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Five Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran are released on bail

In late December, the Bahá’í International Community learned that five Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran had been released on bail.

The five men, who had been arrested together in Tehran last October 21, were released December 17. Because several of them had once held positions of leadership in the Bahá’í community (two were members of the last National Spiritual Assembly of Iran which was dissolved in August 1983), the Bahá’í International Community had expressed concern for their safety at the time of their arrest.

Even with their release, more than 200 Bahá’ís remain in prison in Iran while more than 200 others have been killed or executed in that country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

On December 7—10 days before the prisoners were released—the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution expressing its “deep concern” over human rights violations in Iran, mentioning specifically the situation of the Bahá’ís there.

The American Bahá’í

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

Volume 19, No. 2 February 1988

U.S. lawmakers continue to ask for information about Faith, Iran

U.S. Senators and Representatives continue to call the Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C., for more information about the Faith. These inquiries are the result of actions taken by local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups at the specific request of the National Spiritual Assembly.

On November 5, selected local Assemblies and Groups were asked to write their congressmen and request that they speak out in behalf of the persecuted Bahá’ís in Iran.

During December, Rep. Durbin of Illinois and Sens. Kerry of Massachusetts, Lautenberg of New Jersey and Wilson of California contacted the Bahá’í National office in Washington and asked for materials on the Bahá’í Faith.

The congressmen said they had received letters from constituents about the 17 Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran and wanted to get more information about the situation.

Each was sent a packet of materials that included a compilation of 15 statements that had been entered in the Congressional Record by legislators who either wrote or spoke out in behalf of the Iranian Bahá’ís on November 17 and 18.

The National Spiritual Assembly expresses its deepest appreciation to those Assemblies and Groups responsible for eliciting such a positive response from U.S. congressmen.

This is one example of the effectiveness of the American Bahá’í community when its national activities in the interest of the Cause are coordinated and unified.

The friends are reminded that local Spiritual Assemblies, Groups, District Teaching Committees, public information committees and individuals should not write to government officials about the Faith unless the National Spiritual Assembly specifically asks them to do so.

Any questions or intended initiatives in this regard should be referred to the Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009 (phone 202-265-8830).

Bahá’í is honored for longtime service to N. Mexico NAACP

Jim Stone, a member of the Bahá’í community of Gallup, New Mexico, and long-time member of that city’s branch of the NAACP, was honored by that organization at its 31st annual banquet November 14 in Gallup.

Mr. Stone, one of the founding members of the Gallup NAACP in 1954, was cited with two others for his service and dedication to the organization.

The keynote speaker was state Treasurer James Lewis, the only black ever elected to a statewide office in New Mexico.

Texas accepts challenge, pledges to raise $1.5 million by 1989 for Arc

At a statewide meeting December 26 in Austin, members of local Spiritual Assemblies and District Teaching Committees from all over Texas agreed to accept the challenge of California by becoming the second state to pledge to raise $1 million for the Arc on Mount Carmel.

Actually, those who gathered in Austin to discuss the challenge decided to raise $1.5 million between January 1988 and January 1989 with an intermediate goal of $500,000 by the end of Riḍván 1988.

It was also decided that strong emphasis would be placed on teaching efforts throughout the year.

The Texas campaign will be organized in much the same way that the California “Arc of Love” project is being conducted.

That campaign was born out of a joint meeting at the Bosch Bahá’í School last October of members of District Teaching Committees and other Bahá’ís interested in statewide teaching goals.

One of the immediate ideas was that of raising $1 million in California by Riḍván 1988 in response to the request by the Universal House of Justice: “...to accumulate rapidly a reserve of $50 million which plans for the construction (of the Arc on Mount Carmel) can realistically begin to be implemented. ...”

During the session at Bosch, it was determined that the average contribution per person needed to raise the $1 million in California, based on the number of adult Bahá’ís in the state, would be $106.

The idea began to grow ... what if the other 47 contiguous states could also raise $1 million each, and the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska and Hawaii? Then the House of Justice would have the immediate funds it needs for the Arc on Mount Carmel.

After consultation, the group agreed to move forward with a statewide mailing to each Bahá’í to spark the raising of the $1 million.

A volunteer was asked to research the best possible way in which to undertake a mass mailing to all Bahá’ís in the state with a letter of explanation and information about how to make a contribution to be counted in the “Arc of Love” campaign and including a pre-addressed envelope to the National Treasurer’s Office.

The District Teaching Committees consulted by mail and by phone, which in itself fulfilled their wish expressed at Bosch to work more closely with an over-all view of the state.

The National Treasurer’s Office agreed to set up a separate account for contributions from California earmarked “I wish this donation to go to the International Fund for the Arc. ...,” while the National Teaching Committee provided mailing labels for the statewide mailing.

Some DTCs chose to send the completed letter to households only, and therefore did their own

See TEXAS page 11

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL PÁGINA 18

National Convention seating limited

The 79th Bahá’í National Convention will be held May 19-22 in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

After the seating of the delegates, less than 200 seats are available for friends who may wish to observe the proceedings.

Seats for visitors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To request seating reservations, please send your name, address and Bahá’í I.D. number to Convention Seating, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 by March 15. Seating is available by advance reservation only.

Nashville dedicates new Bahá’í Center

Calling it “one of the most beautiful local Bahá’í Centers in the world,” Dr. William Maxwell, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, joined about 200 of the friends November 21 at the dedication ceremony for the Bahá’í Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The long-awaited dedication marked the culmination of decades of devotion and commitment to the Cause of God by the 52-year-old Spiritual Assembly of Nashville—one of the oldest in the country.

Amid flowers and cards sent by Bahá’ís throughout the U.S., the friends enjoyed the spiritually uplifting music of singer Dan Seals and Bridges, a Chattanooga-based choral group.

In his talk, “Humanity United,” Dr. Maxwell described

See NASHVILLE page 9

An artist’s rendering of the Bahá’í Center in Nashville, Tennessee. [Page 2]

Preparing for ‘turning point in history’

To the American Bahá’í community for the Feast of Sharaf

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Early this month the National Spiritual Assembly went on retreat to the Bosch Bahá’í School. There, among the Northern California redwoods, we prayed for guidance and consulted about ways to advance the teaching work.

Our talks focused on the August 31 letter of the Universal House of Justice, in which we are told that we have reached a turning point in human history. The Cause of God is nearing a time of revolutionary change. Our community's role in this great enterprise is to prepare ourselves and to hasten the hour of change, and to expand greatly the army of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers. The House of Justice asks us to arise in "sacrificial endeavor," our hearts filled with "unshakable confidence in the Founder of our Faith," and to initiate entry by troops in this Plan.

As we talked our hearts grew anxious. The goal of entry by troops has been elusive for our community. We have approached it many times in the past, but we have yet to achieve it.

Our review of the activities of our community concluded that there are signs of progress in many areas. We were encouraged to note the increasing number of newly devised state and local teaching plans, conferences on race unity and women's issues, presentations of the Peace Statement, and activities undertaken with non-Bahá’í groups. Our confidence was reinforced to see the many ambitious, well-planned proclamation efforts of Bahá’í communities and to witness the signs of growing maturity among local Assemblies. To date, however, the great increase of these activities has not resulted in the "steady flow" of "fresh recruits" which presages entry by troops.

The Board of Counselors shares our concern. At its recent meeting in Costa Rica, the Counselors held intense, searching discussions of the same question. They concluded that each individual Counselor must assume personal responsibility for winning this goal, through his own teaching efforts.

We agree. The challenge demands individual action—by every member of every institution and by each individual believer. No occupation is more pressing than this. No action is more essential to the unfoldment of the world-shaping destiny of the Cause of God.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States December 31, 1987

WORD SEARCH

EORECONSTRUCT CRYNQIBLIHOYA ADOSAUQOBRTTD EATBERIASEPIV PICERTITUDE LA RNBENHREY RAIN ELUVTASUEOCUC SUNOINIMODEQE SFALOKETICONM ERLAW SEEK GLAE LESSI GLORY HRN AWKASIN ARHITT LORCSVORWEEWY PPRAOIYIY AJIE SONOG CUT ST PRIRIANT GSH SQIDE ONKYLROTORSOC MCKAAAIEA OMN OIAZXCPOMNYNA TPSDEEDUEICPI ELECNESSETRYD LECNADIUGYETA ASSISTANCE MOR

This WORD SEARCH was devised by Richard Jenson of Rome, Georgia. See how many of the 44 'hidden words' you can discover! They may be written forward, backward, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Once you've found one, simply circle it and go on to the next. Happy hunting!

Assistance, Promote, Prison, Radiance, Reconstruct, Qiblih, Guidance, Powerful, Equity, Glory, Exalt, Righteous, Advancement, Justice, Cry, Iran, Certitude, Thanksgiving, Principles, Arise, Yazd, Akka, Deeds, Unity, Mighty, Seek, Wisdom, Love, Lesser Peace, Laws, Tranquility, Constancy, Tihran, Peace, Dominion, Order, Praise, Grace, Courtesy, Teach, Essence, Pray, Mercy, Ordain.

VIEWPOINT

"O Son of Spirit! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?" —Bahá’u’lláh

"Bahá’u’lláh tells us that death is a messenger of joy—that death is not to be feared or dreaded, for life goes on in the next world.

"Therefore, Bahá’ís don't really grieve when someone who has tried to live by the ways of God dies, because we know he has gone to a wonderful place."

I stopped speaking to assess the impact of my words on my class of teen-agers. No problem there, I could tell.

We had read the Bahá’í Writings and discussed our feelings about death and the life to come. It had "clicked" for them, and their nods of agreement showed that my summary could end our unit of study.

It was important to me that my class should study life after death. These young people stood at the threshold of most of life's great decisions, and I hoped that they would make them all in light of their spiritual purpose.

Certainty of existence in the next world would help them plan a life of purpose in this one. I left our classroom content.

Three months later my words about death came back to me with crushing reality when my beloved father died soon after the discovery of a brain tumor.

All my neat assumptions about the "messenger of joy" were thrown into wild disorder, for I found that I grieved deeply for my father, with a white-hot, searing pain.

What had become of my fine ideas of death? Had I lost my faith? Was I a hypocrite?

I asked myself these questions in the midst of my pain and sorrow, always ending with, "How do I make the pain stop?"

Worse yet, what could I say to my sensitive six-year-old daughter who saw my distress and was bewildered. "But mommy, you know grandpa is with God now and he's very happy. Don't be sad. Didn't you say he would go to the Abhá Kingdom?" she asked.

She was right. I had taught her all those things. I had taught her to sing the Hidden Word: "O Son of Spirit! With the joyful tidings of light, I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee: abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore."

When we sang it together, with our voices intertwined, it was like light upon light, a small piece of the Abhá Kingdom itself.

This month's column, "Grief and the Messenger of Joy," was written by Eileen Tyson of Haifa, Israel.

Yet now, with troubled eyes, Juliet watched me and softly asked why I was so sad when I had always taught her that death was a joyful thing.

With a sudden flash of insight I realized that my grief was not only a spiritual test for me, it was a test for my daughter as well. She trusted me, in a way that only children trust, always to tell her the truth. But now Mommy was in doubt about something I myself had told her, something she had come to believe was true.

I realized that, for both our sakes, I had to search my feelings deeply to resolve this.

"What do I believe?" I asked myself. Did I doubt that there was a life after death? No, I knew where my dad had gone, knew that life continued. "So why the grief? Why can I not rejoice?"

It just wasn't that simple. I knew what the Writings said, but I also knew how I felt inside.

"Wherefore dost thou grieve?" Bahá’u’lláh asks. I grieved for my mother who loved my father deeply and had raised five children with him. "How do you live without your right arm?" she asked me in a stricken voice, moments after we had watched my father die. "How do you go on without the one you've loved for 37 years?"

I had no answer for her. I was numb with pain.

I ached for my brothers and my sister who loved my dad as much as I did and now would miss being with him. I mourned for the child growing in my sister's womb, a child who would never be held by his grandfather.

"And I'm supposed to be happy about this?" I asked God tearfully. It made no sense.

Bahá’u’lláh had come to draw families closer together, to bring more love into the world. Yet I was suffering now because our family had always been warmed by love.

It was good, I realized, that we had loved Dad enough to feel this depth of loss. Our grief was the result of love, not lack of faith.

I turned to the lives of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to find out how They had reacted to the death of loved ones.

On learning of the deaths of nine of the Letters of the Living in the massacre at Shaykh Tabarsí, the Báb was heartbroken and crushed by grief. For nine days He refused to see anyone, nor would He eat or drink, so profound was His sorrow. His secretary recorded that for five months He wept and sorrowed.

The vivid account of the Báb's grief brought tears to my eyes. The people who died at Shaykh Tabarsí were martyrs, and one could be sure they would receive a joyous welcome in the next world. And yet the Báb grieved deeply for them.

The words written by Bahá’u’lláh as the blood-stained body of His son, Mirza Mihdí, was being washed for burial express aching anguish and grief. He was a Messenger of God, and knew very well what life after death is like. Yet He was also a father, and suffered greatly as He watched His son die. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá mourned when His mother, Ásiyih Khánum, passed away.

These examples, and my own feelings, led me to realize that there is nothing wrong with grieving, and that grief does not contradict our teachings on life after death.

Separation through death is one of the greatest hurts one can ever feel, and the greater the love that is felt for the person who has died, the harder it is to say goodbye.

Death is immediately a messenger of joy for the person who has died; it is not necessarily so for those who are left behind, and may not be for a long time.

All the Messengers of God have given us comforting words about life after death because They knew that the death of a loved one is a wrenching experience. Jesus wept when He saw the depth of Mary and Martha's grief at the death of their brother, Lazarus.

It is natural to grieve, so in Their mercy and compassion, They offer us, as a solace, glimpses of what life after death is like.

I still grieve for my father, and at times I feel lost in a black tunnel of pain. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, though it is very, very far from where I am now. That light is the messenger of joy, as described by Bahá’u’lláh.

To explain my feelings to Juliet, I used an example from her own life. A much-loved playmate next door would soon be moving away, and Juliet had been sad about the upcoming separation.

I asked her to tell me why she felt sad about it. "Because he's my friend, Mommy, and I want to play with him," she replied. [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 views or to attack anyone on a personal level. Opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Shouldn't District Teaching Committees work more closely with local Assemblies, and more of an effort be made to make certain that each Assembly has an active Teaching Committee—or shouldn't there be a goal set by the National Assembly, exactly like the Fund?

The importance of reaching that goal would then be emphasized at each Feast, the same way the Fund goal is. In that way, all Assemblies would be able to contribute to winning that goal. When the teaching goals are won, we won't have to worry any longer about the Fund!

Farhang Gholami Inglewood, California

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and 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.

Thanks to John Hatcher

To the Editor:

I would like to thank John S. Hatcher, author of The Purpose of Physical Reality, for this deeply thoughtful and educative work. The body of knowledge, insight and collation he presents should touch a major nerve in the current developmental stage of mankind.

As for myself, I can sense spiritual growth and change happening, even though I can't exactly put into words why I am so enthusiastic and touched in mind and spirit by this book.

One tangible result, so far, is a radical separation from early Catholic doctrinology (with its emotional undercarriage) to clearer freedom of the workings, and a newer understanding of the greater Revelation of Christianities promised by the Spirit of Truth, Bahá’u’lláh.

Thank you again, Dr. Hatcher, and may the Blessed Perfection bless you always.

James F. Brake Pontiac, Michigan

Teaching is the answer

To the Editor:

The District Teaching Committees do not center their activities on teaching (meaning proclaiming) only. Local Assemblies, with their many involvements, also are not able to focus on teaching. So we say that teaching is the responsibility of the individual. Well, believe me, individuals are not teaching in great numbers. Isn't this the most important work of all? Shouldn't there be teaching campaigns of various kinds?

Many Assemblies do not even have an active Teaching Committee. To prove this, I took a survey of Assemblies in my area (the National Assembly can take a broader survey to monitor and make conclusions as to how we really are doing).

The National Assembly, with its many tasks and responsibilities, does not have sufficient time to consult on teaching, but the matter is so very important.

If we look back and see how many people have become Bahá’ís in this country in the last month, the last year, or the last five years, we do not see too many. Isn't that the result of these problems?

If the trend continues, and we do not make a systematic effort to proclaim the Word of God, it will be promoted in some other way, as Bahá’u’lláh has said.

The Conference on Growth

To the Editor:

I had the bounty of attending the 1987 Conference on Growth sponsored by the National Teaching Committee, and had the further bounty of accompanying Mabel Taylor, a 91-year-old Bahá’í from Merriam, Kansas, who has been a believer since 1939.

Talks, workshops, video tapes and fellowship with the friends abounded. While all the speakers were deeply inspirational, I must say that Wilma Brady's sincere interactions with the friends, and Mabel Taylor's impromptu, moving tribute to the youth, touched my heart in a way that I have not felt for a long time.

If there was a negative side, it was only that one could not go to all the workshops, which were without exception superb.

In closing, I would like to share my experiences with Mabel Taylor, who is best described by the word "self-sacrificing."

During the conference she shared the feeling that she wishes and hopes that she can sacrifice more for the Cause. Keep in mind that this need comes from one who has served our beloved Faith for almost 50 years.

Mabel turned this desire into action on our trip back to Kansas when she explained our beliefs to two strangers at Chicago's Midway Airport.

The husband and wife asked Mabel what had brought her to Chicago, and she took that cue from Bahá’u’lláh to lead them to the Cause of God for this Age.

The woman walked away deeply engrossed in a recent publication entitled "The Persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran." Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá!

Mark Zipf Lenexa, Kansas

Don't knock Girl Scouts

To the Editor:

I was having a friendly discussion with some fellow Bahá’ís last week when the conversation turned to our children's extracurricular activities.

We discussed ballet, horseback riding, swimming and other lessons. I then said, half-joking, "You need to work in Girl Scouts too."

"Oh," said one of them "that's what you do if you can't do all those other things."

"Yes," said another, "Girl Scouts is for blue-collar workers."

I've been a Bahá’í all my life, and had never heard such blatant prejudice by Bahá’ís against any organization, especially one whose philosophy is so Bahá’í-like.

To begin with, the Girl Scouts discriminate against no one on the basis of religion, race, color or ability. Sound familiar?

The Scouts are open to all girls between kindergarten and 12th grade, regardless of ability to pay. There are funds available to sponsor the needy.

Service to the community and to mankind is a major part of the Scouts' program. Where in the Bahá’í Faith, even in our children's classes, do we see service stressed as much, or becoming part of the program?

Another thing to consider is that Girl Scouts helps girls investigate many career opportunities, not just blue collar ones. Girls are encouraged to study many fields and to interview people who are knowledgeable in those areas.

This helps the girls realize that there are many avenues of employment open to them, and also reinforces the Bahá’í attitude that work is equivalent to worship.

Lack of discrimination, service to others, the work ethic: three areas in which Girl Scouts can help reinforce through peer groups some of our Bahá’í ideals.

I would strongly encourage any parents looking for an activity for their daughters to consider the Girl Scouts.

One last point: There are always more girls who want to be in Scouts than there are willing adult volunteers, female or male, who will commit themselves to a minimum of six hours per month to be troop leaders.

Shari Meyer Clearfield, Utah

Leave politics to others

To the Editor:

In a letter (August) which sets out to "debunk Bahá’í myths," one of those listed is that "the Bahá’í Faith is not political."

The author claims that statement is a myth because "there is no source that can be found in any of the Bahá’í Writings or in any of the communications from the Guardian or the Universal House of Justice."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in counseling the believers not to engage in politics, said:

"If any person wishes to speak of government affairs or to interfere with the order of governors the others must not combine with him because the Cause of God is withdrawn entirely from political affairs, the political realm pertains only to the rulers of those matters: it has nothing to do with the souls who are exerting their utmost energy to harmonizing affairs, helping character and inciting (the people) to strive for perfection. Therefore no soul is allowed to interfere with (political) matters...." (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 407)

In that same book (p. 446), He cautions the friends to keep away from politics and at the same time exhorts them to be judicious if a political post has to be accepted:

"O ye beloved of the Lord. It is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all monarchs that are just and show your fidelity to every righteous king. Serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty. Show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs, for disloyalty to the just sovereign is disloyalty to God Himself."

The main purpose of the Bahá’í Faith is to unify the world, eliminate warfare, and condition mankind spiritually so that its members will be willing and able to handle justly the social and economic problems that are bound to develop from time to time.

Politics, on the other hand, has been the promoter of warfare and other evils. The word "politics" is not limited to the science of government, but includes the art of wheeling and dealing to protect one's personal interests. Both practices go hand in hand.

To equate the Faith with politics leaves one with a feeling of deficiency in the God-given Plan of Bahá’u’lláh, for politics is the product of philosophers, the Bahá’í Faith of God.

Ivan S. Graham The Bronx, New York

No racism in Faith...?

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to Carl D. Harrison's letter (September).

Racism is deeply embedded in the American system. I don't think recent letters on the topic have been an attack on white Bahá’ís per se, but rather an attempt to recognize that we as Bahá’ís need to work hard every day to rid ourselves of stereotypes that are ingrained in our system and our day-to-day existence.

While I agree with Mr. Harrison's point that a "racist Bahá’í" is a contradiction in terms, we do, however, live in a racist society. Therefore, as Bahá’ís we need to recognize the more subtle forms of racism within ourselves and work to remove them. We need to set the example for others to follow.

William Elton Bee III Buffalo, New York

To the Editor:

Although it has been said many times before by others, I must respond to Carl Harrison who says (letters, September) that there is no racism within the Faith.

Unfortunately, there most definitely are racist attitudes and prejudice among Bahá’ís.

I have observed this in others, usually in a subtle form, and have even experienced traces of it myself—and I am a white man married to a black woman.

Many people, it seems, believe that once we declare our belief in Bahá’u’lláh we somehow become instantly perfect with no vestiges of anything negative, especially racism.

But as Bahá’ís we are always in the process of becoming. We do not lose our prejudices simply because we say we believe in unity among the races. We are surrounded by racism in this country, and it is nearly impossible not to be affected by the sickness that pervades our society.

Shoghi Effendi himself has said, "white American Bahá’ís... although they have very much less prejudice than the American people are nevertheless tainted with this national evil, perhaps wholly unconsciously so." (Quoted in The Power of Divine Unity, p. 77)

Although this was written in 1957, it remains true today. Even though there is indeed much less prejudice within the Faith compared to society in general, Bahá’u’lláh has called on us to reach for such heights of love and unity as the world has never known before.

Blessings Beyond Measure

new from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Blessings Beyond Measure Recollections of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi ALI M. YAZDI HC $12.95

A Young Man's Unique Recollections Ali Yazdi's warm personal account of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi including: • A boy's pure delight waiting daily for a few moments with the Master • A youth's friendship with a "lively, happy" classmate who was to become the Guardian

116 pages with 37 photographs

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. 1-800-241-8200

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 4]

N. AKHTAR-KHÁVARI

Núr’u’lláh Akhtar-Khávari, born in Mahdi Abád, a village near Yazd, in central Iran, spent his early years in Yazd.

After completing the sixth grade he moved to Tehran to work for his father, a textile merchant who had found more favorable business opportunities in that city. During the days he helped his father manage the fabric shop they owned; in the evenings, he would go to school.

Apart from studying in the evenings, Mr. Akhtar-Khávari attended Bahá’í classes taught by some of the prominent Bahá’ís in Tehran. He also learned Arabic so that he could read the Writings of the Faith, most of which are written in that language.

When he was older, he gave talks in Bahá’í meetings, and eagerly taught the Faith to receptive seekers. He was married at the age of 18.

Afterward, the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran asked him to go to Nayriz to take part in the restoration of the tombs of the martyrs in that town.

During the early period of the history of the Faith, Nayriz had seen great upheavals, some of which are recorded in The Dawn-Breakers.

Later, the beloved Guardian asked Mr. Akhtar-Khávari to pioneer to a town in India. He left immediately, leaving his wife and three children in Yazd.

In India he opened a restaurant to earn a living and continued to serve the Cause. Shortly thereafter, he was elected a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of India.

Meanwhile, Vahid, his five-year-old son, passed away in Iran. Mr. Akhtar-Khávari then moved his family to India, where they had two more children. After spending nine years there, they returned to Yazd, also at the behest of the Guardian.

In Yazd, after being unemployed for a while, Mr. Akhtar-Khávari was hired in a factory where he worked for the next 20 years. His Bahá’í activities increased, and he was elected a member of the local Spiritual Assembly.

After the Islamic Revolution, the owner of the factory was pressured to ask Mr. Akhtar-Khávari to take an indefinite leave of absence. He then left Iran for Germany.

Bahá’ís take part in 72nd Esperanto Congress

Forty-eight Bahá’ís from 17 countries were among the more than 6,000 people who took part last July in the 72nd Universal Esperanto Congress in Warsaw, Poland.

The 70 countries represented at the Congress included every one in Europe except Liechtenstein and Andorra along with many Asian, Latin American and North American countries, 12 African states, Australia and New Zealand.

Nineteen of the Bahá’ís came from Germany, while others were from Poland, Belgium, the Central African Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Togo, Great Britain, Iceland and the U.S.

Eighty cultural and artistic events were presented by more than 60 artists, actors and musicians, and there were more than 20 theatrical presentations and many musical events as well as art shows.

Present at the opening ceremonies were diplomatic representatives of the governments of 30 countries and a representative of the United Nations Secretary-General.

University professors from 14 countries lectured in Esperanto about topics as diverse as administration, chemistry, the history of literature, philosophy, and economics.

Six members of the Bahaa Esperanto Ligo (Bahá’í Esperanto League) were present and met for the first time on Friday, July 24, and three other times during the week.

Their consultation was centered on the structure of the committee, how to help it function better, and how to be able to consult more often during the year.

The committee also talked about the coming Universal Congresses that are to take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1988 and in Brighton, England, in 1989.

On Monday and Thursday during the week, the Bahá’ís placed flower wreaths on the graves of Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof, the founder of Esperanto, and his wife, Clara, who are buried in the Jewish cemetery in Warsaw.

Wednesday’s group excursion to the Treblinka death camp gave the friends an opportunity to place flowers on its monument in loving tribute to Dr. Zamenhof’s daughter, Lidia, a Bahá’í who died there during the Holocaust.

A talk by Wendy Heller, author of Lidia, a biography of Ms. Zamenhof, drew an audience of about 350 on Tuesday morning, and proved to be so popular that she was asked to speak again on Thursday, this time to an audience of 175.

Miss Heller also was interviewed by the Polish Esperanto organization that is producing a television program about Esperanto around the world.

On Monday, the BEL committee invited officers of the Universal Esperanto Association and other outstanding members of the Esperanto movement to a banquet at the prestigious Hotel Victoria, which stands on the site of the former Zamenhof house.

Among those attending were Dr. Humphrey Tonkin, president of the UEA, and the group’s vice-president, Yosimi Umeda.

In his remarks, Dr. Tonkin mentioned the work of Lidia Zamenhof and praised the work of the BEL.

During the Congress, the BEL distributed more than 4,000 copies of the peace statement and more than 3,500 of the brochure "The Bahá’í Religion, Road to Peace."

In addition, some 250 Bahá’í books translated into Esperanto were sold through the Congress book service.

Viewpoint

I pointed out that Joey was only moving to another part of town, and I promised that she would see him again. "I know," she said, "but I won’t see him every day. It won’t be like it used to be with him here."

Gently, I helped her to see the parallels between Joey’s move and my father’s death.

We knew that Joey would be happy in his new home because now he would have his own room. Grandpa would be happy, too, in his new "home," the Abhá Kingdom. But Juliet would miss Joey because she loved him and wanted to play with him, just as I missed Grandpa because I couldn’t be with him.

I had promised Juliet she would see Joey again, but still, it would seem like a long time to wait. Likewise, I had been promised by Bahá’u’lláh that I would be with Grandpa again, but it was difficult to wait patiently, and so I grieved.

Now when Juliet and I sing the Hidden Word about death, I think we both understand it in a new way. Sometimes my voice quavers a bit as I sing and think about my father who has been summoned to that "court of holiness."

I am content to allow myself to grieve when I feel the need to, knowing that I am walking the anguished path of love that everyone, even the Messengers of God, must walk.

Someday the pain of my loss will subside to the point where I will be able to think more of my father’s gain and his happiness. Then I shall embrace the messenger of joy.

Bahá’ís In Texas, Mexico set stage for border growth

A high degree of cooperation has characterized the community of the Greatest Name along the Rio Grande River in southern Texas and northern Mexico where several recent conferences have brought together Bahá’ís of different cultures to deepen their love for Bahá’u’lláh and connect more hearts to His Revelation.

Nearly 30 Bahá’ís attended the most recent conference, held in Monterey, Mexico, in October and conducted entirely in Spanish. Among them were members of two local Spiritual Assemblies in Texas, several members of the National Teaching Committee of Mexico, and three Auxiliary Board members—two from Mexico and one from the U.S.

That conference helped set the stage for more cross-border cooperation through establishing regular channels of communication and exchange of ideas.

Twelve non-Bahá’ís were among the 25 who attended another recent event, a Unity Feast in Reynosa, Mexico, co-hosted by the Bahá’ís of Harlingen, Texas, and Reynosa.

One member of a family of three who attended later declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh, and his mother and sister seem close to the Faith.

The Bahá’ís in the area are striving to fulfill the twin duties spoken of by the Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice, working to regenerate the inner life of the community while carrying the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to people along the border.

