The American Bahá’í/Volume 21/Issue 7/Text

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[Page 1]

Work begins to extend Terraces adjacent to Shrine of Báb

TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

WITH FEELINGS OF PROFOUND JOY ANNOUNCE TO FOLLOWERS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH IN EVERY LAND THAT ON MORNING OF TWENTY-THIRD MAY, ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX YEARS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF THE BÁB, WORK ON EXTENSION TERRACES COMMENCED. THIS HISTORIC OCCASION MARKED BY VISIT HIS SHRINE AND SHRINE OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ BY THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD AMATU’L-BAHÁ RÚHIYYIH KHÁNUM AND ‘ALÍ-AKBAR FURÚTAN, THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AND COUNSELOR MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER WITH FARIBURZ SAHBA, ARCHITECT OF TERRACES AND MANAGER OF ARC PROJECT, TO PRAY FOR DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS ENABLE UNINTERRUPTED PROSECUTION THIS MAJESTIC ENTERPRISE. SUBSEQUENTLY DETAILED PLANS WERE VIEWED FOR LENGTHENING EASTERN WING OF MAIN TERRACE OF SHRINE, MAKING IT EQUAL TO EXISTING WESTERN WING.

GLORIOUS UNDERTAKING CREATION BEFITTING RESTING PLACE MARTYR-HERALD FAITH WAS ENVISAGED BY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH HIMSELF, WAS SOLEMNLY INITIATED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ WHO RAISED WITH INFINITE PAINS ORIGINAL STRUCTURE AND PLACED WITHIN IT THE SACRED REMAINS OF THE BÁB, WAS VIGOROUSLY PURSUED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI, WHO COMPLETED CENTRAL EDIFICE, EMBELLISHED IT WITH BEAUTEOUS SUPERSTRUCTURE AND CONNECTED IT WITH MAIN AVENUE TEMPLAR COLONY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION FIRST NINE TERRACES, IS NOW ENTERING UPON CULMINATING PHASE ITS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXTENSION BEAUTIFICATION NINE EXISTING TERRACES AND CONSTRUCTION NINE MORE TO REALIZE MONUMENTAL CONCEPT REACHING FROM FOOT TO CREST HOLY MOUNTAIN.

CALL UPON FRIENDS EVERY LAND RALLY SUPPORT THIS SACRED ENTERPRISE NOW INSEPARABLY LINKED WITH ARC PROJECT EXPRESS BEFITTINGLY THEIR AWARENESS MAGNITUDE BOUNTY CONFERRED UPON MANKIND BY MINISTRY AND SACRIFICE BLESSED BÁB, DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S CALL IN TABLET OF CARMEL TO ESTABLISH UPON THAT MOUNTAIN SEAT GOD’S THRONE AND FULFILL, THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S AND SHOGHI EFFENDI’S VISION OF EFFLORESCENCE MIGHTY INSTITUTIONS FAITH ON MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MAY 24, 1990

Moscow Assembly's election highlights Mr. Furútan's long-awaited visit to Russia

In March, a long-held wish of the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan came true when he left the Holy Land to visit the Bahá’ís in Russia.

In 1930, he said before departing, he had received a letter from the beloved Guardian "which he penned himself, stating the following: 'It is my hope that you will, in the future, be able to render great services in Russia.'"

A highlight of Mr. Furútan’s visit was the election at Ridván of the local Spiritual Assembly of Moscow.

Five days later he was among about 35 Bahá’ís at the first Feast to be held in Moscow after the election of the Assembly.

Mr. Furútan spent 15 days in Ishqábád, spoke to 400 people at the university in Dushanbe (25 of whom were Bahá’ís), and was interviewed on television in Moscow.

At the University of Moscow, where he had studied in his youth, Mr. Furútan addressed a group of about 300 students at the Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy.

On April 19, an official of Soviet Television visited Mr. Furútan to interview him for a TV program about the Faith.

The first 20 minutes of the half-hour program is to consist of questions and answers about the Faith with the rest devoted to photographs of Bahá’í Holy Places and historical pictures of early Bahá’í activity in the USSR.

The television representative agreed to bring the finished film to Mr. Furútan for review before its release.

Also in Moscow, the directors of the Progress Publishing House offered to publish Bahá’í literature.

Senate follows lead of House, urges the 'emancipation' of Bahá’ís in Iran

"We are delighted by the news from Washington. The action of the Senate of the United States in adopting a resolution in support of efforts to emancipate the Iranian Bahá’í community owes its significance not only to the stated objective but also to the evidence which it gives of the spiritual blessings with which Bahá’u’lláh has specially endowed the great Republic of the West.

"May its people and the community of the Greatest Name within it receive a fresh impetus toward fulfilling the promises of their glorious destiny."

The Universal House of Justice May 20, 1990

On May 15, America took another step toward its destiny to "lead all nations spiritually." On that day, the U.S. Senate, following the example of the House of Representatives, unanimously adopted a concurrent resolution condemning Iran's repression of members of the Bahá’í Faith in that country and calling for the emancipation of Iran's Bahá’í community.

During His travels in America in 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá depicted the destiny of America, saying:

"The American nation is equipped and empowered to accomplish that which will adorn the pages of history, to become the envy of the world, and be blest in both the East and the West for the triumph of its people...

"The American continent gives signs and evidences of very great advancement. Its future is even more promising, for its influence and illumination are far-reaching. It will lead all nations spiritually."

The action of the elected representatives of the American democracy marks the fourth congressional appeal for Iranian Bahá’ís following resolutions adopted in 1982, 1984 and 1988.

The most recent resolution was co-sponsored by 59 Senators, led by Christopher Dodd (Connecticut), Rudy Boschwitz (Minnesota), Alan Dixon (Illinois) and John Heinz (Pennsylvania).

In their statements, Senators Dodd, Levin, Sarbanes, Lugar, Heinz, Boschwitz and McCain often noted the traditional American principles that caused them to support the resolution:

"I want my colleagues to be aware," said Sen. Dodd, "that our resolutions, our protests are not without results.

"Due to persistent international pressure, the repression of the Bahá’ís has been eased somewhat in recent years, and our concurrent resolution takes note of that.

"On the other hand, this year's human rights report by our State Department reiterates the fact that widespread discrimination against and persecution of the Bahá’í community continues."

"As we once again express our continuing determination to help the Bahá’ís," said Sen. Boschwitz, "we can take pride in the fact that, true to our own traditions and heritage, we are acting on behalf of those whose rights are being unfairly limited."

"The message of this concurrent resolution is clear," said Sen. Heinz. "Americans still care about human rights, and particularly about the odious practice of religious oppression."

"In keeping with our own nation's best principles, the United States must continue to condemn such acts," said Sen. Sarbanes.

"Evidence indicates," said Sen. Lugar, "that recent improvements in the situation of individual Bahá’ís, which includes no executions since December 1988, are a direct result of international pressure."

National Conference on Growth scheduled

A National Conference on Growth, sponsored by the National Teaching Committee, will be held over the Labor Day weekend (August 31-September 3) at Allgauer's Hotel in Northbrook, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago.

The conference will provide a forum for a national consultation on what the American Bahá’í community must do to achieve entry by troops. Workshops and plenary sessions will focus on accelerating the teaching process as related to the individual and teaching, the Bahá’í community and teaching, and teaching the masses.

An invitation to take part has been expanded to include all those interested in teaching the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Registration forms are available in the June/July issue of The DirectLine. For more information, or to register by phone, call the National Teaching Committee office, 708-869-9039.

For room reservations at the conference site, call Allgauer's Hotel, 800-328-6516. If flying, call Corporate Travel Consultants (800-323-0474) for special rates (ask for Monica in "Groups"). Registration deadline is August 21. [Page 2]

Teaching Institutes an effective way to assure steady flow of well-trained adherents to Cause

In its most recent Ridván message, the Universal House of Justice stated that the Bahá’í community must be ready to adapt: "...the community must become more adept at accommodating a wide range of actions without losing concentration on the primary objectives of teaching, namely, expansion and consolidation."

Growth and diversity within our communities is necessary, the Supreme Body says, "because each person cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing."

One effective approach to teaching that affords great opportunities for expansion and consolidation is the teaching institute.

A teaching institute, in which a core group of Bahá’ís deepens to prepare for teaching, actively teaches, and strives to develop materials to further the work of the Cause, works to bring in new believers and to help train them as teachers, thus fostering their growth and development as Bahá’ís.

In a letter to the Continental Board of Counselors dated November 2, 1989, the International Teaching Center expressed "a conviction that sustained expansion of the Faith in a region largely depends on the number and the quality of teachers who are being trained systematically, especially from among the new believers."

In addition, the letter pointed out that the myriad challenges facing our Bahá’í community call for "an ever-increasing number of workers with varied skills and capabilities."

The International Teaching Center has identified some elements of teaching institutes that have proven to be particularly effective: emphasis on the study of the Sacred Writings; memorization of certain passages of those Writings; and the use of participative methods in learning so that activity, not passivity, is fostered in regard to deepening and serving the Cause.

In addition, the National Teaching Committee suggests that focusing on specific populations may be useful, especially in light of the recent guidance from the House of Justice to strive for "even larger enrollments from among the groups already represented (in the Faith) and the attraction of members from groups not yet reached." (Ridván 1990 letter)

While institutes are more effective if the participants feel a measure of spiritual discipline, the International Teaching Center is careful to point out that "the atmosphere of the institute is so permeated with love that the development of spiritual discipline becomes a personal goal rather than a requirement imposed from the outside."

The process of teaching is a joyous one in which a Bahá’í strives to connect another's heart with Bahá’u’lláh. Teaching institutes offer, at the grassroots level, an opportunity to explore and experience the joy of teaching.

The International Teaching Center stated that the goal of an institute is the spiritual empowerment of the believers, and that "with spiritual empowerment as the main focus in each of its activities, the institute seeks to develop in the participants self-confidence, reliance on God, profound love for humanity, eagerness and burning desire to teach and serve mankind, steadfastness in the face of tests and trials, abundant joy and radiance of heart: in short, all those attitudes and attributes that are essential for a life of dedicated service to the Cause."

In its Ridván message, the Universal House of Justice refers to the Holy Year 1992 as "that special time when we shall pause to appreciate the tumultuous record of events which will have brought us to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and to reflect with due solemnity upon the redemptive purpose of the life of the most precious Being ever to have drawn breath on this planet."

In orienting ourselves toward that significant year, we must strive to "obtain a deeper appreciation of the station and purpose of Bahá’u’lláh and of the meaning of His mighty Covenant." Our teaching of His Cause must focus on our teaching of His station.

This is the time for intense activity. Let us not yet pause in our efforts to share the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Instead, let us welcome the Holy Year with a truly significant number of new, steadfast adherents to His Cause.

Local Spiritual Assemblies elected In Estonia, Hungary

On the first day of Ridvan the first local Spiritual Assembly of Tallin, Estonia, was formed.

Elected from a community of 13 Bahá’ís were five women and four men including four native-born Estonians and one Russian. Also elected was Brigitte Lundblade, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Shetland Islands, who was born and raised in Tallin.

Also at Ridván, the Spiritual Assembly of Budapest, Hungary, was elected for the first time since before World War II.

Hugh Chance visits Winfield, Kansas

Hugh Chance (second from left), a member of the Universal House of Justice, visited Winfield, Kansas, his hometown, June 1-4, and took part in a number of activities including the inauguration with a $1,000 endowment from the Bahá’ís of Winfield of a Hugh Chance Peace Collection in the children's section of the local public library. Accepting the check from Rick Johnson, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Winfield, is head librarian Marcia Ransom as (left to right) Mrs. Margaret Chance and assistant head librarian Mary Finney look on. Other activities included radio and newspaper interviews by Mr. Chance, a press luncheon, a fireside, meetings with the Assembly in Winfield and the Cowley County Group, and a reception for Bahá’ís in the area followed by a fund-raiser at which more than $11,000 was raised for the Are project. (Photo by David Tobias)

Youth Service Corps: excellent chance for young people to serve Cause full-time

The Bahá’í Youth Service Corps provides an excellent opportunity for a young Bahá’í to devote full-time service to the Cause, even before completing a college education, raising a family, or building a career.

The young people involved in this program serve in a variety of ways, including participating in ongoing teaching projects and aiding in social and economic development projects.

Presently, 26 youth are serving at international or domestic posts and will be joined by another 16 by September. Since the first group of volunteers set forth in 1985, 73 youth have served the Faith for a full year through this program.

Once their service is completed, these Youth Service Corps veterans can be a great resource in their communities, and can be called upon to speak with other youth (and adults) about their experiences.

At the 1988 Bahá’í International Youth Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, some 320 young people pledged to commit a year to full-time service for the Faith through the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps. So far, only 40 have seized the opportunity to act on that pledge.

All young people who are interested in serving the Faith in this capacity are encouraged to contact Victoria de Leon, Bahá’í Youth Service Corps coordinator, at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

Mr. Furútan

In Tashkent, the Hand of the Cause visited two elderly Bahá’í women and their non-Bahá’í families. Family members accepted literature about the Faith from him, promising to study it.

From March 30-April 1 Mr. Furútan visited the 25 Bahá’ís in Samarkand. While he was there two youth from Baku came to see him, and he was able to explain the Teachings in detail.

On April 24, in Leningrad, Mr. Furútan spoke to 36 members of the Society for the Advancement of Peace.

Two days later, in Murmansk, an item on television welcomed "a great personality of the Bahá’í Faith, 'Ali-Akbar Furútan," and suggested that viewers watch for an interview at a later date.

On the Ninth Day of Ridván, the Hand of the Cause attended a gathering in Moscow that included a performance by a prize-winning violoncellist.

