The American Bahá’í/Volume 2/Issue 3/Text
| ←Previous | The American Bahá’í March, 1971 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
The Covenant Is Our Protection[edit]
This Bahá’í year has truly been a year of victories for the Faith in the United States. With success and marked advance, however, come many challenging problems, personal tests and, of course, further opportunities.
The more we proclaim and teach the Cause of God, the more the Bahá’í community grows. The more Bahá’ís there are, the more “challenging problems” and “golden opportunities” present themselves.
We will have to learn to work in ever-larger communities. We will have a more diverse group to learn to live and work with. We will have many more ideas to consider and consult upon. We will begin to have to face and solve an ever-increasing share of the problems that now stagger a sadly disunited world.
The beloved Guardian wrote to us regarding these times and issues:
“In the conduct of this twofold crusade (first to regenerate the inward life of their own community, and next to assail the long-standing evils that have entrenched themselves in the life of their nation) the valiant warriors struggling in the name and for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must, of necessity, encounter stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback. Their own instincts, no less than the fury of conservative forces, the pleasure-seeking generation, must be reckoned with, resolutely resisted, and completely overcome. As their defensive measures for the impending struggle are organized and extended, storms of abuse and ridicule, and campaigns of condemnation and misrepresentation, may be unloosed against them. Their Faith, they may soon find, has been assaulted, their motives misconstrued, their aims defamed, their aspirations derided, their institutions scorned, their influence belittled, their authority undermined, and their Cause, at times, deserted by a few who will either be incapable of appreciating the nature of their ideals, or unwilling to bear the brunt of the mounting criticisms which such a contest is sure to involve.”
|
MARYLAND/DC TEACHING CONFERENCE REJOICES TO ANNOUNCE 171 NEW BELIEVERS TWO DAYS OPEN SIX NEW COUNTIES AND 17 INCORPORATED AREAS ON EASTERN SHORE MARYLAND AND DELAWARE. MANY BEAUTIFUL SOULS ALREADY OUT TEACHING FAITH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. OVER 225 FRIENDS FROM NINE STATES THRILLED AT BOUNTY GIVEN BY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. GRATEFUL YOUR PRAYERS AND FAITH. THIS SUCCESS ONLY DOOR-OPENER TO GOAL OF 999 NEW BELIEVERS AND 9 NEW ASSEMBLIES RIDVAN. |
ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL CONVENTION TO BE LIMITED THIS YEAR[edit]
The 1971 National Convention, which is scheduled for April 29 - May 2, will be held in Foundation Hall of the House of Worship. In recent years parts of the Convention were held at the nearby National College of Education in order to accommodate the usually large number of visitors. These facilities are not available this year, and there are no others in the general area that can provide sufficient space. Consequently, the Convention must be held in Foundation Hall.
After the seating of the delegates, only 250 seats will remain for the use of observers and visitors. Therefore, any person other than a delegate wishing to attend the Convention must apply to the National Spiritual Assembly by letter no later than April 9, 1971. On that date, a drawing will be held to make appropriate allotments of the available seats. All applicants will be advised of the results.
If any visitor comes to the House of Worship without having made reservations, he will face the possibility of not being admitted to Convention sessions.
All 171 delegates are expected to be present at the National Convention.
No meals will be served in Foundation Hall for either the delegates or visitors this year.
|
WEST TEXAS INCREASES MEMBERSHIP 93 PERCENT
WEST TEXAS STATE GOALS COMMITTEE
|
Border Town Site of Teacher Training Institute[edit]
Agua Prieta, Mexico was a city opened to the Faith quite by accident.
Members of the Arizona Bahá’í Youth Committee and the Spanish-Speaking Teaching Committee had traveled to consult with the Bahá’í pioneers in Douglas, Arizona. Several of the Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís, from both committees, began to talk with two ladies from the nearby border town of Agua Prieta. Part of the conversation follows:
- “No hay más que un solo Dios.” (There’s only one God.)
- “Pues, sí.” (Of course.)
- “Dios nos manda Maestros Divinos, o Profetas para ensenarnos, para guiarnos Todos estos Maestros vinieron de Dios, como Abrán, Moisés, Y Jesus Cristo. ¡La religión es una!”
Don Antonio—a new believer and one of Agua Prieta’s most active teachers.
The Covenant[edit]
The Universal House of Justice reminded us that: “We should be constantly on guard lest the glitter and tinsel of an affluent society should lead us to think that such superficial adjustments to the modern world as are envisioned by humanitarian movements or are publicly proclaimed as the policy of enlightened statesmanship—such an extension to all members of the human race of the benefits of a high standard of living, of education, medical care, technical knowledge—will of themselves fulfill the glorious mission of Bahá’u’lláh. Far otherwise. These are the things which shall be added unto us once we seek the Kingdom of God...”
We have only one protection against the growing problems, personal tests, and the “glitter and tinsel of an affluent society.” It is firmness in the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. Such steadfastness in the Covenant not only protects us from violent tests, but also assures us all of ultimate victory.
The National Spiritual Assembly has compiled some excerpts from the Writings to assist us all in the study of this important subject. The compilation, “Meditations on the Bahá’í Covenant and Administration,” appears in the March issue of the National Bahá’í Review. Questions such as “What should be the attitude of the believer toward the new Covenant?”, “Why is firmness in the Covenant essential?”, “How is the Covenant to be protected?”, “How does the Bahá’í Administration relate to the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh?” are posed and appropriate selections from the Writings given.
This 19-part study lends itself wonderfully to a meditation-a-day during any given Bahá’í month. A better understanding of the Covenant and Administration will assure us all of a happier, more productive, and rewarding Bahá’í life of service to God and mankind. In 1949 the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi wrote: “Without the spirit of real love of Bahá’u’lláh, for His Faith and its institutions and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action.”
NORTH DAKOTA YOUTH ADVANCE[edit]
During the weekend of January 30-31, the Area Youth Committee for North Dakota sponsored “Advance,” a youth conference on mass teaching. Over one hundred youth came from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada, in spite of below-zero temperatures and 70 mph winds. In Woodworth, North Dakota, where less than 200 people live, activities at the high school and a Saturday night dance were canceled, allowing the Bahá’í youth an opportunity to have their own party Saturday night in the roomy gymnasium.
