The American Bahá’í/Volume 23/Issue 1/Text

The American Bahá’í
Volume 23, Issue 1

Joyous triple announcement from Universal House of Justice

To the followers of Baha'u'llah throughout the world Dear Baha'i Friends,

On the occasion of the Day of the Covenant, amidst the dramatic events within and without the Faith which evince an accelerating momentum in the concluding months of the Six Year Plan, and less than half a year from the beginning of the long-anticipated Holy Year, we rejoice in conveying this triple announcement to the entire Baha‘i world.

Seven new National Spiritual Assemblies will be

formed at Ridvan 1992: Angola in Africa; Greenland in the Americas; and Albania, the Baltic States, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland in Europe. The emer- gence of the latter five will set a befitting seal on the victorious supplementary Two Year Plan launched at Ridvan 1990. In addition, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Congo Republic, after a lapse of more than a decade due to political conditions, will be re- established.

¢ The Office of Huqtiqu’llah has been established in the Holy Land under the direction of the Chief Trustee of Huqtiqu’llah, the Hand of the Cause of God *Ali- Muhammad Varg4, in anticipation of the worldwide application next Ridvan of the Law of Huququ'llah.

Concurrent with this development are the steps being taken by Dr. Varga to organize regional and national Boards of Trustees of Huququ'llah, following the example of the Board already functioning in the United States.

¢ At Ridvan 1993, immediately following the Holy Year and during a period which will witness the holding of the seventh Baha‘i International Convention at the World Center, a Three Year Plan will be launched. The national goals of this global Plan will be set through consultations between the Continental Counselors and National Spiritual Assemblies. The unusual character and rapidity of developments both inside and outside the Faith signify the necessity for a short, flexible Plan attuned to the dynamic nature of the times.

This momentous announcement, coinciding signifi- cantly with the opening of a new term for members of the Auxiliary Boards on all continents, is indicative of the fresh flood of divine confirmations pouring upon the current efforts of the Community of the Most Great Name in all parts of the planet. The coincidence demonstrates anew the existence of tremendous challenges and opportunities which must be met, and it

calls attention to the vital role to be played by these distinguished servants of the Faith in aiding the believers everywhere to attain further heights in the unfolding glory of our great Cause.

We are moved to appeal to the followers of Baha’u'llah in every land, at this critical moment in the destiny of the Cause and of humankind, to make a supreme effort to gather the as yet unharvested victories in the fast-fleeting days remaining to the Six Year Plan. Let them do this that they may enter, with a fit sense of triumph, the impending Holy Year—a period charged with untold significance and pregnant with possibilities for major advances of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, possibilities which can only faintly be imagined as the Centenary of His Ascension draws closer.

Our ardent hopes for you all are intermingled with our supplications at the Holy Threshold that the Blessed Beauty may, to an unprecedented degree, rain down upon His loved ones His invigorating, victory- inducing confirmations.

With loving Baha’ greetings,

The Universal House of Justice November 26, 1991

The American

Baha’i

Volume 23, No. 1

‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge.’—Baha'u'llah

Sultan B.E. 148

Dear Baha'i Friends,

‘A time of challenge’

A message to the Baha'is of the world

from the Universal House of Justice To the followers of Bahd'u'lldh in every land

A time of challenge for the stalwart upholders of the Cause of God has now come upon us at the very moment when the world is grappling with tremendous problems, moral, social, economic and ecological. The Baha’i community has grown in size and influence to the point where it is put to the test on all sides and at all levels. The op- portunities are immense but we now face the question of whether to push forward with all speed, or to hold back because the resources available to us are inadequate for the

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears reviews his not the friends in Tolleson, Arizona, the third stop on hi: ii

prominent teaching areas in the U.S.

before speaking to ing five-city tour of

purpose.

In lands where people have accepted the Faith in large numbers, the process of economic and social development, linked with the establishment, consolidation and strong functioning of local Spiritual As- semblies, is attaining ever greater impor- tance and is placing upon the international resources of the Faith a heavy demand for manpower and finance. In the countries of the former Eastern Bloc the need for assis- tance in the form of Baha'i literature, pio- neers, traveling teachers, the establish- ment of local centers, is made the more urgent by the extraordinary receptivity to

ment, in promoting moral education, and in overcoming the ravages of prejudice and the rising tide of lawlessness which are undermining the social structure. In- ternationally a parallel process is taking place.

Atthe World Center itself, the construc- tion work on the Mount Carmel Projects has begun, preparing facilities befitting the central institutions of the Administra- tive Order of Baha'u'llah for that time when they will have to shoulder the tre- mendous responsibilities that will be thrust

Mr. Sears completes historic 5-city tour

By Ken Bowers In mid-November the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears successfully concluded an historic tour of five of the most vibrant and vital teaching areas in the United States, during which he called on the friends to arise and achieve the important

upon them as the Lesser Peace begins to be established in the world.

See MESSAGE page 3

the Message of Baha‘u'llah shown by the spiritually thirsty popula- tions. The opportunities for the promotion of the Cause of God in these areas can-

INSIDE:

goal of large-scale expansion by the end of the Six Year Plan at Ridvan 1992.

Mr. Sears’ heroic effort, undertaken in spite of advanced age and poor health, has served to inspire Baha'is in every area of the country to redouble their efforts to teach the Cause of God as never before, in the hope that unprecedented numbers of new believers will enter the Faith in time for the beginning of the Holy Year.

His five-city circuit included Boca Raton, Florida; Worcester, Massachusetts; Tolleson, Arizona; San Francisco, Cali- fornia; and Portland, Oregon. The areas were chosen by the National Spiritual As- sembly as among the most prominent cen-

ters of teaching activity in the country.

In each of these areas the Hand of the Cause personally greeted the friends, stressed the urgent need fora more intense and sacrificial level of teaching, and in- spired newly enrolled and veteran believ- ers alike with a remarkable vision of Baha‘u’llah’s glorious Faith.

The unifying theme of the tour was the spiritual assistance available to all those who arise to teach the Cause of God. Mr. Sears, surveying the century and a half of

See MR. SEARS page 3

not be allowed to go un- heeded.

At the national level, the structure of Baha'i commu- nities is growing in com- plexity as the number of believers rises, and Na- tional Spiritual Assemblies are being increasingly in- vited by national govern- ments and non-governmen- tal organizations to offer advice and assistance in upholding human rights, in safeguarding the environ-

Message to young people

Youth Committee enunciates challenges that lie ahead for Baha'i youth

‘Town Meetings’

Grassroots conferences encourage dia- logue, enhance cooperation

David Hofman Retired member of Universal House of Justice speaks to American Baha'is

�[Page 2]2 > THE AMERICAN BAHA'I

NaN ENE SF 0 TE

Targeting ‘groups’: an important aspect of the Six Year Plan

To the Editor:

I regard the recent proposal to target certain “groups” in America for teaching purposes as unethical and unscientific. It may also imply that some seekers are stereotypically “less worthy” of ourteach- ing efforts.

To assert that Baha’is should target cer- tain groups to teach ignores sociological research on ethnic groups. For instance, such groups often perceive themselves as “enclaves” vis-a-vis the dominant soci- ety. Consequently, it is unscientific to assume that by teaching one ethnic group, Baha‘is will open up opportunities for other groups to learn about the Faith.

I also think that if local Assemblies across the country adopt such a policy, they may help rationalize an unethical policy that ignores groups who are often regarded as less worthy, such as the home- less, pregnant women who abuse drugs, elderly men who are suicidal, and homo- sexuals.

During His journeys in North America,

Abdu'l-Baha often sought out the poor,

both to console them and to give them money to help meet their needs. Once, in New England, He even gave one elderly homeless man the pants He was wearing beneath His ‘aba.

I would wager that few Baha'is today regard the homeless as lovingly as did

Abdu’l-Baha in 1912. If not, they need to

re-examine their teaching efforts to bring them in line with the Master's.

Baha’is have a moral obligation to teach any and all seekers, regardless of their social standing or background. To target only certain groups is a transgression of Baha'i principle. [ hope that Baha‘is in this country will give serious consideration to this policy and consult on ways to avoid its obvious flaws.

Name withheld °

In response to this letter, the National Teaching Committee wishes to point out that focusing on particular groups in our teaching efforts is a Six Year Plan goal of the Universal House of Justice to “carry the healing Message of Baha'u'llah to the generality of mankind”:

“Increase the number of believers from all strata of society, identifying as goals of the plan those specific sectors, minority groups, tribal peoples, etc. which are at present under-represented in the Baha’i community and which will, therefore, be given special attention during the Plan.”

We refer this reader and others who may be concerned about the implications of focusing on groups to the article en- titled “Can We Reachall Strata of Society if We Focus on Groups?” The article is reprinted from the October/November

National Assembly to discontinue Louhelen School Residental Program

On December 3 the National Spiritual Assembly announced that it would dis- continue the Louhelen Baha’i School Resi- dential Program as of June 1992, the end of the current academic year.

The program was established in 1987 to help Baha’i youth from Indian Reserva- tions, inner cities and the Deep South reach spiritual and educational goals. The mandate of the program was to provide the youth with an environment that would encourage both spiritual growth and aca- demic success at the college level.

The program was a success in many ways. It helped a number of youth from a wide variety of backgrounds begin their college studies. The Louhelen Residential Program also helped youth from the Baha’i World Center and others from developing countries and pioneer families to under- take higher education in the U.S. STUDENTS HONORED

Asof Decembersome 26 students, many of whom had completed associate degrees or the equivalent in college credit, were honored with graduation ceremonies at Louhelen.

In the course of the program's opera- tion, however, the National Assembly found that the levels of staffing, facilities, medical assistance, transportation and fi- nancial aid required to meet the students” needs were significantly greater than origi- nally anticipated, and well beyond the present capacity of the funds. For this reason the Assembly was compelled to discontinue the program for the present.

In its announcement, the National As- sembly emphasized the seriousness and dedication of the students in the Residen- tial Program. Careful plans are already under way to ensure that suitable alterna- tive arrangements are made for all stu- dents to continue their higher education. The National Spiritual Assembly, work- ing closely with the colleges attended by the students, will continue its support of them through the transition process.

Although the closing of the Residential Program represents a setback in achieving the goal of building a Baha’i university, the National Assembly stressed that the Louhelen Baha*i School will continue to pursue its other educational goals and to fulfill its “true function of deepening the knowledge, stimulating the zeal and fostering the spirit of fellowship among the be- lievers.”

The American Bahd'é is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United

States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class

postage paid at E

Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Ken Bow-

The American Baha'i wel- ms of interest from

viduals and the various institutions of the Baha'i Faith.

ers. Art director: Scot Corri comes news, letters and other

Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and- white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Baha'i, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Informa- tion Systems, Bahd'i National Center, 1233 Central St.,

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The National Spiritual Assembly expressed its gratitude for the help of all of the friends who had con- tributed their time, exper- tise and financial assistance to the Louhelen Baha’i School Residential Pro- gram, and its hopes that the time will soon come when the resources of the Ameri- can community will once again allow an undertak- ing of that scope.

ig offices.

