The American Bahá’í/Volume 18/Issue 1/Text

The American Bahá’í
Volume 18, Issue 1

‘Master Plan’ to mark ‘Abdu’!l-Baha’s visit to U.S.

1987 marks the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’ |Bahd’s historic visit to North America which took place from April 11-December 5, 1912.

Along with His travels to Egypt and to Europe, the Master’s journey to America represents, in the words of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, ‘‘a turning point of the utmost significance in the history of the century.

“‘Never in the entire range of religious history,”’ the Guardian asserts, ‘chad any Figure of comparable stature arisen to perform a labor of such magnitude and imperishable worth,

““Abdu’l-Bahá’s journeys to the West, and particularly His eight-month tour of the

United States of America, may be said to have marked the culmination of His ministry. ...’”

Exciting plans are under way to commemorate this occasion. Foremost among them is “the Master Plan’ written and spearheaded by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.

The focus of that plan is a spectacular national tribute to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during the annual Souvenir Picnic to be held Saturday, June 27, at the Evergreen Cabin in West Englewood, New Jersey, the site of the Master’s first memorable Souvenir Picnic in 1912.

Complementing this event will be hundreds of picnics held simultaneously across North

America. This event will present an opportunity to proclaim the Faith in a voice that has not been heard since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited this country in 1912.

Communities should start now to reserve parks and invite special speakers to these locally-held Souvenir Picnics.

In his ‘Master Plan,” Mr. Sears shares the significance of this marvelous event:

“The beloved Master served the friends with His own hands. He told us that this very annual Souvenir Picnic would be forever associated with His name and His visit to America

See ‘MASTER PLAN’ page 4

The e a W, merican Baha’i

‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge.’—Bahá’u’lláh

Volume 18, No. 1

January 1987

Local plans show deep commitment

Between June and September, nearly 300 communities responded to the National Spiritual Assembly’s request for a copy of their goals for the Six Year Plan.

The National Spiritual Assembly and Continental Counselors used the information, along with recommendations from district “Town Meetings,’ to formulate the national Six Year Plan.

From Flagstaff, Arizona, to Portland, Maine, from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C., and from Hollywood, Florida, to San Francisco, California, community plans reflected new and greater levels of initiative and commitment to teaching the Faith, strengthening Baha’i community life, and serving humanity.

The following is an overview of how Bahd’{ communities across the country have arisen to plan ways in which to fulfill the major goals of the Plan.

Goal No. 1: Carry the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to mankind

Almost all of the plans submitted contain goals that relate to increasing community membership, adopting an extension teaching goal, proclaiming the Faith through the media and, in the case

November 11, 1986.

Inside you will find a special insert—your personal copy of the goals of the Six Year Plan for the American Baha'i Community. Please remove it and keep it safe for careful study and reference throughout the Plan. The goals are the fruits of many months of consultation at the local and national levels, including your input from local plans and district town meetings. The goals were approved by the Universal House of Justice and returned to the National Spiritual Assembly on

of Groups, achieving Assembly status.

Whereas in past plans such goals were the primary focus of local activity, and often represented the limits of a community’s expansion efforts, many now regard these goals as basic starting points from which to develop more creative and dynamic methods of carrying the Message of Bahda’u’llah to the public. This is especially true of efforts to reach minority groups within the greater community.

Goal No. 2: Involve the Faith in the life of society

For many communities, this objective goes hand in hand with Goal No. 1. Community goals demonstrate an understanding that involving the Faith in the life of society is a major way in which to carry the Message of Bahda’u’llah to humanity.

The plans also reflect a consciousness of the need to improve consultation skills and to better apply the principle of the equality of the sexes.

In addition, the peace statement has opened many doors into the general life of society for Baha’i

See GOALS page 2

Members of the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas met November 12-16 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, with newly ap pointed members of the Auxiliary Boards to discuss ways in which to help win the goals of the Six Year Plan. Both institutions also met that weekend with the Hand of

2k the Cause of God William Sears and the National Spiritual Assembly and attended the funeral and memorial service for the Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khadem.

New electoral system boosts attendance, unity

‘‘Unified,’’ ‘‘enjoyable,”’ “‘friendly”’ ... these are some of the words used to describe this year’s District Conventions that are found over and over again in convention reports received at the Baha’i National Center since the conventions were held in October.

The reports indicate that the new electoral units used for the conventions were well received, although some people missed seeing friends who are now part of a different unit.

A report from New York state said their smaller unit was ‘“‘wonderful. ...The change fostered a real sense of unity for the district.”

From California came a report that the participants had ‘“‘a very positive attitude about the redistricting’’ and felt they would have more of an opportunity for input.

In several areas the new units led to a dramatic increase in convention participation. In Mainland Michigan, for example, 157 adults voted in person last year, whereas this year, with the district divided into three units, total attendance increased to 285.

Similarly, attendance rose from 22 to 43 in Eastern South Carolina No. 1, from 370 to 497 in Central California No. 1, and from 486 to 636 in Southern California No. 1.

In 40 units, more than 40 per cent of the adult Baha’is with known addresses voted. The 10 units with the most outstanding records for voter participation were:

W Colorado, 60 per cent; NW

Washington-C (E King County), 55 per cent; Vermont, 55 per cent; Maine, 50 per cent; W New YorkA (W NY), 50 per cent.

SE Colorado, 49 per cent; W New York-B (Central NY), 48 per cent; N Illinois No. 2-B (NE Cook County), 48 per cent; S California No. 4-A (N San Diego County), 48 per cent; N Idaho/E Washing See DISTRICTS page 4

Area Persian/American Committees hold 1st conference at National Center

The weekend of November 13-16 witnessed a number of substantive and important events for the Faith in the Wilmette area, among which was the first Area Persian/American Affairs Committee (APAAC) Conference at the Baha’ National Center.

Simultaneously, the National Spiritual Assembly was meeting with members of the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas and the newly appointed Auxiliary Board members while thé National Teaching Committee, National Race Unity Committee

and others were meeting either at the Baha’i House of Worship or at the National Center.

It should be pointed out that the Area Persian/American Affairs Committees’ mandate is to help the National Persian/American Affairs Committee integrate Iranian Bahd’{s into the mainstream of the American Baha’i community.

Fifteen such Area Committees have been formed in areas where there are large concentrations of

See APAACs page 26

�[Page 2]2/ The American Baha’i / January 1987

Goals

from page 1

communities, and the expressed goals indicate a commitment to capitalize on this public recognition.

Goal No. 3: Increase the distribution and use of Bahá’í literature

Most of the local goals for this objective involve upgrading the selection of Baha’i books in community and public libraries.

With the increasing involvement of the Faith in peace-related issues, many communities are reassessing and updating the Baha’i titles in libraries to ensure that potential readers have current information about the Faith.

Goal No. 4: Accelerate the development of local and national communities

The evolving nature of Baha’i administration and community development is mirrored in the goals being set by communities for this objective.

To Groups, implies achieving Assembly status; to smaller communities, it involves maintaining the Assembly and striving for incorporation.

Larger communities see the achievement of this goal as acquiring or maintaining a Baha’i Center. Regardless of community size, it has inspired goals related to supporting the Fund, improving the quality of the Nineteen Day Feast, and learning more about how to work together as a Baha’i community.

Goal No. 5: Strive for universal participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual believers

The community goals reported for this objective go beyond the

. basic need to deepen the friends’ understanding of the Faith. They reflect a growing appreciation of diversity and a willingness to take positive steps to reach out and embrace all within the community.

They also reflect a movement toward making the practice of dawn prayers a distinctive part of community life.

Goal No. 6: Educate children and youth, and strengthen Bahá’í family life

This objective was given a high priority in the majority of the community plans. Communities have come to realize that developing a strong sense of Baha’i identity among children, youth and families is essential if Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings are to demonstrate a transforming effect on humanity.

Goal No. 7: Conduct social and economic development projects

The large number of social and

Notice to travelers

Baha’ is traveling outside the U.S., please contact the International Goals Committee, c/o Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312869-9039). Two months’ notice is desirable.

economic development goals set forth in the local plans is another indication of the changing nature of Baha’i community life.

No longer are Baha’i communities concerned solely with the expansion and consolidation of the Faith. More and more local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups are reaching out to be of service to the greater society around them.

Communities that submitted copies of their plans to the National Spiritual Assembly received an acknowledgement encouraging them to proceed with the accomplishment of the goals they had set.

The National Assembly deeply appreciates the cooperation of these communities and is confident that the spirit of enthusiasm and determination exhibited by them in their goal-setting will result in great victories for the American Baha’i community during the Six Year Plan.

ABouT THE MosT IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE CENTWRYS - ~ THE PROMISE OF WORLD PERCE.

THIS 1S STATION WT Vo? G00D. CONCERNING OUR BAHAI, A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS “RELiGjOvS PROGRAMS We WANT To TEL THE Peome / ae

Lm SORRY , WE ARE TRYINGTo CUT BACK ON

By Darian Smith, Apex, North Carolina

LT ViewPoint

I was raised in Sacramento, California, by loving parents who considered themselves non-practicing Christians. They never went to church and seldom talked about religion; but if asked, they would say that they were Christians, lived honest, moral lives, and expected their children to do the same.

In general, the only thoughts I had about religion during the first 15 years of my life concerned how other kids had to waste Sundays at church while I was free to play.

In high school, this changed. My best friend, who had been raised much as I had, talked me into playing basketball on a church-sponsored team. Neither of us was interested in religion, but we were interested in basketball so we began to go to church in order to be on the team.

Once I was accidentally started down this religious road I found that I liked it, and started developing the spiritual side of my character.

I had always been a sensitive child, concerned with justice and the pain of inequality, and religion provided a structure that helped me to develop this aspect of my personality.

I started college as an engineering student but it wasn’t long before I decided that what I really wanted to do was study to become a minister, and so 1 changed my major accordingly.

But a confrontation quickly developed. In college they were teaching evolution, which seemed to me to be perfectly compatible with Christianity.

Evolution, I felt, was simply the method God had chosen to build the world, and the biblical idea that it had taken six days was symbolic and not to be taken literally, even as much of what Jesus had taught was symbolic, But my pas

the U.S.A.

The American Bahá’í (USPS 042-430) is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Laura E. Hildreth. The American Bahd’/ welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear an concise manner; color or black and white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1987 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in

Developing a spiritual philosophy

tor didn’t feel that way about it at all!

The year was 1957 and I was forced to choose science over religion. The era of my spiritual development had come to a close ... or so I thought at the time.

Before letting go of my religion I visited a number of Christian churches to see if they were significantly different from my church in their attitude toward science, and found them all to be fundamentally the same.

They varied externally, but all were basically exclusive organizations in that they believed they had the best if not the only correct answers on the spiritual plane.

My interest in God and my spiritual development did not end at that point, but for about the next 30 years I belonged to no organized religion.

During that time I obtained my Master of Social Work degree and worked in the fields of child welfare, psychiatric social work, and mental health.

In 1980 I returned to school at the University of California at Berkeley to secure a doctoral degree, and since 1983 have been teaching social work at New Mexico State University.

The years from 1957 to 1986 have been rewarding ones. I have thoroughly enjoyed my profession and have often reflected on how the work I am doing is compatible with Christ’s message of love.

But over those years I also learned through reading and other experiences that a number of other prophets also had much of value to teach.

As Muhammad followed Christ and helped point the way of mankind toward spiritual values, so other prophets both preceded and followed Christ and Muhammad.

And what is more important, if one were to set aside the relatively trivial interpretations given to the words of the various prophets and focus instead on the essence of their messages, he would find that all the great prophets were pointing him in the same direction, and that direction was one of love, self-realization and spirituality.

The course that I most enjoy teaching is one of my own design entitled “Living with Death and Dying.” In it, 1 emphasize how important it is to develop a spiritual philosophy so that one no

This month’s article, “The Development of a Spiritual Philosophy,’’ was written by Dr. Charles H. Frost, the first faculty member at New Mexico State University to accept the Faith.

longer fears death and dying.

Without a spiritual philosophy, a belief in the importance of forces beyond the self that influence your behavior, you will inevitably carry painful anxiety with you as unnecessary excess baggage.

In other words, the only way to escape the fear of your mortality is to accept the idea that you are immortal. I also teach that all the great religions embody the same profound message, a message of love, acceptance and justice.

In the summer of 1986 I was invited to take part in a statewide Anti-Poverty Conference sponsored by the New Mexico Council of Churches. Two important things happened to me at that conference.

First, I was impressed by the loving concern of all the participants and realized for the first time in ages how valuable it is to have the fellowship of others who are concerned with poverty and injustice, especially when that concern is spiritually based and thus a deep and abiding part of their personality.

Second, while at the conference I met a Bahá’í who gave me a pamphlet on the development of peace in our world.

On reading it, I found that the Baha’i Faith was teaching a spiritual philosophy that was close to the scientific philosophy that I was teaching and that was guiding my life.

Later in the summer I contacted the local Baha’i Group and started studying the teachings of the Faith, and subsequently became a member. I felt that at long last ’'d come home, that my 30 years in the wilderness were over and that my wanderings had taught me everything except what I needed to learn.

Over the years I had developed an ever-growing realization of how important spirituality is for all humankind, but I had never given serious consideration to joining any religion because their structural aspects tend to violate

DR. CHARLES H. FROST

the core message of love that they profess. .

Since the Baha’i Faith recognizes this common problem and has overcome it by creating a loving organizational structure, my soul opened itself to the teachings of the Baha’i prophets.

As a Baha’, I now have an egalitarian religion that is perfectly in tune with science and democracy, that is in harmony with mankind’s desire for self-realization and justice.

I now have a spiritual philosophy that is at the same time a scientific philosophy, and an organizational structure of like-minded souls to help guide and support me in my efforts to move toward

Bahda’is co-sponsor UN Day celebration at Lincoln coffee-house

Several groups in Lincoln, Nebraska, came together September 16 to co-sponsor a celebration of the UN International Day of Peace at ‘‘The Gathering Place,”” a coffee-house style meeting room open for use by concerned citizens.

Joining the Baha’i community as sponsors were the local UN chapter, The Gathering Place, the World Peace Center, and Nebraskans for Peace.

Eighteen people, half of whom were members of the Baha’i community of Lincoln, attended.

The program included prayers, quotations on peace, music by John Tobler, Dennis Taylor and Alex Cuellar, and light refreshments.

�[Page 3]

LETTERS

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

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 denigrate another’s opinion or to attack anyone on a personal level.

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

Those who have less

To the Editor:

After reading the letter from Alice Dudley (October) about the high costs of some conferences, I started thinking that if those who are less fortunate can’t afford to go to a conference, are there other things concerning the Faith they can’t afford?

I checked the price list for Baha’i books and found that a paperback prayer book costs $3.75. It saddened me to think that maybe there are people who don’t have a prayer book or the money for one.

So I decided to offer to buy them one. I have no idea if the need is great or small. But if anyone needs a prayer book and can’t afford one, send a postcard with your name and address to 9771 Pacific Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92804.

If the need is great, it may take a month or two. I’ve set my first month’s goal at 10 prayer books and will send them out in the order requests are received. If the demand is high, maybe I can find a Baha’i community that might want to help.

As these books will be paid for by me alone, please limit it to those who truly are in need.

Name withheld by request Anaheim, California °

To the Editor:

Alice P. Dudley’s letter (October) speaks to a concern that deserves thoughtful consideration by all American Baha’ is.

Mrs. Dudley mentions that Baha’is “‘are separated into two categories: the affluent and the nonaffluent’’—or, to put it another way, those who can afford to attend Baha’i conferences, institutes and schools, and those who cannot. The implications of such a division are quite serious.

The preponderance of conferences and other such events—and the voluminous publicity that they receive in Bahd’{ publications— give one the impression that to be an active and dedicated Baha’i, he must attend a lot of these events.

Less expensive Baha’i activities such as prayer, fasting, the Nineteen Day Feast, deepening, teaching, etc. are given much less attention. Why?

Are we reaching the point where these simple but essential activities, which should be the focal point of Baha’i life, don’t seem significant when compared with something like the peace confer ence in San Francisco? I hope not.

When Baha’is at the grass-roots level feel insignificant, they don’t teach, don’t attend Feasts, don’t contribute to the Fund. Unfortunately, the division between the affluent and non-affluent is also becoming a division between the active and the inactive.

There is no call for spiritual wealth and material wealth to become synonymous in the Baha’i Faith. Indeed, such an occurrence must be scrupulously avoided; Baha’is at every administrative level who are involved in planning conferences and the like must be especially wary of this.

As Baha’ is, we are ail entitled to receive spiritual education and enlightenment. Baha’i conferences, institutes and schools have become a major source of this education and enlightenment.

It would be a grave injustice to many of our fellow Bahá’ís for these events to become so costly that they are available only to the more affluent members of the Faith,

Theodore S. Heizer Eau Claire, Wisconsin

One for the parents

To the Editor:

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter addressed to the Baha’i youth of the world (January 3, 1984), suggested that ‘‘ while still young and unburdened by family responsibilities you (the youth) give attention to the idea of volunteering a set period, say, one or two years, to some Baha’i service on the homefront or abroad, in the teaching or development field.”

In response to this appeal, we the undersigned have arisen, and take this opportunity to thank our parents for the tremendous support they have provided. We dedicate this year to them. We feel that their example provides a model for all Baha’i parents.

Undoubtedly, in the course of the next year, we will face many challenges. We leave you with one mighty challenge: to become that example for your children. Please God, ye may achieve it.

Quddús Addison (Kenya) Britt Aschuler (Antigua) Maicoim Bell (Bahamas)

Robbie Davis (Cameroon)

Ruth Forman (Antigua)

John Foster (Equador)

John Levasseur (Africa or Thailand)

Russ Maxcy (Tanzania)

Saeid Mirafzali (Jamaica)

Duane Omid Varan (N. Zealand)

The appeal of politics

To the Editor:

Further to the letters re the necessity for our non-involvement in politics:

It is clear from the Writings that political behavior is an irrelevant enterprise for Baha’is, but why it is did not become clear to me until Theard Sen. Alan Simpson of Florida say something along this line about politics the other day: political statements, he said, always. contain appeals to at least one of the following elements—fear, greed, guilt or bias.

It occurred to me that perhaps it might be the appeals to these elements that distinguishes political behavior from other kinds of human behavior. If this is true (and, being reasonably aware of current events, I have a sense that it is), then it is no wonder that we are instructed to avoid involvement in political struggles.

I write only to share an insight

that was enlightening to me with

others who may share my questions about this matter.

Ann A, Jefferies

Gainesville, Florida

Marriages need TLC

To the Editor:

It hurts me when I see marriages around me disintegrating due to their not receiving the nurturing they need in order to grow, mature and evolve.

Maintaining a marriage is hard work. It must be tended daily, just as the other daily tasks in our lives do. A marriage does not simply take care of itself. It needs to be cared for by the people who created it.

The Cinderella fairy tale about marriage is a dangerous one. It is dangerous because many people believe it, thinking that all that is involved in a happy marriage is finding the right “‘magical’’ person and then living happily ever after.

Marriage is not that easy. Much more is involved.

One of the important requirements any marriage needs to grow and be healthy is constant open communication in the spirit of equality and sensitivity to each other’s feelings.

Marriages are complex. I won’t try to oversimplify them by offering a simple formula for a happy and successful marriage. Marriages are simply hard work. And the efforts are rewarded by a stronger marriage.

The pain I feel when I see marriages destroyed due to neglect shows me that marriages are much more than two people isolated from the rest of the world.

Other people’s marriages affect me. I see stable marriages as building blocks for a stable society. I feel that our efforts to maintain healthy, stable and growing marriages are one way in which we can contribute to the stability of our society and of the world.

Caroline T. Ravines New York, New York

Children and schooling To the Editor:

Regarding raising one’s child toward the goal of his or her own self-identity as a Baha’i, I would like to share with Baha’ parents an argument for an effective means to this end.

The aim of my ‘“‘gun’’ is at the early placement of children in nurseries or pre-school environments.

Studies compiled in the book School Can Wait, by Raymond S. and Dorothy N. Moore, et al

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 3

(Brigham Young Press, Provo, 1979) reveal that too early placement of children in settings away from the home can bring about undesirable side effects.

Placement outside the home before age two usually brings about a massive sense of detachment from the mother as primary caregiver, and a general disturbance in separation.

After age two primary attachment is maintained, but it is an anxious attachment.

These children of too early placement in the care of others outside the home, however ‘“‘professional’? the care or however “safe’’ it would appear, will turn to peers at ever earlier ages for their self-identity.

A Stanford University study has demonstrated that children imitating peer behavior is ‘‘well developed at pre-school levels.”

Social contagion is a phrase that defines the phenomenon we know when children copy other children’s poor acting-out behavior. Place yourself near a school bus stop to witness the worst of social contagion! And there is your little Baha’i darling emerging right in the midst of it.

One has to have a handle on it to give the child the support he or she needs so as not to be overwhelmed by so many children being brought up with so little consistent parental guidance. ~

Perhaps the best handle, I would argue, is to keep your child at home, ideally until age eight or nine—even 10!

“Abdu’l-Bahá has said that it is good to bring the children together at the age of five. This wisdom is deep and suggests to me the very tenderness of the child and the need for that period of time for nurturing.

Also, it seems to suggest, in part, that from five forward the children do well to come together on a regular basis. Done in a Baha’i context to recite prayers, hear stories of heroism and courage, or practice manners together, as well as to play, of course, the children will be enabled to build for themselves an enduring identity as Baha’is.

When the child is kept longer in the home environment than is usual by today’s standards, he or she is able to develop a stronger sense of self-identity. He knows his role in the family and what is expected of him.

The time with the child is used to teach what the family values are. The lessons we stress at home are what the Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi suggests in his mar velous tape about child education, namely, manners, politeness and love.

Then when the child enters school at a later age, he/she will be perceptively mature enough to grasp the lessons in an intersensory way. That is, by means of eyes, ears, touch, the concept or meaning of the lesson will be understood quickly.

This is because the neurological paths to the brain are mature, or “‘tipe,’”’ by age nine. These findings are closely linked to Piaget’s famous age-linked ‘‘ability to learn’’ study.

Moreover, the child’s sense of self-confidence, together with a positive self-image, given through the long nurturing process at home, will enable him/her to set the standard of behavior for other children to mimic, rather than the other way around. Studies also bear these conclusions out.

And if a child seems unable to meet the criteria the school sets up, but gets support from the home environment and meets the home criteria of, say, ‘“‘having a pure, kindly and radiant heart,” how essentially more important that is.

As these early years in the child’s life go by, you as the parent know the absolute joy of being there to see the dawning light in the eyes as the wonders of life’s many realities are awakened. And you share in the intimate revelation of the enfoldment of personality.

These are some of the rewarding experiences available to you, the parent, the best primary care giver your child could ever have.

Charlotte Solarz Galena, Illinois

To the Editor:

Regarding the age at which children should start formal schooling (see letter from Charles Hornby, August 1986), this has been an issue in the Bahá’í community for many years.

We find all kinds of advice in the Writings about different ages for beginning the learning process. For example, ‘‘Many elementary sciences must be made clear to them in the nursery; they must learn them in play, in amusement.” (Bahd’{ Education: A Compilation, p. 73)

And also, ‘From the age of five their formal education must begin. ... they should be looked after in a place where there are teachers, and should learn good conduct ... should be taught, in

See LETTERS page 31

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�[Page 4]4/ The American Baha’i / January 1987

CHAMPIONBUILDERS

G

eats ROBERTA K. CHRISTIAN

Roberta Kaley Christian was born March 19, 1913, in central New York State. At the time of her death, in 1971, she had been a Baha’i for about 35 years.

Roberta and her husband, William Kenneth Christian, served the Faith ardently in many locales, each supporting the other while serving independently in their fields of specific interest.

Mrs. Christian was for three years the editor of Bahd’f News, was the author of A Bahá’í Child’s A.B.C., and wrote the verses for A Bahá’í Child’s Song Book. These popular and widely translated books filled a vital need for children’s literature in the Faith at that time.

When in 1953 the Guardian issued a call for pioneers, the Christians set sail for Southern Rhodesia. For performing this service, the Guardian named them Knights of Bahd’u’ll4h.

Owing to circumstances at that time, the Faith could not be openly taught in Rhodesia, and the Christians were also frustrated in their efforts to obtain work in that country. The Guardian therefore allowed them to resettle in Greece, where they helped form the first Baha’i Group in Athens.

On September 1, 1956, Shoghi Effendi’s secretary wrote to Roberta on his behalf, expressing his pleasure on receiving a photograph of the new Baha’i Group and extending a warm welcome to the first believer from Greece who, he prayed, would become ‘‘a spiritual guide to his people.’”

