The American Bahá’í/Volume 21/Issue 6/Text

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The

Afierica

reasury of man is his Knowledge

Bahda'u

Baha’i

lah Volume 2 Yo. 6 ume IF

Goals of Pian, construction of Arc, Ridvén message key consultation

Tribute to Mr. Sears Inspires 81st Natlonal Convention

goals o he Ridvan message f nsultation louse Worship in Wilmette, Illinois A fte msidering these and other weighty usues, the delegates paused

oin the National

A Kk s yea e¢ vention wel David Hofma et nembe House o ¢, who

on Sunday

¢ Convention as special National S tual As

re Abulgasim Afnan, his . and Mr. Afnan’s brother,

Hassan Afnan

The Afnan are relatives of the Bab, and asim Afnan, who lives in

served as caretaker of the

in Shiraz. He was in

ouse of the Bab Sou his brother, who

try visiting San Diego used consultation was centered hree goals set forth last year by ional Assembly as being of prisportance during the remaining ¢ Six Year Plan—expansion in this country; oe d on of local Spiritua] As and the education of child, youth and adults—and on the Rid message from the House of Jus

sem oes,

yn Saturday morning, delegates as Cuban space explorer Arnaldo Tamayo-hMendes (left at podium) address es assembled guests at the United Na

the Sux Year Plan, construction of the Arc on Mount Carmel, and rom the Universal House of Justice were at the forefront of Gxing ¢ the 8ist Baha'i National Convention held April 26-29 at the

sembied in Foundation Halli at the House of Worship to elect the National Spiritual Assembly for 1990-91. Its members are

Dorothy W. Nelson, Robert C. Hen derson, William Davis, Kevin Locke, James F. Nelson, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Juana Conrad, Alberta Deas and Jack McCants

Of the 171 delegates eligible to vote, “0

2 cast their ballots in person and 12 ail

Shortly after hearing the tellers’ re port, the new National Spiritual As sembly held its first meeting and elect ed officers for the coming year: James Nelson, chairman and assistant secretary; Dorothy Nelson, Robert Henderson, secretary-general; Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary-External Affairs; Juana Conrad, assistant secretary; and William Davis, treasurer

vice-chairman;

While the election of the National Spiritual Assembly was taking place, non-delegate visitors to the Convention enjoyed a tour of the Baha'i National Center and Publishing Trust

The Saturday evening session, at the National College of Education in Evanston, began with music by the 3l-member Tennessee Baha’ Choir conducted by Tom Price.

Dash Crofts, a member of the choir, was then joined onstage by his former partner, Jim Seals, to perform ‘‘Passengers,"’ a song written especially for Mr. Sears

More music, taped for the occasion by John Barnes, preceded the introduction of Mr. Sears by James Nelson, who referred to the Hand of the Cause as ‘America’s wake-up call.’’

Mr. Sears, accompanied to the stage

The Hand of the Cause of God Wil- dian, Shoghi Effendi

whack ya

liam Sears and his wife, Marguerite, nated to the National Spiritual Asser show their precious copy of The Dawn- use in any way they oe Breakers, signed by the beloved Guar funds for constru r

by his wife, Marguerite, wasted r Of course, M ars be x

time in waking up his audience ing tears and laughter with movi humorous stories of their courtship and his introduction to the Fa

That was accomplished, he through Mrs. Sears’ gentle insist on his reading Nabil's narrative Dawn-breakers

After finishing the book w cation from his position as a r in nouncer in Utah, he said, *‘I told Marguerite | wanted to join."*

“You want to become a Baha’!? she said, barely able to contain her ex citement.

“*No,”’ he replied. “‘I come a Babi!’’

want to Oe

tions’ ‘Only One Earth’ celebration

April 22 as fellow astronauts and UN

officials look on

BIC helps plan UN’s ‘Earth Day 1990’ celebration

as 42 astronauts launch ‘Decade of Environment

Earth Day 1990! And what a day it ade was at the United Nations t

On April 22, a program sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme was held. Assembled for the celebration of ‘Only One Earth’ were 42 astronauts and

cosmonauts ag

from 13 countries. It was their space As cach nam traveler’s view of earth from outer photograph wa space that inspired the theme of the scree ceremony

Mentioned on the program as one of a a - - — the two organizations taking part ni ’ planning and producing the event was “* 000 UN as the Baha’{ International Community “ee . ww. Hugh Locke, director of the Office . = © ares ro of Public Information for the BIC pve Se TOES es : New York, coordinated the event anc , helped with fund-raising 7 Os .

Barth Day 1990 launched the ve See EARTH DAY pag �[Page 2]2 The American Baha'i / June 1990

500-plus at Birmingham’s Vision to Victory conference

The second round of Vision to Victory conferences came to a close April 13-15 im Birmingham, Alabama.

More than S00 Baha’is from 16 Southeastern states and from as far away as Alaska and New Zealand attended the pane! discussions that were focused on the role of the individual in teaching, the community and teaching, and teaching the masses.

Serving as panelists were Alberta Deas, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; two members of the National Teaching Committee, Andy Sham and John Smith; Auxiliary Board members Soo Fouts and Jack Guillebeaux; and local Baha'is Kim McQueen, Carol Miller and Nosrat Scott.

Also taking part in these discussions

was Counselor Wilma Ellis. In addition, the conference had the privilege of welcoming Counselor Peter Vuyiye from the International Teaching Center in Haifa, who briefly addressed those assembled.

Following the conference, a public meeting and concert was held at the Baha’{ Center in Birmingham. Nineteen non-Baha’fs attended, and heard

music by “Bridges” from Kaoxriice Tennessee, and “Swan” from Griffix Georgia, and a tik by Mr. Gullle beaux

An auction was held Saturday eve ning at which Bahdé’is im the Birmme bam arca raised about $19,000 for Ge Arc Fund.

There were two declaration: « the conference itself

Communities in Southwest join forces to create ‘Light of Valley’ Baha’i school

In October 1989 the Light of the Valley Baha'i School was begun in Anthony, New Mexico, as a collaborative effort among neighboring communipes

Those taking part in the school include the Baha"! communities of Alamogordo, Anthony, and Las Cruces, New Mexico; Canutillo and El Paso, Texas; and Juarez, Mexico.

Each community had found it difficult to gather the resources for its own school, but found that collectively they had the resources for a school that would prove to be a beam of light for the area.

Efforts of those involved in the school were aided by the launching of the Limon Teaching Project one month after the school’s inception. The project is.also a collaborative effort among communities, and targets i particular the Hispanic population of (he area.

The school and teaching project are mutually supportive and contribute to the growth and maturation of the Faith in their communities.

The school, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Las Cruces, is run by a board consisting of representatives from each of the neighboring communities. Classes are held for adults, youth and children, and have centered on topics such as the history of the Faith, the Manifestations of God, and the teachings for individuals which emphasize developing a Baha’{ character.

OKLAHOMA SUMMER 1990 | “The Flaming Quest Campaign”|

An exciting summer project targeting the American indian tribes of Oklahoma is underway. Youth are particularly asked to join in the teaching process. Special events include: joining a Pottawatomie and Shawnee pow wow in late June, participating in Cherokee and Creek ceremonies in July; and enjoying the Native American Exposition in August. | For more information, contact: Sheri Smith, American indian Desk National Teaching Commifties office | Baha’! National Center | Witnetie, iL 60091 | Phone: (708) 869-9039 ext. 361

J

At the close of each week's session, all of the classes come together for fellowship and to review the morning’s discussions. Festive music and singing highlight the close of each session.

The diversity within the communities is reflected in the school. Many of the new believers from Anthony and Juarez attend classes, which are conducted in English and Spanish.

The Light of the Valley Bahd’{ School is rapidly becoming a true center for Baha’! education and a reflection of Shoghi Effendi’s advice to become ‘‘a fertile recruiting ground for the enrichment and consolidation of its

teaching force."’

those from Alamogordo, Anthony and Las Cruces, New Mexico; Canutillo and El Paso, Texas; and Juarez, Mex ico, who attend the Light of the Valley

From New Era Foundation for Development Baha'i funding helps create jobs, encourages pride In work

Two recently funded projects embody the continued vision of the New Era Foundation for International Development (NEF), which was formed in response to the Universal House of Justice’s call in 1983 for social and economic development projects, to serve the global community, Baha’{ and non-Baha’s alike.

In South Dakota, the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe of Eagle Butte was given NEF funds to start a beaded moccasin factory. This will help meet the needs of the people on the Reservation for jobs and strengthen traditional craft skills.

Because of great difficulties in obtaining loans through the local banks at reasonable terms, and no technical business advice, local entrepreneurs are unable to secure the capital necessary to initiate business ventures.

The contribution by NEF of technical guidance and a relatively small amount of money has created several jobs and encouraged the pride of the people in their own craftsmanship.

Additionally, a ready market for the beaded moccasins exists, and this promises to be a successful and selfsufficient project.

The second project is one in which a children’s class at the Balt’{ School in Santa Monica, California, raised $150 to help a village in Malawi, Africa, buy a corn grinder.

The Social and Economic Develop ment Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malawi coordinated the proposal and funding efforts for this project, which began receiving NEF assistance early this year.

This is a rural project based in the village of Nkaombe which aims to increase food production to bolster nutrition among village residents and eventually to produce an excess of corn to sell for a profit.

NEF, which was incorporated at the

request of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, is an independent non profit organization. For tax purposes it is a 501(c)3 corporation, to which contributions are tax-deductible.

Since 1985, NEF has been actively

Pictured in February 1990 are many of Bahd'! School, an intercom

school for adults, youth and chiligrhe

Sponsored by the Spiritual Assemitty © Las Cruces

seeking out and helping to fund small projects throughout the U.S. and

reflected in the establishment of the Office of Social and Economic Devel

work of Hispanic, American indien women

As a follow-up to the April 1989

The American Bahd'!\s published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is Of the United States, $36 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahd'l National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Laura H. Arthur. The American Bahd’/ wel comes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Paith. Articles shold be written clearly end concisely; color or black-and-white glossy Decnographs thovald be \mchadied whenever possible. Please address all materials to the Editor, The American Bahd’(, Wilenetie, (1. 60091. Copyright © 1990 by the National Spiritual Asser bly of the Bahé’ls of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A

vices at the Uni

i

The honorees were given cicgant

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ip i E Z |

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ii �[Page 3]The American Bahd’! / June 1990 / 3

Baha’is In Virginia Beach witness ‘power of sacrifice’

‘THE FIRST CONDITION ...'

“The first condition is absolute love and harmony among the members. . . .”’—‘Abdu'l-Baha

Some time ago, the Baha’{ community of Virginia Beach, Virginia, witnessed a striking demonstration of the power released through sacrifice.

The Baha'is in that city had been saving for years to buy or build a facility for their childrens’ classes. When the call for the Arc reached them, these

friends consulted and decided to contribute the money to the Fund. It was not an easy decision, but they accepted the sacrifice.

Much to their surprise, they were able to get the full sum together again in a very short time. What had taken them such a long time to accomplish before had now been done in a few short weeks.

But the story continues! One of the children in Virginia Beach attended a conference in the area, and enjoyed the event so much that he wanted to keep his plastic security bracelet as a souvenir. He wore the memento to school on Monday, where his teacher, thinking it was a hospital identification tag, asked him about it.

N.Y.C. Bahé’[s form Harlem Institute to address ‘most challenging Issue’

On February 2, cight Bahd’{is from the New York City area established the Harlem Bahd'{ Teaching Institute to address the ‘“‘most vital and challenging issue’’ of racial prejudice and extend the hand of friendship to blacks in Hariem.

The institute is the spiritual offspring of weekly prayer meetings held on Friday evenings during 1989 at the homes of Clyde Herring, Marie White and Jan Smith.

The idea for an institute emerged from discussions and deepenings at those meetings. Weekend conferences at the Green Acre Baha’{ School last fall on teaching blacks, and on com munity development, gave focus to the discussions.

Eventually, the core group of regular attendees at the prayer meetings decided to move their meeting place to Hariem and establish a teaching institute.

At the first two meetings, the group studied the November 1989 letter on institutes from the International Teach Please be advised that delays in production of the new receipt mailer could result in delays in receiving receipts during June. But it is not necessary to wait for the receipt form in

order to make a contribution; simply send your donation to the National Baha’{ Fund, Wilmette, IL 60091, and you'll be receiving your receipt as quickly as possible. Thank

ing Center in Haifa.

Later, members began attending events together to develop contacts in Harlem. On February 11, they went to a program at the Studio Museum that featured an African dance production in honor of Nelson Mandela; on February 11, they attended a rally at the Riverside Church celebrating Mr. Mandela’s release from prison.

On March 8, three members attended a meeting of the board of directors of East Harlem Interfaith, an association of 40 East Harlem churches and religious groups devoted to community service and ecumenical programs.

With support from the Spiritual Assembly of New York City, the institute has accepted East Harlem Interfaith’s invitation to become a member of that group.

Next, the institute began to plan an event for new believers that was to take place in May.

Boston acquires Center, city’s first in 20 years, In heart of downtown area

On March 22, one day after Naw Ruz, the Spiritual Assembly of Boston, Massachusetts, rented a Baha’{ Center, the first the city has had in nearly 20 years. The property, in the heart of downtown Boston, consists of a storefront with a single undivided room about 40 feet long and 25 feet wide, with a total area of 1,000 square feet.

On April 28 the friends celebrated the Feast of Jamal at the new Center.

HUQUQU'LLAH “It ts indeed a most excellent favor, a boundless grace vouchsafed unto whosoever is privileged in this day to render service to the Cause of God, for its goodly results and the fruits thereof will last as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven will endure.’’—Bahd'u'lidh

Payments for Huqdqu'll4h should be made to “‘Bahd'{ Huqiqu’ll4h Trust"

and sent to one of the Trustees: Dr. Elsie Austin, P.O. Box 927, Silver Spring,

MD 20910 (Tel: 301-589-8481); Dr. Amin Banani,

Santa

Monica, CA 90402 (Tel: 213-394-5449); Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (Tel: 216-333-1506).

Inquiries about Huqéqu'll4h should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahaé’{ Huqéqu'lléh Trust,

Rocky River, OH 44116.

