly to gather information and identify liaisons for each of those National Assemblies through which communications relating to the refugee situation may be carried out directly. The goal is to effect closer cooperation with those National Assemblies in helping to resettle Iranian Baha'i refugees.

Seventy-four National Treasurer's

Representatives (NTRs) from across the country attend the seventh NTR Training Institute held August 30-September 3 in Evanston, Illinois.

While there, they hear presentations by Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Glen Eyford, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; and Auxiliary Board member Robert Harris.

More than 140 Baha’is attend the

first conference on the Campaign of Unified Action to be held at the Green Acre Bahi school in Eliot, Maine.

SEPTEMBER

© On September 1, the Mother Temple of the Pacific in Apia, Western Samoa, is dedicated in the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khdénum, representing the Universal House of Justice, and His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, a Baha’i who is head of state in Western Samoa.

More than 1,000 Baha'is and guests from 45 countries are present. The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly is represented by one of its members, Soo Fouts.

Ina letter to his constituents dated

September 12, U.S. Sen. Charles H. Percy of Illinois, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, announces that the committee has unanimously approved a bill to strengthen U.S. policy against torture.

“Because so many Baha'is in [ran have been tortured,”’ he writes, “this bill has been strongly supported by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’ is in the United States as an portant means of enhancing international efforts to oppose torture wherever it occurs.””

More than 1,130 Baha’is and their guests from 22 states, Alaska and Canada attend the 25th Green Lake (Wisconsin) Baha’i Conference.

Among the special guests are the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The National Assembly reports

that because contributions to the National Fund continue to lag significantly behind the goal, it has been necessary to borrow an additional $800,000 to meet operating expenses, bringing the present bank debt to $1.2 million. At the same time, the National Assembly takes steps to reduce planned expenses for the year by about $1 million.

More than 170 members of District Teaching Committees across the country join the National Teaching Committee in Skokie, Illinois, for the first national’ briefing of DTC members.

Also attending are Counsellor Farzam Arbab and Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

OCTOBER

In a message dated October 11,

the Universal House of Justice reports the martyrdom in Iran of Shéhpir Markazi, a member of the former National Spiritual Assembly of Iran and of the Auxiliary Board who was executed following months of torture. The same message reports the death in prison under mysterious circumstances of a 60-year-old man, Aminu’llah Qurbanpuir.

“ | 3 is t ° soo FOUTS

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs devotes its October issue of “The Gist,”’ a reference

aid on foreign relations, to a description of “the plight of Iranian Baha’is."”

The publication is sent to about 13,000 agencies and individuals including U.S. embassies and consulates, the U.S. Information Agency, parliamentarians all over the world,

members of Congress, newspaper personnel, selected schools and universities, some foreign embassies and philanthropic organizations.

Thirty-nine Bahá’ís and the

Spiritual Assembly of Chicago are recipients of the sixth annual Corinne True Awards for meritorious service to the Baha’i House of Worship.

The awards are presented October 27 in Foundation Hall by Miss Edna True, the daughter of the Hand of the Cause of God Corinne True, for whom the awards are named.

Dr. Wilma Brady, a member of

WILMA BRADY

the National Spiritual Assembly, is the keynote speaker at the 21st annual banquet of the Business and Professional Association of Charleston, South Carolina. She is the first woman to deliver the keynote address at the association’s annual meeting.

© In a letter to parents of Baha’i youth, the Louhelen Baha'i School administrators report that the Louhelen Council is “giving serious consideration to establishing a residential college (at the school) in September 1986.”

NOVEMBER

The Universal House of Justice

announces the death on November 16 of the Hand of the Cause of God Shu‘a’u'lláh ‘Ala’i who passed away after more than 70 years of dedicated service at the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh.

The House of Justice describes Gen. ‘Ala’i as “ta tower of strength’’ in the Cradle of the Faith where he served “eminently, devotedly in its emerging administrative institutions since theit inception.””

The Supreme Body also reports

the execution of three more Baha’is in Iran including Ahmad Bashiri, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran which was disbanded August 29, 1983, and Yunis Nawruzi, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Karaj. Details surrounding the death of Firuz Purdil, an engineer from Mashhad, are not yet known.

The House of Justice issues a supplementary call for 88 pioneers to be

sent to 29 national communities by 18 National Spiritual Assemblies, raising the total number of pioneer goals for the last phase of the Seven Year Plan to 386.

The Supreme Body reports that 275 pioneers still are needed to fill the posts originally assigned. ichard Schifter, a U.S. represen

tative to the UN Commission on Human Rights, tells a UN committee discussing religious intolerance that the refusal of Iranian Baha’is to renounce their faith even under pressure of torture and possible execution “‘is one of the most amazing stories of heroism of our time.

“If any set of human rights violations in the world today cries to high heaven,"’ Ambassador Schifter adds, “this one surely is it.””

The Baha’is in Kansas hold 830

firesides (2.293 per capita) during the “Month of Firesides’’ November 4-23, topping every other district and winning a week-long visit by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and Mrs. Sears.

The Sears will conduct firesides for five evenings in Kansas and then join the friends for a special weekend ‘“‘victory rally.””

Meanwhile, the condition of the

National Fund continues to worsen with contributions far below what the National Assembly confidently felt would be achieved, and total loans outstanding reach critical proportions with the bank debt raised to $1.2 million. :

In response, the National Assembly directs its agencies to reduce planned expenditures for the year by $1.5 million and expresses its determination to reduce expenditures even further.

The Hands of the Cause of God

‘ullah Khadem, John Robarts and ‘Ali-Muhammad Varga are among the 1,150 people attending the ninth annual conference of the Association for Baha’ Studies in Ottawa, Canada.

The conference is devoted to the memory of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

WLGI Radio is featured in a twominute report broadcast November 5

during the evening news program on WPDE-TV in Florence, South Carolina.

The construction of the Baha’s

House of Worship in New Delhi, India, is the subject of a cover article in the November 8 issue of Engineering

News-Record, a weekly magazine published by McGraw-Hill.

DECEMBER

For the second year in a row, President Reagan, during a White House

ceremony commemorating. International Human Rights Day, refers to the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran as

See YEAR Page 28

[Page 18]ne en in i ne rn CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha'i

18

Classified notices in The American Bahd’( are published free of charge as a service to the Baha’i community. Notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial 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.

CHILDREN’S teachers are needed for the Amoz Gibson Project. Positions are open for two full-time teachers to travel to various sites on the project. The Amoz Gibson Project will provide room, board, a vehicle, and gas for teachers who will develop and implement materials for Baha’i children’s classes, set up a schedule for the various locations. For more information on the positions and application process, contact John Retzlaff, P.O. Box 922, Pierre, SD 57501, or phone 605224-1041.

JOB openings for two public health nurses in Thailand’s Kha-I

Dang Refugee Camp. One is avail-.

able immediately, the other in 2-3 months. Experience in public health nursing is required. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i_ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 312-869-9039.

LOOKING for a fun place to teach this summer? Come: to the Eastern Washington teaching project July 11-21, on and around the Yakima Indian Reservation. We especially welcome youth (use up some of that energy generated by the Youth Conference in Ohio!) and those who speak Spanish. For more information and to sign up for a great experience, phone Brad or Joy Lucas, 509-765-1909.

HOUSE for rent in a goal area: family leaving to pioneer in Africa has house on three lots with fruit and nut trees and lovely garden for $400 a month. The Assembly will be jeopardized if they are not replaced. Please phone immediately, Spiritual Assembly of Jupiter, Florida, 305-746-6163, or the National Teaching Committee, 312-869-9039, x. 235.

. TEACHERS are needed at a private school in the Marshall Islands, a goal area. Openings are in grades kindergarten through eighth. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

ENGINEERING positions open to Baha’is at Enertech, America’s leading wind system manufacturer, for engineering department head, electrical design engineer, mechanical design engineer, wind systems service engineer, test engineer. B.S. degree and 5-8 years experience or equivalent required. This employer has other Baha’i employees and has requested that we advertise for

more Bahai employees in The American Baha’. Send resumé and background information to Enertech, P.O. Box 420, Norwich, VT or phone 802-649-1145. For background information on the goal areas near Norwich, phone Gary Scott, 802-275-2387, or Steve Langley, 802-295-6916, or the National Teaching Committee, 312-869-9039.

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

NEEDED: information about developing a Baha’i ‘‘correspondence course’? or contact with communities that have ever offered such. Contact Jeanne McCarty, Griffith, IN 46319.

WANTED: a good copy of Nabil’s The Dawn-breakers (U.S. edition); also, any first edition Baha’i books in good condition. Contact Jeanne McCarty,

Griffith, IN 46319, or phone 219-924-8243.

ARTIST wanted to illustrate children’s educational book (baby animals and some hand lettering). Prefer student who is studying illustration and design. Send samples of your work (and include postage if you want them returned) to Shirley Crenshaw,

Washington, IL 61571.

ENLIST now under the Black Standard! South Carolina is on the verge of unprecedented expansion, Will you be here to help it happen? Come teach this summer and take part in Project Tabarsi, or come stay and help us raise the number of homefront pioneers to 313. The opportunity is special. Seize your chance! Contact Carey Murphy, South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee office,

Hemingway, SC 29554, or phone 803-558-5194.

PIONEER to Samoa. A physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner is needed to provide primary care in a dispensary connected with the Department of Public Health in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Subsidized housing, health care, five weeks vacation, transportation and moving expenses provided for successful applicants. Two-year renewable contract available. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BOSCH Baha’ School invites applications for staff positions: single adults or mature youth for 3-6 months (renewable) as stu dent-staff or apprentice staff and for full-time summer staff. Special talents and abilities to be considered in selection. Opportunity for learning, leadership experience, and service in a unique setting secluded in redwood forest but near city, community colleges, UCSanta Cruz. Possibility of internship or work credit from your college by your own arrangement. Areas of service include office and bookkeeping work, grounds maintenance, food service, building maintenance, mechanical, audio and video recording, music, environmental studies, folk dancing, child care, recreation, lifeguard, and teachers for young children. Interviews will be arranged in northern and southern California for those being considered, following receipt of a letter of application, resumé, name, together with the name, address and phone number of your Assembly secretary. Send to: School Administrator, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

OREGON’S mid-Columbia area would blossom if a one- or two-month resident teacher could be found to deepen many new believers in God’s Cause this summer. Ability to speak Spanish is a definite plus. Write to the Eastern Oregon District Teaching Committee, _ Pendleton, OR 97801.

FORT Valley, Georgia, a masstaught Bahá’í community, has a non-functioning Assembly, one homefront pioneer family, and needs more pioneers to help create a strong Bahá’í community. The largest employers . besides Fort Valley State College are companies manufacturing school buses, textiles and farm chemicals. Roytype, a manufacturer of office supplies, is opening a new plant and has openings in middle management positions. For more information or assistance, write to the Baha’i community of Fort Valley, Fort Valley, GA_ 31030, or phone 912-8253542.

