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[Page 1]Left photo: A surveyor stands atop Mount Carmel facing the Shrine of the Báb and the bay of Haifa as work on the Arc moves forward. Above: Stones excavated from the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts are loaded onto trucks for removal to the area below the Shrine of the Báb where they are used as fill material for the Terraces.

The American Bahá’í

Volume 22, No. 12 — ‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge.’—Bahá’u’lláh — December 1991

National Assembly issues new membership cards

In November, the National Spiritual Assembly announced the issuance of new Bahá’í membership cards. These new cards include an aerial photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship printed in dark blue, and are self-laminating, a feature designed to prolong their life.

The cards are permanent and therefore have no expiration date. Replacements will be issued in case of loss, damage or changes of name. They may be obtained by writing to Management Information Systems at the Bahá’í National Center. If your card is damaged during lamination, please write to the MIS department for a replacement.

Mailing of the new cards began on December 2. If you have not received your card by February 1, please write to the MIS department. Every effort will be made to see that you receive one as quickly as possible.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE . . . Teaching in Washington state 2 A message on race unity 5 National Fund Honor Roll 8-9 Gains in Eastern Europe 11 32nd Green Lake Conference 15

You have in your hands the last issue of The American Bahá’í to be published according to the Gregorian calendar. Starting next month (Sultán), the paper will be produced 19 times a year to bring it in line with the Bahá’í calendar. The goal is to have the paper reach every adult member of the U.S. Bahá’í community at least five days before the Nineteen Day Feast. Look for the issue for Sultán on or before January 14.

Mr. Sears begins five-city tour to rally friends to Plan victory

By KEN BOWERS

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, in an extraordinary labor of love, began a five-city tour of the United States in October with a visit to Boca Raton, Florida, where he challenged the Bahá’ís to “arise as never before” to do their part in achieving his proposed goal of 9,000 new believers by Ridván 1992.

Though in poor health, Mr. Sears has undertaken this tour to fulfill the pledge he made to the National Spiritual Assembly last July to meet personally with the friends in the five most promising teaching areas in the country.

“My purpose,” he said at that time, “will be to greet the believers and to help them upgrade and enhance the level of teaching according to the plans already outlined by the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Teaching Committee.

“I want to tell them who they are as followers of Bahá’u’lláh, and what He has promised they can and will achieve.”

Mr. Sears spent the weekend of October 19-20 in Boca Raton. He greeted the friends individually for several hours on Saturday afternoon and gave his first talk that evening, in which he tied the teaching work to “the most challenging issue” of race unity.

“No one but the Bahá’í community,” he said, “is equipped to demonstrate the oneness of humanity to the world. No one but we have people of all races and nationalities in their communities and as members of their local and national institutions.

“We are miles ahead of any other group, but we still have not done enough to bring about unity, especially between the black and white races.

“Remember, Bahá’u’lláh commanded us to be united. And both the beloved Guardian and the Universal House of Justice have stressed that it is only the American Bahá’í community that can win this victory.”

Mr. Sears called attention to the National Spiritual Assembly’s recently published statement, “The Vision of Race Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue.” He expressed his happiness that the ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ were using it extensively in the teaching work, but added that our deeds must conform to our professed beliefs:

“It is not enough to tell the people. We have to show them, by opening our hearts and our homes to all, so that they can feel the love we have for them. Then it will become obvious to everyone that we are different.”

The Hand of the Cause presented his final talk of the weekend on Sunday morning. Addressing a gathering of about 200 believers, he began by emphasizing the importance of the West in establishing Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order.

Bahá’u’lláh, he pointed out, had prophesied that the light of His Revelation, though originating in the East, would be reflected in the West with even greater intensity.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, he said, had also foreseen the day when “the West will have replaced the East in radiating the light of divine guidance.” Shoghi Effendi, in God Passes By, also noted the blessings bestowed upon the West. And the “Great Republic of the West,” the Guardian wrote, “above all the other countries of the Occident, was singled out to be the first recipi-

SEE MR. SEARS page 5

83rd National Convention to be held April 23-26 at Bahá’í House of Worship

The 83rd Bahá’í National Convention will be held next April 23-26 in Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

After seating of the delegates, less than 200 seats remain available for Bahá’ís who wish to observe the proceedings. Seats for visitors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis determined by postmark.

Requests for seating postmarked on or after January 1, 1992, will be honored until seating is filled. For each seat requested, please send each person’s name, address, Bahá’í I.D. number and telephone number to: Convention Seating, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Seating is available by advance registration only.

Information about hotel accommodations will appear in an upcoming issue of The American Bahá’í.

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears rallies the friends in Boca Raton, Florida. [Page 2]

Washington teaching team provides example

Bahá’ís respond to call to devote final year of Plan to service

Throughout the country, Bahá’ís are beginning to respond to the call made by the National Spiritual Assembly in its National Teaching Plan for the final year of the Six Year Plan to "designate periods of self-supporting, full-time service to teaching in selected areas."

Like many intensive efforts to serve the Cause, full-time teaching has its tests, but provides an excellent opportunity to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and to grow and develop spiritually. A teaching team in the Northwest provides an example of the challenges and victories:

The Washington State full-time teaching team, calling themselves the "Dawn-Breakers," began to take form during the early months of this summer.

Initially, the group consisted of youth who were interested in forming a teaching institute and were struggling to find for themselves a path of service from among the many ways to serve the Cause. In consultation with Auxiliary Board member Marchia Morey and the National Teaching Committee, the group made plans to become instruments for the teaching work in Washington.

To start, the group decided to help implement teacher training for junior youth in the state. As a result of their participation in an intensive teacher training session held in June, the group planned and implemented a variety of ways for helping the junior youth become prepared as teachers of the Cause and involved in forming teaching institutes.

After working for a few months with the junior youth, the group gravitated toward the idea of becoming a full-time teaching team. To spiritually prepare themselves for this task, they engaged in a nine-day deepening in which the Bahá’í Writings were intensively studied. The aim of such deepening is to form the discipline of having a consistently spiritual orientation.

Having completed the intensive deepening, the group formally became a full-time teaching team. The team received sponsorship and support from the Washington Northwest District Teaching Committee and continued to receive guidance from the Board member and the National Teaching Committee.

The first community that requested the team's services was Bellevue. The Spiritual Assembly of Bellevue used the team to help carry out its local teaching plan. The team was asked to invite the community at large to daily firesides, and on weekends the team would often go to the local park, meet people, and share with them the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

The greatest challenge for members of the team at this stage of their service was to keep their wills constantly aligned to the needs of the Bellevue Assembly and to develop the daily discipline of prayer, deepening, consultation, and teaching.

Another struggle for many of the team members was to approach people with an invitation and to provide general information about the Cause when asked.

The issue of imposing on people was a regular topic of consultation for the team. Striking a balance of offering the Message freely but without undue pressure was difficult.

One of the coordinators of the team reports that there have been two areas that have been the hardest to develop. One is becoming skilled in consultation and the other is to arrive at a collective will, or consensus.

Out of necessity, and the commitment to meet that necessity by the team members, improvement in the art of consultation has come about.

Daily, the team meets for prayers and consults regarding what is to happen and how it is to happen and evaluates their efforts thus far. This helps the team remain focused on their tasks. Giving up individual opinion for the welfare of the team's purpose as defined by the host Spiritual Assembly has been a growing process, and one on which the team is making good progress.

The enhancement of the team's level of consultation has led to the ability of the team to focus in on a single issue, a technique for teaching, or a topic to present. This has enabled the team to become disciplined and thereby strengthened their responsibility to God as they strive for spiritual transformation and to perform worthy deeds of service for one another and for the communities they serve.

Pictured are members of the Dawn-breakers Teaching Team of Washington State. They are from left to right (top) Pamela Brown, Ralph Dancil, Heather McCarthy, and Layli Teal, and (bottom) David Hunt, Mark Moran, Sydney Hanson, and Allison Chadwick.

The Dawn-breakers teaching team is scheduled to serve the Cause in various communities until March, with some breaks.

Friendships can open door to teaching Cause to Chinese

To the Editor:

Some thoughts on Chinese teaching:

My experience over the past year at Stanford has been that the greatest results in teaching have been the consequence of prayer and unity.

Recently a small group of Bahá’ís, including myself, met for a long prayer session on teaching, during which we decided to invite a few close Chinese friends for dinner and an evening of fellowship. We also decided that we would not talk about the Faith directly.

The evening turned out to be a wonderful time. There was a strong spirit of closeness, and questions about the Faith came one after another from our Chinese friends.

That evening led to more prayer sessions and monthly dinner firesides, which grew larger and larger and more directly focused on teaching. Many Chinese contacts came to these events, and we eventually formed a study group for more in-depth discussions with five of those who were most interested.

We met (and still do) every two weeks for dinner and discussion about the Faith. We felt this was necessary for those seekers who had already heard the general introduction many times.

One of the topics that was most favorably received was Bahá’í history. After hearing a number of stories about the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, one of our friends said, "I never knew that Bahá’í was this interesting!" In fact, the history seemed to interest some people far more than the teachings of the Faith, which are more controversial to them.

We have found that nothing can replace personal friendships and small, intimate gatherings where the Faith can be discussed in a comfortable atmosphere.

We have also experienced that having a variety of events—large social gatherings, small study groups, interesting and knowledgeable visiting teachers, etc.—is essential to keep the momentum of teaching flowing.

We have noticed as well that the focus on Chinese teaching has increased teaching efforts in general and has helped unite and uplift the Bahá’ís to a higher level of intercommunity effort.

It is important for the future not only to keep up our current efforts in this country, but to increase the amount of exchange between localities involved in Chinese teaching.

Also, I feel that more emphasis on Bahá’í literature (in Chinese and English) is important. I would particularly like to have a Chinese translation of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh to present to my friends and acquaintances. That, I feel, should be a priority of whoever is in charge of Bahá’í literature.

Tarrant M. Mahoney Stanford, California

National Assembly reserves places for nine youth in June '92 pilgrimage group

The National Spiritual Assembly is reserving nine places for youth in the June 22-30, 1992, pilgrimage group. This is a unique opportunity for nine young Bahá’ís to expand their spiritual horizons.

The cost is about $1,500 plus air fare from your city to New York City. The chaperones, chosen by the National Assembly, will work closely with the travel agent in planning the itinerary. The group will travel to and from Israel together.

Requirements are that you be a U.S. Bahá’í between 15-24 years of age as of June 22, 1992, that you have not been on pilgrimage previously, and that you hold an American passport or re-entry permit with an expiration date no later than June 22, 1993.

If interested, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, birth date and Bahá’í I.D. number to the Pilgrimage Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, and an application will be sent to you. Postcards will be accepted until February 15.

Sacramento's Hmong Teaching Institute takes part in Unity Feast

The Hmong Teaching Institute of Sacramento participated in a Unity Feast on October 25 which was held at the facility owned by the local PBS-television affiliate, Channel 6.

More than 100 people came to this event, including several seekers, to hear a talk given by a local believer commemorating the speech made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on that date at the Senator Hotel in Sacramento in 1912.

Bahá’í prayers were offered in five languages and the music and dance presentations came from a rainbow of cultures and heritages, including a dance performed by Hmong Bahá’í teenage girls.

UPCOMING PIONEERING INSTITUTES

January 10-12—San Francisco, California (American Indian teaching.)

January 17-19—Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California.

Spring 1992—Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. [Page 3]

Funds' remarkable growth reflects community's maturity

It is thrilling to contemplate, as we chart the remarkable growth in the Funds of the Faith over the last few years, the impact that growth has had on our ability as a community to deal with the many pressing demands we are called upon to face. Among the results of the new heights of sacrifice we have attained have been our ability to remain current on our obligations to the World Center, to maintain continuity in the restoration of the House of Worship in Wilmette, and to provide support for a wide range of other activities, both at home and abroad.

These wonderful achievements are indicative of a growing maturity in our community, and a new level of understanding about the importance of material resources, which Bahá’u’lláh Himself declared are "indispensable" to the growth of the Faith. It is even more heartening to realize that these sacrifices have been made during a time of great economic difficulties in this country.

The National Spiritual Assembly is responding to this new level of awareness as it develops its vision of growth for the final decade of the century.

Among the avenues the National Assembly is exploring is to implement projects that address points raised in its public statements such as the recent position paper on race unity and forthcoming statements on family life and equality of the sexes. Programs of this nature could help prove the viability of Bahá’í solutions to some of the social issues that are of greatest concern to the American people.

The success of the enterprises under consideration would depend upon a steady and unabated outpouring of funds from the believers. As the Universal House of Justice stated as early as 1989, we must neither rest nor risk losing our momentum at this crucial time in history:

"Tempting as it may be to dwell upon the positive features of our progress, better that we should be spurred on by them than that we should rest on our achievements. Let us continue, therefore, undeflected and confident, to seize the magnificent possibilities which the mix and blend of these ongoing processes and events allow for actualizing the immediate interests of our sacred Cause."

The Holy Year is upon us, the work on the Arc is progressing steadily, and soon humanity will witness the emergence of the Lesser Peace. We cannot know at this time what spiritual forces will be released into the world due to the forward movement of the Cause of God, nor can we estimate the upheaval that humankind may endure before the nations of the planet are reconciled.

We can be certain, however, that whatever course history takes in fulfillment of its foreordained destiny, priceless opportunities for teaching and expansion will present themselves.

Humanity is, in a real sense, in a race against time. The peoples of the world are coming slowly to the realization that their ills can be cured, yet they are swiftly being overwhelmed by them, and are searching ever more desperately for a remedy. And we who follow Bahá’u’lláh have that remedy.

The challenge for us, then, is to be ready to avail ourselves fully of the opportunities for sharing Bahá’u’lláh's healing message as they arise. We must seize the initiative, lomon anticipate the needs of humanity, define our solutions to those needs, and have the necessary resources at our command to implement those solutions.

Let these words, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, put into perspective the critical importance of supporting the funds as we strive to honor our trust:

"...our contributions to the Faith are the surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from mankind, for it is only through the system of Bahá’u’lláh-Divine in origin-that the world can be gotten on its feet and want, fear, hunger, war, etc., be eliminated. Non-Bahá’ís cannot contribute to our work or do it for us; so really our first obligation is to support our own teaching work, as this will lead to the healing of the nations."

Statistics of the Bahá’í World Community

WORLD TOTALS Number of Bahá’ís in the world: Over 5,000,000 National Spiritual Assemblies: 155 Countries opened to the Faith: Independent countries: 167 Significant territories and islands: 47 Number of localities where Bahá’ís reside: approx. 112,000 Number of local Spiritual Assemblies: approx. 20,000 Languages into which Bahá’í literature has been translated: 802 Tribes, minority groups represented in Bahá’í membership: 2,112 Bahá’í Houses of Worship: 7 Sites for future Bahá’í Houses of Worship: 121 Publishing Trusts: 25 Bahá’í radio stations: 7 Bahá’í schools and educational projects: 950 Social and economic development projects: approx. 670

UNITED STATES Number of localities where Bahá’ís reside: approx. 7,000 Number of local Spiritual Assemblies: approx. 1,700 Number of Bahá’ís in the United States: approx. 110,000 Bahá’í schools and institutes: 5

Bahá’ís are frequently asked for statistics for the Bahá’í community. The Office of Public Information encourages the friends to become familiar with these statistics to ensure that accurate and consistent figures are provided to those who request them.

