The American Bahá’í/Volume 21/Issue 12/Text

[Page 1]

Faith on move in E. Europe, Asia; Arc funding ’imperative’[edit]

To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the world

SEVEN MONTHS AFTER LAUNCHING SUPPLEMENTARY TWO YEAR PLAN REJOICE ANNOUNCE FOURTEEN LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN SOVIET UNION, PLUS SIX IN ROMANIA WHERE THERE ARE NOW OVER 600 BELIEVERS, AND ONE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EACH IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND YUGOSLAVIA. DEVELOPMENT FAITH IN ALL THESE COUNTRIES AS WELL AS IN ALBANIA, BULGARIA, MONGOLIA AND POLAND GOING FORWARD WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED, FORMATION MORE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES IN PROCESS OR EXPECTED SHORTLY.

IN HOLY LAND WORK ON TERRACE OF SHRINE OF THE BÁB PROGRESSING. RESERVE REQUIRED FOR COMMENCEMENT WORK ON ARC NOW REACHED $45,000,000, $29,000,000 FROM EARMARKED CONTRIBUTIONS, $16,000,000 THROUGH TRANSFERS MADE FROM CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUQUQU’LLÁH AND THE BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL FUND. IMPERATIVE FULFILL INITIAL GOAL $50,000,000 FORTHWITH, AND ENSURE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION $20,000,000 FOR MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS TO ENABLE WORK PROCEED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.

CONFIDENT INVINCIBLE SPIRIT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH WILL ENABLE HIS FOLLOWERS EVERY LAND MEET CHALLENGE WORLDWIDE EXPANSION CAUSE AND INTERNATIONAL NEEDS OF THE FAITH AT WORLD CENTER.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE NOVEMBER 1990

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

By the Universal House of Justice

Continental Boards of Counselors appointed[edit]

To the Bahá’ís of the World

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

It gives us great pleasure to announce the membership of the Continental Boards of Counselors as from the Day of the Covenent, November 26, 1990. The number of Continental Counselors remains at 72, but adjustments have been made in their geographical distribution in consonance with the development of the Faith around the world.

The membership of the Continental Boards of Counselors as now appointed is:

AFRICA (18 Counselors): Dr. Hushang Ahdieh (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Mr. George Allen, Mrs. Beatrice O. Asare, Mr. Gila Michael Bahta, Mr. Kiser Barnes, Mrs. Parvin Djoneidi, Mr. Mehraz Ehsani, Mr. Friday Ekpe, Mr. Shidan Fat’he-Aazam, Mr. Kassimi Fofana, Mr. Hizzaya Hissani, Mr. Zekrollah Kazemi, Mr. Muhammad Kebdani, Mr. Daniel Ramoroesi, Mr. Gilbert Robert, Mrs. Edith Senoga, Mrs. Lucretia M. Warren, Mr. Wingi Mabuku.

THE AMERICAS (17 Counselors): Mr. Eloy Anello, Mr. Gustavo Correa, Mr. Rolf von Czékus, Mrs. Jacqueline Delahunt, Dr. Wilma M. Ellis, Dr. Peter McLaren (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Mr. Shapoor Monadjem, Mrs. Linda Neufeld, Mrs. Ruth Pringle, Dr. William Roberts, Mrs. Isabel de Sanchez, Mr. Fred Schechter, Mr. Errol Sealy, Dr. Arturo Serrano, Mr. Alan Smith, Dr. David R. Smith, Mr. Rodrigo Tomás.

ASIA (17 Counselors): Dr. Sabir Afaqi, Mr. Burháni’d-Dín Afshín, Mr. Fadil Ardikání, Mr. Jabbar Eidelkhani, Mr. Bijan Farid, Dr. John Fozdar, Mr. David Huang, Mr. Abbas Katirai, Dr. Kim Myung Jung, Mrs. Lee Lee Ludher, Mr. S. Nagaratnam, Dr. Perin Olyai, Mrs. Rose Ong, Mr. Vicente Samaniego, Mrs. Kimiko Schwerin, Mrs. Zena Sorabjee, Mrs. Shantha Sundram (Trustee of the Continental Fund).

AUSTRALASIA (10 Counselors): Mr. Ben Ayala, Mrs. Beatrice Benson, Mr. Afemata Moli Chang, Dr. Kamran Eshraghian (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Mrs. Violette Haake, Mrs. Tinai Hancock, Mrs. Betra Majmeto, Mrs. Gayle Morrison, Dr. Sírús Naráqí, Mr. Bruce Saunders.

EUROPE (10 Counselors): Mr. Louis Hénuzet, Mr. Foad Kazemzadeh, Mrs. Elisabeth Mühlschlegel, Mr. Patrick O’Mara (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Mr. Nabil Perdu, Mrs. Polin Rafat, Dr. Shapour Rassekh, Mr. Paul Semenoff, Dr. Ilhan Sezgin, Mr. Sohrab Youssefian.

The following 18 devoted believers who are now being relieved of the onerous duties of membership on the Boards of Counselors will, as distinguished servants of the Cause, continue through their outstanding capacities and experience to be sources of stimulation and encouragement to the friends.

Mr. Suhayl Ala’i, Mr. Husayn Ardekani, Justice Richard Benson, Mrs. Isabel de Calderón, Mr. Oloro Epyeru, Dr. Agnès Ghaznavi, Mr. Zabíhu’lláh Gulmuhammadí, Mr. Robert Harris, Mr. Bharat Koirala, Mr. Lisiate Maka, Mr. Rouhollah Momtazi, Mrs. Ursula Mühlschlegel, Dr. Leo Niederreiter, Mr. Khudárahm Paymán, Mr. Masíh Rawhání, Dr. Mihdi Samandari, U Soe Tin, Mr. Michitoshi Zenimoto.

We express to each and every one of these dear friends our heartfelt gratitude and assure them of our prayers in the Holy Shrines for the confirmation of their highly meritorious and self-sacrificing services to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Throughout all the continents the influential and energetic services of the Counselors have demonstrated the progressive development of their essential sphere of operation. The effective manner in which they inspire both the believers and institutions with a greater sense of vision and direction; the extensive consultations they carry out with National Spiritual Assemblies in the prosecution of the objectives of the Six Year Plan have confirmed the vital role they play in the advancement of the Cause.

Assembly Development Process well-received, widens scope[edit]

The National Spiritual Assembly has been receiving uniformly encouraging news from local Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and others regarding the local Spiritual Assembly Development Process begun last year.

The momentum generated by the initial development conferences and the unreserved support given to the process by the members of the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants makes possible the systematic, rapid and substantial development of our primary Bahá’í institutions.

The program is designed to be presented in modules, each of which covers a discrete topic or function. The National Spiritual Assembly highly recommends that each module be studied under the direction of a Bahá’í facilitator who resides outside the particular Bahá’í community.

In ideal practice, the module would be presented by an Auxiliary Board member or an assistant designated for the task. In some cases a specially trained facilitator who is not an assistant to the Auxiliary Board may be chosen.

The general and enthusiastic reception of the modular technique of instruction and analysis has spurred the continuous preparation of new modules and the refinement and improvement of existing materials and methods.

Over the past year, the LSA Development Process has been initiated in more than 400 Bahá’í communities across the country. Conferences were held in Alexandria, Virginia; Atlanta; Boston; Chattanooga; Chicago; Columbia, South Carolina; Houston; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles; New York City; Santa Cruz, California (Bosch Bahá’í School); and Seattle. In many locations, local Assemblies have called on Auxiliary Board members to obtain delivery of one or more modules and facilitate instruction therein.

A new series of conferences will take place over the next few months—in Birmingham, Alabama; Cleveland; Denver; Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; and Tempe, Arizona—and will introduce the development process to the communities surrounding those cities.

The development conferences are, of course, only the beginning steps in the never-ending process of institutional development. The National Spiritual Assembly and Auxiliary Board members will continually supply modules and facilitators to serve the vital goal of the evolution and maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies.

Whether or not there is a conference scheduled near your Assembly district, you are encouraged to contact your Auxiliary Board member to begin this process in your community.

82nd National Convention set for House of Worship[edit]

The 82nd Bahá’í National Convention will be held next April 25-29 in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

After seating of the delegates, less than 200 seats remain available for Bahá’ís who wish to observe the proceedings. Seats for visitors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis determined by postmark. Requests for seating postmarked on or after January 20, 1991, will be honored until seating is filled. For each seat requested, please send each person’s name, address, Bahá’í I.D. number and telephone number to: Convention Seating, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Seating is available by advance registration only.

Information about hotel accommodations will appear in the February issue of The American Bahá’í. [Page 2]

Fresno's response to need earns Cambodians' gratitude[edit]

On September 1, the headquarters of the Cambodian community in Fresno, California, was engulfed by fire, which not only made the building uninhabitable but left the group without a home while repairs were under way.

The Spiritual Assembly of Fresno was the only agency to respond to the Cambodians' emergency appeal for temporary accommodations. From October to January, the Bahá’í Center is being shared with the Cambodian community under a special lease arrangement.

This emergency help from the Bahá’ís not only earned the gratitude of local Cambodians, but the public at large has been impressed with the generosity of the Bahá’ís as they have reached out to help this human services organization.

Already, the president of the Cambodian community, Mr. Norodom Vatvani, has offered to purchase some curtains for the Fresno Bahá’í Center. Fresno is home to one of the largest Southeast Asian populations in the U.S. including many Bahá’ís. Since the Cambodian community has set up its operations temporarily in the Bahá’í Center, many Cambodians in the area have felt comfortable about visiting the Center, where workshops and English classes are being held.

As a result of this unprecedented level of interaction between the Bahá’ís and the Cambodian community in Fresno, many new teaching opportunities have been created.

Mention of Faith on television show underscores National Assembly policy[edit]

More than 50 Bahá’ís called the Bahá’í National Center recently when the television game show, "Jeopardy," broadcast incorrect information about the Faith.

The quick action of the friends enabled the National Spiritual Assembly to respond to the misinformation quickly and appropriately. The Office of Public Information wrote to the producers of the program to correct the errors and to provide background material on the Bahá’í Faith.

However, the National Assembly has learned that some individuals contacted the offices of the producer of "Jeopardy" on their own.

It is vital that the believers respond to such situations by first informing the National Spiritual Assembly. Great care must be taken in contacts with national media about the Bahá’í Faith. Decisions about such contacts rest with the National Spiritual Assembly. The perception of urgency or timeliness by an individual Bahá’í is not sufficient justification to ignore the decades-long policy.

Bahá’ís have no way of knowing what relations the National Spiritual Assembly may have with the national media or how delicate such relations may be.

The Bahá’í Faith is considered by most of the national media to be an established religion. The involvement of the Bahá’í community in the world at large continues to attract the attention of organizations, scholars and the media.

Therefore, references to the Faith in national publications and on national television will undoubtedly increase. Many such references will contain incorrect information about the Cause.

The friends are encouraged to contact the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í National Center whenever a reference to the Faith is made on national TV or in a national publication. The National Spiritual Assembly relies on the believers for accurate information about mention of the Faith in the media.

Wallace Terry guest speaker at fund-raising breakfast[edit]

Wallace Terry (center), a well-known journalist and author of the best-selling book Bloods, was the guest speaker at a recent fund-raising breakfast co-sponsored by the Bahá’í community of Washington, D.C., and the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. Proceeds from the event were used to purchase 500 'Teaching Peace' audio tapes by Red Grammer that will be presented to teachers from pre-kindergarten to first grade in the D.C. public schools. With Mr. Terry are members of the organizing committee including Bahá’ís Anita Ioas Chapman (left) and Shirley Ganao (second from left).