PLAN NOW to attend a regional conference for social and economic development for the central eastern states (Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, southern Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Washington, D.C.) the weekend of August 2-4 at Western Maryland College in Westminster. The task force that is planning the conference is looking for volunteers to serve as workshop facilitators, children’s class teachers, and logistical support (set-up, registration, cleanup, etc.). If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please contact the task force secretary, Kimberlee J. Benart,

_ . Arlington, VA 22202, or phone 703-5214870 evenings or weekends. Volunteers should include information about experience and interests as well as the name of their Assembly or District Teaching

Committee secretary, if possible. Conference workshops will cover such topics as community development, health, education, agriculture, business, and legal and financial considerations.

BAHA’I computer bulletin board: If you have a computer with a modem, or just a terminal, give us a call. Any computer is welcome. The number is 408-3534531; 400 Baud, 24-hour. Operated by Jason Allie, Baha’is of Santa Clara County Southwest, P.O. Box 433, Los Gatos, CA ot Voice phone: 408-3531261.

1AM working at a radio station in Fort Worth, Texas, and am interested in receiving materials for Baha’i public service announcements and radio, TV and newspaper articles or programs. I am also interested in hearing from others in the media about how we can better serve the Faith in this field of growing importance. Write to Diann Boone-Wallis, 8 _ Euless, TX 76040, or phone 817-571-0612. ATTENTION prospective homefront pioneers: Here’s a great opportunity to help complete a Spiritual Assembly! New Hampshire has eight towns of seven or more adult Baha'is: Bristol, Claremont, Hudson, Keene, Lebanon, Lincoln, Rochester, Woodstock. For more information, please contact the District Teaching Committee secretary, Jon Ring, Exeter, NH 03833, or phone 603772-4680.

DOMINICA needs _ pioneers. Provost wanted for Ross University School of Medicine, based in New York, with periodic travel to Dominica. Applicants must have

an M.D. degree with several years of administrative and fund-raising experience. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THERE ARE plenty of jobs for teachers, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists in Shonto, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation midway between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. The high altitude (6,300 feet) makes for cool, pleasant summers. Government jobs have Indian preference but non-Indians are easily employed. Good salary, nice government housing. For information please write to Mrs. Carolyn Almieda or Mrs. Sue White, c/o the Shonto Boarding School, Shonto, AZ 86054.

MAINTENANCE worker is sought at the Louhelen Bahda’i School. Should have experience in carpentry, mechanics, custodial, grounds work and general maintenance and be mature, stable, reliable and hard-working, able to work well with others. Compensation includes room, board and $7,000 per year. Applicants may send a letter and resumé to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

THE BAHA’I National Computer and Telecommunications Committee asks that all Bahda’is and Baha’i communities who are presently using, planning to use, or would like to look into the possibility of using computers for any aspect of their work for the Faith contact the committee by July 20. The committee is gathering information on the use of computers by

See ADS Page 32

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in this unique compilation.

Softcover only

Any Baha'i who is interested in being placed on a mailing list to learn about property for sale near the Green Acre Baha’i School may contact the school administrator, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME

03903.

[Page 19]

PERSIAN/AMERICAN

19

dune 1985

Sharing, cooperation al to process of integration

The National Persian/American Affairs Committee believes that the issue of integration in general, and the cooperation of Iranian and non-Iranian members of the community in fostering this integration in particular, is of critical importance at this time.

If we are to be successful in promoting an integrated community we need to share our ideas, experiences and concerns about the process of integration. It is through this kind of open and loving consultation that we can overcome whatever barriers there may be to understanding and unity.

You are invited to submit your comments about integration or recommendations based on your experiences with Bahá’ís from different cultural backgrounds for publication in The American Baha’i.

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[Page 20]

PERSIAN/AMERICAN

The American Baha’i

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Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dr. Amin Banani

Santa Nonica, CA 90402 Dr. Daryush Haghighi

Rocky River, Ohio 44116 AU By pyetrle & Lat L 135518 Qe tas

thern Trust Company f Huqdqu’114h Trust Box 92959

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[Page 21]TT PERSIAN/AMERICAN

21

dune 1985

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(seenersrene essen PERRET CREE Pe EP STEN ESSE ER ORE ETE [Page 22]TREASURER’S REPORT

The American Baha'i

22

The annual financial report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States for 1984-85 was presented to the assembled delegates and guests at the 76th Baha’i National Convention on April 29, 1984. The following is an updated summary of that report, based on more recent contributions figures since the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice held during Jalal (April 9-28). The report as presented to the Convention is available on request from the Office of the Treasurer (figures estimated as of April 30, 1985).

The National Spiritual Assembly established a $9 million National Fund goal at the outset of the past fiscal year. Monthly contributions fell consistently below that goal; consequently, in September, the goal was determined to be too high. The National Spiritual Assembly responded by curtailing activities, eliminating staff positions, cutting programs, and combining functions at the National Center.

The Fund goal was reduced to $7.5 million and a three-part plan for financial reorganization was announced by the National Assembly: (1) to “‘break even’’; (2) to repay the outstanding bank debt; and (3) to build “working capital.’’ A number of Baha’i communities responded immediately with pledges of increased financial support and creative fund-raising ideas.

Despite all efforts to reduce expenses, the National Fund still incurred expenses estimated at $1,000,000 over revenue.

For the 1985-86 fiscal year, the National Spiritual Assembly will consider a further $500,000 reduction in its operations budget. Priorities have been set to strengthen the areas that expand the Faith: teaching, diplomatic work and support of the Universal House of Justice.

Highlights of the Year

1, Revenue to the National Fund is estimated at $6,350,000—a decrease of two per cent from the previous year.

2. Due to the excess of expenses over revenue, the Fund balance deficit grew from $1,559,000 to an estimated $2,559,000—a major concern to the National Spiritual Assembly.

3. The following noteworthy expenditures were incurred during the year:

¢ Expansion of the External Affairs (diplomatic) Office.

¢ Increased support of the Baha’i World Centre.

¢ Expansion of the Persian/American Affairs Office.

Increased costs of resettling additional

pioneers.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS tsamatet oe ne hemage Contributions (in thousands) Assembles $s 2070 Ss 2075 1% Groups 270 ane 1% Indduats 3,956 4.052 2% Tota $s 6.296 s 6401 2% titmaee 1985, 908 cnange Average Baha'i Month Participation Assembles 827 ma a Groups maa 2a Indraduas 5.908 4076 45 Favorable 6 = me (Unfavorable) Operating Results-National Baha'i Fund (in thousands) Total revenwe Ss 650 S 6.485 (136) Total expenses 7.350 6831 619) Excess revenue expenses) $ (1,000) S346) $1654) tana ve oa “ge Financial Condition-National Baha'i Fund (in thousands) Assets s 755 s 989 24% abies. saan S 258 20 Fund balance (deh (2.559) 11559 +64% shia Gramatc néresse in indwicual parbcipeton i. part. be to Counting lity members ndrndubly as coninbutors

Office of Treasurer’s annual financial report

NATIONAL BAHA’I FUND 1984-85 ‘ REVENUE TOTAL: $6,350,000 INDIVIDUALS GROUPS $3,956,000 $270,000 62% 4% ASSEMBLIES $2,070,000 ye OTHER eae $54,000 1%

INTERNATIONAL $1,640,000 22%

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION $1,671,000 23%

TRANSFER TO PROPERTIES $561,000 8%

Expansion of the Native American Baha’i Institute.

4. Support of the Bahda’i International Fund increased from $1,126,000 last year to a projected all-time high of $1,500,000 in the current year.

5. The Baha’i House of Worship dome in Wilmette was repaired. The $900,000 project cost was funded by earmarked contributions of $400,000 and a $500,000 bank loan.

6. Participation by local Spiritual Assemblies increased 12 per cent—from an average of 741 last year to an average of 827 this year, establishing a new record for average Assembly participation.

7. The number of individual Baha’ is contributing to the National Fund each month increased 45 per cent—from an average of 4,076 to an average of 5,904, establishing a new record.

8. The Baha’i community of Round Rock, Texas, provided the initiative for the “GOOD” (Get Out of Debt) campaign which helped trigger a record two consecutive Baha’i months of contributions in excess of $500,000 each.

9. Construction of radio station WLGI at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute was completed. Its first broadcast was aired on

NS SSSR SR RUT SSS STS RE AS aE ST RO A FE A ATO TT TE

v2

1984-85 EXPENDITURES

TOTAL: $7,350,000

TEACHING $2,543,000 34%

NATIONAL CENTER

PROPERTIES $935,000 13%

May 23, 1984. Achievements Over a Six-Year Period

Contributions to the National Fund increased by 89 per cent.

Total revenue from contributions

equaled $32.5 million.

Contributed to the construction of the

permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

¢ $1.3 million raised for WLGI and the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute.

Reconstructed the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.

Purchased the National Administration

building in Wilmette, Illinois.

¢ Expanded the number of Bahda’i schools from 29 to 46.

° Established a Persian/American Affairs Office.

Established an External Affairs Office.

[Page 23]

TREASURER’S REPORT

dune 1985

23

by 20,000; formed 300 new local Spiritual Assemblies; and provided 1,400 pioneers.

Fund Education

A total of 158 National Treasurer’s Representatives (NTRs) offer courses and a variety of audio-visual materials that relate the Fund to everyday life. Moreover, with the elimination of the Treasurer’s letter, the Office of the Treasurer initiated an informal bi-monthly newsletter, ‘‘Fundamentals,”” to help in the development of local Assembly treasurers.

Conclusions

Revenue decreased by two per cent during fiscal 1985 and expenses exceeded revenue by $1,000,000. This imbalance caused a further weakening of the National Fund’s financial condition. Although advances were made in a number of important areas, swift action is needed to bring about financial stability. Two actions are needed for the reduction—and subsequent elimination—of the deficit:

1. Increase the base of support from the community.

2. Reduce spending.

The National Spiritual Assembly has made great efforts to reduce spending without endangering advancement. The American Baha’i community must now arise to a great challenge: increasing the base of support for the National Fund. By increasing the number of new believers and educating the friends about the Fund, this challenge may be overcome—teaching and the Fund go hand in hand.

JALAL

| monthly goal: $395,000

$552,152

oar ee Teen and attachment to the Cause.

deeds the intensity of bis devotion

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$0 5s mw 8? n fe fee ow

fw sm soe os

fom Sow ae

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sw 5 $120 $10 *

tomo $730 amo w os

Broadcast course

to be held in July

at Gibson Centre

The Amoz Gibson Training Centre for Baha’ Media in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, is sponsoring a three-week course July 1-21 in broadcast engineering.

The course is specifically designed for technical personnel who are now serving or who hope to serve at Baha’i radio projects.

The Gibson Training Centre is operated by CIRBAL, a Baha’i organization that is responsible for the development of Baha’i media in Latin America and the Caribbean basin and is under the direction of the Universal House of Justice.