Saturday afternoon the youth took to the streets to tell the people of the town about Bahá’u’lláh. That evening after the film “It’s Just the Beginning” and music by a group from Canada, fourteen guests declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh. It was like popcorn popping. The group dancing and clapping their hands moved from one side of the room to the other as people called for declaration cards. One person claimed that if 300 people had become Bahá’ís that night, she would have left for the Abhá kingdom out of happiness.
On Sunday the group split into two caravans, one going north, the other south. Highway Patrol reports discouraged any travel, but with the help of snow plows, the first caravan got through. The second caravan got as far as Fessenden when two cars had trouble. They stayed overnight at a local Catholic Church, taught the county judge the song “Alláh’u’Abhá,” made arrangements to return for a teaching trip, and one person got a job for next summer. The story made the front page of the Minot newspaper. In spite of the weather, the conference was a success.
border town institute[edit]
- (God sends us Divine Teachers, or Prophets to teach us, to guide us. All of these Teachers came from God, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ. Religion is one!)
- “Pues, sí.” (Of course.)
- “¿Creen Uds. que necesitamos paz, justicia, amor y unidad en el mundo?” (Do you believe that we need peace, justice, love, and unity in the world?)
- “Sí, es cierto.” (Yes, certainly.)
- “Dios ya nos mando otro Maestro, EL PROMETIDO DE TODAS EPOCAS, BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, LA GLORIA DE DIOS. El nos trajo enseñanzas divinas para hacer un mundo nuevo, un mundo de paz, amor, unidad y justicia... ¿Cómo les parece? ¿Les gusta?” (Now God has sent us another Teacher, THE PROMISED ONE OF ALL AGES, BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, THE GLORY OF GOD. He has brought us divine teachings to build a world of peace, love, unity, and justice... What do you think? (Do you like it?)
- “Está muy bonito.” (It’s very beautiful.)
The teaching continued in this simple manner and the ladies (Señora Angela de Castillo and her daughter Beatriz) readily accepted Bahá’u’lláh into their hearts. Their tiny home was filled with family and friends. Approximately half of those present were children.
Children in Mexico are included in family activities. There is no money for babysitters, so the children learn to participate as contributing members in family life. They were very still and solemn throughout most of the meeting; no reprimands or scolding were needed. However, when we taught them to sing in Spanish, “O God, guide me, protect me...”, their little faces lighted up as they sang with us.
After a simple explanation of the Faith, prayers, and songs, those in attendance were invited to “join us” in the Faith of God. Most of the family and several neighbors declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. (The family consists of the mother, Doña Angela, her 12 daughters, their husbands, and many beautiful children.) There was no hesitancy as these friends signed their cards; many children also declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. They, too, were lovingly welcomed into the family of Bahá.
Being surrounded by so many pure, smiling faces reminded us of the prayer, “Oh Thou incomparable God... These souls are Thy heavenly army...” Soon even the freezing temperatures of the winter night were forgotten in the warmth of so much love!
It is our fervent prayer that every Bahá’í should have such an experience... an experience open to all those willing to join the army of Bahá’u’lláh’s foot soldiers: those dedicated souls who forsake the warmth and comfort of the “traditional” Bahá’í firesides and walk the streets in search of God’s pure souls.
|
ARE THERE 10,000?
There are over 50,000 believers in the United States—and tens of thousands will be added to our membership in the immediate future. Yet we have not been able to meet our obligation of $600,000 to the International Bahá’í Fund. If 10,000 friends will immediately make a special gift of $50 to the National Bahá’í Fund earmarked for The Universal House of Justice, our community will be able to honor its pledge to the International Bahá’í Fund at Naw-Rúz or soon thereafter. Are there 10,000 who will arise now to do this?
NOTE: Any amount from any number is, of course, most welcome. |
“Alone and on foot ...”[edit]
Story of Ethel Murray, homefront pioneer
My wife and I visited a homefront pioneer today. She was in a hospital with a punctured lung. She must be in her eighties. She held my hand when she talked and told me how she walked every day from her home on the Cherokee Indian Reservation to the little town of Cherokee, North Carolina, and then home again. Her eyes twinkled when she told me how for 17 years she has been telling the Indian people about Bahá’u’lláh, but that “...the churches have such a strong hold on the people.”
Picture taken 13 years ago
“Anyway,” she continued, “I took a bus up to Bryson City one day and returned to Cherokee at dusk. I walked rapidly down the highway to my home when—suddenly it was dark. I couldn’t see a thing! I must have wandered off the highway down by the stream because suddenly I felt water on my feet. I lost my footing and fell on my back, breaking four ribs and puncturing my lung. I felt such pain. I prayed. I raised myself up on one elbow and could see lights above me, but I couldn’t get to the road. I prayed and prayed. I crawled on my elbows and eventually made it to the highway. I had on a white scarf and I waved it. A car finally stopped, and I was taken to the hospital in Cherokee, but they wouldn’t admit me because I wasn’t Indian. They had to drive me here. So here I am.” She smiled. There was no bitterness, no self-pity, only selfless love.
I choked back my tears as my mind raced back to a tape recording I had heard of Hand of the Cause Dorothy Baker, appealing to the American Bahá’ís on behalf of our beloved Guardian to teach the American Indian and Negro as Ali Nakhjavani had taught in Africa by going to them and living as they lived. I had choked back the tears then too when I first heard that recording, but had done little. This woman who held my hand had done something. In 1953 when she heard Dorothy Baker’s plea at the Convention in Wilmette, she immediately left her home in Providence, Rhode Island, and moved to the Cherokee Reservation. “Alone and on foot” she had gone. Ethel Murray had consecrated herself to the service of Bahá’u’lláh and had lived with the Cherokee people for over 17 years, living as they lived.
We found Ethel Murray by making inquiries through a shopkeeper. He didn’t remember her name, but said, “Is she a religious person?” When we nodded, he said, “Baha.” I said, “That’s her religion, her name is Murray.” He remembered her only as “Baha”! He directed us to her home near the Indian Crafts Center. The Indian woman who managed the shop said, “She is a fine lady. She walk all the time. She is such a kind lady, but so frail. She try to help the Indian people. She is in the hospital. Why no other Bahá’ís ever come here to help her?”
We couldn’t answer that question. Why had no one come? It made you want to weep. But then we remembered with a jolt—Ethel Murray had gone beyond tears. That’s why in Cherokee, North Carolina, she’s remembered as “Baha”!
