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[Page 1]

A message from the National Teaching Committee

To the American Bahá’í community

The power released by the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is, day by day, dramatically becoming manifest as the old world order is rolled up before our eyes. The destiny of the world is rapidly unfolding, moving toward the predestined climax of the processes of disintegration and integration in this century.

Step by step, the Bahá’í world has played its part in the process of integration and the building of a new World Order. Many national communities have advanced to the stage of entry by troops, and the Universal House of Justice has promised that “all national communities, whatever the current status of their teaching work, will ultimately be involved.”

Achieving entry by troops is the primary task facing the American Bahá’í community in the remaining two years of the Six Year Plan. Accomplishing this goal will require, in the words of the Universal House of Justice from its Riḍván 1989 message, “reconsecrated service on the part of every conscientious member of the Community of Bahá, particularly through personal commitment to the teaching work.”

In building on our efforts to date in the Plan, the National Teaching Committee wishes to call your attention to immediate challenges for action in three fundamental processes of growth.

The individual and teaching

Individual teaching is the foundation upon which our victories must be built and sustained. It is the obligation and privilege of every believer to render “assistance unto God” through the act of teaching. Through a continual cycle of personal action and reflection the individual can discover the detailed guidance from the Writings on how to teach, and through practice can become a more effective teacher.

We ask every individual believer to:

• survey and use the possibilities for teaching provided by your circumstances and environment;

See MESSAGE page 2

The American Bahá’í

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

Volume 21, No. 2 February 1990

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

From 1975 to the present

An analysis of recent U.S. enrollment patterns

In January 1971, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cable to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly:

“Joyfully announce Bahá’í world process of entry by troops rapidly accelerating United States evidenced by enrollment 8,000 new believers South Carolina course six weeks campaign raising number new believers entire country 13,000 since Riḍván. Process gathering momentum.”

One year later, in February 1972, the Supreme Body noted the statistical report of the National Spiritual Assembly which indicated 3,053 enrollments in the previous six months. It wrote:

“We note that the new teaching methods you have developed, in reaching the waiting masses, have substantially influenced the winning of your goals, and we urge the American Bahá’ís, one and all, newly enrolled and believers of long standing, to arise, put their reliance in Bahá’u’lláh, and armed with that supreme power, continue unabated their efforts to reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard-won victories. . .”

“Far from standing aloof, the American believers are called upon now, as never before, to grasp this golden opportunity which has been presented to them, to consult prayerfully and widen the scope of their endeavors.”

Since that time the American Bahá’í community has struggled with the task of accelerating the process of large-scale growth through a balance of expansion and consolidation. It has also tried to harmonize this process by strengthening individual and community teaching efforts. Figure 1 shows the pattern of enrollments in this country from the years ending in 1975, at the beginning of the Five Year Plan, to the present.

ENROLLMENTS

The figures reflect a clear pattern. Since 1971, when the U.S. had more than 13,000 enrollments sparked by mass teaching in the southern states, we have struggled with the twin processes of expansion and consolidation. In years when we have concentrated on mass teaching we have had 4,000-5,000 enrollments; but because these new believers have for the most part not been enlisted as teachers or administrators, the efforts—supported by only a small corps of dedicated teachers—die out, and enrollments drop to 1,500-2,500.

This figure seems to represent a core of enrollments that come from individual and community teaching efforts such as firesides in localities scattered across the country.

The pattern becomes even clearer in the enrollment figures of new believers by district (Figure 2, page 10). When mass teaching takes place, the number of enrollments goes up; but because the new believers are not successfully consolidated, the numbers soon drop back to their original level.

These results have a number of implications for the teaching work.

First, we need to expand the base of 1,500-2,000 enrollments that seem to come from individual and community teaching efforts. To do this, we need to expand the number of teachers.

Teaching institutes are one means of pursuing this goal, whereby individuals make a commitment to action in teaching over an extended period that is guided by regular study and memorization...

See ENROLLMENTS page 10

Four major teaching projects combine wide variety of strategies to promote the Cause, achieve goals

In 1988 the National Spiritual Assembly designated four major urban areas as sites for national teaching projects with the intent of concentrating efforts to achieve entry by troops in the U.S.

Atlanta, Chicago, San Jose and the state of Massachusetts were chosen for the unity demonstrated by the Assemblies in each of those areas and for the potential to achieve large-scale growth which each project site outlined in its proposal to the National Assembly.

Each project has used a variety of teaching methods, some of which other Bahá’í communities may wish to study for possible application in their areas.

While each project has evolved distinctive approaches in its teaching efforts, some common characteristics among the four projects have evolved.

For example, all of the projects have since their inception initiated wide-spread efforts to achieve unprecedented unity and support among the area’s local Assemblies. Additionally, the projects have developed and identified varied entry points through which the believers can support and take part in the teaching work.

Metro Atlanta

The Greater Atlanta Project has

See PROJECTS page 3

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

This issue of The American Bahá’í is designed to provide for the American Bahá’í community a sharpened focus on the goals and objectives of teaching the Bahá’í Faith and guidance on action that individuals and communities can take to achieve large scale growth. The National Teaching Committee offers for your reflection and consideration its special contributions to The American Bahá’í this month.

What’s Inside?

• Vision to Victory conferences ... p. 2
• Intro National Teaching Committee ... p. 3
• The processes of growth ... p. 4
• Stories about teaching ... p. 5
• Teaching institutes ... p. 6
• Spotlight: Southeast Asian teaching ... p. 7
• Traveling teaching ... p. 8
• Regional Schools and teaching ... p. 8
• Bahá’í Youth Service Corps ... p. 8
• Teaching the Chinese ... p. 9
• Children and Youth in teaching ... p. 11
• Homefront pioneering goals ... p. 12

[Page 2]

‘Working conferences’ key ‘Vision to Victory’ theme

Following the successful conclusion of last year’s series of Vision to Victory conferences, the National Spiritual Assembly decided that six more conferences would be held this year.

The National Teaching Committee is responsible for the second set of conferences, and has designed them to be “working conferences,” focused on the three levels of growth: the individual and teaching, the community and teaching, and teaching the masses.

The committee envisions that the conferences will work to support and extend the teaching work in each area and increase support for the National Fund, thereby assisting the collective contribution of the American Bahá’í community for completion of the Arc.

A series of panel discussions highlights the teaching program format developed by the National Teaching Committee. Each level of growth is addressed by a panel composed of a member of the Continental Board of Counselors; representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Teaching Committee, and the Auxiliary Board, and members of the local Bahá’í community.

Although brief opening remarks are made by each of the panelists, the majority of time in each session is devoted to questions and answers. In addition, discussion is greatly aided by the conference workbook, developed by the National Teaching Committee, which includes messages from the Universal House of Justice and references on teaching issues discussed by the panelists.

The panel format ensures some measure of uniformity among the various conferences; the local task forces are then responsible for the other weekend activities.

The first of this series of Vision to Victory conferences was held December 22-24 in Phoenix, Arizona, with about 1,400 Bahá’ís attending.

The panelists were Counselor Fred Schechter; Judge James Nelson of the National Spiritual Assembly; National Teaching Committee members Reynaldo Cruz and Jennifer Mileham; Auxiliary Board members Nancy Phillips and Richard Wadleigh; and local community members Chris English, Marilyn Sanchez and Geraldo Vargas.

About 600 believers, some from as far away as Kansas and Missouri, gathered January 12-14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the second conference in the series.

Panelists there included Counselor Robert Harris; Robert Henderson of the National Spiritual Assembly; National Teaching Committee members Tod Ewing and Billie Mayo; Auxiliary Board members Stephen Birkland and Marcia Gitchell; and local community members John Skoog and Anahita Djavedan.

The conferences in Phoenix and Minneapolis initiated a pattern of consultation on teaching that has been well-received by the local believers and the representatives of the various institutions of the Faith.

The conference workbooks have given the participants an opportunity to study the Writings as the panelists and members of the audience consult on teaching.

Far from being an end in themselves, the conferences are designed to be integrated with each area’s efforts to raise the present teaching to new levels, as called for by the Universal House of Justice in its Riḍván 1989 message to the Bahá’ís of the world.

The friends in the remaining conference sites—Denver, Cleveland, Portland and Birmingham—can look forward to similar successes in developing a deeper understanding of teaching and defining specific courses of action they can take to accelerate their teaching.

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Message

from page 1

stances;

• choose a teaching method that best suits your own nature and capacity;
• set personal teaching goals, keeping in mind the exhortation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to lead one soul to the Faith each year and that of the Guardian to host a fireside in your home every 19 days;
• seek divine assistance for your teaching efforts through prayer, meditation and use of the Creative Word; and
• investigate the possibility of joining or starting a teaching institute, committing yourself to an ongoing process of preparation and action that will lead to the development of new human resources to serve the Faith.

The community and teaching

Community teaching efforts require the formation, implementation and regular evaluation of local teaching plans by Assemblies, and the support of those plans by individuals and families. Bahá’í families should develop teaching plans just as individual believers do. We ask every local Spiritual Assembly to:

• develop and execute a teaching plan and submit a copy of that plan to the National Teaching Committee;
• adopt an extension teaching goal as a means of taking the Faith to another locality and building another strong local Assembly;
• encourage the involvement of individuals in teaching, including helping the believers to increase the number of individually held firesides;
• consider initiating a teaching project that reaches out to a specific population in your area that may be receptive to the Faith; and
• review periodically and revise as necessary your teaching plan in light of the effectiveness of the teaching work.

Teaching the masses/large-scale growth

The process of teaching the masses, the Universal House of Justice wrote, must “not only be maintained but accelerated.” And, the Supreme Body has assured us, “the stage is set for universal, rapid and massive growth of the Cause of God.”

To pursue this process the National Teaching Committee asks District Teaching Committees, major teaching project areas, local Assemblies and individuals to assess the circumstances in their area and, in places where rapid growth is possible, to:

• identify areas or large populations of people that are receptive to the message of Bahá’u’lláh;
• consult in unity about a variety of possible approaches to mass teaching and consider, test and evaluate a number of experimental methods to balance expansion and consolidation efforts in your projects aimed at large-scale growth;
• initiate activities designed to ignite the spark of faith and enroll large numbers of new believers in the Cause as quickly as the seekers’ receptivity allows;
• conduct systematic consolidation efforts—simultaneous with expansion activities—that will sustain expansion by continuing to work with new believers until they are confirmed to active service in teaching and administration; and
• patiently and persistently work in the mass-teaching field to educate the youth and children and to raise up functioning local Spiritual Assemblies, conscious that such efforts are a long-term commitment that may take many years of service.

Each of the three processes of growth is described in the Writings. Each supports and creates new opportunities for progress in the others. Each must be pursued simultaneously with devoted enthusiasm and systematic action in our national community if we are to achieve the necessary breakthrough in our endeavors to achieve entry by troops.

The Holy Year of 1992 is fast approaching. It marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh and the establishment of His mighty Covenant.

In that year tens of thousands of Bahá’ís will gather in New York City for the second Bahá’í World Congress to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant to a world that stands in desperate need of His guidance. Will the American Bahá’í community—endowed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with a spiritual primacy in the field of teaching—have failed to achieve by that time the stage of entry by troops already attained by many of its sister communities?

We are confident that, through the sacrificial efforts of all the believers in the next two years, this goal will not escape us.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Teaching Committee

February 1990

Aolani Beere, a 14-year-old Bahá’í from Eureka, California, spoke to 114 students in a ‘belief systems’ humanities class last December 12 at College of the Redwoods in Eureka. The instructor, whose 32 classes presented a wide range of religious and other belief systems from East and West, asked that a Bahá’í address the final class, as it ‘should encompass all other belief systems and present a global perspective.’ Each student had received a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace’ a week before the presentation. Besides speaking of Bahá’í beliefs, Miss Beere and her father, Chris (also pictured), showed the videos ‘Heart of the Lotus’ and ‘Carmel, Mountain of God,’ and an excerpt from the 1986 Peace Conference in San Francisco in which Red Grammer sang ‘The Family of Man’ accompanied by scenes of diverse cultural dances. The students applauded the presentation, and many expressed an interest in attending firesides and learning more about the Faith. [Page 3]

Teaching Committee has wide-ranging responsibilities

The National Spiritual Assembly, as the “supreme and unchallengeable Bahá’í authority in the country,” has a wide range of responsibilities for the growth, development and protection of the Faith.

To help the National Assembly in its efforts to achieve these objectives, the framework of Bahá’í administration provides for the establishment of national committees: “In general, each ‘large issue’ or ‘particular sphere of Bahá’í service’ affecting the whole Bahá’í community should be assigned to a separate committee appointed by and directly responsible to the National Spiritual Assembly. . .”

The function of national committees is “chiefly to make thorough and expert study of the issues entrusted to their charge, advise by their reports, and assist in the execution of the decisions which in vital matters are to be exclusively and directly rendered by the National Assembly. . . .”

The committees “should be regarded in no other light than that of expert advisers and executive assistants.”

The formation of consultative bodies which hold advisory and executive responsibility for the work of the Cause is a distinctive feature of Bahá’í administration. The committees hold a significantly different role than that of full-time workers hired by the National Assembly to perform other administrative tasks.

The full-time workers “have none of the discretion and freedom of action vested in a national committee.” The relationship between the National Spiritual Assembly and its national committees, “when maintained in the spirit of Bahá’í principles will, Shoghi Effendi assures us, ‘distinguish the Bahá’í method of administration from the prevailing systems of the world.’ ”

The National Teaching Committee serves the National Spiritual Assembly as its adviser and executive arm in the area of teaching.

“The function of the National Teaching Committee is to take charge, under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, of the entire teaching program of the country. It should be given its terms of reference which will specifically define the general objectives and methods of the teaching on the homefront; it should be provided with a budget and be required to submit to the National Spiritual Assembly an over-all plan for the accomplishment of its tasks.

“One of the great benefits deriving from such an arrangement is that the National Assembly is freed from the day-to-day details of the teaching work and while retaining supervision of this most important method in its own hand, has an executive arm in its National Teaching Committee, which should be given the full confidence and support of the National Spiritual Assembly.”

(All quotations are from unpublished messages of the Universal House of Justice.)

National Teaching Committee

The National Teaching Committee is responsible for guiding and facilitating the teaching work in the United States. The members of the 1989-1990 National Teaching Committee, as appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, are: Reynaldo Cruz, Tod Ewing, Billie Mayo, Jennifer Mileham, Andy Sham and John Smith.

Reynaldo Cruz serves at the Bahá’í National Center, after being elected for a second term of office as Secretary of the Committee. In his former community of Phoenix, Arizona, he served on the Spiritual Assembly and as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board for several years while teaching history and American government at the high school level.

Tod Ewing, a homefront pioneer in Richland County, South Carolina, is a consultant for personal and professional development. He has served on the District Teaching Committee and Regional Schools Committee, and is the co-coordinator of the South Carolina Bahá’í Workshop.

Billie Mayo, of University City, Missouri, has served on a Regional Schools Committee and is an assistant to the Auxiliary Board. She is an educator who is well-known for her workshops on “The Most Vital and Challenging Issue.”

Jennifer Mileham, who recently relocated to Oxnard, California, served at the Bahá’í National Center as Youth Activities Coordinator. She had been the Secretary of the National Youth Committee before being appointed to the National Teaching Committee.

Andy Sham is an account manager of a radio station in San Francisco, California. He is formerly of Malaysia, and has served on the Bahá’í [National] Teaching Committee of Malaysia as well as a regional teaching committee in that country.

John Smith, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has entered his third year on the Committee and was elected Chairman this year. He is a retired school teacher and principal who currently works for the adult literacy and job skills program sponsored by the AME Church in Vicksburg. He is on the Board of the League of Women Voters and serves as Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Vicksburg.

National Teaching Committee Staff

Guidance for the teaching work in the United States flows from the National Teaching Committee. In order for the Committee to be fully informed about current teaching efforts so as to provide timely and appropriate guidance, the National Teaching Committee office is composed of coordinators for an area of minority teaching as well as a region of the country. The coordinators are to encourage and assist teaching efforts and to aid in carrying out the decisions of the National Teaching Committee. If you have questions or concerns about teaching, or could provide information about teaching efforts that might inspire or assist others, please contact the National Teaching Committee office and ask for:

Coordinator for Southeast Asian Teaching and Region I (CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY): Annette Prosterman.

Coordinator for Hispanic Teaching and Region II (AZ, CO, FL, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT): Sylvia Gonzales.

Coordinator for American Indian Teaching and Region III (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD, WI, WV): Sherri Smith.

Coordinator for Black Teaching and Region IV (AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA): Elizabeth Davis.

Coordinator for Chinese Teaching and Region V (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VT, RI): To be announced.

In addition to the Teaching Coordinators, other staff in the office of the National Teaching Committee are:

Regional Schools Coordinator: Kathleen Magill.

Youth Activities Coordinator: To be announced.

Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Coordinator: Victoria de León.

Special Assignments Coordinator: Paul Lample.

Office Manager: Annette McKissick.

Projects

from page 1

begun teaching on a variety of fronts. Mass teaching in Griffin and Marietta have demonstrated successfully the potential to enroll new believers; teaching teams have also begun to reach the Hispanic and Southeast Asian populations in the metro Atlanta area.

In addition, individual firesides and the activities of the Atlanta Youth Workshop have increased.

Successful attempts to reach leaders of thought from all strata of society have resulted in many contacts with social political and business leaders including an especially strong relationship with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.

Chicago

The Chicago Project has seen an increase in firesides which have been particularly successful in attracting immigrants from foreign countries, especially the Soviet Union and Haiti.

Teaching institutes in the Chicago area have resulted in focused teaching, targeting such groups as Chinese students, Thai Buddhists, and interracial couples.

A strong relationship has been forged with various churches and religious groups throughout the Chicago area through Bahá’í involvement with the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions to be held in 1994.

Massachusetts

Since it began, Project Massachusetts has been characterized by a strong sense of statewide unity.

An ongoing meeting called “The Gathering” has been successful in bringing new believers into the Cause in Montague. The purpose of these meetings is for people to gather in an environment of fellowship, love and unity. As a result, “Gatherings” have begun in other states.

Metro San Jose

The Metro 1000 Project has increased substantially the level of teaching throughout the Santa Clara County and Bay area. The number of communities sponsoring firesides has grown from only one to all of the communities in the metro San Jose area.

Also, the number of individually hosted firesides has increased the foundation of individual teaching taking place in the project site.

An unprecedented level of contact and interaction with the Chinese community has evolved. In addition, successful attempts to locate and integrate Southeast Asian believers has led to regular teaching among the Southeast Asian populations.

Traveling teachers dedicated to reaching Southeast Asians and Hispanics, subsidized by the project, have had positive results in consolidating new believers. [Page 4]

Systematic teaching involves 3 inter-related processes

The rate of growth of the Bahá’í Faith is not constant. We cannot control the results of our efforts. We can, however, control the efforts we make. We are assured that if our efforts are regular and persistent, they ultimately will be effective.

Persistent, regular action is an important key to effective teaching because teaching itself is a process—a systematic activity. Teaching the Faith is not an event or a series of events. It is a cumulative process that involves: (1) teaching ourselves (2) finding and attracting receptive souls (3) delivering the Message with wisdom (4) nurturing souls to unqualified acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh (5) assisting new believers to become active and steadfast Bahá’ís

The systematic effort leading to the growth of the Faith involves at least three inter-related processes: the actions of individuals, the development of communities, and the teaching of the masses.

All three aspects of the teaching work are linked together. The growth and development of communities depends upon individual action. Mass conversion involves individual action and the evolution of communities.

The foundation of all teaching is the individual. Collective efforts to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh are dependent upon the daily effort of every Bahá’í.

Without the support of the body of believers, systematic planning cannot be carried through to completion and new Bahá’ís are unable to become fully functioning members of the Faith. The diagram below illustrates this connection:

Reaching the Masses

Community Expansion and Consolidation

Individual Teaching Efforts

Teaching, then, is something that we do not only as individuals but as members of a community engaged in fulfilling plans, reaching and integrating the masses.

It is more than just an event, a project or a method. ‎It it It‎ must be an integral part of our lives, approached on all three levels. Because we are involved in a community activity or a mass teaching project, we cannot stop teaching on a regular basis in our daily lives. If we stop our individual efforts, such as hosting a fireside every 19 days, teaching cannot effectively progress.

To further build an understanding of how the three processes of growth are inter-related in teaching, the nature of each process is discussed below:

The individual and teaching

An individual believer’s purpose in teaching others about the Faith is to connect their hearts with Bahá’u’lláh. This involves a systematic process by which the believers educate themselves, find and attract receptive souls, deliver the Message with wisdom, nurture souls to unqualified acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh, and bring the new believers to the level at which they are active and steadfast Bahá’ís who are teaching others about the Faith.

Individual teaching never stops. It does not depend upon the organized plans of Assemblies or on teaching projects, although individuals will also arise to serve such efforts.

In order to effect both personal transformation and the transformation of others, teaching must become the dominating passion of our lives. The source of power for transformation is in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, and can be achieved through prayer and deepening in the Word of God, followed by action.

The community and teaching

The Bahá’í community, as a body of believers, has a distinct role to play in the growth of the Faith. This role involves expanding the Faith within a given locality, guiding individuals and families in development of distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life, and taking the Faith to new localities.

Due to the need for systematic effort in all phases of teaching, Assemblies are encouraged to adopt their own local teaching plan, through which the community can fulfill these responsibilities.

Expanding the Faith within the community involves increasing the number of co-workers for the Cause. Proclamation activities are used to complement and reinforce expansion and consolidation and to attract receptive souls from all strata of society. Proclamation is not, however, the sole responsibility of communities as far as the teaching work is concerned.

Another aspect of the community’s teaching work involves nurturing new souls into Bahá’í maturity, encouraging them to unite in a distinctive Bahá’í society, and helping them to become fully participating members of the Bahá’í community.

As a part of this endeavor, all members of the community are called upon to develop and contribute their energies and unique talents to reaching others with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

In addition to working within their own localities, Assemblies are called upon by the Universal House of Justice to assist with the teaching work of Bahá’í Groups, isolated believers, and other Spiritual Assemblies in their area.

The systematic effort of establishing the Faith in a new locality, raising a Group, then forming an Assembly which itself can progressively undertake responsibility for teaching is the basic pattern by which the Faith spreads from one locality to another.

Teaching the masses

In a systematic approach to teaching the masses, we know that it is a steady flow of reinforcements that will presage and hasten the advent of entry by troops. In short, efforts to achieve a steady flow of new believers will lead to entry by troops.

By steadily focusing on expansion and consolidation, we will have a strong corps of co-workers who will help bring in and integrate the troops of new adherents.