Shortly after receiving that letter, the Christians made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where they were showered by Shoghi Effendi with words of love, encouragement and appreciation for their work.

Kenneth, who had always been frail, died suddenly in May 1959 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Roberta wrote a stirring account of his many services to the Cause for an edition of The Bahá’í World.

Although she never fully recovered from the emotional shock of her husband’s passing in his 46th year, her work for the Faith continued unabated. In January 1967, she moved to Alaska to help complete that community’s goals for the Nine Year Plan.

Mrs. Christian was called on frequently to address Baha’i audiences on the topic of pioneering.

She subsequently left Alaska for a time, but returned to join her

See CHRISTIAN page 15

‘Master Plan’

from page 1

down through the ages.

“Why shouldn’t the spiritual power generated by this ‘diamond jubilee,’ this 75th anniversary of the visit of the beloved Master to North America, ignite this entire nation of ours into unprecedented victory and never-before-equaled prestige, in His honor?

“How? By holding 1,500 simultaneous Souvenir Picnics—all over America! All held at exactly the same time as that historic picnic at Evergreen Cabin in New Jersey, honoring the beloved Master!

“What a glorious idea! What a glorious day for America! Saturday, June 27, 1987!

“Can you picture the Evergreen Cabin in West Englewood? From every nearby city, town, village and hamlet; from adjoining states, from all nearby places, the Baha’is will flow toward the Souvenir Picnic on that special day.

“Transporting by truck, van, cars, and in their arms, potted plants, cut flowers, flowering bushes of every hue and variety, until that Evergreen Cabin will outshine in splendor, color and beauty even that day when the beloved Master was there in person!

“The inside of the Cabin, the porch, down the steps, and out onto the lawn, filled with flowers and plants of every kind of color and blossom. The beautiful green lawns of that sacred site will become veritable Persian carpets of matchless beauty—with walkways in between, as it was for the Mas

Peace statement widely distributed among U.S. officials

As of November 24, the Universal House of Justice’s statement to the peoples of the world, ‘The Promise of World Peace,’’ had been presented to 25 of the 96 U.S. Senators (26 per cent).

In the House of Representatives, 171 of the 435 Congressmen (39 per cent) had been given copies of the statement, while 21 of 48 governors in the continental U.S. (44 per cent) had received it

Also, by request of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Argentina, Greece, Korea and New Zealand, their respective ambassadors had received copies of the peace statement in their national languages.

ter on that heavenly, matchless day of beauty and fragrance.

“Visualize, if you can, the same magnificent Souvenir Picnic in every Baha’i city, town and village across the entire face of America. At the same time! Each trying to “vie” with each other to be more wonderful, more magnificent, and more glorious. Each trying to outshine the other in their tribute to Him, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Master, who gave His life for us.

“Each local Assembly will also try to outstrip and surpass the others in the quality and prestige of their guest speakers on that Souvenir Picnic occasion. Mayors, governors, university profes sors, scientists, scholars, authors, government figures (local, national and international), as well as gifted Baha’i speakers.’’

Preparations for commemoration of the Master’s Souvenir Picnic will correspond with, and be a part of, our continuing efforts in the “Spirit of the Roses.””

Our 189 days of teaching, support for the Fund, and other services to the Cause are a fitting preparation for the commemoration of the 239 days in which the Center of the Covenant sowed seeds and tended the fresh plants in the new Garden of Bahá’u’lláh’s Faith: the North American Baha’i community.

Start now to reserve a site and make the necessary plans for your community or inter-community Souvenir Picnic on Saturday, June 27. Think BIG. Invite dynamic speakers, both Baha’is and guests. Aim high!

Those who wish to grow some special plants and/or flowers for the beloved Master should also plan ahead. All should be preparing early for the flowers they will bring on that glorious occasion.

More details about ‘‘the Master Plan’’ and our commemoration of the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Baháa’s visit to North America will be carried in future issues of The American Bahá’í.

Lincoln, Nebraska, UNA chapter hears U.S. Baha’i UN rep

Shiva Tavana, United Nations representative for the National Spiritual Assembly, was the keynote speaker October 24 at the annual dinner sponsored by the Lincoln, Nebraska, chapter of the UN Association.

It was the first time a Baha’i was invited to be the speaker at this event.

Ms. Tavana’s appearance was the topic of two newspaper articles, one before and one after the dinner, the first major articles to mention the Faith in Lincoln daily papers in more than a year.

Ruth Thone, the wife of a former governor of Nebraska, emceed the dinner. As she introduced Ms. Tavana, she not only mentioned the Faith several times to the audience of more than 175, the largest in years, she also read a passage from ‘‘The Promise of World Peace.””

The morning before the dinner, Ms. Tavana was interviewed on a local radio ‘‘morning show,” the first time the station had interviewed a Bahá’í on any topic.

The interview dealt mainly with the UN but Ms. Tavana was introduced as a Baha’i.

Another first came when Ms. Tavana was interviewed by Dr. Bill Avery, a political science instructor at the University of Nebraska.

The Model UN Group at the university was scheduled to meet with her for two hours, a meeting that stretched at least a half-hour longer with many of the questions having to do with the Faith.

The evening after Ms. Tavana left Lincoln, five seekers came to a regular weekly fireside; attendance prior to that had averaged around one or two.

tative body.

Office of External Affairs serves as National Assembly’s ‘executive arm’

Over the last several years the volume of business transacted by the National Spiritual Assembly through the Office of the Secretary has greatly increased. In the spring of 1984 the National Assembly determined that it needed an office that would deal exclusively with the federal government, national organizations, and national communications media. Therefore, the National Assembly established the Office of External Affairs.

The Office of External Affairs, which is headed by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, is, like the Office of the Secretary, an executive arm of the National Assembly. It is not a committee or a consul All Baha’i administrative agencies as well as individuals who have dealings with the federal government or officials with national organizations or media should maintain close contact with the National Spiritual Assembly through its Office of External Affairs which is located at 26 High St., New Haven, CT 06510 (telephone 203-787-0303).

Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman and director of the Office of External Affairs

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

= Dr. Roy Jones (left), administrator of the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina, talks things over with newly appointed Auxiliary Board member Charles

(Cap) Cornwell at a lunch break

during the meeting November 1216 of Counselors and Auxiliary Board members at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Districts

from page 1

ton, 47 per cent.

Despite these successes, participation remained disappointingly low in many areas. Over-all, 26 per cent of the adult Baha’is with known addresses voted (19 per cent in person and 7 per cent by absentee ballot). In 23 units, less than 3 per cent of the Baha’is voted.

The National Assembly is encouraged, however, by the response to the more flexible convention scheduling, which was introduced this year along with the new electoral units.

Taking advantage of this flexibility, many conventions did not last the entire day, and were pleased with the outcome.

New Hampshire, for instance, reported that ‘‘the half-day format kept more (people) in the convention, did not wear out children and teachers, and sparked more fellowship following the convention.””

Many units combined their convention with other enjoyable activities. In a number of units, participants shared a meal together, and reported later that this helped to create a sense of unity.

There was at least one spaghetti supper, many potluck lunches and dinners, a catered dinner dance, and even a ‘Persian food and pizza party.”

Many of the conventions held on October 19 took the occasion to celebrate the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab. In conjunction with some conventions there was also music, filmstrips and video tapes, auctions, art displays, and peace panels.

In Oregon, one convention was

held outdoors in a lovely botanical garden. The morning program consisted of music, prayers and entertainment.

The unit reported that ‘‘spending the morning in spiritual preparation reaped fantastic results when we convened for convention in the afternoon. Consultation was excellent! Unity was strong, alive and vibrant. ...

“Big plans and concrete results are already being implemented as a direct result of consultation. ... Due to the pleasure derived from this convention, we expect many more to attend next year.’”

It is hoped that this expectation of increased attendance will be realized across the country as the conventions continue to develop and better meet the needs of each area.

The 171 delegates elected at the conventions will represent their units and vote. for the National Spiritual Assembly at the annual National Convention to be held next April in Wilmette.

Of these delegates, 45 per cent were not delegates last year. Three are American Indians, and one speaks only Spanish. About 30 per cent of the delegates are women.

Planning for next year’s District Conventions has already begun. Based on reports from this year and recommendations from District Teaching Committees, the Office of the Secretary will choose the convention hosts and provide them with materials, no later than March.

The National Spiritual Assembly and the National Center staff involved with the conventions send their heartfelt thanks to the convention planning teams and to all those whose efforts made the conventions so successful. �[Page 5]The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 5

While contributions to the National Fund received in ‘the Spirit of the Roses’ have increased since the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab on October 20, 1986, the National Treasurer’s Office estimates that achieving this year’s goal of $9 million will require a much higher level of contributions through Ridvan. Total receipts through 11 Bahda’t months were almost equal to the same period a year ago, but last year’s contributions netted only $7.5 million for the National Fund. A stronger level of giving in Sultén, Mulk and ‘Ald, before the traditionally stronger months of Baha and Jaldl, will be especially important (see chart at right).

NATIONAL BAHA'I FUND

HM 1986-87 EM 1985-86

monthly goal $474,000

800 700 600 500 DOLLARS ($000,s) 49°

1

Sabet iat Sus Ore ney Stacia UOmale end

BAHA'I MONTHS

3 1415. 16) 17.2 1819)

Fund supports wide range of activities at home, abroad

Recently the Treasurer’s Office has received a number of inquiries asking them to inform the Baha’i community more frequently about the many programs and activities made possible through the generous contributions of Baha’ is to the National Fund. A quick survey of The American Bahá’í will reveal dozens of activities supported by the National Fund. There are literally too many to list on this page alone; but we are more than happy to revisit a few of them to remind ourselves how important the ‘‘life blood’” of the Fund is to all of the active ‘organs of the Bahá’í community.

Schools and institutes: There

are more than 40 Baha’i schools and institutes (six permanent ones) in the U.S. They constantly enrich our understanding of the Faith and strengthen our sense of

UN seminar held

The U.S. Baha’i community’s United Nations office in New York was one of 18 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that co-sponsored a day-long seminar November 20 whose purpose was to explore various aspects of both UN and NGO contributions to peace.

An afternoon panel discussion, “Collaboration and Communication,’’ was moderated by Hugh Locke of the Baha’i International Community’s New York office.

Baha’i identity.

The National Fund supports each of these centers of Baha’i learning. In recent months the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Arizona bought five lovely tepees to provide temporary shelter for friends during conferences there. The tepees also give meaning to the concept of unity in diversity by honoring the traditional lifestyle of the Plains people.

The Louhelen Bahá’í School has established a Center for Interracial Unity. The Center recently conducted one of the first conferences on interracial and cross-cultural marriage to explore in depth this important pathway to world unity.

© World peace: The presentation of ‘‘The Promise of World Peace’’ to President Reagan, the members of the U.S. Supreme Court, and many other national leaders and officials was made possible through your National Fund contributions.

The spectacular International Peace Conference in San Francisco was the largest Baha’i-sponsored gathering ever held on the West Coast. Through that single event all of the major objectives of the Six Year Plan were advanced.

BAHA!

Members of the Bahá’í Club at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville man a booth during a recent campus activities carnival. Pic tured (left to right) are William Heath, Gilbert Smith, Mandana Sepahi, Rita Najmi, Sohail Najmi and Ramin Ramezani.

letter distributed to more than 1,400 public officials and friends of the Faith, receives regular support from the National Fund. The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office works closely with the Justice Department and State Department in the resettlement of Baha’i refugees. Both of these efforts strengthen our capacity to respond to the persecution of Bahá’ís throughout the world.

© International: Since 1979, nearly 2,000 Baha’is have left our shores to settle in overseas pioneer posts. Each of them has been helped through training, deputization, correspondence or other means made possible through the

National Fund. Since its inception, the recently dedicated House of Worship in New Delhi, India, has received unflagging support through your National Fund contributions.

© Teaching and development: Since Ridvan alone, the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies have communicated with local Assemblies and Groups more than 50,000 times, sharing news, answering questions, solving problems, and consulting. Hardly a day passes without an exchange of communication and guidance between the National Assembly and the World Center. This constant flow of guidance and information

is only possible because of your contributions to the National Fund. "

The Guardian wrote that the National Fund must be

“firmly established, generously

supported and universally and

continuously upheld for it is the prerequisite of future progress and achievement.”

This has never been more evident than it is today as we strive to take advantage of the challenging opportunities confronting us in the Six Year Plan. Your contributions, sacrificial and regular, are the means through which we will bring the promised World Order of Baha’u’llah into reality.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example of self-sacrifice helps us to understand true nature of giving to Fund

In response to the goals of the Six Year Plan established by the Universal House of Justice, our National Spiritual Assembly has set forth objectives for the American Baha’i community.

Among them is the goal of ‘‘increasing the general understanding of the spiritual bounty of contributing to the Fund.””

What will help us achieve a greater appreciation of this bounty? How can we link our Fund contributions to the other aspects of a life of service to Bahá’u’lláh? One thing that will help us attain this goal is studying stories about the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Many of these stories depict the Master’s attitude toward giving. The following passage is taken from Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

““Abdu’l-Bahá gave freely of what He had—love, time, care and concern, food and money, clothing and flowers, a bed, a rug! His motto appeared to be: frugality for Himself, generosity for others.

“Stories of the Master’s selfdenial in favor of others’ wellbeing are legion. He was ‘bountiful as the rain in His generosity to the poor.’ ... Because He and His family were rich in the love of God, they accepted material deprivation for themselves gladly.

“On the other hand, if the Mas ter knew of a broken window or a leaky roof, which were health hazards, He would make sure the necessary repairs were completed.”’

This passage illustrates ‘Abdu’ lBaha’s commitment to self-sacrifice while being vigilant in attending to the practical details of His household. We can apply these same principles to our relationship with our families, our Baha’i_ communities, and to the Fund.

As the Faith grows in complexity, the nature of our ‘‘broken

windows and leaky roofs” will expand enormously. To be able to meet the needs of our enlarging household we will have to be united in our efforts to give of our time, love, and material resources.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example can help us internalize the spiritual meaning of giving to the Fund. It can also inspire us to embrace the vision of our growth within the mext six years—years that will bring us many steps closer to establishing the World Order of Baha’u’llah.

Bahda’is, Unitarians in Manhattan Beach co-sponsor area-wide ‘Peace Reception’

To commemorate United Nations Day, the Baha’is of Manhattan Beach, California, joined with the area Unitarian Fellowship on October 25 to sponsor a Peace Reception.

Representatives from 13 groups attended including the UN Association, Beyond War, Amnesty International, the National Organization for Women, the Grey Panthers, the local ‘‘Freeze’’ group, and Women for International Peace and Arbitration.

It marked the first time in which human rights and peace organizations in the South Bay area of suburban Los Angeles had come together in this way.

The program was informal, and each group was given an opportunity to introduce itself and explain its goals. Literature tables were provided for displays by each group.

Also, an array of international foods was provided by the Baha’is and Unitarians.

Each of the non-Baha’is who attended was given a copy of “The Promise of World Peace,’”’ and there were many informal discussions of the Faith and the possibility of setting up a permanent peace network in the area.

The Unitarians proposed that the reception be made an annual event. �[Page 6]6 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

Every pioneer must face, beat ‘culture shock’

2

How many of you have moved from one place to another to find yourself feeling uncomfortable, out of sorts, unable to latch onto a feeling of belonging? These are some of the signs of what we commonly refer to as ‘‘culture shock.””

The question always remains, is it possible to fit in everywhere—to be a “‘citizen of the world’? Are there people who can ignore their own culture and adapt completely to other ways of life?

It’s doubtful. Each of us has the attitudes, emotions, prejudices, habits and mannerisms that are as much a product of our culture as is the language we speak or the beliefs we accept and react to regularly.

We are addressing this issue because the difficulties you face are inherent in any change. How often have you had a new job in which you had the feeling of being a “‘fish out of water’’ for weeks or maybe months. Your response to these circumstances is not unlike the responses you would have to another culture.

When you enter a strange culture, all or most of your familiar cues are removed. No matter how broad-minded or full of good will you may be, props have been knocked out from under you and you will be affected. The mental and emotional adjustment required of those living abroad is real.

Many people think that knowledge and use of the language of a people assure automatic communication with them. But when we consider that ‘‘communication’’ includes all behavior and circumstances, it becomes clear that knowledge of the written and spoken language may by itself be + insufficient.

Teachers sought in receptive area in Guatemala

Help fulfill America’s spiritual destiny by teaching in Guatemala.

Projecteers may be young or old, men or women, individuals or groups, Spanish-speaking or non-Spanish-speaking, experienced or inexperienced international traveling teach ers.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala has set a goal of raising the number of Baha’is in Livingston to 2,000 by the end of the Six Year Plan. Livingston is the most receptive community in Guatemala with a present Bahda’i population of more than 300.

The project began December 15. Activities include meetings in homes of Baha’is, stimulation and deepening for local Assemblies, street teaching, children’s classes and small group deepenings.

The cost can be as low as $50 per week plus air fare. If you are interested, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

Your peace of mind and efficiency depend on hundreds of signs and symbols about which you are largely unaware. These signs or cues that you use to orient yourself to the situation of daily living include when and how to greet people, eat food, get from place to place, and talk informally with others.

The problems of adjustment come to all, but to each with varying intensity. It helps to know that such problems will arise, and to know what it is you are experienc ing.

The difficulty in confronting and coping with new cultural circumstances affects nearly every traveler—even experienced ones. Yet millions of people have lived through it. You can, too.

An intercultural experience is a potent and personal teacher; it forces you into realizations about others and about yourself. Indeed, the greatest ‘‘shock’’? may not be encountering a different culture, but recognizing how your own culture has shaped the way you act and react.

This difficulty might also be termed ‘‘role shock.’’ Many times, what is really “shocking” to people is not necessarily the new culture; rather, it is a change of roles they are forced to assume within their family or organizational structure as it functions in the new culture.

Accepting the fact that adjustment is a challenge, but remembering that it is a temporary condition that will pass as you become familiar with the language, mannerisms and local customs, is the first step toward adjustment.

You may not like to believe that you are experiencing emotional stress, but it is wise to admit it when it happens. Even mild cases generally involve four phases and occur during the earliest part of a stay abroad or a significant change in one’s life.

Phase I: How quaint

The spirit of adventure carries you through the ‘‘honeymoon’’ phase. Generally, you'll be assisted in getting settled and you’ll be excited about the ‘‘newness’’ of everything.

Possibly things will go very well at this point. You are comfortable as long as you can see the similarities between your native culture or previous environment and your new one. Normally, this phase does not last if you remain abroad and must seriously cope with the real conditions of life.

Phase II: ‘It’s just not like home’

When the newness and excitement wear off (from a few hours to six months), the real challenge starts.

As you begin to see and feel differences, things may go wrong, and you may begin to feel disoriented. Because language is the most common communications tool in any society, it offers the greatest security in personal relationships.

If you do not have an adequate interpreter, you’ll be stripped of your primary means of interaction. You will be unable to display your education and intelligence, symbols that give you status and security back home.

As you meet other educated and intelligent people, but are not able to respond to them on their level,

you may feel that you are on the level of a child again. This could be most frustrating.

Culture shock is a psychological reaction that is manifested in physical behavior. Another sign that you are in the critical second phase of adjustment is the tendency to sit around with other “foreigners” and complain with them about the country and its people.

In the job environment an equally critical attitude can prevail.

You may be excessively concerned over the washing of hands, the cleanliness of drinking water, food, dishes and bedding; as a result, you may fear physical contact with attendants or servants.

You can be identified by your absent-minded, far-away stare, and you may feel a dependence upon long-term residents from your country.

You may experience fits of anger over delays and other minor frustrations, or fear excessively the possibility of being cheated, robbed or injured. You may also show great concern over minor medical problems such as simple pain, skin problems, etc.

Finally, your frustrations are likely to be heightened by a terrible longing to go back home, eat the foods you are accustomed to, visit familiar places and relatives, and talk to people who “really make sense.’”

This phase may also be characterized by a “‘culture of fatigue,” not unlike battle fatigue. You become tired of not being home or in the familiar. In spite of your ability to cope on a daily basis, you feel generally uncomfortable. Phase IIT: It’s starting to make sense

The first sign of recovery from the critical phase is the return of your sense of humor.

You have begun to enter the third phase when you start to recognize communicative clues: people’s faces, actions, and tones of voice. You begin to piece together a pattern of behaving and living.

As you master the language, you begin to communicate more effectively. With increased familiarity and knowledge, you make it through each day with greater and greater ease.

Phase IV: I understand

The fourth and final phase carries you through your stay abroad or any new environment. Now that you are willing to adjust to your new environment, you can accept it as “just another way of living.”

This doesn’t mean that you are necessarily enthusiastic about everything people do; it does mean that you can accept and understand the differences.

You'll still have moments of strain and times of misunderstanding, but you will begin to feel more ‘‘comfortable’’ and will genuinely enjoy yourself.

Some people adjust to another culture more readily than others. Then again, you may adapt more quickly to one culture than to another.

The more a culture differs from your own, the more difficult you might expect the adjustment to be. However, if you have had previous intercultural experiences, you'll probably have fewer prob lems. Cultivating awareness

The following general characteristics are essential to adapting to any new environment. The extent to which you are able to develop these characteristics can determine the level and length of the time needed for your adjustment.

Awareness of self. You need a positive self-image and must have the ability to adapt. You need to be emotionally stable in situations that challenge your personal feelings. Self-motivation allows you to act positively rather than react negatively to a strange environment.

Awareness of others. A tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty makes it easier to understand others.

Awareness of circumstance. A sensitivity to circumstances allows you to pick up behavior patterns more quickly. If you look, listen and appropriately imitate, you will communicate more effectively with people around you and will

be better able to establish pleasant relationships.

Adjusting to a new culture can be a powerful learning tool. Although you may suffer temporary frustration, discomfort and anxiety, these feelings can facilitate self-understanding and character development.

The need for you to deal with situations by yourself will provide tremendous learning opportunities. The very experiences that disrupt your personality and its relationship to your surroundings will be the axis on which you can build an expanded, enlightened personality.

Half the battle of cultural adjustment is won if you realize that you will experience it. The other half is won by using your cultural sensitivity to learn and to make it a positive experience.

Gaining an understanding of the new culture and learning to communicate within that culture will open the door for the ultimate experience—enjoying yourself and having a sense of belonging.

Pioneers to Gaborone, Botswana (left to right) Shahram, Shamim,

ey Day ee

Zia and Shokoufeh Ahmadzadegan.

For the pioneer, Baha’i community life becomes vastly richer, more meaningful

By ZIA AND SHOKOUFEH AHMADZADEGAN

You never know how useful you can be in your community until you pioneer, either on the homefront or overseas. This is what we experienced when we pioneered first to Morristown, Tennessee, and later to Africa.

When we were in Virginia, in 1969, we were members of the local Assembly but our Baha’i life consisted of attending Feasts, Holy Day celebrations and other meetings.

After moving to Morristown, our Baha’i service changed considerably. We became more active in teaching, and found ourselves involved with many new kinds of activities we never would have considered or thought we could do in Virginia.

We started hosting firesides every Friday night. After a year, the local Assembly was formed.

Although the going was difficult at first, eventually it produced wonderful results, but only because the firesides were held regularly whether or not anyone came for weeks at a time.

Perhaps one key to our success was establishing friendly relationships with our neighbors; we tried to reach out to everyone with whom we came in contact.

The persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran presented our first opportunity to proclaim the Faith. Presentations were made at both the

black and white colleges in town.

Later, our pilgrimage to Haifa was the ‘‘news peg’’ on which we submitted a photo of the Shrine of the Bab and an article supplied by the Office of Public Affairs. There was more publicity when we returned.

Good relations with the media are always important, and can have especially good results in smaller towns. But it takes a systematic effort to establish and maintain good relations. Persistence pays off.

Our small community soon gained the courage to undertake larger events. We held an international potluck dessert party to celebrate UN Day, with more than 100 attending in traditional dress and with handicrafts from their country on display.

The paper published a picture of the event and an interview with the chairman of the Assembly.

Books were presented to the mayor and the public library, and both presentations were carried in the paper. It became possible to publicize every little move in our Baha’i community.

We were also able to help other Assemblies. For example, through the Spiritual Assembly of Knoxville we were able to help arrange Mora Mahmoodi’s first TV and newspaper interviews.

We were a happy community.

See PIONEERS page 8 �[Page 7]The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 7

A warm welcome to Kern Kuipers, the National Youth Committee’s new College Club coordinator!

Please feel free to call Kern during office hours with any problems or concerns. The number is 312-869-9039.

°

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb had a large sign in a display window in the student center about world peace and the Baha’i Faith. The school newspaper picked it up and placed an article in the paper.

DeKalb lost its Assembly this year and is looking for homefront pioneers. If you’re interested, call the National Youth Committee.