Bahá’ís in Coos Bay plant memorial tree[edit]

Bahá’ís in Coos Bay, Oregon, recently planted a redwood tree in the local cemetery in memory of Mrs. Alice Kerr, who was a science teacher at North Bend Junior High School and one of the first Bahá’ís in the Coos Bay area. Mrs. Kerr taught at a number of Bahá’í schools in Oregon, and before her death took a leave of absence to study the British school system and to travel to Bahá’í communities throughout the world.

Publication Information[edit]

The American Bahá’í is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Editorial assistant: Scot Corrie. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written clearly and concisely; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to the Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1990 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Counselors[edit]

Year Plan; the part they play in the vanguard of believers addressing the needs of the supplementary Two Year Plan in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, Mongolia and China; the widespread support they offer to the consolidation efforts at the grass roots of the communities through the dedicated untiring efforts of their Auxiliary Board members and their assistants; the steady encouragement they lend to both the enrollment and deepening of youth and children; the generous assistance they extend to the teaching work through the allocation of subvention funds to special projects and the publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature and audio-visual materials—in all these activities we witness the manifold evidences of the vital role exercised by these high-ranking officers of the Faith in the protection and propagation of the Cause of God.

We are calling upon the Counselors from all continents to gather at the World Center from December 28, 1990, through January 3, 1991, for a conference to deliberate on the tasks and opportunities of the years immediately ahead, as we approach the end of the Six Year Plan and the observance of the Holy Year marking the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and of the inauguration of His Covenant.

It is our fervent hope that from this conference will flow a stream of guidance and inspiration to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in every land, reinforcing a hundredfold their endeavors to achieve the triumph of the Cause of God.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The Universal House of Justice November 13, 1990

Jeopardized Assemblies Need Your Help[edit]

Listed below are Local Spiritual Assemblies that, because their community membership has fallen below the nine adult believers necessary to form an Assembly, are in danger of losing their Assembly at Ridván. Bahá’ís in surrounding communities are asked to assist with teaching efforts in these areas, traveling teachers are encouraged to arrange itineraries that include these Bahá’í communities, and prospective homefront pioneers are urged to consider them as pioneering posts.

Spiritual Assemblies in danger of being lost which have not yet reported their jeopardized status should contact the National Teaching Committee office so that they may be remembered in prayers at the House of Worship and added to our listing in future issues of The American Bahá’í.

CALIFORNIA San Fernando West Sacramento

COLORADO Golden Westminster

DELAWARE Wilmington

ILLINOIS De Kalb Northfield Twp.

MASSACHUSETTS Montague

MISSOURI Phelps County Rolla

MONTANA Ft. Peck Res. Great Falls Helena Kalispell Lewis & Clark Co. N. Cheyenne Res.

NEW MEXICO N. Sandoval Co.

OREGON Benton County Troutdale

WASHINGTON San Juan Island [Page 3]

Fund contributions show 14 percent increase[edit]

'THE FIRST CONDITION...'

"The first condition is absolute love and harmony among the members...."-‘Abdu’l-Bahá

At the end of October the friends' contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund totaled $4,143,375, up 14 percent from the same time last year. October contributions alone were 22 percent ahead of October '89.

Additional funds earmarked for the Arc were $2,021,000, and estate bequests stood at $387,000 for a total of contributions received at the National Center for these purposes of $6,551,000.

This unfolding victory, which began last summer with the friends' refusal to accept the traditional seasonal slump, and which has continued through an unprecedented level of activity and sacrifice, is a remarkable testimony to the character of the believers' devotion.

In a recent Feast letter, the National Spiritual Assembly suggested that the community strive by December to attain a 100 percent increase over the contributions level as of December '89.

"The believers should feel immensely proud of what they have accomplished to date, and they do," said a staff member in the Office of the Treasurer. "We hear from the friends that their sense of urgency about this is going to push them even beyond this point. 'It's not over until it's over' applies to Bahá’í work, too. What the friends are showing is their desire to see all these things through."

    • Young pen pals**

To the National treasurer. My close friend Colin Liu, of Lane Central and I made 20.56 Por the Arcfund. We had a Bakesale, Imade rice crispe parand Colin brought brownies. We also made bags of Popcorn. Ian Boyd

Local Assemblies respond positively to new goal program[edit]

Letters and phone calls from local Spiritual Assemblies about the goals suggested to them by the National Spiritual Assembly are beginning to come in to the Office of the Treasurer. Responses have ranged from requests for more information to tears of happiness, but all have been positive.

"We are honored," writes one Assembly, "that the National Assembly has this much confidence in us."

"We are glad to be among the ... Assemblies chosen," writes another. "You must think very highly of us."

A third advises: "After consultation, our LSA has decided to double its monthly contributions to the National Fund....We regret that this is all we are able to do at this time (due to local circumstances). . . .Nevertheless we will try to make up the balance . . . through fund-raisers of one kind or another."

According to the Office of the Treasurer, the tone of the communications received so far clearly shows the mature, frank approach Assemblies are taking to the issue.

Some accept the National Assembly's suggestion, while others respond with different target amounts, but all are voicing their replies in a spirit of unified action and consultation.

Brilliant Star Connection links schools, Assemblies with communities in Bahá’í network of education[edit]

Requests are pouring in. We have letters from India, Singapore, Colombia, Uganda, Chile, Suriname and the Cayman Islands asking for a donated subscription to Brilliant Star magazine.

The Brilliant Star Connection links Bahá’í schools, Spiritual Assemblies and children's classes in other countries with Bahá’í families and communities in the U.S.

By doing so, it helps accomplish the Six Year Plan goal of "a wider extension of Bahá’í education to children and youth, and the strengthening of Bahá’í family life."

One community writes that they have "three regular children's classes, and Bahá’ís travel one to four hours by bus, on foot or in canoes to teach classes in five communities. While Colombia has a strong tradition of children's classes and has generated fine materials, we consider Brilliant Star an excellent resource."

Your donated subscription, just $15 a year, can provide a resource of Bahá’í stories, songs, poems and articles that will be used for many years to come.

For more information, write to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

    • Brilliant Star**

Name Street City State & Zip Country

  • 1 year (6 issues), U.S. & Canada ($12)
  • 1 year foreign, surface ($15)
  • 1 year foreign, air ($25)
  • 2 years, U.S. & Canada ($20)
  • 2 years foreign, surface ($28)
  • 2 years foreign, air ($47)

[ ] new subscription [ ] renewal

Enclose payment and send to: Baha'i Subscriber Service Baha'i National Center Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Bahá’í News copies available[edit]

Complimentary copies of the historic final issue of Bahá’í News, which was published in October, are still available on request from the Bahá’í National Center. If you would like to receive one, please write to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039, ext. 270.

Huqúqu’lláh increase ‘greatly heartens’ House of Justice[edit]

To the American Bahá’í community Dear Friends,

The Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh is pleased to share with you the news of the tremendous progress in education of the Bahá’í community in the sacred Law of Huqúqu’lláh.

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated February 25, 1990, to the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, has indicated that "we are greatly heartened by the increase of contributions to the Huqúqu’lláh fund." The interest shown by the friends in understanding, deepening and obedience to this divine injunction is undoubtedly "a source of grace, abundance and all good" to us.

To accomplish the goal of the Six Year Plan in educating the Bahá’í world in the sacred Law of Huqúqu’lláh, it is essential that local Spiritual Assemblies participate actively in the promulgation of this divine commandment among the friends by organizing and arranging educational sessions on Huqúqu’lláh in their localities.

It is our hope that the friends take advantage of every opportunity to take part in these sessions to familiarize themselves and their families (especially youth and children) in the significance and details of this essential spiritual obligation. Trustees and representatives of Huqúqu’lláh are available to make presentations in educational sessions.

Finally, we would like to share with you an exerpt from a letter written by the supreme Universal House of Justice:

"... This weighty ordinance, as testified by the Pen of Glory is invested with incalculable benefit and wisdom. It purifies one's possessions, averts loss and disaster, conduces to prosperity and honor and imparts divine increase and blessing.

"It is a sacrifice offered for and related to God, and an act of servitude leading to the promotion of His Cause. As affirmed by the Center of the Covenant, Huquq offerings constitute a test for the believers and enable the friends to become firm and steadfast in faith and certitude." (Huqúqu’lláh, compilation, pp. 35-36)

With loving Bahá’í greetings, Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh August 16, 1990

    • HUQÚQU’LLÁH**

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

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees: Dr. Elsie Austin, P.O. Box 927, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Tel: ); Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (Tel: ); Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (Tel: )

Inquiries about Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 4]

Expansion • Consolidation • Development[edit]

Available in January!

The Secret of Divine Civilization New pocket-size edition by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá PS $4.50

After being out of print for several years, The Secret of Divine ‎ Civilization is available in a new pocket-size edition. Written in 1875, it discusses social reforms for establishing a spiritual civilization in Iran. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addresses the purpose, ideal form, and functioning of government; the nature and need for universal education; the significance of science; the importance of scholarship; and the foundational role played by religion and spiritual values in building a just society. Although written for an Islamic audience, The Secret of Divine ‎ Civilization offers spiritual solutions for many problems facing the modern world. 4-1/4 x 7 inches, 126 pp., introduction and index Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

The Advent of Divine Justice by Shoghi Effendi PS $4.95

This letter sets forth the spiritual prerequisites for success in every activity of the Faith. In the preface, Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney states that the letter explains clearly “the true purpose of our Faith, of America’s spiritual destiny, and the manner in which the individual believer is called upon to contribute to the achievement of this destiny, both on the homefront and in foreign fields of service”—a destiny which is clearly linked to the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order throughout the world. First published 1939, near the beginning the first Seven Year Plan, The Advent of Divine Justice outlines the first step in the implementation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. 4-1/4 x 7 inches, 91 pages, preface, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Bahá’u’lláh REFER: Indexing and Retrieval Software for the Bahá’í Writings developed by Lee Nelson SW $99.95

This new software program provides quick and easy access to the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. After selecting which books to search and entering a key word or words, your screen displays one-line references to all the passages that contain the selected word(s). By highlighting the desired reference, you can view the text itself. Paging forward or backward will allow you to see more of the context of a passage. You can also excerpt desired passages and send them to a printer, disk, or word-processing file. Refer uses the latest computer technology to provide quick access to the ocean of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings in English, facilitating personal study and research. The program is very user-friendly; however, a user’s manual has also been provided to help with installation and offers suggestions for its use. Refer requires an IBM-compatible computer, 256k memory, hard disk, and DOS 3.0 or higher. Seven 5-1/4 inch floppy or 3-1/2 inch rigid disks, User’s Manual Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Hands On: Activities for Education of Children by Alonzo and Sondra Coleman and Diane Petit Binder and Manual $24.95

A loose-leaf manual for teachers of Bahá’í children’s classes providing detailed instructions on how to construct learning centers and plan an educational program and environment for children ages 5-14. Topics include Bahá’í history, Central Figures and the Guardian, progressive revelation, Bahá’í teachings and institutions, and spiritual growth. Includes ideas for puzzles, games, and record keeping. 8-1/2 x 11 inch, 172 pp., loose-leaf notebook Louhelen Bahá’í School

The Love of God SC $.75

This 2-7/8 x 4 inch, attractive booklet offers a brief selection of Bahá’í prayers to help draw seekers and new Bahá’ís closer to God. Beginning with a brief explanation about prayer, each page includes one prayer. Categories include guidance, comfort, difficulties, healing, daily prayer, strength, courage, assistance, and the like. Small enough to carry in a pocket or purse and inexpensive enough to distribute widely, The Love of God is a useful resource for expansion and consolidation activities. 2-7/8 x 4 inches, 24 pages Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

The Glory of God SC $.75

Another 2-7/8 x 4 inch, attractive booklet designed to support mass teaching efforts. It offers brief quotations from the Bahá’í writings to help seekers and new Bahá’ís understand who Bahá’u’lláh is and what His revelation means to the world. A two-page statement explains who Bahá’u’lláh is; the remaining 22 pages explain various aspects of His station. Each page begins with a thought-provoking heading and a short extract. Small enough to carry in a pocket or purse and inexpensive enough to distribute widely, The Glory of God is a useful resource for expansion and consolidation activities. 2-7/8 x 4 inches, 24 pages Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

FAX your order by dialing: 1-708-251-3652

NOTICES The prices of two titles advertised last month were incorrect. The Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh note cards, listed as $5.50 per pack, are, however, $7.95, as are The ‎ Shrine‎ of the Báb note cards. Names and Numbers was incorrectly listed at $19.95; the correct price is $21.50. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.