The Universal House of Justice has defined entry by troops as a time when groups of people come into the Faith. According to the Universal House of Justice, results have indicated that it is unwise to concentrate solely on one segment of the population. We should reach all strata of society, making special efforts to attract large numbers of those segments most receptive to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Teaching institutes can act as a link in achieving a balance between expansion and consolidation in bringing in the masses of humanity. While focusing their resources and efforts on reaching groups of people, they address the entire process of teaching, from teaching oneself to nurturing others to the point where they arise to teach the Cause on their own.

Bahá’í ‘weaves bonds of fellowship’ through steady, persistent teaching

Although some hearts are connected with Bahá’u’lláh almost immediately through a chance encounter with a Bahá’í, a radio program, or a public meeting, most are connected through a gradual bonding process, requiring persistence in teaching on the part of at least one individual believer.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá urged the friends, when teaching the Cause, to “weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection toward them. These links have a deep influence and they will listen.”

One believer who lives in a small town in Oregon demonstrates the effectiveness of this method in his steadfast actions. Because this believer has asked that his name not be used in this article, he will be referred to as “Joe.”

About four years ago, Joe and his wife, the parents of twins, formed a “twins club” in their hometown with the twins’ nurse and her husband (also the parents of twins).

Joe and the nurse’s husband, a local minister, soon became friends, partly due to their mutual interest in religion. After a few months, the minister invited Joe to join a Bible study group, of which he was a member. Joe joined the group and began attending its meetings regularly.

Impressed by the insights Joe offered, which were based on the Bahá’í Teachings, the minister asked Joe to meet with him each Wednesday to discuss religious topics.

Often, they talked about the minister’s upcoming Sunday sermon. Last year, the minister kept part of the Bahá’í fast with Joe.

They continue to meet on a regular basis, even though the minister has since accepted another ministry, moved to a town 45 minutes away, and left the study group.

The minister, however, was not the only member of the study group who had become interested in Joe’s contributions. Not long after the minister left the study group, Joe was asked to become its leader.

At first he objected on the grounds that he was the only Bahá’í in a Christian study group, but the others insisted. Joe finally accepted, even though he felt ill-prepared and ill-suited for the task.

Respecting the fact that the group was formed to study the Bible, Joe concentrated on creating an atmosphere of love and unity within the group and fostering principles of consultation and independent investigation of the truth within that context.

The group members have become closely knit and have created an atmosphere in which real love and the excitement of discovery is felt.

There are 10-12 Christians in the Bible study group. Typically hard to reach with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, these individuals and their families have been in the area for generations, and they have strong roots in their churches.

Recently, they asked why Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh is the return of Christ. After hearing Joe’s response, they took a poll and decided that they wanted to study the Faith. The next two classes focused on the teachings of the Faith.

In the meantime, the minister who had introduced Joe to the study group invited him to attend a meeting of a group of ministers who come together once a week to discuss lectures and sermons. At one of these meetings, a minister asked what everyone believed about the return of Christ.

Joe commented on Christ’s returning the same way as before—that is, as a persecuted man. The following Sunday, this minister stated from the pulpit, while identifying the beliefs of various religions, that Bahá’ís believe Christ has already returned.

Although none of Joe’s friends from the Bible study or minister’s groups have as yet declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh, they respect and accept his beliefs unanimously.

In due time, the cumulative effect of his persistent efforts will undoubtedly become apparent. [Page 5]

Peace statement brings growth, unity to Gladstone

The Bahá’ís of Gladstone, Oregon, a city of 10,000 southeast of Portland, delivered the peace statement to their community in December. The Bahá’í community of Gladstone consists of 10 adults and six children.

There has been a struggling Assembly in Gladstone since 1977. The Bahá’ís have had trouble maintaining Assembly status, and had become discouraged. Despite having a loving and active community, the declarations that occurred always came from people who lived outside the community—and every year by Riḍván some community members had to move on.

In September 1988 there were only five adult believers in the city. Even with our best efforts, by April 20, 1988, we found ourselves with only eight adults. Our community members felt discouraged and hopeless.

Through loving and prayerful consultation, the Assembly decided we would practice detachment and let go of our fears rather than become frantic about our Assembly status. We asked Bahá’u’lláh to help us. If our Assembly was to be saved, it would be God’s will. If not, it would be a learning and growing experience for us.

Within 24 hours of Riḍván our Assembly was saved by two homefront pioneers, Stephen Malelu and Basheer Badiei. We soon had a declaration in Gladstone as a result of a teaching institute that is continuing today.

Last fall the Assembly decided to distribute the peace statement to the 3,000 households in Gladstone. The decision was loving, unified and the result of frank consultation among all nine Assembly members. The mayor, city council, superintendent of schools and chief of police were presented, formally, with their copies of the peace statement.

In formulating its goals, the Assembly collaborated with two experienced teachers: Lydia McCarter, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board for propagation, gave valuable advice, direct assistance and inspiration; Jack Stone, from the Western Oregon District Teaching Committee, gave us words of wisdom based on his years of experience in mass teaching efforts as well as his personal participation.

Three thousand copies of “The Promise of World Peace” were printed with a cover describing it as “A gift to you during this season of peace.” The cover was designed with the help of Caryn Green, age 11.

The response to our request for help from other communities was tremendous. As a result, the project was completed in three and one-half weekends, well ahead of schedule. Bahá’ís from the following communities helped: Portland, Oregon City, ‎Roseberg Roseburg‎, Tualatin, Sherwood, Lake Oswego, Enterprise, Tigard, Forest Grove, Milwaukie, Winston, Dallas, Clackamas County Northwest, and Vancouver (Washington).

Several people arranged hospitality including meal preparation and child care. Others contributed printing, financial and spiritual support. This was an important part of universal participation for those who felt uncomfortable going door-to-door. There was plenty of work to be done.

We gathered each morning for an hour of prayer and fellowship. Teams of two or more were then sent out with individual maps detailing their routes. Children were an essential part of the teams. It was noted that people were far more receptive when a child was a member of the team that approached their homes.

Great care was taken to be dignified in our approach. We briefly described the peace statement to people and offered it as our gift to them. Our purpose was not to be intrusive. If no one was home, copies of the statement were not left on doorsteps. A list of addresses of those who were not at home was compiled for possible future mailing.

Team members returned to home base for lunch, a debriefing and prayers. We then went out again for the afternoon and returned for supper.

The blessings we received from our detachment and obedience were miraculous. More often than expected, we were invited into peoples’ homes to tell them about Bahá’u’lláh.

Several people accepted fireside cards, additional pamphlets and books, and expressed an interest in attending firesides, which were scheduled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December. Weekly firesides and deepenings continue on a regular basis.

Among the Bahá’ís, four family members including two youth declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. These family members were added blessings, and had not been the focus of the project.

Within the town, we found three waiting souls who declared. We also found two families, one an extended Chinese family, as well as some individuals who are excited about investigating the Faith.

The total number of declarants has yet to be realized. Attendance at firesides has shown a marked increase. Our focus at this point is deepening our new friends. Follow-up meetings are being planned.

Another of our concerns has been the local Fund. However, once printing was paid for and food was purchased for the hungry troops, the balance in the Fund was double the original amount.

Our community has evolved from a state of frustration to one of growth and enthusiasm through the use of consultation, universal participation, reliance upon Bahá’u’lláh, and obedience to the Universal House of Justice.

We challenge other communities, however small and helpless they may feel, to deliver this document and discover what blessings await.

A teaching team consisting of 10-year-old Amy Dvorak and Mary Slaughter, a newly declared Bahá’í, deliver a copy of the peace statement to Sue Edwell of Gladstone, Oregon.

Merced J.D. Assembly ‘adopts’ a community, finds extension teaching a rewarding experience

One way in which the Faith can be taught on the community level is through the adoption of extension teaching goals.

Extension teaching takes place when a community teaches in a locality other than its own to help a Bahá’í community gain and maintain a strong Assembly and to raise that community to a fully functioning status.

At the beginning of 1989, the Spiritual Assembly of Merced Judicial District in California adopted Atwater as a goal community for extension teaching. Atwater was chosen because it was geographically close, there were family ties between some members of both communities, and it contained a large group of Bahá’ís who could conceivably, with help, form an Assembly within a short period of time. The goal was to raise up a strong Assembly in Atwater.

The plan of the Assembly of Merced J.D. was to find those people listed as Bahá’ís who had not been active members of the Bahá’í community and re-establish contact with them, to hold a fireside each weekend in the home of a local believer, and to invite residents of Atwater to attend the firesides through door-to-door teaching.

As the members of the Merced J.D. community have persevered in carrying out their plan, the Bahá’ís of Atwater have taken part in the weekly firesides and have attended deepenings on Assembly functioning.

Through the collaborative efforts of the two communities, Atwater now has enough Bahá’ís to form an Assembly.

The Spiritual Assembly of Merced J.D. intends to continue its involvement with firesides and deepenings in Atwater until that town’s Spiritual Assembly is ready to take over the teaching work on its own.

Once that happens, the Merced Assembly will choose another community to adopt as an extension teaching goal.

Phoenix’s Raúl Pavón Project enlists steady flow of fresh recruits for Cause

A mass teaching project, dedicated to the memory of Counselor Raúl Pavón of Ecuador and bearing his name, began in 1981 in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area.

After nine years, the Raúl Pavón Teaching Project is still going strong, bringing in a steady flow of fresh recruits to serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. For the past several years, the Northern Arizona District has been a leader in bringing in new Bahá’ís.

The project began as a grassroots initiative, involving a core group of 10 believers from 10 communities. This group of teachers travels among 12 communities near Phoenix, teaching door-to-door and inviting seekers to firesides.

They use a method they refer to as “saturation teaching,” in which teachers regularly return to a believer’s home to continue the teaching process, which often results in other declarations within the same household as well as deepening the original declarant.

Over the past nine years about 500 people have enrolled as a result of the Pavón Project. Most of the new believers are Hispanic, and they represent several strata of society, from poor to middle class and from migrant worker to teacher.

New believers are encouraged to become actively involved by teaching door-to-door with members of the core group, by bringing others to firesides, or by accompanying core group members to the homes of friends who are interested in hearing about the Cause of God.

This year, 20 to 30 new believers are taking part in the teaching efforts either directly with the core group members or by attending or hosting firesides. A singing group composed of new and veteran believers has been formed, and entertains at both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í events.

A member of the core group recently commented that she feels the key to their success has been the fact that they have persevered over the span of many years.

One of the results of their perseverance is that most of the non-Bahá’í residents in these 12 communities can refer to a relative or a friend who is either a Bahá’í or knows of the Faith. A Bahá’í network has developed in the towns and the Faith has become well-known through that network.

O loved ones of God! Each one of the friends must teach at least one soul each year. This is everlasting glory. This is eternal grace. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 6]

El Paso institute focuses on U.S.-Mexico border teaching

Inspired while meeting last August in Haifa with Counselor Donald Rogers of the International Teaching Center, a Bahá’í from El Paso, Texas, returned home to form a teaching institute with six of her friends—two from Mexico, two from Texas and two from New Mexico—and began the Limon Teaching Project aimed at reaching Hispanics along the Mexican border.

The institute’s core group meets each Saturday morning to pray, deepen and consult on teaching plans. The core group is often joined by others, some of whom are pre-youth, who wish to take part in its efforts to teach the Cause.

After eating lunch together, the friends break into smaller groups. According to a carefully mapped-out plan, the groups go into middle and lower class neighborhoods in El Paso to proclaim the Faith to those they meet on the streets and to teach from door to door. The core group has developed a bi-lingual pamphlet to use in its efforts.

Since the teaching institute was formed and the LiMon Project was begun last November 11, 30 new believers have joined the Faith as a result of its efforts.

New believers are visited regularly, and at least three of the newly enrolled Bahá’ís already are engaged in teaching their families or accompanying members of the core group as they teach in the neighborhoods.

Meetings soon will begin that are designed to draw new believers into the institute itself, so that they can participate in the deepening and in consultation about teaching.

The institute is helped and supported by both the Auxiliary Board and the Spiritual Assembly of El Paso. Auxiliary Board member Nancy Phillips consults often with core group members by phone to offer guidance, and several of her assistants have taken part in the teaching project. One assistant from Mexico is also involved.

Both the Auxiliary Board and local Spiritual Assembly have provided funds for teaching materials, and the Assembly has provided manpower to cook and handle child care at meetings of the institute.

The teaching project developed by the teaching institute is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of El Paso; however, the Spiritual Assembly of Las Cruces, New Mexico, also supports the effort by sponsoring an inter-community Sunday school for the children of new Bahá’í families and a deepening program for adults in the town of Anthony, midway between El Paso and Las Cruces.

About 35-40 children usually attend the Sunday school, while some 40-50 adults attend the deepening classes.

A message on teaching from Counselor Delahunt

Dear Friends,

It has been just over a year since the International Teaching Center wrote to all Boards of Counselors to convey the result of its thorough consultation regarding the concept of teaching institutes called for by the Universal House of Justice as early as 1964.

The immediate and enthusiastic response of many hundreds of Bahá’ís in North America in committing their time, attention and energy to the establishment of teaching institutes based on the new understanding of the concept conveyed by the International Teaching Center has once again demonstrated the readiness of Bahá’ís in North America to arise to serve. However, this time there is a difference. This time, after a year, the friends are even more committed to the effort than at the beginning, have a sense of being involved in a process and not an event, and are determining paths of action toward achievement of entry by troops from various particular populations.

Most of these institutes in North America have selected or have developed courses of study and are actively involved in preparing themselves for teaching, often including memorization of the Creative Word as part of the spiritual development of the participants. Some have already begun to implement the teaching plans. A few have identified methods and materials needed for reaching the population. Nearly all have experienced a new enkindlement of their love for Bahá’u’lláh and the natural increase in the desire to teach His Faith.

The purpose of the institutes is to raise up human resources for teaching the Cause of God, aimed at securing entry by troops into the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The teaching institute is a process of a group of people committed or working together to develop systematically excellent teachers, especially from among new believers, over a long period of time. In areas where there has not yet been entry by troops, these new believers would initially come primarily from the efforts of those who are learning to be more effective teachers through participation in the teaching institute, and in that way begin the process of entry by troops.

Noting that not every deepening activity of a group of Bahá’ís could be called an institute, the International Teaching Center has indicated that the core group of believers committed to the long-term process must focus their attention initially on preparation for teaching, the development of methods and materials for reaching a particular population, and the actual implementation of teaching plans.

In its letter of November 2, 1989, to members of the Continental Boards of Counselors, the International Teaching Center stated: “As the number of believers increases in the region, the most urgent matter before the institute is the deepening of the new believers so that they also participate in teaching and help achieve a sustained rate of expansion. Gradually, other concerns will also have to be addressed as the institute begins to take on the more formal characteristics of institutes for the development of human resources similar to those that are evolving in areas of large-scale expansion. . . .

“Institutes are most effective in inspiring the friends to serve when the explicit goal in designing and carrying out their programs is the spiritual empowerment of the believers. . . .

“Emphasis on the study of the sacred Writings stands out as the single most important aspect of a successful program. An increasing number of institute participants throughout the world are also finding that memorization of passages from the Writings is of profound assistance to them in their efforts to walk the path of spiritual transformation.”

The International Teaching Center has indicated that two other very important characteristics of successful institute programs are the use of participative methods of learning and giving attention to the establishment of spiritual discipline in the atmosphere of the institute. With the use of the Creative Word and participative methods of learning, the institutes continually evoke and nurture spiritual susceptibilities. And as the participants perceive the expectation of spiritual discipline, nurtured in an atmosphere permeated with love, then that spiritual discipline ‎become becomes‎ a personal goal of the participants.

Through discipline a profound and joyful involvement in deepening, prayer, teaching and consultation is ever directed along the paths of service and toward the vision of entry by troops, and the institute becomes an effective process for the continual development of excellent teachers and sustained expansion.

We have attempted a great deal this past year, we have learned much from the effort, and we are growing ever more confident. Now we must intensify our efforts with discipline and renewed energy, and with hearts light with astonishment and the joy of teaching, move forward in service to Bahá’u’lláh. Be assured that your efforts are joined with those of many Bahá’ís around the world, and that you are remembered often in prayers.

With loving appreciation,

Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt January 4, 1990

Las Vegas teaching institutes pool resources, reach out to residents via classes, deepenings

Last May, seven groups of believers from the Las Vegas, Nevada, area formed teaching institutes. Each of the groups decided to focus its efforts on reaching the same population—the residents of a predominantly black neighborhood in Las Vegas.

During a joint meeting, those involved in the teaching institutes decided they would reach their target group through a social and economic development project aimed at helping neighborhood residents in a number of ways. These friends have made an initial three-year commitment to the teaching institutes and to their social and economic development project.

Although the core groups realized they didn’t need a building or a regular meeting place for the teaching institutes themselves, they decided that they did need a central location for the activities of their development project.

As they could not afford to spend much money, they found a storefront where the rent was reasonable but that needed a lot of clean-up and repair. The owner hadn’t heard of the Faith, but once the Bahá’ís explained what they wanted to do he was so impressed that he offered them the first month rent-free, charged only half-price for the next three months, promised not to raise the rent for three years, and waived the usual security deposit.

A children’s class is conducted by members of the recently formed Bahá’í teaching institute in Las Vegas, Nevada. [Page 7]On January 14 some 250 people attended a Southeast Asian Bahá’í Conference in Stockton, California. About one-half of those taking part were Cambodian. Also present were 11 new Bahá’ís (all from Stockton) including the Austrian spouse of a black American Bahá’í. Fifteen percent of those attending were not Bahá’ís, and there were at least three declarations during the conference. Highlights included five consultation groups (one each for adult Cambodians, Hmong, Laotians and Vietnamese and one for youth), children’s classes on several levels, and songs by a choir composed of Southeast Asian children. Left photo: Southeast Asian youth perform a lively native dance. Right photo: Dy Bun translates in English for Oeum Oeun who spoke in Khmer of why he is a Bahá’í and why the Bahá’ís need to teach others about the Faith.

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Bahá’ís throughout U.S. arise to carry out mandate to teach Southeast Asians

At the inception of the Six Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee was charged with the task of ensuring the significant increase of believers from every stratum of society and to make special efforts to enroll Southeast Asians, American Indians, African-Americans, Hispanics and Chinese.

Part of the response of the committee was to reorganize its office to include minority teaching desks; there now exist desks for the teaching of each of these minority groups.

We would like to take this opportunity to offer highlights from some communities that are active in teaching Southeast Asians in this country. The teaching of other groups will be highlighted in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í.

Effective teaching of Southeast Asians in the U.S. often takes place through the efforts of Bahá’ís to make friends within the greater Southeast Asian community and to help them to integrate into the American culture—for example, by volunteering to teach ESL classes.

In addition, teaching often results from contacts made with those who became Bahá’ís in their homeland or in refugee camps in Thailand or the Philippines.

In many cities, efforts to locate Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees and integrate them into the mainstream of Bahá’í community life have resulted in their relatives, neighbors and friends becoming interested in the Faith and ultimately becoming Bahá’ís.

Annette Prosterman, coordinator for Southeast Asian teaching, notes that while the National Teaching Committee has been hearing of some efforts being made to reach Southeast Asians with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, many teaching activities are not reported—"We would like to be able to share more successful ideas and teaching methods with friends in other communities," she says, "so that the teaching work can move forward all across the country."

Following is a summary of some of the teaching that has been reported to the National Teaching Committee:

Grinnell, Iowa—Last July, five declarations sprang from within Grinnell’s 200-member Southeast Asian community. Teaching was carried out by four Cambodians who had moved to Grinnell from Des Moines, helped by members of the Bahá’í community of Des Moines.

Central Iowa has been a focal point of Southeast Asian teaching since the early 1980s when an American believer began making friends among the Cambodian refugees. There are now about 30 adult Cambodian believers in the area of Des Moines, Grinnell and Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Ithaca, New York—Eight years ago, as the result of a mass teaching project, a Lao refugee declared his faith in Bahá’u’lláh. Over the years, close ties developed between him and the rest of the Bahá’í community, and he has served on the Spiritual Assembly of Ithaca for a number of years.

Three years ago, he sponsored the family of his wife’s cousin who came to the U.S. from a refugee camp in Thailand. The Bahá’í community offered its help and was later surprised to learn that the family members had become Bahá’ís while in Thailand.

When another cousin of the man’s wife needed help in coming to the U.S., the Assembly acted as official sponsor. It was later learned that this family, too, was Bahá’í. Last fall, when friends of this family needed assistance, the first Lao Bahá’í and two American believers arose together to sponsor them.

Within a short time, the fourth refugee family was enrolled in the Faith. Recently, the wife of the first Lao believer and the rest of his family entered the Faith. There are now 23 adult Lao believers and a number of youth and children in the Ithaca community.

Richmond, Virginia—Cambodian refugees have been living in Richmond for the past two years. Since they first arrived, several Bahá’ís have been going into areas where the Cambodian refugees live, making friends, visiting them and inviting them to visit their homes.

One Cambodian Bahá’í family has been found, and several other refugees have been taught the Faith.

In an effort to deepen new believers and make new contacts among the refugees, the Assembly in Richmond employed a graduate student to teach them how to teach English as a second language. Five individuals have each adopted a Cambodian family to work with in building language and reading skills.

Many of the Cambodians are now moving out of Richmond to live in areas of Henrico and Chesterfield counties. There are Assemblies in these areas, both of which agreed enthusiastically during a tri-community meeting last November to carry on the teaching work.

St. Petersburg, Florida—Over the past five years about 150 Southeast Asians (mostly Cambodians) have become Bahá’ís in St. Petersburg, although many have since left the area.

The first to become believers learned of Bahá’u’lláh through a Bahá’í who started English classes and provided other services such as transportation for the refugees. In time, the new believers began to teach others.

Since the initial contact with the Southeast Asians, the Spiritual Assembly of St. Petersburg has sponsored seven Cambodian refugee families, four of whom were composed of Bahá’ís when they came to this country.

San Jose, California—Last May, the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose arranged to have a 30-second TV announcement broadcast on a Vietnamese news program for a week, asking that Vietnamese Bahá’ís and those interested in the Faith contact the Bahá’í community of San Jose.

Six Bahá’ís were found through this effort, and six seekers responded. For several weeks afterward, there was an average of about one enrollment per week from among the Vietnamese community. Although the pace of declarations has slowed, regular visits to the newly enrolled Bahá’ís continue to produce new contacts from within the Vietnamese community.

Stockton, California—There are about 60 Hmong (from Cambodia and Laos), Lao and Vietnamese Bahá’ís in Stockton, largely as a result of the efforts of a few Americans who reached out several years ago to make friends with members of the Southeast Asian community.

