The American Bahá’í/Volume 16/Issue 8/Text

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August, 1985

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August 1985

The American

Baha'i

By JACK BOWERS

North America’s rapidly accelerating Youth Movement, born a scant two years ago during an historic meeting at the Louhelen Baha’i School, passed quickly from adolescence to maturity July 3-7 as more than 3,300 seriousminded young Bahda’is from 42 countries came together for an International Youth Conference at Ohio State University in Columbus to renew their commitment to Bahd’u’ll4h and rededicate their lives to service in His world-embracing Cause.

Index

Viewpoint Letters... The Funds. Youth Conference.

Distribution Service Publishing Trust

Spanish .. Soc/Econ Development.

JOINING the youth at this unique ‘‘triple conference,”’ sponsored by the National Youth Committee and organized by a task force working on its behalf, were more than 1,200 parents and other adults and upwards of 500 children under age 12.

Parents and children each had their own conference, conducted alongside the youth conference but at a different site, and all three events were blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem.

Also taking an active part in each of the conferences were two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Am As these photos illustrate, action was the watchword of the Baha’i International Youth Conference held July 3-7 at Ohio State University in Columbus. Left: With a banner (above) urging them on, some of the more than 500 ‘FUNd Runners’ who raised more

than $86,000

pledges for the National Baha’i Fund are off to a running start at French

Field House. Middle: The Los Angeles Baha’i Workshop performs at the Baha’i House of Worship en route to the conference. Right: Jack McCants grabs the young people’s attention with a typically fiery speech. (More conference photos on Pages 6-7)

Youth Conference a stunning success

‘More than 5,000 gather at Ohio. State U. to renew commitment to Baha’u’llah

The Youth Conference in pictures, Pages 6-7; updates on teaching in Kansas, South Carolina, Pages 10-11.

ericas, Dr. Farzam Arbab and Fred Schechter; Hooper Dunbar, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa; and eight members of the National Spiritual Assembly (the ninth member, Dr. Alberta Deas, was attending an international conference on the UN Decade for Women in Nairobi, Kenya).

Dr. Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, was the keynote speaker at the parents’ conference.

LIC INFORMATION

ORDER.

World Centre to open Information Offices

GREATLY PLEASED ANNOUNCE INAUGURATION PUBOFFICE WORLD CENTRE WITH BRANCH OFFICE SOON TO BE ESTABLISHED YORK. THIS NEW AGENCY BAHA’i INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO EXTEND SCOPE COORDINATE WORLDWIDE ACTIVITIES DESIGNED INCREASE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AIMS ACHIEVEMENTS CAUSE BAHA*U’LLAH. PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL BLESSED BEAUTY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT INSTRUMENTS HIS UNIQUE

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

NEW

JULY 11, 1985

The Faith’s emergence from obscurity was underscored by the presence,at the conference of two legislators, U.S. Rep. James Leach of Iowa and Ohio state Sen. Robert Ney.

Rep. Leach, who was invited by the National Youth Committee, conducted a Saturday afternoon press conference and afterward was given a calligraphed scroll in appreciation of his efforts as a member of the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations on behalf of the Baha’is in Iran.

SEN. NEY, who spearheaded the recent passage in the Ohio legislature of a resolution condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, asked to be allowed to come to the conference and speak to the youth.

The senator received a standing ovation as he spoke in Persian and English, praising the young Baha’is for their high ideals and their commitment to world peace and the unity of mankind and urging them in ringing tones to ‘‘move the world.””

Sen. Ney, who lived for some time in Iran, said he is well acquainted with the teachings of the

Faith and shares its belief in the imperative need for the establishment of a system of world order based on spiritual principles. Among the other highlights of this extraordinary five-day conference:

More than 30 declarations inSee CONFERENCE Page 4

Ohio state Sen. Robert Ney aa: dresses the Youth Conference.

[Page 2]——————————————————————————————————————————————{_{_z{_—__;_______

VIEWPOINT

The American Baha’i

Feast letter

Faith on move and gaining momentum

Dear Baha’i Friends:

As we survey the developments occurring at every level of the American Bahd’{ community, we cannot fail to be astonished by the opportunities for growth that beckon us. The Baha’i Faith is on the move and its progress is gaining momentum every day.

THE EMERGENCE of the Faith from obscurity, announced by no less authority than the Universal House of Justice, will change the life of every Baha’i. This unfoldment will challenge each of us with opportunities to demonstrate the power and wisdom of the teachings by our deeds, not words.

The expansion opportunities represented by more than 35 major teaching projects, which have already this summer added hundreds of new believers to our ranks in places like Kansas, South Carolina, and Wanblee, South Dakota, are helping to revitalize our teaching efforts nationwide.

The major goals of the Seven Year Plan, which is on the threshold of victory, can be secured this summer with the addition of 39 local Spiritual Assemblies. This achievement would give the community a free hand to concentrate on a vast and widespread increase of new believers, which is surely within our reach.

And finally, the long-awaited peace initiative of the Universal House of Justice, forecast in its Ridvan message, will dramatically change the status of the Cause throughout the world. It will bring about a new level of public understanding of the Bahd’{ teachings on the subject of peace and create teaching opportunities on a scale we have never before seen.

As we consider these developments and their implications for the progress of the Cause, let us also give serious and immediate attention to the need to increase the “‘life blood’”’ of the Cause, our financial contributions to the National Fund.

THE ACCELERATED PACE of our development depends on both spiritual and material blessings, the spiritual blessings often arising from material sacrifice. Poised as we are on the verge of vast expansion, we must press ahead; we cannot slow the pace.

The National Spiritual Assembly calls on each individual Baha’i to reassess his or her contributions to the teaching goals that must be secured and to the provision of the funds that fuel their progress. We pray fervently that the members of our beloved community will arise to the call of ‘‘deeds, not words’’ and stride confidently to the completion of this stage in the development of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: the Seven

Brilliant Star’s August issue focuses on Latin America

Here’s a quiz: What places do these things make you think of? Bright colors, warm sunshine, lively music, people walking and talking, ponchos, sombreros, lamas and alpacas.

Of course, it’s Latin America, and the July/August issue of Brilliant Star magazine is packed full of articles, activities and stories about Latin America.

A lovely painting by Paula Henderson adorns the cover and leads to exciting articles by Amy Baker and Judy Conlin, a photo essay by R. Gregory Shaw, recipes for Mexican food, a treasure hunt, and ‘‘A Day in the Life of a Prop... a Human Background,” by Alice Moore.

And plan now to get the September/October issue on visual arts! Included will be an article on weaving, stories about Mary Cassant and Mark Tobey, an examination of graffiti, and an interesting cartoon about the building of a bridge—before and after consultation.

Brilliant Star, a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly, is still only $12 for one year, $23 for two years. Send your subscription to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343,

Contributions and suggestions are always welcome. Same address!

tographer at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel, for seven years prior to his death last October. Here John Wehrman of Klickitat, Washington, helps Mrs. Thompson set up the slide projector for a presentation in The Dalles, Oregon.

Marjorie Thompson of Salem, Oregon, has been traveling throughout that state recently showing slides of Israel and the Baha’i Holy Places to Baha’i and non-Baha’i audiences alike. Many of the slides were taken by her husband, Tom, who was a pho Former UN ambassador Kirkpatrick

visits World Centre on Mideast tour

On June 30, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, visited the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel, during a tour of the Middle East.

In speaking to the Baha’i representatives, Mrs. Kirkpatrick expressed her deep concern over the persecution of the 300,000member Baha’i community in Iran.

A special report on the human rights situation in Iran is expected to be delivered to the UN General Assembly at its next

The Bedrock . Year Plan. meeting. With warm regards, ef aN oce lanterns Mentioning peace, the former ambassador agreed with the BaNational Spiritual Assembly of National Bahá’í Fund ha’is that women should assume an increasingly important role in the Bahd’{s of the United States ‘Wilmette, IL 60091 the establishment of world peace. Comment

Friendship can lighten refugees’ burden

involving the abandonment of one’s home, work and possessions.

In our interaction with those Iranian believers who have come to this country as refugees, we

should keep several things in mind.

THESE people have fled the land of their birth because conditions have become truly intolerable for them there.

No one would be willing to undertake such an endeavor lightly; it is an extremely difficult, dangerous and expensive proposition, ——EEEEEEEEEees

The American Baha’i

(USPS 042-430) Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'(s of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of ‘Membership and Records, Bah’ National Center, Wilmette, IL, 60091. Editor: Jack Bowers Editorial Assistant: Laura B. Hildreth ‘The American Bahá's 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

terials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wil mette, IL 60091.

If a refugee is able to escape successfully from Iran, he often faces unforeseen problems of formidable dimensions.

For instance, most of the Baha’i refugees escape first to Pakistan. At present there are overwhelming numbers of refugees in that country living in conditions of extreme poverty.

Summertime temperatures in Pakistan often reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no air conditioning or even fans for most of the refugees, nor are there schools or adequate medical facilities.

Before they can proceed to Europe for the second stage of processing, the refugees usually face delays of up to a year or more, more.

ONCE in Europe, they face additional waiting periods of four to eight months.

‘When the refugees finally arrive in this country they find themselves in a strange land, and they are usually unable to communi This month’s column, ‘‘Problems of a Refugee,”’ was written by Puran Stevens, a member of the Persian/American Affairs Committee staff at the Baha’i National Center in Wilmette.

cate or at the least are uncomfortable with the English language.

While experiencing culture shock they must scramble to build a new life for themselves—to find housing, learn the language, find jobs.

Also, almost all refugees experience downward mobility; their professional skills as doctors or lawyers are not transferable to this country, so former white collar workers must adjust to manual labor, an adjustment that often is accompanied by feelings of inadequacy. Others among them simply cannot find work of any kind.

Indeed, statistics indicate that about half of all refugees who resettle in the U.S. undergo such hardship that they retroactively wish they had not left their country at all.

We can help to ease some of the

will make the refugees feel welcome.

We can further help to make them feel at home and accepted,

culture shock during the long period of adjustment if we welcome these long-suffering friends with open arms and sympathize

with their plight.

WE NEED to develop meaningful friendships with them, not simply superficial acquaintanceships maintained at each Feast.

Offering to help refugees can take several forms depending on the individual refugees’ familiarity with American life.

Some refugees would very much appreciate being taken around town and having needed services pointed out and explained to them, being taught how to use public transportation, or simply how to interpret their telephone and electric bills.

Refugees as a whole greatly appreciate the friendship and company of Americans and their fellow Iranian Baha’is who have already settled here.

We can help to make them feel accepted by making it a point to invite them to our homes, even if only for tea one afternoon. This is very important to Iranians, and

and involve them in the activities of the Bahd’{ community, by forming ‘‘Friendship Teams’’ with them.

What may seem to us like small gestures of welcome may mean a great deal to the refugees, and we would do well to treat them with love, care, sympathy and sincerity, as we would want to be treated if we were newcomers in their country.

Correction

In an article in the May issue of The American Baha’i about the Publishing Trust’s 30th anniversary observance, Mrs. Eunice Braun was identified as having served for 19 years as general editor of the Trust.

That is incorrect. Actually, Mrs. Braun was named by the National Spiritual Assembly as managing director of the Trust, and prior to that time had served as its manager.

[Page 3]

LETTERS

August 1985

3

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

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’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

° To the Editor:

Diana Carson’s letter (May) concerning ‘‘numerical’’ vs. “‘quality’’ enrollments reminded me of a young man who declared some 15 years ago.

THIS YOUTH knew virtually nothing about the Faith before attending his first fireside, which he did for lack of anything better to do on that particular evening.

After attending that fireside and one the following week, at which the same speaker gave almost an exact repeat of the previous week’s talk with the same persons in attendance, he embraced the Faith of Baha’u’llah.

Actually, this young man knew very little. He had never heard of the Guardian; he attended his first Feast with visions of a sit-down banquet dancing in his head (he had starved himself during the day and single-handedly ate nearh all all the cookies the believers brought after learning that “a Feast was ‘‘spiritual’’ and there would be no pig-roast forthcoming).

For several months he attended Wednesday evening firesides while keeping Thursdays free for a night on the town drinking beer with “the boys,’’ knowing nothing about its prohibition in the Faith.

When he learned of the existence of a Local Spiritual Assembly, he thought they met in a courtroom wearing black robes and powdered wigs, handing down judgments and edicts.

CONVERSION was fast, deepening was slow. One by one he learned of the laws.

Many times he was faced with tests, but he never questioned Bahá’u’lláh’s Station.

To this day he gives credit for his remaining in the Faith to the fact that he didn’t know much. Not about laws or administration. Not about his duties as a Baha’i. Just Who Bahá’u’lláh was and is.

He believes that there are times when it is better to be in the fold and deepen rather than the other way around. There is no way to judge; we as Bahá’ís must keep the door open and trust that God will guide us and the seekers.

Every Baha’i I have ever met has had a different and exciting story about the path he or she

took to Bahá’u’lláh. There are no rules about how it must be done or about how deep and knowledgeable one must be before signing a card.

This young man did not ask to be a Bahá’í; he was asked if he wanted to be. Gently, kindly and lovingly.

He has since served on several Assemblies and committees, has traveled and taught in many countries, served on youth projects in Europe, and even gone on pilgrimage. It hasn’t always been easy, but he is grateful that no one blocked his way 15 years ago in San Diego.

LL. Byron Hopper Wellington, Nevada

To the Editor:

I wish to convey my deepest thanks and gratitude to Robert H. Stockman.

His book, The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, is a monumental work par excellence.

The details contained in this book are priceless, and are, in my opinion, a true sea of knowledge.

To know—at last—that Mrs. Kate C. Ives was the first American woman to believe in Bahd’u’ll4h; that beloved Dr. Edward C. Getsinger recorded the voice of “Abdu’l-Bahá; such awarenesses among so many others are, I feel, of paramount magnitude.

Mr. Stockman’s book is indeed a gold mine of information and holds a special place in my heart. I am convinced that his next two volumes will be as soul-stirring as the first.

Renée Parker St. Petersburg, Florida

To the Editor:

Your article (June) on ‘‘Systematic effort to find ‘lost’ Baha’fs pays off’ included erroneous information about obtaining from the post office addresses of people who have moved.

If the person(s) who move leave a forwarding address, the post office will give one that address for a $1 fee, according to postal regulations.

The inquiry should be sent to the post office of the last known address with a check or money order payable to the postmaster.

Emma Jackson Euclid, Ohio

To the Editor:

There has been a swelling of emotion within me, a certain nervousness that has taken the form of a question. I would appreciate any response that is forthcoming.

JUST what are we teaching?

The emphasis on teaching in the Faith is more than evident. When one reads The American Bahá’í, he sees story after story on progress in teaching, calls for pioneers, for more funds for and a greater devotion to teaching the Cause.

This is understandable, as the Founders of the Faith placed great emphasis on teaching it.

But what are we teaching? Have we fallen back on doctrine and

forgotten faith?

Let me explain myself. There are two forms of teaching. Both work well, and both have a place.

The first is that of imparting information. When a teacher tells you that France is in Europe, for example, that teacher is imparting information.

Similarly, when a Baha’ tells someone that Jesus has come again, or instructs them in the basic beliefs of the Faith, that Baha’{ is imparting information. This is all doctrine.

ACCORDING to Webster, doctrine is ‘‘something that is taught ... a principle or Position or the body of principles in a

branch of Onesies or system of

doctrine is not the only way to teach.

The second form of teaching is by example, by living the life you believe in.

I am not going to suggest that Baha’is are not doing this. I have not met a Baha’i who is not kind, caring, concerned, and trying his best to be a good example.

I do feel, however, that on an organizational level we are not making use of this second form of teaching.

Although not wholly realized, the Baha’i Faith has enormous resources. We have the potential to create great amounts of funds and also to find ample human assets. The combination of these two can produce shocking and even miraculous results.

1 AM speaking now of humanitarian concerns. As a people, Baha’is are quite concerned about their fellow-men. As an organization, the Faith is locked into doctrine.

I feel that we must move some of that organizational concern from ‘‘teaching’’ as we now know it to teaching in the second form.

If we were, for example, to create a humanitarian office within the Baha’i organization, one concerned for the needs of those who are oppressed or downtrodden—not just those within the Faith itself—it would not only have great social impact but would operate as a vehicle for teaching in the first form.

Kern Kuipers Mount Pleasant, Michigan

To the Editor:

In line with the recommendations of the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly, it is not too early for Baha’fs in the U.S. to begin planning for varied observances of the UN Year of Peace in 1986.

Four particular locales come to mind for special attention.

A letter from Shoghi Effendi in 1925 states, ‘‘With regard to exPresident (Woodrow) Wilson and Dr. (David Starr) Jordan, it seems fairly clear that both of these men were considerably influenced by the Baha’i Teachings ...””

This reference can help spark plans by the Baha’is of Palo Alta,

California, and Washington, D.C.—Palo Alto because Dr. Jordan, of Stanford University, in 1925 was awarded the ‘‘Raphael Herman $25,000 Award” for an essay on global peace.

Someone in Palo Alto could review a copy of that essay (A Plan of Education to Develop International Justice and Friendship) to note what aspects might be traced to Dr. Jordan’s contact with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Palo Alto in 1912.

As to Washington, :aany actions for the 1986 observance can be planned, not only because of the Wilson/Baha’i connection, but because President Wilson’s tomb at the National Cathedral and the Wilson home on ‘‘S”’ St., N.W., can both be the goal of Baha’i group visits to pay respects to the late President.

Chicago and Princeton, New Jersey, also come into the picture, Chicago because of the Columbian Exposition of 1893 at which mention of the Faith was first made in this country, and Dr. Wilson delivered his first important speech on education, and Princeton because it is where the President-to-be spent a good deal of his life, some 27 years, as a professor at Princeton University.

This letter can only hint at some of the actions Baha’is in the 48 contiguous states will formulate and act upon during this important year.

Paul Pearsall Jersey City, New Jersey

To the Editor:

I would like to suggest that the goals of the Faith would be more easily taught, discussed and quoted if such a thing existed as a “Baha’i bibl

It must soon fall upon the Universal House of Justice to desig nate the appropriate human resources to choose a simply organized, chronologically arranged series of writings that effectively chart the brilliant progress of this Revelation under one cover.

Such a task would take time and the patience of angels, but think of the possible rewards!

A calendar and concordance is a must, as well as appropriate entries from the Holy Scriptures of the earlier ages which point to Bahá’u’lláh and our Kingdom of heaven on earth.

As gifts to libraries, businesses and individuals, a ‘‘Baha’i bible” would forge an important but (so far) missing link in the life of the Faith.

For the faithful, such a book would become an unprecedented tool for teaching and a companion of unequaled strength.

Kenneth E. Lyon Lincoln, Rhode Island

To the Editor: .

Over the past 18 months I have noted several occasions on which our National Spiritual Assembly has been criticized, especially in regard to the National Fund.

VARIOUS comments have questioned the Assembly members’ love, patience, understanding of the principles of voluntary giving, and even their integrity in administering the Fund.

It is the National Assembly’s duty and responsibility to inform the community of the needs and status of our National Fund.

If we, as individuals or communities, are supporting the Fund regularly, we will not feel guilty (although we may feel sad or frustrated) when we hear of the condition of the Fund, because we

See LETTERS Page 26

— what consultation is

— how to consult

— how consultation can be used by Assemblies, at

life and business, and to

solve personal problems — how to cope with

With many quotations from

Hardcover $9.95* Softcover $4.95*

‘New from George Ronald, Publisher

Consultation

A Universal Lamp of Guidance by John E. Kolstoe

This book examines such questions as

Feasts, in families, in social

difficulties in consultation

the Baha’s Writings. 208 pp.

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order including 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.50) to: Bahá’í Distribution Service

415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 This title not exported by the Distribution Service

Spc ECR SA NASR ACR At fi SESE SEU SESS REE ARS OR EI

[Page 4]ee ee ee ee he ee ae ee Ca

The American Baha’i

‘Orange box’ remains symbol of UNICEF’s care, concern

What are your earliest memories of Halloween? Chances are you remember ghost costumes, candy, bobbing for apples—and the little orange box you held out for coins for the poor children of the world.

THAT orange box has been a part of a great many people’s lives, and that’s why Trick-orTreat for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is the oldest and largest volunteer activity in the U.S.

It began in 1950 with a group of Sunday school children collecting $17 for needy children in developing countries, and it has since grown into a nationwide program that involves nearly three million people each year.

The money the young volunteers collect is mostly nickels, dimes and quarters, but in the last 35 years it has added up to more than $80 million for UNICEF on Halloween.

In recognition of this achievement, President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 declared October 31 to be National UNICEF Day, making UNICEF the only charitable institution to receive such an honor.

UNICEF’s commitment to helping the developing countries of the world reach a self-sufficient future hasn’t changed. Founded in 1946 to help European children dislocated by World War II, UNICEF now has projects in 117 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

At the invitation of a government, UNICEF implements nutrition, health care, sanitation and education programs as well as emergency aid for a country’s most vital resource—its children.

THE WORLD community recognized the impact of UNICEF’s work in 1964 by awarding it the Nobel Peace Prize.

All UNICEF projects continue to be funded by voluntary contributions from individuals and governments in both the industrialized and developing worlds.

Immunization is the focus of this year’s National UNICEF Day campaign. UNICEF is presently spearheading a global effort to immunize all the world’s children by the year 1990.

Meanwhile, actress Cicely Tyson, the 1985 National UNICEF Day chairman, will travel to Africa to bring back a first-hand report on the emergency status of many drought-stricken countries.

If you would like to become involved in UNICEF Day activities, or if you would like to find out more about UNICEF, contact the U.S. Committee for UNICEF,

New York, NY 10016, or phone 212-686-5522, ext.

| SY

Conference Continued From Page 1

cluding at least one university employee.

A Saturday afternoon “‘“FUNd

Run”’ that resulted in more than $86,000 in pledges to the National Baha’i Fund.

A Red Cross blood drive at

which Baha’is contributed 166 pints of blood.

¢ EXCELLENT local media coverage in newspapers and on radio and television.

© Twenty-two workshops for youth and four for junior youth whose topics ranged from Baha’i laws, pioneering, the writings of the Guardian and firmness in the Covenant to marriage, interpersonal relationships, social and economic development, PersianAmerican relations, world peace and even an “‘anything goes’’ rap session.

