The American Bahá’í/Volume 19/Issue 6/Text

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'New prospects for teaching the Cause... have unfolded'

Ridván message from the Universal House of Justice

To the Bahá’ís of the world

Dearly-loved Friends,

At this resplendent, festive season, we greet you all in a spirit of renewed hope.

A silver lining to the dark picture which has overshadowed most of this century now brightens the horizon. It is discernible in the new tendencies impelling the social processes at work throughout the world, in the evidences of an accelerated trend toward peace. In the Faith of God, it is the growing strength of the Order of Bahá’u’lláh as its banner rises to more stately heights. It is a strength that attracts.

The media are giving increasing attention to the Bahá’í world community; authors are acknowledging its existence in a growing number of articles, books and reference works, one of the most highly respected of which recently listed the Faith as the most widely spread religion after Christianity. A remarkable display of interest in this community by governments, civil authorities, prominent personalities and humanitarian organizations is increasingly apparent. Not only are the community's laws and principles, organization and way of life being investigated, but its advice and active help are also being sought for the alleviation of social problems and the carrying out of humanitarian activities.

A thrilling consequence of these favorably conjoined developments is the emergence of a new paradigm of opportunity for further growth and consolidation of our world-wide community. New prospects for teaching the Cause at all levels of society have unfolded. These are confirmed in the early results flowing from the new teaching initiatives being fostered in a number of places as more and more national communities witness the beginnings of that entry by troops promised by the beloved Master and which Shoghi Effendi said would lead on to mass conversion. The immediate possibilities presented by this providential situation compel us to expect that an expansion of the Community of the Most Great Name, such as has not yet been experienced, is, indeed, at hand.

The spark which ignited the mounting interest in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh was the heroic fortitude and patience of the beloved friends in Iran, which moved the Bahá’í world community to conduct a persistent, carefully orchestrated program of appeal to the conscience of the world. This vast undertaking, involving the entire community acting unitedly through its Administrative Order, was accompanied by equally vigorous and visible activities of that community in other spheres which have been detailed separately. Nonetheless, we are impelled to mention that an important outcome of this extensive exertion is our recognition of a new stage in the external affairs of the Cause, characterized by a marked maturation of National Spiritual Assemblies.

NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE: ALI NAKHJAVANI, GLENFORD MITCHELL, HUSHMAND FATHEAZAM, IAN SEMPLE, PETER KHAN, DAVID RUHE, HUGH CHANCE, HOOPER DUNBAR, ADIB TAHERZADEH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE APRIL 30, 1988

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

Chicago Bahá’ís note progress in carrying out mandate to make community model of racial unity

In August 1987 the National Spiritual Assembly asked the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago to make Chicago a model of racial unity and black teaching that could be offered to the American Bahá’í community. Here is the report of the first year of that effort.

The Bahá’í community of Chicago has been working since Ridván 1987 to reorganize itself in its approach to the work of the Cause in order to revitalize the community and rise to the challenges facing us at this critical time in human history.

At the outset, the Spiritual Assembly identified a number of problems that were draining the spirit of the community. The most significant of these was an administrative structure that could not be supported by the handful of believers who were actively working for the Cause.

The staffing and maintenance of some 20 committees had become an almost impossible task; this orientation had numerous undesirable side effects.

Some of the friends became burned out and withdrew from activity. A great deal of the Assembly's time was spent filling the steady stream of vacancies on committees caused by resignations or inactivity.

Feasts had lengthy administrative portions and were lacking in spirit and fellowship. The over-all result was a reasonably diverse community without the deep spiritual bonds of affection and unity.

To address these problems, the Assembly took several steps.

First, all committees were dissolved and the friends, now freed from these administrative responsibilities, were encouraged to focus on teaching and consolidate the community's spiritual life.

Alice Bathke conducts a workshop on 'The Role of Culture in the Bahá’í Faith, from a Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Background' during the conference on the equality of men and women held April 29-30 in Phoenix, Arizona, and sponsored by the Bahá’í National Committee on Women. (Photo by Shirley Gitchell Johnson)

Pictured (left to right) are the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1988-89 who were elected at the 79th Bahá’í National Convention held May 19-22 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois: William Davis (treasurer), William Maxwell, Robert Henderson (secretary), Chester Kahn, Jack McCants, Alberta Deas, James Nelson (vice-chairman), Firuz Kazemzadeh (secretary/External Affairs), and Dorothy Nelson (chairman). Next month in The American Bahá’í: complete Convention coverage.

Dynamic nationwide teaching plan is unveiled at National Convention

The National Spiritual Assembly announced at the 79th Bahá’í National Convention in May a dynamic plan for accelerating the teaching work and for activities to raise funds for completing the buildings on the Arc on Mount Carmel.

The teaching plan was conceived by the National Assembly at the sixth International Convention in April after prolonged and repeated prayer in the Holy Shrines.

It includes a nationwide series of meetings to which the National Spiritual Assembly has invited two former members of the Universal House of Justice, David Hofman and H. Borrah Kavelin, as well as the architects for the Arc, Husayn Amanat and Fariburz Sahba.

In addition to its own active involvement, the National Spiritual Assembly anticipates the participation of the Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards for the purpose of gathering together large numbers of Bahá’ís to initiate large-scale teaching of all strata of society and to inspire an unprecedented outpouring of funds.

Presentations will explore the challenge of completing the Arc and the effects that will have on the world at large and the Bahá’í community.

Focus will be placed on the Ridván 1988 message from the Universal House of Justice and will include workshops on approaches to teaching, including those for youth, and displays of available materials. Parallel conferences will be held for children.

The conferences will be followed by the initiation of large-scale teaching campaigns in at least four areas of the country. The National Assembly has already received requests from local Spiritual Assemblies asking that their areas be designated for that purpose. Other communities who wish to be considered have only to write and ask.

The plan is scheduled to be implemented between September 1988 and February 1989. [Page 2]

Committee on Women holds second conference on equality

More than 100 people attended the second in a series of regional conferences on the equality of men and women sponsored by the Bahá’í National Committee on Women and held April 29-30 at the Bahá’í Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The first of these conferences, held in February at Spelman College in Atlanta, focused on black women. The conference in Phoenix brought together American Indian and Hispanic women to consult on their particular needs, concerns and spiritual capacities.

A special feature of the gathering was the all-American Indian, Hispanic and Persian workshop facilitator staff and the primarily male-organized and staff child care center and support services.

A number of American Indian tribes were represented including Apache, Navajo, Sioux Tahuarmasa, with amiable pre-conference contacts with leaders of the San Carlos Apache, Chemehuevi, Gila River and Quechua tribes.

The keynote speaker, Jacqueline Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, called the conference "historic" because of its focus.

Ruby Gubatayao Lawson, a member of the National Committee on Women, urged American Indians to arise and fulfill their spiritual destiny as outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

Other speakers included committee member Fafar Guillebeaux; Roberta Maull, a member of the National Youth Committee; Manuela Villanueva of the National Hispanic Teaching Committee; Dr. Farshad Agahi, Alice Bathke, Elizabeth Dahe, Sandi Frazier LeBeau, Dr. Eileen Lourie and Joe Monteau.

The conference was chaired by Women's Committee officers Juana Conrad and Marcia Gitchell.

A profoundly moving ancient tribal ceremony by an Aztec Indian group and a rousing dance by Mexico's Ballet de Folklorico were performed under a starlit western sky and a brilliant rising full moon.

Two young Bahá’í sisters, both Hispanic but one black and one white, performed a poignant interpretive dance to "The Greatest Love of All."

Conference participants expressed a sense of a reawakening of ancient filial bonds between American Indians and Hispanics who have both inhabited the American Southwest for 500 years. It was remarkable to one and all how the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, specifically through the principle of the equality of the sexes, served to bind together the hearts.

Jacqueline Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, delivers the keynote address at the second regional conference on the equality of men and women sponsored by the Bahá’í National Committee on Women and held April 29-30 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Shirley Gitchell Johnson)

Workshop leaders Ruby (Gubatayao) Lawson (left), a member of the National Committee on Women, and Sandi LeBeau share a hug during the second regional conference on the equality of men and women held April 29-30 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Shirley Gitchell Johnson)

Motivation: getting to the 'heart' of the matter

VIEWPOINT

We all find ourselves asking "Why don't more Bahá’ís contribute to the Fund?" "Why isn't there more teaching going on?" "Why don't more of the friends come to the Feast?"

My experience as an Assembly member, member of a District Teaching Committee, and traveling teacher has helped me to understand that all of the concerns we share in the Bahá’í community have a common thread that runs through them—motivation.

But exactly what is motivation and where does it come from?

Working in the quality assurance department of a large corporation, I am constantly aware of conditions that can affect the quality of my company's products, one of which is job satisfaction, or motivation.

One of the most interesting theories of motivation that I have come across is that developed by Frederick Herzberg, professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

According to Mr. Herzberg, a motivated person is one who finds satisfaction in what he/she is doing, and is thus prompted by his own internal "generator" to keep on doing it.

The factors of motivation are those that deal with the causes of satisfaction—things that make people feel good.

In any situation—be it in the workplace or the Bahá’í community—analyzing the causes of dissatisfaction and trying to eliminate them will not necessarily bring about satisfaction. The causes of satisfaction are not always the exact opposites of the causes of dissatisfaction.

The causes of dissatisfaction that may exist in a Bahá’í community are related to such things as Assembly decisions, diversity, personal problems, economic status, Feast activities, disharmony, committee functions.

On the other hand, the kinds of things that bring satisfaction to Bahá’ís include achievement, acceptance, responsibility, affection, opportunities to serve, teaching, and spiritual growth.

The causes of dissatisfaction usually relate to the environmental or material aspects of one's Bahá’í life, and are a product of the critical-analytical process of thinking that we in the western world are accustomed to using.

The causes of satisfaction have to do with the content, or spirit, of Bahá’í life; they are matters of the heart.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us: "... all the sorrow and grief that exist come from the world of matter—the spiritual world bestows only joy!" (The Reality of Man, p. 15)

Local Spiritual Assemblies often become absorbed with the causes of dissatisfaction in the Bahá’í community.

The remedy for backbiting is to have a deepening on the topic so as to encourage the friends not to do it. If the Assembly detects a lack of support for its decisions, it holds a meeting with the community or schedules a deepening on Bahá’í administration to help the friends understand the functions and authority of the local Assembly.

When the Assembly employs such strategies, it often conveys certain unspoken messages to the community, such as: we want you to participate more, we want you to understand more, we want you to be more obedient.

If an Assembly turns its attention instead to things that bring satisfaction to community members, an altogether different set of messages comes through: you matter, you have a purpose here, your presence in this community is important to us.

Local Assemblies are not to be criticized for dealing with the causes of dissatisfaction; sometimes this is necessary. That Assemblies do this so often is to be attributed to the role of the institution, as distinguished from the role of the individual.

Shoghi Effendi makes the difference between the two quite clear: "... the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye." (The Bahá’í Life, p. 18)

Love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye—these attributes, which grow out of our love for Bahá’u’lláh and our efforts to assist His Cause, are the strongest factors of motivation in the Bahá’í community. And as the Guardian has pointed out, these are the attributes that govern the relationships among individuals.

These relationships bring about the spiritual awareness that will awaken mankind to Bahá’u’lláh’s healing Message.

Shoghi Effendi said: "The need is very great, everywhere in the world, in and outside the Faith, for a true spiritual awareness to pervade and motivate people's lives. No amount of administrative procedure or adherence to rules can take the place of this soul-characteristic, this spirituality which is the essence of man."

And again, "... spiritual relationships are far more important and fundamental than the rules and regulations which must govern community affairs." (The Bahá’í Life, pp. 12, 18)

What we must realize is that, whether we are talking about ways to increase contributions to the Fund, attendance at Feasts or teaching activity, or to decrease disharmony and indifference in the Bahá’í community, the results we seek will not, in the end, be brought about by some spectacular campaign orchestrated by the institutions of the Faith.

Rather, they will be brought about by you and me, as we "become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God." (Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 56)

In the words of the Universal House of Justice: "The secret of universal participation lies in the Master's oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit.

"In such a body all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth." (Quoted in the Bahá’í DayBook, p. 95)

This month's column, "Motivation Within the Bahá’í Community," was written by Theodore S. Heizer of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

News Snippets

Some of the 19 children who attended the session February 21 at the Nine Oaks Bahá’í School in Arroyo Grande, California, worked on a color drawing of the Arc on Mount Carmel which they presented to the adult group at the end of the day.

Kean T. Oh, a Bahá’í youth from Poland, Ohio, was recently named the winner of a $2,000 1988 National Merit Scholarship. Kean, who is valedictorian at Poland High Seminary High School and president of the National Honor Society, plans a career in medicine. He is among 1,800 academic champions chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. for their strong combination of scholastic and extracurricular accomplishment.

The American Bahá’í (USPS 042-430) is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Laura E. Hildreth. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written in a clear and concise manner; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright 1988 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [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.

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 for new books

To the Editor:

I am writing to commend the U.S. Publishing Trust, George Ronald, Kalimát Press, and One World for their recent publication of a number of scholarly works which have widely expanded the range of materials available on the Faith and provided new tools for reaching out to the more learned in the society at large.

Among these books are The Purpose of Physical Reality (by Dr. John S. Hatcher), Science and Religion (Dr. Anjum Khurshid) and a series of works by Dr. Moojan Momen and his colleagues, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, on the history of the Faith that take a refreshingly new and scholastic approach.

My sincere thanks to these friends who are devoting their time and energy to enhancing our understanding of this glorious Dispensation.

In addition to their potential as teaching and deepening tools, the publication of these books may encourage other able minds to become involved.

They could also serve as prototypes for younger Bahá’ís who may aspire to follow in the footsteps of these authors.

Dr. Bijan Massoumian Austin, Texas

One picture is worth ...

To the Editor:

Do we realize the power of motion pictures and television drama in reaching hundreds of millions of people?

I read that the U.S. is lagging behind in teaching the Faith. Do the Counselors, the National Assembly, the Auxiliary Board know! of the power of the motion picture as a teaching tool?

American motion pictures are shown in theatres and on TV all over the world.

I believe that if we realize the power of the motion picture, this great teaching tool shall come about and we shall be flooded with a sea of troops.

Ron Mosseller Tryon, North Carolina

That about covers it

To the Editor:

Now that the storm has passed, perhaps a voice of moderation can be heard.

The cover of the September/ October issue of Brilliant Star magazine carried an illustration that many people found offensive. The December issue of The American Bahá’í carried a letter to the editor which opened with the words "I am offended," then went beyond the bounds of moderation in expressing (in its author's words) "righteous indignation" over the "moral outrage" which that cover represented.

The editorial board of Brilliant Star responded to that letter, and to many others criticizing the cover, with exemplary restraint and a shining spirit of Bahá’í humility.

The board acknowledged the justice of the complaints while trying to analyze the reasons for its failure to foresee the problem. It would have been inappropriate for the board to criticize its critics, but it would be unjust to leave the spirit of their criticism unanswered.

This letter is an appeal to those of us who write letters to the editor to remember the Guardian's characterization of consultation as "frank and loving."

The "letters" column in The American Bahá’í is the threshing-floor for emerging ideas and issues in our national community. It is our national convention in permanent session; the business portion of our Feasts in print.

Who among us would rise in either Feast or convention to unleash a blast of "righteous indignation" at the Assembly, the District Teaching Committee, or any other Bahá’í (or non-Bahá’í) agency?

And who among us can afford the spiritual luxury of saying "I am offended" by anyone else? Did the Master ever use such words?

People are human. We make mistakes. Can we not assume, in the absence of clear evidence to the contrary, that the mistakes of others are made in good faith, without malice? Especially in our Bahá’í service, let us concede one another the benefit of any doubt.

The staff of Brilliant Star has done and is doing a job with that publication that few of us could improve upon. They are producing a children's magazine that performs the invaluable service of helping the next generation of Bahá’ís to build its Bahá’í identity.

But far more than that, the quality of their product compares well with that of any other children's magazine on the market, and bespeaks the depth of their devotion to and love for Bahá’u’lláh.

If we feel otherwise, they would undoubtedly welcome our advice, expressed privately and directly to them. They would certainly welcome our assistance too.

Let us be patient, courteous, kind and loving with one another. We're building a new World Order, and no one has ever done that before; we're going to make mistakes.

If we will accept that fact, perhaps it will be easier to be tolerant and forgiving. And perhaps we can receive forgiveness from others when we need it.

In His last words of guidance to us (Kitáb-i-Ahd, quoted in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 220), the Blessed Beauty wrote, "Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk. God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward everyone should utter that which is meet and seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse and whatever causeth sadness in men."

And the beloved Master wrote, "O ye cohorts of God! Beware lest ye offend the feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person, or move the tongue in reproach of and finding fault with anybody, whether he is friend or stranger, believer or enemy.

"Pray in behalf of all and entreat God for forgiveness and bounty for all.... Beware, beware that anyone rebuke or reproach a soul, though he may be an ill-wisher and an ill-doer. Do ye not look upon the creature, advance ye toward the Creator." (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. 1, p. 45)

Thomas F. Armistead Milford, Connecticut

A 'ludicrous' mistake?

To the Editor:

The item on page 32 of The American Bahá’í (February) about the Bahaa Esperanto Ligo contained a somewhat ludicrous mistake.

The Universal Esperanto Congress held last summer in Warsaw, Poland, did not mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof, the founder of Esperanto. It marked 100 years since the introduction of Esperanto, the international language.

Please, let's get our historical facts straight! I have an idea that you'll receive a lot of corrections from many Esperanto-using Bahá’ís.

Edward F. Lacy Houston, Texas

(No, so far yours is the first. Of course, we knew that it wasn't the centenary of Dr. Zamenhof's birth; the error simply slipped past us, as errors sometimes do.-Ed.)

Root of our problems

To the Editor:

Lately I have been thinking about the many problems that confront us today. What I have found is that many of these problems have a common root, and that root has to do with teaching.

How many of us sit down and analyze our methods of teaching? Are we really bringing the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to others, or are we simply dazzling them with high-sounding values that we ourselves do not follow?

The largest problem by far in our present teaching efforts is the lack of follow-up teaching. We gather in hundreds of new believers each year, then leave them to themselves.

Many of these people work hard for a living and don't have time to attend every meeting. Does anyone show them the simple courtesy of inquiring whether there is anything they can do to help, or call to let them know about activities scheduled in the community and elsewhere?

Are deepening programs scheduled so that they can attend at least one? If not, and if the Assemblies deem themselves too busy to bother with such concerns, then something is terribly wrong, for the Assemblies are then neglecting the people and have failed in their duty to humankind.

We are here to bring the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to every member of the human race, not to see how many bodies we can bring into the Faith in a month or how many parties we can hold.

We must never, ever forget follow-up teaching and consolidation, or we will lose the people we are trying to bring into the Faith.

Deepening programs are our greatest asset in regard to follow-up teaching. And please stop fussing over how many Bahá’ís we are bringing into the Faith!

One true believer is certainly worth 100 or even 1,000 others. Each true Bahá’í is an immeasurable asset worth more than all the money you can imagine.

We know that we have succeeded in our efforts when we begin to care about and love our fellowmen; when we offer service to humankind for the sake of God alone; when the whole community pulls together to accomplish some worthy goal; and when we finally stop worrying about how much of anything any of us has.

You cannot quantify love, kindness, honesty or justice.

Galen Valentine Euless, Texas

What's in a name? Plenty

To the Editor:

"Can you identify anyone in this picture?"

How sad! Yet all of us have snapshots without the slightest clue to tell our grandchildren that this is Uncle James after we've gone to the Abhá Kingdom.

I have a nice professional portrait of one of my great-grandmothers taken in the 19th century. If only the photographer had scribbled even her initials on the back of it! I suppose everyone recognized her then, but now they are all gone.

Future generations might also appreciate our names and declaration dates written in the front of a few of our Bahá’í books.

We are still early believers, and it might make interesting reading in the next century.

M. "Jeff" Jeffries Burlington, Vermont

No 'joy' for disabled

To the Editor:

Bahá’í conferences are a joy! But I'd like to remind you to consider the disabled friends whenever you are planning one.

If a friend in a wheelchair were to attend, how would that person get to the conference rooms? Where would that person park? Are the restrooms accessible? And could that person enjoy all the activities?

Most people never even think about this. Many assume that any public building has to be handicapped accessible, but that is far from the truth, especially with respect to older buildings.

I am a Bahá’í with muscular dystrophy. I can walk with a cane, but I tire easily, so I use an electric cart for long distances. Stairs are very difficult.

I would like to share an experience I had at a recent Bahá’í conference to illustrate how important a little consideration and planning can be.

Arriving early to register, I found that I could not use my cart because there were about 15 steps to climb to get into the building. Hindsight tells me I should have gotten back into my car and gone home, but I'm a stubborn person and I had come a long way. And besides, who wants to miss a Bahá’í conference?

So I climbed the steps and regis-

MARRIAGE: A FORTRESS FOR WELL-BEING

From the Bahá’í Publishing Trust HC $15.95 SC $8.95

Offers insights about applying the Bahá’í teachings on marriage to the realities of everyday life. Examines the institution of marriage in the light of God's purpose for humanity. Challenges today's couples to contrast their attitudes, expectations, and behaviors absorbed from society with the model outlined in the Bahá’í teachings.

Addresses such topics as:

• dating
• preparing for marriage
• the purpose of marriage
• prayers for marriage
• the equality of women and men
• conflict resolution
• interracial marriage
• raising children
• assistance from the Spiritual Assembly
• divorce and remarriage

Formerly published as A Fortress for Well-Being With a new cover designed by Mona Carloni New Foreword by Geoffrey W. Marks and Amy Seidel Marks

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 [Page 4]

The National Bahá’í Fund

Advancing the Faith around the World

"We applaud those youth who, in respect of this period, have already engaged in some activity within their national and local communities or in collaboration with their peers in other countries, and call upon them to persevere in their unyielding efforts to acquire spiritual qualities and useful qualifications. For if they do so, the influence of their high-minded motivations will exert itself upon world developments conducive to a productive, progressive and peaceful future." — The Universal House of Justice, letter dated May 8, 1985, to the Bahá’í youth of the world

Report of the Office of the Treasurer

"... the way is now open for the Bahá’í world to erect the remaining buildings of its Administrative Centre, and we must without delay stride forward resolutely on this path.... It is impossible at this stage to give an accurate estimate of the cost of these projects. All that we can now say is that in the immediate future two objectives have to be met: to accumulate rapidly a reserve of fifty million dollars on which plans for the construction can realistically begin to be implemented, and to provide an income of between twenty and twenty-five million dollars for the Bahá’í International Fund for each of the next ten years." — The Universal House of Justice, August 31, 1987

The momentous announcement by the Universal House of Justice regarding the completion of the Arc sparked a dramatic increase in earmarked contributions (e.g, International Fund, Arc, Indian Temple) from the American Bahá’í community. In short, those who gave, gave more and should be commended.

But the challenge still facing our community is to maintain the strength of our National Fund whose contribution base dropped 14% to $7.55 million. Participation in the National Fund was also lower in 1987-88.

Closer collaboration with the Counselors and Auxiliary Board Members spearheaded activities by the Office of the Treasurer. Three new advisory committees, comprised of business and financial professionals, were appointed to help strengthen the National Assembly's management of its assets and expansion of its financial resources.

Note: All Fiscal Year 1988 figures used in this report are estimated as of the time the report was prepared.

National Fund Suffers Decline in Contributions

The sharp decline in National Fund contributions reminds us we must persevere in the strengthening of our local and national institutions, including the Fund, as the processes of the completion of the Arc and the establishment of the Lesser Peace unfold. In brief, the National Fund facts are as follows:

• Contributions totaled $7.55 million.
• Individual participation fell 5% averaging 7,219 per month.
• Local Assembly participation fell 3%.
• The National Fund deficit increased from $1.6 million to $2.7 million.

Expenses Held Below Budget

Estimated expenses for the fiscal year are $8,672,000. This was 92% of the amount budgeted and represented an increase of 8% over a year ago. For a detailed breakdown of expenditures see pages 16, 20, and 25.

Earmarked Donations Up More than 100%

(In $000)

• National Fund Donations: 1988: $7,550 | 1987: $8,768 | Change: -14%
• Earmarked Donations: 1988: $2,680 | 1987: $1,285 | Change: +109%
• Total: 1988: $10,230 | 1987: $10,053 | Change: +2%

Spurred by the announcement regarding the completion of the Arc, earmarked contributions processed by the Office of the Treasurer increased more than twofold in 1987-88. (See table.) These gifts, which were over and above donations to the National Fund, helped maintain a pattern of overall growth in financial support of the Faith from the American Bahá’ís. The National Spiritual Assembly heartily applauds the friends who have participated in this outpouring of resources.

Automatic Contributions

The Automatic Contribution System (ACS) now accounts for more than $980,000 annually, a 15% increase over the previous year. ACS:

• Serves more than 2,800 individual subscribers and 65 local assemblies and Bahá’í groups.
• Provides the National Assembly with a steady flow of funds.
• Reduces the cost of processing contributions.

Closer Ties to Counselors and Auxiliary Board

National Spiritual Assembly members, Counselor Robert Harris and Treasurer's Office staff devoted a full day of consultation to the needs of the Fund and established a plan for keeping updated on the condition of the Fund and sharing inspirational stories with each other.

Appointed Advisory Committees

thousands 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 National Fund and Earmarked Contributions $ millions National Fund Earmarked 82 83 84 85 86 87 1988

The appointment of three new advisory committees highlighted activity in the Fund Development area during the year.

The committees — Business Planning, Financial, and Fund Development & Estate Planning — have begun counseling Bahá’ís in the establishment of their own businesses to raise money for the Fund and encouraging an idea exchange among Bahá’í-owned businesses. They have drafted the first issue of an estate planning newsletter and developed investment and borrowing policies for the National Spiritual Assembly.

Eighteen Bahá’ís with business and financial backgrounds served on the committees this year:

• Business Planning Advisory Committee: Ted Amsden, Fred Bruning, Don Decker, Karen Kennedy, Anthony Reid, and Tess Ridgeway.
• Financial Advisory Committee: Michael Furst, Michael Hampton, Grant Kvalheim, and Jeffrey Mondshein.
• Fund Development & Estate Planning Committee: Bonnie Barnes, Jane Campbell, Ronald Carrigan, Steven Gonzales, Rick Miller, Houtan Mostaghim, Iraj Radpour, and Deanna Recker.

Estate Bequests

Nearly 4,000 copies of the pamphlet, A Checklist for Preparing Your Will, have been distributed. A Persian language edition is also being prepared. A completely revised edition of the course Where There's A Will will be available in May. Estate bequests to the National Fund increased from $622,000 to $1,133,000 this year.

Fund Course for Summer Schools

A course on the Fund has been designed and offered to the 38 regional schools and 5 permanent schools and institutes for their Summer 1988 programs.

Fund Video

A special videotape relating our spiritual being with the material world, With All My Heart, has been produced for viewing at the National Convention, Town Meetings, Convention Reports, and the International Youth Conference.

National Treasurer's Representatives

More than 100 National Treasurer's Representatives continue to serve the community on behalf of the Office of the Treasurer participating in district conventions, conducting deepening courses, consulting with local assemblies, and collaborating with Auxiliary Board Members and their Assistants to inspire devotion and sacrifice among the friends.

New Believers, Children, & Youth

Attention has also been addressed to the needs of special audiences. The Office of the Treasurer has joined other National Assembly agencies and offices in redesigning the initial communications to new believers to include a more immediate awareness of the sacred privilege of giving to the Fund. A group of educators and illustrators has been identified to assist in producing Fund materials for children. A youth Fund newsletter has been launched and a special fund event is planned for the International Youth Conference in June.

Where Has the Money Gone?

The National Fund continues to support the Faith around the globe. (See the complete financial report on pages 14-27 and our regular feature in The American Bahá’í, "Where Does The Money Go?") Your contributions this year helped:

• Send $2 million to the Universal House of Justice.
• Send two National Spiritual Assembly members to Langenhain, Germany to participate with representatives of 17 other National Assemblies and the Bahá’í International Community at a conference on external affairs called by the Universal House of Justice.
• Host a historic meeting of representatives from five National Spiritual Assemblies and the Bahá’í International Community at the National Spiritual Assembly's office in Washington, D.C. to discuss external affairs.
• Send 6,000 free copies of U.S. Bahá’í Report to government officials, prominent individuals, journalists, and national organizations.
• Send our delegates to the 1988 International Convention in Haifa.
• Coordinate the procurement of facilities and services for the 1992 World Congress in New York.
• Move the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of External Affairs from New Haven, CT to Washington, D.C. to expand its contacts with the U.S. government and non-governmental organizations.
• Produce two special slide programs: one on the importance of the Bahá’í World Congress, the other to introduce the Faith to visitors at the Indian House of Worship.
• Inaugurate the Louhelen Residential Program which attracted students from Ethiopia, Ecuador, Israel, Solomon Islands, Alaska, Arizona, South Carolina and South Dakota.
• Maintain a refugee office in Pakistan to expedite the settlement of Persian Bahá’í refugees in the U.S.
• Provide complimentary copies of Bahá’í News to 147 National Spiritual Assemblies, all Hands of the Cause and Continental Boards of Counselors, all permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes in North America and all pioneers from the U.S.
• Prepare and publish new materials including The Word of God, Effective Teaching, Building Unity of Thought on Teaching, Where There's A Will, An Introduction to Bahá’í Administration (Persian), America: A Nation of Immigrants (Persian), and Arise to Serve.
• Hold six Pioneer Training Institutes attended by 194 per-

[Page 5]

• sons, including the first nationally-sponsored institute for pioneers to the Navajo-Hopi District.
• Support international service through 133 pioneers, 322 traveling teachers, the Youth Year of Service program and several special projects.
• Initiate collaboration between Mexican and U.S. Teaching Committees to reach large Hispanic population in Mexico and Southwest U.S.
• Hold the 25th Anniversary of the 1963 Council Fire in Southwest Arizona attended by over 300.
• Support teaching activities resulting in more than 2800 new believers in the Samuel Bakare Project in Nigeria and 1200 in the Muhajir Project in Taiwan.
• Send representatives to Washington, D.C. to facilitate the transfer into the American Bahá’í community of more than 500 Bahá’í refugees from Iran, Thailand, and Laos.
• Introduce the Faith to more than 200,000 visitors to the Bahá’í House of Worship, foster the development of a House of Worship choir, and plant and maintain its world-renown gardens.
• Send introductory packets, including Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, to over 4,000 new believers.
• Distribute free of charge more than 600,000 copies of The American Bahá’í.
• Organize more than 1,500 Souvenir Picnics commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s historic visit to America.
• Locate more than 130 original letters from the Guardian previously missing from the Bahá’í archives.
• Provide 300 Welcome Packets and 600 Naw-Ráz greetings to relatives of martyrs and new arrivals to the American Bahá’í community.
• Place five youth in the U.S. and 17 abroad as part of the Youth Year of Service program.
• Develop a Summer Youth Intern Program at the National Center in which 17 youth participated.
• Establish WLGI as the most popular radio station in its region.
• Reproduce and distribute to more than 8,000 Persian believers in the U.S. a major letter from the Universal House of Justice addressed to the Persian Bahá’ís outside of Iran.
• Support the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Unity Choir, including performances in South Carolina and Atlanta, GA.
• Complete an engineering study of the ornamental concrete of the House of Worship and begin repairs.
• Build a new classroom at the Native American Bahá’í Institute, complete Martha Root Hall at Bosch Bahá’í School, and hire the architects to supervise the restoration of Green Acre’s Sarah Farmer Inn.
• Hold conferences on Interracial & Cross Cultural Marriage, Models of Interracial Unity, Substance Abuse, Integration, Youth, and Equality of Men and Women (focusing on Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans).
• Send a delegation to the Decade of Achievement Women’s Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Produce videos & films for teaching (The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction), proclamation (Peace... The Promise), spiritual enrichment (Meeting the Master: Recollections of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and With All My Heart), explaining the meaning of the Arc, and documenting the 1988 International Convention.
• Present the Peace Statement to the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the President of the Mormon Church.
• Increase teaching projects in the United States to more than 200.
• Support unified teaching efforts between the Auxiliary Board, local Assemblies, District Teaching Committees and individuals in at least 19 districts.
• Open the collected papers of noted Bahá’ís Ellsworth Blackwell, Helen Ellis Cole, Paul K. Dealy, Winston Evans, Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, and Allen B. McDaniels to research.
• Establish a Substance Abuse Task Force under the auspices of the National Development Committee.
• Initiate production of recorded tapes in Talking Book format for the blind and visually impaired.
• Hire a professional marketing specialist to survey and analyze the demographics of the American Bahá’í community.
• Continue the research and writing of A Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith.
• Provide health and life insurance benefits for all full-time staff at the Bahá’í National Center, permanent schools and institutes.

National Bahá’í Fund

Contributions

Category	Estimated 1988	1987	% Change
Assemblies	$ 2,130,000	$ 2,098,000	+2%
Groups	$ 284,000	$ 226,000	+26%
Individuals	$ 5,136,000	$ 6,444,000	-20%
Total	$ 7,550,000	$ 8,768,000	-14%

Average Bahá’í Monthly Participation

Category	Estimated 1988	1987	% Change
Assemblies	750	780	-3%
Individuals	7,219	7,644	-5%

Operating Results

Category	Estimated 1988	1987	% Change
Total revenue	$ 7,594,000	$ 9,042,000	-16%
Total expenses	$ 8,672,000	$ 8,064,000	+8%
Excess revenue (expenses)	$ (1,078,000)	$ 978,000	N/A

Financial Condition

Category	Estimated 1988	1987	% Change
Assets	$ 870,000	$ 1,289,000	-32%
Liabilities	$ 3,538,000	$ 2,879,000	+23%
Fund balance (deficit)	$ (2,668,000)	$ (1,590,000)	+68%

• • 1987-88 Expenses**
• Property Maintenance: $1,101,000
• Property & Equipment: $697,000
• Administration: $2,520,000
• Assemblies: $2,130,000
• Teaching: $2,254,000
• International: $2,100,000

Challenges Ahead

Our key challenges in the coming year will be:

• To expand the understanding of the American Bahá’ís of the concurrent processes described by the Guardian: the completion of the Arc, the establishment of the Lesser Peace, and the continued evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutions.
• To continue to develop Fund education programs for children, new believers and youth.
• To strengthen our collaboration with the Counselors, Auxiliary Board and their Assistants particularly at the community level with National Treasurer’s Representatives.
• To continue to draw upon the expertise of our financial and business professionals in developing programs to broaden our financial resources and more efficiently manage our assets.
• To expand the use of the Automatic Contribution System and increase the regularity and participation in giving to the Fund.

Huqúqu’lláh

Huqúqu’lláh (Right of God) is a law revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Obeying the law of Huqúqu’lláh purifies the material wealth we acquire throughout our lifetime by giving back to the Cause of God a portion of that which came from our Creator.

The Universal House of Justice has called for education about this important law as a goal of the Six Year Plan in anticipation of the day when it will be universally applied. At this time Huqúqu’lláh is binding only on Persian believers and those believers who are required to observe this law in their native country. Other believers can pay Huqúqu’lláh if they choose. Payments are deductible for federal income and estate tax purposes.

The Trustees of the the Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust have directed the Office of the Treasurer not to forward any payments received from the believers for Huqúqu’lláh nor to deposit checks for Huqúqu’lláh in the National Fund. Checks for Huqúqu’lláh should be made payable to "Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent directly to one of the following Trustees:

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

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116

The Distinctive Features of the Bahá’í Fund

• • Sacred Obligation**

Contributing to the Bahá’í Fund on a regular basis is the sacred obligation of every sincere believer.

• • Voluntary Nature**

The amount given is voluntary, and rests entirely with the individual—yet the amount is important. Every contribution is valued by the degree of sacrifice involved.

• • Privilege**

Support of the Fund is a privilege reserved only for those who have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

• • Regular and Sacrificial**

Regular and sacrificial giving is a measure of a believer's devotion to Bahá’u’lláh and a cause of spiritual growth. [Page 6]

PIONEERING

Six years as pioneers, and every minute a blessing

The Office of Pioneering recently received the following letter from pioneers Jim, Becky, Mariah and Elizabeth Fairley in Tanzania.

We’ve been pioneering now for six years, and every minute of it a blessing—though not without tests and difficulties and boundless opportunities to learn patience!

Tanzania is known as the land of "namna," which means, in Swahili, "there isn’t any," the usual reply to requests for almost any commodity in the shops, especially from about 1981-85.

What we love most about Tanzania, of course, is the people, the radiant faces of some the beloved Bahá’ís here who sacrifice unimaginably in their day-to-day lives in service to the Cause—and the people in the villages and all over the country who are always ready and happy to stop and talk about God and His Messengers, the unity of religion and of mankind.

And the opportunity to serve—I know we are supposed to be sacrificing, but we seem only to acquire bounties. How many Bahá’ís living in the U.S. can serve on two national committees, the local Spiritual Assembly and two local committees at the same time?

And how often do Bahá’ís in the U.S. get the chance to have a Counselor stay in their home for 12 days, or entertain three Auxiliary Board members and two pioneers for a few days?

What about participation in teaching projects that enroll a hundred or more new believers, open new localities, form new Assemblies, deepen existing Assemblies? Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá!

At times we feel tired and near exhaustion, but it’s for the Cause of God in this Day—this Promised Day, the Day so long awaited by all the prophets of the past!

We have met many wonderful people from around the world and can see the unity of diverse peoples develop before our eyes. We are living in one of the poorest countries in the world, yet our children are attending one of the best schools in the world.

We feel that our children are getting a better academic education here than they could get in any school in the U.S., to say nothing of the knowledge of different peoples, customs and countries they are receiving.

Our only sacrifice is living 11 time zones away from our families, but annual visits, telephone calls and letters help us to keep in touch.

Our six years of pioneering have been on two continents—two years in Arusha, Tanzania, then two in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and now back in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. God has blessed us here with satisfying and rewarding jobs.

Jim teaches third grade, and I am guidance counselor and psychology teacher at the International School of Tanganyika. I am doing exactly the kind of work I love, counseling students from diverse backgrounds and developing a guidance program to meet the standards of an international school setting.

Elizabeth is busy with music activities, performing in a play and studying for 'O-level' examinations. Next year she will begin the International Baccalaureate, a demanding college prep program.

Mariah is in seventh grade and enjoying gymnastics, swimming and friends.

During our first four and one-half years as pioneers we experienced life without a car. Our first bus trip in Tanzania was an unforgettable experience—after waiting three days for the bus and battling through the crowds to get a seat, we traveled all night over a road like a washboard with dust flying in through holes in the floor—but what an adventure!

It was our first major teaching trip to Singida—almost at the end of the world, but not quite. The people there loved Elizabeth and Mariah and still ask about them any time a pioneer goes there.

Some exciting developments are taking place in Tanzania, among them:

1. A Bahá’í school, the Ruaha Secondary Technical School, is in full operation in Iringa and is recognized by the government as being the best school in its area.

2. A community health education training project is under way in the Kigoma Region which is beginning to make a significant impact on the lives of the villagers.

3. A Department of Rural Development is being planned to start operating soon in Iringa.

4. A series of successful national teaching projects is being carried out—the recent three-month project in Kasulu area having resulted in 450 new believers and 10 new Assemblies.