Several Southeast Asian Bahá’ís are in Stockton. On January 14, about 60 Southeast Asian adults and youth along with approximately 60 children from the Central California area gathered for a teaching conference in Stockton. Presentations were given in Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong and English. Many Americans who were present prepared food and led children’s classes during the conference.

Winfield, Kansas—Last April, two Lao elders, leaders of the town’s 200-member Lao community, became Bahá’ís. This triumph for the Cause came about as a result of nine years of association with the Lao people by individual believers who began a program to help Lao women integrate into American society and later developed and worked with an ESL program.

Over the years, members of the Bahá’í community in Winfield have made friends with the entire Lao community, interacting with them socially, and slowly introducing them to the Faith.

The Assembly in Winfield is planning to sponsor two Lao Bahá’í families from a refugee camp in the Philippines. This, along with ongoing social contact with the Lao community, promises to bring further success in Winfield.

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 [Page 8]

Regional schools can play vital role in teaching efforts

Teaching is the underlying purpose of all Bahá’í activity. Regional schools can play a vital and inseparable part in this purpose. Schools committees can advance the teaching work by directing the programs of their summer and winter schools toward courses that will train teachers for the Cause.

Programs for newly enrolled Bahá’ís can connect their hearts with Bahá’u’lláh and help them build an understanding of why and how we teach His Cause. Courses should include the study of Bahá’u’lláh’s life (especially His suffering), the Covenant, and Bahá’í administration, tying these topics to the importance of teaching.

Some material that may be a resource in developing programs is The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation; The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It, and Effective Teaching. These booklets are available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Regional schools programs can also infuse veteran believers with a new spirit and allow them to re-enter the teaching field with a new sense of commitment and knowledge.

Training and deepening courses should include discussion of the specifics of how believers can make their individual teaching more effective, how they can take part in community teaching, and how they can participate in teaching the masses.

Effective Teaching may also be used for this purpose as well as Building Unity of Thought on Teaching (available from the National Teaching Committee). Consultation about teaching institutes can be helpful in focusing on specific action in which the friends can become involved.

In addition, the schools can help prepare youth and children for their special role as Bahá’í teachers. Children, the largest single segment of society, will ultimately shape the future.

In a letter dated December 5, 1988, the International Teaching Center wrote to all Continental Counselors:

“We are hoping that these youth can be seen ... not simply as children for whom activity must be arranged, or as adjuncts to their parents, or as awaiting some future time when they take on adult responsibility, but as a living creation of God necessary at this very moment for the purposes of God in a civilizing process which is now being called into existence.”

Programs for children and youth should not focus on what they can do in some future time, but on what they can do now to teach the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Courses can include the same topics as those for new believers, adapted to the various comprehension levels of children and youth.

With careful consideration in preparing summer and winter school programs, the regional schools will realize more fully their underlying purpose in helping to bring about entry by troops in the United States.

Service Corps spells opportunity for young Bahá’ís

The Bahá’í Youth Service Corps was called into being in response to a letter of January 3, 1984, from the Universal House of Justice.

The program, first called the Youth Year of Service, has since placed more than 150 young people in more than 50 countries.

The youth involved in the program work in a variety of capacities, including taking part in direct teaching projects, serving at Bahá’í National Centers, and aiding in social and economic development projects.

Youth who are interested in applying for a year of service should consider the preparation required for a successful venture. Language and job skills are but two examples of important individual foundations for service.

French and Spanish are the languages most often required by host communities. Through employment, youth learn to function as contributing members of society, and learn to manage business and personal affairs. In addition, the personal skills of youth as active members of the Bahá’í community are indispensable.

Initiating and taking part in teaching activities within the local community is good preparation for wider service. But the most important element is immersion in the Writings. Making the Covenant an indelible part of one’s life is paramount: youth must know the reason for service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Prior to departure for a year of service, youth are expected to attend an eight-day training institute coordinated by the National Teaching Committee office. This training program consists of deepenings on the Writings relating to youth and service, cross-cultural awareness activities, and many opportunities to function as one would at a service post.

At present, 36 youth are serving the Cause, both internationally and domestically, in the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps. An equal number are preparing for service this summer.

Should you desire to serve our beloved Faith in this capacity, “while still young and unburdened by family responsibilities,” please contact the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps, National Teaching Committee office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039, ext. 232.

A veteran Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteer, like a returning pioneer, can be an invaluable resource in a community. These individuals are examples of what is referred to by the Universal House of Justice as those who have sallied forth into the field of service, as “unrestrained as the wind.”

Traveling teachers use many ways, means to help, encourage fledgling communities

Traveling teaching is an activity that can take many forms. The mission of a traveling teacher may be accomplished in a variety of ways—through sharing a cup of coffee and conversation about the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh with an isolated believer, encouraging and assisting a new Bahá’í community to organize its first Feast, or helping a small community arrange a public meeting.

In explaining the role of the traveling teacher, the following was written on behalf of the Guardian:

“. . . What visiting teachers are supposed to do is to give the final touch to the work that has been done, to consolidate rather than supplement individual efforts and thereby direct them in a constructive and suitable channel. Their task is to encourage and inspire individual believers, and to broaden and deepen their vision of the task that is to be done. And this, not by virtue of any inherent spiritual right, but in the spirit of simple and whole-hearted co-operation.”

Although various approaches and methods of presentation may be used according to the capacity of the individual or group, the Universal House of Justice has indicated, in a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies engaged in mass teaching work, that in meeting with the friends the traveling teacher should try to discuss the following topics:

The extent of the spread and stature of the Faith today; the importance of daily obligatory prayers; the need to educate Bahá’í children in the Teachings of the Faith and to encourage them to memorize some of the prayers; the stimulation of youth to participate in community life; the necessity to abide by the laws of marriage and the importance of abstinence from all intoxicating drinks and drugs; the local Fund and the need for the friends to understand that the voluntary act of contributing to the Fund is both a privilege and a spiritual obligation; the importance of the Nineteen Day Feast and the fact that it is a rallying point of the entire community; the manner of election of the local Spiritual Assembly; and last but not least, the all-important work of teaching and deepening new believers in the essentials of the Faith.

The role of the traveling teacher is to be involved with the process of consolidation, and while that effort should by no means be limited to a discussion of the topics listed above, it should include the discussion of one or more of them.

The work of the traveling teacher is to nurture the new believers and communities and to inspire the isolated Bahá’ís and Groups to raise themselves to functioning Assembly status and to carry forth the message of Bahá’u’lláh through their own initiative.

Therefore, Bahá’ís who are interested in traveling teaching should consider traveling to areas where consolidation

See TRAVELING page 12

Las Vegas

from page 6

Each core group took charge of cleaning and fixing up one of the rooms. Soon the store looked much better. When the owner was asked if the Bahá’ís could install a new tile floor, he sent over samples, let the friends choose from among them, and paid for it himself.

The friends began attracting people, primarily through street teaching, to come to the social and economic development center, which they simply called “Bahá’í institute.”

A pamphlet was developed about human dignity. It illustrates some important contributions to society made by black people that are not often found in history books. It also provided information about when the center would be open and listed the kinds of programs and services that would be available.

At the “Bahá’í institute,” arts and crafts classes for children and adults are offered twice a week. They are regularly attended by five adults and five children.

Once a month, a children’s program is offered in which 7-8 Bahá’í children and 10-12 non-Bahá’í children watch educational movies and play together. There are also children’s Sunday school classes, attended by about 30 Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í children.

In addition, an introductory talk about the Faith and the video An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith are offered three times per week. One or two seekers usually come each time the talk is given.

The institute serves as an example of the ways in which Bahá’í communities can develop creative means by which to reach out to their neighbors and offer needed services, establish warm friendships and introduce the Teachings of the Faith in an atmosphere of love and sharing.

Say: To assist Me is to teach My Cause. This is a theme with which whole Tablets are laden. This is the changeless commandment of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Comprehend this, O ye men of insight.

—Bahá’u’lláh

[Page 9]

Chinese scholar offers advice on reaching his people

The Universal House of Justice has placed special emphasis on teaching Chinese people. In a letter of April 19, 1989, to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, the House of Justice stated that it “feels that this task (of reaching the Chinese) must be regarded as one of the highest priorities of the entire Bahá’í world.”

A number of Bahá’í communities have responded to this task, especially those in university towns, as many of the Chinese presently residing in the U.S. are either scholars or students.

A dialogue with many of the Chinese has begun and has been strengthened by the visits (and revisits) of traveling “learner” Jene Bellows, who says that she “learns at least as much” as she teaches in her visits with the Chinese.

Mrs. Bellows, who has been traveling since 1984 to universities and communities interested in meeting with the Chinese, stresses the importance of consultation with the Chinese in planning any meetings or activities.

It is as necessary, she says, to listen as it is to act in developing relationships with the Chinese. Mrs. Bellows recently interviewed (along with another Bahá’í active in reaching the Chinese) a Chinese scholar who has developed close ties with one Bahá’í community. As he plans to return to his native land, his name and university are not mentioned.

Jene Bellows: What kind of suggestions would you give the Bahá’ís about making friends with Chinese students? That is, what do you think are the most important things we can do with them?

Chinese friend: I think that making friends with Chinese people is very important for the Bahá’í Faith. Many Chinese people are willing to make friends with Americans, and it’s a good time for them to know something about the Bahá’í Faith.

But I think that the most important thing is not to push them, don’t push them to become Bahá’ís, or to say “I believe in Bahá’í.” The situation of the Chinese cultural background is different from the Western cultural background. In China, many people don’t know, don’t believe in God. This is because of the long history of Chinese culture. Confucius did not suggest that people believe in God, but to believe in something like the sky, not abstract things.

Another reason is the political background. Many educated Chinese don’t really believe in God. So it’s difficult for them to say they believe in God, but they can accept many of the Bahá’í principles. And really, many of us think these principles are beautiful and that they are useful for Chinese society and Chinese people.

Jene Bellows: So if someone decides to enroll as a Bahá’í they will let us know without our having to ask them, is that what you are saying?

Chinese friend: Yes. Some religious people do things this way (pressure others to join their religion) but they are often disappointed with the results.

Jene Bellows: What you have said about planting the seeds is interesting because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá... has said that some people think it’s time for gathering the harvest when it is the time for planting the seeds.

Chinese friend: I would like to say something more about planting the seeds. I think many people are now aware that Chinese society is in a crisis. Many Chinese find that new ideas work, and that the old ideas do not.

We need some new ideas. Many people are seriously trying to find new ideas that can help Chinese society. I think they can find something in the Bahá’í Faith.

So, if you can let Chinese people know about the Bahá’í principles, they can make their own choice, and many of them will find that these principles are useful for Chinese people.

If you would like a full transcript of this interview, please send $1 (for copying and postage) to the National Teaching Committee office, attention: Chinese Desk, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

Five Hmong embrace Cause, eight others located in San Diego

In October and November, five adult Hmong refugees embraced the Faith in San Diego and eight other Bahá’í refugees were located by the friends there.

Among the new declarants were the father (a chiropractor), mother and brother of a local Hmong Bahá’í medical student, Chue Chang. They had been taught the Faith by Mrs. Tayyabeh Nour, a local Persian Bahá’í who has been helping Hmong refugees in the area for the past seven years.

On November 8, a unity feast was held in a Hmong housing project. More than 50 Hmong refugees, mostly youth and children, took part. About 20 youth and children became Bahá’ís at that time, but there is a great need for follow-up and consolidation.

Posters of the Bahá’í House of Worship, Bahá’í postcards, pictures of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and reading materials in Hmong were given to the newly declared Bahá’ís.

Variety of activities helps reinforce teaching effort

Bahá’ís at Purdue meet, befriend Chinese students

In the fall of 1988 the Spiritual Assembly of West Lafayette, Indiana, in conjunction with the Bahá’í college club at Purdue University, decided to adopt a teaching plan that focused attention on reaching the large numbers of Chinese students and their families living at the university.

Ably assisted by the neighboring community of Lafayette, the teaching work has progressed beyond the original hopes of the friends.

In response to the encouragement of the Universal House of Justice to reach the Chinese people, and in light of the significant Chinese population at Purdue, the Bahá’ís in the area arose to meet and befriend the Chinese.

The spark for the teaching work was kindled by a visit from Jene Bellows, who has traveled extensively in China and is well-versed in the Chinese culture. Her slide program on “the sights and sounds of China” helped the Bahá’ís open a dialogue of friendship with the Chinese.

The community’s activities are focused on making friends with the Chinese. The media have been used to advertise the social events that are part of the service project designed to befriend the Chinese and make them feel welcome in this country.

It is important to note that the Chinese are consulted when plans are being made for activities such as parties, firesides and potluck dinners. In addition, a calendar of events including firesides and Holy Day observances is circulated among the Chinese so that they may choose to attend some Bahá’í meetings without feeling obligated to attend everything to which they are invited.

Barry and Mahnaz Shapiro, two Bahá’ís who have spearheaded the community’s efforts, say “there is no substitute for systematic effort and perseverance.

“We need to have a variety of regular events each month that we can and do invite our new friends to,” they say.

“Also, we need to invite them to our homes once in a while and not just once, as we Americans often do....

“Our experience at Purdue and in the greater Lafayette area has shown us that we have to be relentless about follow-up. The teaching work is like a large aircraft. It takes a tremendous amount of thrust to get it off the ground, and to keep it flying also requires steady power.”

Although difficulties exist in enrolling new believers from Mainland China, the level of interest and activity exhibited by the Chinese at Purdue and elsewhere is most encouraging. These students who attend American universities may be the future leaders of China. Therefore, their knowledge of the Faith is of the utmost importance.

The growing network of communication between the Chinese and the Bahá’ís can help bring to fruition the request of the Universal House of Justice that the friends “offer sincere friendship and hospitality to these Chinese visitors” and “acquaint them with the progressive teachings of Bahá’u’lláh so as to foster in them a positive view of the Faith.”

Miami Valley, Ohio, hosts 12th Rights Awards banquet

The Human Rights Committee of the Bahá’ís of Miami Valley (Ohio) held its 12th annual Human Rights Day awards banquet last December 3 at the Ohio Marriott Hotel in Dayton.

Honored for their contributions toward alleviating hunger were Holiday Aid, the Emergency Resource Bank of the American Red Cross, and the Miami Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

A special award was presented to U.S. Rep. Tony Hall, chairman of the House Select Committee on Hunger, who was one of the featured speakers at the event.

Also on the program was Juana Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, who spoke about the work of the Bahá’í International Community and women as the key to African food security.

Nearly 125 people, about one-third of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended.

Southeast Asian Literature

The following literature in the Khmer, Lao, and Vietnamese languages is available from the National Teaching Committee:

Khmer
The Promise of World Peace	$1.00
Short Bahá’í History and Some Teachings	$1.50
Lao
The New Garden	$3.50
Buddhist Prophecy Fulfilled	$2.00
Vietnamese
The Promise of World Peace	$1.00
Basis of World Economy of Bahá’u’lláh	$1.00
Teaching Cards (10 card set)	$0.50

To order, please send a check to the National Teaching Committee, made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund.” Please include an additional 15% to cover postage and handling costs.

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center • Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 10]

Figure 2. Enrollments by District

District	4-14 1983	3-13 1984	4-17 1985	4-28 1986	4-7 1987	4-8 1988	4-25 1989	1-12 1990
Alabama N	7	2	11	14	10	7	10	5
Alabama S. & Florida NW	5	9	10	20	5	13	5	1
Arizona N	69	69	68	140	194	147	128	102
Arizona S	8	9	11	20	11	25	7	9
Arkansas	2	5	7	10	2	4	8	7
California, C 1 (San Jose)	77	96	72	58	54	55	41	48
California, C 2	16	20	48	35	74	18	41	34
California N 1	25	20	37	23	14	25	17	28
California N 2	8	15	12	10	6	8	13	6
California S 1	93	77	79	120	90	96	91	49
California S 2	82	36	47	43	43	32	42	39
California S 3	7	13	14	11	11	11	18	10
California S 4	19	23	35	28	27	32	23	25
Colorado NE	-	33	18	30	19	17	15	15
Colorado SE	-	7	8	11	8	13	6	3
Colorado E	21	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Colorado W	5	13	4	6	11	10	3	3
Connecticut	12	8	8	26	16	11	21	15
DelMarVa	6	5	8	7	9	5	9	3
Florida C	20	56	24	18	11	9	8	3
Florida N	12	4	12	11	9	7	7	5
Florida SE	113	51	21	63	-	-	-	-
Florida SE-C	-	-	-	-	3	5	15	15
Florida, SE-N	-	-	-	-	25	5	24	110
Florida SE-S	-	-	-	-	1	6	12	6
Florida SW	13	26	13	54	35	6	8	12
Georgia NE	0	8	2	9	3	5	7	1
Georgia, NW (Atlanta)	25	32	76	173	110	48	169	155
Georgia S	4	48	15	34	75	6	8	3
Idaho N & Washington E	26	23	21	24	23	12	19	12
Idaho S	10	9	10	10	5	4	6	4
Illinois N 1	14	19	22	10	15	27	21	11
Illinois N 2 (Chicago)	87	48	54	47	36	30	46	34
Illinois S	18	11	17	15	23	9	8	4
Indiana	25	10	13	27	21	17	21	14
Iowa	43	22	24	24	74	92	25	21
Kansas	11	11	22	42	107	84	19	18
Kentucky	6	13	12	10	10	22	5	5
Louisiana-N	1	1	1	2	-	-	-	-
Louisiana-S	11	16	3	11	-	-	-	-
Louisiana	-	-	-	-	8	2	8	7
Maine	18	12	12	12	20	19	11	5
Maryland W & DC	26	29	34	59	17	31	27	22
Massachusetts	47	29	52	180	83	55	43	28
Michigan Lower	50	47	63	41	27	34	29	28
Minnesota N	6	4	4	35	5	3	2	2
Minnesota, S	14	10	16	17	8	28	12	16
Mississippi	20	17	5	4	3	6	8	5
Missouri	32	26	30	32	25	62	27	15
Montana	20	10	13	12	5	1	14	1
Navajo Hopi	9	7	32	18	12	12	21	16
Nebraska	19	22	20	18	13	12	15	6
Nevada N	4	23	8	11	11	4	10	4
Nevada S	5	4	6	5	8	8	12	5
New Hampshire	16	20	15	16	14	9	15	8

Enrollments by District (continued)

District	4-14 1983	3-13 1984	4-17 1985	4-28 1986	4-7 1987	4-8 1988	4-25 1989	1-12 1990
New Jersey	22	31	24	30	19	21	17	19
New Mexico N	127	18	22	13	12	21	18	14
New Mexico S & Texas W	12	87	65	50	23	14	9	17
New York E	53	43	43	38	33	8	10	9
New York LI	-	-	-	-	-	1	7	6
New York NYC	-	-	-	-	-	9	24	18
New York W	21	19	32	30	12	12	27	26
North Carolina C	21	16	56	86	18	27	46	17
North Carolina E	3	7	6	16	4	5	4	6
North Carolina W	16	37	205	77	49	34	7	6
North Dakota	5	4	27	4	23	15	9	2
Ohio N	18	24	21	11	10	17	13	12
Ohio, S	16	14	12	10	8	8	11	13
Oklahoma E	5	8	16	19	3	10	11	8
Oklahoma W	8	9	9	27	9	13	10	4
Oregon E	-	63	23	13	18	11	10	12
Oregon W	109	90	58	54	33	42	33	-
Oregon	186	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Pennsylvania E	14	14	16	15	23	11	16	13
Pennsylvania W	9	5	4	7	3	7	6	5
Rhode Island	7	7	3	14	28	5	8	4
South Carolina, C	20	45	24	183	25	-	17	17
South Carolina, E 1	-	73	80	621	78	-	48	12
South Carolina, E 2	-	54	38	978	29	-	26	14
South Carolina, E	53	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
South Carolina, N	30	9	12	51	32	-	34	13
South Carolina, S 1	-	8	13	5	53	-	7	-
South Carolina, S 2	-	16	18	55	45	-	4	3
South Carolina, S	73	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
South Carolina, W	2	18	5	40	21	-	5	6
South Carolina	-	-	-	-	-	112	-	-
South Dakota	7	59	318	256	42	24	20	9
Tennessee E	8	8	6	6	6	4	8	2
Tennessee W	25	11	8	15	15	16	15	11
Texas C (C 1)	20	10	23	39	273	26	14	20
Texas, E 1	28	31	28	44	29	36	18	34
Texas, E 2	31	63	40	33	22	19	24	17
Texas, NC	6	-	-	-	6	7	2	5
Texas, N	6	4	5	65	-	-	-	-
Texas C 2	6	0	3	1	-	-	-	-
Texas, S	6	4	1	10	9	-	6	7
Utah	6	6	7	9	11	3	6	6
Vermont	6	9	6	6	1	9	2	0
Virginia N	18	22	32	26	24	5	21	11
Virginia SE	-	-	-	15	17	13	22	28
Virginia SW	-	-	-	5	4	8	16	4
Virginia S	11	12	12	-	-	-	-	-
Washington NW	44	28	51	45	18	24	27	22
Washington SW	11	20	22	15	23	9	14	13
West Virginia	5	2	6	4	10	2	2	0
Wisconsin N & Mich. Pen.	7	12	29	50	20	16	5	1
Wisconsin S	20	16	17	21	18	25	24	20
Wyoming	9	5	1	7	1	1	6	2
Total	2172	2188	2648	4774	2630	1741	1897	1525

Enrollments

from page 1

tion of the Teachings.

By attempting to conform his or her actions in teaching to the guidance given by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, the individual becomes a more effective teacher.

Communities, too, can help expand this base of enrollments. By adopting a teaching plan, which includes activities for expansion and consolidation in its community, the Assembly can stimulate systematic teaching efforts.

Adoption and pursuit of extension teaching goals helps take the Faith to new areas. And individuals and families can be encouraged to find some method they can use to enter the teaching work.

A second approach to expanding the number of new believers lies in successfully establishing projects aimed at large-scale growth. These projects must not only achieve a large number of enrollments—a process successfully accomplished in the past—but must endeavor to add a workable approach to consolidation that will result in new believers arising independently to serve as teachers and administrators of the Cause.

A variety of experiments in balancing expansion and consolidation need to be tried to learn how to break through to a new level of success. Here again, teaching institutes offer a practical model for a process that can build to large-scale growth.

When projects of large-scale growth are sustained by an influx of new workers for the Cause, the project will not stop and enrollments will not drop. We can expect that each year’s enrollments will be better than the last.

