The American Bahá’í/Volume 18/Issue 3/Text

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Charles F. Wolcott, member of the House of Justice, dies

Charles F. Wolcott, a member of the Universal House of Justice since its inception in 1963 and a former vice-chairman and secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, died January 26 at his home in Haifa, Israel.

Mr. Wolcott, who was born September 29, 1906, in Flint, Michigan, was a musician, composer and arranger who played professionally with a number of well-known bands before moving to Hollywood in 1937, and resigned his position as general music director of the MGM Studios in 1959 to assume his duties as secretary of the National Assembly in Wilmette, Illinois.

In 1961 he was elected to the International Bahá’í Council, forerunner of the Universal House of Justice, and served as secretary-general of that interim body for the two years of its existence.

Mr. Wolcott was elected in 1963 to a five-year term on the nine-member Universal House of Justice, and was re-elected at each of the four subsequent International Conventions.

His long and distinguished career in music began when he organized a high school band in Flint, and continued at the University of Michigan where he led a collegiate band known as "Charlie Wolcott and His Wolverines."

After his graduation in 1927, he joined the Jean Goldkette organization to play and arrange for its various orchestras including the famed Casa Loma band. During this period he worked with many legendary musical figures including Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer, Miff Mole, Joe Venuti and the Dorsey brothers, Tommy and Jimmy.

In 1928 Mr. Wolcott married Harriett Louise Marshall who survives him, as do their two daughters, Mrs. Sheila Joan Banani of Santa Monica, California, and Mrs. Marsha Jean Gilpatrick of San Jose, both of whom are Bahá’ís.

In New York from 1931-37, Mr. Wolcott joined Paul Whiteman as a composer, arranger and conductor, and also worked with Andre Kostelanetz, Johnny Green and others on radio where he arranged music for Al Jolson, Burns and Allen, and others.

It was radio that took him to California, as an arranger for singer Rudy Vallee, and he soon was composing specialty music for such guests as Nelson Eddy, Gladys Swarthout, Don Ameche and Dorothy Lamour on Mr. Vallee's radio show, the "Chase and Sanborn Hour."

In 1938 (the same year in which he and Mrs. Wolcott embraced the Faith), Mr. Wolcott

‘Lotus of Bahapur’ has gala ceremony

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

Thousands of Bahá’ís from 114 countries approach the lotus-shaped Bahá’í House of Worship near New Delhi, India, for the formal dedication ceremony which was held December 24.

More than 8,000 Bahá’ís from 114 countries gathered December 23-27 in New Delhi, India, for the historic dedication of the magnificent "Lotus of Bahapur," the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent.

The diverse audience included Eskimos, American Indians, North and South Americans, Africans, Europeans, and visitors from small islands in the South Pacific as well as many Indian tribal peoples. Representatives of 35 tribes and races were present as were members of more than 100 National Spiritual Assemblies.

A tent city was erected to accommodate the 4,000 local Bahá’ís from every State and Territory in India.

Three Hands of the Cause of God attended the event: Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, who represented the Universal House of Justice and read a message of welcome on its behalf; H. Collis Featherstone; and William Sears.

The main dedication ceremony, which was held December 24 at the House of Worship, included music by a choir led by Ravi Shankar's music director. Mr Shankar, the sitar virtuoso who wrote much of the music for the ceremony, was unable to attend in person as he was undergoing open heart surgery in the U.S.

More than 500 non-Bahá’ís were present at that event, among whom were the guest of honor, H.K.L. Kapur, the lieutenant governor of New Delhi; ministers of the Indian government including its Foreign Secretary; and official representatives of the diplomatic corps including those from the Soviet Union, the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the Vatican.

The message from the House of Justice spoke of the magnificent edifice raised on the Asiatic continent, cradle of the principal religions of mankind, as a "befitting tribute to Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God."

It lauded the generations of His devoted followers who responded to His call, toiled in His vineyard, offered their lives in the path of His love, and sacrificed their comfort, wealth and position to promote His Cause, establish His in-

Plans under way to mark 75th anniversary of Master's U.S. visit

Many exciting events are being planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to North America, which began April 11, 1912.

On that day, in Moses Lake, Washington, a conference is planned in honor of His arrival 75 years ago in New York City.

Meanwhile, the friends in Red Lake Chapter, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona, have already chosen a site for their commemorative picnic on June 27.

The historic achievements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during his 239-day visit in 1912 deserve special commemoration in every Bahá’í community in the U.S.

In addition to His stunning itinerary of public speaking engagements, through which He proclaimed the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, the Master was able to consolidate the existing Bahá’í community in this country by paving the way for the construction of the House of Worship, fortifying the friends against the tests they were soon to endure, cementing their unity, and blessing the beginnings of the Administrative Order.

Thus, as a result of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit, the Faith became firmly established in the Western Hemisphere. According to Shoghi Effendi, this was the most outstanding achievement that will ever be associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry.

We must continue with renewed effort and determination to build on the foundation laid by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The commemoration of His visit gives us an occasion on which to act, and, from the Master's example, we may draw the strength and inspiration to make great progress toward the spiritual destiny of America.

We can symbolically retrace His steps across the country, go as traveling teachers to the places He longed to visit but could not, or deputize those who can travel on our behalf.

We can contribute to the endowments such as Green Acre Bahá’í School, which was visited by the Master and is now in need of restoration. We can hold unity Feasts on June 27 in the same spirit in which the unity Feast was served by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own hands in West Englewood, New Jersey, 75 years ago. And we can carry out service projects for the homeless in His memory.

The possibilities of what we can achieve are almost limitless. The most wonderfully audacious plan of action for each community can best be organized by that community, and can address progress toward each of the major goals of the Six Year Plan.

Youth also observe ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit

During April, Bahá’í Youth Movement meetings will be held across the country to inaugurate the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to North America.

On arriving in New York in April 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, "It is my purpose to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the revelation and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. It will then become the duty of the Bahá’ís of this country to give these prin-

Another Bahá’í martyred in Iran

WITH HEAVY HEARTS ANNOUNCE ANOTHER EXECUTION IN IRAN. AFTER TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT, MOSTLY IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, AND HAVING BEEN SUBJECTED TO MUCH TORTURE, AIMED AT HIS RECANTATION FAITH, MR. AHMAD KAVIH WAS EXECUTED ON 26 JANUARY IN ISFAHAN BY FIRING SQUAD. HE WAS IN HIS MID-FIFTIES AND A MERCHANT. NO INFORMATION RECEIVED AS TO ANY TRIAL PRIOR HIS EXECUTION.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE JANUARY 30, 1987 [Page 2]

New Haven, Connecticut, hosts its first Race Unity Conference

On January 17-18, more than 200 people attended the first Race Unity Conference to be held in New Haven, Connecticut.

Speakers included Mayor Biagio DiLieto of New Haven; state Sen. John Daniels; Counselor Wilma Brady; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; and the entire National Race Unity Committee.

Panelists and workshop leaders represented a wide cross-section of groups and organizations. Among them were:

Dr. Carlos Torre, director of Puerto Rican Affairs at Yale University; Joseph Tolliver of SOAR (Society Organized Against Racism); Barbara DeBaptiste, state coordinator for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; Rabbi James Ponet, the Jewish chaplain at Yale; and Mixshawn, a representative of the American Indian Pequonawonk Society.

Video presentations were shown on “Race Unity, a Bahá’í Perspective” and “The Promise of World Peace.”

A Saturday evening program of diverse cultural entertainment included an Indian dancer, an African drummer, an American Indian flutist, folk music, and a gospel choir.

Children’s classes were provided.

Media coverage included a four-minute spot on local TV’s nightly news, several radio announcements, and a three-column article with a photo of Dr. Brady on page 4 of the Sunday paper.

Since the conference ended, the Bahá’ís have:

• taken part in a half-hour TV program on the Bahá’í approach to racism;
• had several radio interviews about the conference, local Bahá’í activities, and the Faith in general;
• been invited to participate in Yale University’s interfaith association;
• been invited to coordinate an interfaith religious service this month for several dozen groups in New Haven;
• and received a surprise telegram of congratulations from a former New Haven resident who is pioneering in Luxembourg.

Follow-up activities will include an in-depth workshop on race unity.

One hundred-fifty Bahá’ís and their families and friends of the school turned out November 8 for a day-long barbecue and fund-raiser for the Nine Oaks Bahá’í School near Arroyo Grande, California. Nearly $2,400 was raised, to be divided equally among the National Fund, Bosch Bahá’í School, and Nine Oaks School. Besides the chicken barbecue, a bazaar and carnival were held, and participants enjoyed volleyball, horseshoes and table tennis. Here, some of the crowd watches a performance by juggler Lawrence Faulkner of Fillmore.

Pilgrimage: A joy and a privilege

This month’s article, “The Joy and Privilege of Pilgrimage,” was written by Lynnea Prochnow of Wilmette, Illinois, who is in charge of the Office of Pilgrimage at the Bahá’í National Center.

Pilgrimage is the most precious journey a soul can make in this life. It is an experience that nourishes the spirit, strengthens and warms the heart, and sets ablaze the fire of the love of God in a Bahá’í.

We are immeasurably blessed in this day to be able to visit the Sacred Spot where the Dust of both the King of the Messengers and the Supreme Manifestation of God rests for eternity. We have the privilege and opportunity of praying at the Shrines of the Manifestations of God when we make pilgrimages to the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

Today’s world conditions allow Bahá’ís from many places to attain this special privilege; however, there have been times in the past when the doors of pilgrimage were closed.

Pilgrimage was closed during much of the time that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Haifa before World War I. It was closed again during the time of the Guardian in World War II. And even now, many Bahá’ís, because of animosity between nations, cannot travel to Israel for this blessed privilege. It should not be taken for granted that the doors will always be open in the future.

The Universal House of Justice has given the National Spiritual Assembly a quota of 20 pilgrims per pilgrimage group each pilgrimage season (from late October through July of each year).

This means that, potentially, 400 Bahá’ís from the U.S. can attain the goal of pilgrimage each year.

There is a preventable problem in U.S. pilgrimage scheduling that demands the attention of the American believers. Many individuals have accepted pilgrimage invitations without making solid provisions or plans to participate, then canceled the pilgrimage within only a few days of its starting date.

Cancellations received on such short notice make it difficult, if not impossible, to invite someone to fill the vacancy. This means a longer wait on the pilgrimage waiting list for those who have not yet been invited.

At one time, due to the growing waiting list, the National Assembly requested an increase from the House of Justice in the U.S. quota of pilgrims. However, since individuals and sometimes families often cancel their pilgrimages at the last minute, leaving space for other pilgrims vacant, it is difficult to support such a request.

At present, there is a five-year waiting list for pilgrimage. This situation exists because many people apply for the opportunity, yet do not plan their finances or circumstances so that they are able to go when their turn comes.

On the average, for every 20 positions available to U.S. pilgrims, two or three times as many people must be invited from the list.

In most cases, people go back to the bottom of the list if they are unable to accept. This has made it impossible to shorten the wait for others who cannot go on short notice but do have the ability to go.

Another problem compounds this one. A cancellation list has been established to help fill these vacancies on short notice. Recently, many people who applied for a chance to go on pilgrimage on short notice, via the cancellation list, when offered an invitation, declined to accept due to a lack of funds or the inability to take time off from work or school.

The burden to the National Fund created by the somewhat casual attitude of American Bahá’ís toward their pilgrimages increases yearly.

Preparing for one’s pilgrimage involves more than receiving an invitation and deciding to accept or decline it. It requires planning for financial needs, getting the necessary time off, and making airline arrangements and hotel accommodations.

Yet, while all these things are quite important in the planning process, the spiritual significance of pilgrimage often seems to be taken lightly by many of the American Bahá’ís who have requested the opportunity.

Preparing for pilgrimage also involves being fully aware of the significance of places in Haifa and ‘Akká that are visited as part of the pilgrimage.

Studying the suggested readings on the list found in the pilgrimage application packet is an invaluable help in gaining a broader appreciation of events and locations. These readings, coupled with the stories recounted by past pilgrims, are indispensable to one’s planning.

At this time, the doors of pilgrimage are wide open. All are encouraged to apply.

Since there are presently so many cancellations, the Pilgrimage Office wants to hear from those who are able and willing to go on pilgrimage on very short notice (often three weeks or less).

These people must have U.S. passports (not travel documents), funds on hand, and the ability to leave for pilgrimage at any time.

All of the friends are encouraged to plan for a pilgrimage. The Bahá’í Writings on the subject of pilgrimage reveal the many blessings and the station of a pilgrim.

For more information and an application, please write to the Pilgrimage Office at the Bahá’í National Center.

Nevada Media Committee sends 10,000 holiday cards to northern residents

In December, the Bahá’í Media Committee of Northern Nevada sent 10,000 custom-designed holiday cards with verses from all the world’s major religions to residents in the northern part of the state.

Also in Nevada, the newly formed District Youth Committee produced a Bahá’í peace conference whose theme was “A Day of Prayer for Peace in Central America.” The conference was the idea of recently declared Hispanic Bahá’í youth in the state capital, Carson City.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Sparks gave a 45-minute talk on the Faith to the Reno Lions Club, presenting each of its members with a copy of “The Promise of World Peace.”

In the area of social and economic development: the Spiritual Assembly of Sparks “adopted” a seven-member Hispanic family, providing them with food, clothing and toys for Christmas; the Reno Assembly held a raffle to raise money for firewood to heat the homes of elderly Indians on the McDermitt Reservation; and the Assembly in Washoe County “adopted” needy migrant school children and gave them shoes for the winter.

Bahá’ís in Sparks, Lovelock and Winnemucca had the school boards declare one day as a “Day of Peace” during which youngsters from elementary through high school took part in programs devoted to world peace. The events were covered on television news.

Chattanooga Bahá’í teaches class on Faith

The Clergy Association of Chattanooga, Tennessee, sponsored a School of Religion for three nights in January.

One of those who took part was Mary K. Radpour, a member of the Bahá’í community of Chattanooga, who taught a class on the Faith. [Page 3]

LETTERS

“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Answering the phone

To the Editor:

I would like to respond to the letter (December) about how Bahá’í phones are answered.

My husband and I answer the Bahá’í phone in our community. As with most things in life, it is both a privilege and a test.

The writer must be one of those rare persons who can be home all the time to answer the phone; however, we are working parents and busy Assembly members, and we are not always home, so we use an answering machine.

It gives a courteous and, we hope, helpful message, and we give priority to calling seekers back right away. We feel it would be discourteous not to receive any kind of answer at all.

Bahá’ís from out of town who call a local number for addresses or phone numbers should realize that such information is a trust given to us by the local friends, and since we don’t know you, we must ask a few questions. I do not agree with giving anyone the “third degree.”

Also, Bahá’ís should be aware that most of these local phones are in private homes, and that they should call at reasonable hours and should ask for information only after exhausting their own resources (local friends should read their bulletins, look at maps for directions to events, etc.).

And as much as we would like to meet every Bahá’í coming through town, it is sometimes a considerable hardship when we receive calls from friends who are in town and want to “meet some of the ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎” on short notice. Emergencies are, of course, another matter.

The point about the need to project love and warmth on the phone is well-taken. But it becomes difficult to be initially warm when one is awakened late at night (sometimes at 2 or 3 a.m.) by persons who don’t identify themselves, teen-agers who call as a prank, fundamentalists who shout Bible quotations and hang up, “heavy breathers” and other obscene callers, and those who threaten or vilify us personally or who are obviously mentally ill.

We have had messages on our answering machine that I was horrified that my children were in the room to hear. We’ve also received calls from Middle Easterners who try to find out names and addresses of believers, thus another reason for caution.

I agree that the phone can be a wonderful tool for teaching and attracting seekers. It can also be a marvelous anchor for Bahá’í’s in strange places.

It is my hope that every state will soon have a Bahá’í “800” information line to lighten the load on local phones. I also feel that the friends who are performing this often thankless task need the prayers and support of other believers so that they can gather the strength to be loving and helpful in the face of difficulty and not end up over-cautious or burned out.

Betsy Freeth Tampa, Florida

Some thoughts on Fund

To the Editor:

I pray that every Bahá’í reads the letter (December) from Josef Keller and then reads the “principles of the Fund” on page 5, same issue.

We should give with joy and satisfaction every time we put a contribution in an envelope, and picture it as a brick building, a mighty edifice, a building of peace, love and hope for all the world.

Picture what our little contribution is doing as it is cemented to other little bricks—building, building, building. Take a load off your shoulders by giving.

Financial worries and problems seem to shrink into proper perspective when we give to the Fund. Nothing is taken away when we give. We are given when we give!

Ron Mosseller Tryon, North Carolina

To the Editor:

Since I enrolled in the Faith in November 1980, there has been one persistent problem that has troubled me over the years.

It’s like having a rock in your shoe and finally you reach a point where you have to take time to sit down, take off the shoe, and shake out the offending rock.

For nearly 10 years I’ve been hearing and reading that there are about 100,000 Bahá’ís in the U.S. But every time I see a copy of the “Fundamentals” letter at Feast, I see that less than 10,000 individuals are contributing on a regular basis to the National Fund.

In fact, in the last several months it’s all we can do to muster 5,000 contributions. As my granddad used to say, “Something just don’t jibe here.”

I know there must be some basic underlying reason for this sad state of affairs. For one thing, Bahá’ís don’t pass a collection plate every week, as is the custom in many other religions. Bahá’ís don’t even pass a plate at the Nineteen Day Feasts.

Instead, it is left to each Bahá’í to give on regular basis as he or she is moved to contribute. This is probably a fairer way in which to give, as there is no ritual or pressure to collect money on a regular basis.

However, with no direct reminder to contribute, it is easy to forget to do so. Also, it’s easy to “forget” that the Fund, as stated in the writings, is “the lifeblood of the Cause.”

Another reason for our lack of contributors may be that new Bahá’ís are not deepened in the purpose of the Fund and its vital necessity to the ongoing process of establishing the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh on planet earth.

As also stated in the writings, giving to the Fund on a regular basis is both a privilege and a duty. Many Bahá’ís may not realize that this is the very best investment they can make. The future interest payout will be nothing short of phenomenal.

Without an end to war and violence among nations, our future would be grim indeed. What good would money be if there were no one left to spend it?

But the good news is that planet earth does not have to have a terrible ending. There is more than hope available to all, because we have the divine tools to bring about a new age for all people. It will take dedication, work, prayers, and, yes, lots of money.

With the yearly goal of the Fund clearly in sight, I sat down one evening and did some arithmetic. What I came up with was this: If only half (45,000) of those who do not presently give regularly to the National Fund were to contribute only $2 each Bahá’í month, the National Assembly could fulfill its $1.5-million commitment to the Universal House of Justice with money to spare.

My suggestion is that we go to work on 50 per cent of the 90,000 this year, and next year we can enlist the remaining 50 per cent.

How do we go about this challenging task? I think that all Bahá’ís should be told from the outset the purpose and importance of giving regularly to the Bahá’í Fund.

A special Feast or deepening could be held at the beginning of each Bahá’í’s year at which each Bahá’í would make a silent monthly pledge on a card similar to the lovely contribution record card that was sent out this year.

Being somewhat absent-minded myself, this card has been a real help for me to remember to give each month. And if I forget a month, I can double the amount the next time.

The electronic banking withdrawal system is also an excellent way to contribute to the Fund.

The Bahá’ís in Iran do not have the means to give money to the Fund; their gift of 189 roses to the U.S. community was a spiritual gift of great sacrifice.

I don’t think it was an accident that the U.S. Congress, after decades of trying to pass a bill for a national flower, chose 1986, the International Year of Peace, to finally adopt the rose as our national flower.

I think these signs are gifts to us and a call for action. I don’t know exactly how to get more people to contribute to the Fund, but the Faith has many dedicated and brilliant people in its ranks and we have risen to the task in the past.

If Jerry Lewis can raise $45 million for Muscular Dystrophy in one day, we should be able easily to raise $9 million for the Faith in one year.

Please talk about this at your next Feast and send your suggestions to the National Assembly. Let’s put our minds and hearts together and come up with fresh ideas of how to accomplish this vital goal.

God has stepped up and served us a rose-covered ball this year. Now, the ball’s in our court!

Jack Hofer Comfort, Texas

Hooray for Summer School

To the Editor:

Last July, our family had the pleasure of attending the Wisconsin Bahá’í School at Camp Byron in Brownsville. It was our first experience at a five-day school, and was a great family vacation!

The warm, loving atmosphere of a Bahá’í environment was richly rewarding. There were fine classes for adults, excellent children’s classes, and we all made many new friends.

It was especially enriching for our boys (ages 5 and 8); their Bahá’í identities were strengthened by being with so many other Bahá’í children and families.

We left Camp Byron with renewed inner peace and definitely plan to return this year on July 20-24!

We urge all Bahá’ís to find out about the regional summer school in their area, and plan their vacation time and finances to attend.

While we struggle with the pressures of the outside world, it’s refreshing to spend time “living the life” in a Bahá’í school atmosphere.

Lynn and Roy Duvall Mukwonago, Wisconsin

Confronting racism

To the Editor:

“If this room were filled with darkness, we could not remove the darkness by intensifying the darkness, nor can we remove discord from the face of the earth by increasing discord.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in To Move the World)

Silence on the part of the Bahá’ís regarding South Africa does not mean we are apathetic to apartheid, any more than silence on human rights violations in any other part of the world implies apathy. The question is not whether we are horrified by such policies, but what shall we do about them?

Millions of people throughout the world have intensely opposed apartheid for many years with little effect. It is doubtful that we can, by adding our small voices to theirs, add any potency.

Racism is a spiritual disease. In the words of Louis Gregory, “Unless the teachings of... Bahá’u’lláh are presented and accepted, there is nothing but chaos ahead. How great therefore is the responsibility of those who have the only remedy that will heal.”

We, as the “generation of the half-light,” have a large task in improving not only Bahá’í racial unity but all aspects of Bahá’í unity. The old world order is collapsing rapidly, and the temptation is great, at times almost irresistible, to help tear down a part here, or help shore up a part there.

But we must keep our eyes and our efforts focused on building the new World Order, on increasing unity and not discord. Our responsibility is indeed very great. May God help us to meet it.

John Bower Comayagua, Honduras

Thanks for your help!

To the Editor:

I would like to thank all the friends, my roommates, guides and strangers who were so kind and helpful during my trip to India, Haifa and England in December.

After several days there, having twisted my ankle, everyone was so helpful, coming to my aid with an Ace bandage, remedies, companionship and support over rough roads, on buses and up steps galore, showing forth the love of Bahá’u’lláh at all times.

Mildred Elmer Towson, Maryland

‘Transfusion’ needed

To the Editor:

We, the people of Bahá, have an ongoing spiritual problem that for some reason we are not overcoming.

This collective spiritual body of ours is rapidly becoming extremely anemic due to the lack of our “life-blood” being constantly renewed.

As a result, all sorts of crippling, growth-stunting problems threaten to affect every part and function of our young spiritual body which is growing weaker by the hour.

If this were a material body, we would be close to death and would be speedily rushed to the nearest hospital for a massive blood transfusion.

See LETTERS page 31

Guebe and the Toy Truck

by Joseph Shepperd

The second story in the adventures of Goli and Kadjam, set in West Africa and beautifully illustrated.

Goli and Kadjam, two young Bahá’í girls, discover that the boys of the village do not think girls are capable of playing their games. But with the help of some advice from Mama Buzurg they turn the tables on the boys. 32 pages, full-colour cover $3.95

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order to: Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 4]

CHAMPION-BUILDERS: MRS. AGNES PARSONS

"The dress was destroyed, but the one who wore the dress is living."

These words are part of a wonderful teaching on immortality given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mrs. Agnes Parsons when she supplicated for a word from Him for a friend who was inconsolable after the death of a loved one.

Those same words were appropriately applied to Mrs. Parsons herself upon her death.

On Friday, January 19, 1934, at about 6 p.m., Mrs. Parsons, who was then 73 years old, was crossing a street alone when she was struck by a passing car.

Following this she became seriously ill, and on Tuesday, January 23, near midnight, she passed away.

Although she had led a long and fruitful life, it was one that also seemed full of promise for many more years of service.

Mrs. Parsons first heard of the Faith around 1908, soon became a confirmed follower of Bahá’u’lláh, and made a pilgrimage to Haifa to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1910.

Mrs. Parsons had the bounty to be able to offer ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the hospitality of her new home during the greater part of His first visit to Washington, D.C., in 1912.

Some of the marvelous talks He gave there are recorded in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, but there were many private interviews with individuals and groups from the official and social circles in Washington that have never been printed.

In August 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited Dublin, New Hampshire, where the Parsons had their summer residence.

Here, Mrs. Parsons turned over to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the exclusive use of Himself and His entourage one of her places there, known as "Dayspring."

Thus two of her homes, one in Washington and the other in Dublin, have become an integral part of this country's Bahá’í history.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá often referred during those times to Mrs. Parsons’ spirituality and to her significant services to the Cause of God.

From that time on Mrs. Parsons gradually began to serve more definitely and diligently in the Cause, for the most part giving the Message to groups in her own home.

MR. WOLCOTT

...joined Walt Disney Studios, and during his 11 years there—the last five as general music director—made several trips to South America, Mexico and Cuba to research music for various Disney films with Latin American backgrounds including "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros."

Among his other films as music director for Disney were the Academy Award-nominated "Song of the South," "Fancy Free," and "Make Mine Music."

Before moving to MGM as assistant music director to his friend Johnny Green, Mr. Wolcott was music consultant to the Ice Capades of 1950 and guest conductor on the "Music from Hollywood" radio program with opera star Rise Stevens.

At MGM he wrote the love themes for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Blackboard Jungle," and was credited with introducing rock-and-roll to the screen in the latter film when he persuaded its producer to use the song "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets as part of the background score.

Other songs composed by Mr. Wolcott for films include "The Reluctant Dragon," "Sooner or Later," "Two Silhouettes," and "Llama Serenade." Southern Music published his "Inca Suite" from "Saludos Amigos" in 1957.

In April 1958 Mr. Wolcott succeeded Mr. Green as general music director at MGM.

He had become a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles in 1948, was elected to the National Assembly in 1953, and served from 1953-56 as chairman of the National Teaching Committee. After the National Assembly elected him to be its secretary in 1959, Mr. Wolcott said goodbye forever to Hollywood and his long career in music.

Mr. Wolcott was buried January 27 in the Bahá’í cemetery in Haifa. A memorial service was held February 20 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DISTINGUISHED SERVANT CAUSE GOD, DEDICATED WORKER HIS VINEYARD CHARLES WOLCOTT. SELFLESSNESS, HUMILITY, COURAGE, NOBILITY, FAIR-MINDEDNESS, PERSEVERANCE CHARACTERIZED HIS UNINTERRUPTED SERVICES COURSE HALF A CENTURY, IN HIS CAPACITY AS MEMBER AND LATER SECRETARY NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY CRADLE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER, AS SECRETARY-GENERAL INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL FOLLOWED BY HIS OUTSTANDING LABORS AS MEMBER UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE SINCE ITS INCEPTION. PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL, CONFIDENT RICH WELL-DESERVED REWARD ABHÁ KINGDOM HIS UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION PROGRESS CONSOLIDATION FAITH NORTH AMERICA AND AT WORLD CENTER. EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY HIS BELOVED WIDOW WHO SHARED SUPPORTED HIS SERVICES THROUGHOUT PERIOD HIS DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONAL CAREER, HIS BRILLIANT LABORS CAUSE GOD AND TO HIS BEREAVED DAUGHTERS AND FAMILY. ADVISE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERINGS, INCLUDING COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES IN HIS HONOR ALL MASHRIQU’L-ADHKÁRS.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Bahá’ís in East Texas sponsor Health Care Fair

More than 60 Bahá’ís from 20 Texas communities gathered last November 27-28 at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation in Livingston for a Health Care Fair, a first-of-its-kind service project sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of East Texas No. 2 as a part of its ongoing "Yellow Rose Teaching Campaign."

Health care professionals and non-professionals provided free medical pre-screening to more than 15 per cent of the tribe whose major health problems include diabetes, high blood pressure, drug abuse and alcoholism.

Medical professionals serving the Fair included two physicians, two dentists, three nutritionists, four nurses, a physician's assistant and a school psychologist.

The idea of a Health Care Fair was first presented to the District Teaching Committee by Dr. Robert Morrow of Houston after he and his wife had visited the Reservation and learned of the serious health needs of the people there.

The committee was able to secure permission for the Fair after holding a summer project on the Reservation whose administrators were highly impressed by the conduct and behavior of the Bahá’í youth and were more than willing to have the Bahá’ís return.

The day-long Health Care Fair was preceded by a Friday evening orientation presented by Jaci Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, and Frank McLemore of the American Indian Teaching Committee.

At the Fair, everyone's height and weight were checked. This was followed by dental screening and drawing blood to check for diabetes.

Other elements of the Fair included screening for vision and child-care information for parents; a workshop by Mr. McLemore on native culture and traditional religious values; and a video, "The Honor of One Is the Honor of All," produced in Canada by Phil Lucas, which tells the story of one tribe's efforts to conquer alcoholism.

A general information table offered pamphlets on a variety of topics such as drug abuse, alcoholism, birth control, and high blood pressure.

As a follow-up to the Fair, each person who was found to have a major health problem was sent a letter reminding him to visit his personal doctor.