Old Bahá’í materials may state that the Bahá’í Faith is established in more than 300 countries. Current statistics are based on sovereign nations and dependent territories or overseas departments. The number of countries in which Bahá’ís reside has not decreased. Also, older statistics state that Bahá’ís reside in more than 118,000 localities. The discrepancy is due to redistricting in several countries.

Bahá’í representatives at UN complete busy September-October schedule of meetings

The September-October schedule for representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the United Nations is always a busy round of meetings and activities because the General Assembly begins its sessions after the annual summer hiatus.

On September 11-13, three representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly from its Office of External Affairs-Kit Bigelow, Peter Adriance and Shirley Lee-attended the annual UN conference sponsored by the Non-governmental Organizations/United Nations Department of Public Information.

The theme of the three-day conference was "Peace, Justice and Development: Ingredients for an Emerging World Order."

On the second day, Daniel Wegener, representative to the UN for the Bahá’í International Community, presented a strategy session on "An Emerging World Order: Strategies for Action."

Shirley Lee, chairman of the executive committee of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) Conference of UN Representatives, attended a September briefing for NGOs on U.S. policy on UN issues given by Catherine Tinker, senior policy analyst for the UNA.

"Focus on Your World," an international photographic competition on the environment, has been launched by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and Canon Inc.

For information about taking part, contact UNEP Photographic Competition, P.O. Box 548, Sayreville, NJ 08871. Entries must be received by February 29, 1992.

Rights are removed

The National Spiritual Assembly has removed the administrative rights of for fraudulent behavior.

Bahá’ís are advised not to lend money or offer hospitality to . His whereabouts are unknown, but he may have a current Bahá’í identification card. His appearance in a community should be reported to the National Assembly.

10,000 SEATS...

nearly one-third of all available, have been reserved for the Bahá’í World Congress in November 1992.

Have you reserved yours? [Page 4]

PIONEERING

As the end of the Six Year Plan rapidly approaches, with important international goals yet to be achieved by this community, let us recall the words of our beloved Guardian: 'The time has come for the friends...to think not how they should serve the Cause, but how the Cause should be served.'

SHORT-TERM PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA Goals (months) / Months Completed Ciskei 24 3 Guinea-Bissau 12 0 Liberia 12 0 Nigeria 12 0 Tanzania 36 9 Uganda 24 0 Zambia 24 34 Totals 144 46

AMERICAS Argentina 24 Bahamas 12 8 Barbados 12 0 Brazil 24 10 British V.I. 12 Colombia 24 0 Dominica 12 Ecuador 12 13 Guyana 24 36 Honduras 24 16 Jamaica 24 5 Leeward Islands 12 13 Martinique 12 Mexico 36 45 Nicaragua 12 12 Panama 36 16 Paraguay 24 2 Puerto Rico 12 Uruguay 24 Venezuela 24 Totals 396 179

ASIA India 24 14 Japan 24 0 Pakistan 12 0 Taiwan 36 21 Totals 96 35

AUSTRALASIA Mariana Islands 24 0 Marshall Islands 12 0 W. Caroline Islands 12 4 Totals 48 4

EUROPE Portugal 24 0

Pioneering is... A personal response to needs of the Cause

Pioneering is leaving your home or your home community to serve the Faith in another place where Bahá’ís are needed. You may move only a few blocks to build or to restore a neighboring Assembly. You may go to a homefront goal in another state, or you may undertake that "prince of all goodly deeds" and be off to another country, continent, or small island half a world away.

Pioneering is a personal act, the act of an individual believer, and one undertaken in response to the current needs of the world community of Bahá’u’lláh as defined by the Universal House of Justice. It is important that in planning to move, you consult with the Office of Pioneering for overseas relocation or the National Teaching Committee for homefront needs so that the move will serve both your personal needs and the needs of the Divine Plan.

Pioneering is moving from old habits and ways of thinking to a new physical location and perhaps to a new spiritual condition. It is discovering by practical day-to-day experience that the promises of Divine assistance are not idle words.

Pioneering is a state of heart. It must be continually renewed once one is in the pioneer field. But whether abroad or on the homefront, the most important form of pioneering is from "an old self to a new self." Without this gradual spiritual transformation within oneself, all the physical service one does for the Faith is as naught.

Pioneering is love in action. Not words, but deeds must be your adorning. Pioneering is an act of love for God, for Bahá’u’lláh, for our Faith—in obedience to that insistent call "that they quit their homes in Thy name and summon all the multitudes unto Thee." It is an act of love to one's true self to turn to "the secret of faithfulness," "the blessing of homelessness [that] shall endure forever." It is an act of love for mankind. "How can a true believer remain silent while all around us men cry out in anguish for truth, love and unity to descend on this world?" It is the noblest deed in this Day in service to that Divine civilization that is at once the dire need and the most magnificent destiny of mankind.

Pioneering is gratitude. No words can express our thanks to those through whom we were privileged to learn of Bahá’u’lláh. Without the sacrificial service of wave after wave of dedicated pioneers and teachers from the earliest days of the Heroic Age, no whisper of the Glad Tidings would have reached our ears. Not to share this joy is to deny it. How better can we express our gratitude than to go and do for others what has been done for us.

Those who intend to pioneer, and those who cannot, can examine the lives and teaching methods of the trail-blazers, the pioneers and traveling teachers: May Maxwell, Martha Root, Dorothy Baker, the Dunns, Catherine Huxtable, Ella Bailey and the immortal heroine Marion Jack, called by Shoghi Effendi "a shining example to pioneers of present and future generations of East and West."

We can study the Tablets of the Divine Plan. We can learn of the successive Plans and Crusade that spread the Message and founded communities of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers throughout this land and over the world. We can keep abreast of where we are and of what remains to be done in the present Plan.

Pioneering is moving from old habits and ways of thinking to a new physical location and perhaps to a new spiritual condition.

Victory in this Plan, as in the Plan that preceded it, requires that a great host of believers of every age and type hear in their hearts the call of God to pioneer, arise and go—to seek out the "waiting servants," to help found the "new creation," the local Spiritual Assemblies that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said were the "sheltering tree under whose branches all mankind would find salvation."

(Excerpts from "Questions and Answers about Overseas Pioneering," International Pioneer Committee for Canada, September 1987.)

TRAVELING TEACHING CALENDAR

November 6-10: Bahá’í Winter School, MALAYSIA.

November 8-12: The World Women’s Congress for a Healthy Planet, MIAMI, FL.

November 26-30: 1991 International Chinese Teaching Symposium, MACAU.

December 20-26: A Seminar on Participatory Learning for youth, LANDEGG ACADEMY.

December 25-January 1: Swiss Winter Bahá’í School (conducted in French), CHARMEY-FRIBOURG, ALPS.

December 26-January 2: "Bahá’í Faith and the problems of the peoples of the Far North, Siberia, the Far East," MURMANSK, USSR.

December 27-29: Winter School, QUEBEC, CANADA.

December 27-January 2: Forum '92, annual event for young professionals, LANDEGG ACADEMY.

August 10-15, 1992: Music and Arts Festival to celebrate the Centenary of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, Clifton, York, UNITED KINGDOM.

ONGOING TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

URGENT!!! REGISTER NOW! Barbados; Bophuthatswana; Brazil; Burundi; Canada, Native and Chinese Teaching, and Yukon Bahá’í Institute; Canary Islands; Chad; Ciskei; Cook Islands; Costa Rica; Eastern Caroline Islands; East Leeward Islands, H. Amadiyyeh Youth Teaching; Fiji; Gabon; Haiti; Hong Kong; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Kenya; Malaysia; Martinique; Mauritius; Mexico; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Pakistan; Republic of Benin; Singapore; South Africa; Taiwan; Tonga; Uganda; United Kingdom; Venezuela; West Leeward Islands, H. Amadiyyeh youth teaching project needs long term traveling teachers, short term pioneers, youth year of service volunteers; Yucatan. For more information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

RECRUITING FAIRS FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS 1992

Date / Location / Organization Feb. 3-6 / Cambridge, MA / Search Assoc. Feb. 6-9 / Boston, MA / ISS Feb. 7-9 / Columbus, OH / Ohio State Univ. Feb. 14-16 / Cedar Falls, IA / U. of N. Iowa Feb. 14-16 / Carmel, CA / IEC Feb. 16-18 / San Diego, CA / TORC Feb. 20-23 / San Diego, CA / ISS June 26-28 / Cleveland, OH / TORC June or July (tentative) / Princeton, NJ / ISS

ISS International School Services P.O. Box 5910 Princeton, NJ 08540 Tel: (609) 452-0990 Fax: (609) 452-2690

Univ. of Northern Iowa Overseas Placement Service for Educators University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0390 Tel: (319) 273-2061 Fax: (319) 273-2083

IEC International Educators Cooperative East Falmouth, MA 02536 Tel: (508) 540-8173

TORC National Teacher Placement Bureau P.O. Box 09027 Cleveland, OH 44109 Tel: (216) 741-3771 Fax: (216) 741-3773

Ohio State University Educational Career Services Ohio State University 1945 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43210 Tel: (614) 292-2741 Fax: (614) 292-8052

Search Associates P.O. Box 100 Mountaintop, PA 18707 Fax: (717) 474-0380 [Page 5]

Mr. Sears begins five-city tour to rally friends to victory in Plan

ent of God's inestimable blessing, and to become the chief agent in its transmission...throughout the five continents of the earth."

"When we realize what a glorious role we are to play on the world scene," said Mr. Sears, "it is inconceivable that we have forgotten about the homefront. However wonderful have been the victories we have won internationally, our teaching work here at home is not nearly good enough for the Glory of God, the King of Kings."

Mr. Sears then reviewed the numerical growth of the Faith over the past five years. He noted the year 1991 in particular, which had seen only 1,738 enrollments as of the beginning of October. In a frank expression of concern, he said that the American believers have not adequately carried out the teaching work, adding that the future of society and our own spiritual destiny depend on how well we meet that challenge.

"It is shameful and disgraceful that we have done so poorly," he said. "With all the spiritual power at our disposal, how can we have failed to live up to our obligation to teach the Faith?"

Calling on the believers to "rise up like lions" to teach the Cause, Mr. Sears then surveyed the long history of divine guidance the Faith has enjoyed from the days of the Báb until the present. During all those years, he said, the friends have been assured that victory will inevitably come to those who arise to champion the Cause of God.

"The blessed Báb said, 'Verily any one follower of this Faith can, by the leave of God, prevail over all who dwell in heaven and earth. And Bahá’u’lláh assured us that 'He that summoneth men in My Name is, verily, of Me, and he will show forth that which is beyond the power of all that are on earth.'

"We should not be discouraged by our limited numbers," the Hand of the Cause continued. "Let us keep in mind the words of Shoghi Effendi, who told the friends that 'however hopeless the prospect may seem...Bahá’u’lláh will reinforce them with His Hosts and will open the doors of victory before them.'"

Mr. Sears spent the following weekend in Worcester, Massachusetts, where once again he rallied the Bahá’ís to achieve the goal of large-scale expansion. The hundreds of believers he met, both there and in Florida, were inspired by his love, his words of encouragement, and the example of heroic sacrifice he set by arising yet again, in spite of his advanced age and physical infirmities, to lead the American Bahá’í community to victory.

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears greets a young admirer during Mr. Sears' visit in October to Boca Raton, Florida, the first leg of a five-city tour to rally the friends to victory.

Mr. Sears was also scheduled to visit Tolleson, Arizona; San Francisco, California; and Portland, Oregon, where he will continue to bless the friends with his empowering love and spirit.

"When we hold our National Convention in 1992," Mr. Sears said, "we expect to have 9,000 new believers in this country. And every year from then on we will see greater and greater victories, so that never again shall we fall short in our duty to our Lord. We will not allow it not to be."

Using the National Assembly's statement on race unity

In recent years the problem of race relations has become one of the most widely publicized issues in the country. The media, focusing especially on the antagonisms between whites and African-Americans, have devoted most of their efforts to outlining the sources and negative consequences of racism. However, analyses of the problem contain little in the way of proposed solutions.

Indeed, no one else but the Bahá’í Faith is offering a workable solution. This presents the Bahá’í community with a valuable opening to teach the oneness of mankind, to demonstrate the power of unity, and to usher large numbers of new believers into the sheltering embrace of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

We are faced at once with a tremendous opportunity and an inescapable responsibility. The Guardian, in a letter written on his behalf on September 21, 1957, stated that the nation's future as well as our own will be affected by our success in taking Bahá’u’lláh's message to our countrymen:

"The Bahá’ís are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape. 'For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.'"

Now that the race unity statement, "The Vision of Race Unity—America's Most Challenging Issue"—has been released, we Bahá’ís must determine how to use it to take the fullest advantage of the present opportunities and thereby fulfill our sacred trust.

We must see to it that the statement is not only widely distributed, but also that its contents are well understood. Since each Bahá’í community faces unique circumstances, no single plan of action can be provided that would prove effective everywhere. The believers in every locality should consult on the best ways to use the statement to foster unity and to teach the Cause of God in their own areas. The Race Unity Committee suggests that the friends consider the following points as they plan their teaching work:

• The statement should first be read and studied by the Bahá’ís themselves. Believers are encouraged to discuss its contents with each other, referring whenever necessary to the Sacred Texts for clarification or support of certain points.

Other publications on the subject of race unity are available and may prove helpful to the friends in understanding the race unity statement. Some recommended ones are "The Power of Unity: Beyond Prejudice and Racism," a compilation; "Creating Patterns of Unity: Getting Beyond Prejudice and Racism," a study guide and index to "The Power of Unity"; "To Move the World," by Gayle Morrison, a biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory; and, for local Spiritual Assemblies, "Celebrating Diversity," a local Assembly development module. They are all available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

• The friends may wish to use the statement as subject matter for teaching institutes, especially those designed to increase the diversity of the Bahá’í community.

• The statement could be used as an educational tool in programs aimed at helping children understand the principle of the oneness of mankind and its implications for society.

• A pattern of continuing dialogue should be established in the Bahá’í community, so that we may deepen our understanding of the concept of unity as found in our Sacred Writings. The more we understand, the better we will appreciate the "spiritual teachings of the religion of God," which, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, "can alone create this love, unity and accord in human hearts."

We must remember that the Bahá’í approach does not stop at the issue of racism, however urgent that problem is. Our ultimate goal is the spiritual unification of the entire human race, which far transcends the mere intellectual acceptance of principle. In The Promulgation of Universal Peace, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke about the kind of unity the Bahá’ís are striving for:

"The love which exists between the hearts of the believers is prompted by the ideal of the unity of the spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the other the beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity."

This task will require our life-long devotion and the commitment of many generations to come.

Highway signs approved

The National Spiritual Assembly has received notice from the Illinois Department of Transportation that its request for highway signs directing visitors to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette has been approved.

Two signs have been installed on Interstate 94 near Wilmette and two more in Wilmette itself, at Lake Avenue and Sheridan Road and Skokie Boulevard at Lake Avenue.