Pioneering cannot be described or explained adequately. Gradually, our lives become transformed in ways that would not be possible outside of pioneering in a world community with all its adventures, spiritual challenges and opportunities.

We pray that God will help us stay at our post for a long time to come.

TRAIL OF MATCHES: Caribbean Island-to-Island Teaching Project

ARISE RADIATE CAPTURE

BAHAMAS BARBADOS BELIZE COLOMBIA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GRENADA GUADELOUPE JAMAICA MARTINIQUE MEXICO PERU PUERTO RICO ST. LUCIA ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES TRINIDAD & TOBAGO VIRGIN ISLANDS

"TRAIL OF MATCHES" CARIBBEAN ISLAND-TO-ISLAND TEACHING PROJECT

NAME THE VICTORY

Anyone can travel teach... all you need is an enterprising spirit, reliance on Bahá’u’lláh, and an open mind.

The National Teaching Committee, the National Youth Committee and the Office of Pioneering are collaborating on plans for international and domestic traveling teaching trips this summer. We are planning teaching routes from the International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, through the southwestern states to the International Youth Conference in Juarez, Mexico, which will be followed by teaching projects in northern Mexico. Projects are also being developed in the Caribbean and Central America. If you are interested in joining one of these projects, fill out the form below and send it to the Office of Pioneering for more details. The address is Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

YES, I am interested in international teaching projects. Please send me more information.

NAME ________________________________________________

ADDRESS _____________________________________________

Phone # _____________________________________________

Age _________________________________________________

Baha’i I.D. _________________________________________

I want to Travel Teach to: Country _____________________________________________

Dates _______________________________________________

Please return to: Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 or call (312) 869-9039.

Pioneer Training Institute

Thirteen prospective pioneers and two representatives from local Spiritual Assemblies took part in a Pioneer Training Institute held April 7-10 at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.

Among the destinations of these friends are Aruba, Venezuela, Namibia, St. Vincent, Grenada, the Marshall Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Faizí: ‘These are fleeting hours. Every minute and second is valuable’

"O Lord! Enable all the peoples of the earth to gain admittance into the Paradise of Thy Faith, so that no created being may remain beyond the bounds of Thy good-pleasure..." —The Báb

This last month has seen additional believers arise to translate into reality the plea of this prayer. We at the Office of Pioneering are truly grateful to the now more than 140 pioneers who have arisen at the call of the Universal House of Justice and are taking steps toward the fulfillment of America's spiritual destiny.

But what of the masses still waiting in the remaining goal areas? In the words of the Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Faizi, addressed to pioneers:

"If love is not translated in these days into tremendous sacrifice, it will remain unproductive forever. These are fleeting hours. Every minute and second is valuable.

"No sacrifice will be too great in the spiritualization of this planet.... In these God-granted opportunities, be sure that the friends will give all that they have for the redemption of mankind and the spiritualization of the globe."

In the remaining 294 days of this phase of the Six Year Plan, 55 goals must be filled. Here is your God-granted opportunity. Please contact the Office of Pioneering, 312-869-9039.

"By the Lord of the Kingdom! If one arise to promote the Word of God with a pure heart, overflowing with the love of God and severed from the world, the Lord of Hosts will assist him with such a power as will peretrate the core of the existent beings." (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 348.)

Venezuela sets youth conference

"Youth Serving Humanity" is the theme of an International Youth Conference to be held August 18-21 in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Three Continental Counselors will be there: Dr. Farzam Arbáb, Isabel de Calderón and Dr. Peter McLaren. The purpose of the conference is to promote the Youth Movement in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Bring your ideas, experiences and enthusiasm to share and learn from the youth in South America! For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039. [Page 7]

CAMPUS CLIPS

The Bahá’í Club at Michigan State University has been holding regular "Peace Panel Discussions." The discussions are ongoing, and the first one, which dealt with the harmony of science and religion, was attended by about 65 people and reporters from the campus newspaper, State News.

Topics for future discussions are to include "Elimination of Prejudice" and "Peace Through Equality of Men and Women." The article in the State News was headlined "Science, religion form intelligent men's wings" and included quotes from Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í speakers and a quote from the Writings about science and religion being the wings on which man's intelligence can soar.

The MSU Bahá’í Club also marched with other students and clubs to honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In an article about that event, the Bahá’í Club was mentioned as carrying signs saying "Prejudice Is a Handicap." It also quoted a club member as saying, "The cold weather makes you feel more like you're really fighting to keep alive a cause... and if ever there was a cause for all people it would be this one."

Attention all college-bound Bahá’ís and those already attending college! Northern Illinois University is on fire!

The Bahá’í Club there is gaining momentum; however, some members will be graduating, and while the club is growing, they need energetic Bahá’í students dedicated to carrying on the flame and advancing the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. This year the administration sponsored a "Unity Through Diversity" week and is planning to make it an annual event. The campus knows the Bahá’í Club is an important force on campus. We can't turn back now. Please consider Northern Illinois University.

Three great schools—Trinity College, the University of Vermont, and St. Michael's College—are trying to form Bahá’í Clubs. If you would like more information about these schools or need information about enrolling in any of them, phone Heather Perkins, 802-434-2811.

The Bahá’í Club at the University of Virginia recently sponsored a panel discussion on racism. According to club members, "The spirit of this event has noticeably affected the very foundation of this institution."

The panel, titled "Racial Unity for Justice at the University of Virginia," was held partly in response to a series of racial incidents at the school. It addressed racism from national and international points of view, as well as from the campus and individual

In January, Riaz Lohrasbi, a member of the Bahá’í Youth Committee of Nashville, Tennessee, won the Nashville Optimist Club award, presented to a student chosen by teachers at every high school for academic excellence and involvement in community activities and athletics. Riaz, a member of the soccer team and placekicker on the football team, was named to "Who's Who Among American High School Students," which recognizes the top five percent of high school students in America.

THE STAGE IS SET

Are you ready for this awesome International Youth Conference, anticipated to be the largest gathering of Bahá’ís in North America between now and 1992?

The conference will be held June 30-July 4 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington.

It's actually a "triple conference" for youth, children and parents with joint sessions in the evenings. Adults who are not parents are welcome to attend either the parent or youth sessions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of their role in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and why "the stage is set for universal, rapid and massive growth of the Cause of God..." (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1987).

Those traveling in cars, buses or caravans, either to or from the conference, be sure to travel along the "Peace Express" routes chosen by the National Youth Committee (see map). Selected Bahá’í communities have set up teaching and service projects for those traveling along these routes.

If you are interested in taking part in the Peace Express or would like to find out which cities will be hosting projects on your route, contact Sam Williams, P.O. Box 127, Yadkinville, NC 27055, or phone 919-679-2133 or 919-679-2623.

For those arriving at the Indianapolis airport, there will be information booths in the baggage claim areas.

For registration information please phone 904-249-1863. On-site registration in Bloomington will be in Assembly Hall (directional signs will be posted around campus).

International Youth Conference June 30-July 4 at Bloomington, Indiana

Join the Bloomington service project. Volunteers are still urgently needed for the conference. There will be a volunteer booth on-site, and it is hoped that each one of you may dedicate two to 22 hours (or even more) for the Cause.

Those who would like to volunteer are asked to contact the following people in the category in which you are interested:

Registration: Bill McSherry, P.O. Box 49147, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904-249-1863).

Children's conference: Stephanie Jeffries, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (213-295-3984).

Security: James Mock, Tequesta, FL 33469 (305-575-9320).

Ushering: Layla Garrigues, National Youth Committee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (312-869-9039).

PEACE EXPRESS ROUTES 1-35 90/94 401 1-70 1-76 1-29 1-80 1-88 1-70 1-65 175 1-24 1-26 1-35 1-44 1-55 1-75

It is best to register in advance for the conference to avoid the hassle of on-site registration. (Note: those staying in hotels must register under Plan D.)

Some of the exciting events: • A special session for youth with members of the National Spiritual Assembly. • A FUNd run (don't forget to fill out your pledge sheet). • Late-night sessions with Counselors, members of the National Assembly, the National Youth Committee, and youth! • A dynamic play on the life of the Dawn-breaker heroine, Táhirih.

Florida plans retreat for youth to study service, networking

The Florida Youth Conference Committee has planned a retreat to be held August 19-21 at a central Florida camp site.

The theme is "Service with a Smile," and topics to be addressed are to include individual initiative, reliance on divine assistance, and the challenges of this Day. Also included will be special sessions on networking among Florida's youth.

For more information, write to the Florida Youth Conference Committee, Tampa, FL 33617, or phone 813-988-4180.

Intense Study Institutes strike responsive chord

The National Youth Committee is delighted to share with the Bahá’í community the results of nine Intense Study Institutes that were held throughout the country during March and April.

Some comments from participants:

"It was the best Bahá’í activity I participated in in two years."

"In that meeting each hour the youth drew nearer to one another and nearer to Bahá’u’lláh."

"I was very impressed with the results of this weekend. I re-thought and re-decided few things that I'm sure will improve my life. I look forward to doing this again and hope it will be longer next time."

"It significantly changed how I think about things and how I act now."

"Now when I read the Writings, I really study them and try to understand what they are saying. I don't just read them blindly."

What is an Intense Study Institute?

An Intense Study Institute is a gathering mainly for the purpose of studying the Bahá’í Writings in a controlled environment (no radio, TV, telephones, no gossip or idle talk). It is characterized by an atmosphere of love and unity, to draw closer to Bahá’u’lláh.

What is the purpose of the Intense Study Institutes?

The purpose is to help the participants in the area of individual consecration to the Faith, and to raise the standard of Bahá’í youth gatherings to regularly include intense study of the Writings.

Who can take part in an Intense Study Institute?

Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in the Institutes: young and old, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í. The only requirement is that those who commit to them know that they are gathering to study the Writings, to work hard, to give of themselves, and no: to be lectured at or entertained.

Will there be an Intense Study Institute in my area?

Youth, adults, local Spiritual Assemblies, Groups, families and individuals are encouraged to hold an ISI in their area. The National Youth Committee can help you find a facilitator, decide what to study, and can send you information about how to hold an Intense Study Institute in your area.

You can contact the Youth Committee c/o the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone them at 312-869-9039 for more details. [Page 8]

Green Acre’s Sarah Farmer Inn to be made safe

It is a hard fact that those life-safety issues that are really the most important aspects of restoration are also the most costly, but the value of what they protect is truly priceless.

Without them, the future use of the Sarah Farmer Inn at Green Acre would be jeopardized.

In reality, the building has been unsafe for years, by even yesterday's standards. In 1982 the National Spiritual Assembly reached a painful decision to close the Inn to overnight housing of students owing to its unsafe condition in the event of a fire.

But a recent visit from the state Fire Marshal, Steve Dodge, confirmed the confidence shared by both the Restoration Task Force and the architectural firm of Aring-Schroder that the Inn can be made safe for year-round use. Mr. Dodge emphasized that the most important life-safety issue is that everyone must be guaranteed a safe exit in the event of fire. Restoration design plans call for a number of improvements that will make this possible.

A sprinkler system to be installed throughout the building, but hardly visible, will ensure the fast extinguishing of combustion anywhere in the building before it has a chance to become a full-scale blaze; a state-of-the-art safety alarm system will alert occupants immediately of any danger; emergency lighting will automatically provide lights in hallways and on stairs during a power failure; a new electrical system will diminish the possibility of a fire caused by old, worn wiring; and improvements to main traffic areas will allow everyone to exit quickly and safely if necessary.

The most exciting news is that these improvements will make it possible to preserve and restore the original New England turn-of-the-century character of the structure.

Miraculously, the Sarah Farmer Inn has survived nearly 100 years of use without a tragedy occurring.

When the restoration is complete, such measures as these will guarantee that its comfort will not only be aesthetically pleasing and historically authentic, but quite safe as well.

On contacting prominent persons

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 and persons of national prominence. Therefore, without the explicit direction or approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals should not initiate any action 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 communications media.

Please contact the National Spiritual Assembly at the Office of External Affairs in Washington: 1606 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20009 (phone 202-265-8830) should your community wish to contact an individual or organization that falls into any of these categories.

CHILDREN’S TEACHERS’ TRAINING CONFERENCE ON THE MOST VITAL AND CHALLENGING ISSUE AND RACE AMITY

LOUHELEN BAHA'I SCHOOL JULY 6-11, 1988 CHILDREN'S PROGRAM PROVIDED "hands-on" conference everyone invited 5-day focus on these issues: The nature and history of prejudice and racism Black and white identity issues • Models and strategies for cultivating race amity • The role of the family in combating racism a practical conference for advocates of children

There will be time for sharing lesson plans, and for gathering and developing materials. A few of the agencies sharing materials will be the Children's Defense Fund and the YWCA. Keynote speakers include Jack Gillebeaux, Nat Rutstein and June Thomas. There will be workshops and performing artists each day.

call Louhelen Bahá’í School 313/653-5033 for fee & registration information

GREEN ACRE SCHOOL Summer Session-1988

Week No. 1. Session A, July 1-3: "Personal Vision/Collective Vision," Dr. Robert Atkinson; "From Vision to Reality-Each One Teach One," Mildred Mottahedeh. Session B, July 3-8: 10th annual Summer Teaching Conference, "Fire of Love-Preparing the Way for Large Scale Growth," Dr. Tahereh Ahdieh, Mara Khavari, Dr. Billy Roberts; "The Power of Prayer and Meditation," Meherangiz Munsiff.

Week No. 2. Session A, July 8-10: "The Role of Equality in World Peace," Melinda Armstrong, Phyllis Ring. Session B, July 10-15: "Broadening Our Teaching Horizons," Morris Taylor; "A Pictorial History of the Bahá’í Faith," Golgasht Mossafai.

Week No. 3. Session A, July 15-17: "The Arc as Related to the Fourth Epoch," Javidukht Khadem. Session B, July 17-22: 2nd annual Arts Conference, "Make the Vision a Reality."

Week No. 4. Session A, July 22-24: Arts Festival, "Singing and Swinging and Making Merry." Session B, July 24-29: "The Art of Spiritual Response," Michael Winger-Bearskin; "Celebrating, Commemorating and Sharing Bahá’í Holy Days," Arlene Jennrich.

Week No. 5. Session A, July 29-31: "The Arc: Your Spiritual Destiny," William Davis. Session B, July 31-August 5: "Toward Spiritual Integration of the American Bahá’í Community," National Persian/American Affairs Committee and National Race Unity Committee.

Week No. 6. Session A, August 5-7: "Personal and Spiritual Growth Through Visionary Goal-Setting," Leonard Smith. Session B, August 7-12: "Law and Justice in the Age of Transition," Al Lincoln; "Music, the Spiritual Food," Joany Lincoln; "Family Life on a Pioneer Post," the Lincoln family.

Week No. 7. Session A, August 12-14: "Our Moment in Bahá’í History," Michael Furst. Session B, August 14-19: "Marriage in the New World Order," Dr. Marvin Hughes; "Letters of the Living," Dr. Gity Banan Etemad.

Week No. 8. Session A, August 19-21: "The Election of the Universal House of Justice," Robert Harris; "The Welcoming Partnership-Men and Women Appreciating and Resolving Differences," Robin Chandler. Session B, August 21-26: "Successfully Teaching and Is There Life After Declaration?" Barbara Harris, Janet Richards, Rodney Richards; "Spiritual Battles Everywhere... Now, Where Did I Put My Weapons?" Robert Harris.

Week No. 9. Session A, August 26-28: "Harnessing the Power of the Pen: From Vision to Publication," Dr. Betty J. Fisher. Session B, August 28-September 2: A week of intensive study for youth with Bobby Ahdieh, Dr. Jane Faily, Michael Penn; and for adults ("Why Twin Manifestations in the Bahá’í Dispensation?") with Afaf Stevens.

Week No. 10. Session A, September 2-5: 6th annual Regional Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, "Heroines of the Faith."

Arise! To Teach

[Page 9]

EDUCATION

Throughout the years of the formative age of the Faith, the World Center has continually beckoned the friends to test their innate capabilities—to become transformed in the process of building both the material and spiritual foundations of Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order.

Those individuals who were most intimately involved in the early groundbreaking and construction of the House of Worship in Wilmette received, in the process, the tests and bounties that made them new people, involved them in a process of sacrifice and endeavor that confirmed the enormity of this Revelation, and brought to fruition the spiritual capacities latent within them.

It was a process that transformed gnats into eagles of spiritual history.

Indeed, the times in which we are attempting to restore Green Acre are similar to the trying times of the world in which the House of Worship was built.

World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II are not that much different from our times of inflation, cutbacks, stock market crashes, higher taxes, dollar devaluation, unrest in the Middle East, the Panama crisis, and so on.

In a letter to an individual written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi and dated December 30, 1933 (in Bahá’í Fund and Contributions, pp. 11-12), the Guardian advised that "...although you are unable to contribute financially as much as you did in former years you should not feel discouraged... the best way in which you can effectively support the Temple Cause is... by moral help which is your primary obligation to extend to those who are in charge of the building....It is the devotion, sincerity and genuine enthusiasm which in the long run can insure (its) completion..."

That same letter continues: "Material considerations, though essential, are not the most vital by any means. For the resources of the community are limited. ... But despite all these material obstacles the Temple has made a steady progress and this alone is sufficient to convince every unbiased observer of the divine potency animating the Faith—a potency before which all material difficulties must inevitably wane."

Likewise, despite years of financial difficulties, forced neglect and even some closures, Green Acre continues to be the spiritually transforming center as loved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Now it needs help to survive, to become ultimately one of the great institutions of Bahá’u’lláh, which are our gifts to a sore-tried humanity.

In the spirit of the Guardian's letter, the Green Acre Council, Restoration Task Force, Fund-Raising Committee and staff ask you to pray for them and for the success of their efforts to create and conduct appropriate programs, to service the spiritual needs of the friends and seekers who come to Green Acre, and to restore and improve the buildings and grounds.

From a preservationist's point of view, the restoration of an historic property such as the Sarah Farmer Inn at Green Acre demonstrates both service and integrity.

Those who make efforts and sacrifices to preserve a piece of history are truly futurists. They are ensuring that the culture and resources of the past are not left behind, but are carried forward as civilization advances.

Once the Inn is preserved with historic authenticity, many from beyond the sphere of the Faith will flock to the site to see the results. The material accomplishment will act as a magnet, attracting the people to this blessed spot where the spiritual power of God's redeeming message may nourish their hungry souls.

Such an undertaking kindles the spirit in several ways. It fosters new energy among the friends, as they continually discover the bounties and confirmations that wait to descend upon them when they arise in universal participation and self-sacrifice.

Not only does that energy serve to get the task accomplished, but its release stimulates the growth of the Cause and the believers as well.

Green Acre's very existence is alive with spiritual history. Even before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit in 1912, thousands of people who were filled with thoughts of peace and oneness came to Green Acre.

We know that the visit of the Master was a singular spiritual bounty, and that over the years a host of the Blessed Beauty's faithful adherents have gathered there to come to know the reality of the Master's words:

"Whensoever a company of people shall gather in a meeting place, shall engage in glorifying God, and shall speak with one another of the mysteries of God, beyond any doubt the breathings of the Holy Spirit will blow gently over them, and the earth shall receive a share thereof." (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 94)

The Master further states in that same passage that when such gatherings are held in the utmost purity and consecration, "...from the site itself, and the earth and air about it, one will inhale the fragrant breathings of the Holy Spirit."

Green Acre's greatest resource has always been human souls. The Hands of the Cause of God have inspired the believers there with their words; and, in the case of one child who grew up to be Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, with their dancing feet on the recreation room stage.

The greater the diversity, the greater the spirit, and the Sarah Farmer Inn is a natural gathering place for that spirit. It has served and must continue to serve as one of those "collective centers" so crucial to the evolution of the Cause of God.

The increase in housing at the Inn will bring the spiritual benefit of greater numbers who will meet and be happy. Restoration seems a fair exchange for the additional spirit that the friends will both bring and find there.

As of this writing, the fund-raising effort for Green Acre is approaching $130,000 of the $1.1 million needed by September 30 to begin the construction work.

While the fund-raising has been entrusted by the National Spiritual Assembly to Bahá’ís in the Northeastern states, Bahá’ís everywhere are invited and encouraged to contribute to this noble cause. We especially appreciate the prayers of the friends around the world.

Contributions earmarked for the Green Acre reconstruction can be sent to the National Treasurer's Office or sent directly to: Restoration Fund, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

If you wish to know more about any of the work being done at Green Acre or receive a summer program, drop us a note or phone 207-439-7200 and we'll be happy to respond and to add your name to our mailing list.

Fire Marshal Steve Dodge (center) talks with architects and consulting engineers about safety concerns at Green Acre's Sarah Farmer Inn (see story on page 8).

Add North Carolina, Tennessee to list of Summer Schools

The following schools were not included in last month's listing of Bahá’í summer schools:

North Carolina: July 30-August 3, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory (near the mountains of North Carolina; private rooms and baths. Classes for children, adults and youth.) Theme: "The Word of God" from Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Contact Diane McKinley (evenings), 919-469-2783, or (days) 919-469-6279.

Tennessee: August 12-14, Mounteagle. Classes for children, youth and adults. Theme: "Building the Ark of Salvation." Contact Farshid Ferdowsi, 615-377-3737.

Plan now to attend a summer school. If you missed the school listing in last month's issue, please call to get it. The number is 312-869-9039.

Green Acre: four spring sessions, four full houses

Spring programs at the Green Acre School hit the mark with four full houses in attendance.

The underlying goal of the Interracial and Cross-Cultural Marriage Conference was to illumine the spiritual and practical avenues of acquiring racial and cultural unity through interracial and cross-cultural marriage and transracial adoption.

Among the unique features of the weekend session coordinated by Vicki and Joel Nizin were an adult panel and a youth panel composed of individuals raised in interracial and cross-cultural homes which gave an historical perspective to these issues and demonstrated that today's youth place an emphasis on social concerns.

The second annual Connecticut at Green Acre Weekend kept the record-breaking crowd of 45 adults and 23 children happy.

Paul Tamburro, an American Indian Bahá’í from New Hampshire, presented one of the most influential talks on the program, one that inspired many to learn more about American Indians and teaching work in their midst.

Other speakers were Dr. Nabil Ali, Kent Johnson, Shirley Lee and Sharon Ramsharran.

Saturday evening featured a fund-raiser for Green Acre, which is privileged to be a part of efforts by entire states to share fellowship with all of their resident Bahá’ís.

The Singles Conference provided a consultative environment in which men and women identified issues, problems and resources available to help meet the challenge of being single Bahá’ís in a...

Brilliant Star

Brilliant Star one year $12.00 (six issues) two years $23.00 foreign, surface, one year $15.00 foreign, surface, two years $28.00 foreign, air, one year $25.00 foreign, air, two years $47.00

Name Street City State & Zip Age of recipient

Enclosed is my gift of $ ________ to the Brilliant Star Endowment Fund, established in honor of the Bahá’í children of Iran, for the purpose of developing materials for children. I understand that my gift will become part of a perpetual fund whose earnings will support this purpose.

Send to: Brilliant Star Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, Il. 60091 [Page 10]

at Teaneck property

On April 9, with the collaboration of the National Teaching Committee and Auxiliary Board member William Roberts, a meeting was held at the Wilhelm Bahá’í Properties in Teaneck, New Jersey, which was attended by about 30 Bahá’ís active in teaching the Spanish-speaking population on the East Coast.

Those present, who came from an area stretching from New Hampshire to North Carolina, consulted on ways to stimulate and accelerate teaching among Spanish-speaking people.

The meeting, held in the cabin visited by the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, many years ago, was characterized by a spirit of unity, love, joy and harmony. From that same place, 76 years ago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called on the Bahá’ís to unify and to intensify their teaching efforts.

Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh, in a stimulating talk, reminded the friends of the injunctions of the Universal House of Justice to use imagination in teaching, to be efficient and to exert sacrificial effort.

Among the many recommendations to come forth from the consultation was the importance of teaching to the heart, not simply the intellect.

Another was to use current events that affect the Hispanic people as a focus for teaching. Yet another concerned the importance of developing personal friendships and doing things together, not just teaching.

Upcoming and Ongoing Teaching Projects

Baker, OR Wind River Ros, WY CHARLOTTE ORLICK PROJECT Summer, 1968 Dru Hanich 3071863-2277

BAKER PROJECT Ongoing John Lang 503/389-1381

NE Colorado BADI PROJECT Ongoing Carl Fravel 3031965-6059

Miwuk Rancheria, CA TUOLUMNE MIWUK PROJECT Ongoing Lee Haso 209/586-7503

Tule River Rancharla, CA TULE RIVER PROJECT Ongoing Vida Soro 806/833-8861

Los Angeles, CA SPIRITUAL CONQUEST OF THE CITY OF THE ANGELS next summer 213/933-8291

Long Beach, CA EL DORADO PARK PROJECT Sundays Pam Sorooshian 213493-3094

Mission, CA Lapwal (0 PROJECT 95 20843-2087

Grants Pass, OR SOUTHERN OREGON YOUTH PROJECT July 28-31, 1968 Heather Suvan 503476-0010

Houck, AZ NABI PROJECT Ongoing Jeff Kiely

Mandaren, ND MANDAREE PROJECT Ongoing Mavis Nymon 701/22-0068

Eagle Butts, SD SPIRIT OF THE ROSE PROJECT Ongoing

Pueblo, CO Sand Le Boo 605/964-7340

PROJECT ARISE Ongoing Bill or Lod Emet 303/948-2219 602/367-5126x8596

Los Angeles, CA WEST HOLLYWOOD PROJECT Ongoing John Angelo 213654-4622

MISSION VIEJO PROJECT Nation wide

Phoenix area, AZ Phoenix, AZ PROJECT MIHOI Ongoing Sylvia Gonzale 602/243-3290

PROJECT RAUL PAVON Ongoing Judith Spychalsk 602269-2703

Southern Arizona Wichita, KS Kansas Berri, MN Me Lac, MN ANGUS COWEN PROJECT Ongoing John Skoog

DAWNBREAKERS PROJECT Ongoing Naceto Missagh 218/251-6

Macy, NE AMG2 GIBSON PROJECT Ongoing Jo Elen Canon 4021046-5409

Piours Pueblo, NM PICURIS PUEBLO PROJECT Ongoing John McGameey 505/758-3038

PROJECT ARISE Ongoing

GENOLA WEST PROJECT Ongoing ESE ROSE PROJECT LaRue Roys 602378-6785

NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE Jaci Delahunt 312869 9039

Linda Tedder 316830-9125 Kansas City, MO 6125323611 Rock Island

ROCK ISLAND PROJECT Ongoing Elizabeth Hickerson 309/762-2549

Minneapolis, MN MINNEAPOLIS PROJECT Ongoing David gham 6128239074

Phobs Co, MO KHADEM PROJECT Ongoing Lynn Welkes 314064-2740

University City, MO UNIVERSITY CITY PROJECT Ongoing Art Mebane 314962-7130

ALBERT WALKUP PROJECT Ongoing Kathon Norton 816531-5169

Easton Texas YELLOW ROSE PROJECT Ongoing Andrena King 409886-4853

Davenport, IA FIRE IN THE HEARTLAND Ongoing Fred Frazer 319/391-3621

Middleton Wi SPIRIT OF AMANI Ongoing Bruce Koerber 608831-0916

SWKY MARTHA JEFFERS PROJECT Ongoing

Milwaukee, W MARIAN STEFFES PROJECT Ongoing Lyn Locust 414/786-5926

Louisville, KY

Evanston, I HOUSE OF WORSHIP SERVICE PROJECT Ongoing Robert Ferguson 312864-89

Michigan, Mainland THE Each M TO KNOW Sally&Richard Singer 5177732-0416

Mishawaka, IN JANE HOWE PROJECT July 5-10, 1906 Carol McKel 219259-4621

OR DAVOODI PROJECT Ongoing Dr. Molid 606/263-1820 500/897-0072

Avondale, LA AVONDALE PROJECT Ongoing Bernice Domio 504436-1561

Western Tennessee ODESSA MYERS PROJECT Ongoing Carolyn Eck 901664-1694

On the map above are listed the ongoing and upcoming teaching projects in the United States that have been reported to the National Teaching Committee as of May 7.

Indianapolis, IN MR KHADEM PROJECT Ongoing Carol No 317547-3091

Butalo NY PROJECT LUA Ongoing Delaney 716825-5457

New Jersey Bratobom, VT GREEN MT GATEWAY PROJECT July 3 July 23, 1988 Barbara Bamish 803257-4433 802254-6918

Providence, R PROVIDENCE PROJECT Ongoing Kingsley Swan 4017275-8364

SJERSEY PROJECT Ongoing

Wilmington, NC Massachusetts PROJECT MASSACHUSETTS (over 50 project) Ongoing Charles Cooper 617/745-2430

Warwick, R WARWICK PROJECT Ongoing Mayo Munday 401/792-3679

Connecticut SE CONNECTICUT PROJECT Ongoing

Pocomoke Cy MDT DELMARVA PROJECT Ongoing Mary Springle 301/957-2740

WILMINGTON PROJECT Ongoing Kam Austin-Bowden 919/763-6188

Pickens Co., SC DAWNBREAKERS PROJECT Ongoing un 1992 Truman Brown 8032682419

NEW JERUSALEM Ongoing Lays M 404/993-7067

Lancaster, KY SE Florida VISION 2000 Ongoing James Mock 305945-0123

Karan James 203443-6102

Zenia, OH Falls Church, VA PROJECT X OLINGA PROJECT Ongoing Ongoing Rose Wendel Thomas Ndousse 513372-1844 703/848-0206

Hickory, NC HICKORY PROJECT Ongoing Jim Martindale 704/328-3709

FLMAL SC HORIZON SEED PROJECT Ongoing Nun Riza 803547-5622

St. Petersburg, FL SE ASIAN PROJECT Ongoing Marsa Umer 305825-0702

THOMAS LEON HILL PROJECT Northwest Georgia Ongoing GEORGIA ABLAZE Sarah Le Ongoing Sharon Wright 404/923-2361 606266-8056

Nation-wide NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE PROJECT Ongoing Carolyn Das 3128 9039

If your community is sponsoring a teaching project that does not appear on the map, please fill in the form (to the right) and return it to the National Teaching Committee. If you would rather that information about your project not be published in The American Bahá’í, please indicate this in the 'comments' section. Best wishes for a successful project—we look forward to hearing from you!

Teaching Projects-1988/1989

Name of Project: Sponsor: Location: Contact Person: Phone Number(s): Type of Project: Goal(s): Comments:

Return to: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091

The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It

Second in "The Word of God" series!

First there was The Word of God. The second booklet in a series of study guides developed by the National Teaching Committee to act as a bridge to expanded study of the profound concepts found in the Bahá’í Writings is now available.

The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It addresses the appeal of the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván 1987 Message to concentrate on this theme, which "will enable us all to obtain a deeper appreciation of the meaning and purpose of His Revelation...."

Like The Word of God, this booklet may be used for individual or group study. It may be used as a resource for preparing firesides, public talks, or seminar work at Bahá’í schools or institutes. New believers and long-time Bahá’ís will find it useful, educational, and uplifting. Order yours now!

Only $2.00 per copy! 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: 800/999-9019

Teaching Institute in San Fernando

As part of "The Spiritual Conquest of the City of the Angels" teaching campaign, a teaching institute for Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís was held April 1-3 in San Fernando, California.

The event was sponsored by the Hispanic Teaching Task Force of Los Angeles.

Prayers recited by children opened the institute, after which Auxiliary Board member Miguel Osborne spoke about the Plan of God, explaining that more than 40 years ago, Shoghi Effendi described the twin processes of disintegration and integration at work in the world.

The Bahá’ís, he said, must work to follow Bahá’u’lláh’s blueprint for building a new World Order of unity and spirituality that will result in the Most Great Peace.

Luis Chavez conducted a workshop on using the "Effective Teaching" workbook prepared by the National Teaching Committee. Participants discussed the meaning of teaching, how to improve one's effectiveness in teaching, and preparing a personal teaching plan.

Auxiliary Board member Edward Diliberto talked about "The Great Role of the Faith: The Freedom of Humankind," "The Role of the Common Man in the Plan of God," and the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

The institute ended with all attendees teaching in a park in San Fernando.

On their return from the park, they gathered at the Bahá’í Center in San Fernando to share their joy and sing "I am a Bahá’í, I am a Bahá’í...."

And not only in larger cities

In some areas of U.S., sharing Message with Chinese can prove most rewarding

The opportunities to increase the diversity of the Bahá’í community by teaching people from different cultural backgrounds in the U.S. are often greater than we suspect.

One of the areas of highest promise is sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh with the Chinese community. There are several areas in this country where many Chinese live:

Cities with largest Chinese population (1980 census): New York, NY (124,764); Los Angeles, CA (93,747); San Francisco, CA (82,480); Honolulu, HI (52,814); Alameda (Oakland), CA (32,117).

Counties with the highest percentage of Chinese in the population (1980 census): San Francisco, CA (12.15); Honolulu, HI (6.93); Alameda, CA (2.91); San Mateo (Palo Alto), CA (2.75); Hawaii (Hilo), HI (1.82).

Other areas with large Chinese populations are Chicago, Houston and Boston.

This in no way means that the opportunity to teach Chinese people is limited to the larger cities. Many smaller towns, especially those with colleges, are excellent areas in which to meet and associate with people of Chinese descent. The Universal House of Justice has stated:

"Emphasis is now being placed on reaching the millions of Chinese people who reside permanently outside China with the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh."

If you are interested in finding out more about teaching Chinese, please contact the Chinese Teaching Committee, P.O. Box 1889, Cambridge, MA 02238, or through the Bahá’í National Center.

Would you like a Chinese edition of the Dawnbreakers or the Hidden Words?!

If so, you may order Chinese literature from the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone: (312) 869-9039. [Page 11]

TEACHING

A preliminary report from the National Teaching Committee dated May 4 showed that although 99 local Assemblies were lost, 111 were gained at Riḍván. This is encouraging news! Last year, 197 Assemblies were lost and only 80 gained.

Through the persistent efforts of District Teaching Committees, local Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members, their assistants, and large numbers of dedicated individuals, many new Assemblies were formed and many that had been lost in past years were restored.

In addition, many non-functioning Assemblies were helped to form again.

Most of the Assemblies that were lost this year could not be re-formed because the membership in their community had fallen below the required nine adult believers.

Some were lost, however, because of the Assemblies' lack of maturity: either they did not know how to have an election or did not understand the importance of gathering to elect the Assembly—and there was no one there to help them.

In addition, some Groups that have more than nine adult believers did not form for the same reason.

The Guardian made it clear that "...in any locality where the number of adult believers reaches nine, a local Assembly should be formed." Still, some of the friends wonder why non-functioning Assemblies are helped to form year after year when they seem to exist only on paper.

In the Bahá’í Writings, no reference is made to "paper Assemblies." The Guardian often spoke of Assemblies in organic terms, as though they were living entities. Although some local Spiritual Assemblies may be dormant, like seeds planted in the ground that have not yet sprouted, they are alive with potential and must be kept safe from harm until they respond to the water and warmth that is given to them and begin to mature.

We would not expect that a seed would grow to maturity as a result of being watered only one time per year. Nor can we expect Assemblies to mature when they are visited by Bahá’ís only one time per year—at Ridván.

Helping Assemblies to mature is an ongoing process in which nourishment must be given regularly and consistently until they are able to function on their own.

Now is the time to begin working with dormant Assemblies to assure that they will become strong functioning Bahá’í centers. All Bahá’ís are responsible for helping these Assemblies to grow and mature. District Teaching Committees can organize consolidation activities in these areas; neighboring communities can help by adopting a dormant Assembly as an extension teaching goal.

Individual Bahá’ís can pioneer to these communities or visit them as traveling teachers.

Certainly, we will appreciate our efforts in raising strong Assemblies when the troops who will enter the Cause arrive and we can rely on all of our Assemblies to help in welcoming them.

It is now imperative for every Bahá’í to set for himself individual teaching goals. The admonition of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to lead at least one new soul to the Faith each year and the exhortation of Shoghi Effendi to hold a Bahá’í fireside in one's home every Bahá’í month are examples of individual goals. Many have the capacity to do even more, but this alone will assure final and complete victory for the Plan. —The Universal House of Justice Messages from the Universal House of Justice, p. 35.

Building Unity of Thought on Teaching

This booklet, a re-print of the article found in the December, 1987 issue of The American Bahá’í, is available for 50 cents per copy. Order yours today!

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

Sollars move on, new coordinator named for traveling teachers

Dale and Ann Sollars, who have been serving tirelessly as the National Teaching Committee's Traveling Teacher Coordinator and assistant for the past two years, are moving to Haifa!

Sam Williams of Yadkinville, North Carolina, has graciously agreed to assume the responsibilities of office manager for traveling teacher coordinators.

To arrange for traveling teachers to come to your area, or to ask for help in setting up an itinerary, please phone Mr. Williams at 919-679-2133 or 919-679-2623. You may write to him at P.O. Box 971, Yadkinville, NC 27055.

Kim Bowers, who had served as regional coordinator for Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, has also moved on to new challenges. Taking his place is Riaz Haghpajuh, Addison, TX 75244 (phone 214-243-1540).

Some firesides with unusual 'twist'

An unusual twist in fireside teaching takes place once every 19 days at the home of Hoda Mahmoudi and Rick Da Bell in Santa Monica, California.

Instead of the usual approach, in which those attending are addressed by an adult speaker, the speakers at these firesides are youth.

Generally, the firesides are attended by 10 to 20 people, most of whom range in age from 14 to 23 years. The goal of this approach is to enable the youth to teach other youth and adults.

Among the young people at a recent fireside at the home of Hoda Mahmoudi and Rick Da Bell in Santa Monica, California, were (back row left to right) Maricela Martinez, Camile Mansouri, Sooroosh Majzoob, Naysan Mahmoudi, Ali Enayati, Jason Snibbe, Mandy Enayati, and (front row left to right) Chris Milo, Michael Mathenge, Jason Conrad and Laura Mansouri.

After the talk, the meeting is opened up for questions and discussion. Often, the discussions lead the young people to consult the Bahá’í Writings to more fully understand a concept or idea.

Another benefit is that one young participant, six-year-old Bijan, is also learning, by example, how to teach the Faith.

The discussions are followed by informal conversation, fellowship, love and unity. Most of the attendees stay and have a good time getting to know one another without being in an old world "party" atmosphere.

The hosts consider these firesides a highlight of their month—and they are, no doubt, a highlight for the youth as well.

Blacks, other minorities must be given Message

"Associate with one another," ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said during one of His last meetings with the friends in the United States, "think of each other and be like a rose garden."

From the earliest days of the Faith in this country, the friends have been asked to make special efforts to share the Teachings with blacks.

Today, it is a goal of the Six Year Plan to reach blacks and other minority groups with the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh and integrate them into the mainstream of Bahá’í community life.

Still, some of the friends are hesitant to make such efforts, as they do not ordinarily come into contact with blacks and are not sure how to begin to do so.

Therefore, the National Teaching Committee would like to offer some suggestions about ways in which individuals and communities may establish contact and make friends with blacks.

Here are ideas to get you started

"Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him."

These words of Bahá’u’lláh are some that we are all familiar with. They are associated with the importance of deepening in the Creative Word.

But the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, also stressed the importance of being knowledgeable about current affairs: "If the Bahá’ís want to be really effective in teaching the Cause," he said, "they need to be much better informed and able to discuss... the present condition of the world and its problems."