While accepting a Human Rights Day award from the greater Phoenix (Arizona) chapter of the United Nations Association, Hugh Downs (second from right), a veteran broadcaster who is one of the hosts of ABC-TV’s '20/20' news program, also received a copy of the Universal House of Justice’s peace statement. Pictured with Mr. Downs are Bahá’ís Fereshte Faustini and Robert Turner.

National Assembly reserves the right to contact prominent persons, groups

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the American Bahá’í community that in all matters relating to the Faith, the National Assembly reserves the right to contact or to do business with national institutions or persons of national importance.

Therefore, without the explicit direction or approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, local Spiritual Assemblies or individual Bahá’ís should not initiate any action that is designed to take up matters of a Bahá’í nature with representatives or agencies of the federal government, state legislatures or governors, nationally prominent individuals, national organizations, or national media of communication.

Should your community wish to contact a person or group that falls into any of these categories, please contact the National Spiritual Assembly at the Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009 (phone 202-265-8830).

N. Jersey Bahá’ís donate $6,000 for S.C. Center

Bahá’ís in New Jersey donated more than $6,000 at an auction last November to help the friends in Frogmore, South Carolina, acquire a Bahá’í Center.

The $6,304 donation will go toward the purchase of two mobile homes and a septic system, says Amber Spahn, treasurer of the Spiritual Assembly of Frogmore. The Assembly has owned property in that community for about 10 years.

Between 75 and 100 Bahá’ís from New Jersey attended the auction, which was sponsored by the Bahá’í Group of North Brunswick and the Spiritual Assembly of North Plainfield.

The money was raised by what is called a "Chinese auction," in which all bids are donated whether or not the bidder receives the merchandise.

A necklace donated by a young woman who became a Bahá’í last August at Green Acre brought in more than $2,000, while more than $1,000 was bid for a rug that was hand-woven by the wife of a martyr in Iran.

THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE of the BAHÁ’Í JUSTICE SOCIETY

will be held at BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL Santa Cruz, CA June 3-5, 1988

Watch for details in the March and April issues of The American Bahá’í [Page 5]The National Bahá’í Fund Advancing the Faith around the World

Four Simple Questions

Do you have a will?

• Does it include your entire estate?
• Does it name every person and favorite charity (including the Bahá’í Faith) which you would like to benefit?
• Have you revised your will to meet your changing needs and goals?

Unless you answered "yes" to each of these questions, you should probably review carefully your needs and goals to determine how a will can best help you achieve them. The complimentary booklet offered below can help you. Send for it or phone Yvor E. Stoakley, Fund Development Director, at 312-869-9039.

Clip & Mail To: Yvor E. Stoakley Fund Development Director Office of the Treasurer Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Please send me a complimentary copy of "A Checklist for Preparing Your Will."

Name Address City, State, Zip Telephone ( )

HUQUQU’LLÁH

"It is indeed a most excellent favor, a boundless grace vouchsafed unto whosoever is privileged in this day to render service to the Cause of God and to offer the Right of God, for its goodly results and the fruits thereof will last as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven will endure."—Bahá’u’lláh

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD 20910 ID No. Tel: 301-589-8481

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402 Tel: 213-394-5449

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116 Tel: 216-333-1506

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to:

Office of the Secretariat Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH 44116

"An humble man without learning, but filled with the Holy Spirit, is more powerful than the most profound scholar, without that inspiration. He who is educated by the Divine Spirit can, in his time, lead others to receive the same spirit. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Divine Art of Living, p. 45)

Discovering power, wonder of the Funds

Ways to help Bahá’í children make spiritual obligations part of daily life

Sandy and Alonzo Coleman of San Marcos, California, recently wrote to the Office of the Treasurer with ideas for helping our children to discover the wonder and power of contributing to the four major Bahá’í Funds.

"We often think of including the children in Holy Day observances, Feasts and community social events," they write, "but Bahá’í community life is more than that."

The Colemans note that prayer, reading and sharing the Word of God, and contributing to the Fund are often overlooked.

They suggest that "if these spiritual obligations are introduced and encouraged from childhood, they will become a permanent part or habit of one's daily Bahá’í life."

The following is a summary of their ideas:

In the community

• Include children's Fund contributions in the local treasurer's report at Feast.
• Be willing to re-word Fund reports in order for them to be more understandable for children.
• Use the skills of the children for coloring charts or adding stickers when goals are met.

In Bahá’í school

• Use the analogy of the Fund as "the life-blood of the Faith" to examine the effect of the Fund on the health of the Faith compared to the blood and the heart on the condition of the human body.
• Discuss how the heart supplies vital nourishment for the efficient operation of the body as the Fund supplies the money to continue the activities of the Faith.
• Use drawings or a clear plastic human model showing the circulatory system to discuss what happens when the blood is available to the body and what happens when it is not. Can the body function well when the blood supply is reduced? What happens to the activities of the Faith when the Funds are reduced?
• Use a chart of the agencies of the Faith that could not function without the life-giving support of the Fund.
• Have children take their pulse while standing still and again after a minute of activity (running, jumping, walking). Discuss the need for a strong, healthy and regular supply of blood to enable the body to work at its best. Discuss the need for a strong, regular flow of funds to keep the Faith strong.
• Reinforce the concept of four primary Funds by making puzzles—the local Fund puzzle could be depicted by a picture of the community; the National Fund puzzle could be illustrated by a puzzle of the United States; the Continental Fund could be demonstrated through a picture of the continent, and the International Fund through a picture of the world.
• Ask the local treasurer to speak to Bahá’í children's classes about the Funds. Discuss how money is budgeted to accomplish community goals.
• If the Bahá’í class is large enough and old enough, elect a treasurer and begin to discuss the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Explore the concept of elections in Bahá’í community life. Expose the children to bookkeeping and the possibility of how to use a checking account. Use Bahá’í consultative skills during decision-making.

In the home

• Be a good example to your children in all aspects of life.
• Set a family Fund goal.
• Develop graphing skills to record the progress of the family toward its goal.
• Encourage one another to develop your talents and find creative ways to earn money for the Fund.

If you have other ideas for Fund education for children, please share them with us in the Office of the Treasurer. UNIPAR will be thrilled!

'Let your vision be world-embracing.' —Bahá’u’lláh

LOCAL BAHÁ’Í FUND (Ask your local Bahá’í community for the correct address)

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND Wilmette, IL 60091

CONTINENTAL BAHÁ’Í FUND c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL FUND P.O. Box 155 Haifa, Israel 31-000

PERSIAN RELIEF FUND c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

BAHÁ’Í HUQUQU’LLÁH TRUST Office of the Secretariat Rocky River, OH 44116

Ella Bailey: She found no obstacle too great to bar path of service

Ella Bailey, at the age of 88, crippled and in a wheelchair, arose as a pioneer to Africa and consecrated the soil of that continent with her earthly remains.

When she heard of the need for money to build the House of Worship in Wilmette, she sent half of the $1,000 she had set aside for her burial expenses.

Later, when the goal was still not met, she sent the remaining $500, saying, "If it is the will of God, let them bury me in the potter's field."

Ella Bailey arose in the face of every obstacle, setting an example of devotion and sacrifice that will inspire others for centuries to come. She shed imperishable luster on the American Bahá’í community.

(Read more about the heroes and heroines of the Faith in Memorials of the Faithful, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Some Early Bahá’ís of the West.)

Distinctive features of the Bahá’í Funds

• Contributing to the Bahá’í Fund(s) on a regular basis is the sacred obligation of every sincere believer, no matter how small the amount.
• This is a privilege reserved only to those who have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. The institutions of the Cause are His gift to mankind; therefore, His followers are the only ones who may assist in their erection.
• Giving to the Fund is a spiritual obligation. The amount is voluntary. These decisions rest entirely with the individual believer.
• Contributing to the Fund is indispensable to the spiritual progress of every Bahá’í.
• Regular and sacrificial giving indicates the extent of our devotion to Bahá’u’lláh, and causes us to grow spiritually.

Archives seeks help to copy recordings

The National Bahá’í Archives Committee would like to have the names of Bahá’ís who have the expertise and equipment to copy tape recordings in the National Bahá’í Archives which are deteriorating.

Anyone who is able to perform this service is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for my manifestation. —Bahá’u’lláh

CHARLA A LOS INDIGENAS DEL HEMISFERIO OCCIDENTAL POR LA MANO DE LA CAUSA, ‘AMATU’L-BAHÁ RUHIYYIH KHANUM

en cassette, en español, en venta por solo $2.00. Comunicarse con: National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 (312) 869-9039 [Page 6]

Persistent work readies Taiwan for 'entry by troops'

PIONEERING

The long, bumpy bus ride is finally over. Some of those ruts were so deep you could see daylight between the passengers and the seats as the bus lurched over them.

We stop at the edge of the village and pile out with our backpacks. Immediately we are met by a crowd of youngsters all laughing and shouting. One would never believe it had been only a week since we were last there.

We walk up the road to the main area of the village, teaching the children Bahá’í songs as we go.

Farther up the road we come to the houses where the adults greet us with smiles. Here is a place where the phrase "have you heard of Bahá’u’lláh" is greeted not with a stony look but with curiosity and warmth.

This is how it started, two and one-half years ago, when the Bahá’ís of Taiwan decided it was time to reach the masses with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Teaching in the cities had been slow, very slow. The National Spiritual Assembly decided that if they were to see entry by troops, they had better go to the people who could hear and understand the Trumpet Call of Bahá’u’lláh.

So they went to the mountain villages where the indigenous people live, a people whose lives are simple, whose hearts are pure.

The people of these villages originally lived throughout the island of Taiwan. About 300 years ago the Chinese arrived and steadily occupied more and more land, so the indigenous people retreated to the mountains.

Many of them now earn their living by raising the black mushrooms that are used in some of the most delicious dishes in Taiwan.

The Bahá’ís kept visiting these villages week after week. Eventually, a local Spiritual Assembly was formed in one town.

That community decided to hold a picnic by the river and invited the Bahá’ís from another village to join them. It was the first time these people had met one another; they were from different tribes and rarely had a reason to cross the mountains to the other villages.

The picnic was a great success, and the love for Bahá’u’lláh and for each other grew.

The pace began to quicken, and in another village, after only three trips, a second local Assembly was formed.

Everyone was there for the election; children ran in and out of the school building in which the meeting was held, mothers with infants strapped to their backs listened to the explanation of the election, farmers came in from their work to be there. Another Bahá’í community was born.

This past summer, Taiwan saw a 28 per cent increase in the number of Bahá’ís when, within two months, 420 people declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

Recently, 126 people became Bahá’ís within the space of a few days. Most of them were youth.

This is the "entry by troops" that the Guardian has assured us "will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races... will revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith...."

This is a momentous undertaking.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan has taken this step in full knowledge that now is the time for action and audacity, and in full confidence that its ultimate victory is assured.

Part of that assurance stems from the recognition that the Bahá’í communities must help one another. Taiwan is in desperate need of traveling teachers to help with consolidation efforts so that the victories so painstakingly won will not be lost due to a lack of manpower.

The need is so great that the Universal House of Justice has informed the National Spiritual Assemblies of the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada and Alaska of Taiwan's urgent request for traveling teachers to come to its aid immediately.

Anyone who arises to serve in this critical and history-making effort is sure to release spiritual energies that will not only deepen the belief of the new friends in Taiwan, but will also strengthen and inspire his or her own community at home.

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

13 young Bahá’ís attend World Youth Esperanto Congress

Thirteen young Bahá’ís from six countries were in Krakovo, Poland, last summer, to represent the Faith among 1,000 members of World Esperanto Youth.

Dietrich Weidmann of Germany spoke about the Faith to 100 people, many of whom asked interesting questions afterward.

The high point of Bahá’í participation came when two women from Warsaw declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

In 1988, the World Esperanto Youth Congress will be held in Yugoslavia.

U.S. International Pioneer Call Ridván 1987-Ridván 1988

AFRICA (Assigned/Won) (F) Burundi: 1/0 (E) Ciskei: 2/0 (E) The Gambia: 2/0 (Preferably Persian to work in village) (E) Kenya: 1/0 (Preferably outside Nairobi) (E) Nigeria: 3/0 (E) Sierra Leone: 2/0 (E) South Africa: 2/0 (E) St. Helena: 2/0 (E) SW Africa/Namibia: 2/0 (E) Transkei: 2/2 (E) Uganda: 2/1 (One to teach in the university; one doctor) (E) Venda: 2/1 Total Africa: 23/5

AMERICAS (E) Bahamas: 3/2 (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island) (E) Barbados: 1/0 (E) Belize: 2/1 (P) Brazil: 2/0 (Preferably for Amazon Project; possibly couple) (S) Chile: 2/0 (To help with administration) (E) Dominica: 2/1 (F) French Guiana: 3/0 (E) Grenada: 2/0 (F) Guadeloupe: 2/0 (E) Guyana: 2/0 (Preferably East Indians and blacks) (S) Honduras: 2/0 (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; preferably Spanish-speaking) (E) Jamaica: 4/0 (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas) (F) Martinique: 1/0 (French-speaking) (S) Nicaragua: 2/0 (S) Paraguay: 2/0 (Preferably Persian) Skills in community consolidation (E) St. Vincent/Grenadines: 2/0 (D) Suriname: 2/0 (E) Trinidad/Tobago: 2/0 (Preferably Persian) (S) Venezuela: 2/0 (Preferably Persian) (E) Virgin Islands, British: 2/0 (Employment opportunities for a dentist) (E) St. Lucia: 1/0 Total Americas: 45/9

ASIA (E) India: 2/1 (E) Malaysia: 2/0 (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for National Secretariat) (E) Nepal: 2/0 (To help develop public relations experts) (M) Taiwan: 1/6 (Chinese background) Teaching in African Regions of Persian background Total Asia: 6/6

AUSTRALASIA (E) Marshall Islands: 2/0 (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably Spanish-speaking) Total Australasia: 2/0

EUROPE (P) Portugal: 2/0 (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking) Total Europe: 2/0

Language Key: (E) English, (D) Dutch, (P) Portuguese, (S) Spanish, (F) French, (M) Mandarin

Symposium in Botswana to inaugurate 'Star 88' teaching program for youth

"Star 88" (Summer/winter 1988), a program for Bahá’í youth, will get under way next June 19-July 1 with a Youth Teaching Symposium in Gaborone, Botswana.

The purpose of the symposium is to train young Bahá’ís to teach the Faith and to take part in social and economic development projects in Southern Africa.

A program of traveling and teaching will be worked out for teams, each of which is to include two or three youth and a translator, who may or may not be a Bahá’í depending on local conditions.

Each team will be responsible for its own expenses and for the stipend and expenses of its translator. Total expenses for each volunteer, including support of the translators, is estimated at less than $250 (U.S.) per month.

It is hoped that youth will be able to remain in the area until the end of August to take part in the International Youth Conference (August 25-28), the International Bahá’í Peace and Unity Conference, and the Bahá’í Deepening Conference (August 28-September 2) in Kasane, in the northeastern corner of Botswana and on the edge of one of the most beautiful game parks in Africa.

It's not too early to begin planning now to take part in Star 88. For more information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Botswana, P.O. Box 466, Gaborone, Botswana (telephone 352532).

Hand of the Cause Mr. Khadem

Letter of love, excitement from Bahá’í youth in 'year of service' in Tanzania

Along with the pioneers and the traveling teachers, there are presently 16 youth Year of Service volunteers serving the Cause of God in countries around the world.

Here is a letter that one young man, John Levasseur, wrote to the National Youth Committee in June from his post in Tanzania, East Africa.

"I am in transit here in Dar es Salaam again, waiting for transport to the center of the country, to the town of Iringa where the Bahá’í secondary school is.

"The National Youth Conference is going to be held there next week. So while I am waiting, I thought I would, as you requested, write a few lines about what developments have taken place lately.

"First, the Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone was just here for a visit at the request of the House of Justice.

"He and his wife, Madge, both gave talks. Mrs. Featherstone spoke on the importance and the role of women in the Faith, especially in developing countries. She also told us about her pilgrimage in 1953.

"Mr. Featherstone gave two formal talks, one to the Bahá’ís and one public talk with a representative from the United Nations.

"The first, to the Bahá’ís, was about the Administrative Order. Afterward, we all had a chance to ask him questions, so I first tried Eloy Anello's question, 'What is the most important quality for Bahá’í youth to concentrate on developing?'

"His response was, 'There is a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in The Promulgation of Universal Peace about the qualities Bahá’ís should develop....'

"He then went on to talk about and illustrate the quality of obedience. He also made the point that The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh is very important for us to study, a theme I remember the stressing to the youth.

"Mr. Featherstone's second talk was at a public meeting. One of the international schools in Dar es Salaam was invited and a group of the primary students opened the meeting by singing 'We Are the World' and passing out flags of various countries represented in their school.

"After a UN representative spoke on peace, Mr. Featherstone spoke about the Faith, the peace statement, and 'Peace: The Bahá’í Perspective.'

"I enjoyed watching the man from the UN. At the beginning of Mr. Featherstone's talk his face had the expression of 'another talk about religion, ho hum.' By the end of it he was on the edge of his chair (as were the rest of us) with widened eyes and his jaw just kind of hanging there.

"Another exciting development here, at least for me, is that I've been given another chance to serve on a local Spiritual Assembly, this time as chairman though. This is quite special to me, since there are so few functioning Assemblies in Tanzania.

"One of the things that has been constantly on my mind recently, which I'm sure you must have consulted on too, is the two sentences in the Ridván 1987 message from the House of Justice: 'The promotion and facilitation of service projects for Bahá’í youth in the emergent countries of the world are now called for. National Assemblies are asked to arrange, in consultation with each other and with the assistance of the Continental Boards of Counselors, the best means of ensuring the effective service of those who respond.'

"The Youth Movement certainly has come a long way since that life-changing conference in London, Ontario. I wouldn't be surprised if we have an inter-continental or worldwide youth committee by the end of the Six Year Plan. The Youth Year of Service volunteers from Europe have already written a proposal.

"I've remembered another thing Mr. Featherstone talked about. Since knowledge is a quality that we should develop and will be with us in the next world, we should make a greater effort to memorize the Writings and prayers.

"Well, I didn't intend to make this letter so long. I suppose I got carried away not having you here (or not being there) to have those vital discourses.

"I can't tell you how much the inferno of the Youth Movement is blazing in me again. Reading the Writings, praying and teaching—teaching!

"I love you all so much. Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá. And to my loved ones around the globe, it was separation that drove Majnun crazy. I love you all and can't wait to see you all again. Love, John." [Page 7]

CAMPUS CLIPS

Recently, a Bahá’í Club was formed at Valencia Community College, West Campus, in Florida. The club began its activities with a Peace Forum that brought attention to the new club and attracted interest from many people.

The club then followed up with a special observance of Human Rights Day which included showing the video “Mona’s Story” to bring the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran to the attention of their peers.

Preparations for the Human Rights Day events included an article in the campus newspaper that mentioned the basic teachings of the Faith, discussed the plight of Bahá’ís in Iran, and even included a review of the “Mona’s Story” video.

As if this weren’t enough, the club was asked to plan a display for Black History Month in February. Members say they intend to focus on people who have helped blacks move toward equality and race unity, including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Louis Gregory.

Now it’s time to get personal. My name is Kern Kuipers and I am the College Clubs coordinator at the National Center.

More often than not (in case you’re wondering who to blame), I write the “Campus Clips” column. My recent travels as coordinator have taken me to Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Michigan and Indiana, to name a few states.

One thing I’ve noticed while visiting Bahá’í College Clubs is that they don’t fully understand what my job is. I thought a little information about what I do might be helpful.

The National Youth Committee, as you know, is appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly to oversee the doings of Bahá’í youth in the U.S.

I am not on the National Youth Committee. As the College Clubs coordinator, I am an employee of that committee, which means they pay me to help develop and keep track of the Bahá’í Clubs.

To put it another way: the National Youth Committee feels that the Bahá’í Clubs are so important that they hired someone to help them out.

Shoghi Effendi thought that the role of Bahá’í college students was very great. In a letter written by the Guardian’s secretary on his behalf and dated April 1932, we read, “As to teaching work in colleges and universities, this is very important, for students as a whole are open-minded and little influenced by tradition. They would easily enter the Cause if the subject is properly presented and their intellect and sentiments satisfied. ...”

The above quote gains even greater importance when we take into account another letter written on Shoghi Effendi’s behalf and

See CAMPUS page 12

Ongoing Teaching Projects

• Eagle Butte, SD: THE SPIRIT OF THE ROSE PROJECT
• Minneapolis, MN: ANGUS COWAN PROJECT
• Mille Lacs, MN: ANGUS COWAN PROJECT
• Rock Island, IL: ROCK ISLAND PROJECT
• Buffalo, NY: PROJECT LUA
• Massachusetts: PROJECT MASSACHUSETTS
• Medford, MA: OPERATION DAYBREAK
• Warwick, RI: WARWICK PROJECT
• Providence, RI: PROVIDENCE PROJECT
• Connecticut: SE CONNECTICUT PROJECT
• Pocomoke City, MD: DELMARVA PROJECT
• New Jersey: SOUTH JERSEY PROJECT
• Falls Church, VA: OLINGA PROJECT
• Wilmington, NC: WILMINGTON PROJECT
• Hickory, NC: HICKORY PROJECT
• Northwest Georgia: GEORGIA ABLAZE
• St. Petersburg, FL: SOUTHEAST ASIAN PROJECT
• Avondale, LA: AVONDALE PROJECT
• Southwestern KY: MARTHA JEFFERS PROJECT
• Lancaster, KY: THOMAS LEON HILL PROJECT
• Zenia, OH: PROJECT X
• Indianapolis, IN: MR. KHADEM PROJECT
• Milwaukee, WI: MARIAN STEFFES PROJECT
• Middleton, WI: SPIRIT OF AMANI PROJECT
• Bemidji, MN: DAWNBREAKERS PROJECT
• Davenport, IA: FIRE IN THE HEARTLAND PROJECT
• Mandaree, ND: MANDAREE PROJECT
• Macy, NE: AMOZ GIBSON PROJECT
• Wanblee, SD: AMOZ GIBSON PROJECT
• Lapwai, ID: PROJECT 96
• Baker, OR: BAKER PROJECT
• Tuolumne MI-WUK PROJECT (California)
• Los Angeles, CA: CENTER FIRESIDE PROJECT
• Los Angeles, CA: SPIRITUAL CONQUEST OF THE CITY OF THE ANGELS
• Beverly Hills, CA: BEVERLY HILLS PROJECT
• West Hollywood, CA: WEST HOLLYWOOD PROJECT
• Mission, CA: MISSION VIEJO PROJECT
• Phoenix, AZ: PROJECT MHDI
• Phoenix area, AZ: PROJECT RAUL PAVON
• Southern Arizona: DESERT ROSE PROJECT
• Picuris Pueblo, NM: PICURIS PUEBLO PROJECT
• Pueblo, CO: PROJECT ARISE
• Kansas: PROJECT ARISE
• Eastern Texas: YELLOW ROSE PROJECT
• Wichita, KS: GENOLA WEST PROJECT
• Phelps Co., MO: KHADEM PROJECT

‘Stage Is Set’ to lead mankind to Lesser Peace

The spirit of the world has changed. People across the globe are being affected by the vibrating influence of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. The world can feel this mysterious vigor taking shape and leading us to the promise of world peace.

It is the spirit derived from the blood of the martyrs which has allowed mankind such an advancement. We must seize our chance to act as channels for this spirit, and to carry out necessary actions for the advancement of the Faith.

We must never forget that God is with us at all times, and that we are merely carrying out His Will. It is the decree of the Lord that peace is inevitable; what an exciting and wonderful thought!

The air is filled with this new and vibrating spirit—calling each person to teach and prepare for the Lesser Peace, which will signal the inauguration of the Golden Age of the Faith of God.

May each believer understand the significance of this and arise to serve the Cause.

A unique opportunity for believers to participate in is the International Youth Conference to be held next June 30-July 4 in Bloomington, Indiana.

This will be a “triple conference” for children, youth and adults. Its theme and vision, “The Stage Is Set,” are derived from the following passage:

“...there is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life. The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable promise is given. God’s own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to ensure ultimate and complete victory.” (Letter from Shoghi Effendi dated January 28, 1939)

The vision of the IYC ’88 hinges on the fact that every believer has a choice to commit or not to commit himself or herself to the Faith. This realization is coupled with the knowledge that we have come upon the most critical juncture in the history of the Faith and of mankind.

We realize the need for unity among parents, youth and children in the Bahá’í community. Therefore, this conference will not only be for youth, but also for parents and children, creating a “triple conference.”

The conference will use the natural inspiration supplied by the energy, intensity and magnitude of the number of believers gathered, as well as the content which is systematic, directed and based on the Writings.

The result will be a process of personal commitment to action in bringing about “entry by troops” in North America. The elements of this process which each participant will go through include:

1. Historical analysis—the world events (religious and secular) that have brought us to this “climacteric in human history.” 2. The significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. 3. Understanding the Day in which we live. 4. Mankind’s immediate future. 5. The mission of the individual—to reach a passionate understanding of each one’s mission. 6. Specific deeds of consecration.

IYC ’88 participants are also greatly encouraged to devote some time to service and teaching projects both before and after the conference.

Volunteers are urgently needed to help at the conference. Areas needing the most help are security, registration, and children’s activities (“Peace Buddies,” or teachers’ aides).

If you are interested in volunteering, please don’t hesitate to contact Layla Garrigues at the National Youth Committee office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 312-869-9039, ext. 256.

• Registration forms for IYC ’88 will be available in March, and will be printed in The American Bahá’í and the Youth Hotline.
• Musically talented young people are encouraged to take part in the “Seventh Valley Talent Night” at the conference. If you are interested, please send a sample tape or description of your talent to the National Youth Committee at the above address.

Attention all youth!

Keep your eyes peeled to the mailbox! Information is coming soon about the nine Intense Study Institutes to be held this spring throughout the United States.

Youth Representatives to Convention should keep several key points in mind

To all Youth Representatives for National Convention:

It is important that all youth who have been chosen during district conventions to attend the National Convention remember the following points:

• This year’s National Convention will be a “small” one, and registrations must be made early. To register, please send a letter or postcard with your name, address and Bahá’í I.D. number, explaining that you are a youth representative who was selected at a district convention, and request seating. Send to: Bahá’í National Convention, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. No telephone reservations will be accepted.
• Approximately 20 seats will be reserved for youth representatives who were chosen at their district conventions. Seating will be given on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early!
• Youth who have been selected must remember that the National Convention is serious business and that the youth are strongly encouraged to attend all open sessions of the Convention.
• Youth representatives are encouraged to accompany their delegate to post-Convention report sessions held in their district.

“Enrolling New Believers” and “Traveling Teaching”

Two great new booklets from: The National Teaching Committee

Order yours today! Price $.50 each. Make Checks payable to: “Bahá’í Services Fund”

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

[Page 8]

Writings shed light on spiritual nature of human beings

The Bahá’í Writings tell us that human beings have a body and a spirit.

The body, our physical reality, is mortal—it will eventually pass away. It is subject to the tests and hardships in the physical world.

The spirit is immortal. "The spirit of man has a beginning," ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us, "but it has no end; it continues eternally." (Some Answered Questions, p. 151)

The spirit and the physical body are joined at conception.

The link between the body and spirit is the mind. The spirit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, can be compared to the sun. The mind comes from the spirit—it is like the rays of light that come from the sun.

The body is a mirror on which the light falls. The spirit never enters the body; it therefore remains unaffected by any problems that affect the body. Thus the spirit continues even after the body is lost through death.

"Wert thou to attain but a dewdrop of the crystal waters of divine knowledge," Bahá’u’lláh asserts, "thou wouldst readily realize that true life is not the life of the flesh but the life of the spirit. For the life of the flesh is common to both men and animals, whereas the life of the spirit is possessed only by the pure in heart who have quaffed from the ocean of faith and partaken of the fruit of certitude. This life knoweth no death, and this existence is crowned by immortality." (The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 120)

From the moment we are born we have physical needs that must be filled, such as the need for food and protection from harsh weather. We are also drawn to fulfill spiritual needs. Our spirits hunger for spiritual food.

Until we are spiritually awakened through faith in God—the spiritual rebirth spoken of by Christ—it is as if we have no life at all.

Bahá’u’lláh says there are two duties for every person. "The first duty prescribed by God for His servants," He says, "is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of Revelation (that is, the Manifestation of God for each age)."

This includes remaining steadfast in His love despite any tests we may undergo.

The second duty, He says, is "to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world." (Gleanings, p. 330)

When we fulfill these duties we fulfill our true—our spiritual—nature.

We can choose to direct the mirror of our minds toward material things, and it will reflect the material. Only if we choose to direct it toward the things of the spirit do we receive spiritual blessings. The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh guide us in our efforts to grow spiritually.

And this spiritual growth is vitally important. For it is what we carry with us in our life after death.

An embryo develops arms, legs and eyes in its mother’s womb. When it is born into the physical world, it finds that these organs are essential to its physical life.

In the same way, the spiritual qualities we develop in the physical world, qualities such as faith, justice, and love, are necessary for our life in the world to come.

"O friend," Bahá’u’lláh appeals to us, "the heart is the dwelling of eternal mysteries, make it not the home of fleeting fancies; ‎wasten waste‎ not the treasure of thy precious life in employment with this swiftly passing world. Thou comest from the world of holiness—bind not thine heart to the earth; thou art a dweller in the court of nearness—choose not the homeland of the dust." (The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 35)

From the Writings . . .

