The American Bahá’í/Volume 21/Issue 2/Text

The American Bahá’í
Volume 21, Issue 2

A message from the National Teaching Committee

To the American Bahá’i community The power released by the Revelation of Baha'u'llah is, day by day, dra matically 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 disee

"eeaienverses the Baha’ world has

played its part in the process of integration and the building of a new World

“The real treasury of man is his knowledge’'—Bahd'u'lldh

American Baha’i

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 Bahd’{ 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

Ridvan 1989 message, ‘‘reconsecrated service on the part of every conscientious member of the Community of Bah, 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

Volume 21, No. 2

and sustained. It is the obligation and privilege of every believer to render “assistance unto God” through the ect of teaching. Through a continual cycic of personal action and reflection the individual can discover the detailed guidance from the Writings on how to teach, and through practice can be come a more effective teacher. We ask every individual believer to: © survey and use the possibilities for teaching provided by your circumSee MESSAGE page 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

This issue of The American Bahd { | is designed wo provide for the American Bahd’{ community a sharpened focus on the goals and objectives of teaching the Bahd'{ Faith and guidance on acGon that individuals and communities | can take w achieve large scale growth. The National Teaching Commitee | offers for your reflection and considera| tion its special contributions w The American Bahd ( this month. | What's Inside?

+ Vios t Victory comfermces

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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 Bah@‘fs, ome and all, newly enrolled and believers of long standing, to arise, put their reliance in Baha'u’ll4h, and armed with that supreme power, continue unabated their efforts to reach the waiting souls, while simultaneously consolidating the hard-won victo “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 Baha’{ community has struggled with the task of accelerating the process of largescale 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.

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 enroliments 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

ENROLLMENTS

|----+-+-5YP----+--| 7YP

6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000

° 75 76 77 78 79 60 81 82 83 Figure |

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.

Projectec from

84 65 86 87 BB BS 90

year ending

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 memoriza See ENROLLMENTS page !0

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 Baha’i 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 widespread 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 5 �[Page 2]2 / The American Baha'i /

February 1990

‘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 Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ 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 Bahd'{s 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 Ridvén 1989 message to the Baha’{s 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

Message

from page |

slances;

choose a teaching method that best

suits your Own nature and capacity;

set personal teaching goals, keeping in mind the exhortation of ‘Abdu'lBaha 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. Baha’{ 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 U.S.A

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

The American Baha'i (USPS 042-430) is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, $36 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 0. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahd"! National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Laure H. Arthur. The American Bahd'! welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written clearly and concisely; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, The American Bahé'(, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1990 by the National Spirtual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in

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 growih

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:

® 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 largescale 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

Aolani Beere, a 14-year-old Bahd’t week before the presentation. Beside:

Srom 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

speaking of Bahd’{ 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 Con wide range of religious and other belief ference in San Francisco in which Red

systems from East and West, asked that a Bahd’( address the final class, as

Grammer sang ‘The Family of Mar accompanied by scenes of diverse cu

it ‘should encompass all other belief tural dances. The students autended

systems and present a global perspective.’ Each student had received a copy of ‘The Promise of World Peace’ a

the presentation, and many expressed an interest in attending firesides anc learning more about the Faith.

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 longterm 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 ap proaching. It marks the 100th anni versary of the passing of Baha'u'llah and the. establishment of His mighty Covenant.

In that year tens of thousands of Baha’is will gather in New York City for the second Bahaé’i World Congress to proclaim Bahé’u’llah’s Covenant to2 world that stands in desperate need c His guidance. Will the American Beha’{ community—endowed by “AD du’l-Bahé 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 o its sister communities?

We are confident that, through the sacrificial efforts of all the believers in the next two years, this goal will no escape us.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

National Teaching Committee February 1990 �[Page 3]The American Baha’{ / February 1990 / 3

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Teaching Committee has wide-ranging responsibilities

The National Spiritual Assembly, as the “‘supreme and unchallengeable Baha’{ 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 Bahd’{ administration provides for the establishment of national committees: ‘‘In general, each ‘large issue’ or ‘particular sphere of Baha’{ service’ affecting the whole Baha’{ community should be assigned toa 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 Baha’i 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 Bahd’{ principles will, Shoghi Effendi assures us, ‘distinguish the Baha’{ 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 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, WY): 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 Commitice are:

Regional Schools Coordinator: Kathleen Magill. Youth Activities Coordinator: To be announced. Bah4’i Youth Service Corps Coordinator: Victoria de Ledén.

Special Assigaments Coordinator: Paul Lample.

| 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 Bah4’{ National Center, after being elected for 2 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 govemment at the high school level.

Tod Ewing, a homefront pioneer in Richland County, South Carolina, is 2 consultant for personal and professional development. He has served on the District Teaching Committee and Regional Schools Committee, and is the cocoordinator of the South Carolina Bah4’{ 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 Bah4'{ National Center as Youth Activities Coordinator. She had been the Seeretary 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 Baht’! (National) Teaching Committee of Malaysia as well as a regional teaching comenitice in that country.

John Smith, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has entered his third year on the Com mittee 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.

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 Baha’{ involvement with the Council for the Parliament of the

World's Religions to be held in 194

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 ied 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]4/ The American Baha’{ / February 1990

Systematic teaching involves 3 inter-related processes

The rate of growth of the Baha'i Faith is not constant. We cannot control the results of our efforts. We can, however, contro] 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 Bahd’u’ll4h

(5) assisting new believers to become active and steadfast Baha’{s

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 Baha’u’llah are depen dent upon the daily effort of every Baha’.

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

which the believers educate themselves, find and attract receptive souls, deliver the Message with wisdom, nurture souls to unqualified acceptance of Baha’u'llah, and bring the new believers to the level at which they are active and steadfast Baha'is 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 Baha’u’ll4h, and can be achieved through prayer and deepening in the Word of God, followed by action.

The community and teaching

The Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ 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 responsi Reaching the Masses

Community Expansion and Consolidation

ee

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 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 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 Bahd’u’ll4h. This involves a systematic process by

aie )

|

bility of communities as far as the teaching work is concerned.

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

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 Bahaé’{ Groups, isolated believers, and other Spiritual Assemblies in their area.

The systematic effort of establishing the Faith in a new locality, raising a

Special issue:

teaching the Cause of God

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 ail strata of society, making special efforts to attract large numbers of those segments most receptive to the Message of Baha'u'llah.

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.

Baha’i ‘weaves bonds of fellowship’ through steady, persistent teaching

Although some hearts are connected with Bahd'u'’ll4h almost immediately through a chance encounter with a Baha’f, a radio program, or a public meeting, most are connected through a gradual bonding process, requifing persistence in teaching on the part of at least one individual believer.