Bahá’í History Calendar 147-148 B.E. CA $6.50

This year’s calendar is entitled The Báb... The Morn of Truth and features scenes and objects associated with the life and mission of this Manifestation of God’s Holy Cause and the forerunner of the Bahá’í Dispensation. It also includes a pullout map of Persia in the nineteenth century, listing significant dates and events of the Bábí revelation.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands

Bahá’í Wall Calendar 148 B.E. CA $3.00

In celebration of the opening of the south wing of the House of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá, the Bahá’í Wall Calendar features a stunning full color photograph of the main hall of the south wing of this historic house occupied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Some of the most poignant, dramatic, and historically significant events of the Heroic Age of the Faith are associated with this house, including the celebrated table talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, later compiled and published as Some Answered Questions, His penning of His Will and Testament, the receiving of the historic first group of pilgrims from the West in 1898-99, and the birth of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the U.S.

Bahá’í Pocket Calendar, 148 B.E. CA $2.50/pkg. 10

This credit-card size calendar allows you to have a Bahá’í calendar any place you need one—in your wallet, on your desk, in your car, in special folders, or on your refrigerator. Though small in size, this calendar features 12 Gregorian months on the front, including Bahá’í Feasts, Holy Days, Naw-Ruz, and the period of the Fast. The price of this convenient calendar has been reduced this year by $1.00 from last year’s price. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the U.S.

Bahá’í Datebook, 148 B.E. CA $3.75

The Bahá’í Datebook for 148 B.E. is now more useful than ever. It includes 15 Gregorian months, beginning with January 1991 and ending with March 1992. The Gregorian dates have been enlarged for greater legibility. All Bahá’í Holy Days and Nineteen Day Feasts are shaded to stand out clearly. This compact, pocket-size calendar is an invaluable, easy-to-use tool for keeping track of your daily, weekly, and monthly schedule, within the rhythm of the Bahá’í year. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the U.S.

Names and Numbers: A Bahá’í History Reference Guide by Elias Zohoori SC $21.50

A very useful reference book compiling historical data on the Central Figures of the Faith and the Guardian. It lists the exiles who accompanied Bahá’u’lláh to Akká, the Letters of the Living, the Seven Martyrs of Tehran, the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, and many others. Many illustrations and photographs are included—of Bahá’u’lláh’s family, Hands of the Cause of God, Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh, Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Kings and Rulers addressed by Bahá’u’lláh. Names and posts of Knights of Bahá’u’lláh are also listed, as is a chronology of some of the persecutions of the believers in Iran from 1844 to 1989. Names and Numbers is a convenient reference for Bahá’í scholars, students, writers, lecturers, teachers, and believers at large. 6x9 inches, 271 pages, 84 illustrations, appendix of oriental terms, transliterations, definitions Bahá’í Literature Committee of Jamaica

Contact your Local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service • 1-800-999-9019 [Page 5]

Education of Adults, Youth & Children[edit]

    • “Blessed Is the Spot” Wall Frieze, Coloring Card Set**

illustrated by Sarah G. Swain-Nisbet

    • CD $9.50**

This attractive set of eighteen separate coloring cards illustrate various lines of this well-known quotation of Bahá’u’lláh. The black and white line drawings reflect the diversity of the world’s environments and its human cultures in a variety of activities. Children ages 4 through 10 will enjoy coloring these varied scenes and developing their creative talents. This will also actively reinforce understanding of the concepts that the illustrations portray. The cards assemble into an attractive wall frieze to display at home or school.

11-7/8 x 11 inches, 18 cards Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

    • Stories for Young Bahá’ís**

by Elise Liknaitzky illustrated by Jane Williams

    • SC $3.95**

Here are three wonderful stories of love. “Mahe Makes a Friend” is the story of a young boy befriending the new boy at school, despite his difference from the other children. In “The Wings of the Bird,” a young boy and girl must overcome their fear of evil spirits in order to help an old man, thereby learning something about themselves in the process. And, in “The Bitter Tree,” two sisters struggle to maintain their love for one another despite life’s adversities. These delightful stories provide enjoyment and valuable lessons for the young reader. Suitable for children three years and older.

 5-7/8‎ x 8-1/4 inches, 44 pages National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa

    • Bahá’í Coloring Book, Set of Four**

compiled by Elizabeth M. Witham

    • SC $7.50**

This inexpensive set of four books illustrates themes found in prayers and quotations from the Bahá’í writings and portrays aspects of daily life in Africa. A brief quotation in English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa on the left-hand page sets the mood for a simple black and white illustration on the right page. Book one includes a single-page biography of the Báb, book two a biography of Bahá’u’lláh, book three of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and book four a biography of Shoghi Effendi.

Quotations in book one focus on teachings for this new day; those in book two focus on faith, certitude, and detachment. Book three focuses on developing a spiritual character; those quotations in book four focus on knowing and loving God. Children two years and older will enjoy learning basic Bahá’í principles while developing artistic and motor skills, and an appreciation for a culture other than their own.

8-1/4 x 11-3/4 inches, 21 pages per volume National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa

    • Bahá’í Newsreel Vol. 1, No. 3, Fall 1990**
    • VT $15.95**

The third in this very popular series, the Bahá’í newsreel is meant not only to inform the Bahá’í community of its teaching and development activities throughout the world, but is also a valuable chronicle of the growth and history of the Faith. It is an excellent teaching tool for those who have already expressed sympathy with the principles and claims of the Faith. Some of the highlights in number 3 include: the Sino-American Women’s Conference in China, Native American teaching activities, live satellite coverage of the Hiroshima Day commemoration, and the Soviet documentary film of the Bahá’í Faith.

U.S. Bahá’í Media Services

    • From Haitian Roots**

by U.S. Bahá’í Media Services

    • VT $25.00-VHS**

Documentary on social and economic development in Haiti shows how belief in Bahá’u’lláh and the application of Bahá’í principles are transforming daily life in this rural island setting. The fast moving, 20-minute video portrays the successes of rural schools, health care clinics, and economic development projects by using consultation and other Bahá’í principles. This video will be of particular interest to seekers who want to know how the Bahá’í Faith can solve social problems. Co-produced by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Haiti and the United States.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

    • A Pictorial History of the Bahá’í Faith in South Africa, 1911 to 1989**

by Lowell Johnson, Susan Ford, and Peter Goodman

    • SC $6.95 NET**

One of the central principles of the Bahá’í Faith—the organic and spiritual oneness of the entire human race—is, in many areas of the world, a formidable challenge to apply. The Bahá’í community is often questioned about its progress in fostering this principle, but is unaware of its own efforts. Here is a straightforward chronicle of the South African Bahá’í community’s example to their fellow countrymen and the world at large. It is an excellent resource for those who ask, “What is the Bahá’í response to apartheid?” and “What is the Bahá’í community of South Africa doing to unite the diverse peoples of that country?” Here, vividly presented through the history of this community, is the Bahá’í model for the unification of humanity in action.

8-1/4 x 5-3/4 inches, 47 pages, 127 black and white photographs, glossary National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE[edit]

A number of positions are open at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust & Distribution Service, providing many opportunities for service. If you would like to apply for any of these or would like more information, please contact Ms. Geneva Sutton, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1-708-869-9039.

EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT requires well-developed secretarial/clerical skills, strong oral and written communication skills, word processing skills, the ability to work with deadlines, and a well-defined sense of organization.

ASSISTANT EDITOR requires thorough knowledge of Bahá’í literature, and demonstrable expertise in substantive editing, copy editing, acquisitions, and other aspects of editorial responsibility.

CUSTOMER ‎ SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE‎/RECEPTIONIST requires a strong familiarity with Bahá’í literature and experience either as a receptionist or in a customer service position. This challenging position provides many opportunities for facilitating the distribution and use of Bahá’í literature and the expansion and consolidation of the Faith.

MARKETING ASSISTANT requires strong clerical and computer skills, including Word Perfect 5.0, experience serving customers, and excellent knowledge of Bahá’í literature. Experience as a BDS representative would be extremely valuable. In addition, the position requires the ability to work under multiple deadlines, a well-defined sense of organization, and the ability to work under a demanding workload.

    • Bahá’í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019**

415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 TAB 12/90

Ordered by: (Please print or type) ____________________ Date ____________ Name __________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City ____________________ State ____ Zip ______ Day Phone ____________ Circle one: American Express MasterCard VISA Check Money Order Expiration Date: ____________ Account Number: ________________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________________

QTY TITLE COST AMOUNT
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL

[Page 6]

CLASSIFIEDS[edit]

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

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)[edit]

CONSIDER moving to Wilmington, Delaware, to help save a jeopardized Assembly. Wilmington, a city of 50,000 half an hour south of Philadelphia and 75 miles north of Baltimore, is rich in culture and has extensive opportunities in the banking and chemical industries and in medicine. The people of Wilmington are proud of their ethnic diversity which is celebrated annually in a series of festivals including Afro-American, Greek, Italian and Polish. The Bahá’ís of Wilmington (eight adults, one child) look forward to helping you with housing and employment, and to welcoming you into an active Bahá’í community. Please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmington, c/o Helen Hope, secretary, Wilmington, DE 19802, or phone the Bahá’í number, 302-655-1713, at the Loder residence.

PICTURE this: mild four-season climate, close to camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and snow and water skiing, plus theatre, art shows and concerts, an easy commute to Southern Oregon State College. Major employers are in retail sales, health care, fresh fruit packing, and working with microfilm-related items. Apartment rentals start at $250/month, sale prices for homes begin at $50,000. This is Medford, Oregon (pop. 46,000), and we need you! Medford's Assembly soon will be down to five active members. If you can help, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Medford, c/o Carolyn Mann, secretary, P.O. Box 534, Medford, OR 97501 (phone 503-772-3692 or 503-772-5502).

HELP SAVE the Bahá’í Club at California State University, Sacramento! The two Bahá’í faculty members and three Bahá’í university staff members currently outnumber the Bahá’í students, and the club is in danger of losing its official recognition on campus. CSUS, only five miles from the state Capitol, draws some 2,000 international students from more than 100 countries along with many from California and the rest of the U.S. An excellent student/faculty ratio of 20-1 means more individual attention in the 66 undergraduate and 38 graduate programs, and the million-volume, 270,000-square-foot library is an ample source for research and study materials. Recreation is plentiful with two major rivers running through the city including a 23-mile bike trail along one of them. The San Francisco Bay area and Sierra Nevada mountains are less than two hours away. Full-time and part-time jobs, housing, and internships are relatively plentiful with campus departments available for assistance in the placement of each. For information or registration materials, please write to Kevin Rowley, Sacramento, CA 95828, or leave a message for him on the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System.

UNIVERSITY town in northern Delaware is seeking Bahá’ís to achieve Assembly status. Newark, one and one-half hours from Baltimore, Philadelphia and the Atlantic beaches, is the home of the University of Delaware, the Christiana Hospital and the duPont Company. Growing area can provide housing and jobs in medicine, teaching and chemicals. Newark has a friendly, home town atmosphere with many Bahá’í activities in the area sponsored by nearby Assemblies. For information, phone Dianne Nichols, 302-368-8359.