"In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix (womb). There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of the human existence. ... In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence.

"Therefore in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. ...

"What is he in need of in the Kingdom which transcends the life and limitation of this mortal sphere? The world beyond is a world of sanctity and radiance; therefore it is necessary that in this world he should acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. ...

"That world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore, man has need of illumination here. That world is a world of love; the love of God is essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues, or perfections must be acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of everlasting life; it must be obtained during this vanishing existence.

"By what means can man acquire these merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through ‎self sacrifice self-sacrifice‎. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness." (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 225-226).

Discuss this passage along with the Bahá’í who taught you the Faith or with another Bahá’í. Review the following questions together:

• What are the qualities ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says we need for the next world? What do you think are some other qualities we need to acquire?
• How can we obtain the knowledge of God?
• How can we demonstrate our love for God?
• How can you set up a regular pattern in your own life to grow in the seven areas of activity that enable humanity to acquire spiritual perfections?

If you would like to read more about the Bahá’í teachings on the nature of humanity and life after death, refer to one or more of the following books:

• Unto Him Shall We Return, a compilation of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the soul and life after death.
• Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, especially pages 149-179.
• Some Answered Questions, pages 177-262.

All souls have eternal life, but quality of that life depends on spiritual progress made in this world

All of the Manifestations of God have taught that the soul lives on after the death of the body.

Indeed, one of the purposes of the Manifestations of God, as described by Bahá’u’lláh, is to "educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High." (Gleanings, p. 157)

"The nature of the soul after death," Bahá’u’lláh writes, "can never be described, nor is it meet and permissible to reveal its whole character to the eyes of men." (Gleanings, p. 156)

However, Bahá’u’lláh has told us some very direct things about death.

Bahá’u’lláh assures us, first of all, that the soul continues to exist. Those souls who have turned to God in their physical life will be united with Him:

"They that are the followers of the one true God shall, the moment they depart out of this life, experience such joy and gladness as would be impossible to describe. ..."

As for those who have turned away from God, "they that live in error shall be seized with such fear and trembling, and shall be filled with such consternation, as nothing can exceed." (Gleanings, p. 171)

Both have eternal life, but the quality of that life depends on the spiritual progress made in the physical world.

"This stone and this man both exist," ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, "but the stone in relation to the man is nonexistent. ... In the same way, the souls who are veiled from God, though they exist in this world and in the world after death, are, in comparison ... nonexistent and separated from God." (Some Answered Questions, p. 243)

In the next world, the soul will retain its consciousness. It will recognize other souls it knew in the physical world and will be able to "talk" with them. Existence in the next world, however, is not physical—we have no hands, no eyes, no mouth, and so on.

In the next world, the soul will continue to progress spiritually. The souls can pray for people in the physical world just as we can pray for them. There is always hope for forgiveness from God.

Obtaining spiritual progress is different from the spiritual progress we make in this world. There, it depends on the mercy of God. Thus it is very important that we prepare ourselves for the next world while we are still alive.

The spiritual virtues we develop in the physical world are like the physical powers a baby develops in the womb. They prepare us for growth after death.

Above all, Bahá’u’lláh tells us that death is not something to fear: "I have made death a messenger of joy to thee." (The Hidden Words, Arabic, 32)

The marvelous lotus-shaped Bahá’í House of Worship near New Delhi, India, which was dedicated December 23-27, 1986, as more than 8,000 Bahá’ís from 107 countries attended. There are seven Houses of Worship throughout the world where people of all religions can gather to worship God together.

Book Corner

Some Answered Questions is a series of one- or two-page answers given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to more than 80 questions on such topics as the influence of the Manifestations of God, Christian subjects, and the nature of humanity.

Questions range across such issues as the resurrection of Christ, the difference between man and the animals, life after death, and disputes between labor and management. Although the book is actually a collection of talks by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rather than written statements, He approved the final version before printing.

Do you read this page?

Are you a new Bahá’í or veteran believer?

Are the articles on this page too difficult or too simple?

What have you liked about this page?

What would you like to see added or changed?

The National Teaching Committee is considering revising and reprinting the new believers’ page for another year. We need your comments and ideas! Please write:

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 or call: (312) 869-9039 [Page 9]

Special session at Bosch addresses key issues in integration, teaching

The Bosch Bahá’í School was the setting recently for a special winter session conducted jointly by the National Persian/American Affairs Committee and the National Race Unity Committee.

The two committees have been meeting together over the last several months developing programs that can be used at the various Bahá’í schools aimed at addressing the “most vital and challenging issue” and those issues relating to Persian integration, cultural differences, and teaching minorities.

More than 80 people took part in the program at Bosch. Three members of the National Persian-American Affairs Committee (NPAAC) brought to the attention of participants those concerns and issues that are being faced by Persians who have arrived in the U.S. and are now forced to deal with life in their newly adopted country.

The NPAAC members stressed the study and discussion of The Advent of Divine Justice, now available in Persian, as a way to help Persians understand “the most vital and challenging issue” and their new role as part of America’s spiritual destiny, especially as a “bridge” to attract and teach the Faith to minorities.

The video tape, “For a Drop of the Lover’s Blood,” which was produced by the NPAAC and which depicts the problems and challenges faced by Persians and non-Persians as they interact with one another—issues related to interpersonal relationships and integration—was shown twice during the session.

Lively discussions followed, and group work led the participants to recommend a number of solutions to the challenges of Persian integration.

The National Race Unity Committee (NRUC) also had three of its members at Bosch to discuss issues that relate to racial prejudice—how we deal with such matters and, ultimately, how unity is established in the American Bahá’í community.

Through workshops, group presentations and plenary debate, the “most vital and challenging issue,” as described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, was thoroughly explored.

Dialogue was often sharp, agitated and, at times, painful. But through the clash of opinions, participants came to many new understandings of those issues dealing with race prejudice.

An introduction to the program was given by Counselor Fred Schechter and Auxiliary Board member Marsha Gilpatrick.

Counselor Schechter created a framework for discussion by presenting a picture of the national and international scene, while Mrs. Gilpatrick used the Sacred Writings and messages from the Universal House of Justice as a means of forming a foundation for involvement in the five-day program.

Participants met in the newly constructed Martha Root Hall, used for the first time during Bosch’s winter sessions.

Everyone left with a feeling that they could personally make a difference in addressing the issues raised during the session—and with a sense of commitment that they would help be an agent for change in their local community.

Plans are under way between the NPAAC, NRUC and Bosch Council to present additional programs addressing these issues during the 1988 summer sessions.

Nashville

from page 1

the new Center as a “beacon” to seekers and a “symbol of unity” to the surrounding community, as the Arc on Mount Carmel will be a symbol of unity to the entire world.

“Nashville, the Athens of the South,” said Dr. Maxwell, “has a Center that symbolizes the unity of mankind.”

The 4,500-square-foot building, with a nine-sided auditorium, is in the center of Nashville.

It was designed and built under the direction of the local Spiritual Assembly to replace the converted house that had been owned by the community and served as its Center since 1958.

During the dedication ceremony, four long-time members of the Nashville Bahá’í community were honored for their many years of service to the Faith: Maude Barnes, 89, who has been a Bahá’í for 58 years, was taught the Faith by Louis Gregory and served on the first Spiritual Assembly of Nashville; Susie Langford, a Bahá’í for 42 years; Alice Walton, who declared her faith in Bahá’u’lláh 36 years ago; and her husband, Casey Walton, a Bahá’í for 39 years.

The latter three are current members of the Assembly in Nashville.

The Spiritual Assembly of Nashville was first formed in 1934 and was incorporated in 1954.

LOUHELEN SCHEDULE

March 19-20: Naw-Rúz gala! Fun, food and merriment galore! Excellent event to bring friends and relatives to.

April 1-3: “Integration of Diversity in the Bahá’í Community,” sponsored by the National Race Unity and Persian/American Affairs Committees.

April 8-10: Regional Youth Conference planned by the Louhelen Youth Board. Classes, recreation, devotions, consultation and other activities for Junior and Senior Youth.

April 22-24: “Developing Social and Economic Development Programs”—Michael Hyde, planner. Development programs in the U.S. and overseas will be discussed.

May 6-8: “Bahá’í Law and Administration,” planned and sponsored by the Louhelen Council and the Bahá’í Justice Society with Anna Lee Strasburg from the Office of Community Administration, Bahá’í National Center.

May 13-15: Native American Conference planned by the Louhelen Native American Task Force.

May 27-29: Parent/Child Conference with emphasis on preschool ages planned by the Louhelen Child Education Committee.

June 2-5: Women’s Conference with Shiva Tavana and Paula Drewek. Also planned is a Young Women’s Conference (ages 13-18) with Ernestine Berkey, Maria Assadollahzadeh and Sophia Berhane.

More than 150 adults, youth and children attended Louhelen’s 1987 Winter School from December 27-January 1. John Paul and Patricia Vader and Linden Qualls taught adult classes on creating a spiritual home life and developing a Bahá’í identity through Feasts and Holy Days. A full slate of classes for children and youth, plus devotional, social and recreational activities and additional deepening and study sessions were included. More than one-third of the full-time participants were Canadians, strengthening the ties of the Canadian friends to the school.

‘Memorable, unusual’ week at Bosch School leaves friends yearning for more of the same

“I’ve never seen so much hugging and kissing in the middle of the dining room at Bosch.”

It was the last meal of Winter Session I at the Bosch Bahá’í School in California, and to Claudia Mulvaney, the program director, it seemed a suitable ending to a most memorable and unusual week.

Memorable, not only because of the love and enthusiasm of the friends, but because this was the first Bosch Council-sponsored session held in the newly completed Martha Root Hall.

Unusual, because of a challenging program which focused on effective interpersonal communications, and which offered a wide array of class options and activities to the more than 40 adults and 30 children who attended.

On the first night, the entire assemblage of individuals and families was recombined into “new age” families of adults, youth and children, none of whom were from the same natural family.

Each new family group chose its own name (the Bosch-Family-Servants, the Shining-Stars, the Smith-Five, the Servants-of-Bahá, to name a few) and listed several family qualities and attributes.

During the rest of the week, the new age families joined for such activities as meals, putting together an act for the Bosch Variety Show, and recreation.

The groups had a wonderful unifying influence, ensuring that no one was left without a “family.”

The special effort made to use name tags throughout the session helped everyone to become friendlier and to grow closer together.

“They were right about those name tags,” said Carl Hunt. “I’ve been sitting here for only 15 minutes and three people I didn’t know have come up to greet me already. That’s unusual, even for the Bahá’ís.”

One of his new-found friends, 10-year-old Jeremy Casselleni, pushed Carl in his wheelchair on a tour of the Bosch property.

The challenge laid down by the teachers—Jack Lee, Eileen Norman and Jim Mulvaney—in the adult classes was to change our fundamental attitudes and habits relating to interpersonal communications, especially concerning teaching the Faith to others.

“It’s a shame,” said Mr. Lee, “but sometimes the Bahá’ís themselves, in their enthusiasm to teach, cause others to turn away.

“We must learn how to teach people more effectively.”

Mr. Lee and Mrs. Norman were co-teachers of a course on Effective One-to-One Communication. For inspiration, they turned to the “best method” proposed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself:

“The friends of God should weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection towards them. These links have a deep influence on people and they will listen.

“When the friends sense receptivity to the Word of God, they should deliver the Message with wisdom. They must first try and remove any apprehensions in the people they teach. In fact, every one of the believers should choose one person every year and try to establish ties of friendship with him, so that all his fear would disappear.

“Only then, and gradually, must he teach that person. This is the best method.” (From the compilation “The Individual and Teaching”)

The classes presented practical skills to help us follow these instructions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá including the particular importance of listening to others and discovering what their needs are before giving the Message.

Also learned were guidelines for effective communication within one’s own family.

Meanwhile, a Speakers’ Workshop focused on effective communication with groups.

In addition to the regular classes, Bosch offered a number of optional activities, making this perhaps one of the busiest sessions in recent memory. A typical “complaint” was “there’s too much good stuff to choose from.”

One highlight was a presentation of the video tape “The Global Brain,” which, although not produced by Bahá’ís, vividly conveys many essential Bahá’í teachings and concepts.

The friends cheered at the close, excited by the prospect of using such a tape in their teaching efforts.

“The session was remarkable for its unity and its sense of building enthusiasm and confidence in teaching,” said Jim Mulvaney, Bosch Council representative.

“It was most fitting as the first session to be held in the new hall named for Martha Root. It is clear that the sacrifices of time and funds made by the Bahá’ís of this area to build this important facility have already begun to bear fruit.”

As the friends made their farewells at that last meal of the session, their excitement about returning home to share what they had learned seemed to outweigh the sadness of leaving good friends.

Fran Le Quiere spoke for many when she said, “I’ve had the time of my life at Bosch, but I just can’t wait to get back home to practice what I’ve learned here.”

NOTICE!

Effective February 15, “In Honor Of” and “In Memory Of” cards for contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund are available through your local community treasurer or from the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

They may be ordered in packages of 10 for $3 including envelopes. If you are planning to make donations to the National Fund for Ayyám-i-Há gifts, to celebrate Naw-Rúz or Ridván, order yours now. [Page 10]

Persistence an important component in teaching Cause

TEACHING

Although some hearts are connected with Bahá’u’lláh immediately through a chance encounter with a Bahá’í, a radio program, or a public meeting, many are connected only through a gradual bonding process, requiring persistence on the part of at least one Bahá’í teacher.

Bahá’u’lláh advised the believers to “weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection towards them.

“These links,” He said, “have a deep influence on people and they will listen. ... In fact, every one of the believers should choose one person every year and try to establish ties of friendship with him, so that all his fear would disappear. Only then, and gradually, must he teach that person. This is the best method.”

A Bahá’í named Judy is one of the countless number of steadfast Bahá’ís who came into the Faith as a result of the persistent efforts of those who befriended her. This is her story:

Several years ago, while Judy was serving in the Peace Corps, she received a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era from her brother, who had recently become a Bahá’í.

With few other books available to read, she often opened the book to investigate the Bahá’í point of view on various issues. She had no interest, however, in becoming a Bahá’í.

On returning to the States, Judy moved to a large city in Texas. Her brother came to visit and introduced her to some Bahá’ís who lived nearby.

These Bahá’ís quickly befriended Judy. They visited each other’s homes, went to movies together, and took part in many of the same social activities.

Since she was involved in environmental issues, they often discussed possible solutions to such problems as poverty and pollution. The Bahá’ís pointed out the limited nature of “solutions” that were not spiritually based.

Judy was often invited to their dinner parties (firesides) where her friends and other Bahá’ís participated in spirited discussions about social issues.

Six months later, when she moved out of the city, her Bahá’í friends introduced Judy to Bahá’ís who lived in a nearby suburb. The Bahá’ís living near Judy’s new home did not follow up in contacting her, and friendships were not established with them.

Fortunately, her old Bahá’í friends kept in contact with Judy, although it was now on a limited basis because she lived so far away.

She began to accompany them to firesides and deepenings at the Bahá’í Center in the city. By this time, Judy had grown comfortable with being around Bahá’ís. She supported the Bahá’í principles, yet did not identify herself as a Bahá’í.

It was a year and a half after Judy met the Bahá’ís, during one of the regular discussions on social issues, that the Reality of Bahá’u’lláh became apparent to her in a flash of recognition.

Her friend had simply said that when he needed to know how to solve a problem, he turned to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. For the first time, Judy recognized the Station of Bahá’u’lláh.

On that day she went away stunned, and three days later she called her Bahá’í friends and told them she was a Bahá’í.

Her friends laughed and told her they thought she would never become a Bahá’í. To them, she seemed the most unlikely of all those they had been teaching.

But their persistence proved well worth the effort; since Judy has become a Bahá’í she has been in the forefront in promoting the Bahá’í Cause.

“If those who lived nearby had befriended me when I moved to the suburbs,” she says now, “I’m sure I would have become a Bahá’í much sooner than I did. Because I couldn’t get together more often with those who lived farther away, it took a longer time.”

How many precious souls such as Judy have come into the Faith through the persistent teaching efforts of a Bahá’í friend? How many more have heard of the Faith and are waiting for confirmation?

No doubt, some of those who are waiting—even those who do not seem ready to accept the Message—will, with fruitful nourishing, become the greatest promoters of our beloved Cause.

“Souls are liable to estrangement,” wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “Such methods should be adopted that the estrangement should first be removed, then the Word will have effect.”

Bexley, Ohio, marks Birth of Bahá’u’lláh by forming Assembly

On November 12, the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í community of Bexley, Ohio, formed its first local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration.

Bexley, which is unique in that it has a large Jewish population as well as a growing number of other minority groups, has been a goal for the Columbus area for many years, during much of which time the city had only one isolated believer, Sylvia Liberman, who is now an Assembly member.

The Columbus area now has four local Assemblies, the largest number of any metropolitan area in southern Ohio.

In Evanston, new booklet, The Word of God, used on weekly basis by Bahá’í study group

A small group of Bahá’ís in the Evanston, Illinois, area is using the National Teaching Committee’s new booklet, The Word of God, to study the Creative Word.

The friends, whose original intent was to draw the community closer together through Sunday morning prayers and breakfast, first got together in mid-November. They then picked up the new booklet and have been deepening on it every Sunday since.

The booklet, prepared last August by the National Teaching Committee, is the first in a series being developed on the major themes of the Creative Word.

The next in the series will focus on the Covenant.

The booklets are designed to facilitate group study, and are an excellent resource for deepening sessions, firesides, public talks, and workshops at Bahá’í schools.

The Evanston group is experimenting with various ways to hold the deepenings, searching for the best way to bring out ideas from all the individual participants.

One way that has proven successful is to gather for prayers and breakfast at the home of one of the friends. After the dishes are cleared, everyone sits around a table with his or her cup of cocoa while one member of the group reads a section aloud.

Time is then given for individual reflection on each major point, and those who wish to do so share comments or ask questions.

Group discussion is aided by quotations from the Writings as well as by the index which lists references for extended study.

Another method that works well is for the group to meet for prayers and then go to a local “pancake house” for breakfast.

Again, after eating, the friends bring out their booklets and the discussion begins.

The discussions often arouse the interest of those seated nearby, and seem to have a positive effect.

In a description of the magnetic power of the Word of God from chapter 4 in the booklet, there is a quote from Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Vol. II, p. 358): “...the divine magnet—the power of the Word of God—will attract the hearts and bestow ecstasy and enthusiasm upon souls.”

One week, a woman was so attracted by the unity and diversity of the friends that she stopped to take their picture!

The group has found that using The Word of God has motivated its members to strive for a deeper understanding of the Creative Word.

It has also enabled them to bring their community closer together and given them an opportunity to exemplify the Bahá’í way of life in the greater community.

FIRESIDE VIDEO CONTEST

Start Your Cameras Rolling!

The National Teaching Committee is presenting its Second annual “Academy Awards” of Fireside Videos. Bahá’ís are encouraged to submit VHS videotapes made for fireside presentations.

There is no time limit for the videos but the tapes should be an appropriate length for a fireside presentation. They should not require an in-depth explanation by the host. They should present the Faith with accuracy and dignity. Production cost is the responsibility of those who enter the contest.

Winners will be announced at the National Convention of 1988. The winning videos will be made available to the community for teaching efforts.

Entries should be submitted to the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, no later than March 15, 1988.

THE WORD OF GOD

Only $2.00 per copy!

Please send The Word of God at $2.00 each: Copies: ________ Total: ________

Name __________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State __________ Zip ______________

Phone ______________________________

Credit Card Number ____________________________ Exp. date _______________ (circle one) Mastercard/Visa

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: 800/323-1880 312/251-1854 in IL

Friends must do all they can to help save 120 Assemblies in danger of being lost

One of the healing remedies that Bahá’u’lláh has given to this ailing world is the local Spiritual Assembly which, in the future, will be our local House of Justice.

It is to this divine institution that the Bahá’ís turn for help and guidance. The local Spiritual Assembly is the center of Bahá’í community life:

“The divinely ordained institution of the local Spiritual Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic administrative unit of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order. It is concerned with individuals and families who it must constantly encourage to unite in a distinctive Bahá’í society, vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts as the loving shepherd of the Bahá’í flock.”—The Universal House of Justice

When the number of Bahá’ís in a community falls below nine, the Assembly is jeopardized, and if there are not nine adult members in the community by the following Ridván (April 21), the local Spiritual Assembly cannot be formed for that year. This is a critical situation requiring urgent and effective attention.

Without its local Spiritual Assembly, a Bahá’í community suffers a great loss. We must strive, therefore, to do all that we can to help save the 120 Assemblies in the U.S. that are now in danger of being lost at Ridván.

Following is a list of jeopardized Local Assemblies. In these communities, all major projects that are not directly related to teaching should be suspended. The Assembly and each individual believer should be engaged in intensive teaching efforts.

Nearby communities should help by directing extension teaching efforts to these areas. All the friends may help by praying for these Assemblies.

Although homefront pioneering is not considered as desirable a means of saving jeopardized Assemblies as is teaching the local residents, jeopardized Assemblies are major priority goal areas for homefront pioneering.

Bahá’ís interested in pioneering to any of these Assembly areas may contact the National Teaching Committee, which will be able to provide current information about the number of Bahá’ís in a given locality and the name, address and phone number of the local Spiritual Assembly or District Teaching Committee secretary who should be prepared to answer inquiries about employment, schools, housing, and so on.

Jeopardized Assemblies January 1987

Alabama: Tuscaloosa County West, Gilbert, Theodore.

Arizona: Bisbee, Cochise County SW, Gilbert, Paradise Valley.

California: Belmont, Clovis, Grover City, Healdsburg, Lemon Grove, National City, Petaluma, Red Bluff, Ridgecrest, Riverside JD.

Colorado: Louisville, Manitou Springs.

Connecticut: Ellington Town, New Canaan.

Florida: Benbow Village, Bryant, Florida City, Gifford, Havana, Maitland, Marathon, Vero Beach, Wilton Manors.

Georgia: Austell, Cordele, Henry County, Villa Rica.

Idaho: Moscow.

Illinois: Chicago Heights, Deerfield, La Grange, Rock Island, Villa Park, West Chicago.

Indiana: Marion, Richmond, Speedway, West Lafayette.

Iowa: Marion.

Kansas: Newton, Prairie Village.

Kentucky: Coldstream.

Maine: Augusta, South Portland.

Maryland: Bel Air, College Park.

See ASSEMBLIES page 26 [Page 11]

‘Project Massachusetts’ is dedicated to Mr. Khadem

TEACHING

With cheers and excitement, more than 300 Bahá’ís from all areas of Massachusetts concluded a day-long conference last November 15 by dedicating Project Massachusetts to the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem.

Since its official opening in November, many grassroots efforts have been undertaken.

“There is excitement here,” said Aaron Fowlkes, a member of the District Teaching Committee of Massachusetts. “It seems you can even hear the cheers.”

An American Indian teaching group has been formed, a community is researching a project involving area Cambodians, and another community has plans to take part in a forum with its local clergy association.

Spiritual Assemblies, communities and individuals are considering plans in the spirit of Project Massachusetts along the goals of the Six Year Plan.

Lowell has begun a winter teaching project while youth are on college break; the library project, which was begun 20 years ago, has been revived.

The South Shore intercommunity group, formed by the Bahá’ís of Southeastern Massachusetts, has planned a media reception and asked a nearby Assembly to take part in and sponsor it.

“A statewide follow-up conference is planned January 24 in Worcester,” said Mr. Fowlkes. “In fact, the communities are fulfilling their commitments to move out of the neighborhood by taking part in area conferences in all 19 planning areas before that conference.

“One of the purposes of the area conferences is for the believers to meet with neighboring communities and initiate grassroots plans and actions, which will then be made known at the next statewide conference so that the friends all over the state can rush forth to support them and translate them into action.”

The November 15 conference began with a talk by Gene Andrews, a member of the National Teaching Committee.

“In its Six Year Plan,” he said, “the National Spiritual Assembly says ‘our method of operation is a campaign of unified action that emphasizes the harmonious collaboration of the institutions, at all levels, and the support of grassroots initiatives.’

“Take this one step further and we pick up the Massachusetts plan, and it reads: ‘These local plans must be realized through a new understanding of the Campaign of Unified Action and through a grassroots movement that has already been started to unify every institution of the Faith and dynamically further consolidate the two arms of the Administrative Order in Massachusetts.’

“And, friends,” said Mr. Andrews, “that is good news! There is nothing (else) like this going on in the United States today.”

Also at that conference, Auxiliary Board member Mara Khavari spoke about the “spirit of expectation” and “single-minded devotion.”

The tasks ahead, she said, call for “single-minded devotion, steadfast, fixed in direction, unwavering. All we have to do is make an effort, persevere, and just to do this will assure us of ultimate victory.”

That same afternoon, Counselor Wilma Brady, director-general of the Bahá’í International Community, addressed the friends on “the role of the individual in Project Massachusetts” and “the meaning of the Campaign of Unified Action.”

Don’t expect the District Teaching Committee to have all the answers, she said. “They have the vision. They are looking to us for the action.

“I want you to say to yourself as you leave here today, ‘I am going to be a unifier.’ If you make up your mind, then it’s that many more unifiers we’ll have as seedlings as we try to plant a harvest that will bring in literally hundreds of new Bahá’ís.”

Teaching Committees of U.S., Mexico meet to lay border plans

In an effort to promote international collaboration, the National Teaching Committees of the U.S. and Mexico met December 5 in Juarez, Mexico.

Also meeting with the committee members were a member of the Board of Counselors for the Americas and two Auxiliary Board members from Mexico.

Consultation was centered on traveling teaching in both countries. Both committees were interested in an exchange of traveling teachers to help strengthen local Spiritual Assemblies near the border and within each country.

It was pointed out that Bahá’ís who want to teach in Mexico do not have to be fluent in Spanish.

Both committees will be planning institutes to be held in the summer of 1988 to prepare traveling teachers for teaching in both Mexico and the U.S.

Young Bahá’ís who take part in the International Youth Conference next July in Indiana will be able to travel to Juarez to attend a Youth Teacher Training Conference and teach the Faith on their way and perhaps after the Juarez conference.

Both committees shared their commitment toward teaching with a balance between expansion and consolidation.

The meeting in Juarez coincided with the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s departure after His historic visit to North America.

The U.S. National Teaching Committee also met with the Bahá’ís in El Paso, Texas, and discussed with them the importance of intensifying teaching efforts and completing the Arc on Mount Carmel.

6 Goal for Growth:

The Six Year Plan

“...to establish a spiritual assembly in every state capital...”

There are presently seven state capital cities which do not have local Spiritual Assemblies. They are:

Dover, DE	Montpelier, VT
Carson City, NV	‎Charlston Charleston‎, WV
Trenton, NJ	Cheyenne, WY
Pierre, SD

Homefront pioneers can assist greatly in helping to fulfill this goal, by working with the local Bahá’ís to build strong Bahá’í communities with local Spiritual Assemblies before the end of the Six Year Plan. If you are interested in moving to one of these goal cities, please contact the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone: 312/869-9039.

Mrs. Khadem’s ‘simple, joyous’ firesides reap rich rewards

27-year-long success story

It was said on behalf of Shoghi Effendi that there are innumerable ways of teaching the Faith, and that Bahá’ís are free to choose those methods that best suit their nature and capacity.

Yet the Guardian often stressed the importance of the individual in reaching out to and befriending those who are being taught the Faith, nurturing them spiritually until they become strong supporters of the Cause of God.

One of the ways in which this can be done—and which is, according to the Guardian, the most effective method of teaching—is the fireside:

“...the most effective method of teaching is the Fireside group, where new people can be shown Bahá’í hospitality, and ask all the questions that bother them. They can feel there the true Bahá’í spirit—and it is the spirit that quickeneth.” (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

Such firesides are held every other Tuesday evening by Mrs. Javidukht Khadem who has consistently hosted firesides in her Illinois home for the past 27 years.

The format of her firesides is simple. Each begins with a prayer or a passage from The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh.

“If I feel that a seeker may be sensitive regarding prayer,” says Mrs. Khadem, “I start with a Hidden Word instead. It seems that most people are comfortable with hearing one of the Hidden Words.”

Next, all those who are present are introduced, to help make the atmosphere seem less formal and more friendly.

A speaker then addresses the gathering, sometimes showing a film or slides.

Choosing never to be the speaker at her own firesides, Mrs. Khadem asks Bahá’ís from her own and neighboring communities to address the gathering, usually giving them more than a month in which to prepare.

As a result, many new Bahá’ís have been trained in public speaking through her firesides.

“I ask that the speakers come well-prepared,” she says, “with quotes from the Writings to back up their statements. The foundation of teaching is the Creative Word.

“I also ask them to speak for no more than half an hour.”

After the speaker’s presentation and the question-and-answer period that follows, music is featured. Because there are many Bahá’ís in the area, Mrs. Khadem can usually find someone to sing or play a musical instrument at her firesides.

“Music is a very important part of the program,” she says. “It helps people to relax. I try to make my firesides lively and joyous occasions.”

Finally, refreshments are served around a festive table.

“I find that a lot of teaching is done at this time,” says Mrs. Khadem. “People who are shy will sometimes ask questions at the refreshment table that they wouldn’t ask immediately after the speaker’s presentation.”

Over the years, many people have declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh at Mrs. Khadem’s firesides. To what does she attribute this success?

“I don’t do anything special but welcome people to come,” she says. “And I never tell the Bahá’ís not to come unless they bring a seeker. It is the Bahá’ís who make the firesides special.