Mr. Furútan and his party arrived in Vienna, Austria, on April 30, and on May 1 he met with about 200 of the friends before his return to the Holy Cand.

The election of the Spiritual Assembly of Moscow was one of a number of such elections held this year in Eastern Europe. Among other local Assemblies elected were those in Cluj, Romania; Tallin, Estonia; and Budapest, Hungary. [Page 3]

Fund receipts delayed

A variety of factors has led to another delay in getting the new Fund receipts. Since the old receipts have run out, please remember that until the new ones are available you do not need a special form or envelope to make your contribution to any of the Funds of the Faith—a simple note will do! Forward your contribution to the Office of the Treasurer, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

The new receipts will be issued as soon as possible. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding!

Office of the Treasurer convenes 50 town meetings

At the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Office of the Treasurer, working with local Spiritual Assemblies and members of the Auxiliary Board, has convened nearly 50 town meetings across the country.

Beginning with a gathering May 18 in Los Angeles, by mid-June representatives of the National Assembly had consulted with groups in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi.

The purpose of the meetings is to spark consultation at the local level on the many challenges that face the community at the present time.

"The recently adopted $25 million revenue goal for this year demands a quick start, especially during the summer months," said a member of the Treasurer's Office staff.

"The urgency of the moment," he added, "was emphasized by the Universal House of Justice in its messages in January and at Ridván, and America's own House of Worship projects are about to begin their most important phase."

The reception by local communities has been warm. The friends have expressed their satisfaction with the character of the consultation, which was, in the words of one participant, "much more meaningful because the National Assembly chose to send a representative rather than a letter. . . .These matters become clearer when one can ask questions and get an answer right there."

Most participants have expressed a renewed sense of commitment to "take this information back" to their local communities for in-depth consultation. July 9, the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb, has been chosen as the final date for this series of town meetings. At this year's National Convention, the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears challenged the friends to make a significant contribution to the Arc Fund by that date.

Based on the response so far, however, this may be the start of a more regular schedule of such meetings.

Also at the Convention, David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, told the friends that the key to entry by troops in this country may well lie in the willingness of the American Bahá’ís to embrace the principle of material "poverty," setting an example of detachment that will earn them the love of their fellow citizens.

Participants in the town meetings have found this observation to be a moving and thought-provoking addition to the consultation, and a spur to a profound re-evaluation of their attitudes toward material means.

"These meetings," a young woman in New Mexico said, "seem perhaps to be the beginning of a new openness by our National Assembly.

"It's time for the local communities to take another look at our priorities and the way we set financial goals, and try to make sure they're in line with the things going on in the Bahá’í world."

Notes from the friends

These little notes arrived recently at the Office of the Treasurer, and we thought you might like to see them.

Thank you, Ariana!

Hi fund. I love you. I will send you some more money. How much mone do you bavee? Thank you Love Ariana.

Hi! Fund. I Send You Some money. How are you doing? Love Ariana. Thank you.

No two ways about it: National Center's Bulletin Board system a big success

The National Spiritual Assembly was pleased to announce the implementation last August of its newly developed electronic bulletin board system, the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System (BNCBBS). The system has been serving as a formal electronic communications tool between the various offices and agencies of the National Assembly and the U.S. Bahá’í community.

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

The system is designed to disseminate news throughout, and to gather information from, the community. Its intent is also to help facilitate the achievement of the three main goals of the Six Year Plan: (1) a wider extension of Bahá’í education to children, youth and adults; (2) the maturation of local Spiritual Assemblies; and (3) entry by troops.

• Deepening and educating individual Bahá’ís will be facilitated through the wealth of information available on the system. Matters that are not already addressed by the prepared textfiles on-line may be handled by users leaving messages for the offices and/or agencies on their menus.

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

Educating the public about the Faith and helping achieve entry by troops will be made possible through a public area on the BBS in the near future.

The following is a summary of significant statistics about the use of the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System since its inception in August 1989 (figures as of June 10, 1990).

Since its official implementation the BNCBBS has received 6,152 calls from Bahá’ís around the U.S. Its users-group has grown in size from its test-group of 100 users to 534 users to-date, a 434 percent increase in 10 months of operation.

On-line surveys of many kinds are available on the system. (Typical surveys handle address changes, community officer changes, requests for Bahá’í I.D. cards, supply orders, etc.). More than 305 such surveys have been completed, allowing immediate and efficient handling of incoming information.

Other BBS activities since August 1989:

• A total of 2,462 textfiles have been downloaded by BBS users for reading and sharing with their Bahá’í communities.

Issues of the Bahá’í International News Service have been read or downloaded 1,370 times.

701 copies of the monthly Feast mailings have been read or downloaded by users.

HUQUQU’LLÁH

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

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "Bahá’í Huququ’lláh 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 Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 4]

Committee on Women hosts 2nd awards dinner In western N.Y. state

The Bahá’í National Committee on Women returned to western New York state May 19 to host its second annual awards dinner honoring American Indian women and to hold an Indian teaching workshop.

The dinner was held at the Sonnenberg Mansion in Canandaigua, in the heart of the storied land of the Iroquois Indian League of Six Nations.

About two-thirds of the 150 people attending were not Bahá’ís. A high percentage were American Indians representing nearly a dozen tribes.

On hand to honor eight Iroquois women for their services to humanity were Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt; master of ceremonies Kevin Locke, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; members of the National Committee on Women; and Bahá’ís from at least eight states and Canada.

Among the highlights was the presentation of copies of "The Promise of World Peace" to three Iroquois chiefs. One of them, Irving Powless of the Iroquois Onondaga Nation, is also a member of the Iroquois Grand Council, possibly the world's oldest continuous democratically elected governing body.

Also receiving the statement was Claire Friedland, president of the U.S. National Council of Women.

Other special guests at the honors dinner included the mayor of Canandaigua.

Paine College president given peace statement Augusta host to Race Unity Conference

People from several racial backgrounds from as far away as Washington state gathered May 19 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta for a Race Unity Conference sponsored by Bahá’í communities in Georgia and South Carolina.

In all, about 30 people attended the conference which provided a forum for discussing race unity, identifying problem areas, creating solutions, and facilitating interactions among people of diverse backgrounds.

A highlight was the presentation of a copy of "The Promise of World Peace" to Dr. Julius Scott, president of Paine College in Augusta, who was a special guest at the day-long event.

Besides Dr. Scott, the speakers included Tod Ewing, a member of the National Teaching Committee; and Carole Miller, co-chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.

Also taking part were members of the Bahá’í National Race Unity Committee.

Dr. Scott said he was proud to be at a conference whose goal was race unity, recalling that Paine College itself was "founded by blacks and whites together" (the co-founders were John Wesley Gilbert, a black bishop, and Lucius Holsey, a white bishop, who started the school to teach recently emancipated slaves following the Civil War).

"The issues that divide the races," he said, "have to do with a lack of dialogue.

"...Our concept must be that we are one human family, and demonstrate this in learning and interaction."

During her talk, "Glimpses of Race Unity in Georgia," Mrs. Miller revealed that Georgia Gov. Joe Frank Harris had named Augusta one of seven cities in the state to serve as models of intercultural awareness.

Mr. Ewing spoke at the afternoon session, which was devoted largely to consultation among participants on creating solutions to problems that arise in race relations.

Conversing during a Race Unity Conference held May 19 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta are (left to right) Marilyn Greene, a member of the Bahá’í National Race Unity Committee; Tod Ewing, a member of the National Teaching Committee and Dr. James Schear, a Bahá’í from Augusta who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

31st Annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference

Sept 14, 15, & 16, 1990

"BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED HARD HAT AREA"

"We have the blueprints, we have the permits, let's go about building our Father's kingdom"

SPEAKERS:

• Continental Counselors Robert Harris and Dr. Billy Roberts
• Dr. Robert Henderson, NSA Secretary
• Mildred Mottahedeh
• Nat'l Comm. on Women
• Representatives of the Race Unity Committee
• Special American Indian Programs

FRIDAY FORUM: On Equality and the Family, American Indians and the Bahá’í Faith, Race Unity, and the Arts. Registration 8:30-10:00 am. Sessions from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For registration form, write: Carolyn Malouf, N88 WS188 Covington Sq, Cedarburg, WI 53012

BLUEPRINT OF FUTURE: Unique Saturday Evening Session - Get a glimpse of a Unity Feast in the year 2000 after entry by troops. Special programs and music. Don't miss this one!

HOUSING: Campsites, dorms, private rooms (1 to 4 persons), cottages & cabins with cooking facilities, classic 81 room lakefront hotel, or large luxury homes. Cafeteria style meals. Overnight guests must take meal plan unless cooking facilities at accommodations. Housing registration: American Baptist Assembly, Registration, Green Lake, WI 54941 (414) 294-3323 or (800) 558-8898

REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH: All attendees from newborn to age 18 MUST sign up for conference programs in advance. Phone Laurie Kautz at (608) 592-5612 for registration form. Deadline: Sept. 1, 1990. Register early! Space limited.

CONFERENCE FEE: Adults - $13 Under 12 - $8 Maximum Family - $35 Day Guests Only - $8 per person (adults & children) plus $2.50/person per day facility fee for those attending but not staying in ABA facilities.

BAHÁ’Í CONF. COMM.: Sharron Holder, Committee Secretary, Cedarburg, WI 53012 (414) 375-2335

Arroyo Grande Bahá’ís take part in literacy programs

The Bahá’í Group of Arroyo Grande, California (eight adults, one youth) is reaching out to the community through its involvement in a number of literacy programs.

One member is involved in teaching conversational English to 5-8 immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala.

Another is tutoring three English-speaking adults, two of whom represent minority groups, to read and write.

Classes are held in literacy centers where all the tutors are volunteers.

Congress

1988, result from the continuing demonstration of concern by the international community of which the U.S. government has played an instrumental role."

Sen. McCain concluded the Senate's discussion, saying in part, "We must communicate to the government of Iran that Americans, and, indeed, all of the ever-expanding free world, consider religious tolerance to be one of the cornerstones of a free society."

In February, the same resolution was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 404-0.

It was hailed by House Speaker Thomas Foley as reflecting the "deeply felt concern of the U.S. Congress and the American people with the situation of the Bahá’í community in Iran today."

In the wake of the vote in the House, the UN Human Rights Commission and the UN General Assembly adopted resolutions condemning the repression of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Following the vote in the Senate, the Second (Social) Committee of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted Draft Decision 22, "Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran," without a vote, on May 18.

The Decision approved the previous resolution of the Commission on Human Rights to extend for another year the mandate of the Special Representative on the human rights situation in Iran and the Commission's request to the UN Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special Representative.

"For the followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the world," the Universal House of Justice said in its Riḍván message, "there can be no doubt as to the Divine Source and clear intention of these extraordinary happenings.

"Let us rejoice, therefore, in the wondrous signs of the beneficence of God's abounding grace."

Bulletin board

• The compilation on Bahá’í Feasts has been read or downloaded 148 times.
• The collective Riḍván messages of B.E. 144-147 have been read or downloaded 389 times.

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

The BBS phone number is 708-869-0389, and callers should set their software parameter settings for N/8/1 (no parity, 8 databits, 1 stop bit). The BNCBBS will accept calls 24 hours a day. [Page 5]

BIC’S ‎Publlc Public‎ Information Office makes friends for Faith

For the past year and a half, the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information (OPI) in New York City has maintained a daunting schedule of events that has successfully cultivated relationships with organizations and individuals whose principles and aims accord with those of the Faith.

Included in these activities were the initiation of the Arts for Nature program in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature UK, held last October at Syon House, London, and prominent participation in founding the International Sacred Literature Trust devoted to bringing together, for the first time, scholars and literary figures from the world’s major religious communities in an effort to produce the most accurate new English translations of their faiths in key texts.

Both of these events were launched by H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

As a contribution to the cultural life of New York, BIC-OPI sponsored in June 1989 an exhibition of the works of the prominent artist, Zsuzsi Roboz, at Lincoln Center. Ms. Roboz’ drawings depict world-famous musicians in performance.

Last September, BIC-OPI and the Office of the ‎Environments Environment‎ were hosts, together with the prestigious Club of Rome, to representatives of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and government officials at a day-long seminar held to explore the African perspective on environment and development.

The Earth Day 1990 observances in April, held at the UN General Assembly, involved extensive participation by the Bahá’í International Community as a participating organization.

Most recently, on May 24, a reception was held at the Bahá’í International Community’s offices for Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein, founder and president of the Vienna Academy for the Study of the Future.

The reception was held to introduce individuals and organizations with similar interests to Prince Alfred and the work of the Academy.

Among those attending were the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, the Chief of the Non-Governmental Section of the UN Department of Public Information, and other representatives of UN offices and NGOs.

The Bahá’í International Community served as Prince Alfred’s host and coordinated his schedule, which included a wide range of meetings with organizations and representatives of international agencies and foundations.

In Washington, D.C., a luncheon in his honor hosted by the Institute for International Development was attended by 20 senior policy-makers representing the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and USAID.

Among the fruitful results of this networking are programs that have been initiated that include Academy collaboration on a program to develop a consensus on global warming and on a series of high-level summits on the water quality crisis.

Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein (center), the founder and president of the Vienna Academy for the Study of the Future, was the guest of honor at a reception May 24 at the Bahá’í International Community’s office in New York City. With Prince Alfred are Archbishop Renato Martino, Permanent Observer to the United Nations for the Mission of the Holy See, and Feng-Huang (Phoenix) Lee, BIC’s Office of Public Information trainee from Taiwan.

Bahá’ís take part in ‘Caring for Creation’ conference

More than 300 hear Prince ‎Phillip Philip‎ mention Faith

On May 16-19, the director of the Office of the Environment, Bahá’í International Community; a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly; and a Bahá’í from Minnesota attended the “Caring for Creation” conference in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the North American Conference on Religion and Ecology (NACRE).