WOULD YOU like to move to the Outback without going to Australia? Homefront pioneers are needed in Somerset County, on Maryland's Eastern Shore, a vast area where living is quiet and picturesque, delightful and friendly for Bahá’ís who are retired or self-employed. Needed are teachers, doctors and college professors. Somerset County is an hour from Ocean City, Maryland; two and one-half hours from Norfolk, Virginia; three and one-half hours from Baltimore-Washington; four hours from New York City; and only minutes from Salisbury State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The county is also close to a growing metropolitan area. So if you want to say goodbye to the "rat race" and hello to quaint country living, phone Jyll Jackson-Hutton, 302-678-1250, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)[edit]

THE FOLLOWING employment opportunities are available overseas: AFRICA-The Gambia: director and teaching spouse for American Embassy school. Guinea-Bissau: agricultural specialist, project coordinator. Uganda: orthopedic technician, administrative assistant to run school business office. AMERICAS-Brazil: elementary school teachers. Grenada: surgeon/orthopedic surgeon, anesthesiologists, MDs. Honduras: elementary and secondary school teachers. St. Lucia: family practitioner, OB/GYN, radiologist, internal medicine. ASIA-India: teachers. AUSTRALASIA-Marshall Islands: physicians, hospital administrator. Yap: construction/carpentry teacher, secondary English teacher, mechanics teacher, secondary science teacher, high school guidance counselor. EUROPE-Bulgaria: pre K-8 teaching couples. Czechoslovakia: elementary school teachers. Hungary: teaching couples in computer/math or science, primary teachers K-3, intermediate teachers, director. Poland: director of training, sales trainer, customer service trainer and technical trainer to work with corporation building cable television. Romania: short-term assignments for volunteer specialists, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons and nurses, occupational, physical, recreational and speech therapists, child psychologists, nutritionists. Soviet Union: director of the Anglo-American School. Miscellaneous: a number of U.S. volunteer programs now offer retirees the chance to teach in developing countries. As the programs differ widely, it is important to investigate them thoroughly. They include the Peace Corps, International Cultural Education Programs, Global Volunteers, WorldTeach. For information about any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

SCHOOLS[edit]

THE SCHOOL of the Nations in Brasilia, Brazil, is seeking certified teachers for 1991-93 contracts, beginning in July 1991. Must have a minimum of three years' teaching experience. Single teachers preferred; housing included. Lessons in Portuguese provided. Opportunity to work in a bi-lingual school with a highly qualified Bahá’í team in preparing model curricula, training teachers, and reaching people of capacity with the message of Bahá’u’lláh. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

WANTED[edit]

THE BAHÁ’Í Justice Society is interested in having more members who are social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, specialists in conflict resolution and related fields. These and other talents are frequently needed in the Society's work. If interested, send $35 annual membership fee to: Bahá’í Justice Society, P.O. Box 43142, Detroit, MI 48243. The fee may be waived on written request.

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of Honduras needs megaphones for teaching projects. Anyone who is able to help fill this need may send contributions to: Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Honduras, , Tegucigalpa, D.C., Honduras.

New drama, 'Children of Burntwater,' highlights NABI's successful summer of children's activities[edit]

Another successful summer of children's activities has been completed at the Native American Bahá’í Institute (NABI) in Houck, Arizona.

Three nine-day sessions had an average attendance of 30-40 children. In conducting them, the NABI staff was helped by a number of volunteers from the U.S. and even overseas.

Among the highlights was a dramatic presentation, "The Children of Burntwater," which was first presented at NABI's Music and Arts Festival in August, and later performed in the San Francisco Bay area at several events arranged by that city's local Spiritual Assembly.

These and other events have provided a channel for people in the area to learn about the Faith.

Bahá’ís in Thurston County reach out to local community via International Peace Menu[edit]

On September 30, the Bahá’ís of Thurston County, Washington, helped carry out the International Peace Menu, an event that brought together some 60 representatives of 10 local peace, social justice, and environmental groups to celebrate the grassroots movement's victories and look forward to the future.

The program included a potluck supper of foods from around the world, several talks, discussion/workshop groups, and a children's program supervised by the Bahá’ís.

Atlanta Bahá’ís to host 4th Youth Conference[edit]

"Highway to a New World Order" is the theme of the fourth annual Atlanta Bahá’í Youth Conference (see Calendar of Events, p. 12).

The conference will be held December 28-January 1 at the Radisson Inn on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta. On-site registration will begin at noon Friday, December 28.

For more information about this exciting annual event, phone Shirin Mahmoodzadeh, or Rouha Sobhani.

UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY[edit]

'Children Read Books Around the World' was the theme this year as the Bahá’ís of Manhattan Beach, California, sponsored their eighth annual Children's Art Festival to commemorate Universal Children's Day. The theme was chosen to reinforce 1990 as the United Nations International Literacy Year. More than 800 children entered this year's festival, which has the full cooperation of the local school system, and more than 100 children and their parents attended an awards program at the city recreation center to recognize 47 contest winners (most of whom are pictured here) in six graded divisions.

Katharine P. Cole, pioneer to Nicaragua, Bermuda, dies[edit]

Katharine Potter Cole, a former pioneer to Nicaragua and Bermuda, died July 23 in Huntsburg, Ohio. She was 97 years old.

For many years, Mrs. Cole and her husband, Dale, were mainstays of the Cleveland Heights (Ohio) Bahá’í community. After his death in 1945 she pioneered to Managua, Nicaragua, and to Bermuda before moving in 1971 to Scottsdale, Arizona.

HERALD OF THE SOUTH[edit]

A Bahá’í Magazine from AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND featuring: Bahá’í History, Fiction, Poetry, Biography, Art and Music. In depth articles on Religion, the Environment, Education, and Social and Economic Development. Beautiful Full Color Photography with an Emphasis on the Fine Arts. A Perfect Gift for a Seeker, Friend, Teacher, Youth or Yourself. Published Quarterly U.S. DELIVERY ONLY 1 year $24 2 years $43

Name Address City/State/Zip Bahal ID# Gift from:

Make your check out to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 (708) 869-9039 [Page 7]

Many overseas opportunities available for U.S. teachers[edit]

PIONEERING[edit]

A perusal of the international employment bulletins received in the Office of Pioneering and letters received from pioneers around the world indicates that there are a variety of opportunities open for U.S. teachers.

If you are looking for an overseas teaching position, it is important that you register for teacher recruiting fairs now (see addresses below). These are an extraordinary source for first-hand information and interviews with school officials, without which you will more than likely not be hired.

Ongoing projects and activities overseas[edit]

Argentina: teaching and consolidation project.

Barbados: need for couple or single person to organize the Archives.

Belize: teaching projects.

Bolivia: teaching and consolidation project.

Brazil: "Education for Peace" project.

Canada: Yukon Bahá’í Institute.

Cook Islands: volunteer experienced in video production needed to help in the development of local television productions, preferably for a period of several months to a year.

Dominican Republic: teaching and consolidation projects.

El Salvador: metropolitan areas and suburbs, teaching and consolidation.

Fiji Islands: radio communications volunteer needed to help produce programs.

Grenada: teaching and consolidation projects.

Guatemala: "Project Quiche," urgent need for Spanish-speaking teachers to help reach the Maya Quiche Indians.

Haiti: intensive deepening and teaching project in Jacmel and Cayemite.

Hong Kong: teaching and consolidation projects.

India: volunteers needed at Bahá’í House of Worship, New Delhi.

Korea: teaching and consolidation projects.

Marshall Islands: teaching and consolidation projects.

Martinique: teaching and consolidation projects.

Mexico: teaching projects in central and southern areas.

Norway: Projects on Lofoten Islands, Alta and Spitzbergen.

Peru: projects in Tropas, Celendin and Cajamarca.

Puerto Rico: "Brilliant Star" Project, teaching project.

Swaziland: teaching/social and economic development projects.

Trinidad: Dr. Ugo Giachery Teaching Project.

Zimbabwe: teachers needed for rural secondary schools.

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

Recruiting fairs are scheduled as follows:

February 14-17: Boston, MA (ISS).

February 15-18: New York, NY (TORC). February 15-17: Columbus, OH (Ohio State U.).

February 22-24: Cedar Falls, IA (U. of Northern Iowa). February 28-March 3: New Orleans, LA (TORC). February 28-March 3: New Orleans, LA (ISS).

June 28-30: Cleveland, OH (TORC).

July (tentative): Princeton, NJ (ISS).

For more information:

ISS (International School Services), P.O. Box 5910, Princeton, NJ 08540. Phone 609-452-0990.

TORC (National Teacher Placement Bureau of America), P.O. Box 09027, Cleveland, OH 44109. Phone 216-741-3771.

University of Northern Iowa, Overseas Placement for Educators, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Phone 319-273-2061.

Ohio State University, Educational Career Services, c/o Ohio State University, 110 Arps Hall, Columbus, OH 43210. Phone 614-292-2741.

The healthy development of the Cause requires that this great expansion be accompanied by the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá’í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.

-The Universal House of Justice

SHORT-TERM GOALS[edit]

Goals Months (goals) Completed
AFRICA
Ciskei 12 0
Guinea-Bissau 12 0
Liberia 12 0
Nigeria 36 0
Tanzania 24 0
Uganda 24 20
Zambia 24 0
Total Africa 144 20
AMERICAS
Argentina 24 12
Bahamas 12 24
Barbados 12 0
Brazil 12 0
British V.I. 24 0
Colombia 24 0
Dominica 12 0
Ecuador 12 12
Guyana 24 8
Honduras 24 2
Jamaica 24 0
Leeward Isl. 12 1
Martinique 12 0
Mexico 36 12
Nicaragua 24 0
Panama 36 4
Paraguay 24 0
Puerto Rico 12 3
Uruguay 24 0
Venezuela 12 0
Total Americas 396 42
ASIA
India 24 3
Japan 24 0
Pakistan 12 0
Taiwan 36 10
Total Asia 96 13
AUSTRALASIA
Mariana Isl. 24 0
Marshall Isl. 12 0
W. Caroline Isl. 12 0
Total Australasia 48 0
EUROPE
Portugal 24 0

CURRENT U.S. PIONEERING GOALS[edit]

Goals Assigned Pioneers Sent Open Goals
AFRICA
(F) Burundi 1 1 0
(E) Ciskei 2 0 2
(E) The Gambia 2 3 0
(E) Kenya (Preferably outside Nairobi) 4 0 4
(E) Nigeria 3 5 0
(E) Sierra Leone 2 0 2
(E) South Africa 4 0 4
(E) St. Helena 1 0 1
(E) Namibia 1 0 1
(E) Transkei 2 0 2
(E) Uganda (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor) 4 0 4
(E) Venda 2 0 2
AMERICAS
(E) Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island) 2 0 2
(E) Barbados 4 0 4
(E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for National Secretariat) 2 0 2
(P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background) 17 0 17
(S) Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably Spanish-speaking couple) 2 0 2
(E) Dominica 2 1 1
(F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian) 3 0 3
(E) Grenada (Preferably Persian) 2 1 1
(F) Guadeloupe 2 0 2
(E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and blacks) 2 0 2
(S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; Preferably self-supporting) 13 0 13
(E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas and to work in village development) 2 1 1
(F) Martinique (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent) 2 0 2
(S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian) 2 0 2
(E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolidation) 4 1 3
(E) St. Vincent and Grenadines 2 3 0
(D) Suriname (Preferably Persian) 2 0 2
(E) Trinidad and Tobago (Employment opportunities for a dentist) 4 0 4
(S) Uruguay 4 0 4
(S) Venezuela 2 1 1
(E) Virgin Islands, British 1 2 0
ASIA
(E) India 6 11 0
(E) Malaysia (To help develop public relations experts) 2 0 2
(E) Nepal 2 1 1
(M) Taiwan (Chinese background) 2 1 1
AUSTRALASIA
(E) Marshall Islands (To help with administration) 2 0 2
EUROPE
(P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking) 2 2 0

LANGUAGE KEY (E) English (M) Mandarin (D) Dutch (P) Portuguese (F) French (S) Spanish [Page 8]

رشد و تقویت و تحکیم اساس محافل روحانی[edit]

LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY DEVELOPMENT

محافل روحانی محلی و اعضای هیئت معاونت با ارسال پی در پی اخبار موفقیت‌آمیز خود به محفل روحانی ملی درباره برنامه رشد و تقویت محافل روحانی که سال پیش آغاز گردید، باعث خشنودی آن هیئت نورانی شده‌اند.