“It is good for the Bahá’ís to come, because when they hear about Bahá’u’lláh as if it were for the first time, they fall in love with Him all over again. And there is always something new to learn.

“So you see,” she adds, “my firesides are a place for declaration, but they are also a place for consolidation.”

It is firesides such as Mrs. Khadem’s that will ensure a steady flow of “fresh recruits” that will, as Shoghi Effendi said, “presage and hasten the advent of the day which, as prophesied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, will witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá’í world.”

Battered children see Christmas play directed by Bahá’í

On December 19, 25 young battered girls from the Maryvale Orphanage in Rosemead, California, were treated to a performance of “Santa Has a Cold,” a play that was written, produced and directed by John Angelo, a Bahá’í from West Hollywood who works for Lorimar Pictures in Culver City.

Afterward, the cast threw a soft-drink and cookie party for the youngsters at which all of them, some for the first time, got to talk to “Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.”

“Santa asked one little girl what she wanted for Christmas,” said Mr. Angelo, “and she looked up and said, ‘I wish I could have my father again.’ She hugged Santa and wouldn’t let go.”

At the performance, Mr. Angelo was given a certificate of commendation by the City of West Hollywood for his community service activities dating back to 1961.

Cable TV carries Message to Iranians

November 16 marked an historic moment for Persian Bahá’ís in Southern California as thousands of their fellow Iranians heard the Bahá’í Message in their own language on cable TV via the presentation of a 20-minute video, “The Promise of World Peace,” produced by Radiant Century Productions of Culver City.

Last March, the video was telecast in English via satellite to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Since then, it has become available in Spanish, Japanese and Persian with a Chinese version currently in production. The Japanese-language video was shown last year at six “Peace Expos” in Japan.

Texas

from page 1

mailing.

One district began its work on the campaign immediately, making person-to-person contact with each of its Assemblies, and receiving pledges as high as $1,000.

Several districts with larger treasuries contributed more than their share of the actual costs so that all districts could be included in the campaign.

One District Teaching Committee volunteered to fold, stuff and mail the letters to individuals.

Before the letters were mailed—on January 9-10—the committees were delighted to learn from the National Treasurer’s Office that the California Arc of Love account had reached the $76,000 mark in contributions.

The state was well on its way to accomplishing its goal long before individuals, one by one and heart by heart, had all heard the plan.

The committees agree that the most significant and essential thought pervading the “Arc of Love” campaign is that it is only one part of the plan for this blessed state where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled and visited.

It is an immediate goal, yes, but no more essential than the vital work of teaching, consolidation, Assembly formation and restoration, and the many other goals outlined at the October 1987 meeting at the Bosch Bahá’í School. [Page 12]Dale E. Marxen, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Boulder, Colorado, and a ‎Ph.D Ph.D.‎ student in accounting at the University of Colorado-Boulder, recently received doctoral dissertation fellowships from the Richard D. Irwin and Arthur Andersen and Company Foundations. Receiving two of only eight awards given to doctoral students in accounting at the nation’s top universities, he was the second student in 13 years from the University of Colorado to be awarded the Irwin Fellowship and the first from that school to receive the Arthur Andersen and Company award.

Bahá’ís Coleen Gometz (right) and John Marlow of Greenwich, New York, present copies of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and 239 Days to Kris Woodcock of the Greenwich Public Library. A photograph and article about the presentation were printed in the local newspaper.

The Bahá’ís of El Cajon and El Cajon Judicial District (California) won second place for this float in the 42nd annual Mother Goose parade held November 22 in El Cajon. It marked the ninth year of Bahá’í participation in the parade, which was seen in person by more than half a million people and was televised throughout the state.

On November 4, Wilbur Bishop, a native of Tigard, Oregon, who served as the city’s mayor from 1977-83, declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Mr. Bishop first heard about the Faith in 1980 when he and his wife were invited to a ceremony marking the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Tigard. He asked for books, began studying the Writings, and attended a number of Bahá’í-sponsored events before embracing the Faith.

‘Project Dawnbreakers,’ a group of dedicated youth mostly from the southern area of Minnesota, directed by the Spiritual Assembly of Bemidji, comes together each month to visit Bahá’í families on the Leech Lake Reservation. Recently, the youth attended a celebration of the Nineteen Day Feast with one family whose daughter had chosen the readings. A committee sponsored by the Assembly decides who the teams will visit each month. The winter consolidation effort is built on the bonds of friendship developed during the seven-day intensive teaching project held each summer.

On October 7, more than 65 Bahá’ís gathered at the recently purchased Bahá’í Center of Greater Orlando, Florida, to welcome Aziz Yazdi, a Counselor member of the International Teaching Center, and his wife, Soraya. Mr. Yazdi (pictured here) shared some exciting details and insights relating to the Universal House of Justice’s decision to complete the remaining buildings of the Arc on Mount Carmel and highlighted the vision of the House of Justice in initiating these steps despite the present shortage of funds, and how it is infallibly guided in its decisions. Mr. Yazdi also explained the relationship between the Supreme Body and the International Teaching Center in executing the functions of the Center.

Have You Had Your Word of God Seminar?

If not, contact: National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 312/869-9039x231

Wall Street Journal’s editorial notes plight of Bahá’ís in Iran

• On November 12, the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial about the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran. The editorial underscored the importance of continually drawing attention to the plight of the Bahá’ís to mitigate the actions of the Iranian government.

• The Public Information Network responded overwhelmingly to the October 29 press release from the National Spiritual Assembly, including the information in letters to the editors of local newspapers, working with local Assemblies to publicize prayer and memorial services, and finding creative ways to bring the news to their local media.

• The Office of Public Information and the National Youth Committee worked together to involve Bahá’í college clubs in efforts to bring the story of the Iranian Bahá’ís to college campuses. The students achieved excellent results with the college newspapers.

Major articles about the situation in Iran appeared in newspapers at the University of California-San Diego, and Oregon State University. Letters to the editor and articles also were published in newspapers at Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, Georgia State University, Bryn Mawr-Haverford, and on other campuses throughout the country.

• The Office of Public Information is sponsoring a public information conference February 20 in Indianapolis.

The program includes a discussion of the increasing visibility of the Faith and the need to provide clear and accurate information to the media with special attention on the evolving role of the Public Information Representative.

• The Reader, a free weekly newspaper serving the Chicago area, published in December an extensive article about efforts to restore damaged concrete on the exterior of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

The reporter interviewed Robert Armbruster from the Properties office, Ronald Precht from the Office of Public Information, and engineers involved in the restoration work.

The appearance of the article encouraged several local engineers and architects to contact the Bahá’í National Center and offer suggestions about how to solve some of the unusual problems of restoring concrete structures.

Persian refugees should receive blue handbook

All refugees who arrive in this country should receive free of charge a blue booklet entitled Handbook for Newly Arrived Persian Bahá’ís.

Included with the handbook is a membership questionnaire. If there are any refugees who have not received these materials, they should write to the Bahá’í Refugee Office at the Bahá’í National Center (Wilmette, IL 60091), being sure to enclose their current address, and request a handbook.

The questionnaire must be completed and returned to the Office of Membership and Records at the National Center, which handles all matters relating to transfers of membership.

If you have any questions about the transfer process, please contact the Office of Membership and Records at the above address or phone 312-869-9039. [Page 13]The members of the Association for Bahá’í Studies’ Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee, appointed last year, were involved in October in helping with the Association’s Conference on Science, the Humanities and Religion at Princeton University. Among future plans are a one-day program tentatively scheduled for spring ’88 in Philadelphia to define and characterize Bahá’í scholarship.

Pictured (left to right) are committee members Janet Richards, Peter Murphy, David Gould, Don Camp and Scott Duncan. Not shown is the sixth member, Roger Harrison.

Association for Bahá’í Studies enters new development phase

In its 1986 Ridván message, the Universal House of Justice announced that the Faith had emerged from obscurity and was entering a new phase of its Formative Age.

Paralleling the rapid growth of the Faith, the Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS) has also emerged from obscurity and is entering a significant new phase in its development.

Founded in 1974 as the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá’í Faith, the Association had as its original mandate to “cultivate opportunities for formal presentations, courses and lectureships on the Bahá’í Faith in Canadian universities and other institutions of higher learning.”

Now, 13 years later, both its geographical base and its mandate have vastly expanded. While still having its home base in North America (members of the ABS executive committee are drawn from Alaska, Canada and the U.S.), it serves as an international coordinating center for 14 fraternal ABS affiliates spread over five continents.

Furthermore, besides its original mandate, the Association sponsors many international conferences, regional conferences and symposia across North America, and produces three publications.

The oldest of these, Bahá’í Studies, is a series of monographs and collections of related essays; there have been 16 volumes.

Bahá’í Studies Notebook, a series of proceedings from annual conferences plus contributed articles, has been discontinued after six issues.

In its place, beginning this year, will be a new quarterly, The Journal of Bahá’í Studies.

Supplementing these publications is a new series of independent paperback books, inaugurated last year with a book by Dr. Hossain Danesh, Unity: The Creative Foundation of Peace.

The second title in the Bahá’í Studies Publications series, The Bahá’í Faith and Marxism, was published in December 1987.

These publications make available to the general reader ground-breaking new studies applying Bahá’í principles to such topics as understanding better the institution of marriage, illuminating the problem of violence in society, offering new approaches to international development and issues of world health, refining our understanding of the relationship between science and religion, stimulating thinking on the application of the Bahá’í Revelation to aesthetics, and analyzing in depth the relationship between unity and peace.

For the scholar, the Association provides a network of ties with other Bahá’í experts in his or her field through meetings of 10 special interest sections, through regional and international conferences, and through an international bulletin.

For the general public, the Association provides an ever stronger chain of links between the principles of the Faith and almost every area of contemporary life and thought.

But beyond the benefits one gains from membership in the Association, he or she is also supporting an institution whose growth is directly mentioned as a goal in the Six Year Plan for Canada.

Your membership in the Association for Bahá’í Studies is welcomed. For information, write to the Association at ————— Ontario K1N 7K4 Canada, or phone 613-233-1903.

If you can’t pioneer—deputize!

Bahá’í Unity of Mankind Religious Emblem for the Scouts of America

The Bahá’í Unity of Mankind Religious Emblem Program for the Scouts of America is available from the Bahá’í National Center. Orders are being accepted for the counselor’s guide and scout manuals. The emblems are in the final stages of production and will be available soon.

The following materials are offered for $2.00 each:

Girl Scouts:

Item	Quantity	Total ($2.00 each)
Counselor’s Guide
Program Booklets:
Brownie Scout
Junior Girl Scout
Girl Scout
Price includes handling charges:

Boy Scouts:

Item	Quantity	Total ($2.00 each)
Counselor’s Guide
Program Booklets:
Tiger Club and Cub Scout
Boy Scout
Varsity Scout and Explorer
Price includes handling charges:

Please make checks payable to "Bahá’í Services Fund." Send order to:

National Teaching Committee

Bahá’í National Center

Wilmette, IL 60091

Attn: Committee on Scouting

Evanston’s ‘GREAT’ disco party raises $1,700 to help build Arc on Mt. Carmel

A “GREAT” disco party was held December 31 in Evanston, Illinois, to raise funds for the Arc on Mount Carmel.

GREAT, in this case, stands for “Galvanized Race Erecting the Arc Together.” The event, which raised more than $1,700, was organized by Auxiliary Board member Morris Taylor who also served as deejay.

Three previous GOOD (Get Out of Debt) discos had been held in Evanston to raise money for the National Fund.

This year’s GREAT disco was inspired by the letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world in which the friends are called upon to “rise up in sacrificial endeavor” and by the letter to the American Bahá’í community from the National Spiritual Assembly in which they are asked to raise a major share of the funds requested by the House of Justice.

Bahá’ís and their guests from throughout the Chicago-North Shore area attended the party and enjoyed two special contests.

The winner of the “balloon burst relay” won a black (radio-controlled) “Porsche,” while the winner of the “Bahá’í trivia quiz” won a copy of the illustrated edition of The Dawn-Breakers.

GLORY needs you—as a subscriber!

GLORY magazine! The Bahá’í youth deepening magazine of the WORLD! Send your subscription requests to:

GLORY Subscription

Lucky Building

Main Street

Panchgani 412 805

Maharashtra, India

New from George Ronald, Publisher

EDUCATION IN THE BAHÁ’Í FAMILY

The education of children is a basic principle of the Bahá’í Faith, which places particular emphasis on spiritual and moral education. This book presents the Bahá’í teachings on this most important subject and explores ways to put them into practice. It goes deeply into the spiritual teachings found in the Bahá’í writings, while being very practical in its approach to issues that concern every parent.

176 pages. Hardcover $16.50, Softcover $8.95

Order from Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 TEL 1-800-323-1880 or through your local distribution representative. No postage on orders shipped within the 48 contiguous United States (add 15% outside this area).

MADELINE HELLABY [Page 14]

The Six Year Plan

An increased sense of Bahá’í identity among children, youth and adults

The 21st in a series of articles on the goals of the Six Year Plan.

A Bahá’í sense of identity charts our course on the tumultuous sea of physical existence

The Universal House of Justice has made an increased sense of Bahá’í identity among children, youth and adults a part of the Six Year Plan.

Without a strong sense of Bahá’í identity, we are like a captain on a small ship cast out on a vast, tumultuous ocean without compass or map to guide the way. The captain sails this way and that, desperately searching for port, hopelessly trying to anticipate the next leg of the journey.

In contrast, a strong sense of Bahá’í identity is like having the best navigational maps, compass, and education available. Bahá’ís may confidently chart their course through life knowing that they are guided by the finest spiritual navigational tools given by God to His beloved navigators.

What are these “spiritual navigational tools” that a strong Bahá’í identity supplies? Here are a few. Can you think of others?

• Greatest spiritual maps ever drawn by God:

The Bahá’í writings

• Most accurate spiritual compass ever known:

Daily prayer and meditation

• Excellent records of the finest Bahá’í navigators ever to sail the seas:

Bahá’í history

• The finest spiritually guided navigational board of directors:

The Bahá’í administration

• The most abundant, spiritually nurturing harbor for mankind:

The Bahá’í Nineteen Day Feast

• Excellent spiritual navigational career advancement:

Teaching the Faith, contributing to the Fund

• Finest post-graduate schooling available to spiritual navigators:

Bahá’í deepenings, schools, conferences, reading materials

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust, aware of the need for fostering a strong sense of Bahá’í identity, has published a number of books with that objective in mind. The books and tapes below are some of them:

Children 3 to 7

I Am a Bahá’í

By Deborah Christensen

Designed to create and reinforce a Bahá’í identity for children ages 3 to 7, this Sunflower children’s book is really four books in one.

My Bahá’í Community increases children’s sense of belonging as well as their knowledge about Bahá’í communities.

My Feast Book emphasizes the meaning of the names of the Feasts rather than what happens at Feasts.

Our Bahá’í Holy Days and Holidays help create a strong, joyous, reverent sense about our Holy Days and holidays.

Our Bahá’í House of Worship introduces children to the institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and tells about Houses of Worship around the world.

Written in the first person, from a child’s point of view, I Am a Bahá’í has drawings to color, ideas to discover, hidden pictures to find, and much more. A parents’ guide is included.

SC $5.50

Bahá’í Publishing Trust & Distribution Service

NEW!

The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Volume Four Mazra’ih and Bahjí: 1877-92

By Adib Taherzadeh

This is the fourth book of the four-volume series on all the major works and a great number of tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Like its predecessors, Volume Four uses authentic English translations and original sources and includes some tablets that are unknown in the West.

Mr. Taherzadeh, well-known throughout Europe for his knowledge of the Faith and his eloquent narration of its history, adds much fascinating background, recounting events in the lives of Bahá’u’lláh and some of His companions. These accounts are enhanced by extracts from memoirs of the time and by photographs of many of those described in the book.

HC $xxxx; SC $xxxx.

NEW!

Prince of Peace

By William Sears

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears has done it again—another powerful book. This time the ultimate Christmas story. Mr. Sears writes,

“In the pages ahead you will find both a crystal-clear explanation of the mystery of peace that has long baffled most of mankind, as well as an acceptable, comforting and soul-satisfying solution to that mystery. Once and for all.

“Now brace yourself for another shock.

“All the prophecies made in the holy Books of the past concerning the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth have been fulfilled.”

And so begins the story of the Prince of Peace, “who has already transformed the lives of thousands upon thousands of individuals all across the face of the planet.”

SC $xxxxx

NEW!

Education in the Bahá’í Family

By Madeline Hellaby

This book presents the Bahá’í teachings on the spiritual and moral education of children and explores ways to put these teachings into practice. It is written in a friendly and informal style and answers such questions as what is meant by “character training” and how we go about it, and how can we protect our children while they are young from the dangers of present-day society and still give them freedom to develop?

Mrs. Hellaby has parented three sons who were brought up as Bahá’ís and are now actively working for the Faith in various parts of the world. She believes deeply that the most potent religious influence for children is the home.

HC $16.50; SC $9.85

Children 3 to 7

Tablet of the Heart: God and Me

Compiled by Leslie Lundberg Illustrated by Terry Ostovar

Sensitively designed with illustrations of multicultural children, loving interacting, this book helps strengthen firmness in the Covenant by helping the young child to memorize short verses from the writings and talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It also teaches Bahá’í principles such as loving all mankind, spiritualizing one’s world, and seeking God’s help.

HC $9.95

Addresses & Notes of Conversations ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London SC $6.95

Order all your books through your Bahá’í Distribution Service!

Price changes

We are sorry that we are unable to guarantee prices on imported books. Prices may fluctuate as the value of the U.S. dollar rises and falls.

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[Page 15]Abdu’l-Bahá in London

... the Master visited England in 1911 and 1913. This book contains many of the addresses and notes of His conversations during that memorable stay.

Few publications can rival this book’s capacity to evoke the spirit of the Center of the Covenant, to create a vivid impression of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s profound grasp of the most vital questions that perplex humanity, and to reawaken our summoned us to "unfurl the banner of happy! Be happy! Be full of joy!" as a of the Morning of Guidance" to a

Peace, the Promise

The 1986 San Francisco Peace Conference addresses by the renowned scientist and writer, Ervin Laszlo, and of our own National Spiritual Assembly secretary, Robert Henderson, are now available on cassette.

Ervin Laszlo, keynote speaker at the conference, addresses the issue, "Is Peace Possible?’’ His opening statement that peace is not only possible but necessary and coming is just the beginning of his remarkable talk.

Robert Henderson gives the thought-provoking closing address, reminding us that we have nothing to fear during these times of convulsive change. These changes, he says, will serve only to release the potential inherent in the station of mankind.

$8.00

Calendars

A. Bahá’í Wall Calendar

The Bahá’í Wall Calendar for 145 B.E. celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Universal House of Justice with a splendid photograph of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

Thirteen Gregorian months, beginning and ending with March, are shown on the front of a flannel gray background. Holy Days, Feasts, and Naw-Rúz are clearly indicated with different colors on the front and are listed on the back along with other special Bahá’í observances.

$1.75 each

B. Bahá’í Datebook

Designed on a monthly format, with all Bahá’í Holy Days and Feasts clearly indicated, this compact, pocket-sized calendar is the same as last year’s with the addition of new gray and green cover and one-page list of Feasts.

$2.95 each

C. Pocket Calendar

This calendar is the size of a credit card, fits in a wallet, and clearly indicates the Bahá’í Feasts, Holy Days, Naw-Rúz, and the period of the Fast on the front as well as listing them on the back.

$2.95 for package of 10

D. Calendar Sticker Kit

Each kit has all the colorful stickers you will need to make any calendar a Bahá’í calendar. Stickers for Holy Days, Feasts, local Assembly meetings, deepening classes, Fund contributions, the Fast, special event days, potlucks, and more are included.

$2.50 each

History Calendar

Bahá’í history comes alive at a glance with the new Hawaiian Bahá’í History Calendar, which fills each month with significant Bahá’í dates ranging from the times of the Dawn-breakers to the present. Included in this year’s calendar are photographs of the Bahá’í Houses of Worship (exterior as well as some interior shots) and a photograph of the Obelisk marking the site chosen by Bahá’u’lláh for the House of Worship in Haifa, Israel.

$5.50

Peace Organizer

Be inspired with quotes on peace from Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í sources as you organize and plan your week. This unique organizer has monthly themes on peace-related topics. All Bahá’í Holy Days and Feasts are clearly indicated as well as the Christian and Jewish Holy Days and the major national holidays.

This weekly datebook has an attractive three-ring binder with a gray, white and blue vinyl cover.

$19.95

Stories from the Dawn-Breakers

Listening to cassettes is fun and an easy way to learn Bahá’í history. The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears gives us a stirring narration of Zoe Meyer’s book Stories of the Dawn-Breakers, the true stories of bravery, faith and sacrifice of our early believers. Mr. Sears makes the names, the dates, the significance of the events, and the relationships of these early Dawn-breakers come to life.

Four-cassette package $27.95

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More books from the Publishing Trust to foster a sense of Bahá’í identity

Unrestrained as the Wind: A Life Dedicated to Bahá’u’lláh

A compilation from the Bahá’í writings that clarifies our Bahá’í ‎indentity identity‎ by telling us who we were and what we are about. It addresses such issues as education, career preparation, sexuality, marriage, teaching, and our relationship to society at large (government and politics, non-Bahá’í religious and other organizations, and social movements). It is especially useful for new believers and youth.

SC $7.95

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf By Bahá’u’lláh

This book has a special place in the hierarchy of all Bahá’u’lláh’s books. Besides being His last book, it is His own compilation of the major themes of His Revelation, including warnings and promises to the peoples of the world.

New Pocket-Size Edition SC $4.50

Bahá’í DayBook Passages for Deepening and Meditation

SC $4.50

Chart your course each day with this inexpensive book of daily prayers, meditations, and information about the Bahá’í Faith.

The DayBook assists Bahá’ís in reading the Writings daily. It has a devotion for each day of the Bahá’í year, with explanations and suggestions for Feast days, Holy Days, and special event days. It also contains questions and answers about many aspects of Bahá’í life and definitions of difficult words from the Writings. This excellent resource for personal deepenings is for new and veteran Bahá’ís alike.

The Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism

SC $7.95

This compilation provides guidance about developing a Bahá’í sense of identity that includes appreciation of all cultures. It is the most comprehensive collection of statements on unity in diversity from the Bahá’í writings published to date.

The Power of Unity clarifies the need for developing relationships with members of all races, for teaching minority groups, and for associating with humanitarian organizations. And it offers guidance for eradicating any lingering prejudices that might exist within us.

Blessings Beyond Measure: Recollections of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi By Ali M. Yazdi

HC $12.95

The moving story of the intimate and precious experiences during the 10-year period of the author’s boyhood and youth. We are treated to the excitement of the 11-year-old Yazdi awaiting the arrival of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and to the unfolding and maturing of a childhood and teen-age friendship with Shoghi Effendi. (Mr. Yazdi adds much to the little that is otherwise known of these 10 years in the youth of the Guardian-to-be.)

The Advent of Divine Justice By Shoghi Effendi

HC $12.95 SC $8.50

No one’s sense of Bahá’í identity would be complete without a deep understanding of the material presented in this book. It clearly explains the significance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan for the propagation of the Faith and the role that the North American community will play in the evolution of Bahá’u’lláh’s New World Order. It sets forth the spiritual prerequisites for success and gives an overview of the North American Bahá’ís’ successes, responsibilities and glorious future. [Page 16]

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

SUMMER jobs for young people on Nantucket Island (30 miles at sea off Cape Cod, Massachusetts). A Bahá’í Group of eight, mostly elderly, would welcome students or others for summer employment with opportunity to teach the Faith. Must come on early spring break in March to seek room and a job. At least one Bahá’í can offer weekly room during room/job search. Will send local paper on request. Write to the Bahá’í Group of Nantucket, Anna Hall, secretary, Nantucket, MA 02554, or phone her at 617-228-2904.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Normandy Park in Washington state, just west of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the shore of Puget Sound, needs four adult Bahá’ís before Riḍván. This is a relatively affluent community of professional people. There are a few apartment buildings within the city limits; most deeds to homes include co-ownership of beach and community club property. If you are able to pioneer here or would like more information, please write to Evelyn Asplund, secretary, P.O. Box 437, Seahurst, WA 98062, or phone 206-242-6608.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Northern California’s lovely Siskiyou County, as large as Connecticut and Delaware combined and topped by majestic, snow-capped Mount Shasta. Although the county has had one Assembly in the past, career moves have left only a handful of Bahá’ís, either isolated or in small groups. Happy Camp, on the Klamath River near the Oregon border and near Native Americans, site of the Naturegraph Publishing Company, needs only a few more adult Bahá’ís to re-establish its Assembly. For information, phone 916-493-5353. Yreka, the county seat, is an old gold-mining town on Interstate 5 with skiing and ranch land nearby. For information, phone Alice Lovejoy, 916-235-4709. Weed, also on Interstate 5, has a fine junior college, The College of the Siskiyous. An especially good choice for families with youth of high school or college age. Dunsmuir, a tourist and retirement town on the Sacramento River, has four Bahá’ís (including one youth and one child), hunting and fishing, good schools, some older homes for sale at low prices, many rental opportunities, skiing nearby, and an Olympic-size city swimming pool. The area economy includes tourism, recreation (skiing, fishing, etc.), lumber and cattle raising. For information, please phone Alice Lovejoy, 916-235-4709, or Vina or Barbara Brown, 916-493-5353.

THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of Malibu, California, needs your help. A homefront pioneer here has been able to devote her full time to teaching and proclamation; we have supported her teaching efforts, but due to a lack of funds have not been able adequately to subsidize her promising work. Due to her efforts alone the size of the community has grown 10 per cent with new declarants. There is a tremendous opportunity here for the Faith to reach out to media contacts and personalities. Any support in terms of books ‎or or or‎ teaching materials to help support this unique individual would be greatly appreciated. Please write to Debbie Dexter, Malibu, CA 90265, or phone 213-457-5706.

POTENTIAL homefront pioneers to South Dakota: Mobridge is a fisherman’s dream on beautiful Lake Oahe and central to two major Indian Reservations. Both the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Reservations, as well as the Mobridge community, need steadfast Bahá’ís. A six-bedroom home is available for rent at $250 a month. For more information, phone Kevin Locke, 605-845-2690.

BECOME a homefront pioneer. Bahá’í family must leave Grove City, a small Pennsylvania town close to Slippery Rock State University, and do not wish to leave it without any Bahá’ís, as many teaching opportunities are opening up. We have a large eight-room house for sale. This is an ideal situation for family teaching. Please contact Margaret or Yves Haury, Grove City, PA 16127, or phone 412-458-4397.

ATTENTION, retired Bahá’ís: the Bahá’ís of the Globe-Miami area in central Arizona would like to welcome two adults to help form an Assembly in Gila County by Riḍván. We are a loving and dedicated Group who are trying to form new Assemblies in Globe, Miami, Gila County and on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This is an ideal retirement area with mild year-round temperatures, plenty of mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and an opportunity to teach the Faith in a much-needed area. For more information, contact Lillian Wilson, P.O. Box 206, Claypool, AZ 85532, or phone 602-425-9295.

JEOPARDIZED Assembly in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Can you move here to help us save the only existing Assembly in central Wisconsin? Stevens Point (pop. 26,000) is the home of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Sentry Insurance, many financial institutions and light industry including Woodward Governor. Green, wooded, ethnically diverse, and friendly. For details, write to R. Stokes, secretary, Stevens Point, WI 54481, or phone 715-345-0571.

NEED a real spiritual challenge? Willing to work hard in an isolated area where the nearest town of any size is at least 30 miles away? The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe is nearby. Come to either Halifax or Warren counties in central northeastern North Carolina and help open this tribe to the Faith! For more information, write to the District Teaching Committee of Eastern North Carolina, c/o Warren G. Rochelle, Garner, NC 27529, or phone Warren Rochelle, 919-772-1340; Art McKinley, 919-469-2783; or Mary Spires, 919-446-5889.

NANTUCKET Island, 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, needs homefront pioneers to bolster its eight-member Group, most of whom are elderly. Would prefer a young couple with children. Many high-paying jobs in teaching, arts, crafts, businesses, but pioneer(s) must not be deterred by a high cost of living. For information, write to the Bahá’í Group of Nantucket, c/o Anna Hall, secretary, Nantucket, MA 02554, or phone her at 617-228-2904.