° A “‘pre-conference”’ July 1-3 sponsored by the National Youth Committees of Canada and the U.S. and attended by more than 100 members of Regional Youth Committees in the two countries.

BESIDES Mr. Khadem; Counsellors Arbab and Schechter; Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Roy Jones, director of the Louis Gregory Bahd’{ Institute and chairman of the National Race Unity Committee; and Marzia Rowhani, secretary of the National Youth Committee of India, speakers at the youth conference were Homa Sabet, David Whitfield, Marzieh Benson, Jian Khodadad, Ruhiyyeh Jahanpour, Yvonne Kraus, Jack McCants, and Linda and Bobby Ahdieh.

Joining Mr. Khadem, Dr. Faily, and Counsellors Arbéb and Schechter as speakers at the parents’ conference were two former members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr. Dwight Allen and Mr. McCants; Dr. Jones; Bill Davis, chairman of the Social and Economic Development Committee; Guido Colard, personnel officer at the Baha’i World Centre; Muhammad Ali Faizi; and the members of the National Youth Committee.

Following registration and an opening night social on Wednesday, July 3, many of the friends took part in a candlelight devotional service at Mirror Lake near the conference site.

The conferences began in earnest Thursday morning with programs for youth, parents and children.

Thursday and Friday afternoons were devoted to workshop sessions with the FUNd Run taking place on Saturday afternoon.

EVENING sessions were followed by social events, film presentations, informal deepenings, and late night “‘chastity’’ discussions led by Stacy Strain.

At the press conference Saturday afternoon, Rep. Leach described Bahd’js as ‘‘a special people with a special faith.”

The U.S. government, he said, “has an obligation to provide refuge for Baha’is from Iran,”’ adding that this country has accepted some 10,000 Baha’i refugees in the last few years.

After dinner with members of the National Spiritual Assembly and National Youth Committee, Rep. Leach appeared onstage at the youth conference and was presented a scroll on behalf of the National Assembly by eight-yearold Payam Yavari, whose father, Ata’u’ll4h Yavari, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Tehran, was martyred in January 1982.

More than 500 runners took part Saturday afternoon in the two-hour FUNd Run whose official starter was Dr. Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dr. Nelson, a Judge of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, had flown back to the conference

_Saturday morning from Washington, D.C., where she was honored the previous evening as a co-recipient of the 1985 Justice Award from the American Judicature Society.

THE FUNd Runners logged more than 17,000 laps around the 1/8-mile track at Ohio State University’s French Field House.

At the Saturday evening youth session, awards were presented for most laps run (Payam Rafat, 126), most sponsors (Robbie Davis, 74), and most money raised in pledges (Farshad Mahjoor, $15,739.92).

The National Fund also benefited from a ‘‘silent auction’’ at the parents’ conference at which another $8,500 was raised. In all, nearly $22,000 was contributed to the National Fund in addition to pledges given for the FUNd Run.

U.S. Rep. James Leach of Iowa answers a question during a Saturday afternoon press conference

The Red Cross, which was conducting a blood drive for the first time ever at any conference, was astonished by the number of Baha’is who volunteered to give blood.

‘The goal of 120 pints was easily exceeded, and only a lack of time and adequate manpower kept the total of 166 pints from being much higher as many prospective donors had to be turned away.

These and other aspects of the conference were well covered by the media. Hadi Razavi, a reporter for the Voice of America, spent the entire five days at the conference taping sessions and interviewing participants.

As a result, news of the conference and selected highlights were broadcast for four consecutive days in Persian via the VOA’s short-wave facilities to Iran.

MEANWHILE, the Canadian Broadcasting Company was taping parts of the conference for a documentary to be shown later this year in Canada.

The children’s program for ages 411, coordinated by Chengiz Geula and manned by a large number of volunteer workers, had five aspects: theatre (featuring entertainment by many of those who performed for the youth and parents), learning centers, arts and crafts, dance, and instruction in the Faith.

Especially well-received by the children were pianist-singer Jack Lenz and guitarist-singer Doug Cameron from Canada who performed at all three conferences.

To receive maximum benefits from the program, the children were rotated from class to class each day.

In addition, there were a nursery and pre-school for the younger children.

Parents, meanwhile, had a varied and exciting program of their own that included music, talks, panel and ‘‘open mike’’ discussions, film and video tape presentations, a family forum and a presentation by the children.

The Los Angeles Youth Workshop, whose performance was among the highlights of Saturday evening’s youth session, had

at Ohio State University. Seated is Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Assembly.

presented its uniquely upbeat and modern style of music and dance in a number of communities while traveling cross-country to the,conference.

BESIDES entertaining parents, youth and children at the conference, the Workshop performed twice in Columbus, at a shopping mall and on the lawn of the State Capitol building.

After the close of the conference on Sunday, about 65 youth spent the afternoon cleaning up a local park in Columbus.

The young people, working under the direction of the Spiritual Assembly of Columbus, filled about 250 bags with trash and other debris.

It was one of a number of such projects carried out in connection with the conference that endeared the Baha’is to local officials in several states.

Personnel at Ohio State University said the Baha’is were the cleanest and best-behaved group they’d ever had on campus.

Although the Baha’is did not arrive in large numbers until July 3, more than 100 were at the ‘‘preconference’’ July 1-3 to meet with Counsellors Arbab and Schechter and the members of the National Youth Committees of Canada and the U.S.

THE purposes of that gathering were to give Regional Youth Committees a better sense of direction, to foster the growth of the Youth Movement, and to set the tone for the youth conference itself.

That tone was established and maintained in several ways including the high quality of the speakers, the superlative range of topics covered in workshops and panel discussions, and the splendid array of entertainers and performers from the U.S. and Canada.

Indeed, there was no lack of music at any of the sessions for youth, adults or children.

Besides Canada’s Jack Lenz and Doug Cameron and the Los Angeles Youth Workshop, performers included ‘‘New Genera See OHIO Page 6

[Page 5]

THE FUNDS

August 1985

5

Leora nk Gk oa Oe pe Sas mk ee LAs Pe EE OT Es ce ae ee ae

YOUuth can moue the Fund!

Thank you, runners and sponsors, for participating in the 1985 International Youth Conference FUNd Run

‘Automatic Contribution | program good 1 for F Fund, donors too

An enthusiastic crowd cheered more than 500 runners as they walked, jogged or ran a total of better than 17,000 laps during the “‘FUNd Run’’ at the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Nhio.

OHIO State University’s indoor track overflowed with Baha’i runners of many nationalities, ages and races. The result is an excess of $86,000 ini pledges for the National Baha’i Fund.

Trophies were awarded by the

- National Youth Committee in three categories: ‘‘most laps completed,’’ ‘‘most pledged,”’ and “most sponsors.’”

Payam Rafat completed the most laps, 126 (about 15 3/4 miles) during the two-hour-long event.

Farshad Mahjoor won the “‘most pledged’’ trophy by obtaining more than $15,000 in pledges, while Robbie Davis won “‘most sponsors”’ with six pages of sponsor sheets totaling 74 sponsors.

In.addition, FUNd Run certificates were given to everyone who participated.

The Spiritual Assembly of Round Rock, Texas—originators of last year’s ‘“G.O.0.D.”’ campaign—came up with yet another terrific idea.

DURING the youth conference, representatives from Round Rock encouraged participation in the FUNd Run by sponsoring everyone who participated. Runners obtained sponsors who made pledges to the National Baha’i Fund for each lap they completed.

Several spectators commented that seeing National Spiritual Assembly members Chester Kahn, Dorothy Nelson and James Nelson running with the youth heightened the sense of unity.

As one youth from Pennsyl “vania put it, ‘The determination

and spirit was so strong ... this

was better than 20 ‘lectures’ on the Fund.’”

Carlsbad Baha’is

raise $5,680 for Fund

About 150 Bahda’is attended a fund-raising dinner and auction May 11 sponsored by the Baha'is of Carlsbad, California,

After a dinner prepared and donated by the Baha’is of Carlsbad and a performance by the Riverside Baha’i Choir, 19 Persian rugs were auctioned.

A total of $5,680 was raised for the National Baha’i Fund.

More than 300 contributors to the National Fund are taking advantage of the recently announced Automatic Contribution pro gram.

The program is based on the principle of regular contributions to help establish a stable, healthy Fund.

It’s not too late to sign up for this automatic monthly bank withdrawal system. Below are three responses to recent questions about the program. An application is included for your convenience.

See the enclosure in the Rahmat (June 24, ’85) Feast mailing for detailed information, or write to the Office of the Treasurer, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Question: What time of the month is my contribution deducted from my bank account?

Answer: On or about the 15th of each Gregorian month (depending on weekends, holidays).

Q: How long does it take for my “Automatic Contribution’ to take effect after sending in the form and void check?

A: It now takes about 30 days processing time. However, early applications to the ‘Automatic Contribution’? service took as long as two months to process.

Q: Can an Assembly or Group contribute through the ‘Automatic Contribution’ system?

A: Yes, Assemblies and Groups now are able to take advantage of this service. Initially, it was not possible to process such requests.

District Name (12/9/84)

Alabama N

Alabama S/Florida NW Arizona N Arizona S Arkansas California C No. California C No. California N No. California N No. California S No. California S No. California S No. California S No. 4

ere pene

Southern Nevada moves into lead at 58.1 per cent

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

Number giving

Percentage of participation

Membership (06/10/85)

Current Month Info (‘Azamat)

Number Percentage of giving _ participation

See VIE CHART Page 26]

AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE MY BANK ACCOUNT

(Print full name)

, residing at

‘Address, City, State, Zip)

fixed amount of $

I Signed:

I Baha’i 1.D. Number

I satecgecise / = / Laat I Home phone: ( )

Work phone: ( )

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

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

Number of participants: ___

Mail to:

NATIONAL BAHA’i FUND] WILMETTE, IL 60091 I

‘Read-a-thons’ are splendid way to help Fund while educating younger Baha’is

What do the Bahd’{ communities of Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, and Houston, Texas, have in common? A great idea!

THEY both sponsored a read-athon and memorize-a-thon during the month of Unity and Sacrifice.

Both communities wrote moving letters within days of each other recounting the successes of their projects. Further investigation revealed that the youth and

children were the instigators and organizers in both communities. The youngsters got pledges for reading books and memorizing passages from the Baha’i writings. The benefits are threefold—the Fund and the readers’ knowledge are enriched, and the gems of wisdom memorized will last a lifetime. Tiffany Love, a 16-year-old See GREAT Page 27

Winners’ Circle

Highest percentage participation 1. Nevada, Southern 2. Minnesota, Northern 3. Pennsylvania, Western 4, Wyoming 5. Oklahoma, Eastern 6. Vermont 7. Iowa

8. Georgia, Northeast

9. New Mexico, Northern

Maine

11. Wisconsin N/Upper Michigan

. Illinois, Northern No. 2

13. Idaho, Southern

}. New Hampshire

15. (tie) Minnesota, Southern Colorado, Western

. Tennessee, Eastern

18. Ohio, Northern

19. Idaho N/Washington E

Most improved participation

1. Oregon, Eastern

2. Oklahoma, Eastern

3. South Carolina, South No. 2 4. Nevada, Southern

5. New Mexico, Northern

6. South Carolina, Central

7. Wyoming

8. Florida, Northern

9. Texas, Southern Texas, Central No. 2 11. Pennsylvania, Western . South Carolina, Northern 13. South Carolina, South No. 1 }. South Carolina, East No. 1 15. Florida, Southeast . Vermont 17. Maine

. Minnesota, Northern . California, Southern No. 3

a

[Page 6]

YOUTH CONFERENCE

The American Baha'i ri

the world’ in Columbus

TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DEARLY-LOVED SUPREME BODY, 3,300 YOUTH GATHERED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE COLUMBUS, OHIO, HAVE EXPERIENCED RENEWED SPIRIT DEDICATION COMMITMENT TO CAUSE GOD. BLESSED WITH PRESENCE HAND CAUSE KHADEM, INSPIRED BY URGINGS COUNSELLORS ARBAB, DUNBAR, SCHECHTER, AND GALVANIZED BY PARTICIPATION U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY, THE YOUTH, REPRESENTING SOME 42 COUNTRIES BAHA’i WORLD COMMUNITY, ARE INDEED UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION. POWER RELEASED THIS HISTORIC GATHERING HELD OBSERVANCE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR WILL SURELY ADVANCE BAHA’i YOUTH MOVEMENT HIGHER LEVELS ENERGY ACCOMPLISHMENT. CADRE OF SPIRITUALLY AWAKENED YOUTH PREPARED TO ADVANCE TEACHING FIELD THIS SUMMER. SIGNIFICANT AMONG EVENTS HELD OHIO HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATION OHIO STATE SENATOR ROBERT NEY WHO URGED YOUTH IN BOTH ENGLISH AND PERSIAN TO MOVE THE WORLD; PRESENTATION OF AWARD APPRECIATION TO U.S. CONGRESSMAN JAMES LEACH FOR HIS CONTINUED DEEDS DEFENSE OUR FAMILY MEMBERS IN CRADLE FAITH, AND EXTENSIVE MEDIA COVERAGE INCLUDING BROADCASTS PORTIONS CONFERENCE BY VOICE OF AMERICA TO IRAN. CAPPING THESE ACHIEVEMENTS WAS SPECIAL FUND-RAISING EVENT WITH OVER 500 PARTICIPANTS RUNNING TO RAISE MONEY FOR NATIONAL BAHA’I FUND, RESULTING PLEDGES EXCESS OF $86,000. SIMULTANEOUS CONFERENCE PARENTS BAHA’i YOUTH HAS ATTRACTED PARTICIPATION MORE THAN 1,200 ADULT BAHA’iS WHO HAVE PLEDGED THEIR WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT YOUTH’S EFFORTS IN RAISING CAUSE TO HEIGHTS NEVER BEFORE REALIZED BY THEIR GENERATION. MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN HAVE ALSO GATHERED FOR SPECIAL CONFERENCE SESSION HELD FOR THESE FUTURE LEADERS FAITH. THE SUCCESS THESE THREE GATHERINGS IS, IN NO SMALL MEASURE, DUE TO LEADERSHIP INSPIRATION EMANATING FROM WORLD CENTRE. PRAYERS UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE HAVE BEEN FELT BY US ALL, AND WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO RISE TO DIVINE CHALLENGES PLACED BEFORE US BY SUPREME BODY. YOUTH CAN AND WILL MOVE THE WORLD. ATTENDEES BAHA’i INTERNATIONAL

Baha’i youth: ‘Moving

Ohio State

Continued From Page 4

tion’’ (winner of the National Youth Committee’s pre-confer YOUTH CONFERENCE COLUMBUS, OHIO JULY 3-7, 1985

ence contest for musical groups); Leslie and Kelly; ‘‘Watters and Daughters’; the Unity Bluegrass Band; Kambeze Etemad; ‘‘New World Generation’’; ‘‘New Horizons’”’; Joanie Lincoln; Enayat Ziaie; Mark Ochu; and Susan Engle and Michael Moutrie.

Late night film and video presentations included ‘‘Ark of Destiny,”’ “‘Mona’’ and ‘‘The Making of Mona.””

At Sunday morning’s closing session, Mr. Khadem gave his second soul-stirring talk, ‘The School of Badi’,’’ to the youth, while at the parents’ conference some 300 or more children were brought onstage to sing ‘‘O Baha’u’llah’’ and ‘‘We Are Drops of One Ocean.””

After closing comments by members of the National Youth Committee, the friends, young and old alike, bade farewell to Columbus and made ready to diffuse its energizing spirit and call to immediate action throughout the length and breadth of North America.

1. The Bahá’í Club at Ohio State University welcomes its fellow-Baha’is from 42 countries. 2. One of the younger ‘FUNd Runners’ finds time for some liquid refreshment while ‘on the run,’ 3. ‘Lark Skyrunner’ confers with his mentor, Yoga, in a memorable scene from the Treasurer’s Office’s production of ‘Soul Wars II: The Return of the Baha’s.’ 4. A Red Cross nurse prepares to extract one of the 166 pints of blood given by Bahá’ís at the conference. 5. Dr. Jane Faily addresses the parents’ conference. 6. Canada’s Doug Cameron entertains the youth. 7. ‘Now, keep this under your hat, but I heard ...”

[Page 7]

YOUTH CONFERENCE

7

August 1985

. ‘Yes, youth can move the world—and after they do, we'll turn it upside down!’ 2. One of the ‘FUNd Runners’ has the kinks worked before continuing his run. 3. Pianist Kambeze Etemad entertains the youth. 4. Everywhere one looked, there were exciting things to see. 5. Among the performers who brought the audience to its feet were ‘Watters and Daughters,’ accompanied on guitar by Rose Wendel. 6. The Los Angeles Baha’i Youth Workshop combines drama and athletic dance to set forth its message of love and unity. 7. Young Baha’ is move onstage to offer their services to the Faith. 8. What’s a conference without new friends? 9. Till next time, ‘up and away ...’ (Photos by Laura Hildreth, John McNair)

The message from the Parent Conference to those attending the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio: Alláh’u’Abha!

Our dear youth and fellow co-workers for our beloved Cause,

We love you immensely and are overwhelmingly proud of you—individually and collectively.

Each of us has, in our own way, tried to help you to grow to your potential; however, as we gather in our meeting, we see that your capacity is far greater than we previously imagined.

Now, as parents of so many youth who can do so much to move the world, we offer our whole-hearted and total support to your efforts in raising our Cause to heights never before realized by our generation.

May we join together with you in your discourse and discipline, firmly resolved to conclude our Seven Year Plan in glorious victory!

With warmest love,

Your Parents and Friends International Parents Conference Columbus, Ohio

July 5, 1985

OUR HEARTS UPLIFTED HIGH SPIRIT, LOFTY PURPOSES, MULTIFARIOUS FEATURES, REMARKABLE IMPACT INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE COLUMBUS, OHIO PARTICULARLY DISTINGUISHED BY IMPRESSIVE EXAMPLES SELFLESS SERVICE ITS PARTICIPANTS. THEIR UPRIGHT BEHAVIOR, NOBLE DEEDS, CREATIVE VIGOR HEIGHTENED PRESTIGE OUR GLORIOUS CAUSE INSPIRED JOY HEARTS BELEAGUERED BRETHREN CRADLE FAITH. OFFERING PRAYERS THANKSGIVING, BESEECHING BLESSED BEAUTY GUIDE, PROTECT, CONFIRM YOUTH IN THEIR EARNEST ENDEAVORS MOVE WORLD TOWARD UNITY PEACE.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JULY 11, 1985

[Page 8]IGC: PIONEERING

The American Baha’i

For adventurous Bahda’is, pioneer spirit lives on

To “‘pioneer’’ means to lead the way, to break open new territory, to encounter the unknown and unforeseeable. That spirit, so strong in America, is still with us.

LESS than 150 years ago, hardy, determined souls braved difficulties of unimaginable magnitude with no more than what their covered wagons, pack animals and stout constitutions could carry, and traveled westward to settle this nation.

Now, many of us live with such ease that it is difficult to imagine giving up our comforts to take on that rewarding, exciting and inspiring task of forsaking our homes and traveling to other lands for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. But many people still do it.

As in letters written home by those hardy pioneers more than 100 years ago, the pioneers for Baha’u’llah report back, ‘‘There’s gold in them thar hills!’’

Thirty-one pioneer goals remain open, goals that should have been filled by last Ridvan.

The countries that still need pioneers hold the promise of many adventures and rewards for those brave souls who are willing to arise to go to them, and many people are eagerly waiting to hear the word “‘Bahá’u’lláh.”” Marshall Islands

A tropical climate and slow pace greet the faithful servants who venture to the Marshall Islands. One pioneer there wrote of the adventure of being awakened before dawn by what sounded to him like a cannon blast. Upon investigation, he found that an islander was merely harvesting coconuts and had dropped one on his roof.

Another pioneer to the Marshalls wrote, ‘‘Rúḥíyyih Khanum passed through... We had the

U.S. PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA Mauritania Nigeria Tanzania

won

AMERICAS Argentina

Easter Island Colombia Dominica French Guiana Galapagos Island Mexico-Yucataén

He NyNnen

ASIA West Bengal, India 1 Nepal 1

AUSTRALASIA Kosrae, Caroline Is. Yap, Caroline Is. Tuvalu

Marshall Islands

Nee

EUROPE Ireland 5

bounty of receiving her in our home for a meeting with the pioneers (something that would never have occurred if we were still in the States) ... How far from our limited imaginations is the true future.’”

Nepal

Between India and the Tibetan region of China lies Nepal, where one more pioneer is still needed.

The country is crowned in the north by the Himalayas, and its climate varies to subtropical in the south.

Nepal is presently developing economically from an over-all condition of great poverty, and much adventure is in store for the pioneer who arises to fill this goal.

A current pioneer wrote, ‘‘For several months I’ve been stranded in Pokhara due to heavy monsoon. rains which washed away bridges, as well as the road (in a dozen or more places) between here and Kathmandu. I feel well-blessed ...””

Our pioneer goes on to tell us of.

his marriage plans to a Nepalese woman whose name translates to “river of life.’”

Another pioneer wrote, ‘‘This last April was my two-year anniversary in Nepal. Today I was struck with the significant changes in the children of our community ... At the close of class, the youngest and newest member, following the example of his elders, offered his teacher the sweetest, most gracious Namaste (hands folded as in prayer), saying, ‘I bow to the divine qualities in TOW" ose”

Nigeria

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, also needs pioneers, preferably Persians. The opportunities for teaching the Faith there are great. As one pioneer writes:

“There are so many religions being practiced here that one really gets exposed to a lot of ways to worship God ... They are a very kind and humble people.’””

Nigeria has about 250 different tribal groups living in its interior. These people are quite receptive to the principles of the Faith, especially to those of world peace and world unity.

Fortunately, like the pioneers of covered wagon days, there are already steadfast and courageous Baha’is who have ventured into these areas to prepare the way.

One of our more recent pioneers to Nigeria wrote, “‘We seem to be in the right place to be reaping the fruits of many others’ services during the last 25 years in this area. What a joy it is!’’ Galapagos Islands

A tropical paradise and refuge _

for animals and sea life, Galapagos Island off the coast of Ecuador could provide an interesting yet simple way of life for the pioneer who arises to fill this goal. The island abounds in many va rieties of fruit, while food from the sea is rich and abundant. There are presently no American pioneers on Galapagos, so the opportunities for teaching call for a deepened Baha’i with a heartfelt determination to lead the way in bringing the Message of Bahd*u’ll4h to this island paradise. Easter Island

Easter Island, another potential post for one with true pioneer spirit, is a lovely, fascinating tropical island with a climate comparable to that of Hawaii.