Plans for the conference germinated after Prince ‎Phillip Philip‎, the Duke of Edinburgh and president of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), expressed interest in having an “Assisi Event for North America” as a follow-up to the launching in September 1986 in Assisi, Italy, of the WWF’s Network on Conservation and Religion.

In October 1987, the Bahá’í Faith became the sixth major religion to join the network.

At the conference in May, more than 300 religious leaders and grassroots activists from the U.S. and Canada gathered to explore the ethical and spiritual dimensions of the environmental threat.

The Bahá’í Faith, as a member of the WWF’s Network on Conservation and Religion, was one of six faiths to have a representative read before the gathering selections from their respective “Statements on Nature.”

Also, the BIC’s Office of the Environment created an attractive display that drew considerable attention from conference participants.

The Office of the Environment and the National Assembly’s representative from the Office of External Affairs took part in various sessions, bringing Bahá’í teachings to bear on the topics discussed.

In addition, the director of the Office of the Environment was introduced to Prince ‎Phillip Philip‎ at a private reception.

Speakers who mentioned the Faith in plenary sessions included Prince ‎Phillip Philip‎; Mr. Reilly; Muhammad Mahdi, secretary-general of the National Council on Islamic Affairs; and Dr. Don Conroy, NACRE president. Prince ‎Phillip Philip‎ also mentioned the Faith during a television interview.

The National Spiritual Assembly looks forward to continued close collaboration with the BIC Office of the Environment as the National Assembly takes part in a series of conferences designed to foster interfaith collaboration on the global questions of development and the environment.

The Chinook Learning Center in Seattle, Washington, will be sponsoring one such conference, “Earth and the Spirit,” on October 19-21, with pre- and post-conference institutes on October 19, 22 and 23.

For more information, please write to Peter Evans, conference director, Chinook Learning Center, Box 57, Clinton, WA 98236, or phone 206-321-1884.

The Bahá’í International Community’s Office of the Environment had this attractive booth at the ‘Caring for Creation’ conference in Washington, D.C.

Volunteers needed to help National Assembly’s offices in Wilmette, N.Y. and D.C.

Because the work of the Faith is so widespread and the funds are so limited, volunteers are needed to assist the offices of the National Spiritual Assembly in Wilmette, New York City and Washington, D.C.

If you can volunteer one or more hours weekly during office hours, please call the office nearest you to offer your help. We can offer no money for travel expenses. We need people who can file, answer the telephone, copy materials, open and distribute mail, and work on various projects.

If you are interested in this opportunity to serve the Faith, please send a letter or brief resumé to one of the following:

Lea Mallow, Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Cynthia McDaniel, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20009.

Zeena Arturo, U.S. Bahá’í Representative to the United Nations, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017.

WARNING

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to warn the friends against becoming involved in any dealings with Rasul Ali, formerly of Stone Mountain, Georgia. Mr. Ali has been deprived of his Bahá’í administrative rights for fraudulent behavior. [Page 6]

WRITINGS, COMPILATIONS & REFERENCES

The Hidden Words by Bahá’u’lláh HC $6.95 / SC $4.95 The essence of all revealed truth expressed in 153 brief, penetrating meditations. The Hidden Words, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh around 1853, "stands out as a mighty charter for the salvation of the human soul," writes Adib Taherzadeh. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Translated by Shoghi Effendi SC $3.00 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament, Shoghi Effendi writes, is "the immortal Document" from which the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh "derives its authority"; it is "The Document establishing that Order, the Charter of a future world civilization, which may be regarded in some of its features as supplementary to no less weighty a Book than the Kitáb-i-Aqdas "The Will and Testament delineates the major features of the Administrative institutions of the Bahá’í Faith and ensures the protection of the integrity and unity of the Faith.

Back in print, this important document will be invaluable for deepening and studying of the Faith by groups or in individual use. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Teaching: The Greatest Gift of God Extracts from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi SC $3.50 In a letter dated March 3, 1977, addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies, the Universal House of Justice wrote, "A study of the compilation will provide the friends with stimulating information on general guidelines to be followed by them when engaged in the teaching work....Many will be inspired, after reading the compilation, to cast aside their fears and misgivings and their sense of inadequacy, and will arise to speak forth announcing the glad-tidings of the Kingdom to their fellow-men.... Local Assemblies could... organize special meetings when texts, such as those included in the compilation, would be studied." Includes many previously unpublished extracts. 5-1/2 x 8-114 inches, 39 pages Bahá’í Publications Australia

Excellence In All Things Extracts from the Bahá’í writings SC $3.50 Compiled in 1981 by the Bahá’í World Center Research Department, this booklet presents texts and extracts that "encourage the friends to attain distinction and excellence in all their undertakings.... The Universal House of Justice hopes that the contents of this compilation will guide the friends everywhere in the conduct of their individual lives so that they may follow Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation to distinguish themselves from others through deeds, and that their 'light can be shed upon the whole earth." Includes previously unpublished extracts. 5-112 x8-114 inches, 21 pages Bahá’í Publications Australia

NEW PUBLICATIONS TO AID IN STUDYING THE FAITH

Logic and Logos Essays on Science, Religion and Philosophy by William S. Hatcher SC $9.50 Five essays exploring issues of philosophy and theology such as Science and the Bahá’í Faith," "A Logical Solution to the Problem of Evil," "From Metaphysics to Logic," "Myths, Models and Mysticism," and "Platonism and Pragmatism." Using principles of logic and precision based on mathematics, this is an exciting and stimulating book, exploring the interface between formerly mutually suspicious disciplines. Also, it was adopted as the textbook for a course on science and religion in the Bahá’í studies program at Landegg Academy, Germany. 5-1/2x8-1/2 inches; 160 pages, works cited, notes George Ronald, Publisher

A Sense of History by John Hatcher HC $21.95/SC $11.95

A SENSE OF HISTORY In reviewing this book, Roger White, himself a poet, wrote that "... [they are] poems of a high order, well crafted, accessible, powerfully convincing, and resonant with spirit and faith. John Hatcher’s range of interests, breadth of vision and depth of compassion are stunning. These are poems of lived experience screened through a sensitive, lively, bracing intelligence; they transfigure and illumine the ordinary, enlarge our perspective and affirm the loftiest human values." 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches; 224 pp., list of poems previously published, notes George Ronald, Publisher

A Collection of Selected Words from the Bahá’í Writings in Persian, Arabic and English Compiled by Hamed Eshraghian SC $12.95 A Collection of Selected Words matches Persian/Arabic words and phrases in selected Bahá’í writings with their English equivalents. The first section lists Persian/Arabic words in alphabetical order and provides the translation; the second section lists the English translation and the original Persian/Arabic. Phrases have been included, which facilitates study of the words in context.

Though A Collection of Selected Words draws from a limited number of texts, it will facilitate studying the writings in Persian, Arabic, and English. Scholars and students of the Faith researching translation techniques of Shoghi Effendi and other Bahá’í translators will find this book particularly interesting. 8-112 x 11 inches: 94 pp. English to Persian, 103 pp. Persian to English Published by Hamed Eshraghian

The Role of Women in an Advancing Civilization Bahá’í Publications Australia and Association for Bahá’í Studies, Australia SC $7.00 A monograph based on papers presented at the March 26, 1989, conference of the Association. Includes "Women and Power," "The Position of Women in Traditional Vietnam," "Women in the Legal Profession," "Women, Development, and Peace," "Patriarch-Dead or Alive? Where do we go from here?" and "Women in an Advancing Civilization."

According to the editors, "The presenters successfully explored issues and concerns on the position and role of women and in doing so set an agenda for future exploration. This book is a result of their efforts, their honesty and their concern for the long path we have yet to walk to ensure that women attain the very highest station in the world of humanity." 5-718 x 8-114 inches; 104 pages, line drawings, photographs Bahá’í Publications Australia

A Bahá’í Parenting Program From the Marriage and Family Development Committee SC $3.95 Based on the Bahá’í writings, this booklet examines issues central so developing a spiritual atmosphere to nourish children and parents alike. Arranged thematically, it addresses such topics as "Attracting your child to spiritual ideals," "Communication and family relationships," "Family consultation," "Building a sense of Bahá’í identity in the home," and "Equality of the sexes." It provides an opportunity for deepening and sharing understandings of the guidance available in the Bahá’í writings, for examining practical issues of Bahá’í parenting, and gives parents an opportunity to share experiences and to support and encourage each other. Designed for a weekend institute or a series of ten deepenings, for couples and moderately-sized groups. Bahá’í Publications Australia

Bahá’í Secretary’s, Chairman’s and Treasurer’s Manuals SC $3.00 each These booklets were developed in Australia to provide suggestions and guidance with relevant extracts from the Bahá’í writings to assist the spiritual assembly, group, or committee officers understand the significance and duties of their roles. For secretaries, very practical advice is offered on such topics as preparing agendas, recording minutes, writing correspondence, and filing. For the chairman, practical advice is offered on a variety of topics: facilitating consultation, facilitating making decisions, and chairing different kinds and sizes of Bahá’í meetings. And for the treasurer, practical guidance and suggestions are offered on such topics as the distinctive features of the Bahá’í fund, budgeting, financial reporting, and auditing, and developing a basic accounting system. 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches, titles vary 12-24 pages Bahá’í Publications Australia

A CHAMPION BUILDER BOOK Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love by Javidukt Khadem An inspiring biography, Zikrullah Khadem depicts over sixty-one years of service, including his early life, and his appointment in 1952 as life in Iran, marriage and family international travels are chronicled, a Hand of the Cause of God. His and his involvement with Bahá’í schools, conferences, and conventions around the world.

Also included are five essays written by the Khadem children, providing a vivid, unique glimpse of family life grounded in the teachings of the Faith. HC $24.95/SC $14.95

An appendix includes letters of remembrance from other Hands of the Cause of God, from Counselors, from Bahá’í Institutions, and from many friends. Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God: With Love will inspire readers to live their lives as Mr. Kahdem did—with unwavering commitment to the principles of the Bahá’í Faith He truly is a shining example of steadfastness, humility, and love. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches, 364 pages, photographs, bibliography Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

VISA MasterCard Amrican Express / Check Money Onder Order through your Local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service [Page 7]

Publications for Teaching · Proclamation Personal Development

TOOLS FOR TEACHING THE FAITH TO A VARIETY OF PEOPLE

From Haitian Roots Produced by Bahá’í Media Services VT $25.00 Beta or VHS Documentary on social and economic development in Haiti shows how belief in Bahá’u’lláh and the application of Bahá’í principles are transforming daily life in this rural island setting. The fast-moving 20-minute video portrays the successes of rural schools, health care clinics, and economic development projects with use of consultation and other Bahá’í principles.

This video will be of particular interest to seekers who want to know how the Bahá’í Faith can solve social problems.

Co-produced by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Haiti and the United States. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Hinduism and the Bahá’í Faith by Moojan Momen SC $7.95 Most presentations of the Bahá’í Faith are written to appeal to a Western, Christian, or Islamic point of view. Hinduism and the Bahá’í Faith is different. While directed to those of the Hindu tradition, it also provides a new perspective and insights into the Bahá’í Faith. Dr. Momen examines the Bahá’í approach to Darshana, Dharma, and Moksha, and significant Hindu prophecies. He also discusses Bahá’í social teachings, laws, and history, and the Bahá’í community. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches, 96 pages, references, bibliography, index George Ronald Publisher

See page 6 for additional publications available from Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Bible Proofs: A Fireside Aid for Teaching Christians Compiled by Nabil I. Hanna SC $14.95 This collection of quotations from the Holy Bible and Bahá’í writings was inspired by a statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “It is very good to memorize the logical points and the proofs of the Holy books. Those proofs and evidences which establish the fact that Bahá’u’lláh is the fulfillment of the Promise of the Holy book. These proofs ought to be collected and memorized.” Designed as an aid to fireside teaching or deepening classes, the focus is on significant topics often raised during discussions of Christian topics. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches; 161 pages, illustrations, selected bibliography Kalimát Press

The Bahá’í Newsreel Vol. I, No. 2 Produced by Bahá’í Media Services VT $15.95 / VHS only The second in a series of quarterly videos, this edition of The Bahá’í Newsreel highlights teaching and development activities around the world, including:

• Construction of the Arc
• San Francisco Chinese Symposium and Teaching in Southeast Asia
• The Faith in Eastern Europe
• The First Chair of ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Studies at the University of Maryland
• The Congressional Resolution on Emancipation of Bahá’ís
• Teaching and Development in Guyana and Haiti
• Teaching through the Arts

The Bahá’í Newsreel videos are excellent for use at firesides, community events, or for personal viewing. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

The Office of the Environment by the Bahá’í International Community PA 10/$2.00 · 50/$8.50 This pamphlet, prepared for the public, discusses the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of the Environment’s focus on trees as a foundation for conservation activities; lists ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ environmental goals and involvement in conservation projects; and states the distinctive world view of ‎Bahá’fs Bahá’ís‎ toward the environment. Bahá’í International Community

Man of the Trees: Selected Writings of Richard St. Barbe Baker Edited by Karen Gridley SC $12.50 Published with the assistance of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. Barbe Baker. A Bahá’í who was widely known as a forester, author, and conservationist, St. Barbe Baker was an early crusader for environmental issues whose importance is only now being recognized. His ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ beliefs were reflected in his actions and are evident in these quotations from his writings. Hence this book illumines environmental concerns with a Bahá’í perspective for those interested in or working on environmental concerns. 6-1/4 x 9-1/4 inches; 115 pages, photographs, list of sources Ecology Action

DISTRIBUTOR INFORMATION—PRICING/TITLES

Publishers Raise Prices The ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom has announced that prices of their materials will be raised 5 to 10 percent in July. As their titles are reordered, ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Distribution Service prices will be adjusted to reflect these higher costs.

The ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Publishing Trust of the United States will be raising prices of some of its materials, effective August 1, 1990. This is an annual price adjustment to reflect inflation and increased costs of printing, production, and distribution activities.

Don’t Blink Music has announced that the prices of their music cassettes are being raised, most now being $9.00 to $10.00.

When the shipment arrived last month from ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Publications Australia, the costs were higher than expected. As a result, prices of some Australian items are higher than advertised. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Forthcoming New Titles and Reprints Several new titles are scheduled for publication in late summer or early fall. Refer/Bahá’u’lláh is a text indexing and retrieval program for IBM-compatible computers. Willie and the Number Three Door and Other Adventures is a collection of four illustrated stories for children 5 to 8 years of age.

Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: A Study Guide, was prepared by a special task force appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly. A special “work in progress” edition was given to delegates and guests attending the recent National Bahá’í Convention. This revised edition is being prepared to facilitate small group or community study.

An index for Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities has been prepared and is in production. It will be made available free of charge to those who have purchased Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities.

The National Race Unity Committee is completing work on A Study Guide to The Power of Unity. It will be published with an index in the fall in time for the annual Association for ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Studies Conference, the focus of which will be the elimination of racial prejudice.

The ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Publishing Trust is also working on reprinting a number of titles in the next few months. They include The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys, The Secret of Divine Civilization, Some Answered Questions, The Advent of Divine Justice, Bahá’í Prayers, The Divine Art of Living, and Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being.

Titles Back in Stock ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ Prayers and Holy Writings, SC $2.75 Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, PS $4.95 Hidden Words and Selected Writings, SC, $2.75 We Are ‎Bahá’fs Bahá’ís‎, CS $9.00 Let It Be This Generation, CS $9.00 Come On Rise Up! CS $9.00 Bahá’í Faith—Through the Eyes of Young Bahá’ís, VT $25.00 Heart of the Lotus, VT $25.00 Peace... The Promise, VT $25.00 “Mona” Music Video, VT $45.00

OPEN POSITIONS

Applications are being accepted for the positions of Associate Editor and Marketing Manager for the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Distribution Service. If you feel you are qualified, please submit your resume to the Department of Human Resources at the ‎Bahá’f Bahá’í‎ National Center.

Bahá’í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 TAB 7/90
Ordered by: (Please print or type)				Date ____________
Name __________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City _______________________		State ______	Zip _______	Day Phone ______________
Circle one: American Express    MasterCard    VISA    Check    Money Order
Expiration Date: ___________		Account Number: ____________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________________
QTY	TITLE			COST	AMOUNT
TOTAL

Order through your local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to:
415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091

WE ACCEPT: VISA / MasterCard / American Express / Check / Money Order

Order now through the 1-800-999-9019
Bahá’í Distribution Service [Page 8]

Earth Day 1990

Cleaning the grounds of a museum in Marquette, Michigan.

Bahá’ís from Boone and Watauga County, North Carolina, lead the way behind their colorful banner in Boone’s ‘All Species Day’ parade. The friends worked closely with the community’s Earth Week committee.

Children proudly display the drawings done for ‘Earth Day ’90’ at the coloring booth set up at the local science center by the ‎Bahá’ís Bahá’í‎ community of Greenville, South Carolina.

The Bahá’ís of Sunnyvale, California, were the only religious group represented in that community’s Earth Day observance. Thousands visited the booth, and many took with them copies of the peace statement.

The Bahá’ís of Barrington, Illinois, took part in the community’s Earth Day Expo with this booth. The friends gave free plants to the children and had them sign a poster which read ‘I Love My Earth.’

Recycling was the ‘key’ as Bahá’ís in Largo, Florida, took part in an Earth Day ‘creature contest.’ [Page 9]

Earth Day 1990

The Bahá’ís of Modesto, California, took part in the city’s Earth Day ’90 observance with a highly visible booth and a banner (‘One Planet, One People . . . Please’) on the event’s main stage. The friends gave away more than 100 copies of the peace statement and 20 gallons of free lemonade.

Mayor Bettye Smith of Sanford, Florida, proclaims April 23 ‘Earth Day 1990’ in Sanford as Bahá’ís Payyam Maveddat (left), secretary of the Bahá’í Group of Sanford, and Monib Collestan, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Seminole County West, look on.

With the state capitol building in the background, Bahá’ís march in the Earth Day parade in Frankfort, Kentucky. The friends also had a booth on the capitol grounds, and Bahá’í youth from Louisville and Jefferson County danced as a part of the gala Earth Day program.

Bahá’ís stand in front of the Earth Day booth set up by the friends in northwestern Ohio for the observance in Toledo. About 500 people including a U.S. congresswoman and state senator attended the event.

Visitors gather at an Earth Day booth hosted by the Bahá’ís of Santa Clarita, California, at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Many pieces of literature were taken along with information about firesides in the Los Angeles area. [Page 10]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Audio-Visual Centre is seeking a manager for its Video Services Office, to be relocated in Wilmette. This office collects, catalogs and selectively distributes video materials from around the world in various languages, providing support to producers, Bahá’í agencies and communities worldwide. Please direct resumé and/or further inquiries to Dr. Kurt Hein, secretary of the Executive Committee, IBAVC, Ontario L3T 6L8, Canada, or phone 416-764-2690.

CARETAKERS needed for the Bahá’í Center in New York City. Dedicated couple to maintain spotlessly clean four-story Center. In exchange for services, will receive apartment on Center's third floor, rear: three rooms, kitchenette, shower-lavatory. Small stipend possible, if necessary. An opportunity to be part of an active community in the City of the Covenant. Please contact the Office of the Secretary, Bahá’í Center, 53 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003 (phone 212-674-8998).

CARETAKERS needed for a minimum of one year at the Bahá’í Center in Kake, Alaska, a Tlingit Indian village (pop. 800) on a large island. Small Bahá’í community with an inactive Assembly. Employment possibilities may include an opening in the fall for a physician's assistant. For more information about the position, call SEARHC (Southeast Area Regional Health Corporation), 907-966-2411. It would probably be best not to mention that you are a Bahá’í, or the source of your knowledge. Anyone with experience in addictions would be especially valuable. Other job possibilities may include postal clerk, police officer, day care (could be developed at the Bahá’í Center), and dispatcher for a local air taxi service. For more information about this pioneering post, contact the Larsons, Box 312, Kake, AK 99830, or phone 907-785-3323.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

BOZEMAN, Montana! Far 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 programs 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, hiking, wilderness; easy travel to Yellowstone, the world's first National Park. Above all, good opportunities in service to Bahá’u’lláh. Help rebuild a lost Assembly. Contact Mr. Llewellyn or Gail Drong, Bozeman, MT 59715, or phone 406-587-1739.

WARNER ROBINS, a city of 40,000 in central Georgia, needs at least two homefront pioneers to consolidate the community and help the local Assembly in its development. 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 Island, GA 31522 (phone 912-634-0658).

PERRY, a lovely city of 12,000 in central Georgia, needs homefront pioneers to consolidate the community and help the local Assembly in its development. There are presently no homefront pioneers in the community. For information about pioneering to Perry, please contact the District Teaching Committee, c/o Bruce Whitmore, secretary, St. Simon's Island, GA 31522 (phone 912-634-0658).

MACON, the largest city in central Georgia (pop. 115,000) has 20 Bahá’ís on the rolls and eight homefront pioneers (including six adults). More are needed. Employment possibilities include 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 912-634-0658).

LOOKING for a lovely, quiet community in which to teach the Faith? Planning to buy a lot on which to build your dream home? Consider "Spanish Cove" (Lillian, Alabama), in the South's Bible Belt, offering a glorious challenge to Bahá’ís. I'm an isolated believer who has retired here to stay. With a few more Bahá’ís we can have day or evening classes in a clubhouse room, use of two of our city parks, and advertise on local closed circuit TV. For more information, write to Grace L. Vance, Lillian, AL 36549, or phone 205-962-2753.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

JOBS available overseas include the following: AFRICA: Ciskei—social and economic development practitioners. Transkei—medical doctors. AMERICAS: Honduras—field representative to administer AFSC assistance and Medical Education Fund programs. Turks & Caicos—general practitioner with ER experience. AUSTRALASIA: Marshall Islands—education counselor, Spanish teacher. EUROPE: Soviet Union—pediatric rehabilitation nurses, chefs, food preparation specialists, facilities maintenance personnel, construction workers, Russian language linguist, HVAC specialists, packaging and shipping specialists, power production diesel mechanics, physician's assistant, EMT, SATCOM technicians, supply and logistics specialists, security systems technicians, video technicians, X-ray maintenance technicians. MULTI-REGIONAL: international consultants for USAID health projects, MIS manager, software engineers, program analyst, social marketing specialist, technical proposal writer, international consultants for programs in rural development, tropical forestry programs officer.

Also, the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) has initiated programs providing technical and business management expertise to Poland and Hungary. Programs are planned for Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and the Soviet Union. IESC functions as a network of volunteers who are available for short-term assignments. For more information about any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Mary Hanford Ford (died Toledo, OH, 1937), Jacob Forman, Blanche Foster (died Jersey City, NJ, 1957), George Foster, Ruth Foster, Sigsbee Lee Foster, Emma C. Fowler, Samuel Fox, Thea Francis, Brenda Francke, Gordon Fraser, Lee Freedman, Blanche Gagnon, Tom Galt. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following issues of Alaska Bahá’í News: September 1957; March, September, October 1958; May, June, September, December 1959; April 1960; February, November, December 1961. Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

WANTED: Chicago Bahá’í memories. Any years. Your memories or those of your parents or grandparents would be greatly appreciated for a study of Bahá’í history in Chicago. To receive a questionnaire for written or audio-recorded responses, please write to Mark Perry, Bahá’í World Center, P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is seeking a design or logo for a standard-size coffee mug to be distributed at the school. The design should reflect the distinctiveness of Bahá’í schools in general or Louhelen in particular. Please submit designs on 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper. Your help is greatly appreciated! Submit ideas by August 1 to the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

CONFERENCES

THE SECOND annual Green Lake (Wisconsin) Conference Friday Forum will be held September 14. This year there will be three forums operating simultaneously: American Indians and the Bahá’í Faith, Equality and the Family, and the Arts. For information, contact Carolyn Malouf, Friday Forum Registration, N88 W5188 Covington Square, Cedarburg, WI 53012.

MISCELLANEOUS

BAHÁ’Í writers: let's associate! Let's form a national network of Bahá’í writers to consider how and what we can contribute to the "intensive campaign to emblazon His Name across the globe." Perhaps a national meeting, newsletter, directory, etc. would help us share writing plans and prospects, identify mutual goals, and get to know one another's strengths and specialties. And perhaps we can learn more about what markets are open to us, and something about the nuances and complexities of getting our work published and/or produced. Write to Irma E. Gray, San Antonio, TX 78230.

BAHÁ’Í speakers who are traveling cross country and would like to speak in Flagstaff, Arizona, contact Tim Macy, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or phone 602-774-2243. Proclamations are held on the first Friday of each month; please phone at least one month beforehand to be booked to speak. Speakers are needed.

Visit by member of National Teaching Committee gives local efforts a boost In Richmond, Virginia

Teach Peace Tod Ewing, a member of the National Teaching Committee, talks with a seeker during his two-day visit in May to the Richmond, Virginia, area.

Teaching in the greater Richmond, Virginia, area—especially among African-Americans—was given a boost May 12-13 when Tod Ewing, a member of the National Teaching Committee, visited the area.

After attending the Brilliant Star Bahá’í School on Saturday morning, Mr. Ewing consulted with the Spiritual Assembly of Richmond, then went to Farmville, an hour's drive away, to visit isolated believers and friends of the Bahá’ís.

About 30 people—nearly half of whom were not Bahá’ís—gathered that evening at the YMCA in Richmond for a program on "Black Culture, the Bahá’í Faith, and the Unity of Mankind."

Among those who attended were two elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They were brought by a seeker who had called the Bahá’í phone weeks before for information and had subsequently received a flier about the weekend's activities.

Some of those who attended the program have expressed an interest in coming to firesides, while others have asked for literature about the Faith.

On Sunday morning, members of the greater Richmond Bahá’í community consulted with Mr. Ewing about teaching.

He assured them that through consultation, prayer, deepening and becoming more focused through the "institute" approach to teaching, they would find the strength and direction needed to attract more African-Americans to the Cause.

U.S. Institute of Peace Invites men and women to compete for fellowships

The United States Institute of Peace invites qualified men and women to compete for three types of fellowships offered by the Institute's Jennings Randolph Program for International Peace.

These fellowships enable outstanding professionals and scholars to undertake research and education projects that will increase knowledge and spread awareness among the public and policy-makers on topics that concern the sources and nature of violent international conflict and the full range of ways to end or prevent conflict and to sustain peace.

For more information about the program, or to receive a nomination or application form, contact: Jennings Randolph Program for International Peace, United States Institute of Peace, 1550 M St. N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, or phone 202-457-1706 (Fax number: 202-429-6063). [Page 11]ESPAÑOL

"El propósito de la enseñanza no está completo cuando una persona declara que ‎el él‎ ha aceptado a Bahá’u’lláh como la Manifestación de Dios para ‎ésta esta‎ época; el propósito de la enseñanza es el de atraer a los seres humanos al Mensaje divino y así infundirlos con su espíritu de modo tal, que ellos se dediquen a su servicio, y este mundo llegue a ser otro mundo, y su pueblo, a otro pueblo."—La Casa Universal de Justicia (traducción no oficial)

Enseñanza más allá de la declaración

A menudo, las personas aceptan a la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh, aun cuando ellos han aprendido ‎sola solo‎ una fracción de lo que hay que saber de la más reciente de la Revelación de Dios.