In considering the history of the teaching work in this country, we should keep in mind that the Writings indicate that the progress of the Faith proceeds in surges.

“The Faith of God does not advance at one uniform pace,” the Universal House of Justice wrote in July 1980. “Sometimes it is like the advance of the sea when the tide is rising. Meeting a sandbank the water seems to be held back, but, with a new wave, it surges forward, flooding past the barrier which checked it for a little while. If the friends will but persist in their efforts, the cumulative effect of nine years of work will suddenly appear.”

The challenge we are presently facing in the teaching work is to persist in our efforts in the key areas of individual teaching, community teaching, and projects aimed at large-scale growth so that our efforts to sustain the process of entry by troops which began in 1971—19 years ago—may be realized today.

Beaufort Bahá’ís honor agency, three individuals during 13th annual Human Rights Awards banquet

A county agency and three individuals received awards during the 13th annual Human Rights Awards banquet last December sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Beaufort County, South Carolina.

The theme was “The Rights of the Child,” and awards were given to those who work with ‎an and‎ for the support of area children.

Recognized for their “caring and dedicated work” with children were the Child Protective Services Division of the Beaufort County Department of Social Services; Beaufort reserve police officer Robert Baldwin; the Rev. Ben Williams, pastor of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church; and Pat Conroy of Beaufort who focused attention on the educational needs of children through his book, The Water Is Wide, and the movie Conrack.

Mary Palmer of Hilton Head accepted the award for Mr. Conroy who was in Hollywood working on a script for the movie Look Homeward Angel. [Page 11]

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Younger Bahá’ís always in front ranks among teachers

Quddus, Anís, Zaynab, Rúḥu’lláh, Badí’—many of the heroes, heroines, martyrs and great teachers of our Faith, in the “heyday of their lives,” have been youth.

Each one arose with the love of God and the fire burning within them to spread Bahá’u’lláh’s message, to withstand all discomfort and hardship and to persevere until each territory, each region, each town and village was conquered through the love of Bahá’u’lláh. We are their spiritual descendants, and we have a similar Mission.

The Universal House of Justice says we are living at a climactic time in human history. Youth throughout the world are arising for freedom and justice, but without the guidance of God’s great message. It is our sacred task to take this message to them.

The opportunity presented to the youth of today may never again be granted to a generation. The House of Justice addressed the youth of the world in four consecutive messages between 1983 and 1985, calling on them to arise and fulfill their high destiny.

We are called upon to ensure that our lives “reflect to a marked degree the transforming power of the new Revelation (we) have embraced, and told that we possess an optimism from which we “cannot hesitate to impart to (our) despairing fellow youth the restorative joy, the constructive hope, the radiant assurances of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation.”

The youth of America must respond to the call of our beloved House of Justice. The teaching work is on the shoulders of the younger believers, and it is our responsibility “to teach—teach ourselves and teach others—at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further delay.”

Programs of music and dance or service projects such as those dealing with literacy are open areas for youth to proclaim the message of Bahá’u’lláh, to attract others to His Cause, and to raise consecrated workers for the Faith of God.

Teaching institutes are an ideal vehicle for youth to take up the challenge of the Universal House of Justice and to move “unrestrained as the wind” into the field of sacrifice and teaching.

Through teaching institutes we can pray, deepen, memorize the Writings, and learn to teach the Faith in an atmosphere that can be a teaching tool itself.

Your friends can take part in the teaching institute and learn about the Faith. In one institute composed entirely of youth, involving seekers in the institute’s activities has brought 10 youth into the Faith.

In another institute, adults targeted youth and nearly 50 were enrolled, many of whom then moved to homefront pioneering goal areas and began teaching institutes there.

Bahá’í youth in this country can rise to great heights of service and sacrifice. Through a dedicated and persistent effort, we can bear witness to the fruition of the promise, “Youth can move the world.”

National Teaching Committee Youth Activities Desk

1989-90 PLAN FOR ACTION

Achieving a vast increase in the number of new believers To hold a second series of Vision to Victory conferences. To assign one full-time staff position to the greater Atlanta, Georgia, teaching project. To continue efforts to achieve large-scale growth in the four project sites. To establish desks for the coordination and support of minority teaching projects including blacks, Chinese and Indo-Chinese, Hispanics and Native Americans, and to abolish existing committees. To initiate, in selected localities, projects aimed at specific populations. To expand efforts to engage college clubs in a campaign to eradicate racism on college campuses. To develop a plan to involve children in all Bahá’í teaching activities. To produce a pamphlet for the general public on the equality of the sexes. To pursue opportunities to support and to participate with the International Task Force on Literacy and to encourage grassroots initiatives and sponsorship of activities to combat illiteracy within and without the Bahá’í community. To develop a strategy to expand the use of “The Promise of World Peace” in proclamation and teaching activities. Fostering the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies To continue the process of simplifying the national administration and to consolidate the work of its agencies to coordinate and to speed the flow of work. To implement, in conjunction with the Continental Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Board members, a program for training all local Spiritual Assemblies. To design a systematic procedure for assisting Spiritual Assemblies in distress, especially those in large urban areas. To request selected local Spiritual Assemblies to assume responsibility for a variety of special projects and services in the process of decentralizing responsibility for administering the community’s affairs. To publish Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies. To publish a statement of the Bahá’í position on drug abuse. Increasing the Bahá’í education of children, youth and adults To assign to youth and adults the reading and studying of the Kitáb-i-Íqán as a personal education objective. To publish a study guide on the Kitáb-i-Íqán. To publish the letters of the Universal House of Justice (1963-1986). To publish a core curriculum for the Bahá’í education of children ages six through twelve years. To develop and implement a plan for increasing the cultural and racial diversity of the attendees at the permanent Bahá’í schools. To develop a plan for the establishment of a Navajo-land Bahá’í School. To distribute, upon request, the Bahá’í education curriculum materials compiled and catalogued by the National Bahá’í Education Committee. The Fund To set the operating budget at $9,500,000. To establish a separate Fund goal of $2 million toward completion of the Arc. To establish a special fund for repairs to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. To allocate $30,000 to assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of Belize and the Leeward Islands to complete their property goals. To present a gift of $400,000 toward the repair and restoration of the Green Acre Bahá’í School. To increase to at least 300 the number of local Spiritual Assemblies enrolled in the Automatic Contribution System (ACS). To increase to 4,000 the number of individuals enrolled in the Automatic Contribution System.

Teaching children about Cause of God assures their participation in its future growth, vitality

The education of children as teachers in the Cause is a vital element of the teaching work. The spirit of children, their innocence and trust make them the ideal teachers, able to pass through the veils of knowledge and penetrate to the heart of their listener.

The International Teaching Center, in a letter to the Continental Board of Counselors concerning entry by troops, writes of the role of children in the teaching work:

“These young people should be seen as a door to entry by troops and as a fruitful source of teachers both for their own generation and even for the deepening of others their own age and older . . . as a living creation of God necessary at this very moment for the purposes of God in a civilizing process which is now being called into existence.”

Educating children as teachers also educates them as Bahá’ís. As parents, Assembly members and members of the community, we all have a responsibility to help educate our children in the verities of the Faith. It is not enough simply to take them to a Bahá’í school, although many of the schools in communities across the country are excellent.

Learning about the Faith must be something that happens every day of their lives, through daily prayer and reading the Writings, discussion of applying spiritual principles to the problems surrounding them and their friends, and consultation on the proper methods of teaching their peers, their teachers and the families of their friends.

Every member of the community has unique talents and faculties to offer to the community. Discovering the talents of our children can lend spirit and new levels of unity to the activities of the community.

Active participation by children in Feasts, Holy Day observances, and other community-wide events connects the child with the community at an early age so that the feeling of family is established for a life-long, loving relationship with the Bahá’í community.

One method of integrating children into the teaching work is through teaching institutes. Here, believers of all ages come together to pray, deepen and memorize the Creative Word, and to consult on all aspects of teaching. The cooperation of adults, youth and children in this process is very exciting.

One teaching institute consisting of youth was gathered in a home when a seven-year-old child asked if she could join the group. With complete understanding of what the institute was doing, the child shared that she had already decided to teach (targeted) her friends about the Faith and was going to give her teacher a pamphlet the next day.

She then asked if the institute could deepen on what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to the friends so that they could share those words when they were teaching. The infusion of the spirit of this one child galvanized the entire institute, and teaching was undertaken with new enthusiasm.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that what a child can learn is limitless, but that “it is extremely difficult to teach the individual and refine his character once puberty is passed.” The extent to which our children presently are teachers in the Cause is the extent to which they will serve the Cause as youth and adults.

The purpose of creation is to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization, and we can better fulfill that purpose by raising up teachers of His Cause from among our own children. [Page 12]

Traveling

from page 8

dation is most needed.

The National Teaching Committee has a network of traveling teaching coordinators (listed below) who arrange the itineraries of traveling teachers, providing assistance to Bahá’í communities in their teaching plans and projects.

Each coordinator serves as a liaison between the traveling teachers and the communities needing support in their activities, and helps recruit traveling teachers from his/her region.

Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í Groups or isolated believers who ask the regional coordinator to send traveling teachers to their communities are not required to provide funds to cover travel expenses. Traveling teachers pay their own expenses. If, however, lodging and/or meals can be offered, it may greatly help them in their efforts to travel and teach. It is left to the community to decide whether assistance can and will be offered.

Traveling teachers sometimes have special presentations or programs to offer. If a meeting place is required, the Bahá’í community is responsible for obtaining a site and hosting the gathering.

By consulting with the regional traveling teaching coordinator, the Assembly, Group of isolated believer will be able to clarify the needs of their community as well as determine on a case-by-case basis the type of support they can offer.

Most visits from traveling teachers are channeled by the traveling teaching coordinators to areas where they have been requested. Occasionally, however, traveling teachers may be passing through an area without having arranged a visit through the traveling teaching coordinator.

When such a person contacts a Bahá’í community, the Bahá’í National Center should be called to verify the individual’s status as a believer. Although the Bahá’í community is not obligated to sponsor the activities of a traveling teacher if arrangements have not been made in advance, it may of course choose to do so.

Bahá’í communities that would like to request the visit of a traveling teacher may contact the traveling teaching coordinator in their region. Those who are interested in traveling to teach may contact the coordinator in the region to which they would like to travel.

Those who are interested in traveling to more than one region should contact Sam Williams, the National Traveling Teaching Coordinator, who will work with the regional coordinators in setting up an itinerary.

Regional Traveling Teacher Coordinators: January 1990

National Traveling Teaching Office: Sam Williams, P.O. Box 971, Yadkinville, NC 27055 (919-679-2133).

Region 1 (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming): Bob and Brooke Record, Pullman, WA 99163 (509-332-8881).

Region 2 (California, Nevada): Sandra Huit, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (916-961-0807).

Region 3 (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah): Terri Agahi, Phoenix, AZ 85023 (602-863-1919).

Region 4 (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota): Lynda Ochaner, Aurora, NE 68818 (402-694-6045).

Region 5, No. 1 (Arkansas, Oklahoma): Will Sutter, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405-235-2802).

Region 5, No. 2 (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas): Riaz Haghpajuh, Addison, TX 75244 (214-243-1540).

Region 6 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin): Rebecca Huff, Macedonia, OH 44056 (216-467-8906).

Region 7 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont): Hollie Shaner, Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802-878-8949).

Region 8 (District of Columbia, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia): Sam Williams, P.O. Box 971, Yadkinville, NC 27055 (919-679-2133).

Region 9 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia): Elizabeth Anderson, P.O. Box 2082, Auburn, AL 36831 (205-826-3394).

Please note: a booklet entitled “Traveling Teaching,” which provides an overview of the role of the traveling teacher, is available for 50 cents a copy from the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Teaching Committee calls for dedicated Bahá’ís to arise and serve Cause as homefront pioneers

During the final years of the Six Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee is calling for dedicated Bahá’ís to arise as homefront pioneers and disperse to goal areas throughout the country.

The call for homefront pioneers goes beyond the need for Bahá’ís to move from one place to another. Bahá’u’lláh has bestowed a station on “the company of His chosen ones who shall be manifested unto men, who shall aid His Cause. . . .

“These are the ones who, before the gaze of the dwellers on earth and the denizens of the heaven, shall arise and, shouting aloud, acclaim the name of the Almighty, and summon the children of men to the path of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Praised.”

The chief goal of the pioneer is to raise up from among the local people the administrators and teachers of the Faith who will carry the Cause forward into the future, and to help local residents build strong Bahá’í communities.

Pioneers, especially families, can ensure that a ‎balanced balance‎ is maintained between expansion and consolidation in the process of teaching, helping to establish new institutions and laying the foundation for a systematic, unprecedented increase in the growth of the American Bahá’í community.

The greatest need for homefront pioneers is in those areas where initial teaching activity has brought about the enrollment of a great number of people, especially in South Carolina and Georgia. Other areas where rapid expansion has taken place are the Lake Okeechobee area in Florida; the Salinas Valley in California; Northern Arizona; Central Texas; and Lowell, Massachusetts.

Other priority goal areas include state capital cities that do not have Spiritual Assemblies: Augusta, Maine; Trenton, New Jersey; Pierre, South Dakota; Montpelier, Vermont; and Charleston, West Virginia.

Homefront pioneers are also needed to ensure that jeopardized Assemblies are not lost at Riḍván, to help restore Assemblies that were lost in recent years, and to serve on Indian Reservations and in communities where there are large Bahá’í Groups. Unopened localities and isolated centers are also goal areas.

‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ interested in helping carry out this vitally important work may contact the National Teaching Committee office for information on contact people in the goal areas who can advise prospective pioneers about employment, housing, schools and so on. District Teaching Committees in these areas are expected to be able to provide such information.

In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calls upon the pioneers to “consider how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain, how unique the favors with which ye have been endowed.”

As homefront pioneers, “ye are the verses of His singleness . . . the banners of the Lord.”

Teaching institutes: grassroots initiative to further teaching process by developing resources

Teaching institutes are composed of groups of Bahá’ís with long-term commitments to furthering the process of teaching through their emphasis on developing human resources for the Faith. Although a teaching institute will obviously affect the life of a community, local Spiritual Assemblies are not directly involved in their establishment. Individuals or teaching committees are not directed by Assemblies to form teaching institutes; the institutes spring from grassroots initiative. The Assembly’s role in their establishment is, rather, one of encouragement and support.

Individuals are not required to secure the permission of their local Spiritual Assemblies to establish teaching institutes, yet they may wish to consult their Assembly if guidance or support is needed. In addition, these individuals may contact their Auxiliary Board member or assistant, or call the National Teaching Committee office for guidance.

Once a teaching institute is well-established, however, and plans are developed that extend beyond the realm of teaching on a one-to-one basis, the local Spiritual Assembly should be informed. In addition, plans that affect the entire community (such as a series of public meetings or the development of special teaching materials to be used in the community) need Assembly approval.

An Evolutionary Approach to Teaching Institutes

“Teaching institutes, when freed from certain misconceptions and managed creatively with a spirit of love and sacrifice, prove to be valuable instruments for the continuous training of the human resources so urgently needed for rapid expansion and for subsequent deepening and consolidation.” —International Teaching Centre

An Evolutionary Approach to Teaching Institutes is a booklet prepared by the National Teaching Committee to illuminate a process which will raise up workers for the Cause.

Available now for only 50¢ a copy! To order, send a check made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund”

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center • Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 13]

How is the Fund—really?

Discussions and correspondence with the friends in the past several weeks has indicated that there may be some uncertainty about where we stand in relation to the National Fund goal, and about the meaning of some of the information recently provided by the Office of the Treasurer in these pages and elsewhere.

The facts are these: our contribution goal for the fiscal year that ends April 30 is $9.5 million. Contributions through December 31 total $5,037,000. That means that the work of the Faith, according to the plans and priorities set by the National Spiritual Assembly, will need additional support of some $4,463,000. We have only six Bahá’í months in which to achieve this goal.

It is also a fact that some short-term bank debts have been paid down, in accordance with National Assembly policy and principles of prudent financial management.

Does that mean the Fund is, as the saying goes, "flush with cash"? No, not really. These payments indicate that through savings and more efficient management there were sufficient funds available at one point in time to make a planned reduction of debt. Present outstanding short-term bank loans total $1,048,000.

Will there be a shortfall in meeting our national goal this year? The pace of contributions, frankly, has slowed during the last two to three Bahá’í months. At the present rate there could indeed be a significant shortfall in meeting the contributions goal, thereby seriously affecting the National Spiritual Assembly's ability to fulfill its financial obligations.

The most important factor here is that this community of the Most Great Name has historically shown a clear understanding of the spiritual foundation of the Funds of the Faith, and has put that understanding into action by deeds of noble generosity.

The friends need the facts, though, and the opportunity to examine those facts against the broader background of the events affecting the Cause. This office basically relies on you to let us know whether you are receiving the information you need to decide on your level of support for the Funds of the Faith. Please don't hesitate to let this office know how you can better be served!

Automatic Contributions goal won!

With 4,010 individuals and 418 local Assemblies and Groups, the goal for the Automatic Contribution System (ACS) has been successfully completed. We went "over the top" due in large part to subscriptions sent in using the envelope inserted in The American Bahá’í in November.

We would heartily encourage the friends to continue to support this method of giving, since the pattern of contributions, which traditionally is slow at the time expenses are highest, can be changed in this way. Thanks to support for the ACS, a stable foundation of contributions could be assured year 'round.

At present levels of participation, donations made under the program total some $120,000 each Bahá’í month. Indeed, contributions from this source rose nearly 35 percent during Masa’il alone! On a yearly basis, support like that translates into 24 percent of our $9.5 million contributions goal, or about $2,280,000.

Why did I get hit twice?

Another question people have asked about the ACS is why their accounts have been charged twice during the same calendar month. Has this happened to you?

Until last December ACS depended on an outside company to make the actual computer tape that causes individual contributions to be deducted from the giver's account. Processing these contributions was, unfortunately, delayed twice in the past year, resulting in no deductions being made one month and two deductions during the following month.

The good news is that ACS has been brought in-house, saving the Fund more than $2,000 a month in service fees.

They said, 'We won't call you—you can call us'!

The Treasurer's Financial Advisory Committee is a group of experienced Bahá’í professionals in the financial See TREASURER page 21

We can serve Cause in many ways

In the midst of the struggles of our everyday lives it is easy to overlook the dual nature of the call to action we have been given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We know that mankind has a dual nature, both material and spiritual, but how do we translate that duality into service to the Faith that we love? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote:

"Man has two powers, and his development two aspects. One power is connected with the material world and by it he is capable of material advancement. The other power is spiritual and through its development his inner, potential nature is awakened. These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is impossible with one wing."

There are many ways to serve the Cause of God, and each of us has the bounty of expressing his love for Bahá’u’lláh in his own unique way. Some of us spend sacrificial amounts of time serving on local Spiritual Assemblies, as assistants to the Auxiliary Board, or as children's class teachers. Others undergo hardships as traveling teachers, or leave home to serve as international or homefront pioneers. There are almost as many ways to serve the Cause as there are Bahá’ís. As the Faith progresses and the Lesser Peace approaches, even more ways to serve, unimagined at present, will no doubt become apparent. As we read in Wellspring of Guidance, "who would claim that every single believer has succeeded in finding his or her fullest satisfaction in the life of the Cause?"

In spite of the immense range of opportunities opening before us and the increasing complexity of the Bahá’í community itself, there are certain basic ways in which every Bahá’í can serve. The most immediate and obvious source of satisfaction for all of us, as servants of Bahá’u’lláh, is as teachers of the Cause. It is in this capacity that we contribute most fully to the growth of the community of believers, a fundamental aspect of the onward progress of the Cause. But this is not the only way open before us for service: there are several other "sacred duties" that, taken together, enable us to offer service that is evenly balanced. As the Universal House of Justice wrote in September 1964:

"In addition to teaching, every believer can pray. Every believer can strive to make his own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us."

The very acts that the Universal House of Justice mentions—teaching, prayer, fighting our own spiritual battles, and contributing to the Fund—are the anvil on which is forged the basic character of our spiritual and material lives. It is in the performance of these "sacred duties" (along with other ways in which we serve both the Cause and mankind as a whole) that we assure that we make our everyday lives sacred and that we weave together the strands of spirituality and our material being.

The success of the Cause and our increasing effectiveness in teaching, contributing to the Fund, praying, and fighting our own spiritual battles is rooted in

"... the Master's oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit."

FAMILY FUND BOXES ON SALE NOW!

IN TIME FOR INTERCALARY DAYS, PLANNING CHILDREN'S CLASSES FOR THE NEW YEAR AND THE VISION TO VICTORY CONFERENCES 1990

Place your orders now for Family Fund Boxes. They are easily assembled, children love to decorate them, and they provide reverent and attractive reminders to give to the Fund.

On sale now at $2.50 each for quantities less than 10; $2.00 each for 10 or more. Add $.50 for postage and handling, please. Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

NAME AND ADDRESS TO WHICH BOXES ARE TO BE SENT

QUANTITY DESIRED:

ORDER BLANK

9-POINTED STAR BOXES 9-SIDED "ROUND BOXES

AMOUNT ENCLOSED:

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO "BAHA'I SERVICES FUND" AND MAIL ORDER AND PAYMENT TO:

FAMILY FUND BOX PROJECT NATIONAL TREASURERS OFFICE BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! [Page 14]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE Bahá’í International Community is looking for an accountant for its office in New York City. Experience required. Please send resumé and background information to Dorothy Longo, Operations Officer, Bahá’í International Community, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017.

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer employment. Positions available include children’s teachers, maintenance assistants, kitchen helpers and recreation director. Positions are from mid-June through August; room and board are provided with a small stipend. Those interested in applying are asked to send a brief resumé to the administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

IF YOU are considering a move in the near future and want to further the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, consider moving to Jefferson City, Missouri, to help save an incorporated Assembly. Jefferson City, the state capital, is about two hours from either St. Louis or Kansas City and 45 minutes from the Lake of the Ozarks resort area. It has a state-supported university, delightful scenery, low unemployment, and low housing and living costs. For more information, please contact the Linda Epstein, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Jefferson City, 314-636-6009.

WHY NOT retire to someplace a step nearer to paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Yosemite National Park. The Bahá’í community of Yosemite/El Portal, California, is in jeopardy with eight adult members. There is a chance for seasonal employment at a bed and breakfast inn; the couple considering this highly visible position would have to be hospitable, love cooking, housekeeping, gardening and maintenance. Also, the possibility of other kinds of tourist-related employment exists. For more information, phone Letty at 209-379-2301.