Bahá’í Films Reaching Hundreds of Thousands[edit]
The Bahá’í film, “It’s Just The Beginning,” is reaching hundreds of thousands of persons across the nation with the Bahá’í message. It is being shown to clubs, schools, churches, and over television.
In January 1971, the film was shown over television stations in Washington, D.C. (WFAN); Akron, Ohio (WJAN); Paducah, Kentucky (WSIL); Poplar Bluff, Missouri (KPOB); and Duluth-Superior, Minnesota (WDSE). It is estimated that some 684,000 persons viewed the film over these stations. Many showings were at prime times such as 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Television stations in Washington, D.C.; Toledo, Ohio; Tallahassee, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; Cincinnati, Ohio; Hartford, Connecticut; Louisville, Ohio; Oak Hill, West Virginia; North Augusta, South Carolina; and Charlotte, North Carolina have asked to preview the film for possible future showings.
For the months of December 1970 and January 1971, the film has already had 111 showings to organizations and schools across the U.S. and was seen by 4,342 persons in these groups. Advance notices of showings indicate that the film will average over 150 showings per month in the future and this will go higher if more films are available for distribution.
The film, “A New Wind,” during the past eight months ending January 31, 1971, has been shown 1,476 times and viewed by 62,749 persons. The film appeared in 17 promotion pieces with a total circulation of 353,350.
Both films are distributed by Modern Talking Picture Service to clubs and television. The figures given above do not reflect showings of the films by Bahá’í communities, groups, college clubs, and State Goals Committees in connection with special proclamations.
A survey of the films and their showings indicates that high schools are in the main asking for the films. An analysis of the showings of the film “A New Wind” for the seven months it was in use in 1970 gave the following breakdown on the number of showings: Resorts 498; Schools 404; Church Groups 47; Men’s Groups 16; Colleges 20; Manufacturing Plants 29. Highest state for showings was Minnesota (145) followed by New York (142); California (115); Pennsylvania (104); and Ohio (97).
PERISCOPE[edit]
Direct teaching in VIRGINIA has produced 500 new Bahá’ís in three weeks time in Nansemond and Southampton Counties.
In Idaho Falls, IDAHO, new believers are honored with a party, and the invitation is also extended to the non-Bahá’í parents of youth.
The Bahá’í communities of Ashland and Rogue Valley, OREGON, received outstanding publicity for the Faith when plaques honoring work for Human Rights were presented. The Ashland Lions Club and a school teacher received their awards during a television program.
At the Ft. Simcoe Job Corps for Boys, Western WASHINGTON, there were 14 declarations following the film, “It’s Just the Beginning.”
In Menomonee Falls, WISCONSIN, a Bahá’í youth was approached with, “I see your Bahá’í book. I am a Bahá’í, but have never been to a Bahá’í meeting because I didn’t know there were any Bahá’ís in the area.” In Manitowoc there are 30 Bahá’í books in the Public Library, and in Monona, the placement of books in the high school library interested the social studies teacher who accepted a personal copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and requested a speaker for her class.
TEACHING IN MONTANA[edit]
The friends in Montana don’t give up easily. They held two mass teaching conferences at opposite ends of the state this winter (it’s approximately 500 miles from one end of Montana to the other). These conferences were arranged in order to accomplish the objective given to the Montana State Goals Committee by the National Spiritual Assembly to give priority to teaching the American Indian.
Although both conferences were productive, they certainly didn’t appear to have all the joyous ingredients of similar conferences in the South. However, the Montana friends continued to persevere. They scheduled a conference for the Northern Cheyenne people in Lame Deer. No one had much experience in this area. The results were astounding...13 new souls accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Messenger from God for this day. All the friends were rekindled with enthusiasm.
The Montana State Goals Committee met the next weekend and scheduled a conference for the Blackfoot area, the scene of their first “not so successful conference.”
The resident pioneers on the Blackfoot Reservation are Peter and Karen Crago. They arrived in Montana last summer. They had planned very thoroughly before leaving New York to come to the Blackfoot area. They planned to stay. Things had been going from bad to worse for the Cragos. Peter was released from his job in the middle of a harsh Montana winter, they had landlord difficulties as a result of the first conference which was held in their home, and had only managed to make it through the winter by buying food stamps.
The Cragos had gone to the Lame Deer Conference and were anxious to try another teaching event in Browning. They consulted with the Montana State Goals Committee and a conference was set for the weekend of February 13-14. The Cragos went to work. 700 hand-lettered invitations were made up and sent out to the local residents of the Browning area. They received films, material and financial assistance from the North Plains Indian Committee. Finally, the stage was set and the friends arrived to share the Message of the Coming of the Promised One. Teams were dispersed into the area as before, but this time with more success. The first team met an elderly Indian man who immediately accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Messenger for this day. Invitations were extended to a meeting that night. Between 70 and 80 people attended. Films were shown, including “It’s Just The Beginning.” The Cragos sang for the new seekers, explained that a new Messenger of God had come and gave a brief explanation of the Faith. They then invited those who accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One to declare their Faith in Him. Seven Indian souls accepted the Blessed Beauty that evening.
Now Montana State Goals Committee has scheduled four more conferences before spring. One of these conferences is in the middle of the Fast. So the next time you are feeling sorry for yourself because you’ve driven 30 miles to a fireside, think of the Montana friends...they may be traveling 800 miles round trip through a blizzard and come home to food stamps!
Here is the schedule:
| February 27-28 | Rocky Boy Reservation | |
| March 13-14 | Fort Belknap Reservation | |
| March 27-28 | Flathead Reservation | |
| April 10-11 | Fort Peck Reservation | |
| To be scheduled | Crow Reservation |
Books for Children[edit]
The best books are keys to the doors of perception. They do more than merely entertain or impart information. They open the heart and mind to understanding, insight, and truth.
Not many books on the commercial market shine with the light of truth by Bahá’í standards, but the two books for children, described below, do possess this rare quality. Bahá’í parents can give either of them to their children with confidence. They are books that a child can grow with, for their spiritual insight is great, and they do not lose their appeal after a few readings. They are available through trade bookstores, or can be requested at public libraries.