The broadcast engineering course will be conducted by K. Dean Stephens, director of CIRBAL’s broadcast division and a certified broadcast engineer with more than 26 years of experience in broadcast administration and engineering.

Classes, in English and Spanish, will cover various radio-related topics including Baha’i radio case histories, site selection, station design, emergency transmission, and much more.

Tuition is $400 per student including materials, room and board. A tuition deposit of $100 must be paid by June 17; the remaining $300 is payable July 1. Late reservations will be accepted only if space is available at a cost of $450.

For more information, contact the Amoz Gibson Training Centre for Baha’i Media, Barrio Rio Arriba, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612.

ee

Letters

Continued From Page 3

and the ever-present figure of Baha’u’llah is felt everywhere (‘Who hath ears to hear, let him hear’).

The harmony of science and religion does not eliminate the possibility that there are inexplicable forces that change or affect the course of events and can even disrupt the natural order of things. We have too many examples in our short history as Bahá’ís to deny this.

We can cite numerous examples from the prophetic words of the Bab announcing the invention of mass communication for the proclamation of this new Day of God to the warnings and prophecies of Baha’u’ lah to the kings and rulers of His time.

Think of the prophetic words contained in Baha’u’llah’s Tablets to Napoleon III, to Czar Alexander II, and to Pope Pius IX.

The physical absence of a Prophet does not eliminate His power in this temporal world. We may no longer receive dramatic or prophetic Tablets, but He certainly has much to do with our present state of affairs. It would be short-sighted of us to ignore this.

TWO OR three years before the revolution in Iran, a Counsellor in South America shared with me the fact that he had left that country to pioneer to South America at the request of Shoghi Effendi.

The beloved Guardian had insisted, through letters and exhortations, that Baha’is should leave Iran because things would become intolerable there in the near future.

Thus, the outcome of events in Iran came as no great surprise to me or to anyone who had read the Guardian’s letters.

I can hardly believe that these events are not the effect of a cause that is too mysterious for us to understand rationally. Calling it “‘undisciplined, unsupported wishful thinking” because we cannot dissect it or explain it in precise mathematical terms would place us at the same level as the many materialist factions in existence today.

Oscar Cardozo Coral Springs, Florida

To the Editor:

The March issue of The American Baha’i carried a letter concerning attitudes toward unwed mothers, which to me raises an even broader issue; that is, the attitude and behavior of Baha’is toward actions of which they disapprove on the part of fellow Baha’is.

On occasion I’ve heard of individuals taking it upon themselves to inform some fellow believer that his or her participation in the community was not desired because of (insert here the particular sin or behavior trait of your

choice).

I even know of one instance in which a Baha’i entered the resignation from the Faith on behalf of another—which was, upon inquiry by the Assembly, rejected by the person for whom this unsolicited favor had been rendered.

Dear friends, let us resolve to be © forbearing toward one another. Let us look to the ill in our own hearts and not presume to usurp the office of God in judgment of others.

It seems to me that the motive of clarity and dispassion is most conducive to healing and that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.””

If we feel we must speak to someone about a fault, let us share our concern ‘‘in a language of utmost kindness and good will’’ (Gleanings, p. 289).

But better, I think, if we have the purity of soul, to forbear and pray God to heal both the object of our anger and ourselves. John Ives Albany, California

To the Edit

Anne Beginnes’ letter (February) quotes freely from selected Bahá’í_ writings -in advocating vegetarianism and condemning the killing of animals, but ignores others.

In Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Section 137, the Master says: ‘‘... in the physical realm of creation, all things are eaters and eaten: the plant drinketh in the mineral, the animal doth crop and swallow down the plant, man doth feed upon the animal, and the mineral devoureth the body of man. Physical bodies are transferred past one barrier after another, from one life to another, and all things are subject to transformation and change, save only the essence of existence itselfsince it is constant and immutable, and upon it is founded the life of every species and kind, of every contingent reality throughout the whole of creation.

“‘Whensoever thou dost examine, through a microscope, the water man drinketh, the air he doth breathe, thou wilt see that with every breath of air, man taketh in an abundance of animal life, and with every draught of water, he also swalloweth down a great variety of animals. How could it ever be possible to put a stop to this process? For all creatures are eaters and eaten, and the very fabric of life is reared upon this fact. Were it not so, the ties that interlace all created things within the universe would be unravelled.’”

My conclusion is that we are free to hunt, kill and use other animals, but we must do so with humaneness and moderation and only to the extent needed for food and other necessities. Clearly, to kill for sport or pleasure is evil and forbidden.

Robert L. Burton Mesa, Arizona

[Page 24]NATIONAL CONVENTION’ The American Baha’i

24

Convention

Continued From Page 1

members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1985-86.

Those elected are Dr. Robert C. Henderson, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, Judge James F. Nelson, Soo Fouts, Chester Kahn, Dr. Wilma Brady, Dr. Alberta Deas, and Dr. William Maxwell.

Dr. Maxwell replaces Dr. Dwight Allen who resigned from the National Assembly to pioneer to southern Africa.

The Assembly met shortly afterward to elect its officers who are the same as last year: Judge James Nelson, chairman; Dr. Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman; Dr. Henderson, secretary; Judge Dorothy Nelson, treasurer.

In its annual report to the Baha’i community, the National Assembly said that ‘‘one can sense the approach of significant change and the rapidly emerging maturity and strength with which the community will direct the course of change.

“The Universal House of Justice has plainly stated that the Baha’i Faith has emerged from obscurity. The pace of change is accelerating and will, without doubt, place new demands on the Baha’i community. Our challenge is to expand our capacity, intensify our efforts, and broaden the scope of our vision.”

As one way of broadening that

scope, the National Assembly “plans to appoint a National Education Advisory Task Force which is to be given the mandate of designing a comprehensive education strategy for the remaining years of this century.”

The National Assembly’s report points to the “‘inspired and increasingly forceful leadership of the National Teaching Committee’’ in pursuit of its stated goal to “resurrect teaching’? within the American Bahá’í community, citing in particular the ‘Martha Root Teaching Conferences”’ and its meetings with District Teaching Committees.

The recent series of conferences conducted among more than 500 Spiritual Assemblies, the report says, “‘evidenced, to a greater degree than anyone expected, a wide variety of teaching, proclamation and service activities’ that are being carried out by the friends in every area of the country.

The National Teaching Committee’s report points to a number of significant developments including:

° THE OPENING broadcast that same month by WLGI Radio. -in South Carolina.

The enrollment of 285 new

Baha’ is and the formation of eight Spiritual Assemblies as a result of the Amoz Gibson Project in South Dakota.

° A dramatic increase in the number of teaching projects held in various parts of the country.

The first National District

Teaching Committee briefing, held last September 28-30 in Skokie, Illinois.

The ‘‘Month of Firesides’’

last November which set in motion a new wave of teaching ac tivity. ° The seven ‘‘Martha Root Conferences’? held in various

parts of the country.

° The rekindling of teaching and other activities among Native Americans.

¢ THE production of a new, simplified enrollment card.

The re-introduction of a

“*New Believers’ Packet.””

The enrollment of more than

150 people as a result of the ‘*Carolina Victory Train.””

¢ Initial preparations for registering Baha’i children.

¢ Development of a proposal for the appointment of a national Chinese Teaching Committee to guide and direct the teaching work among that significant minority.

“WE ENTER spring,’’ the Teaching Committee’s report concludes, ‘‘with high expectations for the remainder of 1984-85 and the years to come. A renewed vision of America’s spiritual destiny and a fuller understanding of the Campaign of Unified Action continue to permeate the Baha’i community.”

The Youth Movement, the National Youth Committee says in its report, ‘‘has spread rapidly across North America and shows much promise.” The Youth Network, it says, consists of about 475 youth clubs and committees (college, local and district) whose activities ‘‘range from teaching and service projects to deepenings and retreats.’”

The committee cites as espe cially significant during the past year:

Participation in International Youth Year 1985.

“Youth Year of Service,” a

new program designed to place Baha'i youth in positions of service to the Cause for a period of at least one year.

The committee’s youth correspondence course, ‘The Standard,’’ which is mailed monthly to

some 325 subscribers.

ENTIRE

CONVEY WARMEST LOVE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ALL DELEGATES. CONFIDENT DELEGATES WILL AROUSE NATIONAL COMMUNITY UNPRECEDENTED TEACHING EFFORT FINAL YEAR PLAN. MAY INSPIRING MESSAGE HOUSE JUSTICE SET AFLAME HEARTS ASSURING VAST INCREASE NEW BELIEVERS SO DEAR HEART BELOVED GUARDIAN. TENDEREST LOVE.

BILL SEARS APRIL 25, 1985

December and the nine College Club conferences held last fall.

The Office of the Treasurer reported an estimated $6,750,000 in revenue during the past year, an increase of four per cent above the previous year, but some $600,000 short of expenses.

As a result, the Fund balance deficit rose from $1,559,000 at the beginning of the year to an estimated $2,159,000, a matter of serious concern to the National Spiritual Assembly.

The figures given did not include results of the national Day of Unity and Sacrifice held April 21.

In that same spirit of sacrifice, an informal fund-raising effort was launched at the Convention with more than $17,000 raised for the National Fund.

A highlight of the Convention was the presentation Saturday evening of the new music video, ““Mona and the Children,’’ by two Baha’is from Canada, producer Alex Frame and songwriter/performer Doug Cameron.

The video, produced with the advice and encouragement of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, tells the story of Mona Mahmidnizhad, a 16-year-old girl who was one of 10 Baha’i women martyred June 18, 1983, in Shiraz, Iran.

Among the well-known performers who helped make the video are Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, Dan Seals, Buffy St. Marie, and actor Alex Rocco who plays the part of the mulla who interrogated Mona and sentenced her to death.

Also presented was the rough cut of a 45-minute film entitled “The Making of Mona’’ which details how the project came about, includes scenes of the actual shooting, and focuses on the extraordinary nationwide publicity generated by production of the video.

Saturday evening’s session began with a presentation on Baha’i devotions by Jackson ArmstrongIngram of the National Baha’i Archives staff.

MORE SO than in recent years, music played an important role in the convention with a wide-ranging program coordinated by Sheryl Rak of the National Center’s Office of the Secretary.

Among the performers were singers Kerry McCord, Priscilla Triplett, Donna Kime, Van Gilmer and Mrs. Rak; pianists Chris Keller, Camilla Krueger, Ellen Swan Dixon and Rick Hill; the music group ‘‘Heartbeat”’; Spanish guitarist Carlos Mendoza; instrumentalist Warren Kime; and a unique program entitled ‘‘East Meets West’’ featuring santour player Kiu Haghighi and pianist Roland Ashby.

Nostalgia was the order of the day at the Publishing Trust bookstore as personnel donned turn-of the-century costumes to promote the Trust’s release of Robert Stockman’s book, The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 18921900.