“Il was at a Bahd’{ conference,"’ she was told. The teacher had some close friends who were Baha'is, and she had always been interested in the Faith, so she spoke about the Teachings for some time with her student.

One thing led to another, and within a short time the teacher was enrolled in the Faith!

But there is still more! The teacher spoke with her supervisor about the Faith and invited her to a fireside. That night, as they listened, the school director’s son said, ‘‘I believe this is the truth.””

A week later, the school director was also enrolled. When she saw a number of dear children and heard of the

On March 23-25, the Board of Trustees of Huqigqu’lldh met at the Bosch Bahd’ School in California to review issues related to the education of American believers in the Law of Huququ’'lidh. It was heartwarming to note that there has been a significant upsurge in the interest and participation of American Bahd'ts in this great Law of Bahd'u'lidh. Further plans were discussed regarding the education of the community, with an emphasis on the

friends’ need for « school facility fo classes well, you gucased — she offered her school for the Bah#’! com munity’s use

Giving can release tremendow forces for the Faith's progress. indeed at the annual Convention this year David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, informec the friends that material anc financal sacrifice could well be the key to this community's attainment of the speritual leadership foretold for it by « low ing Master, and the agent for entry Dy troops.

Powerful thoughts indeed: may your community’s consultation om ther

questions lead you to your own thri ing victories.

education of Bahd’! youth and childrein the Law of Hugiqu’tléh. Effors to date have inciuded presertations at Behd’ schools, publications on Hugigu

lidh, video tapes and slides. The Board Of Trustees is preparing « module on Huqguqu’'lldh for use in the local Sper itual Assembly Development Program Pictured (left to right) are Trustee: of the Huqiuqu’lidh Daryush Haghigh: Elsie Austin and Amin Banani

Dinners for visiting Chinese scholars enrich Ilfe of community In Amherst, Massachusetts

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst has been a center where over the years scholars from mainland China have come to further their graduate studies or to carry out resear~h in their various fields of study.

Several years ago the Spiritual Assembly of Amherst invited some of these scholars to dinner at a Baha'i home. The response was rewarding; more than 30 came with their families. No mention was made of the Faith except in response to an occasional question about the sponsorship.

The success of that event has made it almost an annual undertaking, with familiar faces returning and new ones accompanying them. In the ensuing years questions about ihe Faith have become frequent, and the guests listen attentively to the answers.

They have also become active participants, often bringing special Chinese

foods, sharing musica! skills and much laughter

At the dinner in January a copy o the peace statement, translated into Chinese, was given to cach of the guests. This approach was in response to the guidance from the Universal House of Justice that the friends are free to be more open and direct in shar ing the Faith with friends from main land China

Over the years fnendships have been formed among families, and Baha's have been called on to help with certain problems and decisions. More intimate dinners and social events have Dbecome a part of the friendships.

The Baha'i community of Ambers feels greatly enriched by the warm ox changes that have deepened and flow ished since reaching owt to its Chinese friends. —Mede! Gers

stomes �[Page 4]4 / The American Baha'i / June 1990

Some thoughts on teaching—from Czechoslovakla!

PIONEERING

=

When we arise to serve Bahd’u'lldh, there is no way to know how He will guide our lives. Cindy Davis made her commitment to serve her Lord in Czechoslovakia. In her most recent letter to the Office of Pioneering, she writes about teaching, her experiences and insights.

Dear Friends,

Just had another dream about teaching last night... .Friends, from the teaching activities I’m doing here, I could've done as well in the States. What held me—and us—back was not the ‘‘wisdom"’ ‘Abdu'l-Baha tell us to employ, but fear—fear of rejection.

(But why? We know from history and from Bahd’u’llah’s words that there will be rejection—this is a part of the process.)

What we've been doing here in Czechoslovakia is having proclamaGons—in the evening, at the universities, mainly—and placing articles in the paper and putting professionally printed posters up all over town.

In Prague, we've had 20-40 people at each event, and 15-20 stay after the talk for Aours—to hear more. There's no reason why we can’t do such direct, high-profile events where you are! The meeds are the same—the needs of the people!

One ‘“‘seeker’’ here was asking me about what resources on the Baha’{ Faith are available to Czech and Slovak people. I said there was very little.

SUMMER PROJECTS OVERSEAS

ALASKA Northern Star Baha’{ Project in the Aleutians BAHAMAS Summer Youth Project establishing environmental clubs BELIZE Ongoing teaching and consolidation campaign BOTSWANA “Star 90" Summer/Winter Teaching Project BRAZIL “Education for Peace’’ Project CANADA Yukon Baha’{ Institute summer programs DOMINICA “Sparks of Peace’’ Youth Project GRENADA | Mona Teaching Project | HONG KONG Teaching and consolidation campaign | KOREA | Teaching and consolidation campaign MEXICO Teaching projects in the south and central regions NORWAY

PERU

Teaching projects in Tropas, Celendin and Cajamarca

SWITZERLAND

Bicycle Tour for Peace

EASTERN EUROPE

Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yogoslavia, Soviet Union

Por more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahdé’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

Teaching and consolidation in the Lofoten Islands, Alta and Spitzbergen

“*How, then,’’ she asked me, ‘‘are you going to let people know about this?”’

A newly declared Baha'i asked me, “What happens in the after-life to those who never heard about the Baha’{ Faith?’’

The people in both our countries live in a spiritual desert; if they don’t get water from us few Baha’is—if we don’t give it to them—they’re not going to get it from anywhere!

How can we be afraid when we have the examples of the early believers? Despite threats to their lives, their families disowning them, did they limit in any measure the volume of their voices in proclaiming the Cause?

How can we take pity on ourselves when we have the examples of Baha’u’llah’s and ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s imprisonment, through which, ‘Abdu’l-Baha writes, He was ‘‘extremely happy’’?

We are limiting ourselves by believing that we can’t talk about the Faith directly. Well, for goodness sake, people don't know what it is, and if we don’t tell them—really explain it to them—they'll judge it based on their Stereotypes of religion.

How can we blame them for such Stereotypes when no one has ever taught them that a religion exists that is different?

It’s the same situation here. Many people ask the same kinds of questions, have the same misconceptions, make the same accusations. But my feeling is that until I let them know what the Faith is really like—lay it all out there—I'm denying them the opportunity to make their own decision.

Initial suspicions they may have don’t constitute a decision because they have no information—these sus June to August June to August July and August June to August Ongoing

June to August June to August July 21-August 5 June to August June to August June to August June to August June to August

August

picions only constitute a test for us. Can you imagine a newly declared 18-year-old Baha’{, here, who was publicly humiliated in the classroom by her teacher after she tried to explain to him about a Baha’{ pamphlet he’d found— the next week, she quoted from The

Hidden Words in an essay exam and brought pamphiets and peace state ments for those teachers who she was sure would take her ideas for a joke S where is our courage?

My prayers for strength are with you. I think of you often and miss you

A Pioneering Institute was held April 5-8 at the Bahd’i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. Among the 23 participants were homefront and overseas pioneers, traveling teachers, and one local Assembly representative. Five of

these friends are on their way to teoc*

at the School of the Nations in Meacou Other destinations include South Car lina, Ciskei, Japan, Malaysia, Si. # ena, Southern Africa and Venezuwete

Library’s reference section a splendid source of information for those who wish to pioneer

Are you thinking of pioneering overseas? To a community in the U.S.? Where do you turn for the information you need on living conditions, employment, education and the many other questions that arise? Think Reference Section of your nearest library!

We took a one-hour stroll through a nearby library recently to scout out some of its resoures, and would like to share this information with you.

We were looking primarily for materials to help the prospective international pioneer; however, we noted many resources for the homefront pioneer as well.

In the “‘general works”’ section (the 000s in the Dewey Decimal System of classification) are the atlases, maps, almanacs and encyclopedias. (Aha! There's St. Helena, out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Wonder how anyone gets there.)

If you need more information on an area than you can find in the encyclopedia or the Jnformation Please Almanac, you can wander over to the “social sciences’’ section (300s) and find details on the economy, climate, government, language and much more in the Europa Work Year Book, which also has a volume on international organizations.

Or, you can move to the ‘‘geography and history’’ section (900s) to read Countries of the World ot The Statesman’s Yearbook, Some libraries may also have a copy of Cities of the World.

Back in the “social sciences’’ section, we noted The Directory of Career Training and Development Programs, plus a selection of business directories,

intern program information, career guides and resumé books that could help those of you who are planning for a future career or changing careers

For overseas university studies, there is the /nternational Handbook of Universities or the Worid of Learning

The World Guide to Higher Educotion provides a means of comparing the systems, the degrees and the qualifications of the various educational institutions.

So now you're thinking about tuition? The International Scholarship Book, The Foundation Directory Grants Register, and The Complete Grants Sourcebook for Higher Educefion point out where funds can be found if you qualify for them.

And there’s the MacMillan Guide to Correspondence Study for those who wish an alternative means of studying. whether abroad or at home.

Where to look for employmen leads? A search in the ‘‘business”’ section (600s) uncovered The Worldwide Chamber of Commerce Directory (which includes not only foreign Chambers of Commerce in principal cities worldwide but also foreign Con sulates and Embassies in the U.S.), as well as Principal International Bus nesses, World Marketing Directory the Directory of American Firms Oper ating in Foreign Countries, Directory of Foreign Manufacturers im the US and How to Get @ Job Overseas

So much is available: answers to cx and immigration questions (330s) tropical health (S0Qs) and banking needs (Rand McNeilly Banbers’ Direc

See LIBRARY page !5

�[Page 5]The American Baha’! / Jume 1990 / 5

Baha’is welcome UN guests at gala Ridvan observance

Representatives to the United Nations from the Baha'i International Community and the U.S. Baha’{ UN Office in New York City have long associated with representatives of other non-governmental organizations at the UN.

Many, aware of Baha’ principles on social and economic development, education, the status of women, and other issues, had expressed a desire to know more about the Faith itself.

It was decided that the Ridvan celebration would afford a perfect setting for such an introduction. Special inviations were sent to selected UN assoGates with a quotation that read, ‘The springtime of God is at hand. Truly this can be called the miracle of centuries. . . .It is a day when the oneness of mankind shall uplift its standard and international peace, like the true morning, will flood the world with its light."’

On Tuesday, May 1, the Baha'i International Community and U.S. Baha'i UN Office hosted more than 50 guests at the Baha'i offices in New York City. They were warmly welcomed in a spring-like setting replete with dozens of roses, and were served punch and cookies.

After greetings and conversation, the master of ceremonies, Hugh Locke, director of the Baha’{ Office of Public Information in New York, introduced classical guitarist Lloyd Carew-Reid who charmed the guests with several lovely renditions.

There followed two quotations, one from the Baha’! Writings and one from the peace statement of the Universal House of Justice.

Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, then spoke about Baha'u'llah, His proclamation in the Garden of Ridvan, the principles He set forth, the impact those principles have had on current

Earth Day

from page |

travelers, the president of the 44th UN General Assembly opened the program, and an address was made by

Maurice Strong, secretary-general of

Forty-two astronauts and cosmonauts from 13 countries receive a standing ovation as they gather onstage at the

thought and practice, and Baha’u'llah’s vision for the future of mankind.

The guests, who were clearly moved by his remarks, asked many questions of Baha’{s afterward.

Among those present were the current president and a past president of the National Council of Women; representatives of the International Alliance of Women, the International Federation of Trade Unions, CODEL, the Pan Pacific Southeast Asia Women's Association, and the Johnson Foundation; a deputy of the UN Peace Unit, and a member of the UN staff.

As the guests left, each was given a rose and a gift-wrapped copy of the Malaysian edition of The Hidden Words and Selected Writings.

Following the wishes of the Universal House of Justice, the celebration aimed to convey to associates at the UN “‘the profound fact of the appearance in the world of the Lord of the Covenant and the aims and achievements of His sublime mission.”’

Brilllant Star devotes May/June Issue to literacy

The United Nations has designated 1990 as International Literacy Year. In honor of such an important topic—because of the importance of universal education, the independent search for truth, and the power of the holy writings, Brilliant Star magazine has dedicated the May/June issue to literacy.

Stories include *‘One Family’’ by Jill and Benjamin Leiker, ‘‘Up High’’ by Sarah Cristal, ‘‘Ludwig’s Language’’ by Janet Cutler Bixby, and ‘You Know I Can’t Write’? by Kay Haugaard. There is a memory passage, a “Literacy Word Search,’’ and an activity about writing Bahdé’{ words and “Hidden ABCs.”"

And the regular features are also included such as ‘‘Letters from Our

Bahd'ts and their guests mingle during a Ridvdn celebration for United Nations personnel given by the Bahd’t International Community and the U.S. Bahd't UN Office in New York City.

Friends,"’ Book Nook, Parents’ Page, poetry and music.

There’s a special article about a “Writers’ and Artists’ Workshop” that was held with children last summer at the Green Acre Baha'i School. It was such a success that there will be one this summer at the Sylvan Lake Baha’{ School in Canada!

If you're not already receiving Brilliant Star, don’t miss out any longer. You won't be disappointed. The quality is top-notch, informative, interesting and topped off with beautiful covers.

To subscribe, simply send $12 for

one year (six issues) to Subscriber Service, Bahd’{ National Center, Wil

mette, IL 60091.

To the left of center in dark suit = main speaker at the celeb Robert C. Henderson, secre National Spiritual Assembly

| ‘Earth Day’ tree plented

On April 22, the Baha’

| Of Black Jack, Missouri, with the helr

of Bahaé’{s from Ferguson scarlet oak tree to the city ir Earth Day 1990 and plante the Black Jack city park

The mayor of Black Jack turned the first earth

presented a presented a

the tree ir

Notice to those who are planning to travel to Israel; All Baha'is must

secure permission of the Universal

House of Justice before traveling to Israel, whether for business, visiting relatives, three-day/three-night in Haifa, or any other reason

The address of the Universal House of Justice is P.O. Box 155 Haifa 31 001, ISRAEL

stay

the 1992 UN Conference on the Environment.

An ‘‘Only One Earth’’ video presentation featured scenes from outer space, and statements were made by six of the space travelers in the six languages of the United Nations.