°

The three-member Baha’i Association at Boise State University in Idaho sponsored a program on “Traditional Native American Prophecy and the Baha’ Faith’’ at which they showed the video of Lee Brown discussing Indian prophecy.

They sent personal invitations to the Black Student Union and Dog Soma (an Indian group on campus). The Baha’i community lent great support—22 came to the program along with four non-Baha’is—a high school senior, a Native American, a Spanish grad student and one other student.

.

The Baha’ Club at Texas A&M University in College Station took part in a candlelight prayer vigil, in which 35 people formed a human chain around a fountain on campus, held to observe the UN International Day of Peace and sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Bryan.

The campus newspaper ran a front-page article and photo and the local TV station reported the event on its ‘‘Ten O’Clock News.””

.

Two Baha’i clubs, at Arizona State University in Tempe and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, are working to introduce a Baha’i course into the schools’ curricula. The National Youth Committee has _ several course outlines in its files from Baha’i courses held at universities in the past. If you’d like a copy, please write to the committee.

.

As of November 21, the National Youth Committee had 179 active Baha’i College Clubs on record. If there are two or more Baha’ js at your school, we invite you to form a club and become part of the campus club network across the U.S.

For a formation packet, write to the National Youth Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

This column is for Bahá’í College Clubs and Bahá’í college students to share news and views. If you would like to submit anything (250 words or less) for the column, please write to the National Youth Committee office, Attention: Kern Kuipers.

‘Youth Movement’ key element in goals of Plan

Among the teaching goals of the Six Year Plan outlined by the National Spiritual Assembly in its message to the American Bahá’í community is the one that calls on us “‘to further the progress of the Baha’i Youth Movement.””

This directive establishes the Youth Movement as a significant element in the success of homefront teaching projects.

The Universal House of Justice, on January 3, 1984, assured the Baha’i youth of the world that “undoubtedly, it is within your power to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming century; youth can move the world.”

With rekindled spirits, as a direct response to the call of that august body, the youth gathered in a few small conferences during the summer of 1984 and began to encourage and recruit their peers as participants in a movement that began with the declaration of the Bab in 1844.

By the end of that summer, more than 2,500 youth had taken part in the International Youth Conference in London, Ontario.

During that galvanizing event, the focus of the movement became clear. As spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers, the youth recognized the discipline of love and faith to be their armor in fighting against racial animosity, moral laxity, paralyzing influences of ego and mediocrity, and in achieving many divine attributes such as harmony, purity, trust and rectitude of conduct, as exempli fied by those early torch-bearers of the Cause of God.

On November 22, 1984, the Universal House of Justice acknowledged the enthusiasm of the youth, cabling its “deep satisfaction mounting intensity activities youth movement with strong stimulus support institutions Faith.””

In this manner, the stage was set to serve and teach the Faith in the name of all those who had shed their blood for Bahá’u’lláh.

During the next two years, 1984-86, the youth organized a network by developing 12 Regional Youth Committees and by strengthening district, local, college and high school clubs to participate more effectively in the International Year of Youth and International Year of Peace.

Meanwhile, they developed eloquent, scholarly statements to defend the Faith and to present the peace statement through studi videos, seminars, posters, arti expressions, the media, minority teaching efforts, seasonal and weekend teaching campaigns, firesides, conferences, and ‘‘year of service’ projects throughout all 12 regions of the country.

In this way, the youth were fulfilling their pledge in the name of Badi’ to ‘‘arise and carry forth the message for which our world so desperately cries, while continually deepening on the Creative Word.’’ Truly, youth can move the world.

Now, with the Six Year Plan under way, the directive, approved by the Universal House of

Justice, calls upon this ardent “Army of Light’’ to further the

progress of the Bahd’{ Youth Moveinent.

ate ‘i mony. A plaque between the trees reads, ‘Ye are the fruits of one

Last spring the Bahá’í Club at Texas A&M University donated two trees to the school. Nearly 20 people including four non-Bahd

attended the dedication cere

tree, and the leaves of one branch.—Bahd’u'lláh. TAMU Bahá’í Club 1986.”

Youth Committee names coordinators, committees for 67 of 94 districts in U.S.

The National Youth Committee is pleased to announce that District Youth Committees and District Youth Coordinators have been appointed for 67 of the 94 Youth Districts in the U.S. At press time, 27 committees had yet to be named.

The District Youth Committees

Reflections from a young pioneer to Guatemala

Paula Carson, an 18-year-old Baha’i youth from Colorado, recently returned from Guatemala where her family is pioneering.

Paula was going to start school at the Louhelen Residential College, so when the opening of that school was postponed, she took a job at the National Center for the year.

The National Youth Committee asked her to write about her pioneering experience, and here are her comments:

When my family first moved to Guatemala I was not happy. Soon after the move, however, I gained friends and a knowledge of their language (Spanish) and began to enjoy myself and my new country.

The one thing that was the most difficult for me was the change in the culture. I realize now that the culture in Guatemala was much better for me to be brought up into because of its restrictions that are not being taught in the U.S. The new experiences I had helped

to contribute: the local Baha’i In your check to the National

Remember to always include

Youth and the Fusd

There are four Funds to which Baha’ is are spiritually obligated the Continental Baha’i Fund, and the International Baha’i Fund. contributions to the Continental and/or International Funds.

contribution is being included with your parents’, make sure that they include your Baha’i I.D. number.

Fund, the National Baha’i Fund, Baha’i Fund, you may earmark

your Baha’i I.D. number. If your

Youth partici

Eee. a PLT! Sh seu< 2 6 < ae 4

=

National Baha'i Fund

|

pation in the Goal 300

200 +

100 4

Qawl Mas4iil Sharaf Mulk ‘AlG Baha Jalal

Sultan

me to understand the way other people live.

Guatemala is a small country in the southern part of Central America. It borders Mexico and Belize to the north and east and Honduras and El Salvador to the south. Two large bodies of water touch the coasts—the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras.

The beauty of Guatemala is incredible. The climate and terrain change from mountainous to hot tropical forest and finally to a beach of hot, black sand.

In the town in which I lived, most houses had running water and indoor plumbing, though that is not the case in some other villages. The towns become more modern depending on the amount of tourists.

The schooling depends on the town you live in. There are only two towns that provide schooling in English. The one problem with being in an American-style school is that only the very wealthy people can attend.

For me, this caused a conflict with the other Baha’is who were of a lower economic class. I want to say to those youth who may go pioneering to be extremely careful not to offend others who are of a lower class. We must realize that everyone has come from God Who has given each of us a project.

I feel that pioneering to a foreign country is one of the greatest experiences one can have. Personally, if I had the choice I would return to Guatemala to live. Though my college plans are most important, I do plan to return to Guatemala to live at least a part of my life there.

serve (1) as a vital link between the National Youth Committee and individual youth in each district, and (2) to link the youth within a district to one another.

District Youth Committees encourage and stimulate activity at the grassroots. They have a key role to play in the development of the Baha’i Youth Movement.

The ultimate goal of each district committee, as set forth in the guidelines (August ’86) to District Youth Committees, is “‘to involve every youth in the Movement and for each youth to see himself as a spiritual descendant of the Dawnbreakers engaged in the development of the Most Great Peace.”

District Youth Committees are encouraged to hold district-wide activities and to promote district support of individuals, Assemblies and club activities. Funding for the committees comes from fund-raising activities, individual and Assembly donations.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, it is not possible to appoint a Youth Committee for a particular district. In such a case, a youth coordinator is appointed to serve as the eyes and ears of the National Youth Committee until such time as a District Youth Committee can be named.

“No greater demonstration can be given to the peoples of both continents of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life, and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh than an intelligent, persistent, and effective participation of the Baha’i youth, of every race, nationality and class, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Baha’i activity.”’ (Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice)

Alabama North: Kereshmeh Anvarnaichi, 205-764-5168.

Alabama South/Florida NW: Cindy Sorenson, 904-651-8456.

California Central 1: Shelly Swana‘gen, 415-333-2157.

California Central 2: Mehran Arjomand, 209-733-9030.

California North 1: Ben Nortis, 209-239-7246.

See DYCs page 32 �[Page 8]8/ The American Baha’j / January 1987

Th

a8 |

(4

By KEN JEFFERS Administrator,

It dawned on me... «sandr siouse of wornp

-..that we don’t have enough Bahá’ís at the House of Worship to welcome and talk to the 200,000 visitors who come each year.

-..and that there are several things we can do to increase the number of Bahá’ís who come to help:

1. Establish a ‘‘summer youth project’’ for 50 young Bahá’ís who would devote the entire summer to serving at the House of Worship. Each would serve for a five-hour shift four days a week. This would enable us to have a youth guide on each shift, which, along with our other volunteers, would enable us to do a good job during our busiest times. If you are interested, write for more information.

2. Establish the House of Worship as a primary homefront pioneering post for retired Baha’is. They would relocate in the area of the House of Worship to devote full time to guiding there. A core of 10 or 12 who would serve several hours a day, several days a week, along with our other volunteers would enable us to serve the community year round. If you are interested, write for more information.

3. Establish a program of encouraging Baha’i communities to devote one day a month (for nearby communities) or one day a year (for those farther away) to service at the House of Worship. No community is too far away to consider this. If you are interested, write for more information.

4. Encourage each of you, as individuals, by removing one of the misconceptions about serving as a guide at the House of Worship:

You don’t have to “‘know everything”’ about the House of Worship

or about the Faith to guide. If you can be friendly and courteous to visitors, and have a willingness to share your love for the Faith with them when appropriate, you can be of great service. If you’ve never had the joy of serving at the House of Worship (and would like to), write or call and we’ll help you get started.

“To be able to spend a few blessed moments in so holy and sacred a place as this vibrant and peaceful spot is indeed a blessing beyond words,’’—Note from the guides’ book

...that you would like to know about some of the new programs at the House of Worship.

1. Interfaith services on Sunday afternoons on two Sundays each month. We invite two churches, synagogues, or other religious groups and their choirs to join us, provide the music and share in the readings. The program is followed by a social hour downstairs. Several interfaith services have been held with one predominantly black congregation bringing 250 of their members and, during the social period, asking for a Baha’i speaker and our choir to come to their church at a later time.

2. Firesides on Tuesday nights in English and soon to be held also in French, Spanish and other languages as more teachers volunteer. Many of our visitors speak languages other than English, and we expect to develop firesides in many languages.

3. Holy Days and proclamation days. For 1987, we’ve invited Baha’i communities in the area to take turns being responsible for programs on these special days. For two of the Holy Days, the anniversaries of the Ascension of Baha’u’llah and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, we have asked a small group of Persian and American Baha’is to jointly plan the program because of the different ways in which the Persians and Americans usually observe these two Holy Days. We think it’s a good opportunity to bring East and West together.

...that because the Universal House of Justice stated in ‘‘The Promise of World Peace” that “‘adopting an international auxiliary language would go far to resolving this problem and necessitates the most urgent attention,’’ it would be appropriate to begin Esperanto classes at the House of Worship and a correspondence course for those who live far away. What do you think?

«that you might like to know about the continuation of some special events:

1. The annual Corinne True awards to honor those who have rendered special services to the House of Worship in the last two years. We'll tell you next month about all the fun we had.

2. Black History Month in February with wall display in the visitors’ center and excellent programs planned for February 1 and February 22 to follow the Sunday afternoon devotional services.

...that by the time you read this, we’ll have started the redecoration project in the House of Worship visitors’ center. Our intention is to make the center more human, light and cheery, as well as more coherent in presenting the Bahá’í world community, its teachings, accomplishments and goals to our visitors. We plan to have our “‘new look”’ ready for the 1987 National Convention. If you can volunteer some labor or talent, let us hear from you!

...and finally, that you may have some good ideas about how we can better use our holiest House of Worship to teach the Faith and help further world peace. Send them to us.

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This photograph was taken at a Youth Leadership Program session in Oregon in 1982. If you can

identify anyone in the picture, please send their names to the National Bahá’í Archives,

Baha'i

National Center, 60091.

Wilmette, IL

Pioneers

from page 6

Almost everyone was active and tried to serve the Cause in every possible way. We learned from one another.

Our children were involved as well. Our son, Shamim, then 10 years old, arranged on his own initiative to give a talk at his school about Intercalary Days, after which he gave sweets to the other children.

Finally we said to ourselves, if we can be so happy and useful ina small. U.S. town, imagine how useful we could be in, say, Africa. There are so few Baha’i pioneers who can go there, and so much to be done.

After consulting with the International Goals Committee we were told that the need was very great in Bophuthatswana, a homeland in South Africa.

In August 1982 we left Morristown for our new pioneering post in Africa, which turned out to be a stepping-stone to our long-term commitment in Botswana.

During our year in Bophuthatswana we familiarized ourselves with the country and its culture, their methods of teaching and deepening. We served:on the Assembly and on national committees with local friends and other pioneers.

We’ve now been in Botswana for almost four years. We have never regretted leaving the States—although we miss our friends in Morristown and Virginia. Jt’s a new experience, a new environment, with new friends and a very different culture.

There are wonderful opportunities almost without limit. There are also many tests and difficulties—which Bahá’u’lláh assures us are important for the purification of our souls.

The experience we gained in Morristown has served us well. We continue to have our regular Friday evening firesides. We serve on the National Public Relations Committee and National Teach ing Committee.

Shamim, who is now 15, is vicechairman of the National Youth Committee.

We’ve had the opportunity to present “‘The Promise of World Peace”’ to the president, cabinet ministers, and the House of Chiefs.

The Gaborone International Trade Fair in September 1986, held in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Botswana’s independence, is a recent example of our opportunity to serve.

The theme of the fair was “Twenty Years of Progress.’’ The Baha’i booth was titled ‘Progress Through Peace.””

The stand was magnificent, beautifully decorated with colorful posters. We had two slide presentations, one an introduction to the Faith in Setswana, the local language, and one in English on the universality of the Faith.

More than 4,000 pamphlets were given out. Two visitors to the booth became Bahá’ís, and 28 others signed interest cards.

About 10,000 people visited the booth during the week-long fair. We had a full-page ad on the first page of the Trade Fair program, a free magazine given to all visitors to the fair.

Distances are great and travel difficult in Botswana. But the opportunities are as vast as the Kalahari desert—as are the tests and choices we face.

There is so much to do that we haven’t time to focus on our difficulties and our failures.

God has blessed our family with material rewards too. I (Zia) am employed by the government of Botswana with a good salary, a comfortable home, and educational benefits for our children.

For each of us, life presents unique challenges. Sometimes we are required to make material sacrifices; sometimes it is separation from our family and homes; sometimes it is the frustration of coping with a new culture, or with the imperfections of an embryonic Baha’i community.

Sometimes we choose our challenges. Sometimes they are chosen

for us by God. And sometimes we face tests that are the result of our own weakness and frailty. But ultimately, we can only be happy if we arise to serve.

The Guardian has pointed out that the most important service anyone can render to the Faith today is to teach the Cause. Each of us must decide how far he can personally go to carry the transforming power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation to the peoples of the world.

4

Ellen Wallen, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Beloit, Wisconsin, was honored recently by the SWANI chapter of Professional Secretaries International for achieving the highest proficiency level awarded to professional secretaries, the Certified Professional Secretary rating, after completing a two-day examination based on information learned through experience, education and independent study. Mrs. Wallen is employed as secretary to the Beloit Sire chief. She is also a published author, and her cartoons have appeared from time to time in The American Baha’i.

�[Page 9]The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 9

Family Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY: Feast of Mulk (Dominion), Feb. 7. Thought for the week: ‘All that is in heaven and earth I have ordained for thee, except the human heart ..."—Bahá’u’lláh. Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers (1982), pp. 57-58. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. The Hidden Words, No. 54, p. 16; No. 37, p. 35; No. 27, p. 31. 2. Gleanings, pp. 303-4. 3. Bahá’í World Faith, p. 209, Activity: “Blanket Tent”—Make a tent with a blanket or sheet draped over two or more chairs, a table, etc. Let the children “furnish” it with toys, pillows, and more blankets. This is their “domain.” Refresh‘ments: popcorn and a favorite beverage.

SECOND WEEK OF FEBRUARY: Equality of men and women. Thought for the week: “‘...The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other.”’—‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Prayer: Bahd’¢ Prayers, p. 101. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. The Hidden Words, No. 68, p. 20. 2. Bahá’í World Faith, p. 241 (ninth); p. 288. 3. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Balyizi, pp. 318-19. 4. Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká by Grundy, pp. 52-54. Activity: “Walk the Rope””—Make a balance beam using a long piece of string or twine on the floor. Have the children “‘walk the rope.”” Pretend it’s a narrow plank over a river and the children have to try to get to the other side without getting their feet ‘‘wet.”’ A 2-by-4 laid flat on a non-skid surface will also work as a beam. For very young children, use two pieces of string for the child to walk between. Refreshments: Peanut butter cookies—In a sauce pan, put one cup of sugar and one cup of light corn syrup. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Then add two cups of peanut butter and four cups of Special K cereal. Mix and drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper.

THIRD WEEK OF FEBRUARY: Equality of men and women (again). Thought for the week: “The main thing is to remain staunch and firmlyrooted, and persevere to the end.””—Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 191. Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers, pp. 22-23, “‘Lord! Pitiful are we ...”” Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. Juliet Thompson, Some Early Bahá’ís of the West, pp. 73-85 (read a part each night this week). 2. Anthology for Bahá’í Children, p. 43, “The Greatest Holy Leaf.” 3. Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 123, No. 93. 4. The Hidden Words, p. 20, No. 68; p. 47, No. 72. Activity: Play “women of the world.” Can you name a famous woman associated with each of the seven continents? Tell something about the deeds of these heroines. Level I: Can you name a Bahá’í woman for each continent? Refreshments: Ladies’ choice, to be served by the men in the household.

FOURTH WEEK OF FEBRUARY: Ayyim-i-Ha. Thought for the week: “All this, that withered souls who tread the desert of the heedless, and faded ones lost in the sands of unconcern, may come to throbbing life again, and present themselves at the feasts and revels of the ‘Lord God.”—Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’! Bahá’í Prayers, pp. 124-25, “Praised be Thou . For this special time, let each family member share with all the gift of his or her favorite story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Refreshments: Prepare together a special ‘‘family night”” dinner with your family’s favorite foods. Serve one another with happiness and kindness, love, unity and tenderness.

‘Children Are Alike and Different Around the World’ was the theme of the fourth annual children’s art contest sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Manhattan Beach, California, to commemorate Universal Children’s Day. For the first time, the public schools in the city agreed to participate, and there were more than 120 entries, each depicting one child’s artistic interpretation of the theme. On November 8,

about 50 children and their parents gathered for an awards ceremony at the public library. All of the drawings were on display; trophies, awards and certificates of participation were presented to all the children. A Bahá’í magician provided entertainment, and refreshments were served. The prize-winning drawings were displayed at the library for the month of November.

In November, 17 Hmong children attended a celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh at the home of Mehrdad and Elham Ferdosian in Tulare, California. Pictured with the children is Shookoh Jeffers

Rae Te: (back row center) who hs been involved in the. Bahá’í children’s classes. The children all read or recited from memory Bahá’í prayers and other readings and sang

many Bahá’í songs. Besides ihe Hmong children and adults, the meeting was attended by Bahá’ís,

of Eskimo, Spanish, Persian and American backgrounds.

Bosch School to offer session for single adults

On February 13-16, the Bosch Baha’i School in Santa Cruz, California, wil! present a session for single adults.

Some of the topics to be covered are:

¢ Learning to develop true friendships as a single person.

Teachers will be Dr. Homa Mahmoudi, a clinical psychologist in private practice; Richard DaBell, a psychologist with the Los Angeles County Health Department’s Children and Youth Services; and Hoda Mahmoudi DaBell, an assistant professor of sociology at California Lutheran University.

In addition, there will be a presentation on ‘‘Sound Imagery in the Creative Word,’’ a study from The Hidden Words by Susan Hegarty, a member of the faculty at the California Institute of the Arts.

There will also be music, dancing and fellowship.

For more information, write to

LOUHELEN BAHA’i SCHOOL Upcoming Programs

February 12-17: Midwinter Rejuvenation: Study of The Hidden Words.

February 20-22: Singles Conference.

March 21-22: Naw-Rúz Gala.

April 3-5: Spring Celebration of Growth.

April 24-26: Regional Youth Conference.

May 15-17: Conference for Children and Parents.

June 26-28: A Male-Female Dialogue on the Equality of Men and Women.

For information about any of these programs, or to register, write to the registrar, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

the registrar, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408423-3093 for a tape giving up-todate session information.

To register by mail, send a $15 deposit to the registrar at the above address. Registration can also be made using VISA or MasterCard by phoning 408-423-3387.

Children at Baha’i-owned school in Brazil send up 1,000 balloons as plea for peace

Inspired by the example of a 12year-old Japanese girl who died of leukemia nine years after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, children at the School of the Nations, a Baha’i-owned elementary school in Brasilia, Brazil, recently released 1,000 helium-filled balloons with origami cranes attached, each bearing a peace message written by one of the children.

Having heard a tradition that if one folded 1,000 cranes he or she could ask for a miracle, the Japanese girl had folded 644 when she died. Now there is a monument to her in Hiroshima, holding a golden crane.

The children at the School of the Nations sent their cranes skyward to ask for the miracle of peace in the world.

SPIRITUAL GS \ MOTHERING

Dedicated to Our Ultimate Goal: an Ever Advancing Civilization

Spiritual Mothering Journal is a quarterly publication for parents interested in developing a peaceful humanity and fostering the family as an integral part of world peace. The Journal provides a forum to inspire and support parents in the noble work of raising children as spiritual beings.

Please send me my year's subscription — US/Canada ($10.00)

Please send me my year's subscription — Outside North America ($15.00)

Renewal C) Gift from

Name. Address. City State__ Zip Country.

(Please make check or money order payable to Spiritual Mothering Journal ‘and pay in US. currency or its equivalent)

Mail to. 48350 Ross Ave. + Sandy, OR 97055

�[Page 10]10 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

‘«...For several years, the Spiritual Assembly ... has been sponsoring Baha’i classes on Sunday morning, serving 50-plus believers, ranging from baby Bahda’is to adults who take advantage of deepening sessions while their children attend classes. It is a beautiful group, earnest and faithful in attendance, but operating without an official name. Now one has been chosen ... and we would like to be registered as the ‘‘Spirit of the Roses Baha’i School. ...—Elizabethtown Borough, PA

“*’,.The Baha’i Group of Florence consists of two Baha’is (a husband and wife team) who have distributed more than 90 copies of the peace statement to date. ...—Florence, OR

“«’,.Enclosed is a sample from each of our children’s touch-typing instruction to document their progress on our two-year phase have learned the location of the keys. They are typing selections from the writings. ...’’ —Duncan, AZ

“*.,.Beloit plans to have 189 firesides before Ridvan 1987. ...—Beloit, WI

««.,.Mr. Isaac Boyd enrolled in the Faith, becoming the oldest believer in lowa (maybe in the nation!). Mr. Boyd was born in 1881, making him 105 years old!—Fort Dodge, IA

“*’,.We are isolated believers. ... our efforts ... are: (1) reading the Tablet of Ahmad every day for 189 days for the prisoners in Iran; (2) reading the prayer for the Central States every day for 189 days; (3) our five-year-old daughter reading the prayer for assistance for 189 days; (4) fireside on the 19th day of every month; (5) living as an example of the Baha’i life.””—Princeton, IL

«*...The Western Unit in South Dakota is asking the Eastern Unit to help reach the goal of 189 believers contributing to the National Fund by Naw-Rúz from the state of South Dakota. ...’’—Rapid City, SD

- .,.Our gratitude... to our brothers and

sisters in Iran ... for leading us to ‘189 days of victories’ ...’”—Hopkins, MN

‘*’..In addition to this contribution, each member of the community will say a prayer for the triumph of the Cause 189 times. The community has also pledged to hand out 189 pieces of literature on the Baha’i Faith. ...’’—South Hadley, MA

“«..Forty people... attended the dinner given by the Spiritual Assembly ... to honor the Birthday of Baha’u’llah. Twenty-one of those who attended were Baha’is, the remaining 19 were their guests. ...’’—Bend, OR

«*...With the support of the local Teaching Committee and the House of Worship activities office, I have taken on the following goals: (1) tell 189 Haitians about the Faith; (2) tell 189 non-Haitian French-speaking people about the Faith; (3) distribute 189 Baha’i books; (4) distribute 189 copies of the peace statement in French. ...’’—Evanston, IL

“«..The first week in November, the Assembly is putting a full-page ad in the local newspaper which has the summary of the peace message, a picture of the Universal House of Justice building and a picture of the Wilmette Temple. ...”— North Maricopa County, AZ

‘*...In the ‘Spirit of the Roses’ the Amsterdam community will be holding an ongoing teaching project in an effort to teach teach the Hispanic community. ...”,—Amsterdam, NY

“*..This was the first declarant in our district’s ‘Everlasting Rose Project’ and the card was signed at the anniversary celebration for the Birth of the Bab on the first night the rose started its travels through our district. .....—South Alabama/NW Florida District

“«...The Spiritual Assembly ... has decided to make a commitment to teaching as its response to the gift of the rose from the Baha’is of Iran. The Assembly has set a goal of finding and enrolling 10 Mexican-American believers during this year. ...’,—McAllen, TX

‘*.,.In response to the call for sacrifices during the 189-day crusade, our Assembly has decided to send an extra 5 per cent of our total contributions to the National Fund each Baha’i month for the next 189 days. ...”,— Orange County, FL

“*...The enclosed ... is an extra contribution from the fund-raiser ‘Dinner Is Served’. ...’>—Webster Groves, MO

«*’,.Another seed has been planted and I can smell the perfume of a rose. ...’’—Albuquerque Chapter, NM

“*.,.The Chattanooga Assembly has pledged 189 subscriptions donated to the ‘Brilliant Star Connection.’ And they challenge other Assemblies to match them. ...’”>—Chattanooga, TN

««’,.Kingsgate community has decided to add $19 to our regular contribution ... until the end of the 189 days of victory. ... —Kingsgate, WA

“*.,.On the first day of the 189 days our Assembly sponsored a county-wide celebration of the Birth of the Bab by presenting the movie ‘The Pilgrimage’ which was at-* tended by more than 150 adults and children, several of whom were seekers. ...’?— West Cobb County, GA

“*.,.During these 189 days we will continue to be as creative as we can to help commemorate the great sacrifices of the martyrs. ...””,—Tuolumne, CA

Bahda’is in New Haven, Connecticut,

to hold first Race Unity Conference

Mrs. Carol Rutstein and Mrs. Bette Roberts are presenting a workshop on race unity, and Dean Carlos Torre of Yale University is

On January 17-18 the Bahda’is of New Haven, Connecticut, are hosting their first Race Unity Conference.