Saturday morning’s non-delegate session featured a tour of the national administrative building in nearby Evanston, while Sunday morning’s devotional program in the House of Worship auditorium was presented by children.

Before the formal opening of that final session, eight-year-old Maia Ashby of Glenview, Illinois, presented a memorized speech as a result of the delegates’ vote to witness a sample of the children’s public speaking project conducted by Knight of Baha’u’llah Gayle Woolson.

The project is based on the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: ‘‘Encourage ye the school children, from their earliest years, to deliver speeches of high quality ...””

[Page 25]NATIONAL CONVENTION

dune 1985

25

/

The 1985 Baha’i National Convention marked the 60th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly. What began in 1909 as Baha’i Temple Unity was officially recognized by the Guardian in 1925 as the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada. The historic first election was held at the Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot, Maine.

The National Convention held that year at Green Acre is remembered as an especially important one because it took place in an environment so definitely blessed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and so fully consecrated to a permanent service of Baha’i ideals. Green Acre had been referred to by the Guardian as ‘‘the focal center of the devotional, humanitarian, social, and spiritual activities of the Cause”’ while the construction of the House of Worship was still in progress.

Those elected to what was then the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. and Canada were Amelia Collins, Horace Holley, Ali-Kuli Kahn, Allen McDaniel, Mountfort Mills, Florence Morton, Carl Scheffler, Siegfried Schopflocher and Roy Wilhelm. In his Convention report, Louis Gregory wrote that ‘‘a new period has come in the history of the Divine Cause by which the hearts are cheered and the realm of humanity is blessed.”

Horace Holley noted especially the fact that the understanding of the work of Green Acre on the part of the body of believers throughout the land would “‘produce a Baha’j center of influence able in time to contribute uniquely to the realization of our mutual hopes.’’ For the following year, the office of the Assem- , bly secretary was located at Green Acre. 4

It is interesting to note that whereas the makeup of that first National Assembly consisted of one Persian, one Canadian and seven Anglo-Americans (two women and seven men), the present National Spiritual Assembly is composed of one PersianAmerican, one Native American, one Asian-American, four black Americans and two Anglo-Americans. Four of its members are women and five are men.—Robert Atkinson

Nearly 400 Baha’is, guests are present at N.Y.C. memorial for Iranian martyrs

Nearly 400 Baha’is and their guests gathered March 31 at the New York Hilton Hotel for a memorial service honoring the recent victims of religious persecution in Iran.

The keynote speaker was Gerald Knight, a representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations, who presented an overview of the persecution of the Baha’i community of Iran and outlined the steps taken by various international organizations in response to the plight of the Baha’is there.

A second speaker, Douglas Martin, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, was unavoidably detained, and was replaced at the last moment by Auxiliary Board member Robert Harris.

Preparations for the meeting included the design, printing and mailing of 800 flyers, 500 elegant and dignified invitations, and a handsome program featuring a new photograph by Mark Sadan of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

Messages acknowledging the event were received from Mayor Edward Koch, his assistant, and U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan.

Gerald Knight, a representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations, addresses a memorial gathering March 31 at the New York Hilton Hotel for victims of religious persecution in Iran. Nearly 400 Baha’ is and their guests attended the event.

Thomas Liggett, the publisher of “World Peace News,”’ a publication accredited by the UN, attended the meeting with his wife.

Information on Baha’i women’s activities sought for Nairobi, Kenya, conference

Dr. Alberta Deas, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, is requesting information from the American Baha’i community about present Baha’i involvement in programs and activities focused on women’s issues.

Dr. Deas will take the information to Nairobi, Kenya, site of this summer’s UN Conference for the Decade for Women and of the corresponding NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) forum.

Dr. Deas will be attending the forum on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, as will the Assembly’s UN __ representative, Ms. Monireh M. Kazemzadeh.

A delegation of 10 Baha’is representing the Baha’i International Community also will attend the official UN conference.

At the Baha’i National Convention in April, Dr. Deas expressed her desire to have up-todate information on the activities of Baha’i women and of all Baha’is in women’s projects to better

represent American Baha’i women at the Nairobi NGO Forum.

She asked that individual Baha’is, Assemblies, Groups, etc. send information about their involvement in women’s issues to the National Women’s Committee at the National Center or to Ms. Kazemzadeh (Baha’is of the United States,

New York, NY

10017). Reports should be sent no later than June 21.

“The reports don’t need to be

long or formal,”’ says Ms. Kazemzadeh. ‘‘We just very much want to know what Baha’i womenand men—are doing about women’s issues.””

All Baha’is who plan to attend the Nairobi NGO Forum must inform the National Spiritual Assembly of their intention no later than June 30. A list of Baha’i participants will be forwarded to the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya.

Plans are being made for New Jersey’s 73rd Souvenir observance

Plans are under way for the 73rd annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to be held Saturday, June 29, at the Wilhelm Baha’i School in Teaneck, New Jersey.

This year’s keynote speaker is Kay Zinky, a Bahá’í from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who was designated a Knight of Baha*u’ll4h by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, for pioneering to the Magdalen Islands during the Ten Year Crusade.

Among her varied roles was a seven-year term on the National Review Committee during which time she researched the travels of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá including the first Souvenir Picnic in 1912.

Music at this year’s observance will be provided by ‘‘Harvest,”’ and a special program has been planned for the children.

[Page 26]NATIVE AMERICANS

The American Baha’i

26

Native American Baha’i

In the rolling hills of northeastern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, the Native American Bahda’i Institute is taking shape.

SINCE 1982, four buildings have been erected in response to one of the goals of the Seven Year Plan: to “construct and develop a teaching institute on the Navajo Reservation.””

The most recent of these buildings, a lovely Navajo-style “prayer hogan,’’ was recently completed.

Designed by Chester Kahn and built largely under his supervision with local labor, this new hogan honors and draws from Navajo heritage while adding new touches and features of a more modern nature.

The log building’s circular shape symbolizes wholeness, while the cribbed roof creates a graceful dome—both simple and majestic when viewed from the outside, and intricate and perfectly symmetrical when viewed from the inside.

At the top of the dome is a skylight. The materials of nature pervade the structure, right down to the traditional adobe-style dirt floor.

There is a special feeling inside this new creation, conducive to the hogan’s purposes: prayer, meditation and spiritual consultation.

OF COURSE, the hogan may need to serve other purposes as well for the time being, including temporary overnight lodging for Baha’i visitors, especially the hon Navajo-Hopi District sets summer project

The Navajo-Hopi District Teaching Committee is sponsoring a comprehensive teachie project May 27-September

The project, whose focus is on service, teaching and deepening, is based at the Native American Baha’i Institute in Houck, Arizona.

Specific work projects are being carried out at the Institute itself and in several communities around the Navajo and Hopi Reservations. The program content is determined in consultation with the people in each community.

To minimize logistical problems, the teams traveling to each of the communities number no more than five or six,

We welcome anyone who is willing to spend time learning from and teaching the Faith to the Navajo and Hopi people. Orientation and deepening on an ongoing basis are an integral part of the project.

If interested, please contact Gary Boivin, DTC secretary, 602-283-4821, or Jeff Kiely, 602-367-5126, ext. 0180.

ored elders of the community.

A dedication ceremony for the new hogan, in the form of an allnight prayer meeting, was held March 23-24.

The ceremony involved a unique interplay of Navajo tradition and the teachings of the Faith, a central feature of which was the creation and use of a traditionalstyle Navajo sand painting depicting the Baha’i ringstone symbol and using various natural colors to enhance the symbolic explanations made possible by this method.

Brothers Franklin and Benjamin Kahn collaborated with Institute co-administrator Jeff Kiely in designing, producing and explaining the symbol.

Many of those who attended the ceremony were non-Baha’is from the local community, and the ringstone symbol provided the perfect focus for sharing the breadth and depth of the Faith in a way that was attractive and understandable to the Navajo participants. Several pioneers also attended, and indicated that they were quite moved by the event.

THE facilities which preceded the prayer hogan at the Institute include the first multi-purpose hogan, at which many events have been held since its completion in September 1982, on which occasion the National Spiritual Assembly visited and participated in its dedication; an administrator’s residence, now occupied by co-administrators Helen and Jeff Kiely; and a multi-purpose shop, often used for the time being as a temporary lodging facility.

In addition, numerous improvements to the property itself have been made including a fence encircling the 40 acres, minor pruning and landscaping, and the recent planting of a fruit orchard as part of the Institute’s efforts in agricultural development.

Also, hundreds of books have been received from across the country as part of the eventual development of a library (the Institute requests that the friends check with the administrators before sending future such dona

Hayden biographer speaker in Tampa

John Hatcher, a Baha’i who is the author of From the Auroral Darkness, a study of the life and poetry of the late Robert Hayden, was the speaker February 20 at a meeting commemorating Black History Month sponsored by the Baha’i Club at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Dr. Hatcher is a professor of English at the university.

His talk, entitled ‘‘Robert Hayden: A Black Poet in the Age of Transition,”’ led to an article in the school newspaper which mentions the great influence of the Faith on Mr. Hayden’s poetry.

Institute adds ‘prayer hogan’

tions).

In the past year, the Institute has been the site of more than 20 formal events with an average attendance of about 40.

In all, more than 80 people have attended these events (many of them repeat participants).

The programs have included such activities as a funeral for the late homefront pioneer Dr. Gordon Tong; a teaching conference; a social and economic development conference; a LEAP training institute; a Navajo deepening; a traditional ceremony for the protection and blessing of the Baha’is in Iran; a youth deepening; a “Trail of Light” deepening and orientation; and other educational and social events.

PRESENT priorities include increased translation (English to Navajoy of the Creative Word, and the organization of materials and institutes in support of the teaching work. A council fire and pow-wow are being planned for the last weekend in July.

Plans are being made for the next steps in the Institute’s physical development, which will include the construction of lodging facilities and, budget permitting, a children’s learning center, a modest recreation facility, and an administrative/library complex.

In keeping with its attempts to hold costs down and to maintain

Local laborers construct the roof of the new prayer hogan at the Native American Baha’i Institute in Houck, Arizona. The hogan

its ‘grassroots’? focus, the Institute is soliciting donations from the friends of construction and automotive tools, preferably those that are relatively new and of good quality. All manner of common tools will be gratefully accepted.

was designed by Chester Kahn, a Navajo Indian whois a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Tools may be sent (UPS) to the Native American Baha’ Institute, c/o Querino Canyon Superette, Houck, AZ 86506.

Correspondence may be addressed to the Institute at P.O. Box 415, Houck, AZ 86506.

Navajo Baha’i recounts Northwest teaching trip

This personal account of a traveling teaching trip was written by Frankie Spencer, a young Nayajo man from Wheatfields, Arizona, who has been a Baha’i for four years and has traveled extensively to teach the Faith in such

as Canada, northern Mexico and South Dakota. .