1991 issue of The DirectLine, the Na- tional Teaching Committee’s bi-monthly newsletter.

Can We REACH ALL STRATA OF Society ir We Focus on Groups?

At first glance, it may seem that we are presented with a dilemma. We know that the Message of Baha’u'llah is for every- one. We are also told that our teaching efforts will be more effective if we collect and unite our energies and focus on reach- ing a particular group of people.

The National Spiritual Assembly and its

people can be found occupying any social position from the most prominent to least prominent.

It is important to note, also, that our attention need not be concentrated on ra- cial or ethnic minorities. While it is true that there are certain minority populations that have been found to be particularly receptive to the Faith and have been iden- tified in the Six Year Plan as groups we should teach, the group on which we choose to focus may be any sort of aggre- gate.

For example, the group may consist of

EERE TL AMA Tue Six Year Pian: Carrying the healing Message of

Baha'u

'Ilah to the generality of mankind.

National Teaching Committee have re- peatedly urged us to direct our teaching efforts to specific populations in carrying out our local teaching plans. But how can we concentrate our efforts on a single population and not exclude everyone else?

We can focus ona group in teaching and still reach people of various racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds who are from all levels of society. In fact, focusing on groups will actually help us to reach ev- eryone with the healing Message of Baha*u'llah.

There are several reasons for this. In the first place, any unified activity will attract Divine blessings and draw to us receptive individuals from all backgrounds.

For example, around the time of the International Chinese Symposium in 1990, the Assemblies in the San Francisco area directed their attention to reaching the Chinese population with the Message of Baha’u’llah. That year, there was an in- crease of concentrated teaching activity in the area and a resulting increase in enroll- ments.

RECEPTIVE SOULS RESPOND

While many of the new believers were of Chinese background, many of the people who became believers during that time were not Chinese! Other receptive souls responded to the stirrings of the holy fra- grances as well. In such situations, some people are not excluded simply because others are receiving more focused atten- tion.

Second, communities which have ample human resources available and ready to mobilize to support community teaching efforts can choose and effectively focus their efforts on more than one population. But the object for many communities is to first reach this level.

Unfortunately, in their loving concern that everyone is reached with the healing Message of Baha’u'llah, some small com- munities scatter their efforts so randomly and spread their influence so thin that their teaching work is rendered ineffec- tive and the community does not experi- ence a significant increase in new believ- ers at all.

Once a steady flow of fresh recruits is maintained through concentrated effort, communities can begin to focus on reach- ing several populations simultaneously. They will then have the human resources to accomplish this effectively.

Third, the group upon which we are focusing our efforts may characteristi- cally cut across levels of society. Hispan- ics, for example, may be of the upper class, middle class, or lower class. Black

residents of a specific neighborhood, mem- bers of a like-minded organization, stu- dents at a certain school, or people of a particular age-group.

FocusinG One's EFFORTS

Fourth, individuals within a community can, as a part of an individual teaching plan, choose a group on which to focus their efforts that is different from the popu- lation chosen by the local Spiritual As- sembly.

This is not to say that any member of a community is free from the responsibility of helping the local Spiritual Assembly to fulfill its plan. Yet, in addition to what- ever an individual might do to assist with community efforts, each believer still must fulfill certain responsibilities as an indi- vidual, such as holding a fireside in his or her home at least once in every 19 days, and may decide to try to reach other recep- tive souls than those the community in general is trying to reach.

Such believers may also join with oth- ers in the community to form a teaching institute aimed at another receptive group. Individuals may thereby contribute fur- ther to the ultimate goal of enlisting people from all walks of life under the banner of Baha’u'llah.

The object of directing our attention to a particular group is to be better able to reach humanity with the healing Message of Baha’u'lla4h. When we do this, our energies are united in a collective force and our teaching efforts are more effec- tive because our method of teaching and the presentation of the Faith can be tai- lored to the needs and capacities of a particular audience.

__ ONGOING TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

) Barbados Bophuthatswana; Bra- -zil; Burundi; Canada, Native and Chinese Teaching, and Yukon Baha’i Institute; Chad; Ciskei; Cook Islands; Costa Rica; Eastern Caroline Islands; East Leeward Is- lands; Fiji; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Hong Kong; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Kenya; Malaysia; Martinique; Mauritius; New Zealand; Nicara- gua; Pakistan; Panama; Republic of Benin; Singapore; South Africa; Tai- wan; Tonga; Uganda; United King- dom; Venezuela; West Leeward Is- lands; Yucatan; Yugoslavia. For more information, contact: Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Cen- Nee 708) 869- 9039.

�[Page 3]THE AMERICAN BAHA'i 3

Message on the Funds from the Universal House of Justice

from page 1

Over the past four years there was a steady increase in the contributions of the friends worldwide to the interna- tional funds of the Faith, and it had been our hope and expectation that this rise would continue and even be accelerated in the current year. But since last Ridvan, on the contrary, there has been a sudden drop in contribu- tions both to the international funds as a whole and to the Are Projects Fund, creating a crisis which must be promptly overcome. In response to the growing needs of the teaching work and the Arc Projects, we have for several years been drastically cutting the expenditure of the World Center, canceling or postponing many activi- ties which, although valuable, cannot be pursued under the present condition of shortage of funds. This process cannot be taken much further without seriously hamper- ing the ability of the World Center to function at the level which the interests of the Faith require.

If the financial needs of this year and those immedi- ately ahead are to be met, the contributions to the inter- national funds of the Cause must, far from decreasing, be substantially increased.

Such an effort will call for sacrifice on the part of the individual believers and also for the diversion of funds from those local and national projects which are not essential. We are confident that the friends will respond to this call, as they did to the crisis precipitated by the Iranian Revolution in 1979 when, at one moment 61 percent of the income of the international funds was cut off.

This is the immediate need. Beyond this there is, we believe, a worldwide need for appreciation of this basic principle of our Faith: that contributing to the Fund should constitute an integral part of the spiritual life of every Baha‘i and be regarded as the fulfillment of a fundamental spiritual obligation. In too many countries we have encountered a reluctance among the teachers of

the Cause to include, in their presentation of the Teach- ings, support of the Funds as a natural part of Baha’i life. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha‘u'llah more than once refers to the necessity for combining spiritual and material means in achieving the purposes of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi, for his part, referred to the Fund as the life-blood of the Cause.

We urge all the friends to give deep thought to the importance of supporting the Cause financially and to the effect that Baha'i activities have on the condition of the entire human race.

It is our fervent prayer at the Sacred Threshold that Baha‘u'llah will inspire His devoted followers in every land to arise unitedly in the service of His Cause and will reward their sacrifices with an outpouring of heavenly bounties.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice November 18, 1991

Mr. Sears from page 1

almost uninterrupted divine guidance the Faith has enjoyed since its inception, re- called the promises of victory given by the Bab and Baha‘u'llah, by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and by the Universal House of Justice.

“With all this guidance at our disposal, and with the sure promises of assistance from our Lord,” he said, “we should be able to work miracles in the teaching field.”

Mr. Sears suggested that the friends resolve to enroll at least 9,000 new believ- ers by Ridvan 1992. As a slogan for the months leading up to the end of the Plan he proposed the spiritual equation “5 (the number of the Bab) plus 9 (the number of Baha'u'llah) equals 9,000.”

The Hand of the Cause reminded the friends that it is they, not the institutions of the Faith, who bear the primary respon- sibility for teaching, and who alone have the power to achieve victory. The key is for the individual to forget his or her own shortcomings and to “rely upon Baha’- u'llah’s unfailing assistance.” In that way His healing message will be taken toa hu- manity that is “crying out for a remedy” for its suffering.

In characteristic style, Mr. Sears illus- trated his points with stories of believers who had overcome great obstacles to per- form marvelous services to the Faith. In Portland, he told the 2,000 believers pres- ent about a young man from India who was paralyzed from the neck down. Helped

only by two young boys who carried his bed from village to village, he managed to diffuse the sweetness of the Ancient of Days so widely that not only the boys themselves but the entire populations of three villages enlisted under the banner of the Blessed Perfection.

EXamPLe OF SACRIFICE

In all of the cities Mr. Sears visited, the friends were stirred by the urgency of his call for immediate action, were inspired by his enthusiasm and faith, and were deeply moved by the example of sacrifice he set by ignoring grave physical infirmi- ties to be with them.

Responding immediately and whole- heartedly to his loving efforts, they dem- onstrated in many ways their determina- tion to succeed in enrolling large numbers of new believers by Ridvan

In Florida, well over 150 people em- braced the Faith in the few weeks just prior to and immediately after Mr. Sears’ visit. The enrollments took place in a number of localities, indicating a new level of activity throughout the state.

While Mr. Sears was in Portland, which was his last stop, 26 new believers were enrolled in 24 hours. Shortly after his visit even more people embraced the Cause of God, including one woman who brought a friend into the Faith the day after her own declaration. Baha’ is came to Portland from as far away as South Dakota and British Columbia, and went away eager to share Mr. Sears’ vision with the friends in their local communitites.

Arizona has also seen the teaching work take ona new spirit since Mr. Sears’ tour.

Left photo: In Portland, Ore- gon, the Hand of the Cause of

s of the Baha'i Admin- istrative Order and the depen- dencies of the Mashriqu’l-Adh- kar. Mr. Sears’ wife, Mar- guerite, is standing to his left. Portland was the last stop on Mr. Sears’ month-long five-city tour to inspire the friends to greater heights in teaching be- fore the end of the Plan next Ridvan. Right photo: Mr. Sears encourages the be- lievers in the San Francisco area where once again he raised the call to action and reiterated the promises of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, ‘Abdu’I-Baha, the Guar- dian and the Universal House of Justice that victo whenever the Bah: unity to serve the Cause of God.

m Sears explains the

ix Year

assured arise in

Auxiliary Board member Jose Martinez reported that the friends there are deter- mined to do their part in winning the victory.

“The response in Arizona has been ex- traordinary,” he said. “The believers want to have at least one declaration here per day until the end of the Plan. One local Assembly has even challenged the rest of the country to do likewise, so that the end result will be a record-breaking number of enrollments.”

LARGEST WEEKEND GATHERING

The 2,500 people who came to see Mr. Sears in California made it the largest weekend gathering ever held in the San Francisco Baha’i Center. Three people embraced the Cause before the end of his visit. Richard Groger, an Auxiliary Board member for that area, said the meetings with the Hand of the Cause were a “shot in the arm” for California, as teaching activ- ity immediately rose to greater heights.

“What was especially moving about his visit,” he said, “was the way in which the youth and children responded to his love and his message. Mr. Sears left an indel- ible impression on the young people when he took the time to greet each one person- ally. We will certainly see great things from them as a result.”

