The American Bahá’í/Volume 20/Issue 9/Text

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[Page 1]

Wife of President of Guyana visits House of Worship

On June 28 Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, the wife of the President of Guyana, visited the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Mrs. Hoyte’s entourage included Mrs. Lorraine Grant, wife of Guyana’s Ambassador to the U.S., and Mrs. Anna Broom, the wife of the Consul for Chicago.

The first lady was welcomed by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. The tour was conducted by Dr. Henderson, the director of the Bahá’í Office of Public Information, and a representative of the staff of the House of Worship.

Also present to greet Mrs. Hoyte was Mrs. Ellen Widmer, who served until last year as chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana and was vacationing in Wilmette.

Mrs. Hoyte said she was familiar with the Bahá’í community in Guyana, and expressed her feelings about the need for religious understanding in society and for governments to recognize the importance of religion.

Her visit to the House of Worship was arranged by the Guyanese Consulate in Chicago.

The National Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í community of Guyana have excellent relations with their government.

President Hoyte received a copy of "The Promise of World Peace" in 1985, and an official presentation was made to him by the entire National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana in February 1986.

About two percent of the population of Guyana is Bahá’í.

Israel's President Herzog visits World Center

To National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice is pleased to share with the Bahá’í communities around the world news of the successful visit of the Head of State of Israel. His Excellency Chaim Herzog, President of the State of Israel, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Aura Herzog, paid an official visit to the Bahá’í World Center on May 25, 1989. The President and his wife came at the invitation of the Universal House of Justice and were received by the nine members at 10 a.m. on the steps of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. This was Mrs. Herzog’s first visit. Due to illness she had not accompanied her husband on his visit in October 1984, when he was the first Head of State to be received by the Universal House of Justice in its new Seat.

After the President’s party was greeted by the Hand of the Cause of God Ali-Akbar Furútan, tea was served in the Concourse of the Seat. The President was escorted to view models of the Arc and terraces and received an explanation of plans for future developments on Mount Carmel from Fariburz Sahba. Both the President and Mrs. Herzog showed keen interest in the projects.

A few weeks earlier, on May 7, Mrs. Herzog, as international President of the Council for a Beautiful Israel, had presented one of the 1989 Magshim Awards to the Bahá’í World Center for its contribution to the beautification of the country, in a gathering held at the residence of the President. The President himself attended the function. This was historic recognition of the distinctive features of the beautiful gardens designed by Shoghi Effendi.

At that time President Herzog addressed the Bahá’ís in the presence of the other prize winners and more than 200 guests, saying, "every place where the Bahá’í(s) step you brought with you a special feeling and sensitivity for beauty and aesthetics. The Center in Haifa, which shortly I will visit again... is one of the examples of the spirit of your Faith."

After viewing the models at the Seat, the President and his party, accompanied by the members of the House of Justice, walked through the Monument Gardens and visited the Shrine of the Báb. They then proceeded to the Mansion of Bahjí and the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

Bahá’ís ‘infuse spirit’ into King Center

Fifteen young Bahá’ís took part July 23-27 in the first Youth Workshop on Non-Violence sponsored by Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change.

The program, in which a total of 200 youth took part, was held concurrently with the 14th annual Adult Workshop on Non-Violence.

A member of the King Center’s board of directors said that "since the Bahá’ís have hooked up with the King Center, a new spirit has been infused" in its programs.

The youth workshop facilitator, a well-respected youth leader at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, asked two of the Bahá’í youth to acquaint those attending the workshop with the basic Bahá’í teachings.

Among those taking part in the adult program with members of the King family were the Rev. Jesse Jackson; Andrew Young, the mayor of Atlanta; former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; comedian Dick Gregory, and entertainer Harry Belafonte.

Mr. Gregory told a Bahá’í who was attending the program that he had been given a copy of the peace statement by Dizzy Gillespie, and added that although the Bahá’ís don't make a lot of noise, he believed they would change the world.

On July 28-29, three Bahá’ís from the Atlanta area attended a meeting of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Festival Commission.

Also attending the meeting, which was held to evaluate last year’s holiday commemorations and to plan next year’s program, were government officials from all over the U.S. who represented various state commissions, governors’ offices, the Department of Defense, and so on.

The Bahá’ís presented an overview of the vision of the Faith and its commitment to the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reported on a campaign undertaken by the Bahá’í National Youth Committee to combat racism on college campuses.

Lloyd Davis, executive director of the Federal Holiday Commission, interrupted the proceedings to ask members of the audience to raise their hands if they had heard of the Bahá’ís. About 75 percent of the group did so.

"If you haven’t met the Bahá’ís," said Mr. Davis, "you are missing out on one of the most important resources in your community.

"I admit my ignorance of the Bahá’ís until last year when I met a Bahá’í in Washington. The Bahá’ís are the group that come closest to Jesse Jackson’s dream of a ‘rainbow coalition.’ The Bahá’ís are the closest thing I’ve seen to Martin’s dream."

Mr. Davis then said that during King Week festivities last January, the Bahá’í volunteers "saved our lives. There wouldn’t have been a King Week last year without them.

"If they are called at two o’clock in the morning, they jump to serve. Even though I’m a Roman Catholic, I take my hat off to the Bahá’ís. If you are not using the Bahá’ís in your community, you have missed the boat."

Mr. Davis’ comments had an obvious impact on the group, and for the rest of the conference the Bahá’ís were approached by representatives of various offices and agencies who asked for more information and continued contact.

Second series of Vision to Victory conferences to be held at six sites beginning in December

As reported previously in The American Bahá’í (July), the National Spiritual Assembly has called for six more Vision to Victory conferences to be held from December through Riḍván.

The conference sites and dates include Phoenix (December 22-24), Minneapolis (January 12-14), Denver (February 16-18), Cleveland (March 30-April 1), Portland (April 6-8) and Birmingham (April 13-15).

Conferences will be hosted by the local Assembly in each of these cities, while the program will be developed by the National Teaching Committee in consultation with local believers.

The purposes of the Vision to Victory conferences are four-fold:

• To increase the friends’ understanding of the significance of completing the building of the Arc on Mount Carmel.
• To inspire the friends to rise to the challenge of teaching "on a scale and of a quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts."
• To inspire the friends, both through individual and collective action, to contribute sacrificially to the Fund.
• To inaugurate a two-year period from Ridván 1988 to Ridván 1990 as a time of intensive sacrificial action.

"We hope to make each of the conferences a special event," says Reynaldo Cruz, secretary of the National Teaching Committee. "They will be working conferences, designed to support and expand the teaching work already taking place in each host area."

Last year 12 Vision to Victory conferences were held—in Atlanta, Boston, Chattanooga, Chicago, Columbia, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, San Jose, Seattle, and the Washington, D.C., area.

These conferences were highlighted by the participation of two retired members of the Universal House of Justice, David Hofman and H. Borrah Kavelin.

Conference contacts

• • Birmingham, Alabama**

Task Force contact: Jackie Logue, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (home, 205-871-2215; work, 205-783-5328). Assembly secretary: Keitha Hudson, Birmingham, AL 35222 (home, 205-595-9905; work, 205-934-2294).

• • Cleveland, Ohio**

Task Force contact: Angela Maldonado, Cleveland, OH 44109 (home, 216-631-2077). Assembly secretary: same as above.

• • Denver, Colorado**

Task Force phone contact: Judy Bartell Uknavage, 303-841-6067. Task Force secretary: Barbara Campbell, Lakewood, CO 80227 (303-987-2280). Assembly secretary: Esther Faris, Denver, CO 80204 (303-455-0311).

• • Minneapolis, Minnesota**

Task Force contact: Sharon Hicks, Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612-825-5048). Assembly secretary: David Ingham, P.O. Box 415, Minneapolis, MN 55458 (home, 612-830-4938; work, 612-823-9074).

• • Portland, Oregon**

Task Force contact: Weslie Gold, Tigard, OR 97224 (home, 503-684-6377). Assembly secretary: Loie Mead, P.O. Box 4245, Portland, OR 97208 (home, 503-281-7247; work, 206-696-7181).

• • Phoenix, Arizona**

Task Force contact: Priscilla Sharp, Phoenix, AZ 85051 (602-995-3817). Assembly secretary: Carol Agahi, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068 (home, 602-996-7092; work, 602-867-2000).

Des Moines Assembly sets goal to reach all Cambodian refugees in state of Iowa

"The present challenge calls for teaching on a scale and of a quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts."—The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1988

The Spiritual Assembly of Des Moines, Iowa, has adopted all Cambodian refugees in that state as its extension teaching goal for 1989-90.

While such an audacious plan may seem at first glance far-fetched, the ground for mass enrollment of Cambodian refugees in Iowa has been patiently tilled by local Bahá’ís for several years.

William Brown, a member of the Assembly in Des Moines, recently reported that he has mentioned the Faith to more than 135 Cambodian adults in the city since 1981.

Of these, 85 have attended Bahá’í firesides and "teaching parties," resulting in 46 declarations (including 19 in one day).

Most of these new friends have since moved to surrounding communities or other parts of the country, like seeds in the wind, carrying the Bahá’í message with them.

The local Assembly’s teaching goal comes at a time when the Universal House of Justice has called upon the friends in the U.S. to make a special effort to reach the Southeast Asian refugees in this country, befriending them and bringing those that are not already Bahá’ís into the Faith.

These people stand ready to enlist under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh for two main reasons: 1. Their intense and prolonged suffering has made them spiritually receptive to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. 2. They are attracted by the Faith’s emphasis on family values and the moral training of children and youth. [Page 2]

‘Turning point’ in history to signal great changes for Faith, humankind

Dear Friends:

We have reached a fundamental turning point in human history, a time, says the Universal House of Justice, when we must anticipate revolutionary changes in the conditions of life on the planet and in the fortunes of the Faith.

In light of the urgent demands of this critical moment in human history, the Supreme Institution has raised the call for each one of us to turn away from solely personal pursuits and "to rise up in sacrificial endeavor, our eyes on the awe-inspiring responsibilities which such developments will place upon Bahá’í institutions and individuals in every land."

We are told that "the time of the end" has come and that we must breathe spiritual life into the body of mankind. We are told that every good thing depends on what we do next. But we look at ourselves and we do not feel capable of carrying such a staggering responsibility. We have so much homework to do—in personal transformation, in race unity and the equality of the sexes, in strengthening our families, and more—that it is hard to see how we will take on the world and succeed.

We are the "broken-winged birds whose flight is very slow." We have only one hope, one refuge from the storm of doubt and anxiety: to fill our hearts with "unshakeable confidence" in the guiding Hand of the Founder of our Faith. For Bahá’u’lláh alone can lead us to accomplish what otherwise could not be done. The Blessed Perfection says about Himself:

"He that hath Me not is bereft of all things. Turn ye away from all that is on earth and seek none else but Me. I am the Sun of Wisdom and the Ocean of Knowledge. I cheer the faint and revive the dead. I am the guiding Light that illumineth the way. I am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping wings of every broken bird and start it on its flight."

Bahá’u’lláh is the lighthouse beacon that will guide the fog-bound ship of our destiny to safe harbor. It is to Him we must appeal, and on Him we must rely. There is nothing else.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States August 20, 1989

North Dakota centennial and history of the Bahá’í Faith

Present and former Bahá’í residents of North Dakota gathered July 1-4 at the state's International Peace Garden to celebrate the North Dakota centennial and the 55-year history of the Bahá’í Faith in that state. Each of the four days had a special focus, with the first day devoted to renewing old friendships and making new ones, the second to a presentation of the history of the Faith in North Dakota, the third to Native Americans, and the fourth to looking to the future with presentations and consultation on the 'institute' teaching model that is enjoying success in Alaska, Canada and some parts of the U.S.; the role of women in the quest for peace; and the environment.

N. Central ABS Committee Issues call for papers on family

The North Central Regional Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies has issued a call for papers and presentations on "Rights and Responsibilities in the Bahá’í Family System" for a conference to be held next February 10-11 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

Submissions should demonstrate a close reliance on the Writings, an avoidance of contention, the need to develop the art of consultation, and clearly reflect the possibilities of the Bahá’í family system as a refuge and resource of well-being for humanity.

Please send papers to the North Central Regional Committee, Association for Bahá’í Studies, P.O. Box 300172, Minneapolis, MN 55403. For more information, please phone Peter Oliver, secretary, 612-544-9497.

Business Advisory Committee helps map financial strategies

In 1987 the National Spiritual Assembly established a Business Development Advisory Committee whose purposes were outlined as follows:

1. To assist the National Assembly through its Office of the Treasurer in identifying business and professional expertise within the community.

2. To suggest ways in which Bahá’ís might plan gifts to the National Fund that would maximize the benefits both to the Fund and the individual by taking advantage of applicable tax-planning strategies.

3. To advise the National Assembly on the development of programs and communications to facilitate the growth of Bahá’í-owned businesses from which the National Fund might benefit directly or indirectly.

4. To advise the National Assembly with regard to specific business or planned giving proposals as they are received from the community or conceived by the National Assembly.

The committee presently consists of a certified financial planner/business consultant, a venture capitalist/entrepreneur, a certified public accountant, and a business attorney. It meets periodically to discuss existing business endeavors and various proposals related to the development and financial progress of the Faith and its members.

The committee welcomes communications from other Bahá’ís regarding business interests, whether proposed or otherwise existing, as well as any suggestions the friends may have to further the purposes for which it was established.

For more information and help, or to discuss your suggestions, please contact the National Treasurer's Office, 312-869-9039, or contact any of the following business committee members:

J. Michael Cavitt, Iowa City, IA 52245 (319-338-9211). Donald C. Decker, Bixby, OK 74008 (918-492-3292). Tess Ridgway, Denver, CO 80206 (719-633-1177). Anthony K. Reid, San Jose, CA 95134 (408-954-8355).

Coming in October

Study Guide on Kitáb-i-Íqán first session of a four-part study guide Look for the special pull-out section in The American Bahá’í

National Center's Bulletin Board system ready

The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce the implementation of its newly developed electronic bulletin board system—the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System (BNCBBS).

The system is to serve as a formal electronic communications tool between the various agencies and offices of the National Spiritual Assembly and individuals in the U.S. Bahá’í community.

The BNCBBS is based on a computer whose sole purpose is to receive calls from other personal computers throughout the country, displaying menus from which users can either collect or leave information and messages.

The bulletin board system is designed to facilitate the achievement of the three main goals of the Six Year Plan: (1) the education of men, women and children; (2) the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies; and (3) entry by troops.

Deepening and educating individuals in the Faith will be facilitated through the wealth of information that will be available on the system. Matters that are not already addressed by the prepared text-files that are available may be dealt with by users leaving messages to the offices and agencies on their menus.

Another aim of the system is that local institutions of the Faith that are on-line (local Assemblies, District Teaching Committees, Groups) will be able to obtain information (guidance, Feast mailings, The American Bahá’í, etc.) and disseminate it to all Bahá’ís in their area, eventually decentralizing some of the work done at the Bahá’í National Center.

Both educating the public about the Faith and helping in the effort toward entry by troops will be made possible through a "public area" on the BBS.

A brief sampling of what abilities the system offers to users at this time is:

(1) to receive information, materials and guidance from the agencies and offices of the National Spiritual Assembly (including Feast mailings and articles and ads from The American Bahá’í and Bahá’í International News Service);

(2) to complete on-line surveys in lieu of mailing in paper forms such as those for address changes, local Spiritual Assembly and Group formation reports, and Bahá’í I.D. card replacement requests;

(3) to submit articles and classified ads for The American Bahá’í;

(4) to upload files intended for delivery to agencies and offices of the National Spiritual Assembly (i.e., DTC minutes, community reports, etc.);

(5) to leave inquiries or messages for the various agencies and offices of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The BNCBBS also has a limited area set up for non-Bahá’í users, which offers news releases and general information about the Faith.

While this area will be open to the general public, it has been designed so that the Office of Public Information can invite the public media to collect accurate news and press releases about the Faith and the U.S. Bahá’í community via the BBS.

Today, with more than 100 users on-line, a wealth of information available in various forms,

World Center

(continued from page 1)

...ceeded to Bahjí, visited the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the Mansion, and sections of the gardens. The President and Mrs. Herzog, together with the mayor of ‘Akká, Eli de Castro, and Mrs. de Castro, who joined the party at the Mansion, as well as the members of the Universal House of Justice, the secretary-general and deputy secretary-general of the Bahá’í International Community and their spouses, had lunch together under the arches of the Mansion.

Admiration for the beauty of the Bahá’í gardens and buildings, compliments on the community service of the Bahá’ís, and gratitude for greetings received from Bahá’í communities in the countries the President and Mrs. Herzog have visited were repeatedly expressed. A gift of a Persian miniature painting was given to the President and his wife, after which a special presentation of 50 Araucaria trees was made to Mrs. Herzog for the use of the Council for a Beautiful Israel.

In his concluding speech at the Mansion prior to his departure, the President particularly reiterated the pleasure of the State for the existence of the Bahá’í World Center here, and conveyed the good-will of the people of the country to Bahá’ís everywhere.

Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat June 1, 1989 [Page 3]

171 local Assemblies must send election report forms

TEACHING

As of August 20, the Management Information Systems office at the Bahá’í National Center had not received Assembly election forms from 171 Assemblies that were reportedly formed at Ridván.

To recognize these divinely ordained Spiritual Assemblies, an election report form or a confirmed report of the election (including election date, number voting, elected members of the Assembly with number of votes received, teller's signature and results of the election of officers or the naming of a temporary contact person) must be received.

Below is a list of Assemblies from which election results have not been received:

ARIZONA Kaibito Chapter, Kayenta Chapter, Pima Co. East, Pima Co. South, Rock Point, San Carlos Res., Somerton, South Tucson, White Cone Chapter.

ARKANSAS Fayetteville, Pulaski County.

CALIFORNIA Apple Valley, Calexico, Cerritos, El Toro-Lake Forest, Hawthorne, Malibu JD, Marin County, Orange Co. N. JD, Palmdale, Pleasanton, Redondo Beach, Ridgecrest, West Hollywood, Whittier.