They spoke about industrial pollu

United Nations headquarters in New York City during the UN's ‘Earth Day 1990’ celebration April 22.

tion and disarmament, and presented a potent message about the fragility of the planet, and how, from up there, they could see that we all drink the same water, breathe the same air, and that the oceans are really all only one body of water.

Noel Brown, regional director of the United Nations Environment Programme, accepted a crystal plaque and an ‘‘Only One Earth’’ treaty signed by the astronauts and cosmonauts. He then spoke about the need to restore and preserve the planet.

Another highlight of the program was a direct video communication to the assembled guests from the Russian space station MIR whose cosmonauts urged that the planet be considered as one home by everyone on earth.

The event ended with rousing music by the youth choir ‘‘Evergreen—Everblue,” directed by a Canadian Baha'i, Jack Lenz, and songs by the internationally famous singer, Raffi.

The BIC offices designed and printed the program and invitations to the program and reception that followed, handled responses from the invited guests, recruited and helped train the 30 ushers (mostly Baha'is), spon sored the appearance of the youth choir ‘‘Evergreen—Everblue’’ from Toronto, coordinated Canadian press releases, and arranged for the appearance of Amy Milne, a seven-year-old environmentalist from Saskatchewan, Canada.

As Saudi Arabian astronaut Sultan Bin Salman Al-Saud said of his experience in space: ‘‘The first day or so we all pointed to our own countries. The third or fourth day we pointed to our continents. By the fifth day we were aware of only one earth."

UN SPECIAL EVENT DAYS September 8: Internationa! Literacy Day September 18: International Day Peace October 1: Universal Chikiren’s Day October 24: United Nations Day October 31; UNICEF Day (odserved in the U.S. with Halloween trick-or-tres program)

Packets of statements by the Baha’) ln ternational Community are available from the U.S.,UN Office, 866 UN | Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 | for $S (make checks payable to Baha'is | of the U.S./UN Office). Information on the UN events may be ottained by wn | ing to the same adktress.

L �[Page 6]6 / The American Baha'i / June 1990

Convention from page |

own money.

“Now, with the Universal House of Justice calling for $24 million to complete the reserve needed for the Arc, we felt it would be appropriate to contribute $24,000 to get things under way. But frankly, we didn’t have two nickels to rub together.’

So in lieu of money, said Mr. Sears, he and Mrs. Sears had decided to donate something far more precious to them—their dearly-loved copy of The Dawn-breakers.

“We are giving this volume to the Nationa] Assembly,"’ he said, ‘‘to use in whatever way they feel will be most effective’ to raise funds for the Arc.

Before the evening was over the delegates from Texas had pledged to return home and raise $24,000 for the Arc on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Sears.

That brought the total amount raised for the Arc by those at the Conventon to more than $74,500

Following Mr. Sears’ talk, the trib ute continued with brief personal re membrances by Mr. Hofman, Mr. Mc Cants and Dorothy Nelson, and an audi-visual program reviewing some of his many accomplishments

The video was the second shown at the Convention. On Friday delegates and guests had been treated to a preview of the second edition of the ‘‘Baha'i Newsreel,"’ prepared for the Feast of ‘Azamat in mid-May

The Ridvan message from the Uni versal House of Justice was read at the Convention's opening session on Thursday evening

The delegates, deeply moved by the urgency of that message and by the many challenges facing the world-wide Baha'i community, recommended at Friday morning's session that the Na uional Spiritual Assembly adopt a $30 million budget for fiscal 1990-91.

Also on Friday morning, delegates and guests heard the annual reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Office of the Treasurer.

On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Davis

evening,

presented a report on plans for the second Baha’{ World Congress to be held in New York City in November 1992. The Congress, he said, will focus on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd as off Exemplar.

Mr. Hofman spoke at Sunday morning’s closing session, which began with a prayer for the Hands of the Cause of God sung by the Tennessee Baha'i Choir and tributes by Counselor Monadjem and Dr. Kazemzadeh to the Hand of the Cause Jalél Khézeh, who died February 21 in Canada.

Speaking of the funds needed for construction of the Arc on Mount Carmel, Mr. Hofman said, ‘‘Three years ago the House of Justice called for this money. And you were going to let a measly $24 million hold back the work of God in creating His capital on Mount Carmel?

• • My friends, you could put up the

whole $300 million in the next few weeks if you wanted to. Sell out some of your stocks and shares, get rid of some of your bank accounts and your property. This is detachment from material things and leading the world spiritually.

‘There is one other consideration in this,"’ Mr. Hofman added. ‘You know what the Master told you would happen if you did these things; you would become the cynosure of the world, the people would love you and admire you

“Well, this is not the case in the world today, dear friends. As you know, you are not very greatly*loved and admired throughout the world

• ‘Why? Because if you are leaders in

these other things—in wealth, in milWary power, in technical research and so forth—you will attract the envy, the hatred, the jealousy, the denigration of the rest of mankind

“But if you will sacrifice your standards of living and embrace true spiritual poverty,"’ said Mr. Hofman, “‘you will attract the love of mankind. This is how you will bring about that wonderful promise of ‘Abdu'l-Baha that you would become beloved of all mankind—not as you are going now, but if you will really adopt the robe of

Delegates to the 81st Bahd'( National Convention in the United States of America Your expressions of rededication to the tasks of the Six Year Plan, as conveyed in your warm spirited message, fill us with joy and gratitude. May He Who guides the destiny of your specially blessed, greatly admired and dearly loved community sustain the vision, the vigor and courage of ¢ American friends in their unrelenting endeavor to manifest in their individual selves the sterling qualities of a spiritually transformed life. Thus may they be assured of winning, in His Name, such victories as have not yet been witnessed in their long history of outstanding achievements The Universal House of Justice April 30, 1990

Praise and Honor Be on the Supreme Institution of the Universal House Justice Most Beloved Friends:

Delegates gathered at the 81st Baha’{ National Convention in the Mother Temple of the West, blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, retired member of the Universal House of Justice Davi Hofman, and Counselors Monadjem and Roberts, received with awe and gratitude your Ridvan message of 1990.

Our hearts are thrilled by the recent settlement of the two Knights Baha'u'llah in Sakhalin Island and with the opportunities that have oper for the expansion of the Faith in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Uni

Your inspiring message brought joy and confidence and a new vision of the individual spiritual transformation needed during the remaining years of the Six Year Plan. The great challenges and opportunities have foct our consultation. We beseech your continued prayers confident that supplications at the Sacred Threshold will bring the Concourse on assist us to complete our responsibilities.

We pledge our devotion to Baha'u'llah and to the Infallible Institution

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Delegates to the &lst Nationa Of the Bahd'ls of the United State: April 28, 17%

Convention

Evander Gilmer leads fellow delegates tional Convention in Foundation Ho and guests in song during the Sunday at the Bahd’{ House of Worship in ¥ morning session of the 81st Bahd’{Na- mette, Illinois.

material detachment and develop your spiritual powers, you inevitably will accomplish your spiritual destiny."’

Dash Crofts (left) and Jim Seals sing ‘Passengers,’ a song written for the Hand of the Cause William Sears, during Saturday evening's tribute to Mr Sears at the National Convention

liam Davis, Dorothy ¥. Nelson, Juane Conrad, Alberta Deas, Kevin Lock: and Jack McCants

Judge James F, Nelson (left), chairman other members of the National Assemand assistant secretary of the National bly for 1990-91 (left to right) Robert C Spiritual Assembly, introduces the Henderson, Firuz Kazermzadeh, Wil �[Page 7]90/7

The American Bahé’{ / June

Central Ohlo’s Peace Committee holds fourth

On April 14, the Baha'i Peace Committee of Central Ohio sponsored its fourth annual peace conference in Columbus.

This year’s theme was ‘‘Fostering New Attitudes: Eliminating the Extremes of Wealth and Poverty as a Requisite for World Peace."’

More than 120 people, about half of whom were not Baha'is, attended.

Keynote speakers were Henry Ouma, deputy chief of investments of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension, and Susan Mecker-Lowry, author of Economics as if the Earth Really Mattered and publisher/editor of Catalyst.

Mr. Ouma, a native of Kenya, emphasized a Baha’i perspective, and listed nine major positive changes that are taking place in the world.

Ms. Mecker-Lowry, who lives in

Vermont, brought a strong perspective on community-based economics and ways in which to shape an economy for @ sustainable and livable earth.

After the keynote addresses, the au _—- -~ Children of the Bahd'f School of Greater Knoxville, Tennessee, recently performed an original play/puppet show at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church in Knoxville and re-grouped for a second show at an Ayydm-i-Hd party in Maryville. The play/puppet show, which teaches progressive rev

dience attended one of six workshops, had lunch, and listened to an afternoon panel discussion moderated by Auxiliary Board member June Thomas.

Among local groups taking part were the Native American Indian Center; YWCA Peace School; the Open Shelter; Ohio Hunger Task Force; South of Main Development Corporation; Moyer Financial Group; American Red Cross; the Anti-Defamation League; Christian Aid Mission; Franklin County CROP Education Committee; Habitat; and UNICEF.

Also, after consulting with the National Assembly, the committee contacted the Ohio governor’s office which sent a representative to the conference.

Eleven other organizations helped co-sponsor the conference whose purpose was to encourage recognition and cooperation among the many groups and individuals working for peace in the Columbus area.

Taking part in the recent peace conSerence in Columbus sponsored by the Bahd’t Peace Committee of Central

conference

Ohio were (left to right) Steve Susan Meeker-Lowry, Henry and Hooshang Ma'ani

elation and the oneness of religion, isa cooperative effort on the part of the children, their parents and teacher, David Neidig of Rockwood. The show was well-received at the Unitarian

has since invited Bahd’ts to speak, teach and perform there.

FIVE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCES ON THE THEME “An Environment of Peace”

with each other

with nature and

Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, July 27-29, 1990

sie University, Halifax, Nova Scot

ia, July 27-29, 1990

Centre Municiple, Ville de Québec (en frangais), le 6-8 juillet 1990 Conterence Centre, Whistler, Brtish Columbia, June 29-July 2, 1990

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,

Saskatchewan, August 3-5, 1990

(All conferences to be held in Canada)

CONFERENCE COST: Approxima

tely CON $185.00 or US $150.00

For more information contact

| Roya Mostaghim

Bah4'l International Youth Conference 1990 7200 Lesiie St., Thornhill, Ontario LST 6L8, CANADA Telephone: (416) 889-8168

| The Threat | Promise of Pluralism,’’ the study's aim

Dance/drama group wins three top awards

Canada’s Maxwell Baha’i School shines in scholastic, sports, community events

The Maxwell Baha'i School in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, continues to shine as a point of illumination from the western shores of Canada

The school’s dance/drama_ workshop is a popular program throughout the province. It shares the principles of the Faith, which are the principles of the school, through an exciting pro gram by a group of 30 students who take part in skits and dances.

They have won three first-place awards in the Cowichan Valley Music Festival, were chosen for the grand finale at the Highlights Music Festival, and are booked to perform every weekend until the end of the school year at various schools and functions.

The students also continue to win respect in the sports arena, representing the school well in basketball, badminton, and track and field. The girls’ basketball team received the sportsmanship award, while one of the girls in the badminton club won the island championship. The students have won many ribbons in cross-country track

events

This last term, 30 percen dents earned h achieved by maintai erage of 8S percent or t

The school’s popu ed in a large turnout

impressed with the st amples of their w played. As a result, the sch several applications for a fact, the list of application to grow, and next ye ticipates an enrolilmer in grades 7-11

The Maxwell Schoo! i ing applications for the term, and the hope is that is interested will apply as quic possible so adequate time car to processing all applications

Inquiries should be forwarded Maxwell Internationa] Baha’! Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes the friends to be aware of the following: the United States Institute of Peace has announced the beginning

| of an 18-month study of religious con flicts around the world. Entitled ‘Wars and Great Suffering of Intolerance and the

is to increase knowledge about religious intolerance as a source of conflict and to examine possible remedies, including the effectiveness of human rights standards and guarantees of religious freedom for limiting intoler ance,

Using a case study approach, the In stitute will convene a series of seminars focusing on instances of religious conflict in the Ukraine, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, the Sudan, Tibet and

| U.S. Institute of Peace to study religious conflicts

Church, whose director of education

Israel Participants wi hola religious leaders, cea

and human rights exp from some of the countrie proceedings will be open t

The first session, Ukraine, will take pla he United States | is an independent, nor institution created and by Congress to expand derstanding about preve

skills and vu

solving international confl

r

‘The present ¢ a a s on a scale and ¢ y, & varety, « intensity ow a

forts The Universal House o ste

Ridvan 1988 �[Page 8]8 / The American Baha'i / June 1990

§

ii [

i eis IE iu

positions should send « letter of application and ® resumé to: Maxwell International Bahd'! School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Cohumbia, VOR ZWO, Canada (phone 604-7437144)

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

like are enabling a growing number of professionals to work overseas. The current list of grants from the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), for example, includes professional awards in such areas as agriculture; anthropology and archaeology; architecture and

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

SOUTHERN New Mexico Bahd'{s are actively teaching university students and Spanish-speaking people. There are also cross-border teaching and deepening institutes with the Spiritual Assembly of Juarez, Mexico, Homefront pioncers ae welcome. There are job openings for bilingual legal secretaries, medical personnel, experienced landscapers, and technicians at the nearby NASA facility. We have a good Baha’/ Sunday school program for your children. For information, contact Pauline Hoff, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Las Cruces,

Las Cruces, NM 88001, or phone 505-525-8056.

WARNER Robins, a city of 40,000 in central Georgia, has a non-functioning Spiritual Assembly with 20 Bahd'{s on the rolls and two homefront pioneers. Excellent employment opportunities at Robins Air Force Base, at the county hospital, in social services, mental health, and many industries and medical facilities in Macon, only 15 minutes away. For more information, contact the District Teaching Committee, c/o Bruce Whitmore, secretary,

St. Simon's leland, GA 31522 (phone 912-634-0658), i

BOZEMAN, Montana! Par from the maddening crowd. A cultural center in a rural state. Home of Montana State University; for college students and teachers, a land grant university with engineering, liberal arts, education proams and more. For businessmen and women, an overeducated, underemployed work force from which to choose good quality employees. For families, a good school system, safe neighborhoods, many parks. For fun lovers, good skiing, good hiking, good wilderness; casy travel to Yellowstone, the world's first National Park. Above all, good opportunities in service to Bahd‘u'lléh. Help rebuild a lost Assembly. Contact Mr. Llewellyn or Gail Drong,

. Bozeman, MT 59715, or phone 406-587-1739.