JEOPARDIZED Assembly in Cedar Park, Texas, 16 miles northwest of the University of Texas-Austin, needs two Bahá’ís by Riḍván to maintain its Assembly status. There are many other universities, colleges and trade schools in the Austin area; technical positions in clean industry are within easy commuting distance. Cedar Park is only a short distance from the Highland Lakes area and is on the edge of the lovely Texas hill country. Come and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of central Texas with its mild climate and abundant opportunities. Contact June Welch, Cedar Park, TX 78613, or phone 512-258-2408.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

KENYA: Mowlem International is seeking a civil engineer to work in this goal country. Candidates should have at least five years of site experience. A 12-month contract, which can be extended, is offered with free accommodations, medical cover and generous leave. Single status applications preferred. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: opportunities for boat operators and elementary school teachers. Operators for piloting police patrol boats must have a boat operator’s license with radar endorsement and be qualified to handle up to 60 tons. These openings are urgent. Qualifications for elementary school teachers are a teaching certificate and fluency in English. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

ST. HELENA: The Overseas Development Administration is seeking applicants for a director of works who should be a degree-qualified civil engineer aged 35-55. Some knowledge of electricity generation and water services is required. Candidates should be qualified with appropriate experience. The successful candidate will be contracted to the St. Helena government for three years. Besides tax-free allowances, candidate will also receive subsidized accommodations and return air fare. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE MINING industry in Francophone Africa is looking for a training manager. Applicants must be fluent in French and English. Excellent tax-free salary, paid offshore with local living allowance and married/single accommodations, good leave and transportation included. 15-20 years of training experience in the mining industry preferred; academic/school training in lieu of experience is not acceptable. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

A NUMBER of positions are available overseas in health and medicine. Nicaragua—epidemiologist/occupational safety and health project. Position is for one year beginning in April ’88 as member of a project team to conduct training and collaborative research on pesticide-related health problems in the Leon/Chinandega region. Requires epidemiological training and research experience; fluency in Spanish; physician training desirable. Brazil—physicians (MDs, internal medicine, FPs, pediatricians, GPs) are needed to provide primary health care in a clinical setting in the Amazon area (a U.S. pioneering goal area). Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese language required. Assignments range from one-month to long-term; food and housing provided. Guyana—an obstetrician and internist are needed in September 1988 for a private 125-bed hospital. Housing is provided for a nominal fee; salary and benefits included, also travel allowance. This is a one-year assignment. St. Lucia—for long-term assignments, a family practitioner, physical therapist, pediatrician and dental hygienists are needed. Salary provided. Taiwan—public health nurse, infection control nurse, urologist, cardiovascular surgeon, administrator, respiratory therapist and intensive care nurse are needed by a developing 300-bed hospital to help improve medical standards. Positions are from 3-6 months and are teaching positions. Nepal—infection control nurse (RN/MT) and physical therapist are needed by a non-profit group to begin asap for an 18-month assignment. Require background experience and knowledge with antiseptic techniques and infection control methods; previous overseas experience preferred. Stipend, room and board and travel expenses provided. Also, a new clinic in Kathmandu needs FP/GPs, pediatricians, internists, RNs, FNPs, agriculturist and administrative secretary for short- and long-term assignments. Physicians’ assistants with Third World and tropical medicine experience are also needed. Those hired for seven months or longer receive stipend; room and board included for all. Hospital administrator needed by another clinic outside Kathmandu for a 2-3 year assignment. India—openings in various jobs and sites for MDs, general practitioner, physicians’ assistants, lab technologists, female pediatrician, water development specialist, agronomist, and civil engineers. For more information about any of these positions, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

NIGERIA: opening for a fire protection officer, requiring a diploma plus five years of experience in safety management. Candidates must submit full curriculum vitae. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

MARSHALL ISLANDS: opening for an executive director of the Ebeye Community Health Center. Candidates should have five years of experience in health care management and a bachelor’s degree or two years of experience and an MPH or related degree. Position offers salary, housing and travel allowance. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

OPPORTUNITY in Southern Africa for an agricultural project evaluator for a food aid program—delivery, distribution, etc. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

QUALITY control engineer is needed in the Caribbean for concrete tunnel-pipeline and offshore marine work. Applicants should be graduate engineers, but will consider someone without a degree. Permanent commitment is required. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

KENYA: Physician/project director is needed in spring ’88 for two years. This is a teaching position, serving with an organization that has been operating in Africa for more than 20 years. Travel, room and board, and two-country assignments are provided. Special arrangements are provided for two years or longer; health and life insurance included. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

WANTED

WANTED: volunteer fund-raising coordinator for the Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project to be responsible for coordinating all encyclopedia fundraising activities. Strong organizational abilities, ability to work independently, social poise required; business or fund-raising experience desirable. Contact John Walbridge, Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project, Dearborn, MI 48128, or phone 313-278-0230.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters from the Guardian to the following deceased Bahá’ís: Mary Barton, Katharine Batchelder, Amelie Pumpelly Bates, Lucille Bates, Mildred Bates, Ida Baum, Anna Beach, Elmer Beasley, and Eleanor Beckman. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have the letters to these individuals is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED: your used books of all kinds (i.e., textbooks, non-fiction, classics, appropriate novels, etc.) for a social and economic development project in the Caribbean. The project will help provide a small income for both international and homefront pioneers and will supply the local populace with a sorely needed educational resource. Drop-ship your books to Alston Thomas, Brooklyn, NY 11213; or, for more information, contact Rich Pellegrino, Rock Hill, SC 29730 (phone 803-324-8915).

LIVE-IN companion wanted: 60-year-old woman with restricted movement needs someone to help with housework, share large home. Prefer woman, same generation, with income. Opportunity to help save jeopardized Assembly, teach the Faith in a multi-cultural area, make new friends in the ‎beatiful beautiful‎ Southwest. Write to A. Isaac, Gallup, NM 87301, or phone 505-722-2032.

WE ARE getting ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Faith in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington, and need information about pioneers and teachers to and from the area. If you have such information or know of anyone who does, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Bellingham, P.O. Box 103, Bellingham, WA 98227, or phone Lina Zeine, 206-734-6505 (evenings).

THE BAHÁ’Í studies seminar of the American Academy of Religion invites academic papers on the topic of the Bahá’í Faith and Christianity. We are especially interested in papers addressing the following issues: Christology, resurrection, soteriology, biblical criticism, fulfillment of prophecy, the virgin birth, miracles, the Kitáb-i-Íqán and biblical interpretation, and Bahá’í-Christian relations. If accepted, papers will be presented at the next annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, to be held November 19-22, 1988, in Chicago. They will also be considered for publication in a volume of essays on the Bahá’í Faith and Christianity. The deadline for receipt of an abstract (2-3 typewritten pages) of the proposed paper is March 1. A brief summary of the author’s qualifications would also be appreciated. Abstracts and questions should be sent to Robert H. Stockman, Somerville, MA 02144 (phone 617-776-8034).

DO YOU know of anyone who has experienced any kind of violence or abuse in his/her home and has overcome it to go on and have a healthy, positive relationship or at least an improving one? Do you have any insight into how this might be accomplished? Please write, anonymously if you wish, to Betsy Omidvaran, c/o Greencastle, IN 46135.

SEEKING your personal recollections, experiences and correspondence with the Hands of the Cause of God for a work to be published. Your experiences shared with the Bahá’í community will prove invaluable to present and future generations of believers. Contact Barry Harper, Santa Fe, NM 87501, or phone 505-982-8337 or 505-989-8370.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking 1952-67 district convention voting lists for eastern New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, northern California, Nebraska and Minnesota. Anyone having lists they could donate should write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 17]

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CENTER for Interracial Unity is seeking materials on models of interracial unity and to identify Bahá’ís who have worked and/or trained in this area. Please contact the CIU at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

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

POETRY submissions are sought by the Louhelen Bahá’í School for possible inclusion in an anthology to be published as part of the Robert Hayden Fellowship program. For information about submitting works, please write to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

ITEMS AVAILABLE

TWO new booklets from the National Teaching Committee: “Enrolling New Believers” and “Traveling Teachers,” only 50 cents each! Send orders to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039, ext. 231). Make checks payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund.” Order yours today!

BUMPER stickers with “One Planet, One People . . . Please” logo proclaim the Bahá’í message. Available in white letters on blue or white on black. 3 1/2 by 9-inch waterproof vinyl at 10 for $7.50 or 100 for $50. Please add 10 per cent for shipping and handling ($3 minimum). For a single sticker, send $1 and two 22-cent stamps to the Los Angeles Bahá’í Bookshop, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (phone 213-933-8291). California residents add 6 1/2 per cent sales tax.

A HIGH-QUALITY one-hour audio tape of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears’ address last September 4 to the friends in Vancouver, British Columbia, commemorating the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Canada, is now available. It’s dynamic! It’s personal! It’s humorous! Send $6 per tape to: Greater Seattle Bahá’í Metro-Media, P.O. Box 396, Seattle, WA 98111. All proceeds to go to proclamation and advertising activities of the Faith in the greater Seattle area.

A FREE copy of Waging Peace: Selections from the Bahá’í Writings on Universal Peace will be sent with each order for “The Peace Organizer” (a Bahá’í calendar) or with any order that totals more than $25 from Kalimát Press (orders must be received before March 15). For more information, or to order, write to Kalimát Press, 1600 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 34, Dept. A, Los Angeles, CA 90025, or phone 213-479-5668.

“REFLECTIONS” catalog listing “Mankind Is One” sweatshirts and T-shirts, tapes, books and other Bahá’í-related materials is available at no cost from the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

SWEATSHIRTS imprinted with our world-famous logo “One Planet, One People . . . Please.” Long sleeve, 50/50 cotton/poly blend, available in black, white, grey, red, pink, light blue, royal blue and navy. Adult sizes (sm, med, lg, extra-lg), $17.50; children’s sizes (2-4, 6-8, 10-12, 14-16), $14.50. Shipping charge is 10 per cent of order ($3 minimum); California residents add 6 1/2 per cent sales tax. Please give second and third color choices when ordering. Discounts are available to communities with minimum purchase. Los Angeles Bahá’í Bookshop, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (phone 213-933-8291).

TAPES from Louhelen conferences: “Scriptural and Spiritual Answers to Fundamental Questions” by Jack McCants—set of four tapes, $20; “The Forces of Light and Darkness” by Counselor Hooper Dunbar—set of four tapes, $20; “Bahá’í Development: The Practical Process of Transforming Mankind” by Holly Vick—set of three tapes, $16; “Marriage Enrichment Institute” by Dr. Hossein Danesh—set of four tapes, $20; “Women and the Age of Equality” by Dr. Jane Faily and “Women of Color in America” by Dr. Gwen Lewis—$6 per tape. Contact “Reflections,” Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

NATIVE AMERICAN books and pamphlets: Circle Without End, $7.95; Crazy Horse, $8.95; Lord of the Dawn, $8.95; Voices of Earth and Sky, $6.95; Warriors of the Rainbow, $6.95; A Mighty River, $1.50; and others. Please add 10 per cent for shipping ($3 minimum). Los Angeles Bahá’í Bookshop, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (phone 213-933-8291).

MUSIC tapes from Bahá’í musicians such as Parish and Teppano, the Van Mannens, and Seaforth and Jenkins are now available from Kalimát Press. For a free brochure, write to Kalimát Press, 1600 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 34, Dept. A, Los Angeles, CA 90025, or phone 213-479-5668.

CONFERENCE catalog of fall, winter and spring conferences at the Louhelen Bahá’í School is available from the Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH: An Introduction is a highly professional video that is ideal for use at firesides. The viewer visits Bahá’í communities across the country and sees their commitment to unity in diversity. The 45-minute video is narrated by actor Alex Rocco. To order, send check or money order (VISA/MasterCard also accepted) for $29.95 (plus 10 per cent for shipping) to Kalimát Press, 1600 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 34, Dept. A, Los Angeles, CA 90025, or phone 213-479-5668.

SCHOOLS

THE LOUHELEN Residential College is accepting applications for fall 1988. A minimum of 13 additional students (for a total of 26) are needed to enroll in the program. Students live at Louhelen, have classes in Bahá’í studies, and take part in Bahá’í conferences, fellowship, and social, recreational and devotional activities while enrolled in degree-earning programs 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 (phone 313-653-5033).

A FREE program brochure of Landegg Centre in Switzerland is available. Upcoming courses include topics such as “Assembly Management Workshop,” “The Covenant,” “Youth and (Bahá’í) Scholarship,” “Study of Comparative Religion,” “Two Wings of the Bird: Men and Women,” and “Current Thoughts and the Unity Paradigm.” The “unbroken thread” of the 1988 program is scholarship and current thoughts. For a free brochure, write to Landegg Centre, Switzerland.

CHILDREN’S program teaching staff sought at Louhelen: child education coordinator, master teachers, teachers’ assistants sought for weekend conferences through summer 1988. For details and to apply, contact the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is now accepting applications for summer positions. These include children’s education director, adult program director, registrar, recreation director, dishwasher/food service assistant (two positions), assistant librarian/booksales, and groundskeeper. Room, board and a stipend are provided. Applicants should be able to serve from the end of June through August 24. Interested individuals should send a brief resumé listing applicable experience and position desired to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

YOUTH

LOOKING for a “Year of Service” project? The Spiritual Assembly of Portsmouth, Virginia, is interested in hosting a person or persons who would be willing to relocate there for three, six or 12 months to help with various teaching/consolidation projects and with a number of socio-economic programs. We are flexible and can adapt to your needs and abilities. Contact the Spiritual Assembly of Portsmouth, c/o Byron Hopper, Portsmouth, VA 23704, or phone 804-393-6558.

TRAVEL-teaching opportunity for youth in three Caribbean islands for one month following this summer’s Bahá’í Youth Conference in Indiana. For information, please phone Mojdeh Bruss, 505-268-9927.

MISCELLANEOUS

NOTICE: Bahá’ís in Recovery Programs (BIRP) has a new address, P.O. Box 744, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240. Please tell your friends that this Fellowship within the Faith is ready to help you start a BIRP meeting in your community and to connect you with other Bahá’ís in recovery in North America. BIRP hotline: 619-329-8275.

DAYSTAR International Learning Associates believes every child has the potential to be the light of the world or the darkness. Our model, which is evolving, is based on Bahá’í-oriented principles of education: ANISA, Montessori, Piaget, and other new educational principles. A workshop will be held Sunday, March 12, at the home of Dr. Richard Andre in Ontario, California, at which the many facets of the program will be explained. We are looking for parents, educators, or those who are interested in children to join us. For more information about the education project, please write to Daystar International Learning Associates, Fullerton, CA 92631.

INFORMATION about applying for the 1988 Robert Hayden Fellowship in Poetry may be obtained by writing to Dr. William Diehl, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. The deadline for applications is March 15. The fellowship provides room and board at Louhelen for three weeks during which one is free to write.

ISOLATED Bahá’ís and shut-ins interested in deepening by mail, please write to me. If enough responses, I’ll coordinate forwarding letters. Pat Cunningham-Reid, Chardon, OH 44024.

HELP save a mature, deepened Assembly suddenly at seven! Minutes away from Baltimore in a lovely rural town with excellent job opportunities and fine colleges only minutes away. The Bel Air community has had an active Assembly for eight years, and with your help we can keep it functioning. For more information, please write to Linda Ighani, Bel Air, MD 21014, or phone 301-879-3318 or 301-821-1510.

National Assembly names Shirley Lee new U.S. UN Representative in New York

The National Spiritual Assembly has appointed Mrs. Shirley Lee of Manatee County, Florida, as its United Nations Representative in New York City.

Mrs. Lee had previously worked for four and one-half years at the Bahá’í Office of Public Information in Wilmette, Illinois, serving as director of that office for two years.

Also joining the Office of the U.S. Bahá’í Representative to the UN is Ms. Karla Tschiegg, who will serve as Mrs. Lee’s administrative assistant.

Ms. Tschiegg, from Sarasota, Florida, served for one and one-half years as an assistant to the secretary of the Continental Pioneer Committee for the Americas.

The National Spiritual Assembly has retained a UN Representative since 1947. The Representative’s primary goal is to represent the National Assembly to the UN community, thereby spreading knowledge of the Faith and enhancing its standing worldwide.

Other duties of the UN Representative are to educate the Bahá’ís of the U.S. in matters relating to the United Nations and the international community, and to demonstrate Bahá’í support for the UN by encouraging the American Bahá’ís to take part in UN activities at various levels.

The National Spiritual Assembly is accredited to the UN Department of Public Information as an official national Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with observer status.

The National Assembly’s UN office, in its observer status, is accredited at the U.S. Mission and is a member of the United Nations Association of the United States.

Bahá’ís are encouraged to become knowledgeable about UN affairs and to support UN observances such as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.

Other observances to note are the World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997) and the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was completed on December 7, 1948.

The National Spiritual Assembly’s UN Office serves as an information center for individual Bahá’ís as well as for local Spiritual Assemblies, national committees, and the National Assembly itself.

Those who would like information, pamphlets, documents or posters relating to the UN should channel their requests through the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN Office at this address: Bahá’ís of the United Nations, UN Representative, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017.

Bahá’ís que sepan Español y están interesados en ir de Maestros Viajeros, favor de comunicarse con: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

new from ONEWORLD PUBLICATIONS

SCIENCE AND RELIGION towards the Restoration of an Ancient Harmony

Anjam Khursheed

This is a carefully argued, thoroughly researched account of the conflict between science and religion in the West, written by a nuclear physicist at the prestigious European Centre for Nuclear Research.

Includes: the crucial controversy on human evolution; the “unscientific” dismissal of religion by science; the compatibility of the New Physics with religious insights; the role and nature of religion and the limitations of science.

The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá help illuminate the basic complementarity of science and religion and demonstrate humanity’s need for both in order to overcome its present “paralysis of will.” A thought-provoking and very readable book, ideal for presenting to non-Bahá’ís.

148 pages paperback $7.50

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order to: Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 18]

Texas responde al reto de California sobre el Arca

En una reunión de todo el estado en Austin, Texas, el 26 de diciembre de 1987, Comités de Enseñanza por Distritos y miembros de Asambleas Espirituales de todo Texas estuvieron de acuerdo en aceptar el reto de California al ser el segundo estado para recaudar un millón de dólares para el Arca en el Monte Carmelo.

Realmente, las 40 personas que se reunieron en el Centro Bahá’í de Austin para discutir la propuesta de aceptar el reto, decidieron recaudar 1.5 millones de dólares entre enero de 1988 y enero de 1989 con una meta intermediaria de $500,000 para el fin de Ridván. También se decidió darle un gran énfasis a los esfuerzos de la enseñanza durante el año.

El proyecto en Texas será organizado de la misma manera que el Arca de Amor de California fue organizado.

California decidió responder directamente al llamado de la Casa Universal de Justicia en su mensaje del 31 de agosto de 1987 en el cual dice:

“...acumular rápidamente una reserva de ‎cinquenta cincuenta‎ millones de dólares sobre la cual podrá iniciarse en forma realista la implementación de los planos de construcción. ...”

California decidió recaudar un millón de dólares antes de Ridván de 1988.

Comités Nacionales de Enseñanza de EU y México se ‎reunen reúnen‎

En un esfuerzo para promover la colaboración internacional, el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza de México y el de los Estados Unidos, se reunieron el 5 de diciembre de 1987 en Juárez, México.

Junto con los miembros de ambos comités se encontraban en la reunión un miembro del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros y dos miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar de México.

La consulta era sobre viajes de enseñanza en ambos países. Ambos comités están interesados en el intercambio de maestros viajeros para ayudar a fortalecer Asambleas Espirituales locales cerca de la frontera y dentro de cada país.

Bahá’ís interesados en la enseñanza en México no tienen que necesariamente saber el idioma castellano.

Ambos comités estarán planeando institutos a llevarse a cabo en el verano de 1988 para preparar a los maestros viajeros para la enseñanza en México y en los EU.

Los jóvenes en Indiana en julio de 1988 podrán viajar a Juárez, México, para atender la Conferencia de Jóvenes y enseñar la Fe en camino a la conferencia y después de la conferencia en Juárez.

Ambos comités compartieron su compromiso hacia la enseñanza, siempre teniendo en cuenta el balance entre la expansión y la consolidación.

La reunión se llevó a cabo el 5 de diciembre, aniversario del día en que ‘Abdu’l-Bahá partió del oeste, hace 75 años.

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza de los Estados Unidos también se reunió con los Bahá’ís de El Paso, Texas. Discutieron la importancia de intensificar los esfuerzos de la enseñanza y sobre completar el Arca en el Monte Carmelo.

Pictured are members of the National Teaching Committees of Mexico and the U.S. which met December 5 in Juárez, Mexico. With them are a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas and two Auxiliary Board members from Mexico.

Preparándonos hacia el punto decisivo en la historia

A la comunidad americana Bahá’í

Para la Fiesta de Sharaf

‎Estimado amigos Estimados amigos‎ Bahá’ís:

Al principio de este mes, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional estuvo de retiro en la Escuela Bahá’í Bosch. Allá, entre los bosques del norte de California, oramos para ser guiados y consultamos sobre las formas de adelantar el trabajo en la enseñanza.

Nuestras pláticas enfocadas en la carta del 31 de agosto de la Casa Universal de Justicia, en el cual se nos ha dicho que hemos alcanzado un punto decisivo en la historia humana. La Causa de Dios se aproxima a un tiempo de cambios revolucionarios. El papel de nuestra comunidad en esta gran empresa es el de prepararnos y el de acelerar la hora para el cambio, y el de expandir grandemente el ejército de los seguidores de Bahá’u’lláh. La Casa de Justicia nos pide que nos levantemos en “esfuerzo sacrificado,” nuestros corazones llenos de “confianza inamovible en la guía de la Mano de Fundador de nuestra Fe,” y el iniciar la entrada en tropas en este Plan.

A la misma vez que hablábamos, nuestros corazones crecían ansiosamente. La meta de la entrada en tropas ha sido evadida en nuestra comunidad. En el pasado nosotros nos hemos acercado a ella varias veces, pero aún todavía tenemos que lograrla.

Nuestra revisión de las actividades de nuestra comunidad concluyeron que hay señales de progreso en muchas áreas. Nosotros fuimos alentados para notar el número creciente de nuevos proyectos al nivel estatal y local de planes de enseñanza, conferencias sobre la unidad de las razas y tópicos sobre la mujer, presentaciones de la Promesa de la Paz Mundial, y actividades realizadas con grupos no-Bahá’ís. Nuestra confianza fue ‎reenforzada reforzada‎ al ver los muchos esfuerzos ambiciosos y muy bien planeados de proclamación por las comunidades Bahá’ís y al ser testigo de los signos de creciente madurez entre las asambleas locales. Sin embargo, en este momento, el gran aumento de estas actividades no ha resultado en el “flujo constante” de “nuevos reclutas” el cual presagia la entrada en tropas.

El Cuerpo de Consejeros comparte nuestra preocupación. En su reciente reunión en Costa Rica, los Consejeros tuvieron una intensa discusión, en la búsqueda a una respuesta sobre la misma pregunta. Ellos concluyeron que cada Consejero individualmente debe asumir responsabilidades personales para lograr esta meta, a través de sus propios esfuerzos en la enseñanza.

Nosotros estamos de acuerdo. El reto demanda acción individual; de cada miembro institución y de cada creyente individual. No hay ocupación más urgente que esta. No hay acción más esencial que el del desenvolvimiento del mundo amoldándose al destino de la Causa de Dios.

Con calurosos saludos Bahá’í,

Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de

los Bahá’ís de los Estados Unidos

31 de diciembre de 1987

Los amigos deben ayudar ‎salvar a salvar‎ 120 Asambleas

Uno de los remedios curativos que Bahá’u’lláh ha dado al mundo afligido es la Asamblea Espiritual local, el cual, en el futuro, será nuestras Casas de Justicia locales.

Es a esta institución divina que los Bahá’ís van en busca de ayuda y asistencia. La Asamblea Espiritual local es el centro de la vida de la comunidad Bahá’í.

Cuando el número de Bahá’ís en una comunidad disminuye a menos de nueve, la Asamblea está en riesgo de perderse, y si no hay nueve miembros en la comunidad para el próximo Ridván (21 de abril), la Asamblea Espiritual local no puede ser formada para ese año. Esta es una situación crítica que requiere atención urgente y efectiva.

Sin la Asamblea Espiritual local, la comunidad Bahá’í sufre una gran pérdida. Por tanto, nosotros debemos de esforzarnos, para hacer todo lo que podamos para ayudar salvar las 120 Asambleas en los Estados Unidos las cuales están ahora mismo en peligro de ser perdidas en Ridván.

La siguiente es una lista de las Asambleas Espirituales en riesgo de ser perdidas. En estas comunidades, todos los proyectos que no estén relacionados con la enseñanza deben de ser suspendidos.

La Asamblea y cada creyente individual deben de emplearse en los esfuerzos intensos de la enseñanza.

Las comunidades cercanas deben de asistir al dirigir esfuerzos de enseñanza de extensión a esas áreas. Todos los amigos pueden asistir orando por estas Asambleas.

Aunque la pionería en su propio país no es considerado como la manera deseada para salvar asambleas en riesgo de ser perdidas como lo es enseñar a residentes locales, asambleas en riesgo de ser perdidas constituyen una meta de mayor prioridad para la pionería en su propio país.

Los Bahá’ís interesados en pionería en este país a esas áreas de asambleas en riesgo de perderse pueden comunicarse con el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza.

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza podrá proveer información actual concerniente al número de los Bahá’ís en una determinada localidad y el nombre, dirección, y número de teléfono de la Asamblea Espiritual local o la secretaria del Comité de Enseñanza de Distrito, la cual debe de estar preparada para responder cualquier pregunta concerniente a trabajos, escuelas, hogar, etc. ...

Si hay más para añadir o alguna corrección qué hacer a la lista, por favor de comunicarse con el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza inmediatamente: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Número de teléfono: 312-869-9039.

Jeopardized Assemblies January 1987

Alabama: Tuscaloosa County East, Tuscaloosa County West.

Arizona: Bisbee, Cochise County SW, Gilbert, Paradise Valley.

California: Belmont, Clovis, Grover City, Healdsburg, Lemon Grove, National City, Petaluma, Red Bluff, Ridgecrest, Riverside JD.

Colorado: Louisville, Manitou Springs.

Connecticut: Ellington Town, New Canaan.

Florida: Benbow Village, Bryant, Florida City, Gifford, Havana, Maitland, Marathon, Vero Beach, Wilton Manors.

Georgia: Austell, Cordele, Henry County, Villa Rica.

Idaho: Moscow.

Illinois: Chicago Heights, Deerfield, La Grange, Rock Island, Villa Park, West Chicago.

Indiana: Marion, Richmond, Speedway, West Lafayette.

Iowa: Marion.

Kansas: Newton, Prairie Village.

Kentucky: Coldstream.

Maine: Augusta, South Portland.

Maryland: Bel Air, College Park.

Massachusetts: East Hampton Town, Pittsfield, Salem.

Michigan: Pontiac, St. Joseph.

Minnesota: Eden Prairie.

Mississippi: Vicksburg.

Missouri: Phelps County, St. Louis County West.

Montana: Bozeman.

Nebraska: Hastings.

New Jersey: Cherry Hill.

New Mexico: Bernalillo County East, Paradise Hills, San Juan County, Taos County.

New York: Binghamton, Oyster Bay Town.

North Carolina: Durham County.

North Dakota: Minot.

Ohio: Beavercreek, East Cleveland, Westerville.

Oklahoma: Frederick, Spencer.

Oregon: Benton County, Coos Bay, Enterprise, Forest Grove, Gladstone, North Bend, Oregon City.

Pennsylvania: Lower Marion Township, Middleton Township.

South Carolina: Boggy Swamp, Bucksport, Effingham, Elloree Circle, Holly Hill North, Millwood, North, Pee Dee, Pendleton, Seven Pines.

South Dakota: Eagle Butte.

Texas: Denison, Farmers Branch, La Porte, North Richland Hills, Orange, Rockwall, South Houston, The Colony, Tyler, Waco.

Washington: Clallam CCD No. 1, Greater Walla Walla, Moses Lake.

Vea ASAMBLEAS pág. 25

DISPONIBLES: ‎Pamfletos Panfletos‎ de Enseñanza en Español por solamente 1 centavo. Para conseguirlos, favor de comunicarse con: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

[Page 19]

Toward a spiritual integration

The American Bahá’í community, as we are all aware, is at a critical phase in its development as we draw ever closer to the advent of the Lesser Peace. Yet there is a growing concern among many of the friends about the issues and challenges we face resulting from the continued influx of Persian Bahá’ís into this country brought about by the persecutions in Iran which have forced many of them to flee their homeland.

Never before have the American Bahá’ís seen the arrival of so many of their Persian counterparts in such a short span of time. The tendency of these newly arrived immigrants to congregate in major metropolitan areas—Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, etc.—where there are already large Bahá’í communities composed of Persians and non-Persians, serves to hamper rather than foster cross-cultural awareness within these communities, and this has often led to problems which have had detrimental effects on both the local teaching activities and the level of individual participation in Bahá’í activities. Many Bahá’ís in these areas, both Persian and non-Persian, are well aware of these problems but may not feel motivated or prepared to do anything about them.

Integration, as many of us are aware, is the act or process of incorporation as equals into society; thus, it is essentially a social matter that is closely linked to racial, cultural and perceptual concerns. We are all familiar with integration in the racial sense, as illustrated by the relatively recent laws banning segregation of black students in the American public school systems. Perhaps what is lacking, though, is a full understanding of what integration entails from a Bahá’í standpoint.

As important as social integration has become, it ultimately falls short of addressing the spiritual needs of the individual; in other words, it cannot guarantee unconditional acceptance of the group which is being integrated, as amply demonstrated by the continued prevalence of racial and class prejudice in our society. Moreover, the process of social integration itself often leads to assimilation and conformity, in which the minority group begins to lose its sense of cultural identity as it takes on the appearance and characteristics of the dominant society. What is needed to fill in this void, then, is spiritual integration, and this can only be provided where an unshakeable sense of “unity in diversity” is present—as in a true Bahá’í gathering which, as affirmed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is freed from “every trace of enmity, strife and discord.” Spiritual integration not only guarantees the elimination of prejudices, but serves to uphold the diversity of every culture.

As Bahá’ís, we sometimes find that our preoccupation with how we are dealing with social aspects of integration hinders the realization of spiritual integration in our communities. It is therefore of vital importance that we try to understand our unique role as pertains to spiritual integration within the Bahá’í community. We must accept and appreciate the fact that there are many governmental and non-governmental agencies that have been given the necessary resources to deal specifically with material forms of assistance to refugees and immigrants (including Bahá’ís); at the same time, we must realize that these agencies are not equipped to satisfy the individual’s spiritual needs and sense of belonging in a new and often strange environment.