The people of Easter Island, which lies off the coast of Chile, have been described by an American pioneer there as ‘‘the most friendly, kind, helpful, generous, courteous and loving on earth.’”

For those American Baha’is who may feel harassed by the fast pace of life here, and wish to settle into a fruitful island life, consider this possibili m watching the bananas ripen in the yard. We have papaya, lemons, pineapples, coconuts and many other nice things growing here; tuna and lobsters abound in the waters, along with many other kinds of seafood.”

These are only examples of the possibilities in store for those who choose to forsake the comforts of this land for the adventure and spiritual fulfillment that awaits them in many places around the world.

We are fortunate to live in a

time when the ‘‘pioneer spirit still with us, and the possibility of

Texas group sets Native American commemoration

Baha’is who are interested in working with Native Americans should be interested in the commemoration scheduled for September 26-29 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, sponsored by the newly organized Texas American Indian Sesquicentennial Association (TAISA).

Two Native American Baha’is, Kevin Locke and Phil Lane, will be among those leading discussions at the commemoration which will include lectures, workshops, a banquet and luncheon, fashion show, tribal art and information exhibits, a youth conference, and a traditional American Indian prayer breakfast.

The over-all theme is ‘‘Sharing Our Vision: Past, Present and Forever ... Through Unity.””

A special guest of honor will be Billy Mills, a Native American and 1964 Olympic gold medal winner. He will be introduced by another Olympic gold medalist, Bob Hayes, former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

For information, write to TAISA, P.O. Box 140343, Dallas, TX 75214.

leading the way in the Cause of Bahda’u’ll4h remains open to us. The International Goals Committee would like to talk with you and give you more information

about these and other important goal countries. Please call them at 312-869-9039, or drop them a line c/o the Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

= : Pictured are Rick and Holly Heyman, pioneers to American Samoa, and their three-year-old daughter, Katrinka, who went on a three-month trip from November 1984 to February 1985 that began with a pilgrimage to Haifa and included teaching and performances in the U.S., east Africa and India. As Holly says, ‘We decided to share what we’ve learned of Polynesian dance and music with Bahá’í communities and the public, for deepening and teaching.’ The theme of their show, in

bees RE EE EE SE EE EE REE SETA

‘which included a dance from

which Katrinka took part and Uganda and slides of the dedication of the House of Worship in western Samoa, was ‘Unity in Diversity.’ After many wonderful experiences, they write, ‘we went to India, where the Baha’is kept us busy with performances, a press interview and a trip to the New Era Bahda’i School ... Finally, on the way home to Samoa, we performed at the Teaneck Cabin in New Jersey where ‘Abdu’l-Bah was years ago ...’

[Page 9]‘+ Assembly Development Program

Bahá’í Schools

Brilliant Star (Child's Way) Magazine
Local Education Adviser Program

Personal Transformation Program

EDUCATION

August 1985

9

Family Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER: ‘IZZAT/MIGHT. Thought for the week “Loveis the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly y...”” (Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: pp. 142-143. Lesson: Read and discuss Sas @ mire of tos mceues beni “An Anthology for Bah’ Children,” by Abbas Afnan, p. 39, No. 69. 2. Waging Peace, pp. 64-65, No. 30. 3. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 20, No. 1. 4. ‘The Hidden Words, p. 6, No. 12. 5. The Divine Art of Living, pp. 45-46, No. 7; p. 46, Nos. 9, 10, 11. Activity: Play “Who Knows Dad?” Ask questions about dad, like favorite book, color, hobby, food, song, time of day, etc. The one who knows the most about dad gets a big hug! Add other family members if you are having FUN and want to play longer. Refreshments: Apple pie with frozen yogurt and a favorite fruit juice.

SECOND WEEK OF SEPTEMBER: WORLD PEACE. (World Peace Day, third Sunday). Thought for the week: ‘‘Self-interest is at the bottom of every war.”” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: pp. 102-103. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. 1. “‘Baha’i Marriage and Family Life,”” p. 36, No. 115. 2. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’lBah, p. 279. 3. “‘Consultation: A Universal Lamp of Guidance,”’ by John Kolstoe, pp. 70-73, ‘‘The Family.”” 4. Waging Peace, p. 6, No. 4; pp. 43-44, No. 26. 5. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 156-57, par. 2. 6. “‘Baha’i Marriage and Family Life,”’ p. 67, Nos. 204, 207. Activity: Invite another family to join you for refreshments. Prepare for your guests by cleaning the house, fixing fresh flowers and choosing inspiring music, for example, ‘“The Four Seasons’” by Vivaldi. Set the table with your best dishes and a table cloth. Welcome your guests lovingly and serve them with joy. Let all family members help in cleaning, welcoming and serving. Refreshments: Serve an elegant but simple treat to your guests. For example, crackers, cheese, nuts and fresh fruit; cake and ice cream; Jell-o salad, etc.

THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER: UNIVERSAL EDUCATION. Thought for the week: “The source of all learning is the knowledge of God ...”” (Bahá’u’llh) Prayer: p. 36, “‘O Thou kind Lord!” Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. 1, The Hidden Words, p. 12, No. 37; p. 19, No. 67; p. 20, No. 69. 2. The Divine Art of Living, p. 99, No. 3; p. 101, No. 7. 3. “‘Bahd’{ Education: A Compilation,” p. 14, No. 1; p. 15, No. ). 43, No. 2; pp. 75-76. 4. ‘Abdu’lBahd, by Balyizi, pp. 98-102. 5. “Anthology for Baha’ Children,” p. 29. 6. The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 295-96; p. 300, par. 1; p. 330. 7. Gleanings, pp. 333-34. Activity: Write “‘attribute’’ letters to each other. Using colored paper, cut out enough hearts for each member of the family to give one to every other member. Decorate with crayon, paint or cut-out pictures. Pick an attribute, i.e., loving, kind, generous, etc., that best describes each family member, write it on the letter and deliver it. ‘Then take turns reading each person’s letters aloud. When done, place the letters in a special box to use as reminders of your admiration for one another. Refreshments: Prepare a ‘box’ treat for each person. Include things like fresh fruit, nuts, crackers, cheese, veggies, etc. Tie the ‘box’? with a pretty ribbon or string. Spread a blanket on the living room floor and have a picnic!

FOURTH WEEK OF SEPTEMBER: MASHIYYAT/WILL. Thought Sor the week: “Will is the centre or focus of human understanding.’’ (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) Prayer: pp. 72-73. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested materials. 1. Gleanings, p. 149. 2. Foundations of World Unity, p. 26. 3. Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, pp. 30-31. (All of the above materials are in the Comprehensive Deepening Portfolio, “‘Knowledge, Volition and Action,” pp. 7-12). 4. Some Answered Questions, p. 287. 5. The Divine Art of Living, p. 15. 6. The Hidden Words, p. 37, No. 44, 7. Cassette, ‘Peer Pressure,” by Daniel C. Jordan. Activity: Play “Choices.”” On slips of paper, write combinations of unrelated objects, such as sets of ideas, i.e., butterfly or lion, doctor or gardener, rose or ‘orange, etc. Place them in a bow! and let family members draw them out and tell which of the two they would choose and why. Then let family members tell that one which they would choose for him and why. Or, each family member can recount an incident when he/she had to make a choice or decision. Share these stories, and discuss why each person may have decided as he did. Refreshments: Popcorn or caramel apples, apple ‘or pineapple juice.

Important notice to travelers

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

LEAP district coordinators for 1985-86 appointed

The National Teaching Committee has appointed district coordinators for the Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP) for 1985-86.

Responsibilities of the district coordinator are:

to compile statistical information about the children in the district and the activities and programs that are provided for them.

Local Assemblies are invited to appoint individuals to serve as advisers to their communities. The program is also available to Groups and to isolated believers.

Those who are interested should contact their LEAP district coordinator to arrange a training session.

District coordinators for 198586 are as follows:

Alabama/Florida: Marsha Fowler, 205-858-6476. Alabama North: Al Kendall, 205723-2560. Arizona North: Georgia Howardell, 899-4046.

Arizona South: Marcia Golombik, 602-744-0258.

Arkansas: Chris Baudishbaugh, 501-753-7566.

California Central No. 1: Missy Martin, 408-728-0795.

California Central No. 2: Wilma Juliussen, 209-723-6507.

California Northern No. 1: Sara J. Platz, 916-422-6478; Tom E. Thrailkill, 916-343-2047.

California Northern No. 2: Darlene Newcomb, 415-883-1541.

California Southern No. 1: Paula Amaya, 213-585-2648; Robin Moore, 213-677-4406; Elaine Offstein, 818963-9580; Shirin Sohrab, 818-249 0457. ‘ California Southern No. 2: Chris

Clyde, 714-557-5795.

California Southern No. 3: Mary Severns, 805-643-5293.

California Southern No. 4: Alonzo Coleman, 619-480-7450; Sandie Coleman, 619-480-7450.

Colorado Southeast: Lynn Barnes, 303-685-5578.

Colorado West: Deborah Doherty, 303-874-4970.

Connecticut: Deborah Zabel, 203238-7095.

DelMarVa: Joanne Hessler, 301479-2177.

Florida Central: jewski, 305-830-6865.

Florida Northern: Harriet Stafford, 904-377-6428.

Florida Southeast: Joanne Sabet, 305-722-2704; Sue Cantville, 305793-1184,

Florida Southwest: Kathy Hurley, 813-343-2468.

Georgia Northeast: Nancy Schear, 404-860-1066.

Georgia Northwest: Ann Haynes,

Sherry Czernie

Ella Young, Idaho/Washington: Marilyn Lind -3489, Idaho Southern: Gerry Becker, 208523-8246. Illinois Northern No. 1: Liz Heit, 815-338-5687.

Mlinois Northern No. 2: Sandra Clark, 312-996-6728; Pat Dzaman, 312-596-2160/747-4393; Marcia Lample, 312-864-8083; Dixie Rouleau, 312-869-0137.

Illinois Southern: Brad WrightHulett, 217-429-7968.

Marlene Ebert, 317; John Rhoades, 317-462

Nancy Braun, 712-258-6819. Susan Herrmann, 913

685-3287. Kentucky: 155962

Sally Wiley, 502

Northern: Marsha sontgoe: 318-345-0482.

Louisiana Southern: Martha Diefenbach, 504-769-1888; Donna Leaver, 504-387-2977.

Maine: Ann Schoonmaker, 207439-3306.

Maryland/D.C.: Samantha Corey, 301-552-2680/840-0301.

Massachusetts: Judy Orloff,

617-543-9886; Fanny Russell, 413253-7474, Michigan: 764-0151. Minnesota Northern: Terry Steph ens, 218-547-1209. Minnesota Soui

Jim Cooke, 517 Mississippi:

Missouri: Kristen Bringe, 314783-5021.

Montana: Denise Massman, 406442-1332.

Navajo/Hopi: Peg Franz, 505786-5513; Janet Herbst, 602-7553550.

Nebraska: Gwen Parmenter, 308381-1112.

Nevada Northern: Marcy Barnett, 702-747-4881.

Nevada Southern: Carolyn Hensley, 702-385-7650.

New Hampshire: Joan Haskell, 603-424-7681.

New Jersey: David Rosser, 201754-9308; Patricia Rosser, 201-7549308.

New Mexico Northern: Susan Griffin, 505-291-0440.

New Mexico/Texas: Cheryl Wynne, 505-887-2529.

New York Eastern: Patricia Huebner, 516-669-9312.

New York Western: Dennis Smith, 716-668-6649.

North Carolina Central: Linda KelJeher, 919-274-9773.

North Carolina Eastern: Warren

Rochelle, 206-942-5520.

North’ Carolina Western: Robert Pickering, 704-433-4407.

North Dakota: Karen Henricksen, 701-224-8690.

Ohio Northern: Ruth Twaddell, 216-371-4898,

Ohio Southern: Karen Beck, 614857-1623.

Oklahoma Western: Cynthia Van Kley, 405-771-5274,

Oregon Eastern: Mary Thompson, 503-457-2455.

Oregon Western: Lana Eastlund, 503-661-0622; Phyllis Kwiatkowski, 503-482-2492; James Stephens, 503482-9414.

Pennsylvania Eastern: Joan Brehman, 717-367-6965.

Pennsylvania Western: George Mark, 814-643-3317.

South Carolina Central: Hughia Magnus, 803-781-7017.

South Carolina Eastern No. 2: Shamsi Sedaghat, 803-527-2568.

South Carolina Northern: Donna Landau, 803-877-0563.

South Carolina Western: Rob McKie, 803-878-6664/859-3705.

South Dakota: Patricia Haugen, 605-342-3562; Jaci Holland, 605-6651524.

Tennessee Eastern: Robin McMurry, 615-479-2344,

Tennessee Western: Denise Ḥakími, 901-794-8783; Denise Lamitic, 901363-2563.

‘Texas Central No. 1: Sheryl Fogarsi, 512-681-9151.

‘Texas Central No. 2: Naghmeh Fly, 915-697-5991.

Texas Eastern No. 1: Deborah (Deb) Franzen, 817-595-0240/ 589ale:

‘exas Eastern No. 2: Garreta Goff, ns 973-1375/493-4910.

Texas Northern: Barbara Parker, 806-293-8080/293-8315.

Texas Southern: Steve Ramirez, 512-541-7567.

Utah: Roger Baerwolf, 801-3222167.

Vermont: 365-7603.

Virginia Northern: Sallie Ebert, 703-662-2096.

Virginia Southeast: Melissa Mercadante, 804-743-9509.

Virginia Southwest: Roger Davis, 703-997-5722.

Martha Schmidt, 802

See LEAP Page 27

Brilliant Star

G one year $12.00 (six issues) 1G two years $23.00 surface, one year $15.00 irface, two years $28.00 i (A.O)), one year $25.00 ir(A.O)), two years $47.50

‘Age of recipient.

Enclosed is my gift of $____ to the Brilliant Star Endowment Fund, estab lished in honor of the Baha'i children of Iran, for the purpose of developing materials for children. Tunderstand that my gift will become part of a perpetual fund whose earnings will support this Purpose.

ee

sac ae

Brilliant Star ‘Suburban Office Park ‘5010 Austin Ra. Hixson, Tn, 37343

[Page 10]TEACHI

The American Baha'i

South Carolina’s ‘Project Tabarsi’ in full swing: more than 900 enrolled, four Assemblies formed

South Carolina’s District Teaching Committees, helped by only seven out-of-state traveling teachers, coordinated the formation at Ridvan of 259 local Spiritual Assemblies, exceeding by nine the goal given to the state last year by the National Teaching Committee.

Meanwhile, ‘*Project Tabarsi’” began in earnest the last week in May as traveling teachers Bob. Cadwalader from North Carolina and Navid Haghighi from Louisiana joined Trudy White in the Central District to help form new Assemblies in Cameron, Eutawville, Lone Star and Vance.

The new Assemblies brought the state’s total to 263, one more than the number in California.

As of early July, 125 traveling teachers from 15 states had taken, part in Project Tabarsi.

They are trained at the Gregory Institute and proceed from there to teach in five towns: Kingstree, Lake City, Conway, Florence and Hemingway, all of which are within 45 minutes of the Institute and WLGI Radio.

As this is written (in mid-July) there have been more than 900 enrollments as a result of Project

whom are youth.

The teachers are finding that many of the new declarants already had a strong sense of Baha’i identity, which is reinforced by the radio station.

The Los Angeles Baha’i Workshop arrived in South Carolina on July 10 and has performed for hundreds of people on the streets, in churches, at schools, and at the Myrtle Beach shopping mall whose manager said it was the best

show he’d ever had there.

Workshop members have been interviewed on radio and television in Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Kingstree, and have generated newspaper articles in Hemingway, Florence and Kingstree.

The Baha’is of South Carolina invite traveling teachers and homefront pioneers to join them and enlist under the ‘“‘black standard’’ of Project Tabarsi.

Report from Wanblee: ‘Heroes of God’ continue teaching, consolidation work

The Amoz Gibson Teaching Project continues unabated in South Dakota with some 37 enrollments since June and one new Assembly ready to form this month.

ABOUT one-half of the new enrollees are youth.

There are presently six to seven teams of seven members each who operate daily on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations.

Other teams were sent recently to Bemidji, Minnesota, to help in a teaching campaign there, and to Eagle Butte, South Dakota.

Tabarsi, about one-fourth of Three of the teams concentrate SEVEN YEAR PLAN TEACHING PROGRESS

ASSEMBLIES Assembly Goal (Seven Year Plan) .1750 Local Assemblies Formed.......

Welcome to the new Assemblies f¢ Prairie Village, KS Bettendorf, IA Fort Meade, FL

Talent, OR Gering, NE

have to wait until Ridvan.

ENROLLMENTS

Enrollments Since Ridvan.......

Assemblies on Indian Reservations (Goal: 50).

This leaves us just over 30 short of the Seven Year Plan goal of 1,750 Assemblies. Remember: Assemblies may be formed for the first time or re-formed after being lost at any time. You do not

1719

formed in the past mont

Santee, SC Cameron, SC Branchville, SC Hemingway, SC

.... ‘unprecedented increase’’ in new believers 985 (as of July 5)

Reinforced by more than 40 enrollments at the International Youth Conference and accelerated by the wave of young traveling teachers who have spread throughout the country, the number of new believers since Ridvan has reached 985 (as of July 5). Hundreds more have yet to be counted from South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas.

VIE UPDATE

South Carolina has now surpassed California as the state with the most local Spiritual Assemblies; its total stands at 265 to California’s 262. Can you homefront pioneer to South Carolina to help with plans for systematic consolidation? If interested, please contact the National Teaching Committee office for help and further information.

mainly on deepening, using Ruhi Institute materials, but have also brought in new declarants, especially family members related to the new Baha’is who declared earlier this year or last summer.

Larry Scott, Amoz Gibson Project director, said one of the volunteers recently wrote the following:

“Wanblee (South Dakota) is not a place to plan to spend your vacation. Nor is it a country retreat for escape from the hot city.

“WANBLEE is a place for those of you who are devoted to being heroes of God immersed in His words, soldiers in the army of His light, striving to spread His Cause to all mankind.

“You need a tent, a sleeping bag, and a large amount of detachment. The foundation of the project is teaching. The essence of everything we do is teaching. The reason for our existence is teach “No one should come here for any reason than to teach, teach, and teach some more. We teach by the unity we display every time a team is formed.

“*We teach by the love we show for each other and for every man, woman and child we meet. We teach by keeping ‘the hall and ground clean, our tents neat, and our bodies and clothes washed. And we teach by striving to give the Writings to everyone we come in contact with.

“If you have a personality clash with a fellow Baha’i, test assured that you will be given a task to do with that person, so the two of you can work out your problems and establish love and harmony between you.

“If you only want to work with one special friend, and you are not teaching, as the project calls for, be assured you will find yourself on two different work teams. The project comes first—always.

“So if you think you have the maturity, strength of character, and commitment to the Faith to be a hero of God, come to Waneee We can use you, O heroes of

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

CTT

Pictured are members of the ‘Fire from Within’ group who took part this summer in a project initiated by two young Baha’is from the Central states motivated by the United Nations Year of Youth, the goals of which are ‘participation, development and peace.’ More than a dozen youth from Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska traveled through nine states planting trees, painting park equipment, picking up trash, providing free car washes, and visiting the elderly and handicapped. They left Grand Island, Nebraska, June 14 for Smith Center, Kansas, the geographical center of the U.S.,

The Baha’is of the Village of Hempstead, Long Island, held a World Unity Day proclamation June 9 at Hofstra University.

George Milhin, mayor of the village, sent a proclamation in honor of the event, which was well-supported by Baha’is from the New York City area.

Countries represented at the day-long event were China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Russia, Sierra Leone, Sweden and Zaire in addition to the United States.

them on the front page of the local newspaper. During their 19-day journey they stopped in 17 communities, ending with a nine-mile walk into Columbus, Ohio, for the International Youth Conference. From top left are Aaron Kreader, Dan Hofert, Dulce Foster, Darius Himes, Shane Etzenhouser, Mark Trosper, Gail Etzenhouser, Melissa Kreader, Jube Maggiore, Kansas District Teaching Committee member Marcia Gitchell, Joe Foroughi, John Foster, Shamin Himes. Also taking part were Sharokh Khaze and Alan Howard.

Baha’is of Hemptstead, Long Island, hold World Unity Day meeting at Hofstra

The mayor’s proclamation was displayed on a table that also held pamphlets about the Faith in several languages.

About 250 people attended the event, which included performances by the Costa Rica Folkloric Ballet; the music of Miguel Corrales, Javier Miranda and Paul Vifias; Native American dancing including a participant “round dance’’ led by Ms. Nadema Agard; Israeli and Persian group dancing, and a slide program entitled ‘Flowers of One Garden’”’ (pictures of children set to music and The Hidden Words of Baha’u’ lh).

| recep Ra EERE RE RE TEES RE SEAS aS SOE RSE TSN ERE ea pease on aaa rae ve NaN ERE ama

[Page 11]TEACHING

August 1985

Kansas begins 41-week ‘victory harvest’ campaign

The Bahá’ís of Kansas, unflagging in their determination to reap the benefits of an exhilarating ‘‘victory month’”’ that included a week-long visit by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, have begun a 41-week “victory harvest’? campaign that is to last through Ridvan 1986.

DURING June, the Kansas District Teaching Committee put in one eight-hour work day per week to make follow-up arrangements for the district.

The goals of the ‘‘victory harvest,’”’ which began the weekend of July 13-14 in Wichita, are:

1. to raise up new Spiritual Assemblies;

2. to increase diversity among the Baha’is in Kansas; and

3. to double the number of Baha’is in the state.

Kansas welcomed four new Bahá’is prior to Ridvan and as of mid-July had added seven more new believers to its rolls.

Young Bahda’is use conference as springboard to ‘move world’

The theme was ‘“‘Youth Can Move the World,”’ and those youth who attended the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, wasted no time in demonstrating their ability to do just that.