After working for a few weeks at the Native American Baha’i Institute, I left February 18 on my teaching trip.

FOR THREE days I drove through Nevada, saying prayers along the way, arriving at the end of that time in Ashland, Oregon, where I visited my wife, Elaine, and met the people of that Baha’i community.

The Baha’is there are good people. In Portland, we did some direct teaching with Florence Baskins on a street called Burnside. 1 told the people of the Faith and said prayers for them. Later, a fireside was held in the home of the Baskins.

I then journeyed to the Yakima Reservation in Washington state where I stayed in the home of the Kadellos. I gave some firesides there. It was good.

We went to the tribal school there and spoke to the sophomores, juniors and seniors about Indian culture, drug abuse, and the Faith, then went to Medicine Valley with Arnie Eckland, where

we said prayers.

On the Nez Perce Reservation 1 met Ferris Ferzano and we stayed with Dwight Williams for a night. I attended the traditional Nez Perce sweat, and we prayed together. I learned a lot.

AFTERWARD, I went on a day’s drive all over the Reservation with Dwight and one of his friends. I even watched the people pulling steelhead fish from the river.

The people treated me well; they gave me some eagle feathers and other gifts. We talked much together. I then stayed with Ferris and visited the people in the Baha’i community.

From the Institute in Arizona, I had prayed to the sacred mountains, and wherever I traveled I continued to say prayers to the sacred places, for the people.

In Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah I said prayers as I traveled, for the people and for all mankind, so that one day we will all be happy and live in peace.

It was good to go, and good to come home.

Everyone must make his own journey, It involves pain. It’s part of our growth. We don’t see what we must be. Because of our ignorance, we must suffer. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

So now, it is good. Time now is hard because of all the growing we

have to do.

People of all races are advancing into the future. It’s hard. There is pain.

We need to understand—for ourselves and for others. It is a good day we’re living in. We should all be happy ... for all peo ple. Allah’ u’Abha!—Frankie Spencer

Baha’i wins praise for map to help visually handicapped

Randolph Chute, a young Baha’i from Charlottesville, Virginia, who is studying architecture at the University of Arizona, won praise last summer for a special map he devised to help visually handicapped students and faculty find their way around the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg.

Mr. Chute, who was spending the summer studying in the College of Architecture at Virginia Tech, prepared the scale model of the campus as part of an independent study program.

The model can be used to make an embossed map on which buildings, roads, bus stops, steps, pathways and building entrances stand out in relief.

Mr. Chute plans to make a similar map for the blind to direct them about the University of Arizona campus.

cones a ASA a a ESR ESHEETS SSR RSS ESS GSE ES RN SS SSE

[Page 27]

dune 1985

27

Social/ Economic Development

Social and economic development requires a vision of where and how the community is going to build its future. This vision comes from open and frank consultation by the Assembly and the community.

Forging a shared vision is not a simple process. Time is not the enemy in this effort. Patience and steadfastness must be found in abundance. It is through this dynamic process that each of us will gain insight into his fellow believers’ hopes and dreams. =

One should anticipate some differences of view, understanding that the shared vision is not a mini-snapshot of the future; rather, it is a continuously emerging movie. Efforts must be made to avoid the pitfalls of too much specificity.

When considering how to proceed with social and economic development, the friends should consider focusing on areas of need within the Baha’i community. As ideas and concepts emerge on how best to address these needs through the application of spiritual principles, unique and distinctive ways of dealing with these issues will emerge.

There will be a tremendous urge to imitate others who have been involved in this field. While we can learn from their experience, our longterm success depends on the application of spiritual principles through consultation and the rectitude of conduct of the friends.

vr

turday, March 16, the B:

See

were helped by 22 volunteers from

ha’is of Guadalupe, California, helped the city’s police department launch its Crime Prevention Program by distributing informa tion packets to all households and businesses in Guadalupe. They

the neighboring Baha’i communities of Camarillo, Carpenteria, Grover City, Lompoc, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, and Ventura.

Needs must determ

Justice, we find these statements:

community itself, with the friends plication of spiritual principles, th become self-sufficient and self-rel

undoubtedly extend the benefits

Lord of the Age.”’ the so-called “‘inactive’”’ Baha’is. rather by the human needs of the

its needs. It should be clearly understood

In the October 20, 1983, letter from the Universal House of

“The steps to be taken must necessaril

practice of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus

will conduce to the preservation of human honor, so desired by Baha’u’ lah. In the process and as a consequence, the friends will

whole, until all mankind achieves the progress intended by the

These efforts require the community first to assess its own needs; that is to say, the needs of the individual Baha’is including

Social and economic development means that the Baha’i community must define the boundaries not by municipal lines, but

needs of the friends should also cause the community to assess its resources (human and financial) to determine how best to address

opment is not an optional activity; rather, it is the core activity of the Bahd’{ community. Ministering to the needs of the followers of Baha’ u’lláh will attract attention and seekers from all walks of

ine development

begin in the Baha’i endeavoring, through their apcir rectitude of conduct and the liant. Moreover, these exertions

of their efforts to society as a

friends. Beginning to assess the

that social and economic devel

Some examples of Baha’i development projects

The Universal House of Justice recently released a compilation of social and economic development projects undertaken by Baha’fs all over the world. Included in that report are the following:

Operation Catch-Up, Hemingway, South Carolina. An educational tutorial and enrichment program for children and adults, this outreach effort of the Louis Gregory Institute offered its initial program in computer use and programming in late 1983. Forty children and 20 adults participated. Future offerings will focus on language arts, mathematics, arts and crafts, computers and other areas.

Native American Bahda’i Institute Public Library, Burntwater, Arizona. The Institute, located on the Navajo Indian Reservation, has set aside one room of the new shop building as the temporary location for a public library and is collecting books from Bahá’í and non-Baha’i sources. There are no public libraries of any reasonable size in the area.

Anis Zunizi Baha’i School, Lilavois, Haiti. The school was opened in 1980 as a primary school for rural children. At present it has 190 students including 40 Baha’i children, and 8 teachers for kindergarten and six primary grades. Within the past year the school has adopted the official state reform to first teach the pupils to read and write their native tongue, Creole, while. developing their oral ability in French. A school lunch program has reportedly made a significent difference in the performance of many of the students, whose energy level and ability to concentrate have improved. A Baha’i

Baha’is in Idaho involved in Task Force for Human Relations

To help counter the negative aspects of the U.S. Neo-Nazi group, which has its headquarters in Hayden Lake, Idaho, about eight miles from Coeur D’Alene, the Baha’js in that area have become involved in a Task Force for Human Relations whose members. are from several religious and other groups in northern Idaho.

The task force consists of priests, ministers, lawyers, doctors, businessmen and women, and some youth.

Members of the Baha'i community are working with the task force to develop positive educational programs for youth and children through the school system and for the community as a whole through the media.

The Baha’ is of Kootenai County are in the formative stages of developing an educational conference for county residents on the negative effects of racial and religious intolerance.

primary school curriculum as well as vocational and extension services are being developed. Programs in rural development and adult literacy are also based at the school.

Anis Zunizi Rural Development Project. Following an assessment of community educational needs, the project began training local leaders as extension workers, organizers and promoters of rural well-being. As a result of program efforts, seven centers for pre-school and family educa tion have been established. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to take on more responsibility for these centers, minicooperatives are promoted and the project is investigating alternative approaches to conducting adult literacy programs.

A comprehensive report of these and other social and economic development programs will appear in an upcoming issue of Baha’ News with additional excerpts in later issues of The American Bahá’í.

Pictured is a group of Baha'is from the greater Tucson, Arizona, area celebrating the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, circa 1953. If you know anyone in the

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

photograph, please contact the National Baha’ Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Fear, Anger, Doubt and others, young Prince Kan learns a lot about qualities of character needed to grow up as a true citizen of the future land of Rizvania.

An exciting and charming story.

64 pp, 12 illus. Hardcover $8.95

New from George Ronald, Publisher

Dave are ravaging the land of Rizvania. In overcoming the dragons of

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,

This title not exported by the Distribution Service

The ns

Pagons. izvania

of

WILMETTE, IL 60091

[Page 28]prin i i YEAR IN REVIEW

The American Baha'i

28

Sharron Bassano, a Bahá’í from

Santa Cruz, California, who teaches English as a second language to adult immigrants and refugees, has been chosen for the ‘Excellence in Education Award’ for 1985 by the California Council of Adult Educators. Ms. Bassano has authored six texts and many articles dealing with teaching English to the foreign-born.

Savitt Continued From Page 13

papers over the last three decades and has been writing for the Times since 1958.

In addition to his print media work, Mr. Savitt was a weekly guest for seven years on a Miami radio talk show and has taken part in various radio and TV interviews dealing with the Faith.

His community service activities have included volunteer work with the Miami Children’s Hospital and the Dade City Youth Hall. He presently volunteers at the South Miami Hospital.

BESIDES these activities, George Savitt is a very active Baha’i. He has been a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Miami since 1953 and served for 15 years as a delegate to the Baha’i National Convention.

As one might expect, he is also the public information representative for his community.

About his weekly column, Mr. Savitt says, ‘‘Anyone is free to use my columns. They need not be used exactly as written nor do they need to mention ‘Phil Ossofer’some Baha’is might even want to create their own pen names. If they wish to give credit, let them give it to Bahá’u’lláh Who inspired the columns.””

Anyone who is interested in receiving samples of Mr. Savitt’s columns should write directly to George Savitt,

Miami, FL 33134.

George Savitt is an outstanding example of individual initiative in action. Next time you hear someone say, “Let George do it,”’ be careful—George (Savitt) just might!

Year in review

Continued From Page 17

one of the most serious violations of human rights in the world today.

Among those attending the ceremony are Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vicechairman of the National Assembly; Dr. Vahid Alavian, whose father, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, was executed in 1981; and Dr. Alavian’s wife, Dr. Barbara Ann Miller.

© In a message dated December 17, the Universal House of Justice announces the execution of six more Baha’is in Tehran, Iran. The following day, another message from the Supreme Body reports the execution on November 19 of Dr. Farhad Asdaqi after four months of imprisonment and torture and the deaths in a Tabríz prison of two believers on November 11 and 13. The cause of these deaths is not established.

© The December issue of The Readex’s Digest, a monthy magazine that is published in 17 languages and has a circulation of more than 31 million, includes a well-written and factual article on the persecution of Baha’fs in Iran entitled ‘Their ‘Crime’ Is Faith.”

© The National Spiritual Assembly, responding to a suggestion from the Spiritual Assembly of Round Rock, Texas, launches a ‘*GOOD”’ (Get Out of Debt) campaign whose aim is to exceed our National Fund goal so that funds will be available to help repay the $1.3 million that is presently owed to banks.

The Baha’is of Round Rock kick off the campaign with a $100 con © More than 400 young Bahá’ís and their guests attend the fourth annual

ALBERTA DEAS

Disney World Youth Conference in Orlando, Florida, which is sponsored by the National Youth Committee.