Although the Bahá’ís in America have national and area resource committees (NPAAC and APAACs) for Bahá’í refugees and immigrants, these committees are neither equipped nor intended to duplicate the functions of the non-Bahá’í social agencies, but rather have been charged with the complementary task of integrating these fellow-believers into the life and work of the American Bahá’í community—in other words, the main concern of these committees, and of the Bahá’í community as a whole, is to increase the cross-cultural awareness and friendship ties of all the Bahá’ís in their areas, to use the power of the Faith to establish and maintain a sense of “unity in diversity” among the believers, and to motivate the friends into cooperative efforts designed to accelerate the work of the Cause both inside and outside of the Bahá’í community.

These things cannot be accomplished, however, unless and until each individual Bahá’í takes the initiative to acquire and demonstrate a true sensitivity and love toward people from different cultural backgrounds, making full use of the spiritual resources given to us by Bahá’u’lláh in order to realize this.

The spiritual integration, not merely the social integration, of the entire human race must always be seen as our ultimate goal if we are to usher in the truly unified global civilization that will inaugurate the Most Great Peace.—Jason Welch

PERSIAN INSTITUTE FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES

در ظل فضل و عنایت جمال اقدس ابهی و هدایت معهد اعلی مؤسسه معارف بهائی بلسان فارسی اخیراً موفق شده که اولین نشریه خود را تحت عنوان "نفحات فضل" در معرض استفاده یاران قرار دهد.

"نفحات فضل" از این پس عنوان مجموعه‌هائی از آثار مبارکه بهائی خواهد بود که جهت خودآموزی الواح و آثار تهیه میگردد. هر مجموعه شامل یک نوار و یک جزوه ضمیمه میباشد. دوستان به نوار آثار مبارکه که بطور واضح و با تأنی قرائت شده گوش فرامیدهند و در عین حال به متن تهیه شده در جزوه توجه مینمایند و این امر فراگرفتن مطالب را آسانتر میکند.

متون عربی تماماً اعراب شده و حتی‌الامکان سعی شده است که با نسخه‌های اصل مقابله گردد و در موارد لزوم به معانی کلی مطالب نیز اشاره شده است. در پایان هر جزوه نیز قسمت لغت و معنی وجود دارد که معانی لغات را آنطور که در آن متون آمده است بیان میدارد. به این ترتیب امید میرود برای یاران عزیز علی‌الخصوص جوانان عزیزی که در نقاط مختلفه عالم پراکنده‌اند و به مبلغین بهائی دسترسی ندارند مفید قرار گیرد و بتوانند در اوقات مناسب به فراگرفتن صحیح آثار و الواح بپردازند.

اولین جزوه و نوار شامل نمازهای سه‌گانه (صلاة کبیر، وسطی و صغیر) لوح مبارک احمد و ادعیه مخصوصه (دعای هنگام خواب، دعای حفظ برای خروج از بیت و غیره) میباشد که همانطور که در فوق اشاره شد آماده برای فروختن است.

قیمت هر نوار و جزوه رویهم ۷ دلار آمریکائی خواهد بود. نفوسی که مایلند جزوه و نوار برایشان با پست فرستاده شود، اگر چنانچه معادل ۹ دلار آمریکائی بصورت حواله بانکی money order به آدرس ذیل ارسال فرمایند، به اسرع وقت برای آنها فرستاده خواهد شد.

همچنین به کمال مسرت به اطلاع یاران عزیز میرساند که اولین شماره از دوره جدید "مطالعه معارف بهائی" تحت عنوان "الوان در آثار بهائی" که به قلم جناب دکتر وحید رأفتی به رشته تحریر درآمده است، در فاصله بسیار نزدیکی در معرض استفاده دوستان قرار خواهد گرفت. مؤسسه امیدوار است این نشریه سرآغاز بسیار مبارکی برای این سلسله انتشارات که در سطح تحقیقاتی (تکمیلی) و عالی است باشد و آن گروه از یاران را که مایل به غور و تعمق بیشتر در دریای معارف بهائی میباشند مسرور و شادمان نماید.

در مورد طرح مکاتباتی که فی‌الواقع از اساسی‌ترین برنامه‌های مؤسسه معارف بهائی محسوب میگردد و به همین نسبت هم تهیه مقدمات و تشکیل شعب علمی برای تهیه برنامه‌های آن مستلزم صرف وقت بیشتری میبود، باید به اطلاع برسانیم که در آینده بسیار نزدیک اولین جزوات آن در دسترس علاقه‌مندان قرار خواهد گرفت و به موقع مخارج اشتراک و عضویت و غیره به اطلاع همگان علی‌الخصوص کسانی که از سال قبل ثبت نام نموده و آمادگی خود را جهت شرکت در دروس مکاتبه‌ای اعلام کرده‌اند خواهد رسید.

Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O. Box 8464 Dundas, Ontario. CANADA L9H6M2

PUBLICATIONS

خود آموز زبان عربی

حضرت ولی امرالله میفرمایند: "اطفال و جوانان احباء لسان عربی را نیز بیاموزند و برای استفاده از الواح و آثار مبارکه قواعد این زبان فصیح را فراگیرند."

برای دوستانی که مایل به فراگیری قواعد زبان عربی باشند، خودآموزی به همراه ۶ نوار صوتی تهیه شده است. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند خودآموز عربی را از طریق مؤسسه توزیع مطبوعات امری خریداری فرمایند.

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL. 60091

چنانکه عزیزان ایرانی استحضار دارند توقیع ظهور عدل الهی The Advent of Divine Justice صادر از قلم حضرت ولی امرالله از طرف محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده کتاب سال شناخته شده است. این توقیع مبارک حاوی نکات مهمی درباره اهداف بهائیان ایالات متحده میباشد و قرائت آن برای همه یاران ضروری است. ترجمه فارسی این اثر مبارک از طرف لجنه ملی امور احیای ایرانی/آمریکائی تجدید چاپ شده است. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند این توقیع مبارک را از طریق مؤسسه توزیع مطبوعات امری سفارش داده، ابتیاع نمایند.

کتاب سلطان رسل حضرت رب اعلی

کتاب سلطان رسل حضرت رب اعلی تألیف جناب دکتر ریاض قدیمی در کانادا منتشر گردید. قیمت هر جلد ۴ دلار با هزینه ارسال میباشد. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند جهت ابتیاع این کتاب با آقای کامران نجاتی به نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمایند.

CANADA Ont. L6S 3H9

"همه بار یک دارید و برگ یک شاخسار" [Page 20]بیجان شوهر خود را دید، ملاحظه نمود که سه گلوله به سینه و یک گلوله به سر اصابت کرده بود. رؤیای جناب اختر خاوری تحقق یافته و مؤمن به جمال قدم به عالیترین رتبهٔ ایمان رسیده بود.

جناب اختر خاوری نمونه‌ای از بهائیان یزد بود، بهائیانی که طی سالهای دراز همه گونه مشقت را به جان خریده و سعادت حقیقی را در سرای دیگر دیده بودند. در طول زندگی ‎هر عمر‎ خود را بر خدمت به امر جمال قدم گذاشته بود. حظیرةالقدس شهر دهلی نو را او خرید. در خرید زمین مشرق‌الاذکار هندوستان سهم مهمی داشت. فرمان مولای مهربان، حضرت ولی امرالله را همیشه آویزهٔ گوش داشت و بدین جهت تضییقات و مشقات ناشی از سکونت در یزد را با منّت پذیرفت. در آن شهر ماند و سنگر را خالی نکرد. از اهمیت حکم تبلیغ هرگز غفلت نورزید. هنگامیکه در دادگاه انقلاب به دفاع خود و دیگر هم‌بندان برخاست، باز دهان به تبلیغ گشود تا آنجا که یکی از علمای حاضر به او گفت: "شما الآن هم دارید تبلیغ میکنید!" همسر و چهار فرزند جناب اختر خاوری از او بازمانده‌اند. روانش شاد و بوستان یادش جاودانه آباد باد.

محافل روحانی در معرض انحلال

JEOPARDIZED ASSEMBLIES

وقتی که تعداد بهائیان یک محل از نه نفر کمتر باشد محفل روحانی در معرض انحلال قرار میگیرد. اگر تا رضوان سال بعد تعداد احباء همچنان کمتر از نه نفر باشد محفل روحانی تشکیل نخواهد گردید. در چنین وضعی باید نهایت کوشش را مبذول داشت تا از انحلال محفل روحانی محلی جلوگیری به عمل آید.

در حال حاضر حدود یکصد و بیست محفل روحانی محلی در ایالات متحده در معرض انحلال قرار دارند. اسامی این محافل در قسمت انگلیسی درج گردیده است. از دوستان ایرانی تقاضا میشود صورت اسامی این محافل را مرور نمایند و به هر وجهی که ممکن باشد، چه از طریق مهاجرت به نقاط مذکور و چه از طریق سفرهای تبلیغی، جهت كمك به تشکیل محافل مزبور اقدام نمایند.

میدان خدمت

FIELD OF SERVICE

در بسیاری از کشورهایی که جزء اهداف مهاجرت خارجه قرار دارند موقعیتهای کاری مناسبی برای یاران ایرانی وجود دارد. هر ماه اعلاناتی دربارهٔ این موقعیتها در بخش انگلیسی نشریه امریکن بهائی درج میگردد. از دوستان عزیز ایرانی که مایل به مهاجرت به کشورهای خارجی باشند تقاضا میشود به صفحات مخصوص این شماره رجوع نمایند. ضمناً برای کسب اطلاع بیشتر دربارهٔ مهاجرت خارجه میتوان با دفتر مهاجرت خارجه تماس حاصل نمود.

تلفن: (۲۱۲) ۸۶۹-۹۰۳۹

Office of Pioneering Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

مهاجرت داخله

HOMEFRONT PIONEERING

چنانکه یاران عزیز استحضار دارند یکی از اهداف نقشهٔ شش سالهٔ جامعهٔ بهائی آمریکا تأسیس محفل روحانی محلی در مرکز ایالاتی است که در آنها محفل روحانی وجود ندارد. در حال حاضر هفت مرکز ایالت فاقد محفل روحانی است. این شهرها عبارتند از:

دور Dover در ایالت دلوور Delaware، کارسن سیتی Carson City در ایالت نوادا Nevada، ترنتون Trenton در ایالت نیوجرزی New Jersey، پی‌یر Pierre در ایالت داکوتای جنوبی South Dakota، مونت‌پلیر Montpelier در ایالت ورمانت Vermont، چارلستون Charleston در ایالت ویرجینیای غربی West Virginia، و شاین Cheyenne در ایالت وایومینگ Wyoming.

تشکیل محفل روحانی در شهرهای فوق در درجهٔ اول اهمیت است. دوستانی که مایل به مهاجرت به شهرهای مذکور باشند میتوانند جهت کسب اطلاع بیشتر با کمیتهٔ ملی نشر نفحات National Teaching Committee تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: (۲۱۲) ۸۶۹-۹۰۳۹

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

بیوت تبلیغی

FIRESIDE TEACHING

در مراسلات حضرت ولی امرالله بهائی به این مضمون آمده است که برای اهل بهاء راههای بیشماری جهت تبلیغ امر مبارک وجود دارد، و هر يك از بهائیان مختار است راهی را که با طبیعت و ظرفیت او موافقت دارد انتخاب نماید و به ابلاغ کلمهٔ خلاقه همّت گمارد. معذلك هیکل مبارک در نامه‌ای که از طرف ایشان مرقوم شده بیانی به این مضمون فرموده‌اند:

"مؤثرترین طریقهٔ تبلیغ امرالله انعقاد بیوت تبلیغی است که در آن مبتدیان با مهمان‌نوازی بهائیان آشنا میشوند و سؤالاتی را که برایشان ایجاد اشکال میکند طرح مینمایند."

در یکی از دستخط‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم چنین مرقوم گردیده:

"همچنین حضرت ولی امرالله در بیانات خود اهل بهاء را تشویق میفرمایند که در هر خانه و خاندانی لااقل یکبار در هر نوزده روز محفل تبلیغی بیارایند و در این ضیافت روحانی دوستان غیربهائی را از تعالیم و مقاصد امرالله مطلع سازند."

در دستخط دیگری از معهد اعلی در بیان معنی تبلیغ چنین آمده:

"مقصود از تبلیغ امرالله بشارت به ظهور ملکوت ابهی است، ائتلاف قلوب است، رفع تعصبات جاهلانه است، ایجاد سرور و سعادت است. پرده‌دری و مجادله در کلام و مشاجره و غلبه‌جوئی در بیان و مناظراتی که از حرف ابتداء و به حرف انتهاء یابد و باعث حزن شود و استیحاش نفوس را شدیدتر نماید شأن احباء نبوده و نیست."

امید است هر يك از یاران ایرانی به تشکیل جلسات تبلیغی توفیق یابد و سعادت روحانی خود و کسانی را که تبلیغ مینماید ضامن شود.

اسفار تشویقی جناب دکتر ریاض قدیمی

DR. GHADIMI’S VISIT

به دعوت لجنهٔ ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی جناب دکتر ریاض قدیمی به اسفار تشویقی مختلفی در ایالات متحده مبادرت نمودند. اسفار مذکور از روز ۱۱ الی ۲۲ دسامبر سال ۱۹۸۷ صورت گرفت و جلساتی که در شهرهای مختلف انعاد یافت با استقبال گرم یاران ایرانی روبرو گردید. چهارده جلسهٔ مختلف در ایالات ویرجینیا و تگزاس و کالیفرنیا منعقد گردید. جمعاً حدود ۲۵۰۰ نفر از احباء در این جلسات شرکت نمودند. در یکی از جلساتی که در لوس آنجلس تشکیل شده بود، حدود ۵۰۰ نفر از یاران حضور داشتند.

موضوع سخنرانیهای جناب دکتر قدیمی در این جلسات عبارت بود از: شرحی دربارهٔ پیام اخیر بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ شهرالعزّة سال ١٤٤ بدیع، معرفی و شرحی دربارهٔ توقیع ظهور عدل الهی، لزوم تلاوت آیات و الواح و تزیید معلومات امری، لزوم تبلیغ امرالله و خصوصاً تأکید دربارهٔ تبلیغ اقلیتها، وظائف و مسئولیتهای جوانان بهائی، و طرق خدمت به امر الهی.

عده‌ای از یارانی که در جلسات مذکور حضور داشته‌اند از طریق مکاتبه و تلفن مراتب رعایت و قدردانی خود را در مورد جلسات سخنرانی جناب دکتر قدیمی ابراز نموده‌اند.

جناب دکتر قدیمی سال گذشته نیز به دعوت لجنهٔ ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی سفرهای مشابهی در ایالات متحده نموده بودند. لجنهٔ ملی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی امیدوار است بتواند در آینده نیز از حضور سایر مبلغین و معلمین بهائی برای این قبیل جلسات استفاده نماید. [Page 21]

یادی از جناب نورالله اختر خاوری

MARTYR’S FILE

جناب نورالله اختر خاوری در ده مهدی آباد یزد چشم به جهان گشود. در یزد به مدرسه رفت و پس از گذراندن کلاس ششم ابتدائی به خواستهٔ پدر به طهران نقل مکان نمود. پدرش تاجر پارچه فروش بود و در طهران مغازه داشت.

چون جناب اختر خاوری از همان دوران کودکی علاقه زیادی به دانش اندوزی داشت، کار روزانه مانع از آن نشد که تحصیلات مدرسیش را ادامه دهد. بدین قرار شبها پس از اینکه از کار در مغازه پدری فراغت می یافت، به مدرسه می رفت و به تحصیل می پرداخت. علاوه بر تحصیلات مدرسی، از کسب معارف امری غفلت نمی ورزید. بدین منظور در کلاسهای امری که به سرپرستی مبلغان گرانمایه تشکیل میشد، حضور می یافت. چون بسیاری از آثار مبارکه این ظهور بزبان عربی نازل گردیده، ایشان نیز جهت خواندن آثار مبارکه به فراگرفتن این زبان پرداخت و پس از مدتی آنرا آموخت. کسانیکه در دوران نوجوانی با ایشان همکلاس بودند، از شور و شوقی که جناب اختر خاوری در ابلاغ کلمة الله داشته، حکایتهای گوناگون کرده اند. گفته اند که ایشان در مجامع امری با ایراد نطق و خطابه جمع دوستان را بر می انگیخت و باعث تشویق سایر جوانان می گردید.

جناب اختر خاوری هجده ساله بود که ازدواج شد و از آن پس به دستور محفل روحانی ملی به تبلیغ امر الهی پرداخت. سپس بنا به اشاره همان محفل مقدس به نیریز رفت تا در مشروع مربوط به مرمت مقابر شهدای نیریز شرکت جوید. در آن زمان جناب اختر خاوری و همسر ایشان صاحب سه پسر بودند و در یزد زندگی می کردند.

پس از چندی حضرت ولی امرالله جناب اختر خاوری را مأمور فرمودند که به یکی از شهرهای بلوچستان کشور هندوستان هجرت نماید (در آن اوقات هنوز پاکستان از هندوستان جدا نشده بود). ایشان نیز امر مولا را گردن نهاد و فرزندان و همسر خود را در یزد گذاشت و خود بسوی هندوستان شتافت. در آنجا رستورانی باز کرد و از این طریق امرار معاش می نمود. در ضمن دمی از تبلیغ امرالله باز نمی ماند و دامنه فعالیت هایش تا بدانجا گسترده شد که به عضویت محفل روحانی ملی هندوستان انتخاب گردید.

دیری نگذشت که یکی از پسران جناب اختر خاوری در یزد درگذشت. در نتیجه همسر و دو فرزند خود را به هندوستان برد و طی مدتی که با خانواده خود در آن کشور پهناور بسر میبرد، صاحب دو پسر دیگر نیز گردید.

خدمات امری و تبلیغی جناب اختر خاوری همچنان ادامه یافت تا آنکه پس از نه سال اقامت در هندوستان، به دستور حضرت ولی امرالله به یزد بازگشت و بساط خدمت و تبلیغ را در آن شهر بلاخیز بگستراند.

در اوایل ورودش به یزد مدتی بیکار بود و برای امرار معاش به تدریس زبان انگلیسی مشغول گردید. ولی پس از چندی به استخدام کارخانه ای درآمد و بیست سال بعد را در همان جا به کار اشتغال داشت. رفتار و منش اش بقدری خوب بود که بسیاری از همکارانش جذب خلق و خویش شده بودند و تنها عیبی که بر او می گرفتند تدین او به دیانت بهائی بود!

در اوایل انقلاب اسلامی رئیس کارخانه بعلت فشار برخی از متعصبین مجبور شد که از جناب اختر خاوری بخواهد که مدتی سر کار نرود. ایشان هم چنین کرد، در خانه ماند و کارهای کارخانه را در منزل انجام میداد. پس از چندی قصد آن کرد که سفری به آلمان و آمریکا کند. بدین منظور تقاضای گذرنامه کرد و پس از اخذ آن رهسپار آلمان شد و دو ماه در آنجا بسر برد و مدت یکماه نیز در ایالات متحده ماند.

در وقت اقامت در آمریکا رئیس کارخانه مذکور تلفنی با او تماس گرفت و از او خواست که دوباره بر سر کار خود بازگردد. ایشان نیز چون از پیش قول داده بود که اگر نیازی به وجود او باشد به کار خود باز گردد، قصد عزیمت به ایران هر چه همسر و فرزندانش اصرار کردند که او در ایالات متحده بماند، قبول نکرد. هر چه او را از عاقبت رجوع به ایران انذار کردند، نشنفت و میگفت: پس سایر احباء چه کنند؟ آخر سر چون اصرار از حد بیرون شد، جناب اختر خاوری گفت که حضرت ولی امرالله به او امر فرموده بودند که در آن به یزد برود، لاجرم میباید رفت چه که خواسته مولا چنین بوده است. سرانجام فرزندان خود را در آمریکا گذاشت و به همراه همسرش به یزد باز گشت.

پس از رجوع به ایران در کارخانه سابق الذکر دوباره مشغول به کار گردید اما پس از یکماه مجبور شد آنجا ترک کند و اجباراً بازنشسته شد. از این پس مدتی بیمار شد. در دوره بیماری مأموران دولتی چندین بار به خانه او رفتند ولی چون به دستور اطباء از حرکت ممنوع شده بود، نتوانستند او را دستگیر نمایند. پس از دو ماه جناب اختر خاوری بهبود یافت و دوباره به خدمات امری مشغول شد.

در همین اوان آزار بهائیان در ایران و بخصوص در یزد رو به شدت بود. هر روز به بهانه ای جمعی گرفتار بودند. عده ای را میزدند و گروهی را خانه به آتش میسپردند. جناب اختر خاوری نیز، که هم به علت خدمات امری و تبلیغی و هم بواسطه عضویت در محفل روحانی یزد در سمت منشی و هم بواسطه انتصاب در هیئت معاونت چهره ای شناخته شده بود، از آتش بلایا در امان نبود، بخصوص که با فرستادن تلگراف به اولیای امور جهت رسیدگی به مظالم وارده بر احباء نام او به گوش همگان رسیده بود.

در همین زمان شبی در خواب دید که اعدام شده و سه تیر به سینه و یک تیر به گوشش اصابت کرده بود. این خواب را برای همسر خود نقل کرد. دوازده روز بعد، در نیمه شبی، حدود سی نفر پاسدار به منزل او آمدند و کتابها و بعضی از اموال خانه را برداشتند و او را دستگیر کرده، به زندان بردند. زمانی که جناب اختر خاوری را از خانه بیرون می بردند، به پاسداران شیرینی تعارف میکرد.

جناب اختر خاوری حدود سه ماه در زندان بسر برد. گروهی از احباء نیز در زندان بودند و بیشتر این مدت را در یک زیر زمین نمناک و بدون نور میگذراندند و تنها هر پانزده روز یکبار اجازه داشتند دقایقی را در هوای آزاد بگذرانند. در این مدت فقط دو بار به بستگان زندانیان اجازه ملاقات داده شد.

اما ناگهان در روز ۱۶ شهریور سال ۱۳۵۸ از طریق تلفن به خانواده های زندانیان بهائی گفته شد که برای ملاقات عزیزان خود به زندان بروند. خانم اختر خاوری نیز بسوی زندان شتافت و چند دقیقه ای با جناب اختر خاوری ملاقات کرد. حتی در این چند دقیقه ممکن نبود که زندانیان آزادانه با اعضای خانواده خود گفتگو نمایند. زندانبانان نامه هایی را که جناب اختر خاوری به فرزندانش -- که در آمریکا بسر می بردند -- نوشته بود، نفرستاده بودند. بدین جهت او چند کلمه ای برای پسرانش نوشت و آنرا به همسرش داد. در ضمن این ملاقات جناب اختر خاوری به همسرش گفت که آن شب، آخرین شب حیاتش بود.

ساعت چهار صبح روز بعد جناب اختر خاوری به همراه شش تن دیگر از احبای یزد تیرباران شدند. اجساد آنان جائی نزدیک گورستان زردشتیان انداخته شده بود. خبر شهادت این هفت شهید ساعت هفت صبح از رادیو پخش شد. پس از ساعاتی چند با خانواده های شهداء تماس گرفتند و از آنان خواستند که اجساد جانباختگان را تحویل بگیرند.

هنگامی که همسر جناب اختر خاوری جسد... [Page 22]

ARC OF LOVE

در ماه اکتبر سال ۱۹۸۷ طی جلسه مشترک لجنات ناحیه‌ای نشر نفحات کالیفرنیا که در مدرسه بهائی بوش منعقد شد، لجنات فوق برنامه‌ای تهیه دیدند که بر طبق آن تا رضوان سال ۱۹۸۸ مبلغ یک میلیون دلار برای بنای ساختمانهای کوه کرمل جمع‌آوری شود.

بر طبق محاسباتی که به عمل آمده اگر هر یک از بهائیان بزرگسال کالیفرنیا مبلغ یکصد و شش دلار تقدیم نماید، هدف یک میلیون دلاری بهائیان آن ایالت محقق خواهد گردید. بهائیان کالیفرنیا از احبای ایالات دیگر دعوت کرده‌اند که از آنان پیروی نموده و هدف مشابهی برای خود تعیین نمایند.

به دنبال تصمیم احبای کالیفرنیا، بهائیان تکزاس روز ۳۱ دسامبر سال ۱۹۸۷ در جلسه‌ای که با حضور اعضای محافل روحانی محلی و لجنات نشر نفحات ناحیه‌ای آن ایالت انعقاد یافت، دعوت یاران کالیفرنیا را قبول نموده و قرار را بر آن گذاشتند که از ژانویه سال ۱۹۸۸ تا ژانویه سال ۱۹۸۹ مبلغ یک میلیون و پانصد هزار دلار جمع‌آوری نمایند. ضمناً مدت آغاز رضوان سال ۱۹۸۸ میباشد.

بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در دستخط مورخ شهور‌العزه سال ۱۴۴ بدیع فرموده‌اند که بهائیان ایرانی به «کشور و شهره آفاق گشته‌اند.» همچنین فرموده‌اند که «امروز شرف مشارکت» در ساختن ابنیه فخیمه‌ای که بایماء حضرت ولی امرالله قرار است در مستقبل قریب، حول قوس مشرف به مرقد مطهر ورقه مبارکه علیا در کوه کرمل ساخته شود و به «نور جلال ابهاء» در زمان طولانی منور شده است، نصیب و بهره‌ایست که به یاران عزیز که به گنج ایمان رسیده‌اند و آثار غلبه امرالله را بدیده یقین دیده‌اند بایستی برسد و آنچه باقی است قیام کنند و آنچه در توان دارند ایثار نمایند تا آن ابنیه استوار گردد و آثاری بگذارند که بمرور دهور باقی ماند و سبب سرور و سعادت جاودانی گردد.

با توجه به بیانات فوق تکلیف احبای ایرانی روشن است. امید است یاران عزیز در طرحهای مختلفی که جهت تبرع برای ساختمانهای کوه کرمل تهیه شده شرکت نمایند و گوی سبقت را از دیگران بربایند. دیگر تا همت ما در میدان انفاق و وفا چه نماید.

از نظریات خوانندگان

در ماه نوامبر سال قبل مقاله‌ای درباره عدم مداخله در سیاست در قسمت فارسی نشریه امریکن بهائی درج گردید. یکی از خوانندگان ما جناب آقای گیو خاوری پس از مطالعه مقاله مزبور مطالبی نگاشته و به دفتر لجنه ملی امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی ارسال داشته‌اند. این مطالب میتواند بعنوان اتفاقی درباره مقاله اول تلقی شود. بنابراین به درج بخشی از آن که میتواند روشنگر اصل عدم مداخله در سیاست در دیانت بهائی باشد، اقدام می‌نماییم.

لازم به تذکر است که مطالبی که در بخش فارسی این نشریه درج می‌گردد می‌تواند و باید تنها بعنوان فتح بابی برای بحث بیشتر و فحص گسترده‌تر منظور شود. ‎با این نکته متوجه داشت خاطر خوانندگان را به این نکته متوجه داشت با این نکته خاطر خوانندگان را متوجه داشت‎ که مرکز موضوع مقالات اقلاً شاخه ناشی از یکی از موارد مربوط به متن فارسی و یا ذکری از آن است که بتوان مقدار مفصل را در این صفحات مندرج نمود. هیئت تحریریه بخش فارسی امیدوار است خوانندگان عزیز با آگاهی از نکات مذکور به خواندن مقالات مبادرت نمایند. ضمناً اگر مطالبی به نظرتان میرسد که اطلاع از آنها برای دیگر خوانندگان مفید تشخیص می‌دهید آنرا به هیئت تحریریه بخش فارسی ارسال نمایند تا در صورت امکان اقدام به درج شود. اینک مقاله جناب خاوری:

«سیاست عدم مداخله در امور سیاسی و حدود آن»

در شماره نوامبر ۱۹۸۷ «امریکن بهائی» تحت عنوان «درباره عدم مداخله در امور سیاسی» مقاله تحقیقی جالبی در بیان علل عدم مداخله در امور سیاسی درج شده که حاصل آن اینست که لزوم عدم تحزب و تمسک تام به اصول اخلاقی حکم میکند که بهائیان از مداخله مستقیم در سیاست اجتناب و به مداخله غیر مستقیم در سیاست مانند پرداخت مالیات اکتفاء نمایند.

همانطور که در مقاله مزبور آمده است آنچه از قلم افراد بهائی درباره احکام و تعالیم امر بهائی تراوش می‌یابد لزوماً کلام آخر نبوده بلکه به حکم لزوم تحری حقیقت و تبعیت از اصل تطابق دین با عقل که حضرت عبدالبهاء در خطابات مبارکه خود آن دو را از اصول تعالیم الهی معرفی فرموده‌اند، افراد بهائی مبادرت به قلم فرسایی می‌نمایند. به این تقدیر میتوان در اطراف مسأله مطروحه وارد بحث شد و اظهار نظر نمود.

ثانیاً از تحزب در مقاله مزبور تأسیس حزب یا عضویت در احزاب سیاسی اراده شده است که اقدام مزبور چون موجب تشتت و تفرقه در جامعه بهائی و مخل به وحدت و تمسک تام به اصول اخلاقی است، صریحاً منع گردیده است.