‘Abdu’l-Bahé urged the friends, when teaching the Cause, to ‘‘weave bonds of fi 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 Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ 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 Baha’ 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, Jo concentrated on creating an atmo sphere of love and unity within the group and fostering principles of consultation and independent investiga tion 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 Baha'u'llah these individuals and their families have been in the area for generations and they have strong roots in their churches.

Recently, they asked why Baha’ is believe that Baha’u’lldh 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 wh had introduced Joe to the study grour invited him to attend a meeting of « 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 return unanimously. In due time, the cumulative effect of his persistent efforts will undoudted!y become apparent. �[Page 5]The American Baha'i / February 1990 / 5

Every home in city of 10,000 receives a copy

Peace statement brings growth, unity to Gladstone

The Baha'is of Gladstone, Oregon, a city of 10,000 southeast of Portland, delivered the peace statement to their community in December. The Baha’{ community of Gladstone consists of 10 adults and six children.

There has been a struggling Assembly in Gladstone since 1977. The Baha’is 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 Ridvan 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 Bahé'’u’ll4h 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 Ridvan 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 assis tance 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. Baha’{s from the following communities helped: Portland, Oregon City, Roseberg, 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

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 Baha’{ 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 Bah&’{s who could conceivably, with help, form an Assembly within a short period of time. The goal was to raise up @ strong Assembly in Atwater.

The plan of the Assembly of Merced J.D. was to find those people listed as

Baha’{s who had not been active members of the Baha’{ 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 Baha'is 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 Baha’{s 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.

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 Baha'u'llah.

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 Baha’{s, four family members including two youth declared their belief in Baha'u'llah. 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 Bahd'u'll4h, and obedi

A teaching team consisting of !0-yeerold Amy Dvorak and Mary Slaughter. a newly declared Bahd't, deliver a copy of the peace statement to Swe Edwell o/ Gladstone, Oregon.

ence to the Universal House of Justice

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

Phoenix’s Raul Pavén Project enlists steady flow of fresh recruits for Cause

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

After nine years, the Raul Pavén Teaching Project is still going strong, bringing in a steady flow of fresh recruits to serve the Cause of Baha’u’llah. For the past several years, the Northern Arizona District has been a leader in bringing in new Baha'is.

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 Pavén 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 be known through that network.

come 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 Baha’! and non-Baha’i 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-Baha’{ residents in these 12 communities can refer to a relative or a friend who is either a Baha'i or knows of the Faith. A Baha’i network has developed in the towns and the Faith has become weil @ 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. __*abdy"l-Babd �[Page 6]6 / The American Baha’{ / February 1990

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 Baha'i 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 Teach ing 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

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 Baha’is in North America in committing their time, attention and energy to the establishment of teaching institutes based on fhe new understanding of the concept conveyed by the International Teaching Center has once again demonstrated the readiness of Rah&'{s in North Ameriga to arise to serve. However, this time there is a difference. This time, after a yeas, 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 Ameria have selected or have developed courses of study and are actively invoived 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 Baha’u’llah 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 Baha'u'llah.

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 Baha'is 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: ‘tAs 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 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 Baha’u’ll4h. Be assured that your efforts are joined with those of many Bah4'{s around the world, and that you are remembered often in prayers.

With loving appreciation,

Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt January 4, 1990

Cause.

After cating 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 Baha’ {s 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

A children’s class is conducted by members of the recently formed Bahd’(

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

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 loca! 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 Baha’{ 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.

teaching institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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 Baha'is 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.

See LAS VEGAS page §

�[Page 7]The American Baha’ / February 1990 / 7

=. . = — On January 14 some 250 people attended a Southeast Asian Bahd'i Conference in Stockton, California. About one-half of those taking part were Cambodian. Also present were 1] new Bahd'ts (all from Stockton) including

Baha’is 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 Bahd’t.

Effective teaching of Southeast Asians in the U.S. often takes place through the efforts of Baha’{s 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 Bahd’{s in their homeland or in refugee camps in Thailand or the Philippines.

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

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 Baha'u'llah, 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 Austrian spouse of a black American Bahd’t. Fifteen percent of those attending were not Bahd’ts, and there were at least three declarations during the conference. Highlights included Sive 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 na

tive dance. Right photo: Dy Bun translates in English for Oeurm Oeun who spoke in Khmer of why he is a Bahd'i and why the Bahd'ts need to teach others about the Faith.

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 Baha’{ 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 areca of Des Moines, Grinnell and Oksaloosa, lowa.

Ithaca, New York—Eight ycars ago, as the result of a mass teaching project, a Lao refugee declared his faith in Baha’u'll4h. Over the years, close ties developed between him and the rest of the Bahd’{ 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 Baha'i community offered its help and was later surprised to learn that the family members had become Baha’is 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 Baha'i. Last fall, when friends of this family needed assistance, the first Lao Baha’i 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 Baha'is have been going into areas where the Cambodian refu Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

gees live, making friends, visiting them and inviting them to visit their homes.

One Cambodian Baha'i 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 cach 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 Bahd'{s in St. Petersburg, although many have since left the area.

The first to become believers learned of Baha’u'll4h through a Baha’f 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 Baha’{s 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 Victnamese Baha’{s and those interested in the Faith contact the Baha’{ community of San Jose.

Six Baha’is 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 Baha’{s continue to produce new contacts from within the Vietnamese community.

Stockton, California—There are about 60 Hmong (from Cambodia and Laos), Lao and Vietnamese Baha'is 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 Baha’{s 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 200member Lao community, became Baha’{s. 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 Baha’i 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 Baha'i 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 expan sion be accompanied by the dedicated

effort of every believer in teaching, in living the the Bahd'{ life, in contribut ing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and

more the significance of Baha’ u' lich’ s Revelation. __ tye Universal House of hustice �[Page 8]8 / The American Baha'i / February 1990

Regional schools can play vital role in teaching efforts

Teaching is the underlying purpose of all Baha’{ 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 Baha’{s can connect their hearts with Bahd’u’liéh and help them build an understanding of why and how we teach His Cause. Courses should include the study of Baha’u’llah’s life (especially His suffering), the Covenant, and Baha’{ administration, tying these topics to the importance of teaching.

Some material that may be a resource in developing programs is The Significance of Bahd’u'lldh’s Revela tion; The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It, and Effective Teaching. These booklets are available from the Bah4'{ 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 Baha’{ 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 2 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 the; can do mow to teach the Cause of Bahé’u’lla4h. 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 pro grams, the regional schools will realizmore fully their underlying purpose in helping to bring about entry by troops in the United States.