MORE than 40 individuals declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh at the conference including one staff member at Ohio State University who was impressed by the character and behavior of the conference participants.

From the conference, more than 500 youth proceeded to summer teaching and service projects throughout the country. These included a number of youth groups who taught on their way to the conference.

Examples include the ‘Fire from Within’’ project, originating with youth from Kansas and Nebraska, and the Los Angeles Baha’i Youth Workshop.

“Fire from Within” was made up of 11 youth who made 15 stops throughout the Midwest while traveling to and from the conference.

They took part in fireside teaching, door-to-door projects, and service projects, depending on the plans of local communities.

One stop, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where strawberries were picked to give to shut-ins, resulted in significant press coverage.

AT THE END of the trip, many of the participants joined other summer projects.

The Los Angeles Youth Workshop is a group of about 20 youth from the L.A. area who use dance as a means of teaching the Faith. Regular deepenings are also a part of their discipline.

The group traveled across the country making more than 18 stops while generating a great deal of attention for the Faith.

Their appearance at the Youth Conference and in the city of Columbus resulted in television coverage. A follow-up trip to South Carolina involved a number of performances throughout that state.

So great was the spirit of the youth that it would be impossible to mention all of the groups and individuals who participated in teaching and service projects before, during and after the conference.

Likewise, it is impossible to briefly describe the more than 40 projects, large and small, scat See YOUTH Page 17

Human Rights are GodGiven Rights

the Baha’ Faith

About 350 Bahá’ís and guests came to the Louhelen Baha’i School the weekend of March 29-31 in honor of new believers in Michigan and Ohio. It was the largest group to attend Louhelen since the dedication of the new facility. A ‘seekers’ conference’ was held simultaneously with some 30

whom delared their faith in Baha’w'lláh during the conference. Program participants included Counsellor Velma Sherrill, Auxiliary Board members Dorothy Borhani and Javidukht Khadem and their assistants, and members of the District Teaching Committees of Michigan and Ohio.

Two new Assemblies have been formed in the state and three Groups of eight adults are expected to reach Assembly status in the next few months.

Three ‘‘victory harvest’? coordinators have been appointed by the District Teaching Committee to help oversee the campaign in their respective areas.

SINCE Kansas has already been receiving inquiries on its new tollfree telephone number, the District Teaching Committee has named a coordinator who is responsible for keeping in touch with communities that use the number and for collecting and sharing creative ideas in using it.

A task force also has been appointed to plan the second annual Native American pow wow ‘in Wichita.

On September 27-30, Hugh Chance, a member of the Universal House of Justice, will visit Winfield, Kansas (where he was born).

To mark the occasion, the Baha’is of Winfield are planning a number of events.

The local Oratorio Society, whose members visited Mr. Chance earlier this year at the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, has asked to host a reception and would like Mr. Chance to speak about how he became a Baha'i.

Other events are to include a fireside with Mr. Chance as the speaker, a public meeting whose theme is to be ‘The Relationship of Arts and Education to Peace,’’ and a dinner with local government leaders and the president of Southwestern University.

PLANS also are being made in Kansas for a Saturday teaching project to precede the District Convention in October, and for the resumption in November of circuit deepenings with new teams to cover the southeastern area of the state.

The Kansas District Teaching Committee has written to the District Teaching Committees of Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa offering to coordinate a regional newsletter, the main purpose of which would be to share information about dates and places of coming events.

Several events already have taken place. From June 10-19, Dwight Allen visited Baha’is and non-Baha’is in several Kansas communities, and between June 24-27, the Los Angeles Baha’i Youth Workshop gave two performances en route to the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

A Baha’i from Wichita is coordinating an intercultural group of five people from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska who will go this summer to the Amoz Gibson Project in South Dakota.

Also visiting the Gibson project site will be as many members as possible of the Kansas District

Right: The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears speaks at a Native American pow wow held in Wichita, Kansas.

Below: Popular entertainer Dan Seals leads a sing-along during a concert/fireside in the Kansas town of Zenda. About 40 people attended the event, one of many in which Bahá’í performers from across the country participated during the ‘victory month’ last May.

if

New nine-part series explores principles

of teaching as set forth in Baha’i Writings

This is the first in a nine-part series that explores the principles of teaching outlined in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bab, ‘Abdu’l-Bahs, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice. While every Baha’i is aware of the supreme importance of teaching, many things are present in our everyday existence that hold us back from partaking of what ‘Abdu’l-Baha described as the greatest gift of God.

In a letter of Ridvan 1982, the Universal House of Justice called for ‘‘a mighty upsurge of effective teaching” to meet the challenge of the growing hunger of peoples of the world for ‘‘the love of God and reunion with Him.”’ Every believer can, through the simple and direct guidance found in the Writings, become an all-confident, effective Baha’i teacher, capable of uniting people’s hearts with Bahd’u’ lah.

.

Before we can more deeply explore the elements of effective teaching, we must begin by trying to gain a better understanding of the nature and purpose of teaching.

Two analogies, used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, help describe teaching.

IN ONE, teaching is compared

planting seeds, a time for nurturing, a time of bearing fruit, and a time of harvest.

The condition of the soil (the seeker’s heart) has a great influence; poor or rocky soil, meaning low receptivity, limits results.

In some cases different gardeners may tend the same plant, each nurturing it at a different stage of development.

In another analogy the teacher is compared to a physician, who must diagnose the ills of the patient and prescribe the proper remedy.

The doctor must show wisdom in knowing when to act and when not to act, in knowing what medicine to give and what the proper dosage should be.

Both of these analogies show that teaching is a process, not merely an action or series of actions.

THE TEACHER is not a direct part of the process, but tries to help the process along.

In gardening, the key process involves the plant developing and growing; in healing, it is the patient becoming well.

In teaching, the process means the establishment of a soul’s relationship with God through Baha See TEACHING Page 25

seekers in attendance, four of Teaching Committee. to gardening. There is a time for

[Page 12]RACE UNITY

The American Baha'i

12

On Saturday, June 8, the Race Unity Committee of the Baha’is of San Diego, California, sponsored a conference entitled “Racial Equality: Who’s Responsible?”

The purpose of the day-long conference was to address specifically the question of the day’s theme and otherwise to discuss frankly issues concerning racial

30 including mayor at N.C. meeting to foster race harmony

Mayor Robert Cowan of Williamston, North Carolina, was among some 30 residents of that city who gathered June 23 at Hayes Elementary School to promote racial harmony and understanding.

The meeting was arranged by an isolated Baha’i, Robert Barnes of Williamston, and was sponsored by the North Carolina Eastern District Teaching Committee.

Besides the local residents, the meeting was attended by about 20 Baha’is from Goldsboro, Greenville, Ahoskie, Raleigh, Wake County and Cary.

Mayor Cowan was the keynote speaker. Also speaking were Darian Smith of Apex and Arthur McKinley of Cary.

Music was provided by the Williamston Community Gospel Chorus and by soloist Doris Wallace.

The program ended when Baha’i_ members of the audience, dressed in ethnic costume, came to the stage and led everyone in singing the new popular song, ‘‘We Are the World.””

El Paso children make Ayyam-i-Ha cards for refugees in Pakistan

During Ayyém-i-H4, Baha’i children in El Paso, Texas, wanted to do something for their young Baha’i brothers and sisters living in refugee centers in six cities in Pakistan.

As a token of their love, the youngsters created lovely Ayyami-H cards which were distributed at those centers.

Archives to compile

librarian resource file

The National Baha’i Archives is seeking to identify Baha’is who are professional librarians in the Midwest with the intent of compiling a small resource file to help in networking.

Interested persons should send a resumé to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

equality and racial prejudice anc the ideal of the unity of humankind in the hope of raising the level of awareness with respect to these and other issues.

The guest speakers were Lee Richardson, a Baha’i who is vicepresident for development at Tuskegee (Alabama) Institute, and the Rev. Daryl Grigsby, a city employee, community activist and author.

Also participating was a 13-member panel representing the black, brown, Asian, Jewish, white and handicapped communities in San Diego.

Music was provided by jazz pianist Glen Horiuchi and a Baha’i musician, Karin Ryan Barnes.

The conference closed with everyone standing and singing “‘We Are the World.””

The impact of the conference is perhaps best summed up in one of the cards placed in the suggestion box by a non-Baha’i who wrote:

“Program very good and very necessary and vital ... Quality of speakers, music and total program administration exceptional. Please keep up the good work and put us on your mailing list!’”

The Fund Is the Life-Blood of the Faith National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

re James Ashourian, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Braintree, Massachusetts, presents a

plaque to Jane Lee, a realtor from

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

San Diego Baha’is sponsor Race Unity Day conference

bers of minority groups. The ceremony was held on June 9, Race Unity Day.

Braintree Baha’is honor realtor for promoting racial unity

Jane Lee, a Quincy, Massachusetts, realtor who has been active in finding homes for members of minority groups, was honored for her work June 9 at a Race Unity Day observance sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Braintree.

A plaque bearing a quotation from the Baha’i writings was pre sented to Mrs. Lee on behalf of the Assembly by one of its members, James Ashourian.

In accepting the award, Mrs. Lee said promoting racial harmony is something she has in common with members of the Baha’i Faith.

Mrs. Lee, a native of Hong Kong, came to Quincy in the early 1960s with her husband, Jim. She presently chairs the Fair Housing Committee of Quincy and serves on District Attorney William Delahunt’s human rights committee.

‘FUSE’ (Friends Using Spiritual Energy), described as a ‘new concept’ in youth deepening, has been initiated in Santa Clara County, California. Each program consists of a dinner, deepening, social program and sleep-oyer on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month with breakfast and prayers before ‘Baha’i Family School’ the next morning. The youth receive training in conducting firesides,

deepenings and chairing these occasions and working with the District. Youth Committee. The Spiritual Assembly of San Jose is sponsoring the FUSE program as a part of its weekly Family School to give Ba social events by

ha’i youth an opportunity to socialize and deepen in a Baha’i environment while strengthening their friendships.

Chicago’s Race Unity Task Force holds Day of Unity observance at local church

The members of the National Race Unity Committee were among the special guests June 8 as the Race Unity Task Force of the Baha’is of Chicago sponsored a Day of Unity at the People’s Church in Chicago.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Roy Jones, a member of the Race Unity Committee and director of the Louis Gregory Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina.

In his address, Dr. Jones paid tribute to Louis Gregory’s work in race relations and emphasized the importance of spiritual growth, saying that to “‘totally eliminate racial prejudice requires a power that goes beyond any of us.’’

Among the other speakers were Dr. Thomas Kochman, a professor of communications at the University of Illinois, and Dr. June Manning Thomas, a Baha’i who is a professor of urban policy at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

An afternoon panel session was presented by five of Chicago’s community leaders: Ngoan Le (Vietnamese Community Ser vices), the Rev. Bennie Whiten (Community Renewal Society), Arturo Vazquez (Chicago Department of Economic Development), Susan Powers (Native American), and Marguerite Voekel (senior pastor of the People’s Church).

There were at least two declarations at the conference including that of a Burmese woman who spoke eloquently about her experience during the afternoon session.

Child abuse classes

The Baha’i Metropolitan Women’s Committee of the St. PaulMinneapolis area sponsored two classes on child abuse for Baha’is on April 7 and 14 at the metro area Glad Tidings Baha’i School.

About 25 adults attended the classes which included quotations from the Writings about educating ‘Our Precious Trust,” a movie about the positive aspects of touching, and a presentation by a social worker about signs of child abuse and how to teach our children to protect themselves.

a ES A TERS EEE SE SR SY ST EERE TES SE SE SS SAE EE SE EET

[Page 13]

THE MEDIA

August 1985

13

/& JUDGE DOROTHY NELSON

Judge Dorothy Nelson receives prestigious 1985 Justice Award

Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly and Judge of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, is the co-winner of this year’s Justice Award of the American Judicature Society, a national group of. 30,000 lawyers, judges and lay persons dedicated to improving the U.S. judicial system.

Several hundred people attended the Society’s annual meeting July 5 in Washington, D.C., at which Judge Nelson and her corecipient, Fred Friendly, a former president of CBS News, were given their awards by AJS president Talbot (Sandy) D’alenberte.

Among those present were members of Congress and the legal profession, the press, and one previous award winner, actor EG. Marshall.

Others who have received the prestigious award are Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger; another member of the Supreme Court, Justice Tom Clark; and Father Theodore Hesburgh, president of Notre Dame University.

The gold medal bearing her name and a citation that mentions the Faith were awarded to Judge Nelson for her outstanding contributions to the improvement of the administration of justice in this country.

In making the award, the Society recognized that Judge Nelson’s Baha’i beliefs form the bedrock on which her judicial philosophy is based.

Judge Nelson said that while she felt it was extremely important that the Faith was mentioned before such a distinguished audience, she was most happy to return the following day to the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, so she could take part in the FUNd Run.

Where was the first public mention of the Baha’ Faith in America?

Find out in The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900

Believers from the U.S. and Canada were present May 25-26 at a Northwest Baha’i Child Education Conference held at Boise State University in Idaho.

Training children from their formative years to adulthood was stressed with the ultimate aim of applying greater impetus to proper use of the formative years not letting this vital training period go to waste.

Among the speakers were Carol Hudson, co-author of the “‘Family Unity Night’? (FUN) column in The American Baha’i; Mary Thompson, the LEAP coordinator for eastern Oregon; and Janice Lever, program coordinator for child education at the Baha’i National Center in Wilmette.

A hands-on display of child craft and learning centers was available to stimulate ideas and

Bs

Learning centers were an integral part of the Northwest Baha'i Child Education Conference held May 25-26 in Boise, Idaho. Seen checking one out are Claudia

Farah Khorsandian, a Baha'i who is a graduate student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, was one of 20 students honored recently with the Golden Signet Award, presented to those who devote a significant amount of time to their respective campus

organizations.

allow people to see how to do things in simple ways to teach children creatively.

The learning centers were the creation of Edith DuPuis, curriculum specialist for the Sheltering Branch and Star of the West Baha’{ schools.

The psychological struggle of teaching and learning during various moods and phases of childhood was discussed by Michele Hendryx, a LEAP adviser from Boise.

The final phase of the conference program, which dealt with meeting the needs of youth and pre-youth, was directed by Marcia Veach, youth coordinator for eastern Oregon.

The two-day event ended with a social gathering at the home of Elizabeth Adelmann.

Druss (standing) of Boise and Deborah Rothaar of Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Larry Pedersen)

Tampa Baha’ receives top campus award

Ms. Khorsandian, who is majoring in French, was instrumental, according to the school’s Student Affairs Digest, in guiding the USF Intercultural Organization.

“Through her leadership skills and abilities,”’ it says, ‘(she) has been an excellent role model to the international students.””

Baha’is from U.S., Canada at N.W. Child Education iMate

Discussing the development of Baha’i-oriented curricula during the Northwest Bahá’í Child Education Conference in Boise, Idaho,

are (left to right) Carol Hudson, Julie Gadd and Joyce Kidd Miller. (Photo by Larry Pedersen):

Louhelen to offer course in teaching reading to adults

From August 25-29, the Louhelen Baha’i School will offer a course in teaching adult literacy.

The intensive course is designed to train participants in the basic strategies and methods involved in teaching reading to adults.

The course instructor is Dr. William Diehl, Louhelen’s administrative director.

Dr. Diehl’s training and experience is in adult literacy, and he has been involved in planning or carrying out literacy projects in South Carolina, Georgia and Haiti.

He has also published several articles and edited books on the topic. His work was recognized with an award in 1980 from the International Reading Association.

Participants are expected to spend most of their time at Louhelen in intensive sessions and workshops. Advance reading is also expected.

Because of the intensive nature of the course, registration is limited, and those who are interested are encouraged to register early by sending a $10 deposit to the registrar, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

Baha’i book chosen recommended reading

Du’a on Wings of Prayer, a book written by the late Ruth Moffett and edited by another Baha’i, Keven Brown, was recently selected for programs on recommended reading in metaphysics by the Midwest Book Review in Oregon, Wisconsin.

In making its selection, the Book Review described the book as “‘lucid, succinct, and altogether splendid.”

from the Baha’i Publishing Trust

The first book to uncover the captiva ting details of the introduction of the Baha'i Faith to the Occident in 1892 and to trace its development through

its first 8 years in North America

youre tof

‘THE BAHAIFAITH INAMERICA

Origins 1892-1900

by ROBERT IH. STOCKMAN

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

before 1900?

How did these early believers survive

$1995, hardcover only

194 pages, 23 photographs, notes, annorated biblioge: ‘Companion volumes forthcoming.

Available from Baha’i Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE

WILMETTE, Il 60091 1-800-323-1880

[Page 14]BAHA’I DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

The American Baha'i

3rd volume of Mirza ‘Abu’l-Fadl’s writings ready

A third volume of the writings of Mizaé ‘Abu’l-Fadl, one of three new books, is scheduled for publication at the end of August.

Mirz4 ‘Abu’l-Fad! was lauded by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as ‘“‘peerless ... erudite and learned ... a standard bearer of the oneness of humanity,”’ and is generally regarded as the foremost Baha’i scholar.

The third volume of his works to be published in English is Letters and Essays, 1886-1913 ($11.95, HC), from Kalimat Press.

Among its topics are the resurrection day, the meaning of civi zation, the question of blind obedience, Mirza ‘Abu’l-Fadl’s “Treatise for Aleksandr Tumansky,’”’ which contains details of Baha’i history available nowhere else, and an account of the author’s first meeting with the Master.

The Bahd#’i Proofs ($16) by Mirza ‘Abu’|-Fadl has been one of the Baha’i Publishing Trust’s most consistently popular books since the publication a year and a

Good way to prepare for Children’s Day

This year we can prepare for Universal Children’s Day (October 1) by participating in ReadAloud Month in September.

READ-Aloud Month is a time of national focus on reading aloud to awaken children’s imaginations, improving their language skills, coaxing them away from television, and making a reading session a special occasion for reader and listener alike.

As Baha’ is, we can celebrate the month by paying special attention to quality bedtime reading, sponsoring a ‘‘read-aloud’’ session for children at home or at a local library, or inviting a Baha’i author or story teller to read at an event.

Resources we might draw on include those that promote a Baha’i identity (I Am a Baha’i, Bahá’í Prayers and Tablets for the Young, Magnified Be Thy Name, From Behind the Veil, and O God, My God ...) or those that promote general growth and character development (B.J. and the Language of the Woodland, Fly Away Home, Second Birth, The Secret in the Garden, Special Strengths, The Spotlessly Leopard, Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Zahra’s Search, and the Golden Crown series: Mullá Ḥusayn, Quddús, and Táhirih).

The last category is especially useful for settings in which there are non-Baha’i children present.

The same resources can be used for Universal Children’s Day. In fact, we can get ideas for the event while we are reading aloud to our children and their friends during September.

Every child is potentially a book lover, and it is especially important that we help our Baha’ children discover the pleasure of reading.

half ago of the 1929 facsimile edition. Kalimat Press published his Miracles and Metaphors ($8.95, SC) in 1981.

George Ronald now has two new titles scheduled to arrive at the Distribution Service in August.

Remember the Rainbow ($3.95, SC) is a new children’s book that uses a story set in Africa as a means of relating the Baha’i view of evolution. Its author is Jacqueline Mehrabi, author of the popular children’s book Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ($4.50), published by the United Kingdom’s Publishing Trust. The new book has 23 illustrations and a full-color cover by Brian Parsons.

Another Baha’i author best

known for her children’s books is venturing into the field of biography with Lidia: Daughter of Esperanto ($26.50 HC, $11.95 SC).

Wendy Heller, author of Clementine and the Cage, The Sunshine Tree, and Call Me Ridvan, has written the biography of Lidia Zamenhof, an early Baha’i who was the daughter of the founder of Esperanto, Ludwig Zamenhof.

Lidia’s story is that of a woman who came from near-atheism to the Baha’i Faith as the “‘spiritual child” of Martha Root. At first, she rejected Esperanto, but later became one of its champions. The 312-page book contains 64 illustrations.

Despite small error,

‘Baha’i Challenge’

scores big hit at Ohio Youth Conference

Twenty of the 500 cards in the “‘Baha’i Challenge’) game just produced by the Baha’i Distribution Service have answers that do not correspond to the questions.

“BEFORE printing the gaine,”” says Terrill Hayes, production manager at the Baha’i Publishing Trust, ‘“‘we checked all the cards to make sure the answers and questions were printed correctly. At that time we found 40 cards that were wrong and pointed out the errors to the printer.

“Apparently,”” he says, ‘‘only half the corrections were made. The rest were overlooked.

“Corrections have now been made and all the games are being shipped with an extra packet of corrected cards and an explanation.

“As you play the game,”’ says Mr. Hayes, ‘‘the defective cards will quickly become apparent. Answers that call for specific information will either have radically different answers or, for example, a question will ask for a date when an event took place and the answer will be ‘no.”

“As you come across the faulty cards, you can easily replace them with the corrected ones.””

Several hundred people, he says, ‘bought copies of the game either at the International Youth

Quan.

Baha'i Challenge Game —Baha'i DayBook, SC

‘Baha'i Faith in America, HC —Baha'i Proofs, HC —B.J. and Language of Woodland, SC —Fly Away Home, SC

—Kitad-i-fqan, —Kitad-i-tgan, PS —Letters and Essays, HC “Lidia, HC

—Lidia, SC —Magnified Be Thy Name, HC

- NET price to accounts

Zr7Onm Pm xe

Conference or at the House of Worship bookstore in Wilmette. The Distribution Service is asking those people to return all or part of their defective cards so that corrected game cards can be sent to them.

“UNDER normal circumstances,”’ he adds, ‘‘we would have caught the error before any of the games were distributed. But since these games were shipped directly from the printer to the Youth Conference and the bookstore, we had no chance to check them before they were sold.””

The response to the game, aside from the error which was beyond the control of the Distribution Service, has been overwhelmingly positive, according to marketing manager Robert Blum.

“Those who were beginning to look through the game at the Youth Conference seemed genuinely excited about it,”” he says.

“People are particularly pleased that each answer contains a citation showing in which book the answer can be found.’’

“Baha’i Challenge” is $20 for adults and $17.50 for-youth and senior citizens. The extra $2.50 in the price to adults goes toward the future production of youth-oriented materials.

There were books, magazines, pamphlets and special material

for people of all ages at the Baha’i

Youth Conference in July. Carefully considering their selection are two of the younger attendees.