Requests over the past 20 years for such signs have always been rejected. However, the Department of Transportation has expressed orally its recognition of the House of Worship's historic and architectural importance.

And now, some questions for the friends from the World Congress staff

From time to time we have published questions and answers in the World Congress column, but this time we have several questions for you:

We have received registration forms and payment from whole families in the same envelope; however, often only one person registers for hotel and airfare or a complete Congress package, the others only paying the Congress services fee of $50. Does this mean that the others will be sending in the full amount for travel and accomodations at a later time? Or does it mean that they will be making other arrangements? Please indicate your intentions if you fall into this category.

Does everyone know that by using the authorized travel agent, Corporate Travel Consultants, and purchasing the complete Congress package, it will help to defray the costs of the World Congress? For example, we have reserved blocks of rooms in many hotels, some of which have offered ballrooms at no charge in which to serve breakfast to the friends—provided that enough of the rooms are used. If we do not fill our quota of rooms, we may be charged very large sums for the ballrooms.

We have also reserved several contiguous ballrooms in one hotel for a special event of interest to Bahá’ís and the general public. If we do not fill our designated quota of sleeping rooms, we will be charged for the ballrooms. The hotel management could also choose to rent the rooms to another group, and allow them to use the ballrooms instead of us.

These are just a few of the reasons why we encourage everyone to buy the complete Congress package.

See you in November 1992!

CURRENT LONG TERM U.S. PIONEERING GOALS REMAINING TO BE FILLED:

AFRICA: St. Helena, Venda. AMERICAS: Juan Fernandez Islands of Chile, French Guiana, Bay Islands of Honduras, St. Lucia. [Page 6]BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE Publishing Trust employee Amy Neeb works to distribute complimentary copies of BPT and BDS books.

Understanding Christian Beliefs

by Michael Sours SC $13.95

The second volume in the series “Preparing for a Bahá’í/Christian Dialogue,” Understanding Christian Beliefs is intended to help ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ learn more about the Bible and to present Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to Christians. This volume examines the relationship between some central Christian doctrines and Bahá’í teachings. It is intended to help ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ present Bahá’u’lláh’s message to Christians in a friendly and convincing way. Its approach can be summarized as follows:

• Emphasizing areas of agreement;
• Listening to other points of view and learning about the scriptures, beliefs and terminology of those with whom we converse;
• Adapting our presentation to the particular terminology and temperament of the people to whom we speak;
• Affirming the reliability of the Bible;
• Selecting appropriate criteria and evidence from the Bible;
• Using the biblical criteria and evidence to demonstrate the truth of Bahá’u’lláh’s claims and teachings.

This approach embodies important Bahá’í beliefs concerning the recognition of other religions and qualities such as courtesy and goodwill. Putting these ideas into practice will help us to present our beliefs in accordance with Bahá’u’lláh’s injunction to, “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.”

6-1/4" x 9-1/4", 191 pp., foreword, introduction, ‎bibliograpy bibliography‎, index Oneworld Publications

The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

A Compilation HC $11.95

Divided in two sections, The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh begins with the historic first Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Friends throughout the World. He writes, “The world’s great Light, once resplendent upon all mankind, hath set, to shine everlastingly from the Abhá Horizon, His Kingdom of fadeless glory, shedding splendor upon His loved ones from on high and breathing into their hearts and souls the breath of eternal life.” Part One contains this Tablet, an account of Bahá’u’lláh’s Ascension by Shoghi Effendi and several others including Túbá Khánum, one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s daughters, Nabíl-i-A’zam, the Bahá’í chronicler, and Hájí Mírzá Haydar-’Alí. Part Two begins with the Tablet of Visitation and The Book of the Covenant (Kitáb-i-’Ahd) and ends with some utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá concerning Bahá’u’lláh.

5-1/8" x 7-1/4", 88 pp. Kalimát Press

The Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

A Compilation HC $14.95

“Dear Friends, It is well known that the loved ones of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in every part of the world are anxiously waiting to receive some details of the closing events of his unique and wonderful life. For this reason the present account is being written.” Thus begins the account of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing written by Sitárih Khánum (Lady Blomfield) and Shoghi Effendi in January 1922 that opens The Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This book is the first in a new series of reference works for Bahá’í Holy Days from Kalimát Press. Nine letters from Bahá’ís in the Holy Land at the time of the Master’s passing are included in the compilation. Among them is a letter from one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s daughters, Munavvar Khánum. The closing piece is the first letter Shoghi Effendi wrote as the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith to the Bahá’ís of America.

5-1/8" x 7-1/4", 138 pp. Kalimát Press

Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi

edited by Morten Bergsmo SC $13.95

A study guide to twenty-one of the books and compiled letters of the Guardian beginning with a compilation from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and chapters on the life of Shoghi Effendi and his station as the Expounder of the Word of God. Each study guide consists of a brief description of the work, its significance, and the circumstances surrounding its genesis, followed by a list of thought-provoking questions. Accompanying each ‎q;estion question‎ is a page reference. References are to both the book being studied and to other books that elaborate the theme. The book is an important aid to understanding the writings of Shoghi Effendi. In the words of the editors, “It is . . . clear that a prolonged and systematic study of these (Shoghi Effendi’s) writings is an indispensable component of, and an adjunct to, the study of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh as a whole. It unfolds to every believer a true understanding of the nature of the remedy the Divine Physician has prescribed for the ills of mankind, for it lays bare the innumerable gems that lie in the ocean of the revealed Word of God.”

6-1/8" x 9-1/4", 202 pp., foreword, introduction, bibliography, references, notes George Ronald, Publisher

The Bahá’í Faith

by Bahá’í Office of Public Information, Dallas/Fort Worth PA/10pk $3.50, 50pk $14.00, 100pk $25.00

An eight panel presentation of basic principles and information: “What is the Bahá’í Faith?”, the “Unity of Religion,” the “Harmony of Science and Religion,” and “Differences of nation, race, social class and religion are removed by the uniting power of the Bahá’í Faith.” The pamphlet is illustrated with symbols of various religions, a world map of locations of Bahá’í communities, and several color photographs, including one of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. The cover design is a color photograph of the earth taken from a NASA Lunar Mission.

5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Persian: Nafahat-i-Fadl & Cassette

A Compilation SC $9.95

A selection of prayers featuring The Tablet of Visitation, The Fire Tablet, and The Healing Prayer. The Tablet of Visitation revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and compiled in its present form by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after Bahá’u’lláh’s Ascension, is read at the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb as praise of the Manifestation of God and a tribute to His suffering. It is also frequently used in commemorating Their anniversaries. The Fire Tablet is Bahá’u’lláh’s cry to God to heed His suffering and is reminiscent of Christ’s request to “let this cup pass from me” in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His Martyrdom. The Tablet ends with the following statement by Bahá’u’lláh: “Should all the servants read and ponder this, there shall be kindled in their veins a fire that shall set aflame the worlds.” The Healing Prayer has “been invested by Bahá’u’lláh,” according to a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi and quoted in Bahá’í Prayers, page 209, “with a special potency and significance, and should therefore be accepted as such and be recited by the believers with unquestioning faith and confidence, that through them they may enter into a much closer communion with God, and identify themselves more fully with His laws and precepts.” A cassette tape is provided for further study.

5-3/8" x 8-1/2", 88 pp. Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies

Accents of God

edited by M. K. Rohani SC $12.95

What do the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh or Buddha have in common with those of Krishna, Christ, or Muhammad? For some people They speak with different voices, but an increasing number of people are concluding that we are simply hearing one voice spoken in different accents. Accents of God presents important selections from the scriptures of six world religions, explains their common spiritual foundation, and examines how each religion has provided answers to satisfy the human longing for the eternal.

7-1/4" x 8-5/8", 94 pp., introduction, photography, photo glossary Oneworld Publications

Tokoloshe!

I married eleven DACHSHUNDS! by William and Marguerite Sears SC $12.95

Originally a part of All Flags Flying, the Tokoloshe pages had to be dropped from the text for the sake of brevity, much to the delight of Marguerite who is reported as saying, “He (Tokoloshe) deserves a book of his own.” Over the years William Sears has provided glimpses into the lives of many ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ around the world who have dedicated their lives to Bahá’u’lláh. Of the gifts he has offered us through the years, one of the greatest is the gift of laughter. He has uplifted our spirits and cheered our souls. “The Tokoloshe story is told here with tender love and affection on behalf of all animals, those often-overlooked and unappreciated Bahá’í pets whose important role has been played in every corner of the world with such uncomplaining heroism and such unflagging good nature.”

5-3/8" x 8-1/2", 279 pp. ‎forward foreword‎, a tribute National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands

Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service ● 1-800-999-9019 [Page 7]

Ageing: Challenges and Opportunities

by A-M. Ghadirian SC $9.95

What does the future hold for me? Some of us worry about what old age will bring; others look forward to the new opportunities that will arise as we grow older. In Ageing: Challenges and Opportunities, Dr. A-M. Ghadirian considers the process of ageing and how it affects different individuals. He also explores some of the myths about the ageing process and about being old. In the introduction Dr. Ghadirian writes, "This book intends to address the process of ageing and coping in the light of the Bahá’í Writings and current professional knowledge. Old age is a neglected period of human life which needs to be closely examined, understood and prepared for." Dr. Ghadirian is a professor of psychiatry at McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, and a senior psychiatrist at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Douglas Hospital in Montreal.

5-1/2" x 8-1/4", 132 pp., preface, introduction, references George Ronald, Publisher

ageing CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES A-M. GHADIRIAN

Bahá’í Calendars 149 B.E.

"The swiftness of events during the past year is indicative of the acceleration, as the hundredth anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Ascension approaches, of the spiritual forces released with the advent of His revolutionizing mission," wrote the Universal House of Justice in its letter of Ridván 1990. The Holy Year, April 21, 1992, to April 20, 1993, marks the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and the inauguration of His Covenant. The Holy Year, "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."

Bahá’í History Calendar 148-149 B.E. CA $6.95

This year's calendar is titled "Bahá’u’lláh: The King of Glory." It commemorates the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension, and focuses on His station and mission. The cover photograph is of His Táj (hat) positioned by Shoghi Effendi in one of Bahá’u’lláh’s rooms at the Mansion of Bahjí. The inside cover features references to Him by the Báb, Siyyid Kazim, and others as chronicled in the Guardian's book God Passes By. Included again this year is a map. A map entitled the "Travels of Bahá’u’lláh" records His Pilgrimages to the holy shrines of Islám, a trip made in 1849, and His exiles from place to place.

11" x 17" National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands

Bahá’í Datebook CA $3.50

A handy pocket- or purse-sized datebook covering the fifteen-month period of January 1992 to March 1993. Information is provided regarding the Bahá’í calendar, as well as addresses of the various Bahá’í Funds. Major American national holidays are noted for your convenience.

3-5/8" x 6-1/2" Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Bahá’í Pocket Calendar, 10/pk. CA $2.50

This wallet-sized, twelve-month calendar begins with March 1992, and ends with February 1993. The design is the same as in years past with a listing of Bahá’í commemorative dates on the back. These include separate listings of Bahá’í Holy Days on which work should be suspended and those on which work is permitted, the dates of the Intercalary Days, and the Days of Fasting. This year's calendar notes the beginning date of the Holy Year, proclaimed by the Universal House of Justice, as Ridván 1992. The Holy Days, Intercalary Days, Days of Fasting, and Feast Days are highlighted for your convenience.

2-3/8" x 3-5/8" Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Bahá’í Wall Calendar CA $2.75

For the Holy Year in 1992-93, the Bahá’í Wall Calendar focuses on Bahá’u’lláh. The back cover statement directs our attention to Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of His Covenant and on its uniqueness in the annuals of religious history. Bahá’í Holy Days, Nineteen Day Feasts, Days of Fasting, and Special Events Days are listed on the back, along with a quote from a letter written on behalf of the Guardian regarding the time of day that certain commemorations should be observed. Feast days and holy days are marked on the face of the calendar, and days of fasting are underlined.

11" x 17" Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Enlighten Curriculum

bu Volume 5-Third Grade & Volume 6-Fourth Grade by Lea Iverson SC $19.95 per volume

This easy-to-use, comprehensive curriculum for the teachers of Bahá’í Children's classes was developed between 1988 and 1990 for the Glad Tidings Bahá’í School located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each lesson has a variety of activities to be performed both in the classroom and at home. We are happy to announce the addition of these two grade levels to our booklist. With these additions we are now distributing the Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth grade levels of this program.

8-1/2" x 11", approximately 94 pp. Spiritual Assembly of Golden Valley

Discontinued Titles

The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction VT $19.95

The Bahá’í Distribution Service regrets that we will no longer be able to carry this videotape once our supply is exhausted. The Bahá’í Faith: An Introduction may be ordered, instead, from Global Arts, 218 South Lake Street, Suite 10, Aurora, IL 60506, telephone (708) 897-8144. We regret any inconvenience that may result.

Unlimited Visions Productions

So Great A Cause by Kenneth D. Stephens

Because of inaccurate statements about the Bahá’í view of Joseph Smith, the National Spiritual Assembly has asked that the Bahá’í Distribution Service and its representatives not distribute this title. Therefore, sales have been discontinued and remaining stock has been returned to the publisher. Copies may be returned to your representative or to the Bahá’í Distribution Service for full credit. We regret any inconvenience that may result.

Tristan by Suzanne Schuurman SC $4.75 HC $9.95

This story of a physically and mentally handicapped but socially and spiritually gifted child is told by his mother. It is an uplifting and inspiring look at one family's struggles to overcome adversity and grow spiritually from the experience.

The Bahá’í Distribution Service is discontinuing this title. We are offering the remaining stock of the title at half price.

5-1/4" x 8-1/4", 230 pp., foreword George Ronald, Publisher

Recent New Titles

Remembrance of God

Bahá’í Newsreel, Vol. 2, No. 2 VT $15.95

Can You Imagine by Rob Altork CS $10.95

Christ and Bahá’u’lláh by George Townshend SC $7.50

German: Bahá’í Prayers HC (Leather) $19.95

A Collection of Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings SC $2.75

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: Selected Letters by Shoghi Effendi PS $5.95

Youth Can Move the World by Melanie Smith and Paul Lample SC $3.00

ORDER FORM

Bahá’í Distribution Service / PHONE 1-800-999-9019 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 FAX 1-708-251-3652

Ordered by: (Please print or type) Name Address_ City State Zip Day Phone

Circle one: AMEX MasterCard VISA Check Money Order on Account Expiration Date: Account Number: Signature: Date

QTY TITLE COST AMOUNT TOTAL [Page 8]

The National Fund Honor Roll

The following is a revised listing of local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups who contributed to the National Fund for at least 15 Bahá’í months during the Bahá’í year ending at Ridván 1991.