اما بین شرکت در امور سیاسی و تحزب ملازمه قطعی وجود ندارد. کشورهای جهان یا به طریق حزبی اداره می‌شوند یا فاقد احزاب سیاسی هستند و مسلکی که به طریق حزبی پیروی میکند یا تابع سیستم تک حزبی یا از سیستم چند حزبی اعم از دو حزب یا بیشتر هستند.

مداخله در امور سیاسی معمولاً از طریق شرکت در انتخابات به عمل می‌آید که در این خصوص هم باید قائل به تفصیل شد. زیرا طبق قانون تمدن در انتخابات و انتخاب شدن و قبول مسؤولیت سیاسی کردن، دخالت مستقیم در امور سیاسی محسوب می‌شود که چون با زد و بندهای سیاسی همراه است با تمسک تام به اصول اخلاقی معارض است. والا شرکت در انتخابات، یعنی انتخاب کننده نه مستلزم تحزب است و نه با اصول اخلاقی تضاد و پیکاری دارد.

بدون ضرورت پیدا میکند زیرا انتخاب کننده نیازمند عضویت در حزب یا قبول عضویت در احزاب سیاسی و تمسک به نامزدهای معرفی شده از طرف احزاب به هر حال جامعه تشخیص میدهد رأی بدهد و این کار نه با تمسک تام به اصول اخلاقی تضاد و منافاتی ندارد زیرا مستلزم زد و بندهای سیاسی که انتخاب شوندگان بدان مبادرت می‌کنند، نمی‌باشد.

بنابراین بدین شأن شاید بتوان گفت عدم دخالت در امور سیاسی فقط ناظر به قبول پست‌های سیاسی از طریق انتخاب یا انتصاب میباشد اعم از اینکه تحزب را ایجاب کند یا منوط بدان نباشد. والا شرکت در انتخابات در ردیف شرکت در پرداخت مالیات است که در مقاله مزبور از مصادیق شرکت غیر مستقیم در سیاست قلمداد شده است.

ممکن است گفته شود حضرت عبدالبهاء حتی تفوه به سیاست را برای احبای الهی منع فرموده‌اند. مطلق مداخله در سیاست اعم از مستقیم و غیر مستقیم ممنوع میباشد. در پاسخ شاید بتوان گفت حکم مزبور ناظر به اوضاع و احوال خاص ایران بوده و قابل تعمیم به هر زمان و مکان دیگری نیست. چنانکه حضرت بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی که به وسیله آن حضرت تأسیس شده، مداخله در امور سیاسی را هر وقت که بصیرت بینند، تجویز خواهند نمود و با توجه به مقتضیات زمان و مکان تعیین ضوابط نموده و با توجه به کیفیت مسأله چه بسا صلاحیت تصمیم گیری را به محافل روحانی محلی و ملی اعطاء فرمایند تا مقتضیات چه باشد.

حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرمایند: «انسان خود باید خیر و نفع خود آگاه نه علم غیب مخصوص است بذات تعالی. بسا دیده می‌شود انسان امری را که پسندیده است از حق جل جلاله مسئلت مینماید و بعد کمال کسر از او ظاهر. لذا قلم اعلی مقام توکل و تفویض را القا فرمود. بر هر صاحب بصر و ادراکی معلوم و واضح است که از حق جل جلاله آنچه ظاهر می‌شود از مقتضیات حکمت بالغه بوده و هست، و اگر تفویض نماید و توکل کند آنچه مصلحت اوست ظاهر شود.» [Page 23]

پیامهای بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمهٔ دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۱۷ نوامبر سال ۱۹۸۷

خطاب به کلیهٔ محافل روحانی ملّی دوستان عزیز بهائی

نظر به سنگینی بار وظائف دائم‌التزایدی که بر عهدهٔ اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم قرار دارد، و طیّ سالهایی که قریب‌الوقوع در پیش است بی‌ تردید سنگین‌تر نیز خواهد گردید، جنابان دیوید هافمن David Hofman و بورا گولین Borrah Kavelin، پس از ملاحظات و تأمّلات توأم با دعا و مناجات در مورد مصالح امرالله، با ملاحظهٔ کِبَر سنّ، از معهد اعلی اجازه خواسته‌اند که به عضویت خویش مطابق بند ۵/۲ ج قانون اساسی بیت‌العدل اعظم خاتمه دهند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم استعفای این دو عضو محبوب را که در طیّ یک ربع قرن به خدمات مداوم و ارزشمندی در ارض اقدس مفتخر گشته‌اند، با تأسّف پذیرفته است. ایشان من بعد قادر خواهند بود که بدون فشار کمرشکن خدمت در مرکز جهانی، خدمات خویش را به امر الهی ادامه دهند. از آنجا که موعد انتخابات بین‌المللی بسیار نزدیک است، این مشتاقان از ایشان درخواست نموده‌اند که تا آن زمان در منصب خویش باقی بمانند و ایشان نیز بیدرنگ این درخواست را پذیرفته‌اند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم ۱۷ نوامبر ۱۹۸۷

لجنات ملّی وحدت نژاد و امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی در مدرسهٔ بوش

NPAAC AND RUC AT BOSCH

لجنهٔ ملّی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی و لجنهٔ ملّی وحدت نژاد مشترکاً برنامه‌ای در مدرسهٔ بهائی بوش به مدت پنج روز ارائه نمودند. این دو لجنه در طول چندین ماه برنامه‌ای برای بررسی و حلّ مشکلات مربوط به وحدت نژاد، ادغام و اختلاط بهائیان ایرانی با افراد غیرایرانی، تفاوتهای فرهنگی و تبلیغ اقلیّتها تهیه دیده‌اند. این برنامه را می‌توان در مدارس مختلف بهائی جهت بحث و مذاکره ارائه نمود.

در این کنفرانس بیش از هشتاد نفر از احباء و تعدادی از اعضای هر دو لجنه شرکت نمودند. نمایندگان لجنهٔ ملّی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی مشکلات آن دسته از بهائیان ایرانی را که اخیراً به علّت تضییقات فعلی، ایران را ترک گفته و به ایالات متحده سفر نموده‌اند، به شرکت کنندگان خاطر نشان ساختند. همچنین دربارهٔ مطالعهٔ توقیع ظهور عدل الهی صادر از قلم حضرت ولی امرالله جهت آشنائی بهائیان ایرانی با مقدرات روحانی آمریکا تأکید بسیاری شد و اهمیت سهمی که یاران ایرانی در مورد تحقق مقاصد روحانی ایالات متحده میتوانند ایفاء نمایند، مورد مذاکره قرار گرفت.

همچنین نوار ویدیوئی "به خاطر قطره‌ای از خون عاشق" که از طرف لجنهٔ ملّی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی تهیه شده، در دو نوبت به نمایش گذارده شد. این نوار نمایانگر مشکلات مربوط به بهائیان ایرانی و غیرایرانی در ایالات متحده است و مسائلی چون روابط شخصی احباء با یکدیگر، طرز تلقی ضیافات و جلسات ایّام متبرّکه، و دیگر اموری را که بهائیان ایرانی و غیرایرانی به طرزی متفاوت انجام میدهند، ارائه میدهد. پس از نشان دادن این فیلم مذاکراتی دربارهٔ مسائل طرح شده در آن به عمل آمد.

در برنامه‌هائی که لجنهٔ ملّی وحدت نژاد تهیه کرده بود، مسائلی چون تعصبات نژادی و راههایی جهت حلّ آنها و کیفیت تحقّق وحدت تامّ در میان بهائیان آمریکا مورد بحث و مذاکره قرار گرفت.

این دورهٔ پنج روزه با مقدمه‌ای توسط یکی از مشاورین قاره‌ای، جناب فرد شکتر Fred Schechter و عضو هیئت معاونت خانم مارشا ‎گیپتریک گیلپتریک‎ Marsha Gilpatrick آغاز گردید. جناب شکتر با ارائهٔ دورنمائی از اوضاع ملّی و بین‌المللی حاضرین را برای بحث و بررسی در مورد موضوع اصلی آماده نمود و خانم گیلپتریک با نقل و قرائت آثار مبارکه و دستخطهای بیت‌العدل اعظم مقصد غائی شرکت کنندگان را دربارهٔ موضوع مذکور مشخص کرد.

دورهٔ مذکور در سالن مارتا روت که بنای آن اخیراً به اتمام رسیده، منعقد گردید. این سالن که برای اولین بار از آن استفاده میشد ظرفیت دویست نفر را دارد و بنای آن مدیون تبرّعات افراد احباء از سراسر ایالات متحده است. قرار است برنامه‌های مشابهی در تابستان سال جاری در مدرسهٔ بهائی بوش و گرین ایکر Green Acre برگزار شود.

مدرسهٔ بهائی لوهلن

LOUHELEN BAHA’I SCHOOL

از تاریخ ۱ الی ۳ ماه آوریل سال جاری برنامه‌ای به سرپرستی لجنهٔ ملّی امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی و لجنهٔ ملّی وحدت نژاد در مدرسهٔ بهائی لوهلن ارائه خواهد شد. موضوع این برنامه ادغام و اختلاط بهائیان و ایجاد وحدت در کثرت در جامعهٔ بهائی میباشد. علاقه‌مندان میتوانند جهت کسب اطلاع بیشتر با مدرسهٔ لوهلن تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۵۰۳۲-۶۵۳ (۳۱۳)

Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 South State Road Davison, MI. 48423

حقوق‌الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

جمال قدم در لوحی میفرمایند:

"و از برای حقوق الهی قراریست معین. بعد از تحقق بیت‌العدل علی ما ‎آرادهُ أراده‎ الله حکم آن ظاهر میشود."

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است که تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

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

ضمناً برای کسب اطلاعات و دریافت نشریات مربوط به حقوق‌الله میتوان با یکی از امنای حقوق و یا با دفتر مؤسسه حقوق‌الله مکاتبه نمود.

Office of Secretariat Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH. 44116

آزادی پنج نفر از احبای ایران

FIVE BAHA’IS RELEASED IN IRAN

دفتر روابط خارجی محفل روحانی ملّی طیّ بیانیه‌ای اعلان داشت که پنج نفر از بهائیانی که در تاریخ ۲۱ اکتبر سال ۱۹۸۷ دستگیر شده بودند، روز ۱۷ دسامبر به قید ضمانت از زندان آزاد گردیدند.

عاقبت چند تن از این زندانیان که در تشکیلات اداری امری وظائف حساسی را دارا بودند، موجب نگرانی جامعهٔ جهانی بهائی بوده است.

سخنگوی جامعهٔ جهانی بهائی اظهار داشت که بی تردید برائت بهائیان و فشار آراء عمومی مردمان جهان در آزادی این افراد سهیم بوده است. وی همچنین افزود که همهٔ بهائیان جهان در انتظار روزی میباشند که مشقاتی که احبای ایران بدان دچار شده‌اند تقلیل پذیرفته، از میان برود.

در حال حاضر بیش از دویست نفر از بهائیان ایران در زندان بسر میبرند و از سال ۱۹۷۹ بیش از دویست نفر از اهل بهاء به وسیلهٔ دولت یا با پشتیبانی آن به قتل رسیده‌اند.

در ماه دسامبر سال ۱۹۸۷ شورای امنیت سازمان ملل متحد طیّ قطعنامه‌ای "نگرانی عمیق" خود را در مورد تخلف دولت ایران از حقوق بشر اعلان داشت و خصوصاً در این قطعنامه ذکری از بهائیان ایران نمود. [Page 24]NEEDED: A NEW KIND OF YOUTH

‘New Kind of Youth’ theme of Charlotte regional conference

“Needed: A New Kind of Youth” is the theme of the third annual Regional Youth Conference for the Atlantic Coastal States, to be held March 31-April 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Among those taking part will be Counselor Robert Harris.

Conference fees are as follows: $70 if you register by February 20; $80 if you register by March 17; and $90 at the door.

Included in the cost are accommodations for three nights, meals, and conference fees.

Or you may pay a $15 registration fee that does not include meals or housing.

Please send name, age, name of three roommates (if desired), address and sex to: RYC No. 2, P.O. Box 5028, Laurel, MD 20707, or phone 301-725-5604 and leave a message.

The conference is open to those of all ages.

Paper devotes page to UN Children’s Day Bahá’í art contest

On November 26, The Beach Reporter in Manhattan Beach, California, devoted most of its “Kid’s Page” to the United Nations Universal Children’s Day art contest sponsored annually by the Bahá’ís of Manhattan Beach.

Pictured were some of the winning entries, chosen from more than 130 drawings, and the winners and runners-up in the three contest categories: first and second grades, third and fourth grades, and fifth, sixth and seventh grades.

The paper mentioned that the contest, whose theme was “Children’s Homes Around the World,” is sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Manhattan Beach, adding that the winning drawings would be on display during November in the Manhattan Beach Library.

On October 31, some 45 adults and children gathered for an evening program at the Bahá’í Center in Orlando, Florida, for a program sponsored by the Orlando Area Persian/American Affairs Committee. The program included prayers and introductions in English and Persian, the film ‘For a Drop of the Lover’s Blood,’ and consultation.

Campus

from page 7

found on page 14 in Centers of Bahá’í Learning, a part of which reads:

“Indeed it is very important for the Faith to extend the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh amongst the youth, as it is through their activities that the Cause of our Beloved Master will in future spread all over the American Continent. They have upon their shoulders all the responsibilities for the progress of the Movement. ...”

When considered with the awakened expectation of “entry by troops” and the ever-worsening condition of the “old world order,” we can glean from the above passages that it is primarily our duty to bring the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to all the people in America.

Bringing the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the generality of mankind is how it is put in the Six Year Plan. And what better place than at a college or university?

What I’m trying to point out is that I’m here to help. Write or call and let me know what’s going on. Some clubs haven’t even sent in their Officers’ Report forms for this year. If you haven’t, please do!

If you don’t have a form, simply write the name of your school and the name, address and phone number of your club secretary, or the best contact person in your club, and send the information to the National Youth Committee office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

As soon as I receive your address I’ll send you some great flyers that you can use around campus.

So now that you know there is someone here just for you, write or call and let me know what you need or what you are doing. I’ll be glad to help, and I’ll be overjoyed to put a report of your club’s exploits in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

Conference at L.A. Center focuses on public information

• On December 19, the National Spiritual Assembly sponsored an External Affairs/Public Information Conference at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles, California.

About 55 Public Information Representatives from California and Arizona met with Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly and director of the Office of External Affairs; Katherine Bigelow from the Office of External Affairs; and Ronald Precht from the Office of Public Information, to discuss the increasing visibility of the Faith and the evolution of Bahá’í contacts with the government and the media.

• The Office of Public Information will sponsor a Public Information Conference on February 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The program is to include discussions about the increasing visibility of the Faith and the need to provide clear and accurate information to the media.

Special attention will be given to the evolving role of the Public Information Representative.

Se necesita: El Comité Administrativo para el area de Yucatán, México necesita una máquina usada de mimeografiar. Cualquier donación, favor de comunicarse con: Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Connecticut Bahá’ís aid needy; Chicago paper features Temple

The Bahá’í Group of Woodbridge, Connecticut, has embarked on an interfaith community service endeavor known as the Westville Project which provides Saturday morning breakfasts to homeless families and has also given holiday dinners, summer outings, clothing and furniture to needy families.

After reading about the project in the local Catholic bulletin, the Bahá’ís contacted the organizing committee and were invited to join the 19 groups already involved.

The breakfasts have provided an unusual teaching opportunity, not so much to the families who have come for them but to the other participating religious groups who have come to learn about the Bahá’ís and their concerns.

As a result, one Bahá’í was asked to speak at a Methodist church in New Haven about the Bahá’í point of view with respect to helping one’s neighbors.

The Methodist minister and several others later attended a follow-up fireside on “The Promise of World Peace.”

An in-depth eight-page article entitled “Building and Restoring the Bahá’í House of Worship” appeared November 20 in Chicago’s free weekly newspaper, The Reader.

Included were a number of photographs, several of them historic.

The writer describes the House of Worship as “an architectural tour de force,” a “massive yet ethereal building that looks as if it had been cast from fine lace.”

In detailing the history of the House of Worship, he also outlines briefly the history of the Faith in the U.S. and discusses some of its teachings.

The Association for Bahá’í Studies is planning its 13th annual Conference to be held in September 1988 in Quebec, Canada.

The conference theme is “Cultural Development,” in recognition of the UN Decade on Cultural Development, which begins in 1988.

You are invited to submit papers for consideration for presentation at the conference as well as the following sectional conferences:

Arts, Agriculture, Consultation and Conflict Resolution, Economics and Business, Education, Environmental Design, Intercultural Issues, Health, Marriage and the Family, Science and Technology, and Women’s Studies.

Submitted papers will also be considered for the 1988 essay contest for works integrating Bahá’í perspectives. Please forward your submissions directly to the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

For more information, please contact the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Ontario K1N 7K4, Canada (phone 613-233-1903).

In mid-November, Anna Lee Strasburg, representing the Office of the Secretary at the Bahá’í National Center, spoke to a total of about 700 Bahá’ís at meetings in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County, California, on the policies of the National Spiritual Assembly which relate to the application of Bahá’í laws.

Among the many questions she addressed were:

• How do the Bahá’í laws apply to the individual?
• Under what conditions are sanctions imposed?
• What is the difference between an Assembly policy and Bahá’í law?
• How does the National Assembly respond to requests and letters from individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies?
• What are the functions of the various agencies and committees of the National Spiritual Assembly?

Mrs. Strasburg also met with the Administrative Committee of Los Angeles, the Spiritual Assembly of San Diego, and the Western Regional Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

Thanks to those who wrote Congress The National Spiritual Assembly would like to thank all of the local Spiritual Assemblies that responded to the National Assembly’s requests to inform their congressmen about the situation of the Iranian Bahá’ís or to thank those ‎congressman congressmen‎ who have spoken out in defense of our persecuted co-religionists. The National Assembly sends special thanks to the Spiritual Assemblies of Boulder City (Nevada), Cambridge (Massachusetts) and Radnor Township (Pennsylvania) whose letters, at the request of the National Assembly, resulted in their representatives contacting the Office of External Affairs in Washington for more information about the Faith.

Arise! To Teach

Honor Kempton Harvey, a 10-year-old fifth grade student in El Paso, Texas, recently won first place in a citywide contest sponsored by the John Hancock Sun Bowl Association with an essay on freedom. Asked by newspaper and television reporters what had inspired her to choose the themes in her award-winning paper, she said she had written them because she is a Bahá’í, has Bahá’í friends who are suffering persecution in Iran, and realizes how precious freedom is. As part of her award, Honor was grand marshal in the Sun Bowl Children’s Parade, rode on a float in the Thanksgiving Day parade, and will officiate at pre-game ceremonies for the Sun Bowl game on December 25. Her school held a party for her, complete with bouquets and banners, but Honor said the best part of her award came when her older brother, Carter, signed his declaration card and became a Bahá’í.

John Bechtel IV, a Bahá’í from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, has been named Student of the Year by the Exchange Club of New Oxford. The selection is based on excellence in leadership, scholarship, athletic ability and industry. Mr. Bechtel, a 1987 graduate of New Oxford High School, is presently attending Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he is majoring in English with a minor in political science. He plans to attend law school and enter the field of international law. [Page 25]

Archives seeks letters to Bahá’ís from Guardian

The Universal House of Justice has issued another urgent appeal for letters written by the Guardian or on his behalf and addressed to Bahá’í institutions or individual believers. It is important that the World Center maintain a complete collection of the Guardian’s letters as the House of Justice refers to his writings when preparing legislation and consulting on matters relating to the progress of the Faith.

The National Bahá’í Archives is searching for the following letters written to Bahá’ís in the U.S. If you have a letter, the Archives would like to receive either a good photocopy or the original letter. Please send letters to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

BAHAIS OF ALHAMBRA, CA	30-MAR-1953	BAHAIS OF NEW MEXICO	27-FEB-1955	BAKER, SOPHIA	03-SEP-1953	BARNITZ, LEONE	02-AUG-1934
BAHAIS OF AMHERST, NY	04-JUL-1954	BAHAIS OF NEW ORLEANS, LA	20-MAY-1941	BAKER, WINIFRED	28-OCT-1940	BARNITZ, LEONE	20-DEC-1951
BAHAIS OF AMHERST, NY	11-AUG-1956	BAHAIS OF NEWARK, NJ	15-APR-1949	BAKER, WINIFRED	23-DEC-1942	BARNITZ, LEONE ST CLAIR	27-JUL-1951
BAHAIS OF ANN ARBOR, MI	23-SEP-1941	BAHAIS OF NIAGARA FRONTIER, NY	11-FEB-1955	BALDWIN, KATHRINE	26-MAY-1933	BARON, JOSEPH L	22-NOV-1941
BAHAIS OF ASBURY PARK, NJ	25-OCT-1928	BAHAIS OF NIAGARA FRONTIER, NY	21-NOV-1955	BALDWIN, KATHRINE S	17-DEC-1931	BARRANGER, A H	15-JUN-1948
BAHAIS OF COLUMBUS, OH	13-APR-1954	BAHAIS OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR	21-DEC-1952	BALDWIN, KATHRINE S	22-OCT-1933	BARRANGER, D J	20-MAY-1941
BAHAIS OF COLUMBUS, OH	27-APR-1954	BAHAIS OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	20-JUN-1938	BALDWIN, KATHRINE S	31-OCT-1934	BARRANGER, M	25-JAN-1948
BAHAIS OF COLUMBUS, OH	09-MAY-1954	BAHAIS OF OMAHA, NE	27-APR-1940	BALDWIN, KATHRINE S	26-JAN-1935	BARRANGER, MILDRED	15-JUN-1948
BAHAIS OF COLUMBUS, OH	03-JUN-1954	BAHAIS OF OXNARD, CA	13-APR-1956	BALDWIN, KATHRINE S	06-JAN-1936	BARRANGER, MILDRED	18-AUG-1949
BAHAIS OF COLUMBUS, OH	29-JUL-1955	BAHAIS OF OXNARD, CA	21-JUN-1956	BALFOUR, ROBERTA	25-JUL-1926	BARRANGER, MILDRED	27-AUG-1953
BAHAIS OF DALLAS, TX	22-NOV-1951	BAHAIS OF PARK RIDGE, IL	29-JUN-1937	BALLARD, DORIS	01-JAN-1952	BARRANGER, MILDRED	04-OCT-1954
BAHAIS OF DAVENPORT, IA	23-MAR-1957	BAHAIS OF PATERSON, NJ	09-MAY-1954	BALLOU, ELAINE	15-NOV-1954	BARRETT, JAMES	14-OCT-1947
BAHAIS OF DAVENPORT, IA	27-MAR-1957	BAHAIS OF PATERSON, NJ	23-SEP-1955	BALLOU, ELAINE K	23-MAR-1957	BARRETT, JAMES A	11-MAR-1946
BAHAIS OF DAYTON, OH	06-DEC-1954	BAHAIS OF PEORIA, IL	20-SEP-1929	BALSIGER, LUELLA	27-JUL-1951	BARRETT, JAMES A	15-NOV-1949
BAHAIS OF DENVER, CO	14-APR-1931	BAHAIS OF PEORIA, IL	10-SEP-1932	BALSIGER, LUELLA	09-MAR-1955	BARRETT, JIM	13-MAR-1944
BAHAIS OF DENVER, CO	16-MAR-1956	BAHAIS OF PEORIA, IL	09-FEB-1954	BANKS, ZORA C	12-SEP-1953	BARRETT, JIM	11-MAR-1946
BAHAIS OF DENVER, CO	08-SEP-1957	BAHAIS OF PHILADELPHIA, PA	20-NOV-1937	BANURD, MARGARET F	18-JUL-1937	BARRICK, HELEN	09-JUN-1923
BAHAIS OF DETROIT, MI	19-MAY-1934	BAHAIS OF PHILADELPHIA, PA	03-FEB-1952	BAPTIE, ELLEN A	27-JAN-1953	BARRICK, HELEN E	05-JAN-1924
BAHAIS OF DETROIT, MI	16-FEB-1935	BAHAIS OF PHILADELPHIA, PA	09-JUN-1954	BAPTIE, ELLEN A	17-SEP-1953	BARRICK, HELEN E	26-OCT-1927
BAHAIS OF DETROIT, MI	27-APR-1956	BAHAIS OF PITTSBURGH, PA	28-MAR-1930	BAPTIE, ELLEN A	25-MAR-1954	BARROW, E M	10-JUN-1954
BAHAIS OF DETROIT, MI	08-SEP-1957	BAHAIS OF PITTSBURGH, PA	04-MAR-1932	BARAL, MARY FRANCIS	24-FEB-1940	BARROW, E M	07-NOV-1955
BAHAIS OF DUMONT, NJ	15-FEB-1955	BAHAIS OF PITTSBURGH, PA	30-AUG-1932	BARBOUR, DOROTHY	27-JAN-1923	BARROW, EVA MAE	04-MAY-1952
BAHAIS OF DUMONT, NJ	07-MAR-1955	BAHAIS OF PITTSBURGH, PA	10-MAR-1933	BARBOUR, DOROTHY	20-FEB-1926	BARROW, EVA MAE	21-OCT-1952
BAHAIS OF EL MONTE, CA JUDICIAL DI	08-AUG-1952	BAHAIS OF PORTSMOUTH, NH	03-JAN-1945	BARBOUR, DOROTHY	20-JAN-1932	BARROW, EVA MAE	30-DEC-1952
BAHAIS OF EL MONTE, CA JUDICIAL DI	14-DEC-1952	BAHAIS OF QUINCY, IL	18-OCT-1953	BARBOUR, F GAYNE	27-JAN-1923	BARROW, EVA MAE	28-AUG-1953
BAHAIS OF EL PASO COUNTY, CO	31-MAR-1953	BAHAIS OF QUINCY, IL	14-DEC-1955	BARBOUR, GAYNE	20-FEB-1926	BARROW, EVA MAE	05-JAN-1954
BAHAIS OF ELGIN, IL	17-MAY-1937	BAHAIS OF QUINCY, IL	06-JUN-1956	BARBOUR, HELEN	03-APR-1928	BARROW, EVA MAE	18-MAR-1954
BAHAIS OF ELIOT, ME	02-OCT-1951	BAHAIS OF RACINE, WI	26-MAR-1932	BARBOUR, HELEN	07-FEB-1929	BARROW, EVA MAE	03-SEP-1954
BAHAIS OF ENGLEWOOD, NJ	28-FEB-1946	BAHAIS OF RALEIGH, NC	17-MAR-1957	BARBOUR, HELEN	22-MAR-1932	BARROW, EVA MAE	11-NOV-1954
BAHAIS OF EVANSTON, IL	19-SEP-1951	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	08-MAY-1955	BARBOUR, HELEN M	27-JAN-1923	BARROW, EVA MAE	14-MAR-1955
BAHAIS OF EVANSTON, IL	11-MAY-1954	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	15-JUN-1955	BARBOUR, HELEN M	20-FEB-1926	BARROW, EVA MAE	27-APR-1956
BAHAIS OF FLINT, MI	26-OCT-1956	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	08-AUG-1955	BARDIN, CAROL M	30-JUN-1955	BARROW, EVA MAE	20-OCT-1956
BAHAIS OF FLINT, MI	10-MAY-1957	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	04-SEP-1955	BARDIN, CAROL SCHULTZ	24-MAY-1957	BARROW, MURIEL IVES	15-DEC-1933
BAHAIS OF FORT WAYNE, IN	11-MAR-1951	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	24-MAR-1956	BARHAM, BESSIE	09-FEB-1953	BARROW, MURIEL IVES	24-OCT-1939
BAHAIS OF FRESNO, CA	28-DEC-1955	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	21-JUN-1956	BARHAM, BESSIE	04-JUN-1953	BARROW, MURIEL IVES	11-MAR-1946
BAHAIS OF FRESNO, CA	05-MAR-1956	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	04-JUN-1956	BARHAM, BESSIE	25-MAR-1956	BARROW, MURIEL IVES	27-MAY-1953
BAHAIS OF FRESNO, CA	25-APR-1956	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	17-JUN-1956	BARHAM, BESSIE	27-DEC-1956	BARROW, REGINALD GRANT	15-DEC-1933
BAHAIS OF GALLUP, NM	01-MAR-1955	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	22-JAN-1957	BARHAM, EDWIN L	02-MAR-1952	BARRUS, NELSON	31-JAN-1954
BAHAIS OF GALLUP, NM	21-NOV-1955	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	23-FEB-1957	BARHAM, EDWIN L	25-MAR-1956	BARSTOW, DWIGHT	09-OCT-1953
BAHAIS OF GALLUP, NM	24-SEP-1956	BAHAIS OF RIVER EDGE, NJ	01-JUL-1957	BARLET, IVY L	19-OCT-1947	BARSTOW, DWIGHT D	09-APR-1953
BAHAIS OF GARDEN CITY PARK, NY	03-NOV-1956	BAHAIS OF SAINT PAUL, MN	02-NOV-1932	BARLET, IVY LORRAINE	13-DEC-1945	BARTH, CHRISTINE	13-MAR-1952
BAHAIS OF GLENDALE	27-AUG-1954	BAHAIS OF SALEM, MA	22-JAN-1937	BARLET, LORRAINE	16-MAR-1948	BARTH, CHRISTINE	22-JAN-1957
BAHAIS OF GREELEY, CO	01-MAY-1957	BAHAIS OF SAN BERNARDINO, CA	19-AUG-1951	BARNES, ROBERT L	22-FEB-1956	BARTON, MARY R	22-MAY-1937
BAHAIS OF GREENSBORO, NC	11-MAR-1952	BAHAIS OF SAN FRANCISCO, CA	21-MAR-1952	BARNES, ROBERT L	08-NOV-1956	BARTON, MARY R	10-AUG-1937
BAHAIS OF GREENVILLE, SC	30-JUL-1952	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	25-SEP-1955	BARNETT, CHESTER F	17-NOV-1935	BARTON, MARY R	06-MAY-1943
BAHAIS OF GROSSE POINTE CITY, MI	30-MAR-1953	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	23-OCT-1955	BARNETT, CHESTER F	11-JUL-1942	BARTON, MARY R	31-MAR-1945
BAHAIS OF GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI	22-NOV-1951	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	09-DEC-1955	BARNETT, CHESTER F	23-JAN-1944	BARTON, WILFRID	11-JUL-1937
BAHAIS OF GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI	30-MAR-1953	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	10-JUN-1956	BARNETT, GWEN E	18-NOV-1924	BASCHE, EDITH	05-JUL-1947
BAHAIS OF HAMBURG, NY	30-JUN-1952	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	04-JUL-1956	BARNEY, LAURA D	01-MAR-1943	BASHEER, TAHSEEN	09-MAY-1957
BAHAIS OF HAMBURG, NY	18-NOV-1956	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	01-AUG-1956	BARNITZ, DAVID D	24-JUN-1955	BASTEDO, GRACE PROVOST	09-DEC-1935
BAHAIS OF HARTFORD, CT	17-AUG-1957	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	30-DEC-1956
BAHAIS OF HELENA, MT	06-DEC-1951	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	28-JAN-1957
BAHAIS OF HELENA, MT	11-DEC-1952	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	21-FEB-1957
BAHAIS OF HIGHLAND PARK, MI	01-MAR-1951	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	22-APR-1957
BAHAIS OF ILLINOIS	10-DEC-1947	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	07-JUL-1957
BAHAIS OF JACKSON, MS	20-OCT-1945	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	08-AUG-1957
BAHAIS OF JACKSON, MS	12-OCT-1951	BAHAIS OF SAN JOSE, CA	12-OCT-1957
BAHAIS OF JAMESTOWN, NY	24-MAR-1949	BAHAIS OF SANTA BARBARA, CA	01-MAY-1937
BAHAIS OF JAMESTOWN, NY	21-MAR-1952	BAHAIS OF SEATTLE, WA	07-MAY-1939
BAHAIS OF KENMORE, NY	06-JUL-1954	BAHAIS OF SIOUX FALLS, SD	21-MAR-1952
BAHAIS OF KINDERHOOK TOWNSHIP, MI	12-OCT-1957	BAHAIS OF SOUTH KING COUNTY, WA	28-MAR-1957
BAHAIS OF LAFAYETTE, IN	16-MAY-1957	BAHAIS OF SPOKANE, WA	30-AUG-1932
BAHAIS OF LIMESTONE, IL	15-NOV-1956	BAHAIS OF SPRINGFIELD, IL	16-JUN-1938
BAHAIS OF LISBON	06-JUL-1948	BAHAIS OF SPRINGFIELD, MA	10-FEB-1952
BAHAIS OF LOS ANGELES, CA	28-MAY-1939	BAHAIS OF ST AUGUSTINE, FL	09-JAN-1930
BAHAIS OF LOS ANGELES, CA	01-APR-1951	BAHAIS OF ST AUGUSTINE, FL	08-MAY-1937
BAHAIS OF MADISON, WI	01-APR-1956	BAHAIS OF ST AUGUSTINE, FL	28-SEP-1951
BAHAIS OF MANSFIELD, OH	22-DEC-1954	BAHAIS OF ST AUGUSTINE, FL	30-SEP-1951
BAHAIS OF MANSFIELD, OH	01-APR-1956	BAHAIS OF ST LOUIS, MO	21-AUG-1951
BAHAIS OF MELROSE, IL	18-OCT-1953	BAHAIS OF ST LOUIS, MO AREA	14-FEB-1955
BAHAIS OF MEMPHIS, TN	21-AUG-1951	BAHAIS OF ST PAUL, MN	21-MAR-1952
BAHAIS OF MEMPHIS, TN	31-MAR-1953	BAHAIS OF ST PAUL, MN	31-MAR-1953
BAHAIS OF MILWAUKEE, WI	03-MAY-1927	BAHAIS OF ST PAUL, MN	01-FEB-1954
BAHAIS OF MILWAUKEE, WI	05-JAN-1935	BAHAIS OF SYRACUSE, NY	18-JUN-1938
BAHAIS OF MONTCLAIR, NJ	22-JUL-1957	BAHAIS OF TACOMA, WA	11-MAR-1956
BAHAIS OF NASHVILLE, TN	19-FEB-1954	BAHAIS OF TEANECK, NJ	18-APR-1939
BAHAIS OF NASHVILLE, TN	25-DEC-1947	BAHAIS OF UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROL	05-NOV-1954
BAHAIS OF NEW HAVEN, CT	27-JAN-1936	BAKER, LOUISE	04-JAN-1948