‘Among the speakers are two members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Dwight Allen and Dr. Alberta Deas.

‘© Twelve Bahá’ís take part December 8-11 in the annual meeting and ‘75th anniversary observance in Chicago of the American Academy of Re ligion and Society for Biblical Literature.

© “Trail of Light” team members from Alaska, Canada and the U.S. gather at the Native American Baha’ Institute in Arizona for three days of prayer and deepening before the start of regional Trail of Light programs in northern New Mexico that are called for as a follow-up to last year’s visit of a Trail of Light team from South America.

JANUARY

In a message dated January 3, the

Universal House of Justice describes a new document the government of Iran says must be signed by Bah’t prisoners before they can be released. The document refers to the Faith as a “misguided, Zionist, espionage group” and a “‘hated underground movement.’

The one signing the document agrees that possession of any Bahda’irelated materials should make him or her guilty of a crime deserving the death penalty.

Suggested are publicity campaigns that make use of such themes as “world peace through world religion’” and “‘world peace through world education, world language and world law.

In a separate message to “‘the

followers of Bahá’u’lláh in every land,” the House of Justice says the challenges it described in its message last Ridvan have not been met, nor have the opportunities been wholly seized even though activities ‘‘are still increasing, and evidences of rich harvests are appearing.””

© After failing to meet the contributions goal to the National Fund for the first 12 Baha’j months, the American Baha’i community responds to the Fund crisis by surpassing the goal by a substantial margin during the months of Masa’il and Sharaf with more than $1 million contributed in each of those months.

© The National Spiritual Assembly announces a series of special day-long conferences for local Spiritual Assembly members in 10 areas of the country February 23 and March 30 to discuss the role those institutions are asked to play in the Campaign of Unified Action.

While directing the Institute, she has served also as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, as secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee, and as administrator of its regional office.

Named to replace Dr. Deas at the Gregory Institute is Dr. Roy Jones of Charleston, South Carolina, who is chairman of the National Race Unity Committee.

The National Assembly begins

publishing a monthly information newsletter, “Unified Actions,” designed to foster closer collaboration and partnership among the various institutions of the Faith in the U.S.

More than 100 listeners to WLGI

Radio attend the first ‘community meeting” sponsored by the station and held at the Louis Gregory Institute

near Hemingway, South Carolina. FEBRUARY

More than 100 members of Congress issue a bipartisan appeal urging

action by the UN Human Rights Commission in support of religious freedom for Baha’is in Iran.

The appeal, in the form of a letter to the commission, is announced at a press conference February 21 by Senators John Heinz (Pennsylvania) and Christopher Dodd (Connecticut) and Reps. John Porter (Illinois) and Gus Yatron (California). Also present at the press conference are Dr. Firuz

DOUGLAS MARTIN

Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Assembly.

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

The Bahá’í House of Worship

holds a series of four successful February programs in honor of Black History Month culminated by presentation of the first Bud Billiken Awards.

The awards, named in honor of the late David Kellum, a Baha’i who originated the annual Bud Billiken Day parade in Chicago, are given to two outstanding black leaders, Mayor Harold Washington of Chicago and Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founder and president/emeritus of the DuSable Museum of African/American History.

The South Carolina Regional

Teaching Committee announces plans for ‘Project Tabarsi,”” an 11-month expansion and consolidation camPaign.

On February 4, The New Yorker

magazine’s ‘‘Talk of the Town’’ section includes more than a full page of commentary on the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, calling it “‘the world’s foremost contemporary example of the genocide of a non-combatant peo © Meanwhile, the February issue of The Smithsonian magazine carries an article about Baha'i artist Alice Barney who arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1889. It includes a photograph of a drawing she made of Mirzá ‘Abu’l-Fadl who visited Washington to teach the Faith.

A favorable review of the new

book The Baha’ Faith: The Emerging

Global Religion, by Canadian Baha'is William Hatcher and Douglas Martin, appears in the February 17 edition of ‘The Los Angeles Times.

MARCH

About 600 people including all the

members of the National Spiritual Assembly are present at the gala grand ‘opening ceremony for WLGI Radio at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina.

The keynote speaker is Wallace Brown Sr., director of the state’s sion of Rural Improvement. He is introduced by the Hon. William B. Harmon, the mayor of Hemingway.

The Louhelen Baha’i School

Council, acting with the enthusiastic support of the National Spiritual Assembly, launches a phased plan to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a Baha’i university.

‘The plan calls for the steady expansion and refinement of existing programs, the development of certain services into formal centers or departments, and the supplementation of existing facilities as the plan unfolds.

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

In its message, the Supreme Body praises Mr. Gardner’s “‘... sterling character, high integrity, warmhearted nature, (and) total dedication (to the) Faith .

© The Baha’i Publishing Trust announces the forthcoming release at the National Convention of The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, the first of a planned multi-volume work by Robert Stockman that traces the early development of the Baha'i community in this country.

APRIL

In its Ridvan message to the Baha’is of the world, the Universal

House of Justice says, “Victory in the (Seven Year) Plan is now within sight and at its completion the summation of its achievements may well asto1

The salient feature of this period, the Supreme Body notes, “‘is the emergence of the Faith from obscurity, promoted by the steadfast heroism of the renowned, the indefatigable, dearly-loved Bahá’í community of Baha*u'llah’s and the Bab’s native land.””

‘© The National Spiritual Assembly announces a proposed $8.3 million budget for the final year of the Plan which ends at Ridvn 1986.

WLGI Radio receives a letter of

appreciation from Mrs. Coris Stubbs of Effingham, South Carolina, the first person known to have become a Baha’i as a result of listening to the station.

Dr. George Hill, a Baha’i from

Carson, California, wins a prestigious Angel Award from Religion in Media for the book, Religious Broadcasting, 1920-1983, which he co-authored with

[Page 29]NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

dune 1985

29

National Spiritual Assembly’s annual report

The annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly for B.E. 141:

. As the American Baha’i community prepares to enter the fina! year of the Seven Year Plan one can sense the approach of significant change and the rapidly emerging maturity and strength s with which the community will direct the course of change.

IN EVERY arena of endeavor the community has accelerated its progress and expanded its capacity. A brief summary of the highlights of this year’s activities serves to support this optimistic view.

Our diplomatic efforts have brought the Faith into full view of the government and, to an increasing degree, of the people of the United States.

The continuing persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís has become the focus of international outrage as a direct result of our ceaseless effort to call attention to this atrocity and to broaden the understanding of the causes.

This year, as last year, the President of the United States, on Human Rights Day, led the call to stop the persecution of our innocent brethren.

In February 1985 a group of 158 U.S. Senators and Congressmen transmitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, then meeting in Geneva, an appeal for intervention with the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in behalf of that country’s oppressed Baha’i community.

On March 14, 1985, the UN Commission on Human Rights responded by sending its special representative to address the entire United Nations General Assembly on this issue.

WITHIN the Baha’i community, the meeting of the Continental Counsellors, the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies at the Louhelen Bahd’{ School broadened the scope of the Campaign of Unified Action and strengthened the basis for coordinating the plans and efforts of the agencies of the Faith in America.

The Campaign itself is steadily gaining momentum and recognition as the method of operation

Northern Minnesota youth set campaign

The District Youth Committee of Northern Minnesota is sponsoring a major teaching campaign, ‘‘Project Dawn-breakers,”’ from July 22-28.

Its purpose is to bring the Faith to urban and Indian youth at the Red Lake, White Earth and Green Lake Reservations and to the city of Bemidji which lies between them.

For more information, please contact Shahram Missaghi,

Bemidji, MN 56601, or phone 218-751-8282.

for the community as the friends begin to internalize its basic themes:'(1) bringing about an unprecedented increase in avowed adherents; (2) pursuing the basic concern of connecting hearts with Baha’u’llah; (3) meeting the challenge of unity in diversity; and (4) fulfilling the pledge of partnership in every endeavor.

The recent series of conferences conducted among more than 500 Spiritual Assemblies to discuss the activity already in progress evidenced, to a greater degree than anyone expected, a wide variety of teaching, proclamation and service activities.

The participants in those conferences consistently reported their astonishment at the scope and sophistication of the activities in which the friends are engaged and at the emerging maturity this pattern indicates.

The Louhelen Bahá’í School also witnessed the birth of the Youth Movement, as an international gathering of Bahda’i youth, guided by Counsellors Farzam Arbab and Fred Schechter and by our own National Youth Committee, conducted a discourse which led to its creation.

UNDER the visionary leadership of the Youth Committee, the Youth Movement is gaining force in the community and has the potential to foster a great upsurge in teaching.

The Baha’i National Center made significant efforts to expand its capacity to serve the needs of the community while at the same time reducing its operating expenses by several hundred thousand dollars. The Campaign of Unified Action goal of fulfilling the pledge of partnership in every endeavor became the keynote of operations at the National Center as systematic efforts were made to reach new levels of strategic coordination and joint endeavor among the agencies of the National Assembly.

The public dedication and grand opening of WLGI Radio Bahá’í on the campus of the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute marked the beginning of a new stage of proclamation and community service for American Baha’ is.

In the short period of its broadcasting life WLGI has received widespread recognition and acceptance among its listening audience while broadcasting Baha’i Feasts, spiritual and community service programs, and a culturally diverse range of music.

The station is heard in shopping. centers and stores and has been the focus of three major television news stories, including a documentary program on the prestigious “Carolina Journal.”

MOST important, the first Baha’i to declare her belief in Baha’u’llah as a result of listening to WLGI, Corris Studbs, is actively engaged in the teaching work

throughout South Carolina.

On the teaching front, the year began with the inspiring success of the Amoz Gibson Teaching Project on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota where more than 300 persons embraced the Faith of Bahd’u’ll4h and eight new Spiritual Assemblies were formed.

This victory secured the first major goal of the Seven Year Plan: the establishment of 50 Spiritual Assemblies on Indian Reservations.

The inspired and increasingly forceful leadership of the National Teaching Committee in the pursuit of its stated goal to ‘‘resurrect teaching’ was evident throughout the year, as it labored without rest conducting the ‘“Martha Root Teaching Conferences,” meeting with District Teaching Committees, and organizing new teaching projects.

The highlight of the year was the “Month of Firesides’’ initiated by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, a month during which more than 12,000 firesides were conducted.

ALTHOUGH it can truly be said that all the participants “‘won’’ that contest, it was the district of Kansas, which conducted more than 2.3 firesides per person, that won the privilege of a week of travel-teaching by Mr. Sears.

Immediately following the “Month of Firesides,’’ the Kansas Baha’is initiated a 21-week, district-wide teaching project as a prelude to the ‘Month of Victory’”’ in May.

The House of Worship continued to provide one of our primary sources of public proclamation, attracting more than 200,000 visitors including 341 tour groups and conducting programs such as Black History Month, Peace Awareness Month, the Fine Arts Series, American Women Composers, Stop Torture Week, the China Series, the Special Visit Programs, and the Weekly Fireside Program.