Our first suggestion, then, is that the friends who are unfamiliar with the issues of concern to blacks on world-wide, national and community levels familiarize themselves with these issues through newspaper articles and magazines for blacks, or through special television programs.

This will provide a basic awareness that can be essential in helping to create bonds of friendship and understanding with those of the black race.

If a local college offers courses in Black Studies, taking one of these classes would not only give individuals an opportunity to learn about black culture but also to meet black classmates with whom they could begin to associate.

The friends might also consider becoming involved with local organizations whose membership includes a number of blacks.

These may range anywhere from leisure-oriented to service-oriented groups. Or they may be organizations dedicated to the upliftment of black people specifically, such as the NAACP.

Bahá’í communities may wish to contact black organizations and invite them to collaborate in sponsoring local events such as observances of Black History Week, Juneteenth, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

These organizations may include churches whose membership is predominantly black. Many personal friends as well as friends of the Faith have been made through good working relationships with local community groups. These new friends may in turn be invited to firesides in one's home.

Blacks are one racial minority in this country on which we have often been asked to focus our attention in teaching.

In any endeavor to ensure diversity, it takes time and effort for a gardener to see that an array of flowers is cultivated in a garden, but ultimately the total effect is brilliant.

New study guide proves useful, popular

The study guide entitled The Word of God, recently published by the National Teaching Committee, is proving to be a useful and popular bridge to the expanded study of the Bahá’í Writings.

To provide a glimpse of how it works, an excerpt, the introduction to Chapter One, is given below:

"We cannot gain understanding about the Word of God through our own unaided efforts. The Word of God, Bahá’u’lláh says, is 'far higher and superior to that which the senses can perceive.' We must learn about the nature of the Word by turning to the means God has provided—statements within the Word of God itself. This will be our method throughout the six lessons of this book.

"We begin our study of the Word of God with a more familiar topic—the words of human beings. By exploring statements in the Bahá’í Writings we will learn about the qualities and influence that words possess. On this basic understanding of the nature of words we can build, in lessons two through six, a study of the Word of God."

See GUIDE page 40

Three more state capitals form Assemblies

Due to the "moving" endeavors of several homefront pioneers, the state capital cities of Dover, Delaware; Carson City, Nevada; and Charleston, West Virginia—which did not have local Spiritual Assemblies last year—were able to form Assemblies at Ridván!

One of the goals of the Six Year Plan is to "establish a Spiritual Assembly in every state capital." Four such capital cities remain without Assemblies: Cheyenne, Wyoming; Pierre, South Dakota; Trenton, New Jersey; and Montpelier, Vermont.

Bahá’ís who are interested in homefront pioneering to one of these cities are asked to contact the National Teaching Committee (312-869-9039) for more information. [Page 12]

The laws of Bahá’u’lláh are a sign of His love and mercy

Imagine that you have been invited to a wonderful party. A good friend offers you directions on how to get there. The party is rather hard to find, so the directions are carefully prepared; there are, say, 10 different steps to the directions.

As you drive to the party, you follow steps one through seven. But at step eight, instead of turning right as the directions explain, you decide for yourself that you would rather go left. It's your choice, of course, but, not surprisingly, you become lost and never do find the party.

Imagine also that you received the directions with nine other people. At different points, each of you chooses to disregard one of the steps in the directions to make his or her own choice. Not only would no one arrive at the party no two people would arrive at the same place!

The laws given by the Manifestations of God are a set of "divine directions" guiding individuals and society. "They whom God hath endued with insight," says Bahá’u’lláh, "will readily recognize that the precepts laid down by God constitute the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples." (Gleanings, p. 331)

Rather than being an arbitrary imposition of God's will upon man, the laws of God are intended to help us reach a desirable goal for individuals, achievement of their true purpose; for society, the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá informs us: "The Laws of God are not impositions of will, or of power, or pleasure, but the resolutions of truth, reason and justice." (Paris Talks, p. 154)

Bahá’u’lláh further explains that He has not revealed "a mere code of laws" but has "unsealed the choice Wine." "Know thou assuredly," He says, "that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures...." Through His ordinances "the standards of victory will be planted upon the highest peaks." (Gleanings, p. 332)

From the Writings

In the following passages, Bahá’u’lláh describes how the laws of God are revealed over time within a Dispensation so that, through the mercy of God, humanity can gradually adapt to the full implications of those laws.

"Know of a certainty," He says, "that in every Dispensation the light of Divine Revelation hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct proportion to their spiritual capacity. Consider the sun. How feeble its rays the moment it appeareth above the horizon. How gradually its warmth and potency increase as it approacheth its zenith, enabling meanwhile all created things to adapt themselves to the growing intensity of its light. How steadily it declineth until it reacheth its setting point. Were it, all of a sudden, to manifest the energies latent within it, it would, no doubt, cause injury to all created things....

"In like manner, if the Sun of Truth were suddenly to reveal, at the earliest stages of its manifestation, the full measure of the potencies which the providence of the Almighty hath bestowed upon it, the earth of human understanding would waste away and be consumed; for men's hearts would neither sustain the intensity of its revelation, nor be able to mirror forth the radiance of its light. Dismayed and overpowered, they would cease to exist." (Gleanings, pp. 87-88)

Discuss the passages with the Bahá’í who taught you the Faith, or with another believer. Together consider the following questions:

• Some of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh have been applied only gradually in the West. One example is the law regarding the consumption of alcohol, which was implemented by Shoghi Effendi. Do you know of other examples? (One hint: the law of Huqú’qu’lláh)

• Can we assume, based on the principles described above, that laws and teachings we may as individuals find difficult to apply in current society—such as chastity or freedom from racial prejudice—are intended for a future time and that, therefore, we do not have to obey them now?

• The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Laws, has not been, as yet, fully translated into English. How can we obey Bahá’í laws if the Aqdas has not yet been translated?

The following are a few references available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service which address the topic of Bahá’í law:

Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas—This book has translated passages of the Aqdas and an outline of the content of Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Laws. See especially pages 1-7, an introduction by the Universal House of Justice that discusses the issues raised in the passages and questions above.

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh—See especially pages 289-341 which focus on the nature of Divine laws and teachings and the development of a good character.

God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi—This book is the Guardian's history of the first century of the Faith. It describes on pages 213-16 the content and importance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

The Imperishable Dominion, by Udo Schaefer—Especially chapter 10, pages 152-90, which focuses on the nature of Divine law and why we should obey it.

In considering the nature of divine laws, and the need to obey them, it is important to consider the distinction between divine law and the philosophies or laws of human beings.

With any philosophy, we are free to pick and choose among the teachings. They are, after all, only the opinion of one person, and are subject to testing, evaluation and revision by other men.

But the Teachings of the Manifestation of God are not the opinions or advice of one person. They are rather the will of God for humanity and are based on an understanding of the creation that far transcends human understanding.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the laws and teachings are often greeted with surprise and rejection by humanity—what person would claim to have the same viewpoint as God Himself?

Bahá’u’lláh explains that the Manifestation of God is the Divine Physician Whose laws are the healing remedy for the body of the world. The patient, He says, cannot challenge the knowledge of the all-knowing Physician:

"Were He to decree as lawful the things which from time immemorial had been forbidden, and to forbid that which had, at all times, been regarded as lawful, to none is given the right to question His authority.... Whoso hath not recognized this sublime and fundamental verity, and hath failed to attain this most exalted station, the winds of doubt will agitate him, and the sayings of the infidels will distract his soul. He that hath acknowledged this principle will be endowed with the most perfect constancy." (Gleanings, p. 87)

Simply by accepting the laws of the Manifestation, are we not, then, as human beings, surrendering our intelligence? Have we become sheep, prepared to be led astray? Have we sacrificed our freedom? All these are far from the truth.

Rather than binding or restricting us, divine law offers true freedom.

An example can be found in the function of traffic laws. Without such laws, cars would be almost unable to move in a crowded city. But because of the laws and each driver's adherence to them, thousands of cars are able to move to their intended goals with perfect freedom.

"That which beseemeth man," Bahá’u’lláh says, "is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker....

"The liberty that profiteth you is to be found nowhere except in complete servitude unto God, the Eternal Truth. Whoso hath tasted of its sweetness will refuse to barter it for all the dominion of earth and heaven." (Gleanings, p. 336)

Also, instead of sacrificing our intelligence, we are recognizing the limits of human reason and opening the door to faith.

"To whatever heights the mind of the most exalted of men may soar," Bahá’u’lláh tells us, "however great the depths which the detached and understanding heart can penetrate, such mind and heart can never transcend that which is the creature of their own conceptions and the product of their own thoughts.... Whosoever pondereth this truth in his heart will readily admit that there are certain limits which no human being can possibly transgress." (Gleanings, p. 318)

God will, in His way, guide us. Our responsibility is to determine for ourselves the truth of the claim of His Manifestation.

Once having recognized Bahá’u’lláh as God's Manifestation for this Day, we can trust His laws to be guideposts in an age when humanity has forgotten its Lord and pursues its base and selfish desires.

kár, the "centerpiece of Bahá’u’lláh’s plan for community life." A group of Bahá’ís holds an informal deepening session on the lawn in front of the Mashriqu’l-Adh-

Bahá’u’lláh’s laws, ordinances concern individual, society, and worship of God

Bahá’u’lláh’s laws and ordinances can be divided into three categories: those regarding worship of God; those designed to benefit the physical and spiritual condition of the individual; and those intended to transform society.

The following are a few examples of each (for more information see On Becoming a Bahá’í, a booklet provided to each new believer upon enrollment into the community). Some of the laws mentioned here may seem to belong on more than one list:

• • Devotional**

Prayer—Bahá’u’lláh revealed three obligatory prayers, one of which should be selected and read or recited each day (see pages 3-16 in Bahá’í Prayers).

Fasting—The fast takes place from March 2-21, and involves abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. This law applies to those from 15-70 who are not traveling, pregnant or nursing, or ill.

Reading the Holy Writings—Bahá’ís are to read the Sacred Writings every morning and evening.

• • The individual**

Teaching—Bahá’ís should tell those who are willing to listen about the coming of Bahá’u’lláh and about His teachings. There are many ways to teach—this especially includes teaching through our good character.

Marriage—As part of Bahá’u’lláh’s law of marriage, Bahá’ís are to have the consent of all the couple's parents to the marriage; the purpose is to build unity in the family, and, to a greater extent, in society. Also, expression of a sexual relationship is reserved for marriage; Bahá’ís should be chaste outside of marriage and loyal to one's spouse within a marriage.

Avoiding alcohol and drugs—Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explain that alcohol and drugs harm not only the body but the progress of the soul. Avoidance of drugs does not include medicines that are prescribed and/or administered by a physician.

• • Society**

Bahá’í administration—Bahá’u’lláh Himself established the framework for and authority of Bahá’í administration, including Assemblies and the Universal House of Justice. This is in marked contrast to religions of the past in which the followers, not the Founder, created the religious institutions. Bahá’í administration is the nucleus and pattern of the future World Order which Bahá’u’lláh came to establish.

Mashriqu’l-Adhkár—A House of Worship, which will in the future be established in every community, is a centerpiece of Bahá’u’lláh’s plan for community life. People will gather each morning at the House of Worship to praise God before beginning their day. Around this building will be raised dependencies intended to serve humanity, such as a school, hospital or home for the aged.

Obedience to government—Bahá’ís should be obedient to their governments and avoid interfering in political affairs. At the same time, they should be active in society in advancing principles, such as the elimination of prejudice or the establishment of peace, that reflect the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. [Page 13]

Ridván

Assemblies in their growing relations with governmental and non-governmental organizations and with the public in general.

This recognition prompted a meeting in Germany last November of national Bahá’í external affairs representatives from Europe and North America, together with senior representatives of the Offices of the Bahá’í International Community, intent on effecting greater coordination of their work. This was a preliminary step toward the gathering of more and more National Spiritual Assemblies into a harmoniously functioning, international network capable of executing global undertakings in this rapidly expanding field. Related to these developments was the significant achievement of international recognition accorded the Faith through its formal acceptance last October into membership of the Network on Conservation and Religion of the renowned World Wide Fund for Nature.

At one of the darkest periods in the prolonged oppression of the dearly-loved, resolutely steadfast friends in Iran, Shoghi Effendi was moved to comfort them in a letter of astounding insight. "It is the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia," he wrote, "which, in this shining era, this resplendent, this gem-studded Bahá’í age, shall change the face of the earth into high heaven and, as revealed in the Tablets, raise up the tabernacle of the oneness of mankind in the very heart of the world, reveal to men's eyes the reality of the unity of the human race, establish the Most Great Peace, make of this lower realm a mirror for the Abhá Paradise, and establish beyond any doubt before all the peoples of the world the truth of the verse: ...the day when the Earth shall be changed into another Earth.' "Reflections like these, in adducing such wondrous future consequences from the horrific suffering to which our Iranian friends are subjected, illuminate the opportunity and the challenge facing us all at this crucial moment in the fortunes of the Cause.

The great projects already launched must be pursued to their completion. The terraces below and above the Shrine of the Báb and the Arc on Mount Carmel must be completed, fulfilling the glorious vision of the efflorescence of God's holy mountain; the second World Congress must be held in the City of the Covenant to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of that Covenant; the steadily advancing work on the translation and annotation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, must be brought to publication; the interest shown by the friends in the Law of Huqúqu’lláh must be cultivated; the pioneers and traveling teachers must go forth; the expenses of the Cause must be met; all objectives of the Six Year Plan must be achieved.

But the paramount purpose of all Bahá’í activity is teaching. All that has been done or will be done revolves around this central activity, the "head corner-stone of the foundation itself," to which all progress in the Cause is due. The present challenge calls for teaching on a scale and of a quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts. The time is now, lest opportunity be lost in the swiftly changing moods of a frenetic world. Let it not be imagined that expedience is the essential motive arousing this sense of urgency. There is an overarching reason: it is the pitiful plight of masses of humanity, suffering and in turmoil, hungering after righteousness but "bereft of discernment to see God with their own eyes, or hear His Melody with their own ears." They must be fed. Vision must be restored where hope is lost, confidence built where doubt and confusion are rife. In these and other respects, "The Promise of World Peace" is designed to open the way. Its delivery to national and governmental leaders having been virtually completed, its contents must now be conveyed, by all possible means, to peoples everywhere from all walks of life. This is a necessary part of the teaching work in our time and must be pursued with unabated vigor.

Chester Kahn (left), a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, is pictured with two delegates from Africa at the sixth Bahá’í International Convention which was held April 29-May 2 at the World Center in Haifa, Israel. While there, the members of our National Assembly conferred with other National Spiritual Assemblies about matters of mutual concern and took part in the election of the Universal House of Justice (see election results on page 1). Next month in The American Bahá’í, we'll present full photo coverage of the sixth Bahá’í International Convention. (Photo copyright 1988 by Paul Slaughter)

Teaching is the food of the spirit; it brings life to unawakened souls and raises the new heaven and the new earth; it uplifts the banner of a unified world; in ensures the victory of the Covenant and brings those who give their lives to it the supernal happiness of attainment to the good pleasure of their Lord.

Every individual believer—man, woman, youth and child—is summoned to this field of action; for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the individual to teach and to serve, that the success of the entire community depends. Well-grounded in the mighty Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, sustained by daily prayer and reading of the Holy Word, strengthened by a continual striving to obtain a deeper understanding of the divine Teachings, illumined by a constant endeavor to relate these Teachings to current issues, nourished by observance of the laws and principles of His wondrous World Order, every individual can attain increasing measures of success in teaching. In sum, the ultimate triumph of the Cause is assured by that "one thing and only one thing" so poignantly emphasized by Shoghi Effendi, namely, "the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh."

Beloved friends—you who are addressed by the Best Beloved, the Blessed Beauty, as "the solace of the eye of creation," as "the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend the very life of all men"—we urge you, with all earnestness from the utter depths of our conviction as to the ripeness of the time, to lay aside your every minor concern and direct your energies to teaching His Cause—to proclaiming, expanding and consolidating it. You can approach your task in full confidence that this clear field of progress outstretched before you derives from the operation of that "God-born Force" which "vibrates within the innermost being of all created things" and which, "acting even as a two-edged sword, is, under our very eyes, sundering, on the one hand, the age-old ties which for centuries have held together the fabric of civilized society, and is unloosing, on the other, the bonds that still fetter the infant and as yet unemancipated Faith of Bahá’u’lláh."

Have no fear or doubts. The power of the Covenant will assist you and invigorate you and remove every obstacle from your path. "He, verily, will aid everyone that aideth Him, and will remember everyone that remembereth Him."

You have our abiding assurance of ardent and constant prayers for you all.

The Universal House of Justice Ridván 1983

'Gold Miners' ready to take part in third Gold Fever Conference

From July 17-19, large numbers of "spiritual gold miners" are expected to converge for the third time on the historic Mother Lode town of Placerville, California, to take part in the spiritual "Gold Fever" Conference.

The theme of this year's conference is "Finding the Nuggets." The focus will be on ways to accelerate the teaching work by "mining" spiritual nuggets, those inspired new believers who will help us win the goals of the Six Year Plan.

Some of those already scheduled to speak include National Spiritual Assembly member William Davis and Auxiliary Board members Marsha Gilpatrick, Richard Groger and Javidukht Khadem.

The conference is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Counselor Angus Cowan of Canada whose presence and inspiration at the Gold Fever Conferences in 1977 and 1983 helped make them so successful for the 500 people who attended each of them.

For more information, please contact the conference coordinator, Darlene Taylor, Placerville, CA 95667, or phone 916-626-0341.

TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY PLEDGE TO YOU OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND REAFFIRM OUR DEDICA- TION AND COMMITMENT TO COMPLETION OF THE ARC AND FULFILLMENT OF THE GOALS OF THE SIX YEAR PLAN. WE STAND READY TO RESPOND TO YOUR CALL AS WE ENTER THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PLAN AND PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES YET UNSEEN. WITH OUR LOVE WE OFFER OUR FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE STRENGTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE HEROIC MEMBERS OF OUR SUPREME INSTITUTION. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 3, 1988

Bahá’ís play leading role as Tampa Bay holds festive Interfaith Prayer Brunch

Thanks to the efforts of a handful of Bahá’ís and a core group of religious leaders, the Tampa Bay (Florida) area celebrated its religious diversity April 17 with an Interfaith Prayer Brunch.

About 350 people representing eight faiths gathered at the event to pray for unity and to express a need for continued cooperation among Tampa's religious groups.

The idea for a prayer brunch was born last summer and was carried into action by the Interfaith Committee of Tampa which was formed last September 30. The committee is composed of Bahá’ís, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, American Indians, Protestants and Roman Catholics.

A number of top community leaders endorsed the first-time event by "signing on" to an invitation letter that was mailed to about 6,000 people.

Chamber of Commerce members, political leaders, religious groups and secular organizations also received a brochure presenting a challenge to the Tampa community to stand up for interreligious respect and cooperation.

The opening remarks were made by Mayor Sandra Freeman of Tampa, who admitted she had tears in her eyes and expressed the hope that the event would become an annual one.

The program included prayers, music and dance as well as keynote addresses on religious diversity and the importance of religious toleration in a divinely ordained plan of God.

Bahá’í participation extended to musical presentations by the New Horizon Singers and the Peace Kids, a group of four racially diverse Bahá’í children who sang "God Is Sufficient Unto Me" and "We Are Drops of One Ocean."

The latter song was quoted the following day in the Tampa Tribune which called the Peace Kids' presentation "one of the program's most moving moments."

The event also received coverage in the St. Petersburg Times, on a local TV newscast and on a delayed radio broadcast.

Young Bahá’í inducted in Golden Key Society

Andrea Jane Atkinson, a Bahá’í youth attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, has been inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Ms. Atkinson, a third-year National Merit Scholar with a double major in computer science and biology, is vice-chairman and treasurer of the UM Bahá’í Club and an active member of the Society of Women Engineers.

Her membership in the United Campuses Against Racism has been helpful in assisting students to cope with recent racial tensions at the university. [Page 14]

Conversations

By John Hatcher

Dr. John Hatcher, author of The Purpose of Physical Reality, once again offers keen insight into many perplexing spiritual questions. This story revolves around Hasan, a thirteen-year-old boy whose parents were executed for being Bahá’ís. Since his parents' death when he was three, he has been cared for by his embittered Muslim grandmother. The story opens with the frail, shy Hasan coming to live with his mother's Bahá’í sister and her family. Hasan, numb to the confusion, the sadness, and the anger he suppresses, begins to open up and heal as he comes to know God through his new Bahá’í family and friends.

This fictional story is much more than entertaining reading...it is challenging. Dr. Hatcher provides insight after insight as young Hasan learns about God and the Bahá’í Faith. Throughout the story we are witness to the thought-provoking conversations, the spiritually enlightening games, and a unique historical perspective regarding ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Bahá’ís near Haifa during the outbreak of the First World War. This is absorbing reading for youth and adults.

Published by George Ronald SC $11.95

The Dawning Place Sale Extended

The Dawning Place, by Bruce W. Whitmore, is a pictorial record and a comprehensive history of the hard-won successes and the heart-wrenching setbacks that accompanied the erection of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. This history demonstrates how the unity of the North American Bahá’í community and the building of its administrative order were forged into being by the momentous task of raising funds and building the North American "Temple of Light."

83 photos and illustrations From the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust $9.95 HC and SC $4.95

Bookstore Goes to Bahá’í International Youth Conference

The Bahá’í Distribution Service will operate a fully stocked bookstore at the Bahá’í International Youth Conference. This bookstore will be located on the second floor of the Student Union Building at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana, June 30 through July 4, 1988.

The bookstore will carry a wide range of Bahá’í literature from the Bahá’í Distribution Service as well as Conference souvenirs and materials from other vendors of Bahá’í materials. In addition to being abundantly stocked, the bookstore will be easily accessible to Conference participants. The Student Union Building is the site of many of the scheduled events for children, youth, and adults, and the bookstore will remain open from early morning to late at night.

Come to the Conference, and take home the newest books and special Bahá’í materials!

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019

ORDERED BY Name Address City Home Phone No. Date

ORDER FORM PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE SHIP TO (if different) Name Address State Zip City State Zip Work Phone No.

Quantity Title Type: Hard Cover, Soft Cover, Poster, Cassette, Card, etc. Total Amount

Check or Money Order VISA or MasterCard Expiration date Account Number UPS address TAB 6/88 VISA American Express

Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being

Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being HC $15.95 SC $8.95

Offering insight about applying the Bahá’í teachings on marriage to the realities of everyday life, Marriage examines the institution of marriage in the light of God's purpose for humanity and challenges today's couples to contrast their attitudes, expectations, and behaviors absorbed from society with the model outlined in the Bahá’í teachings.

Addresses such topics as: dating preparing for marriage the purpose of marriage prayers for marriage the equality of women and men conflict resolution interracial marriage raising children assistance from the Spiritual Assembly divorce and remarriage

Formerly published as A Fortress for Well-Being. With a new cover design by Mona Carloni New Foreword by Geoffrey W. Marks and Amy Seidel Marks From the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Teaching And Proclamation Booklets

Two high-quality information booklets, beautifully designed and printed with four-color photographs throughout, are now available.

The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction Pkg of 10 $9.95

This booklet contains many color photographs showing Bahá’ís from diverse parts of the world and the seven Bahá’í Houses of Worship. It gives information regarding the basic teachings of Bahá’u’lláh; the Bahá’í world community; the historical background on the Faith, including details about the Central Figures, the Universal House of Justice, the Bahá’í World Center, social and economic development, and the Bahá’ís and the United Nations.

Social and Economic Development: A Bahá’í Approach Pkg of 10 $9.95

This booklet contains 30 color photographs of Bahá’ís from around the world. Its content addresses such issues as group decision-making; community development; children's education; the encouragement of women; the development of tutorial schools, agriculture, health care; Bahá’í radio projects; and international collaboration.

Published by U.K. Bahá’í Publishing Trust for the Public Information Office of Bahá’í International Community

The Creative Word

The U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust celebrates the publication of this inexpensive edition of Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Now all of the major works of Bahá’u’lláh available in English can be purchased in dignified, inexpensive, pocket-size or softcover editions!

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh PS $4.50

Shoghi Effendi characterized the sixteen Tablets included in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, all revealed after the formation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, as "mighty and final effusions of His [Bahá’u’lláh's] indefatigable pen." They are Tablets that "must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-year-long ministry."

These significant and much-loved Tablets include the Book of the Covenant, the Most Holy Tablet, the Glad Tidings, the Tablet of the World, and the Tablet of Wisdom.

From the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and the six volumes of the Creative Word listed below will greatly assist the friends in their deepening, teaching, and proclamation efforts.

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf is Bahá’u’lláh's last work. It contains the compilation that He personally selected of the major themes of His Revelation. Epistle includes His promises and warnings to the people of the world. PS $4.50

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh is a survey of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh compiled by Shoghi Effendi. It includes Bahá’u’lláh's writings regarding the purpose of life, our relationship to God, and the source and outcome of the current world upheaval. PS $3.95

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh are eternal spiritual truths reduced to their "inner essences"—153 powerful, concise meditations. SC $3.95

Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude is Bahá’u’lláh's argument of the truth of the Bahá’í religion. He sets forth the grand redemptive scheme of God, revealing the oneness of religion and its continuity and evolution through the successive prophets of God. This book contains the basic tenets of the Bahá’í Faith. PS $3.95

Prayers and Meditations is a collection of nearly 200 prayers and meditations of Bahá’u’lláh that was compiled by Shoghi Effendi to "deepen the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends" and "to charge them all the spiritual power" needed to accomplish the challenges of the Cause. PS $4.50

The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys contains two letters written by Bahá’u’lláh. The Seven Valleys is Bahá’u’lláh's mystical treatise on the stages through which the soul passes in its quest for God. The Four Valleys is a mystical treatise on the "four ways in which the Unseen is seen, the four stages of the human heart, and the four kinds of mystic wayfarers," in quest of the Intended One. SC $3.95

A CONCORDANCE TO THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH (SEE FACING PAGE) IS INDEXED TO THE POCKET-SIZE AND HARDCOVER EDITIONS FROM THE U.S. BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST.

Order now through your [Page 15]

A CONCORDANCE to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

compiled by LEE NELSON HC $49.95

Quickly find a passage from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh in any of 9 books and 24 compilations!

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, compiled by Lee Nelson, is one of the most comprehensive tools available for finding and studying passages from the Creative Word. It lists alphabetically all of the significant words in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and includes a portion of the passage in which the word appears. This concordance has over 160,000 references to key words and provides access to nearly all of the published English writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh is a basic tool that belongs in every Bahá’í library. It has many uses, such as helping you to:

• Find a favorite passage
• Research specific subjects
• Prepare deepenings and compilations
• Prepare readings for firesides, Feasts, and Holy Days
• Explore and study the variety of meanings of words and groups of similar words
• Enhance understandings, expand scope, and narrow personal interpretations and misquoting of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings
• Foster unity by focusing on what Bahá’u’lláh actually wrote rather than on what Bahá’ís think He wrote

Bahá’í Distribution Service

A Concordance is indexed to these books:

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh Kitáb-i-ĺqán Prayers and Meditations The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh A Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas Plus 24 compilations

How do I use a concordance?

This concordance includes an easily understood guide on how to use it. Here is one reference:

KEY WORD ADMINISTRATION

ABBREVIATED KEY WORD TB | 89:25] constitute the fundamental principles for the a. of the affairs of men:

ABBREVIATION OF SOURCE PAGE:LINE

415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 New toll-free number 1-800-999-9019 [Page 16]

UNITED NATIONS: UN Q & A

"A wider horizon is opening before us, illumined by a growing and universal manifestation of the inherent potentialities of the Cause for ordering human affairs. In this light can be discerned not only our immediate tasks, but more dimly, new pursuits and undertakings upon which we must shortly become engaged." (The Universal House of Justice, Riding ván message, 140 B.E.)

Question: What is the United Nations Association of the United States of America?

Answer: The UNA-USA is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose goals are to broaden public knowledge about the UN and to increase the effectiveness of international organizations.

The UNA-USA's network of 175 chapters and 130 affiliated organizations serves as an effective source of information on the United Nations.

The UNA-USA also promotes U.S. policies on global issues and coordinates the annual observance of UN Day (October 24) in communities throughout the country.

Q: What is the Bahá’í role in the UNA-USA?

A: The National Spiritual Assembly is a member of the UNA-USA's Council of Organizations. Through this affiliation, the National Assembly is part of a network of non-governmental organizations working to educate the general public on UN-related matters. As a member of the Council of Organizations, the National Assembly is entitled to two voting delegates at the UNA's national convention.

Q: How do individual Bahá’ís join the UNA-USA?

A: One can join the UNA simply by completing a membership application and paying a membership fee. Being a member provides the opportunity of becoming active in one's local UNA-USA chapter. A free membership brochure describing the work of the UNA is available from the UNA-USA publications department (address below).

Q: Why is Bahá’í involvement in other organizations such as the UNA-USA important?

A: Bahá’í involvement at the local level provides opportunities to form ties with those interested in addressing global issues and to become a source of information to the Bahá’í community.

As expressed by Shoghi Effendi, "Let him also (the individual Bahá’ attempt to devise such methods as association with clubs, exhibitions, and societies, ... participation in social, cultural, humanitarian, charitable and educational organizations and enterprises which, while safeguarding the integrity of his Faith, will open up to him a multitude of ways and means whereby he can enlist successively the sympathy, support, and ultimately the allegiance of those with whom he comes in contact." (The Advent of Divine Justice, 1984 edition, p. 51; 1963 edition, pp. 42-43)

Q: How can Bahá’í participa

Faith noted in newspapers from coast to coast

Scottsbluff, Nebraska-The Star-Herald published a letter to the editor from a person who had recently attended a Bahá’í fireside. Her letter praised the Faith, the Bahá’ís, and the hope presented in the teachings.

Lowell, Massachusetts-The Sun published two articles covering nearly a full page. One discussed the history and teachings of the Faith; the other was about a Persian Bahá’í family.

Indianapolis, Indiana-The Indianapolis Star published two articles about the Faith in the same issue in March. One story described a Persian family who went to Indianapolis as refugees; the other was an overview of the Faith. Within a week, the Indianapolis Record published two articles in which the Faith was mentioned and a third about the U.S. State Department's annual human rights review for 1987 which cites the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran, Egypt and Morocco.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-Westside Gazette published an article about how casual drinking is presented in the media and how this can affect children. The article stated, "I know of only one solution. We must look to the example of our Bahá’í, Moslem and Mormon brothers and sisters. And give ourselves the Great Freedom of Not-Drinking all forms of booze."

Roanoke, Virginia-Roanoke Times & World News published an article about local Bahá’í Sherry Crump who recently returned from five months helping at the Bayan Hospital in Honduras. Ms. Camp has returned to medical school at the University of Virginia.

Blackfoot, Idaho-The Morning News published an article about pianist Mark Ochu and his recent performance in Blackfoot. The writer interviewed Mr. Ochu about the theme of peace in his musical program.

College Park, Georgia-The Sun published a three-part series about the Faith and the Bahá’í community of College Park.

UNA youth director to give two programs at Youth Conference

James P. Muldoon, director of Model UN and Youth Programs for the United Nations Association of the United States, will present two informational programs at the Bahá’í International Youth Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Those interested in international affairs and global issues will want to attend his presentations. Model UN conferences will be one of the topics. These conferences, sponsored at both high school and college levels, simulate activities of UN bodies such as the Security Council, the General Assembly, or related committees.

Students assume the roles of diplomatic representatives to the UN and consider items from the UN's vast agenda.

Through this role-playing, students gain a greater understanding of global issues and the complexities of the international system. Many such sessions take place annually. Other means of participation in foreign affairs programs will also be discussed.

Additional information about UN activities for youth will be available at the U.S. Bahá’í UN booth at the conference.

There will be displays depicting the Bahá’í role at the UN, literature from various UN agencies, and Bahá’í statements made at the UN on such issues as the status of women, racial discrimination, peace, and development.

If you are traveling outside the United States for any reason, please contact the Office of Pioneering (312-869-9039) for information.

Campus perspective

Since the event, the Bahá’í Club has been experiencing large and regular attendance at its weekly firesides, and the members say they have "daily opportunities" to teach.

They also point to the respect of faculty, administration and student body for what they believe is another of "the many doors that have been opened through the bounty of Bahá’u’lláh."

The club concludes its report by saying, "Perhaps one of the most visible effects of this event, for both the Bahá’í Club and the Bahá’í community here in Charlottesville, has been the realization of the potential that the University of Virginia possesses."

Listing of references to Faith grows; six papers pick up article on WLGI Radio

In the May issue of The American Bahá’í, nine states were listed with 10 or more references to the Faith having been published in local newspapers between February 20 and March 20, 1988.

Since then the Office of Public Information has received additional clippings. Five more states had 10 or more references to the Faith published in local newspapers between February 20-March 20. The states were: Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The article about the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute and the operation of WLGI Radio that appeared in The Sun News of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been published in at least six other newspapers:

Brunswick News, Brunswick, Georgia, April 8. St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, April 16. Decatur Daily, Decatur, Alabama, April 10. Daily Mountain Eagle, Jasper, Alabama, April 13. Waycross Journal-Herald, Waycross, Georgia, April 14. Island Packet, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, April 10.

'Peace Quilt' given

On April 21, the Bahá’ís of New Fairfield, Connecticut, presented a "Peace Quilt" to the local public library.

The colorful quilt, with peace drawings by 20 children, was completed last October by the Bahá’ís of New Fairfield in honor of United Nations Day.

Students release balloons at Cobb County Bahá’í School

Students at the Cobb County Bahá’í School in Marietta, Georgia, release balloons with a quote from the peace statement during the school's annual Ayyam-i-Há party in February. The quote read 'World peace is not only possible but inevitable.' Each child signed his or her name, and a Bahá’í phone number was given along with the words 'Bahá’í Faith.'

One person later called the Bahá’í phone number to say he had found a balloon. The local newspaper printed a brief article and photo of the event. About 80 children attend the 10-year-old Cobb County Bahá’í School, which meets every Sunday during the school year.

Milwaukee given Community Access Award by local cable TV service for series on Faith

The Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs for the Greater Milwaukee (Wisconsin) area has been given the Community Access Award for Religious Programming by Viacom, the cable television service for the Milwaukee suburban area.

The Bahá’í Broadcast Media Task Force used "The Spiritual Revolution" series consisting of 13 half-hour interviews with various knowledgeable Bahá’ís about the Faith.

The series was obtained from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and adapted to the local market through the addition of an appropriate lead-in and wrap-up which explained how viewers could obtain more information about the Faith.

Dianne Loftus, chairman of the task force and editor of the series, used 1/2-inch format tape for the cable series and also recorded the edited series on VHS cassettes for use at area firesides and other meetings.

The Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs, Greater Milwaukee area, will submit the series for broadcast on other area cable TV networks in the near future.

Association’s Atlantic Committee schedules Philadelphia gathering

The newly formed Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies will hold its first conference October 22 at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The theme is "Knowledge That Heals: Appreciating Racial Diversity."

The tentative schedule calls for two parallel sessions in addition to a keynote address and a tutorial. An evening program is also planned.

Registration information will be available as the time of the conference approaches. For more information, contact Scott Duncan, secretary, Piscataway, NJ 08854. [Page 17]

Introduction

Ridván 1988 marks the end of the second year of the Six Year Plan. It was a year of contrasts, of dramatic developments, and of strong signs of progress—and a year of a frustrating lack of growth.

The year began with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America. The occasion was commemorated in more than 1,200 gatherings of Bahá’ís and their guests, which, in scores of cases, included organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Beyond War, and a variety of peace, women’s, and social development organizations.

One of the highlights of this historic occasion was the Souvenir Jubilee Picnic hosted by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears at the Wilhelm School in Teaneck, New Jersey. The anniversary also served as the occasion for the presentation of the peace statement to the Chairman of the NAACP before 3,500 delegates at the organization’s national convention. This presentation commemorated the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s speech to the fourth annual Convention of the NAACP, at which He stated that the elimination of prejudice and the unity of the races are fundamental principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

During the year the Faith continued its emergence from obscurity. The National Spiritual Assembly found itself in the middle of a successful effort to complete the final step on an international convention against genocide and was one of the few groups invited to testify before a Judiciary Committee of Congress on the need for legislation for the implementation of the Genocide Convention.

The seminal event of the year was the announcement by the Universal House of Justice of its intention to complete the remaining buildings of the Arc on Mount Carmel. In its letter of August 31, 1987, the House of Justice explained that humanity has reached a turning point in its history and that the Bahá’í community must prepare for tremendous growth of the Faith and revolutionary changes in its role in the world.

The dual emphasis of the House of Justice on a vast expansion of the number of new believers and on the need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to complete construction of the buildings defines the focus of our efforts for the next 10 years. These challenges have become the central theme of activities in the American Bahá’í community.

A first step toward meeting the new challenges was the meeting with our sister Assembly in Canada and with the Counselors resident in North America to formulate a plan to make a major contribution to the completion of the Arc.

The result was agreement on a broad-based plan of unified action—to publish a joint statement of our vision of the spiritual significance of the Arc; to produce a film featuring the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum conveying Shoghi Effendi’s vision of the importance of this prophetic enterprise; to co-sponsor a conference on initiating the process of entry by troops; and to advance the progress of Indian teaching and of Persian integration.

Concurrent with the sudden expansion of our world-shaping responsibilities were major advances in international collaboration among National Assemblies outside North America and their agencies. The highlights included:

• the meeting in Langenhain, Germany, with the representatives of the Bahá’í International Community and 15 European National Assemblies, Canada, and the United States to discuss the collaboration of their efforts to work with the governments of the world. The conference resulted in an immediate increase in cooperation among these institutions. A follow-up conference of representatives of the Bahá’í International Community and the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States was held in Washington, D.C., and New York to work out the details of collaboration on the external affairs work.

• the meeting in Langenhain, on a separate occasion, of the representatives of the National Assembly’s Office of External Affairs and its Office of Pioneering with their European counterparts to consult about the complexities of pioneering in Eastern European countries.

• the progress made by the offices of the National Assembly toward the achievement of the international collaboration goals of the Six Year Plan that we share with more than 30 countries in the acquisition of national Haziratu’l-Quds, education, pioneering, publishing, traveling teaching, and refugee settlement.

Growth

Despite a substantial increase in teaching efforts by Bahá’ís throughout the country and by the Counselors, the National Spiritual Assembly, and their agencies, enrollments have remained at a distressingly low level. It is our hope that steps taken by the Board of Counselors and the National Assembly and its agencies, in conjunction with increasing signs of unified action among the friends, will reverse this trend.

The Board of Counselors held soul-searching discussions about the slow progress of the teaching work and resolved that each Counselor and each member of the Auxiliary Board would take personal responsibility for teaching. In addition, the Counselors conducted deepenings on teaching, in Canada and the United States, with members of the Auxiliary Board and with the National Assemblies of both countries and their teaching and youth committees.

The National Assembly held a conference of all its committees and offices to discuss how each agency can contribute directly to the teaching work in the course of discharging its mandated responsibilities. As the reports of the committees and offices indicate, they have responded enthusiastically to the challenge and in many cases have already taken direct action. Teaching has become the integrating theme of the work of all the agencies of the national administration.

The National Spiritual Assembly has also appointed a Hispanic Teaching Committee, and the National Teaching Committee has initiated border teaching with the National Teaching Committees of Canada and Mexico.