Mientras que ellos creen en Bahá’u’lláh como la Manifestación de Dios para este día y están informados, en forma ‎basica básica‎, acerca de las Figuras Centrales, principios, leyes y la administración que ellos deben seguir, ellos, tal vez, aún no entienden, por ejemplo, ‎porque por qué‎ es importante leer la Palabra Creativa diariamente o reunirse con otros creyentes para comenzar el proceso de construirse una comunidad Bahá’í.

Los maestros quienes atraen a los individuos hacia la Fé tienen la responsabilidad de seguirles enseñando aún después de sus ingresos.

‎Através A través‎ del apoyo y la guía afectuosos, los nuevos creyentes son capacitados para levantarse, como nuestros ‎companeros compañeros‎ en el servicio de la Causa.

"La consolidación" es un ‎termino término‎ común, utilizado para describir a ese aspecto vital de la enseñanza que asiste a los creyentes a profundizarse en sus conocimientos y entendimiento de las Enseñanzas, y fortalece sus enlaces de devoción con Bahá’u’lláh y su Causa.

Una consolidación exitosa resulta en los nuevos creyentes: ‎desarrollandose desarrollándose‎ espiritualmente, enseñando a la Fe a otros, y contribuyendo al funcionamiento de la comunidad Bahá’í y a sus instituciones administrativas.

Nuestras presentaciones iniciales de la Fe nos da una oportunidad para establecerse los senderos de la profundización y del servicio.

De importancia particular es que los nuevos creyentes sean introducidos a sus responsabilidades de la oración, de la lectura de los Escritos, y la de comunicarle a otros de su encuentro con su nueva Fe.

Además de enseñar la Fe, los nuevos creyentes podrán: visitarse con las familias de otros nuevos creyentes y discutir acerca de pasajes específicos de las Escrituras; instruirles a los niños oraciones y canciones; animar a otros creyentes para asistir a las reuniones Bahá’ís.

Los caminos a seguir hacia la profundización y el servicio pueden desarrollarse en forma muy efectiva a ‎travéz través‎ de los institutos de enseñanza.

Mientras que los actos de servicio realizados por los nuevos creyentes sean sencillos, y apoyado al principio por los maestros, el instituto puede ayudar los nuevos creyentes a desarrollar el conocimiento necesario para progresarse hacia los caminos variados del servicio, los que ellos atravesarán eventualmente en forma individual.

Esta responsabilidad de nutrir al nuevo creyente, existe aún cuando su ingreso sea el resultado de los esfuerzos de un individuo, de una comunidad, o como el resultado de un proyecto de enseñanza en masa.

Cuando un buscador se convierte en un creyente, ‎atravéz a través‎ de la asociación personal con un Bahá’í individual, es la responsabilidad del maestro asegurar de que este buscador se transforma en un trabajador, firme y activo de la Fe.

El maestro podrá lograr esto, acompañandole al nuevo Bahá’í a las clases de profundización, por ejemplo, o, si el nuevo creyente no reside cerca del maestro, ‎atravéz a través‎ de una correspondencia ‎amenuda a menudo‎.

Si las personas se hacen Bahá’ís ‎atravéz a través‎ de un esfuerzo comunitario, como en el caso de una serie de reuniones públicas, la Asamblea, o el grupo, debe tener, ya elaborada, un plan de acción para asisitirlos en convertirse en miembros activos, y contribuyentes a la comunidad Bahá’í.

Los miembros de una comunidad deben esforzarse para desarrollarse las amistades personales con los nuevos Bahá’ís. Los nuevos Bahá’ís necesitan sentirse ‎calororsamente calurosamente‎ acogidos por la comunidad, invitados y animados a asistir y a participar en las actividades de la comunidad, y también ofrecidos ayuda, comprensión y apoyo mientras ellos maduran como Bahá’ís.

La institución patrocinadora tiene la responsabilidad de asegurarse de que el trabajo de la enseñanza continua cuando los Bahá’ís han sido inscritos como el resultado de un esfuerzo de enseñanza en masa (como en el caso de un proyecto de enseñanza directa, o de puerta a puerta).

Aquellos quienes han aceptado a la Fe ‎atravéz a través‎ de un proyecto de enseñanza en masa deben tener la oportunidad de profundizarse. Unas de las maneras en que esto puede realizarse son: por medio de la planificación de un circuito de maestros viajeros, por la iniciación de los institutos de enseñanza, la celebración de las escuelas de verano y de invierno, la diseminación de la literatura Bahá’í, o por la organización de cursos especiales de estudio para los nuevos creyentes.

Muchos de nuestros esfuerzos en el pasado, especialmente aquellos que ‎utilizáron utilizaron‎ la enseñanza en masa, han tenido exito en la inscripción de nuevos creyentes, sin embargo, estos esfuerzos no nos han provisto con un incremento en el número de compañeros y trabajadores activos para la Causa.

Esto ocurre, primordialmente, como resultante del hecho de que el proceso de la enseñanza (proceso que involucra la atracción de las almas receptivas a tal punto que ellas son miembros enteramente participes en la comunidad Bahá’í y enseñando activamente) no fue aplicado completamente; no se mantuvo un balance entre la expansión y la consolidación.

La importancia de la consolidación de los nuevos creyentes será cada vez ‎mas más‎ evidente a la medida que nos acercamos al proceso de la entrada por tropas.

Sin el apoyo de los nuevos miembros, nosotros quienes servimos a la Causa en nuestro número actual, no podremos esperar administrar los asuntos de una comunidad Bahá’í, inmensamente agrandada, ni continuar la expansión de nuestra ‎membrecia membresía‎ con una velocidad tan alta.

Así como el progreso de la humanidad depende de las oportunidades para que nuestros hijos se ‎desarrollan desarrollen‎ a adultos maduros y responsables, así mismo el progreso de la Causa depende de la oportunidad de los nuevos creyentes para que se ‎desarrollan desarrollen‎ y ‎llegan lleguen‎ a ser Bahá’ís maduros y activos en el desenvolvimiento del Orden Mundial de Bahá’u’lláh.

(Artículo traducido de The Direct Line, "Teaching Beyond Enrollment," febrero/marzo de 1990)

Conferencia Nacional Hispana en Los Angeles

Una conferencia dirigiéndose al crecimiento y desarrollo de los hispanos dentro de la comunidad Bahá’í patrocinada por las asambleas espirituales de Los Angeles y San Fernando, en colaboración con el National Teaching Committee, se llevará a cabo los días 14-16 de septiembre en el Centro Bahá’í de Los Angeles.

El objetivo de la conferencia es de ayudar a los Bahá’ís hispanos—recién declarado y veterano—en el fortalecimiento de su identidad Bahá’í en la comunidad, formulando un plan para alcanzar el pueblo hispano, y desplegar una base para la ‎trasformación transformación‎ individual y colectiva.

La conferencia se titula "Raices ‎Indijenas Indígenas‎... Misión de Gloria." Se ofrecerán talleres sobre temas como: El Convenio, Administración Bahá’í, Participación Universal, y Alcanzando al pueblo hispano. Una fiesta cultural se presentará con bailes, música y drama.

Conferencia Nacional Hispana

National Hispanic Conference

Centro Bahá’í de Los Angeles • Septiembre 14-16 de 1990 Los Angeles Bahá’í Center • September 14-16, 1990

Tema: "Raices ‎Indigenas Indígenas‎... Misión de Gloria" Theme: "Indigenous Roots... Glorious Mission"

Asistiré / Asistiremos a la Conferencia Nacional Hispana: I will / we will attend the National Hispanic Conference:

Nombre completo: __________________________________________________ Complete name:

Esposa/Esposo: ____________________________________________________ Wife/Husband:

Niños: _____________________________________ Edades: _______________ Children: Ages:

Jovenes: (13-19) ___________________________ Edades: _______________ Youth: (13-19) Ages:

Dirección: _________________________________ Ciudad: _______________ Address: City:

Estado: ____________________ Zip: __________ Nación: _______________ State: Zip: Nation:

Teléfono: __________________________________________________________ Phone:

Hora de ‎arrivo arribo‎: _____________ Linea de avion: _______________________ Arrival time: Airline:

Comunidad bahá’í: ______________ ¿Becado por su comunidad? ___________ Bahá’í community: Sponsored by community?

$20.00 por adulto: $20.00 per adult:	(incluye comida y registración) (including meals and registration)
$15.00 por joven: $15.00 per youth:	(incluye comida y registración) (including meals and registration)
$7.50 por niño: $7.50 per child:	(incluye comida y registración) (including meals and registration)
$50.00 por familia: $50.00 per family:	(para una familia de 4 o ‎mas más‎) (for a family of 4 or more)

Incluyo un cheque de $ ________ a nombre de Los Angeles Bahá’í Fund Enclosed is a check for $ ________ made payable to Los Angeles Bahá’í Fund

Por favor de mandar su registración lo ‎mas más‎ pronto posible: Please send your registration as soon as possible:

Conferencia Nacional Hispana Los Angeles Bahá’í Center 5755 Rodeo Road Los Angeles, CA 90016

Para ‎mas más‎ información llame a Angelica Huerta, Centro Bahá’í de Los Angeles (213) 933-8291 de Lunes a Viernes 9am - 5pm For more information call Angelica Huerta, Los Angeles Bahá’í Center (213) 933-8291 Monday thru Friday, 9am - 5pm

'The cause of universal education... deserves the utmost support that the governments of the world can lend it.'—The Universal House of Justice, 'The Promise of World Peace' [Page 12]

سفر جناب فروتن به اتحاد جماهیر شوروی

HAND OF THE CAUSE FURUTAN VISITS SOVIET UNION

۶۰ سال پیش حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله در دستخطی خطاب به ایادی امرالله جناب علی‌اکبر فروتن پیامی به این مضمون فرمودند که امید است در آینده به خدماتی شایان در کشور روسیه موفق شوید. دستخط مبارک در سال ۱۹۳۰ صادر گردیده بود. در تمام این سالیان جناب فروتن آرزوی آن را در سر می‌پروردند که بار دیگر به دیار کودکی و نوجوانی و جوانی خود باز گردند و آن را دوباره ببینند.

در ماه مارچ سال جاری امیدواری حضرت ولی امرالله صورت وقوع پذیرفت و آرزومندی جناب فروتن به سر رسید و ایشان به اتحاد جماهیر شوروی سفر نمودند و مدتی را در آن کشور گسترده به حشر و نشر با احباء و شرکت در مصاحبه‌های تلویزیونی و ایراد سخنرانی در مجامع علمی گذراندند.

جناب فروتن روز ۱۶ مارچ (۱۹۹۰) ارض اقدس را به قصد شوروی ترک نمودند. ایشان ۱۰ روز در زادگاه خویش، عشق‌آباد به سر بردند و در ۲۵ جلسه شرکت کردند و از احباء دیدار به عمل آوردند. همچنین در محلی که زمانی اولین مشرق‌الاذکار عالم بهائی برپا بود، حاضر شدند و بر مزار چند تن از بزرگواران امر که در عشق آباد مدفونند، به مناجات پرداختند.

در تاشکند با دو خانم سالمند بهائی دیدار کردند و به اعضای خانواده دو خادم مذکور جزئیاتی درباره ‎حرفی ترقی‎ امر مبارک لطف نمودند. در دوشنبه (مرکز جمهوری تاجیکستان) با ۲۵ نفر از احباء ملاقات کردند و در «دانشگاه شهر دوشنبه» درباره روانشناسی ایراد نمودند. حدود ۴۰۰ نفر در این سخنرانی حضور یافتند.

جناب فروتن سپس به سمرقند تشریف بردند و با حدود ۲۵ نفر از احباء که ‎مسگی بستگان‎ خانواده‌های قدیمی امر مبارکند ملاقات نمودند. دو نفر جوان که از باکو برای ملاقات با جناب فروتن به سمرقند آمده بودند، ساعات زیادی را با ایشان گذرانده و جناب فروتن درباره تعالیم امر مبارک با آنها به تفصیل صحبت نمودند.

در روز اول رضوان پس از ۶۰ سال محفل روحانی مسکو با حضور جناب فروتن و ۲۰ نفر از یاران مجدداً تشکیل گردید. این محفل متشکل از افرادی با ملیت‌های گوناگون است. چند روز بعد جناب فروتن در جلسه ضیافت نوزده روزه مسکو حضور یافتند.

جناب فروتن می‌خواستند دیداری هم از محل تحصیلات عالیه خود، دانشگاه مسکو به عمل آورند. میزبانان جوان ایشان پیشنهاد کردند که جلسه‌ای در دانشکده روانشناسی و تعلیم تربیت تشکیل شود. جناب فروتن که خود را برای یک جلسه ۳۰ نفری آماده ساخته بودند، با ۳۰۰ نفر روبه‌رو شدند و درباره ارتباط روانشناسی و دین سخنانی ایراد نمودند و سپس به مدت ۲۰ دقیقه راجع به امر مبارک بیاناتی اظهار داشتند.

همچنین هنگامی که جناب فروتن در مسکو حضور داشتند، یکی از مربیان تلویزیون مسکو مصاحبه‌ای با ایشان ترتیب داد که در آینده از تلویزیون پخش خواهد شد. موضوع مصاحبه امر بهائی بود. این برنامه تلویزیونی که نیم ساعت به طول خواهد انجامید مرکب از دو بخش خواهد بود. بخش اول (حدود ۲۰ دقیقه) حاوی سؤال و جواب درباره امر مبارک خواهد بود و بقیه برنامه به پخش عکس‌های اماکن متبرکه و تاریخی امرالله اختصاص خواهد یافت.