Inother areas of the country the Baha’is, aware of the importance of the few re- maining months of the Six Year Plan, are forming full-time teaching teams of vary- ing durations and areas of concentration.

Many established teaching institutes are beginning to reap the rewards of their persistent efforts, and more institutes are

being formed almost every day. These encouraging signs point to a time when every part of the nation will benefit from ongoing and sustained teaching, which will hasten the long-awaited “entry by troops” of new believers into the Faith.

At the forefront of these activities is our beloved Hand of the Cause. At a time in his life when so many would long since have retired from the field, he has, far from retreating or hesitating, chosen to hoist once again the standard of sacrifice, to spur the steed of service into the thick of the battle, to expend his energy to the last ounce, and to lead the hosts of Baha'u'llah in this country yet again to glorious vic- tory.

New Bosch administrator to welcome participants to February ‘retreat’ session

Dr. Ronald S. Gilpatrick, the new ad- ministrator of the Bosch Baha'i School, and assistant administrator Dr. Marsha Gilpatrick will welcome participants Feb- ruary 14-17 toa session entitled “With In- ward and Outward Eye: A Winter Retreat in the Redwoods.”

The program is to focus on personal transformation as the friends search the Writings for grounding and growth in all aspects of a balanced life: teaching, ca- reers, relationships, marriage and family life, and Baha'i community life.

Texts will be taken from The Advent of Divine Justice, Gleanings, “Individual Rights and Freedoms,” and the compila- tion on Baha‘i marriage and family life. �[Page 4]4, THe AMERICAN BaHA’i

From the National Youth Committee

A message to young people about the challenges that lie ahead

To the Baha'i youth in the United States Dear Baha'i friends,

The major events of the last few years, involving previously undreamed of changes in the world scene, following each other in quick and turbulent succes- sion, and adding to the chaos plaguing nations already incapable of coping with the many grave problems besetting them both from within and without, con- tinue to derange the course of human affairs. The winds of change, affecting every corner of the planet, offer at once cause for dire concern and the hope for solutions that will usher in a new and greater era of history.

It is at such times of turmoil that people ask fundamental questions about the meaning of life and the destiny of mankind. We who have accepted the Manifestation of God for this day are unique in the understanding we have been given as to the source and the ultimate outcome of the tumult that now afflicts the world. The words of the Guardian of the Faith ring no less true today than when he wrote them SO years ago:

“A tempest, unprecedented in its violence, unpre- dictable in its course, catastrophic in its immediate effects, unim-aginably glorious in its ultimate consequences, is at present sweeping the face of the earth. Its driving power is remorselessly gaining in range and momentum. Its cleansing force, however much undetected, is increasing with every passing day. Humanity, gripped in the clutches of its devastat- ing power, is smitten by the evidences of its resistless fury. It can neither perceive its origin, nor probe its significance, nor discern its outcome. ...

BanA'is ARE BLESSED

“The powerful operations of this titanic upheaval are comprehensible to none except such as have recognized the claims of both Baha’u'llah and the Bab. Their followers know full well whence it comes, and what it will ultimately lead to. Though ignorant of how far it will reach, they clearly recognize its genesis, are aware of its direction, acknowledge its necessity, observe confidently its mysterious processes...and anticipate, with undimmed vision, the consummation of the fears and the hopes which it must necessarily engender.”

As Baha'is, we are blessed because we have the answers to today’s urgent questions in the Sacred Writings, as well as the infallible guidance of the Universal House of Justice, ordained by Baha’u’Ilah Himself. We have the privilege of knowing how unique and wonderful is this time in history, and how we can make our lives meaningful through contribut- ing to the work of the Cause.

With that privilege comes the responsibility to be obedient to the Supreme Institution of the Faith and to labor with all our hearts to establish God's Kingdom on earth. One of the most important aspects of our efforts is teaching.

During the Six Year Plan we have seen a remarkable growth in the participation of youth in the teaching work in this country. There is virtually no ongoing teaching effort presently under way in the United States that is not benefiting from the energy and enthusiasm of youth. And in the great majority of the most active centers of teaching it is the young people who are leading the way in service. This reflects a truth asserted by the Guardian, and which finds support in every epoch of the Faith's history—that it is the destiny of the youth to play a crucial role in the advancement of the Cause.

NEw LEVEL OF AWARENESS

Unprecedented numbers of youth are becoming involved in teaching in every area of the country. This indicates a new level of awareness of the station of Baha‘u'llah and the glory of His Faith. This under- standing is naturally coupled with a correspondingly greater level of sacrifice, as youth give of their time and forego their personal interests to pursue the teaching work.

Teaching is but one manifestation of the principles of sacrifice and obedience to Baha*u'llah that should be the motivating forces of our lives as Baha’is. Another kind of service, one that is also exclusively reserved for the followers of Baha’u’llah, is the privilege of contributing to the Baha’i Fund. Contrib- uting to the Fund is a sacred and integral aspect of our lives. The Guardian referred to the Fund as the “life- blood of the Cause,” and the Universal House of Justice has stated that the Fund and the teaching work

are “intimately related.” Like teaching, contributing to the Fund is something each of us can do; and like teaching, the act is valued in terms of the spirit with which it is carried out, and not by numerical amounts.

On November 18, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to the entire Baha’i world. In this message (the full text of which begins on page 1), the House of Justice shares with the friends the current state of the international fund and provides guidance about the manner in which the Baha’i community should respond. The House of Justice clearly says that the degree to which we can meet the challenges of the coming years will be in direct proportion to our material sacrifices on behalf of the Faith.

The question we should ask ourselves is how we will respond, at such a critical point in history, to the call of the House of Justice. Let us consult with our families, our friends, at Feast and at any other place we may gather, and, in a spirit of prayer and loving sacrifice, determine what steps we will take to live up to our high calling.

No other generation will have the infinite bounty of helping to build God’s Arc on Mount Carmel. None other will be given the chance to support the activities of the Baha’i world as we move toward the Lesser Peace. And no one else has the inestimable privilege of responding with wholehearted obedience to the Trustees of the Blessed Beauty.

Shoghi Effendi wrote the following about the role of youth in the Faith:

“This Cause, though it embraces with equal esteem people of all ages, has a special message and mission for the youth of your generation. It is their charter for the future, their hope, their guarantee of better days to come.”

How exciting it would be if the youth of this country were to arise as never before to contribute to the funds of the Faith. As we have led the way in teaching, let us also set the example for sacrificial giving to the Fund.

We have been told that “youth can move the world.” Let us put these words into action and arise with tesolute conviction to serve our Lord.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

The National Youth Committee January 1992

Hotel price reductions for second Baha'i World Congress are negotiated

Negotiations have been completed to reduce hotel package prices for the Baha'i World Congress in November. An ad- justed price list accompanies this article.

These prices include room rates; state, city and occupancy taxes that amount to more than 20 percent; full American break- fast on each day of the Congress including tax and gratuities (except at Suite Hotels); and porterage.

A new category of hotels has been es- tablished, that of Headquarters Hotels. These are the hotels at which scheduled program activities will be held because they offer the largest public areas for our use free of charge if we meet the require-

TRAVELING TEACHERS

Goal Filled 100 172 6 7

Area / Country

Ukraine Kazakhstat

USSR (Other Republics) . Bulgaria ...

Czechoslovakia 30 DDR/East Germany 10 Hungary 35 Poland . 1514 Romania 10 10 Yugoslavia 40 9 Mongolia wh. 912)

China .... 35 79 Totals 440 58T

237

150 5

15

ment of filling a certain number of rooms.

Participants who already requested a New York Hotel in Category B have been placed in the new Headquarters Hotel category since the prices are below those originally quoted for Hotel Category B.

Anyone wishing to remain in Hotel Category B rather than be placed in a Headquarters Hotel should notify Baha’i World Congress Registration and the ad- justment will be made.

New Jersey Hotel Categories A, B and C are sold out, and the New York Suite Hotels are rapidly filling up.

Please refer to the World Congress Reg- istration Guide for more detailed informa-

tion about travel and hotel packages.

Air fare reductions are not being pub- lished at this time because we are continu- ally negotiating and improving the air- lines’ commitment to us.

Historically, reduced or promotional fares are not offered during holiday weeks. In the U.S., November 26, 1992, is a holiday (Thanksgiving). Excellent reduc- tions have, however, been obtained on the maximum air fares and we are guaranteed the lowest fares at the time of travel.

It is essential that the support and uni- fied efforts of the attendees be secured so that the maximum advantage can be ob- tained for the Baha'i world community.

PE Mallee Mar Coc: a el

tel ee eM uM icra Re le ll ell] Aarau emer rete eC aig

Room Description | New York Hotels

The higher the number of friends taking part in the air arrangements, the stronger will be our negotiating position.

Those planning to attend the Congress are encouraged to send in their registra- tion and minimum payment as soon as possible, and those who have made hotel reservations only, and will need air trans- portation, are urged to make their reserva- tions through the Baha‘i World Congress Registration as soon as possible.

All funds are collected and adminis- tered by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly's Office of the Treasurer. The interest accrued benefits the Baha'i World Congress.

New Jersey Hotels

Descripcién de las Habitaciones TE Type de chambre 6 610 © $1,476] $1,254] $1,328] $1,126] $1,146] $972] $845] $717[$1,339] $1,118] $1,113) 838} 720] 741/637] 633] 545] 494] 425| 677567] 579 670| 579] 582] 504] 515| 447) 388) 336] 549| 460] 489) ena 501] 437] 419] 365] | 395] 292] 450] 377] 371) 135] 135] 116 116| 106, 106] 79/ 79] 8 9] |

HH—Headquarters Hotel Category is a new hotel category. Congress activities such as evening programs and related events will take place in the public meeting spaces of these hotels.

�[Page 5]THE AMERICAN BAHA') 5

‘Town meetings’ encourage dialogue, enhance cooperation

In the nine months since Ridvan more than 95 Baha’i communities in 41 states have had an opportunity to meet with rep- resentatives of the National Spiritual As- sembly to discuss issues of local and na- tional concern.

The ongoing series of “town meetings” has been sponsored by the National Spiri- tual Assembly as part of its effort to en- courage dialogue between lo- cal Spiritual Assemblies and Baha’i groups and the national agencies of the Faith.

providing the human and material re- sources that will be needed in the coming years to implement emerging strategies based on our vision of the community.” The town meetings, he says, have been well attended in every state, and are char- acterized by frank, enthusiastic and pro- ductive consultation. The members of the Treasurer's Office who have taken part

“In the last few years we made great progress in the Funds. As a result, the National Assembly instituted a number of activities based on the new level of sacri- fice shown by the friends, and enhanced many projects already in place.

“None of the initiatives were superflu- ous or extravagant, however—the need for them in most cases was urgent and

and there are those who are suffering from the business slowdown and pay decreases. They understandably feel the need tohedge against a possibly long period of financial difficulty.