Michael Kincaid, a physician's assistant from Houston, Texas, takes a blood sample to test for diabetes during the Bahá’í-sponsored Health Care Fair held last November on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation in Livingston, Texas.

At the end of the day, the friends gathered to wish 98-year-old Lee Calip, the oldest living Bahá’í in East Texas, a happy birthday.

Mr. Calip won't give his exact date of birth; he says only that he was three years old when Bahá’u’lláh Ascended. He was presented a balloon and a birthday card signed by all the Bahá’ís.

Everyone who came to the Fair had something to do including the children who gave "One Planet, One People... Please" balloons to their new friends on the Reservation.

White Plains Assembly honors Mrs. Deats, long-time member, on her 90th birthday

Vera Deats, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of White Plains, New York, was the guest of honor at a party February 25 given by the Assembly to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Mrs. Deats, who became a Bahá’í in 1934 and has been a member of local Assemblies for all of those 53 years, loves to tell the story of how, after reading only two pamphlets on the Faith, she knew immediately that it was the truth.

"They've stolen my stuff!" she recalls thinking. "This is the way I've thought all my life!"

As a regular and devoted contributor to the Fund, she remembers sending pennies during the great Depression of the 1930s to help build the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Both of her children embraced the Faith, as did two of her grandchildren. One daughter, Janet Washburn, is chairman of the Assembly in White Plains; the other, Audrey Marcus, pioneered for 14 years with her husband, Leslie, in Luxembourg. The Marcuses are presently serving at the World Center.

Mrs. Deats attended the Bahá’í Jubilee in London in 1963 and made her pilgrimage to the Holy Places in Israel in 1970.

14th Conference of Nur scheduled in Harrisburg

The Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is sponsoring the 14th annual Conference of Nur (Light) on May 29-31 at Elizabethtown College.

The conference theme is "The Vision of Bahá’u’lláh." Speakers will include three Auxiliary Board members, Tahireh Ahdieh, Javidukht Khadem and William Roberts, and Daryush Haghighi, a trustee of the Huqú’qu’lláh.

Among the topics to be discussed are:

1. The spiritual evolution of and development of mankind—the 10 majestic processes. 2. The fourth epoch: A review of the three previous epochs, or where have we come from? and the fourth epoch, or where are we going? 3. The spiritual significance of sacrifice: Types of sacrifices in the East and the West. 4. Arming for reassurance: Firmness in the Covenant, sharing the Message, steadfastness in the love of Bahá’u’lláh.

The cost for adults (age 9 and above) is $48 with pre-registration by May 11, $52 afterward. Children ages 4-8, half-price; infants to age 3, free.

Small-group workshops will follow each topic so that everyone can share his/her experiences, and all can gain a greater understanding for implementing the points in his/her daily life.

For Persian friends whose English is limited, English-to-Farsi translations will be provided by request at each session, and a workshop will be conducted in Farsi following each topic.

Youth, pre-youth and children will have separate programs; youth will have special sessions with the main speakers.

Saturday evening entertainment will include musicians Van Gilmer and family of Washington, D.C.; Scott Anderson and Lee Feldman of York, Pennsylvania; and others.

For registration information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, attention: registrar, P.O. Box 3108, Harrisburg, PA 17105, or phone 717-232-9163. [Page 5]Patrick Vecchio (second from left), town supervisor of Smithtown, New York, proclaims September 16 ‘International Day of Peace’ in Smithtown as Bahá’ís (left to right) Dr. Thomas Moore, Anthony Boemio and Mrs. Alice Fey, representing the Smithtown community, look on.

Teaching Committee has non-English language materials

The National Teaching Committee has a number of non-English language introductory pamphlets and selections from the Writings available for purchase. Prices vary, and they can be delivered to your address with a 15 per cent postage fee. Here is a list of what is available:

Basque: Short summary of the Faith (pamphlet), 50 cents.

Chinese: Release the Sun, $5; Paris Talks, $5; The New Garden, $5; miscellaneous pamphlets, 50 cents each.

Dutch: *Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, $7; *The Hidden Words, $5; The Bahá’í Faith (by Gloria Faizi), $2; World Order (by Daniel Jordan), $50 cents.

Esperanto: World Faith for Modern Man (pamphlet), 50 cents; Short Prayers, 50 cents; The Bahá’í Religion (pamphlet), 50 cents.

French: *God Passes By, $18; The Seven Valleys, $1; One Planet, One People (pamphlet), 50 cents.

German: Some Answered Questions, $7; Christ and Bahá’u’lláh‎,, ,‎ $3; The Heavens Are Cleft Asunder, $7; Paris Talks, $5.

Hmong: The New Garden, $2.

Italian: Some Answered Questions, $7; Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, $3.50.

Japanese: The Hidden Words, $3; Prayers and Meditations, $1.

Khmer: Short Bahá’í History and Some Teachings (pamphlet), $1; Bahá’í Prayers, 50 cents.

Laotian: The New Garden, $3.50; miscellaneous pamphlets, 50 cents each.

Norwegian: *Gleanings, $10; Communion with God (pamphlet), 50 cents.

Vietnamese: Teaching card packets, 50 cents.

• Denotes hardcover copy.

Also available are cassette audio tapes:

Hmong: Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith, $4.

Khmer (Cambodian): Bahá’í Principles and History, $4; The Nineteen Day Feast, $4.

Mandarin (Chinese): History and Basic Facts of the Bahá’í Faith, $4.

Please make checks payable to the National Teaching Committee, earmarked “Non-English Language Materials.”

Louhelen conference tackles problems of substance abuse

As a first step toward helping individuals, families and communities recognize and assist with substance abuse problems, the Louhelen Bahá’í School hosted an intensive conference on that topic January 23-25.

The keynote speaker was Dr. A.M. Ghadirian, author of In Search of Nirvana.

Workshops were conducted by Elizabeth Ritter, a substance abuse counselor from San Francisco; Curt Russell, a psychologist involved in training substance abuse counselors; and Hank Wich, a counselor specializing in family systems.

Workshop topics included “Factors Contributing to Substance Abuse,” “Family and Community Dynamics,” “Spirituality in Relation to Stress,” and “Awareness and Education for the Prevention of Substance Abuse.”

Role-playing of intervention strategies for individuals and communities was also conducted.

Participants also saw and discussed videos from Alcoholics Anonymous and a video, “The Honor of Us All,” which follows the individual and community process of change in the Alkali Indian tribe as members struggle to overcome widespread alcoholism.

The 40 people who took part in the conference included representatives of Assemblies, professional counselors, and those who are recovering substance abusers or children of substance abusers.

A number were not Bahá’ís including five counselors and recovering substance abusers from the Elmhurst home in Detroit.

“The mixture of people at the conference enabled us—no, forced us—to really confront the extent of the problem of substance abuse in both the Bahá’í and general community,” said one participant. “The understanding I gained about substance abuse, and the practical ideas for helping and educating the friends, will prove invaluable.”

A second conference on the topic is being considered for next fall. Those who wish to be informed of future conferences should write to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

In January, the National Spiritual Assembly received the following note appended to a Fund contribution: ‘Dear Friends, At a feast a few months ago, I heard about the gift of 189 roses, and I was inspired to learn by heart the Tablet of Ahmad. My name is Krispin Leydon and I am 10 years old and I live in Pennsylvania.’

National Council on Aging to hold 37th conference

The 37th annual Conference of the National Council on the Aging will take place March 29-April 1 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago.

Co-sponsored by more than 200 national organizations, the 1987 conference will deal with policies, programs and services critical to older citizens in the coming decades. The cost is $145 for conference registration and a full year’s membership for existing and new members of NCOA; the cost for non-members is $175.

For information, write to the National Council on the Aging Inc., 600 Maryland Avenue S.W., West Wing 100, Washington, D.C. 20024.

For the second month in a row, contributions offered in the “Spirit of the Roses” have enabled the National Bahá’í Fund to exceed its goal.

One major gift and thousands of others received during Sultán boosted contributions to the highest level of the year and allowed the National Spiritual Assembly to bring its pledge to the Universal House of Justice current for the first time. In addition, the National Treasurer’s Office reports that more than $1.5 million of bank debt has been retired and that continued strong giving may make it possible to eliminate the debt entirely.

As Bahá’ís all over the country observe the fast, the National Assembly urges that we pray that this new spirit of sacrifice and devotion takes firm and permanent root in our hearts.

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE

ARCHIVES OFFICE

Did you receive a letter from the Guardian?

Do you know anyone who received a letter from the Guardian?

• • The Universal House of Justice refers to the writings of the Guardian when preparing legislation and consulting on matters relating to the progress of the Bahá’í Faith.

• • The Bahá’í World Centre Archives maintains a collection of the Guardian’s letters.

THE GUARDIAN WROTE AT LEAST 21,000 LETTERS TO INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS, GROUPS AND BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTIONS IN THE WEST, BUT ONLY 11,014 OF THEM ARE IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE

If you, your family, friends or Local Spiritual Assembly have any originals or photocopies of letters of the Guardian, please send them to your National Spiritual Assembly for forwarding to Haifa. Or send them yourself to the Archives Office at the Bahá’í World Centre.

If you wish to retain the originals, they will be returned to you after the necessary copies have been made for the Archives. If you wish to donate the originals, to be kept in your name in the International Bahá’í Archives, we will send you photocopies of them in return.

The Treasurer’s Office notes that a number of contributions sent in the new blue Fund envelopes are being returned to the donors marked ‘improper address.’ It appears that ‘The National Bahá’í Fund’ and address are positioned in such a way that some post offices are not sure who the addressee is. While most envelopes appear to reach the Treasurer’s Office without any difficulty, individual Bahá’ís and Bahá’í treasurers may wish to add a prominent ‘TO’ before the logo and address to ensure that the contribution reaches the National Treasurer’s Office as quickly as possible (see illustration). [Page 6]

Children’s education major concern for many pioneers

PIONEERING

When you make the commitment to go pioneering abroad, all of the family is involved in the process of adjusting to your new culture, country and life. This process has the effect of strengthening the family structure in this mutual service to our beloved Cause.

A major concern, of course, is the education of the children (and/or parents). This is such an important part of the social interaction that you will have with your new community.

One of the greatest fears pioneering is “the lack of good educational facilities” for their children. The International Goals Committee has received many letters from families who say, “We are waiting until the children get older,” or “We are waiting until the children are finished with school.”

If you have put aside the possibility or delayed your plans to pioneer for this reason, the Goals Committee has some information that may change your mind.

Many other countries have good schools available, especially at the elementary level. Oftentimes, schools are free, while some have tuition or uniform and supply fees.

In some countries, the alternatives of private or parochial schools exist. Some of our pioneers have chosen to place their children in the local schools. The children then have peer relationships with other neighborhood children.

Parents can choose to supplement their education through correspondence courses, as well.

Some parents are teaching their children totally through correspondence courses.

There is no reason to feel that your children’s educational needs won’t be met by your moving to another country.

The Calvert School has been offering home instructional courses for kindergarten through eighth grade since 1897. The Calvert program is well-established and highly regarded throughout the educational community. It is well-managed and used successfully by pioneers as either the sole or a supplementary educational program.

These courses are reasonable, but not cheap. The Calvert School is used also by people here in the States, as well as by Embassy and professional personnel abroad.

If your children are older, there is an excellent high school program offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln through its Center for Continuing Education. This independent study program offers all of the basic high school courses as well as business, agriculture, computer sciences, industrial education, languages, music, photography, etc.

Many of our pioneers have found that this high school program provides a superior education when compared to what is available in the States. In addition, the program is recognized by some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S.

For those of you who are interested in acquiring a degree at the bachelor’s or master’s level, there are many universities in this country that have programs overseas.

Some of these are external degree or correspondence courses with or without residential requirements; others are conducted at foreign universities but carry full accreditation with the sponsoring university in the U.S., while still other programs are offered by overseas universities but recognized by American colleges.

The Council on International Education Exchange, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-661-1414) has information and publications about foreign study. Look for these publications in the reference section of your local or university library.

The paramount importance placed on the education of your children cannot be denied. The quest for quality in that education is certainly a challenge faced by many.

Then, too, the special bounties given to pioneers are the most unique educational experiences of all. In the pioneer field, it is possible to combine these two precious opportunities.

For more information, please feel free to contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

Featured speakers and panelists at the Pioneer Training Institute held in January at the Bosch Bahá’í School were (left to right) Auxiliary Board member Edward Diliberto, Rebecca Johnston, Kenton Dunbar and Anne Sadeghpour, all pioneers who have served in Chile, Korea, Taiwan and Nicaragua.

Pictured are some of the participants in a Pioneer Training Institute held January 23-25 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in California. Some of the youth were preparing for a Year of Service in Botswana or Barbados while other prospective pioneers were headed for Pohnpei, Japan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Panama and Chile. Also present at the Institute were representatives of the Spiritual Assembly of Phoenix, Arizona.

Doors of opportunity open wide for traveling teachers in Central America, Caribbean area

A chance of a lifetime! Travel and teach in Livingston, Guatemala, with beautiful clear skies and warm, friendly Bahá’ís.

Deepen with the Garifuna people in their thatch-roofed homes while palm trees sway in the breeze. During your stay, you will have free time for swimming in the fresh water cascades, exploring the lovely Rio Dulce, and seeing Mayan ruins more than 1,000 years old.

Spanish is helpful but not required. Also, for youth, a youth month is planned from July 15-August 15. Come join the ranks of local youth in service to our beloved Cause.

Or, travel and teach in Jamaica! The environment is casual, the opportunities are great.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica is eager to receive traveling teachers to help sustain and reinforce the local believers who are laboring so valiantly to expand and consolidate the Bahá’í community.

You can contribute to the unity of the Bahá’í world and gain a true understanding of the oneness of humanity by arising to travel and teach internationally. In addition to the need for a constant flow of traveling teachers, Jamaica will be hosting a youth project for one month this summer. The youth will focus on community service, deepening and teaching.

Are you taking a vacation, and do you want to serve the Faith too? Do you need some spiritual revitalization?

Well, then, international traveling teaching is the answer. Grand Cayman Island in the beautiful Caribbean is welcoming all Bahá’í visitors to reinforce their efforts. Help to strengthen your sister community and make firm the bond that unites all peoples.

The teaching work there is much like that in many parts of the U.S.: public meetings, firesides, and one-on-one opportunities. If you have several weeks or only a few days, you can make a difference.

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

Pioneer Post on subscription basis

Pioneer Post is a newsletter consisting of excerpts from letters written by pioneers from the U.S. to the International Goals Committee. In its eight-year existence, Pioneer Post has been sent quarterly to the 1,500 or so U.S. pioneers in the field, as well as to Counselors, Auxiliary Board members, and a few others who have requested it. Now it is being offered on a subscription basis to anyone who is interested for $4 a year. Make checks payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund,” earmarked for IGC Pioneer Post, and send them to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. You’ll find Pioneer Post a continuing source of inspiration and love.

CORRECTION

On page 57 of the August 1986 edition of the U.S. Bahá’í Directory, the telephone number for the Bahá’í National Center is incorrect. It is listed as 896-9039; the correct number is 869-9039. We regret the error.

ITEMS AVAILABLE

from the International Goals Committee

The following materials are available ONLY through the International Goals Committee:

BOOKS

A Manual for Pioneers by Rúhíyyih Rabbani, $4.50. A must for pioneers and traveling teachers, this practical guide to pioneering by the Hand of the Cause of God Rúhíyyih Khánum covers topics of concern such as health, diet, public speaking, local customs, simple furniture building, travel hints, Bahá’í administration, etc. The book shares many personal experiences gleaned from several trips around the world.

Quickeners of Mankind: Pioneering in a World Community, $1.50. This compilation contains quotes from Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, and Hands of the Cause of God regarding pioneering. The quotes are arranged topically and provide an inspirational guide to deepening on “the most meritorious of deeds.”

Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook by David Werner, $7. Guidance for home diagnoses and remedies for many health problems encountered in other countries.

Preservation of Personal Health in Warm Climates by the Ross Institute of Tropical Hygiene, England, $2.50. This health care manual concentrates on those ailments and health concerns common to tropical climates. It provides specific information about ‎innoculations inoculations‎, skin diseases, travel and camping preparations, and more.

CASSETTES

Pioneer by Joany Lincoln, $6. Joany Lincoln, a pioneer herself, has recorded in English and French many popular songs about service to Bahá’u’lláh including the “Persian Pioneer Song” and “Strong Brilliant Sunshine.”

PERIODICALS

Pioneer Post newsletter, $4/year, published quarterly. The Pioneer Post is compiled by the International Goals Committee from letters and reports from U.S. pioneers in more than 100 countries. Previously provided only to pioneers, the publication, full of heart-warming stories, practical advice and moving accounts of pioneers’ spiritual growth in serving Bahá’u’lláh, is now available to the entire Bahá’í community on a subscription basis.

NOTE: All prices include postage. Make checks or money orders payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund” earmarked “IGC: Books.” Send your order and payment to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 7]

CAMPUS CLIPS

Is anybody out there? Some of the Bahá’í College Clubs have not yet returned their officers’ report forms for the 1986-87 school year. We need your help! We don’t know where you are, or how to reach you! Please, if you haven’t been quite active this year, let us know as soon as possible. If you never received a 1986-87 report form, let us know!

Going to college soon? The Bahá’í at the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Warren Wilson College near Asheville have been quite active this year. Name recognition of the Faith on these campuses is very high.

They have held joint-sponsored firesides, presented the peace statement to the chancellor at UNC-A, and are working closely with the campus ministry as the only “non-Christian” group represented.

Above all, the clubs have developed a strong bond of friendship among the student believers. If you would like to know more about either or both of these schools and their Bahá’í clubs, write to Pamela Ray, Asheville, NC 28804, or phone 704-254-7989.

•

The National Youth Committee office is presently working on a Bahá’í College Club directory to include the names, addresses, phone numbers and contact persons for all the Bahá’í Clubs in the continental U.S.

If you would like a copy of the directory, as it is now, we will send one to you at cost ($3). Mail requests to the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

•

The Bahá’í Club at Merced College (California) has sent an inspiring report to the National Youth Committee.

In the past year they have hosted firesides on campus, held open peace talks every Thursday afternoon, sponsored peace lectures, helped start a clothing drive for the needy, presented the Faith to a class in comparative religion, helped raise money for the Disabled Student Union, donated six books to the school library, and won the “Best Club of the Semester” award for spring 1986.

The commitment of the Merced club shined through when they explained their approach to firesides and peace talks. Occasionally, no one would show up for the discussions, but instead of giving up, the Merced Bahá’ís took advantage of the situation. If only Bahá’ís came they would have a deepening, and if only one Bahá’í showed up, he or she would say prayers.

•

Aurora, a jazz band, would like to set up a concert tour of colleges in the Great Lakes area in conjunction with teaching. Needed are contacts in Bahá’í College Clubs who can help gather information. Please contact Chris Kel-

See CAMPUS page 24

Agriculture career can become means to serve Cause of God

By JOHN ZUPANCIC

A career in agriculture can be a fulfilling and useful means of serving mankind. Bahá’u’lláh exhorts us (in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 176) to “give complete regard to the matter of agriculture.”

Today, the “matter of agriculture” is quite complex, and dedicated people are needed to help solve the world’s agricultural problems.

Involvement in agriculture provides unique opportunities to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Since most Bahá’ís live in urban areas, many rural people have never had the chance to hear about the Faith.

Scott Bodie, a Nebraska cattleman, returned to ranching after a stint in the Navy and two years pioneering in Brazil. When asked why he chose a career in agriculture, he said that he was drawn by the “pull of the land” and a need to be in touch with nature.

Bahá’u’lláh, he said, referred to the country as “the world of the soul” and said that’s where he wanted to be.

Although there are few opportunities for young people to become agricultural producers, there are many career paths that allow one to be closely associated with agriculture.

Mark Jensen, a Bahá’í in Kansas, chose a career in agronomy because he saw it as a means of applying science to serve mankind. He works to provide farmers with strains of wheat that are resistant to diseases and produce more grain.

Ed McGuire, a chemical engineer by training, uses the chemistry he learned in college to analyze animal feeds. His service helps farmers and ranchers feed their livestock more efficiently. For the scientifically-minded, there are career opportunities related to both animal and crop production.

There are other career avenues in agriculture related more to economics and finance. Farm management is a growth area for agricultural employment. Agricultural finance can be complicated, and capable people can make a significant contribution.

Since the many facets of agriculture are so difficult to comprehend, employers often favor those who were raised on a farm.

There are, however, good opportunities for those with non-farm backgrounds if they are willing to work hard and gain as much practical experience as possible. They can seek out summer farm work or take work-study positions on university experimental farms.

Every state has an agricultural college where one can learn the art and science of agriculture. They are often referred to as “land grant” universities.

Today, enrollment in these colleges is generally low because of the downturn in the economy, and Bahá’í youth have a unique opportunity to study that science for which Bahá’u’lláh had so much regard.

As Bahá’ís, we understand the changes the ag economy is undergoing to be a part of the development of a world economy. Agriculture is the underpinning of the world’s economy, and we must endeavor to understand it if we are to give it any regard whatsoever.

List of upcoming 1987 conferences

Here is a list of upcoming conferences in 1987:

1. Region No. 2 Conference: “Uniting the World ... against the Odds?” April 17-19, Roanoke, Virginia. Registration, $60 if paid by April 7; $70 at the conference. Contact Sohail Dadressan, 301-339-7214.

2. Region No. 12 Conference: “Bahá’í Youth—Building a Self-Image.” March 20-22, Arroyo Grande, California. Registration fee, $20. Contact Jennifer Eaton, 805-525-1223. Housing: Contact Arash Khorvash, 619-265-9193.

3. 1987 Bahá’í International Youth Conference: “Let It Be This Generation.” July 8-12, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. $150 (four nights shared accommodations, 10 meals, registration included). Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í youth, ages 14-28, welcome; no adult or children’s program.

4. 1987 Bahá’í International Youth Conference: July 24-26, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

5. Regional Ridván Conference: May 1-3, Villanova, Pennsylvania. Guest speaker: Counselor Robert Harris. Service project on Saturday. Pre-registration necessary. Contact Kathy Etemad, 215-527-3114.

Youth and the Fund

A challenge to all Bahá’í youth:

In December, I attended the Orlando, Florida, youth conference whose theme was “Bahá’í Youth: Living a Life of Service; Please God, We May Achieve It.” The conference stressed doing a youth year of service (youth donate one full year volunteering their services as pioneers to foreign countries or fill local work-related needs such as helping at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette).

Many youth, finding themselves unable to donate a year of their time, can still take part in advancing the Cause by donating to the Fund each 19 days. Giving to the Fund may not seem as adventurous or ‎fund fun‎, but please be assured, it is equally as important! “He wishes you ... to stress the importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund, which is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement ...” (From a letter of August 25, 1934, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

My heart was saddened as I heard Gail Etzenhouser, secretary of the National Youth Committee, report on the status of the Bahá’í youth contributors. There are presently about 3,000 registered Bahá’í youth (ages 15-21) in the U.S. Out of those 3,000 Bahá’í youth, the Youth Committee’s goal is to have 300 (only 10 percent) contribute to the Fund each Bahá’í month. You may be thinking, “Why set the goal so low? Why not have a goal of 20 percent, 30 percent, or even 50 percent?” Before answering the question, let us first look at some facts, which in themselves will provide you with the answer.

During 1986, the average Bahá’í month saw only 57 Bahá’í youth contributing to the Fund. That’s 57 out of a possible 3,000, which calculates to 1.9 percent—less than 2 percent! If you don’t believe my math, get your calculators and work out the percentages for yourselves.

Ms. Etzenhouser was also given the task of keeping track of youth contributions by district as a way of getting some healthy competition started. But as she tried to do so, she found it to be of no use, since no district had more than five contributors and most had two or less! Now the youth out there can fully understand why my heart wept as she spoke.

On declaring ourselves Bahá’ís, Bahá’u’lláh, in His utmost kindness, has given us not the duty, but the privilege of contributing to the Bahá’í Fund. The amount is unimportant—it is the act that counts. “The backbone of the Fund must be the regular contributions of every believer. Even though such contributions may be small ... large numbers of small sums combine into a mighty river that can carry along the work of the Cause.” (Messages from the Universal House of Justice, pp. 59-60)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá assures those who give to the Fund that “... He who cometh with one goodly deed will receive a tenfold reward. There is no doubt that the living Lord will abundantly confirm those who expend their wealth in His path.” (Bahá’í Prayers (1982), p. 84)

Other young hearts must have been weeping too as Ms. Etzenhouser spoke, because an unprecedented 83 percent of youth at the conference contributed to the Fund—proof that the Bahá’í youth in North America have much untapped potential for giving.

Parents, remember that now is the time to start nurturing the habit of giving to the Fund in your children, for as they grow older this spiritual habit will assure the Faith’s continued upward growth for many years to come.

If you don’t have a checking account, you may have your parents write a check or include your contribution with their own. For your contribution to be counted among the youth contributors, you must include your Bahá’í identification number on the check or in the envelope.

North American youth, let us prove this country’s giving potential by arising to the challenge of making a personal commitment to action; donate to the Fund every 19 days and end 1987 as winners. Yes, God, we have achieved it!—Veronica Dickey, Canton, Ohio

Youth Committee can help you start a local youth club

You say you want to start a peace club at your school, or a local youth club, but you just don’t know where to begin?

You know that youth clubs do exciting things like service projects, deepenings and firesides, and that peace clubs work together to make the world a more peaceful place. You even know all kinds of people in your area who would like to join such a club, and kids in your school who would like to have a peace club—but where do you start?

You start right here. Simply write to the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. We have all the information you need and guidelines for starting local youth clubs or peace clubs. Don’t wait! ... We’re watching the mail for your letter!

Here’s how to reach overseas pen-pals through committee

Would you like a pen-pal from overseas? The National Youth Committee has collected letters from youth around the world asking for pen-pals from the United States. If you are interested in corresponding with someone in a foreign land, please write to the National Youth Committee office and tell us a little about yourself. And remember to include your name and address!

Youth participation in the National Bahá’í Fund

Goal: 300

Months: Jamál, ‘Azamat, Núr, Rahmat, Kalimát, Kamál, Asmá’, ‘Izzat, Mashíyyat, ‘Ilm, Qudrat, Qawl, Masá’il, Sharaf, Sultán, Mulk, ‘Alá, Bahá, Jalál. [Page 8]

BAHA’I CROSSWORD

Copyright 1987 by Juliette Whittaker

ACROSS 1. 19th letter of the alphabet. 2. The Prophet of Islam 8. A 24-hour period of time. 10. North America (initials). 13. Gautama received His enlightenment while meditating under a bo-tree. 16. A biochemical factor in the blood. 17. God is the of the Prophet's knowledge. 18. 12th letter of the Greek alphabet. 19. Iranian Prophet (6th century B.C.) Who taught the triumph of good over evil and the belief in life after death. 21. Banishment from His home in Iran forced Bahá’u’lláh to to other countries. 22. First syllable of the word "education." 23. Local Spiritual Assembly (initials). 24. One of the primary obligations of a Bahá’í is to the Cause of God.

DOWN 1. Center of the solar system. 3. Follower of India's major religion. 4. Medical doctor (initials). 5. Who the Prophet comes to teach. 6. Yes (nautical). 7. The "Gate." 9. Prophet of the Bahá’í Faith. 11. Jesus 12. A way in which to contact God. 14. The crime of charging unfair interest on a loan. 15. To take action. 18. Prophet Who brought the Ten Commandments. 19. Enthusiastic devotion to a cause. 20. The ness of God, religion and mankind is the pivot of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

Answers to this month's puzzle are on page 30

Youth

ciples unfoldment and application in the minds, hearts and lives of people."

The Bahá’ís of North America, including every Bahá’í youth, must continue to carry out the Master's wishes.

Bahá’í youth in particular, with their "abounding zeal" and freedom of movement, can help to further the implications of spiritual significance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit, for it is this generation of youth who will be in the forefront of academic and vocational fields.

"... It is on young and active Bahá’ís, like you, that the Guardian centers all his hopes for the future progress and expansion of the Cause, and it is on their shoulders that he lays the responsibility for the upkeep of the spirit of selfless service among their fellow-believers.

"Without that spirit no work can be successfully achieved. With it, triumph, though hardly won, is inevitable. You should, therefore, try all your best to carry aflame within you the torch of faith, for through it you will surely find guidance, strength and eventual success." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual Bahá’í dated September 1, 1933)

The historic Youth Movement meetings will be held during the first three weekends in April in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Members of the National Youth Committee and special guests will attend each of the meetings. Everyone, young and old, is invited to attend!

For more information, contact the National Youth Committee office, and watch your mail for more details.

Britannica chooses Bahá’í Faith among most influential books

The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion is listed by the Encyclopaedia Britannica in its 1986 "Book of the Year" as one of the 10 recent works that have contributed most significantly to knowledge and understanding in the field of religion.

The book, a comprehensive introduction to the history, philosophy and practices of the Faith, was written by William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin of Canada and produced in collaboration with the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Counselor Arbáb among speakers at South Carolina's Winter School

EDUCATION

More than 150 adults, youth and children attended the annual South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School held January 2-4 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway.

The program was enriched by the participation of several outstanding teachers including a memorable presentation and consultation with Counselor Farzam Arbáb (tapes of which are available at $7.50 a set).