جناب فروتن در لنینگراد در حضور ۳۶ نفر از اعضای "انجمن پیشرفت صلح" سخنرانی بیان نمودند. حاضران به موضوع صحبت علاقه زیادی نشان دادند و سؤالات بسیاری در مورد امر الهی طرح ساختند.

در یکی از اعلانات برنامه تلویزیونی سمرقند حضور شخصیت برجسته امر بهائی، علی اکبر فروتن "خیر مقدم" گفته شد و اعلان گردید که در آینده نزدیک مصاحبه‌ای با جناب فروتن از تلویزیون پخش خواهد شد.

جناب فروتن روز ۳۰ آپریل به وین (اتریش) رسیدند و پس از صحبت در حضور ۳۰۰ نفر از احباء آن شهر را به قصد ارض اقدس ترک نمودند.

زیارت مقام حضرت ولی‌امرالله

VISITING THE GUARDIAN’S RESTING PLACE

جناب حسن علائی و همسرشان مسؤولیت تولیت مقام حضرت ولی امرالله را در انگلستان بر عهده دارند. ایشان در طی نامه‌ای مطالبی را به زائران بهائی تذکر داده‌اند. رئوس مطالب مذکور برای استحضار یاران در زیر درج می‌گردد.

دوستان عزیز آگاهند که مقام مبارک حضرت ولی امرالله در لندن زیارتگاه و مقدس‌ترین مکان بهائی در مغرب زمین محسوب می‌گردد. این مکان عزیز نه تنها همه روزه محل توجه بسیاری از احباست بلکه پیوسته افراد غیربهائی همراه بستگان و دوستان خود از آن دیدن می‌نمایند و چون مرقد مبارک در محل عمومی واقع شده است، افرادی که از مسیر آن عبور می‌کنند، محو زیبایی و طراوت محیط آن شده، به نظاره آن می‌پردازند. ‎بی‌شرید بی‌تردید‎ حفظ حرمت چنین مقام مبارکی در احیان تشرف و زیارت می‌تواند معرف رشد روحانی زائرین عزیز باشد. هر چند آداب مخصوصی برای زیارت اماکن متبرکه در دیانت بهائی وجود ندارد، ولی رعایت بعضی از نکات ضروری و لازم است که ذیلاً به بعضی از آن اشاره می‌شود:

• رعایت خضوع و خشوع و سکوت در داخل مقام مخصوصاً در مواقعی که بعضی از یاران مشغول تلاوت دعا و مناجات باشند.
• حرکت آرام و با وقار در نهایت سکوت در داخل محوطه مقام برای حفظ تمرکز قوای فکری زائرین.
• پوشیدن البسه مناسب، ورود به مقام با لباس‌های پیک‌نیک و گردش مناسب مقام مبارک نیست. در این مورد نه تنها احبای الهی بلکه همراهان غیربهائی آنان نیز باید نهایت دقت را مجری دارند.
• یاران باید نهایت دقت را در خصوص کودکان خود رعایت نمایند تا مراسم زیارت در نهایت سکوت و آرامش به عمل آید و همچنین صدمه‌ای به گل‌های حول مقام و باغچه وارد نشود.
• هنگامی که عده‌ای از زائران در مقام حضور دارند، بهتر است برای ادعیه و مناجات را با صدای بلند تلاوت ننمایند.
• عکس گرفتن از مقام آزاد است مشروط بر اینکه هیچکس داخل مقام نباشد. چنانچه یاران بخواهند از همراهان خود عکس بگیرند، باید به خارج مقام آمده، در مقابل در ورودی عکس‌برداری نمایند.
• پاشیدن عطر به سنگ مقام و گذاشتن گل بر سر آن، هر چند نشان عشق و علاقه یاران است، ‎مسلک بلکه‎ باعث صدمه به آن می‌شود و رنگ سنگ را عوض می‌کند. برین تقدیم وجه خرید گل به صندوق مقام کمک مهمی به تأمین هزینه‌های باغبانی و گلکاری و زیباسازی آن خواهد بود.
• اولین شنبه هر ماه از ساعت ۷ بامداد مشرق‌الاذکار در مقام مبارک دائر است و شرکت کنندگان می‌توانند از در پیاده رو مقام واقع در کوچه «آروین» وارد شوند. در سایر روزها در مقام از ساعت ۹ بامداد باز می‌شود.

امکانات تحصیل در خارج از آمریکا

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDY ABROAD

برخی از دانشگاه‌های آمریکا برنامه‌هائی برای تحصیل در سایر نقاط عالم طرح دیده‌اند. دفتر مهاجرت محفل ملی اطلاعات سودمندی درباره دانشگاه‌های مذکور در دست دارد. از علاقه‌مندان تقاضا می‌شود با دفتر مهاجرت تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۸۶۹-۹۰۲۹ (۷۰۸).

حقوق‌الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

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

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

اطلاعیه مؤسسه معارف بهائی

NEW PERSIAN PUBLICATIONS

به تازگی مؤسسه معارف بهائی به لسان فارسی به نشر دو کتاب جدید توفیق یافته است. کتاب "دیانت بهائی: آئین فراگیر جهانی" ترجمه‌ای است از کتاب The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion. این کتاب در حقیقت گلچینی از مجموعه معارف بهائی درباره مندرجات و تعالیم و تاریخ دیانت بهائی و در نوع خود ممتاز و اصیل است زیرا دو مؤلف دانشمند آن دکتر ویلیام هچر و داگلاس مارتین با سعه مطالعات و تجارب علمی و ایمانی اثری عرضه داشته‌اند که در عین آنکه از سهم قلم مایه می‌گیرد، به زیور انصاف و دقت علمی نیز آراسته است و این مایه از دقت و توجه البته چنین اثری را شایسته استفاده در مراکز علمی و معاهد تحقیقی ساخته است تا جائیکه دانشنامه بریتانیکا این کتاب را جزء یکصد اثر منتشر شده در سال ۱۹۸۶ شناخته است. قیمت با جلد مقوایی ۱۸ دلار و با جلد شمیزی ۱۱ دلار.

"نزول نابغه بهائی" عنوان کتاب دیگری است که توسط جناب نصرت‌الله محمد حسینی نگاشته شده است. این کتاب متضمن شرح حیات دانشمند اندیشمند دکتر فورل و نیز ترجمه انگلیسی لوح مفصل حضرت عبدالبهاء خطاب به وی به قلم حضرت ولی امرالله و همچنین شرحی راجع به لوح مبارک است به قلم مؤلف محترم. قیمت با جلد شمیزی ۷ دلار.

دوستان عزیز می‌توانند کتب فوق را مستقیماً از مؤسسه معارف بهائی و یا از نمایندگان فروش نشریات مؤسسه خریداری نمایند.

Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O. Box 8464 Dundas, Ont. CANADA. L9H 6M2

سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی

BAHÁ’Í YOUTH SERVICE CORPS

سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی فرصت مناسبی در دسترس جوانان بهائی قرار می‌دهد که بتوانند حتی پیش از ورود به دانشگاه و ایجاد کانون خانواده و شروع به کار مدتی را به طور تمام وقت وقف خدمت به امر مبارک نمایند.

شرکت کنندگان در این برنامه از راه‌های گوناگون منجمله شرکت در برنامه‌های تبلیغی و کمک به برنامه‌های مربوط به عمران اجتماعی و ‎التمادی اقتصادی‎ خدمت به امر مبارک می‌نمایند.

در حال حاضر ۲۹ جوان بهائی در میادین بین‌المللی و ملی به خدمت مشغولند و تا سپتامبر سال جاری ۱۶ نفر دیگر نیز به آنان ملحق خواهند گردید. از سال ۱۹۸۵ که این برنامه آغاز گردید، ۷۳ نفر از جوانان هر یک به مدت یک سال در آن شرکت جسته‌اند.

شرکت‌کنندگان در برنامه مذکور، پس از اتمام خدمت به صورت منابع گرانبهائی برای جامعه محلی خود در می‌آیند و می‌توانند در مجامع امری خصوصاً در جمع جوانان راجع به تجربیات خویش سخنرانی کنند.

در کنفرانس بین‌المللی جوانان که در سال ۱۹۸۸ در ایالت ایندیانا تشکیل شد، ۳۲۰ نفر تعهد نمودند که مدت یک سال را به طور تمام وقت به خدمت امر مبارک بپردازند. اما تاکنون فقط ۴۰ نفر از آنان برای این خدمت از فرصت استفاده نموده‌اند.

از جوانان بهائی که مایل به شرکت در برنامه مذکور باشند، تقاضا می‌شود با خانم ویکتوریا دی لیون Victoria de Leon در دفتر محفل روحانی ملی تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۸۶۹-۹۰۲۹ (۷۰۸).

اطلاعیه محفل روحانی نیویورک

ANNOUNCEMENT

مرکز بهائی نیویورک به دو نفر مشوق جهت حفاظت و نگهداری آن مرکز نیازمند است. مرکز بهائی مذکور ۴ طبقه دارد و متولی آن مسؤول نظافت و حفاظت ساختمان خواهد بود. محل سکونت متولی ساختمان، طبقه سوم آن خواهد بود که دارای سه اتاق و آشپزخانه و حمام است. مبلغی نیز به عنوان حقوق پرداخت خواهد شد. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند جهت کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با مرکز بهائی نیویورک تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۸۹۹۸-۶۷۴ (۲۱۲). [Page 13]

پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

ترجمه پیام تلگرافی بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به عموم محافل روحانی ملی مورخ ۲۴ می ۱۹۹۰

با شعف و سرور بی‌پایان به پیروان جمال قدم جلّ اسمه الأعظم در سراسر عالم بشارت می‌دهیم که صبح روز ۲۳ می یعنی یکصد و چهل و شش سال پس از اظهار امر حضرت باب عملیات ساختمانی توسعه و تکمیل طبقات مقام اعلی آغاز گردید. به مناسبت این واقعه تاریخی حضرات ایادی امرالله امانة‌الله، روحیه خانم و جناب علی‌اکبر فروتن و اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم و مشاورین عضو دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی و فریبرز صهبا، مهندس معمار طبقات و مدیر اجرائی طرح ساختمانی قوس کوه کرمل به مقام مقدس اعلی و مقام حضرت عبدالبهاء مشرف گشته، با تلاوت ادعیه مبارکه تأییدات الهیه را برای اجرای بنای این مشروع جلیل مسئلت نمودند. سپس طرح تفصیلی که به منظور توسعه قسمت شرقی طبقه اصلی، برای ایجاد تناسب و تساوی با قسمت غربی تهیه شده، مورد ملاحظه قرار گرفت.

مکان این مشروع جلیل را حضرت بهاءالله بشخصه القدس برای بنای مرقد مبشر شهیدش اختیار فرمود و حضرت عبدالبهاء ساختمان آن را رسماً آغاز نموده با تحمل مشقات بی‌پایان بنای اولیه را بنیاد فرمود و عرش مطهر حضرت باب را در آن مستقر ساخت. سپس حضرت ولی امرالله ساختمان مقام اعلی را به کمال اهمیت ادامه داده بنای اصلی را تکمیل و آن را به رواق خارجی و گنبد ذهبی آراست و با تأسیس نه طبقه تحتانی مقام اعلی را به خیابان کلنی آلمانی‌ها مرتبط ساخت. چنین مشروع جلیلی اکنون به مرحله نهائی وارد گشته تا با توسعه و تزئین نه طبقه موجوده و بنیان نه طبقه دیگر دامنه جبل کرمل تا رأس آن را به بنای یادبودی مجلل مزین سازد.

از یاران عزیز در جمیع نقاط دعوت می‌کنیم تا با بذل مساعی مجدانه این طرح مقدس را که اکنون به صورتی تنگاتنگ ناپذیر با ابنیه حول قوس کوه کرمل ارتباط یافته به نحوی شایسته اکمال و اتمام بخشند و مراتب وقوف و آگاهی خود را از عظمت و اهمیت موهبتی که اظهار امر و جانفشانی حضرت رب اعلی نصیب جامعه بشری ساخته به منصه ظهور رسانند و ایمان و تعهد خود را به صلاح حضرت بهاءالله در لوح کرمل که مبشر تأسیس مقر سلطنت الهیه بر فراز آن جبل مقدس است اثبات نمایند و با تبرعات کریمانه خود سبب تسهیل و تسریع تحقق یافتن وعود حضرت عبدالبهاء و حضرت ولی امرالله برای استقرار مؤسسات فخیمه امر اعظم الهی بر جبل‌الرب گردند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

ترجمه تلگراف بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۲۰ می ۱۹۹۰

این جمع از اخبار واصله از واشنگتن مسرورند. اهمیت اقدام مجلس سنای ایالات متحده در مورد صدور قطعنامه‌ای در ارتباط با حمایت از تمامی راجع به استخلاص جامعه بهائی ایران تنها مربوط به مفاد ذکر شده نیست، بلکه همچنین نموداری است از برکات روحانی که به جمهوری محبّوب غرب عطا گردیده است.