Special issue: teaching the Cause of G

Program combines working, learning, teaching

Service Corps spells opportunity for young Baha’is

The Baha’i 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 Baha’{ 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

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 Baha'u'llah with an isolated believer, encouraging and assisting a new Baha’{ 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 ”

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

of daily obligatory prayers; the need to

educate Baha’{ 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 Baha’fs and Groups to raise themselves to functioning Assembly status and to carry forth the message of Bahd'u'll4h through their own initiative.

Therefore, Bahd'is who are interested in traveling teaching should consider traveling to areas where consoli See TRAVELING page 12

communities. Through employment, youth learn to function as contributing members of society, and learn to manage business and personal affairs. In

yal Las Vegas

from page 6

Each core group took charge cleaning and fixing up one of th rooms. Soon the store looked muc better. When the owner was asked the Baha’is could install a new floor, he sent over samples, le friends choose from among them, «

addition, the personal skills of youth as | paid for it himself

active members of the Baha'i community are indispensable.

The friends began attracting peor primarily through street teaching

Initiating and taking part in teaching come to the social and economc deve activities within the local community is | °P™€n! center, witch they semply <

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 Baha'u'llah,

The local Spiritual Assembly and adult believers can help the youth by involving and integrating them into all possible activities, helping them to build a Baha’f identity es well as an es of Bahé’{ community

fe.

Prior to departure for a year of service, youth are expected to attend an eight-day training institute coordinated

awareness activities, and many opportunities to function as one would at a

Should you desire to serve our beloved Faith in this capacity, ‘‘while still young and unburdened by family responsibilities,"’ please contact the Baha’{ Youth Service Corps, National Teaching Committee office, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039, ext. 232. pa veteran ae Youth Service

orps volunteer, like a meek centuententinhocee, 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.”’

ed “‘Bahé’{ institute.”

A pamphlet was developed a buman dignity. it Mlustrate: some portant contributions to society mac by black people that are not oftc found in history books. It also prow ed information about when the oc» center would be open and listed « kinds of programs and services the would be available.

At the “Bahé’! imstiute,”” arts anc crafts classes for children and edu! are offered twice a week. They are rez ularly attended by five adults and fvchildren.

Once a month, a children’s program is offered in which 7-8 Bahé’{ chiidre: and 10-12 non-Bahé’! children wate

In addition, an introductory uilk about the Faith and the video An /rtroduction to the Bahd"{ Faith are of fered three times per week. Ome or two is given.

The institute serves as an example of the ways in which Baha’! communit= can develop creative means by which © reach out to their neighbors and offic: ships and introduce the Teachings o! the Faith in an atmosphere of lowe anc sharing.

Say: To astist Me & m wack My Cause. This is a theme with whec* whole Tablets are laden. This & me changeless commandment of Goo. ene" nal in the past, eternal in the farure Comprehend this, O ye men of &

= —Bahi'y i>

�[Page 9]The American Baha’{ / February 1990 “9

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

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 Baha’i world.”

A number of Bahd’i 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 itterested 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 Bahd’{ active in reaching the Chinese) a Chinese scholar who has developed close ties with one Bahé’{ 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 Baha'is about making friends with Chinese students? That is, what do you think are the most important things we can do with them?

Chinese friend: 1 think that making friends with Chinese people is very important for the Bahd’{ Faith. Many Chinese people are willing to make

i

thing is not to push them, don’t push them to become Bahd’is, or to say ‘'I believe in Baha’{.’’ 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 Baha’! principles. And really, many of us think these principles are beautiful and that they are useful for Chinese society and Chinese people.

So I think the most important thing is for Bahdé’{s to let Chinese people know about Baha’{ principles, not to get them to declare as Baha’{s.

Jene Bellows: So if someone decides to enroll as a Bahd’{ 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-Bahé...has said that some people think it’s time for gathering the harvest when it is the time for planting the seeds.

Chinese friend: 1 would like to say something more about planting the seeds. I think many people are now

Variety of activities helps reinforce teaching effort Baha’is at Purdue meet, befriend Chinese students

In the fall of 1988 the Spiritual Assembly of West Lafayette, Indiana, in conjunction with the Baha’{ 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 Baha’fs 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 Baha’is 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 Baha’{ meetings without feeling obligated to attend everything to which they are invited.

Barry and Mahnaz Shapiro, two Baha’{s 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

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. | think they can find something in the Bahd’{ Faith.

So, if you can let Chinese peopie know about the Baha'i 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, Bahd'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-8699039.

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 Baha'is can help bring to fruition the request of the Universal House of Justice that the friends ‘‘offer sincere fend. ship and hospitality to these Chinese visitors’? and ‘‘acquaint them with the progressive teachings of Baha*u'llah 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 Bahd’is 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 Bahdé’{ International Community and women as the key to African food security.

Nearly 125 people, about one-third of whom were not Baha'is, attended.

Khmer The Promise of World Peace

Lao

The New Garden

Buddhist Prophecy Fulfilled Vietnamese

The Promise of World Peace

Teaching Cards (10 card set)

Southeast Asian Literature

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

Short Baha'i History and Some Teachings

Basis of World Economy of Baha'u'llah

$1.00 $1.50

$3.50 $2.00

$1.00 $1.00 $0.50

To order, please send a check to the National Teaching Committee made payable to “Baha'i Services Fund.” Please include an additions’

15% to cover postage and handling costs.

National Teaching Committee Baha'i National Center + Wilmette, IL 6009!

�[Page 10]10 / The American Baha'i / February 1990

Figure 2. Enrollments by District

TYP

6YP

Seea Gas SES | GE RHE, 4-14 3-13 4-17 4-28 4-7 48 4-25 1-12

District

Alabama N 7 2 Alabama S. & Florida NW 5 9

Arizona N 69 69 Arizona S 8 9 Arkansas 2 5 California, C 1 (San Jose) 77 96 California, C 2 16 20 California N 1 2 “0 California N 2 8 15 California S 1 93 77 California S 2 82 36 California S 3 7 13 California S 4 19 23 Colorado NE - 35 Colorado SE - 7 Colorado E 21 Colorado W 5 13 Connecticut 12 8 DelMarVa 6 5 Florida C 20 56 Florida N 12 4 Florida SE 113 51 Florida SE-C . Z Florida, SE-N - Florida SE-S - Florida SW 13 26 Georgia NE 0 8 Georgia, NW (Adanta) 25 32 Georgia S 4 48 Idaho N & WashingtonE 26 23 Idaho S 10 9 Illinois N 1 \4 19 Illinois N 2 (Chicago) 87 48 linois S 18 il Indiana 25 10 lowa 43 22 Kansas ll 1 Kentucky 6 13 Louisiana-N 1 1 Lowisiana-S 1 16 Louisiana ° “ Maine 18 12 Maryland W & DC 26 29 Massachusetts 47 29 Michigan Lower 50 47 Minnesota N 6 4 Minnesota, S 14 10 Mississippi 20 4 Missouri 32 «26 Montana 20 10 Navajo Hopi 9 7 Nebraska 9 «622 Nevada N 4 23 Nevada S 5 a New Hampshire 16 20 Enrollments from page | tion of the Teachings.