Employment opportunities

The Department of Human Resources at the Bah4’{ National Center is presently accepting applications for the following positions. For more information, applications and position descriptions, please phone Lea Mallow or Geneva Sutton at 708-869-9039, or send your qualifications to the Department of Human Resources, Baha’! National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

— Administrative Services: media services assistant (Studio); secretary (float in three departments); filing clerk (parttime, records room)

— Baha'i Publishing Trust: shipping and receiving clerks (2); marketing manager

— Bosch School: morning cook, fulltime (September-June); maintenance as — Native American Bah4’{ Institute: caretaker/host

— National Teaching Committee Office: youth activities coordinator; secretary to the NTC secretary

— Office of Pioneering: administrative assistant

— Office of the Secretary: administrative aide/District Convention coordinator; administrative assistant

— Office of the Treasurer: staff accountant; administrative assistant

— Persian/American Affairs Office: administrative assistant (must be fluent in Persian and English)

— U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office: refugee program assistant

Name Address City/state/zip

PHOT Rien (J home work

Baha'i 1.D. Number

PERRY, « lovely city of 12,000 in central Georgia, has a non-functioning Spiritual Assembly with 65 Bahd’ls on the rolls. There are presently no homefront pioneers in the community. For information about pioneering to Perry, contact the District Teaching Committee, c/o Bruce Whitmore, secretary,

St. Simon's Island, GA 31522 (phone 912634-0658).

BOCA RATON, Florida, a prime retirement area with three colleges and many cultural and employment opportunities, needs homefront pioneers to save its incorporated Assembly which faces jeopardy in 1991. We need diversity with college students, children and minorities. Boca Raton presents a good opportunity for snowbirds to qualify for the tax advantages of Florida while still going north for the summers. Look us up on the map and come on down! Write to P.O. Box 999, Boca Raton, FL 33428.

HOMEFRONT pioncers needed in Washington County (Hagerstown), Maryland. Active Bahd'{ or family to help a group of three. The county is widespread with lovely mountains and friendly people, good schools, hospital and junior college. Will send employment information on request. Write to Paula M. Rogers,

Big Pool, MD 21711, or phone 301842-3081.

MACON, the largest city in central Georgia (pop. 115,000) has 20 Baha'is on the rolls and eight homefront pioneers (including six adults). More are needed. Employment possibilities indude those in industry, the medical field, and public and higher education. Students could attend Mercer University, Wesleyan College or Macon College. For more information, contact the District Teaching Committee, c/o Bruce Whitmore, secretary,

St. Simon's Island, GA 31522 (phone 912634-0658).

HOMEFRONT pioncers are desperately needed in Del Norte County, a lovely, scenic area of Northern California where the Redwoods meet

THE NATIONAL Bahd'{ Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following people: Ona A. Finks (died Sherman Oaks, CA, 1962), Theresa Fisch (died New York City, 1959), Raleigh Fischel, Beatrice Fischer (died New York City, 1947), Dorothy Fisher (died Philadelphia, 1974), Valera Fisher, Roy

tanne, and Amalia Ford. Anyone knowing fami

ly members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bah4'{ Archives, Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahd'i Archives is seeking copies of the following books in good or excellent condition: The Promised Day Is Come (cloth, 1943), Bahd'/ Administration (paper, 1968), The Dispensation of Bahd's'lith (paper, 1937), God Passes By (cloth, 4th printing, 1943) and Principles of Bahd'( Administration (paper,

focus is to fulfill the work required in one's assigned area of responsibility. Those applying must realize that the Maxwell School is striving to create a new race Of men and women; there fore, many of the standards that are seen as the norm in society as a whole are not the norm st

Hel

t

t i |

to: "{ School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC R 2WO, Canada (phone 604-743-7144)

SE

THE BAHA’l Association for Aru (BAFA) contributions for one or more book: of essays and book reviews on gender issues in reia i

sisters in their teaching work and in social and economic development. Books, magazine: teaching materials and other equipment are sorely needed all over the world. Please send me a description of the kinds of books or materials you are willing to ship overseas (not the items themselves) and I will match you with a pionec: school or institute requesting the same. Expec ially needed now are Baha’! prayer books, postxs, pictures of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, pamphiets, casyto-read books. Write now! Vonnie Lincoln.

Lyons, OR 97358.

MISCELLANEOUS

IF YOU will be in the Dallas, Texas, ares on September 23 and have musical or dance talens you would like to share at the ““Secoed Anowa! International Harmony Festival.” organized by the Bahd'is of Richardson, please contact (be Spiritual Assembly of Richardson, P.O. Box {0.17M, Richardson, TX 75082.

|

|

dren, was so busy and drew so many

to prepare enough materials

pl �[Page 9]{/ Jume 1990/5

international Youth Conterence |

Themes: Education, Environment and Transformation |

August 17-21, 1990 Cali, Colombia

Sporscred by fe Goad of Cousens ty te Atertes = | are De Natomas SpwRusl Assemtty of Coarbe

Registration $25.00 Deadline: July 17, 1990 Registration

Conterencia internacional de Juventud P.O. Box 7008, Call, COLOMBIA

For more information contact: Javier Salazar P.O. Box 1402, Gliroy, CA 95021 | Phone: (408) 848-6490 |

Faith featured in word game

As another indication of the Faith’s emergence from obscurity, the daily word search game ‘‘Wonderword,”’ which appears in newspapers all over the country, was devoted on Friday, April 6, to words associated with the Bahé’{ Faith.

Wonderword is distributed by Universal Press Syndicate.

‘Our primary response must be to | teach—to teach ourselves and to teach others—at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further de| lay."—Thhe Universal House of Justice,

| Ridvin 1989

part in a recent ‘Education for Worid

Pictured are some of those who took Dwight Allen (third from left) was one

Twenty-eight students from seven countries made the honor roll for the term that ended March 20 at the Maxwell International Bahd’( School in

British Columbia, Canada. The honor roll award is based on an over-all academic average of 85 percent or better in all subject areas. In addition to Canada

and the U.S., honor roll students at the Maxwell School are from Hawaii, Jepan, Taiwan, Tanzanic and Zimbabwe

Guidelines on parenting from A-Z Inspired by Baha’i Writings

By DR. ANNE BRENEMAN During the course of the Six Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice has directed all national and local Bahé’{ communities to give singular at of the speakers. Also attending was

Peace’ forum sponsored by the Bahd’ts Auxiliary Board member Jean Scales

of Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr.

Uifth from left).

More than 100 attend ‘Education for Peace’ forum sponsored by Bahd’is of Charlotte, North Carolina

More than 100 people, half of whom were not Bahd’{s, attended a recent “Education for World Peace’’ forum sponsored by the Baha’{ community of Charlotte, North Carolina, at East Mecklenburg High School.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Peter Relic, superintendent of CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, whose topic was “Values of Global Education."

Also speaking was Dr. Dwight W. Allen, a Bahaé'{ who is professor of education at Virginia’s Old Dominion University. Dr. Allen spoke on “Schools for a New Century.”

Dr. Relic, who grew up near the Baha’{ House of Worship in Wilmette, [Ilinois, and has known about the Faith for many years, said technology has created ‘‘one world”’ and that we need to reexamine our values and beliefs.

We must teach our children, he said, to recognize the global village and our interdependence with other peoples of the world.

Dr. Allen said that the solution to achieving world peace lies within the hearts and minds of men. The American educational system, he said, is an obsolete structure, and virtually no moral values are being taught in our schools.

Local Baha’is sent out 100 formal invitations to the event as well as more than 1,000 flyers to educators and

members of known peace organizations.

The conference was mentioned in at least five newspaper articles, and local radio stations were given public service announcements

tention to the development of distinctive ways of life through ‘‘education in the history and teachings of the Faith and the application of spiritual principles to life.”’

Among the suggested ways of achiev ing this goal is the following directive “Establish a program for the guidance of parents, especially mothers, in the care and training of Baha'( children.”’

Clearly, any plan for Baha’i educe tion would be imeffective without the recruitment of parents, especially mothers, as primary implementers The Guardian reminded an indivicual believer in 1999 that ** the task of bringing up a Baha'l child, as empha sized time and again in Baha’! writings is the chief reaponsibility of the mother whose unique privilege is indeed to ore ate in her home such conditions as would be most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. .. .’’ (‘‘Baha’i Education: A Compilation,"’ p. 66)

The suggestions made here are inspired by the Writings of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’l-Bah4, as well as by messages from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice; at best, however, they are only representative of what can be found in the Baha’{ Writings to guide those parents dedicated to the sacred task of raising up “*a new race of men."’

A. Gather your children for daily family prayers.

B. Encourage your children to say the Greatest Name (Alléh'u’Abha) when going to bed and when rising, as their last and first words.

C. Arrange your home so that the children can see the importance of the Greatest Name and the Master's example.

D. Tell the children stories of the Central Figures, the Holy Family, and Baha’i heroes and heroines, emphasizing their purity of heart and spiritual qualities, as well as how they taught the Faith to others.

E. Teach the children good manners, politeness, reverence and love (¢.g., to

greet people radiantly, offer scat tc others, especially their ciders, addres diders with respect, and always share with others)

F. Teach them clean sonal and environmenta sary to spend a lot of moncy your home lovely tive of your family’s values

G. Give your children sowmom & perform cach day, not for monetary re ward but as part of « family. Rewarc

ness. both pe: ROSS > make

orderly anc

them for taking the intiative serving others

H. Teach the children how to live economically—and encourage them to contribute regularly to the Fund

I. Become friendly with families o differing racial and cultural beckgrounds so that the children experience diversity within their own family Teach them to seek out diversity

J. Arrange a way to help you ren memorize prayers and Tabiets ac cording to their capacity

K. Take the children on teaching trips and encourage them to prepare their own teaching tools, such as a Baha’{ scrapbook.

L. Plan Holy Day observances in advance so that family closeness will be associated with the meaning and significance of each such occasion. Plan family activities consistent with the meaning of these days.

M. Encourage the children to read aloud daily from the holy Writings and from books about the Faith appropriate to their age, then discuss the meanings with them.

N. Take the children to performances or exhibits of the arts as often as possible; encourage their natura! ten dency to play-act life experiences, fe vorite stories, and so on; have them tel stories about the Faith and the family at community events; and arrange fox them to learn the elements of music through instruments and/or songs

O. Practice the art of consultation within the family, giving the chikire opportunities to make decisions on ap

See PARENTING page �[Page 10]10 / The American Baha'i

June 1990

Special section: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

B.E. 146: A year of tremendous advances on every front

APRIL

• In its Ridwiain message to the Baha’ is of

the world, the Universal House of Justice calls to mind many of the significant deveiopments within the Baha’i community durimg the past year including the adoption of the architectural design for the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab conceived by Farfburz Sahba.

“Other developments,’’ the Supreme

Body points out, “include: the approval by the central authorities in Moscow of the application submitted by a number of Bahd'is in Ishgdbéd to restore the local Spiritual Assembly of that city; the initiation of steps

to open a branch of the Baha'i Information Center in Budapest, the first such agency of the Faith in the Bastern Bloc; and the establishment of a Public Information Office in

Hong Kong in anticipation of the time when the Faith can be proclaimed on the

mainiand of China."

The House of Justice goes on to describe the ‘*faint but discernible’’ signs of ‘‘the culmination of the three collateral processes envisaged by the Guardian, namely: the emergence of the Lesser Peace, the construction of the buildings of the Arc on Mount Carmel, and the evolution of National and local Spiritual Assemblies. . . .

“Our primary response’’ to these developments, the House of Justice says, ‘must be to teach—to teach ourselves and to teach others—at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further delay. The beloved Master, in an exhortation on teaching, said it is ‘not until the candle is lit that it can shed the brightness of its flame; not until the light shineth forth that its brilRance can dispel the surrounding gloom.’ Go forth, then, and be the ‘lighters of unlit candles.’ **

• The 80th Baha’{ Nationa] Convention,

convened at the midpoint of the Six Year Plan and blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, affords an opportunity to assess the progress of the Plan and to map new strategies to assure the achievement of its goals.

The Convention is preceded by a daylong deepening for delegates conducted by Counselors Wilma Ellis, William Roberts and David Smith. Taking part in the Convention itself is David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice

On the ninth day of Ridvan, delegates elect the Nationa) Spiritual Assembly for 1989-90. Its members are Dorothy W. Nelson, Robert C. Henderson, Kevin Locke, William Davis, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Jack McCants, James F. Nelson, Juana Conrad and Alberta Deas. Dorothy Nelson becomes the first woman to chair the National Assembly since Dorothy Baker in the 1950s

Responding the the Universal House of Justice’s Ridvan messages of 1988/89, the National Assembly introduces in its annual

report a plan of action for the coming year whose focus is on three areas of greatest concern: (1) achieving a vast increase in the number of believers in this country, (2) fostering the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies, and (3) increasing and improving the Baha’{ education of children, youth and adults.

A highlight of the Convention is the firstever broadcast of a part of the proceedings live over WLGI Radio Baha'i in Hemingway, South Carolina.

• The Baha’{ National Committee on

Women co-sponsors with the Seneca Falls Baha’{ Equality Conference Committee and many local volunteers three proclamation events in western New York state.

The themes of each are the equality of the sexes and the ancient spiritual teachings of gender equality among the area’s Iroquois Indians.

MAY

• The Baha'i Faith becomes one of cight

major world religions taking part in the International Sacred Literature Trust, one of the largest and most ambitious interfaith projects ever undertaken.

The Trust is introduced at United Nations headquarters in New York City by H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Under a single publishing imprint, it will bring together, for the first time, scholars and literary figures from the world’s major religions in an effort to produce the most accurate new English translations of their faiths’ key texts.

• “The Untapped Reservoir,"’ the Naonal Committee on Women's second annual conference on equality of the sexes,

with special emphasis on American Indians and Hispanics, is held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Some 150 people share their views on equality, take part in workshops, and hear talks by Juana Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Reynaldo Cruz, a member of the National Teaching Committee.