COLORADO Jefferson County, Mesa County, Southern Ute Res.

FLORIDA Bryant, Casselberry, Hillsborough Co. NW, Hollywood, Maitland, Okeechobee Center, Riviera Beach, South Bay, Washington Park.

GEORGIA Barnesville, Cobb Co. South, Cobb. Co. Southeast, College Park, Crawford County, Dooly County, Ellaville, Fairburn, Fayette County, Fort Valley, Fulton Co. South, Grantville, Hawkinsville, Houston County, Ideal, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Lilly, Lumpkin, Macon County, Marshallville, Meriweather, Montezuma, Newnan, Oglethorpe, Palmetto, Perry, Pinehurst, Pulaski County, Reynolds, Richland, Rockdale, Shellman, Unadilla, Vienna, Villa Rica, Zebulon.

IDAHO Nez Perce Res.

ILLINOIS Cairo, La Grange.

KANSAS Wellington.

KENTUCKY Lancaster

MARYLAND Somerset County, Worchester County.

MASSACHUSETTS Brookline Town, Greenfield Town, Lowell, Nantucket*.

MICHIGAN Canton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Jackson, Royal Oak, Wyandotte.

MINNESOTA Eagen, Ponemah.

MISSOURI Jefferson City.

MONTANA Billings, Missoula County, N. Cheyenne Res.

NEW HAMPSHIRE Hudson Town, Portsmouth.

NEW JERSEY Englewood, Willingboro.

NEW MEXICO Red Lake Chapter, Taos County.

NEW YORK Albany, Amherst Town, N. Hempstead Town.

NORTH CAROLINA Greenville, Kinston.

OHIO Fairburn.

OKLAHOMA Ada, Frederick, Mayes County, Ponca City, Tulsa.

OREGON Clackamas Co. South, Washington Co. North.

SOUTH CAROLINA Aikenville, Bamburg, Blackville, Bloomingvale, Bishopville, Boggy Swamp, Bowman, Charleston, Denmark, Dovesville, Edgemore, Greater Greeleyville, Greater Kingstree, Greater Swansea, Greeleyville, Indian Town, Kingstree, Lane, Millwood, Oatland, Pee Dee-Georgetown County, Salters, South Bishopville, South Sumter, Stuckey, Sumter, Timmonsville.

SOUTH DAKOTA Bordeaux District, Cherry Creek, Little Eagle, Parmelee, Pine Ridge District, St. Frances, Soldiers Creek, Wakpamni District, Wounded Knee District.

TENNESSEE Memphis.

TEXAS Belton, Georgetown, Kerrville, Manor, Temple, Wichita Falls.

UTAH Logan.

VIRGINIA Annandale, Greater Vienna, Henrico County.

WASHINGTON King CCD No. 4, King CCD No. 8, Lynnwood, Toppenish, Vancouver, Yakima Res.

WEST VIRGINIA Bluefield.

Officers have been reported but original formation form has not been received.

Notice: The annual District Convention for electoral units 123, 124 and 125, previously scheduled for Saturday, October 7, in Florence, South Carolina, has been changed to Sunday, October 8, at 3 p.m.

For more information, please contact Bret Breneman, 803-667-1540.

Five adults, 15 children from Georgia visit National Center, House of Worship

Reynaldo Cruz (standing), secretary of the National Teaching Committee, conducts a deepening session for 15 children from Griffin, Georgia, who visited the Bahá’í National Center and House of Worship in July accompanied by four adults from that mass-taught community.

On July 4-5, the National Teaching Committee office hosted a special visit to the Bahá’í National Center and House of Worship for five adults and 15 children from Griffin, Georgia.

Housing was provided by the Bahá’ís of Chicago at the Chicago Bahá’í Center.

Highlights included breakfast, lunch and dinner activities sponsored by the National Teaching Committee staff; a children's deepening session with Reynaldo Cruz, secretary of the National Teaching Committee; tours of the House of Worship and National Center; and a picnic with members of the Assemblies of Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette.

The children were given "Unity of Mankind" T-shirts, copies of Brilliant Star magazine, and an assortment of balloons and buttons with Bahá’í slogans.

Adults in the group received Bahá’í prayer books and copies of Bahá’í News for themselves and to share with the friends in Griffin.

Unity Award

Sara Bentley (second from right), president and publisher of the Salem (Oregon) Statesman-Journal newspaper, accepts the Spiritual Assembly of Salem's Unity Award from Lynn Mitchum, chairman of the Assembly. Looking on (left to right) are Assembly member Cynthia Ernst; Bill Florence, executive editor of the Statesman-Journal; and Assembly member Kathy Herter (partially hidden). The award was given to the newspaper for its contribution toward construction of the Salem Peace Plaza and the publication of many articles promoting understanding among various cultural and religious groups in the community. The plaque, engraved in gold on a black enamel finish, includes a gold nine-pointed star and is trimmed in gold on a walnut-finish base. A separate plate with the quotation 'So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth' is mounted at the bottom of the plaque. The Salem Assembly also presented the paper with a statement of appreciation, thank-you cards and leather-bound copies of 'The Promise of World Peace.'

Bahá’í Justice Society holds fourth annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia

More than 80 people gathered June 9-11 at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, for the fourth annual Conference of the Bahá’í Justice Society.

This year's theme was "Economic Justice-Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor."

Speakers and their topics included:

Judge James F. Nelson ("The Future Role of the Bahá’í Justice Society" and "Economics, Justice and the Law: Reflections of a Bahá’í Judge").

J.J. Ebaugh, Turner Broadcasting ("Planet Live").

Dr. Dwight Allen ("The Role of Education in Economic Justice").

Jack Guillebeaux ("Justice Only Through Oneness").

Gregory Dahl ("Interdependence, Law and the International Economy").

Also included were workshops on various topics and a panel discussion, "The Women's Perspective on Economic Justice."

A fireside, co-sponsored by the Justice Society and Greater Atlanta Bahá’í Task Force, drew more than 130 people for presentations by Judge Nelson and Dash and Billie Lee Crofts.

Ted Amsden, John Dale, Steven Gonzales, Linda Khadem and Yvor Stoakley were elected to the Society's board of officers for 1989-90.

Peace statement ready in Esperanto

Copies of the Universal House of Justice's peace statement, "The Promise of World Peace," are now available in Esperanto.

For more information, write to Pierre Parini, 8 rue de la Fontaine, L-447, Soleuvre, Switzerland.

Board

(from page 2)

With plenty of Help Menu and New User information, many offices and committees operating on-line, and (from user feedback) what is considered a very user-friendly structure, the BNCBBS is ready for full use by the U.S. Bahá’í community.

To access the BNCBBS, users must have a personal computer, a communications software package, and a 300, 1200 or 2400 baud modem.

The BNCBBS phone number is 312-869-0389, and callers should set their software parameter settings for N/8/1 (No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit). The BNCBBS will accept calls 24 hours a day.

Please note: As of November 11, 1989, the area code for the BNCBBS phone number will change from 312 to 708. After that date, please telephone 708-869-9039. [Page 4]

A loving letter from two 'senior' pioneers to Cyprus

Beloved Friends,

We had often heard how much it means to pioneers to receive news from "home," and now we know from personal experience how very deep that pleasure can be.

Thank you for Bahá’í News and "Pioneer Post." It's really true that when they arrive other things pale in importance. Our gratitude for their regular arrival is no less great because of our failure to express it earlier.

Here we are, well into our second year of pioneering on Cyprus, and I am just now translating good intentions into action. Part of the reason is an awareness of my inability to convey adequately the new meaning that my life has taken on; but here goes:

Having ventured forth in the evening of our lives (well, midafternoon, anyway—we're only 69 and 74!), Art and I are grateful beyond words that we have the privilege of offering pioneering service to the Cause.

Admittedly, practical problems that had to be solved to bring about a permanent move to another country seemed to us monumental. We were, after all, firmly rooted in American life and culture, with little international experience.

How do we set up our social security income so it can be immediately available in Cyprus? What do we do about health insurance? How can we afford to pay for it? How can we afford not to? How shall we dispose of the things we'll no longer need? What will we no longer need? Should we ship our furniture—is it cheaper to buy? Will things be available? What do we do with the lifelong collection of "things" precious to a family? Will anyone be interested in them after we have died? Should we take them with us—the pictures and slides and newspaper articles and awards and books and files? How can we get our income taxes done next year? Where will we live once we get there? How expensive will it be? Will we be of any value to the community—aren't we too old for this sort of thing?

Oh, yes, there were many problems to be overcome. Decisions had to be made even though there were sometimes a minimum of facts available.

Even the information supplied by Pioneer Fact Sheets was sometimes confusing, since by then we were so stuffed with concerns that we could not be objective.

Finally, however, the wheels that had been set in motion carried us away and into a new life, in spite of ourselves.

The support of friends and family during those last hectic days in the U.S. lifted us over the abyss and set our faces toward our goal. Even now, their responses to our calls for help, for parts for an American-made piece of equipment, for attention to property yet to be disposed of, for serving as liaison with various departments of the government—even now, we still benefit from the wonderful support of friends and family.

Well over a year has passed since we settled in Paphos, Cyprus. Now when we go "downtown," there are Cypriots who acknowledge us, shopkeepers who help us with our stumbling Greek, bus and taxi drivers who know who we are.

If we need a doctor we go to a local one, and he helps us. No need for an appointment—"This is Cyprus," they say. "Come when you need to. I'll take care of you." And the fee? Well, it would take a lot of them to pay for an insurance policy.

Cyprus is not a "third world" country. It is a divided island, with enormous political problems and cultural distress, and with a citizenry trying to balance itself between a still-active, ancient, superstition-riddled, stone-age "social system" and a money-hungry, development-minded western world of struggle for material supremacy that is making itself strongly felt. Cyprus is undergoing vast changes, and its people are trapped in its explosion.

Always, of course, in a healthy Bahá’í community there is a diverse group which, because of its very diversity, has a multitude of talents. And every talent is needed.

We have a few Cypriot believers, and the rest are pioneers. Everyone is committed to finding those souls whose hearts are prepared to receive Bahá’u’lláh’s Message.

We are all aware of the importance of strengthening the Bahá’í community and its institutions. We know that we can each make a unique contribution to the whole. Retirees who do not need to enter the work force (indeed, who may not) offer no threat to the local people, so it is much easier for them to live here without harassment.

AFRICA

Liberia: West African Bahá’í Music Festival, "Peace Through Unity," December 8-10, 1989.

Nigeria: nine national teaching projects, four in universities, five in villages, ongoing.

Senegal: needs traveling teachers, especially youth, ongoing.

Zimbabwe: needs traveling teachers to help with teaching and consolidation in secondary schools. In one month, 3,000 people declared, ongoing. Deepening institute, ongoing.

AMERICAS

Alaska: Yukon Bahá’í Institute, ongoing.

Argentina: The May Maxwell Conference, "Uniting the Americas," Ayyám-i-Há 1990.

Bahamas: "Island of the Season" project, ongoing.

Dominican Republic: needs two volunteer teachers to work in academic school and teach the Faith, ongoing.

Ecuador: International Conference for the Friends of Dr. Muhájir, to confirm the victories won so far during "Muhájir Year" and to spur on the believers to even greater efforts, December 28-30, 1989.

Haiti: needs French-speaking traveling teachers, ongoing.

Honduras: "Project Bayán" and "Tabarsi Institute"—need fluent Spanish speakers who can stay for at least a month for teaching and consolidation, ongoing.

Jamaica: needs long-term, mature traveling teachers, ongoing.

Leeward Islands: needs "resident teachers" who can stay for one to six months, ongoing.

Panama: "Extended Project Sites": teaching projects, ongoing.

Puerto Rico: mass teaching project in Cabo Rojo area, ongoing.

Uruguay: International Women's Conference, Montevideo, October 6-8, 1989.

ASIA

Hong Kong: mass-teaching project, ongoing.

Korea: mass-teaching project, ongoing.

Singapore: mass teaching project, needs six full-time teachers, ongoing.

Taiwan: "Muhájir Project," mass-teaching, ongoing.

AUSTRALASIA

Eastern Caroline Islands: needs deepened, knowledgeable, mature traveling teachers to stay for at least one to three months, ongoing.

EUROPE

Germany: European Teaching Conference, March 24-25, 1990.

Switzerland: teaching project; needs traveling teachers who can stay for short-, mid- or long-term service, ongoing.

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

PIONEER POST

PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF PIONEERING of the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS of the UNITED STATES

"I feel the urge to write in gratitude to the Pioneer Post for giving us the joy of visualizing the fast growth of the Cause all over the planet." - Dominican Republic

"Greetings from the Caribbean! I would like to share with Bahá’ís around the world who receive this wonderful publication a great summer of teaching involving the youth of the Caribbean..." - Virgin Islands

"...the Pioneer Post, making it possible for each to know the other's hopes, struggles and valiant efforts for our beloved Cause, and to feel you are living a little bit right along with them in the varied climes, areas and conditions they write about. It's stimulating! It's endearing!" - Chile

"It brings tears to my eyes to read the Pioneer Post." - Togo

"...one Belgian pioneer (in America) started writing to me after seeing our family's photo in Pioneer Post. It was so nice to make a new friend this way." - Togo

"Loving thanks for Pioneer Post, which always makes me feel happy and inspired after reading its letters." - The Philippines

"Pioneer Post is our window on the world of endeavor which is closest to our hearts. Through it, we can enter into the lives of friends in other posts, perhaps "remove a difficulty", at least draw closer to the daily lives of men and women everywhere to bring them the healing of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message. To say nothing of the cross-pollination of ideas. Pioneer Post helps us to keep a perspective, to rejoice with all those who go out and with all those who stay. Being a Bahá’í anywhere is a pioneering experience..." - France

Good news and ideas, encouragement and comfort, global perspective, inspiration, teaching tools, new friends...even a good cry....

PIONEER POST - Your link to the world

Subscriptions are only $4.00 per year. Send check, payable to Bahá’í Services Fund, to the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Nigeria reports vast opportunities to teach Faith there

The National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria reports that opportunities to teach the Faith in that country are vast.

Nine nationally sponsored teaching projects are presently under way—four at universities and five in village areas.

The National Assembly has received funds to purchase a Mobile Institute van and will begin such a service in the near future.

At the universities, teams visit deans, heads of departments and other administrative personnel to present copies of the peace statement after sending a letter requesting an appointment.

With devaluation of the currency in Nigeria, $200/U.S. per month can pay for transport for a traveling teacher. It is possible to obtain a visitor's visa for three months, renewable up to three times.

There are presently only 12 pioneers in Nigeria, whose English-speaking population is estimated at 100 million.

The National Spiritual Assembly warmly invites North Americans to come to Nigeria as traveling teachers; they would be welcomed in any Bahá’í community they could visit.

For more information about Nigeria and the opportunities to travel and teach there, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039). [Page 5]We Want to Help Build the Arc! Love from our Bahá’í Class

A recent contribution to help build the Arc on Mount Carmel was sent to the National Treasurer’s Office ‘with love’—and the lovely drawings shown here—by the Bahá’í children’s class in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Accompanying the children’s art work was a photograph of the class with its teacher, Mrs. Lauren Graham. The children are Borzou Motlagh, Hedya Aryani, Rebecca Robb, Ghazell Motlagh, Katie Robb and Reyna Godoy.

Navajo Bahá’ís present ‘Peace Flame’ to Apache tribe

On July 19 the “Eternal Peace Flame,” ignited for UNICEF’s first Earth Run in 1986, was presented by Navajo Bahá’ís to the White Mountain Apache tribe.

The event, described by Chester Kahn as “one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen,” was attended by several hundred Apaches on the White Mountain Reservation in Arizona.

During the ceremony, copies of “The Promise of World Peace” were given to the spiritual leaders who received the flame, and the Bahá’í message of peace was shared with everyone.

Two Apaches who had attended the “Navajoland Gathering of the Tribes” on July 15-16 organized the ceremony after the Spiritual Assembly of Oak Springs/Pine Springs had consulted and agreed to offer them this symbol of cooperation.

The Peace Flame was brought to the Navajo Reservation on July 12 as a gift of peace and unity from the Bahá’ís of San Francisco, the community which was appointed caretaker of the flame by UNICEF.

On July 14 it was presented to the Hopi people in care of Radford Quamahongnewa, a traditional spiritual leader.

Continuing its journey of peace, the flame then went to Canada with a Navajo delegation to the “Spiritual Unity of Tribes Gathering” in Saskatchewan.

To prepare for its presentation to the Apaches, about 20 people gathered for pre-dawn prayers and blessings at the prayer hogan of the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck.

Nine vehicles filled with representatives from Navajoland then traveled south to Hondah on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

They were met and escorted by a caravan of vehicles into White River (19 miles from Hondah), where the ceremony was held.

The Flame arrived on horseback, carried by Benjamin Kahn (spokesman for the Navajo group), who explained to the assemblage its significance and the message of the Bahá’í Faith which had helped bring the Flame to share among the Native Americans.

Another Navajo, Joseph Nelson, then spoke in Navajo (which is similar to the Apache language) about the need for unity among the tribes and the role the Peace Flame can play in bringing them together.

The spiritual part of the ceremony blended Native American tradition with the message of peace brought by the Eternal Peace Flame.

Four Apache medicine men, who never before had cooperated with one another, together accepted the Flame to the applause of Apaches witnessing this unprecedented display of unity.

After prayers, each of these men took up his drum and, one by one, each blessed the Flame with chants and dances.

After the blessings were ended, the microphone was opened to all and there was an exchange of gifts.

The messages from both sides were full of love and peace and hope, stressing the importance of raising the children in a more spiritual environment.

A van was brought in to transfer the flame, and the Apaches invited their Navajo guests to follow the medicine men in eating lunch. The gathering then dispersed after plans were made for an Apache-Navajo youth exchange later in the summer.