By attempting to conform his or her

actions in teaching to the guidance given by Baha'u'llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd

for expansion and consolidation in its community, the Assembly can stimusystematic teaching efforts. Adoption and pursuit of extension goals helps take the Faith to areas. And individuals and famican 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

growth. These projects not only achieve a large number

5

ri

i

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Li) es 10 ® MOP o's 10.206 S>- «18 5 1 68 140 194 147 128 102 1. o2O - Me 25 7 9 2 ti oe 4 8 7 1a Sh SA a, Al. As 46 35 74. 18 Ai. 34 ay 3a ye 28 TT ORE i206 3” 5 6 79 120 90 96 91 49 a7 @$ “43 S32 42 $89 4 Us 2 ae 0 SS: ZR 27 82: 92s 25 ik 80 3) 81g> as: 06 ® A $43 6 3 4 6 «Jt IO 3 3 - 26 o6 7 I 2k Ss 8 7 9 5 9 3 24 #18 «#11 9 8 3 1 “il 9 7 7 5 21 +63 - : - - - 3 5s i - - 25 5 24 110 - - 1 6 2 6 A: Sie. ge 6 : 2 9 3 5 7 1 76 173 110 48 169 155 is s6 6 8 3 we. Gm i 2 1 10 5 5 4 6 4 oo If “46 as" Bie i $4 47 36 30 46 34 i” oS OS 9 8 4 iS 2 Waite a wu 4 Mh Th 82 2B 81 22. M2 J07. Sh JB. if Sh CTE TE, 0 a 1 2 : r . . agi) “ js ; : - : 8 2 8 7 i 49 Wh Ss a 5 aa 59 ty Bi 47" 22 52280 °88 55S 43° 28 Ss 4) a7 84 29: 28 4 35 5 3 2 2 16 17 B28 12 36 5 4 3 6 8 5 Shee us 62 27 15 7° 2 5 tT 3a 1 ae fe 8s ais 20 thet as" 1 1S 6 ® . fers 1s 4 6 5 8 : 2 5 iS 26.94 9 15 8

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

Enrollments by District (continued)

TYP

4 |

4-14 3-13 4-17 4-28 47

48 425 1-12

District 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 New Jersey 22: of ws 30 eo ww New Mexico N 127.45 "2. Bates a New MexicoS & TexassW 12 87 65 SO 23 uti4 9 17 New York E 53 43°43 3B 33 2 9» New York LI - - - - - 1 7 6 New York NYC - - - - - -* @ wp New York W a pees 2 ea ms North Carolina C 2 3 6S Boh Bw. North Carolina E 3 7 6 16 4 5 4 8 North Carolina W 16 37 2S “SF a ee SC 6 North Dakota 5 4 feo Be -e 2 Ohio N tw Artie Se S Be Ohio, S 6 6 2 wa 8 = 2 Oklahoma E 5 2 tt &. & 2 oo 5 Oklahoma W 8 9 5 2 As @ «4 Oregon E - Sea Bz BR BR @ Oregon W -wo Ds s.32 a2 & Oregon 186 - - - - - - . Pennsylvania E “uM OK OS BS Be Se BS Pennsylvania W 9 5 ~ 7 3 7 6 $s Rhode Island 7 7 : -. @ s 8 4 South Carolina, C 20 45 24 #183 £25 - 17 17 South Carolina, E 1 - 23 0 4a -_ 2 2 South Carolina, E 2 . as — South Carolina, E 53 - - - - - - South Carolina, N 30 2 nm SS - &@ S South Carolina, S$ 1 . s 13 $ 93 7 South Carolina, $ 2 — a a 4 South Carolina, § 73 - - - . South Carolina, W , $ 40 21 : 5 6 South Carolina . . . 2 412 South Dakota 7 S59 318 256 42,024 2 9 Tennessee E B @ 6 6 6 e s 2 Tennessee W 25 11 a 15 is 16 is j Texas C (C 1) pn 08S eS OO 0 DD Texas, E 1 ‘83 ¢@ 2-842 2. BB MS Texas, E 2 an @eoenetaiist. » «A Ed NC : - - - 6 7 2 $ exas, N 6 4 s 65 : . ; ; Texas C 2 6 0 3 1 . . Texas, S 6 4 [a we. | UUme CU Utah 6 6 7 9 11 3 6 é Vermont 6 9 6 6 1 9 2 0 Virginia N 6s 2 a a me ; @ Virginia SE - - -6 2 es ww a Virginia SW - - - 5 4 Ss 6 4 Virginia S if 12 19 - . 5 ; Washington NW 4 27a. 6 6.25.27 2 Washington SW il by 4. 8 .28,.8 8 West Virginia 2: = ££ ase 2 (CS Wisconsin N& Mich. Pen. 7 12 29 SO 20 16 5 Wisconsin S D2 th SB BB wa Wyoming 9 5 1 7 1 1 6 2 Total 2172 2188 2648 4774 2630 1741 1897 1525

at one uniform pace,’’ the Universal House of Justice wrote in July 1980. “Sometimes it is like the advance of

years of work will suddenly appear The challenge we are presently facing in the teaching work is to persist = our efforts in the key areas of indivcual teaching, community teaching, 20<

�[Page 11]The American Baha’i / February 1990 / 11

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

oe Baha’is always in front ranks among teachers

man history.

take this message to them.

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. ete ee een pom is the fonr project

® 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 Baha’{ 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 Baha'i 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 Bahd’{ position on drug abuse.

Increasing the Bahd’{ education of children, youth and adults

® To assign to youth and adults the reading and studying of the Kitdb-ilgdn aa 2 personal education objective.

To publish a study guide on the Kitdb-i-[gdn.

To publish the letters of the Universal House of Justice (1963-1986).

® To publish a core curriculum for the Bahd’{ 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 Bahd’{ schools.

To develop a plan for the establishment of a Navajoland Bah4’{ School.

® To distribute, upon request, the Baha’{ education curriculum materials compiled and catalogued by the National Baha’{ 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-Adhkar.

To allocate $30,000 to assist the National Spiritual Assemblies of Belize

and the Leeward tslands to complete their property goals.