Terri Earl led a stimulating session on marriage and family life; Auxiliary Board members Elizabeth Martin and Trudy White gave heartfelt talks, and Elting Smalls led a session on the Fund.

Elizabeth Gore and Anne Breneman did an outstanding job coordinating the children's classes; Jacquie Jones facilitated a dynamic session for the youth; and Tim Tate was a "master MC" for the talent show.

Helping with the children's program were Cara James, Theresa Coles, Terry White, Angie Coles, Eva Breneman and Sonya Mali.

Also, the opening night featured a stirring performance by Canada's Gordi Munro along with the creative talents of area youth.

And last, but by no means least, we were pleased to welcome Ms. Ornette Defreitas, from Texas, into the Bahá’í community upon her declaration during the school.

Plan now to attend the South Carolina Summer School, dates and details of which are to be announced soon.

For more information, you may contact Jacquie Jones, 803-571-2912 (evenings), or Roy Jones, 803-558-5093 (days).

Counselor Farzam Arbáb addresses a session at the South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School which was held January 2-4 at the Louis Gregory Institute near Hemingway.

Brilliant Star looks at health, medicine in March/April issue

Let's start off the new year healthy! The March/April issue of Brilliant Star magazine deals with health and medicine. From preschoolers to adults!

A quiz, "Health Helpers," illustrated by Louise Taylor, will challenge the best of us. An excellent story, "Blackberries Are Red When They Are Green," written by Kay Haugaard and illustrated by our own Rita Leydon, is a new interpretation of "The Little Red Hen."

Two poems are included in this issue: "Bedtime Duet: Father and Child," by Sue Lang, is beautifully illustrated by Barbara Trauger. And to humor us is "The Old Woman (and Old Man) Who Lived in a Shoe: Part 2," by Kay Haugaard.

Other attractions included "Mount Pride," by cartoonist Daniel Norris, a song by Gregory Shaw, a story about Albert Schweitzer, a gripping adventure story, "Danger in the Depths," by Evelyn Houston and illustrated by Gary Heise.

And of course, there's Book Nook (which, by the way, is expanding review more than one book an issue!) and our always popular Parents' Page.

This is the answer to what to give your children, your Bahá’í class, your niece and nephew, your pioneer friends, and the family next door!

Subscribe to Brilliant Star: $12 for one year in the U.S. Send your check or money order to Brilliant Star, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343, and make someone happy six times a year!

Brilliant Star Name Street City State & Zip Country [ ] 1 year, U.S. ($12) [ ] 1 year, foreign, surface ($15) [ ] 1 year, foreign, air (A.O.) ($25) [ ] 2 years, U.S. ($23) [ ] 2 years, foreign, surface ($28) [ ] 2 years, foreign, air (A.O.) ($47.50) [ ] new subscription [ ] renewal

Enclose payment and send to: Brilliant Star, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Road, Hixson, TN 37343

Bahá’í National Center Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday-Friday Phone 312-869-9039 [Page 9]

Family Unity Night (Fun)

FIRST WEEK OF APRIL: April 3 (Jalál, April 9—Glory). Thought for the week: “The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.”—Bahá’u’lláh Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers, 1982, pp. 56-57. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. The Hidden Words, Nos. 17 and 18, p. 8; No. 50, p. 15; No. 70, p. 21. 2. The Divine Art of Living, p. 92, No. 8 (also in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 363). 3. Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 235 (bottom of page). Activity: Think of a situation where contentment was not felt. Role-play the event. Then consult together—could the situation have been changed or did it have to be accepted the way it was? Sometimes our reactions have to change. Or, younger children could act out a favorite story for the family and/or help with the refreshments. Refreshments: Family’s favorite muffin recipe.

SECOND WEEK OF APRIL: April 10—Justice. Thought for the week: “Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for any one the things ye would not desire for yourselves ...”—Bahá’u’lláh Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers, pp. 174-75. Lesson: Read and discuss one or more of the suggested lesson materials: 1. The Hidden Words, Nos. 28 and 29, p. 200; Gleanings, pp. 105-7. 3. Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 168-69 (third Taraz). Activity: Play a favorite card game (UNO, Hearts, etc.) or a board game together as a family. Or, if signs of spring are appearing and weather permits, take a walk outside and see how many signs of spring can be found. Refreshments: Apple crisp from the WLGI Cookbook, p. 48.

THIRD WEEK OF APRIL: April 17—First Day of Ridván. Thought for the week: “Behold, how the divers peoples and kindreds of the earth have been waiting for the coming of the Promised One. No sooner had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been made manifest, than, lo, all turned away from Him, except them whom God was pleased to guide.”—Bahá’u’lláh Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers, 1982, p. 200; “O Lord! Enable ...” Lesson: Tell and discuss the story of Bahá’u’lláh’s 12 days in the Garden of Ridván, what it means for Bahá’í and for all people in the world. Reference sources are God Passes By, pp. 151-55 (parents and older children will need to read the account first so they can tell the story), and The Chosen Highway, p. 58. Fresh roses or tangible reminders of roses (pictures or rose water) can make the story more immediate and “alive.” Activity: Do one of the following fun activities together: share a favorite story (reading or telling), watch a favorite TV program together, or play a favorite game. Share refreshments of your choice during or after the activity.

FOURTH WEEK OF APRIL: April 24—Ninth Day of Ridván. Thought for the week: “The Word which the Son (Jesus) concealed is made manifest. It hath been sent down in the form of the human temple in this day. Blessed be the Lord Who is the Father! He, verily, is come unto the nations in His most great majesty.”—Bahá’u’lláh Prayer: Bahá’í Prayers, front of the book, “Intone, O My Servant ...” Lesson: The verse above explains the purpose and effects of prayer. Discuss each paragraph so that each family member increases his or her understanding about the power of prayer. Activity: Each family member shares, in turn, a song, a favorite poem or story, or a physical feat or trick of some kind with others. Showtime! Refreshments: How about sweet potato pie or pineapple upside-down cake and milk or a hot beverage?

More than 200 children’s teachers at six regional training conferences

EDUCATION

Shown are participants in a Regional Children’s Teacher Training Conference in Dallas, Texas, one of six such gatherings held in January under the auspices of the National Teaching Committee.

More than 200 Bahá’í children’s teachers and instructors attended six regional children’s teacher training conferences in January.

The gatherings were held in Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas, and included among their topics “Curricular Key Lessons,” “Learning Styles and Teaching Techniques,” “Music Education,” “Meeting the Needs of Junior Youth,” and “The Elimination of Race Prejudice.”

Conference speakers and workshop leaders emphasized the resources, both human and material, that are available within the national Bahá’í community to meet the educational needs of children.

These include both arms of the Administrative Order—Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members and local Spiritual Assemblies; the child education networks that are in place—Bahá’í children’s classes and the Local Education Adviser Program (LEAP); and the educational materials that address a variety of topics and needs and are available from the child education office of the National Teaching Committee.

Held annually during the Six Year Plan, the conferences can contribute to improvement of teacher skills and to a unified sense of purpose and direction for children’s teachers.

They will have as their primary purpose the training of believers to teach children’s classes and will feature “activities fairs” for the display and sharing of curricular materials—lesson plans, activities and games—that have been prepared by class teachers in local communities.

This sharing of curricular materials can contribute to the gradual pooling of educational resources within each region.

A National Children’s Teacher Training Conference is to be held July 3-8 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School in Davison, Michigan. Children’s teachers are encouraged to make plans to attend.

National Center now has new Kenya program to train mothers

“So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect. It is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assemblies to provide the mothers with a well-planned program for the education of children, showing how, from infancy the child must be watched over and taught. These instructions must be given to every mother to serve her as a guide, so that each will train and nurture her children in accordance with the Teachings.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya has developed and is using an effective program for training mothers. This material is now available from the Bahá’í National Center in the U.S.

The program, which was designed to help women become better mothers, includes six topics: “Creating a Spiritual Home,” “Learning at Home and at School,” “Raising Healthy Children,” “Teaching About Religion,” “Teaching Good Character,” and “Using Good Discipline.” Each topic includes a Teacher’s Guide Book and a Mother’s Book.

The program is designed as a group program with participating mothers (or fathers) taking an active role in each of its many facets. Prepared for use by rural mothers, the program may also be useful for those mothers who live in urban areas.

Assemblies or individuals may wish to initially order a basic set of 12 books (on the six topics, each with a Teacher’s Guide and Mother’s Book), and then order additional copies of the Mother’s Book, as needed.

The cost is $18 per set ($1.50 per book). They can be ordered from: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Checks should be made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund” and earmarked “Children.”

Bahá’í wins top award at Xerox Corp.

Carla Jeffords, a Bahá’í from Redondo Beach, California, has won a 1986 President’s Award, one of the highest honors bestowed on employees of the Xerox Corporation, for her key role in developing and communicating publishing standards.

Mrs. Jeffords was one of only 18 people chosen for the award from Xerox’s worldwide employee roster of 100,000. The winners came from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Mrs. Jeffords and her husband, Raymond, were guests of Xerox at an awards dinner in New York City. The weekend also included tickets to a Broadway play followed by dinner at the Four Seasons restaurant.

Booklet to help protect children is now available

An informative booklet about protecting children and youth from molestation, abduction and abuse is available from the National Coalition for Children’s Justice.

The book, entitled “Child Lures: Family Guide for the Prevention of Youth Exploitation,” and written by Ken Wooden, an investigative reporter for CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes,” NBC-TV news, and ABC-TV’s “20/20,” contains information based on interviews with convicted child molesters, murderers, pimps and drug dealers—the “experts.”

Local Assemblies that are interested in sponsoring workshops or educational meetings on these topics can also obtain two video tapes and a curriculum.

For cost and ordering information, contact the Wooden Publishing House, Shelburne, VT 05482, or phone 802-985-8458.

Upcoming at your Bahá’í Schools

BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL — Santa Cruz, California

April 12-18 Elderhostel May 22-25 Marriage session; Enrichment for married couples

1987 Summer Sessions begin June 20, week 1

For recorded session information, call (408) 423-3093 For registration office, call (408) 423-3387 Office hours are 9 to 5, PST, Wed-Sun

GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL — Elliot, Maine

April-June NO CONFERENCES SCHEDULED to allow time for extensive facility repairs and improvements. Volunteers welcome! Please contact the school IN ADVANCE for more information. Office phone: (207) 439-0256

1987 Summer Sessions begin the first of July

LOUHELEN BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL — Davison, Michigan

March 21 Naw Rúz celebration April 3-5 Victory Conference, especially for new believers, seekers and youth April 24-26 Youth Conference May 15-17 Children/Parents Conference

1987 Summer Session begins July 3

For session information and registration call (313) 653-5033 Office hours are 9 to 5, CST, Tues-Fri and weekends when conferences are in session.

LOUIS GREGORY BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE — South Carolina

March-April The institute will be heavily involved in TEACHING work and in preparing for Ridván elections. For information about how you can support this major effort, please call the Institute at (803) 558-5093. [Page 10]

The Spirit flourishes ...

The spiritual significance of each and every effort dedicated in the Spirit of the Roses is truly not only what people are doing, it is not only how many people are being told about the Faith, and it is not only how much money is being raised. American Bahá’ís have arisen and are taking action in a spirit of sacrifice, and because of this, whether their deeds be large or small, a spiritual power above and beyond all the deeds they perform is also being released. As Bahá’u’lláh has promised, “Should anyone arise for the triumph of our Cause, him will God render victorious though tens of thousands of enemies be leagued against him ...” (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 106). The spirit behind the actions—the Spirit of the Roses—can offer to the Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran redemption for what they themselves are prevented from doing. It can offer to the world the fragrant essence of Unity.

‘In the Spirit of the Roses’

The “189” Sacrifice Dinner, an intercommunity event where the price of admission was “189-place-the-decimal-where-you-want-it,” raised over $3,200 in the Spirit of the Roses.—Palm Beach County N, FL

The Bahá’í community ... wishes to dedicate its ongoing activity to the “Spirit of the Roses” in the form of daily quotations from the Bahá’í Scriptures in the Northwest Arkansas Morning News. A new quotation appears each Sunday, and is repeated daily for the rest of the week. ...—Rogers, AR

As a part of the Spirit of the Roses campaign, our small community ... has decided to bring arts to our county’s schools. ... We have started a Drama Club for grades 6-12 and have had a wonderful response. ...—Branch Township, MI

One of Buncombe County’s activities in the “Spirit of the Roses” is the preparation for the arrival of a Persian refugee which the community is sponsoring.—Buncombe County, NC

The Assembly is sponsoring the making of a magnificent queen-sized quilt, patterned with 189 roses, in order to foster unity among the friends and generate donations to the National Bahá’í Fund. Each individual contribution to the Fund entitles the giver to one ticket toward the “drawing” of the quilt.—Rochester, VT

We are moved to send you a report and photographs relating to our Angus Cowan Project which took place from December 20-25, 1986, and was carried out in the spirit of the campaign which you wrote to us about on October 17, 1986.—Seminole County, FL

The Spiritual Assembly ... is donating a Peace Rose to the Aztec Rose Garden as well as $189 to the Universal House of Justice in commemoration of the roses. ...—Farmington, NM

In addition to the “Red Roses Bahá’í School” during these historic 189 days, our community has rallied to form fully functioning committees, to initiate a Women’s Group, and to support a wonderful College Club at California State University, Chico.—Chico, CA

... we placed a cylindrical container which is 189mm high at the Bahá’í Center and asked the friends to place additional contributions in it in the Spirit of the Roses.—New Orleans, LA

... in the “Spirit of the Roses” ... weekly public meetings are being held at the University of Minnesota-Duluth with numerous posters marking the announcement. ...—Duluth, MN

Teaching campaigns fuel Faith in Iowa, Kansas

During the past few months a fire has been ablaze in the heartland of this country.

An ongoing teaching campaign in Davenport, Iowa—appropriately named “Fire in the Heartland”—has enrolled many new believers since Riḍván, and the communities are still growing.

People from all races, economic backgrounds and age groups have joined the Faith during this campaign. A 105-year-old man recently declared, making him perhaps the oldest Bahá’í in the country.

Three Mesquakie Indians also accepted the Faith after a fireside was held with 23 seekers attending. Fund-raisers have also been sponsored in the “Spirit of the Roses.”

Since one of the goals of the Six Year Plan is the development of Bahá’í communities, the focus of the campaign has been toward deepening the new believers.

For example, Feasts are held in a place where the new Bahá’ís can easily attend so they’ll have the opportunity to be with their fellow Bahá’í brothers and sisters, creating a sense of unity and friendship among them. Here they are able to hear and study the writings of the Faith.

New believers are also visited in their homes where one-to-one deepenings are held. This creates an opportunity for relatives and friends of the individual to learn about the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh as well.

In Kansas, the same spirit animating the friends in Iowa can be felt. Ever since its victory in the “month of firesides,” the state has been active in carrying the teachings of the Cause to many towns and localities, especially in Wichita where many people have recently accepted the teachings of the Blessed Beauty.

Several new Assemblies have been formed in Kansas and jeopardized Assemblies have been saved.

Again, the focus has been on consolidation. The District Teaching Committee has been holding its meetings at the Bahá’í Center in Wichita so that after the meetings its members can spend the rest of the weekend visiting the new Bahá’ís in the area.

On November 23, a ‘Children’s Art Sale’ sponsored by the Bahá’í of Kansas City, Missouri, raised $142.50 for the International Bahá’í Fund. The event was held at the Bahá’í Center in Kansas City.

‘Student Salute’ given to Bahá’í in Nashville

Riaz Lohrasbi, a 16-year-old Bahá’í youth who is a senior at Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, was the subject of the weekly “Student Salute” in the December 2 edition of the Youth Banner, a supplement to the Nashville Banner newspaper.

The article contrasts his newfound freedom in the U.S. with the persecution he and his family suffered as Bahá’ís in Iran, cites his academic excellence, especially in chemistry (he hopes to attend Vanderbilt University), and says that Riaz, a place-kicker on the school football team, plans one day to become an American citizen.

Music sets tone at Chattanooga program honoring birth of Martin Luther King Jr.

The musical talents of Bahá’ís from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Canada blended together in a wonderful program of music and deepening as the Bahá’ís of Chattanooga, Tennessee, observed the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January.

An afternoon program, which included an address by Kerry McCord, was entitled “The Hosts of Heaven Are Waiting.”

An evening public meeting, “Springtime in January,” featured Canadian entertainer Gordi Munro, other Bahá’í musicians, and members of the Atlanta Youth Workshop, patterned after the successful group in Los Angeles.

In the afternoon, the youth had gone to help with a float in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Dalton, Georgia.

“Bridges,” a Bahá’í singing group from Chattanooga, was invited to sing at the Dr. King celebration January 19 at the city’s Municipal Auditorium.

Newsletters reach out

A splendid idea designed to help teaching efforts has been put into effect almost simultaneously on the East and West Coasts.

The Spiritual Assemblies of Mercer County, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington, have begun to produce special newsletters that are distributed to non-Bahá’í seekers and other interested persons to inform them on a regular basis of upcoming firesides and public meetings, to share news of Bahá’í events, and to provide information about the Faith.

The response to these newsletters has shown that they have great potential. In the Seattle area, for instance, the original mailing list of 150 has grown to more than 300, and is expected to reach 1,000 within the next few months.

Songwriters!

The National Teaching Committee is searching for a theme song to be used in conjunction with the commemoration activities for the 75th Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to North America. Please submit your songs on cassette tape as soon as possible to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 11]Since their retirement in 1981, Jane and Werner Schnackenburg of Englewood, Colorado, have volunteered their services twice each year for two weeks at the Bahá’í National Center and have worked in almost every office, most recently last December for the National Teaching Committee. Another recent volunteer in that office was Ruby Gubatayao of Lapwai, Idaho, who dedicated a month of service in the ‘Spirit of the Roses.’ As the National Center staff is limited and the volume of work is high, the help of these volunteers is truly appreciated. Others who are interested in volunteering at the National Center may contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

Traveling teachers work long, hard to teach Faith throughout the U.S.

TEACHING

The U.S. Bahá’í community has been blessed in the past few months by the visits of several international traveling teachers. Among them are:

Gordi Munro, an outstanding musician from Canada, who has been in the U.S. since December, giving musical performances and firesides in many southern states. His tour will continue through Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, then on to California and north to Washington state during the months ahead. Mr. Munro plans to be with us through August.

André Brugiroux, from France, who traveled extensively in Florida from January 5-25 through his tour for Alliance Francaise, during which he added scenes of the Holy Places to a slide presentation of his world-wide travels. Mr. Brugiroux held firesides for French-speaking residents of Miami and Jacksonville, and spoke on a radio talk show in Orlando.

Donald Rogers, a Continental Counselor residing in Canada, who visited the friends in several Midwestern cities during February. Mr. Rogers was especially interested in meeting with two potentially powerful forces in the Bahá’í ranks: women and youth.

Noel Blomeley, a Torres Strait Islander who serves on the National Youth Committee of Australia, who is spending six weeks during March and April at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, from which he’ll be visiting communities all over South Carolina. He also plans to take part in the Amoz Gibson Project in South Dakota for 2-4 weeks in July.

In addition to these international traveling teachers, we have many friends from our own community who are arising as traveling teachers for the Faith, among them:

Robin, Mitchell and Kalica Lani Silas of Aneth, Utah, and Shannon and Angel Edgington of Farmington, New Mexico, who set out this past November and December to travel as far east as Long Island, New York, then south to Florida and back to Utah, meeting with the friends along the way and teaching the Faith as they went.

They gave demonstrations on making sandpaintings and partially financed the trip through sales of sandpaintings. The ‎Silas’ Silases‎ are now beginning another six-week trip through Arizona and California and north to the Canadian border.

Region 1 has new travel coordinator

Since Dale Sollars, assisted by Ann Sollars, has become the National Teaching Committee’s Traveling Teacher Office manager, there is now a new traveling teacher coordinator for Region 1, which includes Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming.

Bahá’ís who plan to do traveling teaching in that area may contact Marcia Veach, Bend, OR 97701 (phone 503-388-1467).

Service for peace in Philadelphia draws 100-plus

More than 100 people attended a candle-lighting service for universal peace last December 31 at the Universal Worship Center in Philadelphia’s Germantown section.

Among the eight speakers were a Hindu leader, a Buddhist priest, a Jewish rabbi, a Sufi priestess, a Native American, a Catholic priest, and the host, a leader of the Sufi Order which is called the Universal Worship or the Church of All.

The Bahá’í Faith was represented by Helen Underhill, author of God Speaks and Other Poems, who gave a brief talk on the Faith, summarized the Universal House of Justice’s statement, “The Promise of World Peace,” and read three of her poems on peace.

Ms. Underhill presented copies of the peace statement to the host and to one of the guests who said she had been attending firesides in Philadelphia.

Teaching Chinese focus at Hong Kong gathering

An historic gathering of Bahá’ís from 14 countries took place last August in Hong Kong.

The main goals of the symposium, in which several Bahá’ís from the U.S. participated, were to create an international awareness of the importance of teaching the Chinese, to identify areas of mutual collaboration among National Chinese Teaching Committees and the International Chinese Teaching Committee, to create a reservoir and constant movement of traveling teachers of Chinese either on a homefront or international basis, to encourage Chinese Bahá’í scholarship, and to encourage the production and dissemination of Bahá’í literature and audio-visual aids in Chinese.

It was clear to those who attended the symposium that the U.S. Bahá’í community has a crucial role to play in teaching the Faith to the Chinese people as friends to those Chinese who are living and studying in America.

The U.S. has the potential to become a leader among the nations of the world in nurturing and providing a large number of translators and scholars of Chinese.

The vast nation of China, with its preponderating share in shaping the destiny of the planet, remains as the largest segment of humanity as yet unaware of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Chinese written language, having the greatest number of readers of any in the world, provides access to more than one-fourth of the world’s population.

The Bahá’í community will, sooner or later, be confronted with both this overwhelming challenge and golden opportunity, and, to the extent to which it has planted and nurtured its seedlings, it will reap the spiritual harvest.

It is an expression of the mysterious and overpowering spirit of the Cause that the greatest spiritual victories, such as the opening of new continents and the conquering of new territories, are won not by an elaborate plan of action but as a result of the response on the part of individual believers to a specific call to teach the Cause.

Therefore, promising Bahá’í youth of all backgrounds are being encouraged to arise with maturity, zeal and resolution so reminiscent and so befitting of their pioneering, adventurous spirit, to take up Chinese studies on their own or at school.

It is confidently expected that the youth will be inspired to excel in their fields and soon will become experts in the Chinese language, art, literature, philosophy and ideology, health and medicine, history, ethnology and demography, economy, and so on.

The National Teaching Committee looks forward with great anticipation to hearing of the accomplishments of the Bahá’í youth in regard to Chinese studies.

TV broadcast, Omaha meeting help promote ‘Promise of Peace’

Although the International Year of Peace ended officially last December 31, the Bahá’ís have not slackened in the number of events focused on the Bahá’í teachings and “The Promise of World Peace.”

One such event is to occur at 1:30 p.m. (EST) March 22 when Tempo Television broadcasts a video presentation of “The Promise of World Peace” nationwide.

Ads are being placed in newspapers, flyers are being distributed by Assemblies and Groups to increase the number of viewers, and Bahá’ís are planning “video firesides” in their homes.

At the end of the program will be a message inviting viewers to write to the Bahá’í National Center for more information about the Faith and a complimentary copy of “The Promise of World Peace.”

Another exciting event is a peace conference to be held April 3-4 in Omaha, Nebraska.

The conference will begin Friday evening with a performance by pianist Mark Schu entitled “The Prerequisites for Peace Found in Western Classical Music.”

On Saturday, three speakers will address the conference, and there will be workshops on such topics as race unity, teaching children about peace, and the equality of men and women.

Ministers and leaders of thought are being invited to attend and/or to organize prayer groups for peace on Saturday. Friends all over the country are asked to join in prayers for peace on that day, April 4.

Arise! To Teach

Bahá’í Declaration (please print)

(Image of the Bahá’í declaration card)

In signing this card, I declare my belief in Bahá’u’lláh, the Promised One of God. I also recognize the Báb, His Forerunner, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of His Covenant. I request enrollment in the Bahá’í Community with the understanding that Bahá’u’lláh has established sacred principles, laws, and institutions that I must obey.

Pictured are the front and back sides of the Bahá’í declaration card which was enclosed in the October 7, 1986, letter to all believers from the National Spiritual Assembly regarding the ‘Spirit of the Roses.’ Some Bahá’ís apparently have misunderstood the purpose of the card, thinking they were to sign it themselves and return it to the National Center. However, the card was intended to be used during teaching efforts, as teaching the Faith on behalf of those who are restricted from doing so by the government of Iran is a part of what the ‘Spirit of the Roses’ is about. When a person decides to become a Bahá’í, the declaration card is used to apply for membership in the Bahá’í community. The new believer fills in the ‘declaration’ side of the card, which is entitled ‘Bahá’í Declaration.’ The card is then given to the enrolling agency, which is the Spiritual Assembly in whose area the declarant resides, or the District Teaching Committee if he does not live in an Assembly area, or, in some cases, an individual or group who have been given the authority to enroll new believers on behalf of the Assembly or committee. If the enrolling agency is satisfied that the declarant is sincere, his enrollment will be approved and the card countersigned on the ‘enrollment’ side, entitled ‘Confirmation of Enrollment.’ The declaration card is then forwarded to the National Spiritual Assembly and the new believer is added to the membership rolls. [Page 12]

Mrs. Parsons

from page 4

immediate circle.

Traveling teachers who came to Washington always received an invitation to speak to these groups in her home.

Mrs. Parsons’ second visit to see the Master in Haifa took place in the winter and early spring of 1920. During this visit she received from Him a remarkable instruction; she was directed to arrange a Race Amity Conference.

In accordance with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explicit command, she succeeded in gathering around her a helpful, active and earnest committee.

After months of preparation, the conference was held. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‎send sent‎ the following message to the gathering:

“Say to this Convention that never since the beginning of time has one more important been held. This Convention stands for the oneness of humanity; it will become the cause of the removal of hostility between races; it will be the cause of the enlightenment of America. It will, if wisely managed and continued, check the deadly struggle between these races which otherwise will inevitably break out.”

Immediately after the close of the Convention, Mrs. Parsons sent the following cable to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“Convention successful. Meetings crowded. Hearts comforted.” And the Master replied at once, also by cable: “The white-colored Convention produced happiness. Hoping will establish same in all America.”

The Tablets from the Master that followed, not only to Mrs. Parsons but to others, indicated that this first Amity Convention was termed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “the mother Convention” from which many others would be born, and in one Tablet He called it a perfect Convention.

Mrs. Parsons continued serving the Faith until her death, at the time of which she was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Washington, chairman of the National Interracial Committee, and a member of the Interracial Committee in Washington.

In a cable to the National Spiritual Assembly following her death, the Guardian wrote:

“Greatly deplore loss distinguished handmaid of Bahá’u’lláh. Through her manifold pioneer services she has proved herself worthy of implicit confidence reposed in her by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ...”

S. Diego welcomes Hmong with gala new year festival

San Diego’s Asian Teaching Committee, working on behalf of the city’s Spiritual Assembly, welcomed members of the Hmong community, Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike, to the San Diego Bahá’í Center January 3 with an “International New Year’s Festival.”

The four-hour afternoon gathering showcased cross-cultural dance, song and food from Persian, Hmong, Mexican and U.S. friends with a children’s choir from the Mormon church as special guests.

Among the highlights was entertainment by the recently formed San Diego Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

About 150 Bahá’ís and their guests attended the event.

Consultations held on Fund, Six Year Plan

In January and February, members of the National Spiritual Assembly or its representatives met with key local Spiritual Assemblies in Eastern and Western cities and their surrounding communities to consult on the Six Year Plan and the Fund and to solicit their collaboration in addressing both issues.

The schedule was as follows:

January 17: Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama (Auxiliary Board member Soo Fouts).

January 24: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and San Jose, California (William Maxwell).

February 1: New York and Philadelphia (Firuz Kazemzadeh); Santa Ana, Anaheim, Long Beach, Riverside and Thousand Oaks, California (Counselor Fred Schechter).

February 7: Santa Monica, Culver City, Culver JD, West Holly-wood, Malibu JD, Beverly Hills, Agoura Valley, West Lake Village and Calabasas/Topanga, California (Robert Henderson); Stockton, Sacramento and Fresno, California (Dorothy Nelson); Dallas, Richardson and Arlington, Texas (Chester Kahn).

February 8: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson, Arizona (Jack McCants); Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma, Washington (James Nelson).

February 14: Boston, Lowell and Amherst, Massachusetts (William Davis).

February 15: Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Alexandria, Virginia (Alberta Deas); Atlanta, Cobb County (North, South and West) and Fort Valley, Georgia (William Davis); San Diego, Irvine and Newport Beach, California (James Nelson).

from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Bahá’í history comes alive in STORIES FROM THE DAWN-BREAKERS

Thirty tales of bravery, faith, and sacrifice from the early days of the Faith told by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and embellished by Persian music

Based on the book of the same name by Zoe Meyer

Four 60-minute cassettes packaged in an attractive vinyl binder $24.00

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order (no charge for postage or handling) to:

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

• Price valid only in the United States

1987 Special Visit Programs to Bahá’í National Center*

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

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

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

Tour the entire Bahá’í National Center visiting the:

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

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

REGISTER EARLY! Please indicate the program you plan to attend and your housing choice

Date	Program
July 2-5	SPECIAL VISIT FOR FAMILIES (Children’s classes and special activities for the family will be planned)
August 27-30	REGULAR SPECIAL VISIT (No programs for children)

HOUSING A limited number of rooms are being held at the HOLIDAY INN in Evanston. Rates per night: single, $55; double, $65.