MIDDLETON, Wisconsin, needs at least two Bahá’ís to maintain its Assembly status. This active, loving Bahá’í community is on the west side of Madison, the capital city. The University of Wisconsin, state government, and many industries are in the area, and Middleton has an excellent public school system. Bahá’í families in the area are eager to help in any way they can. For more information, write to Corinne Bahr, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Middleton, Middleton, WI 53562, or phone 608-831-3795.

WANTED: one or more Bahá’ís to move to Martin County, Florida, to help save our jeopardized Assembly. Martin County, on the east coast, is a retiree’s dream: a rapidly growing community with many employment opportunities, water everywhere for recreation, a junior college, shopping malls, and friendly people. What else? Send inquiries to Kay Koehl, chairman, Spiritual Assembly of Martin County, Stuart, FL 34494.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

THE SCHOOL of the Nations, a ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎-operated social and economic development project in Macau (Asia), is seeking qualified elementary and secondary school teachers. If you are interested in pioneering to Macau and teaching at the school, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas include the following: Africa—Sierra Leone: elementary school teachers, internist, pediatrician, GP/FP, RNs. Americas—St. Lucia: physical therapist, OB/GYN, radiologist, internal medicine. Asia—China: primary health care coordinator. Korea: English instructor. Macau: elementary school teachers. Nepal: veterinarian. Australasia—Marshall Islands: nurse-midwives, primary care physicians, nurses. Europe—General: faculty positions in public administration. Also, the U.S. Peace Corps is seeking volunteers experienced in teaching English as a foreign language for assignment to Poland or Hungary. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Lawrence and Hildegard Doty, Jack Downs, Eleanor Drury, Elizabeth Duffy (died Sacramento, CA, 1957), Dora Dunbar, Allen Dunn (died Los Angeles, CA, 1981), Robert Durr, Elizabeth Easton, and W.F. Eberlein. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Archives is seeking District Teaching Committee bulletins for Northern Alabama (1975-84), Southern Alabama (1973-79), Northern Arizona (1974-83), Southern Arizona (1975-86), Arkansas (1975-79) and Central California No. 1 (1971-86). Anyone having bulletins they could donate is asked to send them to the National ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School’s Youth Academy is seeking contributions of two personal computers, one Apple McIntosh and one IBM compatible, to be used by students attending the Academy to prepare their research and class papers. Also, the school is seeking contributions of extra copies of The Advent of Divine Justice to use in the Youth Academy. We would like to establish a permanent set of 25 copies for the program. Anyone who is interested in making a contribution is asked to contact the school administrator through the ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ National Center Bulletin Board System or by writing to the Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

DO YOU remember the “Army of Light” that traveled throughout the U.S. during the late 1960s-early ’70s? How about the Dillon 2000; World Citizens Bahá’í School; Elloree; Holly Hill; Liberty; Adams Run; Green Pond; the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga’s visit to South Carolina? I am putting together a history of the “Army of Light” and the mass teaching efforts in the southern U.S. from 1968-75. If you have any recollections, data, or photos that you’d be willing to share, please write to Ann Cary Samuelson, Roanoke, VA 24015.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is seeking visual and performing artists for each week-long conference this summer. The artist-in-residence will have time and space to pursue his/her work and can attend any part of the conference desired. The artist will be expected to interact with the friends and to help heighten the awareness of and appreciation for the place of art in the community. Also, a public display or performance will be held one day each week. Interested artists are encouraged to contact the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

FOR SALE

FOR SALE: ideal opportunity for a community or individual to expand a Bahá’í library. 22 bound volumes of “Star of the West” plus extra copies of vols. 4, 5, 8, 9, 13; first edition (1931) of the Kitáb-i-Íqán (bids accepted; shipping costs included); plus The Bahá’í World, vols. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15. Write to the ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Reference Library of Peoria, 5209 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61614, or phone 309-691-9311.

MISCELLANEOUS

COLORADO homecoming. Calling all Colorado residents and ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ pioneers! 1990 is the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in Colorado. A homecoming celebration will be held September 6-9 at the Storytelling Festival commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Glenwood Springs. The chief story-tellers will be Aziz Yazdi and Counselor Robert Harris. Plan now to come! For information, phone 303-945-9144.

INFORMATION about applying for the 1990 Robert Hayden Fellowship in Poetry can be obtained by writing to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. The deadline for applications is March 15. The fellowship provides room and board at Louhelen for three weeks during which one is free to write.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center is presently accepting applications for the following positions. For more information, applications, and position descriptions, please check the position(s) in which you are interested and return this form to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

• Bahá’í Publishing Trust: associate editor; shipping and receiving clerk
• Bosch School: morning cook, full-time (September–June); maintenance assistant, full-time
• Community Administration: administrative consultant
• Department of Human Resources: human resources representative
• Native American Bahá’í Institute: caretaker/host
• National Teaching Committee Office: teaching coordinator, Hispanic desk (must be fluent in Spanish); teaching coordinator, Chinese desk; teaching coordinator, youth desk; receptionist
• Office of External Affairs, Washington, D.C.: national liaison to Non-Governmental Organizations (please do not call the Washington office for information)
• Office of the Secretary: administrative aide/District Convention coordinator
• Office of the Treasurer: assistant controller; administrative assistant
• Persian/American Affairs Office: translator (must be fluent in Persian and English)
• U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office: refugee program assistant
• World Congress Logistics Office: human resource administrator; computer systems project manager; office administrator

Name __________________________________________

Address ________________________________________

City/state/zip ____________________________________

Phone ( ) _________________ ( ) _________________            home                           work

Young Bahá’ís drawn to Georgia conference, Bosch winter session

In late December, young Bahá’ís had two exciting events from which to choose as the third annual Bahá’í Youth Conference, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Roswell, Georgia, was held in Atlanta while the Bosch Bahá’í School hosted its second four-day winter school. Both gatherings were held December 29-January 1.

More than 600 youth from more than 30 states took part in the conference in Atlanta, discussing such topics as the Kitáb-i-Íqán, the Hands of the Cause of God, the Arc on Mount Carmel, the Lesser Peace, a chaste and holy life, teaching, teaching institutes, and the challenges of daily life as a Bahá’í youth.

The featured speakers, Counselor William Roberts and Jack McCants, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, spoke about the need for young people to face their daily challenges by consecrating their lives in service and sacrifice to Bahá’u’lláh.

At Bosch, more than 170 people including 20 Youth Academy students attended classes on the Kitáb-i-Íqán in which 10 presentations were made on various aspects of the book.

Besides their regular studies, and as a part of the program, the Youth Academy students contributed more than 250 hours in forest clean-up work.

‘Prayer for mankind’ read at San Diego Arts Festival

A prayer for mankind revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was read last November 12—the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh—at the closing of the three-week San Diego Arts Festival: Treasures of the Soviet Union.

The prayer was part of the eighth annual interfaith vesper service and vigil for peace which closed the festival. About 90 religious leaders from the San Diego area were among the 3,500 people in the audience.

Afterward, at a reception for participants, San Diego’s mayor, Maureen O’Connor told Margaret Hough, who had read the prayer for mankind, how appropriate she felt it was for the occasion.

Southeast Asian Literature

The following literature in the Khmer, Lao, and Vietnamese languages is available from the National Teaching Committee:

Item	Price
Khmer
The Promise of World Peace	$1.00
Short Bahá’í History and Some Teachings	$1.50
Lao
The New Garden	$3.50
Buddhist Prophecy Fulfilled	$2.00
Vietnamese
The Promise of World Peace	$1.00
Basis of World Economy of Bahá’u’lláh	$1.00
Teaching Cards (10 card set)	$0.50

To order, please send a check to the National Teaching Committee, made payable to “Bahá’í Services Fund.” Please include an additional 15% to cover postage and handling costs.

National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center • Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 15]

Literacy Involves far more than ‘teaching adults to read’

(During International Literacy Year, The American Bahá’í will publish a number of articles about literacy. These will highlight existing programs, offer suggestions to parents, teachers and tutors, and discuss the crucial role of literacy in advancing the tenets of the Faith.)

The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of July 10, 1989, stressed the importance of literacy as “essential to the progress of the Bahá’í community and indeed all humanity.”

The Supreme Body called for active support of the United Nations International Literacy Year (ILY), saying, “the willing participation of the friends in an undertaking of such importance to the upliftment of individuals and the consolidation of the Bahá’í community as a whole will attract divine favors and confirmations.”

In the U.S., we often think of literacy development as basic education for adults. We think that involvement in literacy development means teaching adults to read simple signs and texts. The goal is generally to enable the adult to function better in society (hence, the term often used is “functional literacy”).

The Universal House of Justice (and the UN), on the other hand, use the term “literacy” in a broader sense. Literacy development thus involves children, youth and adults. It involves reading, writing, thinking and understanding.

Most importantly, the Universal House of Justice stresses an important function for literacy, namely that literacy provides “the most immediate access to the dynamic influence of the Sacred Word.”

Literacy, then, is an integral part of the development of the individual and society as a whole because it is the tool that empowers the individual to investigate independently the truth and to unlock knowledge of the material, human and spiritual realities.

It is the development of “spiritual literacy,” as well as functional literacy, that is the challenge for everyone during International Literacy Year. Spiritual literacy provides the most immediate access to transformation, to empowerment, and to insight, and it has a sublime influence beyond the reader himself.

How can children, youth and adults develop this “spiritual literacy”? From research on how people learn to read and write, we know it is a process similar to that by which people learn any language.

A young child learns his/her native language by hearing it used over and over, and then by trying it out, modifying it, making generalizations. This takes place without any formal “instruction” by the parents.

The child is born with an innate ability to acquire and use language. This same innate ability is used to acquire literacy, and can be used to acquire spiritual literacy as well.

God has given us an inborn ability to do so; it is, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, “a fundamental right and privilege of every human being.”

In learning a spoken language, the key is to hear and try out the language as much as possible; similarly, the key to developing literacy is to have an abundance of opportunities with written materials. In fact, researchers have found that there is not one “best” method to teach literacy; instead, the amount of time actually spent reading and writing is much more important than any particular method.

The key to developing spiritual literacy, then, is, in the words of Bahá’u’lláh, to “immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words” and to recite “the verses of God every morning and evening.” This immersion in the Writings, coupled with one’s God-given ability to acquire and understand language, is the crucial factor.

Every child, youth and adult can improve his spiritual literacy. How? By reading the Writings, by listening to the Writings being read at Feast, by chanting or singing the Writings, by memorizing and quoting the Writings. Even those Writings that seem quite difficult will, when read or heard again and again, become easier. And parts of the Writings will take on new meanings as “spiritual” literacy is acquired and deepened.

During International Literacy Year, one action that all American believers, young or old, can take is to improve their own literacy, especially their spiritual literacy, by immersing themselves in the words of this Revelation.—William Diehl

At a White House ceremony last November, jazz trumpeter and longtime Bahá’í John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie was one of a dozen prominent artists awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President George Bush. The four-inch silver medal was designed by sculptor Robert Graham. In June 1989 Mr. Gillespie received the highest honor for an artist in France when he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, and has also served the U.S. government as an official ‘ambassador of friendship’ to Africa.

Overseas events, projects, conferences

Barbados: Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference, August 10-12.

Canada: Yukon Bahá’í Institute, ongoing.

Cyprus: Bahá’í Spring School, April 9-19, in Cyprus and Haifa.

Fiji Islands: Radio communications volunteer needed to produce radio programs to help deepen local believers, ongoing.

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

Puerto Rico: Brilliant Star Project, mass teaching, ongoing.

Switzerland: Landegg Center, Youth Symposium: the Environment (April 13-19); Heading East: Seminar for Youth (in German, April 19-22); Spiritual Dimensions of Health (in German, May 23-28).

Trinidad: Dr. Ugo Giachery Teaching Project, ongoing.

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

A booth packed with peace paraphernalia and Bahá’í literature was part of the annual Evanston, Illinois, Peace Fair last November. The fair was sponsored by the North Shore Peace Initiative, in which several Bahá’ís who served as volunteers at the Peace Fair are involved. More than 500 parents, children and educators attended the event which included peace-making activities such as story-telling and educational displays.

Bahá’í International Community re-institutes London gatherings of World Forestry Charter

On December 15, acting in collaboration with a number of other environmental groups, the Bahá’í International Community re-instituted in London the annual World Forestry Charter gatherings that were founded in 1945 by Richard St. Barbe Baker, O.B.E.

Dr. Baker, a well-known Bahá’í, was also the founder of the Men of the Trees. For more than two decades, he sponsored a yearly luncheon at which representatives of national governments and other influential persons were acquainted with the current situation of the world’s forests. The return to this tradition commemorates the 100th anniversary of Dr. Baker’s birth.

Present at this year’s gathering were ambassadors or their representatives from 15 countries with a special interest in forestry issues.

Messages were received from Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom and Brian Mulroney of Canada as well as from Bertrand Schneider, secretary-general of the Club of Rome; Prince Alfred von Liechtenstein of the Vienna Academy for the Study of the Future; and Michael Deland, chairman of the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality, an agency appointed by President George Bush.

The reading of these messages followed a tradition set nearly 45 years ago by Dr. Baker who began each annual program with the message to the gathering from the beloved Guardian. The tradition was resumed this year when the program was opened with a special message from the Universal House of Justice.

Organized by the Bahá’í International Community’s Offices of Public Information in New York and London, the gathering was co-sponsored by Living Earth, Men of the Trees, SOS Sahel, the United Nations Development Program, the UN Environment Program, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. The luncheon was convened under the patronage of the Earl of Bessborough, president of the Men of the Trees.

The keynote address was given by one of the world’s foremost authorities on reforestation and afforestation, Charles J. Lankester, principal technical adviser of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which currently supports more than 3,500 projects in 152 developing countries and territories.

Participants gave a warm welcome to the announcement of the creation of a new agency of the Bahá’í International Community, the Office of the Environment, which will work closely with some of the other collaborating agencies, especially in the field of forestry.

The director of the new BIC office,

See CHARTER page 22 [Page 16]

Teaching • Proclamation • Personal Development

UNDERSTANDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAITH

Stirring of the Spirit SC $2.95 Compilation on the ‎Nineteen Day Feast Nineteen-Day Feast‎ from the Research Department of the Bahá’í World Centre Now available in booklet form, this compilation on the Nineteen-Day Feast from the Research Department of the Bahá’í World Centre gives us new, Fourth-Epoch insights into an institution that is "an arena of democracy at the very root of society."

The Universal House of Justice, in a letter introducing this compilation, states that the Feast is a "link" connecting "the local community in a dynamic relationship with the entire structure of the Administrative Order." It joins the individual with the "collective processes" of building and restoring our society. "Aside from its spiritual significance, this common institution of the people combines an array of elemental social disciplines which educate its participants in the essentials of responsible citizenship."

The Nineteen-Day Feast offers much room for variety and cultural diversity including music, talks, hospitality and a range of consultation—all of which contribute to "upliftment" and joy. "Rooted in hospitality," this "institution introduces a revolutionary new attitude to the conduct of human affairs... which is critical to the world unity" that is the "foundation" of a new world order. The compilation challenges us to attain a deeper understanding of the institution that brings "joy," fosters "agreement and unity," and is the key to "affection and fellowship."

The new compilation will expand our understanding of the Feast and covers the following topics: The Threefold Feast Celebration; Feast Times; Feast Locations; Attendance of Believers at the Feast; Restrictions Upon Feast Attendance; Youth and Children at Feasts; The Feast Celebration: Prayers and Scriptural Readings, Consultation, Socializing; and The Blending of Cultures in the Feast Celebration.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

Keeping Faith Amidst Change and Crisis Talk by Dr. Peter Khan CS $8.00 Stressing the urgency of the critical period in which we live, this talk discusses the testing of the Western Bahá’ís and their eventual triumph. Inspiring listening for teaching institutes, winter schools and individuals.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

The Covenant Daily Readings from the Bahá’í Teachings compiled by Enoch Tanyi HC $16.50 / SC $9.95 A collection of daily readings designed expressly to help Bahá’ís understand God’s eternal covenant with mankind.

George Ronald, Publisher

Social and Economic Development A Bahá’í Approach by Holly Hanson Vick SC $7.95 The Bahá’í approach to social and economic development is an ongoing process that seeks to uplift the condition of life. Emphasizing the spiritual basis for development, this book covers many facets of the topic, including the role of consultation, the value of universal participation, the need to preserve human dignity, and ways in which individuals can get involved. Excellent for gaining a deeper understanding of the whole process of worldwide development.

George Ronald, Publisher

Vision to Victory From the American Dream to a New World Order Talk by Mr. David Hofman, former member of the Universal House of Justice VT$19.95—VHS or BETA Address to participants of the Los Angeles Vision to Victory Conference. Compares the American believers to the Dawn-breakers, and urges Bahá’ís to overcome the corruption in America through vigorous teaching and the enrollment of new believers. Can be used to set the tone at Feast, at a teaching institute, at conferences, or at home.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

TEACHING AND SHARING THE FAITH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

A Study Guide to Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Christians by Michael Sours HC $22.95 / SC $13.95 An examination of one of Bahá’u’lláh’s last and most important tablets. This commentary is an aid to those seeking to deepen their understanding of the relationship between Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and the Bible.

One World Publications

The Bahá’í Faith by Mary Perkins and Philip Hainsworth SC $3.95 Updated and revised, this compact and generously illustrated introductory book gives a detailed history of the Faith, a description of fundamental principles, and a section on Bahá’í life. Ideal for seekers who desire more than a pamphlet.

Ward Lock Educational

The Promise of World Peace To the Peoples of the World from the Universal House of Justice CS $9.95 Now available in audio format, the action-inspiring message that helped spur teaching initiatives during the latter half of the 80s can add a new dimension to teaching. This tape makes the peace message accessible to those who are visually impaired or who have difficulty with written English.

Images International

Percival the Piano A Story for Naw-Rúz by Mary Perkins SC $5.75 An old piano takes center stage in this story depicting a very special Naw-Rúz. Young readers will learn about consultation, the local spiritual assembly, and the meaning of Naw-Rúz.

George Ronald, Publisher

Raising Children as Peacemakers by Peggy Goding SC $17.95 Practical tips that draw on the Bahá’í writings and on personal experiences to offer methods and ideas for parenting. Packed with detailed descriptions of activities and concrete suggestions to aid the busy parent. A timely resource for parents and educators striving to reach the goals of the Six Year Plan.

Kalimát Press

PRICE LIST ERRATA: Corrections and Updates
Arohauni: Letters/Guardian/New Zealand / $15.95
Center of the Covenant: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, PC / $8.40
Creating a Peaceful World, PA / pkg/100 $30.00
In His Presence, HC / $13.95
Promise of World Peace-PS / pkg/10 $3.50
Way Out of a Dead End, HC / $13.50

—Note our new direct dial number: 1-708-251-1854

—Fax orders can be placed by calling : 1-708-251-3652

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Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service [Page 17]

Bahá’ís rush to ald South Carolinians in Hugo's wake

On September 22, 1989, Hurricane Hugo struck the southeastern United States, wreaking its heaviest damage along the eastern coast of South Carolina. On September 28 Bahá’ís from Columbus County, North Carolina, and members of the state's Central District Teaching Committee loaded a van with supplies and drove to the hurricane disaster area in South Carolina to help. "We had no idea what we would encounter," they reported, "so we prepared for almost anything. We carried tools, hammers, nails and a ladder. We also took clothing, shoes and socks, pillows and blankets, bread and milk, ice, canned juices, eggs, bottled water, baby supplies and personal hygiene products. We met and gave supplies to a number of homeless people. They were very much surprised when we gave them ice for free since others had been buying bags of ice for 79 cents and going there trying to resell it to them for $3 a bag. On Friday, September 29, we were asked if we would mind taking another load (of supplies) on behalf of Hallsboro Elementary School, and we were asked for documentation on where their supplies went and who they helped." Following is an account of that second visit to South Carolina.

Dear students, faculty, families and friends of Hallsboro Elementary School

We thought you would like to know where the food you collected went and how it helped.

We carried it personally by van to the disaster areas hit first. One of these areas hardest hit by Hurricane Hugo was a place named Awendaw and a mobile home park named Copahee View which is 30 miles this side of Charleston.

Hurricane Hugo first hit an island named the Isle of Palms, then struck land along the coastline and devastated Copahee View. Out of 100 trailers there, only three remained standing and even resembled trailers. The rest were torn in pieces. Everyone's furniture, clothing, cars, everything was scrambled together for miles.

Responding to the continuing need for guides at the Bahá’í House of Worship, nine-year-old Zachary Walker and his five-year-old brother, Collin, offered their services recently, greeting the public for several hours and making many friends for the Faith. Zach and Collin are the sons of Rex and Julie Walker of Wilmette.

Our first stop was to offer help to a young woman standing by a pile of debris that used to be her home and holding a baby girl while her husband sifted through wood, metal and mud to find a few pots, pans or unbroken dishes. She said she needed baby bottles, so we gave her some and moved on, past more piles of house parts, broken furniture and broken trees.

To let everyone know we had supplies, we had signs on the sides and back of the van that read "Hurricane Supply Van from Hallsboro and Whiteville, North Carolina, Your Border Friends."

We had two families stop us needing candles, matches, flashlights, batteries and men's socks. One man said Hugo took his workplace as well as his house so he doesn't even have a job to go to anymore, but he had been helping clear streets so the people could get in and out of homes to see if they could find any of their belongings. He said he had worn the same socks for three or four days. We've never seen anyone so happy to see clean socks! He said he would even wear women's or mismatched ones, he didn't care as long as he could change.

We had two men ask for shoes. We just happened to have two pair of men's tennis shoes that someone sent and they turned out to be the exact sizes that were needed.

As we rounded a curve near the water we saw what once was a two-story house with the lower level gone. The upper part remained, balanced on the framework like someone standing on stilts, only the floor was missing so all the furniture had fallen downstairs and was blown away. The man who lived there said he had a pool table and a piano but couldn't find them anywhere. We're sure they are in many pieces, wherever they are. We gave him ice for their cooler, juice and cereal, canned foods that don't require heating, plus cookies, crackers and a flashlight.

At our next stop we saw two families who had lived next door to one another in trailers. They were standing in front of what appeared to be a partially damaged house. One said, "I lived here and had a house trailer here, but Hugo took it away and put a house here. I don't know whose house this is." They needed pillows, blankets, milk and water, for which they thanked us wholeheartedly and asked that we tell everyone else thank you, too.

We saw a woman digging a blanket out from under some debris and asked if she needed anything. She said, "No, we're fine. We're alive and we're fine!" She had no house, yet she said she was fine. "This makes you know you shouldn't put your trust in material things, because they don't last," she said as we continued our mission. We were amazed by her ability to cope with the situation. One thing we noticed about all of these people we were helping was that they were very caring and concerned about each other, unmindful of race, etc., and they always told us about someone else who needed help, in the next yard or on the next street, so no one would be left out.