جنبش و جوشی که در پی تشکیل کنفرانس‌های مربوط به برنامه مذکور حاصل شده و همچنین حمایت و کمک معاونین و مساعدینشان امکان رشد و تقویت منظم و سریع و اساسی محافل محلی را آسانتر ساخته است.

برنامه رشد و تقویت محافل بر اساس دوره‌های آموزشی ویژه‌ای که هر کدام موضوع خاصی را در بر می‌گیرد، استوار است. نظر محفل روحانی ملی آن است که هر کدام از این دوره‌های آموزشی زیر نظر يك نفر راهنما که خارج از محل تشکیل دوره‌ها سکونت داشته باشد، اداره شود.

بهتر است که دوره‌های مذکور توسط یکی از اعضای هیئت معاونت یا یکی از مساعدین آنها اداره شود. با این حال در برخی موارد می‌توان از دیگر افراد آگاهی که خصوصاً به منظور اداره این دوره‌ها آموزش دیده باشند، استفاده کرد.

روش این دوره‌های آموزشی با چنان استقبال گرمی از سوی یاران روبرو گردیده که باعث شده است که در تهیه مواد و چگونگی ارائه آن بازنگری‌های لازم جهت بهبود آنها صورت گیرد.

برنامه رشد و تقویت محافل در سال گذشته در بیش از ۴۰۰ نقطه آغاز شده و کنفرانس‌های بسیاری در ایالات مختلف جهت اجرای آن تشکیل گردیده است و در بسیاری از جوامع محلی محافل روحانی از اعضای هیئت معاونت درخواست کرده‌اند که دوره‌های آموزشی مذکور را اداره نمایند.

در ماه‌های آینده یک سلسله کنفرانس در بیرمنگام Birmingham در ایالت آلاباما و کلیولند Cleveland در ایالت اوهایو و مینیاپولیس در ایالت مینه سوتا و پورتلند در ایالت اورگان و تمپی Tempe در ایالت آریزونا انعقاد خواهد یافت و بدین ترتیب یاران آن جوامع نیز با جریان بلوغ و رشد و تقویت محافل آشنا خواهند شد.

شکی نیست که کنفرانس‌های مذکور باید بعنوان گامهای نخستین برای نیل به بلوغ محافل که خود جریانی پایان‌ناپذیر است، تلقی شود. محفل روحانی ملی و اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت با تهیه برنامه‌های آموزشی جدید و فرستادن راهنما برای اداره آنها به تحقق تحکیم اساس محافل روحانی همت خواهند گماشت.

خواه یکی از کنفرانس‌های مذکور در محل اقامت یاران تشکیل شود یا نه از یاران دعوت می‌شود با یکی از اعضای هیئت معاونت جهت آشنائی با برنامه بلوغ و رشد و تقویت محافل تماس حاصل نمایند.

برنامه تبلیغی احبای گلندل[edit]

GLENDALE TEACHING CAMPAIGN

فعالیت‌های تبلیغی یاران در گلندل در ایالت کالیفرنیا از تابستان امسال تا حال حاضر منجر به تصدیق بیش از ۷۰ نفر شده است.

هنگامی که محفل روحانی گلندل وظیفه طرح يك برنامه تبلیغی را به لجنه محلی تبلیغ واگذار کرد، لجنه مذکور فوراً یکی از محله‌های شهر را بعنوان نقطه تمرکز فعالیت‌های تبلیغی انتخاب کرد. سحر هر شنبه اعضای لجنه به محل انتخاب شده می‌رفتند و به دعا و مناجات می‌پرداختند.

چون لجنه تبلیغ فعالیت‌های خود را در تبلیغ افراد اسپانیولی زبان متمرکز کرده بود، جلسات دعا در پارکی در محله اسپانیولی زبانها تشکیل می‌شد. اعضای لجنه پس از پایان دعا و مناجات به صرف قهوه و شیرینی می‌پرداختند و دیگران را نیز به صرف آن دعوت می‌کردند.

پس از مدت کوتاهی اعضای جامعه محلی یکشنبه‌ها را نیز به پارک می‌رفتند و به تمیز کردن آن مشغول می‌شدند. بسیاری از رهگذران هم که تشویق نژاد اعضاء گروه کنجکاو‌شان کرده بود، توقف می‌کردند و سوال و جوابی می‌شد و در نتیجه دریافتند که اعضای گروه بهائی هستند. پرسش‌ها ادامه می‌یافت و بعضی هم محب و بعد صدق می‌شدند.

بدین ترتیب هر هفته عده‌ای به امر مبارک اقبال می‌کردند و به مجرد تصدیق يك وظیفه تبلیغی به آنها محول می‌شد. بسیاری از این تازه‌تصدیقان در حال حاضر به تبلیغ امر مشغولند.

با افزایش تازه‌تصدیقان برنامه‌های تبلیغی دیگری هم طرح شد. صبح روزهای یکشنبه احباء به منزل تازه‌تصدیقان می‌رفتند و اساس محبت را استوارتر می‌کردند و ضمناً به تزیید معلومات آنان هم می‌پرداختند. همچنین کلاس‌های درس اخلاق برای اطفال تشکیل می‌دادند.

چون بسیاری از تازه‌تصدیقان زبان انگلیسی را یا نمی‌دانستند یا کم می‌دانستند، محفل گلندل تصمیم گرفت که این مشکل را نیز با تشکیل کلاس‌های انگلیسی بر طرف نماید. اولین کلاس انگلیسی روز اول اکتبر سال جاری به معلمی یکی از احباء شروع شد.

یاران ملاحظه می‌کنند که يك فعالیت بسیار ساده که اول به صورت دعا و مناجات در يك پارك صورت می‌گرفت، چگونه به صورت يك موفقیت تبلیغی ‎ متبدل‎ می‌آید.

بهترین روش تبلیغ امر مبارک[edit]

THE BEST METHOD OF TEACHING THE CAUSE

آقای رستم اقدسی از احبای ساکن ایالات متحده یادداشتی از جناب میرزا منیر نبیل‌زاده به دفتر محفل ملی ارسال نموده‌اند. یادداشت مذکور را جناب نبیل‌زاده در دفتر یادبود آقای اقدسی مرقوم نموده‌اند. از آنجا که مطالب آن خلاصه و بسیار آموزنده است به درج بخش‌هایی از آن مبادرت می‌کنیم و از لطف جناب اقدسی سپاسگزاری می‌نمائیم.

اوست دانای و رهنما[edit]

جناب ناشر نفحات‌الله آقای رستم اقدسی کرمانی این دفترچه نفیس را که به خط یاران نازنین و ‎ بنمایه‎ حضرت رب‌العالمین مزین است، به دستم داده خواهش نگارش فنی از فنون معنوی تبلیغ امر الهی را نمودند. با کمال فرح و افتخار پذیرفتم... (آنچه استاد ازل گفت بگو می‌گویم)

در اوایل سال یکهزار و سیصد و بیست و نه هجری قمری در رمله اسکندریه مشرف بودم. پس از چند ماه نوشیدن از صهبای وصال و مشاهده گفتار و تعلیمات فعلی و شفاهی جانبخش آن جمال و کمال بی‌مثال امر فرمودند از اسلامبول پس از انجام خدمت مبارکه مرجوعه از طریق عدسیه به ترکستان بروم و در شهر تاشکند که آن وقت فاقد بهائی بود اقلا نفسی را هدایت کنم و احباب مرو و عشق‌آباد و سمرقند را تشویق و تحریک نمایم به آنجا بروند. لهذا معترف به عدم لیاقت خود شدم و تمنای تأیید و توفیق خدمتگذاری (و کذا فی الاصل) کردم.

بعد از بذل عنایات و فضل و الطاف ‎ لاینتناهیات‎ در آغوشم کشیده... فرمودند "بیا کلید درب تبلیغ و تأثیر را به تو بدهم." تعظیم نمودم. فرمودند: "مبلغ را دوست بدار، دوست داشتی، دوستت می‌دارد. چون دوستی به میان آمد کلامت موثر می‌شود. فی امان الله!"

خلاصه علت خلقت محبت و سبب هدایت محبت و سرمایه جلب کل خیرات دنیا و آخرت محبت است.

مهر است یکی نقطه و عالم پرگار
هر دایره را بود بدین نقطه قرار
در دایره، مرکز محبت است یکی
باشد ز محیط ره به مرکز بسیار

در خاتمه يك نکته هم می‌گویم: مبلغین از هجوم و تعرض و ملامت و تشدد و ضرب و شتم و حتی قتل خارجی یعنی اغیار نهراسیده و خسته و افسرده نشده و نمی‌شوند، اما دیده شده از تنقیدات و خورده‌گیری و تعرضات داخلی یعنی اخیار بعضی خسته و افسرده و منزوی و پژمرده گشته‌اند. کاملا ملتفت خود بوده که از این پرتگاه هولناك محفوظ مانید و از این امتحان... به حول و قوه حضرت احدیه مصون خود را نگاه دارید. از هجوم و ملامت یار و اغیار ملول و خسته و دلشکسته نشوید. متوقع هیچ چیز از هیچکس نباشید فقط ناظر به منظر اکبر باید بود و به کمال جدیت نعمت و دولت ابدی تحصیل رضای حضرت ولی امرالله ارواحنا فداه را باید به دست آورد. به تاریخ نهم شهرالمشية ۹۸.

دعاگوی شما، منیر نبیل‌زاده

علائم خروج امرالله از مرحله مجهولیت[edit]

EMERGENCE FROM OBSCURITY

یکی از نتایج دشواری‌ها و بلاهایی که احبای ایران در ده سال گذشته بدان دچار گردیده‌اند، اشتهار امر بهائی در سراسر جهان بوده است. بازتاب آزارها و صدمات جامعه بهائی ایران در صدها روزنامه و مجله درج گردیده است.

حضرت بهاء‌الله در یکی از آثار خود بیانی به این مضمون دارند که اگر نور خدا را در زمین خاموش کنند، سر از دریا در خواهد آورد. علائم خروج امر بهائی را از مرحله مجهولیت و ورود آن را به مرحله اشتهار می‌توان هر روزه به چشم دید. در یکی از شماره‌های روزنامه معروف نیویورك تایمز - ۲۶ نوامبر ۱۹۹۰ - مطلبی درباره امر مبارک درج شده که ترجمه آن در زیر نقل می‌شود:

"اسفناك است که دولت ایران همچنان به آزار اعضای اقلیت دینی بهائی ادامه می‌دهد. پیروان امر بهائی مشاغل و حقوق بازنشستگی خود را از دست می‌دهند و از تحصیلات دبیرستانی محرومند. اگر از دین خود تبری نکنند، وادار می‌شوند که حقوق خود را بعنوان کارمندان دولت به دولت باز گردانند. آقای گالیندو پول Galindo Pohl (نماینده سازمان ملل متحد جهت بررسی موارد نقض حقوق بشر در ایران) به این نتیجه رسیده است که بهبود اوضاع بهائیان تنها به این معنی است که دستگیری و زندانی آنها کمتر شده و اعدام‌ها ظاهراً متوقف گردیده است."