The Eternal Peace Flame, carried by Benjamin Kahn (right), reaches its destination, the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

Radford Quamahongnewa, a Hopi Indian traditional leader (third from left), accepts the Peace Flame from Benjamin Kahn, spokesman for the Navajo delegation that brought the flame to the Apache and Hopi Reservations. The Peace Flame was first ignited for UNICEF’s Earth Run in 1986. [Page 6]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The Amer-ican Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, no-tices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or com-mercial messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been ap-proved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exer-cise their own judgment in re-sponding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

WANTED: head cook/kitchen su-pervisor at the Maxwell Bahá’í School in British Columbia, Canada. Must be able to take charge of kitchen accom-modating 100-150 people seven days a week. Experience with diet/nutrition, meal planning, food budgets and per-sonnel supervision. Possibly a retired person with a desire to work at a school? Please contact Dr. Ray John-son, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Shawnigan Lake, BC VOR 2W0, Ca-nada, or phone 604-743-7144.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

OVERSEAS JOBS: Africa. Kenya: P.A.s, teaching position; university professors. Nigeria: Project adviser; primary health specialist; design engi-neer, water supply project. Americas. Brazil: deputy director, CHILD-HOPE. Dominica: psychiatric nurses. Honduras: sociologist, teaching and research; medical trainer (MD); lab and X-ray technician; procurement specialist. Turks and Caicos: general practice physician; dentist; assistant manager, motorcycle shop. Asia/Aus-tralasia. Malaysia: construction man-ager. Marshall Islands: laboratory education coordinator; associate pro-gram administrator; accounting of-ficer; nursing patient care adviser; hospital administrative adviser; phy-sicians. Taiwan: geriatric medicine; chemotherapist; respiratory therapist; nurse. Multi-Regional: foreign service auditors. For information about any of these positions, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Cen-ter, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE ANNUAL Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, administered by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), is a "teacher-for-teacher" exchange program with U.S. teachers being matched with those from overseas on a position-by-position basis. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Cen-ter, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

TURKS and Caicos: urgent need for an assistant manager, Honda motor-cycle sales, rental and service shop. Must have experience in bicycle mechanics, small engine repair and maintenance; bookkeeping experience helpful. Any experience with PCVs and/or furniture manufacturing a plus. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í Na-tional Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

FAST-growing Florida community needs small Bahá’í family or retired couple to serve as caretakers for the Bahá’í Center. A nice two-bedroom, two-bath home with attached den and extra bedroom available for $325 a month. Community will pay $120 to-ward all expenses. Extra bedroom, bath and den to be used as Center with kitchen privileges for Feasts, firesides, etc. For more information, write to the Spiritual Assembly of Citrus County, P.O. Box 415, Inverness, FL 32651, or phone Fran Hunter, secre-tary, 919-344-3458.

BAHÁ’Í family bi-lingual in Span-ish and looking for a chance to serve the Faith is needed in Laredo, Texas. Job opportunities in teaching are available; five minutes from the Mex-ican border and three hours to San Antonio, Corpus Christi or the Gulf of Mexico. Please contact the South Texas District Teaching Committee, c/o Elvia Ramirez, 512-631-8786.

BAHÁ’Í fluent in Vietnamese and English needed to help the Bahá’í community of New Orleans reach a large Vietnamese community. Hospi-tality and/or travel expenses will be provided. Need is urgent. For more in-formation, write to Teaching Commit-tee, Spiritual Assembly of New Or-leans, New Orleans, LA 70130, or phone (collect) 504-243-9132 or 504-246-6354.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives has available several free information sheets on local archives and records. Any local Spiritual Assembly wanting a copy should write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Uni-versal House of Justice, original let-ters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Betty Covington (died New York City, ca. 1939), Diantha Crisp, Jessie F. Crock-ett, Ray C. Crowell, John S. Crowley (died Beverly, MA, 1935), Hilda T. Cummins, Gladys Curby (died Staun-ton, VA, 1964). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who may have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

PERIODICALS

MORE REQUESTS for Brilliant Star! We have just received a list of 10 Bahá’í children's class teachers living in Trinidad and Tobago who would love to use Brilliant Star. The West In-dies is one of the poorest areas in the world, and it is not possible to find American dollars with which to pur-chase American magazines. You can help the Bahá’í children of the West Indies learn Bahá’í prayers and teach-ings, Bahá’í history and beliefs, and about the loving world community to which they belong. Donate a subscrip-tion to Brilliant Star to a children's class in Trinidad and Tobago for only $15 for one year. For more informa-tion, write to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

Members of the Kuumba House singing and dancing troupe were among the performers June 11 during a Bahá’í-sponsored Race Unity Day festival at the Univer-sity of Houston, Texas.

More than 300 take part in Race Unity Festival planned by Houston Assembly

More than 300 people, most of whom were not Bahá’ís, took part June 11 in a Race Unity Day fes-tival sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Houston, Texas. Many like-minded groups in-cluding the Martin Luther King Community Center, Peace Links, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews were repre-sented at the event.

The keynote address, "The Hu-man Race: One Race for the World," was given by Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. Katharine Whitmeyer, the may-or of Houston, proclaimed June 11 "Race Unity Day" in that city.

WANTED

WANTED: ideas and suggestions that would be useful in developing workshops on 'the most challenging issue. Please send to Julianne Pa-gano, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

Arise!

National Center seeks qualified applicants for several positions

The Department of Human Re-sources at the Bahá’í National Center is seeking qualified persons to fill the following positions:

Administrative consultant, Com-munity Administration: Functions within the Office of the Secretary; responsible for guiding and helping Bahá’í institutions, agencies, Groups and individuals with matters pertain-ing to Bahá’í laws and principles; re-sponds to letters and phone calls from his/her assigned geographical area and prepares background data on per-sonal status cases; helps the depart-ment head prepare reports for the Na-tional Spiritual Assembly. Qualifica-tions: a sharp and analytical mind, a high sense of confidentiality, ability to write clearly and concisely and to turn over a high volume of work on a time-ly basis, and a profound knowledge of the Bahá’í teachings.

Assistant controller, Office of the Treasurer: Performs general account-ing functions, helps with planned au-tomation of financial and other func-tional programs, maintains general ledger, reconciles bank statements, prepares monthly financial state-ments, works directly with controller. Qualifications: B.S. in accounting, two-three years relevant experience, ability to use Lotus 1-2-3, ability to read financial spread sheets.

Refugee program assistant, U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Helps admin-ister the refugee resettlement program under the supervision of the U.S. Ba-há’í Refugee Program coordinator; corresponds with refugees, sponsors, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í agencies in-volved in refugee resettlement; re-sponds to telephone and personal in-quiries; maintains refugee program files (manual and electronic); prepares and sends E-mail, telexes and cables; prepares reports; performs other as-signed tasks related to the refugee pro-gram. Qualifications: Good commu-nication skills in English (Persian is desirable), strong organizational skills, a good eye for detail, ability to work under pressure; familiarity with Persian and Southeast Asian cultures is desirable.

Program assistant/translator, Persian-American Affairs Office. Translates, writes and types, responds to correspondence in English and Per-sian, helps prepare Persian pages in The American Bahá’í, helps authen-ticate credentials of Persian Bahá’ís, maintains Persian credentials files in Persian and English. Qualifications: excellent oral and written skills in Per-sian and English, ability to perform detailed, precise work under pressure, typing in Persian and English (at least 40 wpm), ability and willingness to learn word processing, familiarity with Iranian culture and etiquette; must have a good understanding of Bahá’í teachings, principles and laws as practiced in Iran and the U.S.

Teaching coordinator/Indian desk-Chicago Project, National Teaching Committee. Stimulates and develops all efforts related to teaching; cor-responds with District Teaching Com-mittees, local Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members, Groups and individuals from an assigned geo-graphical area; responds to inquiries and phone calls regarding teaching; gathers information to implement ef-fective teaching strategies; helps local Assemblies to create breakthroughs in teaching; works with established ma-jor project/conference site, and per-forms other tasks related to teaching. Should be familiar with and sensitive to the needs of the American Indian population. Qualifications: ability to consult and work well in groups, strong and effective communication skills (oral and written), ability to plan and organize one's own work, ability to set priorities and manage time, typ-ing and other general office skills, ability and willingness to learn word processing, ability to interact effec-tively with those of diverse cultural backgrounds, strong personal desire to teach and be a part of "entry by troops."

Mail services assistant, Manage-ment Information Services. Performs all duties that pertain to mail services, processes all incoming and outgoing mail, processes UPS, Federal Express, SKY PAC and postal express mail, helps with shipping and receiving, and performs other services related to mail operations. Qualifications: ability to obtain a valid Illinois driver's license and to drive an automobile, ability and willingness to learn and operate Pitney Bowes mailing machines, good aptitude for numbers, and able to read well.

Associate editor, Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Helps the general editor in edit-ing and reprinting of Bahá’í writings and in developing compilations and other presentations of the Bahá’í writ-ings in pursuit of the publishing, teaching and consolidation goals de-veloped by the managers and trustees of the Publishing Trust; helps with the development of strategy for the publi-cation of Bahá’í writings and compila-tions suitable for the Trust's program including recruiting compilers, pre-paring proposals for new projects, and drafting author-publisher contracts in consultation with the general editor and compiler or author; helps evaluate and critique new titles/projects on an ongoing basis, and helps obtain reader critiques; helps prepare feasibility studies for new and back-list titles, making sure adequate information is available to the marketing depart-ment; edits assigned manuscripts, and performs other tasks related to the position as assigned. Qualifications: two years of editorial experience, a deep and thorough understanding of Bahá’í concepts, principles and teachings, bachelor's degree, demon-strable expertise in language skills, letter-writing, editing, handling dif-ficult authors by letter and telephone, typing and computer skills (minimum 50 wpm).

Customer service representative/re-ceptionist, Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Helps the fulfillment manager provide support to customers by answering the telephone and routing calls, greets guests and clients of the Trust, enters orders and answers questions about Bahá’í literature and customer ac-counts, helps maintain fulfillment file, operates a multi-line switchboard, in-puts orders on a computer, helps the fulfillment manager with correspon-dence, performs other tasks related to customer service. Qualifications: fa-miliarity with the content and use of Bahá’í literature and materials, ability to enter information rapidly and accu-rately into a computer, ability to speak in English clearly and concisely, abil-ity to remain calm and cordial under high pressure, familiarity with debits and credits, ability and willingness to learn to operate a multi-line switch-board.

Custodian, NSA Properties. Per-forms all phases of building cleaning, particularly floor stripping, waxing, buffing, window and wall washing and other janitorial duties needed at the House of Worship. Qualifications: ability to work at night; previous ex-perience in building and cleaning de-sirable.

Maintenance worker, NSA Proper-ties. Performs all phases of building maintenance at the House of Worship. Qualifications: experience in tuck pointing, caulking and concrete re-pairs; must be familiar with all aspects of electrical, plumbing and mechan-ical maintenance; ability to coordinate maintenance work and other duties re-lated to maintenance duties as as-signed.

Administrative assistant, District Convention. Operates within the Of-fice of the Secretary; helps with all aspects of planning and coordinating District Conventions, produces re-ports as requested, maintains data base on District Convention plans, oversees Convention financing by re-viewing proposed budget forms and fi-nancial report forms, maintains well-organized files on all aspects of Con-vention planning, evaluates and pro-vides delegate apportionment infor-mation to the National Assembly peri-odically, Qualifications: two years previous office experience, strong organizational skills, ability to coor-dinate a high volume of detailed infor-mation, strong clerical skills including typing (at least 50 wpm), excellent written and oral communication skills, ability and willingness to learn word processing. Interested applicants may send resumés to Bahá’í National Cen-ter, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039, ext. 265, for more informa-tion. [Page 7]Although August, a month when the General Assembly is not in session, is normally one of the slower months at the United Nations, the Bahá’í UN offices hummed with activity.

The second week alone included visits by Glenford Mitchell, a member of the Universal House of Justice; Counsellor Kamran Eshragian from Australia; Sandra Todd from the Office of Public Information in Haifa; Juana Conrad, a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly; Katherine Bigelow from the National Assembly’s Office of External Affairs; Steven Gonzales and Farfar Guillebeaux, members of the National Committee on Women; and Bahia Mitchell and Carol Yetken, members of the World Congress Logistics Office.

Each of these visitors came for an on-site visit, to attend a meeting, to consult on a project, or to report on the progress of activities.

Coordination of women’s issues brought together the representative for the Bahá’í International Community (BIC), members of the U.S. National Committee on Women, the deputy director of the Office of External Affairs, the U.S./UN representative, and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly in an all-day meeting on August 11.

Mr. Mitchell opened the meeting with words of encouragement, which were reinforced by those of Dr. Wilma Ellis, administrator-general of the BIC offices.

The agenda included defining the roles of the separate institutions, implementing inter-communications, developing a policy statement on pre-school child care, and clarifying the purpose and extent of Bahá’í involvement with other non-governmental organizations devoted to women’s and children’s issues.

That same week, the Logistics Office for the 1992 World Congress was at work on the many complex details necessary for the accommodation of more than 30,000 Bahá’ís in the City of the Covenant.

At the same time, consultation was taking place on a proposed worldwide Bahá’í environmental plan with a major focus on tree-planting.

Assigned to coordinate the plan was Lawrence Arturo, an American Bahá’í who had been pioneering with his wife, Zeena, in Perth, Australia and who is a specialist in environmental development. Once formulated, the plan will be announced to the Bahá’í world.

In response to the recent acceleration of events and the increased Bahá’í involvement in world issues, the BIC has taken additional space on the same floor at 866 UN Plaza.

Presently installed in the new suite are the offices of “One Country,” the Bahá’í international newsletter; the “Tree Project,” and a master file room.

Space has also been set aside for special projects as they are assigned by the World Center and for the growing number of volunteers who serve on BIC/U.S. projects.

Detroit Bahá’ís present public service seminars

The Spiritual Assembly of Detroit’s Teaching Committee recently conducted a series of public service seminars at two branch libraries of the Detroit public library system.

Speakers included Bahá’ís, representatives from such groups as the Michigan Women’s Foundation, Wayne State University, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), faculty members from Mercy College, an elementary school principal, members of the Southwest Detroit Reconciliation Center, and the Detroit city council.

The sessions were moderately well attended, and many new friends were made for the Faith.

Pioneers

(from page 4)

younger pioneers who (a) have been forced to leave the island, (b) live under a constant threat of deportation, (c) struggle with painful decisions about the education of their children, or (d) are so exhausted from their daily work that even attendance at Nineteen Day Feasts, Holy Day observances, conventions or schools is looked on as a great triumph. They need a support group!

In a community beset with such problems, retirees, freed from such exhausting details, can be a definite plus if we manage to set aside our worn-out bodies.

Friends, there is so much to be done, and never enough hands to do it. There is surely no need for any of us to have a lonely old age. No need to worry about material concerns. If you have even a small stipend on which to live, there is a place in the world where you can enjoy the necessities of life while making an extra, unique and valuable contribution to the development of the Cause.

I recall a question at last year’s Cyprus summer school about the gradual development of the soul, from conception to birth, and from birth through the stages of expanding awareness that are so dramatically evident in the early years of one’s life; through the tumultuous teen years and on into maturity.

It was suggested that there is a certain age (give or take a few years) where each of these steps is intended to take place. And the question was raised, When does a person change from active adult participation in any or all challenging areas, and gracefully accept a role as spectator?

Do you know, we could not find in the Writings any reference to a “step” into a passive, “grandparent” stage as a part of a lifelong process?

Old age, right up to “Death, the Final Stage of Growth” (a book by Kubler-Ross that is well worth reading), is a condition in life that continues to demand spiritual development, and gives unique and challenging opportunities for increased awareness and wisdom.

Of course we can serve as grandparents, both to our children’s children and to beautiful pioneer children, but also central to our lives, we can serve the Faith in its administration, its social development, in teaching, deepening, in whatever ways we have the skills for.

What is it like to be an “older Bahá’í” at a pioneer post? Frustrating. Sometimes exhausting. Always challenging. With moments of inexpressible joy (usually connected with the discovery of a new believer and/or reflections of unity within one’s adopted community).

In short, the bounties of pioneering seem to fall on young and old alike. We seem to be just like other Bahá’ís in all the important ways. Why don’t you try it and see for yourself? It’s grand to be a part of such a magnificent whole!

We send loving greetings to our friends. Most of the time we’re too busy to miss you, but oh, the pleasure that comes from renewing an old acquaintance!

Ruth Hampson Paphos, Republic of Cyprus

Pictured are some of the Bahá’ís who attended the Congress of the Esperanto League for North America held July 22-27 at DePaul University in Chicago. Thomas Yale of Illinois (right) declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh during the Congress.

12 Bahá’ís attend Esperanto League’s North America Congress in Chicago

Twelve Bahá’ís including one from Mexico attended the Congress of the Esperanto League for North America held July 22-27 at DePaul University in Chicago.

Among the highlights was a tour of the Bahá’í House of Worship in nearby Wilmette during which the Esperantists were able to browse in the Bahá’í bookstore and attend the Sunday afternoon worship service.

The specially planned program for that afternoon included the reading of several Bahá’í prayers in Esperanto.

Bahá’í Esperantists in the U.S. convened on Monday, July 24, to elect an executive board, review by-laws, plan activities and make recommendations to the parent Bahá’í Esperanto League.

Those elected to the seven-member board are John Dale (chairman), Roberta McFarland (vice-chairman), June Fritz (secretary), Victor Munson (treasurer), Janet Bixby, Henry Ginn and A.A. Milani.

For information about the U.S. Esperanto League write to Roberta McFarland, c/o Bahá’ís of Pleasant Hill, P.O. Box 23732, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.

Notice for travelers to Israel
All Bahá’ís must secure the permission of the Universal House of Justice before traveling to Israel, whether for business, visiting relatives, a three-day stay in Haifa, or for any other reason. The address of the Universal House of Justice is P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 001, ISRAEL.