Baha’is in Northern Virginia worked with the Worldwide Peace Foundation to organize a Peace Fair that was held November 1 near the Lincoln Memorial re N. Virginia Baha’is help organize D.C. Peace Fair

the celebration.

More than 18 peace groups placed representatives in booths or behind tables to answer questions, distribute literature, and sell

tainment by Bahá’í performers Mary Davis and the ‘New Generation” band as well as international performing acts and children’s choruses.

Keynote speakers are Counselor Wilma Brady and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly. Mayor Biagio DiLieto of New Haven has agreed to open the conference. ~~

to speak as the national representative of SOAR (Society Organized Against Racism).

Also scheduled to attend are state Sen. John Daniels and members of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

flecting pool in Washington, D.C.

After attending a peace breakfast sponsored by the Baha’is last May, Peter Bloch, president of the Worldwide Peace Foundation and a recently declared Baha’i, organized a coalition of groups to plan

T-shirts and books to as many as 400 visitors to the fair. The Baha’is gave out about 35 copies of “The Promise of World Peace.’’

Spectators also sat at the base of the steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial to listen to enter At 5 p.m. participants launched a fleet of lanterns in the reflecting pool. Each was composed of a candle surrounded by paper and mounted on a styrofoam base, and each had the word ‘‘peace’’

written on it in many languages. �[Page 11]GORDI MUNRO

Canadian entertainer Gordi Munro begins teaching tour in U.S.

Canadian singer and entertainer Gordi Munro began an extensive travel teaching tour of the U.S. on December 6 with a concert in Roswell, Georgia, dedicated to the memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’lláh Khadem.

The event was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Roswell to raise money for the National Fund.

While Mr. Munro has been a traveling teaching in Canada for many years, he has performed little in the U.S. His current tour is being conducted under the auspices of the National Teaching Committee.

The tour coordinator is Susan Lewis, a former National Information Officer who is also a musician and is available for firesides and deepenings.

Tentative plans for December included concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Florida, and appearances at the National Youth Conference in Orlando and the Counselors’ conference at the Louis Gregory Institute in South Carolina.

Most of January was to be spent in South Carolina except for concerts in Atlanta for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday anniversary and in Alabama at the end of the month.

In February, concerts are planned for Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

Anyone wishing to arrange a concert by Mr. Munro in their area should contact the National Teaching Committee’s traveling teacher office.

There is no charge for the concerts, but those Assemblies, committees and individuals who wish to contribute to help defray the expenses of such an undertaking may do so by sending contributions to the National Teaching Committee.

U.S. cable TV to air peace video cassette

The new video cassette, ‘‘The Promise of World Peace,’’ will be broadcast at 1:30 p.m. (EST) Sunday, March 22, over Tempo Cable Television.

The 27-minute program was produced by Radiant Century Productions, an independent production company in Los Angeles.

The telecast is an excellent opportunity for all Baha’is and their friends who have access to cable television to see this fireside-style video on the peace statement.

TEACHING

One of the many ways in which Baha’is will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s 239-day visit to North America is through travel teaching, which offers many opportunities and benefits.

Remembering ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s call for Apostles of Baha’u’ lah to “continually travel,”’ the National Teaching Committee has appointed 10 Regional Traveling Teacher Coordinators to encourage traveling teaching during the Six Year Plan.

These coordinators can help traveling teachers with their itineraries as well as encourage traveling teaching within each region of the country.

To use their services, you may contact one of them directly or contact Dale Sollars, the National Teaching Committee’s traveling teacher office manager.

“O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of ‘Ya Bahd’u’lAbhd’ in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the Divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it.’’—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Tablets of the Divine Plan

Region 1 (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming): Dale and Ann Sollars,

Blackfoot, ID 83221. H—208-785-4495; W—208-7852250 (Ann); $W—208-526-1963 (Dale).

Delia Lopez,

_ Quartz Hill, CA 93536. H—805-943-3472.

Region 3 (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah): Terry Tantillo, Phoenix, AZ 85023. H—602-863-6167.

Region 4 (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota): Lynda Ochsner,

Aurora, NE 68818. H—402-694-6045..

Region 5 No. 1 (Arkansas, Ok lahoma): Will Sutter, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 11

10 coordinators named to aid traveling teachers

H—405-235-2802. W—405-2720795.

Region 5, No. 2 (Louisiana,

Mississippi, Texas): Kim Bowers, _ Kilgore, TX

75662. H—214-984-2915.

W—214-984-5707.

Region 6 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin): Katharina Hatfield,

_ New Richmond, OH 45157. H—513-553-2194.

Region 7 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Penns; vania, Rhode Island, Vermont):

Isabelle Ighrari, c/o Jacamar Real Estate, _ Smithtown, NY 11787. H—S16584-5100. W—516-265-0022.

Region 8 (D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North lina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia): Sam Williams, P.O. Box 971, Yadkinville, NC 27055. H—919-679-2133. W—919-679-2623.

Region 9 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia): Elizabeth Anderson, P.O. Box 1233, Athens, AL 35611. H—205-233-3169. W— 205-232-7694.

Pianist Mark Ochu combines music, teaching

During 1986 Mark Ochu, a traveling teacher and pianist from St. Cloud, Minnesota, presented more than 90 concerts arranged by local Baha’i communities across the country.

His audiences, ranging in number from 20 to more than 200, have included prominent businessmen, students, professors and artists. His travels have taken him from California to Ontario, Canada, and many places in between.

Mr. Ochu’s presentation, entitled ‘‘The Prerequisites for Peace Found in Western Classical Music,”’ is a mixture of music and philosophy touching on such issues as equality of the sexes, the importance of consultation, and

.the elimination of prejudices of all

kinds.

The theme of his presentation is the comparison between the development of music and civilization by the world’s major religions. Most of Mr. Ochu’s performances are attended by non-Baha’is, thus creating a great opportunity to spread the teachings of Baha’u’llah.

The concerts often are held in

Region 2 (California, Nevada)

Barer

Baha'i children prepare to march behind a ‘Wage Peace’ banner in the Tama (Iowa) Pow Wow Pa

rade. Teaching in that state this past summer resulted in 54 enrollments.

Busy summer of teaching in lowa leads to 54 enrollments in Faith

A busy summer in Iowa resulted in 54 enrollments including several on the Sac and Fox Indian Settlement at Tama.

With the help of traveling teachers Kevin Locke, Mark Ochu and Wilford and Lollie Johnson, and teacher trainers Carey Murphy and Bob Cadwalader, the Iowa Baha’is enthusiastically carried forward the teaching work.

More than 60 of the friends supported the District Teaching Committee’s participation in the Tama Pow Wow Parade. There were four banners showing the principles of the oneness of mankind, unity in diversity, and the 1986

theme of ‘‘The Promise of World Peace.”

Hundreds of copies of the peace statement and peace pamphlets were handed out to those who lined the parade route.

Wilford Johnson, a Baha’i country and western singer from North Carolina, was invited to take part in a jam session on downtown streets, an event that was well-covered by the local press and radio.

In the weeks that followed five localities were opened to the Faith as at least 25 Baha’is went forth to teach after being trained by Mr. Cadwalader.

conjunction with other activities. For example, in Jamestown, New York, he performed in a Methodist church for an audience of about 50. The mayor proclaimed the day World Peace Day. Publicity for the program included two articles in the local paper; TV, radio and cable coverage, and posters and billboards.

Conversations after the program led to firesides, and the community invited Mr. Ochu to return for a future engagement.

A newspaper in California said after his performance, ‘‘World peace was the unusual but fitting theme for the piano recital by Mark Ochu a week ago. ..:

“Carefully avoiding truisms (such as music being the universal

language), Ochu spoke informally about each piece on his program before playing it, creating an overall cultural and political context for his performance. ...

“It was a timely reminder that while a piano recital presents an artist and what he can do, art has more in common with philosophy than simple showmanship. ...It is also refreshing to hear a young pianist for whom personal triumph is not the single, or even the most important end for which he plays.’”

In all, thousands of people have heard the Message of Baha’u’llah because of the efforts of one person who took the initiative to use his talents in a successful and creative way to advance the Cause of God.

Fireside Video Contest

Start Your Cameras Rolling!

The National Teaching Committee is presenting an "Academy Awards" of Fireside Videos. Bahá’ís are encouraged to submit VHS videotapes made for fireside presentations. Nat Rutstein, Tony Andrews, Marina Andrews, and Jenny Williams—only one of whom is a Bahá’í—are the distinguished judges who will evaluate the entries. Winners will be announced and congratulated at the National Convention of 1987.

There is no time limit for the videos but the tape should be an appropriate length for a fireside presentation. It should also not require an in-depth explanation by the host. It should present the Faith with accuracy and dignity. The winning videos will be made available to the community for teaching efforts.

Cost of the producing your entry is your responsibility. Entries should be submitted to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, no later than March 15, 1987.

postage.

Peace statement now available in Khmer

“The Promise of World Peace”’ is now available in the Cambodian language, Khmer, which is spoken by a great number of Southeast Asians living in America. Copies may be ordered through the National Teaching Committee for $1 each, plus |

�[Page 12]12 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

BAHA’i CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. To pay careful attention.

5. ‘‘...the condition of society has a effect on the individuals who must live within it.”” (Shoghi Effendi, September 5, 1938)

8. What Bahá’u’lláh did with the “choice wine.’”

10. We must recognize that there are spiritual as wel] as

laws.

12. Practice ___ so at variance with the standards of the Faith in present-day society.

14. Alternating current.

15. Violent form of delirium caused by excessive use of alcohol or narcotic drugs.

16. Possessive form of the proAgua “L.”

17. Month (abbreviation).

21. Air (scrambled).

22. “Happy is the man that Baby apprehended the ____ God ...”’ (Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab a Aqdas, p. 25

26. A beverage (scrambled).

27. Twelfth letter in the Greek alphabet.

28. The surface included within a set of lines.

29. Ancient city on the Euphrates River.

30. ‘‘Think not that We have revealed to you a mere of

Answers are on page 30

Minnesota Institute sets conference on emotional well-being

The Minnesota Baha’i Institute is sponsoring a conference for Bahá’ís on mental and emotional health January 31-February 1 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The conference theme is ‘‘Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Drawing Upon the Baha’i Community in Time of Need.””

Keynote speakers and workshop leaders include Auxiliary Board members Stephen Birkland and Ronna Santoscoy; Dr. Khalil Khavari, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin; Dr. Michael Brewer, a psychiatrist from Tucson, Arizona; and Pamela and Dennis Johnson, marriage and family therapists from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

For more information, phone Elizabeth Jenner, 612-456-9391.

p. 332) 31. Laws governing our material and spiritual lives are » to

each of us and the society in which we live. 33. Before (poetic). 34. ‘Mankind, in general, can _________ properly and harmoniously when the laws of the Manifestation of God are obeyed.”” (Shoghi Effendi, September 5, 1938) |

/ DOWN

1. Obedience to the law is of ie importance to every ing.

2. To make into law; decree.

3. Form of therapy popularized by Werner Ehrhardt.

4. A notable feat or accomplishment.

5. Lid (scrambled).

6. To depend upon.

7. An illusion: ‘‘...the one who compromises with the: law for his own apparent happiness is seen to have been followinga____—_(Shoghi Effendi, September 5, 1938)

9. “The concept of chastity in the Baha’ life condemns the prostitution of ___ and of literature ...”’ (Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 25) 11. Living a Baha’i life involves the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, Sic Sments, ‘ete:

13. A body of persons making up a community for their mutual benefit and protection.

18. A bloody conflict among nations.

20. ‘Street term’? for narcotics. 22. If we seek to establish ____ we must cast aside the obstacle of prejudices.

23. We. Bhs 55 God

that the companions of may be the prince of the , the free, and the wise.’” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 336)

25. ‘Here, one must learn to control and direct one’s animal impulses, not to be a to them.’ (Shoghi Effendi, September 5, 1938)

27. One way to avoid back-biting is to remain 28. Suffix, usually used to describe sweet drinks.

32. Exclamation: to look!

Pictured are those who attended the second session November 22 in

Minneapolis of a Two-Year

Course on the Bakd’t Faith spon sored by the Minnesota Bahá’í Institute.

67 Baha’is undertake two-year course on Faith sponsored by new Minnesota Baha’i Institute

On October 25 and November 22, 67 participants from Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri met in Minneapolis for the first and second sessions of a two-year course on the Baha’i Faith offered through the newly created Minnesota Baha’i Institute.

These students have begun a course of study designed to help the serious student develop a deeper understanding of Bahá’í theology through a_ systematic study of the Holy Writings and, with this understanding, to apply the principles revealed by Baha’wllah to the problems faced by today’s men and women.

Students are expected to attend each monthly day-long session, study assigned texts, complete assignments, conduct individual research, demonstrate the ability to apply "spiritual principles with written and verbal presentations, and contribute to the development of the Institute through consultation and service.

The first session was highlighted by presentations on Baha’i scholarship, techniques of accelerated learning, the theme ‘‘the Oneness of God,’? and small group projects.

Session two featured a panel of student presentations, a lecture on “The Spiritual Nature of Man,” group discussions and projects, and a book review.

The third session was scheduled for December 20.

The first year of the two-year course will deal primarily with themes and topics of Baha’i theology.

In the second year, students will focus on the application of Baha’i principles in specific areas of interest such as business, law, etc., through individual and team study and research.

It is hoped that the course will

Holyoke aldermen receive statement

On April 14, four members of the Baha’i community of Holyoke, Massachusetts, presented copies of ‘‘The Promise of World Peace’’ to the city’s 15-member board of aldermen.

The presentation was covered by the local newspaper and was filmed by the Springfield City Cable TV network.

produce effective and devoted Baha’i scholars of all ages and interests.

The Minnesota Baha’i Institute, which is developing, sponsoring and offering the course, was created through a collaborative effort of the Auxiliary Board and the Spiritual Assembly of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

It is designed to arrange and host activities in the North Central States which foster and promote Baha’i scholarship.

Activities of the Institute to date have included:

1. hosting an evening with Gerald Knight, the Bahd’{ International Community’s UN represen

tative for human rights;

2. launching the Two-Year Course on the Baha’i Faith;

3. sponsoring a regional conference on mental and emotional health to be held January 31-February 1;

4. and creating a ‘‘Community Development Resource’’ clearinghouse to gather information and make it available to local administrative institutions and scholars.

For more information about the Institute, its two-year course on the Faith or other activities, write to the Minnesota Baha’i Institute, P.O. Box 18057, West St. Paul, MN 55118, or phone 612-4569391.

Assembly responsible for maintaining, keeping records of its business, actions

The local Spiritual Assembly, as a permanent body, is responsible for maintaining all its records including minutes, correspondence and financial records, throughout its existence as a Bahá’í institution.

Each officer of the Assembly, therefore, on completing his or her term of office, should turn over to the Assembly all records pertaining to the business of the Assembly.

Those Assembly records that should be kept permanently include annual reports; minutes; unique correspondence with the National Assembly, Baha’i National Center, other Baha’ institutions and individuals; birth, marriage and death registers; financial records such as cash journals, annual financial records and contribution receipts; publicity files or scrapbooks; membership lists or directories; and photographs of the Spiritual Assembly, Baha’i community or community activities.

Records that can be disposed of when no longer needed in the active business of the Assembly include routine mailings from the National Center; other financial records such as bills and canceled checks; enrollment and change of address forms; duplicate copies of minutes, bulletins, etc.

If storage space is a problem, the Spiritual Assembly could also dispose of its files of printed matter such as The American. Bahá’í and Bahá’í News.

If local Spiritual Assemblies

have further questions about their records, they can write to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Booker Brown, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Cleveland, Ohio, and of the Bahá’í Public Affairs Committee of Greater Cleveland, was honored August 9 Sor his 13-year involvement in the Cleveland Home Town Program, which trains members of minority groups over the age of 24 to become journeyman electricians. Mr. Brown is a high school television production instructor.

Who was the first American Baha’i woman? Find out in The Baha’i Faith in America: Origins, 1892-1900

�[Page 13]Charles Wolcott, a member of the Universal House of Justice, speaks during a session of ‘The Preservation of Human Honor,’ a

Regional Conference on Social and Economic Development held October 25-26 at the Baha’ Center in Los Angeles, California.

SOC/ECONOMIC

—~e

“The Preservation of Human

Honor,”’ a Regional Conference ‘on Social and Economic Development, was held October 25-26 at the Baha’i Center in Los Angeles, California.

Sponsored by the National SED Committee and the Administrative Committee of the Baha’is of Los Angeles, the event drew 418 people from more than 120 communities in California and included friends from three other states and three foreign countries.

The pivot around which the program was built was the message of October 1983 on social and economic development from

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 13

More than 400 attend regional SED conference, ‘Preservation of Human Honor,’ in Los Angeles

the Universal House of Justice.

Session topics were ‘Ethics in the Workpiace,”’ ‘Physical and Mental Health,” “Arts and Human Development,”’ ‘‘Needs Assessment and Planning,” ‘‘The Most Vital and Challenging Issue,’’ and ‘‘Conflict of Values.””

Among those taking part were Charles Wolcott, a member of the Universal House of Justice who was visiting in the area; Hooper Dunbar, a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center in Haifa; Counselor for the Americas Fred Schechter; William Davis, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board member Edward Diliberto; and specialists in various development fields.

Included in the program was music and prayers in many languages. On Sunday morning, the

Refugee Office addresses questions raised by recent Simpson-Rodino Immigration Bill

The U.S. Baha’i Refugee Office has received a number of questions about the Simpson-Rodino Immigration Bill recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Reagan on November 6.

This law provides temporary lawful resident status for certain individuals who do not have legal entry or immigration status.

To quality for legalization, you must have entered the country before January 1, 1982.

If you entered as a tourist and your period of stay (I-94) expired before January 1, 1982, you will be eligible to apply. If you entered as a student or non-immigrant worker (F-1, H-1, J-1, etc.) before January 1, 1982, and you were out of status before that date, you may be eligible to apply.

If you are in the last category, you should seek legal advice before you make any application to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). Expiration of a visa or legal status after January 1, 1982, does not entitle one to legalization.

You must also prove that you

have resided continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 1982 (except for brief absences due to some type of emergency); you must have continuous physical presence in this country from the time the new law went into effect (November 6, 1986).

You must also prove that you have registered or are in the process of registering for selective service if required by law, and that you are otherwise admissible according to the Immigration Act.

A family probably cannot file a collective legalization application—each member of the family may have to do so.

‘An application for legalization must be filed within 12 months of the implementation date of the law, that is, by May 6, 1987 (anticipated date).

No applications will be accepted before May 6, 1987, and there are no provisions for appeals should you fail to apply before May 6, 1988.

If you are now under, or have ever been under a deportation proceeding (received an Order to Show Cause), you must make

On September 14, the Baha’icom munity of Albany, California, participated for the fourth year in @ row in its town’s annual street Jair, the ‘Solano Stroll.’ Interest

in the Bahá’í booth was good; many people stopped to ask questions, and many pieces of literature were taken including copies of ‘The Promise of World Peace.’

your application for legalization during the first 30 days of the application period or the date of the Order, whichever is later.

If, for example, you previously applied for political asylum and then moved without having heard the final result, a deportation proceeding may have been started against you without your knowing it.

People who have received a Silva letter may also be subject to an Order to Show Cause and must apply within 30 days. If you have had prior contact with INS, you should advise your attorney or social services agency of that fact. No extension of the 30-day period is possible.

You must not have been convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors while in the U.S. There are other grounds of exclusion that may apply for people who have committed frauds, etc.

Legalization is really a two-step process. First, you are issued a temporary lawful residency which is good for 18 months; you then have 12 months in which to apply for permanent lawful residency.

If you do not do so, you lose your temporary status and are subject to deportation.

At the time you apply for lawful permanent residency, you must prove that you speak English and understand U.S. government and

history or are enrolled in a certified program which provides this kind of instruction.

In addition, you may not apply for assistance from federal programs (such as AFDC) for five years.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service office is not as yet taking applications and has not yet finished drafting regulations to implement the new law.

We suggest that while awaiting the INS completion of regulations concerning filing of applications for legalization, you do not approach the INS offices. You can get free or low-cost information and advice from non-profit social service agencies that provide immigration counseling, or you may consult a lawyer who specializes in immigration law.

Should you get into trouble with Immigration, ask for a lawyer to give you help before you sign anything that may work against you. Do not sign any document, paper or instrument except in the presence of your attorney.

There are many other “‘ifs’’ and “ors’’ yet to be resolved. Act only on the advice or information of an attorney who practices immigration law or a social service agency that provides immigration counseling.—National Persian/American Affairs Committee

conference became part of an ongoing development project as its members joined the children of the Los Angeles Baha’i Family School for prayers and songs.

In keeping with the guidance from the Universal House of Justice, the focus at the conference was on spiritual revitalization and internalization beginning the development process within the Baha’i community itself.

There was considerable emphasis on process rather than product; on understanding and appreciating differences; on the need for assessment and planning; on new definitions and standards for a new world; on morality versus expediency; on the use of scientific methods of investigation; and on using the arts to uplift instead of degrade humanity.

On Saturday evening Mr. Wolcott and Mr. Dunbar shared informally reports of the progress of the Faith in the Holy Land and told glowing stories of Baha’i social and economic development projects in Africa, India and Latin America.

f.

Jennifer Pruski, a Bahá’í from Ipan, Talofofo, Guam, who has been pioneering with her family in the Pacific since 1970 and is a 1986 graduate of Guam Community College’s high school program, Sinished in the top 10 in a national competition for business students last spring, winning a medal in the general merchandising category at the National Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) conference in Atlanta, Georgia. As a result, she was nominated by DECA for inclusion in this year’s edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She plans to attend St. Louis University where she’ll major in marketing.

semgiewi ts aware BAHA'I REFERENCES TO

pL VEZ YUP

& ISLAM

Re ce Ty

— The Bible? — Adam and Eve?

— Moses and the Red Si — Jesus Christ? — The Virgin MV

It’s

272 pages. Softcover on!

New from George Ronald, Publisher

More than 2000 quotations under 468 head words

What do the Baha’i Writings say about

— Baptism?

— The Trinity? — Creation?

— Evolution? — Revelation‘ Prophecy? nmad? The Imam:

What about Krishna? Buddha? Zoroaster? all in this book . . .