اطلاعیه هیئت امنای حقوق الله[edit]

LETTER ‎ FROM‎ BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HUQUQU’LLAH

مطابق اطلاعیه‌ای که هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله خطاب به اعضاء جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده صادر نموده است، برنامه تزیید معلومات یاران در مورد حکم حقوق‌الله پیشرفت سریعی داشته است. بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در مرقومه‌ای خطاب به ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب دکتر علیمحمد ورقاء اظهار خشنودی فرموده‌اند که تبرعات به صندوق حقوق‌الله افزایش چشمگیری داشته است.

به منظور كمك به تحقق هدف نقشه‌شش‌ساله هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله از محافل روحانی درخواست نموده است که جلسات ویژه‌ای برای آشنا ساختن یاران با این حکم محکم الهی ترتیب دهند. همچنین هیئت مذکور از احباء تقاضا نموده است که با شرکت خود در جلسات مزبور بر آگاهی خود نسبت به اهمیت حکم حقوق‌الله و دقائق مربوط به اجرای آن بیفزایند.

حقوق الله[edit]

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

برنامه مشترک دانشگاهی امریکا و شوروی[edit]

JOINT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM BETWEEN USA AND USSR

قرار است سال آینده برنامه درسی مشترکی بین دانشگاه مریلند و دانشگاه ایرکوتسك Irkutsk در رشته مدیریت و بازرگانی ایجاد شود. این دوره آموزشی توسط استادان امریکائی و شوروی در دانشگاه مربوطه تدریس خواهد شد.

دانشجویان در برنامه مذکور به دریافت مدرک لیسانس در رشته بازرگانی و مدیریت بین‌المللی از دانشگاه مریلند نائل خواهند شد و همچنین اجازه‌نامه‌ای از دانشگاه ایرکوتسك در رشته تجزیه و تحلیل برنامه‌های کامپیوتری systems analysis و امور اداری دریافت خواهند نمود.

از علاقه‌مندان تقاضا می‌شود جهت کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مهاجرت خارجه محفل روحانی ملی تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۹۰۳۹-۸۶۹ (۷۰۸). [Page 9]

پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی[edit]

MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ترجمه پیام معهد اعلی خطاب به بهائیان عالم مورخ ۲۵ اکتبر ۱۹۹۰

یاران عزیز الهی مایه کمال مسرت است که اعضای هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای را که از یوم میثاق یعنی ۲۶ نوامبر ۱۹۹۰ آغاز به خدمت خواهند نمود، معرفی نمائیم. عدد مشاورین قاره‌ای همچنان ۷۲ خواهند بود، اما متناسب با پیشرفت امر در نواحی مختلف جهان در توزیع جغرافیائی این تعداد تغییراتی ملحوظ گردیده است. اعضای هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای که حال منصوب می‌گردند، عبارتند از:

آفریقا (۱۸ نفر مشاور): دکتر هوشنگ عهدیه (امین صندوق قاره‌ای)، جناب جورج آلن، امة‌الله بئاتریس آساره، جناب گیلا مایکل باتا، جناب کیسر بارنز، امة‌الله پروین جنیدی، جناب مهرداد احسانی، جناب فرایدی اکپه، جناب شیدان فتح اعظم، جناب کاسیمی فوقانا، جناب میرایا میسائی، جناب ذکرالله کاظمی، جناب محمد کیدانی، جناب دانیال رامورواسی، جناب گیلبرت ربرت، امة‌الله ادیت سنواگا، امة‌الله لوکرسیا وارد، جناب وینگی مایوکو.

قارات آمریکا (۱۷ نفر مشاور): جناب الوی اتلو، جناب گوستاو كورآ، جناب راف وان چکوس، امة‌الله ژاکلین دلامنت، دکتر ویلما الیس، دکتر پیتر مک لارن (امین صندوق قاره‌ای)، جناب شاپور منجم، امة‌الله لیندا نهوند، امة‌الله روت پرینگكل، دکتر ویلیام رابرت، امة‌الله ایزابل دسانچز، جناب فرد شکتر، جناب ارول سیلی، دکتر آرتورو سرانو، جناب آلن اسمیت، دکتر دیوید اسمیت، جناب رودریگو تماس.

آسیا (۱۷ نفر مشاور): دکتر ماهر آقائی، جناب برهان‌الدین افشین، قاسم فاضل اردکانی، جناب جبار ايدل خانی، جناب بیژن فرید، دکتر جان فوزدار، جناب دیوید هوانگ، جناب عباس کثیرائی، دکتر کیم میونگ یونگ، امة‌الله لی لی لودر، جناب ناگاراجنام، دکتر پروین اولیائی، امة‌الله رز آنگ، جناب وین‌سنت سامانیگو، امة‌الله کیمیکو شورین، امة‌الله زینا سراجی، امة‌الله شانتا سوندرام (امین صندوق قاره‌ای).

اقیانوسیه (۱۰ نفر مشاور): جناب بن ایالا، امة‌الله بئاتریس بن، جناب آفاتا مولی چانگ، دکتر کامران اشراقیان (امین صندوق قاره‌ای)، امة‌الله ویولت هاك، امة‌الله تینا هن كاک، امة‌الله بترا ماجمتو، امة‌الله گیل موریسن، دکتر سیروس نراقی، جناب بروس ساندرز.

اروپا (۱۰ نفر مشاور): جناب لوئیز هنووت، جناب فوآد کاظم‌زاده، امة‌الله الیزابت موشلگل، جناب پاتريك امارا (امین صندوق قاره‌ای)، جناب نبيیل پردو، امة‌الله پولین رأفت، دکتر شاپور راسخ، جناب پل سنوف، دکتر الحاد سزگین، جناب سهراب یوسفیان.

مجدداً فخر یاران جانفشان ذیل که حال از وظایف سنگین عضویت در هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای معاف می‌گردند، با استفاده از قابلیت‌ها و تجربیات ممتازشان همچنان بعنوان خادمان برجسته امری الهی منشاء تشویق و ترغیب یاران خواهند بود: جناب سهیل علائی، جناب حسین اردکانی، جناب ریچارد بنسن، امة‌الله ایزابل دکالدرون، جناب الورو ایپی رو، دکتر آگنس غزنوی، جناب ذبیح‌الله گل‌محمدی، جناب ربرت هریس، جناب بهارات کوپیرالا، جناب لیسیا‌ته ماکا، جناب روح‌الله ممتازی، امة‌الله اورسلا موشلگل، دکتر لئو نیدر رایتر، جناب خدارحم پیمان، جناب مسیح روحانی، دکتر مهدی سمندری، جناب او سو تین، جناب میشی توشی زین موتو.

مراتب امتنان صمیمانه خود را به فرد فرد این یاران عزیز ابلاغ می‌کنیم و آنان را اطمینان می‌دهیم که با تقدیم دعا در اعتاب مقدسه علیا شمول تأییدات الهیه را جهت خدمات مأجور و فداکارانه آنان به امر حضرت بهاءالله ملتمسیم.

خدمات موثر و مجدانه مشاورین در جمیع قارات حاکی از توسعه و پیشرفت دامنه اصلی اقدامات آنان بوده است. روش مؤثری که با درک عمیق‌تر اهداف و مسؤولیت‌های آتیه در تشویق احیاء و مؤسسات امریه به کار میبرند، مشاورات مفصلی که با محافل روحانی ملی برای تحقق اهداف شش‌ساله معمول می‌دارند، نقشی که در صف مقدم یاران در تأمین نیازمندی‌های نقشه تکمیلی دوساله در اروپای شرقی و اتحاد جماهیر شوروی و مغولستان و چین ایفاء می‌کنند، معاضدت و حمایت همه‌جانبه‌ای که در تقویت و تحکیم مجهودات امریه در جوامع محلی از طریق مساعی خالصانه و خستگی‌ناپذیر اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت و مساعدینشان مبذول می‌دارند، تشویق و ترغیب مستمری که جهت تسجیل و تزیید معلومات امری جوانان و نونهالان به عمل می‌آورند، کمک‌های شایانی که به امر تبلیغ از طریق تخصیص منابع مالی صندوق تعاون جهت طرح‌های مخصوص تبلیغی و طبع و نشر آثار امری و وسائل سمعی و بصری تقبل می‌نمایند در جمیع این خدمات ناظر شواهد متعدد مجهودات حیاتی و مهیجی هستیم که این صاحب‌منصبان عالی‌رتبه امرالله در صیانت و ترویج امر الهی مبذول می‌دارند.

در این اوقات که پایان نقشه شش‌ساله نزدیک و سال مقدس جهت تجلیل و تکریم قرن صعود جمال اقدس ابهی و آغاز عهد و میثاق وثیقش در پیش است، از عموم مشاورین در جمیع قارات دعوت می‌کنیم در مرکزی جهانی منعقد می‌گردد، شرکت کنند و درباره وظائف و فرصت‌هایی که در آینده نزدیک موجود است، مشورت نمایند. امید وطید آن است که از این مؤتمر سلسبیل هدایت و انبعاثات روحانیه به سوی پیروان اسم اعظم در سراسر عالم جاری شود و مساعی آنان را در تحقق فتح و ظفر امر الهی صدها برابر افزایش دهد.

با تحیات ابداع ابهی بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم خطاب به پیروان اسم اعظم در سراسر عالم مورخ ۱۲ نوامبر ۱۹۹۰[edit]

هفت ماه پس از آغاز نقشه تکمیلی دو ساله، با کمال مسرت تشکیل چهارده محفل روحانی محلی در اتحاد جماهیر شوروی و نیز شش محفل روحانی محلی در رومانی، که در حال حاضر دارای بیش از ۶۰۰ نفر مصدق است، و يك محفل روحانی محلی در هر يك از کشورهای چکسلواکی، ‎ مجارستان‎ و یوگسلاوی را اعلام میداریم. امر الهی در جمیع این ممالک و همچنین در آلبانی و بلغارستان و مغولستان و لهستان با سرعتی خارق‌العاده در پیشرفت و توسعه است و تأسیس محافل روحانی محلی جدیدی نیز در جریان است و یا انتظار میرود که در آینده نزدیک تحقق یابد.

در ارض اقدس، عملیات ساختمانی در طبقه اصلی مقام اعلی در پیشرفت است. ذخیره لازم برای آغاز ساختمانهای حول قوس کوه کرمل تا بحال به ۴۵ ملیون دلار بالغ گردیده که ۲۹ ملیون دلار آن تبرعات اختصاصی یاران و ۱۶ ملیون دلار دیگر وجوهی است که از تبرعات مربوط به حقوق‌الله و صندوق بین المللی برای این منظور تخصیص داده شده است. ضروری است که هدف اولیه یعنی ۵۰ ملیون دلار مورد نیاز تأمین شود و ترتیبی اتخاذ گردد که مطمئناً هر سال معادل ۲۰ ملیون دلار جهت طرح‌های ساختمانی قوس جبل کرمل تبرع شود تا عملیات ساختمانی بدون وقفه ادامه یابد.

یقین است که روح مقدس منیع حضرت بهاءالله پیروانش را در هر مرز و بوم توفیق عنایت خواهد نمود تا آنچه را شایسته توسعه جهانگیر شریعت الهی و نیازمندی‌های بین‌المللی امر اعظم در مرکز جهانی است تأمین نمایند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

اطلاعیه دفتر امین صندوق ملی[edit]

NATIONAL TREASURER’S REPORT در آخر ماه اکتبر سال جاری تبرعات یاران به صندوق ملی بالغ بر ۴۱۴۲۲۷۵ دلار بود که حاکی از ۱۴ درصد افزایش نسبت به همین زمان در سال گذشته است. تبرعات ماه اکتبر به تنهائی نسبت به ماه اکتبر سال گذشته ۲۲ درصد افزایش یافته است.