To increses to at least 300 the number of local Spiritual Assemblies enrolled in the Automatic Contribution System (ACS).

dants, and we have a similar Mission.

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

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 be tween 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 Baha’u’llah’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 Baha'u'llah, to attract others to His Cause, and to raise up consecrated workers for the Faith of God.

Teaching institutes are an ideal ve hicle for youth to take up the

of the Universal House of Justice and

to move “‘unrestrained as the wind”’ in to the field of sacrifice and teaching. Through teaching institutes we can

pray, deepen, memorize the Writings, and learn to teach the Faith in an atmo sphere 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.

Baha’{ youth in this country can rise to great heights of service and sacrifice. Through a dedicated and persistent ¢ffort, we can bear witness to the fruition of the promise, ‘‘Youth can move the world."

National Teaching Committers Youth Activities Desk

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 Baha'is. 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 Baha’{ 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, anc other community-wide events commects the child with the community at an car ly age so that the feeling of family established for a life-long, loving reietionship with the Bahé’! community

One method of integrating children into the teaching work iz through teaching institutes. Here, believers o apc aero, Gaye and memorize the Creative Word, and to consult on all aspects of teaching

and teaching was undertaken with new enthusiasm.

‘Abdu’'l-Baha says that what a child can learn is limitless, but that “‘it is extremely difficult to teach the indindual �[Page 12]12 / The American Baha'i / February 1990

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 Baha’{ 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, Baha’{ 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 Baha'i community is responsible for obtaining a site and hosting the gathering.

By consulting with the regional travcling teaching coordinator, the Assembly, Group of isolated believer will be able to clarify the needs of their community as well as determine on a caseby-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 Bahé’{ community, the Bahd’{ National Center should be called to verify the individual’s status as a believer. Although the Bahdé’{ 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.

Bah4’{ communities that would like to request the visit of a traveling teach@ 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 J (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 (602863-1919).

Region 4 (lowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota): Lynda Ochsner,

Aurora, NE 68818 (402-694-6045).

Region 5, No. | (Arkansas, Oklahoma): Will Sutter, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405-2352802).

Region 5, No. 2 (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas): Riaz Haghpajuh,

Addison, TX

75244 (214-243-1540).

Region 6 (illinois, Indiana, Mich igan, Ohio, Wisconsin): Rebecca Huff, - Macedonia, OH 44056 (216-467-8906).

Region 7 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jer-. sey, 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,

Special issue: teaching the Cause of God

Virginia, West Virginia): Sex Wi fiams, P.O. Box 971, Yadkinvilie, NC 21055 (919-679-2133).

Region 9 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia): Elizabeth Anderson, P.O. Box 2082, Auburn, AL 36831 (205-42% 3394).

Please note: a booklet entiticd “Traveling Teaching,”” which provide: an overview of the role of the traveling teacher, is available for 50 cents 2 copy from the National Teaching Committee, Bahé’{ National Center, Wilme:tIL 60091.

Teaching Committee calls for dedicated Baha'is 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 Baha’fs to arise as homefront pioncers and disperse to goal areas throughout the country.

The call for homefront pioneers goes beyond the need for Baha’{s to move from one place to another. Baha'u'llah has bestowed a station on “‘the company of His chosen ones who shall be

In the Tablets of the Divine Pilon ‘Abdu’l-Baha calls upon the pioneers to “consider how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain

manifested unto men, who shall aid how unique the favors with which ye His Cause. . . . have been endowed.”’

‘*These are the ones who, before the As homefront pioneers, ““ye are (he gaze of the dwellers on earth and the verses of His singleness . . . the ban denizens of the heaven, shall arise and, ers of the Lord.”

shouting aloud, acclaim the name of the Almighty, and summon the children of men to the path of God, the AllGlorious, the All-Praised.”’

of groups of Bahé’ts with long-ic = commitments to furthering the 3o TIM OASU LULA MEAS D)PIME Camo

Teaching Institutes

“Teaching institutes, when freed from certain misconceptions and managed creatively with a spirit of love and sacrifice, prove to be valuaile 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 i To order, send a check made payable to “Baha’{ Services Fund”

National Teaching Committee Baha’{ National Center « Wilmette, [IL 60091

! i!

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�[Page 13]The American Bahé’{ / February 1990 / 13

Quarterly update

Treasurer’s Office presents facts about status of Fund

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 ee ee a eee pee

i

through December 31 total $5,037.000. That means that the work of the Faith,

according to the plans and priorities set

It is also @ fact that some short-term

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-Bahéa. We know that mankind has a dual nature, both material and spiritual, but how ee renee Sree N TIER ACME mS hove? “Abtin'T 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 ada ee ene NEN Ue Deveiopenent his in ner, potential nature is awakened. These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is impossible with one wing. ia

There are many ways to serve the Cause of God, and each of us has the

Gos Pees eoan of tine serving on oa Spal Some serving Spiritual Assem, Mab Aiiitery Board, Or ua chiussta's clam teochen.

Others undergo hardships as traveling teachers, or leave home to serve as internatiomal or homefront pioneers. There are almost as many ways to serve the Cause as there are Baha’{s. As the Faith progresses and the Lesser Peace approaches, even more ways to serve, unimagined at present, will no doubt become mpparent. 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 Baha’{ community itself, there are certain basic ways in which every Bahd’{ can serve. The most immediate and obvious

source of satisfaction for all of us, as servants of Bahd’u’llah, 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 ser Sinai Taairiteactines rece tellever can ra0y. Every believer can strive to make his ‘own inner life and private character mirror forth in their

stitutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fuad. 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 bicesings on ali of us.”’

The very acts that the Universal House of Justice mentions—teaching, prayer, fighting our own spiritual battles, and contributing to the Fund—

es

itual 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 Bahd’{ 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 cach Bahé'! month. Indeed, contributions from this source rose nearly 35 percent during Masa’il alone! On «2 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 hap pened to you?

Until last December ACS depended on an outside company to make the actual computer tape that causes indivicual 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 follow ing month. The g news is that ACS has been brought Ouse, saving the Fund

more than $2,000 a month in service fees.

They said, ‘We won't coll you—yow can call us’!

The Treasurer's Financial Advisory Committee is a group of experienced Baha’i professionals in the financial

See TREASURER page 2!

Fund.

$2.00 each for 10 or more. handling, please. Allow 2-4

NAME AND ADDRESS TO WHICH BOXES ARE TO BE SENT

QUANTITY DESIRED

AMOUNT ENCLOSED

ORDER AND PAYMENT TO:

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

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO “BAHA’T SERVICES FUND”

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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

They are

On sale now at $2.50 each for quantities less than 10 Add $.50 for postage and

weeks for delivery.