“This issue,” he says, “brings us back to a fundamental principle of our Faith, which is self-sacrifice. Certainly Baha’u'llah knows that many of us cannot give as we once did, but the idea is to give what we can. We can sacrifice

William Allmart, assistant to the Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, coordinates the town meetings. He describes the meetings as important fo- rums for the exchange of infor-

mation and ideas. “The town meetings,” hesays,

omp t & i ; less important desires and give,

z (00's) Nov !89.__ Nov '90_ Nov ‘91(est.) not imprudently, but on a level

National Baha'i Fund $4,188 $5,001 $5,317 27% Gear thatashopssouristncere, Uelien ae x that He will somehow provide Baha'i International Fund $304 $312 $557 83% 782K «for tioce who Temieniber Elin Arc Projects Fund $590 $2,193 $459 -22% -79% “Our Faith has always oper- Continental Baha'i Fund $178 $160 $108 -39% -33%] ated on a cycle of crisis and Estate Bequests $0 $388 $462 N/A 19%} victory, ath mecrifice as fhe

moving force. When we make

Total Contributions $5,260 $8,054 _ $6,903 _ 31% __. | ESS

“were begun to increase the

level of unity and cooperation

among the friends, as we share with each other our thoughts and our vision for the future development of the Faith. SHARING NEWS

“This broad purpose is accomplished in three ways. First is the sharing of news. The representatives of the National As- sembly report to friends in the localities they visit about significant events on the national scene and abroad, which enhances their feeling of connection with the larger community.

“In turn, the friends share news of im- portant happenings in their part of the country. This is one of the most valuable ways the National Assembly has of find- ing out what initiatives are working on the local level, in teaching and in other areas.

“Next, the Treasurer's Office represen- tative and the local friends consult on strategies for community development for the fyears leading up to the establishment of the Lesser Peace. It is especially impor- tant for everyone to be aware of the latest thinking of the National Assembly on teaching, fund development, education and other subjects—and it is just as critical that the National Assembly and its agen- cies be familiar with the challenges facing the believers at the grassroots level. This is one of the ways in which the local and national institutions can support each other effectively.

“The final, and perhaps most vital, as- pect of the town meetings,” says Mr. Allmart, “is a discussion about ways of

feel that this indicates not only a readiness on the part of the friends everywhere to grapple with a complex array of issues, but also their ability to make substantive contributions as the community faces the great challenges that lie ahead.

“There is one issue that has arisen inde- pendently in virtually every community we've visited since September,” says Mr. Allmart. “Across the country the friends are undertaking serious research of the Writings regarding the nature of the Baha'i community of the future—what issues we will face, how our administration will operate, and so on. They are examining their own communities, and asking them- selves what they are doing that is leading them constructively toward that future, and what they are doing that is not.

“It is tremendously encouraging to see this long-range thinking coming about. And interestingly, these are among the very same questions the National Assem- bly is asking itself.”

Another topic of deep concern to the believers everywhere is the recent sharp decline in contributions to the National and International Funds. A great deal of time has been devoted to consultation on the reasons for the slowdown and on pos- sible remedies.

“Tn our discussions,” says Mr. Allmart, “we have come up with two likely expla- nations for the decline in contributions to the Funds. Both probably are true to a certain degree.

long-standing, but the resources weren't available until recently. Great demands were also made of us by the House of Justice, especially with the $50 million reserve fund for the building of the Arc. But we achieved that goal quickly, and for that and other reasons we have been warmly congratulated by the House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assem- bly.

“The problem now is that many of the friends have concluded that the pressure is off, that we have ample funds with which to carry out the work of the Cause. Noth- ing could be further from the truth. Minimum REQUIREMENTS

“The Fund goals outlined by the Na- tional Assembly,” Mr. Allmart points out, “are the bare minimum requirements for meeting national and international obli- gations. Excess funds are not piling up. Success depends ona ‘steady and unabated outpouring of funds,’ as the House of Justice put it.

“Indeed, with more opportunities for teaching opening up every day, we can hardly afford not to have an increase in contributions in the coming years. The House of Justice made that clear in its message of November 18. The point is that we deserve to be proud of our past accomplishments, but we can’t afford to ‘rest on our laurels.”

“Other believers have expressed wor- ries about the state of the economy. A few of the friends have lost their jobs recently,

have the victory.

“New and greater demands will inevitably be made on our resources, which will precipitate a new crisis, from which we will emerge victorious yet again, God willing. We know that this will go on until the Kingdom of God on earth is established. We see the same pattern in our per-sonal lives.

UNBELIEVABLE SACRIFICE

“It is interesting to remember that some of our greatest victories have been won in times of great economic troubles,” says Mr. Allmart. “The best example of that in this country is the Baha’i House of Wor- ship in Wilmette, the money for which was raised during two world wars and a great Depression. It involved unbeliev- able sacrifice on the part of the friends.

“More recently, the wonderful increase in contributions over the last three years has taken place in spite of the worst na- tional recession in decades. These ex- amples show that it is our spiritual re- sources that win the victories, and that no matter how difficult the challenge, we always have the power to come through.

“The House of Justice has told us, in its letter of November 18, that the opportuni- ties now available, coming at this critical juncture in history, are of such magnitude that we must ‘give deep thought to the importance of supporting the Cause fi- nancially and to the effect that Baha'i activities have on the condition of the entire human race.’ We should all pray that Baha’u'llah will aid us to serve Him as best we possibly can.”

Second ‘Building Bridges’ race unity forum draws more than 200 in White Plains, New York

The second annual “Building Bridges Between Blacks and Whites” race unity forum was held November 9 in White Plains, New York, with the five members of the National Spiritual Assembly's Race Unity Committee among the more than 200 people taking part.

Joy Cross, a member of that committee, was the keynote speaker, pointing out that it is “the heartfelt responsibility of every Baha‘i...to create a world at one.”

The forum was sponsored by the Baha’is of White Plains in cooperation with the Baha'is of Greenburgh and Scarsdale. Oth- ers attending included the executive di- rector of the White Plains Human Rights Commission, the president of the local Rotary Club,a member of the White Plains African-American Men, anda former city

councilman.

During the event, copies of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement, “The Vi- sion of Race Unity,” were given to each of those in the audience.

“Our greatest minds have sought only material solutions (to racial disunity),” said panelist Sylvester Scott, a Baha’i from California. “If we acknowledge that it is a spiritual problem, then we can understand the need for religion, because spiritual values originate with religion.”

After the event, about 80 of those in the audience—including a number of non- Baha‘is—attended a reception and buffet at the home of local Baha’is.

The forum received front-page cover- age in The Reporter Dispatch, Westchester County's largest daily newspaper.

TWO-YEAR PLAN U.S. GOALS

SHORT-TERM Open PIONEERS Goal Goals eae an Bulgaria .. Czechoslovakia DDR/East Germany Hungary Poland Romania USSR Ukraine ..... Kazakhstan . Other Republics . Yugoslavia Mongolia China... Totals

=NNNAND CONNN=

Qlasa awa glee anwso

LONG-TERM PIONEERS

prenen Bulgaria Czechoslovakia DDR/East Germany .. Hungary Poland Romania .. USSR Ukraine . Kazakhstan Other Republics Yugoslavia .. China... Totals

[ Pioneers Sent..

�[Page 6]‘6 THE AMERICAN BAHA'I

by Michael Sours SC $13.95

we converse;

This approach embodies courtesy and Baha’u'Ilal

BAHA’i DISTRIBUTION SERVICE Publishing Trust employee Amy Neeb works to distribute complimentary copies of BPT and BDS books.

Oneworld Publications

Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi edited by Morten Bergsmo

SC $13.95

A study gui with a compi

¢ to twenty-one of the books and compiled letters of the Guardian beginning

3xpounder of the Word of God. s on of the work, its significance, and the circumstances surrounding enesis, followed by a list of thought-provoking questions. Accompanying each 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 dj to, the study of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah 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 Day of God

compilation from the Bahd’t Writings

SC$.75

These short quotations from the Writings of Baha’u'Ilah and the Bab focus on various aspects of the meaning of the “Day of God.” Each quotation is one page or less to present the central idea in an easy to read format. This title is one in a series from the Baha’i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom that began with the popular booklets, Love of God and Glory of God. An example of the quotations is:

THE

The second volume in the series “Preparing for a Baha’i/Christian Dialogue, intended to help Baha'is learn more about the Bible and to present Baha’u'llah’s teachings to Christians. This volume examines the relationship between some central Christian doctrines and Baha’i teachings. It is intended to help Baha’ Iah’s message to Chi zing, areas of agreement;

Listening to other points of view and learning about the scriptures, beliefs and terminology of those with whom

codwill. Putting these ideals into practice will help us to present our belief: 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, index

Understanding Christian Beliefs

” Understanding Christian Beliefs , is

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Adapting our presentation to the particular terminology and temperament of the people to whom we speak;

ity of the Bible;

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The Baha’i Faith

by the Bahd't Office of Public Information, Dallas/Fort Worth PA/10pk $3.50, 50pk $14.00, 100pk $25.00

An cight panel presentation of basic principles and information: “What is the Baha’ i 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 Baha’i Faith.” ‘The pamphlet is illustrated with symbols of various reli- gions, a world map of locations of Bahai communities, and several color photographs, including one of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. The cover design is a color photograph of the

USSU vey tia

‘THE PROMISED DAY The potent ies inherent in the station of man, the full

measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God. Baha’u’llah

3" x4", 24 pp. Bahd’i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

Faith in God

compilation from the Bahé't Writings

SC$.75

‘These short quotations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’ I-Baha focus on variousaspects of the meaning of faith. Each quotation is one page or less to present the central idea in an easy to read format. This title is one ina series from the Bahai Publishing ‘Trust of the United Kingdom that began with the popular booklets, Love of God and Glory of God. An example of the quotations is:

FAITH IN kGOD:

is

THE FOUNDATION-STONE

Sincerity is the foundation-stone of faith. That is, a religious individual must disregard his personal desires and seckin whatever way he can wholeheartedly to serve the public interest; and it is impossible fora human being to turn aside from his own se es and sacrifice his own good for the good of the community except through true r

“Abdu’l-Baha 3" x4", 24 pp. Baha’i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

earth taken from a NASA Lunar Mission. 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"

Baha’i Publishing Trust of the United States

BAHA’U'LLAH: THE PRINCE OF PEACE A PORTRAIT

by David Hofman HC $21.95 SC $9.95 An absorbing account of the dramatic life of Baha'u'llah, set against the vast changes that have overtaken the world in the last century- and-a-halfand the great opportunity for world peace now, at long last, opening before the nations. The two steps of Baha’u’Ilah’s peace program--the Lesser Peace and the Most Great Peace--are clearly explained and the vision of this new world order is shown as a practical reality. The majesty and grandeur of Baha’u'llah pervade the whole book, making it,asonereviewstates, “anenthralling portrait” which “one canenjoy and become absorbed in ..abook of immeasurable value.” There are copious quotations from Baha’u'lléh’s own writings and many of His well-known aphor : The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. ... Soon will the present- day order be rolledupandanewonespreadout inits stead. ... The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. 5-1/2" x 8-3/4", 200 pp, preface, introduction, bibliography, references, index George Ronald, Publisher

Call to the Nations

y Shoghi Effendi

Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, in exercising his function of interpreting the Baha’{ Revelation, dwelt at great length and with considerable emphasis on the world order enshrined within that Revelation. Early in his ministry healludedto “those pricelesselements of that Divine Civilization, the establishment of which is the primary mission of the Baha’i Faith,” and over the years he penned aseries of letters, generally referred toashis World Order letters, unfolding thistheme. The vital necessity of world orderis largely acknowledged today, but the means to achieve it baffle even its most passionate advocates. The Universal House of Justice has selected passages from Shoghi Effendi’s World Order letters, and offers them under the title Call to the Nations asalightand a guidance to all humanity in this dark period ofourhistory. With the increased useage of the term “World Order” comes the complaint from. many quarters thatno oneis defining what such an order implies. The value of Call to the Nations as a source of such a definition is unequaled for both Baha’is and others.