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order to: Baha’é Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

�[Page 14]14 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

CLASSIFIEDS

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

°

EMPLOYMENT

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Resources is seeking a qualified person to serve as production coordinator at the Baha’i Publishing Trust. The production coordinator provides for and oversees the production of all literature and special materials produced by the Trust; consults on goals; prepares cost analyses and monitors the production budget; prepares and maintains schedules; handles purchasing; interfaces with other staff, vendors and suppliers; and performs other duties relating to the production department. A college degree and 2-3 years’ experience in production is required including experience in graphic arts and budgeting. Should be wellread in the Baha’i Writings, have some typing skills, and be in good physical condition. For more information or an application, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

APPLICATIONS are being accepted for a general maintenance position at the Green Acre Baha’i School. Responsibiities include full-time maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment, troubleshooting, and record-keeping. Applicants should have a good working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Specific skills with professional training, especially in carpentry, are helpful; ability to work independently or under close supervision with excellent organizational skills is essential. Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience required; hand-on experience in an apartment complex, hotel, public school or institutional maintenance desirable. For more information or an application, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

QUALIFIED individuals are being sought to fill two key positions in the National Teaching Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center: minority development coordinator and office secretary. The coordinator is responsible for stimulating and developing all efforts related to minority teaching projects and issues. Experience working with minority groups is essential, with written and oral fluency in Spanish highly desired. A college degree is preferred; some typing skills and a willingness to learn computer skills are required. The secretarial position calls for an individual with several years of strong secretarial and administrative background including excellent typing, word processing, oral

and written communication skills.

This individual will handle and’

process a high volume of detailed work, and work with staff at all levels, as well as interact with the public. Flexibility and a loving attitude are essential in both positions. For further information or an application, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

WE ARE seeking hard-working, energetic individuals to serve as a masonry worker and drafting aide in the Properties Department at the Baha’i National Center. The masonry worker should be able to do caulking, tuckpointing and concrete joint cutting using the appropriate equipment. Six to 12 months’ experience in masonry repair is desired. The drafting aide will check existing conditions and update as-built drawings on buildings and sites, prepare sketches for new projects, and perform other technical or clerical tasks. Good drawing skills, a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness, and good organizational skills are required; previous experience in drafting, construction or building maintenance is desired. Positions will open around June 1, 1987, and end August 15, although these dates are fairly flexible depending upon candidates’ availability. Both positions are salaried. For an application or more information, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs, which is responsible for contact with the U.S. government, national media and organizations, and prominent individuals, is seeking secretarial help in its Wilmette and New Haven offices. In Wilmette, the secretary handles phone inquiries, opens and sorts mail, types correspondence, maintains public information network mailing lists, processes orders for a-v and special materials, and analyzes news clippings. Requires a flexible person with previous experience in a fast-paced office environment, good organizational skills, typing of 50-60 wpm, and a pleasant telephone manner. Word processing skills are desirable. In New Haven, the secretary acts as receptionist, types correspondence, and maintains files in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Previous office experience, good telephone manner, and typing skills of 60 wpm are required. Word processing experience is desirable. Those interested in applying should write to the Office of External Affairs,

New Haven, CT 06510.

‘HE OFFICE of the Treasurer s seeking a Fund Education coordinator. Excellent chance to serve the Faith in Wilmette. The coordinator helps administer a nationwide program designed to strengthen the institution of the Baha’i Fund by overseeing the National Treasurer’s Representative program and by responding to inquiries about the Fund from the field. Requires a liberal arts background with strong written and oral communication skills, familiarity with the Baha’i Writings and an ability to relate them to the world around us. Other desirable traits include flexibility, a sense of humor, and self-motivation. For more information or an applica

tion, contact Karen Crenshaw, Department of Human Resources, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

THE GREEN Acre Baha'i School is looking for someone to serve as educational coordinator, a full-time position responsible for the preparation and coordination of educational programming and related activities at the school. Requirements include a background in education with teaching experience in the public sector and the Baha’i community. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field is desired. Applicants should be enthusiastic, creative and highly organized with excellent written and oral communication skills. An excellent opportunity for an educator who desires to use his or her professional skills to serve the Faith. For more information or an application, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

FAMILY Birth Center in Pendleton, Oregon, needs an obstetrician. Presently, one obstetrician and four family practice physicians serve an average of 30 women a month in this in-hospital environment, but in February one F.P. physician will no longer be delivering. Pendleton has a strong Assembly and is adjacent to the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which also has an Assembly. Teaching and consolidation opportunities exist in the surrounding area. To discuss the position in detail, contact Karen Tarlo, RN, MSN, a Baha’i who is coordinator of the Family Birth Center, St. Anthony Hospital,

Pendleton, OR 97801 (phone 503-276-5121). In Oregon, phone 800-826-6908, or phone Mrs. Tarlo at home, 2768133.

BAHA’i woman who is a homefront pioneer in Canutillo, Texas (near El Paso) is looking for another Baha’i woman to help with cleaning and to share a twobedroom, 1 3/4-bath mobile home for $100 a month. Please contact Veda Matteson,

Canutillo, TX 79835.

THERE are openings for a clinical psychologist (Ph.D) and social worker (MSW) to provide psychotherapy for adults and children in the outpatient department of the Jackson (Tennessee) Counseling Center, a progressive, community-oriented, professional counseling center. Jackson, a thriving community of 50,000 with four colleges and diversified industry, has a small Bahda’i Group. Contact Carolyn Eck,

- Jackson, TN 38305, or phone 901-664-1694.

SEVERAL positions for qualified individuals are open at Oglala Lakota College, Box 490, Kyle, SD 57752 including Applied Science Department chairman, vocational education director, natural resources instructor, economic development research coordinatorcomputer specialist, and reading specialist. Request job description from the Personnel Selection Committee. Local pioneer and college staff member is Louise Watson (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation).

FROM July 1987, a vacancy will exist for a Baha’i couple to

serve in the gardens at the House of Worship in Sydney, Australia. Free accommodations are provided in the form of a small cottage on the grounds. Financially independent couples are preferred, but for those in need of support, some contribution toward living expenses may be arranged. If you’ve been thinking about serving the Faith in Sydney, this could be the ideal position—lots of teaching can be done at the Temple every day. For more information, please write to the Baha’i Temple Property Management Committee, P.O. Box 224, Terrey Hills 2084, Australia.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

NORTHERN China: A general manager and process engineer are being sought for immediate openings in a high-tech, automated factory that manufactures printed circuit boards (double-sided, multi-layer). Good pay and benefits; at least a two-year contract. College and at least five years’ experience in management are required. For more details, please contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

NIGERIA has openings for university faculty in music, health sciences, pharmacy and social sciences. Positions vary from assistant lecturer at the master’s degree level to full professorship, requiring post-graduate degrees and a minimum of 10 years’ experience. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312869-9039.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

STUDENTS, teachers, families, everyone! Bahá’ís are needed to help save a jeopardized Assembly in Athens, Georgia, 60 miles northeast of Atlanta, home of one of the major universities in the Southeast and a perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts. Living costs are reasonable, and jobs are available at the university, in the school system, and in industries such as Westclox and Goodrich. Bahd’{ families in the area are eager to help in any way possible. For more information, write to the Clarke County Baha’i community, c/o Sohayl Moshtael, secretary, P.O. Box 1063, Athens, GA 30603, or phone 404-548-6495.

THE IOWA District Teaching Committee invites you to homefront pioneer to goal areas in lowa which include four recently opened or reopened cities in the southeastern area of the state—Burlington, Ottumwa, Keokuk and Oskaloosa—and Fort Dodge, recently reopened in northwest Iowa. Also, several local Spiritual Assemblies need reinforcements, among them Waterloo and Iowa City. The Mesquakie Indian Settlement in central lowa was recently opened to the Faith, and there is much work to be done there. Teachers are needed in the Settlement school near Tama. Send resumés directly to the principal, Sac and Fox Settlement School, Route 2, Tama, IA 52339. Social workers might also apply, as there is a need for those qualified to work in the treatment of alcoholism. Write to the Sac and Fox Settlement, Route 2, Tama, IA 52339. The friends in Iowa, inspired by the “Spirit of the Roses,” have the vision of teach ing. We invite you to join us in teaching the Faith in the heart of the Central States, Iowa. The DTC stands ready to help you by offering information on any of the above goal areas. Please write to P.O. Box 63, New Liberty, IA 52765, or phone 319-843- 3382.

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvani: needs at least two Baha’ is to mai: tain its Assembly status. This active, loving Baha’i community is about 90 minutes west of New York City and 90 minutes north of Philadelphia. Spanish-speaking believers can heip teach one of the largest Hispanic populations in the state. The seven colleges in the Bethlehem-Allentown area contribute to its many cultural events. For more information about homefront pioneering in eastern Pennsylvania, contact Saadat and Karen Rouhani,

. Pottstown, PA 19464.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Jackson and rural West Tennessee to provide extensive deepening to more than 100 believers in a dozen or more communities who were enrolled in a mass teaching campaign several years ago. Contact Carolyn Eck,

. Jackson, TN 38305, or phone 901-664-1694.

“BAHA'IS really live in Vermont? I thought it was just a place to go on vacation.’’ An active but jeopardized Assembly of six is looking for people to become homefront pioneers to Vermont (we’ve sent two pioneers to Ireland, two to Iowa). Established children’s class program, a loving social life, teaching and proclamation campaigns in progress, and lovely country living await those who come to Hartford. All are welcome, but we'd be grateful for minorities to add diversity. A Persian family would be especially welcome to help plan cultural transition for Persian Baha’i refugees who will arrive sometime after January. Housing for single female Baha’ available, as are high-tech, secretarial and medical jobs. Home day-care providers are greatly needed. Contact Diane Langley, P.O. Box 14, Hartford, VT 05047 (phone 802-295-6916). P.S.—Only two and one-half hours to Green Acre as the Baha’i flies (55 mph)!

COME to Clay County, Florida, where it doesn’t snow! There are good schools, good jobs, and an active Baha’i Group that needs only two adults to regain Assembly status. It’s a family community; Jacksonville is nearby. Write to Ken Carter, P.O. Box 504, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, or phone 904-284-0769.

YOUTH

SERVICES from willing youth are needed to help teaching efforts and programming at Radio Baha’i in Lake Titicaca, Peru. Some training in radio and theatre production is important, as are a working knowledge of Spanish and some technical knowledge of electronics. Musical and/or dancing talent is welcomed. Living accommodations and expenses will have to be worked out. If interested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

POSITIONS are available for youth willing to serve at the World Center in Haifa. Jobs include: gardeners, security guards, clerktypists, etc. Some experience would be useful, but is not required. Most important is the abil

�[Page 15]ity to exhibit mature and responsible attitudes toward work. Shared accommodations as well as room, board and a small living allowance are provided. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

YOUTH are needed to help in teaching and consolidation work planned by the National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana. Some teaching experience is useful, as well as the ability to adapt to tustic conditions. Living conditions and expenses to be determined. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas is looking for one or two young men to live at the National Center and serve as coordinators for youth activities, both teaching and consolidation. Black men would be especially useful in this post. The only requirements are that you be mature, well-deepened, enthusiastic and self-starting. Expenses are estimated at between $150 and $200 a month with no stipend available. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

THE ANIS Zunuzi School in Haiti is looking for youth to help with the various aspects of the school curriculum. The school supports a number of self-help projects in the local community including child education, agriculture, nutrition, crafts, etc. Knowledge of French is required, along with skill in one of the above-mentioned areas. Housing provided at the school. Expenses are about $100-$150 a month with no stipend available. If interested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

YOUTH are needed to help with the ongoing Amoz Gibson Project on the Wanblee Reservation in South Dakota. Requires a willingness to serve, ability to listen and accept responsibility, and maturity. A car would be welcomed, but is not required. A mobile home is available for volunteers to stay in, sharing food expenses with traveling teachers; no stipend is available. If interested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

TWO male youth are needed by the National Assembly of Mexico to travel and teach in established communities on the Yucatan Peninsula. Due to cultural considerations of the region, only men are allowed. Must be responsible, hard-working, deepened with a solid working knowledge of Spanish. Youth would live with Baha’i families in the region, and should expect to contribute $150-$200 a month to the family for expenses. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

YOUTH teachers are needed in Belize for a training center that is being established. Teachers are needed to conduct deepening classes and to give instructions in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and mechanics. Male or female may apply, but a married couple is preferred. English is the main language, but some knowledge of Spanish is useful. If it terested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-8699039.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Guyana is looking for youth to help with work in the National Assembly office and to help also with teaching and consolida

tion. Secretarial skills would be useful. Room and board can be arranged, and a small stipend is negotiable. If interested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

WLGI Radio is seeking a youth volunteer to work on many aspects of radio management. Some experience and/or knowledge of radio broadcasting is preferred. Accommodations with believers in the area can be arranged; a small stipend is negotiable. If interested, please contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Ireland is seeking a youth to help with administrative work at the National Center as well as to plan and execute youth activities. Some office and administrative skills would be useful. Living accommodations and expenses are yet to be determined. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

HELP is needed from youth for the Navajo/Hopi project in the Arizona/New Mexico area. Several homefront pioneers living on the Reservation need your help. The only requirements are a willingness to serve, and the ability to listen and to accept responsibility. Youth would live with a homefront pioneer or native believer, and would be expected to contribute to household expenses; no stipend is offered. If interested, contact the National Youth Committee, 312-869-9039.

SCHOOLS THE UNITED Nations University for Peace in Escazu, Costa Rica, is sponsoring a course entitled ‘‘Family Life Education for Peace’? from June 29-July 10, 1987. This first course in family life education offered at the university will examine research findings, theories, methods and materials on marriage and parenting for peace and is designed for students seeking knowledge, attitudes and skills for their own marriage and parenting, for family science students, and for family professionals learning to help families develop individual peacepromoting qualities. For more information and application materials, contact Dr. John Woodall, Long Beach, CA 90802.

“PEACE Through World Order’’ is the theme of the program and events for 1987 at Tagungszentrum Landegg, the Baha’i conference center near Zurich, Switzerland. Course topics include “Women as Equals—Hallmark of the New Order,”’ ‘World Order and Baha’i Identity,” three seminars on marriage and the family, ‘‘Public Relations,’’ ‘The Economy,” ‘‘Aspects of Global Order,” ‘‘Education,’’ ‘‘Study of Comparative Religion,” ‘The Baha’i Community as Peace Builders,” “Introduction to Islam,” a health conference, and ‘‘Music: A Ladder for the Soul.”’ An art forum will focus on the role of the arts in bringing about a universal consciousness, while a peace forum is planned to establish a dialogue among public figures, scientists and various groups that are actively engaged in the promotion of peace. For a free program brochure, write to Tagungszentrum Landegg,

Switzerland.

CAMPERS: Plan now to attend 1987 family and children camping sessions at Indiana’s

Nur’u’llah Summer School at Camp Kikthawenund near Anderson. Family session, June 15-21; children’s session, June 21-27. Special Native American council fire Saturday, June 20. For more information, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Roy Meyer,

_ LaPorte, IN 46350.

WANTED

FORMER Caribbean travelers and residents: please send me your name and address so that I may send you a short list of questions to be answered regarding your exPperiences in the Leeward, Windward or Virgin Islands. The information will be used in the compilation of a history of the growth and development of the Faith in that area. The main emphasis will be on stories, vignettes, etc. Of special interest is the period before 1966. The project is sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of St. Lucia. Your response will be greatly appreciated, not only by us but also by future generations. Send names and addresses to Pat Paccassi,

St. Lucia, West Indies.

SHARE your wealth of mirth by sending samples for assaying. If the nugget comes from your claim, label it as such. If it originates from another’s claim, include all source material you have. Inclusion for final minting depends on an assay by a consulting committee and smelting by the National Spiritual Assembly’s publications review board. All contributions become the property of the editor and must be accompanied by your name, address, phone number and Baha’i 1.D. number to assure my ability to contact you. The collection is unlimited in style: puns, limericks, knock-knocks, quotes, anecdotes, stories (short!) and all others are welcome. Please send to Donna Brice Russell,

. San Leandro, CA 94578 (phone 415-278-9349).

WANTED: Original Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the following individuals with approximate date of Tablet: Charles A. Bjork, Chicago (1907); Elizabeth Bates, New Haven, CT (1911); Mr. and Mrs. John Edward Bruce, New York, NY (1913); Mary Augusta Bissell, Alameda, CA (1911); Edward Braithwaite, Washington, D.C. (1911); and Dr. Sarah Burgess, Chicago (1904). Anyone having information about the possible location of these Tablets is asked to contact the National Baha’i Archives, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

INFORMATION wanted: The Center for Interracial Unity, sponsored by the Louhelen Baha’i School, is asking the friends to send any material (newspaper clippings, etc.) that they may feel would be beneficial for our files. We need articles and information about interracial families, education, and employment. Please send information to the Center for Interracial Unity, c/o Joan E. Williams, secretary,

Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

FORMER Freemasons: Would you please contact me? My father and uncle were Masons, and I’m trying to do some research and need your help. Peggy True, Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain 38870.

THE BAHA’t community of Bakersfield, California, is planning to sponsor an essay contest

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 15

on the Faith this winter for college students, and would very much like to hear from any community that has spopsored such an event for high school or college students. We are especially interested in examining your rules, guidelines and recommendations for participants. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please send whatever information you have to Jan Hendricks,

Bakersfield, CA 93309.

THE NATIONAL Baha’i Archives is seeking the records of Regional Teaching Committees for the 1930s and 1940s, particularly minutes and correspondence. Anyone having such records is asked to write to the National Baha’i Archives, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SUMMER water safety instructor needed June 14-27 for Indiana’s Nur’u’llah School summer session at Camp Kikthawenund near Anderson. Position requires current American Red Cross water safety instructor certificate; CPR instructor certificate would be a plus. Must be able to teach all ages. Please contact Roy Meyer,

LaPorte, IN 46350 (phone 219-326-5077). For information on WSI and CPR instructor certification, contact the local Red Cross chapter in your area.

1 AM in the process of editing a book on dreams of spiritual significance, such as those that have led individuals to the Baha’i Faith. If you’ve ever had a dream which you feel has had an important spiritual meaning, relevance or influence in your life, and would like the story of your dream to appear in this book, please send your story (with a release statement of your name and story) to T. Foroughi,

Glendale, AZ 85302.

DISTRIBUTORS: individuals, Groups or Assemblies are sought to serve as distributors of the “Mankind Is One’’ sweatshirts and T-shirts. Distributors will receive compensation. Write to Reflections, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

ITEMS AVAILABLE “REFLECTIONS” catalog listing ‘“‘Mankind Is One’’ sweatshirts and T-shirts, tapes, books and other Baha’i-related materials is available at no cost from the Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI- 48423 (phone 313-653-5033). CONFERENCE catalog of winter and spring conferences at the Louhelen Baha’i School is available from the registrar, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. INFORMATION and application materials for the 1987 Robert Hayden Fellowship in Poetry are now available from the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. TAPES from the Louhelen Women’s Conference: ‘‘Women and the Age of Equality’’ by Dr. Jane Faily, and ‘‘Women of Color in America’ by Dr. Gwen Lewis are now available—$6 per tape. Write to Reflections, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or Phone 313-653-5033. VISA or MasterCard accepted.

MISCELLANEOUS ALL ARE invited to contribute

to the fund establishing a scholarship at Haskell Indian Junior College in honor of Marianne Steffes, the first Native American Baha’i who was a graduate of Haskell. Checks, made payable to the Spiritual Assembly of Lawrence, Kansas, and earmarked for the ‘‘Steffes Scholarship,”’ should be sent to P.O. Box 584, Lawrence, KS 66044.

SWEDISH circus performer (juggler) would like to contact other Baha’is who are circus or variety artists. Please write to Miss Rosita, juggler (Rosmarie Carl sson), Uppsala, Sweden. Bahda’is in Michigan to share Wisconsin

school peace program

On October 24, a public radio station in western Michigan carried a story on ‘‘Monitor Radio Weekend”’ describing how the Milwaukee public schools, from elementary through senior high, have established a formal ‘“‘peace studies’? program.

As described on the broadcast, the program starts with concepts of individual and inner peace, and moves from there to family and community relationships, and eventually to issues of prejudice and world peace with high school students who will soon bécome voters and perhaps even policymakers.

Impressed by the program, the Bahá’í Group of Big Rapids, Michigan, in the “Spirit of the Roses,”’ is acquiring copies of the radio program along with whatever materials are available from the Milwaukee school district.

With these in hand, the Group will share the model with other groups and organizations that are interested in and supportive of peace efforts, then meet with teachers, principals and school board officials in the Big Rapids area to share these developments and offer encouragement and sup port.

Tapes of the program can be purchased for $4 from Monitor Radio, P.O. Box 527, Boston, MA 02117. Ask for the tape of October 24 ‘‘Monitor Radio Weekend’’ (Milwaukee Public Schools’ Peace Studies Program by Lisa Watts).

The Bahá’í Group of Big Rapids would be happy to share whatever information and materials it obtains from the Milwaukee public schools. Write to Big Rapids Baha’i Group, P.O. Box 1235, Big Rapids, MI 49307, or phone Rick Harmsen, 616-7961120 (evenings).

Christian

from page 4

son and his wife who had settled near Fairbanks. It was there, on July 30, 1971, that a tragic fire took her life.

The Universal House of Justice cabled the following message:

“‘Grieved tragic passing Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Roberta Christian. Her devoted services Alaska Nine Year Plan worthy addition laurels garnered pioneer efforts Rhodesia and Greece company late husband William Kenneth Christian during World Crusade. ...””

‘A practical measure of devotion

National Baha’i Fund ‘Wilmetie, IL 60091

�[Page 16]16 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

A new reference book and a collection of personal accounts of those who met Bahá’u’lláh are the two newest publications from George Ronald. Stories of Baha’wll4h is a collection of stories compiled and edited by the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Ali-Akbar Furitan. Mr. Furútan says he ‘first thought of collecting personal accounts about the life of the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh,’ in late 1975. He says the idea was well-received by the Bahá’ís, and Mr. Furitan began corresponding with families in Iran who were believed to have accounts and diaries of first-hand meetings with Bahá’u’lláh. He says he then chose the most suitable passages, which were published in Iran in 1978. Since that time a number of new stories have come to light and

STORIE S

OF

Banu iiay

Compiled by altakbar Furiitan

have been included in this book. Stories of Baha’u’llah is $12.95 in hardcover, $5.95 in softcover. James Heggie, who compiled An Index of Quotations, has produced a new book that will be of value for scholars and those actively involved in teaching those of other faiths. Baha’i References to Judaism, Christianity & Islam ($11.95 SC) contains more than 2,000 quotations from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bab, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, drawing upon 26 source books. Mr. Heggie’s book is set up so that everyone interested in the topic of ‘baptism,’ for example, can look up that key word and find two pages of quotations. Both books were expected to be available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service early this month.

Teachers and travelers will find two compilations from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Malaysia of particular interest. Baha’ Prayers and Holy Writings and The Hid Words of Wisdom, the Tarazat, the Bab’s address to the Letters of the Living, and the Tablet of the True Seeker.

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Baha’i Calendars

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Calendars available from other Bahá’í publishers include Hawaii’s 1987 Baha’i History Calendar ($5.50 CA), which focuses on social and economic development. For each Gregorian month there is a photograph of a Bahá’í social and economic development proJect. On the facing page is the ‘monthly calendar with historic events listed by date. There is also space to write in daily activities, but, handsome as this calendar is, you may want to use your Bahá’í Datebook or the ‘Do-It-Yourself Sticker Kit’ to keep track of community, personal and family activities. The Scroll Calendars from Taiwan combine the beauty of Chinese art with the Bahá’í calendar to make keeping track of Bahá’í dates practical and attractive. These calendars (shown are those from 142 B.E.) are available in either silk or bamboo with distinctive color drawings of pastoral scenes in the traditional Chinese style. Both the silk and wood calendars sell for $4.25 each.

den Words and Selected Holy

ats qi : Amt : Amt Enclose a check for the full amount, or Writings are both small in size and aus = ea a Tey ae oe in price. sized to fit Baha'i Datebook 144 B.E., CA $2.25 _Peace: More Than an End to War, HC $16.00 in price. The books are sized tof server pet 23 poe MeermmmeteyerNe Se VISA/MC/AMEX (CIRCLE ONE) in a shirt pocket, and at §2. —Bahá’í Pocket Calendar 144 B.E.,CA “2 —The Power of Unity, 1.95 each are inexpensive enough to —Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings, SC Scroll Calendar 144 B.E.—Silk, CA 4.25 Exp. Date Card No. i) ii is ir —Bahá’í Ref to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, SC 1 4 Scroll Calendar 144 B.E.—Wood, CA. 4.25 aye 40. those investigating the —Bahá’í Wall Calendar 144 B.E., CA 1.25 —Stories of Baha'u'llah, HC 12.95

Faith. Bahá’í Prayers and Holy No postage within continental U.S.

h Consultation: A Compilation, SC 1.50 _Stories of Baha'u'llah, SC 5.95 : Writings includes in its selection —The Divine Art of Living, SC 7.95 Stories from the Dawn-Breakers, CS 24.00 (add 15% outside U.S.) of prayers the Long Healing Pray- —Do-tt-Yourself Sticker Kit, CA 2.50 This Century of Progress, CS 7.00

—Hidden Words and Selected Holy Writings, SC 2.50

—Unrestrained as the Wind, SC 7.95 Name

er, the Fire Tablet, a prayer for

he Light of Bahá’'léh, SC 3.00 Women: Equality and Peace, CS 7.00 pioneers, and a prayer for the —The Open Door, PA 1078.50

‘martyrs. In addition to prayers, Address

Baha’ Prayers and Holy Writings ; ‘ includes the complete compilation we Ciry ae teeta, Zip

from the World Center’s Words of God, a calendar of Feasts and Holy Days, and the Dynamics of Prayer. The Hidden Words and Selected Holy Writings includes, among its ‘Selected Writings,’ the

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

Baha’ Distribution Service

415 LINDEN AVENUE WILMETTE, IL 60091

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TAB 1/87 Prices good through February 28, 1987

�[Page 17]for all seasons

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Special Event Days

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Reminders

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Personal Reminders

ANNIVERSARY

Sample stickers from the new Do- Sample double-page spread of the new Bahá’í Datebook (reduced). Actual size is 6 3/4 by 7 1/2 inches.