A scene typical of the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo.

We talked to a young couple who couldn't find their cat when they were leaving to stay somewhere during the storm. On their return, they found their home gone but their cat had managed somehow to survive. We'll never know how he survived along with many other animals we saw. A tiny cat was sitting on top of a dresser, with no drawers in it, in the middle of a street, and he was so hungry that he began crying loudly when he saw us, so we gave him part of a sandwich. The dogs we saw had no hair left on them, either from the extremely hard winds or the rushing mud, water, bushes and debris, or perhaps from a combination of it all. The animal shelter truck brought food for the pets who were wandering around. They fed them and left big bags of food for them. We even saw a pig and a goose eagerly eating dog food.

A family with children were seated around an old table outside, about to eat their meager dinner, when we stopped and asked if they needed anything. They took ice, flashlights, batteries and juice for the children. Their trailer was one of the three still there but it had no doors, and part of the roof was gone. One of us saw the porch out by the road and asked, "Is this your porch?" "Yes," the mother replied, "and we have two other porches in our back yard!" We remarked that the trailer was still standing, and she said, "Yes, it looks good from the outside but you should see the inside." Climbing on a kitchen chair to look inside, we were shocked to see what used to be a large console color TV set sitting in mud and debris in the middle of the living room. A telephone that looked like someone had dug it out of a boggy swamp was sitting on an end table covered with mud. Clothing was pasted to the floor with mud, and it all smelled like sewage. Now this family is living in their yard in a tiny camper.

Keep in mind that there is no power or water in this subdivision, yet the people there are optimistic and say things like, "The worst is over now!" Some have even kept their sense of humor through it all. We saw a sign in one yard that said "Landscaping by Hugo," and another that said "Hugo can break our house but not our spirit-we'll be back!"

The mood, however, ranged from optimism to despair; one man could only sit and stare at what used to be his home and everything he had worked for all his life. Another woman said she was finding some of her things in a three-block radius. A brick house had been taken off its foundation and no one had seen a trace of it since. Some speculated that it had been thrown into the ocean, never to be seen again.

Some displaced people are staying with friends or relatives, but there are some who have nowhere to go. These are the ones your supplies have helped. We found four more such families close to curfew time. An elderly couple, a family with one daughter, another with three little girls and one with teen-age children. We divided the remaining food, batteries, flashlights, candles, water and ice among these people. We gave nails to a man making repairs. We said goodbye, wished them well, and began our journey home.

During the drive we had mixed feelings. It made us realize how fortunate we are to have a home to come back to. We thank God we were spared, but most of all, we thank God for people like you who arise to help others since it could have been us.

Manhattan Beach Bahá’ís mark UN Children's Day with seventh Art Festival

For the seventh year in a row, the Bahá’ís of Manhattan Beach, California, sponsored a Children's Art Festival to commemorate Universal Children's Day. The theme of the 1989 festival was "It Takes All Kinds of People to Make the World."

Festival entry forms were distributed in the public schools as well as through private institutions in Manhattan Beach. Several elementary school classes used the festival contest as an art project. In all, more than 600 drawings and paintings were received-all on the festival theme of unity in diversity.

Trophies were given to elementary school students with the best artwork in several categories. Jim Gamble, an internationally known puppeteer, was hired to entertain the children and their parents at the awards ceremony. [Page 18]البته مبلغان سيار آزاد نيستند كه موضوعات مورد مذاكره خود را به موارد ياد شده محدود نمايند، اما بايد اقلأ يك يا چند مورد از موارد فوق را گوشزد ياران و ‎مستديان مستعدان‎ نمايند. شك نيست كه مبلغان باتجربه با آگاهى از اوضاع جوامعى كه به آن سفر نموده‌اند، خواهند دانست چه مطالبى را با دوستان مطرح كنند.

يكى از وظائف مبلغان سيار آن است كه ‎تلامذت‌متدينان تلامذه متدينان‎ را با حكمت و محبت در جهت نيل به بلوغ روحانى خود يارى نمايند. همچنين احبائى را كه در نقاط منفرده و جمعيت‌هاى بهائى به سر مى‌برند، تشويق كنند كه هر چه زودتر با تبليغ و تسجيل افراد تازه، خود را به محافل روحانى تبديل نمايند و از آن پس پيام حضرت بهاء‌الله را با اقدامات خود به گوش ديگران برسانند.

بدين ترتيب يارانى كه مايل به سفرهاى تبليغى و تشويقى باشند، بايد در وهله اول نقاطى را در نظر داشته باشند كه در آن نياز به تحكيم اساس جوامع بيشتر است.

لجنه ملى نشر نفحات صورتى از اسامى مسؤولان سفرهاى تبليغى فراهم آورده است. اين افراد هم برنامه‌هاى مبلغان سيار را هماهنگ مى‌سازند و هم جوامع بهائى را جهت طرح برنامه‌هاى تبليغى كمك مى‌نمايند. هر مسؤول در واقع رابط بين مبلغان سيار و جوامعى است كه به حمايت و كمك احتياج دارند. محافل محلى و جمعيت‌هاى بهائى مى‌توانند با مشورت با مسؤولان مبلغان سيار آنها را از نيازهاى جوامع خود آگاه سازند.

محافل روحانى و جمعيت‌ها و احبائى كه در نقاط منفرده به سر مى‌برند، مى‌توانند از مسؤول مبلغان سيار درخواست نمايند كه مبلغى جهت مساعدت به جامعه آنان فرستاده شود اما جوامع مذكور مسؤول تأمين مخارج مبلغان نيستند. مخارج مبلغان سيار را خود آنان تأمين مى‌نمايند. ناگفته پيداست كه اگر محل اقامت و غذا براى آنان مهيا شود، بيشتر و با آرامش خيال بيشترى مى‌توانند با جامعه امرى مدد نمايند. با اين حال بر عهده جوامع امرى است كه با در نظر گرفتن شرايط خود معين نمايند كه آيا مى‌توانند كمكى از اين دست به مبلغان سيار نمايند يا خير.

گاهى مبلغان سيار برنامه‌هاى خاصى (نشان دادن اسلايد و غيره) براى ارائه تهيه مى‌كنند. در صورتى كه براى ارائه اين برنامه‌ها به محل خاصى نياز باشد، جامعه محلى مسؤول يافتن جا و دعوت شركت كنندگان است.

بيشتر سفرهاى مبلغان سيار از طريق مسؤولان سفرهاى تبليغى ترتيب داده مى‌شود. اما گاهى اتفاق مى‌افتد كه يكى از مبلغان سيار، هر سير راه او اقتضا بگذرد بدون اينكه از قبل جلسه‌اى براى او ترتيب داده شده باشد. در اينگونه موارد ياران جاده بهائى با دفتر محفل روحانى ملى تماس بگيرند و درباره مبلغ سيار و وضع امرى او آگاهى حاصل نمايند. هر چند جوامع محلى مجبور نيستند در اينگونه موارد كه تدارك خاصى براى مبلغ سيار ديده نشده است، خواسته‌هاى او را مجرى دارند، معذلك اگر حضور مبلغ سيار را به سود خود تشخيص دهند، البته مى‌توانند از او استفاده نمايند.

جوامع بهائى كه تمايل به مبلغ سيار داشته باشند و نيز افرادى كه مايل باشند در سفرهاى تبليغى و تشويقى شركت كنند، بايد با مسؤول ناحيه تماس حاصل نمايند. جهت كسب اطلاعات بيشتر مى‌توان با آقاى سام ويليامز Sam Williams مسؤول مبلغان سيار در دفتر لجنه ملى نشر نفحات تماس حاصل نمود. تلفن (٢٠٨) ٨٦٩-٩٠٤٩.

HOMEFRONT PIONEERING

مهاجرت داخله لجنه ملى نشر نفحات از ياران عزيز تقاضا دارد كه امر مهاجرت داخله را در سالهاى آخر نقشه شش ساله از نظر دور ندارند.

مهاجرت تنها رفتن از يك نقطه به نقطه ديگر نيست. هدف مهاجر اين است كه از ميان ساكنان محلى كه به آن مهاجرت كرده است، مبلغانى بيايند كه باعث تداوم امر تبليغ شود.

بايد توازن مابين رشد عددى جامعه امرى از يك سو و تحكيم مبانى ايمانى و عرفانى ياران از سوى ديگر حفظ شود. در نقاطى كه تعداد ‎تلامذت‌متدين تلامذه متدين‎ آن بيشتر است، احتياج افزونترى نيز به مهاجر است، چه كه مرحله بعد از تصديق، تحكيم مبانى ايمانى از طريق مطالعه آثار مباركه است. در حال حاضر بيشترين نياز به مهاجر در ايالات كاروليناى جنوبى و جورجياست.

مهاجران داخله مى‌توانند به وضع محافل در معرض انحلال كمك بسزائى نمايند تا اين محافل بتوانند تا بعد از رضوان آتى نيز همچنان به فعاليت خود ادامه دهند.

SUCCESS AT BAHA’I FIRESIDES

موفقيت ياران در تشكيل بيوت تبليغى ياران عزيز به خوبى آگاهند كه بر اثر تضييقاتى كه بر احباى ايران وارد شده است، و در نتيجه انعكاس اخبار ايثارات آن ستمديدگان در مطبوعات و رسانه‌هاى گروهى، بسيارى از كسانى كه روزانه با آنها روبرو مى‌شويم، مطلبى درباره امر بهائى مى‌دانند. اما اين آگاهى به تنهايى عامل انقياد به امر الهى نيست.

بيوت تبليغى كه در آن تماس احبا با ‎مستديان مستعدان‎ شخصى‌تر است، مرحله بعدى آشنائى آنان با امر الهى و ملأ تصديق آن است. حضرت ولى امرالله تشكيل بيوت تبليغى را بعنوان موثرترين روش تبليغ قلمداد فرموده‌اند. شرح نمونه‌اى از يك بيت تبليغى موفق و موثر در زير نقل مى‌شود.

جناب منوچهر آگاهى و خانم ايشان كارول از چند سال پيش هر هفته بيت تبليغى در منزل خود تشكيل داده‌اند. اين بيوت با دعوت همكاران و همسايگان آگاهان آغاز شد. سپس از ديگر احباء نيز درخواست شد كه دوستان و آشنايان خود را به شركت در اين بيوت دعوت نمايند. چند تن از پناهندگان ايرانى بهائى نيز در اين اقدام تبليغى شركت داشتند و عده‌اى از همكاران و آشنايان خود را به محفل تبليغى دعوت نموده‌اند.

بيوت تبليغى خانواده آگاهى با صحبت درباره مقتضيات امرى آغاز مى‌شود و اين صحبت معمولأ نيم‌ساعت تا سه ربع ساعت به طول مى‌انجامد. سپس وقت سؤالات شروع مى‌شود و بعد در قسمت پذيرايى شركت كنندگان با هم آغاز آشنائى مى‌كنند و از هر درى سخن مى‌گويند.

در هر يك از اين بيوت تبليغى ۲۰ تا ۳۰ مبتدى و ۸ تا ۱۰ نفر از احباء شركت مى‌كنند. در اثر اين اقدام تبليغى از رضوان سال ۱۹۸۸ تا رضوان سال ۱۹۸۹ تعداد ۱۰ نفر تصديق امر بهائى نموده‌اند و از آغاز سال بهائى جارى تا كنون ۶ نفر ديگر خلعت ايمان پوشيده‌اند. ناگفته نماند كه همه اين ‎تلامذت‌متدينان تلامذه متدينان‎ به نحوى در فعاليت‌هاى امرى شركت مى‌نمايند. يكى از اين احباى ‎تلامذت‌متدين تلامذه متدين‎ كه اسپانيولى زبان است به همت يكى از پناهندگان بهائى ايرانى تصديق امر مبارك نموده است. خادم آگاهى موفقيت بيت تبليغى خود را مديون پشتكار و پيگيرى و عدم دلسردى از توفيق آتى مى‌داند. اميد است اينگونه موفقيت‌هاى تبليغى آتش شوق در دل همه احباء بر افروزد و آن عزيزان را به تحصيل توفيقاتى افزونتر نائل آورد.

IN MEMORY OF MR. KAZEM KAZEMZADEH

يادى از جناب كاظم كاظم زاده در شماره پيشين "امريكن بهائى" ترجمه تلگراف بيت‌العدل اعظم و نيز مرثيه‌اى از محفل روحانى ملى در خصوص صعود جناب كاظم كاظم‌زاده درج گرديد. در اين شماره مختصرى از شرح احوال ايشان نگاشته مى‌شود.

جناب كاظم كاظم‌زاده در عشق‌آباد در خانواده‌اى بهائى زاده شد. اعقاب جناب كاظم‌زاده از بزرگان و خادمان امر مبارك بودند. از جمله آنان ميتوان از نفوس محترمى چون حاجى محمد كاظم، يكى از بانيان جامعه امرى عشق‌آباد، - آقا محمد رضا، يكى از بانيان مشرق‌الاذكار عشق‌آباد، - مير جليل، يكى از سرداران جناب حجت زنجانى در واقعه زنجان، - ام الشرف، شهيدان بهائى و مادر اشرف مشهور، - جناب عليمحمد ورقاء، شاعر و خادم شهيد بهائى نام برد.

جناب كاظم‌زاده تحصيلات عاليه خود را در دانشگاه مسكو به پايان رساند و در جوانى مترجم سفارت ايران در روسيه بود. در هنگامى كه رژيم استالين جامعه امرى روسيه را تحت فشار گذاشته بود و عملاَ داشت آن را از كار مى‌انداخت، جناب كاظم‌زاده رابط بين جامعه بهائى اتحاد جماهير شوروى و حضرت ولى امرالله بود. منزل ايشان در واقع به صورت پناه ياران درمانده و بى‌پناه درآمده بود.

هنگامى كه در سال ۱۹۴۰ دوره خدمت جناب كاظم‌زاده در سفارت ايران به سر رسيد، ايشان به طهران فراخوانده شد. زمانى كه متفقين ايران را اشغال كردند، ايشان يكسره دست از خدمات ديپلماتى شست و نيرو و اوقات خود را صرف خدمت به امر مبارك كرد. به عضويت محفل روحانى طهران و محفل روحانى ملى انتخاب شد و همچنين به عضويت در لجنات گوناگون ملى درآمد.

در دهه ۳۰ كه ياران ايران بار ديگر توسط روحانيون و دولت وقت مورد حمله و آزار و اهانت قرار گرفتند و اعضاى محفل روحانى يزد به زندان افتادند، جناب كاظم‌زاده در دادگاه‌ها به دفاع از آنان برخاست و بدون واهمه با وجود هياهوى اشرار به احقاق حقوق آنان همت گماشت. بدين جهت حضرت ولى امرالله ايشان را به خطاب درج امرالله مخاطب فرمودند.

جناب كاظم‌زاده در سال ۱۹۵۶ به آمريكا آمد و مقيم اين ديار شد و در دانشگاه هاروارد و سپس دانشگاه لوس آنجلس UCLA به تدريس زبان فارسى اشتغال يافت.

ايشان سال‌ها نماينده امين حقوق در ايالات متحده بود. از جمله ديگر خدمات ايشان مى‌توان از نگارش و چاپ مقالات امرى و ترجمه برخى از مدارك تاريخى و تهيه جزوه‌هايى درباره امر بهائى به زبان روسى نام برد. همچنين ايشان در محافل روحانى نيوهيون New Haven در ايالت كنتيكت و سانتامونيكا در ايالت كاليفرنيا عضويت داشتند. و ناگفته نماند كه در مدت سكونت خود در ايالات متحده به تدريس دروس امرى در كلاس‌هاى مختلف و مدارس تابستانى نيز مبادرت مى‌فرمودند.

بيت‌العدل اعظم در تلگرافى كه به مناسبت صعود جناب كاظم‌زاده صادر فرموده‌اند، ايشان را "مدافع معتمد و ثابت‌قدم امرالله" ناميده‌اند و خدمات آن مستخدم امرالله را بعنوان "آيات جاودانه‌اى از مجاهدات فداكارانه" ستوده‌اند.

جناب كاظم كاظم‌زاده در روز ۱۴ نوامبر سال ۱۹۸۹ در پاسيفيك پلسيدز Pacific Palisades در كاليفرنيا به سن ۹۱ سالگى به ملكوت ابهى صعود نمودند. مزار ايشان در جنب مرقد يكى از اولين احباى آمريكايى، جناب تورنتون چيس Thornton Chase قرار دارد. يادش گرامى و روانش شاد باد!

HMONG NEW YEAR

مراسم سال نو مانگ ها از تاريخ ۲۲ الى ۲۵ ماه نوامبر سال ۱۹۸۹ مراسم براى جشن سال نو هندوچينى‌ها در سن دياگو برگزار شد. در اين مراسم خانم پوران استيووس مسؤول دفتر امور پناهندگان محفل روحانى ملى و جناب بهزاد بيضائى كه سابقاَ مهاجر لائوس بوده‌اند، شركت داشتند.

خانم استيووس از جانب جامعه بهائى سال نو را به شركت كنندگان در مراسم كه تعدادشان بالغ بر ۱۶ هزار نفر بود، تبريك گفتند و هديه‌اى از طرف محفل روحانى ملى به ‎دادادان آنان‎ اهداء نمودند.

يكى از احبا، به نام آقاى چو چانگ كه مدير برگزارى مراسم بود، از الطاف محفل روحانى ملى به زبان انگليسى و مانگى Hmong تشكر كرد. جناب بيضائى نيز مناجاتى به زبان مانگى تلاوت نمودند كه مورد توجه حاضران قرار گرفت.

FOUR ORIENTAL LADIES HONORED

تقدير از ۴ خانم زردبوست آمريكايى در مراسم بزرگداشتى كه با همكارى محفل روحانى اوكلند و دفتر امور پناهندگان و لجنه ملى اماء‌الرحمن و شركت ۱۱۰ نفر بهائى و غيربهائى در روز ۹ دسامبر سال ۱۹۸۹ در شهر اوكلند برگزار شد، ٤ خانم زردبوست آمريكايى مورد تقدير قرار گرفتند. از افراد مذكور جهت مشاركت‌شان در خدمات مربوط به بهبود وضع جامعه بشرى قدردانى به عمل آمد.

در اين مراسم خانم جوانا كافمن، عضو محترم محفل روحانى ملى و آقاى يوزو ياماگوچى Yozo Yamaguchi يكى از اعضاى محفل روحانى ملى ژاپن و همچنين مسؤول دفتر امور پناهندگان و اعضاى لجنه ملى اماءالرحمن و لجنه ملى نشر نفحات شركت داشتند.

DIZZY GILLESPIE HONORED

تقدير از يك هنرمند بهائى در روز ۱۷ نوامبر سال ۱۹۸۹ آقاى ديزى گيلسپى Dizzy Gillespie كه عضو جامعه امرى ايالات متحده و يكى از مشهورترين نوازندگان موسيقى جاز در جهان است، در طى مراسمی به دريافت نشان هنرى از طرف رئيس جمهور ايالات متحده جورج بوش نائل شد.

آقاى گيلسپى در ماه جون همان سال نيز يكى از عالى‌ترين نشان‌هاى هنرى فرانسه را دريافت داشته بود. وى همچنين بعنوان "سفير دوستى" ايالات متحده به كشورهاى آفريقا فرستاده شده است.

‎RATIONAL CONVENTION NATIONAL CONVENTION‎

هشتاد و يكمين كانونشن ملى هشتاد و يكمين كانونشن ملى از تاريخ ۲۶ الى ۲۹ آپريل سال جارى در ‎اولمت‌اد ويلمت‎ غرب در ويلمت ايلينوى منعقد خواهد شد.

يارانى كه مايل ‎شركت به شركت‎ در كانونشن ملى باشند بايد از قبل جاى خود را رزرو نمايند. ‎اطاق در اطاق براى‎ نمايندگان حدود ۲۰۰ صندلى براى ديگر شركت كنندگان فراهم شده است و به جهت كمبود جا تنها كسانى مى‌توانند در كانونشن شركت نمايند كه از قبل نام‌نويسى كرده باشند.

در كانونشن ملى جلسات خصوصى براى خردسالان تهيه ديده نشده است. بدين ترتيب والدين مى‌بايد ترتيبات لازم را براى نگهدارى اطفال خود فراهم آورند.

علاقه‌مندان مى‌توانند جهت كسب اطلاعات بيشتر با دفتر محفل روحانى ملى تماس حاصل نمايند. تلفن ۸۶۹-۹۰۴۹ (۲۰۸).

HUQUQU’LLAH

حقوق‌الله از دوستان عزيز مستدعى است كه تقدیمی‌هاى حقوق‌الله را هر چه زودتر به ‎ندرسانی نام‎ Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust به نشانى يكى از امناى حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمايند.

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

[Page 19]The American Bahá’í / February 1990 / 19

اليوم تبليغ امر الله اعظم امور است

حضرت عبدالبهاء

دربارۀ «تبليغ امر مبارك»

TEACHING THE CAUSE OF GOD

بيترديد هر انسان هوشمندى شاهد تغييراتى كه به تازگى در اوضاع سياسى و اجتماعى جهان و بهويژه اروپاى شرقى رخ داده، بوده است. به نظر ميرسد كه از يك سو نياز و شوق ذاتى انسان به آزادى به سختى و از سوى ديگر عدم كفايت و نارسايى دستگاههاى سياسى و عقيدتى موجود در عالم از جمله علل رخدادهاى دورانساز كنونى است.

چنين بنمايد كه مردمان اين دوران در پى آنند كه موقف خود را در جهاد مشخص نمايند و حضور خود را در آن اخطار كنند. و اما رنجهاى خود را بزدايند، با آسايش بزييند و در آشتى و آرامش به سر ببرند. اما اين تغييرات "تلاطمات ارض" را خوش نمىآيد. از اينرو اغتشاشات رخ ميدهد و انقلابها واقع ميشود.

اهل بهاء نيز برپايه موضع خود را در برابر تغييرات كنونى جهاد تعيين نمايند. آنها معتقدند كه خداى دانا و مهربان قرارداد خود را با به حال خود رها نكرده است، بلكه با ظاهر ساختن مظاهر امر و نزول آيات راه هدايت را گشوده و طريق سعادت را نموده است. "آزادى حقيقى" تنها با اجراى تعاليم الهى صورت ميپذيرد. به فرمودۀ جمال اقدس ابهى:

"باید اهل عالم به آنچه نازل شد و ظاهر گشت، تمسك نمايند تا به آزادى حقيقى فائز شوند."