سایر تبرعات عبارت بوده است از: ۲۰۲۱۰۰۰ دلار جهت ساختمان‌های قوس و ۲۸۷ هزار دلار بابت املاکی که احیاء بعنوان ارث تقدیم صندوق امری نموده‌اند. در مجموع ۶ میلیون و ۵۵۱ هزار دلار به دفتر امین صندوق ملی ارسال شده است.

پیروزی‌هائی از این دست که از تابستان گذشته حاصل گردیده و تا کنون ادامه داشته است آیات گویائی از فداکاری‌های یاران رحمن است.

امین صندوق ملی در مرقومه‌ای که اخیراً در ‎ ضیافات‎ خوانده شد، از یاران دعوت نمود که مقدار افزایش تبرعات را نسبت به سال ۱۹۸۹ به صد درصد بالغ نمایند.

یکی از کارکنان دفتر امین صندوق ملی اظهار داشت: "احباء باید از آنچه در باب تبرعات تا کنون انجام داده‌اند به خود افتخار کنند. از یاران شنیده‌ایم که مسؤولیتی که آنان در خود احساس می‌کنند، باعث خواهد شد که حتی از آنچه تا کنون انجام داده‌اند، پیشتر بروند."

برنامه مخصوص دیدار از مشرق‌الاذکار[edit]

SPECIAL VISIT PROGRAMS یکی از احبائی که در برنامه مخصوص دیدار از مشرق‌الاذکار ویلمت شرکت کرده بود چنین اظهار داشته است: "این برنامه و همه کارکنان دفتر محفل ملی باعث شده‌اند که ایمانم محکمتر شود. ۴ سال است که بهائی شده‌ام و در سه سال گذشته بهائی دورافتاده بوده‌ام. وقتی که به محل اقامتم برگشتم اعتقاداتم راسخ‌تر شده بود و تا بحال فرصت‌های بسیاری داشته‌ام که با استفاده از عکس‌ها و موادی که از مشرق‌الاذکار با خود آورده بودم، درباره امر مبارک با مردم صحبت کنم."

برنامه‌ای که این بهائی عزیز از آن سخن گفته است، به شرح زیر است: دیدار از طبقه زیر مشرق‌الاذکار و مرکز دیدارکنندگان، سخنرانی منشی محفل روحانی ملی، دیداری از مشرق‌الاذکار و دارالآثار ملی و مؤسسه مطبوعات امری و دفتر محفل ملی. شرکت در برنامه‌ای مخصوص کسانی که داوطلب راهنما شدن در مشرق‌الاذکار باشند، استفاده از برنامه‌ای جهت آشنا شدن با اهمیت مؤسسه مشرق‌الاذکار، شرکت در يك پيك نيك در پارکی نزديك ‎ حضيرةالقدس‎ ملی.

تاریخ برنامه مخصوص دیدار از مشرق‌الاذکار در سال ۱۹۹۱ به قرار زیر است: از پنجشنبه ۲۷ جون تا شنبه ۳۰ جون و همچنین پنجشنبه ۱۵ آگست تا یکشنبه ۱۸ آگست. از یاران عزیز دعوت میشود از این فرصت گرانبها جهت آشنائی با ام‌المعابد غرب و در نتیجه تقویت ایمان خود استفاده نمایند.

ورقه نام‌نویسی برای برنامه فوق را می‌توان در صفحات انگلیسی یافت. از علاقه‌مندان تقاضا می‌شود جهت کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مشرق‌الاذکار تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۴۴۰۰-۲۵۶ (۷۰۸)

Bahá’í House of Worship Activity Office Special Visit Program Wilmette, IL. 60091

هشتاد و دومین کانوکشن ملی[edit]

82ND NATIONAL CONVENTION هشتاد و دومین کانوکشن ملی از ۲۵ تا ۲۹ ماه اپریل سال ۱۹۹۱ در طبقه زیرین مشرق‌الاذکار ویلمت در ایالت ایلینوی انعقاد خواهد یافت.

بغیر از صندلی‌های رزرو شده برای نمایندگان کمتر از ۲۰۰ صندلی برای کسانی که مایل باشند در جلسات کانوکشن شرکت نمایند، جا وجود دارد. افرادی که مایل به شرکت در کانوکشن می باشند، باید محل خود را بعد از ۲۰ ژانویه سال ۱۹۹۱ رزرو نمایند. بنابراین علاقه‌مندان باید هر چه زودتر ترتیب نام‌نویسی خود را بدهند.

از یاران تقاضا می‌شود نام و نشانی و شماره تلفن و تعداد شرکت کنندگان و همچنین شماره کارت بهائی آنان را به همراه تقاضای رزرو جا به دفتر محفل ملی ارسال دارند. شرکت در جلسات کانوکشن فقط با رزرو کردن جا مقدور خواهد بود. اطلاعات مربوط به هتل در ماه فوریه سال ۱۹۹۱ در نشریه "امریکن بهائی" درج خواهد شد.

Convention Seating Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL. 60091 [Page 10]

News from OVERSEAS[edit]

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum left the Holy Land in late August for a trip that included her attendance at two conferences.

The Hand of the Cause first joined more than 400 Bahá’ís from 20 countries at a women's conference held August 30-September 3 in Madrid, Spain, and was present with about 500 guests from 15 countries at a conference held September 7-9 in Bastia, Corsica.

Publicity for the Faith was unprecedented in both countries. In Spain, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was received by the deputy governor of the Province of Madrid, while in Corsica, the mayor of Bastia, who is also the Corsican member of the French Parliament, gave a reception at the municipality for the Hand of the Cause and the Bahá’í delegation to the conference....

With cooler weather in India, the number of visitors to that country's Bahá’í House of Worship has increased, reaching an average of 25,000 on weekends.

One group of 16 Israelis, many of whom were from Haifa, arrived in August and visited the Temple. One of these, while praising the beauty of the Bahá’í gardens in Haifa, said he had visited them at least 50 times with his children.

Twenty-eight Maltese, who were in India as a service group for Mother Theresa, were happy to learn during their visit to the House of Worship that the concept of service is an essential element of the Bahá’í Faith.

A group of Chinese came to film the House of Worship. One of them, after hearing about the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, said, "I am sure that one day the whole world will become Bahá’í."...

A recent teaching effort in Romania by the Spanish music group Dulcamara has had exciting results, with more than 300 new Bahá’ís enrolled in the 10 cities that were visited as of September 7.

In addition, four regional television stations, national television and three radio stations have carried programs introducing the Faith, and a dozen newspapers have published introductory articles.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Japan has announced the formation of the first local Spiritual Assembly on Sakhalin Island, in the city of Yuzhno. The island, a goal of the beloved Guardian's Ten Year Crusade, was opened to the Faith last Riḍván by two pioneers from Japan. . . .

A half-hour program devoted entirely to the Faith was broadcast on national television August 26 throughout the United Kingdom.

The program, which featured a Bahá’í family and community in a rural area of Scotland and emphasized the power of the Faith to transform the lives of individuals, was, according to some reports, the best general presentation of the Faith so far shown on British television. . . .

These 19 Bahá’ís from nine countries formed a teaching team that traveled recently in Viking-style sailing ships down the Volga River in the Soviet Union from Petrozavodsk to Kazan, holding Bahá’í activities in 14 towns and villages along the river. As a result, 22 people were enrolled in the Faith.

LETTERS[edit]

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

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the "letters" column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another's views or to attack anyone on a personal level. Opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to the Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Another form of prejudice[edit]

To the Editor:

As all Bahá’ís know, eliminating prejudice of all kinds is one of the guiding principles of the Faith.

I believe that all Bahá’ís are dedicated to that principle to the extent that they are capable. However, I also believe that Bahá’ís are not always aware of the many kinds of prejudice that surround them.

Some of these include class, educational, financial, and prejudice against the handicapped or the mentally ill. It is the last of the above that I wish to address in this letter.

I suffer from bipolar symptoms, a severe form of mental illness, which I have experienced since age 14.

I am 36 years old now, and have never fully accepted the prejudice I have faced from others in society. There is a general mistrust of those who suffer from mental illness; there is an unwillingness to give us responsible positions. Further, there is little interest in our plight or condition.

Little is spent on care or research to find better ways to alleviate the debilitating effects of our various diseases. We represent the greatest percentage of the homeless, unemployed and institutionalized, yet public awareness of the situation remains virtually nil.

As a Bahá’í, I find this appalling. These illnesses affect all races and cultural groups. Despite this, I have found that the Bahá’ís themselves are not concerned about the problem and in fact display prejudice and negative feelings toward those in this position.

I would like to ask that all Bahá’ís who read this letter say a special healing prayer for those all over the world who suffer from these afflictions, and search their hearts to try and purge themselves of any prejudice toward the mentally ill that they may have.

Bonnie Connell Murfreesboro, Tennessee

CORRECTION[edit]

In the September issue of The American Bahá’í (page 4), environmental activities carried out by the Bahá’ís of Seminole County West, Florida, were said to have commemorated Earth Day 1990, whereas they actually were held in connection with the United Nations-sponsored Environmental Sabbath.

We regret the error.

Our great privilege National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Excellence in all things...[edit]

Khai do Linh, a Vietnamese-born American Bahá’í, was director of the 9th Asian-American Film Festival held October 11-19 in Washington, D.C. The festival featured 15 major films and a number of short subjects by Asian filmmakers which were shown in locations around the city from the American Film Institute at the Kennedy Center to American University and Cineplex Odion, where the opening night was the premiere of an acclaimed Chinese-American production, "Thousand Pieces of Gold."

Manooch Hakimi, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Shelby County, Tennessee, recently received the award for Interreligious Goodwill given annually by the Memphis chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ).

Bernice Dormio, a Bahá’í from Avondale, Louisiana, has been named 1990 "Volunteer of the Year" by Operation Mainstream, a literacy program sponsored by the YMCA of greater New Orleans.

Dan MacLachlan, a Bahá’í from Uniontown, Ohio, is the 1990 recipient of the Norma Award from the Greater Canton Writers' Guild. The Norma, given for outstanding contribution to the craft and profession of writing, is the highest honor bestowed by the Writers' Guild. Mr. MacLachlan, a librarian and former English teacher, is the Guild historian and supervised the publication of two paperback anthologies featuring works by Guild members.

World." an -old Bahá’í from ,placed among 25 participants in the 1990 talent show at Elementary School, singing Red Grammer's "Places in the [Page 11]

Mano de la Causa H. Collis Featherstone falleció[edit]

La Mano de la Causa de Dios H. Collis Featherstone falleció en la mañana del día sábado, 29 de septiembre de 1990, en Kathmandu, Nepal.

El siguiente mensaje fue enviado por la Casa Universal de Justicia a todas las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales:

"Con profundo pesar anunciamos fallecimiento valiente Mano Causa Dios Collis Featherstone mientras visitaba Kathmandú, Nepal, durante extenso viaje Asia.

"Sus logros notables como leal, impávido defensor Convenio, su incesante dedicación a propagación Causa todas partes mundo, especialmente región Pacífico, su incansable perseverancia en fomentar establecimiento instituciones locales, nacionales Orden Administrativo, su devoción ejemplar a Escritos de la Fe, sus destacadas cualidades personales de lealtad inmutable, entusiasmo, fervor y dedicación distinguen sus múltiples servicios a lo largo muchas décadas.

"Ofrecemos oraciones Santuarios Sagrados generosa recompensa su alma radiante Reino Abhá. Comunicar amigos todas partes llevar a cabo reuniones conmemorativas dignas, especialmente en Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, reconocimiento sus logros magníficos."