9-POINTED STAR BOXES 9-SIDED "ROUND" BOXES

AND MAL

FAMILY FUND BOX PROJECT NATIONAL TREASURERS OFFICE BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091 �[Page 14]‘14 / The American Baha'i / Fi

J

990

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Baha'l are published free of charge as a service to the Bahd'( 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 Sriends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them. o

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BAHA'T 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, Baha’i International Community, 866 United Nations Plara, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017.

THE BOSCH Bahd'{ 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 Bahd'i School, $00 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 Bahd’u'llah, consider moving to Jefferson City, Missouri, to help save an incorporated Assembly. Jefferson City, the state capital, is about two bours from either Si. Louis or Kansas City and 43 minutes from the Lake of the Orarks resort areca. 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, 314-636soo

WHY NOT retire to someplace a step nearer to paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Yo semite Nationa! Park. The Bahd'{ community of Yosemite/E] 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 touristrelated employment exists. For more information, phone Letty at 209-379-2301. .

MIDDLETON, Wisconsin, needs at least two Bahé'is to maintain its Assembly status. This active, loving Baha’! community is on the west side of Madison, the capital dty. The University of Wisconsin, state government, and many industries are in the area, and Middleton has an exceilent public school system. Bahd'{ families in the area are cager to help in any way they can. For more information, write to Corrine Bahr, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Middleton,

Middleton, WI 53562, or phone 608-831-3795.

WANTED: one or more Bahd'{s to move to

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

THE SCHOOL of the Nations, a Bahd'{Operated social and economic development project in Macau (Asia), is seeking qualified clementary and secondary school teachers. If you are interested in ploneering to Macau and teaching at the school, please contact the Office of Pioncering, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

EMPLOYMENT opportunitics overseas include the following: Africa—Sierra Leone: elementary school teachers, internist, pediatrician, GP/FP, RNs. Americas—S/. Lucia: physical therapist, OB/GYN, radiologist, internal medicine. Asiea—China: primary health care coordinator. Korea: English instructor. Maceu: cle mentary school teachers. Nepel: veterinarian. Australesie—Marshall Islands: nurse-midwives, primary care physicians, nurses. Exrope—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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Human Resources at the Bahd’{ 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, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

— Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ Institute: caretaker/host

— National Teaching Committee Office: teaching coordinator, His panic 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. Baha’{ Refugee Office: refugee program assistant

— World Congress Logistics Office:

human resource administrator;

computer systems project manager; office administrator

Name Address City/state/zip

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home work

more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioncering, Bahd'{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Baha'i Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, Original letters written on behalf of the Guardian

(1973-79), Northern Arizona (1974-83), Southern Arizona (1975-86), Arkansas (1975-79) and Central California No. | (1971-86). Anyone having bulletins they could donate is asked to send them to the National Baha'i Archives, Bahd‘{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED THE BOSCH Bahd’{ School's Youth Acad trator through the Bahd'{ National Center Bulletin Board System or by writing to the Bosch Baha’i School, $00 Comstock Lane, Santa CA 95060.

DO YOU remember the “Army of Light’’ that traveled throughout the U.S. during the late 1960s-carly 70s? How about the Dillon 2000; World Citizens Bahd'{ School; Elloree; Holly Hil, Liberty; Adams Run; Green Pond; the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Otinga’s visit to South Carolina? | am putting together 2 history of the “Army of Light" and the mass teaching efforts in the southern U.S. from 1968-75. Lf

i BE:

School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. FOR SALE

FOR SALE: ideal opportunity for a community or individual to expand a Bahd'{ library. 22 bound volumes of ‘Star of the West" plus extra copies of vols. 4, 5, 8, 9, 13; first edition (1931) of the Kitdb-i-[gdn (bids accepted; shipping costs included); plus The Bahd'{ World, vols. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15. Write to the Bahd'{ Reference Library of Peoria, $209 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61614, or phone 309-691-9311.

MISCELLANEOUS

COLORADO homecoming. Calling all Colo rado residents and Bahd'! pioneers! 1990 is the

Young Bahé’is drawn to Georgia conference, Bosch winter session

In late December, young Baha'is had two exciting events from which to choose as the third annual Baha’ Youth Conference; sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Roswell, Georgia, was held in Atlanta while the Bosch Bah4'{ School hosted its 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 Kitdb-i-[gdn, 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 Bahdé’{ 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 Baha'u'llah.

At Bosch, more than 170 people including 20 Youth Academy students attended classes on the Kitdb-i-/gdn 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’ reed at San Diego Arts Festiva!

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$1.00

$00 2x

To order, please send @ check ip he Nation a Teaching Committee, made paysite t “Baha Services Fund.” Please inctude an addifional 15% t cower postage ant hen

Ging costs.

Native! Veawin Commit Bana’! Nationa! Center - Wilmette i @008

Teaching Carct (10 card set)

�[Page 15]The American Baha’i / February 1990 / 15

Literacy Involves far more than ‘teaching adults to read’

The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of July 10, 1989, stressed the importance of literacy as ‘‘essential to the progress of the Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ 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 pane 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 under ‘5 —_~., a

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At a White House ceremony last November 17, jazz trumpeter and longtime Bahd’t John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie was one of a dozen prominent artists awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President George Bush. The JSour-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.

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 again, 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 Baha’u’ll4h, 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 im Overseas events, projects, conferences

Barbados: Caribbean Baha’{ Youth Conference, August 10-12.

Canada: Yukon Baha’{ Institute, ongoing.

Cyprus: Baha’{ 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, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

prove 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 casier. 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,

A booth packed with peace paraphernalia and Bahdé't 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 Bahd’ts who sery 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

(During International Literacy Year, The American Bahaé'{ will publish -a mumber 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.)

ed 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.

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

On December 15, acting in collaboration with a number of other environmental groups, the Baha'i 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 Baha’{, 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 cach 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 Baha’{ 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 Deveiopment 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 Baha'i Internetional Community, the Office of the Environment, which will work closely with some of the other collaborating agencies, especially in the field of for estry. The director of the new BIC office,

See CHARTER page 22 �[Page 16]16 ‘ The American Baha’{ / February 1990

Understanding Baha’u’llah’s World Order

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Now available in booklet form, this compilation on the Nineteen-Day Feast from the Research Department of the Baha'i 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 compilaUon, 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 Ninetcen-Day Feast offers much room for varicty and cultural diversity including music, talks, hospitality anda range of consultation— all of which contribute to “upliftment” and joy. “Rooted in hospitality,” this “institution introduces a revolutionary new attitude to the con duct 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.”