Jeanette Hedayati, a Bahá’í from Graham, Texas, was among the speakers in an International Relations Seminar on Peace held in June during the 72nd annual Convention of Lions International in Miami, Florida. Her talk included references to the Faith and quotations from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The first-ever meeting of Native American, African-American and Spanish-American Bahá’ís at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California, was held the weekend of June 9-11 under the sponsorship of the Spiritual Assembly of Portland, Oregon.

Some 50 Bahá’ís from the western states gathered there to strengthen one another by sharing common goals and ideals and to identify and consult upon areas of mutual concern. Several follow-up mini-conferences were planned. (Photo by Douglass Thorne)

UPCOMING UN OBSERVANCES
September 19: International Day of Peace (third Tuesday in September) October 2: Universal Children’s Day (first Monday in October) October 16: World Food Day October 31: UNICEF Day (Observed in U.S. with Halloween trick-or-treat program) December 10: Human Rights Day

[Page 8]8/The American Bahá'í / September 1989 New Materials for Achieving a Vast Increase in the Number of New Believers RECENT NEW TITLES Bahá'í Faith Teaching Booklet SC Price to be Announced Widely considered to be among the most effective way to present the Faith to seekers, the much-loved teaching booklet is again available. A joint republishing project be- tween the National Spiritual As- sembly of Canada and the Conti- nental Board of Counselors for the Americas, it contains many updated full-color photos of Bahá'f com- munities worldwide, holy places, and the House of Worship in India. It also features revised text with ex- cerpts from the Bahá'í writings, as well as simple instructions for us- ing the booklet. Its warmth, sim- plicity, and beautiful photographs make an unforgettable impression on seekers, and it is an indispen- sable aid for all Bahá'ís at this time of accelerated teaching. Bahá'í Publications Canada Bahá'í Prayers-In Chinese! SC $4.95 Elegant and affordable, this prayer book in Mandarin Chinese features prayers revealed by Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. They are organized in easy-to-find categories and set off by tasteful calligraphy and art-deco design. Designed to facilitate the essential work of teaching and transformation, this prayer book is an ideal gift for new believers and those investigating the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Taiwan A BASIC BAHA'I DICTIONARY GENERAL EDITIOR WENDA MOMEN Glorious Journey by Craig Weaver & Helen Bond SC $7.95 Focusing on topics of interest to virtually anyone in the work force, this book discusses group interac- tion, profit sharing, equality of women and men, the relationship between Bahá'f consultation and business meetings, and much more. Supported by relevant quotations from the Bahá'f writings, and from a number of experts and studies, the topics range from education, career orientation and counseling, attitudes toward work, defining success, and many other subjects related to per- sonal development. Basic Bahá'í Dictionary compiled by Wendi Momen HC $25.00/SC $16.40 Providing a quick and easy way to find information on many aspects of the Bahá'í Faith, this new re- source gives definitions of words, explanations of concepts, and an introduction to figures in Bahá'í history. Includes a glossary of Persian and Arabic terms, with over 800 entries and 200 illustrations. George Ronald, Publisher The Glorious Journey Excellent resource for seminars, courses, and personal study. Par- ticularly useful for youth and those considering changing professions. Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Taiwan A78 ** The Bahá'í Faith ERRATA to the July 1989 Price List The following items were inad- vertently left out of the alpha- betical section of the price list: Bahá'í Prayers, HC / $9.95 Bahá'í Prayers, SC / $5.50 Bahá'í Prayers, "British" ed., HC/$5.95 Bahá'í Prayers and Holy Writings, SC / $2.50 d Please note these additional cor- rections: Building a Unified Community-10/pkg., PA / $3.25 Peace Note Cards-9/pkg. with envelopes, CR / $2.95 PER: Aalváh-i-Vasáyá-yl- Mubáraki-yi Ḥaşrat-i- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, SC (Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha) Out of Stock PER: Bahár-Allah'u'Abhá (Children's educational packet, CS)/Out of Stock SPN: Las Flores de los Altares, SC / $1.95 A quarterly updated price list will again be available in Octo- ber. LAST CHANCE! LAST CHANCE! LAST CHANCE! LAST CHANCE! The Bahá'í Faith: An Introduction hosted by Alex Rocco VT $14.95 LIMITED SALE, Beta or VHS This special sale ends September 30, 1989! Bahá'ís from around the country share what their faith means to them in a warm and human way, providing a powerful glimpse into Bahá'u'lláh's vision for humanity. The Bahá'í Faith: An Intro- duction is great for firesides and in- dividual teaching. It is also an ex- cellent gift for libraries, churches, or others who are interested in the Faith. Advance payment is required. Please indicate the number of tapes you wish to order and allow three to four weeks for delivery. Unlimited Visions Productions VISA/MasterCard / American Express Check Money Order 1-800-999-9019 Order now through the Kitáb-i-ĺgán BACK IN STOCK The Book of Certitude PS $6.50 Containing the basic tenets of the Bahá'í Faith, Kitáb-i-fqán, helps us to grasp the full significance of the scriptures of other religions, and to appreciate the true mission of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. The National Spiritual Assembly has asked youth and adults to read and study Kitáb-i- fqán this year as a personal-education objective. Bahá'l Publishing Trust of the United States Bahá'í Prayers SC $5.50 Back in print, the softcover edition of Bahá' (Prayers contains 177 prayers revealed by Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and is organized in easy-to-find categories. Bahá'í Prayers is available also in a hardcover edition for $9.95. Bahá'í Publishing Trust of the United States Purify My Heart SC $3.00 This unique Chinese-English children's prayer book presents a wonderful image of unity in diversity for children and adults alike. Includes 14 prayers printed over images of Bahá'f Holy Places. Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Taiwan Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh Deluxe Edition SC $6.95 Similar in almost all respects to the international award-winning hardcover, this new, lower-priced softcover edition makes a splendid gift for Bahá'ís and seekers. One World Publications Burial Ring with Silk Pouch $5.00 This adjustable enamel and brass ring with Arabic verse is to be placed on the finger of one who has departed this life. Comes with a delicate silk pouch with an English explanation of its purpose and use. Bahá't Publishing Trust of Taiwan Peace Card Set Set of 9 cards with envelopes $2.95 Three traditional Chinese designs are featured in each set of these note cards. A brief Bahá'í quotation follows the Chinese characters for peace inside each card. Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Taiwan Peace Quotation Scroll $4.50 A specially commissioned calligraphic rendering of the two Chinese characters for peace is printed on a unique woven paper scroll. It has the Chinese translation of Bahá'u'lláh's verse "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,"beautifully arranged below the large characters. A lovely wall hanging, it makes an ideal gift for participants in Bahá'í sponsored peace events. Bahá'i Publishing Trust of Taiwan Bahá'í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 TAB 9/89 Ordered by: (Please print or type) Name Address City State Zip- Date Day Phone. Circle one: American Express MasterCard VISA Check Money Order Expiration Date:. Account Number: THE BAHA'I FAITH Signature: JOTY TITLE INTRODUCTION HOSTED BY ALEX ROCCO COST AMOUNT TOTAL Order through your Local Bahá'í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Bahá'í Distribution Service [Page 9]

NEW MATERIALS FOR FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Spiritual Education WorkBooks for Bahá’í Children

De GOD'S CREATION THE HUMAN KINGDOM Leason 6 Lave 11 Ages 0-13 wow STEADFASTNESS

AVAILABLE SOON!

God's Creation Level I, Ages 6-9 $10.95 Workbook/6 Lessons $9.95 Parent/Teacher Guide

Just released, this engaging set of lessons for children uses games, puzzles, activities and goal-setting exercises to teach principles of the Bahá’í Faith to primary age children. Its six lessons feature quotations from the Bahá’í writings on such topics as love and unity, the worlds of God, and the mineral, vegetable, animal, and human kingdoms. A 38-page Parent/Teacher Guide is available separately.

WellSpring International

The Family Repairs and Maintenance Manual

Family Repairs and Maintenance Manual by Agnes Ghaznavi SC $7.95

If you are a mother, father, daughter, son, grandparent or teenager—this book is for you! Topics in this book include helping your family become a learning ground for the human skills and qualities so badly needed in society. An excellent how-to book that helps put the pieces of family behavior together.

George Ronald, Publisher

God's Creation Level II, Ages 9-13 $10.95 Workbook/6 Lessons $9.95 Parent/Teacher Guide

This new series provides hands-on materials for spiritual education in a series of six illustrated lessons for pre-youth.

Compiled in the same format as the newly released Level I edition for ages 6-9, Level II features the kingdoms of God for the 9-13 age level.

The lessons can be used one-by-one or as a series, in classes or at home. A 38-page Parent/Teacher Guide is available separately.

WellSpring International

Family Worship A Selection of Bahá’í Prayers compiled by Wendi Momen HC $9.00

This beautiful new prayer book brings together 71 prayers of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the home, for members of the family, and for any occasion when the family prays together. It is a wonderful gift for engagements, weddings, and family anniversaries, and is suitable for families of all faiths. Available only in hardcover.

George Ronald, Publisher

In His Presence: Visits to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Stanwood Cobb, Genevieve Coy, & Roy Wilhelm HC $12.95

Another in the series of small, hardcover, classic books from Kalimát Press, In His Presence is a collection of pilgrim's notes by early Bahá’ís. Sharing the spiritual rejuvenation they felt upon meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Stanwood Cobb, Genevieve Coy, and Roy Wilhelm describe their encounters with the Master in the Holy Land, in Europe, and in America. A collector's item of precious reminiscences that will endear itself to every reader.

Kalimát Press

Bahá’í Education Materials for Feast $114.00 Ages 6-13

A series of 19 Bahá’í Feast packets designed for children ages 6-13. Each eight- to ten-page packet includes attractive illustrations, quotations from the Bahá’í Writings, and activities both on and off the page, including mazes, connect-the-dots, and crafts projects.

Included is a Teacher's Guide with lists of materials needed, answers to questions and quizzes, and suggested additional activities for deepening the students while absorbing their attention for approximately one to two hours.

Excellent resource materials for children, they can also help make Feast more productive for all.

WellSpring International

Seat of Creating a Successful Family by Khalil A. Khavari and Sue Williston Khavari HC $18.95/SC $11.95

This new book—written by a husband and wife team who are themselves parents outlines a refreshing approach to family life, and addresses specific problems faced by families today. It demonstrates that by using the process of consultation, families can create a more positive and caring atmosphere, enriching all of its members and bringing them closer together. Creating a Successful Family provides practical advice for all family members who are striving for or yearn for greater unity in their home life.

One World Publications

5 The Conticing Family Family Consultation The Canauling Family Creating a Successful Family SUL WITTISBON KWAR

AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

God's Throne VT $25.00 Beta/VHS

This 35-minute video evokes feelings of wonder and awe. Stunning views of Mt. Carmel, the Shrine of the Báb, and the Arc; narration from the Hand of the Cause of God Rúhlyyih Khánum and visiting pilgrims; and original music by John Barnes and Jean White are combined in an unforgetable video experience. From extracts from Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet of Carmell to Shoghi Effendi's vision to the plans of the Universal House of Justice—the video provides an in-depth look at the significance of Mt. Carmel, its role in the unfolding Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and our role in completing the Arc. This videotape will inspire the friends to a new level of consecration and should be required viewing for every believer.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Present Opportunities and Urgent Challenges by David Hofman CS $8.00

A stirring talk by David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, on the urgency of achieving America's divinely ordained mission. Frankly and lovingly, Mr. Hofman focuses on the urgency of sharing Bahá’u’lláh’s message, on the present opportunities for a vast expansion of the Bahá’í community, and on the challenges facing all humanity. Addressing the delegates and visitors at the 80th National Convention and drawing on insights gained from his travels around the United States, Mr. Hofman's message is especially urgent and poignant.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Being a Spiritual Revolutionary by Robert C. Henderson CS $8.00

Particularly addressed to youth but relevant to all, this invigorating talk given at the 1988 International Youth Conference uses references from the 1988 Ridván message from the Universal House of Justice to highlight challenges facing the Bahá’í community. Dr. Henderson emphasizes the galvanizing power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation for the transformation of the problems of the world into "a reflection of the Abhá Kingdom." Listening to this tape is an energizing experience that will surely inspire greater dedication and teaching.

Images International [Page 10]

"VISION TO VICTORY" CONFERENCES

همانگونه که در یکی از شماره‌های پیشین این نشریه (جولای ۱۹۸۹) مذکور شد، محفل روحانی ملی از احیاء و جوامع محلی درخواست نموده که از دسامبر سال جاری تا ژوئن سال آینده ۶ کنفرانس دیگر از سلسله کنفرانس‌های "از رؤیا تا پیروزی" در ایالات متحده انعقاد یابند. تاریخ و محل کنفرانس‌های مذکور به شرح زیر است:

فینیکس Phoenix در ایالت آریزونا از ۲۲ الی ۲۴ دسامبر ۱۹۸۹. مینیاپولیس Minneapolis در ایالت مینسوتا از ۱۲ الی ۱۴ ژانویه ۱۹۹۰. دنور Denver در ایالت کلورادو از ۱۶ الی ۱۸ فوریه ۱۹۹۰. کلیولند Cleveland در ایالت اوهایو از ۲۰ مارچ الی اول اپریل ۱۹۹۰. پورتلند Portland در ایالت اورگان از ۶ الی ۸ اپریل ۱۹۹۰. برمینگهام Birmingham در ایالت آلاباما از ۱۲ الی ۱۵ اپریل ۱۹۹۰.

محافل روحانی شهرهائی که این کنفرانس‌ها در آن تشکیل می‌شود، میزبان آنها خواهند بود و برنامه کنفرانس‌ها از جانب کمیته ملی نشر نفحات با مشورت با احبای محل طرح خواهد گردید.

هدف از انعقاد این کنفرانس‌ها عبارت است از:

• آگاه ساختن هر چه بیشتر یاران از اهمیت اکمال ساختمان‌های حول قوس مرقد مطهر در کوه کرمل.
• تشویق یاران به قیام جهت امر تبلیغ "به میزان و کیفیت و تنوع و تمرکزی که از جمیع مساعی حالیه پیش گیرد."
• تحریض احباء فرداً و جمعاً به فداکاری در خصوص تقدیم تبرعات.
• افتتاح یک دوره دوساله از رضوان سال ۱۹۸۸ الی رضوان سال ۱۹۹۰ بعنوان دوره مساعی فداکارانه.

آقای رنالدو کروز Reynaldo Cruz منشی کمیته ملی نشر نفحات در خصوص این کنفرانس‌ها چنین گفت: "این کنفرانس‌ها جهت تقویت و توسعه فعالیت‌های تبلیغی که در شرف اقدامند، تشکیل شده‌اند."

چنانکه یاران به خاطر دارند، در سال گذشته دوازده کنفرانس "از رؤیا تا پیروزی" در ایالات متحده منعقد گردید و دو تن از اعضای سابق بیت‌العدل اعظم، جناب پورا کولین و جناب دیوید هافمن در آنها شرکت نمودند.

PEACE FLAME PRESENTED TO NATIVE AMERICANS

در روز ۱۹ جولای سال جاری اعضای سرخپوست قبیله ناواهو Navajo مشعلی را که "شعله جاودان صلح" نام دارد، به یکی از قبایل آپاچی Apache تقدیم نمودند. صدها نفر از سرخپوستان وایت مانتن White Mountain در ایالت آریزونا در این مراسم شرکت داشتند.

در طی این مراسم نسخه‌هائی از بیانیه صلح بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی به رهبران روحانی آن قبیله اهداء گردید و حاضران از پیام صلح امل بهاء آگاهی حاصل نمودند.

"شعله صلح" در روز ۱۲ جولای بعنوان هدیه‌ای از جانب جامعه Bahá’í سان فرانسیسکو که مسؤولیت حفاظت آن را از جانب یکی از دواشر سازمان ملل متحد به عهده دارند، به محله سرخپوست‌نشین ناواهو آورده شد و به عنوان پیام صلح و اتحاد به آن قبیله تقدیم گردید. در روز ۱۴ جولای "شعله صلح" از طرف یکی از رهبران دینی به قبیله هوپی Hopi اهداء شد.

در روز اهداء مشعل، قبل از طلوع خورشید، حدود ۲۰ نفر در کلبه دعای مؤسسه Bahá’í جهت تلاوت دعا و مناجات گرد هم جمع شدند. سپس نمایندگان ناواهو با ۹ اتوموبیل به محل مراسم در منطقه سرخپوستان آپاچی رهسپار شدند. مشعل در دست پنجمین کان (سخنگوی گروه ناواهو) که سوار بر اسب بود، به محل مراسم رسید. آقای کان مطالبی درباره اهمیت اتحاد مابین همه قبائل سرخپوست اظهار کرد و در ضمن سخنان خود مطالبی درباره پیام دیانت Bahá’í و اهمیت مشعلی که اخیراً بعنوان نشان اتحاد به منطقه سرخپوستان آورده بودند، بیان نمود.

قسمت روحانی این مراسم اختلاطی از سنن دینی سرخپوستان و پیامی بود که مشعل صلح به همراه داشت. چهار حکیم سرخپوست آپاچی که هرگز با همدیگر همکاری نداشتند، مشعل صلح را قبول کردند و حاضران نیز با کف زدن، شور و شوق خود را از مشاهده این نمونه اتحاد ابراز داشتند.

پس از دعا هر يك از این چهار نفر طبل خود را برداشت و مشعل را با اوراد و رقص‌های سنتی سرخپوستی تبرك كرد. وقتی که مراسم تبرک خاتمه یافت، میکروفون آزاد در اختیار همه گذاشته شد و حاضران مراتب محبّت و امیدواری خود را نسبت به هم اظهار داشتند.

LETTER FROM A REFUGEE CAMP IN THAILAND

اخیراً دفتر امور پناهندگان نامه‌ای از یکی از اعضای محفل بهائیان ساکن در یکی از اردوگاه‌های پناهندگان در مرز تایلند و کامبوج دریافت نموده است. از آنجا که این نامه حاکی از علاقه نویسنده به خدمات امری و نمایانگر وفاداری و ایثار اوست و در عین حال از نیاز آن پناهندگان عزیز به کمیته حکایت دارد، لذا به درج ترجمه قسمت‌هائی از آن مبادرت می‌شود.