At the grassroots of the community there are some encouraging signs. Statewide campaigns of unified action have been started in 19 states including Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Texas and Indiana; other states and districts are in the planning stages. Two hundred teaching projects were conducted during the year. Traveling teaching was increased sevenfold, with more than 700 teaching trips being made.

Reports of regularly scheduled community-based firesides increased from 256 last year to 395. Teaching among American Indians has remained a highlight of the community’s teaching work, and organized efforts to reach black Americans have grown steadily.

The National Teaching Committee has published a position paper, Building Unity of Thought on Teaching, and a deepening booklet entitled The Word of God which have been received with extraordinary enthusiasm by the community. Currently at press is the next booklet in the deepening series, The Covenant.

Development

The newly appointed National Development and National Education Committees are in the early stages of their work. As they proceed, their method of operation will rely heavily on field-based task forces and locally-originated pilot efforts. On the national level these agencies will operate as clearing-houses, collecting, evaluating and disseminating information about effective development and education activities. They will also serve a strategic planning and development function for the National Spiritual Assembly. The two new committees’ approach to their goals reflects a growing pattern of decentralization among national agencies, for the National Assembly regards the gradual decentralization of committee responsibilities essential to the growth and development of the community.

Other highlights in the area of development include:

• A banner year for the schools and institutes, which experienced increased attendance at Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í sessions. Of particular note is the success of the Louhelen Residential Program, the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Youth Academy, and WLGI Radio Bahá’í.

• The exceptional progress of the Committee on Women in its efforts to stimulate discussion and action on women’s issues and the equality of the sexes and in its excellent work with prominent organizations including the International Council of Women, the American Association of University Women, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

• A marked increase in Spiritual Assembly development activities supported by both local and national institutions.

• The Bahá’í Publishing Trust’s completion of another financially sound year, its publication and distribution of an increasingly diverse range of Bahá’í writings and other literature and materials in a wide range of prices, and its increase in the acquisition and preparation of new manuscripts relating to the goals of the Six Year Plan.

• The support of scholarship through financial and other aid to the Association for Bahá’í Studies and through the subvention of the three-volume Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith, which has permitted the hiring of a full-time general editor and a part-time research assistant.

• A steady rise in both social development and Bahá’í education activities.

Integration

The efforts to foster unity in diversity within the American Bahá’í community were vigorous and productive. The Persian/American Affairs Committee and the Race Unity Committee, often working together, conducted an unprecedented number (15) of integration conferences and institutes. The Persian/American Affairs Committee launched pilot efforts to involve Persian believers in minority teaching in three metropolitan areas—Dallas, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.—and has plans to start another project in Atlanta in May.

The Race Unity Committee consulted with many Bahá’í communities about initiating teaching efforts aimed at black Americans. Because more than 14 percent of the American community for whom we have current addresses are Persian believers, including many recently resettled refugees, the National Persian/American Affairs Committee expanded the number of Area Persian/American Affairs Committees to 22 and established a network of cultural consultants to facilitate the integration of our Persian brothers and sisters into the mainstream of community life.

The outstanding efforts of both the Persian/American Affairs Committee and the Race Unity Committee aided the friends in developing understandings and approaches that will help our ongoing efforts to integrate all races into the mainstream of the American Bahá’í community.

Administrative services

Solid progress was made in the improvement of administrative services to support the national community and the agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly. Of particular note were the improvements made in the management of expenditures, information systems, and human resources. Also noteworthy was the National Properties Committee’s development of a 10-year plan for the management, repair and improvement of national properties. The plan will help assure the systematic maintenance and development of our properties and increase our control of the enormous costs attendant to those efforts.

Special concerns

Enrollments: Despite a substantial increase in teaching activities, the level of enrollments has not shown a corresponding increase. There are still less than two enrollments per Spiritual Assembly. Yet the Plan calls for large-scale growth. The National Spiritual Assembly is encouraged by the wave of fresh teaching initiatives and is confident that they will result in an increase in the number of new believers. However, at this critical juncture in human history, we are impelled to reiterate the call of the Universal House of Justice for the Bahá’í institutions and individual believers to "rise up in sacrificial endeavor," their hearts filled with "unshakeable confidence in the guiding hand of the Founder of our Faith." This is the standard of service that will enable us to secure the elusive goal of entry by troops.

Quality of Bahá’í life: The Six Year Plan calls for a "firmer and worldwide demonstration of the Bahá’í way of life requiring special education of children and youth, strengthening of Bahá’í family life and attention to universal participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual life...." We are gratified to note the strong steps made by many communities in their struggles toward this goal. However, we see the need for Spiritual Assemblies to give special consideration to enhancing the spirit and improving the consultation of the Nineteen Day Feast and to the study of the Sacred Texts and the principles of Bahá’í administration.

Youth: The lack of growth among youth is particularly distressing. Since the youth of today provide the leaders of tomorrow, the support and encouragement of Bahá’í youth, as well as efforts to attract new enrollments among youth, must become the focus of attention of Bahá’í communities and of young and old believers alike.

The Fund: The core of Bahá’í communities and individuals who contribute consistently to the Fund has enabled it to grow steadily over the past 10 years. Now the staggering challenge of contributing a major part of the monies for the completion of the Arc and the financial requirements of the national community dictate that we give renewed consideration to the spiritual significance of regular contributions to the Fund. For the current generation of Bahá’ís to achieve the world-shaping goals of the Faith, we must achieve large-scale growth and foster a systematic increase in the number of believers who contribute regularly.

Conclusion

Shoghi Effendi described the American Bahá’ís as "champion builders of an Order which posterity will hail as the harbinger of a civilization to be regarded as the fairest fruit of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh." Simultaneously, he warned that the road leading to our great destiny is "thorny and torturous," filled with "setbacks and reverses." He urged every individual Bahá’í not to let these golden opportunities slip from our grasp lest they be irretrievably lost.

At this moment in Bahá’í history, ripe with world-directing possibilities, it is appropriate that we conclude this overview by recalling these admonitions of the beloved Guardian:

"This challenge, so severe and insistent, and yet so glorious," [Page 18]

S.C. Coordinating Committee moves steadily forward

The South Carolina Bahá’í Coordinating Committee was appointed by the National Teaching Committee to help develop the Faith in South Carolina.

The committee consists of seven members who coordinate the various aspects of community development in the state: Moses Richardson (homefront pioneering, traveling teaching); Alexandria Gore (child education); Jubin Matin (public affairs); Truitt White (youth); Betsy Haynes (Assembly development); Roy Jones (Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute administrator); and Kurt Hein (director of WLGI Radio).

In addition, Trish Reed has been asked to coordinate activities involving the arts.

During the past year the committee has been actively engaged in helping local communities with their teaching and consolidation plans.

Nearly 10 traveling teachers from outside the state visited several Bahá’í communities. Included was a visit by the Atlanta Youth workshop to the Louis Gregory Institute.

Besides these visits, there were more than 70 visits to 26 communities up until Ridván, while during the Ridván period more than 230 communities were visited by local traveling teachers to help elect local Spiritual Assemblies.

During the past year more than 15 homefront pioneers settled in South Carolina.

To help local traveling teachers and in relocating homefront pioneers, the Coordinating Committee organized two "Resident Teacher Training Sessions" and one institute for homefront pioneers.

For more information about traveling teaching or homefront pioneering in South Carolina, please contact Moses Richardson, c/o South Carolina Bahá’í Coordinating Committee, Route 2, Box 69, Hemingway, SC 29554.

The committee has contacted more than 20 local Spiritual Assemblies in South Carolina to help them distribute the peace statement.

In addition to this, committee members meet regularly with local Assemblies to offer help with Assembly development as well as to encourage active teaching programs.

Equal attention is being given to events and activities for children and youth.

Recently, more than 40 young people from South Carolina attended a regional youth conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, and plans were being made for several charter buses to carry youth to this summer's International Conference in Bloomington, Indiana.

Youth and children have also been a part of the many statewide gatherings held during the past year such as Peace Fest '87 at the Louis Gregory Institute; a race unity meeting held in February with members of the National Spiritual Assembly, National Teaching Committee and Race Unity Committee; and the "No Turning Back from the Task Ahead" conference sponsored by the Auxiliary Board members for South Carolina.

Green Lake Bahá’í Conference School Dates

September 16,17,18, 1988

Theme "Have Your Vision Checked: Bring Your Contacts"

Location South Central Wisconsin just West of the city of Green Lake

Site Green Lake Conference Center American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI 54941

A beautiful, 1,000-acre conference grounds with extensive meeting rooms, accommodations, and recreational facilities. Phone: (414) 294-3323 or (800) 558-8898 outside WI.

Speakers National Spiritual Assembly Secretary Robert Henderson Continental Counsellor Don Otto Rogers

Attractions Exhibition Hall featuring: Publishing Trust Bookstore, Bahá’í publishers and suppliers, National committee booths, Bahá’í artists and artisans.

The 4th Annual Saturday Night Party, this year in the main hall.

HAVE YOU R VIS I ON C H E C D Bring Your Contacts.

AND WE MEAN IT! Let's share this wonderful weekend with family and seekers. The whole conference will be geared for your spiritual friends.

Classroom Facilities

Central meeting hall for adult general and Persian sessions. Smaller classrooms in nearby buildings for nursery, children, pre-youth, and youth classes and adult optional sessions.

Recreational Facilities

Acres of serene meadows and woodlands with freely roaming deer and wildlife. Indoor pool, bicycling, boating, fishing, tennis, golf and miles of nature trails through hills and valleys. Ideal for photographers.

Lodging

Lodging choices include: primitive and deluxe campsites, inexpensive dorms, cottages and cabins with cooking facilities, luxury homes, and private rooms in lodges or at the lakefront hotel. RESERVE EARLY to insure a choice of housing! Reservations can be made by using the attached form or phoning the ABA at the number shown above.

Meals

Meals served cafeteria style on site. Overnight guests MUST take the meal plan unless there are cooking facilities at accommodations (house, cabin, cottage, campsite). Day guests may buy meal tickets, use the snack bar, picnic facilities or at restaurants off the grounds. Vegetarian and specific diets available by advance arrangement.

Rates

To calculate conference cost, add the following three items:

1. Conference fees A. overnight adults (12 and up) $12 B. overnight children (infant to 11) $7 C. maximum family fee $35 (parents and children) D. day-guest adult (12 and up) $7 E. day-guest child (infant to 11) $7

2. Accommodation rates A. tots 0-5 NO CHARGE The following per person/ per night rates apply to everyone age 6 to adult. B. dormitory style room with central bath 1-2 per room $15-26 C. rooms with semi-private bath 1-3 per room $17-30 D. rooms with private bath 1-4 per room $22-43 E. campsites, cabins, cottages and luxury homes -contact the ABA directly for information.

3. Meal costs All overnight guests must take meal plan unless the accommodations have cooking facilities. A. tots 0-5 NO CHARGE B. children 6-11 breakfast $2.10 lunch $3.10 dinner $3.95 C. adults 12 and up breakfast $3.80 lunch $5.00 dinner $6.45

Pre-registration

Children, pre-youth and youth MUST PRE-REGISTER

Program Information

Bahá’í contact for program information only: Sue Schaut, Planning Committee Secretary 1482 Ivory Dr. Sun Prairie, WI 53590 Phone: (608) 837-8609

PRE-REGISTRATION for CHILDREN, PRE-YOUTH AND YOUTH

Green Lake Bahá’í Conference

PARENT(S) NAME(S) STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

CHILD'S NAME BIRTH DATE (Mo/Da/Yr) M F GRADE Fall 88 SPECIAL NEEDS/DIET RESTICTIONS (Emotional/physical needs, behavior modifications, allergies, etc.) Will Attend SAT AM, SAT PM, SUN AM

RETURN BY AUGUST 27, 1988

• NO REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE

GREEN LAKE CENTER RESERVATION (one per family)

Mail to Reservations and make check payable to: American Baptist Assembly-Green Lake, WI 54941

Advance Deposit-Room: 1 Day Room Charge: Housekeeping/Camping. ½ total charge.

LAST NAME List below your First Name and the name of each family member accompanying you 1 2 3

Age if under 18 Title Mr. Mrs Rev, etc. Conference Attending

Cancellation Fee- Room: Between 2 weeks and 4:00 p.m. day before reservation, deposit. Housekeeping/Camping: Between 30 days and 4:00 p.m. day before reservation, % deposit. After 4:00 pm day before reservation, no refund, either class

Accommodation/Rate Preference Address City & State Telephone Arrival date Departure date Circle Time BB AM PM EVE Circle Time BB AM PM EVE BB Before Breakfast

I plan to room with I desire single occupancy. If not checked, a roommate may be assigned.

Arriving by Car. Public Transportation If using public transportation, please give Date, Time, City and Place to be met if known, otherwise send when finalized.

FRIDAY DINNER-NUMBER ATTENDING Confirmation FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Send Form Directly to: Laurie Kautz, Lodl, WI 53555 [Page 19]

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

Binghamton Scr

This is a photograph taken in April 1938 of Bahá’ís in Binghamton, New York, and Scranton, Pennsylvania. If you know anyone in the picture, please send the name(s) to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Network for Young Adult Bahá’ís sets Brookline conference on business ethics

The Network for Young Adult Bahá’ís, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Brookline, Massachusetts, is holding its first conference July 21-24 at Pine Manor College in Brookline.

The conference theme is “Establishing the Bahá’í Ethic in Our Professions.”

The speakers will include Counselor Magdalene Carney from the International Teaching Center in Haifa, and Auxiliary Board members Javidukht Khadem and William Roberts.

The idea to form a network for young adult Bahá’ís was born at last year’s meeting of the Association for Bahá’í Studies at Princeton University and expanded during a meeting in January at the Green Acre Bahá’í School.

In February, the Spiritual Assembly of Brookline, which decided to sponsor the Network, received the following cable from the Universal House of Justice:

“Welcome initiative young adult Bahá’ís to create continental network among their peers to enhance their efforts in service Blessed Beauty. Assure loving prayers divine confirmations on behalf all involved.”

According to the Spiritual Assembly of Brookline, the Network is not an exclusive, autonomous organization but simply a vehicle designed to facilitate interaction at all levels of the Bahá’í community.

Although its focus is the “young adult Bahá’í,” this by no means precludes the involvement of interested youth and more mature members of the community. In fact, everyone is welcome.

Seating at the conference in July is limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is July 1.

For more information contact Vanda M. Khadem, Brookline, MA 02167, or phone 617-566-6894.

Report from page 17

faces no doubt primarily the individual believer on whom, in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire community. He it is who constitutes the warp and woof on which the quality and pattern of the whole fabric must depend. He it is who acts as one of the countless links in the mighty chain that now girdles the globe. He it is who serves as one of the multitude of bricks which support the structure and ensure the stability of the administrative edifice now being raised in every part of the world. Without his support, at once whole-hearted, continuous and generous, every measure adopted, and every plan formulated, by the body which acts as the national representative of the community to which he belongs, is foredoomed to failure.

“They (American Bahá’ís) must strive, ceaselessly strive, ready for any emergency, steeled to meet any degree of opposition, unsatisfied with any measure of progress as yet achieved, prepared to make sacrifices far exceeding any they have already willingly made, and confident that such striving, such readiness, such resolution, such high-mindedness, such sacrifice will earn them the palm of a victory still more soul-satisfying and resounding in its magnificence than any as yet won since the inception of their mission.”

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Ridván 1988

Eighth Greenlandic Summer School set

The eighth Greenlandic Bahá’í Summer School will be held June 26-July 1 at Nuuk.

This year’s theme is “Peace and Unity.” The speakers will include Counselor Don Rogers and Auxiliary Board member Lotus Nielsen.

For registration and other information, contact the National Teaching Committee of Greenland, P.O. Box 44, DK 3900, Nuuk, Greenland.

Bahá’í peace essay, arts contest draw warm response in Dallas-Fort Worth

In 1987 the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs (BOPA) in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, approached school districts in Dallas, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, and Plano to sponsor a peace essay and arts contests in those districts.

Last August, Rose Parker of Arts Magnet High School in Dallas enthusiastically welcomed the idea of such a contest in that school. The contest was announced on all the school bulletin boards in January and February.

On April 11, during an annual Women and Peace Conference at the school, at which were more than 400 students and faculty members, a certificate of appreciation and deluxe edition of “The Promise of World Peace” were presented by Zia Shamsy on behalf of the BOPA.

Afterward, some brief remarks were made about the Bahá’í Faith and the purpose of the contest. As a result, Mrs. Carrie Smith, a Bahá’í from The Colony, was invited to give a talk on women and peace to faculty and students at the school.

After presenting stories of blacks, Indians, and South Americans in dramatic form with references to the Bahá’í writings, she received a standing ovation from the more than 100 people in the audience, who were obviously moved by her presentation.

A deluxe copy of “The Promise of World Peace” was then presented to the school library.

$87,000 raised for Arc

About 500 Bahá’ís attended a Naw-Rúz party in Falls Church, Virginia, at which $87,380 was raised for completion of the Arc on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.

The gala event, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria, included dinner, a speaker, and American and Iranian music.

A CONCORDANCE to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Quickly find a passage from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh in any of 9 books and 24 compilations!

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, compiled by Lee Nelson, is one of the most comprehensive tools available for finding and studying passages from the Creative Word. It lists alphabetically all of the significant words in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and includes a portion of the passage in which the word appears. This concordance has over 160,000 references to key words and provides access to nearly all of the published English writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

HC $49.95

A Concordance to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, a basic tool that belongs in every Bahá’í library, can help you to:

• Find a favorite passage
• Research specific subjects
• Prepare deepenings and compilations
• Prepare readings for firesides, Feasts, and Holy Days
• Explore and study the variety of meanings of words and groups of similar words
• Enhance understandings, expand scope, and narrow personal interpretations and misquoting of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings
• Foster unity by what Bahá’u’lláh actually wrote rather than on what Bahá’ís think He wrote

A Concordance is indexed to these books:

• The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh
• Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
• Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
• The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
• Kitáb-i-İqȧn
• Prayers and Meditations
• The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys
• Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
• A Synopsis and Codification of Kitáb-i-Aqdas
• Plus 24 compilations

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 20]

MAY

Twelve Bahá’ís who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His historic visit to North America share their memories May 1-2 during a celebration at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, of the 75th anniversary of the Master's dedication of the cornerstone.

The weekend's activities, given added significance by their beginning on the 12th Day of Ridván, include an address by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.

FIRUZ KAZEMZADEH

Introduced Friday evening as the "living treasures" of the Bahá’í community, the 12 who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá share their childhood memories of sitting on the Master's lap, receiving a hug or a gift, or some other special thing that happened while they were with Him.

On May 4, members of the National Race Unity Committee present a copy of the peace statement to John E. Jacob, president of the National Urban League, at the League's national headquarters in New York City. Representing the NRUC are its chairman, Dr. Roy Jones, and secretary, Marilyn Ellis Greene.

On May 11, the government of Egypt levies fines against 48 Bahá’ís and sentences them to a maximum three-year prison term for allegedly violating a law banning Bahá’í activities in that country.

Nine who reside outside Egypt are convicted in absentia while two others are found not guilty after recanting their faith.

Presidential Decree No. 263, signed in 1960 by then-President Gamal Abdel Nasser, ordered the dissolution of all Spiritual Assemblies in Egypt.

More than 500 cyclists take part May 17 in "Cycle Against Drugs," a bike-a-thon sponsored by the Bahá’í Cycle Club and Spiritual Assembly of San Bernardino, California, to raise money for a recently formed anti-drug task force, San Bernardino Community Against Drugs (SBCAD).

• On May 23, more than 45 people from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin gather at the Bahá’í Center in Milwaukee for a conference whose theme is "Everything You Wanted to Know About Indian Teaching But Were Afraid to Ask."

The main purpose is to encourage people to consider service on Indian teaching projects in Wisconsin and the Chicago area.

Also on May 23, Bahá’ís in the Boston area use a chartered bus and 15 autos to "retrace the steps" of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as they commemorate His journey in 1912 from Boston to Worcester, Massachusetts.

More than 200 people attend a Bahá’í-sponsored Race Unity Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which receives citywide support from government and civic groups and helps focus attention on issues critical to race unity in that city.

The 14th annual Conference of Nur, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and held May 29-31, draws a record attendance of more than 320 adults, youth and children.

JUNE

More than a thousand Bahá’ís and their guests gather June 27 at the Wilhelm property in Teaneck, New Jersey, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Souvenir Picnic hosted there by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His memorable visit to North America in 1912.

The day-long event, one of about 1,500 such picnics held across the country at the request of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, whose presence greatly blesses this one, is held in part on a makeshift stage under a circle of pine trees planted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself in the backyard of the Wilhelm Cabin. A steady rainfall forces abandonment of the original plan to conduct the formal program of talks and entertainment at nearby Votee Park.

Mr. Sears gives the keynote address, after which a plaque is presented by the National Spiritual Assembly to Mayor Bernard Brooks of Teaneck for his work in promoting unity among all the people in that city.

Another special guest is state Sen. Matthew Feldman.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá's address to the first Unity Picnic in 1912 is read by Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary, and Judge Dorothy Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, which holds its regular meeting that weekend in Teaneck.

"This is the one event," says Mr. Sears, "that will always be associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to America." He urges the friends to use the occasion as a time to renew their teaching efforts.

• On June 29, the National Spiritual Assembly's United Nations office and the offices of the Bahá’í International Community gather for an historic open house to mark their occupation of a new suite of offices at 866 UN Plaza in New York City.

LAURETTA KING

Special guest of honor at the ceremony, which is attended by more than 100 guests, is Glenford E. Mitchell, a member of the Universal House of Justice and former long-time secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Among those present are UN representatives from national and international organizations, other UN personnel, diplomats and friends of the Faith.

During a performance at the Wolf Trap Theme Park near Washington, D.C., legendary jazz trumpeter John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie, a Bahá’í since 1968, receives messages from the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly congratulating him on his 70th birthday and his 52nd year as a professional musician.

One of the many picnics commemorating the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to North America is held in Arizona's Navajo/Hopi District. Nearly 400 attend the event, which also honors the 25th anniversary of the great Pine Springs Bahá’í Conference.

JULY

"Let it be this generation!" is the rallying cry of some 1,700 young people from 32 countries who gather July 9-12 for a Bahá’í International Youth Conference at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.

MARILYN GREENE

At the conference, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í youth consult together on ways in which they can work for peace so that world peace is achieved as a result of the efforts of this generation.

Among those who address the youth are seven members of the Continental Boards of Counselors: Eloy Anello, Farzam Arbáb, Robert Harris, Lauretta King, Donald Rogers and David Smith from the Americas, and Agnes Ghaznavi from Europe.

Other featured speakers are Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; Robert Henderson, secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board member Jack Lenz of Canada; and Kevin Locke, a Native American Bahá’í and well-known traveling teacher from South Dakota.

Among the stellar line-up of entertainers are Canadian recording artist Doug Cameron and his band, "Blue Velvet"; Canadian singer/guitarist Gordi Munro who recently completed a 20,000 mile teaching trip in the U.S.; Youth Core, a group of 17 young non-Bahá’ís from Ontario; santour player Kiu Haghighi and pianist Rosamond Brenner from Illinois; and a Canadian dance troupe, "The Atlantic Workshop."

Mr. Lenz, who besides being an Auxiliary Board member is a musician and composer for radio, television and films, produces a dramatic presentation on the life of the Báb entitled "Midsummer Noon" which is performed July 9 to commemorate the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb.

In a letter to those at the conference, the Universal House of Justice writes, "...You are called upon to demonstrate to your peers the power of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh through the nobility of your characters, the excellence of your morals, and the vitality of your spiritual discipline...."

On July 29, Edna True, the daughter of the Hand of the Cause of God Corinne True and herself a former Counselor for the Americas and member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, celebrates her 99th birthday by presenting copies of Bruce Whitmore's book, The Dawning Place, to 19 young volunteers who are spending their summer working at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette.

In turn, Miss True receives from the National Assembly a scroll recognizing her many years of service to the American Bahá’í community.

David Villanueva Villaseñor, an artist and sculptor who perfected the technique of permanent sand painting to help preserve for future generations that unique and important art form of the Navajo Indians, dies July 6 in New Mexico after a long illness.

AUGUST

In a letter dated August 31, the Universal House of Justice discloses to the Bahá’ís of the world its plans to complete as soon as possible the remaining buildings comprising the Administrative Center of the Faith on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.

To do so, it says, will require the rapid accumulation of a reserve of $50 million and an income of between $20 million and $25 million for the Bahá’í International Fund for the next 10 years.

"In this message," the National Spiritual Assembly says in its response, "the Universal House of Justice reminds us of the spiritual energies and new impulse which the completion of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice has released and given to the advancement of the Faith.

"The Universal House of Justice explains that the vastly augmented World Center structure will be capable of meeting the challenges of the tremendous growth of the Bahá’í community which the beloved Guardian has told us to expect, and calls upon us to prepare ourselves for that hour whose coming it is our task to hasten."

In response to a recommendation from the National Persian/American Affairs Committee, the National Spiritual Assembly convenes a conference August 29 at the Bahá’í National Center to discuss the integration of Iranian Bahá’ís into the mainstream of the U.S. Bahá’í community.

Taking part in the gathering are members of the Board of Counselors resident in the U.S.; the National Teaching Committee, Persian/American Affairs Committee, Race Unity Committee, Development Committee, and Youth Committee; the Office of Pioneering; and the directors of Administrative Services and Community Administration at the National Center.

GLENFORD MITCHELL

At the request of the Persian/American Affairs Committee, the National Assembly selects The Advent of Divine Justice as the "book of the year." Individuals and communities are encouraged to use this important work by the Guardian for intensive study and discussion of the implications of Shoghi Effendi's analysis of the destiny of America and the mission of the U.S. Bahá’í community.

• What began as an idea for a modest service project by two Bahá’ís in the Los Angeles area blossoms into one of the most massive humanitarian medical relief airlifts ever undertaken. Labeled Project HELP (Hospital Emergency Lift, Philippines), the airlift delivers free medical help in the form of doctors, medicines and medical equipment from Southern California to the poorest areas of the Philippines.

WILLIAM SEARS

Philippine President Corazon Aquino, saying she is "overwhelmed" by the effort, receives the airlift's 15 tons of donated medicines from the project leaders, Bahá’ís David Langness and Deanne LaRue, at a formal ceremony at Malacanang Palace in Manila.

The Project HELP airlift brings 25 volunteer physicians and health care professionals from Los Angeles to Manila with medicines and other supplies donated by hospitals in Southern California.

On August 20, more than 300 people attend a Unity Feast in Eliot, Maine, that commemorates the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to the Green Acre Bahá’í School.

Frank McLemore, a Cherokee Indian Bahá’í who is secretary of the American Indian Teaching Committee, is the guest speaker at an American Indian Council Fire held August 23-24 at the Bahá’í Center in Houston, Texas.

More than 70 people including 30 non-Bahá’ís hear Mr. McLemore speak on "Tribal People and the Holistic Approach to Life."

On August 15, a "Oneness of Mankind" march, organized by the Spiritual Assembly of Florence, South Carolina, is held in the downtown area of that city.

SEPTEMBER

Bahá’ís from across the country gather over the Labor Day weekend September 4-7 in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood for a Conference on Growth sponsored by the National Teaching Committee.

The conference, held only a few miles from the House of Worship in Wilmette, addresses the statement by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván 1987 message to the Bahá’ís of the world: "The stage is set for universal, rapid and massive growth of the Cause of God...."

Among the nearly 300 who take part in the event are members of national committees, District Teaching Committees, Regional Schools Committees, District and Regional Youth Committees, and regional traveling teacher coordinators.

The speakers include Counselors Wilma Brady and Robert Harris; Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Gene Andrews and Jaci Delahunt of the [Page 21]National Teaching Committee; Auxiliary Board member Soo Fouts; and Gail Etzenhouser, a member of the National Youth Committee.

More than 300 Bahá’ís and their guests are present September 4-7 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to that city on September 28, 1912.

A special guest is the Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone who speaks to the group about service through social and economic development projects in Bahá’í communities around the world.

The Universal House of Justice reports that "on September 28 two Bahá’ís were executed in Tehran." Both of the men, Ardishir Akhtari and Amir-Husayn Nadiri, were former members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, and both had been imprisoned since September 1984.

The nearly 1,200 people who gather September 18-20 for the 28th annual Green Lake (Wisconsin) Bahá’í Conference are asked to "Please Use the Service Entrance" because, as the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to North America is being celebrated across the country, a life of service to the Cause as exemplified by the Master is the central theme of the world's largest annual Bahá’í conference.

The speakers at this year's conference include Counselor Robert Harris; Jane Faily, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; Auxiliary Board member Morris Taylor; Ernestine Berkey, representing the National Committee on Women; Manouchehr Derakhshani, secretary of the Persian/American Affairs Committee; and Daryush Haghighi, a trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh.

The presentation of a Peace Award to Travis Medlock, attorney-general of South Carolina, and the first two performances of a 16-member Bahá’í "Peace Orchestra" are among the highlights of Peace Fest '87 which is held September 16-19 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute near Hemingway, South Carolina.

The orchestra, which is on stage on Thursday and Friday evenings, is led in its debut performance by renowned jazz trumpeter and South Carolina native Dizzy Gillespie.

On Saturday, a panel moderated by Auxiliary Board member William Roberts discusses the role of religion in bringing about a lasting peace. Among the panelists is Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

It is estimated that about 85 percent of the 800 people who attend Peace Fest '87 are not Bahá’ís.

During a ceremony held September 15 at United Nations headquarters in New York City, the worldwide Bahá’í community is cited for its "significant and concrete contributions" to the UN International Year of Peace in 1986.

The Bahá’í International Community is one of about 300 national and international groups designated as "Peace Messengers" by UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar.

The Louhelen Residential College is opened September 6 with its inauguration ceremonies.

Fifteen students are enrolled in the first class. They have come from Ethiopia, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Solomon Islands and Israel as well as from Alaska, Arizona, Michigan, South Carolina and South Dakota.

Students live at the Louhelen School and are enrolled in degree-earning programs at either the University of Michigan-Flint or Mott Community College. They also take part in a Bahá’í Studies class, a study skills class, a weekly deepening program, and a program of service at Louhelen.

On September 26, 15 business and financial professionals from throughout the American Bahá’í community assemble at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois, to consult with and advise the National Spiritual Assembly on its management of assets and expansion of the financial resources of the National and International Funds.

Chester Kahn, a Navajo artist and member of the National Spiritual Assembly, presents an exhibit of his works for the nearly 200 people who help celebrate "American Indian Heritage Week" September 20-26 at the Bahá’í Center in Houston, Texas.

Bahá’ís and their guests from several states gather over the Labor Day weekend at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles for the fourth annual Bahá’í History Conference held in that city. The purpose of the conference is to present research papers of scholarly interest and to discuss the present state of Bahá’í history studies.

Powell Lindsay, 82, a former Broadway producer, director, playwright and actor, and a Bahá’í since 1961, dies September 22 at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after a long illness.

OCTOBER

On October 9, Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, presents a copy of the peace statement "The Promise of World Peace" to Ezra Taft Benson, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who is now president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), at the church's national headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

More than 350 people gather October 22-25 at Princeton University in New Jersey for the 12th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

Among those taking part are Counselors Farzam Arbáb and Donald Rogers and Douglas Martin, director of the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

On October 22, immediately preceding the opening of the Association's annual Conference, eight of its nine professional interest groups hold seminars at Princeton.

Also in October, the Universal House of Justice cables inspiring news of teaching victories in Taiwan, Nigeria and Canada:

"...Nearly 450 new believers declared since inception Muhájir Teaching Project late May 1987, 420 of whom entered Faith since June 19, representing over 28 percent increase total number Bahá’ís Taiwan so far. ...Six youth joined week-long teaching project in Balogun near Ife, Oyo State (Nigeria), August 17-22. Enrolled 802 majority Yoruba tribe....Through the efforts of a few dedicated Bahá’í pioneers and traveling teachers, over 120 people have become Bahá’ís, raising number of Bahá’ís in this region (Fort Vermillion area, Alberta, Canada) to 300 in the span of a few short years. These new believers are almost exclusively from the native population of Canada. The most recent declarants came to the Faith as a result of deepening and teaching efforts launched this summer in memory of Gol Aidun. ..."

On October 3, the Bahá’í Faith becomes the sixth world religion to join the World Wide Fund for Nature's Network on Conservation and Religion.

Thirteen Area Persian/American Affairs Committees are represented October 8-11 at the second annual APAAC Conference at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.

The members meet with the National Persian/American Affairs Committee to share their experiences and concerns relating to the integration goals of the Six Year Plan and to acquire new understandings and skills that will be helpful in promoting the integration and participation of Iranian Bahá’ís in the life and work of the U.S. community.

Among the speakers are Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Auxiliary Board members Javidukht Khadem and Morris Taylor.

As a part of the conference, participants visit the grave of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem whose life was an example of the integration of East and West.

More than 40 delegates from 24 agencies including the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Distribution Service take part October 27-30 in an International Bahá’í Publishers' Conference in London, England.

"Rediscovering Our Spirituality" is the theme of the third annual Conference of Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís held October 16-18 in San Fernando, California.

On October 26-29, Counselor Isabel Pavón de Calderón visits the Wilmette area following two conferences in the U.S. with other Counselors, and pays her first visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, thus fulfilling a long-cherished desire.

NOVEMBER

The Universal House of Justice cables all National Spiritual Assemblies informing them that it has accepted the resignations of two of its members, David Hofman and Borrah Kavelin.

"In view of the steadily increasing burden of work resting upon the members of the Universal House of Justice, which will undoubtedly grow still heavier during the years immediately ahead," it says, "Mr. David Hofman and Mr. Borrah Kavelin, after prayerful consideration as to the best interests of the Cause of God, have, in light of their advanced ages, requested permission to relinquish their membership on this body in accordance with Article V.2(c) of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.

"The House of Justice has regretfully accepted the resignation of these beloved members, who have rendered a quarter of a century of continuous and highly-valued service in the Holy Land. They will thus be able to continue their services to the Cause of God free from the inexorable pressure of work at the World Center. Since, however, the next international election is so near, we have requested them to remain in office until that time, and this they have readily agreed to,"

The Universal House of Justice calls a meeting November 26-28 of representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada, the U.S. and 16 European countries.

At the meeting, which is held in Langenhain, Germany, site of the European Bahá’í House of Worship, the House of Justice is represented by one of its members, Glenford E. Mitchell. Chairing the meeting is Wilma Brady, administrator-general of the Bahá’í International Community's office in New York City.

The consultation focuses on the relationship of National Spiritual Assemblies to governments in their countries. The excitement of the meeting is heightened by the news from New York that the UN General Assembly's Third Committee has passed a resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran that includes mention of the Bahá’ís in that country.

On November 15, more than 300 Bahá’ís from all areas of Massachusetts end a day-long teaching conference on a high note by dedicating "Project Massachusetts" to the memory of the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem.

Members of the Bahá’í National Committee on Women are among those who attend the National Women's Conference Committee's "Decade of Women on the Move" conference November 19-22 in Washington, D.C. The conference brochure includes a full-page ad submitted by the National Committee on Women.

Dr. William Maxwell, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, is the guest of honor November 21 as about 200 Bahá’ís gather to dedicate the new Bahá’í Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

DECEMBER

On December 7, the UN General Assembly approves a resolution that expresses its "grave concern" over allegations of continued violations of human rights in Iran.

The measure, passed by a vote of 64-22, mentions specifically Iran's persecution of Bahá’ís and calls for the continuation of the General Assembly's ongoing investigation of the human rights situation in Iran.

On December 10, the National Spiritual Assembly hosts a reception at the International Club in Washington in recognition of Human Rights Day and the opening of its new Office of External Affairs in the nation's capital.

A special guest, the Hon. Richard Schifter, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, speaks on the topic of human rights in general and the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran in particular.

The American Bahá’í produces the largest edition in its 17-year history, a 48-page issue which addresses the many aspects of teaching the Cause of God.

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, held in December in Boston, marks a new level of activity on the part of the Faith.

For the first time, a session of the New England Regional Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies is held prior to the AAR meeting. Its topic is the creation of a dialogue between Bahá’ís and Christians.

Also in December, the Bahá’í International Community learns that five Bahá’ís who were imprisoned in Iran have been released on bail.

The five men, who were arrested together in Tehran in October, are released on December 17. Because several of them had held positions of leadership in the Bahá’í community, the BIC had expressed concern for their safety at the time of their arrest.

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

Actually, the Texans plan to raise $1.5 million between January 1988 and January 1989 with an intermediate goal of $500,000 by Ridván 1988.

They also decide to place an even stronger emphasis on teaching efforts throughout the year.

The Texas campaign is to be conducted in much the same way as California's "Arc of Love" campaign.

More than 300 young Bahá’ís from a dozen states attend a Regional Youth Conference held December 28-January at the Radisson Inn and Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. [Page 22]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

EMPLOYMENT

THE GREEN Acre Bahá’í School is seeking applicants for summer positions including program assistant, recreation director, registrar, teachers for youth/children's classes, cooks, kitchen helpers, librarian, housekeeping, maintenance, gardener and painter. Room and board and a weekly stipend are provided. Applicants should be able to serve from the end of June through September 5; shorter commitments will be considered. Those who are interested should contact the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200).

TEACHERS and staff are sought by the Bahá’í owner of a private preschool/kindergarten in an area where three Bahá’í Groups need homefront pioneers. An excellent opportunity to teach Bahá’í principles through personal example while helping to form Bahá’í Assemblies. Several area Assemblies need more Bahá’ís for strengthening. Contact Linda Mortillaro, Las Vegas, NV 89102, or phone 702-876-6461.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Clayton, North Carolina, on Raleigh's doorstep. Enjoy small-town life with a big city just down the road. Help make the Clayton community alive and active; there are only three active Bahá’ís in the town. With your help, Clayton can grow! For more information, write to Mojdeh Barghassa, Clayton, NC 27520 (phone 919-553-3702), or the District Teaching Committee of Eastern North Carolina, c/o Warren G. Rochelle, Garner, NC 27529.

WANTED: Bahá’í neighbors in the beautiful village of Virden (population about 300), an oasis in the desert of southwestern New Mexico. There is a home for sale: three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, pecan trees, river water irrigation, space for a garden and livestock. Price: $35,000. Teaching jobs are usually available, and a doctor is needed in the nearby community of Duncan, Arizona. A perfect area for retirees or for a young couple who want a "back-to-basics" lifestyle. Please help us build a strong Bahá’í community. If interested, write to the Bahá’í Group of Virden, c/o Elena Morrow, Duncan, AZ 85534, or phone (evenings) 505-358-2363.

HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in Kinston, North Carolina, which was once an active, on-the-go Bahá’í community but now lies dormant, awaiting the awakening touch of hardworking homefront pioneers. Kinston has great potential; think of the town as banked coals waiting to be rekindled. Interested? This would be a good place for retired couples or singles with their own income. Write to Shida Mali, Jacksonville, NC 28540 (phone 919-455-5704), or the District Teaching Committee of Eastern North Carolina, c/o Warren G. Rochelle, Garner, NC 27529.