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Vision to Victory From the American Dream toa 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 Bah4'{s 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. Bahd’{ Publithing Trust

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�[Page 17]The American Baha’! / February 1990 / 1

Baha’is 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 Bahd’is 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.

o 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 4) miles this side of Charieston.

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 fur niture, clothing, cars, everything was

Responding to the continuing need for guides at the Bahd’( 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

scrambled together for miles.

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 twostory 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 poo! 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

A scene typical of the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo.

street, so no one would be left out. 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 TY 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 coulc 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 ¢ three-block radius. A dric been taken off its founda one had seen a trace of it speculated that it had been ¢ the ocean, never to be seen again

Some displaced people are ot a with friends or some who have nc are the ones your supplies have bh

We found four more such families close to curfew time. An eiderly cow ple, a family with one daughter, ac other with three little girls and one with teen-age children. We divided the re maining 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 hor During the drive we had mixed feel ings. 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 Baha'is mark UN Children’s Day with seventh Art Festiva!

For the seventh year in a row, the Baha'is of Manhattan Beach, California, sponsored a Children’s Art Festival to commemorate Universal Chilcren’s Day. The theme of the 1989 festival was ‘‘It Takes All Kinds of People to Make the Worid.””

Festival entry forms were distributed in the public schools as well as through private institutions in Manhattan Beach. Several clementary schoo classes used the festival comtest as an art project. In all, more than 600 draw ings and paintings were received—a on the festival theme of unity in dive sity.

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 the parents at the awards ceremony

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18 / The American Baha'i / February 1990

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“Bom ll ot ey le Dt le) SN ee �[Page 20]20 * The Amefican Baha’

February [990

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

More than 100 people including 30-40 first-timers at a Baha'i event enjoyed a recent Race Unity Potluck and Cultural Exchange sponsored by the Baha'is 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 Developng World, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

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

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

Bosch invites papers on Faith, environment

Baha'i 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 Baha’i Faith and the Environment’’ during the summer session July 14-19 at the Bosch Baha'i School near Santa Cruz, California.

Proposals, the deadline for which is March 21, should be addressed to: Program Director, Bosch Baha'i 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 408423-3387, or mail deposit to the school address.

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 Baha'i administrative bodies cosponsored 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-Baha’is.

The honorees were Jennie Lim Shiu, RN (Chinese), founder of Alta BatesHerrick 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 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 Bahd’{s. Several remarked that the Baha’{s recognized aspects of service generally overlooked by the world at large.

In keeping with the day's theme,

More Information about National Convention

The 81st Baha’{ National Convention will be held April 26-29 in Foundation Hall at the Baha’{ 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 Bahd’t identification number to: Convention Seating, Baha’{ 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 Ba ha’! National Convention.

Transportation will be provided between the hotel and the House of Wor ship

Por special airline rates with American Airlines, call the Baha’{ reservations desk at Corporate Travel Consultants, 1-800-323-0088.

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Above: The Sanpaguita Filipino dance speakers, Marian Okarmura (left

in’ Oakland. Below: The two main

there was entertainment by Mrs. Jan Zhang, who played the koto (a Chinese

anc troupe performs during the luncheon Juana Conrad (center), a member @ the National Spiritual Assembly.

instrument resembling a harp) and 2 Filipino dance troupe, Sanpaguita

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 Baha’{ 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 Baha’{ Temple in India. He and his family noted the similarities and differences in the Baha'i 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 Baha'i 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 “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 NewsRecord, which focused on the Baha concepts of worid peace and brother hood, and followed by a radio inter view with Mr. Huddleston

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Baha'is in northeastern Texas co laborated December 3 im 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 Baha ‘is and included Native American, British and Persian foods

About 60 people attended the event which included a Baba! prayer fo unity and a brief talk about the Paith by Yussuf Vijay, a Baha'i from Tyler �[Page 21]The American Baha’! / February 1990 / 7)

Left photo: young dancers entertain during the Hmong New Year celebration and ‘Tsa Hauv Toj’ (Flower Mountain State Fair) held last Decernber 22-25 in San

Colorfully costumed

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 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

Fairfax holds fund-raiser

Last September 16 the Baha’is 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 Bahd' ls, 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 Bahd’ ( 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

Diego, California. Right photo: Puran Stevens speaks to the estimated 16,000 people at the celebration, greeting them on behalf of the Bahd'’i com munity and presenting a gift from the

news!

Allocation forms Il—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, Bahd’{ 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!

National Spiritual Assembly. Chue Chang, a local Bahd’i who was chairman of the New Year festival organizing committee, spoke highly of the National Assembly in English and

Hmong, and Bijan Bayzoee, < | pioneer to Laos, was asked to say 2 Bahd’ prayer in Hmong, which greotly

pleased the audience

former

Baha’is 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 Baha’{ International Community (originally the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and Canada) has had accreditation as a non-governmenta! 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 modcrator/pancelist at a discussion of ‘‘The Role of Young Citizens."’

At the same session a Baha'i, Randall Robinson, represented the World Federalist Association chapter of the University of Southern Alabama as a panelist.

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

Ata banquet held on the last evening of the conference, Shirley Lee, the

U.S. Baha'i representative to the UN who is chairman of the Executive Com mittee of the Council of UN Representatives in New York, read the imvoce tion to the more than SOO guests

She introduced the prayer with an explanation of its significance to the role of the U.S. in workd affairs and o the importance of the vi > this coun try of the prayer’s Autho Addy Baha.

On the dais were executives of te United Nations Assocation, the Girex tor-general of the UN's Vienna office the under-secretary general of the UN Department of Public informat and representatives of the Ford I dation and Carnegie Corporation

In the audience were representatives of the U.S. government, the UN, UNA chapters, and non-governmental orgs nizations. About ‘Abdu"l-Bahé heard the following

“When He spoke in Sacramento California, on October 26 said, ‘May the first flag of : tional peace be upraised in this stat

. and, on October 24, 1945 “So cager were people to that when He came to Washingtox Supreme Court saw fit to ad did the House and Senate. Am

pew

former President Theodore Rooseve the Secretary of the T Peary; Alexander Graham Bell; members of Congress, the diplomanec corps and the Supreme Court The destiny of America was comveyed in the words of Shoghi Effend “Whatever the hand of the dbenefi cent and inscrutable destmy has reserved for this youthful, this virile, ths idealistic, this spiritually Niessed anc enviable nation, however severe the storms which may buffet it in the Gays to come however sweeping ie changes in its structure and life, dat great republic will continur to evolve, undivided and undefeatadic, uncil the sum total of its comtribeton to tr birth, the rise and fruition of (a) work Cvilization will have Deen made and its last task discharged The “Prayer for Amenca read

was (en �[Page 22]22 / The American Baha’{ / February 1990

1,500 attend ‘Vision to Victory’ conference in Phoenix

About 1,500 Baha'is 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 Commit tee, and local Baha’ {fs 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, memibers of the National Teaching Committee met with Baha’ {fs from Phoenix and the surrounding area to plan 2 systematic mass-teaching project.