Cuando falleció, el Sr. Featherstone se encontraba en un extenso viaje que había emprendido para la Fe. Había partido de su hogar en Australia el 14 de septiembre, acompañado de su esposa, la señora Madge Featherstone.

Iban a una conferencia de juventud en Lahore, Pakistán, parando algunos días en Nueva Delhi, Rawalpindi y Karachi. Su plan era visitar comunidades bahá’ís en Bangladesh y Malasia en el camino de regreso a Australia, donde debían llegar a mediados de noviembre.

El Sr. Featherstone nació en el sur de Australia en 1913. Asistió al Colegio Adelaide y continuó sus estudios en ingeniería. Se especializó en la construcción y diseño de moldes industriales de metal y en la producción masiva de componentes, y se convirtió en fabricante de piezas de metal, dirigiendo su propia fábrica en Adelaide de 1938 hasta su retiro gradual del negocio en los años setenta.

El Sr. Featherstone se enroló en la Fe Bahá’í en 1944 y sirvió en muchas de sus instituciones administrativas, tanto locales como nacionales.

Por muchos años fue miembro de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Australia. Fue nombrado Mano de la Causa de Dios en 1957. Después de su jubilición los Featherstone se trasladaron a Rockhampton, Queensland, donde pudieron dedicarse de tiempo completo a viajar para la Fe, alentando e inspirando a bahá’ís y no bahá’ís.

El Sr. Featherstone fue enterrado en un lugar tranquilo con vista a arrozales y que está rodeado de montañas, en el noreste de Kathmandu.

La señora Featherstone, su hijo, tres hijas y dos yernos pudieron asistir al funeral, así como también representantes de las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales de Australia, la India, Nepal y Tailandia, y más de 50 bahá’ís nepaleses.

Por primera vez periódicos—en inglés y nepalés—publicaron artículos sobre la Fe en relación con el fallecimiento y funeral de la Mano de la Causa de Dios.

H. COLLIS FEATHERSTONE

Joint U.S.-Soviet business management program set[edit]

A joint program in business and management is to open next year between the universities of Maryland and Irkutsk, to be taught by both U.S. and Soviet faculty.

Students will earn a bachelor's degree in international business management from the University of Maryland and a diploma from Irkutsk University in systems analysis and administration, as well as a certificate in English-Russian translation.

For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

Garage sale nets $850 for Arc[edit]

The Bahá’ís of Thurston County East (Washington) raised $850 for the Arc Fund at a two-day garage sale in September. Another sale is planned for next April.

Desarrollo de recursos humanos: Institutos[edit]

¿Qué es un instituto de enseñanza?

Un instituto de enseñanza es un grupo centro de creyentes quienes "funcionan como un grupo pequeño de personas alrededor de cual un programa de entendimiento y acción evoluciona continuamente." Un instituto de enseñanza se puede formar con menos de 2 o 3 individuos dedicados y comprometidos quienes desean enseñar, servir y assistir la entrada de tropas en su area.

Se puede comunicar con el miembro del cuerpo Auxiliar o su assistente cuando se forma un instituto, a medida que estan listos para prrestar su apoyo, guía y oraciones para el éxito de sus esfuerzos a la enseñanza.

Además, compartiendo noticias con el cuerpo Auxiliar es un modo en donde el enlace vital de información se crea para que la Casa Universal de Justicia y el Centro Internacional de Enseñanza puedan regocijar sobre el progreso de la enseñanza y la profundización en cada comunidad Bahá’í.

¿Cuál es el propósito de formar un instituto de enseñanza?

"Expansión sostenida de la Fe en una region depende en gran parte en el número y la qualidad de maestros quienes se entrenian sistemáticamente, especialmente entre los creyentes recién declarados."

¿Cuáles son las cualidades que el instituto desea desarollar entre los participantes?

Las cualidades incluyen: "certeza, confianza en Dios, amor profundo hacia la humanidad, ardor hacia la enseñanza y a servir a la humanidad, firmeza entre las dificultades, regocijo abundante y corazón radiante: en resumen, todos aquellos atitudes y atributos esenciales a la vida dedicada al servicio a la Causa."

¿Qué otra cosa puede asistirnos en los institutos?

"Un gran número de participantes a través del mundo han descubierto que la memorización de pasajes de las Escrituras es de profunda asistencia en sus esfuerzos de travesar el sendero de transformación espiritual."

¿Qué debería ser el enfoque del instituto de enseñanza?

La atención del grupo centro seria de "enfocar inicialmente en la preparación de los creyentes mismos de enseñar la Fe, en desarrollo de materiales y métodos apropriados para la enseñanza entre la población, y llevar a cabo los planes de enseñanza." Entonces, el propósito principal del instituto es la profundización dinámica de los participantes enfocados hacia la enseñanza de la Fe.

¿Cómo participan los creyentes recién declarados?

"Según y conforme el número de creyentes aumenta en la region, la cuestión mas urgente ante el instituto es la profundización de los creyentes recién declarados para que ellos también participen en la enseñanza y ayuden alcanzar un nivel sostenido en la expansión."

¿Cuando es el instituto de enseñanza más efectivo?

Los institutos de enseñanza son más efectivos "cuando el ojecto explícito en diseño y realización de sus programas es el de conceder poder espiritual a los creyentes."

¿Cuál es el aspecto único y más importante de un programa exitoso?

"Enfasis en el estudio de las Escrituras Sagradas se destaca como el aspecto único y más importante para un programa exitoso."

¿Qué quiere decir "métodos participativos"?

"Otra característica de un instituto exitoso es el uso de métodos participativos. Solo cuando los participantes aprenden a ser agentes ac ivos de su propia instrucción, más bien le oyentes pasivos, que atitudes deseadas hacia el servicio se cultiven y desarrollan."

¿Qué debe ser el ambiente de un instituto efectivo?

"Las actividades de un instituto son altamente efectivos cuando los participantes perciben que el instituto espera una disciplina espiritual dellos mismos, y a la vez, el ambiente del instituto es tan amoroso que el desarrollo de la disciplina espiritual dejar de ser un objectivo personal mejor que un requisito impuesto por afuera."

Para más información sobre los institutos de enseñanza, llame a su miembro del cuerpo Auxiliar o assistente.

IN MEMORIAM[edit]

Lida Amir, Springfield, VA Magnolia Anderson, Marshall, TX Joseph Ankosko, Perth Amboy, NJ Pauline Avalos, Magdalena, NM Ralph D. Barth, Denver, CO Ed Byers, Cowpens, SC Palm Springs, CA Louis Carter, Sacramento, CA Dotha Cooper, Fruitport, MI Marthene Cooper, Chicago, IL Woody Dressler, Reno, NV G. Graham Caldwell Henrietta Ellis, Marshallville, GA Hadi Esphahani, New York, NY Gertrude Garrida, Iowa City, IA Irma Gray, San Antonio, TX Keen S. Hahn, Easthampton, MA Maryellen Hershberger, South Bend, IN Jim Higgs, Karnack, TX Theo Hygh, Karnack, TX N.T. Johnson, Marshallville, GA Bette Jane Kelley, Whitefish Bay, WI George Kendrick Alvin C. Klever, Forest Grove, OR Zargham Mavadat, San Diego, CA Salome Salemo, Chapel Hill, NC Parvin Schreiner, Lakewood, CA Khushkhesal KharmanLeo S. Sherred, Alexandria, VA Donna Kubiak, Cypress, CA Robert E. Moore, Ruidoso, NM Richard Negley, Oakland, CA Emerson Perkins, Birmingham, AL Dr. Mariette Peterson, Pueblo, CO Habib Rassekh, Council Bluffs, IA Wallace Reed, Greenville, SC Ollie Mae Simmons, Lumpkin, GA Merriam Thayer, Colorado Springs, CO Harold Theriault, Virginia Beach, VA Georgia Thompson, Greenville, SC Evelyn van de Mark, Worcester, MA Lawrence Wheeler, Montague, MA Isabell Young, Newport News, VA Greenville, SC Charles Salem, Montague Center, MA Akron, OH [Page 12]One of the homes visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His stay in Denver, Colorado, in September 1912 has been purchased by the Spiritual Assembly of Denver on behalf of the Bahá’ís of Colorado. The house, which was owned by Mrs. Josephine Clark, one of the early believers in Denver (who is pictured seated on the front porch), remained in the hands of Bahá’ís until sold in 1971. Now, 19 years later, during the 90th anniversary of the Faith in Colorado, it has been re-acquired. On September 1, about 140 people from 18 communities including two of Mrs. Clark's grandchildren and several other of her relatives attended a ceremony celebrating its purchase.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change

A 1. ID# Title Full name Please DO NOT use nicknames 2. ID# Title Full name 3. ID# Title Full name 4. ID# Title Full name

B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: House/Space #, Street or Description City State Zip

C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS: PO Box or other Mailing Address City State Zip

D—NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í community

E—HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area Code Number

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please indicate in the right hand space whose work numbers these are Name Area Code Number Name Area Code Number

G Moving date

We receive extra copies because: We do not have the same last name. The last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, the I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. number(s) are listed above.

Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name, I.D. number and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]

DECEMBER[edit]

8-February 28, 1991: Winter teaching project, Korea.

21-24: Sixth annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, Phoenix, Arizona. Speakers: Counselor Wilma Ellis, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Reynaldo Cruz. For information, write to P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85063, or phone 602-995-3817.

21-25: Winter I general session (all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. To register, send $35 deposit per person to: Registrar, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Registration information: 408-423-3387. Program information: 805-933-1253.

21-27: Bahá’í International Summer School, Malawi.

26-January 1: Swiss Bahá’í Winter School.

27-January 1: Family Winter Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. To register, send $35 deposit per person to: Registrar, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Registration information: 408-423-3387. Program information: 805-933-1253.

27-January 2: "Forum '90," a five-day event for young adult Bahá’í professionals, Landegg Academy, Switzerland. Theme: "Reaching People of Capacity: The Challenge of the Hour." Special guest: Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general, U.S. National Spiritual Assembly. For a program brochure, write to Landegg Academy, CH-9405 Wienacht, Switzerland, or phone René Steiner, 41-71-91 91 31 or fax 41-71-91 43 01.

28-30: South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway. Phone 803-558-5093.

28-January 1: Atlanta Bahá’í Youth Conference. Mark your calendars now! For registration information, phone Ruha Sobhani, 404-664-2418, or Shirin Mahmoodzadeh, 404-944-0700. For entertainment information, phone Roshan Bashir, 404-296-1081. Don't miss it!

28-January 1: Winter II general session (all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

JANUARY[edit]

11-13: Pioneering Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

18-21: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, Atlanta, Georgia. Parade, march, other events. For information, phone Paulette Trail, 404-426-7713.

FEBRUARY[edit]

8-10: Consultation and Models of Dispute Resolution, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Conducted by Rick and Barbara Johnson. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

15-18: Special session for singles, Bosch Bahá’í School. To register, send a deposit of $35 per person to the Registrar, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Information about registration: 408-423-3387. Program information: 805-933-1253.

SPRING 1991[edit]

Pioneering Institutes: Evanston, Illinois, and Austin, Texas. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

MAY[edit]

30-June 7: Pacific Women's Conference, University of Hawaii, Hilo. Co-sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and the University of Hawaii and open to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í participants. For more information, write to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, P.O. Box 28003, Honolulu, HI 96827, or phone 808-595-3314.

JULY[edit]

International Youth Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico.

AUGUST[edit]

10-14: Art Forum, the Netherlands.

Hugh Locke (left), director of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information in New York City, represented the BIC at a meeting September 23 in Newark, New Jersey, organized by the Human Behavior Foundation. On that occasion Mr. Locke presented a copy of The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh to His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV (center). Also present was the Most Rev. Archbishop Desmond Tutu (right).