HELP US win important goals for the Six Year Plan on the U.S./Mexico border. The District Teaching Committee of Southern New Mexico/West Texas needs homefront pioneers in areas where Assemblies are being elected but are not functioning. If interested in receiving a descriptive list of the 12 Assembly areas that need pioneers, please write to Liz Arrambide, Anthony, NM 88021. Teachers, nurses, Spanish-speaking people, returning pioneers from Spanish-speaking areas, and college students are especially needed, but we need and welcome everyone who wants to come.

HOMEFRONT pioneers: Wake Forest, North Carolina, offers you the coziness of a small town with a big city, Raleigh, only a short commute away. Wake Forest is poised to double its population, so homefront pioneers can get in on the ground floor. The Assemblies in Raleigh and Wake County will help you as much as possible. Wake Forest is perfect for the retired couple or single! For more information, write to the District Teaching Committee of Eastern North Carolina, c/o Warren G. Rochelle, Garner, NC 27529.

LEAVING for the pioneering field, and have an optical retail business for sale in rural Northern California; established for six years with three referring M.D.'s in the state's fastest-growing county. Must have valid ABO certificate for dispensing eyeglasses. No-interest terms available. Also available, separately or as a package deal, a four-bedroom home. Three-year-old Assembly is in jeopardy. Call now! 707-263-1071 (days) or 707-263-0724 (evenings and weekends).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

TURKS and Caicos: urgent need. Assistant manager, Honda motorcycle sales, rental and service shop. Must have experience in motorcycle and bicycle mechanics, small engine maintenance and repair. Bookkeeping experience helpful; any experience with PCVs and/or furniture manufacturing a plus. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

TAIWAN: physiotherapist, podiatrist, medical oncologist, hematologist, internist-infectious disease, and anesthesiologist, all physicians, must be board certified in their specialty. Long term positions, would require training in Chinese language, at a 400-bed hospital with new building and expansion plans. Salary and benefits vary depending primarily on length of stay. For a stay of one year or more, salary, food and housing are provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

INDIA: general physicians, dermatologist, physiotherapist needed for six months for a volunteer organization putting its efforts into the total development of rural communities and serving the poorest population. Beautiful tropical/rural area in Kerala. Food and housing offered. For more information, phone the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 312-869-9039.

GUYANA: obstetrician and internist needed in September for a private 125-bed hospital. Housing provided for a nominal fee plus salary and benefits. Travel allowance and one-year assignment. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

ST. LUCIA: short-term assignment 1988—pharmacist, June-September; ophthalmologist, June onward; surgeon, all months; anesthetist, April onward; RNs all months; X-ray technicians; dermatologist, all months; ENT, various months; urologist, urgently needed for various months. Short-term volunteers may volunteer for all months or part of the time. No travel or salary offered to short-term volunteers, but a stipend can be received if assignment is for six months or longer. Long-term assignments: family practitioner and internal medicine, December '88 for one year; surgeon, December; anesthesiologist, January 1989. Long-term volunteers receive a salary. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

BRAZIL: physicians (MDs, internal medicine, FPs, pediatricians, GPs) needed to provide primary health care in a clinical setting in the Amazon area. Must speak Portuguese. Assignments range from one-month to long-term. Food and housing provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

JAMAICA: dentists (two), physician needed for a volunteer organization in the densely populated area of Kingston to provide a comprehensive program in health specifically for the poor, unemployed and unskilled people in the area. Facilities are in urban ghettos where health care is almost non-existent. Housing and transportation locally provided. Long- or short-term assignments; no salary or travel expenses provided. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NICARAGUA: epidemiologist/occupational safety and health project. Position is for one year as member of a team to conduct training and coordinate research on pesticide-related health problems in the Leon/Chinandega region of Nicaragua. Requires background and training in epidemiology; fluency in Spanish and physician training are desirable. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SIERRA LEONE: program adviser is needed to serve as chief of party for a vocational project. Applicants should have a master's degree, five to six years work experience, and two to four years project management experience in Africa. Contract is for two years with possible extension. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: architects, principal and senior, with a minimum of four years postgraduate experience as practicing architect needed for a construction project. Two-year renewable married status contract. Expat benefits convey importance of these positions. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

ALASKA: a beautiful and growing community with three Bahá’ís seeks others to come and settle there. Immediate openings in health care field: psychologist, psychiatrists, counselors and substance abuse counselors. Minimum requirements are M.A. and two years experience; license preferred. Salary commensurate with experience and training. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

NICARAGUA: physician with specialty in rehabilitation or treatment of paraplegics, occupational therapist or physiotherapist, technician in rehabilitation, and disabled person's educator needed for 1-3 year assignments. Fluency in Spanish required; salary, housing and excellent benefits offered. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHAMAS: looking for a works superintendent who will be responsible to the finishings agent and will control six expat supervisors and an Indian labor force. Experience in dry wall techniques, tiling and marble work is necessary. Must be at least 35 years old. Dry trades supervisor to report to the works superintendent and control the Indian work force. Experience in dry wall framing and sheeting, aluminum window and metal door installation and door and ironmongery fixing is necessary. Salary and paid leave included. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

KENYA: surgeon/radiologist, water developer, civil engineer to begin as soon as possible at 185-bed mission hospital. Deal with medical-surgical emergencies and give spinal or epidural anesthesia. Informal teaching; no travel. Food, housing and stipend offered. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

KENYA: surgeon and general/family practitioners needed in July '88 for at least one year of service in a hospital on the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya. Busy outpatient department, active in MCH and FP work in the community. Local salary, food and housing provided; no travel. Salary will cover everyday expenses. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEPAL needs FP/GPS, TB specialists, pediatricians, internists, RNs, FNP, agriculturist and administrative secretary for short- and long-term positions and PAs with Third World and tropical medicine experience to work at a new hospital and clinic in Kathmandu. Quarters, hot lunches on duty days for six-month assignments. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PHILIPPINES and Africa: teachers are needed for Peace Corps assignments. Applicants should have a BA/BS in elementary education or other disciplines and two years teaching experience, or an MS in education or math/science and six months teaching experience, or MS and two years of teaching in any discipline. Assignments are for nine months to one year and include training, monthly stipend, and all travel, living and incidental expenses. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: human services director responsible for organizing all psycho-social counseling of rehabilitation referral programs. Includes planning rehabilitation and preventive programs and referral/coordination and follow-up activities, during and after implementation. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

KENYA: physician needed for two-year contract; teaching position. Serve with an organization that has been operational in Africa for more than 20 years. Travel expenses, room, board and in-country expenses provided. Special arrangements also provided for two years or longer with health and life insurance. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

GUINEA-BISSAU: Portuguese-speaking Bahá’ís who are registered nurses or who have a master's degree in public health wanted for positions as trainers responsible for guiding the development of nursing curriculum at a three-year project based in Bissau, the capital city. Preference given to candidates who have substantial international development experience, come from Third World countries, and/or speak English. Salary is in the range of $20,000 U.S. a year plus relocation allowance and insurance. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

NEPAL: infection control nurses (RN/MT), physical therapists needed by a non-profit group to begin in November '88 for an 18-month assignment. Consultant to chief nurse of a 350-bed general hospital to establish and supervise infection control techniques and procedures for the wards, OR and OP department. Requires background knowledge and experience with antiseptic techniques and infection control methods; previous overseas experience preferred. Stipend, room and board, and travel allowance. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SOUTHERN Africa: quantity surveyor with minimum of four years experience for a construction project. This is a two-year renewable married status contract. Expat benefits convey the importance of the position. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: medical director-MD with MPH preferred, to be responsible for providing a high standard of clinical care to clients of the Community Health Center and to work closely with other members of the hospital medical staff. All positions are for a minimum of two years. Travel allowance, housing, salary and vacation are provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: managing director for the newly established Marshall Islands Development Bank. Assignment is to lead a team of six full-time officers in setting up operations. Applicants should have experience in credit and investment in development banking in the Third World. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

BAHAMAS: sewerage engineer with master's degree in civil engineering and minimum of five years experience in comprehensive planning, design and construction of sewage collection, pumping station, treatment and disposal facilities. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SOUTH AFRICA: project development officer is needed to help make grants to black community groups under AID contract. Applicants should have two years overseas experience in grant management. Preference will be given to those with previous AID work experience or work experience in Africa. Contract is for two years. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: national health planner to provide technical assistance and necessary labor to assist health services staff in developing short- and long-term plans. Provide the expertise necessary to continue the computerization of a tracking system for medical record summaries, vital statistics, immunizations and other [Page 23]

CLASSIFIEDS

areas as deemed necessary. Master's degree in public health or related field plus two years of experience; administrative experience necessary. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

TAIWAN: public health nurse, infection control nurse, urologist, cardiovascular surgeon, administrator, respiratory therapist, and intensive care nurse needed by a developing 300-bed hospital which needs fresh new ideas to improve medical standards. Positions are from 3-6 months and are teaching positions. Compensation will depend on experience. Food and housing are provided. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

SOUTHERN Africa: building supervisor for a construction project. Two-year renewable married status contract; minimum of three years as a building inspector required. Expat benefits convey the importance of the position. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

KENYA: network management. Senior training expert to work at the African Regional Advanced Level Telecoms Institute. Degree or diploma in English or sciences; extensive experience in network performance, etc. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: an officer to work as the leading technical expert in Resources and Development including spearheading the development of fisheries activities into a major commercial sector of the economy. Applicants should have extensive fisheries development experience in small tropical countries. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

MARSHALL Islands: an agricultural officer is needed to work as the chief technical officer in the agricultural and animal husbandry division of the Ministry of Resources and Development including development of viable agricultural and husbandry projects in atoll conditions. Applicants should contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

EAST AFRICA: director with a Ph.D or equivalent, fluent in Swahili. Disciplines of particular interest to the college are economics, political science, international development studies; should be comfortable with administrative duties and sharing governance with students. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

SCHOOLS

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

RESIDENT counselors are sought for the 1988-89 academic year at the Louhelen Residential College. The second year of this historic program begins in the fall of 1988 with up to 26 Bahá’í youth from around the world taking part. Counselor's duties include serving as personal counselor, assisting in planning the students' devotional, teaching, social and recreational activities, and providing career and academic guidance. Two positions are open for individuals with excellent skills at relating to and communicating with young adults. The counselor must provide a strong Bahá’í role model coupled with tolerance and understanding. Must be in good physical condition and have an energetic and enthusiastic manner. Position includes room, board and a weekly stipend. This would be an excellent opportunity for someone interested in pursuing graduate studies at one of several nearby universities, or for someone seeking a counseling internship position. Applicants are urged to submit a resumé to the Louhelen Residential College, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

THE AMOZ Gibson Training Centre is preparing for an exciting summer session. We are expecting students from the Philippines, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, Canada and the U.S. Won't you join us to learn about international service, media and development technology? There will also be many Bahá’í teaching opportunities on the island. For a free brochure, write to the Amoz Gibson Training Centre for Bahá’í Media, HC 02 Box 14765, Arecibo, PR 00612, or phone 809-878-4189 before 9 p.m. EST.

FOR SALE

LOUHELEN Residential College is accepting applications for fall 1988. A maximum of 13 additional students (for a total of 26) are sought for enrollment in the program. Students live at Louhelen, have classes in Bahá’í studies, and take part in Bahá’í conferences, fellowship, 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, or phone 313-653-5033.

THREE NEW watercolor prints of Bahá’í Holy Places at the World Center are now available. The Shrine of the Báb, the Mansion of Bahjí and the stairs at Masra’ih were painted by Bonnie Wilder, a professional artist, while she was on pilgrimage in 1985. Each print is individually hand-processed in rich color and mounted with off-white mat behind heavy acetate and ready for framing. All are 12 by 15 inches including mat. An excellent gift for festive occasions. Since you can't see them in advance, satisfaction is guaranteed or money back immediately. Each print is $18 (which includes postage and any tax). Please specify title. Order from BCC Publications, 12510 Rocky Knoll, Houston, TX 77077.

CASSETTE tapes available: (1) the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears in Vancouver, B.C., to mark the 75th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Canada ($6); (2) Ernestine Berkey, "The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: A Mandate and Commitment," from Seattle's November 1987 Black and Indian Teaching Seminar ($6); and (3-4) management consultant Larry Miller, "From Barbarians to Bureaucrats," from the November '87 Northwest Assembly Training Seminar in Seattle (two-tape set, $12). Also, The Western Washington Bahá’í Resource Directory ($4), which contains business, service and skills listings of Bahá’ís in the area, Assembly directory, list of Bahá’í committees, treasurer's reps, libraries, Centers, bulletins, Bahá’í clubs, etc. Order from the Greater Seattle Bahá’í Metro-Media, P.O. Box 396, Seattle, WA 98111.

BOOKS, PERIODICALS

DO YOU want to make Feasts as meaningful for the children in your community as they are for the adults? "The Nineteen Day Feast Lesson Guide for Children," a compilation of easy-to-teach lessons based on the Bahá’í calendar for ages four and up, is back in print. Designed to be used only during the business part of Feasts, the guide makes it possible for every adult to share the responsibility of teaching the children on a rotating basis. It's that simple! The guide is a non-profit publication by Bahá’ís associated with the Local Education Adviser program. Copies of the current printing are $12 each (Texas residents please add 72 cents sales tax). Please make checks payable to BCC Publications, 12510 Rocky Knoll, Houston, TX 77077.

WANTED

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books in good or excellent condition: Principles of Bahá’í Administration (paper, 1956), The Promised Day Is Come (cloth, 1951, and paper, 1969), The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (paper, 1955), and The Heart of the Gospel (cloth, 1960). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

SEEKING information about memorial services for the Bahá’í martyrs in Iran. Our Group is planning such a service in September and would like to know how other Bahá’í communities have conducted this celebration of Faith. This request is also open to any Bahá’í who would like to share his/her ideas on how this expression of courage should be presented to the public. Join our ad hoc committee by letter (all letters acknowledged); no meetings to attend! Write to Goffstown Bahá’í Group, c/o Phil and Marilyn Ramsey, Manchester, NH 03102.

NUR UNIVERSITY in Bolivia needs an IBM compatible computer with a hard disk and printer for its U.S. liaison office. If you would like to donate a computer and/or printer, please contact Steven Kozlow, University Liaison Officer, Shelby, NC 28150, or phone 704-484-1697.

WANTED: youth! The Bahá’í Youth Committee of Grants Pass, Oregon (sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Grants Pass) is in desperate need of youth support for a service/teaching project July 28-31 in Grants Pass. Come camp out in the Pacific Northwest! For more information, phone Heather or Shannon Sullivan, 503-476-0310. In California, phone Marjan Sobhani, 707-576-1780.

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.

HELP wanted to organize and man a booth at this year's North Dakota State Fair to be held July 22-30 in Minot. Perfect opportunity for youth who may be doing service projects or teaching nearby. Will help as much as possible with accommodations. For more information, contact Rosalin Thingelstad, Minot, ND 58701.

RIGHT now, undiscovered, there are many historical letters, documents, programs, course outlines, photographs, tape recordings, furniture, relics and the like relating to the Green Acre Bahá’í School. These documents are in the hands of Bahá’ís as well as non-Bahá’í relatives who are unaware of their significance. As Green Acre works on its restoration, it feels the need to embark on a "treasure hunt" to collect historical records of the school as well as personal accounts of experiences from those who have attended sessions at Green Acre. Our goals are to help in making an accurate restoration, to produce a commemorative book, a thorough history of the school, and well-organized archives for future Bahá’ís before these records slip through our fingers forever. Please share with us the invaluable information, pictures, etc. you may have stored in your attic or elsewhere, or let us know if you would like to volunteer to help us collect information by dropping us a line: Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903, or by phoning 207-439-7200. We will be happy to copy and return any original documents, photographs, cassettes and the like on request.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking photographs of the following persons to add to its photograph collection: Rúhíyyih Khánum, William Sears, ‘Ali Akbar Furútan, John Robarts, H. Collis Featherstone, ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqá, Ugo Giachery, Edna True, Sarah M. Pereira, Velma Sherrill, David Ruhe, Hugh Chance, Borrah Kavelin, and Glenford Mitchell. Anyone having photographs that they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

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 that area. Please contact the CIU at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

YOUTH

BAHÁ’Í youth: interested in a career in international affairs? You can obtain a listing of employment opportunities in the UN, the U.S. government, and non-governmental organizations by writing for "Internships and Careers in International Affairs." Send your order with a check for $7 to: UNA-USA, Publications Department, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

ITEMS AVAILABLE

"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).

CATALOG of summer conferences at the Louhelen Bahá’í School is available from the Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

MISCELLANEOUS

I WOULD like to hear from other Bahá’ís who are active in Re-evaluation Counseling, using its principles and processes. How has it helped your spiritual growth? In what other kinds of settings and groups do you find it helpful? How is it affecting your personal relationships and parenting? Write to Betty Martin, P.O. Box 431, Davenport, WA 99122.

LISA ALTER, born June 1962, wishes to contact her mother, last name also Alter, who lived in New York at the time of her birth. Any information greatly needed and appreciated. Write to P.O. Box 340, New York, NY 10009.

WHEN the Experimental Aircraft Association holds its annual international meeting July 29-August 5 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, any of the friends attending the event are cordially invited to attend the local Bahá’í activities. For information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oshkosh, P.O. Box 3121, Oshkosh, WI 54903, or phone 414-233-1463.

DRAWINGS, VERSE & BELIEF

Bernard Leach

Bernard Leach, C.H., C.B.E. (1887-1979) was a potter of world renown whose life and work bridged the traditions of East and West. He first heard of the Faith from Agnes Alexander in Japan during the First World War, accepting its teachings over 20 years later, and dedicated much of his life to promoting its message of international understanding and unity.

This beautiful, cloth-bound volume combines delicate pen and wash illustrations and delightful verse with an impassioned profession of personal faith in Bahá’u’lláh, to provide a rare insight into the personality of a great master craftsman. An ideal gift for friends and relatives interested in the Arts.

176 pages 82 illustrations cloth $19.95

Order through your local librarian, or send check or money order to: Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 24]

Mensaje para Ridván de la Casa Universal de Justicia

Queridos amigos bahá’ís,

El siguiente mensaje de la Casa Universal de Justicia ha sido ‎transmitida transmitido‎ a varias Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales, y se nos ha pedido citárselo para su información:

MIEMBROS RECIÉN ELEGIDOS CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA ALI NAKHJAVANI GLENFORD MITCHELL HUSHMAND FATHEAZAM IAN SEMPLE PETER KHAN DAVID RUHE HUGH CHANCE HOOPER DUNBAR ADIB TAHERZADEH.

Con amorosos saludos bahá’ís, Departamento de la Secretaría 1 de mayo de 1988

A los bahá’ís del mundo Bienamados amigos,

En esta estación resplandeciente, festiva, les saludamos a todos en un espíritu de esperanza renovada.

Un resquicio al cuadro sobrio que ha vertido una sombra sobre la mayoría de este siglo actualmente abrillanta el horizonte. Se discierne en las nuevas tendencias que impulsan los procesos sociales que están en vigor a través del mundo, en las evidencias de una tendencia acelerada hacia la paz.

En la Fe de Dios, es la fuerza creciente del Orden de Bahá’u’lláh mientras su estandarte se iza a alturas más imponentes. Es una fuerza que atrae.

Los medios masivos están prestando atención incrementada a la comunidad mundial bahá’í; los autores están reconociendo su existencia en un número creciente de artículos, libros y obras de consulta, una de las cuales de mayor prestigio recientemente anotó a la Fe como la religión más extensamente esparcida luego del Cristianismo.

Un despliegue notable de interés para con esta comunidad por parte de los gobiernos, autoridades civiles, personas prominentes y organizaciones humanitarias es aparente en medida creciente. No sólo se están investigando las leyes y los principios, la organización y el modo de vida de la comunidad, sino que se está solicitando su consejo y ayuda activa para el alivio de problemas sociales y la realización de actividades humanitarias.

Una consecuencia emocionante de estos desenvolvimientos propiamente unidos es la emergencia de una ‎nueva nuevo‎ paradigma de oportunidad para mayor crecimiento y consolidación de nuestra comunidad mundial. Se han desplegado nuevos prospectos para enseñar la Causa en todos los niveles de la sociedad.

Éstas han sido confirmadas por los primeros resultados emanando de las nuevas iniciativas de enseñanza que se están fomentando en un número de lugares mientras más y más comunidades nacionales atestiguan los comienzos de la entrada por tropas prometida por el amado Maestro y de la cual Shoghi Effendi dijo que daría paso a la conversión en masa.

Las posibilidades inmediatas presentadas por esta situación providencial nos inducen a esperar que en verdad está a la mano una expansión de la Comunidad del Más Grande Nombre, tal como jamás se haya experimentado.

La chispa que encendió el creciente interés en la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh fue la fortaleza heroica y paciente de los amados amigos en Irán, que conmovió a la comunidad mundial bahá’í para realizar un programa de apelación persistente y cuidadosamente orquestada, dirigida a la consciencia del mundo.

Esta empresa inmensa, abarcando la comunidad entera actuando unidamente a través de su Orden Administrativo, fue acompañada de actividades igualmente vigorosas y visibles de esa comunidad, realizadas en otras esferas que han sido detalladas por separado.

Sin embargo, estamos impulsados a mencionar que un resultado importante de este esfuerzo extenso es nuestro reconocimiento de una nueva etapa en los asuntos externos de la Causa, caracterizada por una ‎madurés madurez‎ notable de Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales en sus crecientes relaciones con organizaciones gubernamentales y no-gubernamentales y con el público en general.

Este reconocimiento incitó una reunión en Alemania en noviembre con representantes de asuntos externos nacionales bahá’ís de Europa y América del Norte, juntos a representantes mayoritarios de las Oficinas de la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í, resueltos a efectuar mayor coordinación de su trabajo.

Fue éste un paso preliminar hacia la unificación de más y más Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales en una red internacional funcionando armoniosamente, capaz de ejecutar empresas mundiales en este campo de expansión acelerada.

Relacionado a estos resultados se encontraba el logro significativo de reconocimiento internacional concedido a la Fe a través de su aceptación formal en octubre a la membresía de la Red de Preservación y Religión del renombrado Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza.

En uno de los períodos más oscuros en la prolongada opresión de los amados bienamados, resueltamente firmes en Irán, Shoghi Effendi se conmovió para consolarlos en una carta de asombrosa perspicacia. “Es el derramamiento de la sagrada sangre de los mártires en Persia” escribió, “el cual, en esta era brillante, esta edad bahá’í resplandeciente, adornada de piedras preciosas, cambiará la faz de la tierra al elevado cielo y, según ha sido revelado en las Tablas, alzará el tabernáculo de la unicidad de la humanidad en el corazón mismo del mundo, revelará a los ojos de los hombres la realidad de la unidad de la raza humana, establecerá la Paz Mayor, hará de este reino inferior un espejo para el Paraíso de Abhá, y establecerá más allá de toda duda ante todos los pueblos del mundo la verdad del verso: ‘...el día en que la Tierra sea convertida en otra Tierra.’ ”

Reflexiones como éstas, al aducir consecuencias futuras de tanta maravilla del sufrimiento horroroso al cual han sido sometidos nuestros amigos iraníes, iluminan la oportunidad y el reto que nos enfrenta a todos en este momento crucial en las fortunas de la Causa.

Los grandes proyectos que ya han sido ‎lanzadas lanzados‎ tienen que ser ‎perseguidas perseguidos‎ hasta que sean completadas. Las terrazas en la parte superior e inferior del Santuario del Báb y el Arco en el Monte Carmelo tienen que ser completadas, efectuando la gloriosa visión de la florescencia del monte sagrado de Dios; el segundo Congreso Mundial tiene que ser ‎realizada realizado‎ en la Ciudad del Convenio para celebrar el centenario aniversario de la inauguración del Convenio; el trabajo bajo consistentemente avanzante de la traducción y la anotación del Kitáb-i-Aqdas, el Libro Más Sagrado, tiene que llevarse a publicación; el interés mostrado por los amigos en la Ley del Huqúqu’lláh tiene que ser cultivada; los pioneros y los maestros viajeros tienen que salir; los gastos de la Causa tienen que cubrirse; todos los objetivos del Plan de Seis Años tienen que ser logrados.

Pero el propósito supremo de toda actividad bahá’í es la enseñanza. Todo lo que se ha hecho o se hará gira en torno a esta actividad central, la “piedra angular de la base misma,” a la cual se debe todo el progreso en la Causa.

El reto actual requiere enseñanza en una escala y de una calidad, de una variedad, y de una intensidad que sobrepase todos los esfuerzos actuales. Ahora es el tiempo, no sea que la oportunidad se pierda en los estados de ánimo rápidamente cambiantes de un mundo frenético. Que no se imagine que el oportunismo sea el motivo esencial causando este sentido de urgencia.

Hay una razón abovedante: es la condición lamentable de las masas de la humanidad, sufriendo y en agitación, padeciendo hambre de virtuosidad, pero “privados de discernimiento para ver a Dios con sus propios ojos, o escuchar Su melodía con sus propios oídos.” Tienen que ser alimentados. Se tiene que restaurar visión donde se ha perdido la esperanza, poner confianza donde abundan la duda y la confusión.

En éstas y otras facetas, “La Promesa de Paz Mundial” ha sido diseñada para abrir el camino. Estando prácticamente completada su presentación a líderes gubernamentales nacionales, su contenido ahora tiene que ser transmitido, por todos medios posibles, a las gentes en todos sitios de toda condición social. Ésta es una parte necesaria del trabajo de enseñanza en nuestro tiempo y tiene que ser perseguida con un vigor que no disminuya.

La enseñanza es el alimento del espíritu; trae vida a las almas que no han sido despertadas y alza el nuevo cielo y la nueva tierra; iza el estandarte de un mundo unificado; asegura la victoria del Convenio y trae a aquellos que entregan su vida a ella la felicidad celestial del alcance del beneplácito de su Señor.

A cada creyente individual—hombre, mujer, ‎jóven joven‎ y niño—se le convoca a este campo de acción; pues el éxito de la comunidad entera depende de la iniciativa, la voluntad decidida del individuo para enseñar y para servir.

Fuertemente cimentados en el poderoso Convenio de Bahá’u’lláh, sostenidos por oración diaria y lectura de la Palabra Sagrada, fortalecidos por un esfuerzo constante para obtener entendimiento más profundo de las Enseñanzas divinas, iluminados por un empeño constante para relacionar estas Enseñanzas a asuntos actuales, alimentados por el atenimiento a las leyes y los principios de Su maravilloso Orden Mundial, cada individuo puede alcanzar medidas incrementantes de éxito en la enseñanza.

En suma, el triunfo fundamental de la Causa está ‎asegurada asegurado‎ por “una cosa y solamente una cosa” recalcado tan agudamente por Shoghi Effendi, ‎osea o sea‎, “el grado al cual nuestra propia vida interior y nuestro propio carácter privado reflejan en sus múltiples aspectos el esplendor de aquellos principios eternos proclamados por Bahá’u’lláh.”

Bienamados amigos—ustedes a quienes el Más Amado, la Bendita Belleza, se ha dirigido como “el solaz del ojo de la creación,” como “las fluyentes aguas de las cuales debe depender la vida misma de todos los hombres”—les urgimos, con todo ardor desde las profundidades nuestras con una convicción en cuanto a la madurez del tiempo, que dejen a un lado cada interés menor que puedan tener y dirijan sus energías a la enseñanza de Su Causa—a proclamarla, expandirla y consolidarla.

Pueden acercarse a su tarea en la completa confianza de que este claro campo de progreso que se despliega ante ustedes se deriva de la operación de esa “Fuerza nacida de Dios” la cual “vibra dentro del más íntimo ser de todas las cosas creadas” y que, “haciendo a veces de espada de doble filo, está separando en nuestra misma presencia, los vínculos milenarios que por siglos han mantenido junta la fibra de la sociedad civilizada y la que está desatando por otra parte, los lazos que todavía encadenan a la joven y aún ‎noemancipada no emancipada‎ Fe de Bahá’u’lláh.”

No tengan miedo ni dudas. El poder del Convenio les asistirá y les animará y eliminará cada obstáculo de su camino. “Él, en verdad, ayudará a todo el que Le ayude, y recordará a todo el que Le recuerde.”

Les damos nuestra promesa perdurable de oraciones ardientes y constantes para todos ustedes.

La Casa Universal de Justicia Ridván de 1988

Seminario de enseñanza prepara a Bahá’ís para la entrada en tropas

Como parte del proyecto de enseñanza “La Conquista Espiritual de la Ciudad de los Angeles,” se llevó a cabo un instituto de enseñanza para bahá’ís de habla español del 1 al 3 de abril de 1988 en San Fernando, California, auspiciado por Las Fuerzas Especiales Hispanas de Los Angeles.

El instituto comenzó con oraciones recitadas por los niños.

El Sr. Miguel Osborne, miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar, habló sobre el Plan de Dios, explicando que hace más de 40 años, Shoghi Effendi describió los procesos gemelos de desintegración e integración que operan en el mundo.

Estos procesos confirman el Plan de Dios que incluye el plan mayor, la rotura del viejo orden mundial el cual resultará en la Paz Menor; y el plan menor que significa la tarea de los bahá’ís de seguir el plan de Bahá’u’lláh para edificar el nuevo mundo de unidad y espiritualidad, resultando en la Más Grande Paz.

El Sr. Luis Chavez condujo un taller sobre la enseñanza usando el libro “Effective Teaching” (Enseñanza Efectiva) preparado por el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza.

Los participantes discutieron el significado de la enseñanza, cómo mejorar la enseñanza efectiva, y terminaron preparando un plan personal de enseñanza.

El miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar, el Sr. Edward Diliberto, habló sobre “La Gran Meta de la Fe: La Libertad de la Humanidad,” “El Papel del Hombre Común en el Plan de Dios,” y sobre el Convenio de Bahá’u’lláh.

El instituto terminó con todos los participantes enseñando en un parque en San Fernando. A su regreso al Centro Bahá’í, compartieron su entusiasmo y la canción “Soy Bahá’í, Soy Bahá’í...”

En la foto se encuentran algunos bahá’ís, quienes luego de asistir al instituto de enseñanza en San Fernando del 1 al 3 de abril de 1988, fueron al parque a enseñar.

Maestros Viajeros que sepan ESPAÑOL, favor de comunicarse con: National Teaching Committee (312) 869-9039

Se parte de la Conferencia en Indiana

Ya se acerca la fecha para la Conferencia Internacional de Jóvenes en Bloomington, Indiana. Se esperan más de 6,000 personas en este evento internacional que tendrá lugar del 30 de junio al 4 de julio de 1988. ¡NO TE LO PIERDAS! [Page 25]

Cursos en el Centro Amoz Gibson

El Centro de Capacitación "Amoz Gibson," localizado en Arecibo, Puerto Rico, estará ofreciendo cursos y entrenamiento en los medios y tecnología apropiada para el desarrollo espiritual, social y económico de los pueblos del planeta entero este verano.

El primero de ellos será del 13 al 24 de junio de 1988 y enfocará en el servicio internacional bahá’í. Este programa está diseñado para preparar a estudiantes sobre el pionerismo, viajes de enseñanza, cómo vivir en el extranjero, el uso de los medios, salud del viajero, comunicación entre culturas, cómo aprender un idoma nuevo, y el español.

Habrá otro curso introductorio a los medios comenzando el 27 de junio hasta el 15 de julio de 1988. Los participantes tendrán una vista general de los medios de desarrollo, además de la práctica en los fundamentos de artes gráficas, fotografía, presentaciones audio-visuales, la radio, la prensa, serigrafía y mucho más, incluso el diseño de campañas utilizando una variedad de medios.

Otro curso intensivo enfocado en la tecnología de los medios para la comunicación y el desarrollo comenzará el 18 de julio y durará hasta el 5 de agosto de 1988.

Las clases están diseñadas para bahá’ís y otros interesados en servir en proyectos de comunicación de desarrollo en una capacidad técnica.

Para más información escriba a: HC-02 Box 14765, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612, o llame al 809-878-4189 antes de las 9 p.m.

Un recordatorio

NO TE OLVIDES... de la Conferencia Internacional de Jóvenes en Ciudad Juárez, México, del 22 al 24 de julio de 1988.

Forma parte del gran número de jóvenes bahá’ís de alrededor del mundo que atenderán esta conferencia.

Hay varios grupos de jóvenes bahá’ís que están planeado viajar desde California, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Indiana y Nuevo México para asistir a la Conferencia en México.

Si necesitas más información, por favor comunícate con la oficina del Comité Nacional de Enseñanza al: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, o llama al 312-869-9039.

Se reunen en Teaneck Bahá’ís interasados en enseñar Hispanos

En la foto se encuentran todos los participantes de la reunión sobre la enseñanza Hispana que tuvo lugar en la Cabaña de Wilhelm en Teaneck, New Jersey, el 9 de abril de 1988.

El 9 de abril de 1988, bajo la colaboración del Comité Nacional de Enseñanza y el miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar el Dr. William Roberts, se celebró en la cabaña de Wilhelm en Teaneck, New Jersey, una reunión de unas treinta personas envueltas en la enseñanza de los hispanos en el este del país.

Los asistentes, que procedían de estados desde New Hampshire hasta Carolina del Norte, consultaron sobre métodos para estimular y aumentar la enseñanza entre la población de habla española.

La reunión, la cual se llevo a cabo en la cabaña en donde el Maestro, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, estuvo hace varios años atrás, se caracterizó por un ambiente de amor, unidad, alegría y harmonía.

Hace 76 años, desde el mismo lugar, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá llamó a los bahá’ís para que se unieran e intensificaran los esfuerzos de la enseñanza.

En una inspiradora charla, la Dra. Tahereh Ahdieh, miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar para la Propagación, nos recordó que la Casa Universal de Justicia nos ha dicho que en todo trabajo de enseñanza hemos de usar la imaginación, debemos ser eficientes y tenemos que imponernos en esfuerzos sacrificados.

Una de las muchas sugerencias fue la importancia de enseñar al corazón, no solo al intelecto. Otra fue la de enfocar la enseñanza hacia asuntos de actualidad que afectan a los hispanos. Otra fue la importancia de formar amistades y convivir con ellos, no solamente enseñarles.

ESTA ES TÚ PÁGINA

Contribuye a ella.

Solamente tenemos una página. Envía reportes y fotos de las actividades en tu area. Por favor escribe y comparte tus ideas con el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza al:

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

Bahá’ís in Louisville arise to champion Cause through ongoing Davoodi Teaching Campaign

In February, Bahá’ís in Louisville, Kentucky, launched the Dr. Davoodi teaching project, which is to continue until the end of the Six Year Plan and includes several phases.

The first phase involves door-to-door teaching. On Saturdays, an average of 20 Bahá’í teachers gather for prayers, after which packets containing teaching materials and neighborhood maps are distributed to groups of 2-3 who walk from house to house in their assigned area.

Those residents who are receptive to the Bahá’ís are invited to attend a fireside on the following Sunday, to be held in their own neighborhood.

It is not unusual for the Bahá’ís to be welcomed into homes to talk about the teachings of the Faith at length, sometimes for hours.

One resident asked them, "Where have you Bahá’ís been all my life?"

Since February, three such receptive souls have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and have been enrolled in the Faith.

In an effort to continue the teaching process by deepening the new believers and helping them to become integrated into the Bahá’í community, several steps have been taken.

The new friends receive special mailings to inform them of meetings; they are visited with small gifts and brought Bahá’í books to read; they are offered rides to Bahá’í-sponsored events.

Pictured are many of the Bahá’ís in Louisville, Kentucky, who are taking part in the Dr. Davoodi Teaching Project which began in February and has so far seen three declarations among residents of that city.

This summer, the Bahá’ís will be offering to help in community service projects at a community center in the neighborhood in which they are focusing their efforts.

The Dr. Davoodi project is off to a marvelous start!

2 N.C. Bahá’ís named All-Star Scholars

Two young Bahá’ís from the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, Tiffini Lyn Snellings and Christopher David Rosser, are among 54 high school seniors designated 1988 All-Star Scholars in the annual competition sponsored by The Charlotte Observer to honor students for academic excellence and extra-curricular activities.

Miss Snellings, who is first in her class of 400 at North Mecklenburg High School, was named 1988 Senior of the Year by the newspaper's panel of judges.

When asked why she stood out from the others, the judges said it was because she is dedicated to helping others through education.

"In this me-too generation," one of them said, "it struck us as very joyful."

As Senior of the Year, Miss Snellings was given a $2,000 college scholarship.

Mr. Rosser, who is sixth in his class of 663 at South Mecklenburg High School, is a National Merit Scholar who received a full-tuition four-year scholarship to the University of Miami.

Fifth Conference on Race Unity held in Madison, Wisconsin

On April 9, the Bahá’ís of Madison, Wisconsin, sponsored their fifth annual Race Unity Conference. The focus of this year's event was educational equality.

The keynote speaker, Dr. William Maxwell, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, discussed the need for changes in parenting to overcome barriers to equal education and racial harmony.

Dr. Maxwell, a social scientist who has studied parenting around the world, is the founder of the I.Q. Foundation.

Dr. Maxwell was one of seven educators taking part in a panel discussion on education, all of whom agreed that changing racial attitudes must begin at home.

Another panelist, the dean of students at the University of Wisconsin, discussed proposed changes for the university's curriculum requirements in response to increased racial incidents on campus.

About 65 people attended the day-long event.

NOTICE: The Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, the sponsoring body of the Four Winds Conference and Teaching Project, has found it necessary to postpone the conference and project until further notice. The Assembly appreciates the loving support of all the friends for this teaching effort.

Archives seeks letters on behalf of Guardian

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals:

Kathryn Alio, John and Sophronia Aoki, Elizabeth Bailey, Kathrine S. Baldwin, Margaret F. Banurd, Dorothy Barbour, Helen M. Barbour, Helen E. Barrick and Isabelle Belyea.

Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

40th ANNIVERSARY

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of San Antonio, Texas will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.

We invite any and all Bahá’ís who have lived here to celebrate with us!

A reunion weekend is planned starting Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19.

For more information write: Kathy Afnani 201-A Antler San Antonio, Texas 78213 or call: (512) 340-1577

Están amablemente invitados! SAN ANTONIO [Page 26]

A statement from the National Development Committee

To all Bahá’ís in the United States

Dearly loved co-workers,

We wish to take this opportunity to introduce the newly appointed National Development Committee and to briefly describe its functions and objectives.

The committee has seven members, three women and four men, from diverse racial, geographic and professional backgrounds.

The National Spiritual Assembly has asked us to "assume a major role in the training and development of Bahá’í Assemblies (and) Bahá’í communities, and the fostering and supporting of projects of social and economic development."

In approaching this task, the National Spiritual Assembly has emphasized to the committee the need for fresh thinking, so that its members can break away from ingrained habits and preconceptions and can open themselves to the divine guidance so abundantly available in the writings of the Faith.

As we have consulted together on the challenges and opportunities facing the American Bahá’í community, we have become increasingly excited by the vistas opening before us, and are eager to share with you some of the themes of our consultation.

The Bahá’í community of Nashville, Tennessee, presented its 1987 Human Rights Award last December 10 to Dr. Laurence Grossman (pictured here), whose specialties include cardiology and internal medicine. In 1949, Dr. Grossman was the first physician in Nashville to integrate his waiting room, and in the 1950s, as president of the Nashville Academy of Medicine, he led a successful effort to integrate that institution.