More Beautiful Than Flowers, by Joan M. Lexau, (J.B. Lippincott, 1966, $2.95) is a small book with large meaning. In just twenty-seven penetrating lines the author writes of the attributes of God: His beauty, mystery, wisdom, power, majesty, gentleness; and she brings the infinite, all-knowing, unchanging God close to the child—“closer to me than the air I breathe”—in language and imagery that the youngest child can understand and appreciate. The joy of knowing and loving God is implicit in the words and images, and this spirit has been skillfully translated by the illustrator, Don Bolognese, into lively watercolor pictures.
In A Book About God, (Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1953, $3.50), the author, Florence Mary Fitch, and the artist, Leonard Weisgard, have produced a unified work of enduring beauty.
“Everyone wonders about God...”
(writes Florence Fitch)
“But we don’t need to see God
to know what He is like.
We only need to think about the
things that are like Him.”
And then in simile, the author likens God to those elements of nature that have the quality of majesty, but whose effects a child can see and feel as close, tangible, and friendly: the sun that “draws each growing thing unto itself and gives it life and strength; the air without which we cannot live; the gentle, helpful rain that “is like God’s love;” the mountains; the sea that is endless and full of mystery. The concepts of God expressed in this book are akin to the Bahá’í concept, and parents and teachers may find it a very helpful preliminary to the introduction of the Bahá’í Writings themselves to their young children.
PALISADE, COLORADO, HOSTS TEACHING CONFERENCE[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of Palisade, Colorado, is settling back to earth after a weekend highlighted by events that followed each other in quick succession.
Eighteen visitors from out of town began to arrive Friday evening, January 16—White, Black, Chicano, young married couples, housewives, and students. They came and brought their sleeping bags, musical instruments, and children—they came from Durango, Denver, Lakewood, Gunnison, and Fort Collins to join with the local Bahá’ís in a grand reunion and a series of events which will long be remembered by all.
On Saturday, after songs, prayers, exchange of teaching experiences, and the happy talk that occurs whenever Bahá’ís get together, they fanned out through Palisade and Grand Junction, visiting the shops and meeting passersby, spreading the news of their arrival and the public meeting scheduled for Sunday at the Palisade Veterans Memorial Hall. With gutbucket and guitars, one group conducted an impromptu fireside in the Social Lounge at Mesa College, while another met with interested visitors at the home of the Groves in Palisade.
The public meeting Sunday was well attended with an interesting program which was enjoyed by all. Fifty-four people present were entertained by Bob Boffman and his band of Palisade youth. Chris Cholas from Durango gave a short talk on the Bahá’í Faith. Carol Brooks from Fort Collins and Allen Murray from Durango played and sang Bahá’í songs. Refreshments were served, pictures taken, and the gathering dissolved into small conversing groups. Then the music struck up again, and there was dancing until all were weary. But the evening was not yet over.
With Dick Griggs, a shining youth from Mesa College and our very first new believer in Palisade, the Bahá’ís and several of the visitors, including members of the band, reassembled at the Groves’ residence. Prayers of thanksgiving, songs, and stories lasted far into the night.
On Monday, the local Bahá’ís and the Durango group descended en masse on TV Station KREX for a scheduled presentation about the Bahá’í Faith. Bill Groves from Palisade, Allen Murray, and George Hesse from Durango were interviewed by the Reverend Bob Young and Lou Taylor on the program, “Center of Things.”
Then, final goodbyes to the last of our visitors before they made their way back to their homes over the mountains and the ice.
A most memorable weekend which left us weary, but very happy.
MID-ATLANTIC YOUTH SPONSOR TEACHING INSTITUTE[edit]
New world people gathered at the Mid-Atlantic Area Youth Institute January 29-31 in Washington, D.C. Deepening and teaching speakers included Drs. Dwight Allen and Sarah Pereira of the National Spiritual Assembly. Mrs. Kathleen Javid of the National Teaching Committee, Auxiliary Board Members Mr. Albert James and Dr. Stanwood Cobb. There were several declarations and a beautiful time was had by all!
Unipar[edit]
HI, FRIENDS, UNIPAR here.
Lately, I’ve been feeling an upsurge of spirit in my veins. The coming of the regenerative springtime and the increasing momentum of teaching activities have brought me up to a new level of health and has made me less susceptible to the illness that bogged me down about the middle of the year. I wish to say thanks for your prayers, while I’m getting back on my feet.
I see on page 3 that the National Spiritual Assembly has come up with a great plan of action to help recover some ground lost during my illness. I know I’ll do my best to help its plan, because it will keep me strong and keep the “lifeblood” flowing to the central organs at the World Centre. Only UNIPAR can assist our blessed community to fulfill its sacred commitment to the Universal House of Justice. Our commitment, though great, brings even greater blessings when met.
There is another part to my plan for keeping myself in shape. I see there is a limited seating capacity at this year’s National Convention. (See page one for details.) I suggest that we might contribute to the National Bahá’í Fund what would have been spent for traveling.
See you next month.
Bounties.....Bounties......Bounties.
You can write to me at this address:
- UNIPAR
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Ill. 60091
| P.S. | 1 | in spirit in faith in participation. |
+ 1 - 1 = 0
| BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY | BAHÁ’Í GROUP | |
| 9 Adults —— | Homefront Settler | —→ 8 Adults |
| ↓ | ↓ | |
| 8 Adults | 9 Adults | |
| ↘ | ↙ | |
| GAIN = 0 |
“...MAINTENANCE OF ALL ASSEMBLIES VITAL.”
| BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY | ||
| large number of Bahá’ís | ||
| ↙ | ↘ | |
| GROUPS ↘ |
“Let’s Get It Done By Riḍván ‘71!” (April 21, 1971) |
JEOPARDIZED ASSEMBLIES ↙ |
| ↓ | ||
| 600 LSA’S |
- OR MORE ....?
Hello Everyone!
You cannot imagine how happy and busy I have been in the past month, counting all those new names on the membership lists. And now with great excitement, I await the most important event of all: the Election and Formation of the Local Spiritual Assemblies on April 21.
Jay Pardee was here yesterday, and so was Lee Thargy. Speaking of Lee, I wish that you could see him now. What a different person... busy and teaching all the time. We started discussing the subject of our main concern: maintaining all of our 517 Local Spiritual Assemblies this Riḍván, while I was working on the jeopardized Assemblies list (see pp.8-9).
Lee was very upset; he thinks it is appalling that after so many years, we still have not progressed beyond the point of the yearly scrambling for ‘9’ to form an Assembly, especially in this era of mass proclamation, mass expansion, and mass consolidation. He does not understand why anyone needs homefront settlers anymore and thinks that we should remove the word ‘jeopardy’ from our Bahá’í vocabulary forever—with due respect for our friend Jay Pardee, of course.