Charter

from page 15

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.

es :

About 75 Bahd'(s and their guests ate, danced and otherwise enjoyed themselves last December 2 at an ‘ethnic extravaganza’ sponsored by the Bahd’ts of Canton Township, Michigan. Among the performers were the Polish Centennial Dancers (above left), the

“The shining spark of truth cometh Sorth only after the clash of differing opinions. ’’—‘Abdu’l-Bahd

The American Bahd’{ 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 Bahd’/, Baha’{ 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 stu 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 cabdbage to Persian rice, Indian chicken and German tortes. At left, one of the younger Polish dancers preperes teach a young Bahd'i, Jordan Bahkde a few steps

dents 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 Baha’{ youth that the future Baha’/ 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 Baha'u'llah. 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 | 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 « least | could read, write and speak English, and could learn Esperanto, s the problem was not acute

But a good solution to the problex of illiteracy might not be so obvious to English-speakers who, for ome reason or another, simply cannot read or write their own language, or for immigrant: from non-English speaking countrie I'm thinking especially of some

those lovely souls who have fied Irax or Southeast Asia and who now find

See LETTERS page 23

WLGI Radio diversifies programming, adds basketball schedule

WLGI Radio Bahaé’{ 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 Beack Sun-News about the conference and the four-station network carrying the Chants’ games, columnist Toby Eddings says that of the four, real jewel is WLGI, with a clear signal inside of an arc which goes just north of Marion, west to New Zion and Greeieyville and cast to Atlantic Beach. . .

“Since an FM signal carries better at night, it coukd be interesting to hear where people bear the Chants . . «Based on the above parameters, around 650,000 listeners (give or take a few) should be able to bea

“the

the Chants."’

�[Page 23]The American Baha’! / February 1990 / 3

Kazem Kazemzadeh, Trustee of Huququ’llah, dead at 91

Kazem Kazemzadeh, who was the first Trustee of the Huququ'll4h 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 Bahd’/, 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; Aga Muhammad Reza, one of the builders of the first Mashriqu’lAdhkar; Mir Jalil, who commanded the Babis under Hujjat in the siege of Zanjan; Umm-i Ashraf, the heroic mother of Ashraf; and the poet ‘Alf

WLGI Radio Bahé’{ topic of In-depth feature carried over elght-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 Baha’{ 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 Baha'i 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 Baha’{ community in the heart of the South, the prohibition against proselytizing (especially over the radio), and the fact that only Baha’{s 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 Baha’{ 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 Baha’i 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.

Muhammad (Varga) who was martyred for the Faith.

When the Baha’{ community in Russia was destroyed by the Stalin regime in the mid-1930s, Mr. Kazemzadch was the one sure link between the Baha’ {s 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 Baha’{s, and brought the members of the Spiritual Assembly of

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 | 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 | 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 toa most profitable and rewarding exper ience. 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. _s i Effendi

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. Kazemzadch ‘‘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

Sioux medicine man and traditional leader Frank Fools Crow is pictured Fools Crow died iast December at the

during a meeting in 1987 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

Huququ’ lah, 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 Ingiewood Cemetery a few feet from the grave of Thornton Chase.

with Counselor Robert Harris. Mr

age of 100.

Frank Fools Crow, Sloux leader, medicine man who became Baha’ at age 95, dies in S. Dakota

Frank Fools Crow, a medicine man and traditional leader of the Oglala Sioux tribe who became a Baha’{ 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

IN MEMORIAM

Rebecca Barnhill Joe Willie Brown Yemassee, SC Chickasha, OK Date Unknown 1988

Nina Berglund Robert Conwell San Francisco, CA Nashville, TN

December I, 1989

Curtis A. Dixie Sr. Fostoria, OH September 1989

November 28, 1989

Hugh Glen Brown Clio, SC November 1989

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 culogized as “‘a champion of the standards and values at the heart of the Lakota culture”’ and “the embodiment of its spiritual values and verities.""

Loretta Floyd John Robinson

Marion, SC Redmond, WA Date Unknown November 23, 1989 Anne Holden Michae! Sauce Petersburg, VA Westwego, LA October 16, 1989 November 25, 1989 Dr. Anna Kennerly William Teamer Minneapolis, MN Cowpens, SC

July 1989 November 1989 �[Page 24]24 / The American Baha’{ / February 1990

Prayer, persistence equal fireside success in Phoenix

people who have been exposed to its

spirit

teach the Faith is to make strong friendships with neighbors and associates, and invite them to firesides held in the home.

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fully host their firesides.

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cause “intimate personal questions can be answered and the students find the of the Faith more abundant

constant in their efforts to suc

An important aspect of this gathering is the socializing that takes place after the talk and discussion. The seck 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. Baha'is and non-Bahd'{s alike draw

new Baha'is have entered the Faith

time. Force contact: Ernestine Berkey,

Force contact: Angela Maldonado,

April 7:

Mid-Atlantic information Baha’i Spring School,

Force contact: Jackie Logue,

Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

through the Agahis” firesides. Virtually all of the newly enrolled believers are involved in Bahaé’{ community life.

© In another instance, a 1¢year-old girl declared her belief in Baha'u'llah 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 Baha'u'llah. Both mother and daughter are involved in service to the Baha’{ community and in efforts to teach their family and friends.

e 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 Baha'is and is actively teaching her mother the Faith.

Carol Agahi attritutes the success of

ha'is feel safe and welcome.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 29-April 1: Baha’{ International Chinese Symposium, Bahaé"{ 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 Bahd’{ 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

March 30-April 1: Vision to Victory conference, Portland, Oregon. Task

_ 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 . Cleveland, OH

traveling

attend. Contact the Offict of Pioneering, Bahé’{ Na “Realizing Global Solutions: A Conference of Science, Huand Arts,’’ Haverford (Pennsylvania)

Illinois. Anyone who is planning or interested in pioneering, teaching, or is involved in teaching people of other cultures in the U_S. or abroad is urged to

tional Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

College. Sponsored by the

Regional Committee of the Association for Baha’! Studies. and/or a brochure, send your name and address to Scott 7 . Trenton, NJ 08638.

Cyprus. April 13-15: Vision to Victory conference, Birmingham, Alabama. Task

Wilmette, Illinois. Seating by advance reservation only. May 23-28: Study Session: Spiritual Dimensions of Health (German),

August 10-12:Caribbean Youth Conference, Barbados. �