5" x 7-3/4", 69 pp., foreword, introduction, references

Baha’i World Centre

Persian: Jamal-i-Abha

(The Life History of His Holiness Baha'u'llah)

by Riydd Ghadimi HC $25.00 Thisshorthistory of Baha’ including the Baha'i Writin,

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Baha’ u'Ilah’s linea of the Bab and the nine years of His E Baha'u'llah. His th in Baghdad, the Garden of Ri from the last sixteen years of Hi

ispe

University of Toranto Press

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month ordeal in the Siyah Chal is recounted, as are stories from His time An, Istanbul (Constantinople), and Edirne (Adrianople). Stories ife are set in Akka and the surrounding area.

6-1/8" x 9-1/4", 199 pp., bibliography, index

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�[Page 7]THE AMERICAN BAHA'T 7

Days of Certainty

by Martin Newman

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An album expressing Baha’ values in a “world” musical style similar to recent albums by Paul Simon. Side one begins with Dancing round the Life Tree, acalypso beat with lyrics that speak of breaking lose from the chains that bind us and soaring to become the beings that we potentially are. The Kingdom features an acoustic guitar and maracas in an upbeat tune about aconversation between two people, one of whom sees “the kingdom rising slowly” and the other who can deal only with day-to-day living. Side Two includes Mr. Dream, asong with vocal qualitiesand rhythmic interpretations ofa strong European influence, similar to groups like Berlin or Elvis Costello. Itslyrical theme is the apparent merry-go-round and paralysis of life in wanting more out of ourselves yet not believing that we can improve. Tellit to the Worldis another song of European pop style whose lyrics tell the story of someone who must find the faith to believe in another.

approximately 30 minutes

Baha’i Publishing Trust of the

United Kingdom

ea SS RS ESE

Tear down those borders

by Peace Moves

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A sophisticated, well-performed and produced cassette tape of Baha'i themes in a pop music style. Side One includes a mixture of themes, including the political transition that is occurring in Eastern Europe Peace Moves, “the majesty and power (that) illuminates the skies” surrounding the Bahai House of Worship in India Under Eastern Skies, a very touching tribute to the love and suffering of “Abdu’l-Bahé ‘Abdu'l-Bahd, and a mournful “new age” music instrumental dedicatedto the exile of Baha’ u'Ikih from Persia during the dead of a very severe winter. Side Two opens with the idea that “we cannot rest till we can give it Peace on Earth asa gift to ourchildren.” “If Ishould live or I should die it’s neither in your hands nor mine but God alone will show the way,” the reputed last words of Shirin Dalvand forms part of the lyrics of Sweet Shirin of Shiraz. Shirin was one of ten women including Mona Mahmudnizhad, Mona Music Video and Mona with the Children who was executed on June 18, 1983 for being a Baha’. approximately 30 minutes

Bahd’i Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

Journal of Bahai Studies

Volume 3, Number 2

SC $6.00

This issue presents five major articles: ‘The first is Se/flessness: Congruences between the cognitive-development research program and the Baha'i Writings, by Rhett Diessner. This article aims to illustrate four major concepts shared by cognitive-developmentalism psychology and the Sacred Writings of the Baha’i Faith. The second article, A Baha 'tApproach to the Claim of Exclusivity and Uniqueness in Christianity, by Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir,examines the nature of these claims that have led to conflicts within Christianity and alieniation from other faiths, and offers an approach to reconcile these divisions. The third article, From Copper to Gold: Finding Form, by Dorothy Freeman Gilstrap looks at the biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker and explores the four majorareas of the book From Copper to Gold. Next, Racial Identity and the Patterns of Consolation in the Poetry of Robert Hayden, by John S. Hatcher, suggests that an accurate and careful reading of Hayden's works reveal a clear pattern of consolation between his ethnic identity and his beliefsas a Baha'i. The last article, Exploring Male Oppression from a Family-Systems Perspective, by Janet Huggins, explores sexual inequality and male oppression froma perspectiveadopted to encouragea more balanced and less prejudiced examination of these issues. The journal also includes research notes, commentaries, and reviews.

6" x9", 76 pp.

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Enlighten Curriculum Volume 5-Third Grade & Volume 6-Fourth Grade

by Lea Iverson

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This easy-to-use, comprehensive curriculum for the teachers of Baha’i Children’s classes was developed between 1988 and 1990 for the Glad Tidings Baha’i 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 the Bahd’is of Golden Valley, Minnesota

Accents of God

edited by M. K. Rohani

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What do the teachings of Baha’u’ll4h 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

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. Ghaditian consid- ets the process of ageing and how it affects different indi- viduals. He also explores some of the myths about the ageing process.and about being old. Inthe introduction Dr. Ghadirian writes, “This book intends to address the process of ageing and coping in the light of the Baha’i 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, refer- ences

George Ronald, Publisher

Baha’ History Calendar 148-149 B.E.

CA $6.95

This year’s calendar is titled “Baha'u'llah: The King of Glory.” It commemorates the centenary of Bahé’u'Ilih’s ascension, and focuses on His station and mission. ‘The cover photograph is of His Taj (hat) positioned by Shoghi Effendi in one of Baha‘u'llah’s rooms at the Mansion of Bahji. The inside cover features references to Him by the Bab, Siyyid Kazim, and othersas chronicled in the Guardian's book, God Passes By. Included again this year isa map. A map entitled the “Travels of Baha'u'llah” records His Pilgrimages to the holy shrines of Islam, a trip made in 1849, and His exiles from place to place.

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National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands

Discontinued Title

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The Baha’i Distribution Service regrets that we will no longer be able to carry this videotape once our supply is exhausted. The Bahd’f 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.

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�[Page 8]8 THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, began an ex- tended visit to North America in Decem- ber. While at the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois, Mr. Hofman spoke twice to staff members, and to members of the National Spiritual Assembly and na- tional committees meeting in Wilmette that weekend, about matters of concern to the American Baha'i community. The fol- lowing are remarks made by Mr. Hofman December 13 in Foundation Hall at the Bahd'i House of Worship.

.

Friends, I feel like that little old lady who, two years ago, I think, when we had a wonderful phone-in program in Atlanta, Georgia, phoned in from Florida. She said, “I'm so ex- cited, I’m so excited—I've been looking fora good religion for 73 years! What do I do to become a Baha‘i?” Well, I feel a bit like that myself. I'm so excited at be- ing back, not only in America, where I hope to serve the American Baha'i com- munity, but here, as was stated so wisely yesterday, at the heart and nerve center of that American Baha'i community.

Friends, the well-being, the history, the life of the American Baha'i community is of the utmost vital importance to mankind today. After I'd been traveling a bit last year—no, earlier this year—I was up in Alaska, and I went to Bosch School and to Canada, and then I went to Haifa and asked them, “What shall I do next?” And they gave me a task which I hadn't men- tioned to them and I'd hoped they'd forget, but they said, “We'll consult and let you know,” and they did. They said, “You must finish your book on Baha‘u'llah.” And I've done that, and it's the hardest job of my life. But then I wrote to them later and said that while I was in North America this August they twisted my arm consider- ably to come back and stay a bit, whereas I had plans to go to Eastern Europe and China and exotic places like that. So I said, “I'm on one of those uncomfortable horns and don't know how to get off, will you please advise me?” They sent me back a fax message: “Advise proceed North America.” So here I am. ...

Douste CHALLENGE

I think the challenge facing the whole Baha'i world today, but particularly the American Baha'i community, which has two great tasks toaccomplish now—you've not only got the long-delayed, and long- anticipated, and long-hoped-for goal of entry by troops still to accomplish, but now you've received this new missive from Haifa about the Baha'i Fund (the Universal House of Justice's letter of No- vember 18.—ed.), so you have a double challenge. Now friends, I was scooped a little this morning in the prayer readings. The passage from Baha‘u'llah which Dr. Kazemzadeh read, I think, I had already scheduled to read to you this morning on this matter of meeting the challenge to the Fund. However, I had one other in re- serve. That shows the advantage of long experience. And this is the one which I had chosen for you before: “Know ye from what heights your Lord, the All- Glorious, is calling? Think ye that ye have recognized the Pen wherewith your Lord, the Lord of all names, commandeth you? Nay, by My life! Did ye but know it, ye would renounce the world and would has-

SS is

David Hofman

A candid talk by retired member of Universal House of Justice

ten with your whole hearts to the presence of the Well-Beloved. Your spirits would be so transported by His Word as to throw into commotion the greater world; how much more this small and petty one. Thus have the showers of My bounty been poured down from the heaven of My lov- ing-kindness as a token of My grace, that ye may be of the thankful.”

At the very lovely Feast we held the other evening, dear friends, we talked about this matter of the Fund, and I very tentatively made the point that we've al- ways talked about it as a matter of sacri- fice and such, whereas I think we could look at it ina totally different manner. It is

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an honor. It is the greatest honor that we can have because Baha‘u'llah, who owns this world, owns everything, who we are, owns us, owns everything we have—He will not accept anything back from any- one who does not accept Him as the Lord of Hosts. Think of that. And again, what is the worst sanction that any Baha’i author- ity can impose upon a believer? It is to remove his administrative rights. That is the top sanction, and that involves forbid- ding him to subscribe to the Fund. This is a very great honor, my friends. Nothing can surpass that honor.

When a call comes from the World Center of the Faith for money, they're not asking you to wear hair shirts, and things like this, but they are trying to point out to you that Baha‘u'llah does not ask mankind for anything at all. He does ask us, the Baha’is, to support His Cause in this world. We're the only ones that he gives this privilege to. One thought that goes along with this: You know, I think that possibly the worst human experience of the mind and the soul is the bitterness of remorse. Now, I don’t think there’s anybody here who would remember Europe just after the first World War. Ido. And I remember when Germany completely collapsed. “We papered our walls with million-mark notes.” That's what happened to that great, powerful, wonderful country. They told one story to illustrate the condition—a very good German citizen had paid life insurance on an endowment policy for 35 years. And when this crash came he went to collect it, and he did. And he bought himself a pair of socks.