Lee said that he recently participated in a mass teaching effort in one of the wealthiest villages of the United States; he had a wonderful response; he cannot see why this would not work everywhere else; all we have to do is sponsor a mass teaching event, gather the friends, pray, get briefed, team-up, go out and find the ‘waiting souls,’ give them the Message clearly, and involve the new believers immediately in the planning of future teaching events, since we know that teaching is the best way of deepening.
(I chuckled while listening to Lee; how he has changed!)
Jay Pardee agreed wholeheartedly, but said that in the meantime, he was worried about a letter he received a few days ago from a community with more than 9 adult Bahá’ís; unfortunately, several were inactive for one reason or another. They told Jay that they will not maintain their Local Spiritual Assembly because they cannot get ‘9 active’ Bahá’ís to serve on the Assembly. Jay did not know what to do.
Lee said that it is like having a hospital with many patients and very few capable doctors; one would not demolish the hospital just because not all the doctors are working very hard! One will only end up leaving all the patients without a shelter and all the doctors without a job and without the bounty of practicing their profession and healing the sick!
To prove his point, Lee read the following from God Passes By, p. 332:
“These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens... From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They indeed are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
I reminded Jay of the following quote from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, cited in Bahá’í Administration, p.21:
“THE LORD HATH ORDAINED THAT IN EVERY CITY A HOUSE OF JUSTICE BE ESTABLISHED WHEREIN SHALL GATHER COUNSELLORS TO THE NUMBER OF BAHÁ (9)...” —Bahá’u’lláh
When Bahá’u’lláh writes: “The Lord hath ordained...”, we obey IMMEDIATELY! It is not a matter of choice. It is not optional. It is OBLIGATORY. It is our obedience to the Covenant!
Jay understood; he is going to visit that community and explain to them how a Local Spiritual Assembly should be maintained AT ALL COSTS.
ASSEMBLIES IN JEOPARDY[edit]
|
“... it is of the utmost importance that in accordance with the explicit text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, in every locality, be it city or hamlet, where the number of adult (21 years and above) declared believers exceeds nine, a local Spiritual Assembly be forthwith established. To it all local matters pertaining to the Cause must be directly and immediately referred for full consultation and decision. The importance, nay the absolute necessity of these local Assemblies is manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local House of Justice....”—Shoghi Effendi (Bahá’í Administration, p. 37)
|
| WESTERN STATES | |
| NM | Silver City (2) |
| AZ | Prescott (2) |
| CA/N | Fair Oaks Folsom JD (3) |
| Oroville JD (3) | |
| CA/C1 | Cupertino Sunnyvale JD (4) |
| Menlo Park (1) | |
| Salinas (1) | |
| San Carlos (2) | |
| CA/C2 | Bakersfield JD (3) |
| CA/S1 | Lakewood (1) |
| Palmdale (2) | |
| CA/S2 | Chula Vista (3) |
| Del Mar (2) | |
| Fullerton (2) | |
| Pismo Beach (2) | |
| Santa Barbara Goleta JD (1) | |
| OR | Jackson County (2) |
| Springfield | |
| WA/E | Spokane County CD1 (4) |
| WA/W | Bellevue (1) |
| Pierce County | |
| CENTRAL STATES | |
| IL/N | Berwyn (4) |
| Downers Grove (1) | |
| WI | Delafield (3) |
| OH | Berea (1) |
| Euclid (2) | |
| Warrensville Heights (1) | |
| MI | Battle Creek (1) |
| MN | Rochester (3) |
| IA | Iowa City (2) |
| MO | Clayton (1) |
| Florissant (2) | |
| SD | Rapid City (3) |
| NE | Sarpy County (4) |
| KS | Emporia (2) |
| NORTHEASTERN STATES | |
| VT | Putney (6) |
| PA | Eastern Chester County (1) |
| State College (1) | |
| Swarthmore (2) | |
| NJ | North Plainfield (1) |
| NY/E | Town of Greenburg (1) |
| White Plains (2) | |
| NY/W | Town of Hamburg (1) |
| Hamburg Village (1) | |
| Syracuse (5) | |
| SOUTHERN STATES | |
| MD | Ann Arundel County (1) |
| VA | Fairfax (1) |
| SC | Greenville County (2) |
| Richland County (1) | |
| FL | Fort Myers (3) |
| Sarasota County (1) | |
| MS | Canton (2) |
| LA | Jefferson Parish (4) |
| TX/E | Bellaire (1) |
|
Organize ye Spiritual Assemblies; lay ye the foundation of union and concord in this world; destroy ye the fabric of strife and war from the face of the earth; construct ye the temple of harmony and agreement; enkindle ye the light of the realm of the oneness of humanity; open ye your eyes; gaze and behold ye the other world! The kingdom of peace, salvation, uprightness, and reconciliation is founded in the invisible world, and it will by degrees become manifest and apparent through the power of the Word of God! (BAHÁ’Í WORLD FAITH, p. 409)
|
|
KEY TO MAP
|
| 𝄞 | WE ARE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S ARMY |
| MARCHING ACROSS THE LAND | |
| WE ARE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S ARMY | |
| COME ON AND JOIN, IF YOU CAN! |
Teaching the masses is the greatest challenge now facing the followers of Bahá’u’lláh...
Magdalene Carney, Deep South Committee member, holds a briefing session for mass teachers in Memphis, Tennessee, prior to a teaching campaign.
|
“Amongst other things is the holding of the meetings for teaching—so that blessed souls and the old ones from amongst the believers may gather together the youths of the love of God in schools of instruction and teach them all the divine proofs and irrefragable arguments, explain and elucidate the history of the Cause, and interpret also the prophecies and proofs which are recorded and are extant in the divine Books and Epistles regarding the Manifestation of the Promised One, so that the young ones may go in perfect knowledge in all these degrees.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
|
Deep South Committee member Poova Murday briefs believers in teaching work in Memphis, Tennessee.
|
“Therefore...set to music the verses and the divine words so that they may be sung with soul-stirring melody in the Assemblies and gatherings, and that the hearts of the listeners may become tumultuous and rise towards the Kingdom of Abhá in supplication and prayer.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
|
A “joyful noise” is being made by members of the VICTORY VANGUARD in Memphis.