The Baha’i Distribution Service is asking its customers who have problems or questions about their orders to provide complete information when making inquiries.

“THERE are times when staff members spend hours trying to trace an order,”’ says marketing manager Robert Blum, ‘‘only to find out later that a key piece of information was not provided.

“‘Customers who take the time to provide as much information as possible will help us find problems more quickly and, as a result, solve them more quickly.

“Ultimately,”’ he says, ‘“‘that means the customer gets the books or materials he or she wants as soon as possible.

“When the problem concerns an order, the best piece of information we can have,’’ says Mr. Blum, ‘‘is the invoice number of the order. That leads us directly to the source of the order and we can see immediately where the difficulty occurred.

““However,”’ he adds, ‘‘if an order has been lost, the invoice number may not be available to the customer,

“In that case, we need to know the name, address and phone

To handle customers’ problems quickly, Distribution Service needs all the facts

number of the person who placed the order and the name, address and phone number of the person to whom the book or books were to be shipped.””

IT IS also important, says Mr. Blum, ‘to know when an order was mailed, if the order was accompanied by a check, and if the check has cleared your bank.

“‘A daytime telephone number is especially important because often a few quick questions can clear up a fairly complicated problem.

“We're always trying to reduce mistakes to a minimal level, but we will always make a few. And the shippers who handle our merchandise will lose orders from time to time.

“*We ask that our customers be understanding,” says Mr. Blum, “and by providing as much information as they can about the problem, help us to solve it quickly.

“That will make it possible for the Distribution Service to perform its most important service: getting our product into the hands of our customers and quickly and efficiently as we can.’”

Amt. Quan. Amt. ($1.50 minimum for postage) $20.00° Miracles and Metaphors, SC $8.95

Wes. recente eed em Enclose a check for the full amount, or 16.00 _Promulgation of Universal Peace, HC 16.00

3.75 _Quddús, SC 3.50

5.00 Remember the Rainbow, SC 3.95

5.95 _Second Birth, HC 8.00 CARD NO.

14.25 Second Birth, SC 450

3.75 Special Strengths, SC 4.50

11.95 Stories of *Abdu'I-Baha, SC 4.50 Name

26.80 _Táhirih, SC 3:30

11.95 _Unrestrained as the Wind, SC 198

5.50. _Unto Him Shall We Return, SC z9s Address

City

$17.50 for youth and senior citizens—price is NET

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE

WILMETTE, IL 60091

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

‘TAB 8/85

Total plus 10 per cent postage _

VISA/MC (CIRCLE ONE) EXP. DATE ______

State Zip

ZFOm wmmozreo

Prices good through September 30, 1985

| eel

[Page 15]

BAHA’I PUBLISHING TRUST

August 1985

15

Bedcrrell The, . KITABHQAN

‘The Book of Certitude

The Creative Word

Kitab-i-iqan: Protection for friends at all times and under all circumstances

Many states have passed or are in the process of passing legislation requiring the use of seat belts. For those unused to “‘buckling up,”’ the action seems uncomfortable and unnecessary at first, but it soon becomes second nature.

Bahá’u’lláh didn’t pass a law saying that we have to read His writings. But He has given us potent reminders of how important it is to have the protection of His words at our fingertips—our children and youth, who have just returned from a unique conference in Ohio and are aflame with the desire to dedicate their lives to Bahá’u’lláh. One of the best ways we can fan this flame (and our own) is to read and re-read the Kitab-i-fqén, Bahá’u’lláh’s eloquent discussion of progressive revelation.

The fqan, Shoghi Effendi tells us, ‘explains the attitude of the Cause toward the prophets of God and their mission in the history of society.’” Now that the Faith is emerging from obscurity, we, the adults and parents in the community, have a special obligation to read and ponder the {qan, master it ourselves, help our precious youth absorb its truths, and prepare them to share its vision with their peers.

The Universal House of Justice has asked the youth to ‘‘move the world’’ and shape ‘‘the societies of the coming century.”” They need, and we need, all the protection that is available. Surely, studying the Creative Word and living the life is our best protection, and can, like “‘buckling up,”” become second nature with practice. So why not buckle down and try it—for our own protection and the protection of our

Unrestrained as Wind has many people talking

What people are saying about Unrestrained as the Wind:

Edward Diliberto, Auxiliary Board member: ‘‘The appearance of the compilation Unrestrained as the Wind is, in my opinion, a masterstroke ... This 10-point handbook constitutes a field manual for the highly disciplined vanguard forces of the Faith who are leading a nation on the brink of disaster to the shimmering light of the Age of Bahá’u’lláh.””

Robert Harris, Auxiliary Board member: ‘‘When your family gets its copy of Unrestrained, the TV will go off. It’s the kind of book that will provoke a great deal of healthy discussion.””

Karen Crenshaw, Personnel Department, Baha’i National Center: “‘Unrestrained is the most inspirationally practical book I’ve ever read. I’ve already bought three more copies to give away.”

Gary Morrison, secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii: “‘Unrestrained is an excellent source for all Baha’is—I wish I had had access to such a work when I was a Baha’i youth 20 years ago. It’s a little like ‘every thing you always wanted to know but didn’t know where to find it in the writings’ ...’”

Smokey Ferguson, National Youth Committee: ‘‘This is the book we’ve been asking for. It delves into the writings and produces the answers to the issues of social and personal concern for Baha’i youth and our despairing peers. It combines stories of the early Baha’i heroes and heroines with those of heroic youth of today, allowing us to share in the glory of what Baha’i youth can do. This is the most significant book published in quite a while.’’

Richard Hill, editorial assistant, Baha’i Publishing Trust: ‘“Unrestrained is a distillation of the writings, but a distillation with a difference. For seasoned Baha’is it’s Ike a mirror in which we can see the degree to which our lives are centered in the teachings. For new Baha’is it presents the fundamental questions and answers we face in life, whether we’re 15 or 94.”

Stephen Birkland, Auxiliary Board member: ‘‘Unrestrained surpasses all my expectations and

Dear Friends:

Big ‘thank you’ to Datebook’s critics

youth,

The Kitdb-i-Igdn is available in hardcover ($14.95) and pocket-sized

($3.75) editions.

Author Robert Stockman to undertake West Coast speaking tour in August

Robert Stockman, author of the recently published first volume of The Baha’i Faith in America, will be making a speaking tour of the West Coast during August, according to Anne Atkinson, promotions coordinator of the Baha’i Publishing Trust.

“Mr. Stockman begins his tour in Vancouver August 15-18 at the 10th annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies, where he will make a presentation,’’ says Ms. Atkinson.

“His other speaking engagements are in Seattle, Washington; Portland and Eugene, Oregon; Redding, El Cerrito, San Fran Ordering from Baha’i Distribution Service

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

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

cisco, the Bosch Baha’i School, and Los Angeles, California.’’

Mr. Stockman will teach a class at the Bosch school from August 25-29. His evening talk at the San Francisco Baha’i Center on August 24 will be followed by a reception. Other details about Mr. Stockman’s itinerary can be obtained by contacting the communities listed above or by writing to the Publishing Trust.

“Author tours offer a significant proclamation and deepening opportunity, especially when there is a book such as The Ba 4’i Faith im America, which appeals to persons interested in sociology, history, and religion as well as to Baha’fs,”” says Ms. Atkinson.

- book’s new approach to the Baha’i calendar of beginning the

To those of you who took the time to fill out the response questionnaire on the Baha’i Datebook 142 B.E. we offer a hearty “thanks” for your thorough, candid and encouraging remarks and suggestions. Originally, we had planned to send individual acknowledgments, but when the number of responses reached 184, we decided instead to publish an open letter to you.

GIVEN THE NATURAL diversity within the Baha’i community, we expected a variety of responses, which is exactly what we got. What we didn’t expect was the number of people who voiced appreciation for the chance to express their opinions. We hope that all of our customers will feel free to let us know their response to any item we publish, whether or not we solicit a reaction.

Now for some statistics. Respondents preferred the old datebook format to the new (149-23); some found the additional writing space helpful, but more did not (70-89); many appreciated the fact that the Datebook began with the Baha’i New Year, while others did not (89-69). However, when asked if they preferred the Datebook to begin with the Gregorian New Year, the figure was closer (71 yes, 79 no). Most respondents did not like the Date week with Saturday (111-37), and many were willing to pay more for a Datebook if necessary (104-55).

Among the many other comments, the following opinions were expressed: a month-at-a-glance format is better; the new format is difficult to use, and it is hard to determine when Feast should be held; the cover should be more durable and less drab; the shading on Baha’i event days should be used; the small print is difficult to read; more lines should be added on the notes page; legal and religious holidays should be added; quotations from the Writings should be included; the Publishing Trust should print two datebooks in different formats to offer customers a choice; the Publishing Trust should print a memo (desk) calendar.

The comments we received were very helpful in designing the Datebook for 143 B.E. Next month we’ll describe the new Datebook in detail. We hope that whether you like or approve of the new format, you’ll buy one and take pride in having a calendar that is uniquely Baha’i and part of your identity. Again, thank you for your response.

With loving greetings from the entire staff,

Anne Atkinson, Promotions Coordinator Baha’i Publishing Trust

CORRECTION for Unrestrained as the Wind. On pages 100-101, No. 78, the third paragraph should be the first paragraph in the extract from the letter from the Universal House of Justice.

Unrestrained as the Wind: A Life Dedicated to Bahá’u’lláh is available from the Baha'i Distribution Service in softcover only at $7.95.

meets an important need in our young community. It is, on the one hand, a handbook for applying Baha’i teachings to our daily lives, and, on the other, a beautiful bridge to help the believers read more of the Creative Word. To me, it’s just the right book at the right time.””

‘Anisa Strasburg, new declarant (age 15), Wilmette, Illinois: ‘‘Before I went to the youth conference, I told my parents I wanted a VISA card for my birthday. After the conference, all I wanted was a copy of Unrestrained as the Wind!

Youth, peace splendid themes for Peace Day, Birth of the Bab

This year there are two significant themes we can use for Baha’i event days such as World Peace Day (September 15) and the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab (October 20).

One theme is that of the current International Year of Youth, for the rest of which we can draw heavily on youth to provide, on the local level, the dynamism and spirit that was achieved at the Ohio youth conference.

The other is to jump the gun on the International Year of Peace, which begins October 24 and continues through 1986.

World Peace Day could be your community’s way of celebrating the International Year of Youth and launching the International Year of Peace. This could include close collaboration between youth and adults in planning and carrying out the program for this day of peace.

Resources that can be used for World Peace Day include the new Peace Pamphlet series—‘‘General Introduction,”’ ‘More Than an End to War,” “Race Unity,” “The Oneness of Religion,”? and “World Government” (see de See READING Page 27

(os mamas sa SR EES SERRE EEA a a SRR RE EEA cn STA ETE

[Page 16]Fnrcieriraenerii reine iee etait neice ieee acacia RETR eeeeemneieeeonemmenmemmnenmemmmmmmnmmeemmtaemmmammm immer Mime CLASSIFIEDS

The American Baha’i

16

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

.

OCTOBER 1 is the deadline for the writing contest sponsored by the Baha’i Publishing Trust in honor of the International Year of Youth. Stories (fiction or non-fiction) by youth about youth or by adults about youth are welcome. For editorial requirements and subject ideas, please write to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor, Baha’{ Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

JANITORIAL help is desperately needed to provide cleaning and maintenance service to the Shrines and other buildings at the World Center, specifically the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Healthy, energetic young people who are willing to learn and are not averse to physical labor are urged to consider this path of service to the Cause. To receive further information and an application, please contact Karen Crenshaw, Personnel Department, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, immediately, or phone her at 312-8699039.

NEEDED, wanted and prayed for: at least one deepened, thickskinned Baha’i family to teach in Ozark country in McDonald County, Missouri. Retired military personnel would have a fertile teaching field; established artists and craftsmen might be able to succeed. There are farms and resorts for sale. The hub of the community is Ginger Blue Lodge which is for sale and offers an excellent location for schools, seminars, institutes and retreats. It would pay for itself and has enormous developmental potential. There are one or two openings in the school system; could use people who work with those with drug addiction. The local Baha’i community consists of one family of homefront pioneers, young families and singles. We are a Group of eight with an active deepening and consolidation plan, but we need help. Please write to Hannah Rowell,

, Noel, MO 64854 (phone 417-436-2346).

CHILDREN of all ages—we need your art work, poetry and stories! Send to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Shorewood, Wisconsin, will be in jeopardy as you read this—down to eight adults, with one more to move by the end of the summer. This Assembly is 60-plus years old and has been a source of pioneers for the same length of time. We are adjacent to Milwaukee and are

eps nS ER RT TEES TSE PSS SH a EN ALSO AE A A RN

willing to help locate jobs and housing and to answer questions. Please contact the Assembly secretary, Jocelyn Boor,

. . _ Shorewood, WI 53211, or phone 414962-4625.

IF YOU would like to help win the important goal of increasing the number and role of Hispanic believers in the Baha’i community, don’t miss the first Hispanic Baha’i Conference during the Labor Day weekend in San Fernando, California. Registration fee is $10; free lodging for the first 50 mail-ins. For more information, see the article in this issue of The American Baha’i or phone 818-361-6931.

THE BAHA'IS of Lawrence, Kansas (home of the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Junior College) need American Indian believers. Come help us teach among the Indian community in Lawrence. For information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Lawrence, P.O. Box 584, Lawrence, KS 66044, or phone 913-842-4406.

WANTED: An Assembly by Ridvan ... preferably sooner ... through prayers, active teaching or relocation! If you have an urge to move, change scenery, make new friends and become involved in working to form an active Assembly, we need you and you need us. By August, we’ll be a community of five adult Baha’is; by Ridvan, we'll be an Assembly. For information, write to the Baha’i community of Bismarck,

Bismarck, ND 58501, or phone 701-222-8473 (Alan or Pat) or 701-223-6189 (Jeanette).

WANTED: The National Baha’i Archives is seeking the following National Assembly secretary’s annual reports: 1948-49, 1949-50, 1950-51, 1953-54, 1968

69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1975-76, 198081, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84.

Anyone having copies in good condition should contact the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

PRAIRIE fire: ‘‘The breeze that stirreth at the break of day.’” Even with the great resources that have been drawn to the Amoz Gibson Project, we have been unable to meet the challenge. Requests continue to come in from throughout the Dakotas: ‘‘You haven’t come here.’’ We are—we must—spread across the Dakotas this summer. Without the wind, a prairie fire soon dies. ‘Ye are the breeze that stirreth at the break of

day.’’ Amoz Gibson Project. Please phone 605-462-6309 for details.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to help a small Bahd’{ Group grow and share the Faith. Marblehead (population about 20,000), 17 miles north of Boston, is one of the loveliest seacoast towns in New England, with a charming old-town section of narrow streets lined with houses and antique

shops, a lovely harbor, and many breath-taking scenic areas. We are within easy commuting distance of Boston, Cambridge and Green Acre. Job opportunities are plenteous, especially in professions such as computers, engineering, medicine and business. Also, there are part-time opportunities with a children’s theatre school and performing company founded by local Baha’is. For more informabe please write to Barbara Ey Marblehead, MA 01945, or phone 617-6318175.

APPLICATIONS are being accepted for the position of caretakers at the Baha’i House of Worship near Sydney, Australia. There is a small caretakers’ cottage, well appointed and comfortably furnished, set in the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Baha’i Temple at Ingleside, about 40 kilometers from the heart of Sydney. The caretakers’ position is ideal for a retired couple of independent means with organizational and practical skills. Please write to the secretary, Temple Maintenance Committee, P.O. Box 285, Mona Vale, New South Wales, 2103 Australia.

DEDICATED, hard-working Baha’is are needed immediately to carry out security functions at the Baha'i World Center including protecting our beloved Shrines and other Baha’i-owned properties and greeting tourists and the Israeli public. For information and an application, please contact Karen Crenshaw, Personnel Department, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 312-869-9039.

JOB opening for a pioneer in the Dominican Republic. A preschool teacher is urgently needed to continue a Baha’i pre-school program for the 1985-86 school year. Knowledge of Spanish and the Montessori method is preferred. Contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WANTED: The following issues of Alaska Baha’i News are needed for the National Reference Library: Nos. 2, 6, 7, 13, 19, 22, 24, 27, 35, 42-45, 49-55, 59 and 60. Anyone having copies should contact the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

TIME is running out! Help fill an overseas goal by Ridvan. Jobs are available in Nigeria, a goal country, for electronics and communications engineers involving maintenance of power line carrier equipment, communication and data supervision of equipment of power authority. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

‘THREE hundred jobs are available in elementary and secondary education in Kansas City, Missouri. Send a letter and resumé to

Personnel Services, Room 900, Board of Education Building,

Kansas City, MO 64106 (phone 816-221-7565). For information on Baha’i goals in the area, please phone the Kansas City Baha’i Center, 816-241-9478 or the District Teaching Committees for Missouri (Mary Rowe, 816241-2948) or Kansas (Phyllis Medrano, 316-662-8243).

OKLAHOMA has established a bureau to assist homefront pioneers to that state. Pioneers are needed in many localities including Enid, Lawton and Frederick. For details and informaaw please contact John Ship Yukon, OK. "73099, or jphons Lone Obstema, 405-354-94;

NIGERIA: Teaching positions for ob-gyns, surgeons, pediatricians, internists and preventive medicine physicians to work in a new, poorly equipped 50-bed hospital. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 312-869-9039.

A COMPILATION from the Baha’i Writings on health and healing which was put together for a workshop at the 1984 Western Oregon District Convention is available for $1.50 (to cover the cost of printing and mailing) from Marilyn Boesch,

Medford, OR 97501.

FOR SALE: The Martha Root family home as shown on Page 18 of Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold by Mabel Garis. The price is $64,900. Please send inquiries to Philip Bideaux,

Cambridge Springs, PA 16403, or phone 814-398-2254 after 5 p.m. Eastern time. For information about the area, please contact Deb Hilbert, secretary, Western Pennsylvania District Teaching Committee, 814-796-6380.

NEEDED: For the Louhelen Baha’i School, the following issues of Volume I of Star of the West (the small magazine called “‘Baha’i News): 3 copies of issues No. 2 and 3; 2 copies of issues No. 5, 6, 7, 13, 15, 18 and 19; 1 copy of issues No. 10 and 16. Of course, complete sets of Volume I would be gladly accepted. Will trade copies of World Order magazine or Bahs’{ News. Write to Mrs. Rebecca Wideman,

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

ARE YOU looking for a college and an exciting place to teach the Faith? The Baha’is of Lawrence, Kansas, proudly present to you the University of Kansas! Baha’i students have always been an integral part of the Lawrence community, and we need more of you. For more information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Lawrence, P.O. Box 584, Lawrence, KS 66044, or phone 913-842-4406.

BAHA'I community of Puerto Rico is seeking pioneers to act as caretakers of Baha’i property for harvesting teaching goals. Would

prefer self-supporting believers. For more details, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 11603, Santurce, PR 00910.

COLLECTORS and long-time Baha’is—we will trade you issues of Brilliant Star and/or Child’s ‘Way magazines if you can help us fill in our collection. We need: January/February ’69, July/August ’76, November/December ’78, May/June ’79, May/June ’82. Write to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343.

THE BAHA’I Group of Lynn, North Carolina, prayerfully wishes to attract homefront pioneers to our lovely foothills community. An opportunity exists to help promote good race relations. Desirable real estate investments abound, and there is an active employment office nearby. Lynn is considered by many to be an ideal retirement community. If interested, write to Mabel- Olson, P.O. Box 83, Lynn, NC 28750.

THE ASSOCIATION for Baha’{ Studies’ New England Regional Committee is accepting proposals for papers for its annual Labor Day conference. Please contact the Green Acre Baha’i School, P.O. Box 17, Eliot, ME 03903.

FIVE-BEDROOM house with interior design suitable for family or student housing is available for rent in Fairfax, Virginia, to fill vacancy created by a Baha’i family moving to Germany. Opportunity to continue active teaching in the community, public schools and at George Mason University. Fairfax is a small, stable, hometown-like community 15 miles from Washington, D.C. Come nurture the ready souls and help the germinating seeds grow into fruitful trees. For more information, please contact Roxanne Brooks, 703-591-0569.

PIONEER to the South. We need you! Great opportunities to serve the Faith, strengthen communities, work with children and youth. Am looking for chiropractor or other practitioner in the holistic health field. New office opening. Please write to Dr. Amy Newman, Rock Hill, SC 29730, or phone 803-3277978 or 803-328-8395.

NEEDED! Pioneers for North Dakota Indian teaching. A couple (of Persian background) in the Fargo Bahd’f community has offered to help deputize an individual, couple or family to live on or near a North.Dakota Indian Reservation to share the Message of Bahd’u’ll4h with the Native American people. If you are interested, please send a letter of application to the Spiritual Assembly of Fargo, c/o Dr. Mavis Nymon, _ Fargo, ND 58102.

able for everyone who needs to See ADS Page 28

[Page 17]ee a Te Re eet ee MEME cee Tae heme eel

The American Baha'i

August 1985

17

SUSAN STILES

Tucson Baha’i wins Academy of Religion 3rd prize for essay

Susan Stiles, a Baha’ from Tucson, Arizona, was awarded third prize at the Western Regional Conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) for her essay, ‘‘Táhirih: A Religious Paradigm of Womanhood.””

It marked the second year in a row in which Ms. Stiles was recognized by the Academy for her scholarly work in Baha’i history. Last year, she placed second for an essay on the conversion of Zoroastrians to the Baha’ Faith in Yazd, Iran, in the early part of the century.

This year’s conference was held March 28-30 at Occidental College in Glendale, California.

Two papers on Baha’i studies were read to the participants, Ms. Stiles’ essay on Tdhirih and a paper by Anthony Lee on ‘The Conversion of Jewish Women to the Baha’i Faith in Iran.”

This is the second year that a Baha’i panel has been organized at the AAR’s Western Regional Conference. In addition, three papers were presented by a Baha’i panel at last year’s National Conference in Chicago.

This year’s national event, to be held in Anaheim, California, will have a full section devoted to Baha’{ studies.

Nevada community has growth spurt

One week before Ridvan the Spiritual Assembly of Greater Lovelock, Nevada, was in jeopardy with only eight members.