Now friends, that can happen to you— very likely will happen to you. This crash can come. I was reading in the Bible this morning at the point where Jesus said, “Do not lay up treasures for yourself on earth, where moth and rust corrode. Lay up treasures for yourself in heaven.” I'll come to that later.

PURSUING A SPIRITUAL EDUCATION

We're getting on very near to the final rolling-up of this old order which has gone on throughout this 20th century. When the roof does fall in, as it is about to do any minute, how bitterly regretful any of us will be if we lose our little nest egg when we could have given it to Baha’u'llah be- fore we lost it. In that passage which was read in the Temple this morning, “the things of this world are of no use toman”—

except, friends, we have to deal with the physical aspect of our life. Through this dealing with the material world, this is how we pursue our courses in spiritual education. But if we don’t make use of this whole set-up that God has ordained for us to deal with the physical world and dis- cover its secrets and laws and so forth, and how to manage it and how to use its powers for our own benefit and progress— if we don't do that then we might as well not have gone to school at all. It doesn’t matter. We have completely missed the object of our earthly life.

Again, I refer to one of those wonderful teachings of Jesus: “If youhave twocloaks,

give one to the other”—to the other man. Well, you know what happens today. If you have two, you try and get four, and then eight. The whole of the human race, you see, has turned against its natural instincts, which are to worship God and to please Him. I've made that point rather strongly in this book on Baha’u'llah. It will be opposed by a great many people today that it’s instinctive and natural for man to worship God. But consider the story of mankind. If he doesn’t know about God, taught to us first by Abraham as the monotheistic God, then he worships a mountain or a river ora tree, or he builds a totem pole and worships that, and he dreams of happy hunting grounds or Valhalla or some physical heaven where he's going to sit and enjoy himself forever and ever in a physical way. But it’s still instinctive for man, because he knows there is something greater than himself. And God's bounty to us is first, of having created us, and now, as this chief distin- guishing feature of the Baha'i Revelation is that God, having brought us up through these few millions of years on this planet, is now ready to bestow upon us our inher- itance which He saved up for us at our coming of age. This is the maturity of the human race which is facing us, and in which we have to be the leaders.

But my friends, we shall not achieve that destiny—the American Baha'i com- munity will not achieve its spiritual des- tiny, its primacy—you won't achieve that if you follow the customs and conventions and general methods of human activity tife in your country today. I think the big problem, certainly in the American Baha’i community, is to penetrate more deeply into the reasons for our existence. This life is a battle, dear friends—it’s a battle. And here I'm going to quote Rudyard Kipling. He was writing about the South African war, and he said, “There is no discharge in the war.” Now that is the battle of life. That's for Baha’is particularly: “There is no discharge in the war.” He said, “Boots, boots, boots, boots, marching over Africa. There is no discharge in the war.” That war has been with man from the beginning of his appearance on this earth and will go onas long as he is here because, although the Kingdom of heaven is within each one of us, so is the great satan. And that is the battle of life, dear friends, that is the battle which each one of us has to fight, and that

is mankind's battle. The group soul of humanity has to fight this group satan, the egoistic, arrogant will of man who is the only creature able to defy God.

This is a very great concept we've for- gotten. Everything in creation—mineral, vegetable, animal kingdom, the great sun, the stars in their courses obey the rules of their nature willy-nilly; they cannot do anything else. The tiger can’t do anything but be a tiger, and the cat be a cat, and the tree be a tree—buta man can defy the laws of his nature and he does so. A man doesn’t know the laws of his own nature. Men do not know it until they are taught it. This is the great education of the Prophets of God. They teach us who we are, what are the rules of our life, and how we shall achieve success. In olden times, of course, they used different phrases. They talked about salvation and so forth—it's all the same thing. This is the eternal purpose of religion: to acquaint man, first of all, with who he is and what is his reality, and then to teach him how to live according to the laws of his nature. But man is the only creature who can say no. Nothing else in creation can say no to God. Man can, and does, and gets in this terrible mess he's in now. We must Love Gop FREELY

Why should God have done this ex- traordinary thing? Here again, the Proph- ets of God teach us. God does not want to compel us to love Him. He wishes us to love Him freely, of our own judgment and our own wonder. When we begin to real- ize the slightest intimation of His loving- kindness, His glory, His majesty, His ex- altation, grandeur—this is the mystery of man’s existence, that he has this free will, and God wants him to exercise it. But if he doesn't exercise it in the right way, he'll obviously get what's happening today.

Now this applies not only to the whole of our lives, it applies specifically to this matter of the Fund. You think of Huqtqu'llah; it cannot be compelled. It's a free gift of our own choice. Baha‘u'llah has told us what it is; it's the Right of God and it belongs to Him—but so does every- thing else we have belong to Him. But He allows us to keep four-fifths, you see.

Anyway, the answer entirely to all these things is love—Divine love. And I am perfectly certain that this is the solution to these two great challenges facing the American Baha'i community today: first, to penetrate more deeply into the reasons not only for your individual lives but for the life of America in the history of this planet. You think, dear friends—it's an astounding fact that only a couple of min- utes ago in historical time—what is it, four or five hundred years ago—these two halves of the world came to know that each other existed. They had no suspicion of that beforehand. I know that some of these clever historians and anthropolo- gists say there were a few raiders who came from Norway and what-not and landed here—well, that was nothing. There was no general concept in that part of the world that there was another part of the world over there. In fact, for all those millions of years, and even through the great ages of the rise and fall of historic civilizations, the coast of Ireland was the edge of the world. If you went any further, you fell off. This is an astounding fact; you see, it’s only yesterday that these two

|S RT A RT �[Page 9]THE AMERICAN BAHA'i 9

halves of the world not only came to know of each other's existence but very rapidly became interdependent, inter- married, inter-everything else.

It's extraordinary too how man, when he devises his own plans for his life, he goes absolutely contrary to the purpose of God. I think it was Monroe, wasn't it, your great President, who talked about America for Ameri- cans and don’t have anything to do with the rest of the world and that sort of thing. Well, other nations have done the same thing, but this is not the purpose of God, as those wonderful and beautiful texts around this hall indicate. The purpose of God is to bring about the unity of the human race.

Here again, I am trying to get to the point I want to make, which is that we Baha‘is have to set ourselves against the current trends, the current conventions— stand out like a sore thumb in the general philosophy of mankind today. There's a line from another great English poet, Tennyson, which states exactly what I'm trying to say to younow. He says, “Break, break, break on thy cold grey cliffs, O sea, and I would that my tongue could utter the thoughts that arise in me.” Friends, I have a vision of this purpose of God in creating this planet to start with, and all that long period of what we call evolution which was bringing mankind into being with all the wonderful gifts and donations and characterizations and qualities and powers which he has in his own soul and educating him. And then the astonishing effect of human history on this planet—all coming to their crisis today.

THE FINAL victory or Gop

This is not just the coming of age of the human race and we're going to be better than we were before and we're going to have peace on earth and all these other things. This is Armageddon, my friends; this is the final victory of God over this great satan who is the egoistic soul of man which wants to defy God and go his own way. You think of how the beloved Guardian had to struggle and struggle and struggle to make us accept this wonderful Baha'i Administrative Order which God has given us. We devise all kinds of political, economic, social philoso- phies for the ordering of the world, and none of them have ever worked very well, and they all come to grief in the end. But here, the Kingdom of God is not the vision of any single human being; it is the statement of God’s purpose for mankind.

This is the deeper penetration into an understanding of the Revelation of Baha’u'llah that I'm trying to utter, and Ibelieve that all of us who want to survive this great crisis now coming upon the world—make no bones about this at all, friends, this is the end of the Century of Light. The Lesser Peace and the processes within the Cause of God, as you know, are running along parallel—not parallel lines, they’re synchronizing —they’re going to meet with abang. And don’t think that when the Lesser Peace comes anytime tomorrow or next week or in five years’ time that it's going to solve the problems of the world. It’s not. It will give mankind the gift which it needs today, and that is an international authority. But the conditions in the world may be even more confused than they are now.

You think of it; when the Lesser Peace comes, the armies, navies and air forces of the world will be out of work. The armaments manufacturers will go broke. Well, there's not much left to do that humanity does, is there, apart from those two things. So it's going to be a terribly confused time, and that may be the moment when the sovereign states, claiming their unfettered national sov- ereignty that nobody can tell us what to do, we'll do our own thing in defiance of the rest of humanity, when they find themselves up against it they may, out of expedi- ency, turn to the Universal House of Justice, turn to the Cause of God and say, “All right, let's have a look at this model community you've offered us. Let's have a look at it.” Well, friends, that’s our challenge. We've got to be ready.

Now are we, just because we've got a few dollars in the bank, or a few stocks and shares, or three or four more motorcars, or we've got a nice big house or whatever it happens to be, are we going to hold up this process—the establishment of God's capital on His holy Mountain, for which His supreme Manifestation, as well as the beloved Master and our Guardian, have offered their lives? Are we going to let that process have a hiatus and be held up so that mankind will go floundering on toward his Lesser Peace without any guidance? That's the challenge facing the American Baha'i community, my friends, because you are the ones who have got to do this; there is no other community in the world today that has the resources which you have—and I mean physical money resources, mental resources too, resources of capacity, technical

ability, all these things—which is un

doubtedly one of the rea- sons why you have been honored with this spiri- tual primacy.

THE BaxA'i WAY OF LIFE

But never forget, friends, it is a spiritual primacy which you are toachieve. I was talking to a very old Baha’i friend today on the tele- phone. They were be- moaning the fact that our local Spiritual Assem- blies are so inefficient, and that some of these highly qualified people—they've got doctorates and master’s degrees and so forth— and then they have to listen to some half-illit- st erate (Assembly mem- ber) and they can’t get anything done. Well, friends, this is not the Baha‘i way of life at all. The Master Himself told us that it is better to be wrong and be in unity than to be right and be in disunity. Now, put that to any social scientist today. We have tostand out against these things, friends.

The American Baha‘i community has met many chal- lenges in its life. I think one of the greatest occurred in 1957—November the 4th, 1957—when our beloved Guardian suddenly passed away, as you know. The Hands of the Cause took over their stewardship, and that's another story. But when they called upon the friends to resume the Ten Year Crusade and bring it to victory, it was the American reaction which was superb. You sent out an army, a spate of pioneers all ‘round the world; you found money somehow to devote to new temples and buildings and teaching projects; you re- sponded, dear friends, because your hearts had been touched. You'd lost your beloved brother, your true brother—and so all the whole Baha'i world did too—but none of them had the capacity and the ability which the American Baha'i community had then and has now.