JUNE

• On June 28, Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, wife of

DAVID SMITH

the president of Guyana, visits the Baha’{ House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. She is accompanied by Mrs. Lorraine Grant, wife of Guyana’s ambassador to the U.S., and Mrs. Anna Broom, wife of the Guyanese consul in Chicago.

• More than 80 people gather at Emory

University in Atlanta, Georgia, for the fourth annual Conference of the Baha’{ Justice Society whose theme is ‘‘Economic Justice: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor."’

A fireside that weekend co-sponsored by the Justice Society and the Greater Atlanta Baha’! Task Force draws an audience of more than 130

• The Baha'’ls of Orange County, Cali

fornia, carry out their most ambitious program to date, a race unity picnic at the city’s most popular park. More than 100 Baha'is and upwards of 400 visitors attend the event which includes a performance by the Los Angeles Baha'i Youth Workshop

• The U.S. National Council of Women

(NCW) holds its 12th annual Salute to Young Women Achievers in New York City. Deborah Deas-Nesmith, chosen by the Baha'i National Committee on Women, is honored for her work at the Medical University of South Carolina where she recently earned a medical degree and the degree of Master of Public Health

JAVIDUKHT KHADEM

• On June 29, about 250 Baha'is gather

in Teaneck, New Jersey, for the 77th Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to North America and the unity Feast which He hosted at the Wilhelm cottage in Teaneck in 1912.

JULY

• Fifteen young Baha’{s take part in the

first Youth Workshop on Non-Violence sponsored by Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.

The program is held in collaboration with the 14th annual Adult Workshop on NonViolence sponsored by the King Center.

® The National Teaching Committee office hosts a special two-day visit to the Baha’{ National Center and House of Worship for five adults and 15 children from Griffin, Georgia. Housing is provided by the Baha’is of Chicago at the city’s Baha’{ Center.

¢ The ‘‘Eternal Peace Flame,"’ ignited for UNICEF's first Earth Run in 1986, is presented by Navajo Baha'is to members of the White Mountain Apache tribe in Arizona.

• Twelve Baha'is including one from

Mexico are among those who attend the Congress of the Esperanto League for North America at DePaul University in Chicago.

AUGUST

• A message dated August 27 is sent by

the Universal House of Justice to ‘‘the Followers of Baha’u'll4h’’ throughout the world regarding the Nineteen Day Feast, ‘*.. .its framework, purpose and possibilities . . ."" The message is followed by the release of a compilation from the World Center on aspects of the Nineteen Day Feast

• “Invitation '89,"’ Canada’s second Ba

ha'i National Festival of the Arts, is held at Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Que bec. Among those taking part are many outstanding artists in the fields of music, drama, dance, gymnastics, architecture, fashion design and visual arts.

• More than 850 people gather August 6

at the Baha'i Center in Los Angeles for the 1989 Hiroshima/ Nagasaki Commemorative Peace Program

The solemn event, bei on the 44h an versary of the destruction of Hircehies Japan, by an atomic bomb, s co-spomsore< by the Los Angeles Baha’! Office for Peace Asian Pacific Americam for Muck Awareness (APANA), and Atomic Bome Survivors of the United States

SEPTEMBER As a part of their ongoing response ced Six Year Plan goal to increase vO ment of the Faith in the life of society, the Louis Gregory Baha’! Institute and WLO Radio Bahdé’! in South Caroling presen “Peace Fest "89," « dynamic progrs music, fellowship and pray As has been the case since Fest in 1986, the centerpiece is 2 o the 18-member Baha"{ Peace O ducted by saxophonist Marvin (Doc day. The 1989 Peace Award is given William F. Gibson of i of the National Board NAACP ° “Full

Partnership: An Conference on the Equali Men”’ is the theme of th ference o Studies in Irvin

Nearly 800 people scholars and artist Conference # Counselor Dorothy ‘ Robert € Nationa) Spirit Profeit-LeBlanc, chairmar sain Danesh, secretary of the National Sp tual Assembly of Canada; Rieme Eisibest-selling author and co-founder of Center for Partnership Studies; and Babs scholar/authors Bahiyyih Nakhjevér Gwen Etter-Lewis

• For the Hand of the Cause of God ©

iam Sears, the highlight of his appearance at the 30th annual Green Lake (Wisconsr Baha’! Conference is an opportuni greet each one of the 450 children who arr

ROBERT C. HENDERSON

Carmel, and presentations by Jack Mc Cants, a member of the National Spiritus Assembly, and Auxiliary Board memb< Javidukht Khadem

© As a prelude to the annual Us tons conference for non-govermmental < ganizations (NGOs), a conference on “A rica: Environment and Developmen held at the Baha"! offices in New York C It is sponsored by the Clud of Rome, the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service and the Baha'i International Community

More than a thousand NGO represents tives from around the work! attend the UN Conference on Environment abd Develoe ment, “Only One Barth, ”’ at UN beadges ters in New York

�[Page 11]Special section: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The American Bahé’{ / June 1990 / 11

Year In review

• Carrying out what may be the Faith's

first Story-Telling Festival, more than 200 Baha'is gather at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs to remember the visit by

• Abdu'l-Bahd in 1912 to that lovely mountain town, home of the world’s largest hot

i

hE atic I “Racism:

OCTOBER

• In the wake of devastation caused in

September by Hurricane Hugo, the Louis Gregory Baha'i Institute establishes warm friendships with many area residents, serving first as a shelter for the homeless and later as a distribution center for food, water, clothing, and other badly needed supplies for hundreds of people.

In addition, the LGI Hurricane Relief Fund is set up to provide continuing support for those in need.

• About 75 Baha'is from 21 communities

in the Chicago area gather at the House of Worship in Wilmette for a Local Spiritual Assembly Development Conference, one of a dozen such events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly in localities that hosted Vision to Victory conferences last year.

A special guest speaker at the conference, whose purpose is to focus attention on Assembly development as part of the maturation of local and national Baha’{ communities called for by the Universal House of Justice in the Six Year Plan, is Dr. David Ruhe, a member of the House of Justice who is visiting the area on vacation with his wife, Margaret.

• More than $00 children and adults,

some from as far away as Oregon, Nevada and Arizona, attend the third annual “Stepping Stones to Peace’* Baha'i Child

DAVID RUHE

ren's Conference in Pasadena, California.

NOVEMBER

• At a White House ceremony, jazz trumpeter and long-time Baha’! John Birks (Dizzy) Gillespie is one of a dozen prominent artists awarded the National Medal of the

Arts by President George Bush.

• Three dedicated and much-loved servants of the Cause of Bahd'u' ll4h pass away

in October: Kazem Kazemzadeh, former Trustee of the Huqiqu’ ll4h in the U.S. and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran; Robert McLaughlin, a former member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and emeritus professor of architecture at Princeton University; and Robert Quigley, another former member of the

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and one of Hollywood's top television producers.

• The first-ever National Conference on

the United States and the United Nations, “Forging a New Relationship,” is held in Washington, D.C.

More than 1,100 people from 39 states and six countries take part in the conference, one of whose 120 co-sponsors is the U.S, National Spiritual Assembly.

DECEMBER

• In a message to all National Spiritual

Assemblies dated January 23, the Universal House of Justice raises the urgent call to gather the remaining $24 million needed to complete the initial $50 million reserve for construction of the Arc on Mount Carmel.

• About 1,500 Baha'is attend the first of

this year’s Vision to Victory conferences in Phoenix, Arizona. Responding to the needs of the Fund, those at the conference raise $70,000 in cash for the Arc and receive a pledge to match that amount.

As is the case with each of the Vision to Victory conferences, discussion centers on the individual and teaching, community teaching, and teaching the masses. Among those taking part in panel discussions are Counselor Fred Schechter and Judge James Nelson, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Teaching in a nearby community results in 12 enrollments during the weekend.

• On December 29, the daily news progam of the South Carolina Educational

Radio Network broadcasts an 11-minute feature about WLGI Radio Bahd’{ on its eight stations which reach as far as the borders of Georgia and North Carolina.

• To implement its plans for International Literacy Year, the United Nations

forms an Internationa! Task Force on Literacy (ITFL), one of whose members is the Baha’! International Community. The BIC is one of 27 non-governmental organizations that meet in Chantilly, France, to plan an over-all strategy for ILY.

• Acting in collaboration with a number

of environmental groups, the Baha’{ International Community re-institutes in London the annual World Forestry Charter gatherings founded in 1945 by Richard St. Barbe Baker, a well-known Baha’ who was the founder of the Men of the Trees. Present at the gathering are ambassadors or their representatives from 15 countries.

• The Baha’{s of Gladstone, Oregon (10

adults and six children), deliver copies of the peace statement to each home in that city of 10,000 southeast of Portland as ‘‘a gift to you during this season of peace."’

• Nearly 125 people, about one-third of

whom are not Baha'is, attend the 12th annual Human Rights Day awards banquet in Dayton sponsored by the Human Rights Committee of the Baha'is of the Miami Valley.

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

® The third annua! Baha'i Youth Conference sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Roswell, Georgia, brings more than 600 young people from 30 states to Atlanta to discuss such topics as the Kitdb-i-/gdn, the Hands of the Cause of God, the Arc, the Lesser Peace, living a chaste and holy life, teaching institutes, and the challenges of daily life faced by Baha'i youth.

• More than 170 people including 20

Youth Academy students attend weekend classes on various aspects of the Kitdb-ifgdn at the Bosch Baha’{ School in California.

• The effort to increase teaching in

noe American communities is given a

boost when the Spiritual Assembly of Oakland, California, and the National Committee on Women co-sponsor a luncheon in Oakland to honor four women of Asian descent for their contributions to the betterment of humanity.

About 110 people including many nonBah4'{s attend the event.

JANUARY

• The National Spiritual Assembly meets

with representatives of the University of Maryland in College Park to sign an historic Memorandum of Understanding to etablish a Bahd'{ Chair for World Peace at the university's Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM).

The Chair for World Peace, the first such Chair established at any university, is “‘dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in matters of conflict resolution and the promotion of peace and prosperity throughout the world."’ Dr. Soheil Bushrui, a Baha’!

ROBERT HAYDEN

who is a visiting professor at the CIDCM, is named director of activities for the Baha’! Chair.

• More than a thousand Bahd’is from at

least 30 states cap a week of activities honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by marching in Atlanta's annual King Day parade behind a 35-foot banner proclaiming that ‘The Baha’{ Faith Teaches the Oneness of Mankind."

A highlight of the week's events is the presence of a number of American Indians whose visit is sponsored and paid for by Baha’is in the Atlanta area.

© At the invitation of the National Spiritual Assembly, P.L. Santoshi, Consul General of India in Chicago, visits the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette.

Mr. Santoshi expresses his love for the Baha'i Temple in India, and he and his family note the similarities and differences in the two Houses of Worship.

© The third annual Atlanta Baha’! Youth Conference sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Roswell, Georgia, brings more than 600 young people from 30 states to Atlanta to discuss such topics as the Kitdbi-fqdn, the Hands of the Cause of God, the Arc, the Lesser Peace, living a chaste and holy life, teaching institutes, and the challenges of daily life faced by Baha’! youth.

• About 600 Baha’is attend the Vision to

Victory conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Panelists in a discussion of teaching include Counselor Robert Harris; Dr. Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; and Auxiliary Board members Nancy Phillips and Rick Wadleigh.

© In a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated January 23, the Universal House of Justice raises the urgent call to gather the remaining $24 million needed to complete the initial $50 million reserve for construction of the Arc on Mount Carmel.

FEBRUARY

• In a cable dated February 8, the Universal House of Justice announces a new

two-year teaching plan for Asia and Eastern Europe. ‘Calling upon those National A» semblies Europe, Asia and America which

bear primary responsibility for m@ivicudl nations involved,” the Supreme Body = mructs, “to consult with Counselors and formulate details specific goals incorporating and supplementing those aircady adopt ed and in process accomplishment unde Six Year Plan.”

© On February 21, the Hand of the Cause of God Jalal Khazch passes away @ Can ada.

© In a cable dated February 15, the Um versal House of Justice congratulate: the National Spiritual Assembly for the success of its Assembly Development Program Since its inception in August 1989. more than 300 local Spiritual Assemblies heave taken part in 1] Assembly Developmen Conferences across the country while bus dreds of others are using a series of modules on the functioning of local Assemblies at sessions conducted by Auxiliary Board members or their assistants

© The U.S. State Department releases as annual “Country Reports om Human Rights Practices”’ for 1989, documenting the continuing repression of Iran's Baha’ and describing in detail the government's actions against them

© Five days later, the United Nation: Human Rights Commission, mecting im Ge neva, Switzerland, releases a report on iran by its Special Rapporteur which imcludes re ports of abuses of Baha'is

While the report states that no Baha’ have been executed during the past year amc that the number in prison has fallen to few ex than 15, “‘it confirms,” says Dr Kazemzadech, the National Spwitwal Asseom bly’s secretary for External Affairs ne the Baha’i community im iran & denied the basic rights guaranteed by imicrnabona law.”

© As if in response to these reports, the U.S. House of Representatives approve: by a vote of 404-0 House Concurrent Resole tion 87 calling for “the emancipation of i Bahé’{ community in iran.’

• About 600 people including «2 sume

of the country’s leading pocts and eric gather at the University of Michigan m Anam Arbor for ‘“Words in the Mourning Time a celebration of the life and work of poet Robert Hayden

Mr. Hayden, a professor of English « the University of Michigan until his death = February 1980, was the first bleck ewer named Consultant in Poetry to the L of Congress in Washington. A Bahd 1942, he served for a number of years a poetry editor of World Order magazine The conference at Ann Arbor is co-spos sored by the Association for Baha"! Se and the university’s Department of Language and Literature

• ® More than $00 people att

to Victory Conference in ver rado, the third in a series of “working ferences designed by the National Teac’ Committee to generate discussions of enthusiasm for the nature and process of teaching

© “Literacy: Key to the Treasury of He man Potential"’ is the theme as the Baha community of San Jose, California, hosts its ninth annual Community Service Awards banguet. The keynote speaker be fore an audience of more than 200 s Dr Ray Johnson, headmaster of the Maxwell International Baha’{ School in Brush Co lumbia, Canada. Awards are given to sev eral members of the local commun! their work in education

MARCH

“Reaching the Chinese: The Time | Now’ is the main topic of consultation as nearly 400 people including some 89 of Ob nese descent representing 1§ couwntnes and 28 states gather at the Baha’) Center im San Francisco for the first Baha’) Internatonal Chinese Symposium.