[Page 11]
The teachers are weary but the fruits of their labors stand in the doorway—new believers in Memphis, Tennessee.
|
“At this time and at this period we must avail ourselves of this most great opportunity. We must not sit inactive for one moment; we must sever ourselves from composure, rest, tranquility, goods, property, life and attachment to material things. We must sacrifice everything to His Highness, the Possessor of existence, so that the powers of the Kingdom may show greater penetration and the brilliant effulgence in this New Cycle may illumine the worlds of minds and ideals.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
|
“Glory is not his who loves his native land; but the glory is his who loves his kind.”
Bahá’í teachers and new believers form a “unity circle” in Memphis, Tennessee.
|
“Deepening the newly-enrolled believers generates tremendous stimulus which results in further expansion.” —The Universal House of Justice
|
These Jackson, Mississippi believers went to Greenwood, Mississippi on their day off to help with the deepening of new believers there.
| 𝄞 | WE ARE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S ARMY |
| TEACHING ALL OF MANKIND | |
| WE ARE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S ARMY | |
| COME ON, DON’T GET LEFT BEHIND! |
What is a Mass Teaching Conference?[edit]
O.K. So you’re going to a mass teaching conference. You’ve got it in your head what it’s going to be. It’s going to be a conference. That means you’ll sit in a nice comfortable rented hall and listen to some very erudite speakers elucidate on the means, methods, and logistics of teaching the masses. Now, they’re out there somewhere and in your mind they appear as a large faceless something that you’re being taught the theoretics of dealing with. WRONG!
This is a mass teaching conference. The hall is rented, but it’s not that comfortable. If the weather is cold, there’s not enough heat in the place; if the weather is hot, there’s no air-conditioning. There’re not enough chairs, so if you came in late you’ll have to sit on the floor or on the corner of a desk or a counter. This hall is going to be located in some out-of-the-way place that’s taken you an hour to find if you didn’t pay much attention to the directions. You probably expected to find markers showing the way and a neatly painted sign out front. WRONG! The sign, if there is one, probably says “Community Center,” “First Baptist Church,” or “Jones Grocery” and the paint on the sign is peeling.
The speakers? Oh, they’re erudite alright, but they won’t be dealing in theories. They’ll talk about things like keeping your dress down, not letting your shirttail hang out, or “if you’re white, don’t be hanging all over your black companions in public and vice versa.” They’ll tell you things like what to do if you’re stopped and questioned by the police, what to do if a drunk gets too close or too familiar with you. They’ll tell you not to get separated from your teaching team. They’ll tell you to teach thoroughly the first time, making sure the new believer really knows what it is he is becoming when he signs a declaration card. They’ll tell you that some of the new believers will want to know if they can now call themselves Baptist Bahá’ís or Methodist Bahá’ís and they’ll tell you how to handle this question.
There’ll be singing. Oh, lots of that at the conference, with handclapping and toe-tapping. These will be the songs and rhythms of the people, the native believers. They may sound strange to you, but clap your hands and sing along. It’s fun, it’s joyful and it’ll make you happy and part of a great big something you might not have known to expect.
But then all this will abruptly stop and you’ll hear something about choosing teams. Your name will be called and you’ll be assigned to a team of about four. You’re beginning to guess, aren’t you? RIGHT! You are actually expected now to go out and confront a stranger with the Glad Tidings. Yes, a person on the street or in a front yard, whom you’ve never seen before, never talked with. But don’t panic. If you’ve never done this before, someone on your team has. He’ll confront the stranger and then give you a chance to tell a real live person that the Promised One of All Ages has come to give the world the great Healing Message that it has looked forward to through all history. You will have the chance to tell this person the news that can change the very cells of his body and make him one of the new race of men, bringing us all one step closer to the Most Great Peace. Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá! What a privilege is yours!
There will be a showing of the film, “It’s Just the Beginning,” that night in the rented hall, which will begin to look more and more like home to you. The new believers will come to see it and they’ll bring friends. You’ll have a chance to tell more people the good news. At the end of the evening, you’ll all form a unity circle, holding hands and singing songs with your new brothers and sisters. When the conference is over, your heart will be saddened to leave your new family. But you’ll have to. Now you have to go somewhere else and find the rest of the family of man, until all of us have been brought under the shelter of the Blessed Beauty!
That’s what it is!
ACTION ... in Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Wyoming[edit]
The Deep South Committee conducted yet another successful Mass Teaching Conference in Berea, Kentucky, January 16-17, 1971. With spirits uplifted through songs, prayers, readings from the Universal House of Justice on teaching the masses, and an enthusiasm generated by those already experienced in the field, about 50 radiant believers spread out in teams to take the message of Bahá’u’lláh to the waiting souls, finding 55 new believers in a few hours!
One, a blind man, said that although he couldn’t see the happy smiling faces, he could see the smiles in the hearts, and expressed his desire to join in the service of the Faith. Someone remarked that this man has a vision which many who have eyesight have not.
During this exciting conference, the Kentucky State Goals Committee was inspired to set a new goal of 7 new Assemblies by Riḍván 1971 and an unlimited number of new groups and localities!
The beloved Guardian stated that “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.”
In order to begin to achieve this “...deeper thrust...” in the wake of mass teaching success among the Indians of Idaho, the Idaho State Goals Committee and the North Plains Indian Committee combined resources and invited Marilyn Herrera of the Spanish-Speaking Teaching Committee to conduct an institute in Idaho. The enthusiastic participants of this meeting are shown above.
The scene is Little Rock.
The dates, January 23, 24, 1971.
The victory is 311 new believers, about 15 new localities opened and a probability of 5 new Assemblies at Riḍván!!!
Over half the Bahá’ís in the state attended this Goals Committee-sponsored mass teaching conference, with another 55 coming from out of state. They began arriving Friday afternoon and kept arriving all night and into the next day.
On Saturday morning, everyone gathered at Dunbar Community Center in the heart of a black neighborhood. The earliest carload of believers to arrive had already received a declaration of Faith from a local youth. The conference began with consultation on mass teaching, and songs and prayers. After lunch, everyone teamed up and went out to find the waiting souls. Many teams included veterans of the Seven Year Plans and the Ten Year Crusade, now in their 70’s and 80’s.
The Arkansas Goals Committee had secured highway maps for each car-team and had designated about 15 areas for concentration. Each team included one or two believers experienced in mass teaching and contained a mixture of youth and adults, both black and white.