Through teaching efforts three people embraced the Faith. Then, at the Assembly election, came another surprise.

One of the new_ believers brought along a friend. After an impromptu fireside, another name was added to the ballot. The community had grown by 50 per cent in one week!

Lovelock, a small town in northwestern Nevada, is 60 miles from the closest other town; there are only 2,500 people in the entire county.

The 12 Baha’is in Greater Lovelock include six anglos and six

News in brief

200-plus Florida Baha’is attend post-Convention conference

On June 1, Baha'is in Florida attended a conference in Orlando entitled ‘Emerging from Obscurity: Preparing for the Transformation of Human Life on This Planet.’”

The conference, sponsored by the National Teaching Committee, marked the second annual effort by the combined Florida delegates to the National Convention (all four districts) to convey the spirit of the Convention and, more importantly, to unite and motivate the Florida Baha’is.

More than 200 Baha’is were present to hear the delegates’ reports and addresses by Soo Fouts, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and Dr. William Hatcher, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and co-author of the recently published book, The Baha’i

Youth

Continued From Page 11

tered through almost every state, that they took part in.

AT THE conference itself there was a blood drive and a canned food drive. Afterward, 65 youth participated in a clean-up project at a badly overgrown park in Columbus.

A local news reporter was so impressed by the efforts of the youth on that project that she asked to be kept up to date on all future Baha’ projects.

Another project, held in Lowell, Massachusetts, is aimed at helping the local Asian population with immigration, learning English, and general adjustment to a new culture.

The project involved the united action of the Spiritual Assembly of Lowell, the Auxiliary Board, the District Teaching Committee, and the youth themselves.

As the summer nears its end, these efforts represent not an end but a beginning, as youth pursue their efforts to move the world closer to the Revelation of Baha’u' lah.

Faith: The Emerging Global Religion.

The conference also included a question-and-answer session with the National Assembly members and Auxiliary Board members, and classes for children and youth.

More than $3,200 was raised for the National Baha’i Fund.

The conference ended with an evening session (open to non-Baha’fs) which featured two video tapes from Canada, ‘‘Mona with the Children’ and ‘‘The Making of Mona.””

.

Thanks to a generous offer of financial support from a Baha’i family and an Assembly, the Baha’fs in north Florida now have their own toll-free phone number, 1-800-S9BAHAI.

The number can be given in advertising and used instead of a local business Baha’i phone. Inquiries can then be directed to the appropriate Baha’i institution.

For more details, and information about setting up a toll-free phone in your state, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Gainesville, Box 149, Gainesville, FL 32602.

.

The Committee for Youth: Today and Tomorrow, formed last October under the supervision of the Spiritual Assembly of Albany, New York, held its first conference February 23 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

More than 40 youth, about half of whom were not Bahá’ís, took part. The non-Baha’i youth represented various youth groups in the Albany area.

The speakers included Auxiliary Board member Robert Harris;

Correction

The death of Herman E. Gonzales of Deming, New Mexico, was incorrectly reported in the February issue of The American Baha’i. We are happy to report that Mr. Gonzales is alive and well in Deming. And we apologize for the error.

Maggie Paxson, a Baha’i youth studying in Montreal; and Connie Levitt.

Workshops were held on such topics as Racism: Its Cures; Education: An Agent for Change; and Peace: Individual and Universal.

Youth" were divided into nine groups, each of which dealt with one of the workshop topics, after which their conclusions were presented to the conference as a whole.

The conference ended with a call for volunteers for the next action-oriented service project of the Committee for Youth: Today and Tomorrow.

°

On April 13, Counsellor Velma Sherrill and Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher were present at an Auxiliary Board Team Conference for Colorado and the surrounding states held at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton.

Mrs. Sherrill addressed the relationship of the Seven Year Plan to current world crises, while Mrs. Gallagher discussed steps that we should take to win the goals.

That evening, Counsellor Sherrill spoke at a public meeting attended by at least five seekers.

°

Phil Morrison, a Baha’i from Atlanta, Georgia, has won a semifinalist award in the fifth annual Music City Song Festival in Nashville, Tennessee.

The festival is the world’s largest international songwriting competition.

Mr. Morrison won third place in the MOR/Easy Listening category of the professional song division for his composition, “Thankful.’”

For the past five years, he has played bass and composed songs for Freddy Cole, the youngest brother of the late Nat (King) Cole.

Mr. Morrison also wrote “There’s Always a New Beginning,’’ the over-all winning song for the state of Georgia in the Chicago-based Original Song Festival.

About 70 Baha’is from nine states attended a California Regional Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies held May 31-June 2 at the Bosch Baha’{ School in Santa Cruz, California.

Among those present were Counsellor Farzam Arbab and two Auxiliary Board members, Joyce Dahl and Edward Diliberto.

Papers were presented by Keith Blanding of Deer Lodge, Montana; Roger Coe of Navajo, New Mexico; Dr. Betty Fisher (for John Walbridge) of Wilmette, Illinois; Peter Nelson of Walnut Creek, California; Jamal O’ Jack of Teton Village, Wyoming; Brent Poirier of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Susan Stiles of Tucson, Arizona; and Greg Watson of Ada, Oklahoma.

Besides the talks, there were two panel discussions and time for consultation.

New from Kalimat Press

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[Page 18]The American Baha'i

World NEWS

During the recent ‘KhamsiCostas’’ teaching campaign in Bolivia, more than 3,000 new believers were enrolled.

The friends there have decided to intensify their efforts, increasing their goals to enrolling 10,000 new believers, opening 5,500 new localities, and forming 1,200 local Spiritual Assemblies ...

During her visit to Panama in February, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá4 Rihiyyih Khanum had a partially televised meeting with the President of that country who expressed an interest in the National Spiritual Assembly’s desire to build a radio station for the Guaymi area ...

A mass teaching campaign last November-January sponsored by the National Teaching Committee of Kenya had among its results the enrollment of 1,486 new believers and the establishment of 38 local Spiritual Assemblies ...

In a cable to the World Centre dated February 14, the Baha’is of Burma announced, ‘‘Women teaching five days, 71 accepted, three new places, over 1,000 in nine months. One new island opened’

In a span of 19 days, the overseas goals for Malaysia were won as three pioneers set out for their posts.

One went to the University of Lae, Papua New Guinea; another, a former Auxiliary Board member, left for Kiribati, while the third went to teach at the Yasothon Baha’i School in Thailand ...

The life story of the Hand of the Cause of God Agnes Baldwin Alexander, written by Baha’i Duane Troxel, is the first of 127 biographies to be included in the book Notable Women of Hawaii published recently by the University of Hawaii Press ...

Thailand presently has some 1,700 students enrolled in a correspondence course on the Faith ...

In the 10th anniversary issue of “‘White Wall Review,” published in May by the Ryerson Literary Society of Toronto, Canada, are works by about 25 poets and artists including three Canadian Baha’is ...

Baha’i prayers are included in two new publications by non-Baha’fs in the United Kingdom.

One, Dear God, is a book of prayers for children; the other, The Oxford Book of Prayer, is a collection of prayers and meditations from the world’s religions ...

Kaltio, one of Finland’s oldest and most prestigious cultural magazines, carried an article on the Faith in its issue of February

1985

House of Justice seeks to trace original letters from Guardian

To all National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Baha’i Friends,

In December 1967 the Universal House of Justice wrote to all National Spiritual Assemblies requesting that they send to the World Centre originals or photocopies of letters from the beloved Guardian, or written on his behalf, and addressed to Baha’i institutions or individual believers.

THE RESPONSE to this request and to one issued in May 1975 was encouraging, but it is now clear that the originals and photocopies held at the World Centre represent only a portion of the letters the Guardian is known to have written.

The House of Justice is eager to pursue, as swiftly as possible, the task of tracing such vitally important documents, and has therefore given the Archives Office the urgent duty of collecting information which will enable it to work toward the completion of the collection held at the World Centre.

To avoid giving institutions and believers a great deal of unnecessary labor, the Archives Office will be directing letters with specific guidelines to certain National Assemblies and individuals who are known to have received large numbers of letters from the Guardian, sending a list of the letters of which originals or satisfactory photocopies are already held at the World Centre. The recipient will then be able to check whether he has any which have not been supplied to the World Centre.

National Assemblies which have in their National Archives only a small number of letters written by the Guardian, or on his behalf, could help greatly by sending to the Archives Office at the World Centre immediately a list of such letters, specifying in each case the name of the addressee and the date.

Although the majority of National Spiritual Assemblies have come into being since the passing of Shoghi Effendi, they may well have within their jurisdiction local Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers who corresponded with the Guardian, or the children and grandchildren of such believers, who may have the letters in their possession.

THEREFORE, ALL National Spiritual Assemblies are asked to publish a statement in their newsletters, requesting that all local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals who have in their possession original letters from the Guardian, or written on his behalf, notify the World Centre of that fact either directly or through their National Assembly.

They should be asked to state the number of letters that they have and, if these are only a few, to list the date and the exact name of the addressee of each one.

In this announcement the National Assembly should stress the point made in earlier appeals: that any such letter is the property of the person to whom the Guardian wrote, and that that person is perfectly entitled to keep the original or pass it down in his family. He does not have to give it up to any Baha’i Archives.

In such a case, however, the Archives needs to have a good photocopy, and arrangements will be made for this to be done. Alternatively, if the individual wishes to give the original document into the safekeeping of the Archives, but would like to have a photocopy, this can be sent to him. It should also be mentioned that whenever the contents of a letter are seen to be confidential that confidentiality is respected.

Since many believers have already sent such letters to their National Archives, National Assemblies are asked to send to the World Centre a list of the names of those persons and other institutions, such as committees, for whom they hold originals or photocopies. This list will be checked here, and the Archives Office will write in due course to inquire further as appears necessary.

In closing, the House of Justice asks us to stress that it is not asking for any of the Guardian’s letters to be sent now. It merely wishes to collect information so that the Archives Office can systematically work to trace those letters which are lacking from the World Centre collection.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat August 26, 1984

Baha’is sculpt statue on Oklahoma campus

Two young Iranian Baha’is, brothers Farshad and Farnoosh Yazdanpour Lanjani, who are now attending Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, have completed work on a statue that was unveiled in April and will be permanently displayed on the NOC campus.

The statue depicts a student with Native American features in graduation cap and gown, stand

ing atop a globe.

On the globe is an open book on which are inscribed the words, “Universal Education.””

Besides sculpture, the Lanjani brothers, who previously attended Lucknow University in India before emigrating to the U.S., are photographers and painters who have displayed their works at the annual Fine Arts Festival at NOC.

Pictured are many of those who attended the Martha Root Conference, sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania District Teaching

ii cic eT ee Committee, May 31-June 2 in Martha Root’s hometown, Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

Robert Stockman, Mabel Garis speakers at Pa. conference honoring Martha Root

The Martha Root Conference, sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania District Teaching Committee, was held May 31-June 2 at Alliance College in Miss Root’s hometown, Cambridge Springs.

The keynote speakers were Robert Stockman, author of The Baha'i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900, and Mabel Garis, author of Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold.

Cambridge Springs was an island of calm in the midst of the destruction caused by tornadoes that devastated nearby towns as people were arriving for the conference.

Those attending the event were able to have dinner at the Riverside Inn and Resort which was founded by Martha Root’s father, T.T. Root; saw the First Baptist Church, of which Martha was a member; two of the homes her family owned, and stayed at Alliance College where Martha Root taught English for a brief time.

Music and entertainment were by classical guitarist Jim Hilbert and the Magical Eye performers who presented an interpretation of ‘‘The Stonecutter’s Veil” from a Chinese parable using vocals, instruments, narration and dance.

Long Beach sets ‘Prepare for Peace’ meeting Counsellor for the Americas Fred

The Baha’i community of Long Beach, California, is sponsoring a “Prepare for Peace’’ conference August 24-25 at the California State University Theatre.

The speakers will include Hooper Dunbar, a Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa and

A variety of proclamation materials featuring the slogan ‘Wage Peace—The Bahá’í Faith’ will be available this month from Kalimat Press. Among the materials are T-shirts, bumper stickers, pamphlets, posters, buttons and balloons. A logo consisting of two

Schechter.

Also scheduled are workshops, entertainment, child care, and a dinner for Baha’is and public officials at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach.

For information, contact Dawn Shelley, 213-498-0976.

BAHAI FAITH

flying doves holding an olive branch (similar to those on the cover of the book, Waging Peace) will be imprinted on all these items. For a catalog of ‘Wage Peace’ materials, write to Kalimat Press, 10889 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

[Page 19]PERSIAN/AMERICAN

August 1985

19

Where do pajamas come from?

Several thousand years ago the people now living in Europe, Iran and India spoke one common language.

WHILE THERE ARE no historical examples of that language extant (writing had not yet been invented), we do know from linguistic evidence that these people all came from one original stock and spoke one common language—Indo-European.

We don’t know for sure, but it seems that the IndoEuropean peoples originated in the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in what is now the Soviet Union.

Before history was recorded this group split in two, some going east and others going west. The eastern group moved into the areas of Iran and India and bequeathed to us the languages spoken today in those regions, while the western group moved into Europe and gave rise to the many diverse languages and peoples that we know today as French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, English, Polish, Scandinavian, etc.

This of course means that those Americans of European descent and the Iranian people are cousins, extremely distant cousins, but nevertheless one in origin.

This fact is attested to in our languages, for some of the words used in English and Persian are either cognates from the original Indo-European language or later borrowings that can be historically traced.

For example, the English word ‘‘mother’’ is cognate to the Persian word ‘‘madar.’’ So are the words “brother’’ and “‘baradar’’ and the words ‘‘daughter’’ and ‘‘dokhtar.’’ So also is the word ‘‘paradise”’ which English has borrowed from ancient Greek (also an IndoEuropean language) and in Persian is “‘ferdose.”” These words are similar because they are modern-day pronunciations of the original Indo-European words for these concepts.

OTHER WORDS have been borrowed as well. For instance, the English word ‘‘telephone’’ was introduced to Iran and the Persian language along with the device itself. However, before modern times most of the borrowing was done in the other direction.

Many would be surprised to know that such common English words as ‘‘peach,’’ ‘‘pajamas’’ and ‘‘cummerbund”? (well, maybe not so common) and ‘‘checkmate’’ come to us from Persian. The peach was known to the Romans as Persicum—the apple of Persia. It made its way into Old French as ‘‘pesche”’ and into English as

The British first encountered pajamas in India. The Indians had learned to wear them from the Persians.

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The word itself is a combination of the Persian ‘‘Pa’” meaning ‘‘leg’’ and ‘‘Jameh’’ meaning “‘garment.”” If you visit a Persian home today, you may still find the men wearing such leg garments which are not necessarily only for sleeping in.

Cummerbund, the thick black sash worn with a tuxedo, also came to us via the British in India, and ultimately from Iran. It comes from the Persian word for belt, ‘‘Kamarband.” (Incidentally, the word ‘‘band”’ as it appears here is cognate to the English word band, as in a watch or sweat band, and after all these thousands of years still has the same meaning in Persian and English.)

‘Checkmate came to Old French (eschec mat) with the game of chess, which came to Spain with the Arabs, who had gotten it from the Iranians. It is from the PersianArabic phrase ‘‘Shah Mat,’’ meaning ‘“‘the king is dead.”” We also inherited the word ‘‘check,’’ in the sense of a checkered pattern, from the pattern of the chess board.

It all goes to show that we really have much more in common than we ever imagined.

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[Page 20]

PERSIAN/AMERICAN

The American Baha’i

20

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“Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Ketab-i-Aqdas"

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HUQUQU' LLAH

Dr. Elsie Austin P. 0. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116

The Northern Trust Company Baha’i Huqdqu'114h Trust Box 92959

50 South La Salle Street Chicago, Illinois 60675

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[Page 21]PERSIAN/AMERICAN

August 1985

21

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[Page 22]The American Baha’i

of the children’s class of Compton Judicial District, Califor Any- _ the

of the children is asked to write to ional Baha’i Archives, Ba

ay

ha’ National Center, Wilmette, TL, 60091.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD? Baha’i Periodicals Will Keep You in the Know!

Baha’i News

A monthly magazine containing communications from the Universal House of Justice, news of teaching activities around the world, and articles on a variety of topics of interest to all Baha’is. The August 1985 issue will feature the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

World Order

A quarterly magazine intended to stimulate, inspire, and serve thinking people in their search to find relationships between contemporary life and contemporary religious teaching and philosophy. Back issues are available. The current issue features an article by Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard about world views and how they shape communities. World Order also includes photographs and poetry.

U.S. Baha’i Report

Created by the National Spiritual Assembly to help in its diplomatic work with the government as well as with national and local media, U.S. Baha’i Report carries news of individual Baha’is and their contributions to society, meetings between Baha’ is and government agencies, and information that non-Baha’is would be interested in. It is published quarterly and is available to individual Baha’is and communities on a subscription basis.

Subscriber Service Order Form Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 312-869-9039

Rates are for U.S. only. Please call or write for foreign and air mail prices.

‘Dialogue,’ a new quarterly magazine, set for fall release

A new quarterly magazine, “Dialogue: A Baha’i Journal of Commentary and Opinion,” is scheduled to begin publication this fall.

The journal was begun by a group of Bahá’ís who wish to bring the Faith into a dialogue with the intellectual currents of our time and is intended as a forum for diverse viewpoints on various topics of interest to Baha’is.

“Dialogue’’ will publish essays on issues within the Baha’i community itself as well as articles that express Baha’i points of view on contemporary issues such as the environment, the peace movement, health and healing, and human rights.

The journal seeks contributions on these and other topics that are of particular interest to the Baha’i community.

Included in the first issue are these articles: ‘‘Apartheid in South Africa—Why It Is a Baha’i Issue’; ‘Cultural Pluralism in the

Baha’i Community”; ‘‘Baha’i WORLD ORDER BAHA’{NEWS U.S. BAHA’{ REPORT Consultation: A Model for Envilyr $10.00 $12.00 10.00 ronmental Legislation’; and 2yrs $18.00 $20.00 $18.00 “‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Responses to Christian Dogma.” Subscriptions to ‘‘Dialogue’’ are $10 a year in the U.S. and Nome LD. No. Canada ($15 elsewhere). Subscriptions and contributions should be Address sent to ORT eon City/State Zip 24B21, Los Angeles, CA i

Total amount enclosed: ______ Make checks payable to: Subscriber Service

A practical measure of devotion

National Baha’i Fund Wilmetie, IL 60091

pia] ral

Bahá’ís in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, prepare to launch symbolically a year-long World Peace Campaign by releasing a helium-filled bal loon with a card containing information about the Faith and the campaign.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, launches year-long World Peace Campaign

The Spiritual Assembly of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has launched a World Peace Campaign that will be ongoing in that community from September 1985 to September 1986.

Its main purpose is to carry out the guidance offered by the Universal House of Justice in its letter of January 23, 1985, to seize the opportunity “‘to proclaim ever more widely and convincingly the vitalizing principles upon which, as our Teachings emphatically assert, a lasting peace must be founded.”

The first major event of the campaign will be a World Peace Seminar on September 7 whose

speakers will include Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland and several members of the Spiritual Assembly of Eau Claire.

Besides a special series of monthly public firesides on various aspects of world peace, the campaign will include a World Peace Fair in March 1986; an outdoor World Peace Celebration in July 1986; a World Peace Day observance coordinated with the local school system; special bimonthly programs on the local public access TV channel; Baha’ billboard displays; and a second World Peace Seminar in September 1986 to serve as a ‘“‘landing’”’ event for the campaign.

“USA only

Order through your local ‘community or send check or money order (including 10% tor postage and handling,

‘minimum $1.50) to:

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 @ TEL. 1-800-323-1880

[Page 23]

THE MEDIA

August 1985

23

INTERMEDIA

News from the Office of Public Affairs

Busy Bahá’ís

The Baha’is of Arden Hills, Minnesota, succeeded in getting their City Council to pass a resolution condemning the persecution of the Bahá’is in Iran. Area papers gave plenty of attention to the resolution’s

Passage—the Shoreview Arden Hills Focus devoting eight columninches of coverage and The Bulletin printing the Baha’i community’s

The Greater Phoenix, Arizona, Bahd’{ Public Affairs Committee reports that the Krogstad public service spots for TV are in heavy rotation on American Cable and Storer Cable in Mesa, Arizona. They received a report that one of the spots was seen on MTV, the top-rocker TV video station.

The Baha’js of St. Paul, Minnesota, report that the religion editor of their local newspaper attended the celebration of the Ninth Day of Ridvan. The visit resulted in publication of a large article headed ‘Local Baha’ is Find Strength in Community” which covered the Holy Day observance and the principles of the Faith, as well as some history and information about the persecution of the Bah’is in Iran.

The Baha’i Office of Public Affairs for Greater Omaha, Nebraska, reports that they have an opportunity to produce a 13-week series on KMTYV, Channel 3 in Omaha. In 1983 they ran a series called ‘Spiritual Springtime,” which is still being rotated among several cable TV stations. The new series is now in the planning stages.

The Baha’is of Derby, Kansas, have reported the results of their statewide billboard campaign. Since mid-May, 23 billboards have been up in seven localities. At last count, the Baha’is had received more than 50 responses on their toll-free phone line. The expense is considered minimal. It took an initial hook-up fee of $300 to get them started, and they are being charged $1 per response. The information is given to the appropriate local Spiritual Assembly or the District Teaching Committee for follow-up. This ongoing ad campaign will also include using the toll-free number in print ads throughout the state.

The Baha’is of Bryan, Texas, demonstrated their Faith in action with a community service project that attracted significant media coverage. They decided to renovate the Freedman’ section of the local city cemetery. The city provided the tools while the Baha’is provided the manpower. The local TV station carried a special report during the evening news that included interviews with Baha’is at the cemetery.

A ceremony was held whose keynote speaker was Dr. William Maxwell, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. The Bryan Press gave front-page coverage including a photo of a Persian Baha’i scrubbing an acid solution onto the gravestone of a former slave. The Eagle also gave front-page coverage with a photo of Baha’i women placing flowers at the gravesites. In addition, a city hall reporter wrote a favor able column about the project.

The District Teaching ‘Committee of Southern Minnesota has set a goal to have every Baha’i locality’s town council adopt a resolution condemning the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. The Bahá’ís of Lakeville started the ball rolling with the recent passage of their city’s resolution. They received excellent coverage in the local paper, The Countryside.