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

File:Photograph-east-cleveland-1930.jpg

This photograph was taken in East Cleveland, Ohio, in 1930. If you know the names of any of the Bahá’ís in the picture, please send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Asambleas

de la pág. 18

Lake, Mountlake Terrace, Normandy Park, Pullman, Richland, Snohomish County SW, Vashon Island, Whatcom CCD No. 3, Yakima CCD No. 1.

Wisconsin: Shorewood, Stoughton.

If there are any additions or corrections to be made on this list, please contact the National Teaching Committee immediately. Write to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL DE JUVENTUD

Bloomington, Indiana 30 de Junio-4 de Julio de 1988

Conferencia para niños, jóvenes y adultos. Para más información, comuníquese con: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Teléfono: (312) 869-9039.

Many newer Bahá’ís would love to meet, study Faith with you

Afraid of teaching? It can be kind of scary meeting people for the first time and introducing them to the Faith.

There are many Bahá’ís who are new and would love to meet other Bahá’ís, and maybe read something from the Writings with you. They already believe in Bahá’u’lláh and could benefit from meeting other Bahá’ís, sharing time, fun, the Writings, and praying together.

So if you think you might be able to serve the Cause in this way, please contact your Regional Youth Committee for a list of consolidation projects, or contact the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

We’ll be more than happy to let you know where you can serve in this greatly needed way.

new from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Introduce a Child to the Sacred Text

27 memory verses from the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

More than three dozen drawings—half in color—illustrate the quotations and sensitively depict the diversity of the world’s peoples and cultures

Compiled by Leslie Lundberg Illustrated by Terry Ostovar

Hardcover $9.95

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

• Price valid only in the United States

[Page 26]

Tucson Council Fire set to commemorate 25th anniversary of 'Great Fire' of 1963

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the "Great Council Fire" of February 1963, another Council Fire will be held February 27-28 at the Gilbert Ray Campgrounds in Tucson Mountain Park.

The theme "Circle of Peace" will be addressed by Kevin Locke, a well-known Lakota hoop dancer—one of many exciting presentations planned for this event.

A pow-wow will be held on Saturday evening, and a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon on the sacred mountain of the Papagos.

It was amid sentinel saguaro cactus on the sun-drenched Arizona desert with the Tucson mountains as background that a gathering of 350 Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, Indians and non-Indians from all corners of the continent had met in joyful fellowship in response to a call to the Great Council Fire in 1963.

In words of loving greeting, the Hand of the Cause of God Zikru’llah Khadem cited the importance of the Council Fire by sharing a message from Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

She said that at the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade (1953), only a few tribes were represented in the Bahá’í Faith. At the end of the plan in 1963, 34 tribes had members in the Faith, 26 of which were represented at the "Great Council Fire."

Many prominent Bahá’ís addressed the gathering including Marian Steffes (Oneida), the first Indian Bahá’í in the U.S.

In addition, recently enrolled Bahá’ís were invited to speak from their hearts, as were members of the Caucasian, black and Indian races who declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

Twenty-five years have passed since the "Great Council Fire" of 1963. In contrast to the 34 Indian tribes represented in the Faith at that time, there are today more than xxx American Indian tribes represented in the Bahá’í Faith.

The Council Fire to be held this month will, no doubt, also be remembered in the future as a great event.

For more information about the Council Fire, please phone John Cook, 602-586-4555.

Fifth Indigenous Council to be held in July

July has been set as the date for the fifth Continental Indigenous Council, to be hosted by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota.

The purpose of the Council is to gather together Indian Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís to consult and to form bonds of unity.

It is anticipated that Indians and Alaskan natives will travel from Alaska, Canada and Mexico, as well as most states in the U.S., to attend this Council, which offers one of the few opportunities for Indian peoples to consult with one another about spiritual matters without the expectations and inhibitions that usually occur when there are large numbers of non-Indians present.

For centuries, the doors of the dwellings and other structures of Indian peoples have faced the east in anticipation of the fulfillment of prophecies and promises given by their spiritual leaders.

For American Indians, as well as for all peoples of the world, this is the day of that fulfillment. Yet a gathering of Indian people to express in a reverent and ceremonial way gratitude and appreciation for that fulfillment has not yet occurred.

Therefore, the Continental Indigenous Council will have as its central theme a thanksgiving for the gift of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh having been brought to the American Indians.

The Council will begin on the morning of July 14 following the appearance of the full moon during the preceding evening.

Campsites will be reserved for those coming from distant Reservations who may wish to relax and prepare for the Council activities.

All Indian Bahá’ís are urged to begin planning now to attend the Council. Look for more information in future issues of The American Bahá’í.

Counselors' Indian Teaching Group meets at NABI in Arizona

The Indian Teaching Working Group of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas held a meeting October 23-25 at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona.

Present were Counselors Lauretta King (Alaska), Arturo Serrano (Mexico), Isabel de Calderon (Ecuador), Eloy Anello (Bolivia) and Ruth Pringle (Costa Rica).

Accompanying Ms. King was her assistant, Barbara Taylor.

The Counselors also met with Chester Kahn, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Jaci Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; and the Native American Bahá’í Institute Council.

Martyr

While in the States, he received a call from his employer asking him to return to work, saying that his services were once more required at the factory.

Mr. Akhtar-Khávari decided to return to Iran. His wife and children insisted that he should not go to Yazd, reminding him of the persecution that might befall him.

But Mr. Akhtar-Khávari replied that the Guardian had asked him to go to Yazd, and his loyalty and obedience required him to go back. After convincing his wife, they both returned to Iran.

After having worked for about a month, he was forced to retire because of the pressures of fanatical elements. This was a time when the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran was mounting, and the Bahá’ís of Yazd were especially in danger.

Mr. Akhtar-Khávari was then secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Yazd and also served as an Auxiliary Board member.

One night he had a dream in which he received four bullet wounds, three in the chest and one in the ear. He told his wife of the dream.

Twelve days later, at midnight, there was a knock on the door: the revolutionary guards had come to take him.

They ransacked the house, confiscated the Bahá’í books, arrested Mr. Akhtar-Khávari, and took him to prison. When he was being taken, he offered the guards cookies and sweets—a Persian custom for happy occasions.

There were other members of the local Assembly in prison. They were allowed to have visitors only rarely.

During the time that Mr. Akhtar-Khávari was in prison, he saw his wife only twice. But one day, the families of the prisoners were summoned to see them; they were told that the prisoners were being moved to another prison.

At four o'clock the following morning, September 4, 1980, Mr. Akhtar-Khávari and six other Bahá’ís were executed. Three hours later, the radio announced the executions, citing as charges against the Bahá’ís cooperation with the previous regime, spying for the U.S. and Israel, and "corruption on earth."

The bodies of the executed Bahá’ís were dumped on the ground near a Zoroastrian cemetery, the Bahá’í cemetery having been confiscated and destroyed after the Revolution.

Mr. Akhtar-Khávari had received three bullet wounds in the chest and one in the head. His dream had become reality.

He is survived by his wife and their four children.

Quadrangle Festival

Bahá’ís from several communities in Texas took part in September in the annual Quadrangle Festival in Texarkana, a city on the border of Texas and Arkansas. The arts and crafts festival draws an audience of about 25,000 each year. The Bahá’ís handed out some 500 pamphlets and copies of the peace statement and dispensed water to 500 visitors.

Attention, health professionals

The National Spiritual Assembly would like the names of individuals who are involved in the health professions as physicians, nurses, therapists, health clinic administrators, and other related occupations. Relations with national and international organizations have developed to the point at which the expertise of Bahá’ís in these areas is required. Interested Bahá’ís should send a resumé or a description outlining their skills and experience to the following address: National Bahá’í Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009.

W. Hollywood Bahá’í honored for service to the community

John Angelo, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of West Hollywood, California, has been given a certificate of commendation by the City Council for his outstanding community service to West Hollywood.

Mr. Angelo, who has been a director, writer, producer, choreographer, casting coordinator and actor on stage, in films and on television, has served as a contract instructor since 1961 for the city and county at Plummer and West Hollywood parks.

He has taught the children, teen and adult theatre workshops which have presented free Christmas plays each year for residents of the city.

Mr. Angelo was given his certificate December 19 at the most recent of these plays, "Santa Has a Cold."

Assemblies

Massachusetts: East Hampton Town, Pittsfield, Salem.

Michigan: Pontiac, St. Joseph.

Minnesota: Eden Prairie.

Mississippi: Vicksburg.

Missouri: Phelps County, St. Louis County West.

Montana: Bozeman.

Nebraska: Hastings.

New Jersey: Cherry Hill.

New Mexico: Bernalillo County East, Paradise Hills, San Juan County, Taos County.

New York: Binghamton, Oyster Bay Town.

North Carolina: Durham County.

North Dakota: Minot.

Ohio: Beavercreek, East Cleveland, Westerville.

Oklahoma: Frederick, Spencer.

Oregon: Benton County, Coos Bay, Enterprise, Forest Grove, Gladstone, North Bend, Oregon City.

Pennsylvania: Lower Marion Township, Middleton Township.

South Carolina: Boggy Swamp, Bucksport, Effingham, Elloree Circle, Holly Hill North, Millwood, North, Pee Dee, Pendleton, Seven Pines.

South Dakota: Eagle Butte.

Texas: Denison, Farmers Branch, La Porte, North Richland Hills, Orange, Rockwall, South Houston, The Colony, Tyler, Waco.

Washington: Clallam CCD No. 1, Greater Walla Walla, Moses Lake, Mountlake Terrace, Normandy Park, Pullman, Richland, Snohomish County SW, Vashon Island, Whatcom CCD No. 3, Yakima CCD No. 1.

Wisconsin: Shorewood, Stoughton.

If there are any additions or corrections to be made on this list, please contact the National Teaching Committee immediately. Write to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

Navajo-Hopi District Convention in Houck draws 50 participants

About 50 people attended the Navajo-Hopi District Convention, held October 18 at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona.

The Convention was preceded by a "Unity Festival" that included a "Bahá’í Flea Market" to which many of the friends brought their arts and crafts and other items to trade or sell.

Jeff Kiely was elected as the district's delegate to the annual Bahá’í National Convention to be held next May in Wilmette, Illinois. [Page 27]

10 YEARS AGO

The National Teaching Committee reports the formation in December of 18 local Spiritual Assemblies in the U.S., the largest number for any month during the Five Year Plan except for the annual Riḍván formations.

The committee says it plans to focus for the remainder of the Victory Campaign on a series of short-range strategies designed to assure the formation before Riḍván 1979 of 1,400 local Assemblies and to win the other remaining goals of the Plan....

At the request of the California Regional Teaching Committee, Bahá’í communities throughout California hold 110 "Bahá’í Week" observances in the latter part of 1977.

Ambitious activities in Los Angeles, spanning the week of November 13-20, are preceded by the commemoration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on November 11....

Two hundred of Southern California's Persian Bahá’ís meet in late November at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles to consult about the part they must play in winning the U.S. goals of the Five Year Plan....

Several Bahá’ís are among a large number of people who gather November 18-21 at the Sam Houston Center in Houston, Texas, for a National Women's Conference.

Among those taking part are Dr. Wilma Brady, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Joy Benson, the official government representative from Guam; and Mary Figir, an official guest of the U.S. State Department from the island of Yap in the Carolines....

In Ute, Colorado, most of whose 800 residents are members of the Ute Indian tribe, two Bahá’í traveling teachers are interviewed for a half an hour each at a local radio station.

The same two Bahá’ís are invited back in July for the Sun Dance, the most sacred ritual of the Ute. It marks the first time in several years that anyone other than Native Americans has been invited to attend....

Darrin Goucher, a Bahá’í youth who opened the city of Weatherford, Oklahoma, to the Faith by moving there to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University, has begun placing ads for her firesides in the university newspaper and the local paper.

Residents of Weatherford will soon hear about the Faith when a mailer prepared by Ms. Goucher arrives at their homes....

The Bahá’í communities of San Dieguito and Del Mar, California, bring their "Bahá’í Week" observance to a successful conclusion October 29 with three public shows at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas featuring recording stars England Dan and John Ford Coley and comedian Stu Gilliam.

A total of about 500 adults and 200 children attend the shows. Other Bahá’ís taking part in the programs include singers Bob Gundrey, Paul Blote, and Leslie and Kelly; guitarist Ovid Stevens, and drummer Gary Bulkin.

England Dan and John Ford Coley give a fireside the evening after the program, and Stu Gilliam gives one the next day....

Letters

...fore! So we must go farther than just "reaching out to immigrants," as Mr. Harrison suggests. We must strive to rid ourselves completely of all traces of prejudice between black and white, which is "the most challenging issue."

This means that white Bahá’ís, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, "...must abandon once for all their usually inherent and at times subconscious sense of superiority, to correct their tendency towards revealing a patronizing attitude towards members of the other race.... (The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 40-41)

Dan Locke Yakima, Washington

No harm in being poor

To the Editor: Several recent letters have concerned themselves with teaching the poor and relating sufficiently with them to bring them into the Faith or, if they are already Bahá’ís, having them take part more effectively.

I have been a "poor person" for a good number of years now; in fact, it has become at times my sole profession.

I've always wondered why it is that so many forms of employment do not offer a living wage. I don't mind being poor except for the fact that poverty today has been equated with social death and dying. Poverty dehumanizes an individual.

The spiritual solution to the economic problem will bring about a living wage if only because it will recognize what constitutes a standard of living. Today such a standard does not exist, and so for many, poverty becomes a living death imposed by an irrational economic system and a mentality that justifies it.

All forms of prejudice seek to reduce real equity by devaluing others on an irrational basis. Thus a black man's value is less than a white's because the color of his skin and other physical traits define him as being of less value; a woman who does the same job as a man receives less pay because she has been valued as less than a man.

The values we give to others determine not only how they enjoy the rights we supposedly all have but also how they function. So it is that prejudice establishes a pay scale, so to speak, which becomes second nature in the economy. It goes unquestioned.

If one is poor, the prevailing value system tends to judge him as either bad, lazy, ignorant or ill-educated, and attaches to a lack of property or other tangible forms of wealth corresponding deprivations in human character. To be poor is to be stigmatized.

Certainly the poor in the Bahá’í community have learned that by dressing neatly and cleanly, acting courteously, etc., they can pass. But passing isn't enough. It's a passive stage of existence and doesn't address many of the problems a poor person must live with.

Much of poverty leads to alienation. This would not be an effect of poverty if we were truly a family, a community. Everyone, no matter what his circumstances, has something to share, and a true community recognizes this. It looks for what is best in a person and seeks to make that a part of itself.

I have no complaint if a wealthy Bahá’í goes to a conference that I can't afford to attend; but let him take something from me, if only a prayer, to give to that gathering. And when he returns, let him share with me what that conference gave to him. Why shouldn't we trust one another this way?

Also, let him ask what I have done in his absence, and let him think what he did and what I did were one. Unity can accomplish miracles. What, then, is our real deprivation?

I thank God that there are wealthy Bahá’ís, and I rejoice in whatever service they can render to the Faith. I do so because I know my Lord takes my mite with the same love with which He takes from the rich man.

In God's eyes there are no differences between us, and were we a true community such differences would be a cause of joy and praise rather than resentment and hidden contempt.

I am content to be poor, but let it not be a reason for dehumanizing me. Life can be as rich and rewarding for a poor man as for a wealthy one.

Our society has made of the poor and the rich adversaries. Let it not be so in our Faith. We have the means to effect a revolution in human society in which these age-old prejudices—each of which exploits mankind—will cease.

If the poor are not attracted to the Faith it is because we fail to see in them what is attractive; instead, we see reflected only our own fears of loss, deprivation and exploitation.

By truly living the Faith, we make a living wage possible.

Robert Lefkowitz Brooklyn, New York

Memorial service in New York honors Frank B. Sawyer Sr.

A memorial service was held last November 15 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City for Frank B. Sawyer Sr., who served for many years as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of New York City and as editor and printer of its newsletter.

At the time of his death on November 2, Mr. Sawyer, who had a great knowledge of Bahá’ís in the New York area, was working on a history of the Faith in Harlem.

Take time to be friendly

To the Editor: "Quyana" (thank you) Bahá’ís for publishing a beautiful and newsworthy paper.

My original home is northern Alaska, and let me tell you, I've been terribly homesick!

In my Inupiaq (Eskimo) and Indian culture, whenever there is a gathering there always seems to be constant warmth, handshakes, friendliness, eye contact and smiles galore.

What a different experience I had when I attended large Bahá’í gatherings here in the lower 48. My heart became so heavy with tears because I went to these conferences to be around people who share the love of Bahá’u’lláh, yet the spark of happiness was not there; instead, I saw individuals rushing past with downcast eyes and no greetings (unless for someone they personally knew).

So I would like to share a quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and this advice: the next time you attend a conference, don't be afraid to greet and shake hands and let people know you care. Be happy, be joyous, and make each conference "as it is in heaven."

"...If a small number of people gather lovingly together, with absolute purity and sanctity, with their hearts free of the world, experiencing the emotions of the Kingdom and the powerful magnetic forces of the Divine, and being at one in their happy fellowship, that gathering will exert its influence over all the earth.

"The nature of that band of people, the words they speak, the deeds they do, will unleash the bestowals of Heaven, and provide a foretaste of eternal bliss.

"The hosts of the Company on high will defend them, and the angels of the Abhá Paradise, in continuous succession, will come down to their aid." (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 8)

Anuqsraaq (Little Wind) Mary Jane Litchard Roanoke, Virginia

More on '12 Step Program'

To the Editor: I am responding to the letter (November) headed "The 12-Step Programs."

You cannot imagine the harm that could result from comparing a 12-Step Program to a religion. Why should Bahá’ís be getting all the support they need from their religion? Addiction is a disease requiring recovery, and the 12 steps are a part of the recovery process.

Telling addicted Bahá’ís not to attend 12-Step Programs is the same as denying a cancer victim radiation treatment or a diabetic insulin.

The 12-Step Programs have almost nothing to do with religion; they have a whole lot to do with living or dying!

The attitude conveyed is typically what hinders many addicted people from receiving the benefits of the 12-Step Programs.

I was once a member of a fundamentalist church which conveyed such an attitude; it was only by the grace of God that I was led from there and given what I needed, or I would be dead.

Only another recovering person is capable of giving the necessary empathy needed so desperately. As long as addiction is looked on as a moral deficiency, many people will die, never knowing that recovery was possible.

As a Bahá’í, I believe that science and religion are one. Simply put, addiction is a disease recognized by medical science, and when people accept and understand this, through proper education, many lives will be saved.

Name and address withheld by request

To the Editor: In response to the letter (November) on the "12-Step Programs":

I have heard it said by Bahá’ís that they do not want other Bahá’ís to attend 12-Step meetings because this estranges these individuals from the Bahá’í community and its activities.

I know these remarks are well-intentioned, but according to my own experiences in the world, are also quite naïve.

I have been a Bahá’í since 1970. In 1976 I suffered a complete mental breakdown caused by factors that I later found were buried in my youth.

My psychologist, a wise man and member of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), directed me to EA (Emotions Anonymous).

I faithfully attended their meetings for 10 years; if I had not, I am afraid I would still be a member of the Bahá’í Faith, but a dead one.

The old world is crumbling fast, and there are many victims. Sometimes problems arise that are quite complicated, intricate and personal to the individual involved.

An average Assembly or Group, no matter how well-intentioned it may be, cannot give such individuals enough support or understanding.

Name withheld by request Minneapolis, Minnesota

IN MEMORIAM

LeRoy Achey Creswell, OR December 4, 1986

Maryl Andre Mundelein, IL September 1987

Ghodsieh Baher New York, NY December 6, 1987

Arthur Belding Auburn, CA 1987

Marion Channell Beverly, MA Date Unknown

Patricia Conrad Auburn, GA June 1986

Georgia Cooper Opelika, AL February 1986

Susan L. Cox Casselberry, FL December 1986

Jean Hetrick New Castle, DE December 13, 1987

Mamie Humbles Inglewood, CA 1982

Adellafoy Jennings Country Club Hills, IL October 28, 1987

Grace Kenna Round Lake Beach, IL Date Unknown

Jenny Lindsay Pittsburgh, PA November 1986.

Charlotte Livinstone E. Pepperell, MA November 8, 1987

Frederick Laws Port Angeles, WA November 16, 1987

Alfred Lindsay Darlington, SC January 30, 1987

Nathaniel Logan McKeesport, PA Date Unknown

Eileen Marcus E. Syracuse, NY November 24, 1987

Jim Mercer Suffolk, VA Date Unknown

Said Moraffah La Mirada, CA 1985

N. Sreedharan Nair Fairfax, VA October 12, 1985

Clare Newman Kutztown, PA October 22, 1987

Hazel Rawitsch La Mirada, CA July 27, 1987

Stanley R. Schnell Clarkdale, AZ September 17, 1987

Celestine Smith Darlington, SC 1984

Ardeshir Sobhani Gaithersburg, MD November 27, 1987

Clara Triick Walker, MI October 1985 [Page 28]

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.

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.

G— [ ] We receive extra copies because: [ ] we do not have the same last name. [ ] 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.

[ ] please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.

[ ] 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.

Minnesota Bahá’í Exhibit Committee

For the fourth year in a row, the Minnesota Bahá’í Exhibit Committee had a display booth at the Minnesota State Fair. The booth was manned from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily August 27-September 7 by Bahá’í volunteers from 23 communities in Minnesota. The theme of this year's display was 'Family Life.' More than 1,400 pieces of literature were given to fairgoers. Pictured at the booth are Bahá’ís Charles Williams and Paula Johnson.

Ventnor, New Jersey, Bahá’ís have booth at Education Association convention

Last November 12-13, the Bahá’ís of Ventnor, New Jersey, took part as they have for the past several years in the annual convention of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) in Jersey City.

More than 2,500 pieces of Bahá’í literature were given out during the two-day event including some 2,000 "Wage Peace" posters which suggest on the reverse side 10 ways to wage peace.

Before the convention, letters were sent to 125 people who had asked for information about the Faith over the past 12 years, inviting them to visit the Bahá’í booth.

About six of these teachers were able to stop by the booth, but perhaps the most surprising response came from a teacher in Morris County who said she wouldn't be able to attend the convention but wanted more literature about the Faith and offered to make a small contribution.

More than 15 people filled out interest cards at the convention and were sent additional information about the Faith.

Bahaa Esperanto-Ligo (BEL)

The Bahaa Esperanto Ligo (BEL) had this booth at the 72nd Universal Esperanto Congress last July 25-August 1 in Warsaw, Poland. Forty-five Bahá’ís from 16 countries attended the Congress, which marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof, the founder of Esperanto. One of them was Wendy Heller, author of Lidia, a biography of Dr. Zamenhof's daughter, who was a Bahá’í. Those at the Congress gave out 8,000 pamphlets on the Faith and sold some 300 books. One of the Bahá’ís, Janet Bixby of Chicago, also attended the Congress for the Blind held afterward for 350 blind Esperantists from 23 countries.

Committee for Deaf to present Youth Conference program; Yakima Bahá’ís take part in interfaith church walk for peace

The National Committee for Services to the Hearing Impaired and Deaf is providing a complimentary program to coincide with the International Youth Conference next June 30-July 4 in Bloomington, Indiana.

This will include special workshop sessions and signing interpreters during the conference. The conference is designed to bring together hearing impaired and deaf children, youth and adults, as well as parents of children with hearing impairments, children of hearing impaired/deaf parents, and friends and professionals interested in this area.

For registration information and more details, please check the youth page in the March issue of The American Bahá’í.

For the past two Decembers, Bahá’ís in Yakima, Washington, have taken part in an annual interfaith church walk sponsored by local church groups.

The Bahá’ís were also involved in planning the event and provided a van to carry supplies and handle any emergencies encountered by the 50-75 walkers who traversed the 75-mile route.

About 25 Bahá’ís including youth participated, and the friends were invited to speak at one of the churches.

Future plans are to present copies of the peace statement to participating churches and to help organize next year's third annual peace walk.

Dallas Fun Arts Festival

Nearly 100 people gathered November 1 at the Dallas (Texas) Area Bahá’í Center for a Fun Arts Festival for people of all ages presented by members of the pre-youth class of the Dallas Bahá’í school. Nearly $250 was raised at the many booths open during the five-hour fair. Half of the money was sent to the World Center to help construct the Arc on Mount Carmel, $100 was sent to the Anís Zunúzí Bahá’í School in Haiti, and the rest was saved to help pay for other projects the pre-youth are planning.