After an hour and a half of teaching in the beautiful January sunshine, the rains came, hard and fast. As the teams regathered at the Dunbar Center in the late afternoon, they brought word that the Bahá’í population in Arkansas had more than doubled in two hours!
The evening meeting, as the rain continued outside, was a time for sharing, planning, watching “It’s Just the Beginning,” and immersing in the pool of tranquility of the Deep South Road Show Singers.
Then youth who had come from afar to help teach returned misty-eyed to recount how their newfound sister, Robbie Wilson, the first Bahá’í in Arkansas 30 years ago, had taken them at midnight into the hills outside of town to a cemetery where they stood by the grave of the one who had taught her the Faith and had given his life at his pioneering post in the first Seven-Year Plan, Howard Colby Ives, the Father of Arkansas. Time was spanned as, hand in hand with Robbie, they knew that souls have no age, only attributes. It echoed a feeling from the evening when a large cake was brought out bearing an inscription to the honor of the early believers of Arkansas.
Sunday morning the sunshine returned. The friends were up early for prayers and then went out again to seek more waiting souls. By noon, the reports coming in indicated that more and more had enlisted under the banner of happiness in His Cause, almost quadrupling the crop of Bahá’u’lláh’s harvest in the state. Then the long drives home began, back to West Virginia, to Texas, to Georgia.
Two of the friends stayed to continue teaching with the local Bahá’ís. Beginning Monday, they were all out in the field, enlisting more souls, following up those of the weekend and starting the new friends on their own teaching activities.
The scene is Little Rock.
The dates are January 23, 24, 1971.
The victory is 311 new believers, about 15 new localities opened and a probability of 5 new Assemblies at Riḍván!
The Great Seal of the State of Arkansas bears the inscription, “The Land of Opportunity.”
The goal city of Powell, Wyoming was opened to the Faith during a teaching conference sponsored by the Wyoming State Goals Committee. Bahá’ís from Billings, Idaho Falls, Laramie, Casper, Cheyenne, and Arvada came to assist in this joyously successful teaching experience.
Campus Teaching Report[edit]
With over 210 Bahá’í college clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico, the youth of America have won a major goal of the Five Year Youth Plan! Only the lack of a club each in Virginia, and North and South Dakota prevents a total victory in “increasing the number of Bahá’í college clubs—to 200, with at least one in every state.” With close to 30 high school clubs (from only 10 last year), the Five Year Youth Plan goal of establishing 20 clubs by Riḍván has been won in yet another vital area!
Such phenomenal growth has yielded a nationwide network of Bahá’í clubs directly and audaciously proclaiming the advent of Bahá’u’lláh. The Campus Teaching Plan (announced in The American Bahá’í, December 1970) has produced a coordinated effort among these clubs, an effort that will culminate with the April 15 leaflet campaign. The following are a few excerpts from some of the reports on recent teaching activities submitted by various clubs:
Bahá’í Club of Chico State College, California
This semester, the club is initiating an issues campaign based on the following schedule:
FEBRUARY — THE ONENESS OF MANKIND. Each week we will be putting up a large poster in the Student Union, with pamphlets and inquiry cards available every day of the week.
We are planning an afternoon panel discussion, February 27, inviting professors and instructors of various racial and cultural backgrounds to give short talks on “The World as I See It.” We will complete the panel with a Bahá’í who will tie all these diversities into a beautiful unity, thus demonstrating as well as talking about the Oneness of Mankind.
MARCH — THE ONENESS OF RELIGION. Again, we will be using a different large poster each week. We hope to have two special meetings during this month: a large singing fireside, and a public meeting concerning Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.
APRIL — PERSONAL TEACHINGS (The Worth of Man, The Soul, Three Levels of Character).
MAY — INDIVIDUAL TOPICS (Ecology - The Earth is the Mirror of the Kingdom, Equality of Man and Woman, Spiritual Solution to the Economic Problem).
During these last weeks of school, we will try to hold a weekly fireside dealing with the topic being presented.
Besides these activities, we will try to man an information table twice a week (now that there are three of us enrolled as students). At these tables, we will use supplementary posters; for example, the drugs poster and other posters printed by the Office of Youth and Student Activities. And as we did last semester, we will try to use our community’s firesides as well as those of neighboring communities as effectively as possible.
Boston University Bahá’í Association
For the first part of the plan given out at the Campus Teaching Seminars, we held two programs. First, we showed the film, “It’s Just The Beginning,” before which we did some street teaching and got excellent response, even more remarkable because it was the week before exams. 60 people showed up! Since we didn’t have time to print posters, all of them came as a result of street teaching. Secondly, Doug Ruhe came and spoke on “Bahá’u’lláh, The Glory of God.” For this, we used the 8 x 11 posters of Bahá’u’lláh’s Name which were in the packet given out at the seminars in November. Thank you for the Campus Teaching Plan—it’s exciting!
University of Wyoming Bahá’í Club
Campus teaching is moving swiftly and effectively. We had a two-week proclamation, February 1-12. Two declarations resulted from unexpected sources. Our campus Bahá’í numbers have increased from six to thirteen since September. We anticipate several more declarations before Naw-Rúz.
Indiana University Bahá’í Dawnbreakers
Successful proclamation week on Bahá’u’lláh, February 12-19. We distributed about 800 invitations through faculty mailboxes and campus housing. We had a special dorm showing of “It’s Just The Beginning.” Our week began with a “prayer and popcorn” meeting. We had a wide-scale proclamation, but only a small number of guests at our events; nonetheless, we discovered a group of waiting souls in the nurses’ residence and will follow up with a meeting there. We estimate we must have reached about 1,500 people.
Cal-State, Hayward Bahá’í Club
This club wishes to inform you of activities and results of a week of sustained mass proclamation, February 1-5.
The week began Monday with both of the first two goals of the campus teaching plan fulfilled. (The first was done last year.) Posters have been displayed almost everywhere!
Tuesday, we showed “It’s Just The Beginning.” Much interest was aroused and it was quite successful. That evening saw a fireside given at the one and only dormitory on campus at the request of the residents. We played the tape, “Wake Up America,” and were entertained by Phil Franks, a locally famous Bahá’í musician.
“It’s Just The Beginning” was shown again Wednesday at the dorm upon request. The evening culminated with a declaration by a girl who said that she had been thinking this way all along.