It-Yourself Sticker Kit.

Bahá’í Wall Calendar 144 B.E., a 13-month calendar beginning in March 1987, features a full-color photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship in India, an explanation of Baha’i Holy Days and special event days, and a description of the Lotus of Bahapur on the reverse side. $1.25. (See photo at right.)

Bahá’í Pocket Calendar 144 B.E. is a 12-month calendar beginning in March 1987, with a listing of Baha’i Holy Days and special event days on the reverse. Printed in grey. Available only in packages of 10. $2. (Not shown.)

Bahá’í Datebook 144 B.E. is a 13-month datebook that returns to the format of the 1979 edition. It has one Gregorian month per double-page spread, beginning with March 1987 and ending with March 1988. $2.50. (Shown below, reduced.)

Do-It-Yourself Baha’ Sticker Kit, a first-time-ever package of stickers that can be used on any calendar. Includes more than 200 stickers for many occasions such as those shown at left; can be used for any year and can be ordered

lene

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The new Bahá’í Wall Calendar features a fullcolor photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship outside of New Delhi,

any time during the year. $2.50. ‘India. December 1987 Qawici / Masa‘il< / Sharaf 144B.E. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday ae rename ®t eA Me, Semele thar NE SN aC 7 7 ; 7 5 9 10 mW 12 13 6 8 9 10) Ww I 14 15 16 7 18 19s B 7 5 76 7 7a 7 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 70) 7 2 3 7 r % 9 10 Wm 2 13 14 IS 7 7A P %0 Bilt eeacgil nasosey i 5 ie ecnale a peaans

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 17

The Six Year Plan

The Universal House of Justice, in its Six Year Plan, has called for the development of ‘‘the proper understanding and practice of consultation among members of the Baha’i community and in the work of Baha’i institutions,”” and the fostering of ‘‘the spirit of consultation in the conduct of human affairs and the resolution of conflicts at all levels of society.”

In its response to this goal, our National Spiritual Assembly, in the U.S. Six Year Plan, has voiced the need for an increase “‘in the understanding and practice of the art of consultation among children, youth and adults, within families, and among those serving on

A booklet of gems from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice that relate to consultation. Includes extracts that describe the importance, purpose, attributes and results of consultation, and contrasts Bahá’í consultation with decision-making processes of non-Bahá’í bodies. An excellent reJresher course for those who have read it before and who want to study it in light of the Six Year Plan. SC $1.50.

A compilation of extracts from the writings that includes a section on ‘using consultation to foster harmony.’ Describes consultation as a key to strengthening unity within a Bahá’í family as well asa Bahá’í community and shows how consultation provides us with insights into things that are unknown. SC $7.95.

Compiler of Race and Man praises Trust’s new compilation, The Power of Unity

Alice Simmons Cox, one of the compilers of Race and Man, the

first publication of the Baha’i writings to draw together references on the topic of race unity, recently wrote to the Baha’i Publishing Trust to compliment those who compiled The Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism, the Trust’s recent compilation on race unity.

The Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism is now available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service in softcover only for $7.95. It was a joint project of the Bahd'( Publishing Trust and the National Bahá’í Race Unity Committee with the special help of Bonnie J. Taylor.

Mrs. Cox had this to say:

“T am happy to see released a new compilation of passages from the Baha’i writings on race unity. It was indeed time to expand this topic beyond the 1943 compilation Race and Man.

“That earlier publication was restricted to the theme of race relations as a problem particularly in the United States. Mrs. Gift and I, the compilers, learned from the Race Unity Committee that not even the Americans were ready to see the larger view. Even our suggested title, ‘The Coming Race Unity,’ was considered too advanced for the use of Baha’is in the South.””

She continues, “‘The Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism is vibrant with a sense of victory and is an indicator in many ways of how far the Baha’is have come in the following 43 years. May this compilation be prophetic of victories to come. ...’”

Other readers have also responded favorably to The Power of Unity, and to date the Baha’i Distribution Service has sold more than 2,000 copies since the book was released at the San Francisco Peace Conference.

These responses indicate that it was indeed time to publish a new compilation on the important issues of prejudice, race and unity.

A greater involvement in the life of human society

The eighth in a series of columns focused on the goals of the Six Year Plan

institutions and their agencies.”

The ramifications of the aspects of consultation mentioned in the Six Year Plan are many. With deepening, with vision, and with practice we can gradually begin to understand the implications of true consultation in our homes, our Baha’i communities, and in society. This understanding has the potential to have a great impact on the ways in which people relate.

As we begin to think of new and creative ways of learning about and applying the art of consultation to various facets of our lives, we can benefit from drawing upon the following sources.

The popular compilation of excerpts from the writings related to the various aspects of achieving a peaceful civilization. Contains a short selection that deals with the process of consultation, focusing on its purpose and effects upon the world. Links the art of consultation with a system of world government and the achievement of a peaceful and global civilization. HC $16, SC $8.95.

How to order

To order any titles listed on this page, individuals living anywhere in the world should see the Baha’i Distribution Service coupon in this issue.

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

�[Page 18]18 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

Conferencia de Baha’is de habla Hispana esta magnifica

Con la presencia de aproximadamante 100 participantes, se llevé a cabo la Segunda Conferencia Anual de Bahá’ís de Habla Hispana en la ciudad de San Fernando, California.

Esta conferencia que tuvo lugar del 10 al 13 de octubre de 1986, conté con la presencia de Baha’ is de mds de 40 distintas ciudades y estados del pais y 14 nacionalidades.

Las comunidades auspiciantes de este magnifico evento, San Fernando y Fillmore de California y Ensenada del vecino pais de México, lo calificaron de un notable éxito, no sélo por el entusiasmo y por las conclusiones que se Hegaron, sino porque durante el desarrollo de la misma se realizaron rodajes de ocho diferentes programas de video en al idioma espafiol, los mismos que abarcan temas diferentes de nuestra amada Causa y que naturalmente servirdn como material de ensefianza no slo para los amigos de los Estados Unidos, sino para los paises donde se habla espaiiol. Estas cintas, Dios mediante, estaran disponibles muy pronto.

Asismismo se conté con la honrosa visita de distinguidas personalidades como el Consejero Sefior Mas’ud Khamsi, miembro del Centro Internacional de Ensefianza, quien expres6 que sentia muy orgulloso de representar a la reptblica del Peri, donde él por tantos afios habia servido a la Fe.

Otro miembro del Centro Internacional de Ensefianza, el Consejero Sr. Hooper Dunbar, quien también estuvo presente, manifesté durante su alocusién que el Plan de Seis Aifios deberia ser motivo de profunda meditacién para alcanzar con las metas fijadas por

la Comunidad Mundial.

Fueron muy interesantes los temas presentados en los distintos Talleres; algunos de ellos se repitieron debido a la importancia de los mismos. Entre los temas de los Talleres podemos mencionar: Integracion de los Creyentes, a cargo del miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar el Sr. Mike Pietrzak; El Individuo y el Desarrollo Econémico y Social, brillantemente desarrollado por el Consejero Dr. Arturo Serrano; Adiestramiento de Maestros Baha’is: Experiencias del Instituto Ruhi de Cali, Colombia, por el Sr. Sergio Montenegro; Administracién Baha’i, presentada por la Sra. Famaline de Dunbar; La Ensefianza Fronteriza, taller organizado por las Sras. Jeanne de Serrano y Linda de Frazelle; y La Ensefianza de los Nifios por el Dr. Tony Cubero.

Entre los invitados especiales a la conferencia estuvieron presentes el Secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de México, Sefior Pablo Lucas, quien conmovié a los presentes con una animada charla, ‘‘El Plan de Seis Ajfios y Yo,’’ un enfoque al rol que debe cumplir el creyente en la ensefianza y propagacin de la Fe.

El Dr. Arturo Serrano puntualizé los alcanes del Desarrollo Social y Econémico desde el punto de vista Baha’i.

Los asistentes se deleitaron con la interesante charla a cargo del Dr. Tony Cubero, quien presenté un tema muy particular, ‘‘La Ensefianza de los Nifios y Prequinceaiieros,”’ e hizo un andlisis del proceso evolutivo en el aspecto. psicolégico de los nifios y de los medios para cooperar en su desarrollo, de manera que los nifios, el futuro del manana, consigan

El ‘Espiritu de las Rosas’ esta arrebatando la nacion

Querido Amigo Bahá’í,

Un movimiento esta arrebatando la nacién ... un movimiento nacido de un regalo dado por los Baha’is cautivos en Iran. que promete amoldar el espiritu entero del Plan de Seis Afios.

Los prisioneros Baha’is dieron ejemplo punzante del poder del individuo de promover la Fé sin miras a las circunstancias personales. Estas almas resuéltas, reducidos a prisibn por su creencia en Bahá’u’lláh, se valieron de un regalo para la comunidad Baha’ Americana: el Regalo de las Rosas ... una rosa por cada martir reciente. En la Convencién Nacional, las rosas fueron presentadas a los delegados, quienes las compartieron con los miles de Baha’is en sus distritos. Esta accién de amor captur6 la imaginacién de todos los creyentes en todo el pais.

En una carta adjunta a las rosas, los cautivos imploraron a los Baha’is de la comunidad Americana ‘‘surgir para compensar por los servicios que estamos impedidos de prestar.”” En el espiritu de la Campafia de Accién Unificada, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, y los Consejeros Continentales, lo invitan a juntarse en un esfuerzo concertado para redimir

este precioso regalo.

El veinte de octubre, dia de nacimiento del Bab, se lanzara el Plan de Seis Afios con una cruzada de victorias de 189 dias en el ‘Espiritu de Las Rosas’’ continuando hasta el dia final de la Convencién Nacional. Cada dia sera dedicado a una de las apreciadas rosas.

Solicitamos su ayuda al emprender una campaiia espiritual de sacrificio personal y comunitario para hazer contrapeso a aquellos servicios que se les impide rendir a nuestros amados cohortes. Durante cada uno de los 189 dias, que cada uno se pregunte, ‘‘He sacrificado por el Fondo Baha’i Nacional hoy?” ‘‘Le he ensefiado a algiin alma la Causa de Dios hoy?”’ ‘‘He perseguido toda oportunidad de prestar servicio a la hu manidad hoy?”

Cada victoria es importante. Haga el favor de enviar los relatos y fotos de sus victorias al Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Formaran parte de un documento de precio inestimable que se mandard a la Casa Universal de Justicia para honrar a los prisioneros en Iran, aquellas ‘‘Aves de Ala Rota de Baha” segun se autodenominan ellos mismos. En su eséncia, el ‘‘Espiritu de las Rosas’’ caracteriza una familia de relacién estrecha y amante asistiéndose el uno al otro en tiempo de necesidad. Esta es nuestra oportunidad de demostrar al mundo lo

que significa ser una familia global.

Con amorosos saludos Baha’i,

Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de

los Bahá’ís de los Estados Unidos

aportar positivamente a la sociedad.

El enfatizé: ‘‘Sdlo el respeto y educacién adecuada de los nifios, hard que vuelvan los ojos a la Sagrada Belleza.””

Por su parte, Dofia Carmen de Burafato, quien asiste por segunda vez a la conferencia de San Fernando, remarcé el papel importante que cumple la mujer en el desarrollo de los pueblos y exhort6 a los presentes a la educacién del sexo femenino que ya juega un rol importante en nuestra sociedad, asi como lo habia mencionado en Sus ensefianzas Baha’ w’llah.

El ambiente que reiné durante toda la conferencia fue de fraternidad y camaraderia con el infaltable toque del buen humor. El espiritu de unidad fue muy Ilamativo para algunos visitantes que no pertenecen a la Fe. ‘‘Esto parece la reuni6n de los miembros de una familia,”’ dijo un visitante impresionado por el ambiente que se vivié en la conferencia.

Antes de finalizar la conferencia ya se hacian planes para asistar a la proéxima, hasta este punto llegé el entusiasmo de los asistentes.

En resumen, cada uno de los amigos Baha’is participantes se llevé6 un ciimulo de experiencia, ideas de como ensefiar mejor en sus comunidades y sobre todo la conferencia revitaliz6 las ansias que tienen muchos amigos de servir a la Fe con mas devocién.

Después de lo visto en San Fernando creemos que la préxima conferencia no sélo provocara el entusiasmo de los Baha’is de las ciudades vecinas sino también de muchos lugares alejados del pais y aun de paises vecinos. El resultado fue muy positivo, se aprendiéd mucho y se dio mucho también.

Plan de Seis Afios de la Casa Universal de Justicia: Objetivos principales

1. El llevar el mensaje curador de Bahá’u’lláh a la humanidad en general.

Estar alertas a oportunidades de colaboracién internacional entre Baha’is.

« Levantar pioneros y maestros viajeros Nacionales.

Utilizar los sistemas de los

medios publicitarios para mayor promocién.

2. Mayor participacidn de la Fe en la vida de la sociedad humana.

¢ Fomentar la asociacién con organizaciones y personas prominentes.

¢ Adiestrar a Baha’is apropriados en actividades de relaciones publicas.

¢ Alentar a la juventud Baha’i a destacar en sus profesiones, artes u Oficios.

Capacitar a los amigos para

fomentar la realizacién de la igualdad de los hombres y las mujeres tanto en la vida de comunidad Baha’i como en la sociedad en Gral.

3. Un aumento mundial en la traduccién, produccién, distribucidn y uso de la literatura Baha’i.

° Fomentar el uso de la literatura Baha’i, apoyado por grabaciones y ayudas visuales.

Producir en todos los idiomas

mayores cantidades de literatura Baha’i.

¢ Establecer bibliotecas Baha’i de préstamo.

4. Mayor aceleracién en el proceso de la maduracién de comunidades nacionales y locales.

nales.

¢ Realizar escuelas de Invierno, Verano, Conferencias regulares, etc.

¢ Fomentar la colaboracién mutua a Asambleas Espirituales Locales.

5. Mayor atencién a la participacion universal y el enriquecimiento espiritual de creyentes individuales.

¢ Promover la participacién universal afirmando la identidad como Baha’ is.

¢ Alentar a los creyentes individuales a adoptar metas de enseflanza por su cuenta.

¢ Profundizar a los creyentes en la compresi6n espiritual como intelectual de la Causa.

¢ Alentar a los creyentes a hacer mayor uso de la literatura Baha’i.

¢ Alentar a los creyentes a mejorar su lenguaje para mejor comprensién de los escritos.

Fomentar la obediencia a las

leyes Bahá’ís respecto al comportamiento personal, tales como: la abstinencia de tomar alcohol, drogas, etc.

6. Mayor extensidn de la educacién Bahá’í de los nifios y la juventud; y el fortalecimiento de la vida de familia Bahá’í.

¢ Fomentar la realizacién de clases Bahá’ís para nifios mas regularmente.

¢ Fomentar actividades comunitarias con la participacién de familias Baha’ is.

7. El proseguimiento de proyectos de dessarollo social y econémico en comunidades Bahá’ís bien establecidas.

¢ Alentar a las Asambleas Locales Espirituales y a los creyentes en general a contribuir al desarrollo social y ecénomico de sus comunidades.

¢ Fomentar y auspiciar programas de alfabetizacién adulta donde sean necesarios especialmente para mujeres.

¢ Fomentar la colaboracién con otras agencias involucradas en el desarrollo social y ecénomico en 4reas donde las comunidades Baha’is puedan contribuir al trabajo.

Los gobernantes reciben ‘La Promesa de la Paz Mundial’

EI nueve de mayo de mil novecientos ochenta y seis, el Gobernador Jorge Trevifio recibié de la Asamblea Local Espiritual de los Baha’is de Monterrey, un ejemplar de ‘‘La Promesa de la Paz Mundial,”’ emitida a los pueblos del mundo por la Casa Universal de Justicia, cuerpo supremo que gobierna la Fe Baha’i, con sede en Haifa, Israel.

El documento fué puesto en manos del Jefe del Ejecutivo Estatal por el licenciado Eduardo Pérez de Leén, Vice-Coordinador de la Asamblea Local Espiritual de los Baha’is de Monterrey, durante la audiencia que le concedié esa mafiana en su despacho del Palacio de Gobierno.

Al hacer la entrega del documento, el licenciado Eduardo Pérez de Leén dijo al Gobernador que los ejemplares con ‘‘La Promesa de la Paz Mundial,” estan siendo proporcionados a los primeros mandatarios de cada pais y los Gobernadores de los Estados, con motivo de ser 1986 el Afio Internacional de la Paz.

“La promocién de la unidad de la raza humana y el fomento del espiritu de amor y hermandad entre los hombres, es el propdsito fundamental que anima a la Fe Baha’i. El problema mds inmediato y urgente que enfrenta el mundo actual, es el logro de la Paz,’’ dijo el Lic. Pérez de Leon.

Ajfiadié en su aduciencia con el Gobernador que la meta de todos los esfuerzos de esa fé es una colaboracién pacifica y duradera entre todos los pueblos de la tierra, en la confianza profunda de que se cumpla la promesa categérica de Bahá’u’lláh, en sentido, de que “Estas luchas estériles, estas guerras desastrosas, pasaran, y la ‘paz mayor’ reinard.’” �[Page 19]

Bringing up baby: Persian style

Different cultures raise children differently. They impart different values to them and cultivate different virtues in them. Indeed, this is the primary method by which a specific culture, or way of looking at the world, is passed from one generation to the next, and can in large measure account for the great cultural diversity of our planet.

Of course, people the world over share certain common ideas and practices, and without these shared beliefs and outlooks unity would be impossible.

Baha’is from all over the world have a fairly good understanding of the beliefs, customs and practices we all, as Baha’is, hold in common, but often we do not perfectly understand the ways in which we Baha’is are different from one another.

Sometimes these differences can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. However, by taking a closer look at the ways in which one culture differs from another, we can perhaps grow closer to one another and learn to understand each other better.

Such understanding will be essential to us as we begin to develop, cultivate and evolve the distinctive features and characteristics of the future Baha’i society.

To that end, the Persian/American Affairs Committee has been exploring and examining some of the differences between Persian and American culture in a series of articles in this column. This month we would like to look at some cultural differences in the approach to -rearing. What is different about the way the ‘“‘typical’? American and the ‘‘typical’’ Persian family raise their children?

In Iran, children have traditionally been considered the blessing of a household, and the typical Persian couple look forward with great expectation to having children. If they do not have children within a few years after marriage, friends and family members may ask them why they are childless.

When children do come, Persian parents typically lavish an enormous amount of attention on them and tend to personally supervise their activity more than does the average American parent. For example, Persians do not, in general, like to leave their children with baby-sitters. If they go out, they will usually take the children with them or leave them with relatives.

It is not at all unusual for full-grown Persian children to remain in their parents’ household until well after age 18. Many adult Persians continue to live with their parents until they are married, and the parents, if able, will continue to support them financially, including paying their way through college and helping them to buy a house.

Whereas this might be considered excessive dependency in an American cultural context, in Persian culture it is seen as a measure of the family members’ love for one another and the importance of the extended family unit.

For their part, Persian children are expected to show respect and consideration for their parents and to obey them. Younger adults are expected to show respect for their elders, and even when fully grown will not behave in front of their parents in a manner their parents will disapprove of.

In social gatherings and Bahá’í meetings, Persian children and teen-agers are usually included in the company of the adults and are expected to behave politely, whereas Americans tend to socialize with their own peer groups (i.e., children with children; teen-agers with other teen-agers; adults with adults, etc.), and each is expected to ‘‘do his own thing.’”

In Persian culture the older generation is considered to be wiser and is accorded a certain deferential respect, in contrast to the U.S., where the emphasis is on youth and the young.

Of course, Persians living in this country soon adopt some aspects of American culture, as one might expect. Furthermore, there is great variation from person to person. Nevertheless, it may prove quite useful to keep some of these observations in mind at Feasts and other occasions.

If you have any observations of your own to add, or comments to make, please share them with the Persian/American Affairs Committee. Your comments may even be printed in this column.

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Do’a winds up successful ‘Peace Tour ’86’

STORIES OF THE MARTYRS

Fidrus Shabrukh was born into a Baha’j family in Zabul, a small city near Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and could trace his lineage to a Baha’i martyr and one of the

“Letters of the Living,” the first +

19 seekers to accept the Revelation of the Bab.

Mr. Shabrukh was educated in Zabul and then moved to Zahidan, also on Iran’s eastern border, where he owned and operated his own print shop.

He served on the Spiritual Assembly of Zahidan, which was one of the main reasons for his arrest and imprisonment in that city. After a year, however, he was released and returned to his wife and two children.

Two years later, on September 23, 1983, he was imprisoned again, this time in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. Subsequently, he was transferred to the police prison in Zahidan where he was held during his trial.

Six months before his execution, Mr. Shabrukh learned that he had been condemned to death. He was also severely tortured during his time in prison.

Throughout his ordeal, Mr. Shabrukh remained calm and continually encouraged his family and loved ones.

In his last will and testament, written on stationery provided to him by the prison, he upholds in clear and forceful language his belief in Bahd’u’ll4h and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and his obedience to the Universal House of Justice and the local and National Spiritual Assemblies.

Mr. Shabrukh states that the reason for the sentence passed against him is his belief in the Baha’i Faith and his refusal to recant and become a Shi’ite Muslim. He counsels his sons to dedicate themselves to the betterment of humanity and to service to the Faith, and hopes for fortitude and patience for his wife.

Mrs. Shabrukh did not learn of his execution until she went one day to visit him at the prison and was refused admission.

After she had received no answer to her repeated inquiries as to her husband’s whereabouts, the prison guard finally instructed her to go to the morgue.

Mr. Shabrukh had been hanged in Zahidan on May 9, 1986. He was 38 years old, and had died with a calm smile on his face.

Two hundred Baha’is marched in his funeral procession, chanting prayers. His steadfastness and calm resolve are an inspiration to us all.

Responding to the United Nations proclamation of 1986 as the International Year of Peace, the Do’a World Music Ensemble completed a highly successful tour of colleges and concert halls throughout the U.S. and Canada as a part of its ‘‘Peace Tour ’86.’”

Highlights of the tour include the Baha’i International Peace Conference in San Francisco where Do’a performed before an audience of more than 8,000 who had gathered to explore the issues of peace and justice.

The first ‘Earth Run”’ kindled an unprecedented flame of support around the world, and Do’a was there to share its multi-instrumental, diverse musical style when New Englanders rallied to help pass the torch that symbolized cooperation and peace.

As a result of its efforts, the Do’a ensemble, comprised of cofounders Randy Armstrong and Ken LaRoche with Marty Quinn, Charlie Jennison and Volker Nahrmann, earned official recognition from the UN.

As the year drew to a close, Do’a embarked on a series of concerts and special events in India leading to the dedication December 23-27 of the Baha’i House of

Members of the Do’a World Music Ensemble (left to right) Marty

Worship near New Delhi where the five-member group shared the stage with Ravi Shankar, Seals & Crofts, and other world-renowned

eS Quinn, Volker Nahrmann, Ken LaRoche, Charlie Jennison and

performing artists.

Soon to be released is the group’s fifth album, dedicated to the International Year of Peace

and featuring the composition “One World Symphony’’ which was played at the Peace Conference in San Francisco.

Pacific ABS group sets second annual peace conference

To provide a regional forum for the exchange of ideas on peace and to generate papers and works of art that represent the Baha’i approach to peace, the Pacific Southwest Regional Committee of the Association for Baha’i Studies is sponsoring the second annual Conference on Peace to be held next April in Irvine, California.