I wish to make a reservation at the Holiday Inn \_\_\_

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

I am making other arrangements for housing \_\_\_

Name\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ List additional names (and ages of children) here: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Address\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

City\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ State\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Zip\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Phone (Area Code \_\_\_) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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

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

[Page 13]

From the House of Worship

• Imagine the Bahá’í House of Worship welcoming its more than 200,000 annual visitors.
• Imagine each and every person being welcomed with a warm greeting.
• Imagine some visitors being escorted through the gardens while others are touring the auditorium in Foundation Hall. Some, going upstairs for prayer, are greeted on their way with a brief explanation of its purpose—a gift to you and all humanity.

Since 200,000 visitors per year averages out to 548 per day, imagine more than a hundred firesides, tours and spiritual encounters occurring each day.

In reality, it is true that we have more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is also true that we have tours, firesides and spiritual encounters daily. However, the volunteers that are needed to welcome, escort and, in every manner, teach, are in no way proportionate to the number of visitors walking through the doorway.

Those few devoted souls who ‎sacrifce sacrifice‎ themselves for the bounty of volunteering at the Mother Temple of the West come from many places, often under unusual circumstances. Our oldest guide, for example, has been coming for 34 years and is presently over 90 years old. Our youngest guides are infants who bring their parents for the experience, and we have every age group and type of person in between. However, they number less than one-tenth of one percent of all the visitors who come to the House of Worship. By proportion, this means that we can only make effective contact with a fraction of these visitors each year.

The abundance of teaching opportunities that exist daily at the House of Worship are indescribable. This publication could not adequately contain just one summer month’s worth of “teaching anecdotes” given to the staff at the House of Worship Activities Office. As an example, the following remarks are taken from our guides’ daily log:

“I met a radiant soul—thank you, Bahá’u’lláh.”

“Hot—but a lot of East Indians came. Man from Chinese Embassy wants to study the Faith—is returning to China soon and remarked that ‘there should be a House of Worship in China.’ One day! What deep foresight.”

“Guiding here gives one the faith and enthusiasm to teach. All are touched by the spirit here.”

“First time I’ve guided. The friend who was to watch my 3 1/2-year-old son became sick, but my non-Bahá’í husband stayed home from work sick, and willingly agreed to watch our son. I’m supposed to be here today! Visitors from England, Sweden and other countries.”

“My first day of guiding! What a wonderful feeling sharing this with the visitors—one college professor came and sat for a long time. He said, ‘What a wonderful feeling of peace.’ I feel he will return. I thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity and this magnificent House of His.” (A recently declared Bahá’í.)

“If it’s possible, next summer I hope I can come again—and serve as a guide at the Temple—it was the highlight of my summer.” (Letter from Florida.)

There are many reasons why there are not enough volunteer guides at the House of Worship. One that has been most recently addressed is the feeling among many Bahá’ís that one has to be an expert to volunteer. Nothing could be farther from the truth. To help remedy that misconception, we have begun a program in which anyone who wishes to volunteer his services need only call and schedule a convenient time. After basic instruction, volunteers merely don a badge that bears their name and indicates that they are a Bahá’í House of Worship host or hostess.

If we keep in mind that each Bahá’í, regardless of experience, knows how to welcome people into his own home and that he or she always knows more about the environment than the visitors, apprehensions about volunteering would soon be dismissed. Besides, what better place to gain more experience and confidence teaching the Faith than at the House of Worship. So let’s use our minds to turn our imagined victories into reality.

For more information about volunteering, write to the Bahá’í House of Worship, 100 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-256-4400.

Local Bahá’í Fund (local address). Supports teaching, consolidation and administrative work of a local Bahá’í community.

National Bahá’í Fund (Wilmette, IL 60091). Supports the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly to direct, coordinate and stimulate Bahá’í activities throughout the country.

Continental Bahá’í Fund (418 Forest Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091). Enables the Continental Board of Counselors and its Auxiliary Boards to perform their missions of protection and propagation of the Faith in the Americas.

Bahá’í International Fund (P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31-000). Enables the Universal House of Justice to assist the work of National Spiritual Assemblies around the world, to maintain and beautify the Holy Shrines at the World Center, and to provide services to pilgrims.

House of Worship in Wilmette marks dedication of sister Temple in India

Guides at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette often have to overcome such problems as a lack of babysitters to greet visitors to the Temple. (See article on this page)

A celebration of the dedication of the “Lotus of Bahapur,” the Bahá’í House of Worship in India, was held January 24 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

For those who could not attend the actual dedication of the newest House of Worship, there was a slide presentation, music, speakers and hospitality for both the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í public.

Foundation Hall was filled to capacity as those who had attended the ceremony in New Delhi commingled with those who were to experience the event for the first time. Spirits were high as the program ended; for a brief moment the Mother Temple of the West and her sister Temple in the East fell within the shadow of each other’s countenance.

World Religion Day, January 18, was observed at the House of Worship with one of its ongoing interfaith devotional services in the upstairs auditorium. It was preceded by a program in Foundation Hall, planned by the Bahá’í of Park Ridge, which was opened with a musical presentation by Douglas Marshall, a local professional musician and teacher.

The featured speakers, who presented their views on religious unity from their individual backgrounds, were vibrant and eloquent. They were Dr. Douglas C. Runnels of the Park Ridge Community Church; the Rev. Thomas A. Baima of an Arlington Heights Catholic church; Rabbi Jay F. Lapidus of the Maine Township Jewish congregation; and Marcia Lample, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Evanston.

Their presentations were followed by a question-and-answer period and a time of fellowship and refreshments served by the Bahá’í community of Park Forest.

On January 19, a commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held in Foundation Hall. Music, an outstanding slide presentation of Dr. King’s life, and refreshments and fellowship were arranged by the Bahá’í community of Evanston. All who attended gained an enhanced appreciation of Dr. King’s life and accomplishments.

“Black History Month” was initiated at the House of Worship with an excellent program February 1 featuring the “Do It for the Kids” choir directed by Milton Bullock, a member of the Platters singing group and founder of Do It for the Kids Inc., a non-profit organization that channels the energies of average kids into music.

The young people joined the House of Worship choir as guest choir for the regular weekly devotional service before performing in Foundation Hall and sharing with us one of their projects—distributing a book entitled Schools Without Drugs.

The featured guest speaker was state Sen. Ethel Sykes Alexander from Illinois’ 32nd District who conveyed an inspirational presentation of the life of Benjamin Banneker, a mathematician and inventor, son of slaves, who overcame great personal adversity to rise to the heights of his profession.

Afterward, the third annual David Kellum Awards were presented by Kathlynea Kellum, wife of the late David Kellum, to Mr. Bullock and to TWIG (Together We Influence Growth), an organization that brings children of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds together in an outdoor environment.

The awards are given annually to distinguished black citizens who have served as dynamic, positive role models for youth of all races, and to organizations who work to foster better relationships between the races, as did Mr. Kellum.

Refreshments were served during a fellowship period by the Bahá’í community of Wilmette.

Next month, From the House of Worship will feature an interview with the guest speaker at the February 22 observance of Black History Month, the Rev. Motlalepula Chabaku, an expatriate South African Methodist minister who now lives in North Carolina. She was one of the speakers at last year’s International Peace Conference in San Francisco.

House of Worship has cure for long, tedious summer

Another long, boring summer. Nothing to do but watch the grass turn brown. WRONG! You can volunteer to help at the National Center, a place to meet new people, learn important skills, and teach the Faith.

Your talents can be put to use in gardening, maintenance, security, clerical positions, or guiding at the House of Worship.

If necessary, a small stipend can be acquired to cover living expenses for some positions, and housing can also be arranged.

So stop looking at the grass! Instead, get an application by writing to the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. We look forward to hearing from you!

American Intercultural Exchange seeks host families for 25 overseas students

The American Intercultural Student Exchange (AISE) is seeking host families for 25 high school students from 15 countries for the 1987-88 school year.

The students, ages 15 through 17, will arrive in the U.S. next August, attend a local high school, and return to their homes in June 1988. All are fluent in English, have been screened by school representatives in their home countries and have spending money and medical insurance.

AISE is also seeking U.S. high school students, ages 15-17, who would like to spend a high school year in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain or Australia or take part in a five-week summer host family stay throughout western Europe.

For more information, contact Barbara Madsen, RR1, Jacksonville, IL 62650, or phone (toll free) 1-800-SIBLING (in Illinois, phone 217-243-8453).

W. Va. Club plans peace conference

The Bahá’í Club at the University of West Virginia is sponsoring a peace conference March 27-28 at the university in Morgantown.

The theme is “Developing an Environment for Peace.”

Speakers will include Dr. Susan Stoddart, Dr. Leo Misaghi, and two WVU professors, John Shibley and John Jacobson.

For more information, phone 304-296-4920.

CALLING ALL YOUTH...

For a summer of service at the Bahá’í House of Worship where, as you can see, a lot of exciting and interesting things are happening.

We’re looking for 50 motivated youth to volunteer this summer at the House of Worship as guides, office assistants, and teachers of the Faith! Get involved. YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! [Page 14]

The meaning of martyrdom

We have heard a great deal in the past few years about the Persian Bahá’í martyrs in Iran. We know that they have made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs, and that the Bahá’í Faith has begun to emerge from obscurity largely as a result of the tribulations and traumas the friends in Iran have endured. And yet it is difficult for those of us here to understand the meaning of martyrdom.

The word “martyr” comes to us from a Greek word meaning “witness,” and has been used in English since the Middle Ages to refer to the Christian saints who gave their lives as a testimony to the truth of their beliefs. They bore witness that the Cause of Christ was dearer to them than their very lives. The Arabic and Persian word for martyr, “shahid,” likewise originally means “one who witnesses or testifies.”

It is perhaps not so difficult to understand martyrdom in its historical context. Looking to the past, we can see that the faith evinced by martyrs has time and again been able to move mountains.

The martyrs who testified with their lives to the truth of Christ were able to convert the Roman empire to Christianity; Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. with their followers were able to lift the yoke of oppression by voluntarily laying down their lives in testimony to the righteousness of their cause. And in Iran, the Bahá’ís have been offering up their lives as martyrs, using their tortured bodies to testify to their souls’ unwavering conviction in the truth of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

It is impossible for us in the West to comprehend the suffering of the Bahá’ís in Iran in human terms. Though we all dearly love the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, who knows how we would react if our child was beaten at school because of being a Bahá’í? If our employer told us that he was sorry, but he had to let us go because it did not look good to have infidels working in the office? Imagine that the government refused to pay social security to us when we retired because of our religion, or that our company pensions were cut off. What would we do if the supermarket refused to accept our checks or sell us goods on the grounds that we were heathens?

Or, imagine that one of our cousins, or our mother or husband, was arrested and tortured in prison, and asked to give the names of other Bahá’ís. What would we do if, while in jail, we were told that our wife and children would be raped or murdered if we did not renounce our faith? If prison guards beat and kicked you, blindfolded you and subjected you to mock execution? To remain steadfast and bear witness to your beliefs under such conditions would obviously not be as easy as the simple word “martyr” makes it seem.

Suppose that hostile and menacing strangers were to break into your home, loot your possessions and deface or burn your Bahá’í books and pictures. The police will not apprehend the guilty mob because the law does not prevent them from sacking the homes of apostates. Homeless, jobless and penniless, terrorized and disoriented, the only things left to sustain you are your faith in God and the other Bahá’ís, who give you shelter and food.

And then suppose that you are able with great difficulty and in grave danger to escape from Iran. After spending a year in Pakistan, you must resettle in a new and strange land where you can neither understand the language nor the customs, where even the simple process of going to the grocery store, buying food and returning home is confusing and emotionally taxing.

You will probably also suffer from survivors’ guilt, the common psychological trauma suffered by those who manage to escape but lose friends or loved ones to the holocaust engulfing their homeland.

Though we are aware of the historical significance of the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran—it has been the primary cause of the world-wide proclamation of the Faith and its gradual emergence from obscurity—we sometimes forget what that sacrifice means in human terms.

Participating in fund campaigns or redoubling our teaching efforts are among the ways in which we can help redeem the sacrifice of the friends in Iran. It is also very important to make the Persian friends who are living in our midst, whether recently arrived refugees or residents of longer standing, feel welcome here and wanted. We should seek to understand them better as individuals and to help them feel positive about the role they can play in the achievement of the spiritual destiny of America.

Only when all the members of our local Bahá’í communities develop true concern and loving care for one another, not just as fellow Bahá’ís but as fellow human beings, will our communities be able to provide a model for the peoples of the world to emulate. True unity and harmony in our Bahá’í communities will testify and bear witness to the ability of the Faith to unite all mankind under the banner of one world religion. [Page 15]

HUQUQU’LLAH

طبق صلاحدید و پیشنهاد هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله در آمریکا، تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله باید بنام Huququ’llah Trust و بنشانی یکی از امنای حقوق ارسال شود.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

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

HOMEFRONT PIONEERING

بهائیان شهر تایلر Tyler در ایالت تگزاس به مهاجر احتیاج دارند و بدین جهت آماده‌اند که به استقرار دو نفر بهائی ذیرأی در آن نقطه کمک نمایند. اگر چه تعهد مساعدت مالی خارج از استطاعت یاران تایلر است اما در مورد یافتن مسکن و جستجو برای کار و ثبت نام در مدارس و غیره از هیچ کمکی دریغ نخواهد شد. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند جهت کسب اطلاع بیشتر با آقای جمال معانی از طریق تلفن شماره ۱۹۹۹-۵۶۱ (۲۱۴) و ۳۹۰۴-۵۶۱ (۲۱۴) یا از طریق مکاتبه با نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمایند.

Spiritual Assembly of Tyler P.O. Box 7613 Tyler, TX. 75711

احبای سانتا کلارا کانتی Santa Clara County در ایالت کالیفرنیا احتیاج به یک مهاجر دارند. مهاجرین باید بتوانند در جلسات هفتگی محفل روحانی شرکت نمایند. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند از طریق مکاتبه یا با تلفن شماره ۷۹۲۴-۲۴۴ (۴۰۸) با محفل روحانی تماس حاصل نمایند.

Spiritual Assembly of Santa Clara County South-West P.O. Box 433 Los Gatos, CA. 95031

هنوز در برخی از شهرهائی که مرکز ایالتی میباشند محفل روحانی تأسیس نگردیده است. این شهرها عبارتند از: دُوِر Dover در ایالت دِلَوِر Delaware ، کارسَن سیتی Carson City در ایالت نوادا Nevada ، ترنتون Trenton در ایالت نیوجرزی، پی‌یر Pierre در ایالت داکوتای جنوبی، مانت پلی‌یر Montpelier در ایالت ورمانت Vermont ، و شهر شایِن Cheyenne در ایالت وایومینگ. استقرار مهاجرین در شهرهای مذکور بمنظور تأسیس محفل روحانی از اهمیت خاصی برخوردار است زیرا از جمله اهداف نقشهٔ شش ساله تأسیس محفل روحانی در مراکز ایالات است. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با لجنهٔ ملی نشر نفحات National Teaching Committee در دفتر محفل ملی تلفن شماره ۹۰۲۹-۸۶۹ (۲۱۲) تماس حاصل نمایند.

منطقهٔ سرخپوستان آپاچی در سان کارلوس San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation در ایالت آریزونا به مهاجر نیاز دارد. یارانی که مایل به مهاجرت به منطقهٔ فوق باشند میتوانند با خانم کرن اینگلیش Karen English تلفن ۴۲۵-۲۷۰۴ (۶۰۲) یا از طریق مکاتبه با نشانی ذیل تماس حاصل نمایند.

Globe, AZ. 85501

FIELD OF SERVICE

در ماه جولای سال جاری لجنهٔ ملی نشر نفحات طرح تبلیغ سرخپوستان را به موقع اجرا خواهد گذاشت. قرار است در نقشهٔ تبلیغی فوق که از مرز کانادا در شمال آمریکا آغاز و به سرحد مکزیک در جنوب منتهی میگردد، کلمهٔ خلاقهٔ جمال قدم به ساکنان نوزده منطقهٔ سرخپوستی Indian Reservation ابلاغ شود تا از این طریق عده‌ای در زمرهٔ مؤمنین به آئین الهی درآیند و شاهد سعادت ابدی را در آغوش گیرند. برنامهٔ تبلیغی مذکور شامل مناطق سرخپوستی ایالات آیداهو و اورگان و نوادا و کالیفرنیا و آریزونا میباشد.

برای حصول موفقیت در این نقشه احتیاج به داوطلبانی است که بتوانند با صرف وقت اجرای آنرا میسر سازند. لجنهٔ ملی نشر نفحات از یاران ایرانی علی‌الخصوص دعوت به عمل آورده که با مشارکت در اجرا و تحقق اهداف این نقشه موجبات توفیق آنرا فراهم نمایند.

علاقه‌مندان میتوانند جهت کسب آگاهی از جزئیات این طرح با خانم مری بولیما Mary Bolima با تلفن شماره ۲۰۷۱-۸۴۲ (۲۰۸) یا از طریق مکاتبه به نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمایند.

P.O. Box 638 Lapwai, ID. 83540

از آنجا که تعداد کارکنان در دفتر محفل بنا به ملاحظات مالی تقلیل یافته اما مقدار کار همچنان رو به افزایش است، وجود داوطلبان بینهایت مغتنم است چه که از طرفی در اجرای امور و ایفای وظائف کارکنان دفتر تسهیل و تسریعی حاصل می‌آید و از سوی دیگر یاران عزیز به خدمتی شایان در سبیل امر مبارک موفق میگردند. افرادی که مایل باشند بعنوان داوطلب در دفتر محفل ملی خدمت نمایند میتوانند با ادارهٔ کارگزینی دفتر محفل با تلفن شماره ۹۰۲۹-۸۶۹ (۲۱۲) یا از طریق مکاتبه با آدرس زیر تماس برقرار فرمایند.

Department of Human Resources Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL. 60091

ANNOUNCEMENT OF TREASURER’S OFFICE

جهت تسهیل و تسریع امور دفتر امین صندوق و تقلیل مخارج آن، توصیه میشود که یاران رحمانی نکات ذیل را در مورد ارسال تبرعات به دفتر امین صندوق محفل روحانی ملی در نظر داشته باشند:

۱- حتی المقدور تبرعات خود را از طریق برداشت اتوماتیک Automatic Contribution System (ACS) تقدیم نمایند

۲- از پاکتی که به ضمیمهٔ رسید وجوه قبلی ارسال میشود و دارای کد کامپیوتری است استفاده نمایند

۳- شمارهٔ کارت بهائی خود را حتماً بر روی حوالهٔ تقدیمی مرقوم دارند

۴- اگر تبرعات را از طرف بیش از يك نفر ارسال میدارند و اگر مانعی نداشته باشد که رسید تبرعات برای يك نفر صادر شود، نام و شمارهٔ کارت بهائی فردی را که در تقدیم تبرع شرکت داشته است بر روی حوالهٔ تقدیمی بنگارند

۵- اگر تبرعات از طرف محافل روحانی محلی و یا جمعیتها ارسال میشود، کُد ناحیهٔ بهائی Bahá’í Locality Code را به اضافهٔ درج حرف A برای محافل و G برای جمعیتها مرقوم فرمایند.

علاقه‌مندان میتوانند شرح جزئیات موارد پنجگانهٔ فوق را در صفحات انگلیسی شمارهٔ قبلی نشریهٔ امریکن بهائی (فوریهٔ ۱۹۸۷) بیابند.

THE MEANING OF MARTYRDOM

اهل بهاء اغلب شهادت را به معنی کشته شدن در راه ایمان تلقی میکنند. اگر چه این معنی متداول کلمهٔ شهادت است اما این لفظ را در اصل معانی دیگریست.

در لغت، شهادت به معنی دیدن است. در آثار مبارکه دو کلمهٔ غیب و شهود بکرّات در برابر هم نهاده شده است. جهان پیدا را عالم شهادت یا شهود میگویند و در مقابل آن جهان ناپیدا را عالم غیب مینامند. بدین ترتیب شاهد و شهید که هر دو مشتق از ریشهٔ شهادتند بمعنی کسی است که میبیند. ولی در عرف کلمهٔ عربی شاهد در برابر لفظ فارسی گواه قرار میگیرد. ارتباط معنی دیدن و گواهی دادن آشکار است. آنکه امری را بچشم میبیند و سپس به زبان باز میگوید گواه یا شاهد نامیده میشود.

امتیاز بین دو کلمهٔ شاهد و شهید در معنی ثبوتی لفظ اخیر است. بدینقرار شاهد و شهید هر دو به معنی گواه است با این تفاوت که لفظ شاهد حاکی از حدوث و لفظ شهید حاکی از دوام و [Page 16]

ادامه نقشه شش ساله

۲۱- تقویت مؤسسه بهائی لوئیس گریگوری Louis G Gregory و مؤسسه بهائیان سرخپوست Native American Bahá’í Institute

۲۲- تشویق و حمایت از مساعی هیئت "یاران گرین ایکر" Friends of Green Acre برای ترمیم مدرسه بهائی گرین ایکر

توسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی

۲۳- تشویق محافل روحانی و افراد احباء برای بررسی حوائج مربوط بتوسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی جوامع خود و در صورت امکان مبادرت به تأسیس مشروعاتی جهت رفع حوائج مذکوره

۲٤- تشویق یاران برای تقویت "بنیاد نیو ارا" New Era Foundation و حمایت از مساعی بنیاد مزبور جهت تأمین امور مالی برای مخارج اداره و مشروعات آن.

INTEGRATION

ادغام و اختلاط

مقدمه

از آن زمان که صلای امر مبارک بسواحل آمریکا رسید، بهائیان این سامان شعار وحدت نژاد و یگانگی فرهنگی را بر اعلام خویش مرتسم داشته‌اند. این اصل اساسی امر مبارک چیزی جز وظیفه‌ای مقدس برای هدایت قافله ناس بسوی وحدت نژاد در این اقلیم نیست. اهداف نقشه در زمینه ادغام و اختلاط یاران بقرار ذیل است:

۱- تشویق یاران برای تحقق وحدت نژادی از طریق ایجاد نمونه‌هائی از مفهوم وحدت در کثرت در جوامع بهائی و ایجاد ارتباط با سایر مؤسسات و عمل به اصل اساسی و روحانی وحدت نژادی در اجتماع

۲- اجرای برنامه‌هائی جامع برای گسترش اختلاط یاران ایرانی با احبای غیر ایرانی و جذب آنان در جامعه یاران آمریکا

۳- جذب و ادغام بهائیان سیاه‌پوست، و کامبوجی و لائوسی و ویتنامی و اسپانیولی زبان در جامعه یاران آمریکا

۴- تحصیل پیوستگی قلبی قبائل مختلف سرخپوستان به امر حضرت بهاءالله جهت تضمین مشارکت مداوم آنان در اجرای امور اداری امری.

بیت العدل اعظم فرموده‌اند: "عالم تشنه تعالیم الهیه است چشمه زلال هدایت را در یک محل سد بستن و از جریان و سریان باز داشتن خلاف عدل و انصاف است."

SUCCESS STORY OF A BAHA’I

همت بلند

چندی پیش خبردار شدیم که یکی از دوستان ایرانی، جناب نصرت الله ایقانی به اخذ پروانه وکالت در ایالات متحده توفیق یافته‌اند. بدین جهت بر آن شدیم که شرحی از موفقیت ایشان را به آگاهی بهائیان ایرانی این دیار برسانیم. باشد که این شرح یاران راستان مقیم این سامان را مفید افتد.

جناب ایقانی همانگونه که در مرقومه خویش اظهار داشته‌اند مشاغل گوناگون خود را از ماشین نویسی آغاز نمودند و در طی سالیان پر حاصل عمر خویش بعنوان مدیر عامل شرکت هواپیمائی ایران، معاون وزارت تولیدات، مشاور حقوقی و اقتصادی وزارتخانه‌های مختلف، استاد دانشکده افسری و مدرسه عالی بیمه به کار اشتغال داشتند.

در ایران به اخذ دکترای حقوق و در فرانسه به اخذ دکترای دتا در رشته اقتصاد موفق شدند. از طرف دولت فرانسه نشان Legion d’Honneur به ایشان اعطاء گردید.

از لحاظ خدمات امری، ایشان بعضویت محفل روحانی پاریس و مارسی و طهران انتخاب شده چندی نیز در هیئت مدیره شرکت نونهالان و بیمارستان میثاقیه به خدمت امر مبارک مفتخر گردیدند.

اما بعد از انقلاب مجبور به ترک ایران شده مانند بسیاری از یاران از طریق پاکستان به این سامان سفر نمودند. ولی در ایالات متحده نیز از کوشش و تلاش خواه بقصد کسب معاش یا جهت اکتساب معارف و فضائل باز ننشستند. نومیدی بخود راه ندادند. به بهانه دوری از وطن شیوه یأس پیش نگرفتند. به دلیل ناآشنائی با آداب و رسوم مردم این مرز و بوم از همت و جنبش و پشتکار ممنوع نماندند. پیگیری و استقامت نمودند و به تکمیل زبان انگلیسی و تحصیل در دانشکده حقوق پرداختند تا بالاخره پس از موفقیت در امتحانات به اخذ پروانه وکالت در ایالت مریلند Maryland نائل گردیدند.

ایشان در نامه خود نوشته‌اند: "با وجود سوابق تحصیلی و اداری مذکور چون سیستم حقوقی آمریکا بطوریکه استحضار دارید ... بکلی و از ریشه غیر از سیستم حقوق اروائی است (غیر از انگلستان) ناگزیر در اینجا گذشته‌ها را دفن کردم و مثل یک شاگرد مدرسه ساده صبحهای سرد و شبهای پر برف از مریلند با اتوبوس و ترن به واشنگتن می‌رفتم و پس از مقداری پیاده روی (چون اتومبیلی نبود) به مدرسه جورج واشنگتن می‌رفتم و آخر شب از همان طریق برمی‌گشتم و ... از دو، سه، یا چهار صبح شروع به مطالعه میکردم..."

با توجه به اینکه جناب ایقانی حدود هفتاد سال از سن شریفشان میگذرد، پشتکار و همت ایشان سرمشق ارزنده و آموزنده‌ای است، علی‌الخصوص برای آن دسته از ایرانیان عزیزی که بناچار وطن مقدس و محبوب خود را ترک گفته‌اند و چه بسا که با خروج از ایران مقام و شغل و ثروت و اعتبار اجتماعی خود را نیز از دست داده‌اند.

بشارت موفقیتهائی از آن دست که جناب ایقانی را حاصل آمده دانه امید در دل میکارد و ما را مطمئن میدارد که با تلاش و پیگیری و همت میتوان بیخ یأس را خشکاند و در جایش نهال امید نشاند. برای جناب ایقانی و همه یاران کامرانی و بهروزی و موفقیت آرزو میکنیم.

ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT PILGRIMAGE

اطلاعیه دفتر محفل ملی راجع به زیارت اعتاب مبارکه

از یارانی که جهت زیارت اعتاب مقدسه در دفتر محفل ملی ثبت نام مینمایند تقاضا میشود اول وضع گذرنامه و موقعیت اقامت و همچنین استطاعت مالی خود را در نظر بگیرند و پس از آن اقدام به ثبت نام نمایند.

دوستان ایرانی باید گذرنامه معتبر داشته باشند و اگر از اوراق جواز مسافرت Travel Document استفاده میکنند باید اقدامات مقتضی جهت کسب جواز فوق را به عمل آورند.

بسیار اتفاق میافتد که یاران بدون اینکه وضع معینی از لحاظ اقامت در آمریکا داشته باشند و یا بتوانند از عهده مخارج سفر برآیند، برای زیارت ارض اقدس ثبت نام مینمایند و پس از سر رسیدن نوبت بعلت نداشتن جواز سفر یا عدم استطاعت مالی مجبور میشوند که از سفر منصرف گردند یا آنرا به آینده موکول نمایند. در نتیجه نوبت آنان بدون تذکر قبلی به نفرات بعدی داده میشود و این افراد نیز به سبب نداشتن فرصت کافی از زیارت باز میمانند. حاصل آنکه از جانبی تعداد زائرین ارض اقدس به کمتر از بیست نفر که سهمیه بهائیان ایالات متحده است تقلیل مییابد و از جانب دیگر مدت انتظار بسیاری از احباء برای رسیدن نوبت بیش از پیش بطول میانجامد.

لذا متمنی است یاران راستان که مایل به زیارت اعتاب مبارکه باشند از قبل برنامه زیارت خود را دقیقاً طرح ریزی نمایند و با در نظر گرفتن نکات فوق اقدام به ثبت نام فرمایند. [Page 17]۲- ازدیاد عدد محافل روحانی محلی و نقاطی که بر اثر تشویق و حمایت از اهداف و فعالیتهای تبلیغی ناحیه‌ای فتح گردیده‌اند

۳- تأسیس محفل روحانی محلی در مرکز هر ایالت

۴- ادامه پیشرفت و تقدم "نهضت جوانان بهائی" Bahá’í Youth Movement

۵- معرفی تاریخ و تعالیم و معتقدات امر مبارک به درصد معتنابهی از اهالی آمریکا با توزیع برنامه‌های سمعی-بصری مناسب جهت پخش از طریق رسانه‌های گروهی.