The International Goals Committee, working under increasingly difficult conditions, managed to fill 63 of the 108 goals assigned to this community by the Universal House of Justice. In addition, it coordinated 331 international teaching trips to 459 countries.

The newly appointed Social and Economic Development Committee initiated a nationwide series of workshops to increase among the friends understanding of this unprecedented initiative of the Universal House of Justice to develop our capacity to meet the practical as well as the spiritual needs of our communities.

The committee was surprised and delighted to discover a wide variety of social development projects, started by Baha’is, already in progress. One shining example

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1985-86 are (front row left to right) Dorothy Nelson, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Wilma Brady,

of this pattern is the adult education program conducted by Native American believers on the Nez Perce Reservation in northern Idaho.

THE RACE Unity Committee continued to expand the scope of its efforts, conducting race amity conferences, pilot-testing the race unity institute concept, developing new materials, and establishing a liaison support network with communities and other national committees.

The National Education Committee, which has made invaluable contributions to the development of the community, particularly in the areas of the permanent and regional schools and the Assembly Development Program, concludes its decade of effort at Ridvan. In its stead, the National Assembly plans to appoint a National Education Advisory Task Force which is to be given the mandate of designing a comprehensive education strategy for the remaining years of this century.

The Publishing Trust has recently completed a major reorganization of its operations that included establishing the Baha’i Distribution Service, installing a state-of-the-art computer system to expedite order fulfillment and accounting, and consolidating its operations into one facility to eliminate the need for costly warehouse storage.

At the same time, the Trust was able to publish a large number of new titles for children and adults including the long-awaited history of this community, The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900.

Although the Trust experienced a modest operating loss, primarily owing to flat sales, the reorganization steps it has taken, this year will enable it to expand its capa

i Chester Khan, and (back row left to right) Robert Henderson, James Nelson, Alberta Deas, Soo

Fouts, William Maxwell.

city while at the same time it reduces its over-all operating cost.

AND finally, the newly appointed National Properties Committee, comprised of Baha’is whose professional expertise represents a wide range of architectural, engineering, financial and legal disciplines, has brought a new level of competence to the management of NSA Properties Inc.

Most recently, the appointment of Robert Armbruster as general manager of NSA Properties completes the effort to place our properties portfolio in the hands of competent professionals with a spiritual perspective.

In the short period of its existence, the Properties Committee has already begun to design a comprehensive strategy for the management, maintenance and development of our properties and has significantly reduced the cost of its operations.

The Universal House of Justice has plainly stated that the Baha’i Faith has emerged from obscurity. The pace of change is accelerating: and will, without doubt, place new demands on the Baha’i community. Our challenge is to expand our capacity, intensify our efforts, and broaden the scope of our vision.

As we begin the deliberations at this Convention, we must do it with a single purpose in mind: to strengthen in the heart of every believer a sense of breathless urgency and renewed commitment to exhaust every opportunity to transform the physical sacrifices of the Iranian Baha’is into a new spiritual reality, the kingdom of heaven on earth, the World Order. of Bahá’u’lláh.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. Ridvan 1985

[Page 30]The American Bah .

30

VIE Chart

Continued From Page 5

District Name

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

N No. 2

Maryland W/D.C. Massachusetts

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 1 Pennsylvania. E

Pennsylvania W

Rhode Island

South Car South Car South Car South Carolina N South Carolina S No. | South Carolina S No. 2 South Carolina W South Dakota Tennessee E Tennessee W Texas C No. Texas C No. Texas E No. Texas E No. Texas N Texas S Utah Vermont Virginia N Virginia S Washington NW Washington SW

West Virginia

Wis. N/Peninsular Mich. Wisconsin S

Wyoming

m Zz eae

Bows

Membership as of 12/9/84

‘Starting Block’ Info

Number Percentage of giving _ participation

Membership (03/13/85)

Current Month Info (‘Ala)

Number giving

Percentage of participation

the Bahá’í community of Irvine,

most recent editiun of ‘‘Who’s

‘Who’s Who in California’ includes Baha’i engineer’s biography Saeed Danandeh, a member of biographies are included in the

The entry mentions that Mr. Danandeh, an engineer, is a mem Atlanta area Baha’is proclaim Faith to more than 30,000 at Israel Expo ’85

Baha’is in the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area had a room March 23-31 in the ‘‘Hall of Religions’’

~ at Israel Expo ’85, a major cul tural event at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.

More than 30,000 of the 55,000 people who visited Expo ’85 also visited the Bahá’í room, which was open a total of 94 hours during the week.

THE ROOM was prepared for the Baha’is by a professional convention display company which transformed a classroom by adding curtains, drapes, carpeting, flowers, display panels, spotlights, and so on.

The Baha’i Information Council of Greater Atlanta was responsible for securing the room whose $4,400 cost was borne by Atlantaarea Baha’is.

Its centerpiece was a two- by three-foot handmade model of the Shrine of the Bab, set in the middle of the room on a Persian carpet. The room also included:

Some 60 large photographs

blown up from slides.

AT LEAST two Baha’is were in the room at all times answering questions, conducting mini-firesides, and talking to visiting

classes of students, some 250 of

whom came from all over the At lanta area to visit Expo ’85. Baha’i literature by the thous ands was taken including a pamphlet sent from Haifa that is used at the Holy Shrines for the public and a reprint of the El Al Airlines article, ‘‘Queen of Carmel.””

Another part of the Baha’i presence was a 12-minute slide presentation about the World Centre narrated by John Yocum.

The model of the Shrine of the Bab was donated for the occasion by John Higgins, a Baha’i from Richmond, Virginia.

The Expo week began with a reception and dinner for sponsors who contributed more than $5,000. More than 750 people attended the reception, and all of them toured the Baha’i room.

After completing his tour of the room, Mayor Andrew Young of Atlanta commented in one word: ““Beautiful!l’’

UN’s IYY coordinator lauds Baha’i youth

American Baha’i youth have been recognized in a letter from Mr. Mohammad Sharif, executive secretary of the United Nations International Youth Year Secretariat in Vienna.

The ietter was addressed to Ms. Monireh M. Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN representative, in response to a report of activities by U.S. Bahá’í youth which Ms. Kazemzadeh had sent to Mr. Sharif.

_In the letter from the UN Secretariat, dated January 31, Mr. Sharif said he was pleased to see that Baha’is support projects for TYY and encourage youth involvement in such activities as the treeplanting project, a UN-sponsored program that has been adopted by the National Youth Committee as one of the goals of Baha’i participation in IYY.

To date, American Baha’i youth have planted more than

Mr. Sharif said he was heartened by (Baha’i) interest in IYY, and indicated his conviction that the efforts of American Baha’i youth would contribute greatly to the success of the International Year of Youth,

Four faiths gather

Some 50 people attended a celebration in January of World Religion Day in Prescott, Arizona, which brought together members of the local Jewish, Sufi, Unitarjan and Baha’i communities in a “‘mini-worship service’’ sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Prescott.

After music, refreshments and dancing by the various groups, the Baha’is presented a brief reading and music, both chanting and guitar-song.

As a result of the meeting, the Bahá’ís were invited by the Sufis to a potluck dinner while the Unitarians asked to have a Bahd’{ speak at their Easter Sunday meet California, is among those whose Who in California.” ber of the Baha’i Fait! 6,000 trees with a goal of 20,000. _ in

[Page 31]

The American Baha'i

dune 1985

31

SBixs

.. in The American Baha’i

A two-member Baha’i delegation composed of Dr. Elsie Austin, a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Beth McKenty, information officer for the National Information Committee, is among representatives from more than 200 religions attending ‘‘Project Forward ’76,”” the only religious event scheduled as a part of the country’s official Bicentennial observance.

The conference, held in Washington, D.C., is sponsored by the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Administration, the government’s official Bicentennial planning agency, and the Interchurch Center, an interfaith group based in New York City ...

Well-designed exhibits, publicity campaigns in large metropolitan areas, and proclamation materials for local communities are among plans for Baha’i participation in the U.S. Bicentennial observance designed by an ad hoc committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Baha’i participation in the observance is to begin with a fullpage advertisement in the Bicentennial edition of Life magazine which will invite Americans to visit the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

The ‘National Assembly approves the committee’s plans for a series of radio programs and public service announcements, a film, a newspaper ad, and Bicentennial issues of The American Baha’i and World Order magazine ...

A favorable article about the Faith in the form of an interview with Dr. Dorothy Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly and dean of the University of Southern California Law School, is carried by the Associated Press and results in published articles in newspapers across the U.S. including some as far away as Hawaii.

The article is written by George Cornell, the AP’s religion editones ¢

Virtually the entire staff at the Baha’i National Center leave their usual jobs to take part in an intensive day-long cleanup program at the National Center facilities ...

More than 450 Baha’fs attend a “Love and Fellowship Conference’’ in Tacoma, Washington, which is conducted by Auxiliary Board members Opal Conner, Margaret Gallagher and Paul Pettit under the sponsorship of the Spiritual Assembly of Pierce County Commissioner’s District No. 3.

. Paine : Continued From Page 4

who also became Baha’is.

In September 1920 Mrs. Paine and her daughter, Sylvia, visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa. After the pilgrimage Mrs. Paine made a teaching trip to Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, but failing health prevented her from making similar teaching trips in the years to come.

She underwent three major operations and was unable to be physically active. But she used her time at home to make a thorough study of the Baha’i writings, as a result of which she became a Baha’i scholar.

Mrs. Paine wrote articles for Star of the West magazine and for the Baha’i magazine which followed it. She was a member of national editorial committees and was for many years a member of the national Reviewing Committee.

In addition, she served as a member of the World Order editorial committee and worked on volumes of The Baha’ World.

RETIRING by nature, Mrs. Paine preferred not to become involved in much public speaking, but when she did speak her presentations were sincere and thought-provoking.

She was elected several times as a delegate to the Baha’i National

Victims Continued From Page 12

hawk. What greater demonstration could there be that unity leadeth to flourishing life, while dissension and withdrawing from others, will lead only to misery; for these are the sure ways to bitter disappointment and ruin.’’ (Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 278)

We seem to be poised at a moment in history when we can “make a perfect chord,” and take momentous strides toward realizing the destiny of America. We have arrived at a time when we must learn to count ourselves as Baha’is, the children of one God,

“the members of one family.

We can accept the challenge of these times as an opportunity to understand, at long last, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s admonition that:

“Today the one overriding need is unity and harmony among the beloved of the Lord, for they

should have among them but one heart and soul and should,"so far as in them lieth, unitedly withstand the hostility of all the peoples of the world; they must bring an end to the benighted prejudices of all nations and religions and must make known to every member of the human race that all are the leaves of one branch, the fruits of one bough.

“Until such time, however, as the friends establish perfect unity among themselves, how can they summon others to harmony and peace?