"از شما و همه احبای امریکا متشکریم که برای ما و محفل ما که با کمبود مواد لازم برای تعلیم کودکان Bahá’í روبرو هستیم و در سختی به سر می‌بریم، کفش و لباس و کتاب فرستاده‌اید. همه اطفالی که در اینجا هستند بهائی‌انتد. بعضی از آنها خیلی فقیرند و بعضی هم پدر و مادر خود را از دست داده‌اند.

شاید شما بدانید که ما يك گروه پناهنده‌ایم. محفل ما يك سال است که تشکیل شده است. كمك‌های شما خیلی ما را خوشحال می‌کند.

امسال اولین باری بود که نوروز را جشن گرفتیم. این جشن همه ساکنان اردوی پناهندگی را به تعجب انداخت چون آنها Bahá’í نیستند و با آداب امری آشنائی ندارند. در جلسه نوروز مناجات و الواح تلاوت کردیم، از تاریخ و تعالیم امر گفتیم و به اطفال عیدی دادیم.

‎حقیره‌القدس حظیرة‌القدس‎ ما در وضع خیلی بدی است. اوضاع اینجا خوب نیست و جلوی ساختن ساختمان جدیدمان را هم گرفتند. ما هم تصمیم گرفتیم يك خانه قدیمی بخریم و آن را نوسازی کنیم ... برای ترمیم و نوسازی باید ۲۰۰۰ بات (حدود ۸۰ دلار) بدهیم و باید مقداری هم میز و نیمکت برای مدرسه اطفال بخریم.

در مورد خودم باید بگویم که برای وقتی که به کامبوج برگردم برنامه‌های زیادی در سرم دارم: تأسیس مؤسسه Bahá’í، ساختن مدرسه زبان برای اطفال Bahá’í و ساختن محلی برای ایتام.

در حال حاضر مشکلات زیادی داریم چونکه تعداد زیادی از اطفال و نوجوانان بعد از نوروز Bahá’í شده‌اند. خیلی‌ها می‌آیند که تسجيل بشوند. تا حالا تعداد آنها بالغ بر ۲۵۰ نفر بوده است ... اولین چیزی که لازم داریم کلاس برای آنهاست و تخته سیاه و میز و نیمکت. برنامه درسی عبارت است از تدریس انگلیسی و ریاضی و مناجات و تاریخ امر ...."

BAHÁ’Í WORLD COMMUNITY STATISTICS

ذیلاً صورتی از ارقام احصائیه جهانی Bahá’í را که دفتر روابط عمومی محفل روحانی ملی جهت آگاهی یاران منتشر نموده است، درج می‌نمائیم:

آمار جهانی

تعداد بهائیان سراسر جهان	در حدود ۵ میلیون نفر
تعداد محافل روحانی ملی	۱۵۱
کشورهای مستقل	۱۶۶
مستعمرات و جزائر مهم	۴۸
جمع کل	۲۱۴
تعداد نقاط Bahá’í	بیش از ۱۱۲ هزار
تعداد محافل روحانی محلی	تقریباً ۲۰ هزار
تعداد زبانهائی که آثار امری به آنها ترجمه شده است	۸۰۱
تعداد قبائل و اقلیتهائی که در کل امر وارد شده‌اند	۲۱۱۲
تعداد مشارق اذکار	۷
تعداد مؤسسات مطبوعات امری	۲۵
تعداد مؤسسات و مدارس Bahá’í	تقریباً ۶۰۰
تعداد ایستگاه‌های رادیوئی	۹
تعداد برنامه‌های عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی	بیش از ۹۰۰

آمار ایالات متحده

تعداد نقاط Bahá’í	تقریباً ۷ هزار
تعداد محافل روحانی محلی	تقریباً ۱۷۰۰
تعداد بهائیان امریکا	تقریباً ۱۱۰ هزار

HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است که تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’llah Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Daryush Haghighi	Dr. Amin Banani
Rocky River, OH. 44116	Santa Monica, CA. 90402
	Dr. Elsie Austin
	P.O. Box 927
	Silver Spring, MD. 20910

روز ۲۰ اکتبر مصادف است با ولادت حضرت رب اعلی

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

محفل روحانی ملی در سال ۱۹۸۷ لجنه ای به نام "هیئت مشاوران جهت توسعه اقتصادی" Business Development Advisory Committee تشکیل داد که اهداف آن به شرح زیر است:

• مساعدت به محفل روحانی ملی از طریق دفتر امین صندوق ملی در جهت یافتن افرادی در داخل جامعه امری که دارای تخصص در امور مالی و تجاری باشند.
• تهیه پیشنهاداتی جهت طرح برنامه‌های تبرعات احباء که حد اکثر استفاده هم برای صندوق ملی و هم برای افراد احباء حاصل شود.
• طرح پیشنهاداتی به محفل روحانی ملی درباره تهیه برنامه‌هایی جهت تسهیل رشد و توسعه امور تجاری و بازرگانی احباء که به صندوق ملی نیز مستقیماً یا بطور غیر مستقیم كمك نماید.
• ارائه نظریات تخصصی به محفل روحانی ملی در مورد پیشنهاداتی که از جانب احباء یا محفل روحانی ملی برای ازدیاد درآمد صندوق ملی در نظر گرفته می‌شود.

در حال حاضر اعضای این لجنه متشکل از يك برنامه‌ریز و مشاور امور مالی، يك سرمایه‌گذار، يك حسابرس رسمی و يك وكيل امور مالی است. لجنه مذکور از یاران عزیز تقاضا دارد که پیشنهادهای خود را در امور مربوط به اهداف لجنه به دفتر امین صندوق ملی ارسال فرمایند. تلفن: ۹۰۲۹-۸۶۹ (۳۱۲).

PERSIAN INSTITUTE FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES

از آنجا که عده‌ای از دوستان اظهار علاقه به دریافت کلیه نشریات مؤسسه نموده و در همین به علت اشکالات ارسال ارز تعیین حق اشتراك ثابتی را پیشنهاد کرده‌اند، و با توجه به اینکه در حال حاضر انتشارات مؤسسه به فواصل زمانی ثابتی منتشر نمی‌شود تا بتوان حق اشتراك سالانه‌ای را معین نمود، عجالةً از تعیین حق اشتراك خودداری نموده، آن را موکول به آتیه می‌نمائیم.

با اینهمه برای اینکه از زحمت مراجعه مکرر دوستان به بانك برای ارسال وجه کاسته شود، مؤسسه برای آنانکه مایلند نشریات را مرتباً دریافت دارند، حسابی مستقل باز خواهد کرد و پس از انتشار هر کتاب و یا نشریه جدید نسخه‌ای از آن را همراه با صورت موجودی حساب ایشان ارسال خواهد داشت.

برای افتتاح این حساب مقتضی است مبلغ یکصد دلار حواله بانکی Money Order ارسال فرمایند. وصول این مبلغ بعنوان تقاضای اشتراك منظور خواهد شد و تقریباً با ارسال هر نشریه، وضعیت موجودی نیز به اطلاع عضو مشترك خواهد رسید. بدیهی است که انتشارات مؤسسه کماکان به صورت تکفروشی نیز در اختیار علاقه‌مندان قرار خواهد گرفت.

ضمناً به اطلاع می‌رساند که نشریات ذیل آماده برای فروش است (مخارج پست در قیمت‌های زیر منظور شده است): ۱- "الواح در آثار Bahá’í" به قیمت ۶ دلار آمریکایی. ۲- "عقل، دین و جامعه در اندیشه Bahá’í" به قیمت ۵ دلار آمریکایی. ۳- مجموعه آثار مبارکه درباره "عهد و میثاق" به قیمت ۵ دلار آمریکایی.

یاران می‌توانند وجوه ارسالی را به نشانی زیر ارسال نمایند: Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O. Box 8464 Dundas, Ontario, CANADA L9H 6M2

آگهی استخدام

دفتر امور پناهندگان به يك کارمند تمام وقت احتیاج دارد. شرح وظائف عبارت است از: كمك به اداره برنامه اسكان پناهندگان، مکاتبه با پناهندگان و متکفلین آنها و مؤسسات Bahá’í و غیربهائی در رابطه با اسکان پناهندگان، جواب به تلفن و سؤالات ارباب رجوع، بایگانی پرونده‌های پناهندگان، تهیه و ارسال مراسلات الکترونیکی و تلکس و تلگراف، تهیه گزارش‌ها و انجام سایر کارهای محوله.

شرایط استخدام: آشنائی کامل با زبان انگلیسی و فنون ارتباطات، آشنائی با فنون اداری، دقت در اجرای وظائف و توانائی به کار تحت فشار. آشنائی با فرهنگ ایرانی یا فرهنگ‌های جنوب شرقی آسیا مرجح است.

همچنین دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکایی به يك کارمند تمام وقت نیاز دارد. شرح وظائف عبارت است از: ترجمه و تحریر و تایپ به زبان فارسی و انگلیسی، كمك به تهیه صفحات فارسی "امریکن بهائی"، كمك به تأیید مدارك احبای ایرانی، بایگانی پرونده‌های احباء.

شرایط استخدام: آشنائی کامل با زبان فارسی و انگلیسی (محاوره و تحریر)، توانائی به انجام کار تحت شرایط دشوار، تایپ به زبان انگلیسی و فارسی (حد اقل ۶۰ کلمه در دقیقه)، علاقه و تمایل به آموختن برنامه‌های واژه پردازی کامپیوتری، آشنائی با آداب و فرهنگ ایرانی، آشنائی کامل با اصول و تعالیم و احکام امری.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند جهت کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفترهای مذکور یا اداره پرسنل دفتر محفل ملی تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۹۰۲۹-۸۶۹ (۳۱۲) داخلی ۲۵۰. [Page 11]

پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه دستخط دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم خطاب به محافل روحانی ملی

دوستان عزیز بهائی،

بیت‌العدل اعظم خشنود است که خبر ملاقات موفقیت‌آمیز خود را با رئیس جمهوری مملکت اسرائیل به استحضار جوامع بهائی در سراسر جهان برساند. در روز ۲۵ ماه می سال جاری جناب آقای حیم هرتزوگ Chaim Herzog رئیس جمهوری مملکت اسرائیل به همراه همسر ایشان خانم آورا هرتزوگ Aura Herzog دیداری رسمی از مرکز جهانی بهائی به عمل آوردند. دیدار رئیس جمهوری و همسرشان به دعوت بیت‌العدل اعظم صورت گرفت و در ساعت ۱۰ صبح هر سه نفر عضو بیت‌العدل روی پله‌های دارالتشریع از میهمانان خود استقبال نمودند. این نخستین باری بود که خانم هرتزوگ با بیت‌العدل اعظم دیدار می‌نمود. معظم‌لها به علت بیماری نتوانسته بود هنگامی که همسرش در ماه اکتبر سال ۱۹۸۴ به عنوان اولین رئیس مملکتی که در مقر جدید بیت‌العدل اعظم با معهد اعلی دیدار می‌شود، ایشان را همراهی نماید.

پس از آنکه ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب علی اکبر فروتن حضور رئیس جمهوری و همراهانش را خوش آمد گفتند، حضار در سالن ورودی دارالتشریع به صرف چای پرداختند. سپس رئیس جمهوری جهت دیدن نمونه ساختمانهای حول قوس مرقد مبارکه همراهی شدند و توضیحاتی درباره برنامه‌های آتی جهت توسعه املاک بهائی در کوه کرمل توسط جناب فریبرز صهبا، بیان شد. آقای رئیس جمهوری و همسرشان علاقه‌ی جدی نسبت به آن مشروعات ابراز داشتند.

چند هفته پیش از این دیدار، در روز هفتم ماه می طی مراسمی که در محل اقامت رئیس جمهوری و با حضور او برگزار شد، خانم هرتزوگ به عنوان رئیس بین‌المللی "شورای زیباسازی اسرائیل" a Council for a Beautiful Israel یکی از "جوایز مکشیم" Magshim Awards سال ۱۹۸۹ را به مرکز جهانی بهائی به پاس خدمات آن مرکز جهت تجمل و زیباسازی کشور اهداء نموده بود. این مراسم تاریخی حاکی از اذعان به خصوصیات مشعشعه باغهای زیبائی بود که توسط حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله طراحی گردیده است.

در آن مراسم آقای هرتزوگ، رئیس جمهوری در حضور سایر دریافت کنندگان تقدیرنامه و بیش از ۴۰۰ نفر از میهمانان خطاب به بهائیان حاضر چنین گفت: "هر جا که شما بهائیان قدم می‌گذارید، توجه خاصی به زیباسازی آن محل مبذول می‌دارید. مرکز بهائی در حیفا، که در آینده نزدیک دیدار دیگری از آن خواهم کرد... یکی از نمونه‌های روح دیانت شماست."

رئیس جمهوری و همراهانش پس از دیدن مدل ساختمانهای جدید در دارالتشریع به همراه اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم در باغهای اطراف مرقد Monument Gardens گردش کردند و از مقام مقدس حضرت اعلی دیدار نمودند. سپس به بهجی رفته، از روضه مبارکه و قصر بهجی و باغها دیدار کردند. پس از آن رئیس جمهوری و همراهانش به همراه شهردار عکا، آقای الی دیکاسترو Eli de Castro و همسرش که در قصر بهجی به سایرین پیوستند، در معیت اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم و دبیر کل جامعه جهانی بهائی و معاون او زیر طاقهای رواق قصر بهجی ناهار صرف نمودند. رئیس جمهوری و همسرشان مکرراً زیبائی باغها و ساختمانهای متعلق به امرالله را ستودند و خدمات اجتماعی اهل بهاء را تمجید نمودند و مراتب امتنان خود را از خیرمقدم‌گوئی جوامع بهائی هنگام دیدار رئیس جمهور و خانمشان از کشورهای مختلف اظهار داشتند. یک نقاشی مینیاتور ایرانی به رئیس جمهوری و همسرشان اهداء گردید و سپس ۵۰ اصله درخت کاج مخصوصی Araucaria به خانم هرتزوگ جهت استفاده "شورای زیباسازی اسرائیل" تقدیم شد.

آقای رئیس جمهوری پیش از ترک بهجی ضمن بیاناتی که در خاتمه این دیدار ایراد نمود، رضایت دولت اسرائیل را از حضور مرکز جهانی بهائی در آن کشور مجدداً تأکید کرد و درود مردم آن سرزمین را به همه بهائیان ابلاغ داشت.

دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم اول ماه جون ۱۹۸۹

تبرعات جهت ساختمانهای قوس

CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED FOR THE ARC

چنانکه در شماره قبل این نشریه به استحضار دوستان عزیز رسید، اگر چه ۲ میلیون دلاری که در سال گذشته هدف مالی محفل روحانی ملی جهت بنای ساختمانهای حول قوس مرقد مطهره بوده، جمع‌آوری گردیده است، معذلک احتیاجات معهد اعلی برای ساختن بناهای مذکور همچنان وجود دارد.

چنانکه یاران رحمن به خاطر دارند، بیت‌العدل اعظم شروع بنای ساختمانها را موکول بر وصول ۵۰ میلیون دلار فرموده بودند. تا کنون فقط حدود ثلث مبلغ مذکور تبرع شده است. بعلاوه کل مخارج طرح در حدود ۲۰۰ میلیون دلار تخمین زده شده که باید در چند سال آینده تأمین گردد.

بیت‌العدل اعظم در دستخط مورخ ۲۱ آگست سال ۱۹۸۷ خاطر نشان فرمودند که اهل بهاء باید "بدون تأخیر و با عزمی راسخ" در سبیل تحقق نقشه الهی مبنی بر اتمام بنای ساختمانهای باقیمانده حول قوس مراقد مطهره بکوشند. در ادامه این فرمان الهی معهد اعلی فرموده‌اند که "جامعه بهائی هم اکنون شاهد نتایج حاصله از... اتمام بنای دارالتشریع... بوده و حرکت جدیدی را که تکمیل آن بنا در مورد پیشرفت امر الهی باعث آمده، ملاحظه نموده است." سپس بیت‌العدل اعظم از یاران پرسیده‌اند "چه کسی می‌داند که در اثر تحقق متوالی هر یک از مراحل این مشروع عظیم چه تحولاتی رخ خواهد نمود؟"

آنچه مسلم است اینکه اتمام ابنیه قوس ارتباطی مستقیم با تحقق صلح اصغر و رشد و بلوغ مؤسسات و تشکیلات نظم اداری خواهد داشت. احبای ایرانی همواره با غیرت و همت خود جهت اجرای نقشه‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم قیامی عاشقانه نموده و تا آنجا که در توان داشته‌اند جهت تحقق اهداف جامعه امری کوشیده‌اند. بهمین جهت چشم و امید همه به آنهاست که چه هنگام برخیزند و چه وقت تاج افتخاری دیگر بر سر نهند.

کانونشن‌های ناحیه‌ای

DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

بدینوسیله به استحضار می‌رساند که نشانی محل و تاریخ انعقاد کانونشن‌های ناحیه‌ای سال جاری در صفحات انگلیسی شماره قبل این نشریه درج شده است. شک نیست که یاران روحانی با مراجعه به آن شماره سعی بلیغ مبذول خواهند فرمود که در انجمن شور روحانی منطقه خود حاضر شوند و با مشارکت در مشاورات آن انجمن و هم‌چنین با ابداء رأی جهت انتخاب نماینده ناحیه خود در انجمن شور روحانی ملی و مالاً انتخاب محفل روحانی ملی وظیفه روحانی خود را انجام دهند.

حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله در خصوص مشارکت یاران در انتخابات محفل روحانی ملی فرموده‌اند: "... باید جمهور مؤمنین و مؤمنات کلّ من دون استثناء به طیب خاطر و کمال رغبت در انتخابات تلیه مشارکت نمایند... کناره نگیرند، استعفاء ننمایند، عقیده کتمان ننمایند و از تقیه اجتناب بنمایند. از پس پرده خفا بیرون آیند و قدم به میدان خدمت گذارند. مضطرب و هراسان نباشند و به جانفشانی قیام نمایند و هر امری را فدای این مقصد اصلی کنند و در سبیل این مبداء جلیل و امر قویم از هر متعب و مقامی چشم پوشند و مصالح شخصیه و ملاحظات نفسیه را فدای صالح عمومیه آمریه فرمایند."

همچنین هیکل مبارک در مورد روح انتخابات باهائی می‌فرمایند: "... چون میعاد تجدید انتخابات محافل محلی و مرکزی رسد، به دل و جان به این امر خطیر من دون استثناء و استعفاء اقدام کنند و در این عمل مبرور بر یکدیگر سبقت جویند." و نیز می‌فرمایند: "... انتخاب در جامعه بهائیان سری و عمومی و آزاد است و از تدابیر و تشبثات و مقاصد و مکاره اهل دسیسه و عدوان به کلی منزه و مبرا. سری و آزاد است، حتی اطلاع زوج بر کیفیت انتخاب و رأی زوجه جائز نه و همچنین مابین افراد یک خانواده امر انتخاب باید مکتوم باشد، ابدای رأی و تصریح به اسم بهیچوجه جائز نه."

تبلیغ پناهندگان هندوچینی

TEACHING SOUTHEAST ASIANS

محفل روحانی دومین Des Moines واقع در ایالت آیووا تبلیغ کلیه پناهندگان هندوچینی را که در آن ایالت به سر می‌برند، بعنوان هدف تبلیغی سال جاری اختیار کرده است.

هر چند این برنامه تبلیغی در وهله اول بسیار دشوار به نظر می‌رسد، معذلک تمهیدات لازم جهت اجرای آن چند سالی است که توسط احبای آن شهر آغاز گردیده است.

اخیراً جناب ویلیام براون Brown که یکی از اعضای محفل روحانی دومین است، اظهار داشته بود که در ۸ سال گذشته با بیش از ۱۲۵ نفر از پناهندگان بزرگسال هندوچینی که در آن شهر زندگی می‌کنند، راجع به امر بهائی مذاکراتی داشته است. تاکنون ۸۰ نفر از این افراد در بیوت تبلیغی و جلسات الفت شرکت کرده و از میان آنها ۴۶ نفر تصدیق امر مبارک نموده‌اند. بیشتر این عزیزان به حومه شهر و یا سایر نقاط ایالات متحده نقل مکان کرده‌اند و بدین ترتیب پیام حضرت بهاء‌الله را در آن نقاط انتشار داده‌اند.

طرح این برنامه تبلیغی محفل روحانی دومین اقدامی در جهت اجرای یکی از منویات بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی است که از یاران درخواست فرموده‌اند که توجه بیشتری به پناهندگان جنوب شرقی آسیا مبذول دارند و باب رفاقت و همدلی با آنان را بگشایند و کسانی را که هنوز تصدیق ننموده‌اند، به ساحل نجات امر مبارک کشانند.

اساساً پناهندگان جنوب شرقی آسیا به دو علت مجذوب تعالیم امر مبارک می‌شوند: ۱- دشواری‌هائی که بدان دچار شده‌اند، قلوبشان را جهت قبول پیام حضرت بهاء‌الله مستعد ساخته. ۲- تأکید امر مبارک در مورد اهمیت حیات خانواده و تربیت روحانی و اخلاقی اطفال با سلسله ارزشهائی که با آن تربیت شده‌اند، سازگاری کامل دارد.

برنامه تبلیغی آتلانتا

ATLANTA TEACHING PROJECT

در تاریخ ۲۳-۲۷ ماه چون سال جاری پانزده نفر از جوانان بهائی در اولین برنامه‌ای که از جانب "مرکز مارتین لوتر کینگ برای تغییرات اجتماعی مسالمت‌آمیز" Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change با عنوان "عدم توسل به خشونت" در شهر آتلانتا طرح شده بود، شرکت جستند. همزمان با این برنامه، کنفرانسی دیگری با همان عنوان برای بزرگسالان منعقد گردیده بود.

نام برنامه جوانان که یکی از رهبران سرشناس جوانان در کلیسای دکتر کینگ است، از دو نفر از جوانان بهائی درخواست نمود که سایر شرکت کنندگان را که تعدادشان حدود ۳۰۰ نفر بود، با تعالیم امری آشنا نمایند.

در کنفرانس بزرگسالان علاوه بر اعضاء خانواده دکتر کینگ افراد سرشناسی چون جسی جکسون Jesse Jackson رهبر سیاسی و اجتماعی بسیاری از سیاهپوستان و اندرو یانگ Andrew Young شهردار آتلانتا و رمزی کلارک Ramsey Clark دادستان کل اسبق ایالات متحده و نیز کمدین معروف، دیک گریگوری Dick Gregory شرکت داشتند.

آقای گریگوری به یکی از احبائی که در کنفرانس شرکت داشت، گفته بود که نسخه‌ای از پیام صلح را از نوازنده معروف جاز، دیزی گیلسپی Dizzy Gillespie دریافت نموده است. وی همچنین اظهار کرده بود که هر چند بهائیان هیاهو به راه نمی‌اندازند، اما خواهند توانست جهان را دگرگون کنند.

همچنین یکی از اعضای هیئت مدیره "مرکز مارتین لوتر کینگ" اظهار کرده بود که از هنگامی که بهائیان کمک‌های خود را به آن مرکز آغاز کرده‌اند، روح جدیدی در برنامه‌ها دیده شده است.

در روز ۲۸ و ۲۹ ماه جون سه نفر از احبای آتلانتا در کمیسیون مربوط به برگزاری مراسم روز مارتین لوتر کینگ شرکت کردند. در این کمیسیون که جهت ارزیابی مراسم سال قبل و طرح برنامه‌های سال آینده تشکیل شده بود، نمایندگانی از همه سطوح دولتی و مملکتی شرکت داشتند.

احباء شرحی اجمالی در مورد معرفی امر مبارک و اعتقاد جامعه بهائی به آرمان‌های مارتین لوتر کینگ بیان نمودند و به برنامه لجنه ملی جوانان در مورد رفع و امحاء تبعیضات و تعصبات نژادی در کالج‌ها و دانشگاه‌ها اشاره کردند.

آقای لوید دیویس Lloyd Davis مدیر عامل "کمیسیون تعطیل عمومی روز مارتین لوتر کینگ" از حضار خواست که اگر درباره دیانت بهائی اطلاعاتی دارند، دست خود را بالا کشند. حدود ۷۵ درصد از حاضران دست خود را بالا کردند. سپس آقای دیویس به حاضران گفت: "اگر تا بحال با بهائیان آشنائی پیدا نکرده‌اید، در واقع یکی از بهترین منابع انسانی جوامع خود را نیافته‌اید. من خود اقرار می‌کنم که تا سال پیش که یک نفر بهائی را در واشنگتن ملاقات کردم، راجع به امر بهائی چیزی نمی‌دانستم. بهائیان نزدیک‌ترین گروه به آرزوئی هستند که جسی جکسون آن را "ائتلاف رنگین کمانی" Rainbow Coalition نامیده است. بهائیان نزدیک‌ترین گروه به رؤیائی که مارتین لوتر کینگ در سر پرورده بود."

وی همچنین افزود که سال قبل در "هفته مارتین لوتر کینگ" داوطلبان بهائی "جان ما را نجات دادند، بدون آنها هفته‌ای به نام 'هفته کینگ' نمی‌توانست وجود داشته باشد. اگر ساعت ۲ صبح به آنها تلفن می‌کردید، فوراً برای کمک خود را می‌رساندند. هر چند خود من کاتولیک هستم، اما در برابر بهائیان سر احترام فرود می‌آورم. اگر از کمک‌های بهائیان استفاده نکنید، کلاهتان پس معرکه است!"

آشکار بود که سخنان آقای دیویس در دل حاضران اثر بسیار خوبی گذاشت و تا آخر کنفرانس نمایندگان سازمان‌ها و ادارات مختلف به احباء مراجعه کرده، درباره امر مبارک سوالاتی مطرح می‌نمودند.

جلسه یادبود برای کشته‌شدگان هیروشیما

HIROSHIMA VICTIMS REMEMBERED

در روز ۶ آگست سال جاری حدود ۸۰۰ نفر در جلسه‌ای که در حظیرةالقدس لوس آنجلس جهت یادبود چهل و چهارمین سال انفجار بمب اتمی در شهر هیروشیما انعقاد یافت، شرکت نمودند.

این جلسه به میزبانی بازماندگان آن واقعه که اکنون در ایالات متحده زندگی می‌کنند و همچنین گروه آسیای پاسیفیک و دفتر صلح بهائیان لوس آنجلس تشکیل گردید. از طرف یکی از روحانیون بودائی، "مشعل صلح" Peace Flame که از "مشعل صلح" هیروشیما روشن شده بود، به شهردار لوس آنجلس آقای تام بردلی Tom Bradley اهداء شد.

خبر این جلسه یادبود از طریق اعلاناتی در رادیو و تلویزیون و همچنین بیانیه‌ای که به بیش از ۳۰۰ روزنامه فرستاده شد و در تعدادی از آنها به صراحت ذکری از امر مبارک به میان آمد، به اطلاع عموم رسید.

یکی از خبرنگاران ایستگاه محلی شبکه تلویزیونی سی بی اس CBS مصاحبه‌هائی با احباء ترتیب داد که قرار است در برنامه ویژه‌ای که درباره بهائیان لوس آنجلس در دست تهیه دارد، از آن مصاحبه‌ها استفاده نماید. [Page 12]12/ The American Bahá'í September 1989 Bahá'ís meet with National Committee on Women Bahá'ís from 20 communities along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains gathered July 21-23 in Denver, Colorado, to consult with the National Com- mittee on Women. The committee chose the Ox- ford Hotel, blessed by the foot- steps of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1912, as the site for its meeting. On Saturday morning represen- tatives from each community met with the committee over break- fast. The group was broken into four smaller consultative groups with at least one member of the national committee in each of them. The results of these consulta- tions were then reported to the group as a whole. In addition, local Bahá'ís shared their thoughts and feelings about the development of the Faith in the area of women's rights. In the evening a public meeting was hosted by the area communi- ties. Invitations were sent to more than 100 women's and peace groups, and all local newspapers, radio and television stations were contacted. The Stage Room of the Oxford Hotel was filled with men as well as women. Also, several fathers volunteered to babysit in another room of the hotel. More than 850 at L.A. Bahá'í Center to mark anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings On August 6, more than 850 people gathered at the Bahá'í Cen- ter in Los Angeles, California, for the 1989 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemorative Peace Program. The solemn event, held on the 44th anniversary of the devastat- ing events that ushered in the nu- clear age, was co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Bahá'í Office for Peace, Asian Pacific Americans for Nuclear Awareness (APANA), and Atomic Bomb Survivors of the United States. The program began with a media presentation, "Ground Zero," which re-created the mo- ments just before and after the first atomic bomb ever used was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Powerful messages of peace and solidarity were received from the mayors of Hiroshima and Naga- saki, the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and the Bahá'í Interna- tional Community. After these messages were read, Mayor Tom Bradley of Los An- geles presented a mayoral procla- mation to the Bahá'í Office for Peace, APANA and the Atomic Bomb Survivors of the U.S., who, as the proclamation states, "...have supported efforts to end the threat of nuclear war and have diligently worked toward a peace- ful world for all." The mayor then introduced the program's master of ceremonies, Academy Award-nominated actor Edward James Olmos ("Stand and Deliver"). The audience responded with thunderous applause when Mr. Olmos said, "It's amazing when Mayor Tom Bradley of Los An- geles accepts the Hiroshima Peace Flame on behalf of the people of Los Angeles from Muhtadia Rice, director of the Los Angeles Bahá'í you look upon the stage ... and see the women's participation. "There's a reason for that, and it has been common knowledge for thousands of years, but men refuse to accept it. You get a room full of men, and because of ego, because of machismo, because of their differences, they go their separate ways. "But you get different women together and put them in a room, Worldwide, U.S. statistics Bahá'ís are frequently asked for statistics for the Bahá'í com- munity. The Office of Public Information encourages the friends to become familiar with the following statistics to ensure that ac- curate and consistent figures are given to those who ask for them. WORLDWIDE 214 Number of Bahá'ís in the world... National Spiritual Assemblies. approx. 5,000,000 .......151 Countries opened to the Faith: Independent countries.. .166 Significant territories and islands. 48 TOTAL Number of localities where Bahá'ís reside. Number of local Spiritual Assemblies.. Number of languages into which Bahá'í literature has been translated. . over 112,000 .approx. 20,000 Tribes, minority groups represented in Bahá'í membership. Bahá'í Houses of Worship. Bahá'í publishing trusts. Bahá'í schools and institutes. Bahá'í radio stations. Social/economic development projects... UNITED STATES Number of localities where Bahá'ís reside. Number of local Spiritual Assemblies. Number of Bahá'ís in the U.S.. .801 .2,112 .7 .25 approx. 600. .7 .more than 900 .approx. 7,000 .approx. 1,700 approx. 110,000 Office for Peace, co-sponsor of the 1989 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemorative Peace Program held August 6 at the Bahá'í Center in Los Angeles. and because of the love of child- ren, the love of humanity, they come together no matter what the difference. I think it is through the coming together of women that this earth will be saved." Earlier in the program, Mayor Bradley formally accepted the Hi- roshima Eternal Peace Flame on behalf of the people of Los An- geles. The mayor's announcement on August 6 officially made Los An- geles the first U.S. city to establish the Flame as the people's symbol of the collectively held hope for peace and justice. Program speakers, representing the three sponsoring bodies, in- cluded Bahá'í Dr. Hoda Mah- moudi, APANA co-chairmen Judy Imai and Kent Wong, and atomic bomb survivor Kaz Su- yeishi. Dr. Mahmoudi quoted from "The Promise of World Peace" and clarified for her audience Bahá'u'lláh's role as a peace- maker as well as the Bahá'í peace plan. The program also included en- tertainment by a number of well- known Japanese and American performers. Media coverage was extensive with radio and television inter- views and articles in the Los An- geles Times and in several Japa- nese-English language papers. The weekend was a tremendous success, giving communities on the eastern slope a unique oppor- tunity to consult on an important principle of the Faith, the equality of men and women and its impor- tance in the development of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. The insight and guidance given by the National Committee on Women will bear much fruit in the future. Several ideas about spe- cific activities will be reviewed and perhaps implemented after the Vision to Victory conference scheduled for Denver in February. Until then, everyone agreed that their energies should be devoted to making that conference a success. As a final note, the hotel staff said that the local Bahá'ís and na- tional committee were the most organized group they had ever dealt with in planning such an event. 1989-90 PLANS FOR ACTION Achieving a vast increase in the number of new believers •To hold a second series of Vision to Victory conferences. To assign one full-time staff position in the Office of the Na- tional Teaching Committee to the greater Atlanta, Georgia, teaching project. ⚫To continue efforts to achieve large-scale growth in the four project sites. To establish desks for the coordination and support of mi- nority teaching projects including blacks, Chinese and Indo-Chi- nese, Hispanics and Native Americans, and to abolish existing committees. • To initiate, in selected localities, projects aimed at specific populations. To expand efforts to engage college clubs in a campaign to eradicate racism on college campuses. •To develop a plan to involve children in all Bahá'í teaching activities. •To produce a pamphlet for the general public on the equality of the sexes. To pursue opportunities to support and to participate with the International Task Force on Literacy and to encourage grass- roots initiatives and sponsorship of activities to combat illiteracy within and without the Bahá'í community. ⚫To develop a strategy to expand the use of "The Promise of World Peace" in proclamation and teaching activities. Fostering the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies • To continue the process of simplifying the national adminis- tration and to consolidate the work of its agencies to coordinate and to speed the flow of work. To implement, in conjunction with the Continental Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Board members, a program for training all local Spiritual Assemblies. To design a systematic procedure for assisting Spiritual As- semblies in distress, especially those in large urban areas. • To request selected local Spiritual Assemblies to assume re- sponsibility for a variety of special projects and services in the process of decentralizing responsibility for administering the com- munity's affairs. To publish Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies. • To publish a statement of the Bahá'í position on drug abuse. Increasing the Bahá'í education of children, youth and adults • To assign to youth and adults the reading and studying of the Kitáb-i-fgán as a personal education objective. To publish a study guide on the Kitáb-i-fgán. • To publish the letters of the Universal House of Justice (1963-1986). • To publish a core curriculum for the Bahá'í education of children ages six through twelve. •To develop and implement a plan for increasing the cultural and racial diversity of the attendees at the permanent Bahá'í schools. • To develop a plan for the establishment of a Navajoland Ba- há'í school. To distribute, upon request, the Bahá'í education curriculum materials compiled and catalogued by the National Bahá'í Educa- tion Committee. The Fund To set the operating budget at $9,500,000. • To establish a separate Fund goal of $2 million toward com- pletion of the Arc. • To establish a special fund for repairs to the Mashriqu'l-Adh- kár. To allocate $30,000 to assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of Belize and the Leeward Islands to complete their property goals. To present a gift of $400,000 toward the repair and restora- tion of the Green Acre Bahá'í School. • To increase to at least 300 the number of local Spiritual As- semblies enrolled in the Automatic Contributions System (ACS). To increase to 4,000 the number of individuals enrolled in the Automatic Contributions System. "Teaching the Cause of God is not only through the tongue; it is through deeds, a good dis- position, happiness of nature, kindness and sympathy, good fellowship, trustworthiness, holiness, virtue, purity of ideals, and lastly, speech."-'Abdu'l-Bahá [Page 13]

Catalog of selected Bahá’í educational materials

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In a letter of June 6, 1987, to all National Spiritual Assemblies, the Universal House of Justice elaborated on the Six Year Plan goal calling for “...systematic teacher training, preparation of lesson plans for all age groups, and the creation of teaching materials to support the educational process.” The National Bahá’í Education Committee is pleased to offer this catalog of educational materials to the American Bahá’í community. It is the result of a challenging process that began with a mandate from the National Spiritual Assembly asking the committee to focus on the task of collecting, evaluating and disseminating educational information and materials within the Bahá’í community.