امید است که رعایای آن جمهوری و نیز جامعه پیروان اسم اعظم در آن دیار شور جدیدی در مورد تحقق ساختن وعود مربوط به سرنوشت متعالی خود بیابند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

در روز ۱۵ می سال جاری مجلس سنای ایالات متحده به اتفاق آراء قطعنامه‌ای در مورد محکوم ساختن مظالمی که بر جامعه بهائی ایران وارد شده است صادر نمود و در ضمن آن استخلاص آن جامعه ستمدیده را از دولت ایران خواستار شد. دستخط فوق بیت‌العدل اعظم در رابطه با اقدام مذکور مجلس سنا صدور یافته و ناظر به پیام‌های مبارکی است که از قلم سحر حضرت عبدالبهاء در طی سفرهای تاریخی آن حضرت در قاره آمریکای شمالی صادر گردیده است:

"در آمریکا آثار تقدّم و پیشرفت از هر جهت نمایان و آیندهٔ آن اقلیم بس روشن و تابان، چه که آرائش نافذ است و افکارش فائق و در عوالم روحانیه گوی سبقت از سایر ملل و طوائف عالم خواهد ربود."*

این چهارمین باری است که نمایندگان کنگره ایالات متحده قطعنامه‌ای در دفاع از بهائیان ایران صادر نموده‌اند. در سال‌های ۱۹۸۲، ۱۹۸۴ و ۱۹۸۸ نیز اقدامات مشابهی از جانب نمایندگان مذکور صورت گرفته است.

• کتاب "ظهور عدل الهی"، ترجمه از انگلیسی، ص ۱۷۴.

اطلاعیه و اخبار دفتر امین صندوق ملی

NEWS FROM NATIONAL TREASURER'S OFFICE

عوامل بسیاری دست به دست هم داده و باعث شده است که تأخیری در مورد ارسال رسید تبرعات حاصل شود. از آنجا که اوراق رسیدهای قبلی تمام شده است، به استحضار یاران می‌رساند که تا وصول اوراق رسید جدید لازم نیست که آن عزیزان فرم خاصی برای ارسال تبرعات خود به صندوق‌های مختلف امری در دست داشته باشند. یاران می‌توانند تبرعات خود را همراه با یادداشت مختصری به دفتر صندوق ملی ارسال نمایند.

The Office of the Treasurer Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL. 60091

بنا به درخواست محفل روحانی ملی، دفتر امین صندوق ملی با کمک اعضای هیئت معاونت و محافل محلی حدود ۵۰ ملاقات با احباء در نقاط مختلف کشور ترتیب داده است.

هدف از تشکیل این جلسات ایجاد روح مشورت و مذاکره در سطح محلی راجع به مشکلات مالی جامعه امری در حال حاضر است. یکی از کارکنان دفتر امین صندوق ملی اظهار نمود که ۲۵ میلیون دلاری که اخیراً محفل روحانی ملی بعنوان هدف مالی برای ساختمان‌های کوه کرمل تعیین نموده، مستلزم آن است که اقدام برای تأمین آن به فوریت شروع شود مخصوصاً در طی ماه‌های تابستان. وی همچنین افزود که اهمیت و فوریت این مشروع را بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در دو پیام ژانویه و رضوان امسال تأکید فرموده‌اند و برنامه‌های مربوط به ترسیم مشرق‌الاذکار آمریکا هم وارد مهم‌ترین مرحله خود شده است.

ایادی محبوب امرالله جناب ویلیام سیرز در بیاناتی که در کانوکشن ملی امسال ایراد نمود، از احباء درخواست فرمود که تا ۹ جولای سال جاری تبرعات در خور توجهی برای اتمام ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهر تقدیم نمایند. روز مذکور بعنوان تاریخ خاتمه سلسله جلسات دفتر امین صندوق ملی با محافل محلی در نظر گرفته شده است.

همچنین جناب دیوید هافمن نیز در کانوکشن ملی اظهار داشت که تحقق وعده "یدخلون فی دین الله افواجاً" با آمادگی احبای آمریکا برای قبول بی‌چون و چرای اصل انقطاع از امور دنیوی حاصل خواهد شد. با توسل به انقطاع است که احباء می‌توانند جلب محبت و احترام هموطنان خود را بنمایند.

اطلاعیه دفتر روابط خارجی محفل ملی

CONTACTING THE MEDIA

وقایع بسیاری در جهان رخ می‌دهد که ممکن است احباء بخواهند نسبت به آن اظهار نظر نمایند. طبیعی است که بهائیان با رخدادهای حیرت‌انگیز جهانی و با علائم بهائی‌هراسی که جهان بشری را در بستر ناکامی انداخته است پر انگیزه و تحت تأثیر قرار دهد.

محفل روحانی ملی افراد بهائی و محافل محلی را ترغیب می‌نماید که به سردبیران روزنامه‌ها و مجلات محلی نامه بنویسند و در ضمن آن تعالیم بهائی و راه حل مشکلات موجود را از نظر امر مبارک بازگو نمایند.

یاران می‌توانند درباره مشکلات اساسی جهان بشری بنگارند و اصول روحانی لازم را برای درمان امراض عالم انسانی ضروری است، خاطرنشان سازند و با دعوت همگان به قبول آن اصول مادی و حامی بشریت شوند.

معذلک محفل روحانی ملی یاران را متذکر می‌دارد که نامه‌های خود را قبل از ارسال به تصویب محفل نقطه‌ای که روزنامه در آن منتشر می‌شود، برسانند.

البته یاران مختارند که با ارسال نامه به نشریات نظریات شخصی خود را اظهار نمایند مشروط بر اینکه ذکری از امر مبارک به میان نیاورند و خود را بعنوان یکی از نمایندگان امر مبارک معرفی نفرمایند. هر چند لازم نیست که اینگونه نامه‌ها به تصویب محفل روحانی محل برسد، شکی نیست که مشورت با محفل خالی از فایده نخواهد بود.

محفل روحانی ملی به استحضار یاران می‌رساند که افراد احباء یا محافل روحانی محلی یا جمعیت‌های بهائی نباید بدون تصویب محفل روحانی ملی نامه یا مقاله‌ای درباره امر بهائی به نشریات و مؤسسات خبری ملی ارسال نمایند. این حکم در مورد رسانه‌های گروهی ملی و افراد مشخص مملکتی نیز صادق است.

جواز انتشار مطلب در نشریات ملی را می‌توان از طریق تماس با دفتر روابط خارجی محفل روحانی ملی تحصیل نمود. تلفن: ۸۸۲۰-۲۶۵ (۲۰۲).

Office of External Affairs 1606 New Hampshire Ave N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009

اطلاعیه آکادمی لندگ

LANDEGG ACADEMY

در دستخط دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۶ نوامبر ‎مال سال‎ ۱۹۸۹ چنین مرقوم گردیده است:

"مکتوب نهم سپتامبر صادره از آن مؤسسه جلیله از طرف شرکت‌کنندگان اولین دوره مجمع ادب و هنر واصل شد. این قبیل مجامع که یاران عزیز ایران را تشویق بر ترویج زبان فارسی می‌سازد و با آیات نازله و الواح مبارکه و توقیعات سنیه انس و آشنائی می‌بخشد، البته خدمتی است بسیار جلیل و انشاءالله مکرراً بر انعقاد چنین انجمن‌هایی موفق گردند..."

مژده به دوستداران ادبیات فارسی و هنرهای ایرانی

با مسرت فراوان به اطلاع احبای عزیز ایرانی می‌رساند به منظور ایجاد ارتباط و همکاری بیشتر بین ادبا و شعراء و هنرمندان بهائی و تشویق آنان به خلق و ارائه آثار ادبی و هنری کانوکشن به نام "انجمن ادب و هنر" در مؤسسه "لندگ" تأسیس شده است.

در دومین مجمع (دوره سیاح) که از عصر دوشنبه ۲۷ آگست تا شنبه شب اول سپتامبر ۱۹۹۰ در محل مؤسسه لندگ در سوئیس برگزار خواهد شد، جمعی از ادبا و شعراء و هنرمندان بهائی ایرانی شرکت خواهند کرد و آثار خود را ارائه خواهند داد. به علاوه در این دوره مباحثی مربوط به ادبیات و هنر مطرح شده، مورد نظرخواهی قرار خواهد گرفت. چون همزمان با این دوره برنامه دیگری هم در لندگ اجراء می‌شود، نظر به محدودیت جا لطفاً هر چه زودتر ورقه اسنویسی زیر را پر کرده، به مؤسسه لندگ آدرس ذیل ارسال فرمائید.

مقدمتان را گرامی می‌داریم و به انتظار قدومتان می‌باشیم.

هیئت اجرائی انجمن ادب و هنر

تلفن: ۹۱۲۲۲۲-۷۱-۴۱

Landegg Academy CH-9405 Wienacht/AR Switzerland

حق ثبت نام در این برنامه ۵۰۰ فرانک سوئیس است. برای رزرو قطعی اتاق در لندگ مقتضی است مبلغ ۲۰۰ فرانک سوئیس همراه با ورقه ثبت نام ارسال فرمائید. آخرین مهلت برای رزرو اتاق ۳۰ جولای ۱۹۹۰ خواهد بود.

REGISTRATION FORM

Surname:	Name:
Postal Code:	Town:
Country:	Tel. (P):
Date, Signature:

Course: [ ] Language: [ ] Farsi [ ] English

Accomodation (Please check): [ ] Single Room [ ] Double Room [ ] Four Bed [ ] Cat. A B C D [ ] Cat. A B C D [ ] Night Only

Meals: [ ] Meat [ ] Vegetarian

Children: [ ] Child 1: Age: ____ Language: ____ [ ] Child 2: Age: ____ Language: ____

Arrival: Date: ____ Time: ____ Departure: Date: ____ Time: ____ [Page 14]

California Bahá’í founder of non-profit 'Mothers for Race Unity and Equality'

In an effort to promote race unity and equality in local schools, LeNise Gaertner, a Bahá’í from Colton, California, has founded "Mothers for Race Unity and Equality."

The non-profit group has about 100 members from San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties.

Through the organization, Mrs. Gaertner has promoted racial equality by developing displays, distributing films, presenting workshops and providing lists of multi-cultural materials to be used in the classroom.

To illustrate that children have many career choices, she has arranged to have doctors, store owners, accountants, electricians and others speak to elementary school students.

A newspaper article about Mrs. Gaertner's efforts appeared April 28 in the Inland Empire Sun.

Resources available

Citizen Diplomacy resources are available from the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

News in brief

Chinese teaching accelerates in New York

Chinese teaching has gathered momentum in New York City thanks to a recent influx of traveling teachers and new Bahá’ís that has created an exciting catalyst for greater efforts in that Among the visitors were Farzam Kamalabadi, a pioneer to Macau, and Phoenix Lee, who was on temporary assignment to the Bahá’í International Community from Taiwan.

One of the city's newest Bahá’ís is Philip Chu, whose family came from Shanghai and who attended the Chinese Symposium in San Francisco in March.

On May 12-13, Mr. Kamalabadi presented a talk on teaching, gave a deepening class, spoke at the regular Sunday public meeting, and gave a presentation to more than 25 Chinese students at Columbia University, hosted by the university's Bahá’í Association.

Mr. Kamalabadi, who has been in Macau for four years, was encouraged by the National Spiritual Assembly to travel and teach in the U.S., sharing his experiences in teaching the Chinese.

SUMMER EVENTS OVERSEAS

Alaska: Northern Star Bahá’í Project. Need for traveling teachers to aid in the teaching work in the Aleutian Island chain villages, June-August.

Barbados: Caribbean Bahá’í Youth Conference, August 10-12. Retired persons to help with Archives, ongoing.

Bahamas: Summer Youth Teaching Project, July-August.

Belize: Mirza Mihdi Teaching Project, Phase 2, June 13-August 20.

Botswana: "Star "90" Summer/Winter Youth Project, July-August.

Brazil: Ongoing "Education for Peace" project.

Canada: Yukon Bahá’í Institute, ongoing. Five International Youth Conferences: "An Environment of Peace," various dates.

Dominica: Summer School, August; "Sparks of Peace" Youth Project, summer.

Eastern Europe: Summer projects in several countries.

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

Grenada: Mona Teaching Project, July 21-August 5.

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

Haiti: Intensive deepening and teaching effort in Jacmel and on Cayemite, July-August.

Ireland: Irish Summer School. July 28-Angust.

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

Mexico: Teaching projects in central and southern areas, July-August.

Norway: Norwegian Summer School, July 22-29. Ongoing teaching and consolidation in the Lofoten Islands, Alta and Spitsbergen.

Pakistan: Asian Youth Conference, October 17-20.

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

Swaziland: Social and economic development project, ongoing.

Switzerland: Ongoing teaching projects in St. Gallen, Lucarno and Lausanne. Bicycle Tour for Peace to promote Bahá’í principles on peace and the protection of the environment, August. Landegg School sessions: Personal Transformation (English), August 6-12; Personal Transformation (French), August 12-18; The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh (English), August 18-25; Certification Program in Bahá’í Studies (English), Year 1, July 29-August 26, Year 2, August 5-26; Persian Literature, Arts and Music (Persian), August 27-September 2.

In addition to the above, there are ongoing teaching and consolidation projects in the following countries: Belize, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Hong Kong, Korea, Martinique, Peru, Trinidad, the USSR, and Zimbabwe.

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

The second annual Marian Steffes Honor Dinner, held last November 11 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, served as the focal point for a weekend of teaching in the American Indian community.

Twelve Indian community groups each chose one member to be honored at the dinner for his/her service.

Dallas Chief Eagle, a Bahá’í from Rapid City, South Dakota, who served as master of ceremonies, also performed Indian dances at three area schools for a combined audience of more than 800.

On the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Mr. Chief Eagle led social dancing for more than 125 people, including many Native Americans, at an event sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The Bahá’í International Health Agency (BIHA) has issued a call for papers for a seminar to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, in November, as a prelude to the annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

The seminar will explore the role of physicians, how cultural and institutional demands have shaped that role, and how they have affected, positively and negatively, the "doctor-patient" relationship.

Please submit papers before August 15 to the Bahá’í International Health Agency office, 4265 Ste. Catherine St. West, Westmount, Quebec H3Z 1P7, Canada.

Michael Fitzgerald, a Bahá’í from Winchester, Virginia, is to be nominated for the National Book Award this year for his Bahá’í-based book-length poem, New World Suite, which is available from Kalimat Press.