CORRECTIONS

As of 9/12/91 Mesa, AZ Encinitas, CA Dade Cty. Central, FL. Cornvallis, OR Chattanooga, TN Missouri City, TX Green Bay, WI

ALABAMA

Auburn Florence Huntsville Madison Montgomery Tuscaloosa

ARIZONA

Chandler Chino Valley Cochise County SW Coconino East East Pima County Flagstaff Fountain Hills Gilbert Glendale Peoria Phoenix Pima County S. Prescott Rural Verde Valley Scottsdale Tempe Tucson

ARKANSAS

Little Rock Fayetteville

CALIFORNIA

Agoura Albany Alhambra Altadena Anaheim Arcadia Arcata Arroyo Grande Azusa Belmont Beuna Park Brea Calabasas/Topanga Cambria Chico Chula Vista Citrus Heights Claremont Compton Concord Corona Costa Mesa Cupertino Cyress Delta Downey Dublin El Cajon JD El Cerrito El Dorado County El Toro-Lake Forest Escondido Eureka Fair Oak-Orangevale Fillmore Folsom Fountain Valley Fremont Fresno Gardena Garden Grove Glendale Glendora Grass Valley JD Greater Santa Rosa Greater Sebastopol Hanford Hawthorne Hayward Heladsburg Hemet Hesperia Irvine Lafayette Laguna Beach Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Livermore Lomita Los Alamitos Los Altos Los Angeles Los Gatos Manteca Manteca JD Marin County Menlo Park Milpitas Mission Viejo Modesto Mountain View Nevada City Nevada City JD Newhall JD Newport Beach North Fork Northern Humboldt JD Norco Novato Oak Park Oceanside Ojai Orange County S. JD Orange County W. JD. Oxnard Pacific Grove Palm Springs Palo Alto Pasadena Placerville JD West Pleasanton Pomona JD Prunedale Ramona Rancho Cucamonga Red Bluff JD Redlands Redwood City Ridgecrest Roseville Sacramento Salinas JD San Anselmo San Carlos San Clemente San Diego San Diego Co. North JD San Dimas San Fernando San Francisco San Juan Capistrano San Leandro San Leandro-Hayward San Luis Obispo San Mateo San Rafael Santa Ana Santa Barbara JD Santa Clara Santa Clarita Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County N. Santa Maria Santa Maria JD Santa Monica Santa Paula Santa Rosa Saratoga Seal Beach. Sierra Madre Sonoma County S. South-East Sacramento Co. South Pasadena South San Mateo Co. JD Spring Valley Stockton Suisun City Sunnyvale Union City Temple City Thousand Oaks Three Lakes JD Tiburon Tuolumne County JD Tustin Upland Ventura Vista Walnut Walnut Creek Yosemite/El Portal

COLORADO

Aurora Boulder Colorado Springs Denver Douglas County Durango Englewood Fort Collins. Jefferson County Lakewood La Platte County Littleton Longmont Louisville Loveland Manitou Springs Montezuma County Pueblo Teller County Wheat Ridge

CONNECTICUT

New Haven Ridgefield Town South Windsor Town Stamford Torrington West Hartford Town Woodbridge

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington, D.C.

DELAWARE

New Castle County N. New Castle County W. Dover Wilmington

FLORIDA

Altamonde Springs Brevard County Broward Co. N. Cape Coral Citrus County Coral Spring Dade County North Deland Fort Lauderdale Gainesville Greater Gainesville Hillsborough Co. NW. Jacksonville Jacksonville Beach Lakeland Largo Manatee County Melbourne New Port Richey North Miami Orange County East Orange County West Orlando Palm Bay Pembroke Pines Pensacola Plantation Polk County Pompano Beach Sarasota Sarasota County N. St. Lucie County South Dade County Tallahassee Vero Beach

GEORGIA

Atlanta Cobb County E. Cobb County SW. Dalton DeKalb County Central Glynn County Peach County Valdosta

IDAHO

Boise Idaho Falls Lewiston Moscow Power County

ILLINOIS

Alton Aurora Batavia Champaign Chicago Chemung Township Decatur Deerfield East Peoria Glencoe Glendale Heights Joliet La Grange Libertyville Twp Mahomet Township Maine Township Maywood Melrose Naperville Northbrook Park Forest Park Ridge Peoria Rockford Saint Charles Skokie Springfield Urbana Waukegan Wheaton Wilmette Woodstock

INDIANA

Bloomington Fort Wayne Indianapolis Lafayette South Bend Vincennes West Lafayette

IOWA

Ames Bettendorf Cedar Rapids Council Bluffs Davenport Des Moines Fairfield Manchester Marshalltown Oelwein Sioux City Warren County Waterloo

KANSAS

Derby Dodge City Hutchinson Newton Topeka Wichita

KENTUCKY

Boyle County Frankfort Jefferson Lexington Louisville

LOUISIANA

Avondale Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge Parish La Place New Orleans Ouachita Parish

MAINE

Auburn Dexter Eliot Town Portland Standish Town

MARYLAND

Baltimore Baltimore County Central Baltimore County West Belair College Park Greenbelt Howard County Laurel Montgomery County E. Montgomery County W. Montgomery County NW. Montgomery County SE. Montgomery County N. Prince Georges North

MASSACHUSETTS

Amherst Barnstable Town Boston Bourne Brewster Dartmouth Town Grafton Town Greenfield Town Holyoke Ipswich Lowell Milford Town Montague Nantucket Northampton Salem South Hadley Springfield Wareham Watertown Williamstown Town

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor Blackman Township Bloomfield Township Canton Township Clinton Township Davison Township [Page 9]Detroit East Lansing Ferndale Flint Grand Rapids Holland Huntington Woods Kalamazoo Meridian (Charter) Twp Midland Muskegon Niles Niles Township Saginaw Saint Clair Shores Scottsville Troy Vassar White River Twp

MINNESOTA

Anoka Baudette Beltrami County Bemidji Cold Springs Coon Rapids Duluth Elk River Golden Valley Greenwood Hopkins Little Canada Minneapolis Plymouth Rochester Roseville St. Cloud St. Paul

MISSISSIPPI

Gulfport Jackson Madison County Meridian Vicksburg

MISSOURI

Columbia Jefferson County Kansas City St. Charles County Webster Groves

MONTANA

Flathead Great Falls Missoula Missoula County Yellow Stone County

NEBRASKA

Aurora Bellevue Gering Grand Island Lincoln Nebraska City North Platte Omaha Scottsbluff

NEVADA

Boulder City Carson City Churchill County Henderson Las Vegas North Las Vegas Reno Sparks

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Concord Exeter Hinsdale Town Lebanon Peterborough Portsmouth

NEW JERSEY

Bloomfield East Windsor Ewing Township Dumont Franklin Township Glassboro Hamilton Township Lakewood Ridgewood Teaneck Trenton Wycroff

NEW MEXICO

Alamogordo Albuquerque Anthony Belen Bosque Farms Carlsbad Farmington Las Cruces Los Alamos County Los Lunas Pajarito Santa Fe

NEW YORK

Amherst Town Beacon Brighton Town Brookhaven Town Buffalo Flower Hill Garden City Geneva Greece Town Greenwich Town Hamburg Town Hoosick Huntington Town Islip Town Itacha North Hempstead Town Oyster Bay Town Pittsford Schenectady Smithtown Town Utica White Plains

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville Buncombe County Cary Charlotte Cumberland County Durham Durham County Greensboro Morganton Orange County Raleigh Wake County Watauga County Winston-Salem Yadkinville

NORTH DAKOTA

Fargo Jamestown

OHIO

Bexley Bucyrus Centerville Cleveland Heights Columbus Dayton Delaware East Cleveland Green Twp Adams Kent Kettering Lakewood Poland Shaker Heights Toledo Upper Arlington Urbana Warrensville Heights Weller Township Westerville Yellow Springs

OKLAHOMA

Bethany Broken Arrow Edmond Moore Norman Ponca City Sapulpa Spencer The Village

OREGON

Beaverton Bend Clackamas County NW Coos Bay Deschutes County Gladstone Hillsboro Hood River McMinville Maryville Murfreesboro Nashville Smyrna Wilson County

TEXAS

Abilene Arlington Baytown Bedford Bellaire Benbrook Carrollton Cedar Hill Cedar Park Colleyville Colony Dallas Denton Duncanville Eagle Pass El Paso Euless Fort Worth Galveston Garland Graham Grand Prairie Houston Hurst Irving Lane County Central La Porte League City Lewisville Lubbock Medford Milwaukie Oregon City South Clackamas County Springfield Tigard Troutdale Washington County Washington County S. West Linn

PENNSYLVANIA

Bethlehem Cheltenham Twp Harrisburg Philadelphia Radnor Township Sesquehanna Twp Springfield State College Swarthmore

RHODE ISLAND

Cranston Hopkinton Town Providence Warwick

SOUTH CAROLINA

Anderson County Clemson Columbia Conway Florence Fort Mill Greenville County Greenwood County N. Horry County Lexington North Lydia North Augusta Rock Hill Spartanburg Summerville

SOUTH DAKOTA

Rapid City

TENNESSEE

Brentwood Cumberland County Hamilton County Hendersonville McAllen McKinney North Richland Hills Richardson Round Rock San Antonio The Woodlands Travis County Tyler Waco

UTAH

Bountiful Salt Lake City Salt Lake County

VERMONT

Bennington Brattleboro Hartford Rochester Shoreham

VIRGINIA

Albemarle County Alexandria Arlington County NE Arlington County South Bailey's Crossroads Blacksburg Charlottesville Chesterfield County Falls Church Franconia Greater Fairfax Greater Vienna Hanover Highland County Loudoun County Nelson County Newport News Norfolk Princeton Richmond Roanoke Shenandoah County Springfield Vienna Virginia Beach Winchester

WASHINGTON

Arlington Bellevue Bellingham Clallam County E. Cowlitz County Des Moines Ellensburg Everett Federal Way. Issaquah Juanita Kennewick Kent King County Central King Co. Counclmns Dist. Kingsgate Kirkland Kitsap County South Kitsap County Central Kitsap County North Klickitat County Lacey Lakewood Lynwood Makah Reservation Mercer Island Moses Lake Mountlake Terrace Olympia Port Angeles Pullman Redmond Richland San Juan Island Seattle Shelton Snohomish Co. SE. Snomohish Co. SW. Snohomish Co. N. Tumwater University Place West Richland volo Whatcom County CCD 3 Wenatchee

WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston Monongalia County Raleigh County

WISCONSIN

Appleton Brookfield Cedarburg Chippewa Falls Eau Claire Egg Harbor Twp Glendale Janesville Kenosha Knox Township Madison Meeme Township Middleton Milwaukee New Berlin Oshkoshi Sheboygans Shorewood Stevens Point Sun Prairie Waukesha Waukesha Township Wauwatosa Wilson Township

WYOMING

Laramie Cheyenne Powell [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 ads 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 and care in responding to them.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

AFRICA: Cameroon: Teaching couples. Cape Verde: Educator/ Administrator/Rural Agricultural Expert/Instructor. Ivory Coast: School Director. Tanzania: Elementary and Secondary Teachers. AMERICAS: Argentina: Teaching couples. Brazil: Elementary and Secondary Teachers. Curacao: Teachers. Guatemala: Teachers, especially secondary math. Honduras: Elementary principal. Nicaragua: Teachers. Paraguay: Elementary and Secondary Teachers. PUERTO RICO: Elementary and Secondary teachers, Administrative and Counseling positions. TURKS & CAICOS: Physician. Venezuela: Elementary and Secondary Teachers. ASIA: India: Finance Manager needed by the ‎ISCRISAT ICRISAT‎, Teachers. Nepal: Teachers. Pakistan: Teachers. Thailand: Teachers.

AUSTRALASIA: Pohnpei: Business Instructors. Tinian: Teachers, Doctors, Nurses. EUROPE: Greece: Elementary and Secondary Teachers. Portugal: I.B. Coordinator and Elementary History/Geography Teacher. MULTI-REGIONAL: University Faculty on U.S. military bases in Europe and Asia. Program Administrator needed by international conservation organization. PAs, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, RNs, civil Engineers, Agricultural/Engineers needed by humanitarian organization for assignments in developing countries. AID hiring for overseas positions.

The Agency for International Development will hire 60 professionals through the International Development Intern program during fiscal year 1992. Following are some of the 11 occupational categories for which AID will recruit during 1992: Accountant, Agriculture/Rural Development/Natural Resources Officer, Education/Human Resources Development Officer, Program Economist. Partnership for Service-Learning is a program offering structured academic study and experience in community service in eight foreign countries. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091, or phone (708) 869-9039.

HAVE YOU EVER dreamed about pioneering to some distant land where the sunsets are gorgeous, the people friendly, and the opportunities to serve the Faith abundant? Well, look no further! The National Teaching Committee of Alaska is pleased to offer opportunities for pioneering with all of the above criteria, right here in Alaska. Immediate opportunities are available in Bethel, Dillingham, Kodiak, Kotzebue, McGrath, Nome, Tok, Unalaska and Wasilla, with more localities too numerous to mention. Call the National Teaching Committee of Alaska today at 907-376-5178 to find out more about this exciting way to be involved, and to help accomplish the goals of the Six Year Plan. Some openings are urgent, so don’t delay ...

Service/Employment opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center

The National Spiritual Assembly is seeking qualified people to serve the National Assembly at this time. Some of the positions available are:

Office Manager, House of Worship Provides efficient office services for the Activities Office Serves as administrative assistant to the Administrator Contributes to loving, hospitable environment Oversees physical environment of the office and Visitor’s Center Must have clear knowledge of Bahá’í Teachings Enjoys interaction with people of all ages and people from all cultures Works well alone and in a team environment Possesses excellent command of English language Types, or word processes, 50 wpm and produces correspondence in a business format

Administrative assistants in a variety of offices Essential to the efficient functioning and quality of service provided by the Bahá’í National Center Must be well-versed in Bahá’í principles and administration Must be skilled in word processing; type 50-60 wpm Must have strong self-management and organizational skills

Other opportunities include: Management Information Systems: Customer services representative/ receptionist; electronic communications coordinator; switchboard operator (part-time) Media Services: Operations services manager; production engineer Office of Public Information: Administrative aide (part-time) Office of the Treasurer: Secretary/receptionist NSA Properties, Inc.: Security guards (time-as-reported) World Congress Logistics Office: Registration processing specialist

Please note: Some of the positions listed may not be available as of the date of publication of The American Bahá’í, as the deadline is one month before publication.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Troy, Michigan, would welcome homefront pioneers to help save their jeopardized incorporated local Assembly. Troy is a northern suburb of Detroit, a fast-growing area with many world headquarters for various businesses (K-Mart, Kelly Services, Ziebart, Saturn cars, etc.). Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Troy, P.O. Box 851, Troy, MI 48099.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Sarasota, Florida, need a few energetic, dedicated Bahá’ís to help maintain their 31-year-old Assembly. Would like to have a more diversified community to reflect the city’s diverse population. Despite the popular notion that residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast are all retired or elderly, most of those in Sarasota are much younger. There are several colleges including New College, the Ringling School of Art and Design, and the FSU/Asolo Film Conservatory, which trains students for careers in film and television production. Sarasota also has great weather, excellent health-care facilities, and a friendly atmosphere in which to live and work. If you are interested, please contact the Assembly secretary, Patricia (Trish) Wicker, Sarasota, FL 34236, or phone 813-955-3073.