One of the first steps was to consult with the directors of four of our permanent Bahá’í schools—Bosch, Green Acre, Louhelen and the Louis Gregory Institute—on how best to use the special resources provided by these educational institutions, as well as the native American Bahá’í Institute, to accomplish the task before us. The appointment of Regional Education Task Forces (RETFs) to work with Bahá’í regional and community schools followed. Several of our RETFs helped refine and pilot our evaluation instrument.

Among more than 230 items of educational material reviewed were those sent to the National Office by individuals, unpublished and out-of-print material found in regional Bahá’í school libraries, and materials found in the National Archives. Nonetheless, what we have reviewed represents only a part of the educational materials produced in this country over the years.

As the committee proceeded with its task, elements of a new standard of Bahá’í education began to emerge. Some of the criteria that were incorporated into the evaluation process were: sensitivity to race, culture and gender; pedagogical soundness where appropriate; accuracy and quality of presentation; incorporation of the Creative Word; provision for varied learning styles as well as for a certain degree of spontaneity and creativity; and practical applications of spiritual principles to life situations. The evaluation instrument devised by the committee was derived from the vision conveyed in the peace statement, the Riḍván 1988 message from the Universal House of Justice, Bahá’í Education: A Compilation, and the Bahá’í Curriculum Guide.

All of the materials reviewed by the committee were rated from 1 to 4, with the designation one representing materials ready for publication and/or listing in our catalog, two representing those needing minor revisions before listing, three representing promising materials in need of extensive revision or polishing, and four representing those materials that would not be useful at this time. Only ones and twos are listed in the catalog. As revisions are made on three-rated materials, we will update the catalog and make these available, along with materials developed according to the new criteria.

Collaboration with the permanent Bahá’í schools, centers of learning, and our RETFs to develop teacher and parent training programs congruent with the present standards for education and child-rearing is the next logical step in fulfilling the Six Year Plan goal and the task of collection, evaluation and dissemination of educational materials. None of the materials offered can replace a teacher, parent or community that is able to combine vision, love and the art and science of pedagogy with an educational program grounded in the Creative Word, the history and teachings of the Faith, the application of spiritual principles to life, and a consciousness of the oneness of humanity.

Yet another step involves the international exchange of educational materials and programs, as assigned by the Universal House of Justice during the Six Year Plan. Although the collaborative process is already in motion, we are not yet prepared to offer international educational materials in this issue of the catalog. Some, however, are available through our Distribution Service. All of the materials listed herein can be obtained from the Bahá’í Distribution Service. Some have been published but are now out of print. If you can locate a copy within your area, please feel free to make a photocopy of it. If you cannot locate a copy, you can order a photocopy from the Distribution Service at the price shown in the catalog.

Other materials have not been published before. Photocopies of these are also available from the Distribution Service for the prices shown in the catalog. If you need more than one copy, please feel free to make your own photocopy locally. Please do not photocopy any of the published materials that are listed in the catalog as softcover or hardcover. To do so would be an infringement of U.S. copyright laws. Instead, copies may be ordered at the prices shown.

In evaluating the usefulness of this material, we hope to enlist the help of those who purchase or use it. Please let the committee know if this catalog is useful in its present format; any suggestions for improvement will be appreciated and can be facilitated by taking a few moments to complete the evaluation form included with the catalog.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Bahá’í Education Committee March 1989/Bahá’í B.E. 145

Name	Content Focus	Type	Age	Year	Pages	Rating	Status
America’s Spiritual Destiny	Gen	SG	Y,A	1983	104	1	IP
Ayyám-i-Há	CFC, Hist	SG	P	?	9	2	OP
Bahá’í Calendar, The	CFC	LP	I,Y,A	1987	8	2	UP
Bahá’í School Lesson Plans	Gen	Curr	P	1970	111	2	OP
Bahá’í Teaching Guide for Children: Teachers Manual	Gen	Man	I	1966	223	2	OP
Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era: Study Guide	CF, Hist, Gen	SG	Y,A	1971	20	2	OP
Blessed Is the Spot—Lessons in Reverence	PF, SPG	LP	I	1988	32	1	UP
Center of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	Cov	LP	I	?	74	2	UP
Children’s Programs, Bahá’í Schools Directors	Gen	Guide	A	1980	30	2	OP
Comprehensive Deepening: Bahá’í Electoral Process	Cov	SG	A	1965	48	2	OP
Comprehensive Study Outline for Children	Gen	LP	I	1960	53	2	OP
Covenant, The: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It	Cov, SPG	LP	I,Y,A	1988	86	1	IP
Creative Dramatics and Music	Gen	Guide	P,I	1973	73	1	UP
Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, The	Hist, CF	SG/LP	Y,A	1938	14	2	OP
Effective Teaching	Gen	Guide	Y,A	1987	?	1	IP
Everlasting Covenant and Greater Covenant, The	Cov	LP	Y	1986	81	1	UP
Fast and Naw-Rúz, The	PF	LP	N,P,I	?	4	2	UP
Fund, The	Cov, SPG, CFC	LP	P,I	?	14	2	UP
Man’s Dual Nature	SPG	LP	I,Y,A	1986	61	2	UP
Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being	CFC	SG	A	1973	86	2	IP
My Favorite Prayers and Passages	SW	SG	N,P	1980	16	1	OP
Mystery of Sacrifice, The	Cov	LP	Y,A	1980	84	2	OP
Nineteen Day Feast, The	PF, CFC	LP	I,Y,A	1987	24	1	UP
Objectives for a Bahá’í Child—Education Program	Gen, CFC	Guide	P,I,Y	1975	14	1	OP
Progressive Revelation	CF, PF	LP	P,I	?	109	2	UP
Progressive Revelation and Manifestations	CF, PF	LP	I	1988	41	1	UP
Secret of Wealth, The	Gen, Cov	LP	A	1979	85	1	IP
Sing a New Song: Bahá’í Songs for Children	Gen	AB	P,I	1960	44	2	OP
Spanish Lesson Guide for Bahá’í Classes	Gen	LP	P,I	1987	37	2	UP
Study Classes on the Covenant	Cov	SG	I,Y	1987	5	2	UP
Study Course on Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era	CF	SG	I	1942	?	2	OP
Study Guide to the Dawn-Breakers	Hist	SG	Y,A	1973	35	1	OP
Study Guide for Unrestrained as the Wind	Gen	SG	I,Y,A	1985	26	2	OP
Study Outline and Aids for Advent of Divine Justice	SW, PF	SG	Y,A	1941	26	2	OP
Study Outline: Book of Certitude	SW, SPG	SG	Y,A	1933	15	2	OP
Sunflower Series	SW, Gen	AB	N,P,I	1984	varies	2	IP
What Is Teaching? Why Teach?	Gen	LP	P,I	?	8	2	UP
Where There’s a Will	Cov	LP	Y,A	1988	53	1	IP
Word of God, The	SW	SG	Y,A	1987	70	2	IP
Youth for One World (YOW) Member Manual	Gen	AB	Y	1980	116	2	OP
Youth Programs for Bahá’í Schools	Gen	SG	A	1981	34	2	OP

KEY TO INDEX LISTINGS

Content Focus

Abbreviation	Name	Description
Gen	General	Various topics or not specified
Hist	History	Bahá’í history, heroes and heroines
CF	Central Figures	Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Cov	Covenant	Laws, administration, Guardianship
Peace	Peace	Teachings and writings on peace
PF	Principles	Social and spiritual principles
CFC	Community	Community, families, communication
SW	Sacred Writings	Writings of the Central Figures
SPG	Spiritual Growth	Spiritual attributes and qualities

For Age

Abbreviation	Name	Description
N	Nursery	Ages 0-4 years
P	Primary	Ages 5-8
I	Intermediate	Ages 9-14
Y	Youth	Ages 15-20
A	Adult	Ages 21 and up

Type

Abbreviation	Name	Description
SG	Study Guide	Outline of material and study questions
LP	Lesson Plans	Directions for teacher with goals/objectives
SG/LP	Both of above	Study guide and lesson plans
Curr	Curriculum	Comprehensive series/course of study
Guide	Manual	Manual for a project training course
ATapes	Audio tapes	Audio only information
AB	Activity book	Activity and coloring book
Wkshp	Workshop	Detailed lesson plan, day or week

Status (level of publication)

Abbreviation	Name	Description
IP	In print	Presently in publication and available
OP	Out of print	Formerly published, not now available
UP	Unpublished	Recently developed, not yet published

Published materials available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service

America’s Spiritual Destiny

A study guide toward understanding the spiritual destiny of America as it is portrayed in the Bahá’í Writings. The book includes five lessons on the condition of the country and the significance of the Writings for the American community. The lessons include quotations from the Writings, exercises and questions for use by individuals, study groups, workshops, youth through adult. Second printing, 1984; 104 pp., $8.50.

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

A study guide for learning about and understanding the significance of the Covenant in Bahá’í life. Each topic carries a summary, a selection of quotations from the Writings, suggested additional readings, and multiple-choice and discussion questions. May be used by an individual or study group. Prepared by the National Teaching Committee, 1988; 86 pp., softcover, $2.50.

Effective Teaching (Instructor’s Guide and Workbook)

These two books were written to help promote understanding of the meaning of teaching the Faith and present a number of ways to teach. Passages from the Bahá’í Writings are quoted, and worksheets are provided to sharpen one’s understanding. Each section ends with an evaluation form. Prepared by the National Teaching Committee; third printing, 1987; softcover, $2.50.

Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being

A study guide offering chapters on God’s purpose for man, the foundations of a spiritual union, preparation for marriage, and building the fortress for well-being. Contains a mixture of quotations and text. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1973; 86 pp., hardcover, $16.50.

I Am a Bahá’í: Sunflower Series for Young Children

The Sunflower Series consists of eight activities books, the last four of which have been bound together under the title I Am a Bahá’í. For pre-school children, the series was designed to strengthen the spiritual identity of a Bahá’í child through parental assistance with coloring and cut-and-paste activities. The series includes My Bahá’í Book, My Favorite Prayers and Passages, God and Me, My Bahá’í Community, The Bahá’í Feasts, and Our Bahá’í Holy Places. Includes guidelines for parents. Written by Deborah Christensen, illustrated by Pepper Oldziey and John Solarz; Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1984; 48 pp., softcover, $5.95.

Where There’s a Will

A reference guide for implementing Bahá’u’lláh’s Law concerning wills. The guide includes questions and discussion concerning death, funeral arrangements and burial. Although intended as a manual for a course of study, it is suitable for use by individuals and Spiritual Assemblies as a reference source. The work includes a guide for preparation for a visit to an attorney, and pre- and post-tests. Prepared by the Office of the Treasurer, 1988; 53 pp., softcover, $2.50.

Word of God, The

A study guide for understanding the importance of, and the role of, the Creative Word. Each section presents a topical summary and selected quotations from the Sacred Writings followed by multiple-choice and discussion questions. For use by individuals or study groups. National Teaching Committee, 1987; 70 pp., softcover, $2.50. [Page 14]

Out-of print and previously unpublished materials

Copies of these materials may be obtained in either of two ways: first, if you can locate a copy in your community, feel free to photocopy them. If you cannot locate a copy, you can order a photocopy from the Bahá’í Distribution Service. The prices are marked.

Ayyam-i-Há

The Ayyam-i-Há lessons for ages 3-6, 7-10 and older children are highly participatory, rich in activity and Bahá’í content, and conducive to individual goal-setting and a growing awareness of the significance of the Intercalary Days. Available from the author, Janet King, 3907 Silver Springs Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; 9 pp., photocopy $1.80.

The Bahá’í Calendar

A complete lesson plan for pre-youth and youth based on the Creative Word. It may be divided into as many as four lessons and used in toto at a conference or in a community, and even as an introduction to new believers. The teacher may wish to supplement the lesson material with activities that encourage students to apply the principles involved in a variety of ways. Study questions are provided; memorization is encouraged. Available from the author, Sunni DaVar, 243 E. Main St., Apt. 5, Danville, KY 40422; 1987, 8 pp., photocopy $1.60.

Bahá’í School Lesson Plans, Grade 3, Series 1

As part of a larger curricula series, this booklet provides the teacher with a wide variety of activities and resources. The focus is on the life of Bahá’u’lláh; God and Man; and Science and Religion. Authored by a school advisory committee, 1970; 111 pp., photocopy $22.50.

Bahá’í Teaching Guide for Children with Teaching Manual

The Teaching Guide for Children, Intermediate Teacher's Manual, is part of a series designed for pre-primary school through intermediate age children, containing instructions and guidelines for using the children's intermediate workbook. Each lesson includes questions and "things to do." Compiled by Alice Cox and Evelyn Musacchia, illustrated by Lynn Hutchinson; 1966, 223 pp., photocopy $44.60.

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era: Study Guide

A study guide for teachers. Consists of 15 sections, accompanied by study and discussion questions and suggested readings. Written by Gertrude Robinson; 1971, 20 pp., photocopy $4.00.

Blessed Is the Spot—Lessons in Reverence

Seven lesson plans for ages 8-11 years with reverence as the theme. Topics include prayer, nature of sacredness, holy places, Houses of Worship, and the Feast. The lessons stress discussion but also contain word searches, games, a pattern for a "Lite-Brite" picture of the Shrine of the Báb, and songs from Bahá’í albums. Also includes plans for building a model of the House of Worship in Panama. Available from the author, Marie Scheffer, 217 Paxton St., Sioux City, IA 51105; 1988, 32 pp., photocopy $6.40.

Study Guide for 'Unrestrained As the Wind'

Provides an opportunity for deeper understanding of the teachings of the Faith as they relate to issues concerning Bahá’í youth in their mission as teachers. Includes 267 discussion questions with references to the text and 92 questions to stimulate the student to relate, compare and create concepts that will result in fresh approaches to teaching, developing a career and living the Bahá’í life while coping with social pressures. Written by Dwight Allen, 1985; 26 pp., photocopy $5.20.

Study Outline and Aids for 'Advent of Divine Justice'

Prepared to help the American Bahá’í community in its understanding of the implications of the Guardian's letter for the Seven Year Plan. Includes Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh to America, outline of text, topical outline of details, thought questions and references for further study, and glossary. 1940-41, 26 pp., photocopy $5.20.

Study Outline: 'The Book of Certitude'

Prepared in response to a letter from the Guardian emphasizing the importance of the Book of Certitude and its role in the teaching work in the West. The first section outlines parts one and two of the book, and the second section presents 59 discussion questions under each main heading of the outline. Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 1933; 15 pp., photocopy $3.00.

What Is Teaching? Why Teach?

A program using a combination of activities including art, role-playing and word scrambles from a variety of sources to impart concepts concerned with teaching. The author differentiates between teaching and proclamation, encourages memorization, and includes a stimulus for holding a fireside. Written by Janet King; undated, 8 pp., photocopy $1.60.

'Youth for One World' Member Manual

An activity manual for intermediate-age children. Designed along lines of a secretary's manual with goals and achievement awards system. Can be used by pre-youth and younger children to increase their motivation to serve, learn, grow, teach and take part in Bahá’í community life. Written by Linda Gregory and Kathy Peterson, 1980; 116 pp., photocopy $23.20.

Youth Programs for Bahá’í Schools: Director's Resource Guide

A course designed to train youth or adults working with ages 12-21 at Bahá’í schools or universities. It may serve as a manual for a director planning a program for youth. Describes age characterizations and expectations, program ideas, and organizational details, and suggests activities, a time line for completion of director's preparations, and a list of responsibilities. The course aims to generate a feeling of respect and dignity for each young person, and encourages a balance among spiritual, social and recreational activities. National Education Committee, 1981; 34 pp., photocopy $6.80.

The Secret of Wealth: Course on Personal Resource Management

In five sessions, students are engaged in a study of our dual nature as a foundation for learning how to control and make the best use of personal resources, whether spiritual or material. After studying several examples of good and poor family budgeting systems, students learn how to set personal and family priorities and make use of budget finance sheets that reflect their own goods and priorities. The course is basic to any social and economic development project that aims to uplift the human spirit and preserve human resources. Prepared by the Office of the Treasurer, 1979; 85 pp., photocopy $17.00.

Sing a New Song: Bahá’í Songs for Children

A song book with words and music for young children. Songs are reflective of the folk music period with both sacred Writings and writer-inspired lyrics. Colorful graphics and illustrations heighten the effect. 1960, 44 pp., photocopy $8.80.

Spanish Lesson Guide for Bahá’í Classes

This guide was prepared for use with children ages 6-9 in El Salvador. An Hispanic believer has reported the material as useful, accurate and inspiring for both children and adults. Written by Bonnie Cote; 28 lessons, 37 pp., photocopy $7.40.

Study Classes on the Covenant

An outline for up to six classes for pre-youth, youth and adults. Lists extensive references both for class sessions and homework assignments. Teachers are free to devise strategies and objectives for lesson presentations and review at the end of the course. Written by Marilyn Tashakkor; 1987, 5 pp., photocopy $1.00.

Study Course for 'Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era'

For use by youth ages 11-15. Each lesson includes several activities to bring the content to youth level. Questions are included for discussion of the activities and text. Child Education Committee, 1942; 11 pp., photocopy $2.20.

Study Guide to 'The Dawn-Breakers'

A general outline and summary of Nabil's Narrative followed by a series of questions for evaluation of the students' comprehension of the material in each general reading. Some general-discussion questions are included, as well as a system to help in learning the Persian names and their pronunciation. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1973; 35 pp., photocopy $7.00.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of the Covenant

A wide variety of stories and quotes from the Creative Word have been assembled to present the reality of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to children ages 2-11. Nine lessons cover ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's travels in North America, His Station, His role as Exemplar of His Father's teachings, and his services to humanity. A generous supply of art work is featured. The unit can be used for an entire summer school term. Undated, 74 pp., photocopy $14.80.