Mr. Fitzgerald, who was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1989, has been a poetry consultant for Warner Brothers Films, was visiting poet at Earlham (Indiana) College, and has studied at the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

He is the editor of Creative Circle, a volume of essays on the arts.

volume of essays on the arts.

The Maxwell International Bahá’ School in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, is accepting applications and inquiries about its service program for the academic year (August-June).

The school needs a number of mature youth and older Bahá’ís who would like to serve the Faith by offering their skills and talents in such areas as kitchen, grounds, custodial, maintenance, and office work.

There are three categories of service:

1. You pay the complete cost of your year of service including room and board.

2. Room and board are provided.

3. Room, board and a small monthly stipend are provided.

There are always opportunities to interact and serve the students through extracurricular activities; however, the main focus is to fulfill the work required in one's assigned area of responsibility.

Those who apply must realize that the school is striving to create a new race of men and women; therefore, many of the standards that are seen as the norm in society at large are not the norm in the Maxwell community.

The Maxwell School welcomes inquiries. Please make them to:

Maxwell International Bahá’i School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, B.C. VOR 2W0, Canada. Phone: 604 743-7144; Fax: 604-743-3522.

Pioneering Office can help those who study abroad

Are you interested in studying abroad? The Office of Pioneering has resource information and a listing of some of the U.S. colleges that sponsor international academic programs.

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

Lost, not found

Several items that were lost by those attending the National Convention have not yet been claimed. They include:

1. A camera. 2. A set of keys. 3. A small bag of items purchased in the bookstore. 4. A $5 bill.

The owners are asked to contact Amelia Pawlak, National Convention coordinator, 708-869-9039, ext. 206.

CORRECTION

The dates for the Nebraska Bahá’í Summer school which appeared in the May issue of The American Bahd’ (p. 21) are incorrect. The correct dates are August 17-19. We regret the error.

American Indian Pioneering Institute set in August

An American Indian Pioneering Institute will be held August 3-5 at the Bahá’í National Center in Evanston, Illinois.

The Institute has been created to answer the needs of those friends who are presently planning to pioneer on Reservations or in areas where large Indian populations reside.

"Nor should any of the pioneers. . . overlook the fundamental prerequisite for any successful teaching enterprise, which is to adapt the presentation of the fundamental principles of their Faith to the cultural and religious backgrounds, the ideologies, and the temperament of the diverse races and nations whom they are called upon to enlighten and attract."

-Shoghi Effendi

We invite anyone interested in taking part in this Institute to contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible by calling 708-869-9039. [Page 15]Right photo: Hong Foo demonstrates his painting techniques during the Asian Teaching Conference held May 11-13 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. Participants came from around the Midwest to discuss the methods and importance of teaching and consolidation among those of Asian background. Speakers included Phouc Banh (Vietnamese), Dy Bun (Khmer), Khamphai Keosavang (Laotian), True Zang (Hmong), Hong and Sally Foo (Malaysian Chinese), Jene Bellows, Bob Clune, Lisa Mandeville, Sarah Rosenthal and Joan Williams. Annette Prosterman, Southeast Asian teaching coordinator for the National Teaching Committee, gave the keynote talk and convened the sessions. The Louhelen Council plans to sponsor a similar conference next May. Left photo: Some of those attending the Asian Teaching Conference gather for a group picture.

Cultural, racial diversity hallmark as Houston Bahá’ís hold Race Unity Day picnic at local park

Cultural and racial diversity was the hallmark of a Race Unity Day picnic held June 10 at a city park in Houston, Texas.

The event was planned and sponsored by the Institute for the Healing of Racism, a socio-economic development project made up of Bahá’ís from greater Houston and nearby communities.

The picnic was publicized in a number of newspapers including an article, the day before, written by columnist Robert Newberry of the Houston Post who attended the event.

Among others attending were a staff member of the city's other major newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, a judge and city councilwoman who also heads the mayor's committee on race relations; the founder of a well-known Houston adult non-credit education program; and the founder of another group in Houston dealing with race relations, a group with whom the Institute has collaborated on occasion.

Through its work, the Institute is becoming regarded as a resource with which to network in finding solutions to the city's racial problems.

Many Bahá’ís brought friends, and a number of people came in response to media coverage. Visitors included people from Nicaragua, Ethiopia, India, China and Jordan. There were many opportunities to teach the Faith in Spanish to Spanish-speaking seekers.

A number of guests went home with Bahá’í literature; some said they would like to attend a similar event and would invite many friends to the next one.

As a part of the program, the Houston Bahá’í Youth Workshop performed songs and dances related to excerpts from the Writings and the peace statement, all focusing on the oneness of mankind and the elimination of prejudice.

The performance, held in front of the zoo, attracted a number of people in the park who had not been attending the picnic.

The Institute is also conducting weekly meetings at the Bahá’í Center entitled "Dialogue: Racism." The chairwoman of the mayor's committee on race relations plans to attend these meetings herself, or to send a representative from her office.

Black Family Summit Conference Invites papers

The National Spiritual Assembly would like to inform the Bahá’í community of an opportunity to submit papers to the fifth annual National Black Family Summit Conference to be held in March 1991 in Columbia, South Carolina.

The theme is "The Black Family: Social, Economic and Development Issues."

The conference, co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina's College of Social Work and the Urban Leagues of South Carolina, has become a major convocation of scholars, professionals and others concerned with the black family. Attendance at this year's conference was more than 1,100.

The Bahá’ís of Columbia have cultivated warm relationships with the originators/coordinators of the conference, and see a strong Bahá’í presence as a means to place the Faith before people of capacity while offering its remedies to spiritual and social problems.

A Bahá’í information booth, set up this year, was the only non-commercial, non-government agency display.

Bahá’ís interested in submitting papers should send abstracts by October 1 to Dr. Augustus Rodgers, National Black Family Summit, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. His telephone number is 803-777-4309 or 803-777-5291.

It is recommended that submitters not mention being Bahá’ís unless it is pertinent to their papers.

Selected papers to be presented will be announced in December. Academic credentials are not a requirement, although most speakers have been associated with universities or have job titles in social services.

For more information, phone the Spiritual Assembly of Columbia, 803-776-6121.

National Assembly offers guidelines on letters to newspapers about Faith

There are many things happening in the world to which Bahá’ís may want to respond. It is natural for Bahá’ís to be moved by dramatic events in world affairs and by local symptoms of humanity's ills.

The National Spiritual Assembly encourages individual Bahá’ís and local Spiritual Assemblies to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers which correlate the teachings of the Faith to the problems of the world.

Bahá’ís can write about the root problems of the world, identify the spiritual principles involved, and encourage humanity to be guided by these principles.

However, the National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the friends that their letters should be reviewed by the local Spiritual Assembly in the locality where the newspaper is published before submitting them to the newspaper.

Of course, individuals are free to write letters to publications to express their personal views if they do not identify themselves as Bahá’ís, imply that they represent the Faith or the Bahá’í community, or discuss the Bahá’í Faith. Though such letters do not need to be reviewed by the local Assembly, there can be benefits to consulting the Spiritual Assembly about one's letter.

Also, it may be difficult for Public Information Representatives and other Bahá’ís who frequently speak on behalf of the local Bahá’í community to express personal opinions without being perceived as giving an official Bahá’í view.

The National Spiritual Assembly wants to remind the friends that local Spiritual Assemblies, Bahá’í Groups and individual Bahá’ís should not write letters to national publications, national electronic media or nationally prominent people about matters pertaining to the Faith without the permission of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Such communication is important for the coordination of Bahá’í relations with the media and prominent people.

Permission can be sought through the National Assembly's office in Washington, D.C. Write to the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs, 1606 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20009, or phone 202-265-8830.

"Through the shadow of confusion deranging present-day society, there is a far glimmer... of an approach, slow but definite, toward the culmination of the three collateral processes envisaged by the beloved Guardian, namely: the emergence of the Lesser Peace, the construction of the buildings on the Arc on Mount Carmel and the evolution of National and local Spiritual Assemblies." —The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1989

IN MEMORIAM

Fred Baker, Pageland, SC Rebecca Dash, Cameron, SC Louise Diehl, Eureka Springs, AR Elizabeth Earll, Placerville, CA Raymond Frank, Chicago, IL Cecil Gantt, Branchville, SC Betty Gates, Liberia Gertrude Hoggett, Steelville, MO Hosea Jackson, Hartsville, SC Violet Johnson, Battle Creek, MI Clifton Kennedy, Lynchburg, SC Pearl Kennedy, Lynchburg, SC Christal Lewis, Slater, MO Doris Lohse, Switzerland John C. Lucas, Cambria, CA Garvis McDowell, Olanta, SC Barbara Moran, Menlo Park, CA Arthur Nelson, Lugoff, SC James Oden, Highland Park, MI Shokat Sahihi, Los Angeles, CA Weldon Samuel, Darlington, SC Patrick Slattery, Melbourne, FL Wilma Sutter, Wichita, KS Adele B. Varo, Sheboygan, WI Early Mae Williams, Pine Bluff, AR Lucious Williams, Lynchburg, SC Fannie Mae Willis, Delray Beach, FL [Page 16]daigua and the bishop of the local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon).

The honorees, all of whom are members of the Iroquois League of Six Nations, were given pieces of finely crafted pottery, designed especially for the occasion by artist Dick Aerni.

Earlier that day, in keeping with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prophecy concerning the destiny of the American Indians and His remarks on equality of the sexes given at the Hotel Iroquois during His visit to the U.S. in 1912, the committee held an Indian teaching workshop at which Counselor Delahunt narrated slides depicting Indian peoples in Central and South America.

The 50 or so present then heard Mr. Locke present an eloquent talk on the meaning of spiritual transformation.

The success of the National Committee on Women's annual visits to western New York state, which began in 1988 in Seneca Falls, has led to conferences on sexual equality and American Indian teaching in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Phoenix, Arizona, with more planned throughout the country.

The committee has chosen western New York state as the site for its awards dinners because of the area's historic significance with respect to the birth of democracy and women's rights.

In 1848, Seneca Falls was the site of the first women's conference ever held in the U.S.

And more than half a century before that event, the Iroquois Nation received a diamond-studded wampum belt with a letter from John Hancock thanking its leaders for giving the fledgling American colonies the idea of forming a federated union modeled after the Iroquois League.

MOVING?

TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS

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

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 13 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 3-8: General session (adults, youth, children), Louhelen Bahá’í School. "Healing Ourselves, Healing Society" (Holly Hanson Vick); "Rungs on the Ladder to the Realm on High" (Sheryl McDonnell Rak).

August 4-5: Second annual Music and Arts Festival, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona. Phone 602-367-5126.

August 4-5: American Indian Homefront Pioneering Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois.

August 5-12: Lydia Zamenhof Project, "Peace Through Communication," Warsaw, Poland. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

August 6-10: Young Writers' and Illustrators' Workshop, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center, Alberta, Canada. Presenters: Deborah Bley, editor, and Rita Leydon, former art editor, Brilliant Star magazine. Fees: $30 registration, $8/night in a cabin, $12/day for food. To register, contact Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center, Gen. Delivery, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada T0M 1Z0.

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

August 17-22: General session (adults, youth, children), Louhelen Bahá’í School. "Growing Spiritually" (Betsy Haynes); "Prayers and Meditations" (Melanie Smith).

August 25-27: Agricultural Seminar, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, contact the school 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), Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. For details and information, phone 708-256-4400.

August 31-September 2: Pioneer Training Institute, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

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

August 31-September 3: Homecoming Weekend, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Traditional weekend of music, fellowship, food and fun featuring Do'ah, talks by Dwight Allen and alumni, others.

September 2: "Project South Carolina" Victory Conference, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway.

September 6-9: Second annual Story-Telling Festival, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit in 1912. Main story-tellers: Counselor Robert Harris and ‘Aziz Yazdí (Mr. Yazdi grew up in the household of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá). The event marks the 90th anniversary of the Faith in Colorado, and all former Colorado Bahá’ís, traveling teachers and pioneers are invited to 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 14-16: 31st annual Green Lake (Wisconsin) Bahá’í Conference. Confirmed speakers: Counselors Robert Harris and William Roberts; Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; Mildred Mottahedeh. For program information only: Sharron Holder, Cedarburg, WI 53012 (phone 414-375-2335). For housing registration: American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, WI 54941 (phone 414-294-3323 or 800-558-8898). For non-adult program information and sign-up: Laurie Kautz, 608-592-5612. For Friday Forum pre-registration: Carolyn Malouf, Cedarburg, WI 53012.

September 14-16: National Hispanic Conference, Bahá’í Center, Los Angeles, California. Theme: "Raices Indijenas... Mision de Gloria" (Indigenous Roots... Glorious Mission). For information, contact the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016, or phone Angelica Huerta, 213-933-8291 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. PDT).

September 21-23: "Peace Fest '90," Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Phone 803-558-5093.

September 30: 78th annual Thornton Chase Memorial Service, Inglewood Park (California) Cemetery. For information, contact the Thornton Chase Memorial Bahá’í Intercommunity Committee, 1811 Mt. Shasta Drive, San Pedro, CA 90732, or phone 213-519-1811.

October/November: Pioneer Training Institute, Green Acre Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Phone 803-558-5093.

November 9-11: 15th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Omni Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. Theme: "Models of Racial Unity." Room rates: $69 flat rate single, double (also triple or quad if double-doubles available); otherwise, $20 charge for rollaway cots). Reservation number: 1-800-843-6664. Airline: Delta. (Phone 1-800-221-1212, ask for Special Meetings Network, specify Bahá’í Studies conference). Registration information: Association for Bahá’í Studies, Ontario, Canada K1N 7K4 (phone 613-233-1903).

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

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