خارجه

۶- مساعدت در انتشار امر الهی در سراسر عالم از طریق ازدیاد عده مهاجرین و تأمین مقدمات کار آموزی برای برنامه‌های توسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی

۷- ازدیاد عدد مشروعات مربوط به اسفار تبلیغی در خارج

۸- ازدیاد اشتراک مساعی بین‌المللی برای فعالیتهای تبلیغی در سرحدات و اسفار تبلیغی و مشروعات مربوط به "خدمات یکساله جوانان" و سایر برنامه‌های متعلق به امور بین‌المحافل بویژه محافل روحانی ملی آلاسکا و کانادا و هاوائی و مکزیک و جزائر کارائیب.

روابط عمومی

۹- ادامه بسط روابط با دولت و مؤسسات اجتماعی و اندیشمندان

۱۰- تشویق اهل بهاء به منظور تشکیل انجمن‌های حرفه‌ای که بتوان از افراد غیر بهائی نیز برای قبول عضویت دعوت به عمل آورده از این راه تسهیلاتی برای اعمال مبانی امری در مشاغل و حرف و احیاء و توسعه امور حرفه‌ای فراهم گردانند

۱۱- تعهد سهمی مهم برای حمایت از صلح جهانی از طریق اشاعه و نشر بیانیه صلح و بسط روابط با مؤسسات صلح و کوشش برای حل مشکلات نوع بشر از طریق تنفیذ مبانی روحانی

۱۲- بسط دائره اطلاع و وقوف مؤسساتی که مقاصدی مشابه امر مبارک دارند از اهداف امر مبارک و ایجاد روابط با آن مؤسسات از طریق انعقاد حفلات و مجامعی که تعداد کثیری از شرکت کنندگان غیر بهائی را بخود جلب نماید و از موضوعات مندرج در بیانیه صلح الهام گیرد (موضوعاتی از قبیل مسئله نژاد و حقوق زنان و مشکلات اقتصادی و تعلیم و تربیت و قوانین و امور روحانی)

۱۳- اتمام و اکمال طرح نقشه‌های لازم برای ایجاد امکانات وسیع جهت پخش برنامه‌های بهائی بوسیله رادیو و تلویزیون.

مقدمه

توسعه جامعه بهائی مشتمل بر وجوه متعددی است: آموزش و تعلیم مؤسسات محلی و ملی، تحکیم مبانی خانواده‌های بهائی و تقویت حیات جامعه، تعلیم و تربیت احیاء و اقدام به طرح برنامه‌های اجتماعی و اقتصادی. غرض از این توسعه ظهور مدنیت و فرهنگی است که خصائص روحانی مندرج در آثار بهائی را متدرجاً و ‎متزایدأ متزایداً‎ در خود متجلی سازد. اهداف نقشه در زمینه توسعه بقرار ذیل است:

مؤسسات

۱- تقویت روابط و هماهنگی مساعی هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای و محفل روحانی ملی در باب مساعدت در تحقق اهداف تبلیغی و مقاصد مربوط بتوسعه و ادغام و اختلاط افراد جامعه بهائیان آمریکا و ایجاد دفتر مخصوص هیئت مشاورین در دفتر محفل ملی

۲- ازدیاد امکانات دارالانشاء و دفتر ارتباط با اولیای امور و دفتر امین صندوق محفل روحانی ملی جهت اعلام پیشرفتهای امری و اداره منابع مالی جامعه و هدایت جریان تقدم امر مبارک در ایالات متحده آمریکا

۳- طرح و اجرای برنامه‌ای جامع برای تقویت محافل روحانی با توجه به اوضاع و شرایط و احتیاجات خاص محافل روحانی در جوامع بزرگتر امری

۴- تقویت منظم محافل روحانی در ایالت کارولینای جنوبی South Carolina و مناطق اقامت سرخپوستان و بلادی که تعداد زیادی از احباء در آن ساکنند

۵- طرح نقشه وسیع و جامعی برای متفرعات مشرق‌الاذکار منجمله دارالایتام و مریضخانه و مسافرخانه و مدرسه و کتابخانه

تبرعات

۶- اتساع اساس مالی جامعه بهائی آمریکا از طریق:

- ایجاد کسب و تجارت جدید و طرح و تنظیم برنامه توزیع ماترک

- ازدیاد عده یارانی که تبرعات خود را از طریق برداشت اتوماتیک بانکی تقدیم میدارند

- بذل توجه بیشتر بگروههای ویژه (اطفال، جوانان، صاحبان حرف، سالمندان و غیره) و تفهیم اهمیت تقدیم تبرعات

- تفحص برای یافتن منابع گوناگون درآمد و ترتیب امور مالی مختلف منجمله طرح برنامه‌های بیمه و ایجاد اتحادیه‌های اعتباری و شرکتهای مالی و غیره بمنظور رفع حوائج اهل بهاء فرداً و جمعاً

حیات عائله و جامعه

۷- ترغیب و حمایت از بهبود حیات عائله از طریق طرح برنامه‌های محلی و ملی در باره ازدواج و تربیت اطفال و تقویت عائله و اموری از این قبیل

۸- ترغیب افراد و خانواده‌ها و جوامع محلی به انعقاد و حضور در جلسات مشرق‌الاذکار

۹- ازدیاد آشنائی و تفهیم اهمیت اجرای امر مشورت مابین اطفال و جوانان و بزرگسالان خانواده‌ها و همچنین مابین نفوسی که در تشکیلات امری بخدمت قائمند

۱۰- تشویق احباء برای ایجاد خصائص و شمائل ممتازه بهائی در افراد و خانواده‌ها و جوامع بهائی

۱۱- سعی در ازدیاد اهمیت سهم نسوان در جامعه و مساعدت در اجرای تعلیم تساوی حقوق رجال و نساء در جوامع بهائی بالاخص و در هیئت اجتماع بطور کلی و همچنین انعقاد مجامع عمومی و طرح برنامه‌هائی برای رجال و نساء جهت تحقق اهداف مذکوره

۱۲- شروع اقداماتی مبتنی بر آثار مبارکه و تحقیقات علمی درباره استفاده از مواد مخدر و شرب خمر و اثرات ناشی از آنها

۱۳- شروع اقداماتی در باره تفهیم اهمیت اجتماعی و روحانی عفت و عصمت

۱۴- ترغیب یاران برای توسعه هنر نمایش و سایر هنرها بعنوان قسمتی اساسی از حیات بهائی و تشویق هنرمندان به مشارکت در کلیه فعالیتهای جوامع بهائی مانند ضیافت نوزده روزه و کانونشنها و کنفرانسها.

تربیت امری و نشر معارف

۱۵- بسط برنامه‌های تربیت اطفال و بزرگسالان درباره تاریخ و تعالیم امر مبارک و عمل بتعالیم روحانی در حیات شخصی

۱۶- ازدیاد مطالعه منظم آثار امری مابین جوانان

۱۷- تشویق جوانان برای ارتقاء به مدارج عالی در تحصیلات مدرسی

۱۸- نشر معارف بهائی از طریق تألیف و نشر دائرة‌المعارف بهائی و مساعدت به انجمن مطالعات بهائی و انعقاد مجامع عمومی و نشر کتب و مقالاتی درباره مطالب امری

۱۹- بسط ظرفیت مؤسسه مطبوعات امری برای تهیه و توزیع آثار بهائی و طرح برنامه‌های سمعی-بصری.

مدارس و مؤسسات

۲۰- بسط برنامه‌ها و خدمات مدارس بهائی

(بقیه در صفحه بعد) [Page 18]

نقشهٔ شش سالهٔ محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحدهٔ امریکا

6 YEAR PLAN

ترجمهٔ تلگراف بیت العدل اعظم مورخ ۱۱ نوامبر ۱۹۸۶ خطاب به محفل ملی ایالات متحده

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE

با رضایت کامله اهداف مطروحهٔ نقشهٔ شش سالهٔ جامعهٔ یاران ایالات متحده را که از طریق مراسلهٔ تلگرافی در تاریخ ۶ نوامبر واصل گردیده، تأیید نموده توجه و ابتکار و قابلیت اجراء و جامعیت شیوهٔ آن یاران را در طرح نقشه تمجید مینمائیم.

سه مقولهٔ رشد، توسعه و تقویت، و ادغام و اختلاط که محور اهداف نقشه بشمار میروند، متفقاً شعاری شایان جهت لواء علمداران جامعهٔ یاران آن سامان محسوب میگردد.

تصمیم آن یاران مبنی بر ادامهٔ جریان تعیین اهداف در سطوح محلی و ملی، و منویات آنان در مورد اعلام و انتشار اهداف کمی در هر دو سال یکبار بعنوان نتیجهٔ حاصله از طرح نقشه‌های محلی و مشروعات و اقدامات ملی، ملحوظ نظر شائق این مشتاقان و مورد تشویق صمیمانهٔ آنان واقع گردید. اهداف خارجهٔ آن یاران با نقشه‌هائی که در آتیه اعلان خواهد شد مرتبط و هماهنگ خواهد بود.

مسؤولیت و وظائف عظیمه و خارق‌العاده‌ای بر عهدهٔ آن یاران نهاده شده که باید با تبحر و انتظام و جدیت ایفاء گردد چه که آن یاران به دریافت الواح و فرامین تبلیغی حضرت عبدالبهاء مفتخر گشته و به استعداداتی استثنائی مخصّص گردیده‌اند.

سزاوار است که روح وحدت عمل که تا کنون صفت مشخصهٔ طرح نقشه‌های آن یاران بوده، به مساعی شش سالهٔ آتیه تسری جوید. مطمئن باشند که انتصارات کامله رخ خواهد گشود.

با ادعیهٔ حاره از درگاه الهی مسئلت میشود که بانیان قصر مشید نظم بدیع جمال قدم به اوج توفیقاتی اعظم از آنچه زینت افزای گذشتهٔ پر افتخارشان بوده ارتقاء یابند.

بیت العدل اعظم

کیفیت طرح نقشه

THE PROCESS

تنظیم و تکمیل اهداف نقشهٔ شش ساله بنفسه یکی از اهم اهداف نقشه بود و بمنظور نیل باین هدف اقدامات مختلفی انجام پذیرفت:

- صدها جامعهٔ مختلف محلی اوراق راهنمای وضع اهداف را تکمیل نمودند و نقشه‌های محلی خود را همراه با نظریاتی دربارهٔ نقشهٔ ملی، بمحفل روحانی ملی ارسال داشتند.

- جلساتی در شهرها در ۱۶۸ حوزهٔ انتخاباتی در بین جوامع امری و مشاورین قاره‌ای و نمایندگان محفل روحانی ملی بمنظور در میان گذاشتن نقشه‌های محلی و اظهار نظریات برای تکمیل نقشهٔ ملی منعقد گردید.

- نظریات لجنات مختلف محفل روحانی ملی و کارکنان دفتر محفل ملی از آنان درخواست شد.

- مشاورین قاره‌ای و محفل روحانی ملی جلسات متعددی برای مذاره و طرح و بررسی نقشه منعقد نمودند.

بیانیهٔ ذیل در باب اهداف و مقاصد نقشهٔ شش سالهٔ جامعهٔ بهائیان امریکا، حاصل مشارکت و نتیجهٔ مجاهدات و تبادل نظریات فوق است.

نقشهٔ شش سالهٔ جامعهٔ بهائیان آمریکا حاوی خصوصیاتی محتاج بشرح و بسط است. اوّلاً تعیین اهداف محلی و ملی در سراسر دورهٔ نقشه هر دو سال یکبار ادامه خواهد داشت. متناوباً از جوامع محلی خواسته خواهد شد تا پیشرفتهائی حاصل از تحقق اهداف نقشه را ارزیابی نمایند و مراحل بعدی رشد و توسعه را طرح ریزند. همچنین در حوزه‌های انتخاباتی جلساتی بمنظور ارزیابی کوششها و بررسی نظریات و پیشنهادهای راجع بجوامع محلی و ملی انعقاد خواهد یافت.

ثانیاً اهداف نقشهٔ شش ساله حاوی ازدیاد کمی محافل روحانی و نقاط امری نمیباشد. نظر محفل روحانی ملی آنست که اهداف ملی از لحاظ تعداد محافل باید منتج از طرح اهداف محلی باشد. محفل روحانی ملی هر دو سال یکبار طی بیانیه‌ای اهداف کمی نقشه را اعلام خواهد کرد که مشتمل بر اهداف نقشه‌های محلی و مشروعات و اقدامات محفل روحانی ملی خواهد بود.

رشد

GROWTH

مقدمه

در هفت سال گذشته عالم بهائی با تشویش و ستایش ناظر به ابتلاءات جامعهٔ بهائیان ایران بوده است. بسالت و استقامت یاران ایران در قبال تضییقات و ابتلاءات کنونی الهام بخش سایر احبّاء بوده و آنان را باین بیان حضرت ولی امرالله متذکر داشته که فرموده بودند مشقّات و رزایا کل بظاهر نار و نقمت و باطن نور و رحمت وسایل ترقیات فوق‌العادهٔ امر مبارک را فراهم میسازند. بچشم سر مشاهده نموده‌ایم که فداکاری و جانبازی یاران ایران چگونه عامل تغییراتی کیفی در مقام و شأن امر الهی بوده است.

خروج امر مبارک از مرحلهٔ مجهولیت و ارائهٔ "بیانیهٔ صلح" بسران عالم نمودار نضج و رشد چشمگیر امرالله از لحاظ توانائی اهل بهاء برای تأمین مصالح و انتشار تعالیم امر و وضع اساس پیشرفتهای بعدی آن بود.

نقشهٔ شش ساله که هم اکنون آنرا آغاز میکنیم گامی بسوی تحقق سرنوشت روحانی جامعهٔ بهائیان آمریکا و ملت امریکاست. اهداف نقشه بدین قرار است:

- ابلاغ پیام شفابخش حضرت بهاءالله به جمیع افراد بشر

- ازدیاد تأثیرات آئین ربّانی در حیات جامعه

- ازدیاد تولید و تألیف و توزیع و استفاده از آثار امری

- تسریع شکوفائی و ترقی و بلوغ جوامع محلی و جامعهٔ ملی

- ترغیب یاران به مشارکت عمومی در فعالیتهای امری و تقویت روحانی افراد احبّاء

- توسعهٔ تعلیم و تربیت بهائی و تسری آن به اطفال و جوانان و بزرگسالان بهائی و تقویت حیات بهائی خانواده‌ها

- تعقیب مشروعات مربوط بتوسعهٔ اجتماعی و اقتصادی.

طریق اجراء و تحقق اهداف فوق مبتنی بر قیامی منسجم و متکّی بر همکاری هماهنگ کلیهٔ مؤسسات امری و مساعدت و حمایت از مبتدعات و ابتکارات افراد احبّاست.

مسؤولیت اهل بهاء خواه بعنوان افراد اجتماع یا اعضاء خانواده یا اعضاء جامعهٔ بهائی آنست که در بحر آیات مستغرق شوند تا از طریق اکتساب کمالات و حصول فضائل روحانی نمونه و مثلی در خور برای بشریت گمگشته در ظلمات گردند.

با تحیات بهیه محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده

تبلیغ

انتشار پیام شفابخش حضرت بهاءالله مابین جمیع اهل عالم اساس نقشهٔ شش ساله بشمار میرود. موفقیت اهل بهاء در مساعی خود جهت ‎تحمیل تحصیل‎ رشدی و نموی متزاید، تأثیری مطلوب بر پیشرفت آنان در مجاهداتشان خواهد بخشید تا به استحکام جوامع محلی و جامعهٔ ملی خود پردازند. اهداف نقشه در زمینهٔ نشو بشرح قرار ذیل است:

داخله

۱- ازدیاد قابل ملاحظهٔ تعداد مؤمنین در کلیهٔ طبقات جامعه و سعی در تسجیل سیاهپوستان و سرخپوستان و زردپوستان و افراد اسپانیولی زبان

(بقیه در صفحهٔ بعد) [Page 19]

پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه تلگراف معهد اعلی مورخ ۲۹ ژانویه ۱۹۸۷

MARTYRDOM OF AHMAD KAVIH

با قلوبی محزون اعدام و شهادت یکی دیگر از یاران را در ایران اعلام می‌نائیم. جناب احمد کاوه در روز بیست و ششم ژانویه پس از دو سال مسجونیت که اکثر آن در حبس انفرادی گذشته و بعد از تحمل شکنجه و عذاب لا‌تحصی که بقصد تبری ایشان از امرالله واقع شده بود، در مدینه اصفهان به جوخه آتش سپرده شد. سن ایشان متجاوز از پنجاه و شغل ایشان تجارت بود. اطلاعی از مورد هیچگونه محاکمه‌ای قبل از اعدام ایشان بدست نیامده است.

بیت العدل اعظم

ترجمه تلگراف معهد اعلی مورخ ۲۷ ژانویه ۱۹۸۷

PASSING OF CHARLES WOLCOTT

از صعود بنده خدوم و ممتاز امرالله و خادم بوستان الهی جناب چارلز ولکات مغموم. خدمات لاینقطع وی در طی نیم قرن، بعنوان یکی از اعضاء محفل روحانی ملی مهد نظم اداری و مالاً منشی آن محفل مقدس، و در سمت دبیر کل شورای بین‌المللی بهائی، و متعاقب آن مساعی باهره‌اش بعنوان یکی از اعضای بیت العدل اعظم از آغاز تشکیل آن، به اوصاف بلیغه ایثار و تواضع و انکسار و شجاعت و شرافت و انصاف و پشتکار موصوف.

این مشتاقان در اعتاب مقدسه به تلاوت ادعیه حاره برای ارتقای روح پر فتوحش مشغول. یقین است به پاس مجاهدات فریده‌اش در سبیل اعلاء امرالله و استحکام اساس دین‌الله در آمریکای شمالی و مرکز جهانی امر مبارک، اجری جزیل از برایش در ملکوت ابهی مقرر.

مراتب تسلیت پر عطوفت این مشتاقان را به همسر محبوب ایشان که در سراسر دوره مشاغل ممتازه و همچنین مجهودات باهره آن متصاعد الی الله در طریق خدمت به امر الهی سهیم و شريك بوده و همچنین به صبایای عزیزه ایشان ابلاغ نمائید.

سزاوار آنکه جلسات تذکر شایسته‌ای بیاد ایشان در جمیع بلاد و کلیه مشارق اذکار منعقد گردد.

بیت العدل اعظم

هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد سفر حضرت عبدالبهاء به امریکا

THE "MASTER" PLAN

اهمیت تاریخی سفر حضرت عبدالبهاء به ایالات متحده امریکا شایان توجه و بذل عنایت اهل بهاء در این اقلیم است. حضرت مولی‌الوری در طی اسفار خود تنها به ابلاغ کلمه خلاقه آب بزرگوار خویش و انتشار تعالیم تسلی بخش جمال مبارک اکتفاء ننمودند، بلکه به تحکیم اساس امر مبارک در این سامان نیز پرداختند. احباء را در برابر مشکلات و امتحانات محتوم آینده که ناشی از لغزش و پیمان شکنی برخی از مؤمنین اولیه بود آماده ساختند. تأکید در یگانگی و اتحاد اهل بهاء در این دیار فرمودند. بنای نخستین مشرق‌الاذکار در غرب عالم را امکان بخشیدند و مراحل اولیه تأسیس نظم اداری را میسر نمودند. بواسطه اسفار حضرت عبدالبهاء بود که امر جمال ابهی در ایالات متحده نضج گرفت و توسعه یافت. بدین سبب بود که حضرت ولی‌امرالله اسفار فوق را برجسته‌ترین موفقیت دوره میثاق قلمداد فرمودند.

و بدین جهت است که بهائیان ساکن این سامان را میسر نیست که اهمیت سفری چنان پر ثمر را نادیده انگارند و از مسؤولیت خود در قبال زحمات سرکار آقا غفلت ورزند. لذا از یاران عزیز ایرانی تقاضا می‌شود که در همه جشنها و مجامع و جلساتی که برای بزرگداشت هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد سفر مولی‌الوری به امریکا برگزار می‌شود شرکت نمایند و در خدمات مربوط به برگزاری آن مجامع نیز به اندازه وسع خویش با تشکیلات مسؤول همکاری فرمایند. یاران ایرانی البته صد البته آنچنان که از پیش علمدار پیروزیهای چشمگیر امر مبارک بوده‌اند، از این پس نیز میتوانند به انتصاراتی از همان قبیل توفیق یابند.

اطلاعیه لجنه ملی جوانان درباره سفر حضرت عبدالبهاء

جهت بزرگداشت هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد سفر حضرت عبدالبهاء به ایالات متحده لجنه ملی جوانان در صدد اجرای برنامه‌های مختلفی است.

از جمله نقشه‌های لجنه ملی جوانان انعقاد جلسات "نهضت جوانان بهائی" Baha’i Youth Movement در سراسر امریکاست. این جلسات بمنظور ایجاد شور و نشور در دل جوانان بهائی برای قیام به خدمت امر الهی و آگاهی آنان از مسؤولیت و وظیفه پراهیمیتی است که در آینده نزدیک بر عهده ایشان خواهد بود.

این جلسات در سه هفته اول ماه آوریل سال جاری در آریزونا، کالیفرنیا، کلرادو Colorado، جورجیا، ایلینوی، ماساچوست، Minnesota، میزوری Missouri، اورگان، کارولینای جنوبی، تگزاس و واشنگتن دی سی انعقاد خواهد یافت. از جوانان و کلیه یاران دعوت میشود در جلسات مذکور شرکت فرمایند. جهت کسب اطلاع بیشتر میتوان با لجنه ملی جوانان در دفتر محفل ملی تلفن ۹۰۲۹-۸۶۹ (۲۱۲) شماره داخلی ۲۵۲ تماس حاصل نمود.

حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند: "چونکه هر روز را امری و هر حین را حکمتی مقتضی، لذا امور به وزرای بیت عدل راجع تا آنچه را مصلحت وقت دانند معمول دارند."

درباره جناب چارلز ولکات

ABOUT CHARLES WOLCOTT

جناب چارلز فردریک ولکات Charles Frederick Wolcott بسال ۱۹۰۶ در شهر فلینت Flint در ایالت میشیگان دیده به جهان گشودند. تحصیلات مقدماتی و متوسطه خود را در همان شهر به انجام رساندند و در سال ۱۹۲۷ به اخذ مدرک لیسانس از دانشگاه میشیگان نائل گشتند و یکسال بعد از آن تاریخ با خانم هریت مارشال Harriett Marshall پیمان زناشوئی برقرار نمودند.

در سال ۱۹۳۸ پس از آشنائی با امر بهائی در زمره مؤمنین در آمده از همان حین کمر به خدمت امر نازنین بستند. در سال ۱۹۵۸ به عضویت محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده و در سال ۱۹۶۱ بعنوان منشی آن محفل انتخاب شدند و در سال ۱۹۶۱ در سمت دبیر کل شورای بین‌المللی بهائی به خدمت امرالله پرداختند. در زمان تشکیل بیت‌العدل اعظم بسال ۱۹۶۳ جامعه جهانی بهائی ایشان را بعنوان یکی از اعضای معهد اعلی برگزید و ایشان از آن پس تا آخرین روزهای حیات در مرجع منصوص و مصون به حل و فصل امور جامعه بهائی مشتغل بودند.

شغل و حرفه جناب ولکات آهنگسازی و رهبری ارکستر بود و در طی سالیان عمر به مقامات مهمی در رشته تخصصی خود نائل گردیدند. فی‌المثل در سال ۱۹۳۷ به کارکنان استودیوی والت دیزنی Walt Disney پیوستند و چند سال بعد به مدیریت آن منصوب گردیدند. در سال ۱۹۵۰ در استودیوی معروف مترو گلدوین مایر Metro Goldwyn Mayer به کار اشتغال یافتند و سپس به سمت رهبر موسیقی آن مؤسسه نائل گردیدند. آهنگها و قطعات مختلفی از جناب ولکات بجا مانده که برخی برای فیلمهای دو استودیوی مذکور تصنیف شده و به شهرت جهانی رسیده است. معذلک ایشان پس از انتخاب بعنوان منشی محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده به جمیع مراتب شهرت و مقام پشت پا زده اوقات خود را تماماً وقف خدمت به امر جمال قدم نمودند.

جناب ولکات روز ۲۶ ژانویه سال جاری در شهر حیفا به ملکوت ابهی صعود فرمودند. بازماندگان آن متصاعد الی الله عبارتند از همسر محترم و دو دختر ایشان خانم شیلا بنانی و خانم مارشا گیلیپتريك Marsha Gilpatrick که همگی در ظل امر مبارک بخدمت قائمند. [Page 20]Author Joseph Sheppard has completed and George Ronald has published the second in what apparently is a series of ‘Mama Buzurg’ books. Guebe and the Toy Truck revisits the two friends living in Africa, Goli and Kadjam. In their latest ‘adventure’ the two girls learn that some of the boys do not believe that girls are equal. So they consult Mama Buzurg to help them show the boys the error of their ways. Guebe and the Toy Truck is $3.95 in softcover.

Letters, personal memoirs of Munirih Khánum to be published in book form by Kalimát Press

The letters and memoirs of Munirih Khánum, the wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, are soon to be available in book form from Kalimát Press.

These personal reminiscences of Munirih Khánum offer one of the few true glimpses of the life of Bábí and Bahá’í women in Persia.

They tell of the difficulties and frustrations of being a woman and knowing about the teachings of the new Revelation while living in a society in which women were repressed. The accounts also include recollections of her family, one of the earliest to embrace the teachings of the Báb, and of the heroines and heroes she met in the early days of the Faith.

Her memoirs conclude with the time leading up to her marriage to the Master. She says that to chronicle the half-century she spent with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “I would need 50 years to do so, the seas would have to turn to ink and the trees into pens.”

The book ends with several letters written by Munirih Khánum after the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Munirih Khánum: Memoirs and Letters ($8.95 HC) is expected to be available this month.

Two striking prints of the Greatest Name—Ringstone and Arabic script—are among the new items carried by the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Wilmette. Created by New Era Graphics, the two designs are a welcome addition to BDS stock. For a short period, no version of the Greatest Name had been available. Both the Ringstone design and the Arabic script Greatest Name are illuminated in the Persian style by Ahmad Davari of New Era Graphics. The Bahá’í Ringstone—Illuminated Print ($5) is done in predominantly red and blue, and is 11 by 13 inches. Green is the predominant color of the Greatest Name—Illuminated Print ($5), mingled with blue and yellow, and it measures approximately 9 by 11 inches.

The writings of noted orientalist Edward Granville Browne about the Bábí and Bahá’í religions have been put together for the first time by editor Moojan Momen and published by George Ronald. Selections from the Writings of E.G. Browne is made up of three sections devoted to his journeys in Persia in 1887-88 and include his well-known work, A Year ‎Amongs Amongst‎ the Persians, his long out-of-print paper ‘The Babis of Persia,’ and an abstract of the Persian Bayan which had never been published. Mr. Momen has gone back through the diaries of E.G. Browne and identified the many notable Bahá’ís and others whose identities could not be disclosed when A Year ‎Amongs Amongst‎ the Persians was originally published. The other sections contain Mr. Browne’s papers titled ‘Babism,’ ‘The Attitudes of Bahá’ís Towards Persian Politics,’ ‘Bábí and Early Bahá’í Poetry,’ and ‘The Papers and Manuscripts of E.G. Browne Relating to the Bahá’í Faith.’ In all, this valuable volume runs 528 pages with 10 illustrations and sells for $29.50 in hardcover and $16.95 in softcover.

National Assembly’s D.C. luncheon leads to national AP article

The luncheon hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly last December 9 in Washington, D.C., led to an Associated Press article by AP correspondent Alexander G. Higgins that appeared in a number of newspapers in this country.

In the article, Mr. Higgins quotes the luncheon’s keynote speaker, Richard Schifter, assistant secretary of state for human rights, as saying the persecutions in Iran are “unparalleled in the modern world” and “comparable only with religious intolerance of other, grimmer eras.”

In a matter of only a few months, sales of The Bahá’í World, Volume 18, have surpassed the total sales for Volume 17, which appeared in 1982. ‘We are extremely gratified by the response, and to our pre-publication offer on the Bahá’í World volume,’ says Distribution Service Marketing Manager Robert Blum. ‘Now when we get orders for Volume 18—and they are still coming in—we feel a little guilty that we can’t give the friends the lower price. Another reason to be pleased by the response to the book,’ he says, ‘is that it shows that the Bahá’í community is willing to support the more ambitious and correspondingly expensive works undertaken by Bahá’í institutions. Our Publishing Trust is one among several Trusts that are planning major works during the Six Year Plan. These works will be of great benefit both inside and outside the Bahá’í community. It’s gratifying to know that this level of response and support is present in the U.S. for publications of this kind.’ The Bahá’í World sells for $40.

It’s finally here! The Huqúqu’lláh Compilation is now available after months of waiting. This historic compilation, preparing the way for the introduction of Huqúqu’lláh to the Bahá’ís of the West, contains 60 quotations from Bahá’u’lláh, 18 from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 16 from Shoghi Effendi plus letters written on his behalf, and 17 written by the Universal House of Justice. The Huqúqu’lláh Compilation is $1.50.