Children's Program for Bahá’í Schools Directors

A directors' manual of instructions for recruiting teachers, preparing instructional materials, and developing a curriculum for summer and winter school programs. It also provides sample letters and reports, many checklists, and a source listing of supplies and equipment. Written by Bud and Victoria Polk; 30 pp., unpublished, not dated, photocopy $6.00.

Comprehensive Deepening Program: The Bahá’í Electoral Process

A study guide detailing the procedures for Bahá’í elections and the individual's responsibility to the process. Quotations from the Sacred Writings and the Guardian provide clarity as to approach to the electoral process, and spiritual behavior. Written by Daniel C. Jordan; Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1965; 48 pp., photocopy $9.60.

Comprehensive Study Outline for Children

A collection of lessons for intermediate age children, covering the Kingdoms of God, several of the Manifestations, and the Bahá’í community. Each lesson includes poetry, selected readings, hands-on activities, stories about the Central Figures, group discussion questions, and a bibliography. Child Education Committee, 1960; 53 pp., photocopy $10.60.

Creative Dramatics and Music

A handbook for Bahá’í teachers of all ages with emphasis on ages 4-14, prepared for use at Bahá’í schools by a professional music and drama teacher and several assistants. This is a unique contribution to Bahá’í educational materials; whatever the particular theme or lesson in use, this material can be used to extend the lesson to a greater variety of applications and a more wholistic approach to learning. Movement, story-telling, dramatic play and music are used to deepen students' understanding of the Creative Word, family life, consultation, peace, love and unity, and problem-solving. Written by Dr. Erma Hayden with Kim Kimmerling and Molly King; unpublished manuscript, National Schools Committee, 1973; 73 pp., photocopy $14.60.

The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh: A Study Guide

Nine lessons, each with questions for study and discussion of the material in a specific section of the book, with page references for each question. True/false questions are provided with each lesson for individual evaluation. Study Outline Committee, 1938; 14 pp., photocopy, $2.80.

The Everlasting Covenant and the Greater Covenant

A systematically planned and thorough course of study of 13 lessons intended for those preparing for spiritual maturity (ages 14-15), and equally suitable for new Bahá’ís, Bahá’í youth and others interested in obtaining an in-depth understanding of the proofs of Bahá’u’lláh's Mission, Bahá’í prophecy, the sacred documents relating to the Covenant, progressive revelation, and obligatory prayer. Questions, assignments, and a course review are included. All quotations appear in the study materials. Written by Sunni DaVar, 1986; 81 pp., photocopy $16.20.

The Fast and Naw-Rúz

A companion piece to the author's lesson plan on Ayyam-i-Há, this lesson draws on Persian tradition to explain and contrast Bahá’í perspectives on these Days. Oranges, candy and lanterns are used to illustrate the spiritual principles behind the Fast and Naw-Rúz. The lesson can be supplemented by memory work from the Creative Word. Written by Janet King; undated, 4 pp., photocopy $.80.

The Fund

A mini-unit on the nature, type and purpose of the Fund, offering two lessons each for ages 3-6, 7-10 and 11 years and older. It is plentifully supplied with games, puzzles and art activities, and provides detailed strategies for introducing the concepts to each age group, using stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quotes from the Writings, and spiritual attributes. Written by Janet King; date unknown, 14 pp., photocopy $2.80.

Man’s Dual Nature

This nine-lesson unit for pre-youth focuses on the concept of man's dual nature as stated in "The Promise of World Peace." The lessons explore the issue in depth through study and analysis of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's writings. Includes analysis of vocabulary, definitions, and memorization of Bahá’í Writings. Written by Sunni DaVar, 1986; 61 pp., photocopy $12.20.

Sunflower Books for Young Children: My Favorite Prayers and Passages

A guide to encourage children to use and memorize the Writings while recording their progress in an orderly, artistic way. Places children in direct contact with the Writings, helping them to acquire the habit of daily prayer and meditation. Written by Deborah Christensen, 1980; 16 pp., photocopy $3.20.

The Mystery of Sacrifice

A series of five lessons designed to promote an understanding of the meaning of sacrifice, using history and development of the Bahá’í Era as examples. Each lesson features quotations from the Writings and outlines a series of individual and group discussions and questions. Office of the Treasurer, 1980; 84 pp., photocopy $16.80.

The Nineteen Day Feast

Two units of four lessons each for ages 3-6 and 12-15 years. Usable in connection with the Feast or during weekly classes. Lessons for the younger children emphasize reverent behavior, and memorization/recitation of prayers during Feast. Materials for the older children emphasize study of the Creative Word and the purpose, nature and arrangements of the Feast. Written by Sunni DaVar, 1987; 24 pp., photocopy $4.80.

Objectives for a Bahá’í Child-Education Program: Active Participation in Bahá’í Community Life

Provides communities, teachers and parents with clear objectives for planning the active participation of all children in Bahá’í community life, based on the Creative Word and the Bahá’í calendar. The emphasis is on shared responsibility for the spiritual education of children and the application of spiritual principles to daily life. Quotations from the Writings are included as appropriate. National Education Committee, 1975; 14 pp., photocopy $2.80.

Progressive Revelation

This nine-lesson unit is rich with hands-on activities and analogies. Numerous puzzles and games from Brilliant Star magazine and other sources have been included. Background information on each of the Manifestations of God is included. An especially good unit for classes beginning in the fall season through December or January. For ages 3-6, 7-10, 11-12. Written by Janet King, undated; 109 pp., photocopy $21.80.

Progressive Revelation

A unit of eight lessons for ages 9-12; easy to follow. Lessons for Zoroaster and Krishna were omitted. Relies on student reports and knowledge quizzes. The unit can be supplemented by teacher creativity and use of the Creative Word. Written by Marie Scheffer, 1988; 41 pp., photocopy $8.20.

EVALUATION

1. How was the catalog used? 2. How might you use the catalog? 3. What are the positive elements of the catalog? 4. What are your suggestions for improvement? 5. Do you know of other educational materials that you feel should be considered for the catalog? Please list.

Please return to: National Bahá’í Education Committee c/o Anne Breneman Florence, SC 29501 [Page 15]

LETTERS

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

Kevin Locke plays traditional Native American flute music during a recent fireside in Boulder, Colorado, attended by about 70 people. Afterward, Mr. Locke spoke on "Indian Prophecies."

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.

Almost like being in love

To the Editor:

Something is happening to me; something magical—it reminds me of falling in love. It’s exciting. It’s disrupting. It stirs my heart and brings tears to my eyes.

It all started with a Teaching Institute. How or why I do not know. It scares me. But I pray it never stops. It may change my life, although it’s too early to know for sure.

Find out about Teaching Institutes—it’s not too late. And if you aren’t real careful, it may happen to you too.

Joseph Kohli Skokie, Illinois

Simple act gives pleasure

To the Editor:

I would like to comment on a simple act that has given me considerable pleasure and personal satisfaction.

That simple act is the privilege of contributing to the completion of the Arc on Mount Carmel. In my case, I sent the contribution to the National Fund, asking that it go toward the Arc.

As one with a special interest in architecture, as well as the emergence of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, I have a great appreciation for the importance of what is now taking place on the slopes of our sacred Mount Carmel.

Not only are we developing a needed administrative center, we are making an architectural and engineering statement to posterity.

I believe that architecture has a potent spiritual component in its effect on people. I consider our project to have the greatest architectural importance of any in the world at this time.

Future generations of Bahá’í s will not have the opportunity we now have. They will possess the Arc in its completeness; we have the ability to take part in its completion—our gift to them.

I would like to close by asking all those who read this to seize the opportunity to participate in an event that is of importance architecturally on a world scale. The opportunity will not come again.

Handly Caraway St. Augustine, Florida

Fund Addresses

صندوق محلى (نشانی دقیق را از جامعه محلی خود بدست آورید)

صندوق ملی c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

صندوق قاره ای c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

P.O. Box 155 Haifa 31 001, Israel

صندوق ملهوفين c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

هیئت امنای حقوق الله Rocky River, OH 44116

Fondos de las comunidades Bahá’í locales (pregunte a su comunidad local por el domicilio del suyo)

Fondos Nacionales de los Bahá’ís c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Fondos Continentales de los Bahá’ís c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Fondos Internacionales de los Bahá’ís P.O. Box 155 Haifa 31 001, Israel

Fondos Para Asistencia Persa c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Huqúqu’lláh Bahá’í Rocky River, OH 44116

Local Bahá’í Fund (ask your local Bahá’í community for the correct address)

National Bahá’í Fund c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Continental Bahá’í Fund c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í International Fund P.O. Box 155 Haifa 31 001, Israel

Persian Relief Fund c/o Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH 44116

Nine Oaks program focuses on women

On June 10, the Nine Oaks Bahá’í School in Arroyo Grande, California, hosted a public meeting whose theme was "Where Are the Women Going?"

Four area newspapers published articles announcing the event at which Juana C. Conrad, a co-founder of Women for International Peace and Arbitration, spoke to more than 100 people, 80 percent of whom were not Bahá’ís, on racism and sexism as they relate to peace.

New teaching approach

To the Editor:

We’d like to share a teaching and proclamation approach that has been responsible for bringing knowledge of the Faith’s existence to about 300 people in Denver and resulted in some declarations.

It involves offering as a public service weekly adult education programs that are broad in scope and of interest to the general public, and publicizing them in the "calendar" and community service sections of the free weekly and monthly newspapers in the community.

Our most successful programs have consisted of seminars on best-selling or well-known books that deal with themes related to the teachings of the Faith.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold Kushner; Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning; Carl Jung’s Undiscovered Self, and M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled have been especially effective in attracting the general public.

Another successful program was "Dr. Albert Einstein—His Scientific Achievements and Views on Religion and World Peace."

In sum, our experience indicates that using the calendar and public service announcement sections of free newspapers to publicize adult education programs of general public interest that deal with themes related to the Faith can be an effective means of proclaiming and teaching the Faith.

Esther Kinzie Faris Denver, Colorado

On domestic violence

To the Editor:

At a time when domestic violence and child abuse have become particularly widespread, it would be naïve to assume that the Bahá’í community would be immune to such difficulties.

I would like therefore to call to the attention of Assemblies and individuals who may be dealing with such problems an article published in Volume 3 of the Bahá’í Studies Notebook ("The Divine Institution of Marriage," March 1983) by Janet Cullen Tanaka entitled "Counseling members of the Bahá’í Faith in domestic violence: some special considerations."

The article is addressed to family counselors who are not members of the Faith and to Assemblies to help in their handling of such cases.

It details how misunderstanding of certain teachings can become a block to successful counseling, shows how properly understood Bahá’í beliefs can be resources on which a counselor can draw, and shows how other teachings can be used as resources to correct those misunderstandings that act as roadblocks.

We have presented a copy of the article to the Rosebud Reservation’s White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society, which hosts a shelter for women, and it was well-received.

Perhaps other communities may wish to acquire it for their own use and consider presenting it to area professionals who might benefit from it.

Karen Jentz White River, South Dakota

Mass. conference confronts racism

Thirty-six Bahá’ís from a number of communities in Massachusetts gathered July 30 at the Wentworth Institute for a conference on "the most challenging issue" of racism.

During the conference, four groups studied the last two paragraphs of the Guardian’s discussion of "the most challenging issue" in The Advent of Divine Justice and made recommendations to the group as a whole.

The last hour was spent in a soul-searching effort to understand the thought processes that lead to racist attitudes.

The conference was one of a series planned by the Bahá’í communities of Boston and Cambridge.

Bahá’ís strive for Ideal

Shahed Lewis, a nine-year-old Bahá’í who attends Pickens (South Carolina) Elementary School, recorded the highest score in the state in this year's Academic Quest competition. He was a member of a team of top scorers in Pickens County that won the state championship and took fourth place in the national competition in Orlando, Florida.

Ashley Anis Avaregan, a Bahá’í from Glen Rock, New Jersey, has won an array of awards including a 1989 Young Citizen's Award from U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley and recognition of academic achievement from the New Jersey Department of Higher Education. At his graduation last June, Ashley, a member of the National Honor Society, was one of three students to receive a citizenship award, given in part for "a strong religious commitment and service.. reflective of (his) deep value system." To complement his scholastic endeavors, Ashley took part in the drama, history and Latin clubs and played on the soccer, tennis and basketball teams.

Erika Haendel, a 15-year-old Bahá’í who attends Boulder (Colorado) High School, was chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to compete in July in the Olympic Festival in Norman, Oklahoma, after placing second in the Colorado State Championships for cyclists. In school, Erika carries a 4.0 average and was named 1989 French Language Student of the Year.

Dan Scott, a member of Cub Scout Pack 80 in Louisville, Colorado, was recently awarded the Bahá’í "Unity of Mankind" religious emblem by the Spiritual Assembly of Louisville. In recognizing the award before the pack, Dan's Cubmaster noted that "few boys earn the religious emblem, so this is really something you should be proud of."

Scott Elliot Tyler, a Bahá’í of Makah Indian descent, was graduated last June from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Tyler is the first American Indian from western Washington state to be accepted into the university's medical school and the first Makah Indian to receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Donalee S. Blaine, a member of the Bahá’í community of New Castle County North, Delaware, was recently named a Community Builder of the Year by the Delaware region of the National Council of Christians and Jews. Mrs. Blaine, who is a member of the Spiritual Assembly and serves as coordinator of its international refugee placement program, was honored for her coordination of the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Services and for her work in prejudice-reduction programs in local public schools.

Julie Spiers, an 11-year-old Bahá’í from Altamonte Springs, Florida, won second prize for her essay on "What the Constitution Means to Me" in a contest at the English Estates Elementary School. Besides winning the $10 prize, she was able to read the essay, which mentions the Faith, to an audience of 750 at the school.

Keyvan Paymani, a 12-year-old Bahá’í from Columbus, Indiana, was a member of the Parkside Elementary School team which recently won the Indiana state championship in the Future Problem Solving Bowl at Indiana University-Indianapolis. The four-member team, which beat 20 others in its grade division, was to compete for international honors at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Melanie Suhm, a young Bahá’í from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was graduated from high school this year with highest honors and was one of two students chosen by her classmates to speak at the graduation ceremony. She was president of the student council, active in several clubs, most valuable player on the girls track team (she holds the school records in the 60- and 100-meter dashes), was a starting guard on the girls basketball team, a member of a percussion ensemble that placed second in state competition, and won honorable mention for a watercolor painted for a state art competition.

Marie Dawn Fleming, a 10-year-old Bahá’í from Spokane, Washington, recently received the Girl Scouts' Unity of Mankind Award, which is earned by completing a prescribed program of study and is available to boys and girls who are not Bahá’ís. She is the first Scout in her council to complete the program.

Hajir Moghaddam, a Bahá’í from Springfield, Massachusetts, is one of two students designated Seventh Grade Students of the Year at Springfield's Kiley Junior High School. [Page 16]

Cambridge Bahá’ís active in Peace Camp

The Bahá’í community of Cambridge, Massachusetts, played an active role in this year's Cambridge Peace Camp, sponsored by the Cambridge City Peace Commission.

The camp brings together young people from the U.S. with those from Eastern and Western Europe and the Soviet Union. Fourteen Americans took part in this year's Camp with youth from Armenia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, West Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Russia.

The highlight of Bahá’í involvement came on July 27 when the Bahá’ís of Cambridge hosted a dinner for the Peace Campers. About 70 people attended.

Brian Aull, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Cambridge and chairman of the Peace Commission, presented a talk on the Bahá’í vision of world peace, after which copies of "The Promise of World Peace" were given to each of the Peace Campers.

UN Day kits, featuring "Rights of the Child" and "Pulling Together: A Program for America in the United Nations" are available for $3 each. To order, send check to UNA-USA, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

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.

Calendar of Events

October 6-8: International Women's Conference, Montevideo, Uruguay. Theme: "The Moment Has Arrived." Deepening and consultation on peace, the equality of men and women, and the development of women. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

October 26-29: Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

October 28-29: "Stepping Stones to Peace," third annual Children's Peace Conference, Pasadena (California) City College. Theme: "Imagine Peace." Pre-registration is required. For information, phone 818-459-9033.

November 9-11: National Conference on the United States and United Nations, Renaissance Hotel Techworld, Washington, D.C. Theme: "The U.S. and the Global System: Forging a New Relationship." For information or to register, contact Kathy Morrell, Conference on U.S. and UN, Washington, DC 20005 (phone 202-393-1377).

November 11-12: Bahá’í International Health Agency conference, "AIDS and the Bahá’í Community," Montreal Bahá’í Centre, Québec, Canada. Designed for Bahá’ís who are care-givers, health professionals, family, friends or persons who have AIDS themselves. For information, contact BIHA, Westmount, Québec H3Z 1P7, Canada, or phone 514-931-7640.

December 8-10: West African Bahá’í Music Festival, Liberia. Theme: "Peace Through Unity." For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-869-9039.

December 28-30: International Conference for the Friends of Dr. Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir, Quito, Ecuador. To observe the 10th anniversary of Dr. Muhájir’s passing and to launch "Muhájir Year" in Ecuador. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).

Festival of Nations

The District Teaching Committee of Southeast Florida-Central was invited to take part May 27-29 in the 'Festival of Nations' at Broward Community College in Davie. The festival was sponsored by major corporations and private businesses to bring together all the cultural groups in Broward County and to swear in 500 new American citizens. Besides booths such as this one manned by the Bahá’ís, there was a marketplace where purchases could be made by the 30,000 people attending the festival, and a showcase for talent from around the world.

Seven major goals of Six Year Plan

1. Carrying the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the generality of mankind 2. Greater involvement of the Faith in the life of human society 3. A worldwide increase in the translation, production, distribution and use of Bahá’í literature 4. Further acceleration in the process of the maturation of local and national Bahá’í communities 5. Greater attention to universal participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual believers 6. A wider extension of Bahá’í education to children and youth, and the strengthening of Bahá’í family life 7. The pursuit of projects of social and economic development in well-established Bahá’í communities