Among the special guests & Dewsd Hof man, retired member of the Univers!

See YEAR IN REVIEW page 20

Engish

anc

�[Page 12]

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This booklet was developed in Australia to ride relevant extracts from the “{ writings and a key to the study of the chairman's role in the Bahd’{ community. Very practical aivice is offered on a variety of topics: facilitating consultation, facilitating making decisions, and chairing different kinds and sizes of Baha’! meetings

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From One Parent

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A brief, inexpensive pamphiet written to introduce the concepts of the Bahd’{ Faith to a parent whose child has become a Bahd’{. Will assist teaching efforts of children and youth. Wrinen in a colloquial style,the pamphiet highlights basic concepts such as belief in God, the oneness of religion, loyalty to government, honoring parents, the high standard of education, the importance of work, and more.

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Back in print, this important document will be invaluable for deepening and studying of the Faith by groups or by individuals Bahé’{ Publishing Trust of the United States

HAND OF THE CAUSE OF GOD FONDLY REMEMBERED IN BIOGRAPHY

The essence of all revealed truth expressed in 153 brief, penetrating meditations. The Hidden Words, revealed by Bahd4‘u'll4h around 1858, **stands out as a mighty charter for the salvation of the human soul,"* writes Adib Taherzadeh Bahd'l Publishing Trust

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» Update on the Construction of the Arc + Recap of the San Francisco Chinese Symposium and Teaching in Southeast Atle

- News of Development of the Faith in Eastern Europe

- Highlights from Program Establishing the First Chair of Bahd'i Studies at the University of Maryland

- Recognition of Congressional Retolation on Emancipation of Baha'is Emerging from Obscurity

- Upsurge in Teaching and Development in Guyana and Haiti

«Review of Minneapolis Vislon-to-Victory Conference; LSA Deepening Conferences

+ May Maxwell Conference, Buenos Ave:

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The Office of the Environment

from the Bahd' { International Community

PA 10/$2.00 / 50/$8.00

This pamphlet, prepared for the public, discusses u Community's Office of the Environment's focus on re for conservation activities; lists Bah4"{ environmental ment in conservation projects; and states the disun Bahd' fs toward the environment

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Jack Ziel ade ylig y Kevin Locke @f yeS vie McCants �[Page 16]16 / The American Baha'i / June 1990

Mensaje de Ridvan de la Casa Universal de Justicia

A los bahd'’ts del mundo Muy amados amigos,

Habiendo concluido un afio de logros trascendentales, nos encontramos en ¢] umbral de Ia ultima década de este radiante siglo yeinte enfrentando un futuro inmediato de desafios inmensos y de prospectos deslumbrantes. La rapidez de eventos durante el pasado afio ¢s indicativo de la aceleracién, mientras se aproxima el centenario de la Ascensién de Bahd’u'llah, de las fuerzas espirituales libradas con ¢e! advenimiento de Su misién revolucionizante. Es una aceleracion la cual, por lo repentino y por el amplio impacto transformacional sobre ci pensamiento social y sobre las entidades politicas, ha despertado sentimientos de deleite en cuanto a sus efectos inmediatos y de perpiejidad en cuanto a su significado verdadero y resultado desatinado, impulsando que los editores asombrados de un diario reconocido, al encontrarse privados de explicaciones, lo atribuyeran a la obra de una “Mano Invisible."”

Para los seguidores de Baha'u'llah en todo el] mundo no puede haber duda alguna en cuanto a la Fuente Divina y la intencién clara de estos sucesos extraordinarios. Regocijémonos pues, en las sefiales maravillosas de la beneficencia de la gracia abundante de Dios. El alto nivel de enseflanza ¢ ingresos informado durante ¢! pasado Ridvan ha sido sostenido, y se han abierto nuevos campos de enseflanza desde la Europa Oriental hasta el Mar Chino. Con la radicacién en semanas recientes de dos Caballeros de Baha’u'llah en la Isla Sakhalin, se unid al rebafio baha’{ el dltimo territoro restante denominado por Shoghi Effendi en su Plan Global de Diez Aftos. La re<reacién durante el Ridvin pasado de la Asambiea Espiritua! local de Ishqdbdd, la reciente eleccién de la de’Cluj en Rumania, la primera Asambiea nueva en el ‘‘Bloque Oriental,”’ el restablecimiento y la formaén durante este Ridvan de Asambleas Espirituales locales en otras partes de la Unién Soviética y en otros paises de Europa Oriental—todos estos logros y prospectos inmediatos afirman nuestra Ilegada a un hito significativo en la cuarta época de la Edad Formativa. El Orden Administrativo actualmente abarca una comunidad de diversidad mds amplia que nunca antes. Son tales eventos prodigiosos los que instigaron nuestro anuncio reciente de un Plan de Ensefanza subsidiario de dos afios, que actualmente se lanza formalmente, hacia el

cual encomendamos su atencién urgente y activa.

jCudn asombrosas, cudn trascendentales han sido las actividades que propulsaron a la comunidad en un breve afio hacia esta ctapa en su evolucién! Mientras reflejamos sobre las maravillas de las confirmaciones de Bahd'u'llah, nuestros corazones se vuelven con amor y aprecio hacia las Manos de ia Causa de Dios en todos sitios, quienes, como adalides de aquella comunidad, han defendido siempre sus emblemas brillantes contra la oscuridad de la ¢poca. Perseveran con espiritu indémito en cumplir sus tareas divinamente otorgadas—bajo todas circunsancias y dondequiera estén—tareas de estimular, edificar, y sconsejar a sus miembros esparcidos extensamente y multiplicandose velozmente. En vista de la nueva situaén en el mundo bahd’{, nos deleitamos en hacer mencién de algunos casos en el afio pasado en cuanto a la asociacién de Manos de la Causa con-os sucesos en Europa y Asia. Amatu’l-Bahé Ruhfyyih Khénum, en un viaje prolongado al Lejano Oriente, representé a la Casa Universal de Justicia en la formacién de la Asamblea Espiritual NaGonal de Macau; pasd tiempo con el Caballero de Bahé'u'llh en Mongolia donde subsiguientemente la primera nativa declaré su creencia en Bahé'u'll4h; y dedicé mucha atencién « los amigos en distintas partes de

Ja Republica Popular de China, donde se ha transmitido por televisién su pelicula ‘‘La Expedicién Luz Verde.’’ Sr. Collis Featherstone dirigiéd mucha energia hacia la revigorizacién de los amigos sufridos en el pais restregado por la guerra, Vietndm. En este preciso momento, el Sr. ‘Ali-Akbar Furitan se encuentra visitando la Unién Soviética de donde se le obligé a salir durante la persecusién de la Fe en ese lugar; ahora ha regresado en cumplimiento triunfal de un deseo que le expresd nuestro amado Guardian hace unos sesenta afios atras.

De igual manera los Consejeros miembros del Centro Internacional de Ensefianza no han tardado en responder a las oportunidades para fomentar el clima de progreso actualmente evidente en todas partes del mundo. Por medio de la visién unificada de crecimiento hacia la cual han Ilamado a los Cuerpos Continentales de Consejeros y sus auxiliares capaces, trabajadores y sacrificados, se puede sentir una nueva vitalidad en la expansién y en la consolidacién de la Fe en todo el mundo. Los Consejeros Continentales merecen el profundo agradecimiento de la comunidad bahd’{ entera mientras se aproximan a la clausura de su término actual de cinco afios, distinguidos por sus servicios sobresalientes.

Asi como la comunidad ha ensanchado sus ramificaciones internamente, también ha dilatado sus relaciones, influencia y atractivo externamente de una variedad de maneras, algunas asombradoras en su amplitud y en su potencial. Bastarin unos pocos ejemplos: Por medio de la Oficina del Ambiente recientemente establecida, la Comunidad Internacional Bahd'{, bajo su propia iniciativa y en colaboracién con otras organizaciones ambientales, re-instituy6 la Reunién de Estatuto de Silvicultura Mundial anual fundada en el 1945 por el renombrado Richard St. Barbe Baker; desde entonces se le ha invitado a la Oficina del Ambiente a participar en eventos importantes auspiciados por organizaciones internacionales interesadas por asuntos ambientales. La Comunidad Internacional Bahd'{ ha estado involucrada en la tarea del Grupo de Trabajo para la Alfabetizacién bajo los auspicios de la UNESCO y se le invité a participar en la Conferencia Mundial sobre Educacion para Todos realizada en Tauilandia donde se le pidié a su representante que asumiera una variedad de tareas altamente visibles e importantes que hicieron que la comunidad bahd’{ se destacara. Se tomaron medidas, con el aliento de un alto oficial del Gobierno de Fiji, para abrir una sucursal en Suva de la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas de la Comunidad Internacional Bahd’{ para la regién del Pacifico. La Universidad de Maryland en los Estados Unidos anuncié su decisién de establecer ‘‘La Cétreda Bahd’{ para la Paz Mundial"’ en su Centro para Desarrollo Internacional y Manejo de Conflico, que dard paso a un gran aumento en esfuerzos académicos por ecxaminar la Causa de Bahd’u'll4h. Casi a la misma vez la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de la India anuncié que se habia Ilegado a un acuerdo para establecer una Citreda para Estudios Baha’{s en la Universidad de Indore.

Los esfuerzos continuos para asegurar la emancipacién de los bahd'{s en Iran evoludonaron a una nueva etapa. Por vez primera, un representante de la Organizacién de las Naciones Unidas pudo reunirse oficialmente en terreno iran{ con un representante de la comunidad baha'{ proscrita. E! resultado se anoté en un informe a la Comisién de Derechos Humanos de las Naclones Unidas en cuya sesién reciente en Ginebra se adopté nuevamente una resolucién sobre Iran que menciona a los baha'{s. En una accién consecuente de importancia trascendental la Camara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos adopté undnimemente una resolucién con un llamamiento

para la emancipacién de la comunidad baha'{ irani y la cual delinea pasos a seguirse por el Gobierno estadounidense hacia este fin; una resolucién semejante se encuentra ante el Senado.

En Tierra Santa, las preparaciones para la ejecucién de los proyectos de construccién en el Monte Carmelo han recibido un estimulo definitivo. Es causa de profunda satisfaccién el que en visperas de Naw-Ruz la Comisién de Distrito de Planificacién Urbana, luego de negociaciones delicadas y complejas, decidiera aprobar el plan sometido por el Centro Mundial Bahd’{. Esto prepara el terreno para la otorgacién final de permisos de construccién.

Amados amigos: Escasamente dos afios nos separan de la conclusién del Plan de Seis Afios y el comienzo del Afio Santo en Ridvan de 1992, ese momento especial en que pausaremos a apreciar el registro tumultuoso de eventos que nos habrd traido al Centenario de la Ascensién de Bahd'u'llah y a reflejar con debida solemnidad sobre el propdsito redentor de la vida del Ser mas preciado que jamds inhalé el soplo de vida en este planeta.

En anticipacién de este punto importante en la historia baha'{, se han puesto en movimiento planes para dos eventos mundiales mayores: Uno, la reunién en Tierra Santa de una vasta representacién de creyentes de todas partes del globo a participar en una conmemoracién digna de esa consumacién conmovedora en las inmediaciones del Mas Sagrado Santuario. Un componente de esta conmemoracién, simbolica de la influencia

seguro de salvaguardar la unidad y la integridad de Su Orden abarcador del mundo. Se convocard en noviembre de 1992 en

Eventos relacionados a nivel local y nacional se combinardn con estas dos ocasi montar una campafia intensiva para proyectar Su Nombre por la tierra entera. Los amigos en todas partes deben actual aniversarios gemelos. Deben prepararse espiritualmente por medio de la oracién y el estudio de las Ensefianzas para obtener una apreciacién més profunda de la estacién y del propdsito de Baha'u'llah y del significado bdsico de Su poderoso Convenio. Tal preparacién se encuentra en el corazdn mismo de su esfuerzo por efectuar una transformacién en su vida individual y colectiva. Que todos los amigos—todo hombre, toda mujer y todo jéven—demvestren por medio

de la alta calidad de su vice imterior y caracter privado, por medio del espirku unificado de su asociacién unos con otros, por medio de la rectitud de su conducta en relecién a todos, y por medio de la excelencis de sus logros, que ellos pertenecen « ume comunidad verdaderamente Duminada y ejemplar; que su Bienamado, cuys Aseoén no habla sufrido sm vida terrenal en vano. Que estos requisitics sean la norma de sus esfuerzos por ensefiar Su Causa, el sello de su homenaje al Rey de los Reyes.

Nuestros queridos y valorados colaboradores: Es en tal momento de profunda anticipacién para nosotros que la sociedad mundial se encuentra en una fase critica de su transicién al carécter visualizado pare ella por el Sefior de la Epoca. Los vientos de Dios siguen bramando, desordenando vie jos sistemas, agregando impetu a la afioranza profunda por un nuevo érden en los asuntos humanos, y abriendo ¢l camino pera izar la bandera de Bahd’u'lldh on tierras de donde ha sido exciuida hasta <i momento. La rapidez de los cambios que se estan forjando provoca las expectacione: que inspiran nuestros suefios en la décads de clausura del siglo veinte. La situacién a la vez un presagio brillante y un desafio ponderoso.

Es un presagio Gel cambio profunde en ia catructura de la sociedad actual que # =m plica por el logro de la Paz Menor. Por

�[Page 17]The American Bahé’{ / June 1990 / 17

Recommendations, actions from 80th National Convention

Recommendations from the 80th Baha'i National Convention: April 27-30, 1989

Furthering the Process of Eatry by Troops

1. That the National Spiritual Assembly ask the Baha’is to develop plans to reach disaffected young men and women of America, especially blacks and Native Americans, to bring the Faith of Bahd’u'lla4h to them.

See the action listed for the following recommendation.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly be asked to

direct local Spiritual Assemblies to focus on minority

teaching, deepening and nurturing as part of the goal to mature local institutions.