WANTED: Homefront pioneer family for the small town of Quincy in northern Florida, 25 minutes from the capital city, Tallahassee, and two strong local Assemblies. Mass-taught Bahá’ís in Quincy need committed resident(s) to teach and consolidate. Lovely countryside with low cost of living within easy commute of two major universities, a community college and state government offices. For information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Tallahassee, P.O. Box 20114, Tallahassee, FL 32316, or phone 904-656-6381, 904-878-3937, or 904-575-4097.

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: Bobbi Jones, Paul S. Jones (died Healdsburg, CA, 1966), Wilger L. Jones (died Worcester, MA, 1968), John H. Just, Ruhangiz Kaiyaumarz, Evelyn Kamenzel (died New Haven, CT, 1938), and Rebina Ruth Keating. 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 photographs of the following persons to add to its photograph collection: Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, William Sears, John Robarts, Sarah Pereira, Magdalene Carney, Fred Schechter, Velma Sherrill, Florence Mayberry, David Hofman, David Ruhe, Hugh Chance, Peter Khan and Glenford Mitchell. Anyone having photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please identify the photographs if possible.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

MATURE Bahá’í couple or individual needed as live-in caretaker(s) for the Dillingham, Alaska, Bahá’í Center. Opportunities for service include preparation of the facility for activities, cleaning and maintenance of property, and serving as hosts. A separate 1,200-square-foot apartment with plush carpeting, three bedrooms, partial furnishings and a great view is available for $300 a month plus utilities. Dillingham is a friendly fishing and service community with about 2,000-4,000 residents depending on the season. Plenty of economic and employment opportunities, especially for white collar workers (secretarial, finance, education, managerial and medical). For an application, please phone 907-842-1055 or 907-842-5543, or write to the Spiritual Assembly of Dillingham, P.O. Box 255, Dillingham, AK 99576. Applicants must be Bahá’ís and obtain a recommendation from a local or National Assembly.

THE MAXWELL Bahá’í School is looking for a mature or retired person for night security and light custodial work on a volunteer basis. Alternately, we may be able to consider the possibility of a minimum-wage position. Applications are again being accepted for development officer. The primary functions of this position are fund-raising and grant writing aimed at financial and corporate sources. For information, write to the Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada V0R 2W0, or phone 604-743-7144 (fax 604-743-3522).

WANTED

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH compared tests and difficulties to “healing medicine” and “light and mercy.” We’ve all been through them, and we’ve all learned from them. Your tests and difficulties can help inspire others who may be undergoing similar trials. Write your story (anonymously if you wish; you may need to change other details as well). What bad things happened? What good came as a result? Let’s put together a book that we can all turn to for comfort during the bad times to remind ourselves that “nothing can befall the loved ones of God save that which profiteth them.” Write to John Bower, San Pedro, Honduras.

FROM THE HEARTS of the Handmaidens, an international newsletter for Bahá’í women, is seeking poetry for an anthology of poems by, about or for women of the world. The editors are also seeking articles and subscriptions. Hearts is a newsletter whose aim is to facilitate peace by working toward the world-wide emancipation of women “one heart at a time.” Articles include whatever is in the hearts of women throughout the world or about women. Many of the contributors and subscribers are men in support of women. For a complimentary copy, editorial guidelines for the newsletter and anthology, and more information, write to From the Hearts of the Handmaidens, Lynnwood, WA 98037. Hearts has been approved by the U.S. National Bahá’í Literature Review Board.

WANTED: photocopies of correspondence to and from Roger White for a book about how the renowned poet has influenced and inspired Bahá’ís all over the world. Reminiscences are welcome too. Also needed: information about Keith Ransom-Kehler, Thomas Breakwell and Juliet Thompson. Please write to Anne G. Atkinson, Wilmette, IL 60091.

TAHIRIH TEAM forming to produce a major feature film. Gathering dedicated, talented, sacrificial associates for long-range production company. Please send résumés, scripts, inquiries to New Dawn Productions, Malibu, CA 90265.

PLEASE HELP me find copies of “I, Mary Magdalene” by Juliet Thompson and “Unrestrained as the Wind” (and study guide, if possible). Can reimburse in U.S. dollars. Peggy True, Canary Islands, Spain 38870.

MEDIA SERVICES at the Bahá’í National Center seeks professional-quality slides and photographs of Bahá’í events for possible use. Especially needed are formal and informal shots of Spiritual Assemblies, teaching events, children’s activities, and diverse groups of people meeting, working, and enjoying recreational activities together. Please send slides or photos with a letter specifying whether they should be returned to: Bahá’í Media Services, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

FOR A BOOK in progress for Oneworld Press on Martha Root, Keith Ransom-Kehler, May Maxwell, Marion Jack, Lua Getsinger, Hyde and Clara Dunn, Susan Moody, Dorothy Baker and Ella Bailey, I would like anyone with personal reminiscences of any of them to contact me. Write to Janet Ruhe-Schoen, Chile, South America. [Page 11]

Cause of God continues its onward march in Eastern Europe

Twelve people were enrolled in the Faith in the goal city of Trnava, Czechoslovakia, during a Bahá’í Summer School held there in August. More than 140 people attended the school, which was organized by the National Schools Committee around the theme, "The Reality of Man and World Peace." Among those attending were 60 non-Bahá’ís who came from Czechoslovakia and other places including Ecuador, Russia and Yugoslavia....

The local Spiritual Assembly of El-basan—the fourth to be formed in Albania—was elected August 19. Sixteen of the city's 31 adult Bahá’ís attended the election, and all nine of those elected were present at the meeting....

WORLD NEWS

The fourth annual National Youth Deepening Institute was held last July at Australia's Yerrinbool Bahá’í School. Taking part were 60 young people from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Study sessions were organized on two themes: "Crisis and Victory" and "The Life of Bahá’u’lláh." On one day of the institute, community service projects including tree planting, visiting patients in a local hospital, and learning about crisis counseling were carried out....

Also in July, the first Bahá’í Summer School held in the north of France drew 30 adult believers to Besancon, where only four Bahá’ís live. A public talk on July 25 attracted more than 30 seekers, and several attended a fireside the following evening....

On August 29, the second local Spiritual Assembly in Poland was formed in Wroclaw, and on September 30 the Spiritual Assembly of Poznan was elected. It has also been reported (as of September 3) that there are now more than nine resident Bahá’ís in Krakow....

The first tribal reafforestation project in Thailand was organized by Bahá’ís and carried out last June in the Omgoi district of Chiang Mai. Despite a light rain, Bahá’ís from Karen tribal villages and other towns planted 1,500 trees on about three and one-half acres of deforested public land in about two hours....

Bahá’ís helped in a recent presentation made by students at the University of Maryland in Bermuda who submitted a paper on the Faith as a part of their studies. A two and one-half hour presentation was made, which included a Unity Feast and two musical items. Seven adult Bahá’ís took part. Many questions were asked during the fireside part of the presentation. This involved the group leader asking two questions of each Bahá’í: What can Bahá’ís do for Bermuda? and what would Bahá’ís like to see Bermuda do for the Faith? ...

Fifty people from 13 countries including non-Bahá’ís from Hungary took part in that country's third annual summer school held August 10-16 in Kecskemét. The school's theme was "The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh."...

Eight young Bahá’ís studied the Writings, letters from the Universal House of Justice, and stories about well-known Bahá’í youth to prepare for their role as facilitators at a conference held last August in the Dominican Republic. Sixty youth ages 12-20 attended the conference in Haina. Those who served as facilitators guided participants in the study of an 80-page conference handbook developed by youth from Costa Rica. The handbook is aimed at developing their understanding of personal transformation and service to the Cause....

Fifty young people including 20 non-Bahá’ís attended a two-day Academy Course last August held under the auspices of the Permanent Teaching Institute of India's Karnataka State Bahá’í Council. Letters from the Guardian and messages from the Universal House of Justice to youth were studied....

Members of a Regional Native Council take a break from a recent meeting in Soloy, Panama, to visit the Bahá’í House of Worship. The Council represents a number of diverse races and ages, having both youth and adult participants.

Thirteen local Spiritual Assemblies have been formed in the Kuna Yala area of Panama since the start of the Manuel Corgas teaching campaign in October 1990. The campaign resulted from collaboration among the International Teaching Center, the Continental Board of Counselors in the Americas, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama. Its purpose was to initiate entry by troops in the Kuna Yala area, which is made up of 48 inhabited islands and mainland communities along a 175-mile section of Panama's northern coast. Total enrollments through April 1991 were 1,400....

Anil Sarwal, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, visited Suriname last June and July. He met with the president of the country and proclaimed the Faith on several of its radio stations. His knowledge of the Hindi language and Indian culture were valuable assets in Suriname, where many of the people are of Indian descent....

The Queensland, Australia, Bahá’í Public Information Office was officially opened August 29 in Brisbane. Among the guests was Paul Braddy, state Minister for Education....

Bahá’ís in Manzini, Swaziland, organized an environmental conference last July in the town's Council chamber. Speakers included representatives from the Health Department of the Manzini Town Council and the Swaziland National Provident Fund, and Dr. C.E. Cook, a Bahá’í from Transkei, who spoke on "Return to the Second Eden."...

Bahá’ís represented in Chicago exhibit on refugees

Chicago's Beacon Street Gallery/Uptown Center Hull House was the site of "Behind the Golden Door: Refugees in Uptown," a photo exhibit of Iranian Bahá’í, Guatemalan, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian refugees. The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office was among the sponsors of the exhibit, held September 20—October 26.

Significantly, the Iranian Bahá’ís were the only religious group represented at the exhibit. Marty Hansen, co-organizer of the event, mentioned the Faith several times in his welcome and introduction. Stopping at the Bahá’í display while conducting a walking tour of the exhibit, he mentioned that the Bahá’ís were invited to take part not because of their numbers, but because of their noble beliefs. He added that while the other groups of refugees have been persecuted for political reasons, the Bahá’ís in Iran have been subjected to religious persecution.

Visitors admire the 'Behind the Golden Door' refugee photo exhibit at Chicago's Beacon Street Gallery/Uptown Center.

The souvenir booklet of the exhibit featured a four-page article on the Iranian Bahá’ís and included information about Bahá’í history, teachings and community life. Mr. Hansen presented nine copies of the booklet to the National Spiritual Assembly. In return, he was given a copy of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh.

Several special programs were held in conjunction with the exhibit. Among them were three panel discussions attended by Chicago and Illinois government representatives, community service organization representatives, and other interested people.

Dr. Fuad Ziai, an Iranian Bahá’í from the Chicago area, represented the Iranian Bahá’ís in the Refugee Experience panel discussion. He gave a dignified and thought-provoking presentation, focusing on the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran in the context of the history and principles of the Faith. The 150 attendees, mostly non-Bahá’ís, filled the room to capacity.

Puran Stevens, coordinator of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, took part in the Multicultural America panel discussion. She spoke about the spiritual principle of the oneness of humanity and how the Bahá’ís celebrate unity in diversity.

She also described how the Refugee Office helps Iranian Bahá’í refugees integrate into American life, noting that the multicultural composition of the American Bahá’í community has facilitated their adjustment by involving them in community-building activities.

About 25 copies of "The Vision of Race Unity" were distributed at the discussion. The event was broadcast on local cablevision and the videotape was made available for workshops and other activities of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

On October 20, an International Human Rights panel discussion was held in cooperation with Amnesty International USA/Midwest Regional Office and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office coordinator gave an update on the Bahá’ís in Iran. Copies of "The Current Situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran," a regular update by the National Spiritual Assembly for government and non-government officials, were made available for those present. The discussion was also taped for later broadcast on local cablevision.

The photo exhibit provided important exposure for the Faith to persons of prominence in the Chicago area, most of whom had little concept of the Faith beyond knowing about the House of Worship in Wilmette.

The exhibit was so successful that the organizers extended it for an extra week, after which they planned to take it to nearby Truman College and to other colleges and universities in the area. [Page 12]عیان حال این دردها آنان را از توان انداخته است. به همین جهت مردمان نومیدانه، و چه بسا که مذبوحانه، می‌کوشند درمانی بیایند.

در این میان اهل بهاء حاملان درمان دردهای ساکنان جهانند. بدین ترتیب کار ما، وظیفه ما، مسؤولیت ما این است که درمان را در دسترس دردمندان گذاریم و هر گاه فرصتی رخ داد پیام حضرت بهاءالله را به طالبان شفا رسانیم. می‌باید گام نخستین را برداریم، نیازهای مردمان را بررسی و برآورد کنیم، راه حل را برایشان مشخص کنیم و در عین حال منابع لازم را برای إعمال آن در دست داشته باشیم.

حضرت ولی امرالله در آثار خود به این مضمون اشاره فرموده‌اند که وجوهی که یاران تبرع می‌کنند مطمئن‌ترین راه برای رفع مشکلاتی چون گرسنگی و بی‌نوائی مردمان است زیرا عالم انسانی تنها از طریق نظم بدیع حضرت بهاءالله می‌تواند بر پای خود بایستد و از فقر و نیاز و ترس و گرسنگی و غیره رهائی یابد. افراد غیربهائی نمی‌توانند از این طریق کمکی کنند یا وظیفه‌ای را که از آن ماست انجام دهند. بدین ترتیب اولین وظیفه ما این است که امور تبلیغی را خود احباء انجام دهند زیرا راه شفای ملل جهان همانا این است.

اطلاعیه انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی

Persian Arts and Culture Association

همانگونه که شماره‌های پیشین نشریه "امریکن بهائی" به اطلاع علاقه‌مندان به مطالعات بهائی به زبان فارسی و ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی رسید، دومین کنفرانس انجمن از ۹ تا ۱۲ ژانویه ۱۹۹۲ در حظیرةالقدس لس‌انجلس برگزار خواهد گردید.

موضوع اصلی کنفرانس "نعیم اصفهانی، ادیب بهائی" است. تعدادی از هنرمندان و استادان و معلمان بهائی دربارهٔ زندگی و آثار و خدمات ایشان و برخی دیگر دربارهٔ موضوعات گوناگون مربوط به فرهنگ و زبان و موسیقی ایرانی به بحث خواهند پرداخت. صورتی از نام برخی از سخنرانان و نمونه‌ای از مطالبی که مورد بررسی قرار خواهد گرفت، بدین قرار است: جناب دکتر ماشاءالله مشرف‌زاده: "شرح زندگانی جناب نعیم سدهی"؛ جناب دکتر هدایت‌الله نیر سینا: "ورود نعیم به جرگه پیروان امر حضرت بهاءالله"؛ خانم دکتر طلعت بصاری: "جایگاه نعیم در ادبیات معاصر ایران"؛ دکتر امین بنانی: "شعر نعیم و مختصات شعری او"؛ دکتر ایرج خادمی: "نوکرائی در اشعار نعیم"؛ دکتر نادر سعیدی: "امر بهائی و فلسفه شرق"؛ مهندس نوشین احسان (برلین): "وحدت معماری بهائی"؛ مهندس مژان خادم: "هنر معماری از دیدگاه یک آرشیتکت بهائی"؛ جناب منصور تأیید: "هنر و هنرمندان در امر بهائی"؛ خانم شکوه رضائی: "تلاوت آیات‌الله"؛ جناب فرزاد خبیری: "اقسام موسیقی ایرانی". همچنین خانم شکوه رضائی و جناب منوچهر صادقی و جناب منصور تأیید و جناب کیومرث حقیقی و جناب حسن اعلانی افنان و دکتر آهنگ ربانی و چند تن دیگر از دوستان به ارائه برنامه‌های گوناگون شعرخوانی و موسیقی و نمایش خواهند پرداخت.