The Nine Oaks Bahá’í School, situated partly on a hillside at Arroyo Grande, California, is recycling auto tires that are packed with dirt to help prevent erosion. The project was to have been completed last month. [Page 21]

The Six Year Plan

Increasing the Faith’s public-relations activities

The tenth in a series of articles focused on the goals of the Six Year Plan.

Growth, one of the three major objectives in the U.S. Six Year Plan, requires an increase in our public-relations activities as we strive to bring about a universal acceptance of the principles of the Faith.

Aspects of growth that pertain to public relations encompass the following goals: continuing the development of relationships with the government, national organizations, and leaders of thought; facilitating professional development and the application of Bahá’í principles to professional life; assuming a major role in championing world peace through the promotion of the peace statement, developing relations with peace organizations, and applying spiritual principles to the problems of mankind; and expanding the awareness and understanding of the aims of the Faith among individuals and organizations with goals that are similar to ours.

As individuals and as Bahá’í communities we can prepare ourselves to tackle these goals by deepening on the issues related to peace and to the solving of social problems. The following resources will help us in this task.

A compilation of the Bahá’í writings on peace, prejudice and unity. Discusses the need for teaching all humanity by bridging cultural barriers and places the ‘most vital and challenging issue’ in the broad context of all racial or cultural minorities. A great aid in helping us better to integrate our Bahá’í communities and to reach out to others. SC $7.95.

the Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism

The most comprehensive compilation of the Bahá’í writings on peace to date, and an excellent book to present to individuals, organizations or prominent people. Includes the peace statement by the Universal House of Justice, six chapters of quotations from the writings that amplify themes of the peace statement, and a chapter of prayers for peace. A provocative introductory book on the Faith and rich material for deepening. HC $16; SC $8.95.

Peace: MORE THAN AN END TO WAR

A new book by psychiatrist Dr. Hossain Danesh that deals with alternatives to human violence, the relationship of the equality of men and women to the establishment of peace, peaceful alternatives to taking part in protests, and prerequisites for peace. Excellent for deepening and for giving to interested seekers. Published by the Association for Bahá’í Studies. SC $8.95.

How to order

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

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

Books for adults, children, reprints are due soon from Publishing Trust

New titles expected in early spring from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust include a stimulating book for adults, several books for children, and a number of splendid reprints, according to Dr. Betty J. Fisher, the Trust’s general editor.

The Purpose of Physical Reality: The Kingdom of Names, by Dr. John S. Hatcher, is the new forthcoming book for adults.

“Dr. Hatcher’s work examines physical reality—why it exists as an appropriate place for our souls’ beginnings,” says Dr. Fisher.

“He begins by asking three questions: What is the Bahá’í theory of physical reality? How does our physical experience change us spiritually? And, how does our earthly performance affect our eternal spiritual condition?”

Dr. Hatcher, in the first chapter of The Purpose of Physical Reality, examines four major literary works that have attempted to justify God’s ways to humankind. He then evaluates their conclusions in light of the Bahá’í writings and arrives in chapter two at a Bahá’í paradigm of physical reality.

In chapter three, Dr. Hatcher discusses the role of metaphor in spiritual education, metaphor in the teaching techniques of the Manifestations of God, metaphorical lessons in negative experience, and detachment.

In the fourth and final chapter, Dr. Hatcher shows how our performance in this life affects our progress in the life to come.

Dr. Hatcher is a professor of English literature at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he specializes in medieval literature and creative writing.

The Purpose of Physical Reality will be available, in softcover only, in mid-April, in time for the National Convention.

The Gift of Life, a new booklet of extracts from the Bahá’í writings on the purpose of creation and the preciousness of life, will also be released in time for the Convention.

“The Gift of Life is to birth what The Open Door is to death,” says Dr. Fisher. “It’s a perfect gift for new parents or parents-to-be because it celebrates the importance of each life and provides insight into the spiritual nature of the child.”

Compiled by Delane Hein and designed by Mona Carloni, The Gift of Life includes a short preface by Mrs. Hein.

The quotations from the Bahá’í writings center on the purpose of human creation; the importance of education—both moral and material; the role of the mother as the first teacher of the child; the sacredness of marriage and the family; and the effect of praying for children and teaching children to pray. A few prayers for children are included.

The Gift of Life, which comes with its own matching envelope, will be sold in packages of 10.

Blessed Is the Spot, which has been out of print since the mid-1970s, is scheduled for reissue this spring.

“The familiar passage from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh affirming the value of praising God in various settings is set in large, easy-to-read type,” says Dr. Fisher. “Charming illustrations by Anna Stevenson depict children from around the world in situations that provide layers of meaning for each phrase in the passage.”

The entire quotation is printed on the final page of the book. Blessed Is the Spot will be available, in hardcover only, sometime this spring.

Reprints slated for release this spring also include God Passes By and new pocket-sized editions of Prayers and Meditations and The Promise of World Peace.

The peace statement will be printed in a small booklet that will fit easily into a man’s pocket or a woman’s purse.

The Publishing Trust will also be distributing Basic Facts and One Universal Faith, which are being reprinted by the National Teaching Committee. The reprints, with new formats, should be available in time for late spring and summer teaching.

More information on these titles will soon be forthcoming.

Sticker kits transform any calendar

July

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
| | 1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

The Do-It-Yourself Calendar Sticker Kit, now available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, is a fun and colorful way to transform any calendar into a Bahá’í calendar. Shown here is a sample page from a calendar with some of the stickers added. The kit, with more than 200 stickers, includes stickers for firesides, Feast days, Spiritual Assembly or committee meetings, Holy Days, deepenings, special event days, Ayyám-i-Há, potlucks, special reminders, the Fast, Ridván, and birthdays and anniversaries. Now Bahá’ís can turn any size calendar into a Bahá’í calendar in their own unique way. The sticker kit can be used for any year, and can be ordered any time during the year for $2.50.

Publishing Trust’s New Era reprint now available

A reprint of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, John Esslemont’s authoritative and comprehensive introduction to the Bahá’í Faith, became available early this month from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

The reprint, in softcover only, features a new cover design, updated statistics and facts about the Bahá’í community, some new translations, and a new bibliography.

The popular work, revised for the fifth time in 1980, is now in its second printing of that edition. Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era has been translated in whole or in part into 57 languages since its original release in 1923.

Announcements

Begin the New Year with the new Bahá’í Wall Calendar ($1.25) Pocket Calendar (pkg 10, $2) Datebook ($2.50) or Sticker Kit ($2.50) and celebrate 144 B.E.!

Happy Naw-Rúz! from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Distribution Service [Page 22]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

EMPLOYMENT

THE DEPARTMENT OF Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center has an immediate need for a highly motivated, qualified individual to serve as an administrative consultant in the Office of Community Administration, which functions within the Office of the Secretary and is responsible for guiding and assisting Bahá’í institutions and agencies, groups and individuals with matters pertaining to the application of Bahá’í laws and principles. An administrative assistant responds to letters and phone calls from his assigned geographical area and prepares background data on personal status cases. Qualifications include a sharp and discriminating mind, an eye for detail, an ability to organize one’s work efficiently, and to turn over a high volume of work on a timely basis. The position requires excellent writing skills, sound judgment, a strong understanding of the principle of confidentiality, a compassionate personality, psychological stability, a deep knowledge of the Bahá’í Teachings, and the ability to apply Bahá’í principles to individual cases. Several years’ experience in local Bahá’í administration would be helpful, as would typing ability on a word processor or computer. To obtain an application, please contact Karen Crenshaw, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A FUND education coordinator is being sought by the Office of the Treasurer in Wilmette to help administer a nationwide program designed to strengthen the institution of the 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. The position also requires familiarity with the Bahá’í writings and an ability to relate them to the world around us. Other skills include flexibility, a sense of humor, and self-motivation. For more information or an application, contact Karen Crenshaw, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 312-869-9039.

THE DEPARTMENT OF Human Resources is seeking a qualified individual to serve as production coordinator at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. The production coordinator provides for and oversees the production of all literature and special materials produced by the Publishing Trust. Specifically, he or she consults on goals; prepares cost analyses and monitors the production budget; prepares and maintains schedules; oversees all phases of production and purchases; interfaces with other staff, vendors and suppliers; and performs other duties which relate to production work. A college degree or two to three years’ experience in production is required, to include experience in graphic arts and budgeting. Should be well-read in the Bahá’í writings, have some typing ability, and be in good physical condition. Those who are interested should contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039 for an application or further information.

HEAD resident sought for Louhelen Residential College. The position entails serving as academic and personal counselor to 13 or more students, helping students with planning devotional, recreational and social activities, coordinating transportation and service projects. Resident would live on campus and receive room, board and a stipend. A complete job description and application materials can be obtained by writing to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

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 an administrative assistant for its office in Wilmette and a secretary for the office in New Haven, Connecticut. The administrative assistant 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. The secretary in New Haven acts as receptionist, types correspondence, and maintains files in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Previous office experience, a good telephone manner, and typing skills of 60 wpm are required; word processing skills are desirable. Those who are interested in applying should write to the Office of External Affairs, New Haven, CT 06510.

THE DEPARTMENT OF Human Resources is seeking qualified persons to serve in two key positions in the National Teaching Committee office at the National Center: minority development coordinator and office secretary. The coordinator is responsible for stimulating and developing efforts related to minority teaching and responding to inquiries and correspondence about minority teaching projects and issues. Experience working with minority groups is essential, with written and oral fluency in Spanish highly desirable. 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, excellent typing skills, word processing experience, and written and oral communication skills. This person will handle and process a high volume of detail work and work with the staff at all levels as well as with the public. Flexibility is essential in both positions. 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.

MOTORCYCLE mechanic is needed for a Honda dealership in the Caribbean. Ability to work with small engines (water pumps and generators), and to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and transmission problems. Important pioneer goal island. Please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

THE DEPARTMENT OF Human Resources is accepting applications for a general maintenance position at the Green Acre Bahá’í School. Responsibilities include full-time general maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment, trouble-shooting, and record keeping. Applicants should have good working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Specific skills with professional training, especially in carpentry, are helpful. Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience required; hands-on experience in apartment complex, hotel, public school or institutional maintenance is 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.

ATTENTION! software and hardware engineers. Let NEBnet (the New England Bahá’í Network) help you. We need active Bahá’í’s from all over the U.S. to come and set New England on fire. Many companies will pay for your relocation to the area if you are qualified. Want more? There are five Bahá’í’s who are willing to circulate your resume to managers all over the area. So what’s the catch? Simply that if you get the job you then get to live in a town that needs you—in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, etc. We need more people in Hudson, Salem and Merrimack, New Hampshire; Marlborough, Massachusetts, and other cities. If you have a BSEE or BSCS or equivalent, and/or are a recent college graduate, send your resume to the Spiritual Assembly of Hudson, c/o Sohail Sobhani, 9 Deer Run Road, Hudson, NH 03051. P.S.—You don’t have to be an engineer to move to this area. We’d love to have all sorts of people come to New England.

YOUTHS! College students! During off-duty hours, a unique opportunity to share the message of Bahá’u’lláh awaits those who work throughout the summer at Yellowstone National Park. Here, you will meet people from all over the country and around the world, as well as local residents in an area where there are few Bahá’í’s. Positions are still available in house-keeping, food services, etc. Housing is provided. For an application, write to TWA Services, Human Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY 89120, or phone 307-344-7901. Don’t delay!

THE GREEN Acre Bahá’í School is seeking a full-time educational coordinator responsible for the planning, preparation and coordination of educational programming and related activities at the school. Requirements include a background in education with experience in both the public sector and in the Bahá’í community. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education or a closely related field is desired. Should be enthusiastic, creative and highly organized with excellent written and oral communication skills. This is an excellent opportunity for an educator with the desire to use his professional skills to serve the Faith. 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.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

WESTERN Samoa is seeking a senior technical officer for telephone services. Suitable operational and maintenance experience is required with a telecommunications certification or equivalent educational/technical background. Also sought is a macro-economist to help in over-all planning and coordination, help analyze factors affecting the performance of the economy, and assist and advise on policies, instruments of economic policy, administrative or other measures and machinery required to implement development programs. Should have a post-graduate degree in macro-economics. For more details, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

ANESTHESIOLOGIST is needed on the island of Yap, in the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, to be in charge of the anesthesiology department, administer all types of anesthesia, train subordinates, participate in rounds, see out-patients, and make field trips to outer islands. Requirements include a degree from an accredited medical school, completed residency in anesthesiology, and at least three years’ work experience. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

AERONAUTICAL information service officer is needed in Lesotho, Southern Africa, to take charge of a briefing office, ensure that all aeronautical information is correct and effectively displayed, train counterparts and conduct on-the-job training. Applicants should have successfully completed an aeronautical information service course at a recognized civil aviation training establishment and have two years’ work experience. If you are interested, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PIONEERS are needed in the Ha’apai Islands, just north of Tonga and under the jurisdiction of its National Spiritual Assembly. Ideally, a family with children or a young couple with enthusiasm and energy would be best suited for this post. Single males would have little difficulty. Single females who are mature or elderly are welcome because age is venerated here. The Peace Corps is the best means for pioneering to these islands, as this would ensure self-sufficiency. In regard to teaching there, it would be advantageous to be able to play a musical instrument and/or sing, as this is the recommended opening for meetings and gatherings. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

AN ASSISTANT field officer for a refugee program is needed in Honduras. Duties include providing emergency help to refugees and the coordination of their transfer from the border to reception centers or refugee camps. A degree in social sciences, political science, economics or a related field is desirable, as well as a knowledge of Spanish. For more details, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

BHUTAN, at the foot of the Himalayas, needs a public health nurse educator with specialization in public health nursing and teaching experience plus a post-graduate health education degree and work experience. Also needed is a heavy earth-moving machine operator with a certificate or license for handling heavy earth-moving machinery and a minimum of 10 years’ experience. For more information about either of these positions, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

POHNPEI, Caroline Islands, in the South Pacific has openings for a chief of the Division of Marine Resources to plan and develop programs aimed at developing various marine resources (a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, ecology or a related field is required with at least seven years’ experience in marine biology or a related area); an entomology research assistant to help the staff scientist conduct field experiments and laboratory activities (a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, agriculture, chemistry or a related field is desired); and an English teacher for college-level instruction (a master’s degree and at least one year of college teaching experience is required). For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

OPPORTUNITY in Honduras for two teachers of English as a second language—either a couple or two women are needed for six weeks starting June 1 to administer and teach in a small English-language institute. Must be TESL-trained and speak Spanish. Attractive living quarters in a modern city with laundry facilities, maid, a car for in-city driving, salary, and a chance to teach the Faith. If interested, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

POSITIONS are open in Puerto Rico for a plant engineering manager to oversee engineering functions including maintenance, project engineering, purchasing and waste water treatment (BSME, ability to speak Spanish, and experience in facilities maintenance, high-speed cannery and packaging equipment necessary), and a wastewater design engineer/construction manager with at least 10 [Page 23]years’ experience in turnkey and fast-track design projects. For more information about either position, write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

CYPRUS needs an accountant, assistant accountant, and senior accounting clerk, a director’s secretary, sales secretary, private secretary to a financial controller, and teachers of English, French, math, science, physical education, and art. For details about any of these positions, write to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A SELF-supporting teacher is sought for Truk, Caroline Islands, in the South Pacific. An English-speaking elementary school teacher with an independent income of about $150/month would be of great service in improving the quality of education for the island. The Spiritual Assembly will provide housing and food. If you are interested in this opportunity to serve, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A 4-H Youth leader is needed at the College of Micronesia on Truk, Caroline Islands, in the South Pacific. Responsible for the over-all management of the 4-H youth program, providing leadership for educational programming and for all 4-H activities, coordinating with other 4-H staff, department heads and community leaders, implementing extension services programs, maintaining membership records, and supervising the local 4-H staff. Should have a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, home economics, or a related field with at least two years of progressively responsible experience in working with youth groups and in organizing youth activities. For more information, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THREE positions are available for working with refugees in the camps in Thailand: An ESL program coordinator (experience with teaching refugees is preferable, but any ESL experience is acceptable. A bachelor’s degree in any subject is sufficient); a sanitarian (engineering degree required); and a public health coordinator to oversee the public health outreach program (should have an MPH degree or nursing degree with public health experience). For more details, please contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEPAL is seeking a director for the World Study Program at World College West. The director has responsibility for more than 15-20 second-year undergraduates in a program designed to provide an in-depth experience in non-Western culture. Duties also include arranging academic and village stay components, coordinating and taking part in the teaching of Nepali historical and cultural studies. Qualifications include teaching ability and relevant subject knowledge, good communication skills, and administrative ability; a Ph.D. in Asian studies, language or a related field is desirable. The term begins in September. For more details, contact the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

SERVE the Cause and see results! In Wichita, Kansas, we’re not just planting seeds—we are harvesting! And like the farmers during harvest-time, we need help. Prayers to guide our steps and helping hands for consolidation. The “heart of the nation” is beginning to throb. For information, contact the Kansas District Teaching Committee, Derby, KS 67037, or phone 316-788-5378.

HERE in lovely Tyler, Texas (pop. 80,000), the rose capital of America, we need two adults to help us maintain our Assembly. Tyler, situated seven miles south of I-20 between Dallas and Shreveport, Louisiana, is the hub of far East Texas. Jobs are available in the medical, clerical, retail and service industries. We think you’ll love it here! For information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Tyler, P.O. Box 7613, Tyler, TX 75711.

DUE to the movement of Bahá’ís, the Spiritual Assembly of Lutz, Florida, is in jeopardy. Anyone who is interested in moving to that area is asked to write to the Spiritual Assembly of Lutz, P.O. Box 2191, Lutz, FL 33549, or to phone Mrs. Barbara Adamczeski, 813-971-1572, for more information.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of The Colony, Texas, needs three more Bahá’ís to re-form its Assembly at Riḍván. The Colony is 15 miles north of Dallas. For more information, phone Peggy Linden, 214-370-7988, or Mehrdad Shenassa, 214-370-8432, or write to The Colony, TX 75056.

“LOOKING for a few good Bahá’ís.” Southington, in central Connecticut, is surrounded by industrial and other employment opportunities as well as by several colleges. We are a growing town with our own ski slopes, an active Bahá’í community, and an Assembly within reach. Drop us a line! Ray Thomas, Plantsville, CT 06479, or phone 203-628-7831.

URGENT! Two homefront pioneers can save the first Spiritual Assembly of Lakeport (and Lake County), California. Lakeport (population 5,000), situated on Clear Lake, is 110 miles north of San Francisco and 80 miles from the Pacific Ocean and the famous redwoods; ideal for retirees or families with good climate, clean air, and all amenities for convenient living. Lovely natural surroundings and outstanding outdoor recreational facilities. Will render all possible assistance in helping you relocate and adjust. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Lakeport, P.O. Box 1643, Lakeport, CA 95453, or phone 707-263-0724.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Middleton, Wisconsin, on the western edge of Madison, the state capital, is in jeopardy. There are six adults and four children in the community, and we are looking for individuals who would be interested in moving here to help save the Assembly. Middleton gives the feeling of small-town living with access to large-city facilities including the University of Wisconsin, a large technical school and major state offices in Madison. Middleton itself has some small industry but is essentially a “bedroom community” with most residents working outside the city limits. It’s a clean, friendly city with an excellent public school system and buses connecting Middleton and Madison. If interested, contact Corrine Bahr, Middleton, WI 53562.

HOMEFRONT pioneer needed to help form a new Assembly in Tillamook County, on the beautiful Oregon coast. The area economy is based on dairy farming, fishing and tourism. There is a community college, a six-member Bahá’í Group within the county, and other Bahá’í families in incorporated towns in the county. Employment opportunities are limited, but local ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ will help in the search. The great beauty of the area makes it an ideal retirement choice. For more information, please phone Elizabeth Shema, 503-368-5979.

GREENCASTLE, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis and home of DePauw University, will be left with only an isolated believer in May and needs homefront pioneers to replace those who have left or are leaving. Greencastle offers a lovely, serene and quaint environment for families, retirees, etc. If you would like more information, please phone Janet Jones, 317-653-9780 (work) or 317-653-3870 (home), or Shohreh Kermani, 317-653-5242 (home) or 317-653-3316 (work).

JEOPARDIZED incorporated Assembly of West Pasco County, Florida, needs two homefront pioneers. In a rapidly growing area close to beaches in west central Florida near Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. Please write to the Bahá’ís of West Pasco County, c/o Mrs. Kittie A. Shetterly, secretary, Holiday, FL 33590, or phone 813-937-1584.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Santa Clara County South-West (Los Gatos), California, are looking for a homefront pioneer who is willing to relocate to serve on an Assembly with an upcoming vacancy. Private housing and a job as housekeeper are available for a woman who likes children and the elderly. Good pay based on experience and references. Must be a Bahá’í in good standing and willing to attend weekly Assembly meetings. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Clara County South-West, P.O. Box 433, Los Gatos, CA 95031, or phone Harriet Allie, 408-244-7942, and leave a message with name, phone number and best call-back time.

FOR ALL Bahá’ís in the broad field of health and medical care, an excellent way to contribute to the Six Year Plan goals of growth, development and integration is through homefront pioneering on an Indian Reservation while working for the U.S. Indian Health Service. To request an application, write to U.S. Indian Health Service, Personnel Branch, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

THE BAHÁ’Í Group of Nantucket would be happy to have a college student, nurse or other person to come to this lovely resort island 30 miles at sea off Cape Cod for a summer job and teaching opportunities. Must apply promptly and come early (March) for living space. We’d also be happy to have a year-round individual, couple or family. High pay, many job opportunities, but be prepared to sacrifice for high cost of living and scarce rentals. Opportunities in building trades, education, medical (GP practice open), nursing, businesses, restaurants, etc. Many ferries and planes daily. Write to Mrs. Anna L.B. Hall, Nantucket, MA 02554, or phone 617-228-2904 (answerphone).

SCHOOLS

LOUHELEN Residential College is accepting applications for Fall 1987. A minimum of 13 students are to enroll in the program which combines formal study of the Faith with degree-earning studies at the University of Michigan-Flint or Mott Community College. For information and application materials, write to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

BAHÁ’Í media training: the Amoz Gibson Training Centre is operated by IBAVC, an agency which has been charged by the Universal House of Justice with the development of Bahá’í media throughout the world. The Centre offers courses and workshops in radio broadcasting, development communication, graphic arts, scriptwriting, photography, journalism, silk-screen and other media-related topics, all presented from a Bahá’í perspective. A 1987 schedule of classes can be yours for no charge simply by writing to the Amoz Gibson Training Centre, HC 02 Box 14765, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612, or by phoning 809-878-4189.

DEADLINE is April 1 to register for a symposium/course on Family Life Education for Peace to be held June 29-July 10 at the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. Three semester units of credit will be granted through San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies for passing work in the course, which includes three areas of study: roots of violence and potential for peace; the impact of forces such as economic systems, ecological changes, legal systems and mass communications on the family; and families as peacemakers. Registration fee is $295 and the San Diego State University fee for credit (payable at the first class meeting) is $81. Lodging may be reserved at a hotel, home or hostel. For more information, write to Dr. Nona Cannon, FLEP coordinator, San Diego, CA 92107.

ATTENTION: Families and youth who are interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country may like to consider attending Escuela e Instituto Bilingue “El Alba” (“The Dawn” Bilingual School) in Siguatepeque, Honduras, which includes kindergarten through 12th grade. Students receive basic academic subjects in English, plus language and social studies classes in Spanish. Credits can be transferred to grade schools or high schools in the U.S., while successful completion of 12th grade is sufficient for further studies in universities in the U.S. or Honduras. The school also operates a boarding facility serving girls from 4-18 years and boys from 6-10 years. There are about 45 towns and villages surrounding Siguatepeque where many still await the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. There is an active local Bahá’í youth committee and several veteran pioneers are on the staff at the school. For more information, write to Escuela Bilingue “El Alba,” Apartado Postal 8, Siguatepeque, Honduras, or phone 504-73-2247.

WANTED

TRANSLATORS are needed for the following languages: Albanian, Armenian, Moldavian, White Russian, Azeri, Kirgisian, Tagzikian, Turkmenian, Uzbekian and Mongolian. If you can translate, or know of someone who can, please send names and addresses to the International Goals Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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

BRILLIANT Star is looking for artists who might have existing work in a vertical format that may be suitable to appear on the cover of that publication. Please send slides to Rita Leydon, art director, Lahaska, PA 18931.

WANTED: A copy in good condition of the most recently published U.S. edition of The Dawn-Breakers. If you have one you can spare, please write to F. Dean Betts, P.O. Box 2971, Fort Myers, FL 33902.

FEMALE Bahá’í wants Bahá’í housemate(s) to share large 3 BR, 3 bath home with LR, formal DR, kitchen, utility room, wood-burning stove, fireplace, gas furnace, central air, carpet and furniture. In rural community 15 miles from state college, 20 miles from state park, some industry. Expenses are negotiable. Will consider a partnership in farming, health and fitness retreat, or other social/economic development project. Contact Annette Reynolds (used to be Gilmore/Jennings), Branchville, SC 29432, or phone 803-533-1289 (home) or 803-534-6695 (work).

MUSICIANS and composers: a Bahá’í singer/teacher is looking for songs suitable for teaching and for performing at Bahá’í functions or public events, i.e., recitals, chamber music, concerts, etc. All styles of music are welcome. If you would be willing to share your manuscripts, please contact Ruth Wilson, 1353 Mountain View Avenue, Longmont, CO 80501.

WANTED: deepened Bahá’í to volunteer one or two years’ service for a social development project in a small native village in southeastern Alaska. Subsistence pay only; training in working with

See ADS page 32 [Page 24]

Campus

from page 7

ler, Evanston, IL 60202, or phone 312-475-5766.

• Bahá’í clubs are invited to secure an institutional subscription with the Association for Bahá’í Studies for $35 a year. The fee entitles a club to receive publications of the Association as well as bulletins.

In addition, the club receives a card entitling one club representative to receive conference registration discounts.

The Association is also offering a reduced membership/subscription fee for students. The fee is $15 a year, representing a 50 percent reduction. A member receives all the publications of the Association and can enjoy the usual benefits of membership such as discounts for ABS conferences and the rights and privileges of membership in fraternal affiliate Associations for Bahá’í Studies.

• Any Bahá’í College Club that needs an account for the purchase of literature may contact the Bahá’í Distribution Service. College Clubs are eligible to open accounts with the approval of their sponsoring Assembly.

You can contact the Distribution Service for information at 1-800-323-1880 (except in Illinois) or write to the Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

• The Bahá’í Association at the University of Southern Maine sponsors ‎as a‎ radio program, “Unity in Diversity,” on the campus radio station (90.9 FM). The program promotes world peace through understanding and features interviews with international students and music from their home countries.

Homefront pioneers are needed to help save the Spiritual Assembly of Gorham, Maine. Interested students are very welcome! Phone Linda Nerbak, secretary, at 207-780-5313 or 207-839-3484.

The United Nations has declared 1987 the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. How can Bahá’í College Clubs help to dedicate this year to “shelter for the homeless”? Send your ideas to “Campus Clips,” c/o National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

CAMPUS CLIPS is for you! This column is here to serve the college clubs. If you have any ideas, comments, suggestions or articles, send them to the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Conferencia Internacional de Juventud Bahá’í LUGAR: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. FECHA: 24-26 de Julio de 1987. TEMA: “Los Retos y Oportunidades de la Juventud en este Día.” INFORMACION: Comite Organizador, Apdo Postal 39-196, Guadalajara JaL., México C.P. 44100.

Bahá’ís participan en ‘Día de Oración para la Paz’ con el Papa Juan Pablo II

A la comunidad Bahá’í norteamericana, Estimados amigos:

El 27 de octubre, 1986, se llevó a cabo un evento significante en el movimiento de ‎la planeta el planeta‎ hacia la paz mundial. Representantes de 12 religiones mayores, de las cuales se incluye la Fe Bahá’í, se reunieron con el Papa Juan Pablo II en Assisi, Italia, para un “Día Mundial de Oración para la Paz.”

Fué un evento de colaboración sin precedente de parte de las religiones del mundo. El Papa Juan Pablo II reconoció que a pesar de las diferencias entre las religiones ... “hay un lugar ‎comun común‎ del cual se puede trabajar juntos para una solución a este desafío dramático de nuestra edad: paz verdadera o guerra catastrófica?”

Nuestro trabajo como Bahá’ís en cultivar tal “lugar ‎comun común‎” nos ha puesto enfrente de los ojos del mundo. Nuestra participación en el Día Mundial de Oración de la Paz, casi exactamente un año ‎despues después‎ de que la Casa Universal de Justicia publicó su declaración sobre la paz a los pueblos del mundo, es ‎mas más‎ evidencia de la emergencia de la Fe de la oscuridad y su envolvimiento más profundo en los asuntos del mundo.

Cuán ‎numerosos numerosas‎ las oportunidades y los desafíos que nos esperan. ... ¿‎Estarémos Estaremos‎ listos para enfrentar tales desafíos y para aprovechar tales oportunidades?

La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional

de los Bahá’ís de los Estados Unidos

23 de noviembre de 1986

Counselors spend week meeting at Gregory Institute

Holding a rare meeting in the U.S., the 17 members of the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas spent the week of December 26-January 2 conducting business at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

The full Board meets only three times a year, and so far this year has met in Panama and South Carolina, with its next meeting scheduled in Brazil.