Watch for reports of the exciting media coverage of the International Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, in next month’s issue of The

American Bahá’í.

Baha’i is guest at space shuttle launch

Mrs. Virginia Ford, a Baha’i from Greenville, South Carolina, who is a personal friend of one of the astronauts who manned the space shuttle ‘‘Discovery,”” was among the honored guests June 17 when the shuttle was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The astronaut (who prefers not to be identified) carried a copy of the Baha’i prayer for unity in the cuff of his uniform during that mission.

Mrs. Ford had given him the prayer, which so impressed him that he asked her if he could repeat it once each day during the seven-day space flight.

The space shuttle included several ‘‘firsts,”’ for example: the first international crew (including people of various religious backgrounds) on a U.S. shuttle, and the first woman crew member who is a mother,

Knowing that the astronaut would be saying the prayer on the mission, the Baha’ is of Greenville decided they too would repeat it every day of the flight.

Although most Baha’is feel their prayers soar into the heavens, this must be the first time that the Creative Word was actually carried into space beyond this earth.

STATE RESOLUTIONS

Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming.

THE ADVANTAGES OF USING THE MEDIA

REACH MASS AUDIENCES WITH MINIMAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO:

INFORM AND EDUCATE

PROJECT A DESIRED IMAGE

FAMILIARIZE THE PUBLIC WITH THE WORD “BAHA'I,”

BAHA’{ ACTIVITIES, AND BAHA’{ BELIEFS

(“‘Souls are liable to estrangement. Such methods should be adopted that the estrangement should be first removed, then the Word will have effect.”"—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha’i World Faith, pp. 385-86)

PAVE THE WAY AND OPEN DOORS FOR PERSONAL CON

TACTS (“Until the soil is prepared, it cannot receive the benefit of planting.” —‘Abdu’|-Bahd, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 213)

CREATE AN AWARENESS OF AND AROUSE AN INTEREST

IN THE BAHA’I FAITH

PUBLICIZE AND MITIGATE THE SITUATION OF THE

BAHA'IS IN IRAN

PROVIDE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS TO THE LISTENING AND

READING AUDIENCE

(““... For their own spiritual protection people must hear of the name Bahá’í—then, if they turn blindly away, they cannot excuse themselves by saying they never even knew it existed. "’"—Shoghi Effendi, letter to an individual dated April 29, 1949)

CULTIVATE CORDIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE MEDIA,

SERVE THEIR NEEDS, AND GAIN THEIR SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP IN ADDITION:

LOCAL PUBLICITY REINFORCES EFFORTS TO ENLIST SUPPORT AT NATIONAL LEVELS (THE PRESIDENT, CONGRESS,

NATIONAL MEDIA)

PUBLICITY GENERATED AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS REINFORCES LOCAL MEDIA AND TEACHING

EFFORTS

SUCCESSFUL PUBLICITY IS A SOURCE OF ENTHUSIASM

AND UNITY FOR THE BAHA'I COMMUNITY

YOU CAN JOIN THE NATIONAL BAHA’{ PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK AND DO THE PUBLICITY WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY—INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ISOLATED BELIEVERS OR LIVING IN A GROUP LOCALITY WHO ARE READY TO JOIN THE “ADVANCE GUARD” FOR THE NATION’S TEACHING EFFORTS SIGN UP NOW:

Name Baha’ I.D.

Address

City State Zip

Phone (home)_ (work)

Return this form to the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs, Wilmette, IL 60091

PS iN ee Thirty-four state legislatures have passed joint resolutions condemning the onerous treatment of the Baha’ in Iran. One local Spiritual Assembly in each state has been chosen to coordinate this project. In most of the 14 remaining states, passage is being actively pursued. In three of these states, resolutions have already passed one house. The 11 awaiting passage are Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire,

l ! I ! I ! ! ! ! I I ! I ! l ! ! I I ! I I I I ! l l 1 I I | I J

Three-day print media workshop scheduled

at Amoz Gibson Centre

A practical three-day workshop for Baha’; public information representatives and others interested in using the print media for greater proclamation of the Faith is being held August 30-September 2 at the Amoz Gibson Training Centre in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Brad Pokorny, a staff reporter for the Boston Globe, New England’s largest newspaper, will instruct the 21-hour course that will be given in six daily class sessions.

Tuition is $60 per student including materials, room and board. Special early bird registration fee is $50 if sent before August 19.

Topics include newsroom hierarchy, initial contact, communication strategies, journalistic style, interviews, press releases, letters to the editor, paid ads, legal aspects, and much more. Graduates will receive a certificate suitable for framing.

For information contact CIRBAL, Amoz Gibson Training Centre, Rio Arriba,

Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612.

Va. Baha’i honored for community service

Milton Bullock, a Baha’i from Newport News, Virginia, and his brothers, James and August, were the recipients of this year’s Jefferson Award from WTKR-TV in Norfolk for their community services through ‘Do It for the Kids Inc.””

The coveted award was signed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Samuel Breard and William Taft Jr.

[Page 24]

PAGINA HISPANA

The American Baha’i

24

Desafios actuales tema de segunda reunion de Louhelen

La Campaiia de Accién Unificada tomé una dimensién nueva dindmica el 24-25 de mayo cuando cuatro miembros del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros de las Américas, miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, 21 miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar, miembros de comités nacionales y personal del Centro Nacional Ba ha’i_se reunieron en la escuela baha’i Louhelen en Michigan para “fortalecer la fianza de cooperacién’” forjada durante la primera reunién histérica de Louhelen hacen un afio.

LA conferencia de este aiio, permeado desde su principio hasta el fin por ‘‘el espiritu de Kansas,””

se enfocéd en cuatro componentes

La Casa Universal de Justicia llama

a la juventud a servir como ejemplo A la Juventud Baha’i del Mundo, Queridos amigos bahd’ is,

Hacemos llegar nuestros carifiosos saludos y mejores deseos a todos los que se reunir4n en conferencias de juventud a realizarse atin durante el Afio Internacional de Juventud. Tan entusiastas ¢ inventivas han sido las reacciones de la juventud bahd’{ en muchos paises a los desafios de este afio especial que nos sentimos impulsados a expresar deleite y gran esperanza.

APLAUDIMOS A AQUELLOS jévenes que, con respecto a este perfodo, y han tomado parte en alguna actividad dentro de sus comunidades nacionales y locales o en colaboracién con jévenes otros pajses, y les lamamos a perseverar en sus esfuerzos tenaces por adquirir cualidades espirituales y calificaciones utiles. Porque si lo hacen, la influencia de sus motivos elevados se hard sentir en acontecimientos en el mundo conducentes a un futuro productivo, progresivo y pacifico.

Que las actividades juveniles que comenzaron este afio sean un preludio digno para el Afio Internacional de la Paz, 1986, y que sigan como un rasgo distintivo y significante a lo largo de éste.

Los requisitos actuales de una Fe cuyas responsibilidades aumentan répidamente en relacién a su salida de la oscuridad imponen a la juventud el deber ineludible de asegurar que sus vidas reflejen en grado evidente el poder trasformador de la nueva Revelacién que han abrazado.

De otra manera, ,por medio de qué ejemplo han de juzgarse las pretensiones de Bahd’u’ll4h? ;Cémo puede una humanidad escéptica reconocer Su Mensaje curador si no produce ningun efecto notable sobre los j6venes, quienes son considerados como entre los elementos mds enérgicos, mds amoldables y prometedores de cualquier sociedad?

El horizonte oscuro que enfrenta un mundo que ha fallado en reconocer al Prometido, la Fuente de su salvacién, afecta sobremanera la perspectiva de las generaciones menores; su penosa falta de esperanza y su entrega a soluciones desesperadas pero futiles y aun peligrosas hacen una demanda directa a la atencién remediadora de la juventud baha’{ que, mediante su conocimiento de esa Fuente y la visién clara con que de este modo han sido dotados, no pueden yacilar en comunicar a sus compaiieros jévenes desesperanzados la alegria restauradora, la esperanza constructora, y las certezas radiantes de la Revelacién estupenda de Bahá’u’lláh.

LAS PALABRAS, los hechos, las actitudes, la falta de prejuicio, Ia nobleza de cardcter, el alto sentido de servicio a los demas—en breve, aquellas cualidades y acciones que distinguen a un baha’{, deben caracterizar sin falta su vida interior y su comportamiento exterior, y su trato con amigos y enemigos.

Rechazando el bajo pamorama de la mediocridad, que escalen las alturas ascendentes de la excelencia en todo lo que aspiren hacer. Que resuelvan elevar la misma atmésfera en que se mueven, ya sea en las aulas de las escuelas o en los salones de las universidades, en su trabajo, su recreo, su actividad baha’{ o servicio social.

Incluso, que reciban con agrado y confianza los desafios que les esperan. Imbuidos de esta excelencia y de una correspondiente humildad, de tenacidad y carifiosa servidumbre, la juventud de hoy debe moverse hacia las filas delanteras de las profesiones, los negocios, las artes y oficios que son necesarios para el progreso adiciona! de la humanidadesto para asegurar que el espiritu de la Causa arroje su iluminacién sobre todas estas dreas importantes del esfuerzo humano.

Ademés, mientras tengan como su meta el dominar los conceptos unificadores y las tecnologias de rdpido avanze de esta era de comunicaciones, pueden, y de hecho deben también garantizar la trasmisién al futuro de aquellas pericias que habrdn de preservar los logros maravillosos e indispensables del pasado. La transformacién que ha de ocurrir en el funcionamiento de la sociedad ciertamente dependerd en gran medida de la eficacia de las preparaciones hechas por los jévenes para el mundo que herederan.

Encomendamos estos

Pensamientos a su contemplacién privada y a consultas que realizen sobre su futuro. Y les ofrecemos la aseguracién de nuestros recuerdos, de nuestras oraciones, y de nuestra confianza. La Casa Universal de Justicia 8 de mayo de 1985

de la Campafia de Accién Unificada cuyo desafio a la comunidad baha’{ norteamericana parece especialmente importante durante Jos tiltimos meses del Plan de Siete Afios:

lograr un nivel sin precedente

de alistamientos

alcanzar la unidad en la diversidad

También se hablé de la necesidad vital de construir la clase de base sdlida sobre la cual la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional y sus agencias pueden edificar el armaz6n de una comunidad baha’t vibrante y unificada.

En una carta escrita durante la conferencia los Consejeros y la Asamblea Nacional -delinearon “dos desafios mayores’’ que enfrentan la comunidad bahd’{ norteamericana mientras avanza hacia el complemento del Plan de Siete Afios en Ridvan de 1986.

“EL primero,” dice la carta, “es para ver el complemento de un numero mayor de proyectos de propagacién eficaces por parte de individuos y comunidades.

“Bl segundo es asegurar que la fianza de cooperacién se cumpla para que cada esfuerzo de propagacién recibir4 el apoyo de individuos, comunidades, _instituciones y agencias.”’

El tema de fortalecer la fianza de cooperacién se avanzé en sesiones plenarias y talleres en Louhelen y en muchas reuniones informales durante el fin de la semana entre varios grupos e individuales.

En todo, casi 100 baha’{s asistieron la conferencia, incluyendo a los Consejeros Farzam Arbab, Sarah Martin Pereira, Fred Schechter y Velma Sherrill (quien llegé el sibado en la tarde de Kansas con muchos cuentos de victotia) y ocho miembros de la Asamblea Nacional (sus responsibilidades en la Universidad de Yale previnieron que el Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh asistiera).

Cuatro miembros de la Asamblea Nacional—Soo Fouts, Chester Kahn, Dorothy Nelson y James Nelson—y Consejero Schechter también habian estado en Kansas la semana anterior para presenciar de primera mano el més axtraordinario de propagacién y proclamacién que alcanzé un crescendo mientras la conferencia de Louhelen tomaba lugar, con dos celebraciones grandes de victoria con el Mano de la Causa William Sears.

TAMBIEN fueron _representados los comités siguientes en la conferencia: Comité para Propagacién entre los Indigenas; Comité de Negocios y Asuntos Profesionales; Comité para Metas Internacionales; Comité Nacional para Propagacién; Comité Nacional para Juventud; Comité

para Asuntos Persas/ Americanos; Comité para Propiedades; la Junta Consultiva para la Casa Editorial Baha’i; Comité para Unidad Racial; Comité para Desarrollo Social y Econémico; Comité Regional para Propagacién de Carolina del Sur, y el Comité Nacional para la Mujer.

En adicién, muchos miembros del personal directivo del Centro Nacional en Wilmette asistieron y tomaron un papel activo en la consulta.

La reunién comenzé el s4bado en la mafiana con la lectura de dos cartes de la Casa Universal de Justicia: el mensaje del Ridvan de 1985 a los baha’is del mundo, y la carta del 23 de enero de 1985 acerca del Aifio Internacional de la Paz en 1986.

Después de repasar los logros de la primera conferencia de Louhelen en mayo de 1984, Robert Henderson, secretario de la Asamblea Nacional, hizo un bosquejo de las metas de la conferencia de este afio.

Después de un breve périodo de consulta durante la cual se relaté algunas de las actividades en Kansas, los amigos escucharon informes del Comité Nacional para Propagacién y el Comité Nacional para Juventud.

En Consejero Arbab clausuré la sesibn de la majiana con un discurso en lo cual delineé de los desafios mas urgentes que enfrentan la comunidad baha’i esta dounidense.

LA TARDE se dedicé a talleres con cada uno de los nueve grupos reportando los resultados de su deliberacién en una sesién plenaria esa tarde,

Consulta en grupos el sibado en la mafiana fue entermezclado con informes acerca del Fondo (presentado por Dorothy Nelson, Tesorera de la Asamblea Nacional), y “el desafio de la diversidad’’ (por miembros del Comité de Asuntos Persas/Americanos).

Habia mas talleres el sAbado en la tarde, y otra vez los resultados fueron relatados en la sesién plenaria de la noche.

Como en el afio pasado, el nivel alto de consulta en Louhelen produjo muchos ideas espléndidos, la meta de los cuales se recapitulé en la carta de los Consejeros y la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional:

“‘Nuestro amor para Ia riqueza y poder de la diversidad debe ser intensificado. Nuestra capacidad para conectar los corazones con Baha’u’llah debe ser aumentado significativamente para permitir el alistamiento del numero requerido de nuevos creyentes.

“Nuestro espiritu de sacrificio debe igualar nuestro sentido de compromiso y asegurar la corriente constante de todos los recursos financieros y humanos

necesarios.

“‘Al avanzar, que nuestro grito de guerra sea: ‘jacciones, no palabras!’””

San Fernando CA sitio de la primera Conferencia Anual de Baha’is latinos

Bajo el patrocinio de las Asambleas Espirituales de las ciudades de San Fernando y Fillmore, California, se esté organizando con mucho entusiasmo la primera Conferencia Anual de Bahá’ís Hispanos, evento al cual se espera la asistancia de numerosos amigos baha’{s latinos residentes en este

pais.

Se celebrar4 durante el puente del Dia de los Obreros (Labor Day weekend), 30 de agosto al 2 de septiembre.

Aseguraron de antemano su participacién eminentes baha’is de habla hispana, entre ellos los miembros del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros para las Américas, Dofia Carmen de Burafato y Sefior Fred Schechter, al igual que el Dr. Arturo Serrano y Edward Diliberto, miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar de México y California, respectivamente.

Entre los tépicos a tratarse en dicha conferencia se encuentran las metas para la ensefianza de la Fe Baha'i entre la comunidad latina, y el fomento de la participacién més activa del elemento hispano de la comunidad baha’i.

Se celebrar4 en el amplio Centro Baha’i de San Fernando, en donde se goza de aire acondicionado central.

Esta Conferencia se alternard

con actividades vivenciales de ensefianza y actividades recreativas.

Como un incentivo para la participacién de los amigos baha’is latinos, se proveeré de alojamiento gratuito para los amigos en registrarse por correo a la siguiente dirrecién:

Asamblea Espiritual de los Baha’is de San Fe 5 _ San Fernando, CA 91340. Tel.: 818-361-8744.

El costo de registracién: 10 dolares por persona; gratuito para los menores de 15 afios.

Para mayores detalles pedir folleto informativo a la direccién arriba indicada.

Mothers’ conference is held in Wichita

A Kansas Baha'i Mothers’ Conference was held May 5 in Wichita.

Presentations were made by Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy (The Responsibility of the Baha’i Mother), Phyllis Medrano (Spiritual Education), Charlene Winger-Bearskin (Moral and Social Training), LaNelma Johnson (Baha’i Youth), Linda Zupancic (Baha’i Traditions: Establishing a Baha’ Identity), and Susan Herrmann (The Local Education Adviser Program and Children’s Materials).

i RE SSPE Ts SSS ESS:

[Page 25]SOCIAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

August 1985

Following basic list of planning steps

can help any community reach its goals

We all do it—plan, that is—as individuals, families and Baha’i communities in our Feasts, committees and Assemblies.

WE LEARN THE SKILLS of planning through experience. And often we learn more by our ‘‘mistakes’’ than our ‘‘successes,”” because then we become more aware of the process of how to plan better.

As one who has been educated and worked professionally as a planner, I want to emphasize that in the “‘real world’’ planning is a messy process that bélies the simple neatness of the following list of steps. They are offered only as a general guide to help the process of community consultation on social and economic development. The steps include:

1. Clarifying goals, priorities and interests.

2. Ascertaining the facts, the social realities, the trends.

3. Inventorying the knowledge, skills and resources available or obtainable.

4. Analyzing the alternatives and predictable outcomes of choices among them.

5. Translating the selected goals, priorities and interests (No. 1 above) into programs and projects.

6. Setting up a system for frequent feedback and evaluation of the programs and projects chosen.

The most time-consuming phase of planning starts with the first step: defining the interests of local Baha’is, establishing priorities, and clarifying the goals (the vision the community has of itself for the future).

THE SECOND STEP requires some knowledge of the general community in addition to a careful diagnosis of the growth and development of the local Baha’i community.

The third step, that of assessment, can be an exciting process of di: covery about your fellow Baha’is: children, youth and adults. Improving the quality and quantity of the information being sought requires full cooperation in this effort and is often a good measure of the level of unity of a Baha’i community.

The fourth step depends for its success on frank and full consultation on community members’ interests and priorities to develop a consensus on the proper choices to make.

The fifth step can be divided into short- and long-term activities. An example of a short-term activity is a service project, such as the California youths’ ‘Launch the Eagle” campaign last summer.

A long-term activity might include such things as a community or regional Baha’i school that educates children, youth and adults and expands its program content and application to the larger society around the school, thereby meeting the needs and attracting the commitment of spiritually searching people.

Step six is an essential part of the planning process and is sometimes overlooked since ‘‘measurement’’ is more than a quantitative exercise (counting numbers of students graduated, numbers of park benches painted, etc.).

DECIDING WHICH are the ‘‘important”’ variables to consider evaluating about a project or program, to determine its degree of success or need for improvement, takes time as well as the agreement of those participating in the activity that is being evaluated.

All of the above steps can be broken down into additional ones, and effective consultation should be fluid enough to move back and forth over the steps many times in the process of arriving at suitable decisions. Then project/program implementation begins.

How do we know if we are on the right track? We can find the an swers in the letter of October 20, 1983, from the Universal House of Justice: “The steps to be taken must necessarily begin in the Bahá’í community itself, with the friends endeavoring, through their application of spiritual principles, their rectitude of conduct and the practice of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus become self-sufficient and self-reliant. Moreover, these exertions will conduce to the preservation of human honor, so desired by Bahá’u’lláh. In the process and as a consequence, the friends will undoubtedly extend the benefits of their efForts to society as a whole, until all mankind achieves the progress intended by the Lord of the Age.’’—Sheila Banani, member of the National Committee on Social/Economic Development

Prayer for America sent to 900 clergy, leaders

The Baha’i community of Seattle, Washington, has sent printed copies of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for America to about 900 clergymen and civic leaders in that city with this cover letter:

‘President Reagan has declared May 2, 1985, as the National Day of Prayer. The Bahá’í community of Seattle encourages that the enclosed prayer for America, by

‘Abdu’ll-Baha, be read to organizations throughout Seattle on Saturday or Sunday, May 4 or 5, as a demonstration of religious unity and in support of America’s commitment to world peace.’”

The letter is signed, ‘‘Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Seattle, Washington, Aileen Rothenberg, Secretary.’”

On May 5, the Bahá’ís of Falls Church, Virginia, received a special award for service to the community from the city’s Senior Citizens Commission. The award was presented by Mayor Carol DeLong of Falls Church (second from right) and commission chairman Marge Zitzmann (second Srom left). For the past five years the Falls Church Baha’i community, which presently includes 12 adults, has sponsored three ‘spaghetti lunches’ for a group of senior citizens who live in a subsidized housing complex in the city. Others pictured here are Baha’ is (left to right) Jeff Palermo, Michele Garber (Assembly secretary) and Louki Farhomand.

Teaching Continued From Page 11

’u’lláh. The teacher is simply a facilitator helping this process, much like a midwife helping to deliver a baby.

On first thought, we might equate teaching with what we tell others about Bahá’u’lláh. But these examples demonstrate that it is not what is said that is most important, but what is done to help the soul progress in its own spiritual journey.

Howard Colby Ives noticed this important principle in the way ‘Abdu’l-Bahá taught:

“*... I was impressed, and constantly more deeply impressed,’’ Mr. Ives wrote, ‘with His (‘Abdu’l-Baha’s) method of teaching souls. That is the word. He did not attempt to reach the mind alone. He sought the soul, the reality of every one He met.

“OH, He could be logical, even scientific in His presentation of an argument ... But it was not the logic of the schoolman, nor the science of the classroom.

“‘His lightest word, His slightest association with a soul was shot through with an illuminating radiance which lifted the hearer to a higher plane of consciousness. Our hearts burned within us when He spoke.’’ (Portals to Freedom, p. 39)

A glimpse of the true nature of teaching can now be seen. It is not a matter of enrollments or getting someone to “‘sign a card.”’ It is not a matter of convincing minds through rational debate.

Rather, it is the spiritual transformation of the planet through awakening individual souls and uniting them with their Lord.

There is a part for every Baha’i to play in this process.