But, my friends, a lot of that ability you're going to lose within the next few years. The whole American nation is going to lose its leading capacity. I pointed out to you, you may remember, I think it was your National Conven- tion in 1990—I pointed out to you that it was spiritual leadership which is required of you. And although you have already established leadership in everything else in human affairs, in war, in technology, in organization, in science, in trade, in retail sales, in the permissive age and doing everything that the human race wants to do, that’s not what you were given this spiritual primacy for. It was to resist all those things, and to turn that trend of degra- dation and deprivation and perversion and animalistic tendencies which the whole human race is now embrac- ing under the leadership of the permissive age in America.

The honor of your nation is in your hands, friends. You have to redeem America; you have to be the leaven in this magnificently huge, great, powerful society which, again, I remember 60 years ago in America, you felt it was one powerful leviathan, the coming great power in the world. You don't get that feeling today so much more, dear friends; it's fragmented. You have lost the unity which you once had in your nation. Thank God you still have this unity in the Baha’i community.

So when it comes to this matter of a few million dollars, I cannot believe that the American Baha'i community is to allow the work on God's holy Mountain, that magnifi- cent project now under way, to let that be held up because you want an extra holiday or...you know what I'm talking about.

These thoughts I’ve been voicing have the same appli- cation to the problem of entry by troops. You have all the techniques and the capacities and the ability to organize teaching projects, full-time teaching projects, all kinds of teaching projects. Why aren't you getting the results of thousands of new Baha’is coming in every week, every month? Somehow you're not making the Cause of God sufficiently attractive to humanity. And I'm going to suggest to you, friends, that I think you are doing what all of us do when we come into the Cause—we bring into it

David Hofman (left), retired member of the Universal House of Justice, addresses aff members at the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois. With Mr. Hofman Judge James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.

our own background, and we think this is the way to do things. I was taught eat my breakfast this way, and you think that’s the only way to do it. But it’s not.

TOTALLY DIFFERENT LIVES

Baha‘u'llah’s method of life is utterly and completely at variance with all the practices of humanity today. We have to lead totally different lives. I wonder how many of you will react when you read the Kitdb-i-Aqdas and you find you've got to first thing in the morning say the “Allah-u-Abha” 95 times. That's just one of the little bounties of God in the Kitdb-i-Aqdas that's going to trouble us. But this is the point: until we show mankind that we are a different sort of community—you've al- ready done that in the Baha’i community in America; I believe you've overcome the most challenging issue—I said that at your Convention three years ago, and al- though it is always a problem, I think the American Baha‘i community now doesn’t make a big deal of it anymore; it’s endemic, it's within your bones and your spirits that we are one human race. But you haven't been able to put that across to the rest of your nation.

For instance, I know for sure there are a number of Baha'i families who still celebrate Christmas. I've even heard Baha'is state that we are going to preserve all the cultures of the world. I remember that when I heard that I sort of did a double-take. What do you mean? Are you going to let people go on practicing polygamy, human sacrifices, religious prejudices, which is what most of the cultures of the world do? There’s a great deal more to that problem, friends; I don’t want to deal with it this morning. But my point is that we have to show that there is an order, acommunity existent in the world today which has clout. It is heard by the greatest tribunal, the highest tribunal mankind has ever devised, yet we are welcomed at the United Nations, respected, and throughout the rest of the world, governments have sought the spiritual advice of the Baha‘i communities.

Now I can’t categorize this for you and tell you specifi- cally who they are, but I know of my own experience of at least a dozen, now more. Now I don’t know whether the American government has yet approached your National Spiritual Assembly to ask its advice on spiritual matters, but in some countries they have done this, and that was because those Baha'i communities stood out against the trends in their country and proclaimed what they were for, and they lived by it.

I think perhaps I've said enough, friends, to convince you that there are huge challenges facing you now, greater than you've faced before and have successfully overcome. I'm sure you will do these, but you won't do it by going along the old path you're still going on. I'm sure you have to draw nearer to Bahd‘u'llah, you have to be motivated not by demands of efficiency or order, but purely by the demands of love. And if you will take these ideas into your hearts and minds, I'm sure you will succeed.

Iam here for a short few months, and I'm here to serve you. I hope Baha‘u'llah will enable me to do'so. Thank you.

ac ESSER I SSE SS ESSE �[Page 10]10 THe AMERICAN BaHA'i

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The Ameri- can Baha'i are published free of charge as a service to the Bahd't 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.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BOSCH Baha‘i School is accepting applications for summer 1992 employment. Positions available include children’s teachers di-

(3), recreation director, lifeguard, mu: rector, kitchen assistants (2) ani assistants (3). All positions req ness to serve and interact with children, youth and adults. Those chosen will serve from July through August (9-10 weeks) and receive a small stipend plus room and board. To apply, send a brief résumé of your experience or ask for an application for employment from the Bosch Baha'i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387).

THE BANANI International Secondary School, in a lovely rural area near Lusaka, doors in March 1992. s’ school, built by the Baha'i community, is interested in receiving applica- tions from teachers and youth volunteers who are interested in serving the Faith overseas. se who can offer stance in science, math, or agriculture are especially needed. id résumés to tl nal Secondary School, Pri RW 199X, Ridgeway 1510Z, Lusaki

MATURE Bahi‘i couple ot individual

for service include Bsonradon of the facility

for activities, cleaning and maintenance of property, and serving as hosts. A separate 1,200-square-foot apartment with plush car- peting, three bedrooms, partial furnishings and av: Table for $300 a month plus 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, es- pecially for white collar workers (secretarial, ance, 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 2: Dillingham, AK 99576. Applicants must be Baha'is and obtain a recommendation from a local or National Assembly.

THE MAXWELL Baha’i School is looking fora mature or retired person for night security and light custodial work on a volunteer bas Alternately, we may be able to consider the nimum-wage position. Ap- epted for devel- 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 Interna- tional Baha’i School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada VOR 2W0, or phone 604-743-7144 (fax 604-743-3522).

tions are a;

opm

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

AFRICA: Angola: health care personnel. Benin: primary school teachers. Cape Verde: educator/administrator/rural agricultural ex- pert/instructor. Equatorial Guinea: UN vol- unteer to work in national AIDS control project. Ethiopia: volunteer physicians. Tanzania: el ementary and secondary teachers. Zambia: teaching and administrative staff for Banani Girls’ School. AMERICAS: Brazil: primary

school teachers. Cayman Islands: applications programmer. Costa Rica: Urgent need for spe- cial education teacher specializing in dys- lexia. ASIA: India: university lecturers. Macau: ESL teacher. Malaysia: physical ence teacher. AUSTRALASIA: Marshall Is- lands: primary school teachers, physicians, clinical nurse specialist, psychiatrist, psychi- atric nurse. Pohnpei: business instructors. Solomon Islands: architect. Tinian: teachers, doctors, nurses. EUROPE: Lithuania: En- glish language teacher. USSR: nanny. UR- GENT NEED FOR TEACHERS at the Banani International School in Zambia. This isa newly founded senior secondary school for girls. Agriculture will be offered as its techni- cal subject in addition to general sciences. GREAT NEED for Baha’i physicians to vol- unteer for various periods of in Ethiopia. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or telephone 708-869-9039.

IMMEDIATE! URGENT! Lecturers for university and scholarly audiences in India, especially for the Baha’i Chair at Indore Uni- versity. Contact the Office of Pioneering, Ba- ha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

URGENT NEED exists for traveling teach- ers to stay for periods of time and help with consolidation in the Soviet U Furthe formation is available from the Office of Pio- neering, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT,

BECOME a homefront pioneer by renting the childhood home of the Hand of the Cause of God Martha Root in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. Peaceful living in idyllic sur- roundings within easy reach of such urban centers as Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo. Three Baha'i families with a total of seven children ages 2-14 live within a 12- minute drive. Easy commute to well-known universities, access to lovely countryside with some of the country’s last pure water lakes, clean air towns and pristine black bear terri- tory. More important, because of Miss Root’s fame, this is a high-profile Baha'i property with every visit to the local grocer a teaching trip. If interested, please write to Teresa or Arild Pettersen, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403, or phone 814-398-8118.

HOMEFRONT pioneers: position avail- able for family practitioner or or doctor of os~ teopathy in American Falls or Soda Springs, Idaho. One Baha'i living in Power County ds anather to keep the Group registered. ly practitioner needed for rural health ‘s; must be board certified. Knowledge of . Low-pressure, low-volume ically underserved. Salary $60,000/year plus $20,000-$30,000 for call at local hospital; excellent compens: age including malpractice/health All relocation expenses paid to live in rural area near university town, three hours from Sun Valley, Yellowstone Park, and the Grand Teton mountains. Excellent outdoor recreation area; low cost of living; excellent place to raise a family. Please contact Harvey Mullinix, 208- 232-7862, or write to Health West Inc., P.O. Box 2377, Pocatello, ID 83206.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Sierra Madre, California, icopardy with only six adults in the community. Baha‘is who are look- ing for a community near Los Angeles with a strong identity of its own, a wonderful com- munity spirit and civic consciousness, should consider moving here. Sierra Madre, directly below the San Gabriel mountains and adjacent to Pasadena, is a pretty, friendly and safe place tolive. The Baha'is here need youand will help you find a place to live. Please write to P.O. Box 563, Sierra Madre, CA 91025, or phone 818-355-8095 or 818-355-6683.

THE BAHA'IS of Sarasota, Florida, need a few energetic, dedicated Baha'is to help maii tain their 31-year-old Assembly. Would like to have a more diversified community to re- flect 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 atmo- sphere in which to live and work. If you are interested, please contact the Assembly secre- tary, Patricia (Trish) Wicker, Sarasota, FL 34236, or phone 81 B PAA 'IS of Palo Alto, California, a city of about 55,000 near San Francisco which borders Stanford University and its Medical Center, invite homefront pioneers to settle there to help sustain its Assembly. In 1912, “Abdu'l-Baha visited Palo Alto and spoke at the university. The city is known for its excel- lent public schools and the beauty of its tree- lined streets and parks. For more information, please write to the Baha‘is of Palo Alto, P.O. Box 60418, Palo Alto, CA 94306, or phone 415-321-093 THE BAHA‘IS 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 As- sembly of Troy, P.O. Box 851, Troy, M148099.

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 Baha'is 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 informa- tion, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Tallahassee, P.O. Box 20114, Tallahassee, FL 32316, or phone 904-656-638 1, 904-878-3937, or 904-575-4097.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahd‘i Archives is seek- at the request of the Universal House of original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following persons: Florence Keemer (died Sacramento, CA, 1965), Mr: AE. Keller, Clara Keller, Marie Keller, Patricia Kellogg, Bess Louise Kendall, Lillie Kendall (died Aptos, CA, 1936), John F. Kendrick, Sara Kenny (died Los Angeles, CA, 1968), and E.P. Kenworthy. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardi asked to contact the National Baha'i Archives, Baha‘i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708- 869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahai Archives is main- taining a mailing list of those who would like to receive copies of its duplicate book mail auction catalogs. The Archives has been hav- ing 2-3 mail auctions of duplicate books each year. If you would like to be on the mailing list, please send yourname, address and Baha'i LD. number to the National Baha’i Archives, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WANTED

THE BAHA’i Center of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is being remodeled, and the Albu- querque Properties Committee would dearly love to obtain a print of Harlan Scheffler’s portrait of ‘Abdu"l-Baha to be given a place of prominence in the building. The committee is willing to purchase this rare print (thought to be available only through individual owners) or would accept a donation if possible with tax iven to the donor. Please contact Bonnie

der, Albuquer- que, NM 87122, or phone (collect) 505-293- 1845.