The general purpose of the Board of Counselors is the protection and propagation of the Faith. Their obligation is “to direct the Auxiliary Boards in their areas, consulting and collaborating with National Spiritual Assemblies, and keeping the Hands of the Cause and the Universal House of Justice informed concerning the condition of the Cause in their areas.”

The Board was especially interested in meeting at the Gregory Institute because of its deep commitment to teaching and development as well as to Bahá’í radio.

On December 31 the Board held an open meeting at which its members were able to personally greet the 200 or so friends who gathered during the evening.

That program was enhanced by the musical talents of Canada’s Gordi Munro who was beginning a three-week tour of the U.S.

Also consulting with the Counselors was Hasan Sabri, executive director of the Office of Social and Economic Development at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

Marshall Blake, a 22-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts and member of the Bahá’í community of Amherst, has been missing since December 8. If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, they are asked to contact Mabel Garis, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Amherst, P.O. Box 847, Amherst, MA 01004, or to phone 413-256-6277. Mr. Blake’s parents, James and Lisa Blake, are pioneers to St. Vincent in the West Indies.

Dr. Farzam Arbab (standing at left), a member of the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas, addresses the audience of about 200 during an open meeting December 31 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina as other members of the Board of Counselors look on.

Green Lake sets spring deepening

The Green Lake Spring Deepening Institute will be held Saturday, March 28, at the Green Lake (Wisconsin) Conference Center.

Bahá’ís from Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and neighboring areas are expected at the session to welcome Auxiliary Board members Stephen Birkland, Javidukht Khadem and Morris Taylor, and to express their appreciation to former Board members D. Thelma Jackson and Khalil Khavari.

Child care will be provided. Lunch is available for $4.75, and the facility fee is $2.

New Horizons Program on Faith ends successful 1st year at Kansas college

The New Horizons Project, a college-level academic program based on Bahá’í principles, has completed a successful first year of operation at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

Twenty-five students including nine Bahá’ís are presently enrolled in the program. The director of New Horizons, Dr. Rick Johnson, is also a Bahá’í.

The program is open to, and appropriate for, persons of any faith or background.

“The underlying philosophy and flavor of the program,” says Dr. Johnson, “are distinctly Bahá’í. We integrate concepts like independent investigation of truth, consultation, the emerging World Order, the unity of science and religion, the oneness of humankind, and the oneness of religion directly into the essence of the program.”

As a part of the New Horizons study program, students are encouraged to develop spiritually, and Bahá’í students are encouraged to study the Writings as they relate to the program.

As of January, a New Horizons program intended primarily for adult learners who reside far from campus is being offered. The new program allows non-resident students to take part while coming to campus only for weekends at infrequent intervals.

Meanwhile, the resident program is still available for those whose situations are appropriate to that option.

New Horizons students may elect a number of traditional majors or, in consultation with faculty, design a degree program that is uniquely appropriate for them.

All credit in New Horizons earns fully accredited academic credit applicable toward a bachelor’s degree.

“It is important to emphasize that this is not a typical ‘correspondence’ program,” says Dr. Johnson. “New Horizons is different because it is motivated by a uniquely different vision of human purpose and human potential.”

Those who would like more information about the New Horizons Project may write to Dr. Johnson at Southwestern College, Winfield, KS 67156, or phone 316-221-4150 or 316-221-0513.

Four cassette tapes of Bahá’í music in Spanish: Canciones de Fe, Hay un Solo ‎Dio Dios‎, Ayyám-i-Há, and Haz Mención, are now available through the International Bahá’í Audio Visual Committee, Apartado 27-60, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Send $5 (U.S.) for each tape ordered with a check made payable to CIRBAL. The price includes registered air mail. [Page 25]

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

This photograph was taken at the Geyserville Bahá’í School. The woman on the far left is Ella Cooper. If you can identify any of the others, please send their names to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Salem ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ mark World Religion Day

The Bahá’ís of Salem, Oregon, observed World Religion Day on January 19 with a celebration in the Salem city council chambers of the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event, which resulted in a front-page article and photo in the Salem Statesman-Journal, including addresses by a Bahá’í and a minister; meditations by members of the Jewish, Native American, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities; a Bahá’í workshop; a Native American “Chant of Honor” and “Circle of Unity,” prayers and music.

The program was co-sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Salem and Marion County, Church Women United, the Salem Human Rights Commission, the Minority Affairs Committee, the Native American Business Alliance, and the YWCA’s Public Affairs Committee.

Archives seeks tape recordings, photos

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking tape recordings and photographs of the May 1960 meetings in Gallup, New Mexico, and Window Rock, Arizona, which were attended by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

Anyone having tapes or photos which they could donate to the Archives are asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Bahá’ís in eastern Pennsylvania forge bond with historical society

TEACHING

A year ago, the District Teaching Committee of Eastern Pennsylvania created a number of task forces to carry out specialized goals including an Expansion-Proclamation Task Force with the goal of undertaking teaching projects in each of eight unopened counties before the 1986 District Convention.

One of these unopened counties is Pike, in the Pocono Mountains, whose county seat is Milford, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent a day and a night in 1912.

Recently, after meeting with a Bahá’í, the ‎geneologist genealogist‎ at the Pike County Historical Society spent four days searching through old newspapers until she came upon an article from the Pike County Press of June 7, 1912, announcing that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been “a guest at Grey Towers.”

Grey Towers was the summer estate of Gifford Pinchot, who was the first U.S. Chief Forester, co-founder of the School of Forestry at Yale University, twice governor of Pennsylvania, a friend and associate of Theodore Roosevelt, and supporter of the women’s suffrage movement.

Mr. Pinchot mentions ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his diary. His mother, Mary Pinchot, gives more details in her diary which is in the U.S. Library of Congress.

At Grey Towers, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed statesmen and other notables. These addresses and His answers to questions are recorded in Star of the West, Vol. VII, No. 9, pp. 77-84.

Today, Grey Towers is a National Historic Landmark, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, and is being developed as a museum and education center.

Through the efforts of a Bahá’í who is interested in historical research, and a project organized by the Expansion-Proclamation Task Force, traveling teachers went to Pike County, took a tour of Grey Towers, and established friendly relations and shared information with staff members there.

Bahá’ís also visited the Pike County Historical Society, saw the original newspaper article announcing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Grey Towers, and presented a copy of “The Promise of World Peace” to Gladys Jagger, curator of the society.

An article mentioning ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Pike County with a photo of the recent presentation of the peace statement was published in the Pike County paper.

Gladys Jagger, curator of the Pike County (Pennsylvania) Historical Society, receives a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace’ from Bahá’í Gordon Hooper (left) of East Stroudsburg and Babak Etemad of Lower Merion Township.

Bahá’í’s Gordon Hooper (left) of East Stroudsburg and Babak Etemad of Lower Merion Township.

‘The Life-Blood of the Faith . . .’

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í News: Your window on Temple dedication

Sixty-seven years ago the Bahá’ís in India met at their first National Convention and decided to invite ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to visit them. They also decided, at that same Convention in 1920, that they wanted to build a House of Worship.

Sadly, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was not able to visit India, but in December, the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent was dedicated in the presence of more than 8,000 Bahá’ís from all over the world.

How did they do it? How did the Bahá’ís of India raise this beautiful Temple, the magnificent “Lotus of Bahapur”? You can read all about it, from the first mention of its construction to the actual dedication ceremonies in December, in Bahá’í News, which has kept the entire Bahá’í world informed of the progress of the seventh Bahá’í House of Worship.

In fact, the February issue of Bahá’í News, which is now available, features complete coverage of the dedication ceremonies with a second article detailing the progress of the Faith in India from its earliest days.

If you already subscribe to Bahá’í News, you can look forward to receiving this issue in your mailbox, if it hasn’t already arrived. If you aren’t a subscriber, for what better time do you wait? Subscribe now and receive the special dedication issue free, for as long as copies last.

Or if you don’t wish to subscribe at this time, you can purchase a copy of the February issue for $1. Buy one copy for yourself, and more for friends and seekers.

Why only $1? Because that’s the cost of a single issue if you have a one-year subscription ($12). Remember, each issue of Bahá’í News carries news from around the world, cables and messages from the Universal House of Justice, and feature articles on various aspects of the Faith.

To order the February issue (or to enter your subscription and receive a free copy), send your check or money order to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Bahá’í News

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Prayers and Thoughts for Peace

From the Bahá’í Writings

This thoughtful selection of prayers and passages from the Bahá’í Writings has been designed for presentation with or as a follow up to the Peace statement.

Attractively but inexpensively produced this small volume is divided into four sections and deals with two major themes:

• Prayers and Thoughts of Peace for the Individual.
• Prayers and Thoughts for Peace and Unity in the World.

Beautifully illustrated by Jacqueline Craske with an attractive embossed cover Prayers and Thoughts for Peace will make an ideal gift to friends and relatives and will interest all those concerned with peace.

48pp. 145 x 105mm Illustrated.

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

$2.00 softcover [Page 26]

Amoz Gibson Project cruises forward in South Dakota

Four years ago the Amoz Gibson Teaching Project was created to help spread the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the Native American people on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

Many Bahá’ís, young and old, from various races and backgrounds have taken part in the project. As a result, many new friends have accepted the message that was brought to them, several Spiritual Assemblies have been formed, and hundreds of individuals have heard about the Faith.

Permanent project headquarters have been set up in Wanblee, on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

One of the goals of the Six Year Plan is the further development of the Bahá’í communities, and to gain the wholehearted allegiance of the members of the various tribes of American Indians to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and ensure their active and sustained participation in the conduct of its administrative affairs.

Thus, Feasts are being held in most Bahá’í localities, and children’s classes are sponsored whenever teachers are available.

Calvin Pumpkinseed (Lakota) and Kathy Vicenti (Navajo) are two Indian youth who are working full-time at the project to help with the teaching work. They have set up a Bahá’í Club and with the help of other local youth have been sponsoring various activities in the area.

Recently the Alateen and Alcoholics Anonymous groups asked the Bahá’í Youth Club to help them sponsor and organize a “Sobriety Dance” for the people on the Reservation. About 40 people attended and had a great time.

The clubs have since sponsored three more dances, and the Bahá’í Club has been organizing “rap sessions” and sporting events.

Projecteers are needed to help achieve the goals that have been set. If you would like to help, please phone the Amoz Gibson Project at 605-462-6309.

Amatu’l-Bahá’s Pine Ridge talk available on tape

When Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum returned to Haifa after her visit to Canada last summer, during which she attended the Native Council held at Frobisher Bay in the Arctic Circle and was able to briefly visit the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, she felt moved to send a message to the Indians of the Western Hemisphere.

That talk is now available on audio cassette tape, and each Assembly on an Indian Reservation will soon be receiving it.

Others who would like to have the tape may order it through the National Teaching Committee for $2 per copy. The message will be translated and made available to the friends in Spanish as well.

On January 11, the Bahá’ís of Greater Globe-Miami, Arizona, with the help of John Cook (left in front row) held a ‘dedication party’ on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in honor of Nancy Cly (front row center), a newly enrolled Bahá’í. Twenty-eight Bahá’ís and their guests including 10 members of the San Carlos Apache tribe took part in the joyous event. Also pictured are three members of a family of Bahá’í refugees from Iran who now live in Tucson: G.H.H. Farhand, his wife, Ridvan, and their daughter, Faeezeh (seated).

Summer teaching campaign to travel down U.S. 95 from Canada to Mexico

An exciting new teaching project will begin this July—a project that will stretch from the northern end of U.S. Highway 95 at the Canadian border to its southern end at the Mexican border.

Along this highway, which winds through Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California and Arizona, there are 19 Indian Reservations that will be touched by the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

These areas will each receive the Teachings of the Faith through direct teaching efforts, with planned follow-up activities designed to deepen new believers, and to connect them to Bahá’í communities.

Project 95 was conceived of by members of the Gubatayao-Bolima family of Lapwai, Idaho. To make it the overwhelming success that it can potentially become, these friends need the help and support of Bahá’ís along the highway, and will welcome also the involvement of friends from across the country.

A special request is being made for Persians and blacks to add the richness of diversity to the group of participants, and the projecteers are praying for access to a vehicle that can be used during this endeavor.

All those who are interested in supporting the project may contact the coordinator, Mary Bolima, P.O. Box 638, Lapwai, ID 83540, or phone 208-843-2071.

From November 3-15, the Bahá’ís of LaPlace, Louisiana, had a display marking the United Nations International Year of Peace at the St. John Parish Library in LaPlace. One display case featured the UN Year of Peace proclamation with a poster celebrating world peace with pictures of people around the world, the word ‘peace’ written in 70 languages, a UN publication on the Declaration of Human Rights and a dove, the symbol of peace. In a second case were copies of ‘The Promise of World Peace,’ the ‘Peace Bible,’ and other books and posters promoting peace.

Karl Marsh, leader of the Midwest Cherokee Alliance, receives a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace’ from the Nur’u’lláh Bahá’í School Committee and the Indiana District Teaching Committee at the annual Council Fire held during the Bahá’í Summer School at Camp Kikthawenund near Anderson. For six years, Mr. Marsh and Native American dance teams have recreated the social and ceremonial dances of the eastern Native American culture.

Nez Perce pow-wow celebrates New Year without use of alcohol

A crowd of about 300 people on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho celebrated New Year’s Eve without the use of alcohol.

The mini pow-wow was sponsored by the Women’s Alcohol Group, whose members had asked the Bahá’ís of Lapwai, Idaho, and other local groups to help them make the non-alcoholic pow-wow a success.

As a result of their combined efforts, a good time was had by all who attended.

Because of the success of the pow-wow, the Bahá’ís of Lapwai have decided to plan other non-alcoholic programs for upcoming events on the Reservation, and to continue their close ties with the Women’s Alcohol Group.

That group has offered its facility for a regional Bahá’í youth conference to be held in the near future.

Bahá’í ‘meditations’ to be aired in March

WMAQ-TV in Chicago planned to broadcast a three-minute early morning Bahá’í meditation three times in March.

The programs, taped last December, feature nine-year-old Errol Doris of LaGrange and 10-year-old Saba Firoozi of Glencoe.

The telecasts were scheduled at 6 a.m. March 21 and 5:30 a.m. March 2, 11 and 30.

ASSEMBLIES IN JEOPARDY NEED YOUR HELP!

“The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá (9), and should it exceed this number it does not matter...” — Bahá’u’lláh

Some of our divinely ordained Houses of Justice, which are now referred to as Local Spiritual Assemblies, are in danger of being lost if the number of adult believers in the communities is not brought back to nine before Ridván. If you could relocate to a nearby community or to a distant post to help save one of these precious Assemblies, please contact the National Teaching Committee as soon as possible: (312) 869-9039 [Page 27]

India

from page 1

...stitutions and unfurl His banner of unity and tranquillity amongst mankind.

The message further called attention to the outstanding achievements of the recent past when, thanks to the courage, steadfastness and self-abnegation of the Bahá’í community in the land of its birth, the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh had dramatically attracted worldwide attention, and the community had crossed the threshold of the fourth epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation.

At the opening session of the dedication conference, a moving message from the Bahá’í community of Iran had been read on its behalf.

It said, in part, “With overjoyed hearts and tearful eyes, in utmost joy and anxiety, we offer sincere greetings to Amatu’l-Bahá and others present in that conference. By this token we feel ourselves spiritually present. ...

“Although we are far away over the mountains and oceans, we are close to you in heart and soul. ...The friends in Iran are also offering a basket of flowers, the money for which was donated by the prisoners, in memory of the martyrs and the dear ones who are missing.”

At a press conference held December 22 at the Oberoi Hotel, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum captured the hearts and minds of India’s press and media representatives with her dynamic style and incisive responses to questions.

All the leading newspapers of India were present and the resulting stories, pictures and articles included two or more pieces in each paper.

Electronic media present for the dedication events included All India Radio, BBC radio and television, and other agencies and wire services whose materials were disseminated worldwide.

One of the Bahá’í visitors, Mrs. Joan Williams of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was greeted at Indira Gandhi Airport as India’s one millionth tourist (see article on page xx). She and her husband, ‎Leonard Dale‎, were interviewed, given free tours, and housed at a five-star hotel as guests of the Indian government.

The festivities surrounding the dedication began December 23 with an afternoon and early evening program at Indira Gandhi Stadium chaired by Mrs. Shirin Boman and Counselor Iraj Ayman. After music and devotions, the audience was welcomed by Mr. K. Khemani, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of India.

Children from many countries sing on the stage of Indira Gandhi Stadium during the dedication ceremonies December 23-27 for the Bahá’í House of Worship near New Delhi, India.

This was followed by a “roll call of nations,” the introduction of the theme song for the dedication, a multi-media presentation, “Building of the Bahá’í House of Worship,” addresses by the Temple’s chief architect, Fariburz Sahba, and Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (“The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár—Instrument for Spiritualizing the World”), and a cultural program.

On December 25, also at Indira Gandhi Stadium, two programs were held with the morning session, chaired by Mrs. Shirin Fozdar and Dr. Singara Velu, including addresses by the Hand of the Cause Mr. Sears (“Station of the Universal House of Justice and Its Influence Upon the World”) and Mrs. Javidukht Khadem (“Message from the Late Hand of the Cause of God Zikr’ulláh Khadem”).

That afternoon, program chairman Douglas Martin introduced Counselor Peter Khan (“Progress of the Faith in the World”), Counselor Vicente Samaniego (“Progress of the Faith in Asia”) and Counselor Zena Sorabjee (“Progress of the Faith in India”).

After music, Ramnik Shah, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, introduced representatives of the masses and tribals of India who addressed the audience, and Kueh Lip Kuang outlined the goals of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Asia.

The following day saw two more sessions at the stadium with the morning program, chaired by Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, including addresses by the Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Featherstone (“The Need for Spiritual Values”) and Counselor Burháni’d-Dín Afshín (“Sacrifice—The Essence of Bahá’í Service to the Cause”), and the afternoon program, chaired by Bharat Koirala, devoted to the dedication’s main theme, an address by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum entitled “The Bahá’í House of Worship: Dedicated to the Unity of God, the Unity of His Prophets, and the Unity of Mankind,” and a presentation on “The Role of Youth” by Bahá’í youth of India and Malaysia.

Indira Gandhi Stadium was also the venue for a public meeting December 27 which included a ballet, “Triumph of Peace,” by students at the New Era Bahá’í School in Panchgani; an Indian hoop dance by Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux from the U.S.; a multi-media presentation, “The Promise of World Peace,” adapted from the statement to the peoples of the world by the Universal House of Justice; Kathak dances by Uma Sharma and her troupe; and the Do’a World Music Ensemble.

More than 500 youngsters attended a children’s conference which was held concurrently with the main conference.

On December 26, many of the children came to the main stage bearing banners with the names of the countries they represented. Jack Lenz of Canada then led them in singing the theme song, “We Want to Grow Up,” which he wrote, and they were then joined on stage by the Hands of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and Mr. Sears who shared stories of their own teaching experiences.

At the House of Worship on December 24, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, sharing the stage with 204 red roses, a gift from the Bahá’ís of Iran to honor the recent martyrs in that country, said, “...Now this glorious marble lotus, this exquisite symbol of the purity, beauty, perfection and mercy that comes to all men from their Creator, enfolds us tenderly in her breast, bidding us unite in peace, and welcoming within her doors people of all creeds, all races, all nations and all classes, and proclaiming to all men that this Temple is dedicated to the three fundamental verities animating and underlying the Bahá’í Faith—the unity of God, the unity of His Prophets, the unity of mankind.”

On the previous day, in the presence of her fellow Hands of the Cause, the Counselors for Asia, and the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum had placed a silver box containing dust from the Shrines of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh into the crown of the arch of the Temple, facing in the direction of ‘Akká, thus sanctifying the only House of Worship in Asia and the seventh extant in the world.

Construction of the imposing edifice was completed last year, some nine years after the cornerstone was set in place by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

Mr. Sahba and his colleagues, challenged time and again by what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles, overcame them all to build what one experienced observer has called “a construction feat that will set standards for centuries.” The lotus-shaped, nine-sided building, surrounded by nine pools of clear water, is situated on a hillside at Bahapur, on the outskirts of New Delhi.

It was opened to the public on January 1, at which time more than 10,000 people of all religious backgrounds were drawn to its precincts and streamed up the walkways to visit, pray and meditate.

Four days earlier, on December 28, a memorial service was held at the Bahá’í National Center in New Delhi to observe the seventh anniversary of the passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir, a staunch champion of the Cause in India to whose inspiration and loving guidance Mr. Sahba attributes his decision to accept the position as chief architect of the Temple. The speaker on that occasion was the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rú-

See Temple page 28

Joan Williams (right), a Bahá’í from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who was India’s one millionth tourist visitor of 1986, and her husband, Dale, are pictured with one of their friends in New Delhi.

Michigan Bahá’í is India’s millionth tourist in ’86

By ANNE ATKINSON

Joan Williams, a Bahá’í from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who was traveling to India with her husband to attend the recent dedication of the Bahá’í House of Worship, became India’s one millionth visitor of 1986 as she reached the New Delhi airport on December 19. It was the first time in India’s history that the country had welcomed one million tourists in a single year.

“We heard the announcement on the plane that someone on our flight would be welcomed as India’s millionth visitor,” Mrs. Williams recalls. “At the time, all I thought was, ‘Please let it be a Bahá’í,’ because I knew that it would be a golden opportunity for proclamation.”

Mrs. Williams and her husband, Dale, were greeted with garlands of flowers, gifts (including books, prints, and brass items), television cameras, photographers, and a team of tourist officials who whisked them through immigration and customs to a five-star hotel where they received red carpet treatment and a week-long complimentary stay.

“We had no time to recover from our jet-lag,” says Mrs. Williams. “Suddenly, we became public figures.

“This modified our original plans to attend the dedication conference and visit a friend in Cuttack. We did manage to attend a part of the conference and were able to travel and teach in Cuttack, but much of our time was spent telling reporters about the Faith.

“Our interviews appeared on TV and in other news media all over India. The publicity helped our travel-teaching greatly.”

Day and night, after soliciting advice from Mr. Shah, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, the Williamses spoke to the Indian press and to individuals who opened their homes to them.

During one press conference, the editor of a women’s magazine expressed astonishment at the Bahá’í teachings on the equality of the sexes, especially since it was Mr. Williams who shared them with her.

“Everywhere we went,” says Mrs. Williams, “there was an extraordinary receptiveness to the Faith.

“The fact that we are an interracial couple served as an example of our principles, too,” she adds. “We felt complete acceptance from everyone. We will certainly never forget our unique experiences in India.”

Mrs. Williams, an accountant, had dreamed of going to India for 20 years. She never imagined that their trip would turn out to be a national event for the country she had yearned to visit.

Government officials had decided six years ago to set a goal of having one million visitors to India per year. The goal was not met until six years later, during the last month of the year.

Mrs. Williams told one reporter that it was the completion of the Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi that had enabled India to meet its tourist goal in 1986.

“We know,” the reporter replied with a smile. [Page 28]

STORIES OF THE MARTYRS

HABIBU’LLAH AWJI

Habibu’llah Awji was born to a devout Muslim family in Shiraz, Iran, in 1925. He was an only child, and his father died when he was three years old.

When he was six, his mother sent him to Maktab, a religious primary school where children were taught reading, writing and the basic principles of Islam so that they could learn to read the Qur’án.

However, the family’s financial circumstances did not permit him to continue there for long. Instead, Mr. Awji was apprenticed to a baker and for a time earned his keep in this way.

He learned to read and write in his spare time and became enamored with poetry, which he began to compose himself.

Mr. Awji attended poetry circles and Qur’án study classes in Shiraz and eventually joined a religious association that emphasized the principle of Muslim brotherhood, but he became disillusioned by the hypocrisy of some of its members.

He then spent three and one-half years with Sufis, frequenting their monasteries and seeking to find religious truth.

Eventually he came upon some Bahá’ís, toward whom he was not at first kindly disposed. He was much impressed, however, by a calligraphic design he saw on the wall of one Bahá’í home, which contained the following phrase from the Bahá’í writings: “‎Religious Religion‎ must be the cause of love and unity.”

This convinced him to investigate further; he began attending firesides and grew sympathetic toward the Faith, though he still entertained certain doubts.

His friends from the Muslim Brotherhood Association were greatly disturbed by his interaction with the Bahá’ís, and they conspired to have him fired from his job.

They hoped that by bringing emotional and financial pressure to bear upon him, they might prevent his becoming a Bahá’í.

One night, however, Mr. Awji had a dream that convinced him of the truth of the Bahá’í Faith, and the following morning he went about town boldly announcing his conversion to friend and stranger alike.

His former friends from the See MARTYR page 30

A brief introduction to the study of Esperanto

Introduction

As Bahá’ís, you have probably heard of Esperanto, the planned language created by Ludwig Zamenhof. You may also have read the biography of Lydia, the Bahá’í teacher who was his daughter.

If so, you know that Mr. Zamenhof believed, as Bahá’ís do, that a universal auxiliary language would help bring about world peace.

Accordingly, he developed a language which, because of its regular grammar and phonetic spelling, is one of the easiest languages in the world to learn. Esperanto is the only planned language that has met with any success.

Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi all encouraged Bahá’ís to learn Esperanto and to work with Esperantists. Now, since the peace statement has specifically mentioned the importance of a universal language, this has become doubly important.

Esperanto can provide a wonderful opportunity to reach out and become friends with people all over the world, and can help us gain the kind of intercultural understanding that is the goal of Bahá’ís. If you have children, it can do wonders for their world understanding.

Here’s an easy way to make a beginning. Complete the following lesson’s exercise on a separate sheet of paper, then send it with your name, address and telephone number and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, IL 60091. Be sure to letter and number your answers correctly.

Soon you’ll receive corrections for your first lesson together with a second lesson.

By the time you have completed this free 15-lesson course, you’ll be ready to read articles from Esperanto magazines, understand and take part in general conversations, and write your first letter to an Esperanto pen-pal.

You should realize, however, that these results can come only from regular and persistent study. The fact that Esperanto is easy to learn compared to other languages does not mean that it can be learned without effort.

It does mean, however, that Esperanto can be fun to study, so learn Esperanto as a family or community project.

Correspondence Course in the Esperanto Language for Beginners Lesson One of Fifteen

There are three good reasons why Esperanto is easier both to learn and to remember than other languages. This lesson will illustrate all of them.

Phonetic, Regular Spelling

The first reason is that, in Esperanto, each word is spelled like it sounds. Esperanto has a 28-letter alphabet, each letter of which makes only one sound. It is shown below. Under each letter is its Esperanto name, and under that is an English word with a capitalized letter or letters showing how the Esperanto letter should be pronounced. Where there is no word, the letter is to be pronounced as in English.

a

b

c

ĉ

d

e

f

g

ĝ

h

ĥ

i

j

ĵ

a

bo

co

ĉo

do

e

fo

go

ĝo

ho

ĥo

i

jo

ĵo

mAmma

iTS

CHild

Egg

aGe

KHadem

lEAf

Yes

beiGe

k

l

m

n

o

p

r

s

ŝ

t

u

ŭ

v

z

ko

lo

mo

no

o

po

ro

so

ŝo

to

u

ŭo

vo

zo

nO

SH

dO

Wide

The mark above some letters is called a supersign. Notice that it designates a completely different letter (sound), so it is very important. The only other pronunciation rule in Esperanto is that the accent, or stress, is always placed on the next-to-last syllable.

Check your understanding of Esperanto pronunciation by spelling the following English words phonetically, using Esperanto letters to produce the same sounds. Then find the answers in Key A at the end of this lesson.

1. to; 2. two; 3. too; 4. chews; 5. choose; 6. meet; 7. meat; 8. loan; 9. lone; 10. own.

Grammar Coding

The second reason that Esperanto is relatively easy is its clear and regular grammar. To know the function of most words in a sentence, all you need do is look at the ending. Adjectives (describing words) always end in -a, whereas nouns (words naming persons, places, things or attributes) end in -o. In this way, one root word can be made into two different words, depending on the ending. Am is the root, or foundation, word for love. If you say “love conquers all,” the Esperanto word for love is “amo.” But if you say “a loving spirit conquers all,” the Esperanto word for loving is “ama.” The word for life is vivo, but if you are talking about a living person, the word for living is viva.

Try to translate “a loving life.” Now translate “a living love.” Check your answers in Key B at the end of this lesson.

Simplified Vocabulary

The third reason for the simplicity of Esperanto is that, because we can make new words by putting together words (as we just did), there is less vocabulary to be learned. Here are two examples of how this can work in another way:

The suffix -in- makes the word to which it is applied feminine. Viro is man, and virino is woman. Knabo is boy, and knabino is girl. Of course, a word is feminized only when it is necessary to make the distinction.

The suffix -id- means offspring, or child. A cat is kato, so a kitten is katido. A dog is hundo, so a puppy is hundido. In this way, if you know one word, you also know several others without learning them. Using what you have just learned, how would you say “a female kitten,” or “womanly”? Check your answers in Key C below.

Answer keys

A: 1. tu; 2. tu; 3. tu; 4. ĉuz; 5. ĉuz; 6. mit; 7. mit; 8. lon; 9. lon; 10. on. B: A loving life is ama vivo; a living love is viva amo. C: A female kitten is katidino; womanly is virina.