Thursday, a table was set up and manned for two hours, offering pamphlets and conversation about the Bahá’í Faith. It was a smashing success—more response here than at most meetings. The film was shown also and was much more successful than the first showing. Afterwards, the film was shown again, this time to a class on sociology of religion. The teacher had requested it when made aware of it. The evening was a sharing of experiences with some of the community and a discussion of future college activity.
Some of our future activities for the remainder of this quarter include: a musical fireside, a major article in the school paper, and a table set up one day a week for five weeks.
A bit of advice to the other college clubs—don’t ever get discouraged, use prayer a lot, and try to make use of every channel of proclamation. When you show a film, get it for more than one or two days—people will talk after the first showing to their friends, and after that, you will have a good turnout of people extremely interested in seeing it.
Many more reports have filtered into the Office of Youth and Student Activities like happy sunbeams. We have printed these few excerpts to give you an idea of the scope of campus activities and to stimulate all with the many excellent ideas. The leaflet for the April 15 campaign will be mailed to all clubs (all in touch with the Office of Youth and Student Activities, that is) around the latter part of March. We ask the prayers of the entire American Bahá’í community as Bahá’í clubs rise up throughout the nation to fulfill the purpose of the 1970-71 Campus Teaching Plan, namely:
- to have the consciousness of Bahá’u’lláh’s coming sink into the hearts, minds, and souls of every member of every high school and college community (students, faculty, and staff) where there is a Bahá’í campus club, by June 1971—
SUMMER PROJECTS ’71[edit]
VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR MANY OF THE LATIN-AMERICAN PROJECTS SUCH AS:
Mexico
Belize
Venezuela
Trinidad
Guatemala
Panama
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED YOU WILL NEED:
- To be between 18 and 25
- To have between $300 and $500 for transportation and project expenses
- To have the months of July and August free
- To have a desire to teach in rural, mostly Indian areas.
- To have some knowledge of Spanish (except for Trinidad and Belize)
For more information write or call:
- INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60091
| FRANCE | GERMANY | |
| AUSTRIA | ||
| SWITZERLAND | ||
| ITALY |
These words of Shoghi Effendi hold a promise that each one of us longs to help fulfill—and now the youth of America are being offered an opportunity to do just that! During the months of July and August, Switzerland has asked that a large number of youth come to that beautiful country to teach, deepen, sing, and in general live and work with the local people—proclaiming with words and deeds this Glorious Cause.
Linda Marshall, an American believer recently returned from an extended travel teaching trip through Europe, writes: “Dear Friends — I had the pleasure of travel teaching in Europe most of last year and, truly, one could almost feel that continent awakening. Here in the United States you have had so much excitement going on—so many new believers coming under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh that the spirit has become tremendous! Now we want to take that beautiful spirit to Europe—to be of service there, not only to the friends but also to the friends who are there, who have labored with such devotion over the years!
“Since November, the friends in Europe have been saying prayers every evening for the success of the Nine Year Plan—so you can imagine the tremendous spiritual forces that are beginning to be let loose to be used. Europe is one of the hardest areas (spiritually) in the world—an area which the Guardian says is ‘bound for the most part by the ties of religious orthodoxy, sunk in materialism, and fully content with the standard they have achieved....’ ”
The Project in Switzerland is scheduled to last through the months of July and August, and it is estimated that the total cost (including transportation) will be between $500.00 and $600.00.
Added bounties await the participants, in that they will have an opportunity to attend a gigantic youth conference at the end of July and will return from the Project by way of the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference in Iceland. Requirements of the Project are: Age—18-30; Languages—French, German or Italian would be handy but are not necessary—there will be interpreters along.
- If you are interested, call or write:
- International Goals Committee, Summer Projects ’71
- 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
- Phone: 312-256-4400
Switzerland Project Scheduled[edit]
“The seeds, ... they (the European believers) are now sowing... will, under the watchful eye of Providence... germinate at the appointed time and yield a harvest of such proportions as will fill them with astonishment... a sustained concentration on the entire part of the company of the faithful... cannot not fail at this hour to draw forth from the sources of Invisible Power in the Abhá Kingdom a measure of blessings that will abundantly support the bearers of the glad tidings of the new day to the people and races of a sorely afflicted continent and enable them to reap, in this particular fields... such a harvest as will amaze not only themselves, but their countrymen as well.”
In the Southwest, a true flower garden of God exists; however, there is a special need for Spanish-speaking settlers. (If you don’t speak much Spanish, but are self-supporting and desire to work in a mass teaching area, you can be of help too!)
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT THE SPANISH-SPEAKING TEACHING COMMITTEE BEFORE MOVING. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DO SO. WRITE TO, OR CALL:
- SPANISH-SPEAKING TEACHING COMMITTEE
- Mrs. Marilyn Herrera, Secretary
- 917 East State Avenue
- Phoenix, Arizona 85020
- (602) 943-6609
- ¡HAY NOS VEMOS!
Those wishing to attend should be aware of the recommendations of the Deep South Committee as to dress, conduct, and attitudes, and to their mission and goal; they should be self-supporting and have up-to-date membership cards. Expenses will run approximately $1/day or $2/weekend.
Contact point:
- Dr. John Jensen
- 122 Barley Street
- Waterboro, S.C. 29844
- (803) 549-1240
- South Carolina State Goals Committee
The Geyserville Bahá’í School will have a spring vacation session from Sunday, April 4, through Saturday, April 10. The theme will be “Bahá’í Teachings of the Administrative Order.” Rates: couple $60, one person $45, youth $30, and children $15. Send reservations to:
- Registrar
- Box 86
- Geyserville
Green Acre, America’s oldest Bahá’í summer school, is holding an Easter weekend seminar on Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. All Bahá’ís who have read or will have read this most important book by Bahá’u’lláh are welcome to come on the weekend of April 10-11. Mrs. Laverne Rhode will lead the discussion. Food and housing will be provided at a nominal charge. For registration information write to:
- Mrs. Zel Walker
- 112 Hampshire Street
- Auburn, Maine 04210
|
APARTMENT FOR RENT
TOLEDO, OHIO
|
The American Bahá’í
112 LINDEN AVENUE • WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
in this issue...
The Covenant Is Our Protection
Assemblies In Jeopardy
National Convention
What’s Happening in Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming
Summer Projects
Campus Teaching Projects