The conference theme, ‘‘Transition to a World at Peace,’’ is based on the following paragraph from “The Promise of World Peace”’:

“The primary question to be resolved is how the present world, with its entrenched pattern of conflict, can change to a world in which harmony and cooperation will prevail.”

The conference will focus primarily on the important requisites for peace as identified in the last part of Section II of the peace statement, namely:

_* Improved global communication.

The committee urges you to take part in this historic event by submitting papers and/or works of art (i.e., poetry, painting, songs and music, dance, etc.) for inclusion in the program.

Those who wish to submit their work for the committee’s consideration must first send a 250-word (maximum) abstract or description to: Association for Baha’i Studies, Pacific Southwest Regional Committee, P.O. Box 2924, Newport Beach, CA 92663.

Abstracts or descriptions must be received before March 1, 1987, with completed work submitted by April 1.

For more information, phone Vafa Mavaddat, 714-249-1719, or the Spiritual Assembly of Irvine’s message line, 714-559-5528.

Counselors Dunbar, Khamsi, 100 others attend second conference of Spanish-speaking Baha’is

About 100 Baha’is from more than 40 cities in several states and three foreign countries were present October 10-13 at the second annual Conference of SpanishSpeaking Baha’is in San Fernando, California.

The event was hailed as a success by the sponsoring communities, San Fernando and Fillmore, California, and Ensenada, Mexico, not only because of the enthusiasm of the participants but because while the conference was in progress a new series of eight Spanish-language television programs was video taped involving scores of conferees representing a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, using the same level of three-camera professionalism that marked the enormously popular 12-part series, ‘“‘Crece Con Nosotros,’’ produced several years ago.

These videos are now being edited and should soon be available.

Among those attending the conference was Mas’ud Khamsi, a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center in Haifa, who said he was honored to represent the Republic of Peru where he had served the Faith for many years.

Counselor Hooper Dunbar, another member of the International Teaching Center, presented a talk in which he pointed out that the Six Year Plan should cause us to meditate deeply in order to achieve the goals set for the Baha’i world community.

Workshop topics included:

“The Integration of the Hispanic and Anglo Believers,’’ conducted by Auxiliary Board member Mike Pietrzak; ‘‘The Individual and Social and Econo Development” (Counselor Arturo aha’i Teacher-Training: Experiences at the Ruhi In

stitute in Cali, Colombia’’ (Sergio Montenegro); ‘“‘Baha’i Administration’? (Femaline Dunbar); “Border Teaching’ (Jeanne Serrano and Linda Frazelle); and “Child Education’? (Dr. Tony Cubero).

An over-all perspective of the conference was presented by Angelica Huerta.

Among the special guest speakers at the conference was Paul Lucas, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico, who spoke on ‘The Six Year Plan and Me,”’ focusing on the role the individual must play in teaching and propagating the Faith.

The conferees were delighted by the interesting talk given by Dr. Cubero on teaching children and pre-youth, an analysis of the evolutionary process in the child’s psyche and the means to support

its development so that our children become assets to society.

As for Mrs. Carmen de Burafato, who graced the San Fernando conference for the second time, she spoke on the important role of women in the development of peoples and exhorted her audience to educate women, as Bahá’u’lláh mentioned in His writings.

The atmosphere throughout the conference was one of fellowship and camaraderie mixed with good cheer and humor.

The spirit of unity was most appealing to some visitors who were not yet members of the Faith. “This feels like a family reunion,”’ said one of them.

Such was the enthusiasm of the conferees that much discussion was centered around plans to attend next year’s conference.

Members of the Bahá’í community of Washington, D.C., met recently with G. Shankir (right), the Ambassador to the U.S. from India, to present him with a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace.’ Pictured with Mr. Shankir are Baha’is Richard Witter and Kelly

Clark. The Ambassador learned of the peace statement from his son who asked that his father obtain a copy for him after reading in an Indian newspaper of a peace essay contest sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of India. �[Page 25]The 11th annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies, held August 20-24 at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, was the largest such gathering to date with about 2,000 adults taking part. Planned as a response to the request by the Universal House of Justice that each national Baha’i community sponsor at least one major event to mark the United Nations International Year of Peace, the Conference focused on the theme ‘‘Beyond the Quest for Peace: Creating a New World Order’ and was organized according to a number of aspects of the peace statement addressed last year to the peoples of the world by the House of Justice.

The opening session, ‘‘The Promise of World Peace,” was keynoted by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khdanum, who was followed by youth speakers Helen, John and Amelia Danesh of New Zealand, addressing the theme

“Youth: A Dynamic Peaceful Force.””

The opening session ended with the winner of the Association’s essay competition in the high school category, Kenneth Sooley (a 15-year-old non-Baha’i from Newfoundland) presenting his paper, ‘‘Peace Through Mutual Understanding,’’ after which Amatu’l-Bahá Rubiyyih Khanum presented him and the other two winners, Nancy Ward in the university category and Paul Hanley in the general category, with their awards.

The second plenary session was highlighted by the annual Hasan Balyuzi Lecture, given this year by Counsellor Adib Taherzadeh on “The Human Soul.”

Following this, the Conference was broken into a number of simultaneous sessions at which papers were presented on the themes “Strategies for World Peace,’ “Dynamics of World Peace,”’ and “The Socio-Politics of Peace.’’ A workshop was also given on ‘‘Preparing the Successful Paper: What

Every Writer Should Know’’ by Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the U.S. Baha’i Publishing Trust, and her assistant editor, Richard Hill.

Friday evening featured a banquet for dignitaries in the Great Hall of the university, followed by a Concert for Peace which included diverse performances by Conference guest Dr. Ervin Laszlo of the Club of Rome (an accomplished pianist), Gordi Munro, the Táhirih Choir, the Do’a World Music Ensemble, Nancy Ward, and the One Planet, One People Please singers.

Saturday morning’s session was centered on ‘‘Peace and the New World Order’? with presentations by Dr. Laszlo (‘‘Science and Prophecy: Humankind’s Path to Peace in a Global Society’’) and Dr. Hossain Danesh, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada (‘Creating a New World Order: The Baha’i Paradigm’”).

Saturday afternoon saw Professor Ross Woodman of the Univer

Institute hosts appreciation dinner for singers

NATIVE AMERICANS

About 110 people, most of whom were not Baha’is, gathered November 8 in the big hogan at the Native American Baha’i Institute in Houck, Arizona, for the Pine Springs Singers Appreciation Dinner—an event spearheaded by Baha’is but not officially a Baha’i-sponsored activity.

It was the largest group ever assembled in the big hogan at one time.

The program included speeches,

award presentations, gifts, much Navajo singing and dancing, and a great feast.

One of the dignitaries attending was Woody Tsosie, a member of the local school board and recently elected Navajo Tribal Council delegate who was making his first visit to the Institute.

The Pine Springs Singers are a group of Navajo children who for about a year have been learning traditional Navajo songs and dances from Ben Kahn, a Baha’i in Pine Springs.

The group has received help and encouragement from the Reservation’s foremost traditional recording artists, the ‘‘Klagetoh Swing

Efforts pay off, Puyallup Baha’is in Fair

After more than 20 years of behind-the-scenes efforts, the Baha’i community of Puyallup, Washington, was given booth space this year at the annual Puyallup Fair, a 17-day event in September that is the eighth largest in the country with an annual attendance of more than one million.

After setting a $3,000 budget for the fair, the Bahá’ís of Puyallup (12 adults, eight children) issued a plea for help to other Baha’is in Washington state.

Seventy-eight adults signed up to handle booth duties, and more than $2,400 was donated by Groups, Assemblies and individuals,

“Fun and Lots of Firesides’’

was the motto of the gallant Baha’is who pulled shifts in the booth. More than 3,000 pamphlets, 1,000 bookmarks, 1,000 ““peace”’ posters, 250 ‘Promise of World Peace’’ booklets, and 300 buttons were taken by interested fair-goers.

Many interest cards were given out, 58 of which were signed and returned to Baha’is at the booth. The host community sent them to those Bahdé’i communities closest to the signee’s address for followup.

“*After-fair’’ bills totaled about $2,500, and it appears there is a $300 surplus to start the fund for next year’s booth.

Women asked to check committee

ers,’ who were special guests at the dinner.

The children’s performances have been so impressive that they have frequently been invited to perform at various places on the Reservation including the recent dedication held in Window Rock for the new Navajo Education Center.

Several members of the group took part in August in the two-week visit of the ‘‘Trail of Light’’ team to Southern California.

The Pine Springs Singers Association (parents of the participating children) includes both Baha’is and non-Baháa’is, but the Baha’is are the prime movers.

This ‘‘social and economic development project”’ being carried out by individual Baha’is has not only helped to rekindle appreciation of Navajo culture, but has led indirectly to interest in the Faith.

The Association uses the Native American Baha’i Institute as its main meeting center.

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 25

Association holds 11th annual Conference in Ontario

sity of Western Ontario give his presentation on ‘The End of the World; Whatever Happened?”’ It was followed by a Native American peace pipe ceremony, in which Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum, Dr. and Mrs. Laszlo, and other dignitaries took part. This was unique because the ceremony is rarely performed outside native communities and even more rarely with non-Indian participants.

Saturday evening focused on “Women and Peace’’ with papers by noted Jungian analyst Marion Woodman, Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, Greg Dahl, Nancy Ward and Dr. Jane Faily.

Sunday morning’s final session offered a peace forum with Dr. Laszlo, Professor Woodman, Mrs. Woodman, Dr. Danesh and Ms. Nakhjavani participating as panelists. Following this, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum addressed the conference briefly, and ‘Ali Nakhjavani, a member of the Universal House of Justice, delivered a moving talk on the theme of peace.

The finale of the conference saw the children enter the hall and perform a “‘peace chant,”” which was followed by musical and slide presentations.

The annual meeting of the Association was held Sunday afternoon, and that evening a special gathering was arranged for the Persian-speaking Baha’is with addresses by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum and Mr. Nakhjavani.

In addition to the main Conference, a large number of ancillary events took place including a conference on peace for young people ages 12-15, a children’s peace conference for 6-to-11 year olds, and a nursery peace conference for those younger than six years.

An exciting aspect of these conferences was the participation in them by speakers from the main Conference including Amatu’lBahd Rúḥíyyih Khanum, Counsellor Taherzadeh, and Dr. Laszlo, thus giving the younger people a great feeling of unity with the adult Conference.

The peace conference for young people was singularly blessed by the participation of the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Ali-Muhammad Varga who showered love on his young audience and visibly increased their love of learning about the Faith and the solutions it offers for the ills of humanity.

On the Wednesday and Thursday preceding the main Conference, eight more auxiliary gatherings of agencies and affiliates of the Association for Baha’i Studies were held. These included the Baha’i International Health Agency, the Baha’i Education Institute, the Baha’i Institute for Environmental Design, the Baha’i Family Institute, a conference for those in the legal profession, and conferences on cultural minorities, the arts, and agriculture.

‘

Sima Ḥakímian, a member of the Bahá’í community of Dade County, Florida, was graduated magna cum laude in June from Miami Sunset High with a 4.0 grade point average. Sima, a member of national honor societies in math and science, began pre-medical studies this fall at Florida State University in Tallahassee. An active Bahá’í, she presently serves as co-chairman of the Dade County youth group. At the local observance last October of the 40th anniversary of the United Nations, she represented Iran and the Bahá’í community by symbolically lighting a candle for peace.

new from the Bai

A challenging compilation of extracts from the Baha’i writings that clearly describes

ai Publishing Trust

@ the need for unity and peace through the elimination of prejudice and racism

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membership before writing Senators

Recently the National Committee on Women wrote to selected local Spiritual Assemblies asking them to take part in a nationwide effort to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The committee asked individuals to write to their Senator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as to the chairman of that committee.

Due to the elections on November 4, the membership of the Foreign Relations Committee has changed. The committee chairman is now Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.). Senators Mathias and Eagleton have retired.

Please check to determine whether the Senator to whom you were to write was one of those up for election and whether or not he or she was re-elected. If you have any questions, please phone 203-787-0303.

142 pages; 334 extracts (including previously unavailable material) Foreword; Bibliography

@ the part we are called upon to play in the evolution and spiritualization of the world

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�[Page 26]26 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

Jennifer North, a member of the Bahá’í community of Mancos,

Colorado, was graduated from high school last May 25 as valedictorian of her class, presenting a speech on the need for world peace. During her senior year, she served as president of the National Honor Society chapter and as editor of the school yearbook. She was awarded a scholarship that will cover the costs of her four years at the University of Colorado. As a Bahá’í, she was instrumental in forming the Four Corners Bahá’í Youth Club, of which she is president, and is also secretary of the Colorado West Bahá’í Summer School Committee.

Baha’is co-sponsor Oregon panel on ‘Avenues to Peace’

“Avenues Toward World Peace’’ was the topic of a panel discussion co-sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Studies Department at Pacific University and the Baha’is of Forest Grove, Oregon, and held October 22 at the university to celebrate United Nations Day.

The panel was to have been composed of two members of the Pacific University faculty, Professor John Goldberg-Hiller and Assistant Professor Dr. Vern Bates, and Dr. Nosratollah Rassekh, a Baha’i who is chairman of the history department at Lewis and Clark College.

Unfortunately, Dr. Bates was taken ill and was unable to take part. The moderator was Dr. James Bartee, chairman of the psychology department at Pacific University and of the Spiritual Assembly of Forest Grove.

Among those attending were local clergy, some professors and campus personnel from Pacific, other guests and members of Baha’i communities in the area.

Copies of ‘‘The Promise of World Peace” were displayed with other Baha’; literature.

Publicity included flyers given to local churches, stores, the public and university libraries, and articles in the local and camPus newspapers.

On the following Monday evening, copies of the peace statement were presented by Dr. Bartee on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of Forest Grove to the mayor and city council.

Be like the fountain— empty yourself, and be refilled

National Baha’i Fund ‘Wilmette, IL 60091

APAACs

from page 1

Iranian Bahda’is—such as Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Los Angeles; Houston; New York—and the membership of APAACs includes both Iranians and nonIranians.

The APAAC conference was called to identify areas of need and to consult about methods and strategies to meet those needs.

In addition to the many opportunities for consultation, the APAAC members heard presentations by Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Wilma Brady, a member of the Board of Counselors in the Americas; the U.S. Baha’i refugee coordinator; the National Youth Committee, National Teaching Committee and International Goals Committee; the Treasurer’s Office; and the National Race Unity Committee.

The participants were also privileged to receive copies of the Six Year Plan for the U.S. Baha’i community, submitted by the National Spiritual Assembly and approved by the Universal House of Justice only two days before the conference.

It was exciting for them to see that one of the nine major areas of concentration during the Six Year Plan is that of ‘‘integration,”’ the specific issue for which the APAAC conference was held.

It was pointed out to the conference participants that the American Baha’i community is the only one that has been given the ‘‘Most Challenging Issue’’ to work on.

Integrating our own Baha’i community, those at the confer

Members of Area Persian/American Affairs Committees met with

ence concluded, is the ultimate demonstration of unity, which is the basis of the Faith itself.

Among the other points made:

We cannot unify until united, nor can we be the model the Universal House of Justice has offered to the world in its peace statement. There simply can be no compromise in the work of building the new World Order.

We must work together and empathize with one another. We must transcend our differences while celebrating them. Each of us must pray, deepen, teach, give to the Fund, and obey the laws of the Faith.

Two of the most basic tools in this work were recognized as The Advent of Divine Justice (avail

Under the guidance of Bahá’í youth as cabin counselors, junior ‘youth took part June 21-26 in recreational activities, devotions and a week of classes on peace at the School in Cali Bosch Bahd fornia. The week was culminated with presentations by each of the classes on the last day of the session. The Bosch Council encour ages older youth to apply to serve as cabin counselors for the 1987 Junior Youth Week, which will begin training sessions for cabin counselors and consultation for teachers next June 19. Please write to Youth Program Director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

the national committee November 13-16 at the Bahá’í National Cen able in Persian as well as English from the Baha’i Distribution Service) and The Power of Unity: Beyond Racism and Prejudice.

It was suggested that we must study these books in order to understand the vital role of the American Baha’i community and to fully appreciate the extreme importance of the unity of mankind.

It was agreed that this unity would not be accomplished without some pain. However, much optimism was expressed each time the youth were mentioned,,as their flexibility and lack of prejudice are already building bridges among people of various cultures.

Our shared responsibility for

ter to identify areas of need and adopt strategies to meet them.

bringing people together was discussed, and a recent refugee who took part in the conference put it quite well when he said, ‘I came here with a broken heart and I needed a warm heart as well as a warm hand to hold. ...””

Isn’t that what each of us is after? To achieve unity, we must continue to hammer away at a resolution to the problem despite the occasional chaos that cannot be avoided.

Please feel free to contact your Area Persian/American Affairs Committee with offers to help or requests for help in this most vital effort.—National Persian/American Affairs Committee

Church Women United given statement

In October, two members of the Baha’i community of New Berlin, Wisconsin, presented the peace siatement to board members of Church Women United-Suburban Unit.

Following the 10-minute presentation by Mary Jo Mineau, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of New Berlin, who was

accompanied by Lyn Locust, the women asked questions for another half-hour.

The next issue of the Church Women’s news bulletin included a full-page article about the presentation including a summary of the main points in the peace statement.

‘Promise’ presented to festival director

Bahá’ís in Houston, Texas, presented a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace” along with a packet of information about the Faith to the co-director of the Houston Peace and Prosperity Festival, an event held December 31 in the Astrodome.

At a planning meeting of about 35 people, the co-director showed the packet to those attending, and described the Faith as the world’s. youngest religion, one based on peace.

Young Baha’i earns early high school degree in Guatemala

Juliet Bahiyyih Carson, a Baha’i youth who is pioneering with her family in Livingston, Guatemala, has earned her U.S. high school equivalency degree during her sophomore year in high school.

Juliet, who is now 15 years old, serves as secretary of the National Youth Committee of Guatemala and is looking for a college with an active Baha’i club to attend next year when she turns 16.

Summer positions for youth are open at National Center, House of Worship

Making plans for the summer yet? Why not spend it at the heart of Baha’i activity for this country at the Baha’i National Center or Baha’i House of Worship. Positions are currently opening in maintenance, gardening, drafting, masonry work, and painting. There are also positions open in offices at the National Center. Stipends are available to

cover living expenses.

If you would be interested, write to the National Youth Committee, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, for an application.

Name

Address City Phone (_ ).

State

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aha’i Distribution Service Price List January 1987 1 Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List January 1987 2 Bahá’í Distribution Service World Order of Bané'u'11éy He 11,00 Bahd'{ Worlds Volume 15 (X¥) ie 09-50 pea atest R. Szanto-Felberman sc. 3.00 Ais uandenvAvenue World Order of Bahá’u’lláh SC. 6:50) Bahá'{ World: Volume 16 (XVI) HC 20.00 ginald Turvey/Life and Art SC 14.95

Bahá'{ World: Volume 17 (XVII) HC 22.50 Religion for Mankind Sc 5.95

Wilmette, IL 60091 Metis) Bahá'{ Worid Volume 18 (XVIII) HC 40.00 Pererel Seaciverisacion C28 800-323-1880 Saag Bahá'u'lién: King of Glory uc, ..1k,00 eewsecies of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1 sc 11.95

312-251-1854 (in Illinois) Ascension of 'Abdu’l-Bahá sc 2.00 Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era sc TBA Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 3 HC (19.95 saat arom Sree Bahá'u'l14h: The Word Made Plesh $i 5-98 ee hee Speer a 9.98 Price List: January 1987 Bahd'{ Marriage and Fantly Ltfe SC. hs aercod‘Digarmemese as Saf"4h Tslée: An Introductton BC 25.00 oni ee > crn ne Sab Suh ee meee Eo ae Explanations of abbreviations and symbols Bahá'{ Prayers--British Edition RC 5.00 Set ates — ie Song Celestial He 8.00

= On Order PA = Pamphlet pete A erarere cS ie ade Circle of Unity sc 9.95 Stories of Bahá’u’lláh RC 12.95

«Tita diome) fri Soe Te cr etn tr ate Bee aie Sac Ch wicaleadas PP = Photograph or Lithograph sengiy cee see ete Consultation: Lamp of Guidance (special price)RC 7.95 ; a DelitGit Os mearee Boe 9300 ca = Casnette Ph aoe Ger! ae Crown of Beauty sc 11.95 ee fGay oe SC eo Ree Face pockat eae ae Sinn: praers Holy Leaf BC 10.50 Daily Lessons Received at "Akká sc 6.00 Studies in Báb{ and Behif History HC 19.95 Boe ister tee arenes iyyih Khánum: Greatest Holy Leaf sc 5.50 Dene reaters eeittapatcion ites Studies in Báb{ and Bahá'{ History, Vol. 2 HC 19.95 ee ia see pa thasai Centers of Bahá'{ Learning sc 1.50 Dawa Overncane fire EC 2.00 Teaching the Bahá'{ Faith sc 6.95 ae inteatcignc wafer Wo viata Consultation Compilation Sc-'; 150 Datatha' Place ae as Ten Days in the Light of 'Akká sc 6.00 tee st 7.00e panics am Rite epee alcatel me 19.85 BahS'u'lláh, the B&b, "Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoght g : Dawning Place of the Pacific sc 8,00 : 5 edtkosl sod PEREACISG RET tice of eee Death: The Messenger of Joy sc 3.00 ae SBOE ata Retna ee Peace TTS Thoughts: Education for P sc 9.95% Desire of the World sc 6.95 Birr ofigaliec Mticapeen = 36 ee Move the World sc 8.50 Divine Art of Livin x 795 fo a Seeker I eea Sypaieace Divorce: chaetiaciag of Bahá'{ Writings sc — .al7s et ie = a Touchstone of Sincerity = co 5 oe ee Biiciisy Excellence {n All Things sc 2.00 Doe okiece aa wh aater, 239 Days HC 10.00 Advent of Divine Justice HC 12.00 ae Se ere Berets = We E cs Eee and the Bahá'{ Faith HC 14,95 BE etree ee TEST ae aa = oe Teena a a En Hugéqu'llah Compilation sc 1.50 eset a Bs pa emia = es Way Out of the Dead End HC 10.95 Citadel of Faith RC 12.00 peicicd tie iaiiiee = aca Eminent Bahá'{s in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh HC 28.50 bond Out of the Dead End SC 6.95 Constitution: Universal House of Justice sc 1.50 eeibieiie need pass shea Eminent Bahá'{s in the Time of Bahá’u’lláh SC 15.95 ete ae ree. Dispensation of Bahá'u'llsh sc 1.50 Livitetineitite ~ oe Fire on the Mountain Top sc 2.50 ee bed = wade eis ne = ee Foundations of World Unity HC 10.00 Local Spivitdal Asceml> = a For the Good of Mankind BC (10.95 tank iste aa re re oe Pe sat ae Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'l14h HO (14,25, geo nines 5 os 4 Four on an Island sc 5.95 goa : Gleanings--British Edition HC 12.95 Hational Spiritual Assembly sc 1.00 From Copper to Gold sc 10.95 Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh = PS_—=—3,75 Pactacn ob Bata ts tif 88 Hoes oes 2 Strength es He) Children and Youth va? o n Y ae = $e Rae capt = be Seca oe Peace: More Than an End to War He 16.00 ert ae eee Peace: More Than an End to War sc 8.95 eee ale Ben 2 B33 eS oe wre Kitéd-{-Iqán--British Edition HC 12.95 Dome of DIFIAE Kas iobnce et Sokep Golden Rule SC_.,5,95 Anthology for the Bahá'{ Child sc 3.00 Kitáb-i-Iqán Ps 3.75 Possvor taiey = 98 He Loved and Served sc 7.95 B. 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95795, Remember the Rainbow sc 3.95 Seven Valleys and Four Valleys He 6.00 Bah'{ Faith: The Emerging Global Religion HC 15.95 Passing of Shoghi Effendi schithaias Second Birth He > 8.00 Seven Valleys and Four Valleys sc 3.50 Bahá'{ Focus on Human Rights 8657850, Peace Bible HC 8.95 Second Birth sc 5.00 Some Answered Questions He 14,00 Bahá"{ Focus on Peace sc 5.00 Phoenix and the Ashes SC 6.95 Secret in the Garden HC 5.00 Some Answered Questions PS (3,75 Bahá'{ References to Judaism, etc sc 11.95 Portals to Freedom so. args Secret in the Garden sc 3.00 Synopsis and Codification of Kit&b-t-Aqdas HC 2.50 Bahá'{ Studies Notebook: Conference on Health SC 6.50 Power of the Covenant, Part 1 sc 2.00 Song in the Ground SC > 3.95 Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh HC 12,50 Bahá'{ Studies Notebook: Health sc 6.50 Power of the Covenant, Part 2 sc 2.00 Special Strengths sc. 4.95 Tablets of Bahá'u'l1ah LT 6.50 Bahá'{ Studies Notebook: Marriage and Family SC 6.50 Power of the Covenant, Part 3 sc 2.00 Spotlessly Leopard SCSI Tablets of the Divine Plan sc 5,00 Bahá'{ Studies 2: Sctence/Religion sc 5.00 Prayer: A Bahá'{ Approach RO (9.95 Stories of "Abdu’l-Bahá sc 5.00 To the Peoples of the World sc 5.95 Bahá'{ Studies 6: Violence-Free Society sc 5.00 Prayer: A Bahd'{ Approach sc 4.95 Stories for Children sc 3.00 Traveler's Narrative HC 10.00 Bah'{ Studies 12/13: Persecution 1844-1984 SC 5.00 Priceless Pearl sc 6,00 Sunflower Books--Set 1 sc 3.50 Traveler's Narrative sc 5.00 Bahá'{ Studies 15: Ab{ding Silence (poetry) $C 5.00 Promise of All Ages RC. 10.95 Sunshine Tree HO 9,75 Unfolding Destiny HC 28.50 Bahá"{ World Volumes 1-12 (set) RC 275.008 Promise of All Ages SC oye3f50) Téhirth sc 3.50 Wellspring of Guidance HC 9.00 Bahá'{ World: Volume 13 (XITI) HC 27,00 Reader's Guide to Bahá'{ Literature RC 14.95 Wonder lamp HC 17.95 Wellspring of Guidance sc Bahá'{ World: Volume 14 (XIV) RC 16,00 Guide to Bahá'{ Literature sc 8.95 Zahra's Search sc 3.25 ear REE MET ESTES Ae OE PTET PE EES FEE SIE BOE OMS A ICE RE