Exercises

A. Many English words are almost the same as their counterparts in Esperanto. For example, birdo means bird, studento means student, and ‎klasmo klaso‎ means class. Here is a list of Esperanto words and a list of similar words in English. Match the two lists by placing the correct letter in the second list after the number in the first list. Keep in mind the Esperanto rules of spelling, pronunciation and endings.

1. danco; 2. muzika; 3. fiŝo; 4. blua; 5. papero; 6. riĉa; 7. sekretario; 8. lasta; 9. muziko; 10. longa.

a. secretary; b. fish; c. music; d. musical; e. rich; f. long; g. blue; h. dance; i. paper; j. last.

B. Here are some more Esperanto roots. Read them, and then translate the English phrases below.

griz, grey; brun, brown; blank, white; bel, beautiful.

1. musical girl; 2. rich secretary; 3. beautiful music; 4. blue, dancing cat; 5. long, last dance.

C. Using -in- and -id-, answer the following questions:

1. The root word for deer is cerv. What are the words for doe and fawn? 2. The root word for cow is bov. What is the word for calf? 3. The root word for sheep is ŝaf. What is the word for lamb? for ewe?

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum answers questions during a press conference in New Delhi. With her is Ramnik Shah, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India.

Temple

from page 27

... híyyih Khánum.

Other special events included a gala evening December 25 at the Ashoka Hotel with a buffet dinner and singers, dancers and other entertainers from East and West; and dawn prayers on December 27 at the House of Worship.

The Bahá’í Office of Public Information announced at the conference that two new films based on the dedication of the Temple would be released this year.

The first, scheduled for release at Riḍván, is essentially a proclamation presentation made for television.

Incorporating extensive footage of the grassroots development of the Cause in India, the film explores the impact of the most recent of the world’s independent religions on the cultures and peoples of the Indian subcontinent, with the Temple as its most dramatic expression.

A second film, designed for distribution to schools of architecture throughout the world, will be ready for release at the beginning of the academic year in September.

Both are being produced by the award-winning Canadian documentary company, Asterisk Productions, whose crew spent several weeks in India before and after the dedication.

Faith is profiled in Insight magazine

The persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran and the dedication of the House of Worship in India combined to produce a well-written and generally accurate two-page article about the Faith in the January 26 issue of Insight, a weekly news magazine published by the Washington Times newspaper.

The article summarizes briefly the history and main principles of the Faith and chronicles the history of the persecutions while describing and picturing the salient features of the Temple in New Delhi.

Standard course for Bahá’í youth

The Standard is a 12-month correspondence course for Bahá’í youth. Begin to increase your methodical study of the Writings as requested in the Six Year Plan by subscribing to The Standard today! Simply send your name, address and $5 to the National Youth Committee. [Page 29]

Fillmore Bahá’ís trade services to others for contributions to Fund

The Bahá’ís of Fillmore, California, have begun a community social and economic development project as a means of increasing contributions to the National and International Funds.

The friends provide services to others in the community who need them, and donate their payment to the Funds.

All have contributed to a list of “talents and needs,” and are helping one another with home improvements, child care, auto repairs, and other services.

Socially, the Bahá’ís are providing home video nights, Jacuzzi rentals (bring your own towel), and music for all occasions.

Notice to travelers

Bahá’ís traveling outside the U.S., please contact the International Goals Committee, c/o Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039). Two months’ notice is desirable.

12-year-old Bahá’í wins Dr. King essay contest

A 12-year-old Bahá’í, Nabil Maghzi, won first place among middle school students in his San Francisco school in an essay contest on the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. entitled “Animating the Dream.”

Besides a monetary award, Nabil was asked to read his winning essay twice on January 19: to an audience of about 500 at a predominantly black Baptist church, and before a crowd of thousands during a commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday at the Civic Center Plaza.

His essay used the peace statement from the Universal House of Justice to illustrate the need today for the elimination of racism and prejudice, a cause championed by Dr. King for nearly two decades until his assassination in 1968.

Nabil turned 12 on January 14, one day before the anniversary of Dr. King’s birth.

His family planned to host a reception at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center for the nine essay winners in the elementary, middle and high school categories.

Twelve-year-old Bahá’í Nabil Maghzi of San Francisco reads his prize-winning essay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before a crowd of about 4,500 during the commemoration January 19 at the Civic Center Plaza of the anniversary of Dr. King’s birth.

Bahá’ís in Springfield, Illinois, and Springfield’s ‘Youth for One World Club’ spent the summer building this award-winning float, ‘Music Unites the Human Family,’ for the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade. Judges presented the float the ‘Illinois State Fair Award’ for ‘best use of color.’ As the float passed the reviewing stand, a prepared statement was read ‎tieing tying‎ the parade’s theme, ‘Music in Motion,’ to Bahá’í principles of unity, using a quotation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

On September 28, the first Spiritual Assembly of Canton Township, Michigan, was elected. Pictured are members (front row left to right) Gloria Smith, Carl Domke, Pam Saucier and Mary Trotter, and (back row left to right) Lorna Fischer, Barb LaFerier, Doug LaFerier, Mary Olson and Phil Olson.

During consultation at District Convention, Bahá’í youth and pre-youth in Montana decided to host a family social event on Thanksgiving day. The celebration was planned by Bozeman youth Torah Browne, Sydney Hansen and Chad McGuire. Almost 50 people of all ages attended and enjoyed traditional foods, games, and songs. Highlights included an African songfest led by Marge Wilson, a pioneer to Lesotho, and a deepening on ‘Friendship’ by George Galinkin of Butte.

new from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

the Power of Unity Beyond Prejudice and Racism

A challenging compilation of extracts from the Bahá’í writings that clearly describes

• the need for unity and peace through the elimination of prejudice and racism

and

• the part we are called upon to play in the evolution and spiritualization of the world

softcover $7⁹⁵ 5½ x 8½ in.

142 pages; 334 extracts (including previously unavailable material) Foreword; Bibliography

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

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 30]

Bahá’í Youth: Living a Life of Service

There is still a limited supply left of the Bahá’í Youth: Living a Life of Service sweatshirts and T-shirts. Send $15/sweatshirt or $8/T-shirt to the National Youth Committee with your name and address.

Name Street City State Zip Phone

T-SHIRTS Small Medium Large X-Large Total x $8-$ Grand Total S

SWEATSHIRTS Small Medium Large X-Large Total x $15-$

Make check payable to: Bahá’í National Youth Committee Send to: Bahá’í National Youth Committee Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (prices include postage)

A biography of Dr. Manucher Javid, a Bahá’í who is professor and chairman of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, is included with those of 83 other distinguished neurosurgeons in a new book, "Modern Neurosurgical Giants," published by Elsevier. According to its editor, Dr. Paul Bucy, Dr. Javid’s research led to a major breakthrough in brain surgery during the mid-1950s when he introduced the use of the chemical urea to reduce brain pressure during surgery, reversing "previously desperate clinical situations." The biography also notes that "Dr. Javid’s hobby, the study of the world’s religions, is inspired by his belief in the Bahá’í Faith."

Bahá’í youth in Des Moines elected to Honor Society

Kari M. Wolf, a Bahá’í youth who is a junior at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, has been elected to the National Honor Society.

Martyrs

(from page 28)

Brotherhood came to his house waving a roll of bank notes, commiserating with him on his straitened financial condition and advising him that his poverty was due to his rejection of Islam and his coolness toward the activities of the Association.

Mr. Awji replied in a kindly manner that the new faith he had found was priceless, and that it was not for sale.

When the Islamic Revolution began, the homes and lives of Bahá’ís were in grave danger. One day a hostile crowd of about 3,000 surrounded Habibu’llah Awji’s house.

One of the local mullas went to Mr. Awji’s house to disperse the mob, telling them that Mr. Awji was a good Muslim, not a Bahá’í. He motioned Mr. Awji to remain silent, but instead Mr. Awji began shouting, "People! Awji is a Bahá’í and believes in Bahá’u’lláh of his own free will!"

The mulla announced that Mr. Awji was, at any rate, under his protection, but Mr. Awji again shouted, "Awji is not under this man’s protection! Awji is under the protection of God!"

The mulla nevertheless succeeded in dispersing the crowd, although Mr. Awji’s house was plundered and burned a few days later.

Not long after that, a man sitting in a jeep called out to Mr. Awji by name, and as Mr. Awji approached to see what he wanted, the man pulled a gun and fired at him, hitting him in the shoulder and breaking a bone.

Mr. Awji was taken to a hospital, but his arm remained disabled for the rest of his life. After regaining consciousness, and while still in his hospital bed, he composed a poem about the incident, lamenting the fact that he had not died from the wound.

Part of the poem reads as follows:

The bullets of the gun have seared my shoulder, but the arrows of remorse have pierced my soul: I wanted death, why was my martyrdom postponed? You have heard my prayers upon Your threshold; O my God, I pray you, do not let them go ignored.

In the spring of 1982 Mr. Awji was arrested and sentenced to prison. He told the court they should have ordered his execution, because he would continue to teach the Bahá’í principles even in jail.

After six months, the court gave him one last chance to recant his faith and win his freedom, but he refused and was sentenced to death.

On November 16, 1982, Mr. Awji was executed by hanging, and thus attained the martyrdom he had written of so longingly in his poems.

In the "Spirit of the Roses," the Spiritual Assembly of Rochester, Vermont, is sponsoring the creation of a handmade quilt with a pattern of 189 roses to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs in Iran. The purposes are to foster greater unity among the friends in Vermont and to increase contributions to the National Fund. Each individual contribution to the Fund entitles the giver to one ticket toward a "drawing" to be held at a statewide celebration to determine who will have this marvelous piece of art work for his or her very own.

Bahá’í performers Leslie and Kelly joined Jamie Heath, a member of the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop, to present five musical numbers during the second annual "We Are the World" show held last October 30 at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. The three also toured the area during their three-day stay in Idaho, visiting local schools and the Kiwanis Club to talk about music, world travel, the need for peace, and the local Magic Peace Project, which was inspired by the first "We Are the World" show in 1985 and whose motto is "Think Global, Work Local." Harry Massoth, a Bahá’í who is coordinator of the project, was given a special award by the Peace Committee which recognizes him for his "dedication and inspiration" in Idaho’s quest for peace.

Snow doesn’t stop Amsterdam proclamation

In the "Spirit of the Roses," the Bahá’ís of Amsterdam, New York, were joined by friends from a dozen other communities January 18 for a proclamation effort that included an "Up with People" concert, a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth at a local church attended by the Bahá’ís, street teaching, a potluck dinner, and "lots of fun and laughs."

The Bahá’í speaker at a public meeting was Jorge Nossa who braved a snowstorm to be there.

A brochure designed for an observance January 15 in Baltimore, Maryland, of the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Serena G. Mills, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Baltimore, uses passages from "The Promise of World Peace" to illustrate the Bahá’í approach to world peace.

The 20-page brochure was used at a program that included brunch, a performance by a dance ensemble, other music, and closing remarks by Ms. Mills.

Carol Potasnik, a member of the Bahá’í community of Skokie, Illinois, was honored in December by the Skokie Life newspaper as its "Citizen of the Month" for her involvement in the Foster Grandparent program.

Ms. Potasnik, a 74-year-old retired clerk, spends five mornings a week working with three- and four-year-old children in the Head Start program at Evanston’s Kingsley School.

On January 19, Bahá’ís in Nantucket, Massachusetts, took part in a program honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that was arranged by the Nantucket Interfaith Council.

The program, which was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, included a Bahá’í prayer read by Mrs. Anita Stackpole Dougan whose grandfather, the Rev. Harold Lionel Pickett, was once the minister of that church.

Traveling teachers are important

International traveling teachers can play an important role by fostering unity in the Bahá’í world. It is often possible for the community you plan to visit to set up teaching programs for you. However, the International Goals Committee has been made aware that several traveling teachers who worked with our office did not contact the National Spiritual Assembly in the country they planned to visit when their plans were changed. This caused undue trouble to the local Bahá’ís who had set up programs for the visiting teachers. We urge you to please contact the communities you plan to visit both before your arrival and if your plans change.

Answers to crossword puzzle

ACROSS 1. S 2. Muhammad 8. Day 10. NA 13. Buddha 16. RH 17. Source 18. Mu 19. Zoroaster 21. Travel 22. Ed 23. LSA 24. Teach

DOWN 1. Sun 3. Hindu 4. MD 5. Man 6. Aye 7. Báb 11. Christ 9. Bahá’u’lláh 12. Pray 14. Usury 15. Do 18. Moses 19. Zeal 20. One [Page 31]

10 YEARS AGO

Nearly 4,500 people attend the last three International Teaching Conferences, in New Zealand, Brazil and Mexico. Total attendance at the eight international conferences is more than 16,000.

On February 4-6, 44 countries and 32 minority groups and Indian tribes are represented at the conference in Mérida, Mexico.

The emphasis there is that the Indians should be taught in all countries where the Faith has been established. The indigenous believers, when deepened, will precipitate the entry by troops, it is said.

On January 28-30, the 1,300 Bahá’ís at the conference in Bahia, Brazil, review Indian teaching in South America, noting that hundreds of new Indian believers are being enrolled in Ecuador. The Mapuche tribe of Argentina is reached for the first time.

It is reported that pre-conference teaching and proclamation have resulted in some 5,600 declarations in Brazil.

About 1,200 attend the conference in Auckland, New Zealand, held January 19-22. Included are Bahá’ís of Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian ancestry. ...

Twenty-five local Spiritual Assemblies are formed and recognized since Ridván 1976, and another five await recognition, bringing the total of local Assemblies in the U.S. to 926, 474 shy of the goal for the Five Year Plan. ...

The Counselors in North America announce the appointment of 18 Auxiliary Board members to augment the number of Board members serving on the continent.

The action by the Counselors, which signifies a dynamic new phase in the evolution of that institution, follows a message from the International Teaching Center informing them that the Universal House of Justice has decided to raise the number of Auxiliary Board members to 45.

Those newly appointed to serve the Board in the U.S. are Donald Barrett, Hormoz Bastani, Joyce Dahl, Dennis Jenkyns, Benjamin Levy, Sam McClellan, Odessa Myers, Stephen Powers, Nathan Rutstein and Ronna Santoscoy. ...

Efforts to reach the Chinese in New York City are bearing fruit, with a number of Bahá’ís actively engaged in teaching in Chinese neighborhoods and regular weekly firesides under way. Since April, three Chinese youth have declared. ...

Bahá’í communities throughout the country are being aided in their efforts to formulate budgets for the coming year by a newly published training manual, “Accounting Procedures for Bahá’í Treasurers.”

Seventeen hundred Assembly and Group treasurers are given the manual, which is a first step in standardizing bookkeeping procedures in the U.S. ...

As a result of border teaching activities, an entire family embraces the Faith in Tijuana, Mexico. ...

A conference to discuss the progress of the Five Year Plan, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly, is held January 15 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina. ...

Letters

from page 3

If this condition happened to a family member or close friend, we would gladly give a pint of blood, help pay the medical costs, or do whatever we could to see that he or she got back on the road to recovery.

But we are not talking about a material body with a material problem; we’re talking about a spiritual body with a spiritual problem.

You, I, everyone have the needed remedy at the tip of our fingers if only we all apply it together on a regular basis. Our spiritual body is unique in that the whole body has the ability to act like the bone marrow in the material body and can produce the “life-blood” that our spiritual body so desperately needs.

What am I talking about? The National Bahá’í Fund which already is more than $3 million behind this year.

For this Faith of ours to grow, we all need to help by giving on a regular basis whatever we can afford plus a little more by way of sacrifice. The answer doesn’t lie in a lottery ticket, the gift of a multimillionaire, or any other such windfall or cure, but in the actions of our rank and file, meaning you and me.

Our actions remind me of a story that our beloved Hand of the Cause of God William Sears tells about a frog.

If a frog is dropped into a pan of boiling water, he says, it will jump out. But if the frog is placed in a cold pan of water and a fire is built under the pan, the frog will stay in the pan, never thinking about taking any action like jumping out but instead trying to adjust to the heat until it is too late and he is boiled alive.

We are like that frog, sitting in a pan of water with a fire under us. Let’s change the ending by acting now before it’s too late.

Bahá’u’lláh says that no one can stop God’s plan for mankind, but we can slow it down by showing a lack of interest and support.

Our actions toward the Fund, the “life-blood” of the Faith, are a direct and meaningful gauge of our interest and support. What is going to be our answer to this spiritual problem? Watch the National Fund reports to see what our collective answer is.

L.E. Nehlsen

Santa Cruz, California

Deeds will change world

To the Editor:

Thank you for printing the letter from Christina Price (November). I was deeply touched by that letter, and hope all of us will ponder and reflect on its meaning.

Ms. Price says that Ken Stevens was considered an “inactive” Bahá’í by some who knew him, but in reality, his spirit was filled with love, service, compassion, magnanimity, and great-heartedness.

These words of Bahá’u’lláh come to mind: “Let deeds not words be your adorning.” “It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others.” “The light of a good character surpasses the light of the sun.”

Finally, these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ring in my mind:

“Let your actions cry aloud to the world that you are indeed Bahá’ís, for it is actions that speak to the world and are the cause of the progress of humanity.

“If we are true Bahá’ís, speech is not needed. Our actions will help in the world, will spread civilization, will help the progress of science, and cause the arts to develop.

“... Strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble. Enrich the poor, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowful, bring healing to the sick, reassure the fearful, rescue the oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the destitute.

“This is the work of a true Bahá’í and this is what is expected of him. If we strive to do all this, then we are true Bahá’ís.” (The Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 72-73)

Our Faith will go forward and transform the world only when we learn to express love, kindness, joy, happiness and service to every human being who comes into our lives.

“Let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.”

Again, thank you for sharing Ms. Price’s letter with us.

Margaret Ruhe

Haifa, Israel

Miss Mahmoodzadeh is alive and well

Miss Mahtab Mahmoodzadeh of Mableton, Georgia, was incorrectly included in our January “In Memoriam” column.

We are happy to report that she is alive and well, and we apologize for any distress the mistake may have caused her family and friends.

‘Why are we here?’

To the Editor:

“Why are we here?” Not a philosophical question about existence, but rather a practical question about why we would sell a house, give up good jobs with bright futures and all the “middle class comforts” to move to an economically depressed area, to an old, rambling farmhouse and no jobs.

In the process of transition, two cars (one brand new) have been lost, all our savings are spent, and we find ourselves expecting a “new addition” to the family.

Each day has become a struggle against financial disaster as our funds approach “ground zero.” So, why are we here? Why have we “risen up”?

We sit here and ponder the question that “pioneers” have pondered and are still pondering throughout the Bahá’í world. Why are we here? Each of us must find the answer for himself.

Could it lie in the eyes of a mass-taught believer as we enter his home? Could it be found in his eyes when he smiles and shows us his prayer book and proudly proclaims, “I am a Bahá’í!”?

Could it be found in his sense of excitement as we realize he has not seen a Bahá’í in three or five or even 10 years since he was enrolled by a traveling teacher?

Or could it be found in his pure heart, the heart that has held steadfast over those many dark years and still proclaims, “I am a Bahá’í!”?

So perhaps in our search for an answer, we should rephrase the question. Perhaps the question is, why has Bahá’u’lláh allowed me to be here?

Perhaps the question is not a cry in the wilderness of despair, but a shout of astonishment at the ability of Bahá’u’lláh to raise up so unworthy a servant as oneself. Then the troubles seem few, balanced with the rewards that are so many.

Patrick C. Labbe

Dillon, South Carolina

Plea for organ donors

To the Editor:

We are leaving the age of martyrdom and working toward the Most Great Peace, but for many people awaiting organ transplant surgery, the suffering goes on.

The demand always seems to exceed the supply, and this is not a problem that Bahá’ís can afford to ignore, especially when Bahá’ís run the risk, along with everyone else, of being refused, either as donors because of legal red tape, or as recipients because of poverty and waiting lists.

Who shall decide who lives? A Bahá’í-sponsored organ bank, or some sort of organization to coordinate the process of giving and receiving Bahá’í donations of the most precious kind, seems a logical solution to a most difficult question.

An international network of Bahá’í doctors who are performing surgery might be a good starting point. Also, a hot line that could be reached at any time and called by anyone who wished to give or receive, to ensure the speedy conduct of widely separated and otherwise unreachable sources.

This may not be within the realm of organized religion, and of course, it is a personal choice, not required of Bahá’ís, but as people of conscience who, in the past, have been willing to suffer and die for each other and for the Faith, Bahá’ís today must consider saving lives important to world peace.

Sandra Parmer

Fort Bragg, California

Yes, there is ‘dogma’

To the Editor:

A strange allegation that one sometimes hears from Bahá’ís is that there is no dogma in the Bahá’í Faith.

I suppose this idea is intended to assert either one or both of two facts: (1) that Bahá’ís are free to present their own views on, or interpretations of, many theological points which, in past Christian tradition, were divisive and generally dictated by church authorities (often with seemingly inadequate grounds); for example, whether the essence of Christ was of the same nature as, or a similar nature to, that of God; or (2) as an affirmation that the spirit of the Bahá’í Faith is in consultation, where the purpose of discussion is to uncover the best approximation of truth, rather than for the individual to arrogantly or vehemently assert his or her opinion.

It should not be overlooked, however, that the primary meaning of “dogma” is synonymous with “doctrine” in the sense of the tenets of religion, the a priori truths or assumptions that the religion holds in its teaching.

In this sense the Bahá’í Faith of course has its dogmas: the dogma that many religious views and requirements are relative to the period in which one lives; the dogma of full equality for men and women in this dispensation; the dogma of the inevitability of a federation of all nations on earth; the dogma of the superhuman or divine station of the Manifestation of God, and so on.

Such are a few of the dogmas or teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.

John Ives

Albany, California

Helping non-Bahá’í groups

To the Editor:

As Bahá’ís become involved in community groups, they may find that a useful teaching they can convey is consultation.

Citizens’ groups that organize to effect social change often have internal problems such as personality conflicts and power struggles that keep them from attaining their goals.

Bahá’ís who find themselves in such situations can suggest that the group adopt procedural guidelines that recognize the importance of group unity and the necessity of sublimating personal opinion to group wisdom, which are the fundamentals of consultation.

Deborah Clark Levine

Towson, Maryland

‘The more one can give, the better it is ...’ National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

IN MEMORIAM

Lillian Anderson Salem, OR January 7, 1987	Jose Garza McAllen, TX November 25, 1986	Irvin Mitchell Georgetown, TX November 1986
Valentine Boyd Asheville, NC January 20, 1987	Roy Grasmere Litchfield, CT July 1986	Arthur Moure White Plains, MD Date Unknown
Edwin M. Carr Palo Alto, CA January 3, 1987	LeRoy Hendrix LaMarque, TX March 1986	Rose Marie Poitra Whiteshield, ND Date Unknown
Lawrence Lovill Rochester, NY November 9, 1986	Frances Hobbel Detroit, MI January 2, 1987	Terence Smith Montague, MI November 5, 1986
Joseph Curtis Pomona, CA December 31, 1986	Margaret Keast Santa Fe, NM December 1986	Joan Snell Springfield, OR January 18, 1987
Allen Furr Acworth, GA December 1986	Donald Kent McAllen, TX November 1986	Phillips Sweet Portsmouth, NH January 10, 1987
Emery Fredericks Halliday, ND Date Unknown	Robert Lindstrom Astoria, OR January 7, 1987	Agnes Tichenor Port Orange, FL January 15, 1987

[Page 32]Dr. George Goff, a dentist from Missouri City, Texas, examines a young boy during the Bahá’í-sponsored Health Care Fair held last November on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation in Livingston, Texas. (Story, another photograph on page 4.)

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

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

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

A 1. ID# __________ Title _____ Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames ____________________ 2. ID# __________ Title _____ Full name ____________________ 3. ID# __________ Title _____ Full name ____________________ 4. ID# __________ Title _____ Full name ____________________

B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: House/Space #, Street or Description ____________________ City ____________________ State _____ Zip __________

C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box or other Mailing Address ____________________ City ____________________ State _____ Zip __________

D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community ____________________ Moving date __________

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: (____) __________ Area Code Number

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are. (____) __________ Area Code Number Name __________ (____) __________ Area Code Number Name __________

G We receive extra copies because: [ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy. [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER Wilmette, Illinois 60091

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE, IL PERMIT NO. 479

Ads

from page 23

youth, health care, or counseling substance abusers. Must like salmon, halibut, and fresh berries. Please send professional resumé and Bahá’í references (separate sheets) to the Spiritual Assembly of Mendenhall Valley, Extension Teaching Committee, P.O. Box 2394, Juneau, AK 99803.

ART director of Brilliant Star magazine requests illustrators and artists to send Xerox samples of their work for possible art assignments. Needed are those who are skilled and have a flair with any black and white medium. Write to Rita Leydon, Lahaska, PA 18931.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Carlsbad, California, is helping a Montessori school project in Samoa and desperately needs Montessori supplies to send there. If you can help in any way, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Carlsbad, P.O. Box 217, Carlsbad, CA 92008, or phone Katrina, 619-729-6612.

WANTED: Original Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the following individuals, with approximate date of Tablet: Harry Gale, Chicago (1910), Margaret Graham, New York (1909), Dr. Homer S. Harper, Minneapolis (1910), Joseph Hope, Baltimore (1910) and Frederick B. Hawkins, Brooklyn (1910). Anyone having information about the possible location of these Tablets is asked to write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

“THE REALITY of Man” by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is out of print. After reading my copy, a seeker is most anxious to have her own personal book. If any Bahá’í or community has a copy, please write to Anna Hall, Nantucket, MA 02554, or phone 617-228-2904.

SHUTTERBUGS! The Brilliant Star magazine is looking for individuals who can tell a story with pictures. Black and white photos only. Please write (enclosing SASE) to Rita Leydon, art director, Lahaska, PA 18931 for photo essay guidelines.

EX-Cantabrigians attention: to help our teaching efforts on campuses in Cambridge, such as MIT, Harvard and Lesley, we are seeking to compile a list of Bahá’í alumni, their past majors and current occupations. Please take the extra 10 minutes to drop us a postcard with that information, and your address and phone number. Also, it would be of benefit to many Assemblies in this area to keep track of alumni from any college in the metro Boston area. We ask that alumni of these colleges send us the same information and we will forward it to the appropriate Assembly. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Cambridge, P.O. Box 376, Cambridge, MA 02138.

MY HUSBAND and I (and our two children) are moving to the St. Louis area this summer and would like to get in touch with any Bahá’ís there as soon as possible. Please write to Regina Vornbrock, Hines, MN 56647, or phone 218-586-2953.

WE ARE getting ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Faith in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington. If you know of pioneers and/or traveling teachers who have gone out from the area, or who settled and taught here, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Bellingham, P.O. Box 103, Bellingham, WA 98225, or phone 206-634-7408.

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL Brookhaven, New York, alumni are warmly invited to attend the celebration at Ridván of the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Brookhaven. Even if you can’t come, we’d love to hear from you. Write to the Spiritual Assembly of the Town of Brookhaven, East Patchogue, NY 11772, or phone 516-289-2006.

ATTENTION all pioneers from the Philadelphia area! Here’s your big chance to see friends old and new in Philadelphia and be part of a super celebration of the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the city. The Spiritual Assembly of Philadelphia will hold its biggest celebration/reunion yet the weekend of June 5-7, and we need to know as soon as possible if you will attend. Included will be a reunion party, a Unity Feast, a talk by Mildred Mottahadeh, entertainment, firesides and much, much more! Please let us know if you’ll be coming by writing to the Spiritual Assembly of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19151, or by phoning 215-877-6667. Let us know if you’ll need Bahá’í hospitality or if you prefer hotel accommodations.

BAHÁ’Í computer game, “Spiritual Pursuits,” a facts game for the Commodore 64 and 128 personal computers. Features six full-color screens, animation, three-part harmony Bahá’í music, four categories of questions with 200 questions per category. Includes a “question-maker” program so you can create your own category and question disks, plus a scrolling billboard of Robert Harris’s 101 teaching tips. Comes with complete documentation. The cost? In a store, easily worth $30 or more. Your cost? Send two blank disks, a large, self-addressed stamped envelope with $2 in postage attached, and a pledge that you have sent a contribution to the National Fund. Do not tell me how much ... just promise me, on your word as a Bahá’í, that you have sent something above your regular contribution. How much is up to you. Send the disks, stamped envelope, and promise to Jim Wilde, Danville, KY 40422. Great for Feasts, Holy Days or firesides!

Author, world traveler André Brugiroux visits believers in Florida

André Brugiroux, an author and world traveler from France, spoke to an audience of about 50 Bahá’ís and seekers from Seminole County, Florida, January 20 at the Bahá’í Center in Orlando during a six-city tour of that state arranged by the French consulate in Miami so that he could speak and show his travel films to Alliance Francaise groups.

Mr. Brugiroux, who is a Bahá’í, was interviewed the following morning on a local radio talk show with an audience estimated at 13,000-15,000.

Mr. Brugiroux has traveled the world over for some 30 years, visiting 135 countries, and has found time to write four books: The Earth Is But One Country, The Prisoner of ‘Akká, The Road, and The Path Toward Peace.

The Prisoner of ‘Akká won France’s St. Exupéry prize for literature.

Be like the fountain— empty yourself, and be refilled

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091