The National Race Unity Committee is developing @ program on racial unity for assistants to the Auxiliary Board based on the Writings. These programs will in turn be provided to the Bahd’{ community, opening the friends to the appreciation of racial diversity. The committee is also researching the development of school curricula on “‘the most vital and challenging issue.’’ In addition, the establishment of a National Race Unity Resource Center at the Louis G. Gregory Bahd’t Institute is proposed for the purpose of housing a Bahd’( resource for materials from within and without the Faith dealing with racial unity issues.

Youth Academies have been developed and presented at the Louis Gregory Institute, the Native American Bahd'i Institute, and Bahd’( schools.

A local Spiritual Assembly instructional module on race unity has also been developed.

3. That the Indian leadership at the Native American

Baha’{ Institute be asked to appoint a teaching team.

Regional American Indian teaching committees are being developed.

4. That a task force or an institute be established, acto the November letter issued by the International Teaching Committee (sic) that would look into

SEE atte Steins,

Christian dialogue. The task force or institute could

address some of the following: drawing up audio

and/or video tapes that address this concern; coordinating summer schools so there might be a curriculum that could travel to the schools; assembling basic questions and answers and/or establishing a basic

Baha'i position on Christianity; and assembling or

coordinating Bahd’is who are interested in this issue.

Courses on Christian prophecy have been given at several of the Bahd’{ schools. Some materials on this topic are available.

5. That a Trail of Light, led by Native American be lievers (including families), together with young

black Bahdé’{s who can sing Baha’{ prayers, plan an itinerary through Europe, the Holy Land, Asia and the entire world to proclaim and teach the Faith of Baha'u'llah.

In the past few years, there have been a number of successful trips arranged by the Office of Pioneering and undertaken by American Indians, especially youth, to areas such as the Sami areas of Scandinavia, The National Assembly of New Zealand has recently asked for a Trail of Light team to its country. Other traveling teaching trips involving American Indians have been to the Soviet Union and China.

The National Assembly has before it now a proposal for youth of all colors to travel to Eastern Europe.

6. That the National Teaching Committee carry out a systematic campaign to reach the Chinese nationals who study in American universities.

An International Chinese Symposium was recently held in San Francisco, Traveling teachers are presently teaching the Chinese on college campuses and in cities that have population centers of Chinese.

Baha’{ Education

1. That we as Baha’{s in this country become advocates of children and include as part of that motion a focus on promoting the literacy of children as well.

The National Assembly has appointed a Literacy Task Force; has conducted literacy symposiums; established Youth Academies; and collected and catalogued curricula for Bahd'! education. In addition, there is a growing pattern of literacy initiatives in local Bahd’i communities. 2. That the National Assembly give serious consideration specifically to the statement by Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 28-29, and make a statement to the American Baha’i community about its application.

The National Race Unity Committee is developing @ paper on race unity intended for public release. 3. That the National Assembly consider educating the Baha’{ community on the subject of dating.

A compilation entitled ‘A Chaste and Holy Life’ is available from the Bahd’( Publishing Trust. The compilation addresses such issues as dating.

Fostering the Maturation of Local Spiritual Assemblies

1, That there be a series of regional deepenings for treasurers of local Spiritual Assemblies.

The Office of the Treasurer has conducted several meetings with local Spiritual Assembly treasurers. These meetings are continuing.

2. That the National Spiritual Assembly ask all local Spiritual Assemblies who have ‘‘Center’’ funds

to consider lending them to the National Assembly until such time as the local Assembly needs the funds returned to relieve the National Assembly of paying prime interest rates and allow it to use the funds in the meantime.

The National Spiritual Assembly has received

“‘Center’’ funds on loan from several local Assemblies. 3. That the National Assembly consider infusing $! million in a chosen locality in the U.S. to help eccomplish the three focused goals of the remaining years of the Six Year Plan (i.c., entry by troops, the maturation of local Assemblies in that area, and the education of children, youth and adults).

The state of the National Fund prohibits such « de cision. 4. That the National Spiritual Assembly recommend to all local Assemblies, in careful, warm words that they endeavor to find answers to problems first through their own deep consultation, discussion and investigation before asking the National Assembly to help or before writing letters to the National Assembly.

The Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program has been developed for this purpose, among others, has been conducted in several locations, and is ongoing through the Auxiliary Board members Open Consultation 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly make an ax nual ‘‘state of the union”’ report to the people of the United States in which all of these topics thar explored during consultation at the Convention described.

The annual reports of the National Spiritual As sembly and its agencies and national committees ore sent to each local Spiritual Assembly and Group in

the United States. 2. That the National Assembly biess and support the

Peace Flame project.

Representatives of the Native American Bahd’! Institute have taken part in the Peace Flame project 3. That part of each Feast letter be written for the children who are attending our Feasts

Several of the Feast letters have been writier to children. It is the National Assembly's intention to continue this practice in some form.

4. That the Association for Baha’! Studies plan an mternational conference on race unity.

An international conference on race unity is being planned for November 1990 as « shared project of the Association for Bahd’i Studies, the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Greater Atlanta Teaching Task Force.

Parenting from page 9

propriate matters without usurping the parents’ responsibility to make decisions about the welfare of the family.

P. Show love to each member of the family, openly, frequently, and in a variety of ways.

Q. Establish rights and responsibilities for each member of the family based on spiritual principles and emphasizing that ‘‘the honor of one is the honor of all.’’

R. Discuss often with the children their purpose in life, especially as Bahé’{s. Point out to them examples of those who have demonstrated their love for Bah4’u'll4h and the Bab, such as the teachers and martyrs. Encourage them to plan a year of service, as well as a lifetime of service, to the Cause, and introduce them to youth who have done so.

8S. Avoid backbiting in the family and help children to realize why it is so

harmful to unity. Especially avoid the temptation to criticize the institutions of the Faith, as this could lead to weakness in their commitment to the Covenant as they grow older. Make a special point of praising the divine institutions, thus helping the children to understand their role in building the World Order of Baha'u'llah.

T. Encourage your children to share their problems and concerns with you so that you can help deepen their understanding of how spiritual principles apply to the solution of everyday problems, i.¢c., integrity, racial unity, justice, fairness, kindness, friendship with all people, etc.

U. Open your home for Baha’{ meetings, social gatherings and hospitality to people of all backgrounds. Involve the children in sharing their home and offering courtesy and friendship to guests.

V. Strive to make your home a place of laughter, joy, spontaneity and creativity where your children want to bring their friends, not because of any

material benefits but because of the happiness and love to be found there.

W. Encourage the children to teach the Faith to their schoolmates and teachers. Try to invite their families to your home occasionally. Consider baking cookies for your child's class the day after a Baha’ Holy Day.

X. Teach the children to strive for excellence in their undertakings, to complete whatever they begin, and to endure regardless of discouragement or hardship.

Y. Teach your children always to respect and obey their teachers, whether Baha’{ or not. This in itself will bring distinction to your family. If you have a concern, speak personally with the teacher in a spirit of mutual help. Avoid criticizing the teacher or undermining your child's confidence in him/her.

Z. When you learn that someone of a different race or nationality has moved into your neighborhood or town, take your children to welcome them and offer your help and friendship

Neeka Najmi, 2 13-year-old Boh’ from Paradise Valley, Arizona, used an assignment in her high schoo Speech class to make ¢ five-minute pre sentation on the Faith, introducing the BahdY principles to ¢ number of people at the school. Besides receiving an enthusiastic response from ker clas mates, she was given « grede af A-plus by her teacher �[Page 18]June 1990

18 / The American Baha’!

Mensaje

wene Ge pagina io

mal de la visién de Shoghi Ef 08, los pocos que somos, coloanza en la proviando a los desafios que > un privilegio divino, a la victoria con los

toda

Una expansion de pensamiento y de acGn em Gertos aspectos de nuestro trabajo calzaria nuestras posibilidades de éxito en lograr nuestros compromisos ya mencionados. Ya que el cambio, un cambio siempre mais mipido, es una caracteristica con¢ Ge la vida en este momento, y ya que crecimiento, tamafio y relaciones requieren cho de nosotros, nidad tiene que estar lista para un sentido esto significa que

entracién en los obenseflanza, que son dacién. Se requiere sidad de acciones, cual diferentes individ diferentes activi © saludable del > y el dessarr persona no pucde

OF & OOF dades

apreciando ¢ conjumto sobre e! crecur ollo de la Fe, hacer todo y todas las personas no pueden entendimiento ¢s que la comun < r, debido a las muchas demandas que se hacen de clla

Srden traido por Baha'u'llah tiene la stén de guiar el progreso y de resolver

ya que cada

hace

E

os atin son demasiado pequefios para war una demostracién adecuada de las

Library

from page 4

tory, 600s) can be found in the library. The best resource, of course, is the rence librarian, who can help you these and many other materials. ember, JUST ASK! all or visit your library and find out ab he world or your neighborhood. Discover the treasures that are waiting for you in your local library

OMB

potencialidades inherentes al sistema ad munistrativo que estamos construyendo, y la eficacia de este sistema no se apreciard com pletamente sin una expansién vasta del nimero de creyentes. Por la situacién que impera en el mundo la necesidad de efectuar una demostracién tal se hace mds apremiante. Es demasiado obvio el que aun aquellos que denostan contra los defectos del viejo orden, y aun la desgarrarian, estén ellos mismos desprovistos de cualquier alternativa viable para poner en su lugar. Ya que el Orden Administrativo esta disefiado para ser un modelo para la sociedad futura, la visibilidad de tal modelo serd una sefial de esperanza para aquellos que desesperen.

Hasta el momento, hemos logrado una diversidad maravillosa en el gran nimero de grupos étnicos representados en la Fe, y se debe hacer todo por fortalecerla mediante mayores ingresos de entre grupos ya representados y la atraccién de miembros de grupos que no se han alcanzado aun. Sin embargo, existe otra categoria de diversidad que tiene que aumentarse y sin la cual la Causa no podré enfrentarse adecuadamente a los desafios que se le imponen. La totalidad de sus miembros, cualquiera que sea la variedad étnica, actualmente necesita abrazar numeros crecientes de personas de capacidad, incluyendo personas de logro y prominencia en los variados campos del empefio humano. El ingresar a nimeros significativos de tales personas ¢s un aspecto indispensable de la ensefianza a las masas, aspecto que ya no puede ser descuidado y que tiene que ser incorporado consciente y deliberadamente en nuestro trabajo de enseflanza, para expandir su base y acelerar el proceso de la entrada por tropas. Tan importante y oportuna es la necesidad de acadn en este asunto, que nos vemos obligados a hacer un Ilamado a los Consejeros Continentales y a las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales a dedicarle atencién seria en sus consultas y en sus planes.

Los asuntos de la humanidad han Ilegado a una etapa en la cual se hardn mds y més Ilamados a nuestra comunidad para que ayude, por medio de consejos y medidas pricticas, en resolver problemas sociales criticos. Es un servicio que realizaremos con placer, pero esto significa que nuestras Asambieas Espirituales locales y Nacionales tienen que adherirse mds escrupulosamente a los principios. Al enfocarse mayor atencién publica en la Causa de Dios, se hace imperativo el que las instituciones baha’is mejoren su desempefio, por medio de una

The

Ridge Day activities April 14 by joining other in @ clean-up effort. Many bags of trash were collected, and wild seeds were planted along the green belt running through the town. A

Bahd'/ of Wheat Colorado, took part in Earth

community

residents flower

follow-up fireside on the Bahd'/ per

spective of conserving the earth's re sources was planned, and literature an nouncing this and other firesides was handed out to others involved in the clean-up. A picture of one of the Ba hd'/ children taking part in the event

appeared in a local newspaper

identificacién mas estrecha con las verdades fundamentales de la Fe, por medio de mayor conformidad con el espiritu y la ma de la administracién baha’! y por medio de una confianza més aguda en los efectos beneficiosos de la consulta apropiada, para que las comunidades a las cuales guien re flejen un modelo de vida que ofreceré peranza a los miembros desilusionados de la sociedad

E] que existan indicaciones de que la Paz Menor no puede estar muy distante, el que las instituciones locales y nacionales del Orden Administrativo estén creciendo constantemente en experiencia y en influencia, ¢l que los planes para la construccién de los edificios administrativos restantes sobre ci Arco estén en una etapa avanzada—el que estas condiciones esperanzadas hacen mds

Young Bahd'ts in the Kingston, New York, area prepared for Earth Day 1990 with a ‘Mini-Conference on Conservation’ April 7. Twenty-five Bahd’ts ages 10-18 from the Hudson Valley and as far away as central Massachusetts took part in discussions and other ac

perceptible la forjacién Ge w mmcrommzacs® dindmica visualizada por Shogm Efiend nO pueden negarse por aingl POE CS honesto

Como comunidad claramentc « & ve guardia de las fuerza = obran en el planeta

acceso & conocimien 2 pémonos con los asuntos de nuestro Padre Bi, desde Sus gioriosos retiros ex a

soltara cfusiones liberals co co

sobre nuestros Bumildes esfucrzos, asom brandonos con las victorias incaiculabies ce Su poder conquistador. C war CIOs suplicando las bendics mies Ge tal Padre de parte de todos y cada un tedes en ce] Sagrado Umbral Cass Universal de Justicis Rigvdn de 19H

tivities focusing on what Bahd’t: think and do about the protection and pres ervation of the earth's environmen and resources. An article about mini-conference appeared April 22 in the Kingston Sunday Freeman. (Photo by Marie Girard)

the

Pictured are panelists who took part April 14 in a conference entitled ‘Women Creating Peace Through Science’ at Mt. Holyoke (Massachusetts) College. Besides the panel discussion, workshops were held on ‘Women and Peace,’ ‘Sexual Equality’ and ‘Sustain ing an Ethic of Care.’ Panelists are

(left to right) moderator Linda Mec

Tulsa raises $1,089 for Arc

Baha'is in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area recently raised $1,089 for the Arc at a one-night dinner and auction

Auctioned, in addition Baha’! items and crafts, were personal services such as a cooked dinner livered to the buyer's home, horseback riding lessons, four of free ‘taxi’ service, haircuts, home baked bread on order

to four de

for

hours and

Ten Rhea Harmsen Wylie. The conference

couri, Gail Hilyard, Swe Mackier

Eari, Jan Smith, Dr and Dr. Mary which was co-spons y the Spir

[CORRECTION —

In the May issue of The Ame

Bahd i (annual Rad House of Worship Activities Com mittee, p. 12) was reported the the committee had changed the me of Sunday devot d

Worship from 3 p.o o is Sunday devotions Deve activa been changed to 12:15 p We gret the erro �[Page 19]The American Band

June 19 /

i — | | LETTERS

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

The American Bahd’i 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 6009!