The Area Persian/American Affairs Committee (APAAC) of Maryland/Washington, D.C./ Northern Virginia has invited a group of Persian and non-Persian Bahá’ís to form what is known as the APAAC Workshop Chorus. The group, which comes together to learn songs from various cultures, performed publicly for the first time May 7 for some 200 area Bahá’ís from more than 30 communities at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. The National Persian/American Affairs Committee has chosen the area as one of four pilot sites for its plan to increase the involvement of Persian Bahá’ís in teaching, especially among members of ethnic minority groups.

The Most Vital and Challenging Issue

As we consulted, we became increasingly aware that a conscious effort was required to keep "the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Bahá’í community" an integral part of our deliberations.

We felt it important to consistently make this effort because it became clear to us that all development of the Bahá’í community in America depends directly on our community dealing honestly and courageously with the issue of racial prejudice.

As the Guardian stated (in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 34): "A long and thorny road, beset with pitfalls, still remains untraveled, both by the white and Negro exponents of the redeeming Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. On the distance they cover, and the manner in which they travel that road, must depend, to an extent which few among them can imagine, the operation of those intangible influences which are indispensable to the spiritual triumph of the American believers and the material success of their newly launched enterprise."

Collaboration among institutions

We have been greatly heartened by the warm spirit of collaboration that exists among the various committees and agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly, and between them and the members of the Continental Board of Counselors.

A large part of this committee's time has been spent consulting with Counselors, members of the National Spiritual Assembly, and virtually every other committee and agency.

In the course of these meetings we have become ever more deeply impressed by the sincerity, vast experience, wisdom, and harmony of purpose among these precious souls.

We have no doubt that this spirit of unity and collaboration will be a hallmark of the Fourth Epoch and will serve as a catalyst for accelerating the growth and development of the American Bahá’í community.

The challenge of diversity

One theme that recurred in all these consultations was the challenge facing the American Bahá’í community as a result of its growing diversity, which is forcing us to examine afresh some of the most fundamental verities of our Faith.

For example, our sense of unity can no longer depend on everyone doing the same thing at the same time—the "one size fits all" approach. Rather, we must think in terms of many diverse activities carried forward simultaneously in a coordinated, mutually reinforcing and harmonious manner, like the varied but interdependent functions of the organs and limbs of the human body.

As the Universal House of Justice wrote more than 20 years ago (in Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 38-39):

"The real secret of universal participation lies in the Master's oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit."

In furthering these aims, those among us who have the gift of artistic, creative and insightful expression, with the power to penetrate barriers and inspire the heart, have a special role to play.

Realizing equality

A necessary component of our approach to these issues must also be the full and equal representation of both sexes, through whose richly different points of view we will find fresh resources and new insights. For, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated:

"...until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible." (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 edition, pp. 76-77)

Local initiative

As a consequence of our growing diversity, and in the spirit of the Fourth Epoch, we believe that the primary source of initiative for the development of Bahá’í community life must now come from the local communities and the individual Bahá’ís.

The National Spiritual Assembly, with its broad view, can give guidance and coordinate activities that are regional or national in scope, but can no longer orchestrate the vast majority of activities undertaken by the friends.

We, as a national committee, therefore see our role as primarily one of providing supportive services and programs, such as coordination and facilities for the exchange of information. We expect an ongoing dialogue with the community so that our programs and services can best meet the most urgent needs of the community.

Local Spiritual Assemblies

Local Spiritual Assemblies will clearly play a central role in the process of the development of the American Bahá’í community.

The strengthening of these Assemblies in the art of consultation, their ability to solve problems through the application of the Bahá’í teachings, and their capacity to provide spiritual leadership are critical needs at this time.

Community life

Development of the distinctive character of Bahá’í life is also essential for the continued expansion of the community. Balance between inward and outward growth is necessary for the health of the community. As the Guardian has written (A Special Measure of Love, p. 5):

"...every outward thrust into new fields, every multiplication of Bahá’í institutions, must be paralleled by a deeper thrust of the roots which sustain the spiritual life of the community and ensure its sound development."

Furthermore, as the problems besetting society become more acute, it is Bahá’í communities, rather than the teachings themselves in their abstract form, that will increasingly attract public attention and draw people into the Faith (see Messages from the Universal House of Justice, p. 12).

The unifying principle of teaching

In consulting on these themes, the committee has come to the conclusion that not only are teaching and Bahá’í community life inextricably interrelated, but indeed that teaching should be the guiding and unifying principle of our communities.

Teaching, not administration, is, as the Guardian has written (in Bahá’í Administration, p. 42), "the most essential, the most urgent of all our obligations,"

We must also remember that the term "teaching" encompasses everything from telling someone about Bahá’u’lláh for the first time to a lifetime of increasing one's understanding of and dedication to the Faith (see for example the pamphlet "Building Unity of Thought on Teaching," by the National Teaching Committee, December 1987).

Committee projects and activities

These are the general principles that we feel must guide the work of the committee. Aside from identifying these principles, we are still in the early stages of setting priorities for our work, and we will soon be conducting a sample survey of the activities and needs of local Assemblies to help us in this process.

We will also be establishing in the near future an office at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette, perhaps initially with a part-time employee, and will be looking for ways to use our office to facilitate communications within the community, both between the National Center and the local communities, and among local communities who share common interests.

In the area of preparing materials and providing services of use to local communities, we are undertaking the preparation of a comprehensive, indexed compilation of references from the Sacred Writings, the letters of the Guardian and Universal House of Justice, and policy statements from the National Spiritual Assembly to help local Assemblies in their deliberations.

The new "References for Local Spiritual Assemblies" will be loose-leaf and modular in design, and we are pressing ahead quickly with the project in view of the urgent need expressed by many communities for such materials.

The committee recognizes that there are many ills besetting modern society to which Bahá’í communities are not immune. One of these is substance abuse.

We have recently appointed a Substance Abuse Task Force to advise the committee on the best approach for Bahá’í communities in addressing this widespread affliction. We expect to follow this initiative with others in different areas, and would welcome advice from the community on how to proceed.

The committee is also concerned with social and economic development activities and projects. We believe that at this time such activities and projects should be initiated and sponsored primarily at the local level, in accord with the statement by the Universal House of Justice that "progress in the development field will largely depend on natural stirrings at the grassroots, and it should receive its driving force from these sources rather than from an imposition of plans and programs from the top." (Message of October 20, 1983, to the Bahá’ís of the world)

The committee will help by offering a clearing-house for information and experience, through its office at the National Center. We will also be examining the implications for our long-range development goals, both nationally and locally, of the references in the writings to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and its dependencies.

But for now, we believe that each Bahá’í must develop a deeper awareness of and concern for our fellow men and women, so that this human link between souls, this reaching out, will motivate us in all our Bahá’í activities including teaching and the development of Bahá’í community life as well as service to the larger community around us.

We welcome any suggestions you may have that would help us to set priorities for our activities as a committee, or that you feel we might wish to pass on to local communities and/or individuals around the country.

Correspondence can be directed to us at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or you may phone us at the National Center, 312-869-9039, as soon as our office there is established.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

National Development Committee Jahangir Cyrus (Louisville, KY) Greg Dahl (Washington, DC) Mona Grieser (Silver Spring, MD) Kurt Hein (Conway, SC) Kathy Kelley (San Francisco, CA) Ed Peace (Williamsville, NY) Pat Steele (Augusta, GA)

Teaching plan

A number of delegates to the National Convention, inspired and enthusiastic about the possibility of such help from the National Spiritual Assembly in the teaching efforts in their home communities, spontaneously offered their hometowns or districts as sites for the conferences.

The sites will be determined by the National Spiritual Assembly after assessing the community's needs.

Further details of the plan and other highlights of the 79th National Convention will appear in the July issue of The American Bahá’í.

If you can't pioneer—deputize! [Page 27]

NPAAC welcomes articles

The National Persian/American Affairs Committee at the Bahá’í National Center welcomes submissions by the friends of English-language articles that deal with some aspect of cross-cultural awareness or spiritual integration in the Bahá’í community.

We would like this column to be a forum for your ideas and suggestions on these issues. Articles can be in the form of a short story (fact or fiction), if preferred. Lengthy articles can be divided to appear in two or more issues of The American Bahá’í. More than one article at a time may be submitted.

Please send articles to NPAAC, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

All articles to be published in The American Bahá’í are subject to editing.

ANNUAL REPORT OF NPAAC

کارنامه سالانه لجنه ملی احبای ایرانی امریکائی

اعضای لجنه: خانم شیلا بنانی، خانم پوران استیونس، جناب منوچهر درخشانی، جناب اوندر گیلمر Evander Gilmer، جناب رياض خادم.

حیطه مسوولیتهای لجنه: لجنه ملّی امور احیای ایرانی امریکایی در جلسه ای که در ۲۹ آگست سال ۱۹۸۷ منعقد گردید نمونه و خط مشی لجنه را در رابطه با ادغام و اختلاط به آگاهی محفل روحانی ملّی و اعضای هیئت مشاورین قاره ای رساند. چهار شهر بزرگ به عنوان منطقه نمونه برای اجرای برنامه لجنه که متضمن موارد ذیل است انتخاب گردید: - توقيع "ظهور عدل الهی" برای مطالعه منظم یاران ایرانی به عنوان کتاب سال شناخته شد. یاران ایرانی به تبلیغ اقلیتها ترغیب گردیدند و لجنات ناحیه ای امور احیای ایرانی آمریکائی به عنوان مشاوران فرهنگی به تشکیلات امری معرفی شدند. - هفت لجنه ناحیه ای امور ایرانی امریکائی به لجنات ناحیه ای موجود افزوده شد و تعداد لجنات مذکور به ۲۲ افزایش یافت. - جزوات و مطالب زیر تحت نظر لجنه ملّی تهیه و توزیع گردید: جزوه نظم اداری، مجموعه چشم اندازی از اختلاط روحانی در هر شماره از نشریه "امریکن بهائی"، ۵ صفحه به زبان فارسی برای یاران ایرانی تهیه گردید و راهنمای تنظیم وصیتنامه که توسط دفتر صندوق محفل تهیه شده بود به زبان فارسی ترجمه شد.

بنا به دعوت لجنه ملّی جناب دکتر فرزام ارباب عضو محترم هیئت مشاورین قاره ای در جلسه ای که در لوس آنجلس تشکیل شده بود راجع به اختلاط بهائیان ایرانی با سایر احباء بیاناتی اظهار داشتند. همچنین به دعوت لجنه ملّی جناب دکتر ریاض قدیمی در جلساتی که در مراکز تجمع احیای ایرانی منعقد گردید به ایراد نطق پرداختند. ۲۵۰۰ نفر از یاران ایرانی در این جلسات شرکت جستند.

لجنه ملی در کنفرانسهای متعددی که در نقاط مختلف ایالات متحده برگزار گردید به اجرای برنامه هایی جهت آگاه ساختن یاران از موارد اختلاط و مسائل مربوط به وحدت نژاد مبادرت نمود.

لجنه ملی احیای ایرانی امریکائی با همکاری لجنه ملى وحدت نژاد برنامه ای در مدرسه بهائی بوش با عنوان راهی بسوی وحدت و اختلاط روحانی ارائه و اجرا نمود.

اهداف لجنه در سال آینده: - تشویق بهائیان ایرانی به تبلیغ اقلیتها - تأکيد درباره مطالعه منظم توقيع "ظهور عدل الهی" - تقویت لجنه های ناحیه ای امور احیای ایرانی امریکائی و تأکید درباره وظیفه آنها به عنوان مشاوران فرهنگی - ادامه همکاری با سایر لجنات ملی - ادامه ترغیب یاران بزرگسال ایرانی به فراگیری زبان انگلیسی و تشویق اطفال و جوانان ایرانی به آموختن و تقویت زبان فارسی و عربی.

کمك به ازدیاد اختلاط و اتحاد یاران از طریق تشکیل کنفرانسهای محلی و ناحیه ای و تشویق بهائیان ایرانی پناهنده و تازه وارد به سکونت در مناطقی که در آنها بهائیان ایرانی تمرکز نداشته باشند.

مهمترین خدمتی که در حال حاضر لجنه ملی میتواند به آن مبادرت جوید اینست که در اذهان یاران ایرانی مفهوم "پناهنده" را به "مهاجر" تبدیل نماید و توجه آنان را از گذران روزگار به خدمت امر معطوف سازد. دیگر از اشکالاتی که لجنه با آن روبرو است یکی اینست که در جوامعی که تعداد یاران ایرانی بیش از سایر احبای محلی است یاران ایرانی از تشریک مساعی با تشکیلات امری کناره میگیرند. همچنین تمایل بهائیان ایرانی و غیر ایرانی به نشست و برخاست با اعضاء گروه خود مانع از حدوث تفاهم بین آنها و دیگران است. دیگر از موانع اختلاط اشکالات مربوط به ناآشنائی با زبان انگلیسی است. این اشکال در میان ایرانیان بزرگسال بیشتر دیده میشود. همّ لجنه ملی در سال جاری متوجه رفع موانع اتحاد و اختلاط یاران خواهد بود.

بهائیان ایرانی ١٤ درصد احبای ایالات متحده را تشکیل میدهند و بنابراین از منابع مهم روحانی و مادی جامعه به شمار میروند که باید در راه تحقق اهداف نقشه شش ساله به کار گرفته شوند.

مسوولیت اصلی لجنه ملّی امور احیای ایرانی امریکائی تنفیذ برنامه ای همه جانبه برای ادغام هر چه بیشتر ایرانیان مقیم ایالات متحده در جامعه امری این سامان است. اساسنامه لجنه مشتمل بر وظائف ذیل است: - ازدیاد آگاهی و دانش فرهنگی در میان بهائیان ایرانی و غیرایرانی - تشویق بهائیان ایرانی به اجرای فعالیتها و برنامه های تبلیغی - ترغیب بهائیان ایرانی به تفرق از مراکز تمرکز آنان و تسهیل امور مربوط به مهاجرت آنان به داخل یا خارج - آگاه ساختن یاران ایرانی از وعود الهی درباره سرنوشت روحانی احیای ایالات متحده - تشویق بهائیان ایرانی به فرا گیری زبان انگلیسی - تشویق بهائیان ایرانی به تعلیم دو زبان فارسی و عربی به نونهالان و جوانان خویش - آشنا ساختن بهائیان ایرانی با اصول نظم بدیع علی الخصوص مواردی که خاص جامعه امری در ایالات متحده است. - تزیید معلومات بهائیان ایرانی درباره حیات بهائی و عمل به احکام و اطاعت از قوانین مدنی.

HUQUQU’LLÁH

جمال قدم در لوحی میفرمایند: و اما حقوق الله اصل برکت و ظهور عنایت و بروز شفقت است از برای عباد.

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است که تقدیمیهای حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله 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 حقوق الله میتوان با یکی از امنای حقوق یا با دفتر موسسه حقوق الله مكاتبه نمود:

Office of Secretariat Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH. 44116

یاران عزیز ایرانی میتوانند نواری را که ایادی امر الله جناب علی اکبر فروتن در تشریح توقيع "ظهور عدل الهی" ضبط فرموده اند از طریق موسسه توزیع مطبوعات امری خریداری نمایند. قیمت ۳ دلار.

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL. 60091 [Page 28]

خلاصه ای از کارنامه سالانہ محفل روحانی ملی

(ANNUAL REPORT OF NSA)

سالها این موهبت نصیب او شد و به فاصله کمی دو تن از نوه هایش، هاشم فرنوش و بدیع الله حق پیکر به مقام شهادت رسیدند و روح پدر بزرگ را شاد کردند.

همسر و دو فرزندش از او باقی مانده اند. روانش غرقه بیکران دریای لطف ازلی باد!

رضوان سال ۱۹۸۸ مصادف با پایان سال دوم نقشه شش ساله بود. در این سال وقایع گوناگون گاه متباینی رخ داد. از طرفی آثار پیشرفت امر الله نمودار بود و در عین حال جامعه امری رشد معتنابهی از لحاظ افزایش تعداد تازه تصدیقان نداشت.

سال گذشته با تجلیل هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد سفر حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá به آمریکای شمالی آغاز گردید. در بیش از ۱۲۰۰ جلسه و پيك نيك در نواحی مختلف ایالات متحده اهل بها گرد هم آمدند و در برگزاری مراسم بزرگداشت سفر طلعت پیمان به این سامان شرکت جستند.

از لحاظ خروج امر الهی از مرحله مجهولیت پیشرفتهای قابل ملاحظه ای نصیب جامعه یاران گردید. محفل روحانی ملی از جمله مدعوین در یکی از کمیسیون های کنگره آمریکا جهت بررسی پیمان نامه عليه قتل عام بود. جامعه Bahá’í بعنوان گروه ذينفع در ارتباط با تنفیذ این پیمان نامه در جلسه مزبور حضور یافت.

بیت العدل اعظم طی دستخطی در اواسط سال گذشته اراده خود را برای بنای ساختمانهای حول قوس کوه کرمل اعلان فرمود. آنچه معهد اعلی در رابطه با تأمین مخارج ابنيه قوس اعلان فرموده بودند محور فعالیتهای جامعه Bahá’íان ایالات متحده قرار گرفته است. جهت انجام وظائفی که به اراده معهد اعلی بر عهده اهل بهاء نهاده شده جلسه مشترکی با حضور اعضای محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده و کانادا و هیئت مشاورین قاره ای منعقد گردید درباره چگونگی نیل به اهداف مذکور در مرقومه بیت العدل اعظم مذاکراتی به عمل آمد.

مقارن با اقدامات فوق وقایع دیگری در سال گذشته صورت گرفت که مهمترین آنها ذیلاً درج میگردد: جلسه مشترکی با حضور نمایندگان محافل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده، کانادا و ۱۵ کشور اروپایی بهمراه نمایندگان دفتر جامعه جهانی Bahá’í در لانگنهاین در آلمان انعقاد یافت. جلسه مذکور جهت بررسی و هماهنگ ساختن روابط محافل روحانی ملی و دول مربوطه آنها تشکیل گردید.

همچنین جلسه مشترکی با حضور نمایندگان دفاتر روابط خارجی و مهاجرت خارجه محافل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده و اروپا تشکیل گردید. غرض از تشکیل این جلسه بررسی مشکلات مربوط به مهاجرت به کشورهای اروپای شرقی و رفع موانع کنونی بود.

همچنین محفل روحانی ملی به همکاری خود جهت اجرای اهداف بین المللی مشترك با ۲۰ محفل روحانی ملی ادامه داد. این همکاری جهت اموری چون خریداری حظائر قدس و مسائل مربوط به تربیت امری، مهاجرت، انتشارات امری، اسفار تبلیغی و اسکان پناهندگان بود.

علیرغم افزایش فعالیتهای تبلیغی جامعه Bahá’í در زمینه "رشد" که یکی از سه مقوله اصلی نقشه شش ساله میباشد توفیق چشمگیری نداشته است. به تصمیم محفل ملی تبلیغ محور اصلی و هدف غائى جميع لجنات ملّی و دوائر دفتر محفل گردیده است. در سال گذشته جلسات متعددی در سراسر کشور به موضوع تبلیغ انحصار یافت. در این جلسات مشاورین قاره ای و اعضای هیئتهای معاونت شرکت جستند و به مذاکره و مشاوره پیرامون مسائل مربوط به نشر نفحات پرداختند.

در سال قبل تعداد ۲۰۰ مشروع تبلیغی به موقع اجرا درآمد. اسفار تبلیغی نسبت به سال قبل هفت برابر افزایش یافت و ۷۰۰ سفر تبلیغی صورت گرفت. تعداد بيوت تبلیغی که تحت اشراف جوامع امری مختلف تشکیل میشود به ۲۹۰ بالغ گردید.

در زمینه "توسعه" که مقوله اصلی دیگری از اهداف نقشه شش ساله است لجنه ملّی توسعه و لجنه ملی تربیت امری انتخاب گردید. در سال گذشته فعالیتهای مربوط به تعلیم و تربیت Bahá’í و توسعه اجتماعی گسترش یافت. در سال قبل مدارس Bahá’í از موفقیتهای قابل ملاحظه ای برخوردار گردیدند و تعداد شرکت کنندگان Bahá’í و غیرBahá’í در مدارس مذکور افزایش یافت. همچنین فعالیتهای لجنه ملى اماءالرحمن با توفیق همراه بود. لجنه مذکور با سازمانهای معتبر مربوط به زنان همکاریهایی به عمل آورد.

موسسه مطبوعات امری از لحاظ مادی و معنوی سال پر ثمری داشت. کتب و جزوات مختلف امری طبع و توزیع گردید. ضمناً کار تأليف دائرة المعارف كوچك امری که در سه جلد انتشار خواهد یافت با موفقیت به پیش میرود.

در زمینه "ادغام و اختلاط" که مقوله دیگر نقشه شش ساله است فعالیتهائی جهت ایجاد وحدت در کثرت در جامعه Bahá’í صورت گرفت. لجنه ملى وحدت نژاد و لجنه احیای امور ایرانی امریکایی که در برخی موارد همکاری نزدیك با هم داشتند به انعقاد ۱۰ کنفرانس موفق گردیدند. خدمات این دو لجنه به بهائیان مدد نمود که آگاهی بیشتری در زمینه اختلاط و ادغام در میان آنان گسترش یابد.

چنانکه از پیش گفته شد، علیرغم گسترش فعالیتهای تبلیغی تعداد تازه تصدیقان به وضع ناگواری قلیل بوده است. بطور متوسط به ازای هر محفل روحانی محلی کمتر از دو نفر تسجیل شده اند. همچنین تسجيل جوانان نیز افزایش چندانی نداشته است. از آنجا که جوانان امروز رهبران آینده جامعه را تشکیل میدهند، محفل روحانی ملی مقرر داشته که تبلیغ جوانان در درجه اول اهمیت قرار گیرد.

از لحاظ تبرعات اگر چه وجوهی که بهائیان این دیار در ده سال گذشته به محفل روحانی ملی تبرع نموده اند ازدیاد یافته اما چون سهم بزرگی از وظیفه جامعه جهانی Bahá’í در مورد اکمال بناهای حول قوس در کوه کرمل بر دوش جامعه امری ایالات متحده نهاده شده لازم است کوششهای جدیتر و بیشتری جهت ایفاء این وظیفه روحانی به عمل آید.

محفل روحانی ملی در خاتمه کارنامه سالانه خود با نقل بیاناتی از حضرت ولی عزیز امر الله اهمیت اقدامات فردی بهائیان این سامان و همت و شخصی آنان را گوشزد فرموده و یاران را به تقدیم خدماتی شایانتر از آنچه از قبل صورت گرفته فرا خوانده اند.

هفتاد و نهمین کانونشن ملی در ویلمت

(79TH NATIONAL CONVENTION)

هفتاد و نهمین کانونشن ملی از تاریخ ۱۹ الی ۲۲ ماه می سال جاری در مشرق الاذكار ويلمت منعقد گردید. نمایندگان حوزه های انتخاباتی پس از استماع راپورت سالانه محفل ملی و تبادل نظر درباره مسائل گوناگون مربوط به جوامع امری، آراء خود را ابداء نمودند.

پس از شمارش آراء اسامی اعضای محفل روحانی ملی اعلان گردید. بلافاصله پس از اعلان اسامی اولین جلسه محفل روحانی ملی تشکیل گردید و هیئت عامله آن محفل مقدس انتخاب شد. اسامی اعضای محفل روحانی ملی بدین قرار است:

سرکار خانم دوروتی نلسون Dorothy Nelson رئيس محفل، سرکار خانم آلبرتا دیز Alberta Deas، جناب جك مكنتس Jack McCants، جناب فیروز کاظم زاده منشی مسئول، جناب رابرت هندرسن Robert Henderson منشی، جناب ویلیام مكمول William Maxwell، جناب چستر کان Chester Kahn، جناب ویلیام دیویس William Davis امین صندوق، جناب جیمز نلسون James Nelson نایب رئيس. [Page 29]

MARTYR'S FILE

جناب هاشم فرنوش از جمله مبلغان و معلمان نمونه بهائی بود که پس از انقلاب اسلامی گرفتار گردید و سرانجام به مقام و منزلت شهادت صعود نمود.

جناب فرنوش به سال ۱۳۱۷۰ شمسی در شهرستان کرج دیده به دیدار جهان گشود. پدر بزرگش جناب محمد هاشم در لوحی از قلم مرکز میثاق به "قارداشم" ملقب گردیده بود. از اینرو جناب عطاءالله پدر جناب فرنوش پسر خود را به یاد پدر هاشم نامید.

جناب هاشم فرنوش تحصیلات ابتدائی و متوسطه را در مولد خود همان شهرستان کرج گذراند. اما روزگارش در دوران تحصیل با آرامش نگذشت زیرا از جانبی پدرش به علت بیماری و نابینائی دستخوش دشواریهای مادی گردید و از جانب دیگر جناب فرنوش به خاطر تدین به دیانت بهائی همواره در معرض آزار شاگردان مدرسه و همسایگان بود و بطور کلی دوره جوانی را در سختی به سر میبرد با این حال چون تربیت بهائی شده و از پدر و مادری بيباك و مومن پرورش یافته بود به سرخوردگی و ناامیدی دچار نمیگردید و صبورانه با مشکلات روبرو میشد و با شکیبائی آنها را به يك سو میزد.

چنین بود که علیرغم دشواریها پس از اتمام تحصیلات متوسطه به تحصیلات عالیه روی آورد وارد دانشگاه شد و به دریافت دانشنامه در رشته ادبیات فارسی توفیق یافت.

جناب فرنوش در دوران دانشجوئی اوقات فراغت را به شرکت در کلاسهای امری و تشکیلات بهائی اختصاص میداد. سری پرشور داشت و به جهت فعالیتهای گوناگون خود به عضويت لجنه جوانان کرج انتصاب یافت در هر فرصتی که به دست میآورد به دانشکده کشاورزی کرج میرفت و با جوانان بهائی به نشست و برخاست میپرداخت آنان را به منزل خود دعوت میکرد و به شرکت در تشکیلات و فعالیتهای امری تشویق مینمود و با درایت و حکمت و محبت آنان را به جامعه امری جلب میکرد.

پس از دریافت دانشنامه از دانشگاه مدتی راهی رشت شد و در آنجا به تدریس ادبیات فارسی مشغول گردید. اما از آنجا که همیشه میل داشت شغل مستقلی داشته باشد و اوقات راحت را به خدمت امر بپردازد دوباره به کرج باز گشت و به کار آزاد پرداخت. بدین ترتیب از لحاظ اقتصادی نیز زندگی او رفته رفته پا گرفت و با مهارت در تجارت دامنه فعالیتهای مادی او نیز گسترش می یافت.

در همین دوران بود که به عضويت لجنه ملّی جوانان درآمد و بدین ترتیب تمام ایام آسایش را به فعالیتهای امری و مسافرتهای تبلیغی و شرکت در کلاسهای عالی تبلیغ و دیگر کلاسهای امری مشغول بود.

جناب فرنوش برای معلمان خود شاگردی بتمامه به جا میآورد. مثلا علاوه بر مطالعه دروس و انجام تکالیف استادان ساعات طولانی را در خدمت آنان میگذراند و حتی به انجام امور شخصی آنان نیز مبادرت میجست. از جمله افرادی که سمت استادی جناب فرنوش را داشتند و در ضمن از دستیاری او نیز برخوردار بودند میتوان از حضرات سید عباس علوی و احمد یزدانی و عبدالحمید اشراق خاوری و کمال الدین بخت آور نام برد. جناب فرنوش چنان به خدمت این بزرگان به ویژه جناب اشراق خاوری و یزدانی انس داشت که گوئی یکی از اعضای خانواده آنها به شمار میرفت. در همه امور به آنها كمك میکرد و به مقابله و تصحیح تألیفات آنها و مساعدت در امور تحقیقی میپرداخت.

اما محبت و وفاداری او نسبت به معلمان تنها منحصر به اساتید بهائی نبود یکی از استادان معتبر دانشگاه طهران که مدتی جناب فرنوش را تعلیم داده بود چند سالی در حال اغماء در بیمارستانی بستری بود جناب فرنوش هفته ای یك روز به بیمارستان میرفت در کنار بستر او می نشست و در واقع عضو خانواده آن استاد شده بود پس از وفات استاد نیز جناب فرنوش مدتها افسرده بود و ارتباطش با خانواده او بر قرار ماند.

فعالیتهای تشکیلاتی جناب فرنوش گوناگون بود چنانکه گفته شد در لجنه ملی جوانان عضویت داشت و همچنین در لجنه ملی مهاجرت خدمت میکرد و ضمناً عضو محفل روحانی کرج نیز بود. از سوی دیگر چون کلاسهای سخنوری را با موفقیت به اتمام رسانده بود خود در تشکیل و ادامه اداره آنها سهمی بزرگ داشت تا وقتی که این کلاسها دائر بود ساعات زیادی را صرف اداره آنها مینمود.

جناب فرنوش در سال ۱۳۵۱ با خانم ژینوس جدی ازدواج کرد و از این اقتران صاحب دو فرزند شد. همسر را یار و همراه یافت. بنابراین هر دو عاشقانه به خدمت امر برخاستند و آنچه را حضرت عبدالبهاء در وصف و شرایط زن و شوهر بهائی بیان فرموده اند به کار بستند.

نا گفته پیداست که هر که با عزمی جزم به خدمت شجاعانه امر در ایران پردازد هدف تیر مخالفان خواهد شد. جناب فرنوش نیز چنین بود. بعد از انقلاب پاسداران پی در پی در تعقیب او بودند جناب فرنوش مدتی را در خفا گذراند مأموران به خانه این و آن میرفتند و سراغش را میگرفتند چون جناب فرنوش شخصی فداکار و با ملاحظه بود روا نمیدید که دوستان و آشنایانش مورد بازخواست قرار گیرند. این بود که با همه تعلق و تعشقی که به همسر و فرزندان و مادر خود داشت و با اینکه میدانست رفتنش را باز آمدنی از پی نخواهد بود خویشتن را تسلیم پاسداران کرد.

جناب فرنوش نه ماه را در زندان گذراند. در این مدت به شکنجه و آزار تن داد. اما روانش نمیتوانست از محبت محبوب که با جانش عجین شده بود رهایی یابد. اقرار را بر انکار ترجيح داد. سر بداد و دل نداد. و لاجرم در روز اول تیر ماه سال ۱۳۹۰ هدف تیز جوخه آتش شد.

جناب فرنوش مردی پراحساس و مهربان و اهل مزاح و مطایبه بود. دوستان بسیاری داشت. شوهر و پدری نمونه بود. در وصیتنامه اش راجع به همسرش چنین میخوانیم: كلا ژینوس عزیز هر طور هست باید گلش را قانع سازد که زوجش در حالی از او جدا شده است که تمامی وجودش به یاد اوست.

در یکی از آخرین نامه هایی که نوشته نشانی از عشق و ایمان عمیقش را باز می یابیم عنقريب تأییدات شدیده و عنایات جدیده اش را به چشم سر ملاحظه خواهید کرد. خود را به غربت افکندن و تن را به فرصت سپردن نه کار آسانی است و نه شیوه همگان بلکه مسلك معدودی از مقربان است و قلیلی از ستایندگان حضرت یزدان لذا شايسته است که به پاس این مفخرت بزرگ زبان سپاس گشائی و دست شکر به بارگاهش بلند سازی.

یکی از اقوام جناب فرنوش در خاتمه شرحی که راجع به او نگاشته چنین میگوید خدمت او به مقام شهادت رسید و روح پدر بزرگش را شاد کرد زیرا زمانی که محمد هاشم با مرارت زیاد و پس از يك سال رنج و سختی به ارض اقدس و به محضر مولای مهربان حضرت عبدالبهاء مشرف گردید هیکل اطهر اجازه فرمودند يك سال در حضور مبارك بماند و همیشه نیز او را مورد عنایت قرار میدادند. در یکی از ایام هیکل مبارك فرمودند: محمد هاشم با لبه تیز شمشیر چطوری؟ او سکوت اختیار کرد و سر خود را به زیر افکند. حضرت عبدالبهاء فرمودند: "نمیدانی از چه موهبتی خود را محروم ساختی ولی بعد از... [Page 30]قوتی که از تلاش مستمر برای درک عمیقتری از تعالیم ربانی میگیرد و نورانیتی که از کوشش مداوم برای مرتبط ساختن تعالیم الهی به مسائل جاری اخذ مینماید و پرورشی که از اطاعت احکام و اصول نظم بدیع جهان آرای جمال قدم می یابد میتواند در تبلیغ امر به درجات فائقتری از موفقیت نائل آید اجمالاً باید دانست که ضامن پیروزی نهائی امرالله همان است که در بیان موثر مولد صادر از قلم حضرت ولی امر الله بدان اشاره گردیده است:

"فقط و فقط يك امر میتواند بلاتردید و به تنهائی مظفریت بیچون و چرای این امر مقدس را تأمین نماید و آن اینکه حیات فردی و خصائل و صفات خصوصی ما تا چه درجه لمعان اصول جاودانی شریعت حضرت بهاء الله را در جوانب گوناگون خود منعکس میسازد (ترجمه)."

اسامی اعضای بیت العدل اعظم

اسامی اعضای بیت العدل اعظم که اخیراً انتخاب گردیده اند بدین قرار است: جناب علی نخجوانی، جناب گلنفورد میچل (Glenford Mitchell)، جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم، جناب ایان سمپل (Ian Semple)، جناب پیتر كان (Peter Khan)، جناب دیوید روح (David Ruhe)، جناب میو چنس (Hugh Chance)، جناب هوپر دانبار (Hooper Dunbar) و جناب ادیب طاهرزاده.

تجمع يكصد و سی و دو محفل روحانی ملی در مرکز جهانی امر جهت انتخاب اعضای بیت العدل اعظم برهانی متین بر قوه مقلبه امر الهی بود. نظاره کردن نمایندگان حاضر در جلسه کانونشن در شهر حیفا در واقع ناظر خاص و عام بشریت و شاهد پیشرفت انقلاب روحانی جمال مبارك بودیم. یکی کوه نشین پاپوآئی از گینه نو با صورتی رنگ آمیزی شده به روش ویژه قبیله اش و تاج پری که نشان مردمش بود با پوششی از نی و پوست حیوان برهنه یا با گامهای بلند بسوی صندوق آراء میرفت و رایش را برای اعضای بیت العدل اعظم ابداء مینمود.

افریقائیان برخی ملبس به پوست حیوانات و بعضی در جامه های ابریشمین، زنی کره ای با روپوش سنتی صورتی رنگ که زنان کشورش در بر میکنند و سرخپوست بولیویائی با کلاه مخصوص و ردائی که مردمش به تن میکنند آری همه این افراد وقتی نام کشورشان خوانده شد پیش رفته ابدای رأی نمودند. هنگامی که نام نمایندگان کوبا خوانده شد همه حاضران به پا خاستند. از هر قاره و ملتی مردمان بومی و مهاجران آن سرزمینها گرد آمده بودند تا وظیفه روحانی خود را در مورد انتخاب اعضای بیت العدل اعظم ایفاء نمایند.

با گذشت هر روز از دیدن زیبائی خانواده بزرگ Bahá’í سر فخر به فلك سودیم و اعتمادمان به قوا و قابلیت محافل روحانی ملّی همه کشورها افزونی گرفت. کانونشن بین المللی فرصت کم نظیری برای محافل روحانی ملّی ایجاد نمود که با یکدیگر به مشورت پردازند، امور خود را با همدیگر در میان نهند و رشته ارتباطات بین المللی را استحکام بخشند.

NSA LETTER FOR THE FEAST OF AZAMAT

ترجمه پیام محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده بمناسبت ضیافت شهر العظمة ۱۴۵ بدیع ۱۷ می ۱۹۸۸ خطاب به جامعه Bahá’í ایالات متحده

یاران عزیز بهائی در اعتاب مقدسه به ستایش موفقیتهای آن دوستان زبان گشودیم و دعا و مناجات نمودیم که دردهای آن عزیزان درمان یابد و مساعی آن یاران قرین توفیق گردد.

موضوع ضیافات نوزده روزه و اهمیت آن به دفعات در مشاورات نمایندگان کانونشن و تقریباً جميع محافل روحانی ملی مطرح گردید. ترجمه تلگراف بیت العدل اعظم مورخ ۳۰ آپریل سال ۱۹۸۸:

"وقتی این بنیاد فرید که برای ایجاد سرور در قلوب یاران و تقویت دوستی و محبت و وحدت و سعادت آنان بنا گردیده با مراسم خشك انعطاف ناپذیر همراه گردد از روح و رونق میافتد. همت نمائیم و ضیافاتی تشکیل دهیم که به فرموده حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá موجب حصول محبت و روح و ریحان احبای الهی گردد. امید است که آن عزیزان درباره بهبود وضع این تأسیس اساسی پیاپی به شور پردازند تا ضیافات همه جوامع امری موجب حصول روح و ریحان و ایجاد نهايت الفت و محبت گردد. على الخصوص باید توجه تام مبذول داشته شود که کثرت و گونگونگی بومی و فرهنگی هر جامعه محلی در جنبه های مختلف ضیافت متجلی باشد."

ای یاران عزیز از زبان جانان به لقب "قرة العين ابداع (ترجمه)" ملقب گشته و به خطاب "شمائید میاه جاریه که حیات کل معلق به آن است" مخاطب گردیده اید. با جدیتی تمام که از عمق اعتقاد این مشتاقان به موافقت شرایط زمانی مایه میگیرد مصرانه از آن یاران میخواهیم که جميع امور جزئیه خویش را به يك سو نهند و هم خود را به تبلیغ و اعلان عمومی امرالله و توسعه نطاق دین الله و تحکیم اساس آن متوجه سازند.

عزیزان باید این وظیفه روحانی را با اعتماد کامل به این نکته ایفاء نمایند که میدان هموار پیشرفتی که در برابر آن یاران گسترده شده متأثر از حرکات آن قوای الهیه است که در کنه ذات جميع مخلوقات نبضان دارد و در حکم شمشیر دولبه ایست که در برابر چشمانمان از يك سو رشته های کهنه ای را که در طی قرنها شالوده جوامع متمدن را بهم پیوسته از هم میدرد و از سوی دیگر، زنجیرهایی که امر رضیع جمال قدم را به بند کشیده و هنوز آنرا از قید تعصبات رهائی نداده از هم میگسلد (ترجمه).

بیم مدارید و تردید به دل راه مدهید قوه میثاق مدد خواهد نمود و روحی تازه خواهد دمید و هر مانعی را که بر سر راه باشد مرتفع خواهد ساخت. "انه ينصر من نصره و يذكر من ذكره." به ادعیه مستمره این مشتاقان در حق جميع آن عزیزان مطمئن باشند.

حضرت Bahá’u’lláh میفرمایند: "امور ملت معلق است به رجال بیت عدل الهی ایشانند امناء الله بين عباده و مطالع الامر فى بلاده ... چونکه هر روز را امری و هر حین را حکمتی مقتضى لذا امور به وزرای بیت عدل راجع تا آنچه را مصلحت وقت دانند معمول دارند."

با تحیات Bahá’í محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده منشی رابرت سی هندرسن

NSA CABLE TO UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه عریضه تلگرافی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده مورخ ۲ ماه می ۱۹۸۸ به ساحت رفیع بیت العدل اعظم

محفل روحانی ملی و جامعه Bahá’í آمریکا مساعدت مداوم خود را به معهد اعلی اعلام میدارد و ثبات و وفاداری و تعهد خود را جهت اکمال ابنیه حول قوس کوه کرمل و تحقق اهداف نقشه ابراز مینماید. آماده ایم که با ورود به مرحله بعدی نقشه ندای معهد اعلی را اجابت کنیم و صلای دعوت به مبارزات روحانی آینده را لبیک گوئیم. با مهر و محبت ادعیه حاره جهت قوت و سعادت اعضای باسل معهد اعلی تقدیم میداریم.

محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده

POSTERS OF INDIAN HOUSE OF WORSHIP

لجنه ملی امور احیای ایرانی امریکائی پوسترهائی رنگی در دو اندازه مختلف از منظره شب مشرق الاذکار هندوستان تهیه نموده است. پوسترهای کوچک (۱۷×۱۱ اینچ) با بسته بندی ۱۰ دلار و بدون بسته بندی ۹ دلار و قیمت پوسترهای بزرگ (۲۲x۲۸ اینچ) با بسته بندی ۱۵/۵۰ دلار و بدون بسته بندی ۱۴ دلار است. علاقه مندان میتوانند جهت خریداری پوسترها با نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمایند: تلفن: ۹۰۱۹-۱۹۹ (۸۰۰).

Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL. 60091 [Page 31]جامعه جهانی بهائی از طریق یک برنامه مستمر و بدینسان نبوات راجع به بهاء و جلال کرم مقدس پیام بیت العدل العم التی منظم وجدان اهل عالم را به داوری فراخواند این الهی تحقق پذیرد. دومین مجمع جهانی باید در

خطاب به بهائیان عالم

دوستان عزیز و محبوب

مشروع عظیم که مشارکت جميع اعضای جامعه را مدینه میثاق جهت تجلیل یکصدمین سالگرد آغاز و متحداً در ظل لوای نظم اداری ایجاب مینمود با اعلان عهد و پیمان الهی منعقد گردد. امور مربوط دیگر فعالیتهای پرتوان و نمایان جامعه امری در به ترجمه و تحشیه کتاب مستطاب اقدس که با سایر میادین همراه بود که جزئیات آن در مقام پیشرفت مداوم همراه بوده باید به طبع و انتشار دیگری ذکر گردیده است. معذلک میباید در این بیانجامد. علاقه ای که یاران به اجرای حکم مقال نیز متذکر شویم که یکی از نتایج مهم این حقوق الله نشان میدهند باید ازدیاد و گسترش یابد. فعالیتهای دامنه دار تشخیص مرحله جدیدی در مورد مهاجران و مبلغان سیار باید همچنان به پیش تازند. جميع اهداف با امیدی تازه جمیع آن عزیزان را در این روابط خارجی امرالله است که با بلوغ و پختگی مخارج امرالله باید تأمین گردد. ایام شکوه و شادمانی تهنیت میگوئیم. آشکار محافل روحانی ملی در مورد روابط در حال نقشه شش ساله باید متحقق شود.

پرده ای از نور از پس چشم انداز تیره ای رشد آنها با موسسات دولتی و سازمانهای غیر دولتی و اما غافل نباید بود که هدف اصلی جمیع که قرن حاضر را در خود گرفته افق جهان بشری بطور کلی عموم مردم مشخص و ممتاز گردیده فعالیتهای بهائی تبلیغ امر الله است. آنچه از این را روشنی .میبخشد اثرات آن در کششهای جدیدی است. پیش صورت گرفته و هر آنچه از این پس وقوع که محرک جریانات اجتماعی در سراسر جهان گردیده تشخیص این مرحله جدید موجب گردید که در پذیرد طائف حول این "اس اساس است" و آثار تمایل روزافزونی که برای صلح مشاهده آلمان جلسه ای در ماه نوامبر سال گذشته مرکب از پیشرفتهای امر الهی موکول به آنست. میشود. به چشم میخورد در داخل امرالله این مسوولان روابط خارجی جوامع ملی بهائی اروپا و کنونی شریعت الهی مستلزم تبلیغ امر الله به میزان اثرات به صورت قوای دافعه نظم بدیع حضرت آمریکای شمالی با حضور نمایندگان عالیرتبه دفاتر و کیفیت و تنوع و تمرکزی است که از جمیع بهاء الله جلوه نموده که درفش آن بر اوج قلل جامعه جهانی بهائی جهت ایجاد هماهنگی بیشتر در مساعی حالیه پیشی جوید. زمان زمان قیام و اقدام پرشکوهتری برافراشته میگردد. این قوا جاذب امور مربوطه منعقد گردد. انعقاد جلسه مذکور است مبادا که در اوضاع سريع التحول این جهان پر توجه دیگران است. در حال حاضر وسائل ارتباط نخستین گام در راه وارد ساختن تعداد هر چه التهاب و آشوب فرصت موجود از دست برود. جمعی توجه زیادی به جامعه جهانی بهائی نشان بیشتری از محافل روحانی ملی در شبکه ای بین المللی نباید گمان برد که اغتنام فرصت و مصلحت جوئی و منابع و مآخذ نویسندگان وجود و هماهنگ و مآخذ نمایند. علاقه و بهائی از طرف دول مقامات مدنی و افراد برجسته گذشته و تا بتوانند در بود این میدان عامل اصلی وجود این حس ضرورت است. بلکه علت در تعداد قابل ملاحظه ای از کتب و مقالات میدهند. آن اجرای مشروعات جهانی اقدام فائقه دیگری در کار است و آن موقعیت و گرفتاری را اذعان سريع الاتساع به در ارتباط با این تحولات باید از رقت بار خیل آدمیان است که رنج میبرند و به نموده اند و یکی از معتبرترین این منابع و اعتبار جهانی که با عضویت رسمی آئین ربانی در اضطراب و آشوب دچار آمده اند. گرسنه کامان سفره امر بهائی را بعنوان گسترده ترین دیانت بعد از حفاظت محیط زیست از دوائر مؤسسه صلاح و فضیلتند اما "ليس لَهُمْ مِنْ بَصر ليعرفوا اللهَ دیانت حضرت مسیح یاد کرده است. این ابراز شبکه دین و بذل توجه قابل ملاحظه نسبت به جامعه معروف "صندوق جهانی طبیعت" در ماه اکتبر سال بعيونهم أَوْ يَسْمَعُوا نَغَمَاتِهِ بِأَذَانِهِم.. اینان باید به امر مبارك اعطاء گردید یاد نمود. اطعام شوند. آنجا که امید از کف رها شده باید حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله در یکی از بصیرتی امیدبخش داد و تنها احکام و اصول و طرز اداره و طریق حیات تاریکترین دوره های ابتلاء و مظلومیت یاران محبوب شیوع یافته باید اعتماد و اطمینان برقرار ساخت. و ثابت قدم ایران اراده فرمودند که در طی بیانیه "وعده صلح جهانی" جهت راهگشائی در حال که ارتباط با مسائل فوق تهیه گردیده است. نیز برای تخفیف و حل مرقومه ای که سرشار از بصیرتی حیرت انگیز بود. ساعدت مشکلات اجتماعی و چگونگی اجرای فعالیتهای آن عزیزان را اینچنین تسلی دهند: تقدیم و اهداء آن به رهبران دول و ملل تقریباً اتمام یافته باید محتوی و مطالبش به هر وسیله ای گروه و مؤسسات انسانی متزايداً به چشم میخورد.

جامعه بهائی مورد مصلحت دید و نه بررسی قرار گرفته بلکه بشر دوستانه به مدد طلبیده میشود. یکی از نتایج مهیج تقارن این وقایع دستیابی به فرصتهای جدیدی جهت رشد جامعه جهانی بهائی و تحکیم اساس آن است. چشم اندازهای جدیدی برای تبلیغ امرالله در جميع طبقات جامعه گشوده شده است. مويد وجود این چشم اندازها اهراق دماء مطهره شهیدان ایران است که در که ممکن باشد به همه مردمان از هر این قرن نورانی و عصر گوهر افشان اعز ابهائی طبقه ای که باشند ارائه و اقامه گردد. چه که این روی زمین را بهشت برین نماید و سراپرده وحدت امر جزء لازمی از فعالیتهای تبلیغی در زمان حاضر عالم انسانی را كَما نُزِّلَ فی الواح در قطب آفاق است و باید با شور و اشتیاقی کاهش ناپذیر مرتفع سازد و وحدت اصلیه را جلوه دهد و صلح پیگیری شود. اعظم را تأسیس فرماید و عالم ادنی را مرآت جنت تبلیغ امرالله غذای روح است. مردگان بستر ابهی گرداند و يوم تبدل الارض غير الارض را بر همانا نتایج اولیه حاصل از اقدامات تبلیغی در غفلت را جانی تازه میدهد و ارض و سماء جدید را چندین نقطه مختلف است که هر روز عالمیان ثابت و محقق نماید. بر پا .میدارد درفش جهانی متحد را بر میافرازد. الله بر مبنای آن جوامع ملی بیشتری طلايع "یدخلون فی دین افواجا را که حضرت مولی الورى وعده فرموده و تأملاتی از این قبیل که نتائج بدیع و پیروزی پیمان ایزدی را تضمین مینماید و به حضرت ولی عزیز امر الله مقدمه اقبال عمومی مردمان شگفت انگیز آینده را بعنوان محصول ابتلائات کسانی که زندگی خویش را وقف نشر نفحات کنند هولناک یاران ایران خاطرنشان میسازد فرصتهائی را سعادت آسمانی کسب رضای الهی را اعطاء میدارد. محسوب نموده اند مشاهده مینمایند. امکاناتی که از این رحمت خداوندی حاصل آمده ما را پر آن که در این دوره خطیر از سرنوشت امر الله در فرد فرد یاران از مرد و زن و خردسال و میدارد که توسعه بیسابقه جامعه پیروان اسم اعظم برابر همه اهل بها قرار گرفته نمودار میسازد. جوان به میدان تبلیغ فراخوانده شده اند. چه که را در انتظار باشیم. مشروعات عظیمی که تا کنون طرح و آغاز موفقیت کل جامعه بهائی وابسته به اقدام و عزم جزم بارقه ای که باعث این توجه دائم التزايد به گردیده باید تا مرحله اکمال دنبال شود. طبقات افراد به تبلیغ امرالله خدمت به آن است. امر حضرت بهاءالله گردید همانا پایمردی و زیرین و زبرین مقام مقدس حضرت اعلى و ابنيه یک از افراد با ثبوت پر میثاق غلیظ حضرت شکیبائی یاران محبوب ایران بود که سبب شد که حول قوس در کوه کرمل باید تکمیل گردد و بهاء الله و تلاوت روزانه ادعیه و آیات مقدسه و با و هر [Page 32]

From the House of Worship

House of Worship Activities staff members arrived at the Temple at 5:10 a.m. one recent morning just in time to see a glorious sunrise over Lake Michigan. As the rich colors of the dawn lighted the pale blue of early morning, we were reminded of the extra bounties given to those who serve the Mother Temple of the West. But the best was yet to come.

At 5:30 more than 40 Girl Scouts and leaders arrived at the House of Worship to take part in a special dawn prayer service. The girls had just completed an all-night tour of such "night shift" places as police stations, hospitals and fire departments—places where people work all night. Now they were to end the tour with a worship service.

Their leader had called the House of Worship several months in advance to ask if they could visit the Temple at the end of their all-night tour. It was decided to have the girls participate in a dawn devotional service with unity as the theme. The girls, although tired, read beautifully. We learned later that they had been given readings that morning, and therefore had little time to prepare. After the service of music and readings from the Bahá’í Writings, everyone went to the Visitors’ Center for the slide program and a brief question-and-answer period before the girls went off to breakfast.

This was a heartwarming and exciting experience for everyone who took part; one of the special times you might find when you come to visit and serve at the Mother Temple.

The Bahá’í House of Worship stands majestically near the shores of Lake Michigan in grandeur and splendor, surrounded by its lovely gardens, pools and fountains—a beacon of light and symbol of hope for all the peoples of the world. But guides are needed to welcome the hundreds of visitors who come each day to share in the beauty and inquire about the meaning of this Temple of Light.

"Blessed is he who directeth his steps towards the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár at the hour of dawn, communing with Him, attuned to His remembrance, imploring His forgiveness. And having entered therein, let him sit in silence to hearken unto the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Almighty, the All-Praised. Say, the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is in truth any House raised in towns or villages for mention of me. Thus hath it been named before His Throne; would that ye knew it."—Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas

"A new and inspiring approach to the solution of Universal Peace is made possible through the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh so it is said, and the Temple is being erected to send forth the message of love and peace to all mankind. With a war-ridden world struggling to recuperate from the many past conflicts, and nations again ready to spring at the throats of their neighbors, the Bahá’í Temple stands as a monument of hope to all mankind. May the light of this brilliant architectural gem radiate to the darkest corners of the earth and instill an understanding in the hearts of all men, both rich and poor, that War does not pay."—F.S. Young, quoted in The Bahá’í World, Vol. VI (1934-36), p. 405

"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the Nations; that all Nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers in the bonds of affection; and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened; the diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be, these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the Most Great Peace shall come."—Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in The Bahá’í World, Vol. VI (1934-36), p. 405

As a part of its Ayyám-i-Há celebration in February, the Bahá’í community of Grand Chute, Wisconsin, had the children buy gifts for an elderly gentleman, Joe Wardman, who lives alone and has no family or relatives. The children spruced up his apartment with brightly colored wall hangings, gave him two fish and a small fish tank to help keep him company, sang songs for him and recited a prayer. Pictured with Mr. Wardman are (left to right) Luke Fisher, Amelia Belknap, Jason Fisher, Alisha Damrow and Tierra Belknap.

Jagdish Gandhi, a Bahá’í from Lucknow, India, holds a copy of the magazine produced by the Gandhis’ schools in Lucknow as Mrs. Gandhi looks on. The Gandhis spent a week in California in April en route to the sixth Bahá’í International Convention in Haifa, Israel.

Delegates to International Convention from India visit friends in California

Two delegates from India to the sixth Bahá’í International Convention in Haifa, Israel, stopped for a week in California in April to visit the friends there en route to the Convention.

Jagdish Gandhi and his wife, Bharti, gave several firesides including presentations at the Bosch School and the Bahá’í Center in San Francisco.

The friends were most interested to hear how the Gandhis started a group of schools in Lucknow, India, which have grown to the point at which there are some 1,100 children attending and 1,000 staff and helpers. All levels up to and including high school are included.

The Gandhis feel that much of their success has resulted from encouraging not only students but parents and teachers as well to become a part of the educational process by recognizing them for their contributions.

Each year, the outstanding students are honored together with their parents and teachers, which not only helps parents and teachers to become more involved but greatly increases the sense of family unity.

While in San Francisco the Gandhis were interviewed on KGO-TV on a program with an audience estimated at more than a million.

Later that day the peace statement from the Universal House of Justice was read on that same station.

Ads from page 23

dially invited to call and introduce themselves to members of the Bahá’í community of Oshkosh at one of these telephone numbers: 414-231-2547, 231-3052, or 233-4667.

ATTENTION social studies teachers: thinking about adding study of the United Nations to your curriculum? Write for "Teaching About the United Nations," published by the United Nations Association of the United States. Order from: UNA-USA, Publications Department, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017. The cost is $5.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington, are getting ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Faith in that area and need your help. If you have ever lived in the area of pioneered there or know of pioneers and/or traveling teachers to or from the area, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Bellingham, P.O. Box 103, Bellingham, WA 98825, or phone Lina Zeine, 206-734-6505. We are grateful to the friends who have responded but need many more!

New booklet produced by Refugee Office in Persian for immigrants

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office has produced a new 50-page Persian-language booklet entitled "America: A Nation of Immigrants."

The booklet is designed to acquaint recently arrived Persian refugees and immigrants (including Bahá’ís) with the customs and practicalities of life in the U.S.

The table of contents and section headings are in English and Persian.

The price is $2 plus postage. The booklet can be ordered directly from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone (toll-free) 1-800-999-9019.

Three-week course in media technology set for summer at Amoz Gibson Centre

"Media Technology for Development Communication," an intensive three-week course for Bahá’ís and others interested in serving development communications projects in a technical capacity, will be held July 18-August 5 at the Amoz Gibson Training Centre for Bahá’í Media in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Topics include alternative energy systems, appropriate technology, low-power broadcasting, village radio and other small media, and a general introduction to electronics.

The principal instructor is K. Dean Stephens, and the languages of instruction are English and Spanish.

The cost is $450 per student ($400 with early registration discount).

For more information, write to the Amoz Gibson Centre, HC-02 Box 14765, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612, or phone 809-878-4189 before 9 p.m. EST.

Naw-Rúz fund-raiser nets $200 in Arkansas

On March 20, the Bahá’í community of Rogers, Arkansas, hosted a Naw-Rúz fund-raising dinner to which Bahá’ís and their friends came from Fayetteville, Washington County and Eureka Springs.

After the dinner, professional singer/guitarists Bob and Linda Newman of West Fork entertained.

The more than 40 people present raised $200 in the "Spirit of the Roses."

Louhelen establishes program for arts

As an outgrowth of the Artists’ Conference last February at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, funds were pledged and a program established to encourage visual and performing artists at Louhelen.

The Louhelen Council will host one artist at each week-long conference this summer. The artist will have time and space to pursue his/her work and can attend any part of the conference.

The artist will be expected to interact with the friends and help heighten the awareness of and appreciation for the place of art in the community.

Also, a public display or performance will be held on the Monday of each week.

Interested artists are asked to contact the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. [Page 33]

Sitting Bull's legacy of unity lends impetus to summer's Continental Indigenous Council

NATIVE AMERICANS

Tatanka Iyotake, or Sitting Bull, was among those who led the Dakota people during difficult years of wars, famine and subjugation on Reservations in North and South Dakota.

Though his people were eventually forced to surrender, he never signed a treaty with the U.S. government.

Around 1890, Sitting Bull sent invitation sticks to many tribes, calling them to come together to consult about the spiritual health and survival of the people.

Before the meeting could take place, however, Sitting Bull was killed by the police who feared an Indian uprising.

The Continental Indigenous Council, to be held in August at Mobridge, South Dakota, can help fulfill Sitting Bull's desire. Now is the time to answer his call. Let us come together from the east, the south, the west and the north to consult together. Our spiritual well-being, our families, the unity of our tribes, and the fulfillment of the prophecies of our people will be discussed.

The fifth Continental Indigenous Council is sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. All Indian people and their families are warmly invited to attend. There will be many respected speakers and many opportunities to meet and to visit with one another, as well as small group presentations on alcoholism and other issues of concern.

The Council events will begin on Wednesday, August 3, and last through Friday, August 5. Camping begins on August 1.

Camp sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Indian Memorial Park, Mobridge, South Dakota. The fee is $8 per camp site for up to 10 people, $4 if the head of the family is 62 or more years old.

"In these very days the Abhá Paradise must pitch its pavilions on the plains of the world. The lights of reality must now be revealed, and the secrets of God's bestowals must now be made known, and now must the olden grace shine forth and this world change into the pleasure-ground of heaven, the garden of God." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

For information about the Continental Indigenous Council, please contact the National Teaching Committee, 312-869-9039.

Standing Rock Reservation South Dakota

Oregon welcomes visit from well-known Lakota Bahá’í performer Kevin Locke

Kevin Locke, a Sioux Indian Bahá’í who is a well-known flute player and hoop dancer, performed recently in southern and central Oregon.

Using a unique combination of American Indian humor, eloquent speech, traditional music, dance and story-telling, Mr. Locke performed seven programs in the Klamath Falls/Chiloquin area including one at a mini-pow wow given in his honor.

In central Oregon, he presented four programs in the Madras and Warm Springs communities.

Local Bahá’ís reported that more than 700 elementary and junior high school students saw the programs at their schools. Many of the same children brought their parents to two evening performances in Warm Springs that drew a total audience of 350.

Mr. Locke was interviewed by KWSO, the Warm Springs tribal educational/cultural FM radio station, which broadcast the interview twice before the second performance on the Reservation.

In his programs, Mr. Locke, who was accompanied by his daughters, Waneya and Kimimila, presented what he calls "positive perceptions" of the American Indian way of life to both Indian and non-Indian audiences.

He mentioned the Faith in a tactful and appealing way, and the audiences were enthusiastic in their reception of the programs.

After his final performance, before some 400 students at Chemawa Indian School near Salem, the students joined him in a round dance.

Oregon Bahá’í family profiled in series on Iranian immigrants

A family of Bahá’ís now living in Willamette, Oregon, was one of several profiled February 3 in a series of articles in the West Linn Tidings about Iranian immigrants in the U.S.

The articles detailed the changes that took place in Iran following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, changes that led most of the Iranians to remain here, and discussed some of the difficulties faced by the immigrants in adjusting to a new life in a country other than their homeland.

The Bahá’í family, whose picture appeared twice on the front page of the section in which the articles appeared, consists of Ruhollah Piroozmandi; his wife, Ghodshi; their son, Farid, and daughter Fariba.

The Piroozmandis, the articles point out, were forced to leave Iran because of the persecution of Bahá’ís there, and, unlike some others, found adjusting to their new country somewhat easier "because they joined a community of fellow Bahá’ís; both Iranian and non-Iranian."

MOVE THE WORLD

Young Bahá’ís in Lawndale, California, braved high winds and torrential rains to take part April 23 in the Lawndale Youth Parade.

Although the weather made it impossible to play their music, the Bahá’ís laughed, kicked up their feet, clapped hands, made musical noises and became thoroughly rain-soaked while proving indeed, as their banner proclaimed, that "Youth Can Move the World."

Fullerton fund-raiser draws 250 who donate $10,000 toward Arc

About 250 people including Bahá’ís from as far away as San Diego and Los Angeles attended a fund-raising dinner for the Arc on March 5 in Fullerton, California. The event was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Garden Grove.

Tickets were sold for the dinner of soup, sandwich, dessert and drink which was specially prepared and served by the Rooh-E-Gandom family who have a sandwich shop.

Entertainment was provided by the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

The net amount raised by the dinner and auction was $9,937.87, to which was added $62.13 from the local Fund for a total of $10,000 to be sent to the National Treasurer's Office.

Teaching Fever Is CONTAGIOUS!

Have YOU Caught the Fever Yet?

THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH

The Bahá’ís of Green Bay, Wisconsin, sponsored an information booth at a local mall last October as part of a Halloween 'trick or treat' walk for children. The booth received a first place certificate for decorating within the theme of 'fall colors' requested by the mall coordinators. The skeleton and clown seen here are Billy and Nicholas Pierce, respectively. [Page 34]

STORIES OF THE MARTYRS

HASHIM FARNÚSH

Háshim Farnúsh was born in 1938 in Karaj, a small town about 20 miles west of Tehran. His father named him Háshim after his own father whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had entitled "Qárdáshim" (my brother).

Mr. Farnúsh spent his childhood and young adulthood in Karaj where he attended primary and grammar school and was graduated from high school. Hardships and difficulties beset him during that period, however, because on the one hand, his father suffered from a prolonged illness which later led to blindness, and on the other, being a Bahá’í brought persecution upon him. Nonetheless, difficulties did not frustrate his plans to continue his education. He entered the University of Tehran, and after a few years obtained a B.A. degree in Persian literature.

After graduation, Mr. Farnúsh taught in high schools for a while, and later started his own business selling office equipment.

As to his Bahá’í activities, in his youth Mr. Farnúsh would attend Bahá’í classes and take part in youth activities. For a long time, he served on the National Youth Committee of Iran. Also, he used to conduct Bahá’í classes, and thus create enthusiasm in the hearts of young Bahá’ís.

Moreover, he was a valued assistant to a number of Bahá’í scholars such as ‘Abdu’l-Hamid Ishráq-i Khávarí, Ahmad Yazdání, and Kamálu’ddin Bakhtávar.

Mr. Farnúsh spent most of his free time serving the Cause: he would go travel teaching, conduct lecture tours and deepenings, and help the friends, especially the youth, to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the Faith.

In addition to his teaching services, he was a member of the local Spiritual Assembly of Karaj.

After the Revolution in 1979, Mr. Farnúsh intensified his Bahá’í activities. Revolutionary guards, well aware of his services, were after him to arrest him and prevent him from rendering his services to the friends.

For a while he hid in the homes of his friends, but conscious of, and sensitive to, the probable dif-

CHICAGO

sibilities, were asked (1) to pray daily and study the Writings, (2) to seek ways to share the Message with others, and (3) to take part wholeheartedly in the Nineteen Day Feast.

Meanwhile, the Spiritual Assembly decided to put a great deal of energy into making the Feast a spiritually nourishing occasion. Shortly after embarking on this course of action, the community was offered the special help and support of the National Spiritual Assembly in an effort to make the Chicago Bahá’í community a model of racial unity that could be offered as an example to a world that is growing ever more skeptical that such unity is possible.

In August 1987, the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago met with the National Spiritual Assembly and a number of national committees to consult about this enterprise and consider what course of action would be appropriate.

The result was not a well-defined set of specific programs of action, but a set of more general orientations and perspectives on the over-all direction of the community. These orientations and the actions that have sprung from them may be summarized as follows:

Strive for excellence in Bahá’í activities

For years the community had tried to do so many things that it was impossible to do them well; the expectation that others would not do their share resulted in a lessening of one's own commitment. It was important to restore high standards of excellence in what we do.

Increase unity in the community

The bonds of genuine love and affection need to be made much stronger so we are really like a close family. This can only be achieved by spending more time together, both socially and at work. This goal is the focal point of everything else.

Draw the community closer to the Creative Word

The source of our unity lies in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Without its strong influence, our diversity will overwhelm us. There is a great need to increase the frequency and intensity of our contact with the Revelation so that it can more strongly guide and direct our activities.

Create a community environment that encourages teaching by the individual members

There was a consensus that real teaching success would flow from other activities if they were properly achieved. Unity in the community is a natural magnet that attracts people, Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Deepening in the Creative Word cannot fail to awaken a desire to teach in any conscientious soul; this desire can be encouraged in all the activities of the community.

Be ever vigilant in promoting race unity

The real cornerstone of our approach at present is the conviction that if we can create a true model of Bahá’í unity within our own community, this will act as a powerful magnet to draw thoughtful inquirers into the Faith. A higher level of unity will also allow us to be bolder in inviting people to investigate the Cause.

We have a great deal of diversity in the community, and while we have not experienced open hostility in our community affairs, we are painfully aware that we fall far short of the Bahá’í standard. All too often we stop at a polite social level of mutual acceptance without achieving the deep bonds of affection and concern about the well-being of our fellow believers that must characterize the Community of the Most Great Name. We are struggling to find ways to increase the strength of these bonds.

Among the steps we have taken are these:

Feasts

Devotions were enriched with music and greater attention to detail; reporting was streamlined and consultation guided to spiritual topics of merit and importance. Proper provision for the participation of children in the Feast was made, as were efforts to improve the social aspects of the Feast.

Through purely voluntary efforts, the friends have begun to gather to eat together before each Feast. Attendance last summer nearly tripled over recent years, and has maintained a level that is double the average for 1986.

The quality of consultation has been greatly improved, with wider participation by the friends. The spirit of the Feast has entirely changed, and we feel that this has been a major success of this year.

Deepening

A monthly deepening series was initiated to address a number of important concerns. In an effort to set a standard of excellence and to draw the attention of the friends to the importance of deepening, it was decided to seek out distinguished members of senior Bahá’í institutions to launch the program. Appearing so far have been:

• Glenford E. Mitchell, member of the Universal House of Justice (August 6, 1987).
• The Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone (August 24, 1987).
• Counselor Isabel de Calderón (October 26, 1987).
• Counselors Robert Harris and Fred Schechter (November 12, 1987).
• Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem on the Arc (February 28, 1988).

A two-part deepening on "The Bahá’í Concept of Spirituality" was held January 24 and 31, 1988, and Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, has agreed to present a report on the sixth Bahá’í International Convention held in April.

Consideration has been given to the establishment of a Bahá’í school in Chicago. The present thinking is to concentrate on expanding the deepening program. As the friends develop the habit of studying together on a weekly basis, the school can gradually be established around this activity.

A Spanish-language deepening has reunited the Hispanic members of the community with enthusiasm. An assistant to Auxiliary Board member Javidukht Khadem, especially for Hispanic believers in the district, has been appointed.

Race unity

On November 15, Rita Starr and Billie Mayo came from St. Louis to conduct an all-day Race Unity Seminar. About 40 Bahá’ís attended including two Persians, a dozen blacks and about 25 whites, many of whom were from the suburbs.

On January 15, the Race Unity Task Force hosted a commemoration at the Bahá’í Center in Chicago of the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Attending were 25 Bahá’ís and their friends including neighbors from across the street from the Center.

Plans are being made for a Walk for Race Unity to be held in downtown Chicago, culminating in an event at Grant Park. Many churches and other groups have been asked to participate.

Perhaps most important, the challenges of race unity have become the topic of much earnest and positive discussion in the community. This bodes well for the future.

Teaching

Teaching has been given considerable attention but gently by encouraging individual initiative rather than through centralized teaching programs. We have had 16 enrollments so far this year, and a number of others are seriously investigating the Faith. Those who have enrolled are, for the most part, well-grounded in the Faith and have become active in community affairs.

Several successful firesides are ongoing including a regular bilingual fireside. At the present rate, it appears that we may experience this year in Chicago the largest growth since the end of the Nine Year Plan.

The Chicago Center

Two fund-raising dinners for the Center were hosted last December by members of an Hispanic deepening class and some of the Persian friends who formed an ad hoc task force to plan an international dinner-dance for the Building Fund. Tickets were completely sold out with about 350 Bahá’ís and their guests.

Public affairs

Our basic orientation has been to try and become a community that would invite examination and attract the attention of the public through the example of its unity. We have made no particular external overtures, but find that we are now being sought out with increasing frequency and are encountering new opportunities to exercise spiritual leadership in Chicago. This, too, is a confirmation that our efforts toward unity are bearing fruit.

The chairman of the Assembly was invited to represent the Bahá’í community of Chicago at a meeting with the Sister Cities Commission. Chicago and Kiev are the cities being considered. Members of the commission had been informed of the great restrictions on the Faith in the Soviet Union, and were visibly impressed by the depth of our commitment to establishing unity.

Through our contacts with the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Bahá’ís were invited to the fourth annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast for Martin Luther King's birthday, held January 15 at the Fairmont Hotel. Many contacts were strengthened and new ones made.

Perhaps the clearest sign of our heightened profile in Chicago was our participation in planning for a city-wide Interfaith Unity Weekend on February 13-14. The Bahá’í representative had an influential role in planning the event, working closely with other ministers and the mayor's office. The theme of the weekend was "One City, One People, Working Together."

Summary

As we look back over the past year, we are encouraged by what has been accomplished and confirmed in the rightness of the basic direction that has been set. At the same time, we are even more aware of how much has yet to be accomplished.

Bahá’u’lláh has opened doors for us to demonstrate the Bahá’í example in ways we could not have imagined, and our opportunities to exert real leadership in Chicago have multiplied several times. We feel that same sense of awe and excitement that aroused us when we met with the National Spiritual Assembly.

We are deeply grateful for the National Assembly's guidance and loving encouragement. We hope that we can rise to the challenge you have given us and to become thereby worthy of the high station that has been bestowed upon this unique community.

Women encouraged to present papers at 13th ABS Conference

The Executive Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies especially welcomes presentations from women of various racial and ethnic backgrounds for its 13th annual Conference which is to be held October 7-10 in London, Ontario.

You are encouraged to submit presentations and suggestions for workshops to the Executive Committee by September 1.

Plenary sessions will be limited to one hour, and workshops will range from one and one-half hours to several hours, depending on the theme, its treatment, and the level of interest shown.

Also wanted are papers for consideration in the Association's annual essay contest. Awards are given in four categories: high school, university, general, and multi-author.

All submissions for presentations, suggestions, and inquiries should be sent to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4, Canada.

Also invited are recommendations from others who might be interested in taking part in the event.

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

Traveling Teacher

Would your community like to have a Traveling Teacher who is well-versed in Christian doctrine assist in your teaching efforts? Contact:

Nat’l Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 35]

Eugene, Oregon, hosts 'Love, Fellowship' Conference

An overflow audience of more than 200 Bahá’ís took part April 2 in a statewide "Love and Fellowship" Conference in Eugene, Oregon.

The event was sponsored by the District Teaching Committee of Western Oregon and hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of Eugene. The keynote speaker was William Davis, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, who presented an informative overview of the stunning advances made by the Faith in the last 25 years. Mr. Davis emphasized that the biggest challenge facing the American Bahá’í community today is that of growth.

Oregon, he said, has a long history of achievement in service to the Cause, and the friends there must rededicate themselves and expand on that legacy of leadership in teaching and service.

Following his talk, the friends watched the video of the San Francisco peace conference during which several noted leaders and scholars urged the Bahá’ís to take their message to the world at large.

The spirit of the gathering was high, so much so that two seekers declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the morning session. Among the other speakers were Mehran Adyani, a young refugee from Iran who told of his experiences up to and during his escape; Elahe Young, who spoke on the meaning and effects of martyrdom; and Auxiliary Board member Marchia Morey, whose topic was the need for Bahá’ís to include children and youth when planning activities related to the Faith.

Honored during the afternoon session were 91-year-old Ruth Wenstrom, a Bahá’í for 71 years and the oldest living Bahá’í in Oregon; her daughter, 70-year-old Virginia Jensen of Tigard; and Virginia's daughter, Susan Davis, who declared her belief some eight years ago.

Other early believers honored were Linda Choquette, Helen Bishop, Ethelyn Lindstrom, Martha Warren and Erich Reich.

The evening session featured songs by Karen St. James and Mr. Davis' insights and personal experiences of the development of the Bahá’í World Center.

He called on his daughter, 13-year-old Hilary, who lived at the World Center as a young child, and she touched the hearts with her recollections of the Center staff and members of the Universal House of Justice.

The friends gladly accepted Mr. Davis' challenge to arise to greater service, and the evening ended with Lydia McCarter leading the group singing to a teaching story on "entry by troops" in a village in Africa.—Elizabeth Shema

Nevada Bishop given peace statement

Last December 16, members of Bahá’í communities in northern Nevada presented a copy of the peace statement to the Most Rev. Daniel Walsh, Catholic bishop of Nevada.

The Bahá’í delegation consisted of Joseph Galata (Sparks), Cathy Florentino (Washoe County South), Kristie Gilmere (Sparks), and Robin Gray (Lovelock).

The presentation was made in the rectory of the bishop's office.

Bahá’í economics experts sought

The National Spiritual Assembly would like the names of Bahá’ís who hold advanced degrees in economics. Opportunities arise in which the National Assembly would like to call on those with expertise in economics to represent the Faith at national events.

Qualified individuals are asked to send a resumé or a description outlining their skills and experience to the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009.

San Francisco to sponsor Conference on Courtship, Marriage and Family Life

The Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco is sponsoring a Conference on Courtship, Marriage and Family Life at the Bahá’í Center in San Francisco over the Labor Day weekend, September 2-5.

As a goal of the Six Year Plan, the American Bahá’í community has been asked to encourage and support the improvement of Bahá’í family life through the establishment of local and national programs on marriage and related topics.

The conference is designed to help one prepare for marriage. Because we live in societies that are lacking in moral values, we must sharpen our awareness and understanding of the Bahá’í directives for choosing a marriage partner.

The Assembly looks forward to your participation in a weekend of exploration into the many facets of developing healthy life-long relationships that will become the bedrock of society.

The program will consist of talks, workshops, entertainment and social activities. Talks will be presented by a number of invited speakers including some well-known people from within and outside the Faith.

A special "fun night" will enable participants to display their talents and creativity. There will also be an International Dress evening, so don't forget your native costumes.

The conference is designed for single adults and older youth. No child-care facilities are available. People from minority backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Also, we would be happy to receive contributions from anyone who wishes to sponsor such individuals. If you need full or partial support, please contact your local Assembly.

Participation in the conference is limited to 500 people at most.

Martyr

(from page 34)

...difficulties he may have caused them, he finally surrendered to the authorities.

To those who knew him, Mr. Farnúsh was a sensitive, kind-hearted and loyal friend; he did not and would not let them down. He had a good sense of humor and was an exemplary father and husband.

Háshim Farnúsh spent nine months in prison. On June 23, 1981, he was executed with two other Bahá’ís by a firing squad in Tehran.

In a cable, the Universal House of Justice called the three "prominent Persian Bahá’ís."

Mr. Farnúsh is survived by his wife and two children.

Traveling Teaching

Bahá’ís interested in Traveling Teaching in Mexico, please contact: National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone: (312) 869-9039.

Week of the Child

As part of the national 'Week of the Child' last April 10-17, youngsters at the Children's Oasis Pre-School in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is owned by Bahá’ís Louis and Linda Mortillaro, released helium-filled balloons with the legend 'Wage Peace.' Many of the older children asked the meaning of 'wage peace,' which gave Jan Irsfeld, a Bahá’í who teaches kindergarten at the school, an opportunity to explain Bahá’í principles of peace to them. The Mortillaros are building another school in Las Vegas and hope to staff it with dedicated Bahá’í teachers. If you are interested, you may contact them at 702-876-8461.

Bahá’í nurse inducted into honor society for leadership excellence

Vicky Miller, a Bahá’í from Richmond, Virginia, has been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor society of nursing founded in 1922.

Membership in the society is awarded to bachelor's and master's candidates in nursing who achieve high scholastic averages and to graduates of college programs who achieve excellence in nursing leadership roles.

Mrs. Miller is employed as a staff nurse at Henrico Hospital in Richmond.

Counselor Donald Rogers

Counselor Donald Rogers (seated third from left) spoke February 22 to Bahá’ís in Atlanta, Georgia, explaining the station and duties of the Board of Counselors, outlining the functions of the Auxiliary Boards and local Spiritual Assemblies, and offering guidance for the remaining years of the 20th century. Pictured with Counselor Rogers are (left to right) Marion Hatch, Dr. Robert Hatch, Margaret Burns (partly hidden), Vera Taylor and Eric Mandell.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

The sixteen Tablets included in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh were revealed by Bahá’u’lláh after the formulation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Shoghi Effendi characterized these Tablets as "mighty and final effusions of His [Bahá’u’lláh's] indefatigable pen." They are Tablets that "must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-year-long ministry."

These significant and much loved Tablets include the:

• Book of the Covenant
• Most Holy Tablet
• Glad Tidings
• Tablet of the World
• Tablet of Wisdom

From the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust PS $4.50 Bahá’í Distribution Service 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Tel. 1-800-999-9019 [Page 36]The conference theme is "Bahá’í Youth: Building the New World Order."

JANUARY

The Universal House of Justice acknowledges the receipt in January of the third volume of the "Spirit of the Roses" journal, a gift from the American Bahá’í community which documents by means of photographs and other memorabilia its efforts to further the Cause of God in memory of the loving sacrifices of the friends in Iran.

The journal and accompanying items, says the House of Justice, will be held in trust at the World Center until, eventually, they can be turned over to the Bahá’í community of Iran, "there to remain as token of its spiritual triumph."

On January 24, nearly 300 Bahá’ís in Massachusetts are present at Worcester to take part in Project Massachusetts' second statewide conference for the Campaign of Unified Action. The keynote address is given by Jaci Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.

Bahá’ís from North Georgia are prominent among the thousands who march January 18 in Atlanta in the annual parade marking the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. More than 100 of the friends march behind a large banner that proclaims "Prejudice Is a Handicap."