The remaining articles in this series will focus on the elements of effective teaching described in the Writings. These include dependence on divine assistance, teaching yourself—living the life, teaching yourself—knowledge, spiritual qualities of the teacher, finding and nurturing receptive souls, methods of approach, delivering the message, systematic efforts, and creating a true Bahd’{ community.

Baha’is from central, west Texas to gather

for Labor Day weekend West Texas Seminar Bahda’is from central and west _ thony A. Lee, an editor at Kalimat

Texas will gather August 31-Sep- Press in California.

tember 2 at Davis Mountain State As in past years, the focus of

Park in far west Texas to take part the seminar will be on contem in the third annual West Texas Ba- _ porary issues as they relate to Ba ha’i Seminar sponsored by the ha’is.

Spiritual Assembly of San Angelo _Everyone is welcome. Questions

and the District Teaching Com- should be addressed to Doug Bar mittee of Texas Central No. 2. ding, San AnThe speakers will include Na- gelo, TX 76901. Phone 915-658 tional Spiritual Assembly member 8439 or 915-655-0576 (office).

Dr. William Maxwell, and An

PARTIAL LISTING OF REFERENCES IN THE BAHA’i WRITINGS TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Proclamation of Baha’u’ lah pp. 95, 115 Gleanings pp. 59, 136-137, 213 Epistle to the Son of the Wolf p. 137 Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá —_ pp. 71, 129, 228, 245, 283-85, 288-89 Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Volume I Paris Talks p. 11 Secret of Divine Civilization Entire volume

(To our readers: Please help us add to this list.)

SOME THOUGHTS ON MARRIIGE

QQ

by Margaret Ruhg

Reflections on the meaning of love, the need to prepare for marriage, and practical advice for maintaining a successful relationship.

Available in paper only. $1.95 Order through your local librarian, or send a check or money order (include 10% for postage and handling, minimum $1.00) to:

KALIMAT PRESS 10889 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90024

[Page 26]The American Baha'i

VIE Chart

Continued From Page S51. ne plock” Info

District Name Membership Number Percentage of as of 12/9/84 giving _ participation

Colorado NE Colorado SE Colorado W Connecticut DelMarVa

Florida C

Florida N

Florida SE

Florida SW

Georgia NE Georgia NW Georgia S

Idaho N/Washington E Idaho S

Illinois N No. 1

mM is N No. 2 Iinois S

Indiana

lowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana N Louisiana S

Maine

Maryland W/D.C. Massachusetts Michigan Mainland Minnesota N Minnesota S Mississippi

Missouri

Montana Navajo/Hopi Nebraska

Nevada N

Nevada S

New Hampshire New Jersey

New Mexico N

New Mexico S/Texas W New York E

New York W North Carolina C North Carolina E North Carolina W North Dakota Ohio N

Ohio S Oklahoma E Oklahoma W Oregon E

Oregon W Pennsylvania E Pennsylvania W Rhode Island South Carolina C South Carolina E No. South Carolina E No. South Carolina N South Carolina S No. South Carolina S No. South Carolina W South Dakota Tennessee E Tennessee W Texas C No. | Texas C No. 2 Texas E No. 1 Texas E No. 2 Texas N

Texas S

we

ve

rg

Washington NW

Washington SW

West Virginia

Wis. N/Peninsular Mich.

Wisconsin S

Wyoming -~ - awe

Current Month Info (‘Azamat)

(06/10/85) giving participation

Number — Percentage of

The Bahá’ís of Fairfield, Iowa, celebrated the 12th day of Ridvan with a ‘Nightingale of Paradise’ music festival. Prayers and readings were accompanied by musi Letters Continued From Page 3

know we are fulfilling to the extent possible our own obligation.

If we are not fulfilling our obligation, then guilt may be present, but it comes from within ourselves, not from the National Spiritual Assembly.

Our National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to educate us (through NTRs, FUNDamentals, articles in The American Bahá’í, Feast tapes and letters, etc.) have, in my opinion, been imbued with the utmost love and patience.

WE NEED to remember that our community is quite diverse, and while some Baha’is may be quite familiar with the spiritual and material aspects of the Fund, and with our struggle as a com' munity to mature in this area, there are others, perhaps recently declared or isolated believers, for whom this information is new.

Repeated discussion of the Fund is not meant to induce guilt, but to ensure that a// Baha’is have an opportunity to be informed.

Our National Assembly members are not infallible, and constructive criticism can be bene Lonly hope we will keep in mind their services rendered (often at great personal sacrifice) and the love and patience they demonstrate as they struggle to carry out the tremendous _ responsibilities our national community has been given, with the ever-fluctuating and limited resources at their disposal.

I believe they deserve our Te turned love and cooperation and understanding. After all, ‘‘they’’ are “‘us.”

Sonja Brook Harvard, Illinois To the Editor:

In the Bahá’{ Faith there is no electioneering. The elections depend entirely on the electorate.

I HAVE noticed that the elected delegates to the National Convention and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly itself remain for the most part the same

I can ec ene RN TS BE REP NESE ST PEE A NE ERE I RE IE SS A AN ERS SST

cians Martin Oremenko of Fairfield on mandolin and recorder and Terry Offner of Scattergood, Towa, on guitar. This was followed by singing under the stars.

people.

It is not good for communities to elect the same people year after year. Instead, they should make an effort to get to know other Baha’is. Newcomers bring with them new and interesting ideas, and new leaders will arise from among them.

In any organization, it is not wise to keep and train only a handful of people for managerial positions. A good manager is one who trains a subordinate to replace him; otherwise, stagnation occurs.

At present, the only time a new member is elected to the National Assembly is when a member dies, is called to the World Centre, resigns to go pioneering, or retires for some other reason such as ill health.

Some possible solutions:

1. District Conventions should last for two days instead of one, with a day devoted to providing time for participants to get to know one another’s qualities of leadership, etc.

secretary should be appointed youth under age 21, so that they cannot be elected permanent chairman or secretary. As it is, under the present system, the temporary chairman and secretary usually are elected to the permanent positions and quite often are later elected as delegates to the National Convention.

3. An accurate list of all Baha’is in a district should be sent to all voting Baha’is there.

4. Assemblies should, on a yearround basis, educate their communities about the importance of Baha’i elections and the individual’s responsibility to make himself aware of the qualities of fellow Baha’is as potential delegates.

5. Conventions should be made more interesting so as to attract more people.

Participants might find it nore interesting if the Convention were used for consultation and an exchange of opinions without a preset agenda.

Massoud Eghrari St. James, New York

[Page 27]The American Baha’i

August 1985

27

In The American Bahá’í

The National Spiritual Assembly launches its three-phase Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program with a week-long training session at the Bahd’{ National Center in Wilmette for 40 Baha’is from across the country.

In Phase II, these Baha’is will form 20 two-member teams to train other teams who will, in Phase III, be responsible for training local Assemblies throughout the country for the remainder of the Five Year Plan.

The over-all program is designed to help Assemblies use the divine guidance found in the Writings to meet the demands of dayto-day living and working ...

A teaching packet for use on UN Day and Human Rights Day is offered to Baha’i communities through the Publishing Trust.

The materials focus on Interna tional Women’s Year, which is the theme for events on the two special days ... . More than 100 Baha’ is take part in the first Oregon Indian Teaching Institute at Tygh Valley, sponsored by the Auxiliary Board and co-hosted by the Oregon District Teaching Committee and the Baha’{ Groups of Wasco County and The Dalles.

More than 20 Sioux Indian members of the Portland Bow and Arrow Club join 14 Native American Bahá’ís representing nine Indian tribes to dance and perform on drums at the public program ...

Meanwhile, Indians and nonIndians from as far away as the Dakotas are attending a large Council Fire at Chinle, Arizona.

Baha’i meetings such as this, organized by the Native American believers, are a powerful tool with which to strengthen the unity among the friends in these The National Spiritual Assembly places a full-page ad in the special Bicentennial issue of Life

magazine.

The ad, which features a photograph of the Baha’i House of Worship, tells of the Temple’s significance as a symbol of ‘“‘the highest hopé of the peoples of the United States and the entire world—the hope for universal peace and unity,’’ and invites Americans to visit the House of Worship during the Bicentennial

Work is completed on a muchneeded classroom/dining hall at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute in South Carolina.

The building can be divided into three sections, one of which is connected to the kitchen and

serves as a dining room ...

Great idea Continued From Page 5

who suggested the project in Houston, reported that ‘‘three of eight youth participating memorized the Tablet of Ahmad ... We also read a lot of good books like Gloria Faizi’s The Baha’i Faith: An Introduction, and Tahireh the Pure.”

Tiffany’s grandmother, Geneva Bell, wrote that the community

LEAP

Continued From Page 9

Washington Northwest: Robin Christos, 206-882-1833; Teddy Lew, 206-938-1167.

Washington Southwest: Marina DeMerritt, 206-795-8610; Charlene Robley, 206-942-5520.

West Virginia: Sorour Payman, 304-466-5296.

Wisconsin/Michigan: Valerie Konopacky, 715-341-6933; Nancy Schwartz, 906-988-2431.

Wisconsin Southern: Carolyn Paik, 414-231-5448.

Wyoming: Robert Morissette, 307-632-2827; Lorraine Spiering, 307-856-5033,

gave a potluck dinner at the end of the project’s three-week period.

“At the dinner,” she wrote, “the youth and children were asked to tell about the books they had read. Those who had memorized the Hidden Words or the Tablet of Ahmad had the opportunity to recite what they had memorized.”’

“Everyone benefited from the project,’’ Mrs. Bell said in a recent interview. ‘‘It thrilled parents to see the young people work so hard.”

Tahireh Ahdieh of Radnor Township had similar words of praise, saying that the two children and two youth in her small community ‘‘not only got pledges from adults in the community, but called up friends in neighboring towns and even as far away as New York City!”

What touched Mrs. Ahdieh the most, she said, was that all the youth and children sponsored one another, giving their own pocket money.

Mrs. Ahdieh’s 15-year-old daughter, Linda, explained that “‘we read books on school subjects such as the civil war and Jane Eyre, as well as books on the Ba

ha’{ Faith. We hope to do the project again over summer vacation, including memorizing the Tablet of Carmel.””

Won’t your community join Radnor Township and Houston, and learn first-hand the rewards of such a project?

Council’s 10th year draws Baha’i support

On May 16, the Baha’is of Hollywood, Florida, took part in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Inter-Faith Council of Greater Hollywood.

Joyce Montenegro, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Hollywood, was elected secretary of the Council for the second year in a row, while another Baha’i, Leon Sternberger, was re-elected to the board of directors.

Baha’fs furnished the diversity in the Inter-Faith Choir with Ms. Montenegro, Peggy Osceola (Seminole Indian) and Maria Edwards (Jamaican).

During the program, ‘‘Baha’i’’ was mentioned on an equal basis with the other religions represent

ed in the Cc

In Memoriam

Olive Alexander Bessie May Dunwoody Sam Greene Jr. Miami, FL Lumpkin, GA Florence, SC January 22, 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown Mildred Altimus Raymond Davis David Hair Whitefish, MT Denver, CO St. Matthews, SC December 27, 1984 December 27, 1984 Date Unknown Eugene Arbello Willie Douglas Amelia Hassman Hollister, CA St. Matthews, SC Wauwatosa, WI April 20, 1985 Date Unknown May 31, 1985

Joy Bachman Eddie Downs General Lee Haynes Post Falls, ID Florence, SC Ellaville, GA May 15, 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown May Bell Batt James Dunning Beulah Hillhouse Blenheim, SC Cameron, SC Las Vegas, NV Date Unknown Date Unknown Date Unknown Jean Bejamin Sam Dwight William Howard Bronx, NY Cameron, SC Marshallville, GA February 1985 April 12, 1985 Date Unknown Verna Bidwell Georgia Edwards Willie Pearl Hudson Homewood, AL Lamar, SC Richland, GA June 19, 1985 Date Unknown 1983

Douglas Blandy Mary Ann Fields Margit Hummel Wenatchee, WA Tuskegee, AL Concord, CA Date Unknown Date Unknown May 22, 1985

Hal Boldes Harold Floyd Plattie Inman Albuquerque, NM __ St. Matthews, SC Dillon, SC

June 12, 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown Shirley Brooks Luellen Fowler Isaac Jackson Pamplico, SC Anderson, SC Blenheim, SC May 1985 June 22, 1985 Date Unknown Janet Brown Beulah Frierson Minnie Jenkins St. Matthews, SC Florence, SC Lumpkin, GA December 1984 Date Unknown Date Unknown Robert Bullock David Golden Benjamin Johnson Fredonia, NY St. Matthews, SC Chesapeake, VA June 8, 1985 January 22, 1985 1984

Mildred Clark Emilio Gonzales Clifford Johnson Lima, OH Phoenix, AZ Richland, GA May 30, 1985 Date Unknown January 1985 Patricia Courter Tim Gorman John Henry Johnson Redmond, WA Tempe, AZ Florence, SC January 1985 April 26, 1985 April 16, 1985 Sol Covington James O. Green Samuel Johnson Blenheim, SC Chesapeake, VA Richland, GA Date Unknown 1984 Date Unknown

Reading Continued From Page 15

scriptions in the July issue of The American Baha’f)—and The Promulgation of Universal Peace by “Abdu’l-Bahá.

Promulgation is full of references on various aspects of peace; a glance at the index will provide ideas about various issues your community can focus on for a special program.

Promulgation is also a suitable book to present to libraries and public officials or leaders of thought.

In celebrating the Birth of the Bab, we can remember that the Bab was a youth during His ministry and that He initiated a new era that would lead the world to

peace.

Thus, a collaboration of youth and adults in planning a program, and utilization of the Peace Pamphlets, would be appropriate.

Selections from the Writings of the Bab is also a valuable resource that could be used on this occasi

Abraham Jones Russell Peck Robert Thomas St. Matthews, SC Eugene, OR Fort Valley, GA Date Unknown April 12, 1985 Date Unknown Grace P. Jones Joyce Pestka Otis Thrasher Tulsa, OK Phoenix, AZ Buckeye, AZ November 26, 1984 September 26, 1984 Summer 1984 Leo Karczag. Rose Peterson Viola Turner Klamath Falls, OR Blenheim, SC Cochran, GA May 31, 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown Ed Keith Bobby Pinckney Arnold D. Ubben. Florence, SC St. Matthews, SC Peoria, IL

Date Unknown January 1985 June 9, 1985 Henry Little E.B. Pitts Willie Way Perry, GA Richland, GA Blythe, GA

Date Unknown Date Unknown 1983

Bertha Lyles Theodore Sander Nancy Wheeler Americus, GA Florence, SC Lumpkin, GA March 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown Jose Martinez Angella Sanders Virginia White Lumberton, NM Florence, SC Marshallville, GA Date Unknown Date Unknown Date Unknown Judge McDonald James Scribner Willie Wiggens Florence, SC Greenville, SC Keysville, GA Date Unknown Date Unknown December 1984 Sam McFadden Della Schwab Harry Williams Jr. Scranton, SC Indianapolis, IN Keysville, GA Date Unknown June 6, 1985 1980

Maurine Mickelson _Nejatollah Shayan —_ Semmie Willis Deerfield, WI Tiburon, CA Richland, GA June 30, 1984 January 6, 1985 January 1985 Soren Mickelson Maggie Smith Lizzie Williams Deerfield, WI Florence, SC Florence, SC July 6, 1985 Date Unknown Date Unknown Mark Minor Monvar Sobhani Frank Winters Phoenix, AZ Scarsdale, NY Huntington Station, NY Date Unknown August 5, 1984 February 14, 1985 William Murray George Station Peggy Woods Hartsville, SC Indianapolis, IN Chandler, AZ 1984 June 29, 1985 Date Unknown Laura Murrell Lucille Sutton Raymond Zinky Greenwood, MS Tuskegee, AL Colorado Springs, CO. Date Unknown Date Unknown June 4, 1985 Anna Neumann James Thomas

Sauk City, WI Cochran, GA

April 1983 Date Unknown

1 ese SRR ARR SSS ERE SSS SS EE SAS SS ARCS SE SES A SA IO TOE ERS [Page 28]

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The American Baha'i

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NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE, IL. PERMIT NO. 479

Ads

Continued From Page 16

find a special topic for children’s classes, Bahd’{ school or Feast. Send $2 to Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343. The index covers March/April 1984 to January/February 1985.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Guadeloupe (French Antilles) invites all former pioneers and traveling teachers in Guadeloupe to send memories of their experiences and their life on these islands. A history of the Faith in Guadeloupe from 1965 is being prepared. Please write to Assemblée Spirituelle des Baha’is de la Guadeloupe,

Guadeloupe, Antilles francaises.

CAN YOU help? We are looking for a qualified, energetic and enthusiastic person to be the assistant to the general editor at the Baha’i Publishing Trust. As an as San Fernando to host first conference for Hispanic Baha’is

Plans are under way for the first Hispanic Baha’i Conference, sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of San Fernando and Fillmore, California, to be held the weekend of August 30-September 2 at the San Fernando Baha’i Center.

Among these who have agreed to take part in the conference are Counsellors Carmen de Burafato and Fred Schechter and Auxiliary Board members Edward Diliberto and Dr. Arturo Serrano.

Plans are also being made for recreational, social, teaching and proclamation activities. English interpreters will be provided.

Free housing is available for the first 50 people to register by mail. Registration is $15 per person; free for those under age 15.

For more details, please send for a conference brochure. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of San Fernando,

San Fernando, CA 91340, or phone 818-361-8744.

British Columbia sets Native Unity gathering

The Baha’is of Victoria, British Columbia, are sponsoring a Native Unity gathering September 27-29 at Sooke, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island.

Included will be special guest speakers (including Auxiliary

member Jim Schoppert from Washington state), the sacred pipe, dancing, prayers and a children’s program on Native American folklore.

The emphasis in the adult program will be on promoting undereae and eliminating preju To pre-register, write to Lyda

Victoria, BC V9B M8, or phone 604-382-7720,

filing its and renewals, handling rights and permissions correspondence, helping with the Preparation of manuscripts for typesetting, along with other varied secretarial duties. Strong organizational skills, typing (60 wpm) with dictaphone, and some familiarity with word processing are necessary. For more information and an application, please contact Karen Crenshaw, Department of Human Resources, Baha’i_ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THERE is a great need for secondary and high school teachers in Western Samoa, a goal country. For more information, please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

DATA processing positions available (programmer/analyst, senior programmer/analyst, senior DP specialist). A minimum of two years experience on an IBM main frame is required. CICS, COBOL, ADADAS, NATURAL, or SAS experience preferred. In Pierre, South Dakota, within commuting distance of the Amoz Gibson Project. Send salary history and resumé to the Spiritual Assembly of Pierre, P.O. Box 954, Pierre, SD 57501.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Grand Junction, Colorado, would like an Asian Baha’i or family to join its active Bahá’í community of 13, Grand Junction is a college town in a financially depressed semi-arid area near mountains and desert with a moderate-sized Asian community. If you would like more information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Grand Junction, P.O. Box 2805, Grand Junction, CO 81502.

OOPS! ... It has come to our attention that some of the audio tapes produced at the Louhelen Baha’i School contain insufficient audio levels. If you have obtained one of these tapes, please return it to Reflections Office, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, for a prompt exchange. We apologize for any inconvenience.

IF YOU have an interest in serving as a homefront pioneer and would consider a locality in Oklahoma, please contact the Oklahoma Homefront Pioneering Bureau, c/o the Spiritual Assembly of Yukon, P.O. Box 850824, Yukon, OK 73085, or phone 405-3544447 or 405-354-9424,

sistant, you’ll be responsible for copyright

JOB openings in southwestern Oregon. Special education positions are available at both Illinois Valley High School and Lorna Byrne Middle School in Cave Junction. Also, there is an opening for a welding and mechanics teacher at North Valley High in Grants Pass. For information about applying, phone Jim Heern, a Baha’i in Illinois Valley, around

I MOVING? 1 TELL US YOUR

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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where

‘This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list 9 FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

I NEW ADDRESS

you are going to move and what your new

address will be. A 1. Dé Title Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames 2. IDt Title Full name 3. IDF 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 Gity State Zip Gity State Zip D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community Moving date

Z Area Code Number

G We receive extra copies because:

we do not have the same last name. ‘We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the per‘son(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.

Wilmette, Illinois 60091

|BAHA’{ | FAITH

place to stay is available for those who wish to come and look into these openings. Because jobs are scarce in this area, there are many houses and farms for sale or rent. If you are unable to reach anyone at the above number, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Illinois Valley, P.O. Box 973, Cave Junction, OR 97523, or phone 503-592-2863.

LONG-TIME Baha’is—do you have old copies in your attic of “The Child’s Way’’? We would love to complete our set. We need any from 1943 through 1955; also, January/February ’56, March/ April 59 through November/December ’59, March/April ’60, September/October ’62, September/October 68 and November/ December ’68. Contact Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010

supper time at 503-592-4679. A Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343.

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

z Area Code

we Area Code

the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all ‘family members as they should appear on the national reccords, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

BAHA’{ NATIONAL CENTER

NEEDED immediately: two family practice physicians to work full-time in a community health clinic for migrant and seasonal farm workers in Walla Walla, Washington, and/or Hermiston, Oregon. (Hermiston is close to Assembly status.) Knowledge of Spanish helpful. Benefits include (CME, vacation, malpractice insurance, no overhead. For specifics, phone Medical Director Bob Aleman or Administrative Assistant Libby Herrera at the Walla Walla Community Health Clinic, 509525-6650.

TEACHERS of all sorts are needed in Exeter, New Hampshire—Bahá’í teachers and school teachers too. The Bahd’{ community wishes to make inroads with youth at Exeter High School and at Phillips Exeter Academy, one

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicat in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are.

Number

Name

‘Our household receives only one copy of The American Babi’i, I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

of the best schools in the country. We need help. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Exeter, c/o Phyllis Ring, secretary, P.O. Box 384, Exeter, NH 03833, or phone 603-772-4680. Thank you.

AUBURN, California, J.D. needs two active Baha'is for its lost Assembly. Fast growth area for business investments; jobs in schools, hospital, for medical officers, in computers, nearby new factories, civil service. Car pools to Sacramento, etc. Hunt, fish, ski in the Sierra Mountains. A two-hour drive to Reno, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe. Private day care centers including Montessori. City or country living. Will do pre-move inquiries. Write to Martha McKeown,

Auburn, CA 95603, or phone 916-823-9389.