ثبت‌نام: بدلیل محدودیت جا در محل کنفرانس از شرکت‌کنندگان تقاضا می‌شود هر چه زودتر با تکمیل برگ ثبت‌نام — که در شماره پیشین این نشریه درج گردید — و ارسال وجه برای شرکت در کنفرانس نام‌نویسی نمایند. مهلت نام‌نویسی تا ۲۵ دسامبر سال ۱۹۹۱ می‌باشد.

محل اقامت: طبق اطلاعاتی که در دست است هتل رامادا Ramada Hotel در محلهٔ بورلی هیلز Beverly Hills در صورتی که ۵۰ اطاق یا بیشتر توسط شرکت‌کنندگان در کنفرانس گرفته شود نرخ کرایه اطاق را از ۹۵ دلار در هر روز به ۸۰ دلار کاهش خواهد داد. این قیمت برای اقامت یک تا چهار نفر در هر اطاق است. لطفاً در صورت تصمیم به اقامت در آن هتل این نکته را در برگ ثبت‌نام کنفرانس قید نمائید. همچنین نرخ کوالیتی هتل Quality Hotel که در نزدیکی فرودگاه لس آنجلس و بفاصلهٔ بیشتری از حظیرةالقدس واقع است برای يك تا چهار نفر روزانه ۵۵ دلار است.

وسیله نقلیه: بقرار اطلاع هتل رامادا همچنین می‌تواند وسیله آمد و شد از فرودگاه به هتل و بر عکس و همچنین رفت و آمد از هتل به محل کنفرانس را به نرخ ۵۰ دلار برای هر نفر در مدت کنفرانس تأمین نماید. کوالیتی هتل تنها مسؤولیت آمد و رفت از فرودگاه به هتل را بر عهده خواهد گرفت. نرخ مخصوص کنفرانس فقط برای کسانی که تا ۲۷ دسامبر مراجعه نمایند تضمین شده است. بعد از آن تاریخ تنها در صورت موجود بودن جا و به قیمت عادی اطاق به افراد داده خواهد شد. متمنی است برای گرفتن اطاق و ثبت‌نام برای وسیله نقلیه مستقیماً با Ramada Hotel یا Quality Hotel به نشانی زیر تماس حاصل نمائید. هنگام تماس یا مراجعه به هتل یادآور شوید که برای شرکت در کنفرانس Persian Arts & Culture اطاق می‌خواهید.

Ramada Hotel Beverly Hills 1150 S. Beverly Drive Los Angeles, CA 90035 (213) 553-6561

Quality Hotel 5249 West Century Boulevard Los Angeles, CA. 90045 (213) 645-2200, (800) 266-2200

نوجوان موفق

AN OUTSTANDING YOUNG BAHA’I

شاهین مهاجر نوجوان بهائی ۱۵ ساله‌ای از شهر اورلاندو در ایالت فلوریداست. شاهین یکی از ۱۰۰ نفری بود که در کنفرانس ملی مسیحیان و کلیمیان شرکت داشت. این کنفرانس از ۳۰ آگست تا ۲ سپتامبر سال جاری در اورلاندو برگزار شد.

در طی این کنفرانس آقای مهاجر چندین بار دربارهٔ وحدت نژادی و اصول و تعالیم بهائی و تاریخ امر مبارک سخنرانی کرد و تجربه هولناک خانواده‌اش را که در سال ۱۹۸۵ از ایران فرار کردند با حاضران در میان نهاد. در یکی از این سخنرانی‌ها پس از اینکه شاهین بیاناتی از حضرت بهاءالله دربارهٔ صلح قرائت کرد، حاضران در برابرش به پا خاستند و برایش کف زدند.

امر بهائی در سوئیس

BAHA’I FAITH IN SWITZERLAND

در چهار سال گذشته مطالعهٔ امر بهائی یکی از مواد درسی دانشگاه سوئیس بوده است. اخیراً مدیران این دانشگاه از احباء خواسته‌اند برنامه تحصیلی ویژه‌ای دربارهٔ امر بهائی در ارتباط با آداب و رسوم آفریقائیان و عقاید سنتی آنان تهیه و تدریس نمایند. محفل روحانی ملی سوئیس نیز به منظور انجام این کار ۴ نفر از احباء را برای تدریس برنامه مذکور تعیین نموده است.

اطلاعیه دربارهٔ کنگره جهانی

WORLD CONGRESS, A CLARIFICATION

ظاهراً برای بعضی از یاران این سوءتفاهم حاصل شده است که برنامه کنگره جهانی به فارسی ترجمه نخواهد شد. اگر چه برنامه کنگره به سه زبان اصلی یعنی انگلیسی و فرانسه و اسپانیولی اجراء خواهد شد ولکن شرکت‌کنندگان در جلسات می‌توانند ترجمه مراسم را به زبان‌های دیگر از طریق گوشی‌های انفرادی استماع نمایند و با توجه به تعداد احبای فارسی زبانی که تاکنون ثبت‌نام نموده‌اند بدون شک فارسی یکی از آن زبانها خواهد بود.

انجمن ساخت‌های جهانی

GLOBAL STRUCTURES CONVOCATION

محفل روحانی ملی یکی از ۷۰ مؤسسه و مسؤول برنامه‌ریزی دومین "انجمن ساخت‌های جهانی" Global Structures Convocation است که قرار است از ۶ تا ۹ فوریه سال ۱۹۹۲ در واشنگتن دی سی تشکیل شود.

نماینده‌ای از جانب محفل روحانی ملی برنامه‌ای تحت عنوان "منشور زمین: تأسیس اصول و ارزش‌هائی برای قوانین بین‌المللی در يك جامعه جهانی" ارائه خواهد داد.

این انجمن که برای شرکت هر چه بیشتر شرکت‌کنندگان به صورت کارگاه اداره خواهد شد، در بعضی موارد شامل ۲۰ برنامه همزمان دربارهٔ موضوع‌های حقوق بین‌المللی و اقتصادی و سازمانی مربوط به "کنفرانس زمین" خواهد بود که قرار است در ماه جون سال ۱۹۹۲ تشکیل شود.

افراد یاران نیز می‌توانند در این کنفرانس شرکت نمایند و نمایندگان محفل روحانی ملی در آن حضور خواهند داشت. از یاران علاقه‌مند به شرکت در این برنامه تقاضا می‌شود حضور خود را در کنفرانس به اطلاع نماینده محفل روحانی ملی برسانند. تلفن: ۸۸۳۰ ۲۶۵ (۲۰۲).

هشتاد و سومین کانونشن ملی

83RD NATIONAL CONVENTION

هشتاد و سومین کانونشن ملی از ۲۳ تا ۲۶ آپریل سال ۱۹۹۲ در سالن اجتماعات مشرق‌الاذکار در ویلمت در ایالت ایلینوی انعقاد خواهد یافت.

علاوه بر نمایندگان ملی برای حدود ۲۰۰ نفر از احباء نیز جا برای شرکت در کانونشن وجود دارد. رزرو صندلی برای این شرکت‌کنندگان بر مبنای تقدم تاریخ تسلیم تقاضا به پست خواهد بود. به این معنی که کسانی که مایل به شرکت در کانونشن ملی باشند، باید هر چه زودتر برای رزرو جا اقدام نمایند.

درخواست‌های رزرو جا که از اول ژانویه سال ۱۹۹۲ به بعد مهر پست‌خانه خورده باشد، به ترتیب پذیرفته خواهد شد. از علاقه‌مندان تقاضا می‌شود به همراه تقاضای رزرو جا، نام و نام خانوادگی و شماره کارت بهائی و شماره تلفن خود را نیز ضمیمه نمایند. اطلاعات مربوط به هتل در شماره‌های آینده نشریه "امریکن بهائی" درج خواهد شد. تقاضای رزرو جا باید به نشانی زیر ارسال شود:

Convention Seating Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL. 60091

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

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

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

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

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سفرهای تشویقی جناب ویلیام سیرز

VISITS OF HAND OF THE CAUSE WILLIAM SEARS

یاران عزیز آگاهند که زندگی ایادی عزیز امرالله، جناب ویلیام سیرز از زمان اقبالشان به امر مبارك کارنامه خدمت و فداکاری و حدیث وظیفه‌شناسی و محبت به امر الهی بوده است.

علی رغم کبر سن و کسالت شدید جناب سیرز به تازگی تصمیم گرفته‌اند سرلوحه خدمات خود را به سفرهای تشویقی گوناگونی بیارایند. بدین معنی که به ۵ شهر در ایالات متحده سفر کنند و احباء را در مورد دستیابی به هدف ۹ هزار تازه‌تصدیق تا رضوان سال ۱۹۹۲ یاری نمایند.

جناب سیرز به محفل روحانی ملی تعهد داده بودند که شخصاً با احبای شهرهائی که از لحاظ تبلیغی امکانات بیشتری دارند دیدار کنند. هر چند جناب سیرز از سلامت جسمانی برخوردار نیستند، با این حال تصمیم گرفته‌اند به عهد خود وفا کنند و از شهرهای مورد نظر دیدار نمایند.

جناب سیرز گفته بودند: «هدف من این است که با احباء ملاقات کنم و کمکشان کنم که بتوانند میزان خدمات تبلیغی خود را که بر مبنای نقشه‌های محفل روحانی ملی و لجنه ملی نشر نفحات استوار شده است، بیشتر کنند.»

جناب سیرز همچنین افزوده بودند که «می‌خواهم به احباء گوشزد کنم تا بدانند که بعنوان پیروان حضرت بهاءالله چه مقامی دارند و جمال مبارك چه وعده‌هائی در مورد توانائیها و موفقیت‌هایشان به آنها داده است.»

نخستین سفر جناب سیرز با دیدار از احبای شهر بروکا رتن Boca Raton در ایالت فلوریدا آغاز شد. ایشان شنبه و یکشنبه ۱۹ و ۲۰ اکتبر سال جاری را در آن شهر گذراندند. بعد از ظهر روز شنبه ابتدا فرد فرد احباء را در طی چند ساعت خوش‌آمد گفتند و سپس اولین سخنرانی خود را ایراد کردند. در این سخنرانی فعالیت‌های تبلیغی را با «اساسی‌ترین و حیاتی‌ترین مساله» یعنی وحدت نژادی ارتباط دادند.

به گفته جناب سیرز «بجز جامعه بهائی هیچ گروهی لوازم نشان دادن وحدت عالم انسانی را به جهانیان ندارد. هیچکس بغیر از ما بهائیان مردمی از نژادها و ملیتهای گوناگون را بعنوان اعضای تشکیلات محلی و ملیشان ندارد.

«در این مورد احباء از دیگر گروه‌ها فرسنگ‌ها جلوتر رفته‌اند، اما حتی فعالیت‌های ما هم برای ایجاد وحدت به ویژه وحدت بین نژاد سیاه و نژاد سفید هنوز به اندازه کافی نبوده است.

«باید به یاد داشته باشیم که حضرت بهاءالله به ما امر فرموده‌اند که متحد باشیم و حضرت ولی امرالله و بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی نیز تاکید فرموده‌اند که فقط و فقط جامعه بهائی آمریکا می‌تواند به این هدف دستیابی پیدا کند.»

در این خصوص جناب سیرز به بیانیه اخیر محفل روحانی ملی «چشم‌انداز وحدت نژادی» اشاره کردند و اظهار خوشنودی نمودند که احباء برای تبلیغ امر مبارك از آن بیانیه استفاده می‌کنند. در عین حال جناب سیرز خاطر نشان ساختند که رفتار یاران باید مؤید اعتقادشان باشد:

«نفس گفتن به مردم به تنهائی کافی نیست. باید در عمل به آنان نشان داد، بدین ترتیب که در دل و خانه خود را بر همگان بگشائیم تا محبتی را که نسبت به آنان داریم، احساس کنند. در این صورت است که خواهند فهمید که ما با دیگران فرق داریم.

جناب سیرز صبح روز یکشنبه آخرین سخنرانی خود را ایراد کردند. حدود ۲۰۰ نفر در جلسه شرکت داشتند. سخنان جناب سیرز با تاکید ایشان بر این موضوع آغاز شد که اهمیت غرب را در مورد تاسیس نظم جهانی حضرت بهاءالله گوشزد حاضران نمایند.

ایشان اظهار داشتند که به فرموده حضرت بهاءالله هر چند امر مبارك از شرق برخاسته است با این حال نورش با شدت بیشتری در غرب خواهد تابید. حضرت عبدالبهاء نیز فرموده‌اند که غرب نور هدایت الهی را بیش از شرق منعکس خواهد ساخت. حضرت ولی امرالله نیز در «کتاب قرن بدیع» (گاد پاسس بای) از عنایاتی که به غرب افاضه شده است یاد فرموده‌اند. به فرموده مبارك «جمهوری عظیم غرب» — اشاره به ایالات متحده آمریکا — برگزیده شد که بیش از هر کشور دیگری در غرب محل و مظهر عنایات بی‌شمار الهی باشد و عامل اصلی انتشار آن در پنج قاره کره زمین گردد.

جناب سیرز چنین افزودند که «ما می‌دانیم که چه سهم مهمی می‌باید در پهنه زمین ایفاء کنیم و به همین جهت هم تأسف‌آمیز خواهد بود اگر از اوضاع داخلی این کشور غافل بمانیم. هر چند پیروزی‌هائی که در میدان‌های خارجی داشته‌ایم چشمگیر بوده است اما دستاوردهایمان در داخل به خوبی و کفایت آن پیروزی‌های خارجی نبوده است.»

در اینجا جناب سیرز کیفیت پیشرفت امر مبارك را در ۵ سال گذشته مورد بررسی قرار دادند. به ویژه ایشان یادآوری کردند که در سال ۱۹۹۱ از اول سال تا اول اکتبر ۱۷۴۸ نفر تسجیل شده‌اند. جناب سیرز بدون مجامله و با اندکی نگرانی اظهار داشتند که احبای آمریکا امور تبلیغی را به نحو کافی پیش نبرده‌اند، و افزودند که آینده اجتماع و سرنوشت روحانی جامعه امری آمریکا رابطه مستقیم با این موضوع دارد که چگونه به برطرف کردن این مانع بپردازیم.

به گفته جناب سیرز «باعث خجلت و سرافکندگی است که تا این حد ناموفق بوده‌ایم. چه شده است که با اینهمه نیروی روحانی که در اختیار داریم در مورد حکم و وظیفه مهم تبلیغ کوتاهی کرده‌ایم؟»

جناب سیرز احباء را تشویق کردند و فرا خواندند که مانند شیر قد بر افرازند و به تبلیغ امر مبارك بپردازند. سپس گذشته امر الهی را از دوران حضرت باب تا زمان حاضر یادآور شدند و گفتند که در طول تمامی تاریخ امر مبارك به احباء اطمینان داده شده است که نصرت نصیب کسانی خواهد شد که برای خدمت و تبلیغ امر به پا خیزند.