“That soul which hath itself not come alive, Can it then hope another to revive?”’ (Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 277)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá bids us to pray:

“Make haste to love! Make haste to trust! Make haste to give! To guidance come!

“Come ye for harmony! To behold the Star of Day! Come here for kindliness, for ease! Come here for amity and peace!’ (Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 273)

Orpha Daugherty, pioneer for 25 years to Philippines, East Asia, dies in Taiwan

Orpha Daugherty, a pioneer for 25 years to the Philippines and other East Asian countries, died -April 30 in Taipei, Taiwan,

She had arrived there from her previous post in Korea just two weeks before, and had helped form a local Spiritual Assembly before suffering a stroke.

Mrs. Daugherty became a Baha’i in the mid-1940s and began her pioneering service in 1954 in North Carolina.

In 1960 she pioneered to the Philippines with her young son, Mare, and, with a handful of Filipino and American pioneers, enrolled 40,000 new believers.

Later, at the request of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu’ll4h Muhdijir, she traveled to Sarawak and Brunei, as well as Ceylon and New Delhi.

She pioneered next in Taiwan, but shortly afterward was assigned as an Auxiliary Board member for Macao.

After attending the St. Louis Conference in 1974, Mrs. Daugherty pioneered to Japan where she used her considerable writing and

dramatic talents to write Bahá’í radio and TV presentations as well as children’s literature.

On hearing of her death, the Universal House of Justice cabled, ‘*... Assure prayers Shrines progress her soul,’’ and expressed its condolences to her son, Marc, of Everson, Washington.

ORPHA DAUGHERTY

Convention, and served as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Urbana from 1920 until her final illness in 1955.

After her death on August 15 of that year, the Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Ioas wrote the following to her daughter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi:

“The beloved Guardian deeply values the long and devoted services of your mother in the pathway of the Cause of God. She has ascended to the Abha Kingdom and is now receiving a rich reward from the Master whom she served so efficiently and so diligently.’’

Association’s 10th annual Conference slated for Vancouver, British Columbia

. The 10th annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies will be held August 16-18 at the University of British ‘Columbia, Vancouver.

This year’s Conference will be immediately preceded by five simultaneous meetings of the Association’s professional interest sections:

Fourth International Baha’i

Conference on Health and Healing.

First Conference of the Association’s Section on Human Habitat.

First Conference of the Association’s Section on Arts.

First Conference of the Association’s Section on Marriage and

————In Memoriam

Cliff Abrams Elsie Hornung Veiva Sinclair Interior, SD Park Ridge, IL Virginia Beach, VA 1979 March 16, 1985 March 23, 1985 Emma Allen Don Hubler Leonard Smith Glendale, CA Thurston, OR Milwaukee, WI April 26, 1985 April 5, 1985 January 1985 Phillip Arsenault Jenette Hudson Martha Smith Gallup, NM Hartsville, SC Marysville, WA. April 21, 1985 January 1985 February 15, 1985 Dorothy Babcock Grace P. Jones Louise Sperling Lincolndale, NY Fort Valley, GA IN

Date Unknown William Bailey Coal Valley, IL March 30, 1985

Teaneck, NJ

Edna Bennett Ida Mae Cyler Albert Stern San Diego, CA Mitchellville, SC Brookfield, IL April 2, 1985 December 1984 March 30, 1985

Leroy Borden Pamplico, SC Date Unknown Pearlie Brooks Anadarko, OK October 1984

Warren Dixon Birmingham, AL March 15, 1985 Bessie Duckett Monrovia, CA Date Unknown

July 1984

Salinas, CA

Zivar Naimi

Roy Farrow James Olive Meta Wetterau Irving, TX Jacksonville, IL Milwaukee, WI Date Unknown Date Unknown 1983

Jack Finch Edith Reitan Roger Wheldon Joseph, OR Oregon City, OR Pueblo, CO

March 10, 1985

James Graham Casper, WY February 1985

Dudley Hartage

Ellaville, GA Falmouth, MA 1984 December 1984 Ruth Hoffman Helen Reichelderfer Salisbury, MD Lacey, WA

March 10, 1985 March 17, 1985

November 26, 1984 Rouvan Lubow

February 23, 1984

Shannon Martin Minneapolis, MN

Manoochehr Moattar Redmond, CA November 1983

Mildred Ann Moodie March 27, 1985

Montgomery, AL Date Unknown

Date Unknown

Elether Peterson Laurinburg, NC January 1985

Mary Prussman

Family Studies.

The ABS Conference will include special sessions on the AntiTorture Movement, Women and Peace, and Youth and Service to Humanity.

Also, there will be the 1985 Hasan Balytzi Lecture, the 1985 ABS Essay Contest winners, and the annual meeting of the Association,

Seating is limited, and preregistration is required by July 15.

For information, contact the Association for Baha’i Studies,

_ Ontario, Canada KIN 7K4, or phone 613233-1903.

April 9, 1985 Johnny Stanko Roseville, CA Date Unknown

Patricia Von Gottschalck Dania, FL

March 30, 1985 John Wallace Titusville, FL Date Unknown James Washington Jacksonville, IL Date Unknown Marilyn Webster Vashon, WA

Date Unknown

Homer Whisnant Shelby, NC April 9, 1985 Charles Williams Topeka, KS March 31, 1985 Freddie Williams Columbia, SC Date Unknown

[Page 32]

aa eee

The American Baha’i oo Hee

WILMETTE, IL. ST AON ye— Vy = yo. Sil xs PERMIT NO. 479 roots! For more information, = ———————— = To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of THE AMERICAN BAHA‘I, send. your new address and your mailing label to the OFFICE OF MEMBERSHIP & RECORDS, Bah’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new

Ads

Continued From Page 18

individuals and communities. If you have such plans, please send a

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 I will be affected by this change.

phone 515-992-3381, or contact the National Teaching Committee.

TEACH summer classes on the

| MOVING? I TELL US YOUR I NEW ADDRESS

postcard with your name, address and brief particulars to the Baha’i Computer & Telecommunications Association, Navajo, NM 87328.

HOMEFRONT pioneer to South Carolina! One example of the work available: Child development and family relations professor needed at South Carolina State College. Tenure track, Ph.D in this or related field required. Effective August 9; closing applications June 15 or until filled. Write to Dr. Wilhelmina Funchess, dean, School of Home Economics, South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, SC 29117, or contact the Baha’is of Orangeburg, c/o Brannon Underwood,

Orangeburg, SC 29115.

THE. FIRST Stockton (California) Baha’i Family Reunion will be held July 28 in the auditorium at Mickey Grove Park. Many activities are buzzing around this much-anticipated event, so mark your calendars and come join us. For more information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Stockton, P.O. Box 7231, Stockton, CA 95207, or phone Donna Barlow or Patti McDowell, 209-465-1390.

WANTED: National Teaching Committee minutes or correspondence from the 1920s and 1930s. The National Baha’i Archives is seeking early NTC records. If anyone who served on the National Teaching Committee during those decades still has copies of minutes or letters, please contact the National Baha’i Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

ARE YOU moving soon or in the coming year? It’s never too late to help a large Group or jeopardized Assembly. Even after Ridvan there are goal localities in each of our 94 Baha’i districts. If you will consider moving to a goal area, please phone the National Teaching Committee. You'll be given the phone number and/or address of the District Teaching Committee secretary in each area you are considering. Write to the National Teaching Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

HOMEFRONT pioneers, especially minority Bahá’ís, are urgently needed to bring strength and diversity to Dallas Center, Towa, a goal community. It’s a lovely, friendly small town in a farming community 20 miles northwest of Des Moines. Strong support is available from nearby county Bahá’ís, as well as from the Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines which has adopted Dallas Center as its extension goal. Beware, roving Baha’is—you might just find yourself putting down

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 phone 605. 224-1041.

DATA processing professional. We are interested in hearing from individuals with at least two years experience involving systems and/or programming. Persons with heavy DP experience are also encouraged to apply. The present installation uses a Sperry minicomputer (V77/800) with TOTAL data base in a transaction processing environment. Experience with DEC is a plus, as it is the direction in which we may be expanding. Please send particulars to the Office of Personnel Affairs, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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

Wichita, KS 67208, or phone 316-685-3748 or 316-685-1111.

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

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

STIRRING breeze, flowing waters needed. ‘Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding, the breeze that stirreth at the break of day, the soft flowing water upon which depend the very life of all men.’’ There are many children in 19 Indian communities in South Dakota without prayer books, without children’s classes, without teachers. Where is the rain? Where are the breezes? Will they be trained so that they may grow and develop and appear in the utmost beauty? Please contact the Amoz Gibson Project, 605462-6309.

TANZANIA, a pioneer goal country, has a job possibility for an assistant director at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar-Es-Salaam. Day-to-day management and administration of the hospital in the areas of staffing, reporting, planning and budgeting. Master’s degree in hospital planning or

address will be. A 1. IDF Title Fall name—Please DO NOT use nicknames 2. ID# Title Full name 3. 1D# Title Full name 4. IDF 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 Giy State Zip D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community Moving date

if,

‘Area Code Number

We receive extra copies because:

we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and 1.D. number(s) are listed above.

ze

mette, Iinois 60091

|BAHA’i | FAITH

equivalent and some hospital experience is required. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091; or phone 312-869-9039.

OKLAHOMA Homefront Pioneer Bureau has been established to help you pioneer to one of several communities where teaching projects will be held. Enid, Lawton, and Frederick are goal communities that have job possibilities and loving Baha’is waiting to help you settle there. For details, please contact John Shipway, 405-3544447, or Lone Obstema, 405-3549424.

LOOKING for people interested in photography with possibility of establishing an international teaching project. Direct s to Jean-Marc

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

HA’ NATIONAL CENTER

Z Area Code

i:

Tesson, P.O. “Box 1567, Evanston, IL 60202.

WANTED: Names of friends or relatives of George W. Henderson, an early Baha’i from Nashville, Tennessee, who founded the Henderson Business College and died around 1945. The National Baha’ Archives would like to contact those people concerning his papers. Please write to the National Bahá’í- Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

YOUTH internships are available at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in office and maintenance work. Interns receive room, board and a stipend of $50 per week. Internships are for six months and may be renewed. Qualifications: 18 years or older, mature, responsible and hard-working. Character

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are.

Number

Area Code Number

eset copy of The American Bahs’i. 1

Name

‘Name

‘only one

wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, 1.D. num

references required. Write to the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 303-653-5033.

FREE. brochure—the Amoz Gibson Training Centre for Baha’i Media, operated by CIRBAL, a field agency of the Universal House of Justice charged with the development of Baha’i media in Latin America and the Caribbean, offers courses and workshops in radio broadcasting, graphic arts, use of the press, scriptwriting, broadcast engineering and management, and other media-related topics. Special courses can also be designed to meet the needs of your group. For a free 1985 schedule of classes, please contact Dr. Randie Gottlieb, Amoz Gibson Training Centre, . Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612.