Members of the National Race Unity Committee and National Persian/American Affairs Committee gather December 29-January 3 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in California for a session whose theme is "Spiritual Integration."

Also present are Counselor Fred Schechter and Auxiliary Board member Marsha Gilpatrick.

On January 24, more than 100 adult Bahá’ís and 25 youth take part in a conference on "The Most Vital and Challenging Issue" sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Portland, Oregon.

FEBRUARY

In spite of severe winter storms, Bahá’ís from across the U.S. manage to come together February 12 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette for an extraordinary conference called by the National Spiritual Assembly to forge a campaign of unified action among the institutions and agencies of the Faith in Canada and the U.S. to make a meaningful contribution to the completion of the Arc on Mount Carmel and to help bring about entry by troops into the Cause of God.

Among those present is Dr. Peter Khan, a member of the Universal House of Justice, who speaks about the relationship between the completion of the Arc and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth.

Also taking part are five Counselors in the Americas: Wilma Brady, Robert Harris, Lauretta King, Donald Rogers and Fred Schechter; members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada and the U.S.; several Auxiliary Board members and assistants to the Board; members of most national committees in the U.S.; and staff from the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette and the Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C.

The focal point of discussions is the Universal House of Justice's letter of August 31, 1987, in which the Supreme Body outlines plans for construction of the remaining buildings comprising the Arc on Mount Carmel.

On February 2, the Office of External Affairs hosts a luncheon for Sir Thomas Davis, former Premier of the Cook Islands, at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The dozen Bahá’ís attending represent Pacific countries (China, the Philippines, Vietnam) and include Persians and members of the black and white races.

Sir Thomas, who was given a copy of the peace statement in 1986, responded by asking for and obtaining an audience with the Universal House of Justice.

On February 3, the National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan cables the Universal House of Justice the news that 1,165 new believers have been enrolled during its recent teaching campaign, representing a 74 percent increase in the number of Bahá’ís in that country.

As of February 9, the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs reports, presentations of "The Promise of World Peace" have been made to 53 of 96 U.S. Senators (55 percent); 267 of 432 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (62 percent); and 27 of 48 state governors in the continental U.S. (56 percent). Worldwide, between one and two million copies of the statement have been disseminated; it has been translated into 76 languages and presented to 198 heads of state (75 directly).

Judith Oppenheimer, an archivist from the Bahá’í World Center, visits the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette for a few weeks in January and February to work on a major project initiated by the World Center to find and catalog more than 2,000 missing letters written by the Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.

One hundred-fifty people attend the first in a series of conferences on the equality of women and men sponsored by the Bahá’í National Committee on Women and held February 20-21 at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Each of the conferences is to focus on a particular minority group. The first one, held during Black History Month, is directed toward black women.

The keynote address is given by Dr. Alberta Deas, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Representatives of six National Spiritual Assemblies meet February 18-21 in Washington, D.C., and New York City to discuss areas of collaboration in external affairs activities within their respective countries. Among those taking part are the secretaries of five National Assemblies: Hossain Danesh, Canada; Francois Petit, France; Christopher Sprung, Germany; Hugh Adamson, United Kingdom; and Robert Henderson, United States.

The 25th Commemoration Council Fire, "Circles of Peace," held during Ayyam-i-Há near Tucson, Arizona, is blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. At least 20 Indian tribes are represented among the 500 people who gather for the event.

The National Spiritual Assembly confirms the acquittal February 17 by the Egyptian Court of Appeals in Cairo of 12 Bahá’ís who were among 48 convicted in May 1987 of allegedly violating a law banning Bahá’í activities in that country and sentenced to three years in prison.

A pow-wow February 6 on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation north of Houston, Texas, ends the third annual Health Care Fair sponsored for residents of the Reservation by the District Teaching Committee of Eastern Texas No. 2.

The "Greater Boldness, Greater Love" Women's Conference, held February 20-21 in Issaquah, Washington, surpasses all the aspirations of its planning committee, with some 300 people taking part. Addressing the conference are Auxiliary Board member Marchia Morey; Dr. Jane Faily, a clinical psychologist from Canada and former member of that country's National Spiritual Assembly; and the mayor of Issaquah, A.J. Culver.

Inspired by California's "Arc of Love" campaign, more than 100 Bahá’ís from Illinois gather February 20 in Decatur for a statewide meeting which focuses on the role that state will play in helping to build the Kingdom of God on earth. Among the immediate goals set are to contribute $50,000 for the completion of the Arc on Mount Carmel by Ridván 1988; $500,000 from Ridván 1988 to Ridván 1989; and $1.5 million from Ridván 1989 to Ridván 1990.

MARCH

The National Spiritual Assembly presents testimony March 16 at a hearing in Washington, D.C., before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and International Law, which is considering H.R. 807, "The Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987." The National Assembly is represented at the hearing by its secretary, Dr. Robert C. Henderson, who appears as part of a four-member "concerned groups" panel.

Bahá’ís play a leading role March 10 at the annual Women's History Week dinner in Seneca Falls, New York. Keynote speaker for the event, which is sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club and the American Association of University Women, Seneca Falls chapter, is Farzaneh Guillebeaux, a member of the Bahá’í National Committee on Women who lives in Montgomery, Alabama.

Vicki Hu Poirier, a Bahá’í from Las Cruces, New Mexico, who is an artist, designs a tapestry commemorating the historic conferences in 1848 at Badasht in Iran and Seneca Falls and honoring the contributions made to them by, respectively, Táhirih and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Juana Conrad, a Bahá’í from California who is co-founder of Women for International Peace and Arbitration, is one of 10 finalists for the 1987 "Woman of Conscience" award presented March 2 in New York City by the U.S. National Council of Women. The recipient is the Rev. Susan D. Johnson, the first black woman pastor in a Baptist church in New York state and in any American Baptist Church nationwide.

On March 26-27, Bahá’ís from the U.S. and Canada meet along the border to share teaching plans and discuss ways in which they might help one another in their efforts. The Saturday event is held in Dunseith, North Dakota, at the edge of the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, and the Sunday meeting in Brandon, Manitoba.

Navak Khorvash, a Bahá’í youth from Lancaster, California, was graduated this year as salutatorian of her class at Paraclete Catholic High School. Among her many honors were the U.S. Presidential Academic Fitness Award, National Honor Society Membership, and Bank of America Achievement Award. The school principal, a priest, praised her broad-mindedness and good behavior as well as her scholastic achievements. She plans to attend the University of California-Irvine.

Mary Sawicki Power represents the Bahá’í International Community at a meeting March 14-23 in Vienna, Austria, of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Bahá’í women play important roles in a conference held the first week in March at the University of New Hampshire in Durham to observe National Women's History Week. Speaking at a session on the peace movement are National Teaching Committee member Hoda Mahmoudi and Auxiliary Board member Mara Khavari. The following day, Afaf Stevens, a Bahá’í from Eliot, Maine, presents a paper on the role of women in the world's major religions.

APRIL

All members of the National Spiritual Assembly are at the World Center in Haifa, Israel, in April for the sixth Bahá’í International Convention. Besides consulting with members of other National Assemblies from around the world, they take part in the election of the Universal House of Justice whose members are Alí Nakhjavání, Glenford Mitchell, Hushmand Fatheazam, Ian Semple, Peter Khan, David Ruhe, Hugh Chance, Hooper Dunbar and Adib Taherzadeh.

In its Ridván message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice points to "the emergence of a new paradigm of opportunity for further growth and consolidation of our world-wide community....

"...the paramount purpose of all Bahá’í activity," the Supreme Body says, "is teaching. All that has been done or will be done revolves around this central activity, the 'head cornerstone of the foundation itself,' to which all progress in the Cause is due.

"The present challenge calls for teaching on a scale and of a quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts. The time is now, lest opportunity be lost in the swiftly changing moods of a frenetic world....

"Every individual believer—man, woman, youth and child—is summoned to this field of action; for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the individual to teach and to serve, that the success of the entire community depends."

UN

Q: How can participation in UNA-USA make a difference?

A: The UNA-USA carries out various projects through which members may participate in making policy recommendations to the U.S. government and to the UN. Currently in progress is a multilateral project for creating a more effective UN. Study panels have been formed by local UNA chapters to discuss policy choices facing the U.S. and the world community. Recommendations from these panels will be submitted to the national UNA-USA to be incorporated into a national consensus report that will be released on United Nations Day (October 24). In 1987 the UNA released a blueprint for revitalizing the UN. The consensus was a product of the highest-level group of world leaders ever to consider the future of the global organization. Some of these recommendations have already been adopted. Other important studies and recommendations, often developed through consultation on local and national panels, have been accepted and implemented by the U.S. and/or by the UN or its agencies.

Q: What if there is no UNA-USA chapter in my community?

A: If there is no local chapter in your area, one can be started if specific guidelines are met. To find out more about starting a chapter in your community, contact Ms. Carol Christian, director of Field Administration, UNA-USA, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

Q: How can I find out more about the UNA-USA?

A: Various publications are offered by the UNA including basic fact sheets and a bi-monthly newspaper on world affairs. Topics range from the UN and human rights to organizing a model UN club. To receive a free list of publications, write to: UNA-USA, Publications Department, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Request publication No. 55. [Page 37]Bahá’ís from Milford, Massachusetts, and other parts of the state took part May 1 in a 'Freedom Parade' in Milford commemorating the bicentennial of the signing of the Constitution. Leading the Bahá’í unit were three Bahá’ís carrying a banner which read 'Uniting the World One Heart at a Time.' Following the banner was a float carrying children of many races beneath an are reading 'Mankind Is One.' A large globe was hung from the arc, and the float was adorned with flowers. The 'Mankind Is One' theme was repeated on the sides of the float in Italian and Portuguese. More than 35,000 saw the parade, after which the Bahá’ís received a trophy for honorable mention.

Ohio Bahá’í receives NOW History Award for her musical drama

On March 19, Zenobia Powell Perry, a Bahá’í from Wilberforce, Ohio, received the Women's History Award from the National Organization of Women, Ohio chapter, for "Tawawa House," a musical drama that depicts the early days of Wilberforce during the Civil War years.

Ms. Perry, a performing artist and composer who taught for 27 years at Central State University in Wilberforce, has written sonatas, chamber music, cantatas, song cycles, multimedia works, a symphony and a concerto.

She was honored in 1987 with an Ohioana Music Citation for her distinguished service to Ohio in the field of music.

Her art songs, including six of The Hidden Words, are the subject of a soon-to-be-published dissertation by Dr. Jo Lanier at the University of Chicago.

Ms. Perry has also composed several short four-part choral pieces using Bahá’í writings that are appropriate for devotional services. If you would like more information about them, please contact the Bahá’í Center, 13 E. Main St., Xenia, Ohio, or phone 513-372-7401.

The Six Year Plan

• Carrying the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the generality of mankind
• Greater involvement of the Faith in the life of human society
• A worldwide increase in the translation, production, distribution and use of Bahá’í literature
• Further acceleration in the process of the maturation of local and national Bahá’í communities
• Greater attention to universal participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual believers
• A wider extension of Bahá’í education to children and youth, and the strengthening of Bahá’í family life
• The pursuit of projects of Social and Economic Development in well-established Bahá’í communities

News in brief

A HUMANIDADE E UMA

Pianist Mark Ochu presents series of concerts in Idaho

More than a thousand people in half a dozen communities in Idaho attended a series of concert/lectures presented in March by Mark Ochu, a Bahá’í pianist from St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mr. Ochu's concert, "Keys to Peace and Harmony," was given in Boise, Twin Falls, Buhl, Sun Valley, Blackfoot and Pocatello.

The tour was conceived and organized by a non-Bahá’í group, the Magic Valley Peace Committee, whose chairman, Harry Massoth, is a Bahá’í, and was co-sponsored by dozens of organizations ranging from county commissions and chambers of commerce to religious groups, peace organizations, colleges and businesses.

Mr. Ochu's concert in Blackfoot drew an audience of about 200, while a 30-minute television program in Twin Falls reached an estimated 50,000 people.

Maisha Closson, chairman of the Central Florida District Youth Committee, has won first place in a regional poetry competition sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida. Her poem, entitled 'Beneath the Pile,' is a mother's remembrance of her brush with death in a Nazi concentration camp when she was protected by lying beneath a pile of bodies. Maisha, a senior at Winter Park High School, is president of the Minority Student Union and was a second place winner in her school's recent essay contest on the theme 'Intellectual Freedom in America.' She was an exchange student in Spain last summer, and this fall will be a scholarship student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., majoring in international business. Both of her parents are members of the Spiritual Assembly of Orange County (Florida) East.

The second annual Equality Conference will be held Saturday, July 16, at Seneca Falls, New York.

The featured speakers are Auxiliary Board members Mara Khavari and William Roberts; Jaci Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; Paula Drewek and Ed Phillips.

Also included in the day-long event at Mynders Academy in Seneca Falls will be workshops, tours of historic sites for children and youth, and participation in a parade aboard a Bahá’í-sponsored float.

The conference coincides with the annual commemoration of the first Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls in 1848.

On Saturday, January 16, the Bahá’ís of Monmouth County, New Jersey, observed World Religion Day with a public meeting at the Middletown Public Library. Two speakers, the Rev. George Frank, pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Holmdel, and Rodney Richards, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board, addressed the topic, "The Role of Religion in Achieving World Peace."

Afterward, the audience of 25, both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, took part in an informal discussion followed by fellowship. A copy of the peace statement was given to the Rev. Frank.

Women's Committee plans study guide on new compilation

Have you been postponing deepening on the Compilation on Women by the Universal House of Justice? Are you thinking that perhaps it's time to re-read the compilation?

The National Committee on Women is happy to announce that it will soon be printing a small study guide on the Compilation on Women. It was put together by Auxiliary Board member Ronna Santoscoy of Wichita, Kansas, with some revisions by the committee.

The committee will soon be contacting its liaisons with information about the distribution of these study guides.

More than 110 people in the Memphis, Tennessee, area attended a Naw-Rúz party March 21 at the Germantown community center.

The program, entitled "Unity of East and West," included a presentation of East Indian and American Indian dances.

The celebration was reported on the late evening television news.

On March 26, 50 Bahá’ís from Colorado, Utah and Wyoming attended a conference on the Huqúqu’lláh at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado. The conference was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Denver.

The speaker at the afternoon session was Dr. Amin Banani, a Trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh.

In the evening, Sharon Babbitt spoke on "The Significance of the Arc on Mount Carmel."

The program also included a slide presentation on the Holy Land by Dr. Duane Troxel, an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips, and music by Susan Lewis and "Nana."

On November 24, the Louis G. Gregory Unity Choir was invited to perform at the Piney Grove Baptist Church in Andrews, South Carolina, as part of a program honoring the pastor, the Rev. B.J. Gordon, on his 24th anniversary with the church.

The Gregory choir was invited after church members saw its performance during Peace Fest '87 last September at the Louis Gregory Institute.

Choir members also were invited to dinner in the church parsonage, and the Rev. Gordon referred to the Bahá’ís during the formal program afterward as his "good friends."

The Bahá’í community of San Jose, California, hosted a recent fund-raiser for the state's "Arc of Love" campaign.

The event began with a dinner prepared and donated by a 15-member task force. The dinner was followed by a potluck dessert and an auction at which $7,200 was raised, half of which was sent to the National Center to support construction of the arc while the rest was deposited in the local Center fund.

About 25 Bahá’ís gathered at 5:30 a.m. March 13 at the Bahá’í Center in Detroit, Michigan, for a Persian breakfast of boiled sheepshead with all the trimmings. The meal was prepared by a number of Persian Bahá’í men living in Detroit who worked through the night at the Center to provide the traditional dish.

The event was considered a great success and will be repeated next year on the last Sunday of the fast.

More than 60 adults, youth and children from South and Central Dade County (Florida) Bahá’í communities gathered in February to celebrate Intercalary Days 'Florida Style' with beautiful weather, good food and many exciting activities. [Page 38]

Letters

from page 3

tered. Afterward, I found that the opening address was to be held in another building, one that required climbing about 40 steps (after a walk across campus). After the opening address, we returned to the second floor of the first building (another 30 steps) for workshops, followed by lunch (across campus again and up a few more steps).

By this time I was a wreck. But I refused to give up. By the afternoon workshops some of the friends were carrying me up the steps.

This was a kind and loving gesture on their part, but was immeasurably humiliating to me. It really takes an enormous amount of detachment to allow oneself to be passed around like a sack of potatoes and not feel degraded.

But the absolute worst part came when, at the end of the day, I discovered that there was an elevator in the first building after all. It was out of the way and unknown to the conference planners.

I went to my car and wept. All of that pain, exhaustion and humiliation could have been avoided had one of the planners made inquiries before the conference and let the attendees know the results.

Please, friends, make handicapped access planning a required part of all conference planning. It takes little effort, but as my experience illustrates, it can make an enormous difference to some of us.

And have you noticed how few disabled people attend Bahá’í conferences? Ever wonder why? Perhaps some are not as stubborn as I.

Elizabeth H. Donnelly Chattanooga, Tennessee

'Banking' on Fund

To the Editor:

A special fund drive for the Arc has been set up in our community, and I mention it because it may give others an idea to try similar activities. Our Assembly has asked me to write this letter.

A member of our community recently gave each family a small plastic bank for Ayyám-i-Há. The banks were ordered from a gift catalog, and were accompanied by a letter containing ideas gleaned from The American Bahá’í and a Feast letter.

The letter posed the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer: "One bite at a time." Each family was urged to fill the little banks over and over as their "bites."

The donor offered to count, roll and bank the money and to forward it to the National Bahá’í Fund.

Families have responded well, and in our small community we raised $120 in the past month. Members of the families report that they look forward to emptying their pockets and wallets of change and watching the coins mount up.

This fund has an aura of fun and excitement about it.

Patsy Bradley Mount Airy, North Carolina

Freedom' and 1963

To the Editor:

In his book, Why We Can't Wait, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. repeatedly raised the question of why the year 1963 signaled the beginning of the black freedom revolution. It seems as though that particular year held a special meaning which he couldn't fully grasp at the time.

In the book, Dr. King wrote, "The bitter cold winter of 1962 lingered throughout the opening months of 1963, touching the land with chill and frost, and then was replaced by a placid spring.

"Americans awaited a quiet summer. That it would be pleasant they had no doubt.... It would be a pleasant summer because in the mind of the average man there was little cause for concern."

Summer came, he said, "and the weather was beautiful but the climate, the social climate of American life erupted into lightning flashes, trembled with thunder and vibrated to the relentlessly growing rain of protest come to life throughout the land. Explosively, America's third revolution, the Negro Revolution, had begun."

Then Dr. King asked, "Why did this revolution occur in 1963? Any time would seem to have been the right time. Why 1963?

"Why was it this year that the American Negro, so long ignored, so long written out of the pages of history books, tramped a declaration of freedom with his marching feet across the pages of newspapers, television screens, and the magazines?

"Why in 1963, and what has this to do with why the dark threat of violence did not erupt in blood?"

The highlight of the civil rights movement in 1963 was the historic march on Washington, D.C., on August 28 when 250,000 people assembled at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and heard Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

To some in the crowd, it may have seemed like an impossible dream, but there were Bahá’ís present who knew that not only was the dream possible but that the basic foundation for bringing such a dream into reality had already been laid out by Bahá’u’lláh.

The Bahá’ís also knew the answer to why the year 1963 was so important to this cause, as four months earlier, on April 21, another little-known drama had unfolded in the Holy Land when Bahá’ís from nearly 100 countries assembled to elect the first Universal House of Justice.

It was said that upon the election of this august body a strong spiritual force was released which had a profound effect on the world of humanity.

As a black Bahá’í, I sincerely believe that this was the same spiritual force that was behind the civil rights movement.

Roosevelt N. Wilson Claypool, Arizona

Look to This Day

'Look to This Day' is the title of a new cassette tape of inspirational songs performed by singer/guitarist Robert Siemiaszko, a Bahá’í from Scottville, Michigan, and written in collaboration with his wife, Linda. Mr. Siemiaszko, who wrote the song 'Tree of Life' on the 'Flight' album, was the founder of the rock group Rotary Connection which he led in the 1960s and '70s using the name Bobby Simms. The new cassette was recorded at the Bahá’í House of Worship studio in Wilmette and is being distributed by the Siemiaszkos’ own label, This Day Productions. For information, write to Scottville, MI 49454, or phone 616-757-3161.

'The Right of God'

To the Editor:

It is a wonderful bounty for the Bahá’ís of the West to be allowed to pay and to understand Huqúqu’lláh. Of course, it is not required of us now; but we need to remember what the word Huqúqu’lláh means: "the Right of God."

We might give additional thought to paying this now while the U.S. currency has value. It lost some of its value last year.

Part of these funds could go toward the building of the Arc, some to Third World countries to help them develop their Bahá’í communities. No matter; it would be used wisely. And it is "the Right of God."

We need to be inspired to go forward in our thinking and planning regarding our relationship to Huqúqu’lláh.

As Bahá’u’lláh has written: "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." (Quoted in The American Bahá’í, January 1988, p. 5)

Virginia H. Robare Duluth, Minnesota

Rethinking 'handicap'

To the Editor:

I was glad to read about Bahá’ís taking part in a parade against racism in Atlanta, Georgia; however, the photograph with the slogan "Prejudice Is a Handicap" suddenly struck me as being prejudicial itself.

When I first saw buttons with this slogan, some years ago, I thought it was clever and amusing. But seeing it in large letters, in this picture, I realized that, although well-meaning, it could be misunderstood because while "prejudice" is ugly, "handicap" is not.

At a time when handicapped people are gaining national recognition from governments and the public; when hearing-impaired people recently went on strike and succeeded in having a hearing impaired person named president of their own college, I think that Bahá’ís should be careful how they use the word "handicap."

Saying that "prejudice is a handicap" may seem cruel and demeaning to handicapped people who themselves suffer from prejudices.

Furthermore, these people are not responsible for their handicap; they must live with it at the cost of much suffering and courage, while prejudice is an acquired disease which can be eradicated by education and good-will.

I would like to recommend that the National Race Unity Committee look into this matter and educate the friends accordingly.

Eliane A. Hopson New York, New York

Preserving our heritage

To the Editor:

We were delighted to read Brent Poirier's letter (December) and share his sense of urgency about getting to work to preserve our rich Bahá’í heritage for the future.

We are finding this especially true as we are engaged in a major restoration of the Sarah Farmer Inn at Green Acre Bahá’í School, work that would be impossible without accurate and substantial archival information on the building's original plan, work that has previously been done, Sarah Farmer's vision for the school, records of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit, letters from Shoghi Effendi, etc.

As we work to organize Green Acre's archives, we are certain that there are many articles we do not have of which even copies would be invaluable in preserving Green Acre's history.

Many of these treasures are stored in attics, basements, and the hearts of the many believers who have worked so hard to perpetuate Green Acre so that it may one day achieve its glorious destiny.

We have found a handful of individuals who are thoroughly enjoying their volunteer work to help us collect this information. As Mr. Poirier pointed out in his letter, it is a most rewarding and pleasurable treasure hunt.

If any of your readers have Green Acre programs, course outlines, photographs, documents, letters, tape recordings, or heartfelt reminiscences of the school that they would be willing to share with us, and/or if they would be willing to come to our aid to help us collect information for the archives, we would appreciate their contacting us at the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200). We would be happy to copy and return any originals upon request.

Ray LaBelle, administrator Green Acre Bahá’í School Eliot, Maine

Group' awareness

To the Editor:

To those Bahá’í Groups who aspire to becoming local Spiritual Assemblies, we have a tip to pass along that proved very helpful to our community.

Since our Group registered with the National Center as an organized Group, we tried to practice the administrative duties that we knew we'd assume when we became an Assembly. We elected officers, as the Group formation report suggests, and added others as our needs grew.

We set up a yearly budget and kept formal records with the help of our National Treasurer's Representative. He was asked to audit our books each year and to make suggestions for improvements. Our secretary kept minutes of all meetings so there is some historical awareness as our community's history lengthens.

This basic organization and sense of purpose enabled us to serve the Bahá’í community in our area by taking responsibility for such events as Naw-Rúz celebrations, teaching and proclamation events, and other activities such as proclamations and seminars for Group treasurers.

These were always sponsored by the DTC or by our sponsoring Assembly, the Spiritual Assembly of Mentor.

The point of "sponsoring" is very important, if for no other reason than the fact that public liability insurance is afforded through an insurance policy held by the National Spiritual Assembly when sponsorship by one of the administrative institutions of the Faith is obtained.

Otherwise, group activities are unprotected from the standpoint of liability insurance.

By "practicing to be an Assembly" throughout the formative years, we found that when we finally were nine and became an Assembly at Ridván 1987, some areas were now quite familiar to us.

We also found that there were other immediate Assembly duties we had to undertake, and were happy that the years of practice had eased our pathway.

Grace M. Fountaine Corresponding secretary Spiritual Assembly of Willoughby, Ohio

NEW POSTER AVAILABLE FROM BDS

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office has produced a stunning color poster showing a night view of the Bahá’í House of Worship in India. Two sizes are available:

Large (22 by 28 inches) in envelope with stiffener, $15.50; without envelope and stiffener, $14. Small (11 by 17 inches) in stay-flat envelope, $10; without stay-flat envelope, $9.

Posters can be ordered from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone toll-free, 1-800-999-9019.

All proceeds will go toward providing much-needed help for Bahá’í refugees. [Page 39]

10 YEARS AGO

Nearly 500 delegates from 107 National Spiritual Assemblies are present at the World Center in Haifa, Israel, April 28-May 2 for the fourth Bahá’í International Convention and the election April 29 of the Universal House of Justice.

The newly elected members of the House of Justice are Ali Nakhjavání, Hushmand Fatheazam, Amoz Gibson, Ian Semple, David Ruhe, Charles Wolcott, David Hofman, Hugh Chance and Borrah Kavelin....

About 33 inter-Assembly meetings are held during the Convention to discuss cooperative projects and matters of mutual concern.

It is reported that some 50 National Spiritual Assemblies have achieved or nearly achieved their goals for the Five Year Plan....

At Ridván 1978, with one year remaining in the Five Year Plan, 993 local Spiritual Assemblies are formed in the U.S. This means that the U.S. Bahá’í community must form another 407 local Assemblies by April 20, 1979, to win the goal of the Plan....

Ellsworth Blackwell, a former member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and a long-time pioneer to Haiti, dies April 17 in Kananga, Zaire, after a teaching trip and meeting in Kasai.

After leaving Haiti in 1975, Mr. Blackwell lived for a time in the Malagasy Republic in Africa. He then pioneered to Zaire, arriving in April 1977 and serving there until his death at age 76....

The Spiritual Assembly of the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho sponsors an "American Auction" on March 26, raising $130 for the National Bahá’í Fund.

The auction is held in a Bahá’í home after a potluck supper, and is supported by about 20 believers from Fort Hall and nearby Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and Arco....

Ali M. Yazdi, a noted Bahá’í lecturer and writer, dies February 18 in Berkeley, California, at the age of 79.

Mr. Yazdi, who was a schoolmate and close friend of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, served as a member and chairman of many national Bahá’í committees including the Geyserville School Committee, the Bahá’í World editorial committee, and the Asia Teaching Committee.....

On March 19, the Bahá’í community of Waukesha, Wisconsin, holds one of its most successful proclamation events in recent years after accepting an invitation to take part in the city's annual "Festival of the Churches."

The New World Construction Company, a group of Bahá’í entertainers, performs twice in the main hall, while the movie, "And His Name Shall Be One," is shown twice....

‘Fire in Heartland’ still burns in Davenport, Iowa

Following two summers in which many new believers were enrolled in the Faith through a teaching project, the friends in Davenport, Iowa, are continuing in their efforts to see that the new Bahá’ís are deepened in the principles of the Faith, united with the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, and integrated into the Bahá’í community.

In doing so, they offer an example of how communities may follow up expansion with consolidation efforts.

On the first Saturday after each Nineteen Day Feast, those who are involved in the teaching project assemble at the home of the Davenport Teaching Committee's secretary.

Here they pray together, consult on the teaching work, review the list of new Bahá’ís, decide which ones need to be visited, and divide into teams who then visit the new believers.

All members of the Davenport and surrounding communities are welcome to attend the meetings and to pray for the success of the project.

The teachers are, for the most part, warmly accepted and welcomed into the homes of the new believers. Recently, on answering a knock on her door, one new friend exclaimed, "Oh! It must be a Bahá’í teaching day!"

At Bahá’í homes the teachers inquire about the well-being of the family, share news of community events, invite the friends to attend Bahá’í functions, pray together, deepen, and make sure that Bahá’í mail is arriving.

Those involved in the project feel that the most important aspect of their teaching work is building loving friendships with the new believers.

When genuine friendships are established, discussing the Faith takes place in a natural flow within a warm setting. Also, building friendships is an essential element in establishing strong community ties.

Progress is reflected in the participation of the newer community members. One 11-year-old friend comes to Feast regularly and is an avid reader of the community bulletin; another new believer taught his mother the Faith, and she has been enrolled in the Cause.

Still another new believer has joined the teams of teachers going out on Saturdays.

Perhaps as a result of the spiritual energy released by the teaching activity, an interesting phenomenon is occurring in Davenport: people who heard of the Faith long ago are calling the Bahá’í phone number in the telephone directory to learn more about the Faith.

Many relatives and friends of new believers are also learning about the Faith when Bahá’ís come to visit.

As a result of these new contacts, several more new believers have entered the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in the Davenport area since the teaching project began.

Clearly, the initial effort on the part of the Bahá’ís in Davenport to expand the Cause, followed by efforts to help the new friends become firm in their faith, is generating continued expansion and growth of the Faith.

The Bahá’ís of Galveston, Texas, sponsored a United Nations Day celebration last October 24 whose speakers were Robert Ramirez, an Auxiliary Board member and television news anchorman, and Mrs. Shirley Quisenberry (pictured), president of the Houston chapter of the UN Association. More than 30 Bahá’ís and 20 friends of the Faith attended the event, which was followed by a potluck fireside and a prayer breakfast.

Dorothy Marcic-Hai, a member of the Bahá’í community of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, was one of 10 women honored last November when the YWCA in LaCrosse presented its fifth annual Tribute to Outstanding Women. Mrs. Marcic-Hai, a professor of business management at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, is the author of five professional books for adults and four for children, founder of Hinuga Press in LaCrosse, and producer/host of a weekly radio program, ‘Mind Your Business.’ She was cited for her many contributions to the community in business affairs.

Our apology

Her many friends and relatives were no doubt greatly relieved to learn that the passing of Emma Link of Marysville, Michigan, was reported in error in the April issue of The American Bahá’í.

Ms. Link is alive and well. We apologize for the "in memoriam" listing, which was the result of a clerical error.

"O loved ones of God! Each one of the friends must teach at least one soul each year. This is everlasting glory. This is eternal grace." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Individual and Teaching, p.13.

‘Bahá’í Agriculture’ new information tool for food-related issues

Forty people from 25 states who are interested in agriculture have received the third issue of the quarterly newsletter "Bahá’í Agriculture U.S.A."

Used as an information tool to allow Bahá’ís interested in agriculture, gardening and food-related health issues to communicate with one another, the newsletter has been encouraged by the Association for Bahá’í Studies as an informational exchange for Bahá’ís in the U.S.

The Association's own newsletter, "Bahá’í Agriculture," links agriculturalists in 14 countries, presenting the international picture.

"Bahá’í Agriculture" is available for $2 (U.S.) per year from Rene A. Steiner, 884 Riverside Drive, London, Ontario N6H 2T3, Canada.

San Leandro’s second fund-raiser: $1,500

On December 12, the Bahá’í community of San Leandro, California, held its second fund-raiser to aid completion of the Arc at the World Center in Haifa, Israel.

The first such event, held six months earlier, raised $900 for the Arc. The community was both surprised and pleased to learn that its second event raised more than $1,500.

The fund-raiser began with an international dinner which was followed by an auction of many fine items including art works, jewelry and baked goods donated by the local community and some of those nearby.

Before closing the auction, a prayer for the Arc was read.

IN MEMORIAM

Ruth Abbott Lakeport, CA February 12, 1988

Buster Adams Lydia, SC April 8, 1988

Norman Akien Ruffin, SC August 10, 1987

Ethel Almond Roswell, GA 1987

Annie Bell Theodore, AL Date Unknown

Isabel Boldes Albuquerque, NM May 6, 1987

Annanias Bowens Blythe, CA Date Unknown

Beatrice Bryant Smoaks, SC December 1987

Waley Bryant Smoaks, SC Date Unknown

Thomas Busse Federal Way, WA April 7, 1988

John C. Collins Yucaipa, CA July 20, 1986

Esther Davison Ochopee, FL February 26, 1988

Normal Dixon Macy, NE April 8, 1988

Atanacio Farinas Wapato, WA Date Unknown

James Faust Blackville, SC December 1987

Romaine Firemoon Wolf Point, MT February 10, 1988

Stephanie Fowler Yucaipa, CA March 1987

Octavia Fredricks San Jose, CA April 21, 1988

Doris Gibson Pasadena, CA Date Unknown

Erma Granahan Colton, CA Date Unknown

Diane Guidici Costa Mesa, CA February 20, 1988

June Harris Pasadena, CA Date Unknown

Roystine Hart Riverside, CA March 29, 1988

Marjorie Horton Mt. Clemens, MI November 2, 1987

Cordelia Johnson Lockport, CA 1977

J.W. Kavanaugh Lancaster, KY Date Unknown

Margaret Kemp State College, PA March 20, 1988

Corine Kinsey Jacksonboro, SC Date Unknown

Christine Lofstedt Indio, CA Date Unknown

William McCormick Jacksonboro, SC January 1988

Helen B. Miller Sparks, NV 1987

Brian J. Miller Lakeport, CA February 8, 1988

Jose Luis Mosqueda Sonoma, CA February 1988

Rachael Patterson Theodore, AL Date Unknown

Ella Puumann El Paso, TX September 1987

Rosa Redfair Bishopville, SC February 1988

Helen A. Salter Marion, IA February 19, 1988

Iraj Sami Cypress, CA June 2, 1986

Wilbert Sauceberry Lockport, CA Date Unknown

James C. Scales Lac du Flambeau, WI June 15, 1987

Mattie Scott Orlando, FL February 1988

Cleo Seabrook Ruffin, SC December 1986

Lonzo Staley Denmark, SC May 1985

James Stephens Ruffin, SC Date Unknown

Betty Tiffany Amherst, NY October 1987

Hossein Tomlinson Santa Rosa, CA August 29, 1987

Eunice Van Sluizer San Francisco, CA October 5, 1986

Gayle G. Varner Richland, WA February 27, 1988

Sean Vasquez Wapato, WA January 6, 1988

OllyMae White Wenatchee, WA March 18, 1988

Rosalie Woodard Theodore, AL Date Unknown [Page 40]

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 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

A 1. ID# Title Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames 2. ID# Title Full name 3. ID# Title Full name 4. ID# Title Full name

B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: House/Space #, Street or Description City State Zip

C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box or other Mailing Address City State Zip

D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community Moving date

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area Code Number

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are. Name Area Code Number Name Area Code Number

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 do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy. [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

Green Acre

A record-breaking attendance of 45 adults and 23 children was among the highlights of the second annual Connecticut at Green Acre Weekend held April 9-10 at the Green Acre School in Maine.

changing world.

Eighty-one participants attended sessions on Coping... through Prayer, Meditation and Deepening; Becoming Your True Self; the Joys and Opportunities of Being Single; Single Parenting; Cultivating a Sense of Humor; the Reality of Becoming a Step-Parent; Dealing with Loss; and Marriage.

Classes were coordinated by Cornelia Leavitt and conducted by Bonnie Brown, Joanne Henderson, Ray LaBelle, Ben Salvage and Farzin Shakibanejad.

In an activity-packed two-day Women's Conference, 81 women and one man explored the virtues exemplified by the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahíyyih Khánum, as they sought to illumine the qualities that Bahá’ís must develop and exhibit to be instrumental in unifying humanity.

They took part in workshops conducted by Ann Clavin, Phyllis Gudger-Porter, Bette Roberts, Carol Rutstein, Afaf Stevens and Karen Streets-Anderson.

During the first day, which was ended by a period of relaxation and visualization guided by Fran Klippel, a network of support and friendship evolved as topics of mutual interest and concern were discussed.

By departure time on Sunday, participants were expressing the desire for more such conferences which allow the opportunity for concentrated attention on issues relevant to women fulfilling their role in establishing the new World Order.

Twenty-five attend 'Women's Weekend' retreat at ranch near Loveland, Colorado

Twenty-five women between the ages of 15 and 85 years met April 9-10 for "Women's Weekend" retreat at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, seven miles west of Loveland, Colorado in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The women prayed, sang, deepened, relaxed, hiked and cooked together and heard an address by Jaci Delahunt, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, who shared highlights of national teaching projects while pointing out the strengths and attributes that our American Indian Bahá’í sisters offer to the Faith each day.

Other speakers included Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Kay Zinky, who told stories of Bahá’í women whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá admired, and Lynn Barnes and Margie Hummel, who offered insights on how to balance one's career, mothering, homemaking and Bahá’í service.

Also lending her inspiration to the weekend's events was Auxiliary Board member Carol Brooks.

On Saturday evening, a candlelight service of prayer and song honored the memory of Bahá’í women who have left a legacy of service.

A "silent auction" of arts and crafts items donated by participants raised $150 to help complete the Arc on Mount Carmel.

For information about the 1989 Women's Weekend, please contact Sharon Babbitt, Loveland, CO 80537.

Guide

and three, an understanding of the nature of the Word of God."

The Word of God is suitable for individual study or group deepenings, and for new or long-time Bahá’ís. Its function as a study tool may be better appreciated when we consider the following statement:

"The purpose underlying the revelation of every heavenly Book, nay, of every divinely-revealed verse, is to endue all men with righteousness and understanding, so that peace and tranquillity may be firmly established amongst them.... (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 73)

The Word of God may be ordered from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone toll-free, 1-800-999-9019).

Teaching Hispanics in Nevada leads to four declarations

Recent teaching efforts by the Spiritual Assembly of Sparks, Nevada, among Hispanics in rural northern areas of the state resulted in four declarations among a family from Puerto Rico.

To begin a well-structured consolidation program, two members of the Spiritual Assembly of Sparks, Mark and Nancy Jeppson, immediately became homefront pioneers Fernely, creating an "instant community" of six Bahá’ís.

Isolated believers meet to 'focus on growth'

At Wisconsin conference

Bahá’ís from small communities throughout Wisconsin gathered April 2 in Friendship for a conference for isolated believers.

Nancy and Howard Hinterthuer of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, entertain during a conference for isolated believers held April 2 in Friendship.

About 60 adults and 25 children attended the one-day event, held at a restaurant on the shores of the Castle Rock Flowage in central Wisconsin.

The conference theme was "Focus on Growth." The speakers were Auxiliary Board members Javidukht Khadem and Morris Taylor and Judy McGimsey, representing the National Teaching Committee.

Bahá’ís Nancy and Howard Hinterthuer of Cedarburg performed original music for the conference.

Both Mrs. Khadem and Mr. Taylor spoke about the perseverance needed to teach the Cause successfully in isolated communities, and both gave examples of steadfast Bahá’ís who held firesides for years before any seekers showed up.

Prayers were offered for teaching in the local community, which at that time numbered only two Bahá’ís.

That evening, after a fireside, a woman declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh, and the following day, another local resident declared.