در برههيى كه در روز پيوستگى و ارتباط دولتها و ملتها بيشتر مىگردد، تنها هنگاميى اين آزادى ميسر مىگردد كه همگان تعاليم الهى را اجراء نمايند. والاترين پرسشى كه در اينجا به ميان مىآيد اين است كه "چگونه ميتوانند مردمى كه از تعاليم الهى بىخبر باشند، آن را اجراء نمايند؟"

پاسخ به اين پرسش در يك عبارت خلاصه مىشود: ابلاغ پيام الهى به عامّۀ اهل عالم. اگر در نقشۀ شش ساله از اهل بهاء خواستهاند كه كوششهاى خود را به ميزان زيادى صرف ابلاغ كلام الهى به عامۀ مردم كنند، محافل روحانى ‎على جهاان ملى جهان‎ نيز با الهام از دستخطهاى معهد اعلى نقشه‌هاى ملى خود را بر اساس تبليغ امر مبارك به عده زيادى از افراد طرح نمودهاند.

محفل روحانى ملى ايالات متحده نيز برنامههايى براى ابلاغ عمومى امر الله به مردمان اين ديار طرح ريخته و سلاح چنان ديده است كه شماره كنونى نشريه "امريكن بهايى" خصوصاً جهت تأكيد بر امر تبليغ فراهم آيد. از اينرو توجه ياران را به مطالبى كه در زير درج ميشود، جلب مىنمائيم.

تبليغ امر الله در سه مرحله پيوسته به هم

سرعت رشد جامعۀ بهائى همواره يكسان نيست. نتيجۀ فعاليتهاى تبليغى را نمىتوان دانست و زمان آن را نمىتوان در دست داشت. اما زمام فعاليتهاى امرى در دست ياران است. احباء مىدانند كه با تلاش پيگير و پيوست سرانجام به هدف ميتوان رسيد. پيگيرى و پشتكار و مداومت اصل لازم فعاليتهاى امرى و تبليغى است. ظهور امر الهى مركب از رويدادهاى گسسته و جدا از هم نيست بلكه جريانى پيوسته است كه متضمن نكات زير است:

۱- تبليغ خود، ۲- يافتن افراد مستعد، ۳- ابلاغ كلام الهى با رعايت حكمت، ۴- تحكيم ايمان خود به حضرت بهاءالله، ۵- يارى به تازهتصديقان جهت ‎تببديل تبديل‎ شدن آنها به بهائيان راسخ و فعال.

كوشش و فعاليتهاى منظمى كه بتواند به توسعۀ امر بهائى بيانجامد مشتمل بر سه جريان مرتبط به هم است: ۱- فعاليت افراد، ۲- تحول و توسعۀ جوامع، ۳- تبليغ همگان. اين جريانات سهگانه چنانكه گفته شد پيوست به يكديگرند. توسعه و تحول جوامع بست به فعاليت افراد است. تبليغ دستجمعى نيز متكى به فعاليت افراد و همكارى آنان با جوامع امرى است.

هستۀ مركزى تبليغ، فرد بهائى است. كوشش جمعى ياران جهت انتشار امر مبارك موكول به اقدامات روزانۀ افراد است. حتى برنامه‌ريزيهاى منظم نيز بدون همكارى جمع ياران به ثمر نمىرسد و در نتيجه تازهتصديقان نمىتوانند به صورت اعضاى فعال جامعه درآيند.

همچنين تبليغ امر مبارك مستلزم همكارى افراد بعنوان اعضاى جامعه با جوامع امرى است و الا تبليغ امرالله تنها به صورت اعمال فردى جدا از برنامههاى تبليغى جوامع امرى نتيجۀ مطلوب را به بار نخواهد آورد. اما شركت در برنامههاى تبليغى جوامع محلى نيز نبايد مانع از اقدامات فردى احباء فىالمثل تمدن بيوت تبليغى يا شركت در آنها شود. شرح مختصر سه مرحلۀ مذكور به ترتيب زير است:

فعاليت تبليغى افراد

هدف فرد بهائى از تبليغ امرالله به ديگران آن است كه شعله محبت الهى را در دل آنان برافروزد. وصول به اين هدف مستلزم تبليغ مداوم خود و يافتن و جذب افراد مستعد و ابلاغ كلام الهى با ملاحظۀ نهايت حكمت به آنان است تا آنجا كه ميتوانند حقانيت مظهر امر الهى را قبول نمايند و خود جهت ابلاغ امر مباركش به خدمت برخيزند و افراد جديدى را به ساحل نجات رسانند كه خود مبلغانى پر شور و فعال باشند و پيام الهى را به ديگران ابلاغ نمايند و الى هذا.

به اين صورت، تبليغ فردى احباء، هرگز تمامى نمىپذيرد و متكى بر برنامههاى محافل و ساير تشكيلات نمىباشد، هر چند ممكن است متضمن اجراى آن برنامهها نيز باشد. جهت تعظيم خود و ديگران بر پايه تبليغ امر مبارك يگانه محرك حيات احباء باشد. سرچشمۀ اين تحرك روحانى آثار مباركه حضرت بهاءالله و دعا به درگاه مقدس او و سپس اقدام افراد است.

اقدامات تبليغى جوامع بهائى

جامعۀ بهائى بعنوان مجموعۀ افراد احباء وظائف مشخصى در مورد تبليغ امرالله بر عهده دارد كه متضمن توسعۀ دايرۀ امر مبارك در محل معينى است. جامعۀ امرى بايد افراد و خانوادههاى بهائى را در مورد صفات و كيفيات حيات بهائى راهنمائى نمايد و همچنين امر بهائى را به نقاط جديد وارد كند.

از آنجا كه لازم است فعاليتهاى متكسى در جميع مراحل تبليغ امرالله صورت گيرد، محافل روحانى محلى مخيرند كه برنامههاى تبليغى محل را خود طرح نمايند تا جامعۀ امرى بتواند وظايف تبليغى محلى خود را ايفاء كند.

توسعۀ نطاق امر بهائى مشروط به افزايش تعداد افراد احباست. اقداماتى كه براى اعلان عمومى امرالله صورت مىگيرد، جهت تسريع جريان توسعۀ امر بهائى و جذب افراد مستعد و مالاً تسجيل آنان است. اما نبايد گمان كرد كه يگانه وظيفۀ جوامع امرى انعقاد جلسات براى اعلان عمومى امر الله است.

ديگر از وظائف جوامع بهائى اين است كه به وضع تازهتصديقان رسيدگى كنند و آنان را از لحاظ روحانى پخته و مجرب سازند. همچنين آنان را به اتحاد با جامعۀ بهائى تشويق نمايند و شركت آنان را در جامعۀ امرى تسهيل كنند. بعنوان جزئى از آئين اقدام همه اعضاى جامعۀ بهائى بايد استعدادهاى فردى و قواى خود را صرف يافتن نفوس مستعد نمايند و پيام الهى را به آنان رسانند.

همچنين بنا به ارشاد معهد اعلى محافل روحانى محلى بايد بعلاوۀ اقدامات محلى خود، ساير محافل محلى و جمعيتها و نقاط منفردۀ بهائى اطراف خود را نيز جهت طرح و اجراى برنامههاى تبليغى مساعدت نمايند.

مساعى منظم جهت فتح نقاط جديد و تشكيل جمعيت‌هاى بهائى و تأسيس محافل روحانى كه به نوبۀ خود مسؤوليت تبليغ امرالله را بر عهده خواهند گرفت، روش اساسى و اوليه‌اى است كه از طريق آن امر مبارك از نقطه‌اى به نقطه‌اى ديگر منتقل مى‌شود و سرايت مى‌كند.

تبليغ همگان

تحقق وعدۀ "يدخلون في دين الله افواجا" با برنامههاى منظم تبليغ عمومى تسريع مىشود. به بيان ديگر، كوششهايى كه جهت حصول جريان مداوم پيوستن تازهتصديقان به خيل پيروان امر بهائى به عمل مىآيد، به تحقق وعده مبارك خواهد انجاميد.

با تمركز مداوم بر توسعۀ امر مبارك و تحكيم اساس جوامع آن لشكرى از خادمان بهائى به وجود خواهد آمد كه نفوس بيشمارى را به داخل امر الهى خواهد آورد. معهد اعلى در ‎شبيهين تبيين‎ "يدخلون في دين الله افواجا" فرمودهاند كه اين ‎رغول دخول‎ هنگامى رخ ميدهد كه مردمان گروه گروه به امر بهائى اقبال نمايند. معهد اعلى خاطر نشان ساخته‌اند كه مساعى تبليغى احباء نبايد تنها متمركز بر طبقه يا گروه خاصى از مردم باشد. بايد به تمامى طبقات جامعه دست يافت و در عين حال كوشيد كه جمع بسيارى از افراد يك طبقه يا گروه را كه ‎محيبتر مجيب‌تر‎ باشند، جذب نمود.

در اين خصوص "مؤسسات تبليغى" ميتوانند بعنوان عاملى براى حصول توارد ميان توسعۀ امرالله و تحكيم اساس جوامع امرى تلقى شوند و در عين حال كه نيرو و كوششهاى خود را مصروف دستيابى به همه گروهها مىنمايند، ضمناً تمامى جريان تبليغ را كه شامل تبليغ خود و تبليغ ديگران و رساندن آنان به بارورى و تبليغ ديگران است، در مد نظر بدارند.

خردسالان و نونهالان بهائى و تبليغ امرالله

تربيت كودكان و نونهالان بهائى جهت تبليغ امر مبارك يكى از عناصر ضرورى امر تبليغ است. صفاى روح كودكان و پاكى دل و معصوميتشان بهترين عامل تبليغ امر حضرت بهاءالله است. صفا و پاكى اطفال چنان است كه بر قلب افراد اثر مىگذارد و آن را دگرگون مىسازد.

يكى از نخستين تجربههاى تبليغى احباء، بايد تربيت و پرورش اطفال باشد به نحوى كه آنها از كودكى مبلّغ امر بهائى شوند. جميع اعضاى جامعۀ امرى خواه بعنوان والدين خواه بعنوان اعضاى محافل مسؤوليت تربيت امرى خردسالان بهائى را بر عده دارند.

هر چند مدارس بهائى بسيار خوبى در سراسر ايالات متحده وجود دارد، اما پرورش كودكان بهائى به اين مدارس به خودى خود كافى نيست. بايد هر روز براى تخلق به حيات بهائى و تزهيد مطبوعات امرى كوششى جدى به عمل آيد. خردسالان بهائى بايد با تلاوت روزانه دعا و مناجات و خواندن آثار مباركه خو بگيرند و دربارۀ اصول امرى و چگونگى كاربرد آنها در مورد حل مشكلات موجود و كيفيت ابلاغ ‎كمله كلمه‎ الهى به دوستان و همقطاران و همالان خود آگاهى يابند.

چنانكه ياران استحضار دارند، هر يك از احباء به طريق خاص خود ميتواند كمكى به انتشار تعاليم بهائى نمايد. به همين جهت است كه شايد سهم مهمى را كه نونهالان بهائى در اين مورد ميتوانند ايفاء نمايند، از ياد برد. شركت فعالانه خردسالان بهائى در حيات و جلسات ايام محرّمه و ساير مجامع و فعاليتهاى بهائى آنان را با روح امر مبارك مرتبط ميسازد به نحوى كه در سراسر عمر خود را مشتعل به جلسۀ بهائى و يكى از افراد آن خانواده روحانى به شمار خواهند آورد.

يكى از راههاى سهيم كردن نونهالان بهائى در فعاليتهاى امرى با شركت آنان در "مؤسسات تبليغى" حاصل مىشود، چه كه احباء از هر سن و سالى كه باشند در اين مؤسسات شركت مىجويند و به تلاوت دعا و خواندن آثار مباركه و مشورت دربارۀ امور تبليغى مىپردازند. همكارى خردسالان و جوانان و بزرگسالان در اين مؤسسات فوائد بيشمارى در بر دارد.

جوانان و تبليغ امرالله

حضرت اعلى در جوانى پرده از رخ برانداخت. جمال قدم در جوانى خود را در جهان ظاهر ساخت. حضرت عبدالبهاء در جوانى ‎فرد نرد‎ خدمت باخت. حضرت ولى امرالله در جوانى علم ولايت برافراخت. قدوس و انيس در جوانى جانفداى نمودند. روح الله و بديع در جوانى گوى شهادت ربودند. در يك كلام ‎مياكل هياكل‎ مقدسه در آيين نور جوان بودند و بسيارى از قهرمانان تاريخ امر بهائى نيز از جوانى و در جوانى خدمت به امر مبارك پيوستند.

هر يك از اين ياران امر خدا با شور و ‎مشق عشق‎ الهى برخاستند و آتشى را كه از محبت مظهر امر در دلشان برافروخته بود، به هر كجا كه رسيدند و هر كسى كه ديدند غرفه داشتند و در اين راه چه بسيار نمك ايمان كه در دل مردمان افروختند. سختى به جان خريدند، پاى نفشردند و از راه باز نگشتند.

ما اهل بهاء اخلاف روحانى همان دليرانيم. بيت‌العدل اعظم خاطر نشان ساخته‌اند كه ما در دورانى بحرانى به سر مى‌بريم. جوانان جهان در جستجوى آزادى و عدالت به پا خاسته‌اند اما بدون بركت و راهنمائى پيام الهى. وظيفۀ اهل بهائت است كه اين چراغ هدايت را به دست آنان برسانند. معهد اعلى در چند دستخط كه خصوصاً خطاب به جوانان بهائى صادر شده است، از آنان خواستهاند كه آنچه را كه در تقدير روحانى خود نهفته دارند، به منصه ظهور رسانند.

به همين جهت است كه جوانان بهائى امريكا ‎ميبايند مى‌بايد‎ ‎سلاح نداى‎ مرجع مطاع را لبيك گويند. برنامههاى منظم و ‎فعاليتهاىى فعاليتهاى‎ چون تشويق سوادآموزى و غيره در انتشار خدمات جوانان است تا از اين طريق تغيير پيام حضرت بهاءالله در نهاد مردمان انتشار يابد.

همچنين شركت در "مؤسسات تبليغى" نيز راه ديگرى براى خدمات جوانان ميباشد. دوستان قهرمانى جوانان بهائى هم ميتوانند در "مؤسسات تبليغى" شركت نمايند. در يكى از همين مؤسسات شركت جوانان بهائى و غيربهائى منجر به تصديق ۱۰ نفر گرديد و به همت "مؤسسه تبليغى" ديگرى ۲۰ جوان قبول امر الهى نمودند و چندين تن از آنان به نقاط مهاجرتی نقل مكان كردند.

‎بيشتريد بيشترين‎ جوانان بهائى اين ديار توان آن را دارند كه با عشق و شور و فداكارى به اوج خدمات امرى رسند و با تلاش و پيگيرى شعار جوانان بهائى را متحقق سازند كه "جوانان ميتوانند جهاد را جهاد دگر كنند."

سفرهاى تبليغى و تشويقى

سفرهاى تبليغى ممكن است صورتهاى گوناگون به خود گيرد. ياران ميتوانند راههاى مختلفى براى ابلاغ امرالله و تشويق ساير دوستان برگزينند، از صرف چاى با احبائى كه در نقاط منفرده به سر ميبرند و صحبت درباره تعاليم امر حضرت بهاءالله گرفته، تا تحكيم اساس جوامعى كه تازه تشكيل شدهاند و كمك به آنها در مورد انعقاد جلسات عمومى و غيره.

مبلّغان سيار مىتوانند بست به قابليت احباء يا مستعدين درباره مطالب و موضوعات گوناگونى صحبت نمايند. با اين حال در يكى از دستخطهاى بيت العدل اعظم صحبت درباره نكات زير مورد تأكيد بيشترى قرار گرفته است:

• موقعيت ديانت بهائى از لحاظ انتشار آن در عالم.
• اهميت ادعيه و مناجات و خصوصاً اداى نماز.
• تأكيد در مورد تربيت امرى اطفال و تشويق آنان به حفظ كردن برخى از مناجاتها.
• تشويق جوانان و نونهالان به شركت در فعاليتهاى امرى.
• لزوم اطاعت از احكام امرى درباره ازدواج و تأكيد در خصوص حرمت مشروبات الكلى و مواد مخدّر.
• اهميت شركت در تبرعات و تذكر اين نكته كه تقديم تبرعات به صرافت طبع هم امتيازى براى احباست و هم تكليف روحانى آنها.
• اهميت حفاظت دوره روزه و شركت در آنها.
• روش انتخاب محفل روحانى محلى.
• اهميت امر تبليغ و تشويق مطبوعات ياران.

[Page 20]

More than 100 in San Jose enjoy Race Unity potluck, cultural exchange program

More than 100 people including 30-40 first-timers at a Bahá’í event enjoyed a recent Race Unity Potluck and Cultural Exchange sponsored by the Bahá’ís of San Jose, California, in collaboration with the Afro-American Center, CURE (Coalition to Undo Racism Effectively), the Mosquito’s East Side Action Club, Our Developing World, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

The evening’s program was planned and carried out by Ramonita Barbieri, a Bahá’í from San Jose. Included were international foods, a slide program about peace prepared by a Bahá’í, Shahin Rohani, and entertainment by Marti Pollard, a Bahá’í from Oakland who is a professional singer, and singer/guitarists Patty and Dennis Taylor, Bahá’ís from San Jose.

Added to the festive decorations were Bahá’í quotations used around the room, giving guests an opportunity to read the words of Bahá’u’lláh and see His Name. There was much discussion of the Faith, and many guests accepted Bahá’í literature.

Oakland luncheon honors four Asian women for contributions to betterment of humanity

The vital effort to increase teaching in Asian-American communities received a boost last December 9 when two Bahá’í administrative bodies co-sponsored a luncheon in Oakland, California, honoring four women of Asian descent for their contributions toward the betterment of humanity.

The festive event, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Oakland in collaboration with the National Committee on Women, drew an audience of about 110 including many non-Bahá’ís.

The honorees were Jennie Lim Shiu, RN (Chinese), founder of Alta Bates-Herrick Hospital’s “Project Cuddle,” a group of nurses who volunteer to cuddle newborn babies who are otherwise deprived of maternal stimulation; Shirley B. Dimatilis (Filipino), president of the Filipino-American Women’s Action League and member of the Task Force for Self-Esteem appointed by the mayor of San Francisco; Beckie Masaki (Japanese), co-founder and director of the first Asian women’s shelter in the Bay area; and Sister Elizabeth Lang (Vietnamese), co-director of Refugee Immigration Services of Catholic Charities.

The speakers included Juana Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly who had just returned from an extended trip to the People’s Republic of China where she helped plan ‎an a‎ Sino-American Women’s Conference to be held next summer, and Marian Okamura, a psychotherapist and counselor who vividly portrayed the intense suffering usually facing refugee and immigrant families relocating from the Pacific Rim areas.

Elegant glass sculptures, created especially for the occasion by Vern Allie of Los Gatos, California, were presented to the honorees, each of whom thanked the area Bahá’ís. Several remarked that the Bahá’ís recognized aspects of service generally overlooked by the world at large.

In keeping with the day’s theme, there was entertainment by Mrs. Jan Zhang, who played the koto (a Chinese instrument resembling a harp) and a Filipino dance troupe, Sanpaguita.

Above: The Sanpaguita Filipino dance troupe performs during the luncheon in Oakland. Below: The two main speakers, Marian Okamura (left) and Juana Conrad (center), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Bosch invites papers on faith, environment

Bahá’í professionals, students or active volunteers in environmental issues—conservation, solid waste disposal, air pollution control, water reclamation, forestry, wildlife, public policy, etc.—are invited to submit one-page proposals for presentations on “The Bahá’í Faith and the Environment” during the summer session July 14-19 at the Bosch Bahá’í School near Santa Cruz, California.

Proposals, the deadline for which is March 21, should be addressed to: Program Director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

For program information, phone 805-933-1253. To register by charge card with a $30 deposit, phone 408-423-3387, or mail deposit to the school address.

More information about National Convention

The 81st Bahá’í National Convention will be held April 26-29 in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Seating at the Convention is available by advance registration only. Seating for delegates has been pre-arranged. After seating the delegates, less than 200 seats are available for visitors who may wish to observe the proceedings. Because of the limited space in Foundation Hall and the Visitors’ Center, those without confirmed pre-registration will not be admitted.

To request seating reservations, which will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by postmark, please send your name, address and Bahá’í identification number to: Convention Seating, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

No children’s classes will be provided, and parents are encouraged to make other arrangements. Those who do bring children will be responsible for their supervision.

Special housing rates have been arranged with the Hyatt Lincolnwood, 4500 W. Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood, Illinois. Rates for singles, doubles, triples and quads are $55 plus tax per night. Reservations can be made by calling toll-free 1-800-233-1234. They must be made by April 12. When making your reservations, please indicate that you will be attending the Bahá’í National Convention.

Transportation will be provided between the hotel and the House of Worship.

For special airline rates with American Airlines, call the Bahá’í reservations desk at Corporate Travel Consultants, 1-800-323-0088.

News in brief

India’s Consul visits House of Worship

At the invitation of the National Spiritual Assembly, P.L. Santoshi, Consul General of India in Chicago, visited the Bahá’í House of Worship on Sunday, January 7.

Mr. Santoshi, his daughter and son were greeted by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the director of its Office of Public Information, and the director of activities at the House of Worship.

Mr. Santoshi expressed his love for the Bahá’í Temple in India. He and his family noted the similarities and differences in the Bahá’í Houses of Worship. Mr. Santoshi said he plans to visit the Temple in Wilmette with his wife in the near future.

As a memento of his visit, Mr. Santoshi was given a copy of the book The Dawning Place and a video tape about the construction of the House of Worship in India.

*

John Huddleston, a Bahá’í who is assistant director of administration for the International Monetary Fund and the author of three books, spoke to more than 100 people last November 17 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Mr. Huddleston’s topic was “Achieving Peace by the Year 2000,” which is also the title of his most recent book. Copies of “The Promise of World Peace” were available for those who attended.

The talk was preceded by an article in the local newspaper, the Daily News-Record, which focused on the Bahá’í concepts of world peace and brotherhood, and followed by a radio interview with Mr. Huddleston.

*

Bahá’ís in northeastern Texas collaborated December 3 in the first “Taste a Dish” Sunday arranged by the Marshall chapter of the NAACP.

Three of the tables featuring various ethnic dishes were manned by Bahá’ís and included Native American, British and Persian foods.