جناب سیرز در ادامه سخنان خود گفتند: «حضرت رب اعلی فرموده‌اند که هر يك از پیروان این امر می‌تواند به مدد عنایات الهی با هر آنکه در زمین و آسمان باشد مقابله کند و حضرت بهاءالله فرموده‌اند که هر کس مردم را به امر مبارك دعوت کند از ایشان است و خواهد توانست اموری از خود ظاهر کند که فراتر از نیروی همگان است.

«ما نباید به تعداد معدود و محدود خود نگاه کنیم. کلام مبارك حضرت ولی امرالله را به خاطر بیاوریم که به احباء فرمودند که هر چند امکانات آتی ‎ناامیدکننده ناامیدکننده‎ باشد حضرت بهاءالله احباء را به جنود ملاء اعلی مدد خواهد کرد و راه پیروزی را بر آنان خواهد گشود.»

جناب ویلیام سیرز آخر هفته بعد را در ورستر Worcester در ایالت ماساچوست گذراندند و در آنجا هم احباء را دعوت کردند که به پا خیزند و به میزبانی وسیع نشر نفحات بپردازند.

صدها نفر از احباء در فلوریدا و ماساچوست به دیدار جناب سیرز شتافتند. همه اینان تحت تأثیر محبت و مهربانی این ایادی خستگی ناپذیر امر مبارك قرار گرفتند. از سخنان تشویق‌آمیز ایشان منقلب شدند و نمونه فداکاری و ایثار را به چشم دیدند، زیرا شاهد بودند که چگونه جناب سیرز علیرغم سالخوردگی و بیماری بار دیگر به پا خاسته است تا جامعه بهائی آمریکا را در رسیدن اهداف رضوانی خود یاری کند.

قرار است جناب سیرز با احبای تولسان Tolleson در ایالت آریزونا و یاران سان فرانسیسکو در ایالت کالیفرنیا و دوستان پورتلند Portland در ایالت اورگان دیدار کنند. ‎بی‌ترید بی‌تردید‎ جناب سیرز یاران این شهرها را نیز با شور و هیجان و صمیمیتی که در دل و کلام خود دارند، منقلب خواهند کرد. حدیث فداکاری را باز خواهند خواند. نمونه اخلاص را با سفرهائی که ترتیب داده‌اند، به احباء باز خواهند نمود و نغمه امیدواری و شوق را به گوش یاران خواهند رساند.

این گزارش را با نقل سخنان آن ایادی خدوم و فعال امر حضرت بهاءالله به پایان می‌آوریم: «انتظار داریم وقتی در سال ۱۹۹۲ کانونشن ملی منعقد شد، ۹ هزار تازه‌تصدیق در این کشور داشته باشیم و از آن پس هم هر سال شاهد پیروزی‌های بیشتری باشیم تا دیگر هرگز در مورد اجرای وظائف‌روحانیمان کوتاهی نکنیم».

افزایش تبرعات به صندوق ملی

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATIONAL FUND

در چند سال گذشته میزان تبرعات یاران به صندوق ملی افزایش چشمگیری داشته است. این افزایش که به راستی مایه خوشوقتی است باعث شده که بنیه جامعه امری این دیار توانی بیشتر یابد و بدین ترتیب نیازهای ناگزیری که با آن روبرو شده یا خواهد شد بدون دشواری بر طرف شود.

از جمله نتایج مطلوبی که افزایش میزان و مبلغ تبرعات داشته این بوده که محفل روحانی ملی توانسته است تعهدات مالی خود را به مرکز جهانی ایفاء کند. دیگر اینکه بازسازی و ترمیم ساختمان مشرق‌الاذکار بدون وقفه به پیش رفته است. همچنین امکان گسترش فعالیت‌های دیگری در داخل و خارج کشور به دست آمده است.

بی‌اغراق می‌توان گفت که افزایش تبرعات یاران به صندوق ملی حکایت از بلوغ و پختگی بیشتر جامعه امری و آگاهی یاران از اهمیت ارتباط مستقیم منابع مالی با فعالیت‌های امری دارد. مهمتر اینکه افزایش تبرعات در زمانی رخ داده که اوضاع اقتصادی کشور با نابسامانی روبرو بوده است.

محفل روحانی ملی با در نظر گرفتن امکانات تازه‌ای که در سال‌های آخرین دهه قرن کنونی به دست خواهد آمد، در صدد است که به طرح برنامه‌های گوناگونی بپردازد. از جمله این برنامه‌ها تمرکز درباره نگرانی‌ها و مشکلات مردم این کشور و سعی در ارائه راه حل بر مبنای تعالیم امر مبارك و اجرای طرح‌هائی است که بازتاب راه حل‌های مذکور باشد و عملی بودن آنها را به جهانیان نشان دهد.

ناگفته پیداست که طرح نقشه‌ها و برنامه‌های مذکور مستلزم جریان پیوسته و دائمی تبرعات است. همچنانکه در یکی از دستخط‌های معهد اعلی آمده است جامعه امری این دیار نباید جنبشی را که در افزایش میزان تبرعات حاصل شده از دست بدهد. پیشرفت چشمگیری که در این خصوص داشته‌ایم نباید چنان مسحورمان نماید که از ترقی بیشتر باز مانیم. بلکه طی هر مرحله‌ای باید دورنمای تازه‌ای در برابر دیدگانمان بگشاید و امکان پیشرفت‌های آینده را فراهم سازد.

سال مقدس به زودی فرا خواهد رسید. عملیات ساختمانی بناهای قوس همچنان به پیش می‌رود و جهان بشری دیر یا زود شاهد برقراری صلح اصغر خواهد بود. دانسته نیست که پیشرفت امر بهائی در پهنه گیتی چه روحی در عالم انسانی خواهد دمید. همچنین کسی نمی‌داند بشریت پیش از حصول وحدت در میان همه ملل دستخوش چه نابسامانی‌ها و بحران‌هائی خواهد شد. اما آنچه به یقین می‌دانیم این است که سوای هر راهی که ‎برای تاریخ برای تاریخ برای‎ رساندن مردمان به مقدرات عالم انسانی برگزیند، فرصت‌های گرانبهائی برای تبلیغ امر مبارك و گسترش دامنه آن دست خواهد داد.

واقعیت امر این است که جهان بشری با نیروهای زمان مسابقه‌ای بی‌امان ترتیب داده است. مردم جهان به تدریج دریافته‌اند که دردهایشان را درمانی هست، اما در [Page 14]

Institutos de Enseñanza y el Plan de Seis Años

De las seis metas del Plan de Enseñanza de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional para el año final del Plan de Enseñanza de Seis Años, cuatro de ellas llaman por el establecimiento de institutos de enseñanza. El énfasis puesto en institutos de enseñanza en este plan es indicativo de su papel significante en el proceso de enseñar. Institutos de enseñanza son de suma importancia en el proceso de la enseñanza porque pueden ayudar a desarrollar una aumentación en el número de bahá’ís que están enseñando y en el número de creyentes nuevos cuyos corazones firmemente se conectan a Bahá’u’lláh y quienes se comprometen a la vida bahá’í en comunidad y que toman parte activamente en el trabajo de la enseñanza.

A través de los institutos de enseñanza, creyentes nuevos se capacitan y habilitan para levantarse a ayudar a aquellos que les enseñaron la Fe y revelarlos de las obligaciones recompensadoras espiritualmente aún abrumadoras físicamente, que son asociadas con el trabajo de la enseñanza actual. De esta manera, institutos de enseñanza aseguran no poner fin al trabajo de la enseñanza sólo por el cansancio de los creyentes veteranos, mientras más almas entran a la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh. Aseguran que un balance actual entre la expansión y la consolidación será un elemento encontrado naturalmente en el trabajo de la enseñanza.

Un instituto de enseñanza es un esfuerzo de la base, empezando con un grupo nuclear de cinco o seis individuos comprometidos a trabajar juntos por una duración larga. Para aquellos institutos de enseñanza empezando en áreas donde el crecimiento todavía no se encuentra en grandes escalas, no hay necesidad de administración porque el grupo sólo debe concentrarse en el proceso de la enseñanza. El instituto se establece de tal modo que los participantes se preparan para enseñar a través del desarrollo espiritual, la enseñanza activa, y el desarrollo de materiales para el uso de la enseñanza.

Los institutos de enseñanza con más éxito son aquellos que en naturaleza son evolutivos. Cuando creyentes nuevos entran a la Fe, están incluidos en el instituto y se involucran inmediatamente en el trabajo de la enseñanza. El instituto de enseñanza se ajusta continuamente para servir las necesidades y los intereses de los creyentes nuevos y de la gente que se alcanza con el Mensaje curativo de Bahá’u’lláh. Cuando se descubre medios más efectivos de tocar los corazones de aquellos que enseñamos, se adaptan nuevos métodos de enseñanza y maneras de presentar el Mensaje. Se planean programas de profundización según el nivel de entendimiento y capacidad de los nuevos creyentes.

El propósito de un instituto de enseñanza no es programar eventos de enseñanza o profundización, sino para promover el proceso de la enseñanza. Este proceso involucra continua acción recíproca entre la expansión externa y la consolidación interna. La enseñanza es una manera sagrada y jubilosa en donde expresamos nuestro amor por Bahá’u’lláh ayudándolo, con lo mejor de nuestra capacidad, a promover su Causa entre la humanidad. Los institutos de enseñanza ofrecen a los individuos, en su asociación con otros, una oportunidad para explorar, experienciar, y compartir la alegría de la enseñanza, que puede acelerar la transformación personal y ayudar hacer este mundo “otro mundo y su pueblo otro pueblo.”

El formato de los Institutos de Enseñanza: desarrollo para expansión en escala grande

El formato de un instituto de enseñanza está dividido en tres áreas de igual importancia, definido por el Centro Internacional de Enseñanza en un mensaje del 14 noviembre de 1988: “Si se puede fomentar tal programa, un tercio de sus esfuerzos y recursos debe enfocarse en el desarrollo espiritual, un tercio en la enseñanza y un tercio en el desarrollo de materiales apropiados para expansión en escala grande.”

El desarrollo espiritual puede ocurrir a través de la oración, la memorización de pasajes del Texto Sagrado, el estudio de los Escritos sobre la enseñanza, y la profundización. La idea de la memorización de pasajes de las Escrituras es quizás un aspecto menos familiar en la preparación espiritual para enseñar que la oración y la profundización, sin embargo, es muy importante. La Palabra de Dios es magnética, creativa, y transformativa, y acceso a este poder divino es una bondad tremenda para los bahá’ís. El uso de pasajes de los Escritos mientras enseñamos atrae a la gente, la afecta, y cambia el espíritu, renovando la vida y habilitando a ambos al maestro y al individuo a quien le enseña la Fe.

La profundización, otro componente importante del desarrollo espiritual, no sólo asegura que los creyentes nuevos y veteranos igualmente aumentarán su conocimiento de la Fe, sino asegura que sus corazones se pondrán más firmemente conectados a Bahá’u’lláh y a su Convenio, reforzando su compromiso a Su Causa. La serie de cuadernos de ejercicios, desarrollados para los amigos para la profundización del conocimiento y la apreciación de la Fe, y altamente recomendados por el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza para los institutos de enseñanza, es The Word of God, The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It, y Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. (The Covenant... y Significance... están disponibles en nuestra oficina en español).

El estudio de los Escritos bahá’ís sobre la enseñanza es esencial para entender el proceso de la enseñanza y la preparación para el trabajo de la enseñanza. Como muchos creyentes tienen el deseo para enseñar pero les falta la confianza o el conocimiento de como hacerlo, es ventajoso durante las etapas formativas e iniciales del instituto estudiar los Escritos sobre la enseñanza. Effective Teaching (disponible en nuestra oficina en español), un cuaderno disponible por el Bahá’í Distribution Service, que ilumina las Escrituras sobre la enseñanza, es designado para guiar a los amigos a través de esta etapa y a seguir encontrando aquellas almas preparadas con el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh. El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza sugiere que los institutos empiecen con el estudio de este folleto.

Mientras que un componente importante de los institutos de enseñanza es el desarrollo espiritual, se enfoca sobre el proceso completo de la expansión y la consolidación y ponen igual énfasis sobre el desarrollo espiritual, la enseñanza actual, y el desarrollo de materiales necesarios para enseñar. El tiempo que institutos de enseñanza se dedican a la enseñanza envuelve un proceso actual de acción y reflexión, por lo cual esfuerzos de enseñanza sigue con una evaluación de esos esfuerzos. Se puede usar muchos diferentes métodos de enseñanza, pero el proceso es siempre lo mismo: enseñar a nosotros mismos, encontrar y atraer a almas receptivas, dar el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh con juicio, nutrir al buscador para aceptar a Bahá’u’lláh, y confirmar a los creyentes nuevos al servicio activo en la Fe (incluyendo enseñando solos a otros sobre la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh). Institutos de enseñanza pueden usar una gran variedad de métodos de enseñar, algunos con más éxito que otros, entonces una evaluación periódica es necesaria para asegurar que están utilizando los métodos más efectivos.

Los institutos de enseñanza se extienden a una población en particular en la enseñanza, porque esto ayuda a juntar y refinar la energía colectiva de los miembros del instituto y hacer que sean un equipo de enseñanza más efectivo. Considerando este aspecto, el tercer componente, que es el desarrollo de materiales para el uso en la enseñanza, en que los institutos de enseñanza enfocan sus esfuerzos y recursos, es especialmente importante. Después de estudiar la cultura y descubrir un método y manera de presentación que es pertinente a un grupo en particular, es posible que se necesite desarrollar materiales de enseñanza que se relacionan directamente a sus preocupaciones e intereses. Enfocando primordialmente en los Escritos bahá’ís, pero permitiendo que posiblemente incluya otros tipos de materiales, los institutos de enseñanza pueden desarrollar instrumentos de enseñanza que son basados en las necesidades y capacidades del grupo que están tratando de alcanzar.

Los miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar y sus asistentes son recursos vitales para los individuos que han empezado o desean empezar un instituto de enseñanza. Se les puede llamar cuando surgen preguntas y preocupaciones en ‎cualquiera cualquier‎ etapa de la implementación o del desarrollo de los institutos de enseñanza. Además, se debe informar a la Asamblea Local de los planes del instituto y consultar con ella sobre actividades que van más allá de la esfera de enseñar en una base de uno a uno o que pueden afectar a la gran comunidad bahá’í. (Por ejemplo, materiales de enseñanza para usar dentro de la comunidad necesitan la aprobación de la Asamblea.) Mientras los institutos de enseñanza desenvuelven, es posible que se necesite un sistema administrativo para asegurar que los creyentes nuevos sean profundizados e incluidos en la enseñanza. La Asamblea bajo la cual el instituto de enseñanza trabaja sería entonces responsable por el nombramiento de un comité para coordinar los varios aspectos de la estructura de las tres partes del instituto de enseñanza.