Service im agriculture

To the Editor. 1 would like to bring to the attention of the American Bahé’{ community,

especially younger people who are planning their education, the opportu nities for employment and service in the agricultural sciences including agri Bruce Johnson, former

pioneer to Norway, dies in San Jose, California

Bruce Johnson, a former pioneer to Norway and « homefront pioneer to many communities in the U.S., died last November 6 in San Jose, Califor ma

Mr. Johnson, who was born in Ha wail on November #, 1914, became a Baha’! around 1940 while working in the Southwestern United States

In 196) he pioneered with his wife, Joyce, and their young daughter, Sheila, to Norway, where they helped form the first National Spiritual Assembly of Norway in 1962.

After returning to the U.S. in 1963, the Johnsons resided in a number of homefront pioneering posts including Mount Storm, West Virginia; New Orleans; Beverly Farms and Manchester, Massachusetts; Hempstead and Mexico, New York; and Campbell and San Jose, California.

cultural research.

‘Abdu'l-Baha has written that agriculture is one of the highest occupations in terms of service to humanity: “The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil.’*

He has also written about the importance of women entering the agricultural and engineering fields: ‘‘Woman must especially devote her energies and” abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to assist mankind in that which is most needful.’’

Today the universities supporting agricultural research are having great difficulty attracting American students to their undergraduate and graduate programs. Many paid graduate positions are being taken by foreign students because Americans are not applying.

A shortage of some 20,000 people in agriculturally related areas is expected in the next few years, to be filled by immigrants from abroad.

You may think of agriculture as farming, something you can't get into unless you are born on a farm and know how to drive a tractor.

Actually, the field is quite broad, including the basic plant and animal biological sciences, food storage and processing, environmental sciences, soil physics, soil chemistry, and computer sciences as well as crop cultivation and animal production and breeding.

A major emphasis of modern agri cultural research is the development of agriculturally sound and sustainable methods for raising crops and animals

Those with questions about careers in the agricultural sciences may write to me at 1850 Stevens Drive, Apt. 101, Richland, WA 99352, or USDA/ARS, P.O. Box 40, Prosser, WA 99352, or phone me at 509-943.6980

Tom Hodges Richland, Washington

Caroline Lawrence, pioneer to Laos, Thailand, Japan

Caroline Lawrence, a pioneer since 1957 to Laos, Thailand and Japan, died April 6 in Naha, Japan.

Ms. Lawrence, who was born June 28, 1918, and became a Bahd'{ in North Carolina, settled in Japan in 1967 and was a stalwart member of the communities of Okinawa and Naha until suffering a severe stroke in August 1989.

Arien Dufresne, who ploneered for many years to Venezuela and Panama, dies after long Iliness

Arlen Dufresne, a long-time pioneer to Venezuela and Panama, died April 8 after a long illness.

Mr. Dufresne, who became a Baha’! in 1961 while stationed in Panama with the U.S. Army, pioneered to Venezucla after retiring from the Army in 1971.

After brief sojourns in Panama and again in the U.S., he returned to Venezuela in 1973 and remained there until his terminal illness brought him back to the States for treatment in March

Mr. Dufresne taught for many years among the Indian people in the area of the Guajira Peninsula of Venezuela He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela, and was much

loved by the friends in that country.

Contributions have been made for a Baha’i Institute to be named in his honor in the region where he lived and served for 17 years.

On hearing of his passing, the Universal House of Justice cabled the National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela:

“Saddened news passing dedicated steadfast pioneer of the Cause of God Arlen Dufresne. His many years of service with his family especially in the Guajira well remembered. Assure fervent prayers progress his soul Abha Kingdom. Kindly convey our heartfelt condolences his wife and children Loving sympathy.”’

On February 24 the Baha’! community

of Holyoke, Massachusetts, hosted a

one-day

conference for youth/pre youth ages 10-16. Despite a heavy snowfall, 75 young people and 35 parents from Massachusetts, Connecticut,

IN MEMORIAM

Marietta Abrahamson Middlebury, VT January 25, 1990

Dr. Norman Antonson

Lakewood, CA February 2, 1990

Felix Bell

Denison, TX

Date Unknown Brenda Bennett High Point, NC February 13, 1989 Frank Bia

Ganado, AZ

Date Unknown Melvin L. Bordeaux Rosebud, S¢

Date Unknown Stanley W. Brackett Reno, NY

March 28, 1990

Henry L. Bullard Fairmont, NC 1988

Mary Bunch Ridgeville, SC February 1990 Ella Charles Sierra Vista, AZ April 30, 1989

Bishop Coleman Fairmont, NC Date Unknown

Johnnie W. Collins Whiteville, NC September 3, 1989

Charlie Combs Griffin, GA Date Unknown

Alfred V. Cotton La Mesa, CA February 22, 1988

Arlen Dufresne Venezuela April 8, 1990

Stanley W. Eaton Tucson, AZ March 30, 1990

Rouhangiz | Nashville, TN March 1990

Arthur Farr Lakeland, Fl March 23, 1990

Fani

Louis Faulk Fairmont, NC Date Unknown

Herbert Floyd Fairmont, NC Date Unknown

Elsa Ford

La Mesa, CA March 25, 1990 Prank Puller S South Bay, FL

December 10, 1988

Frances L. Ha Silwer Creek, NY February 13, 1X Mamie Harcum Phushing, NY

Date Unkoaow Manue

Vas April 6 Clara Haygood Pendleton, SC Date Unknown

Lola Hodges Bixby, OK March 20, 1990

Hattie Homsley Jackson, TN August 30, 1988

Willie Jackson Lovington, NM Date Unknown

Lester Jacob Pembroke, NC 1989

Alice Johnson Gifford, FL April 9, 1990

James Johnson Pendleton, SC 1989

Lillie Mae Johnson Yakima, WA December 12, 1989 Walter Jones

Prescott, AZ April 3, 1990

Shirley Jordan Pairmont, NC February 28, 1988

Seyed Ali Jurabchi

Burbank, CA 1988

Harper 8 MI sy

Robert La Ta Enfield, CT

March 19

Caroline Lawrence

Okinawa

apa

Timothy D. O’Brien Seattle, WA January 11, 1990

Pablo Ortiz Sunland Park, NM Date Unknown

Bennie Parker Vassar, MI April 10, 1990

Robert Pasca Coram, NY November 1989

Robert Patrick Griffin, GA Date Unknown

Margaret G Calexico, CA 1989 Hatty Points At Him Rosebud, SD January 1990

Andre Richard Griffin, GA May 1989

Diana Roche Westborough, MA 1990

Laverne Rhode Tucson, AZ Date Unknown

David J. Ross San Francisoo, CA Date Unknown

Petrak

Behyat A. Row ong See ‘ oes Mew . \ 4 ~ wn ~ ‘ An ~ x a» ‘ ate » 4 \ ~ a ‘ » haoe Ne Yan

January 15, 19

Lucy Stephen: Fairmont, NC 1987

Edwin Stewart Wichita, KS March 1990 Touba Tagdin Rossmoor, CA February 19, 19% John Thomas Neah Bay, WA April 24, 1990 Alex Thompson Fairmont, NC Date Unknown Mara Vandersioo Kissimmee, FL April 26, 1990 James Walke Orlando, FL

Date Unknown Gretchen Westerve! Massena, NY Date Unknown Ernestine Wulbams Tavernier, FL Date Unknow Seima W wher: Yucca Valley December Artivad Wortey Pairmon, NC Date Unknowe

LA eas �[Page 20]28 / The American Baha’{ / June 1990

Year In review from page 11 hear from panelists that include Counselor

House of Justice, who shares an account of his recent travels to Macau, Malaysia, Sin- the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary

sapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

• Cleveland, Ohio, and Portland, Ore- and implement ways of uplifting the status

gon, are the sites March 30-April | for two

more in the continuing series of Vision to pared by the Baha’! International ComVictory conferences. munity is read at the session. poco nnn eee 4 1 Te svcd umancesary delays in recerving This form may be used for one person or | you copy of The Amerwan Batd' vend your entire (amity Please be sure to het

| MOVING? j TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

FULL NAMES AND LD NUMBERS for l alt iedreduals, ages 13 years or obder. who 58 be affected by thea change

me ew mbiirene and yor eualing lates 0 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Baht") National Center, Wilmere, 1h 07) ao son ae you know where you sot pong (© mow and what your oew ad oem od

Fol come Please OO NOT ose eachmames

F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Pewne cnthcner «8 (he rghe Mand Spm Stone or emery Caen wey

Area Code Nember Name

acre Ce emir Area Code Nuebe Name G We receree eure copers becsmar Oe Ge net howe Che comme leet comme, her test memes aed achedrrenes © oor [ee ee ae a om Wee net weet cai copie, ettree labels Go Sot mumic® cue) copy of The American Bebd'l | panes coment the copy for the per We have Bated abort ihe fel eases ‘ah 10 pretive my own copy as weil.

ed have sted my name, 1D. mem ber and adddrem above so that I may be put on the mailing bet to recerer my own copy

ow otew seme eed! D oem ter) any aed hee

ef ol tumnty members ms they shoail appear oa (he cational rec orks, ee LD. eemben, end er Corrections 2 (het we 0! reeves oaty one copy.

ee ee ee re ee ee ee ee Ee ee ee ee ee ee ee w Se ee ee EE EE

NON PRONTT OmG. US POSTAGE PAID WOM rh, i ree NO any

June-August: Northern Star Bahd’{ Project, Alaska.

June 28-July 14: Bahd’{ Outdoor Leaders’ Course (grades 11-13). July 7-14: Wilderness Base Camp (grades 5-8), Leadership Development Camp (grades 9-10). Ss eg — write to James Lewicki, Camp Kamal director, qua, WI 54665, or phone 608-637-2743. a aaneiccnendiboas

Spiritual Assembly of Beloit, Wisconsin.

eae Seventh annual Bahdé’{ Teacher-Training Conference. Louhelen Bahé’{ School. Theme: ‘‘Educating an Ever-Advancing Civilizetion.’’ For information, phone Karen Olin, 805-466-1077; to register, phone the Louhelen School, 313-653-5033.

July/August: ‘‘Sparks of Peace’’ Youth Project, Dominica.

July 1-15: Téhirih Project, ‘‘Peace Through Transformation,"’ Erfora Nord and Costinesti, Romania. For information, contact the Office of Pioee ee Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-865

oe Louhelen School session, ‘‘Lifetime of Service." Special emphasis on families with program for children.

July 14-19: Session on the environment, Bosch Bahd’{ School. Bahd"is who are professionals, students or active volunteers in environmental issues are invited to submit one-page summaries of papers for possible presentetion at the session. Send to: Program Director, Bosch Baha'i School, S00 805-933-1253. To register, send a deposit of $35 to the school address or register by charge card, 408-423-3387.

July 14-August 4: Louisa Mathew Project, “‘Peace Through Artistic Bxpression,’’ Ljubljana and Zagreb, Yugoslavia. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

August 4-5: Second annual Music and Arts Festival, Native American Baha’{ Institute, Houck, Arizona.

August 4-5: American Indian Homefront Pioneering institute, Bahé’! National Center, Wilmette, Illinois.

August 5-12: Lydia Zamenhof Project, ‘Peace Through Communication,’’ Warsaw, Poland. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering. Bahd’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

August 5-19: Children’s Academy, Louis G. Gregory Bahé’! institute Hemingway, South Carolina.

“August 6-10: Young Writers’ and Ilustrators’ "Workshop, Syivam Lake — Baha’{ Center, Alberta, Canada. Presenters: Deborah Bley, editor, and Rita Leydon, former art editor, Child’s Way magazine. Fees: $30 registration, $8/night in a cabin, $12/day for food. To register, contact Syivan Lake Baha’i Center, General Delivery, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada TOM 120.

August 25-27: Agricultural Seminar, Louhelen Baha’! School. For information, contact the schoo! at 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

August 30-September 2: Special Visit program (regular without special children’s program). Bahd’{ House of Worship, Wilmette. For details and inte

ugust 31-September 2: Pioneer Training Institute, Louis Gregory Bahint Center, Hemingway, South Carolina.

August 31-September 3: National Teaching Committee Conference on Growth, Lincolnwood, Illinois. For information, phone 708-869-9039.

September 2: ‘‘Project South Carolina’ Victory Conference, Louis G. Gregory Baha’{ Institute, Hemingway.

September 6-9: Second annual Story-Telling Festival, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit in 1912. Main story-tellers: Counselor Robert Harris and Aziz Yazdi, who grew up in the houschoid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahdé. The event marks the 90th anniversary of the Faith in Colorado, and all former Colorado Bahd’is, traveling teachers and pioneers are being called for a “‘homecoming."’ For registration information, contact Linda Brown, P.O. Box 592, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602, or phone 303-945-2558 or 303-945-9144,

September 21-23: ‘‘Peace Fest '90,"" Louis G. Gregory Baha’! Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

October/November: Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Baha’! School, Eliot, Maine (exact dates to be announced).

October 17-20: Asian Youth Conference, Lahore, Pakistan. Theme: “'The Role of Asian Youth in the Establishment of the Lesser Peace."” For information, contact the National Youth Committee, P.O. Box 531, Lahore, Pakistan.

October 21: Founding Day celebration, Louis G. Gregory Baha’! institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

November 9-11; 15th annual Conference of the Association for Baba’)

double (also triple or quad if dowbic doubles available; otherwise, $20 charge for rollaway cots). Reservation

Delta. (Phone 1-800-221-1212, ask for Special Meetings Network, specify Baht’ Studies Conference.) Reps tion information: Association for Baha'i Studies, Ov. tawa, Ontario, Canada KIN 7K4 (phone 613-233-1903). �