About 60 people attended the event which included a Bahá’í prayer for unity and a brief talk about the Faith by Yussuf Vijay, a Bahá’í from Tyler. [Page 21]Left photo: Colorfully costumed young dancers entertain during the Hmong New Year celebration and ‘Tsa Hauv Toj’ (Flower Mountain State Fair) held last December 22-25 in San Diego, California. Right photo: Puran Stevens speaks to the estimated 16,000 people at the celebration, greeting them on behalf of the Bahá’í community and presenting a gift from the National Spiritual Assembly. Chue Chang, a local Bahá’í who was chairman of the New Year festival organizing committee, spoke highly of the National Assembly in English and Hmong, and Bijan Bayzaee, a former pioneer to Laos, was asked to say a Bahá’í prayer in Hmong, which greatly pleased the audience.

Treasurer

from page 13

services industry who have been working closely with the Treasurer and his staff for the past two years. During meetings in Wilmette in December, we all felt that, for the time being at least, the group’s work was finished.

Due to the significant improvements in the management of our financial affairs and the increased efficiency of our operations, it was decided that the committee would only be called upon when new issues requiring its consultative ‎advise advice‎ should arise. The Treasurer’s Office is grateful for the contributions this committee made and for the services it rendered.

Another such group is the Fund Development and Estate Planning Advisory Committee, which also met in Wilmette in December and discussed a variety of topics: new believers’ materials, family Fund boxes, use of insurance in supporting the Fund, and feedback from Fund development conferences. Watch this space for further news!

Allocation forms II—the saga continues

Judging from recent correspondence, the community can hardly wait to get a new, easier-to-use form to replace the present allocation/receipt packets. Just hold on a bit longer!

The reason for such a form is to make it easier to process contributions, and particularly to ensure that earmarking instructions are followed correctly. It is also crucial to provide for future growth in contributions without a similar growth in office staff. Clearly, a balance must be found between efficiency and convenience for the giver.

There remains a stock of the old forms that should not simply be tossed out, but our hope is to show you the pattern for the new form, get your feedback, then switch over at about the time the old forms run out.

Life insurance and long-term benefits

Life insurance is an ideal way for anyone, young or old, single or married, to give to the Fund. When a charity, in this case the National Spiritual Assembly, is listed as the owner and beneficiary, your premium payments are tax-deductible. There are many other advantages, not least among them being that for a relatively small yearly outlay, believers can make a significant long-term contribution to the National Fund.

Few among us can write a check for $50,000, for example, but via insurance the National Assembly can receive a gift of that size in the future at an annual cost to the donor of only about $760—a figure a larger number of us might handle.

One primary way in which such gifts from the friends might be used is to provide for the long-term support of our national “landmarks”: the House of Worship, Bahá’í schools, and so on. A program of this sort would eventually build a bedrock of income that would release funds for a host of needed activities, benefiting our community both nationally and locally.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact this office.

Friends, that’s all for this time. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Fairfax holds fund-raiser

Last September 16 the Bahá’ís of Greater Fairfax, Virginia, held their second fund-raising supper of 1989 for the National Fund.

Among the items auctioned were a trip to London, jewelry, and a tapestry. Members of the community made main dishes, salads and desserts for the supper.

As a result, more than $14,000 was raised for the Fund. A similar event in February 1989 had netted more than $7,000 for the Fund.

All the Bahá’ís, new and old alike, should devote themselves as much as possible to teaching the Faith; they should also realize that the atmosphere of true love and unity which they manifest within the Bahá’í Community will directly affect the public, and be the greatest magnet for attracting people to the Faith and confirming them. —on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

Bahá’ís take part in D.C. conference on relationship between U.S. and UN

The first-ever National Conference on the United States and the United Nations: Forging a New Relationship was held last November 9-11 in Washington, D.C.

More than 1,100 people from 39 states and six countries took part in the conference which was sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States, a nationwide non-governmental, non-partisan organization which seeks to educate the public about issues before the UN and other multilateral institutions and to promote constructive U.S. policies on matters of global concern.

The National Spiritual Assembly was among the 120 co-sponsoring organizations.

Encouraged by Shoghi Effendi, the Bahá’í International Community (originally the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada) has had accreditation as a non-governmental organization at the UN since 1947.

The conference in Washington was called to examine the U.S. relationship to the UN and to explore possibilities for improvement.

Forty strategy sessions were held on topics ranging from “What should the U.S. role be?” to “World trade and international labor standards.”

The issues of drug trafficking, AIDS, the status of women, basic education, and rejoining UNESCO were included, drawing large audiences.

Katharine Bigelow, deputy director of the National Spiritual Assembly Office of External Affairs, was the moderator/panelist at a discussion of “The Role of Young Citizens.”

At the same session a Bahá’í, Randall Robinson, represented the World Federalist Association chapter of the University of Southern Alabama as a panelist.

The Bahá’ís of Washington, D.C., sponsored an exhibit on the Faith, one of more than 20 exhibits displayed. The registry at the Bahá’í booth indicated that about 15 Bahá’ís from other states also attended the event.

At a banquet held on the last evening of the conference, Shirley Lee, the U.S. Bahá’í representative to the UN who is chairman of the Executive Committee of the Council of UN Representatives in New York, read the invocation to the more than 500 guests.

She introduced the prayer with an explanation of its significance to the role of the U.S. in world affairs and of the importance of the visit to this country of the prayer’s Author, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

On the dais were executives of the United Nations Association, the director-general of the UN’s Vienna office, the under-secretary general of the UN Department of Public Information, and representatives of the Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation.

In the audience were representatives of the U.S. government, the UN, UNA chapters, and non-governmental organizations. About ‘Abdu’l-Bahá they heard the following:

“When He spoke in Sacramento, California, on October 26, 1912, He said, ‘May the first flag of international peace be upraised in this state’ ... and, on October 24, 1945, it was.

“So eager were people to see Him that when He came to Washington, the Supreme Court saw fit to adjourn, as did the House and Senate. Among His visitors at receptions and dinners were former President Theodore Roosevelt; the Secretary of the Treasury; Admiral Peary; Alexander Graham Bell; members of Congress, the diplomatic corps and the Supreme Court.”

The destiny of America was conveyed in the words of Shoghi Effendi:

“Whatever the hand of the beneficent and inscrutable destiny has reserved for this youthful, this virile, this idealistic, this spiritually blessed and enviable nation, however severe the storms which may buffet it in the days to come ... however sweeping the changes in its structure and life, that great republic will continue to evolve, undivided and undefeatable, until the sum total of its contribution to the birth, the rise and fruition of (a) world civilization ... will have been made and its last task discharged.”

The “Prayer for America” was then read. [Page 22]

1,500 attend 'Vision to Victory' conference in Phoenix

About 1,500 Bahá’ís attended the first of this year's Vision to Victory conferences December 22-24 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Counselor Fred Schechter, Judge James Nelson of the National Spiritual Assembly, members of the Auxiliary Board and National Teaching Committee, and local Bahá’ís took part in three panel discussions on the individual and teaching, community teaching, and teaching the masses.

Counselor Schechter presented a talk on the relationship between America's spiritual destiny, achieving entry by troops, and building the Arc on Mount Carmel.

Judge Nelson's talk about the spiritual significance of the Arc preceded a showing of the video, "The Seat of God's Throne."

On Sunday, $70,000 was raised at an auction and a pledge to match that amount was received.

Those at the conference took part in a direct teaching effort in a nearby community and enrolled 12 new believers.

Following the conference, members of the National Teaching Committee met with Bahá’ís from Phoenix and the surrounding area to plan a systematic mass-teaching project.

Lawrence Arturo, was introduced during the course of the luncheon. Also present were the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom whose help contributed greatly to the success of the event.

Gratifying, too, was the attention received from major international news media. Among the journalists present were representatives of Agence France Presse, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Chinese News Agency, Die Velt, the East African Standard, Le Monde, Life magazine, The Observer, Reuters news agency, and The Times Literary Supplement.

About 75 Bahá’ís and their guests ate, danced and otherwise enjoyed themselves last December 2 at an 'ethnic extravaganza' sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Canton Township, Michigan. Among the performers were the Polish Centennial Dancers (above left), the Eastern Michigan Gospel Choir, Irish dancers, and the 'Swiss Family Shoemaker.' Countries represented included Poland, Ecuador, Iran, Switzerland, Ireland and Malaysia. Prayers were recited in English, Persian, Spanish and German, and food ranged from egg rolls, Razma, corned beef and cabbage to Persian rice, Indian chicken and German tortes. At left, one of the younger Polish dancers prepares to teach a young Bahá’í, Jordan Bahdat, a few steps.

LETTERS

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

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

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

• • Massachusetts' literacy program**

To the Editor:

In response to your invitation to report experiences in the battle against illiteracy, you may be interested to learn that Massachusetts, in its Commonwealth Literacy Program, has enlisted the tutorial aid of many retirees.

Through the media, illiterates are being encouraged to enroll in their nearest Adult Learning Center (a department of community colleges) where they can be evaluated and a tutoring program outlined for them.

At our Center we have 1,000 students who can come, day or evening, for encouragement and tutoring. Seventy percent are dyslexic to some degree; others are in alcoholism recovery programs, while still others "dropped out" of school because of early parenthood. Last year, 63 of our 1,000 students achieved their high school equivalency certificates.

Although I am a recent retiree now heavily involved in volunteer tutoring, I had assumed from my earliest days as a Bahá’í youth that the future Bahá’í Commonwealth presupposed a literate society. I now have a chance to employ my background in helping an embattled and discouraged segment of our society gain sufficient reading skills to function independently.

The work is worthwhile, and I am grateful to have a "hands on" chance to "make a difference."

Moneveh Peters Danvers, Massachusetts

• • Try the Laubach method**

To the Editor:

Being unable to read must be a disaster for those who yearn to turn their hearts and minds—in full knowledge—to Bahá’u’lláh. It's the ancient story of Tantalus in modern dress—the feast is prepared but one is barred from eating; the book is open but its meaning is a hidden mystery.

I knew that same feeling, but to a lesser degree, some years ago when I attended my first ELNA (Esperanto League for North America) Congress, and didn't like the feeling at all.

I had been studying Esperanto for only a short time, and most of what was said at the Congress was utterly beyond my comprehension. But at least I could read, write and speak English, and could learn Esperanto, so the problem was not acute.

But a good solution to the problem of illiteracy might not be so obvious to English-speakers who, for one reason or another, simply cannot read or write their own language, or for immigrants from non-English speaking countries. I'm thinking especially of some of those lovely souls who have fled Iran or Southeast Asia and who now find...

WLQI Radio diversifies programming, adds basketball schedule

WLGI Radio Bahá’í in Hemingway, South Carolina, has diversified its programming and widened its audience by broadcasting Big South Conference men's and women's basketball games featuring the Coastal Carolina Chants.

In an article in the Myrtle Beach Sun-News about the conference and the four-station network carrying the Chants' games, columnist Toby Eddings says that of the four, "the real jewel is WLGI, with a clear signal inside of an arc which goes just north of Marion, west to New Zion and Greeleyville and east to Atlantic Beach.

"Since an FM signal carries better at night, it could be interesting to hear where people hear the Chants. Based on the above parameters, around 650,000 listeners (give or take a few) should be able to hear the Chants." [Page 23]

Kazem Kazemzadeh, Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, dead at 91

Kazem Kazemzadeh, who was the first Trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh appointed in the western hemisphere and served in that capacity for many years, died last November 14 in Pacific Palisades, California, four months short of his 92nd birthday.

Praised by the Universal House of Justice as a “greatly trusted (and) steadfast promoter (of the) Faith” (see cable in The American Bahá’í, January), Mr. Kazemzadeh was born in Ishqabad, Russia, educated at Moscow University, and served in his younger years as an interpreter at the Iranian Embassy in Moscow.

Among his illustrious forebears were Haji Muhammad Kazem, one of the founders of the Ishqabad community; Aqa Muhammad Reza, one of the builders of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár; Mir Jalil, who commanded the Bábís under Hujjat in the siege of Zanjan; Umm-i Ashraf, the heroic mother of Ashraf; and the poet ‘Alí Muhammad (Varqa) who was martyred for the Faith.

When the Bahá’í community in Russia was destroyed by the Stalin regime in the mid-1930s, Mr. Kazemzadeh was the one sure link between the Bahá’ís of the USSR and the Guardian, and his home served as a relief center for the beleaguered friends there.

In 1940, when his term of service at the Embassy in Moscow ended, Mr. Kazemzadeh was recalled to Tehran. When Iran was invaded a year later by Britain and the Soviet Union, he retired from the diplomatic corps and devoted his full time and energy to serving the Cause as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Tehran, the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, and various national committees.

When in the early 1950s Iran’s Shiite clergy launched a series of bloody attacks on the Bahá’ís, and brought the members of the Spiritual Assembly of Yazd to trial in Tehran, Mr. Kazemzadeh was one of those who defended them in court, fearlessly speaking out in their behalf above the screams of the mullahs and their henchmen, some of whom brandished knives.

In recognition of his role in this and other cases, Shoghi Effendi called Mr. Kazemzadeh “the Shield of the Cause of God.”

After moving to the U.S. in 1956, Mr. Kazemzadeh taught Persian language and literature at Harvard and later at UCLA.

Besides his duties as Trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh, in which he was assisted by Dr. Amin Banani, he contributed articles to World Order magazine, wrote pamphlets in Russian (published by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany), and translated a number of historical documents.

He also served on local Spiritual Assemblies in New Haven, Connecticut, and Santa Monica, California, conducted study classes and taught at summer schools.

Mr. Kazemzadeh is buried in Inglewood Cemetery a few feet from the grave of Thornton Chase.

WLGI Radio Bahá’í topic of in-depth feature carried over eight-station S.C. Educational Radio Network

On December 29, the daily news program of the South Carolina Educational Radio Network broadcast an 11-minute in-depth story about WLGI Radio Bahá’í over its eight stations that reach as far as the border areas of Georgia and North Carolina.

The program emphasized the involvement of the Faith in helping people contribute to their communities, and described how the first Bahá’í radio station in North America was built with community development as its overriding goal.

Interviews with WLGI staff were included, exploring such topics as the tenets and history of the Faith, its work in social and economic development, the challenges faced by a racially diverse Bahá’í community in the heart of the South, the prohibition against proselytizing (especially over the radio), and the fact that only Bahá’ís have the privilege of supporting the Faith by giving to the Fund.

Jean Tyler Hutchinson, former Child’s Way editor, dead of Alzheimer’s at 77

Jean Tyler Hutchinson, a Bahá’í for 37 years and former editor of Child’s Way magazine, died last October 14 at the age of 77 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

While living on Chicago’s North Shore, she served for many years as a guide at the House of Worship, as a teacher in the children’s Sunday school classes, and as a member of the House of Worship’s program committee.

As editor of Child’s Way, Mrs. Hutchinson broadened its scope to serve not only the youngest Bahá’í family members but also youth, parents and grandparents.

After moving to Michigan, first to Sutton’s Bay and later to Traverse City, she became an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.

Letters

from page 22

themselves starting a new life in America without an adequate knowledge of our language.

I’d like to offer a solution. There is, throughout America, a most successful literacy program which I recommend from my heart. It is the Laubach method—named after Frank Laubach, a Christian missionary who developed his method of teaching language while working in the Philippines during the early years of this century.

The system uses volunteers who use a series of teaching manuals that are carefully put together, with which, without any knowledge of the language of the person they are teaching, they can lead that person from the darkness of illiteracy to the sunlight of mastery of a second language.

In Ramona, where I tutor, the Laubach Center has 27 volunteer tutors and about 55 students, most of whom are Mexican. The method works just as well with English-speaking Americans who can’t read or write as it does with immigrants who know no English at all.

Please search out and use the Laubach Center in your area. You can find it through your local public library or by writing to: Laubach Literacy Action, Box 131, 1320 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210.

They will start you on your way to a most profitable and rewarding experience.

Victor Munson Ramona, California

The victory of God’s Faith is dependent upon teaching; and teaching is conditional upon righteous actions and goodly deeds and conduct. The foundation-stone of a life lived in the way of God is the pursuit of moral excellence and the acquisition of a character endowed with qualities that are well-pleasing in His sight. —Shoghi Effendi

Frank Fools Crow, Sioux leader, medicine man who became Bahá’í at age 95, dies in S. Dakota

Sioux medicine man and traditional leader Frank Fools Crow is pictured during a meeting in 1987 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota with Counselor Robert Harris. Mr. Fools Crow died last December at the age of 100.

Frank Fools Crow, a medicine man and traditional leader of the Oglala Sioux tribe who became a Bahá’í at the age of 95, died last December near Kyle, South Dakota. He was 100 years old.

Nearly 3,000 people attended the funeral which was held in unseasonably warm 65-degree weather.

Pallbearers wore traditional Indian costumes with full headdress, and as an additional measure of respect the casket was conveyed to the cemetery in a horse-drawn wagon with an escort of 30 mounted riders.

Mr. Fools Crow, who was the last leader of the traditional form of Sioux government, was eulogized as “a champion of the standards and values at the heart of the Lakota culture” and “the embodiment of its spiritual values and verities.”

IN MEMORIAM
Rebecca Barnhill Yemassee, SC Date Unknown	Joe Willie Brown Chickasha, OK 1988	Loretta Floyd Marion, SC Date Unknown	John Robinson Redmond, WA November 23, 1989
Nina Berglund San Francisco, CA November 28, 1989	Robert Conwell Nashville, TN December 1, 1989	Anne Holden Petersburg, VA October 16, 1989	Michael Sauce Westwego, LA November 25, 1989
Hugh Glen Brown Clio, SC November 1989	Curtis A. Dixie Sr. Fostoria, OH September 1989	Dr. Anna Kennerly Minneapolis, MN July 1989	William Teamer Cowpens, SC November 1989

[Page 24]

Prayer, persistence equal fireside success in Phoenix

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

We would probably be surprised to learn how many of our acquaintances know something about the Faith. As a result of the increase in media coverage in recent years, there are millions of people who have been exposed to its basic facts. Yet when people hear of the Faith through a proclamation effort alone, even though they may accept its principles, they are usually not yet ready to become Bahá’ís.

As a planted seed needs water and warmth in order to rise out of dormancy, a soul needs spiritual nourishment for its awakening. The fireside provides an environment in which this process can take place.

The beloved Guardian felt that the most effective way for individuals to teach the Faith is to make strong friendships with neighbors and associates, and invite them to firesides held in the home.

The fireside, the Guardian said, is the most effective teaching medium because “intimate personal questions can be answered and the students find the spirit of the Faith more abundant there.”

One example of a successful fireside comes from Phoenix, Arizona, where Carol and Manucher Agahi have hosted firesides in their home each Thursday evening for the past several years.

The firesides began when the Agahis and Brad and Joan Mortensen started meeting, planning and praying for success in their teaching efforts. They began inviting co-workers, neighbors, friends and other contacts, and remained constant in their efforts to successfully host their firesides.

Additionally, other Bahá’ís were invited to bring seekers to the firesides; Persian Bahá’í refugees have been instrumental in this activity. Their capitalizing on the unique teaching opportunities as refugees and inviting co-workers and seekers has been noteworthy.

The Agahis’ fireside usually has a guest speaker who gives a brief talk focusing on some aspect of the Faith. This lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and is followed by a period of questions, comments and discussion.

An important aspect of this gathering is the socializing that takes place after the talk and discussion. The seekers have a chance to feel the love and fellowship of the Bahá’ís and to ask further questions of those with whom they feel most comfortable.

The over-all atmosphere of love and unity that has been created and nurtured over the past three years continues to be one of the most significant factors in the success of this fireside. Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike draw strength from the weekly gathering and feel empowered to invite their friends to attend.

An average of three to five seekers attends each fireside, which is supported by eight to 10 Bahá’ís. From Riḍván 1988 through Riḍván 1989, 10 to 12 new Bahá’ís were enrolled through this teaching effort.

So far during this Bahá’í year, six new Bahá’ís have entered the Faith through the Agahis’ firesides. Virtually all of the newly enrolled believers are involved in Bahá’í community life.

• One of the new believers, who is of Mexican descent, was brought to the fireside through the efforts of a Persian refugee. Recently, they were married and have gone pioneering together in Alaska.

• In another instance, a 14-year-old girl declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh and immediately insisted that her mother attend the firesides so that she would be informed of her daughter’s new beliefs. The mother soon declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Both mother and daughter are involved in service to the Bahá’í community and in efforts to teach their family and friends.

• Another believer who declared about a year ago has become an active teacher who supports firesides and mass teaching efforts in the area. This believer has been insistent on raising her children as Bahá’ís and is actively teaching her mother the Faith.

Carol Agahi attributes the success of the firesides to many factors, among them the refusal to become discouraged when there was little initial success in attracting seekers, the persistent prayers for success, the constant efforts to invite friends and associates, and the development of a loving, welcoming, trusting and supportive environment in which Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís feel safe and welcome.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 29-April 1: Bahá’í International Chinese Symposium, Bahá’í Center, San Francisco, California. Theme: “Reaching the Chinese: The Time Is Now.” Pre-registration is encouraged and must be received by Friday, March 23. For information, write to the San Francisco Bahá’í Center, 170 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94103, or phone the Symposium coordinator, Sharon Kirk, 415-431-9990 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific time.

March 30-April 1: Vision to Victory conference, Portland, Oregon. Task Force contact: Ernestine Berkey, 3435 S.W. 15th Ave., Albany, OR 97321. Phone 503-967-7994 (home) or 503-928-0051 or 378-2969 (work).

March 30-April 1: Vision to Victory conference, Cleveland, Ohio. Task Force contact: Angela Maldonado, 3516 W. 54th St., Cleveland, OH 44109. Phone 216-631-2077.

April 5-8: Pioneer Training Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois. Anyone who is planning or interested in pioneering, traveling teaching, or is involved in teaching people of other cultures in the U.S. or abroad is urged to attend. Contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

April 7: “Realizing Global Solutions: A Conference of Science, Humanities and Arts,” Haverford (Pennsylvania) College. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies. For information and/or a brochure, send your name and address to Scott Duncan, 525 S. Olden Ave., Trenton, NJ 08638.

April 9-19: Bahá’í Spring School, Cyprus.

April 13-15: Vision to Victory conference, Birmingham, Alabama. Task Force contact: Jackie Logue, 3824 Rockhill Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213. Phone 205-871-2115 (home) or 205-783-5328 (work).

April 13-19: Youth Symposium: The Environment (English), Landegg Academy Switzerland.

April 19-22: Seminar for Youth: Heading East (German), Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

April 26-29: 81st Bahá’í National Convention, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. Seating by advance reservation only.

May 23-28: Study Session: Spiritual Dimensions of Health (German), Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

August 10-12: Caribbean Youth Conference, Barbados.