SEES TSS ET SPS DOSED SE ESSE SS PSE EE OPE EY PTT �[Page 28]SIRS TET ELS BL IES TE CE E:T SAE LE ES ETE ED ELLIS PBT TP TE

Baha’i Distribution Service Price List January 1987 3 Foreign Language Videotapes and Recordings PER/ARA: Tablets of Bahá'u'l14h HC 21.50 Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh cs 7.00 PER/ENG: Fire Tablet/Holy Mariner HC 16.95 cs 7.00 PER: Amr Va Khalq HC 14.00 ; YT 25.00 PER: Amr Va Khalq, Volune 2 HC 25.95 Ark of Destiny--VES VI 25.00 PER: Athar-Guharbar (Prescious Pearls) HC 12.00 Bahá'{ Faith: Unity in Diversity--Beta vr 25.00 PER: Bahd4'{ Faith Not Political sc 4,00 Bahá'{ Faith: Unity in Diversity: is vr 25.00 PER: Bahfyyih Khánum HC 16.50 Because We Love the Faith...Collins/Baker cs 7.00 PER: Chand Bahth-{-Anri Sc 4.00 Come On, Rise Up cs 8.00 PER: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf HC 20,00 Education/Trustees--Beta VI 30.00 PER: Fire and Light RC 17.50 Education/Trustees--VHS vr 30,00 PER: Garden of Truth HC 12.95 Flight LP 2.00 PER: Gleanings HC 11,00 Foundations of Learning cs 7.00 PER: Golzér-i~Ta'41{m-{-Bahá'{ HC 6.00 If You Only Knew cs 7.50 PER: K{téb-{-Iqán BC 10.50 In the Days of the Guardian. ..Taos cs 7.00 PER: Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá FC 20.00 In His Presence...Samandari cs 7.00 PER: Memoirs of Nine Years in 'Akká RC 15.95 Lote Tree up 4.00 PER: Nawnithalan-I-Me sc 3.00 Loving Hands cs 8.00 PER: Prayers of Bahá’u’lláh HC 8.95 "Mona" Music Video--Beta VI 45.008 PER: Prayers of Shoghi Fffend! RC 3.50 "Mona" Music Video--VHS vr 45.008 PER: Principles of the Bahá'{ Faith sc 2.50 Mona with the Children--Audio Cassette cs 8,00 PER: Promise of World Peace sc +60 My Only Desire...Alexander cs 7.00 PER: Secret of Divine Civilfzation SC 4,00 Peace Conference Tapes--Set of 7 with Binder CS 42.00 PER: Selected Letters of ‘Abdu! RC 8.00 Samoa: The Davning Place--Beta vr 25.00 PFR: Selected Letters of ‘Abdu’ 2 RC 6.00 Samoa: The Davming Place--VES vr (25.00 pales ted WrAtings of, the, Bed Beet Stories From the Dawn-Breakers--Set of 4 CS 26.00 pbsgeee 0) Teaches eee Strengthening Administrative Order...Holley CS 7.00 Synopsis/Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas HC 2.50 Teaching Peace 8 "9360 Tablets/Bahá’u’lláh After Kicdb-{-Aqdas HC 19.95 inufe Contery ai Progcuer cs - 7.00 Tablets for the Departed FC 16.00 iTriumch (GP tie’ Cates? Ralyezi cs (7,00 Talks of 'Abdu’l-Bahá HO 14,00 Unity in Diversity cs 8.00 U.H.J. Messages to Iran sc 5.50 Visit with the Master...True cs 7.00 Adventimiento de Justicia Divine sc 3.75 We Are Bahá'{s cs 7.50 Bahá’u’lláh y la Nueva Era sc 7.00 We Are One cs 8.50 Christo v Rahé'u'lláh | sc 3.00 Wildfire cs 7.00 Constitucién: Casa Universal de Justicia SC 5.00 Women: Equality and Peace cs 7.00 Datos Basicos PA +10 Dios Pasa sc 9.00 Photographs, Calendars and Posters Dia Prometido Ha Liegado sc 4.50 Dispensacién de Bahá’u’lláh se 3.75 "Abdu’l-Bahá Color Lithograph, 11" X 14" PP 10.00 Epistola del Hijo del Lobo se 7.50 ‘abdu'l-Bahá Lithograph, 10.5" X 15" PP 2.50 Estudio-Escritos Bahá'{s sc 4.00 Bahá'{ Datebook 144 BLE. cA 2.25 Flores de los Altares sc 2.75 Bahd'{ History Calendar cA 5.50 Fe Bahá'{ Teaching Booklet sc 1.50 Bahá'{ Pocket Calendar 144 B.E., Pkg. of 10 CA 2.00 Kitáb-i-Íqán sc 5.50 Bahá'{ Wall Calendar 144 B.E. CA 1.25 Oraciones Bahá'{s sc 3.75 Do-It-Yourself Calendar Sticker Kit cA 2.50 Oractones y Meditaciones sc 6.00 Taiwan Scroll Calendar--Silk cA 4.25 Palabras de Dios sc +30 Taiwan Scroll Calendar--Wood cA 4.25 Palabras Ocultas sc 2.00 Wilmette House of Worship PR (1.00 Pasajes-Escritos de Bahá'u'll4h sc 7.00 Poder de Asistancia Divina sc 1.00 Promesa de Paz Mundial sc 1.00 Quienes Dios Confia PA -50 Recopilacion de Escritos sc 3.50 Ruespuestas a Algunas Preguntas sc 12.75 Ruespuestas Bahd'{s PA 25 Renovacién de Civilizactén sc 3.00 Ei Rosedal pr sc 0 Ordering Instructions sere Se natant ue tastes 3° To process your order, the Distribution Service needs your name and address and a daytime telephone number. For each item ordered you must Pamphlets, Cards and Folders 6 i give the quantity, title and type (HC, SC, CS, Bahd'{ Faith Presentation File Folder rD 50 etc.). Since stock numbers are no longer used Bahá'{ Faith Teaching Booklet--Pkg. of 10 PA 14,00 when ordering books, it is essential that the type Communion with God--Large Type sc 1.50 of item be included. God's Great Plan sc 2.00 s See God's New Age--Pkg. of 10 PA 1.00 Payment must accompany orders from indiviIn Search of Supreme Talisman--Pkg. of 10 PA 3.00 duals. You may pay by check, money order, Re ee PR xgree VISA or MasterCard (include account number PEamcoies ne. cf 20 with, Envelopes @ 8.50 and expiration date). As of May 1, 1986, no Peace Panphlets--10 Assorted PA 2,008 - " Peace Pamphlets--100 Assorted PA 10.008 +~—«- Postage will be charged, and all orders will be Peace. Pamphlets: General Introduction--Pkg/50 PA 7.50@ | Shipped by United Parcel Service (except to post Peace Pamphlets: More Than End to War--Pkg/50 PA 7.50¢ office boxes) unless another method is specifically Peace Pamphlets: Oneness of Religton--Pks/50 PA 7.50 requested. Credit card orders may be placed by Peace Pamphlets: Race Unity--Pkr. of 50 PA 7.508 6 Pascas Papsu iatai World Goveremeccec Phy of’ 50 Ph phone on our toll-free line, 1-800-323-1880 (exof 10 PA

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Baha’i Distribution Service Price List January 1987 4

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�[Page 29]About 200 people, three-fourths of whom were not Bahda’t, attended an intercultural program presented October 24 by the Bahá’ís of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Colorado, to commemo

rate United Nations Day. Besides delicious food, there were performances by dancers representing Mexico, Spain, Japan, India, Ireland, Scotland and the U.S., all dressed in colorful native cos

es tume. The Bahá’ís presented a video based on the song ‘Listen’ by Red Grammer, and Auxiliary Board member Carol Brooks spoke briefly about the UN and

The American Baha’i / January 1987 / 29

“quoted from ‘The Promise of

World Peace.’ The program w dedicated to the recent Bahdé martyrs in Iran. (Photos by Fritz Mann)

News in brief

Seattle newspaper profiles Baha’i ‘street singer’

Wesley Baker, a Baha’i from Issaquah, Washington, was the subject of a page-long feature article November 3 in the Seattle Journal-American.

The article, much of which deals with Mr. Baker’s rather unusual occupation—street singer— mentions his Baha’i ideals as a major factor in his desire to serve the people of his area by bringing them music that is dignified and uplifting as well as entertaining.

Katherine E. Berry, a Bahá’í from Easthampton, Massachusetts, who is a senior in the Dental Hygiene Department at Springfield Technical Community College, is one of only eight students in the U.S. to receive the 1986 American Dental Hygiene Association Foundation Scholarship. In addition to the ADHA scholarship, Mrs. Berry received the 1986 Valley District Dental Women’s Scholarship, based on academic achievement, and an STCC Board of Regents Scholarship. It was while pioneering in the Himalayan country of Bhutan (1983-84) with her husband, Ronald, and their two children that Mrs. Berry decided to pursue her education as a dental hygienist with future pioneering goals in mind.

Unlike most other street musicians, Mr. Baker dresses elegantly, is polite and charming, and thanks his audience for taking the time to listen to popular standards sung in his rich, deep baritone.

The writer, Brent Northrup, describes Mr. Baker as ‘‘a true musical gentleman, singing on a street where off-key soloists in dark sunglasses and tattered blue jeans usually reside.

“‘Where others begged and intruded, Wes Baker just sang and smiled.’’

.

About 60 Baha’is and 19 non-Baha’is, one of whom has since been enrolled in the Faith, attended a UN Day public meeting October 24 sponsored by the Baha’ community of Austin, Texas.

The keynote speaker was Ray Apodaca, executive director of the Texas Indian Commission, who spoke about the situation of today’s American Indian nations.

Sirous Abhar, whose brother and cousins have recently come to the U.S. as refugees from Iran via Pakistan, told of the help the UN has given to Baha’is who have fled their homeland due to religious persecution.

Special music was provided by two guests from India.

.

The Spiritual Assembly of Lawrence, Kansas, sponsored a Baha’i Singles Conference the weekend of September 13-14 to consult on whe state of being single.

Baha’i youth also met at the same place that weekend (Tall Oaks Christian Camp) to discuss the choice between study and pioneering.

On November 12, 21 Baha’is and 19 guests gathered at a restaurant in Bend, Oregon, to brate the anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah.

Jack Stone, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board, spoke to the group about the importance of the birth of the Manifestation of God

The Spirityal Assembly of Bend, which hosted the dinner,

arranged a series of follow-up firesides and invited the guests to attend by way of an elegantly designed card placed at each seat.

The card included a quotation from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and a word of thanks to the guests for sharing the special day.

°

On Sunday, October 19, the Baha’is of Virden, Duncan and Greenlee County, Arizona, celebrated the anniversary of the Birth of the Bab with a potluck dinner.

Joining them were Baha’is from El Paso, Texas; Carlsbad, Berino. and Anthony, New Mexico; and St. David, Bisbee and Sierra Vista, Arizona.

All enjoyed good food, pleasant conversation and music by guitarist/singer John Cook of St. David.

An article about the event appeared in the local paper.

78th Convention

to be held in April at House of Worship; seating is limited

The 78th Baha’i National Convention will be held April 23-26 in Foundation Hall at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, IIlinois.

After seating the delegates, about 200 seats are available for those who wish to observe the proceedings.

Seats for visitors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To request seating reservations, send your name, address and Bahá’í 1.D. number by March | to: Convention Seating, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Seating is available by advance reservation only.

Look for information about hotel accommodations in the February issue of The American Bahat.

Baha’ Club presents ‘Promise of Peace’ to head of New Mexico U.

On October 30, the University of New Mexico’s Baha’i College Club coordinated the successful presentation of ‘“‘The Promise of World Peace’’ to UNM President Gerald May.

The presentation at Mr. May’s office was made by Craig Lewis, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Albuquerque; Susan Patton, chairman of the UNM College Club; and B. Kay Manuelito, a graduate student at the university.

The College Club followed up by presenting summary statements to all faculty members at UNM. In addition, the 35-member club holds weekly firesides and has a display table in the Student Union.

A discussion on

true equality

Women: Equality and Peace by Counselor Peter Khan

International Teaching Center member

the connection among peace, women, and the equality of the sexes with a survey of the history of women and guiding principles. that will help us achieve

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Two new audio cassettes

on important peace statement themes

impc

the es

Excellent for deepening and teaching at home, ir Baha’i gatherings, while you commute

$7 00 each

60-minute cassette

This Century of Progress

by Dr. Bahia Mitchell

Baha'i World Center staff member

An examination of world conditions with an overview of the social and scientific achievements contributing to ablishment of international peace in this century

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (no charge for postage or handling) to:

Bahd‘i Distribution Service {15 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE 60091, TEL. 1-800-323-1860

�[Page 30]30 / The American Baha’i / January 1987

Nine Baha’is take part in annual AAR conference

Nine Baha’is participated November 21-25 in the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta, Geor gia.

The Baha’i Publishing Trust took part in a publishers’ book exhibit at the conference. Helping General Manager Terrill Hayes

Champaign Baha’is sponsor six meetings on ‘barriers to peace’

The Bahá’ís of Champaign County, Illinois, sponsored a series of six public meetings this fall whose over-all theme was “Removing the Barriers to Peace.”

Among the speakers were faculty members at the University of Illinois and the University High School; the superintendent of the Urbana school district; the pastor of a local church; and the former principal of the Martin Luther King Jr. elementary school.

Topics included “Education for World-Mindedness,”’ ‘‘The Elis nation of Racial Prejudice,” “Women’s Role in the World’s Economy,” ‘Refugees and the Migration of People,”’ ‘‘Removing the Barriers of Religious Conflict,”” and ‘‘Promoting Intercultural Harmony.””

Attendance varied from 20-30 with several non-Baha’is at each of the meetings.

Each of the speakers was given a copy of “The Promise of World Peace.”

Baha’is interviewed

On Thursday, November 13, Jerome Knudsen, a Bahá’í who travels and teaches throughout the U.S. ona bicycle, was interviewed for a half-hour on radio station KPFT in Houston, Texas.

The following day, Dan Seals, a Baha’i entertainer from Nashville, Tennessee, who was appearing that weekend in Houston, also was interviewed on KPFT.

and Promotions Coordinator Anne Atkinson with the exhibit booth were long-time AAR members Ann Schoonmaker and Robert Stockman.

More than 65 browsers and 25 takers of free literature visited the booth; 13 people bought Bahá’í books.

While these figures may not seem high, they are significant given the academic nature of the conference. Those who visited the booth included other publishers as well as scholars and professors from all over the U.S.

Fourteen persons attended a panel presentation on the Faith chaired by Mr. Stockman.

The panelists were John Hatcher, who spoke on ‘‘The Kingdom of Names: A Baha’i Definition of Justice’; Diana Malouf (‘‘Translation Norms Employed by Shoghi Effendi in The Hidden Words”); Dann May (‘Bahá’í

Hermeneutics: A Survey of Interpretive Principles Within the Bahai Tradition’); and Kurt Hein (“Applying Baha’i Principles to Social and Economic Development: Radio Baha’i, Otavalo, Ecuador’).

In addition, Mr. Stockman presented a paper on ‘‘The Bahda’i Faith and the Bible in America, 1892-1912” in a section on comparative studies in religion, and Todd Lawson of McGill University in Montreal, Canada, spoke on the Qur’án in a section on Islamic studie:

The Bahá’í participants were about the future of involvement with

Next year’s meeting will be in Boston, and it is hoped that with continued participation the Baha’is will exert a beneficial influence on the leaders of thought gathered at the AAR meeting.

Terrill Hayes, general manager of

the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, and Promotions Coordinator Anne Atkinson at the Baha’i Publishing

Trust’s booth at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) in Atlanta, Geor

Decatur, Illinois, Baha’is sponsor 4th American Education Week banquet

The fourth annual American Education Week banquet sponsored by the Baha’i community of Decatur, Illinois, was held November 15.

The banquet is designed to attract those who might not normally attend an informal Baha’i event, thus fulfilling the community’s goal of reaching people from all strata of society.

Some 1,200 invitations using the banquet’s theme, “‘Educatior Key to Peace,”” were distributed to educators, civic organizations, prominent residents and the general public.

By obtaining permission to send the invitations to teachers and administrators using the schoo) district’s internal mail, the Baha’is were able to reach all the educators in the local district without cost to the Baha’i community.

About 40 people, more than half of whom were not Baha’is,

attended the banquet, at which prizes were given to the top three entrants in an essay contest for high school students sponsored by the Bahá’í community on the theme ‘‘World Peace: How Can I Help?”

The featured speaker was Dr. David Cooprider, regional superintendent of schools, whose topic was “‘Peace Begins at Home.”

Prior to the banquet, Dr. Cooprider was given a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace.”

Entertainment was provided by the swing choir from Johns Hill Middle School which had asked to be allowed to perform at this year’s event.

Teaching Fever Is

CONTAGIOUS! —

have YOU Caught the Fever Yet?

Several American Indians were among those who took part in the November conference for newly appointed Auxiliary Board members at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Pictured (left to right) are Jaci Delahunt (Lakota), secretary of the National Teaching Committee;

“Chester Kahn (Navajo), a member

of the National Spiritual Assembly; the Hand of the Cquse of God William Sears; Auxiliary Board member James Schoppert (Tlingit); and Lauretta King (Tlingit), a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas.

The Spiritual Assembly of West Hollywood, California, in cooperation with the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, is sponsoring a regular monthly discussion

group at the Motion Picture and Television Country Village in Woodland Hills, two of whose

residents,

Fayard and Barbara Nicholas, are Bahá’ís. Fayard Nicholas (seated center) is a dancer and member of the wellknown Nicholas Brothers; Barbara Nicholas (standing second from right) is an actress and

model. Topics discussed at the Sunday morning sessions have included world peace, Bahá’í principles, and the World Center of the Faith. Slides are shown by the group and by residents of the village who have traveled to Israel.

North Carolina’s annual Winter School to be held February 20-22 in Reidsville

The North Carolina Baha’i Winter School will be held February 20-22 at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Camp in Reidsville (25 miles north of Greensboro).

The keynote speaker will be Mary Hardy, director of the Baha’i Office of Public Information in New York City.

Other speakers will be Joe Killeen, Gail Radley and Susan Simerly.

Registration fees (before January 22) are: children under two, $6; children 2-11, $38; 12-adult, $42. There is a late fee of $5 except for children two and under.

10 Baha’is at Houston briefing on peace

Ten Bahda’is and eight non-Baha’is attended a recent briefing on peace at the Baha’i Center in Houston, Texas, presented by a local group, the Peace Project.

Videos by Carl Sagan (‘‘Nuclear Winter’) and astronaut Russell Schweickert (‘‘No Frames, No Boundaries”’) were shown and materials distributed from such pro-peace groups as Beyond War.

Among those attending were the program director of KPFT radio and his wife.

Lodging is available including cabins with fireplaces, bunk-style ing in rustic but modern facilities.

Registration begins at 7 p.m. Friday, February 20. For early registration or more information, contact Diane McKinley,

Durham, NC 27511, or phone 919-469-2783.

Answers to crossword puzzle ACROSS DOWN

1. Heed 1. Human 5. Direct 2. Enact 8. Unseal 3. EST 10. Material 4. Deed 12. Is 5. Dli

14. AC 6. Rely 15. DT 7. Chimera 16. My 9. Art

17. Mo 11. Amuse 21. Ari 13. Society 22. Purpose 18. War 26. Tae 20. Dope 27. Mu 22. Peace 28. Area 23. Us 29. Ur 2A. Pure 30. Code 25. Slave 31. Vital 27. Mute 33. Ere 28. Ade

34. Develop 32. Lo �[Page 31]

10 YEARS AGO

Some 500 Persian Baha’is who are presently living in the U.S. come to Wilmette, Illinois, December 25-26 to hear from the National Spiritual Assembly about pressing needs on the homefront during the Five Year Plan and ways in which they can help win the American community’s goals.

At least 100 of the visitors are Persian youth, most of whom are in the U.S. to pursue degrees at American colleges and universities. They are encouraged to become fully integrated into the U.S. Baha’i community. ...

According to a cable from the Universal House of Justice, a contract is signed in Haifa on January 5 for the construction of the main structure of the permanent Seat of the House of Justice.

Shipments of Italian marble for the five and one-half story building have already begun to arrive in the Holy Land, and it is reported that construction is soon to begin on the foundation level. ...

The work of saving jeopardized local Assemblies is once again consuming much of the attention of the National and District Teaching Committees.

To meet the challenge presented by this recurring seasonal problem, the National Teaching Committee is appointing community coordinators whose task is to ensure that at least one activity is held each week in their assigned community.

Each coordinator is to encourage Bahda’is in nearby communities to attend these events, to conduct firesides, and to help in many other ways in efforts to preserve that Spiritual Assembly. ...

The Spiritual Assembly of Longview, Washington, deputizes nine homefront pioneers to rescue two neighboring Assemblies and establish one new one.

the oldest living Bah: U.S., celebrates his 101st birthday on Christmas eve at the Louis Gregory Baha’i Institute in South Carolina. ...

Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, California, proclaims December 5-11 ‘‘Baha’i Week”’ in that city and urges residents to use the time to ‘promote in themselves and in the community those qualities and attributes which will generate the recognition that mankind is one, to fight prejudice whatever its forms and wherever it is found, and to work for the unity of the local, national and world community.”’ ...

A Latin American Day program for Spanish-speaking people, the first in a series entitled ‘‘Family of Man: Celebration of Diversity,” is held January 15 at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. ...

Twenty-two Baha’i youth from various parts of the country take part December 27-January 7 in a winter Youth Study Project at the Baha’i National Center in Wilmette. ...

The declaration of one person in Santa Cruz, California, leads within six months to the declarations of her mother, a roommate, a friend and yet another friend. It is a case of “‘each one teach one teach one teach one,”’ etc. ...

Letters from page 3

play, some letters and words and a little reading. ...”” (BEC, p. 39)

And in yet another place, “*... from his infancy the child must be nursed at the breast of God’s love.””

There are many other quotes. To take any one of them and say this is the only way is dangerous.

In the preface to the compilation on education, it says that “‘the teachings of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá do not present a definite and detailed educational system, but simply offer certain basic principles and set forth a number of teaching ideals that should guide future Baha’i educationalists ... which would be in full harmony with the spirit of the Baha’i Teachings, and would thus meet the requirements and needs of the modern age.””

I think that we as Baha’i parents must pray, consult the Writings and consult with each other and with competent professionals. We can share our successes, offer ideas, and keep having wonderful conferences on parenting.

Above all, we need constant love, encouragement and understanding from our fellow-believers.

Abdu’l-Bahá said: ‘‘The children must, from their infancy, be

raised to be spiritual and godly Baha’is. If such be their training they will remain safe from every test.”” (BEC, p. 34)

We can all meditate on this and work toward this ideal.

Brenda Snyder Olean, New York