Persian Arts Association holds conference

The Persian Arts and Culture Association was created in early 1991 to serve the following purposes:

• To promote the study of Persian and Arabic, languages of revelation in the Bahá’í Faith.
• To help children and youth of Iranian families maintain their ties with their culture.
• To help non-Persian speaking members of the community become familiar with the culture of the birth place of their Faith.
• To offer an opportunity for non-Bahá’í Iranians to become familiar with the tenets of the Faith.

With the approval of National Spiritual Assembly, the Persian/American Affairs Office has been supervising the development and operation of the Association.

The Association held its first conference last July 18-21 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. Some 350 participants from around the country as well as from Canada, Europe and Australia enjoyed a series of presentations about the traditions and the influence of Persian arts and culture, three contemporary Bahá’í scholars, the concept of love, mystic thought, and The Secret of Divine Civilization and modernism in the Middle East.

There were also several workshops on more practical topics such as Persian calligraphy and chanting. Two special sessions were conducted in English: an overview of Persian literature, and the calligraphy of Mishkin Qalam.

The second conference of the Association is scheduled to be held January 9-12, 1992 at Los Angeles Bahá’í Center. The theme chosen for that conference is “Na’im of Sedeh, the Bahá’í poet-scholar.”

Sessions in English will include “Persian classical music and the role of Mirzá ‘Abdu’lláh in its modern development” and a discussion of Na’im’s life and work.

Escuelas regionales ‎y e‎ Institutos de Enseñanza

En 1964, la Casa Universal de Justicia introdujo el concepto de institutos de enseñanza al decir que “esencialmente es una actividad ‎propuesto propuesta‎ a la profundización de los amigos para prepararlos para participación activa en el trabajo de la enseñanza” (Centers of Bahá’í Learning, pág. 19) (traducción no oficial). Escuelas bahá’ís, encargadas con responsabilidades similares, tienen servicios únicos para ofrecer a institutos de enseñanza en sus esfuerzos actuales para educar a maestros de la Fe.

Las Escuelas regionales deben estar conscientes de los institutos de enseñanza en su área y hacer cada esfuerzo para incluirlos en sus sesiones de escuela. Como las escuelas están encargadas de habilitar a los estudiantes a “ser promotores eficientes y capaces de la Causa” (Centers of Bahá’í Learning, pág. 8) (traducción no oficial), miembros de los institutos de enseñanza pueden recibir con gozo la oportunidad de asistir las sesiones de escuela y salir con un método nuevo y un entusiasmo renovado para su trabajo sagrado de enseñar.

Comités Regionales Escolares pueden informarse de los institutos de enseñanza en sus áreas poniéndose en contacto con miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar. [Page 15]

Personal transformation, 'circle of unity' themes of 32nd Green Lake Conference

Personal transformation and the "circle of unity" were the focus of the 32nd annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference held September 13-15 at Green Lake, Wisconsin.

The theme, "With Humility Before Our Sovereign Lord," recognized the Source of these related topics as the 1,200 believers who took part studied their importance in relation to the upcoming Holy Year.

Among this year's speakers were Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board member Stephen Birkland; Elsie Austin, Trustee of the Huqúqu’lláh; and Larry and Carole Miller of Atlanta, Georgia.

The conference opened with a welcoming song performed by some of the American Indian guests. The American Indians, many of whom performed several times during the conference, repeatedly expressed great joy at being there, as well as appreciation for the respect and understanding the Bahá’ís demonstrated toward their culture.

Several topics of interest were explored in the Friday and Saturday Forums.

Bonnie Taylor, a member of the National Race Unity Committee, conducted a workshop on "The Most Challenging Issue: Spiritual and Practical Knowledge, covering the origins of race prejudices, their fallacies, spiritual transformation as the prerequisite to unity, and the value of unity in diversity.

Larry Miller led a discussion on "Business Ethics...A Bahá’í Perspective," focusing on how the Bahá’í Writings can be applied to everyday business concerns and challenges.

Our Sacred Obligation National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091

Other forums included "Huqúqu’lláh," led by Elsie Austin; "The Most Challenging Issue," by Carole Miller; "American Indians' Circle of Unity," by Stephen Birkland and Nick Hockings; and "The Life of Thornton Chase," by Robert Stockman.

There was a special program for children, the highlight of which was an Open Air Family Concert on Saturday afternoon. Artists included the Chicago Bahá’í Youth Workshop and the American Indian drummers and singers.

Nick Hockings explains the traditional Indian pipe ceremony for those at the Green Lake Conference.

Among the mainstage performers at the conference were the Bahá’í House of Worship Choir and Anne Gordon Atkinson, whose solo dramatization of Roger White's poem "A Cup of Tea" spoke eloquently about personal transformation.

George Davis and Gloria Oatis offered a rich sampling of our African-American literary and story-telling heritage in a vivid performance, and the Milwaukee Bahá’í rap group, Teaching Peace Crew, exuberantly demonstrated the power of the love of Bahá’u’lláh to bring about race unity in society.

El Ruiseñor / The Nightingale

El Ruiseñor/The Nightingale is a bi-lingual (Spanish-English) Bahá’í publication sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and is distributed quarterly worldwide. It began in 1987 as a newsletter for the friends in the United States and today it is circulated throughout the many countries.

The editorial content is varied and includes items of interest to Bahá’ís such as current developments and goals of the Cause throughout the world, articles aimed at deepening our understanding of the Teachings, reports of victories in teaching in Hispanic and North American communities as well as articles and essays from individual believers.

The publication is distributed in the United States and abroad through subscriptions and donations. Subscriptions within the United States and Canada are $12.00 per year, and $15.00 per year internationally. El Ruiseñor/The Nightingale welcomes donations and subscriptions from Bahá’í institutions as well as from individual Bahá’ís.

Please send your subscription request to: El Ruiseñor/The Nightingale, P.O.Box 512, San Fernando, CA 91340

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: TELEPHONE: STATE: ZIP:

House of Worship marks Children's Day

On September 29, the annual Universal Children's Day program was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Universal Children's Day was established in 1954 by the United Nations to foster "fraternity and understanding among children."

This year's event was in two parts, the first of which was a devotional program in the auditorium in which 10 children and youth took part.

After a break for refreshments, a program was held in Foundation Hall whose theme was "Children Are the Future of the World." Included were brief talks by 11 children and musical selections on piano, violin and organette, also by children.

The talks, presented by children ages 5-15, focused on the Bahá’í vision of the future. Among the topics were "The New Global Age," "The Oneness of Mankind," "The Relationship of Happiness to Beautiful Qualities," "Spiritual Brotherhood," and "Looking into the Future."

The enthusiasm of those who attended was reflected in such comments as "I feel so inspired; I'd like to see the program over again," and "it is one of the most beautiful programs I have ever seen." Some visitors, after seeing the program, asked for more information about the Faith.

Pictured are children and youth who read at a devotional program September 29 at the Bahá’í House of Worship commemorating Universal Children's Day. At the table (left to right) are Jhontia Williams, Suzanne Mitchell, Heather Luxion, Katy Luxion, Lee Muench, Anna Castelaz, Michael Castelaz and Omid Nolley. Standing in back is Richard Pebbles.

IN MEMORIAM

Forough Arbab, Berwyn, PA, September 14, 1991 Walter Bates, San Antonio, TX, Date Unknown Luke Begay, Piñon Chapter, AZ, 1988 Mary T. Begay, Hardrock Chapter, 1987 Shorty Begay, Oak Springs Chapter, AZ, 1990 Elizabeth Blue Eyes, Rock Point Chapter, AZ, Date Unknown Pat Bogardus, Grants Pass, OR, 1989 Helen Brown, Watertown, MA, Date Unknown Evelyn Caldwell, Butte, MT, October 5, 1991 Carnell Craine, Richburg, SC, Date Unknown Rudolph Crawford, Van Wyke, SC, Date Unknown Edward Dixon, White Cone Chapter, AZ, 1988 Mae Dixon, White Cone Chapter, AZ, 1988 Katherine Engler, Lodi, WI, October 22, 1991 Herbert Gage, Las Vegas, NV, October 17, 1991 Gean Gamble, Tuba City Chapter, AZ, February 1991 Tommy Garnett, Jackson, MS, October 1, 1991 Leona Glenn, Matthews, NC, 1989 Irma Gray, San Antonio, TX, October 1, 1990 Marylee Greene, Lapwai, ID, April 10, 1991 Sassanvash Haghighi, Fredericksburg, VA, May 4, 1990 Ernest Hayden, Van Wyke, SC, Date Unknown Lillie Mae Haynes, Jonesboro, GA, Date Unknown Myrl A. Harman, Cherry Valley, CA, October 13, 1991 Alice Hendershot, Big Bend, CA, September 25, 1991 John B. Hopkins, Grand Junction, CO, October 1991 Kenneth Horn, Lame Deer, MT, Date Unknown Lester Jensen, San Jose, CA, February 1991 Walter R. Johnson, Denton, TX, July 13, 1991 Erik Kjarsgaard, Reseda, CA, September 1991 John B. Keith, Los Angeles, CA, October 11, 1991 Estella M. Keys, Denton, TX, October 4, 1991 Buck Lawson, Las Cruces, NM, September 1991 Louis LeClaire, Centerville, MI, January 18, 1991 Irma Moroz, Hogansburg, NY, Date Unknown Joseph W. Nelson, White Cone Chapter, AZ, September 1991 Craig D. Parker, Huntsville, AL, July 31, 1991 John Peay, Richburg, SC, Date Unknown Esther Mae Putnam, Central Point, OR, September 21, 1991 Willie Lee Smith, Jonesboro, GA, Date Unknown Flora Stevens, Red Lake Chapter, AZ, 1990 Robert A. Taylor, Honolulu, HI, October 1991 Madelyn Von Hacht, Downington, PA, July 27, 1991 Ruth Warner, Red Lake Chapter, AZ, 1990 Rufus Watson, Anthony, NM, October 1991 Major Gorton West, San Pedro, CA, April 26, 1991 Jaspa Whitecrane, Ashland, MT, Date Unknown [Page 16]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Bahá’ís of San Jose, California, proclaimed the Faith in the annual Willow Glen Founder’s Day parade in San Jose, carrying a banner that read ‘The Bahá’í Faith—Uniting the World One Heart at a Time.’ The theme of this year’s event was ‘Memories of the Past... Visions of the Future.’ As the banner passed the reviewing stand, the parade announcer said, ‘The Bahá’í Faith is a worldwide religion. Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, brought three basic principles to unify mankind: the oneness of God, the oneness of mankind, and the oneness of religion.’ The Bahá’ís also manned an information booth along the parade route, within two blocks of the Regional Bahá’í Center.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

A. NAME(S): the Bahá’í Faith tino s La time

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

1. ID # Title Full name No nicknames please!

2. I.D. # Title Full name

3. 1.D. # Title Full name

4. I.D. # Title Full name

This form may be used for one person or your entire family Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND 1.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Street address Apartment (If applicable) City State Zip code

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: Name PO Box or Other mailing address Apartment (If applicable) City State Zip code

D. NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í Community

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Moving date: Area code Phone number

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): Area code Phone number Name Area code Phone number Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: We do not have the same last name We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above The last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID WILMETTE. IL PERMIT NO.479

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, 1.D. number and address above.

DECEMBER

20-26: Seminar on Participatory Learning especially for Bahá’í youth. Among those taking part will be Counselor Donald Rogers from the International Teaching Center in Haifa. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

21-27: "Preparing Bahá’í Youth for European Service," the Bosch Bahá’í School Youth Institute Winter Program (limited enrollment). A five-day, disciplined, intensive training course for European projecteers under the direction of Auxiliary Board member Edward Diliberto. Cost: $180; deposit, $75. Prerequisites for admission: (1) a decision to pioneer, carry out a year of service, or take part in a summer project in Eastern or Western Europe in 1992; (2) a satisfactory personal/phone interview with the Admissions Officer; (3) a recommendation by an institution of the Faith, or one of their agencies. Please apply to the Admissions Officer, Mrs. Angelina Allen, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007 (phone 619-944-6441).

27-29: South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

27-29: Illinois Bahá’í Winter School, Champaign. Theme: "The Vision of Race Unity." Registrar: Leon Stevens, Salem, IL 62881 (phone 618-548-3274).

27-30: Seventh annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, Phoenix, Arizona. A workshop on the recent compilation on Bahá’u’lláh will be conducted for youth by Dr. Soheil Bushrui. Youth should bring these books: God Passes By, The Advent of Divine Justice, The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh (compilation), The Promised Day Is Come, and The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

27-30: Texas Bahá’í School, Bridgeport. "Bahá’u’lláh: His Life and Teachings." Registrar: John Leonard, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 (phone 214-641-6566).

27-30: Southern California Bahá’í School, Pilgrim Pines, Yucaipa. Theme: "Emblazoning the Name of Bahá’u’lláh Across the Planet...in Preparation for the Holy Year." To register, contact Farhad Shahriary, registrar, Chino Hills, CA 91709, or phone 714-987-7129.

27-31: Regional Youth Conference, Moreland Hills, Ohio (one-half hour east of Cleveland). Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Warrensville Heights. For information, write to Nevin Jenkins, registrar, Cleveland, OH 44122, or phone 216-283-9526.

27-January 2: "Forum '91," Landegg Academy, Switzerland. Theme: "Alternative Futures: The Bahá’í Model in Perspective." For a brochure, write to Landegg Academy, CH-9405, Wienacht, Switzerland, or phone René Steiner, 41-71-91 91 31 (fax 41-71-91 43 01).

JANUARY

10-12: Pioneering Institute for American Indian Teaching, San Francisco, California. Sponsored by the National Office of Pioneering. Participants to include Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt and Kevin Locke, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

10-12: Education Conference, "A Curriculum with a World-Embracing Vision," Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-19: Pioneering Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone 708-869-9039.

17-19: Second Eastern Bahá’í Music and Arts Conference, Old Colony Inn, Alexandria, Virginia. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria. Workshops, seminars, exhibits, jam sessions, variety shows, and a Race Unity banquet/proclamation event. Musicians and artists sought to perform for children and adults. For information, write to Bonnie Cote, coordinator, Music and Art Task Force, Springfield, VA 22150 (phone 703-569-2371), or Lucinda Huttlinger, Arlington, VA 22202 (phone 202-687-6433).

17-19: Women's/Men's Conference, "Women's Journeys/Men's Journeys and Journeying Together in the Path of Bahá’u’lláh," Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-19: Wisconsin Bahá’í School, Brownsville. Registrar: Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 73095; phone 414-338-3023.

FEBRUARY

14-16: North Dakota Bahá’í School, Mayville State University campus. Theme: "The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation." Registrar: Marian Kadrie, South, Fargo, ND 58103; phone 701-235-3725.

15-17: Washington (West) Bahá’í School, Brighton Creek Conference Grounds, McKenna. Theme: "Preparation for the Holy Year." Registrar: Harry Taylor, Arlington, WA 98223. Or phone Sandy Brizuela, 206-588-8419.

APRIL

4-5: Third Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies Mid-Atlantic Region, Western Maryland College, Westminster. Theme: "Global Renaissance: The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation." For information, write to the Association for Bahá’í Studies Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee, Levittown, PA 19057, or phone 215-949-1157 or 215-949-0699.

SPRING

Pioneering Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. For information, phone 708-869-9039.