BOOKS, educational materials, video tapes, pamphlets, posters, old magazines and cata- logs, office machines, etc. are badly needed by our Baha'i brothers and sisters in other coun- tries. If you would like to help support teach- ing and development abroad, please write and

let me know specifically what you are willing to donate. I will send you the names and addresses of those who need such materials. Both Baha'i and non-Baha'i materials are needed. Please do not send materials to me. Write to Vonnie Lincoln, Lyons, OR 97358. NEEDED: college-age Baha’'is to attend Texas Tech University and take part in teach- ing projects with the university Baha’ Club. Texas Tech, in Lubbock, has a medical school, law school, an excellent undergraduate cur- riculum, other graduate programs, and is rela- tively inexpensive. The diversity of the stu- dent body is ideal for teaching the Faith. For more information, contact Philip Kirk, Lubbock, "TX 79423 (phone

806-792-7440).

WANTED by Bahd’is in Florida: Informa- tion on Knights of Baha’u'llah Ethel and Arthur Crane who pioneered to Key West in 1953 and later returned to Broward County where they died in the late 1960s. The Florida Baha‘is want to find people who knew them so that their story can be told. If you have any infor- mation about the Cranes, or know someone who does, please write to Larry Schwandes,

Gainesville,

FL 32606.

COMPILING daily meditations for Baha‘is in recovery from addictions, dysfunctions and the old world order. Please send your favorite quotation from the Writings (including source and page number) and a short paragraph tell- ing how it has helped in your recovery and transformation to Marcia T. Brehmer,

Chino Valley, AZ 86323 (phone 602-636-5160). Please send by Febru- ary 28.

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

BAHA’U'LLAH compared tests and diffi- culties 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 ar trials. Write your story (anonymously if you wish; you may need to change other details as well). What bad th 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 our- selves that “nothing can befall the loved ones of God save that which profiteth them.” Write to John Bower, San Pedro, Honduras.

SCELLANEOUS

THE 1992 EDITION of “The Directory of Baha'i Book Collectors, Bibliophiles and Re- searchers” is now being compiled. If you would like to be included, please write to Payam Afsharian, Santa Monica, CA 90402. The directory is dist uted free of charge.

ISOLATED Bahia’i, housebound by Chronic gue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), would like to start an ongoing di cussion with others like herself by way of the mail box. For those who can't read or write, this could be done on cassette tapes (which can be used over and over again). Those who are interested in becoming “pen pals” for isolated and/or housebound believers are invited to write to Patti McDowell,

CA 95240, or to phone 209-333-9267.

ATTENTION: all mental health (and re- lated) professionals/workers. We feel strongly that it is time for us to come together. We are calling fora conference of Baha’i mental health professionals to be held around August 1992 and need to form a steering committee now. If you have a commitment to “strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action,” please contact Joy Cross,

Wasco, Portland, OR 97232, or Francis Hayden, Mt. Vernon, NY 10552 (phone 914-664-6568).

�[Page 11]“THE AMERICAN BAHA'? 11

More than 1,500 people embraced the Cause of Baha'u'llah in September in the southern state of Kerala, India, during a three-week campaign in which the Baha'is noted a favorable response from all strata of society. All localities in the district of Wynad were opened, and the formation of local Spiritual Assemblies in some of these localities is under way. ...

In July and August, four teaching cam- paigns were carried out in the states of Durango, Guanajuato, Sonora and Veracruz, Mexico. In Jalapa, Veracruz, about 120 people were enrolled in the Faith, almost tripling the number of Ba- ha‘is there. The Spiritual Assembly of Jalapa reported that the majority of enroll- ees are youth between 15-25 years old. In Durango, about 20 people embraced the Faith, while in Sonora and Guanajuato public meetings were held, and five people were enrolled in the city of Guanajuato, the state capital, allowing the formation of a local Spiritual Assembly. ...

Last April, a believer reported to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana that 16 people had embraced the Faith at Navrongo, in the northern area of the country. In response, Counselor Beatrice Asare organized a mobile teaching van and some teachers to travel to the area. After the Faith was proclaimed, 92 people embraced the Cause. Six weeks later, 456 people had become Bahd‘is and eight local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. In the village of Chania, 130 people embraced the Cause, with proclamation continuing on at least one occasion until 3 a.m. ...

Thirty-four people took part in a teach- ing institute in Haiti held to prepare the believers for entry by troops. As a result, two teaching teams were formed, visiting the areas of Bainet, Blockhaus, Lavalée and Musac, enrolling some 3,300 people

in the Faith and opening 135 new locali- ties. ...

The third local Spiritual Assembly to be formed in Poland was established Sep- tember 30 in Poznan. The others are in Warsaw and Wroclaw. ...

Auxiliary Board member Nosrat Arde- kani traveled twice recently to the Fatick and Thies areas of Senegal, witnessing the enrollment of 245 people in the Faith and the formation of seven new local Spiritual Assemblies. ...

The second phase of a teaching cam- paign in the Cape Verde Islands has resulted in the enrollment of 85 residents of Fogo Island. The effort was carried out by Cape Verdean Baha'is helped by three international traveling teachers. ...

In Brazil, a musical group calling itself Planeta Paz (Planet Peace) has been formed with five members from Argen- tina, one from Uruguay, and eight from Brazil. Already the group has presented more than a dozen shows in the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo, Parana and Santa Catarina, drawing to each performance an audience of more than 100. As of Sep- tember, 150 people had embraced the Faith as a result of the group's presentations. ...

In August, 15 Baha'is and friends of the Faith took part in the first Baha'i Interna- tional Work Camp in Czechoslovakia. Participants carried out service work in Jindrichuy Hradec, a small town in the southwestern area of the country, clearing the town park and parkland surrounding the local hospital. ...

On August 9, a delegation representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas visited the Deputy Prime Min- ister, Sir Clement Maynard, to express the Baha'i community's appreciation for his efforts in presenting to Parliament a bill that allowed the National Spiritual As- sembly to be incorporated and recognized asa legal body. The incorporation bill was passed by anact of Parliament last May. ...

The University of Sindh, Pakistan, has become the first such institution in that country to accept the offer of a Baha‘i- sponsored scholarship. The Spiritual As- sembly of Hyderabad approached the university with the offer of a scholarship for a student in the Department of Com- parative Religion and Islamic Culture. In August, the university responded by ac-

cepting the offer. ...

Sixty-one young Bahd‘is, 13 older youth who acted as “helpers,” and 33 adults took part in August in a third Baha‘i Pre-Youth Ecological Camp in Cajibio, Colombia. The number of pre-youth attending the camps since the first one in December 1990 has grown steadily, with 30 taking part in that first camp and 40 in the second camp, held last March. The Ruhi Insti- tute, in association with an informal group of interested people, is developing the content and approach to the camps. The goals include fostering spiritual values to create a sense of social responsibility, developing an ecological consciousness based on spiritual and scientific concepts, and stimulating and training participants to carry out ecological services within their own communities. ...

The preparatory meeting for the “Ocean of Light” Teaching Project, which aims to emblazon the Faith across the Pacific, motivated a group of four women, headed by Her Highness Tosi Malietoa, to pay a week-long visit to the Cook Islands in September. These Baha'is make up one of the first groups of women from Samoa to travel overseas to teach the Faith. Follow- ing consultation with the National Spiri- tual Assembly, it was decided that the women would visit the island of Mangaia, whose people have shown great receptiv- ity toward the Faith. ...

Seventy Baha'is from 22 countries gath- ered in September at the Landegg Acad- emy in Switzerland for the third course in Arts and Letters, which was dedicated to the study of Tahirih and her works. ...

On September 14, Baha‘is and govern-

ment officials officials gathered for the official opening of a Baha‘i Center in Portici, Italy, a town targeted for entry by troops. A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly spoke, and informa- tion packets were presented to each of the civil dignitaries. A plate presented to the Baha‘is of Portici by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum has been placed in the Baha‘i Center. ...

About 300 Bahd‘is from Africa, the Americas, Arabia, Europe, Iceland, Is- rael and New Zealand attended an inter- national summer school hosted in August by the Tahirih Institute at De Poort, the Netherlands. The theme of the school was “The Tablet of Carmel.”...

Twenty-eight people took part ina Baha‘i Radio Seminar held August 17-22 at the National Baha'i Center in Manila, the Philippines. Facilitator of the 45-hour course was K. Dean Stephens, senior broadcast engineer and chairman of the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Center (IBAVC). ...

The President of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, visited the Baha'i booth at a re- cent book fair in the capital city, Dar es Salaam, and was given a copy of “The Promise of World Peace” and other Baha'i literature. ...

The National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden and the local Spiritual Assembly of Stockholm are cooperating in a series of advertisements in the national press. Those interested in the Faith are asked to call a number to hear a recorded message giving details about the teachings. ...

American Academy of Religion's Baha'i Studies program unit meets

The Baha’i Studies program unit of the American Academy of Religion held its eighth annual meeting November 25 in Kansas City, Missouri.

This year’s theme was the role of women in the Baha’i Faith. Four papers were presented, followed by a panel discus- sion.

Paula Drewek’s “Divine Spirit and Form in Baha’i Scriptures: Where Does Gender Fit In?” examined feminine images for the divine in the Baha’i writings, focusing

specifically on the Mother

Menand women of vi

ges in Burkina gained a greater understanding of sanitation and nutrition during a recent project organized

As:

bly. Trained educators later returned to villages to continue the program.

Word, The Maid of Heaven, and the Queen of Carmel.

Robert Stockman presented “Sisters in the Spirit: Ameri- can and Iranian Baha‘i Women,” about the progres- sive expansion of the role of women in the Iranian Baha’i community and the roles of western culture in general, and American Baha’i women in particular, in fostering that de- velopment.

Diane Taherzadeh offered a valuable and insightful biog- raphy of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, and briefly discussed her signifi- cance to the Baha’i commu- nity.

Susan Stiles Maneck pre- sented a paper on “American Women and the Baha’i Ad- ministrative Order” which looked at the statements of

Abdu'l-Baha to the Ameri-

can Baha’i community about the role of women inthe Baha’i administrative order, and the ways that role consequently

iritual

changed.

Finally, Paul Numrich, a doctoral can- didate in Buddhist Studies at Northwest- ern University, served as a respondent and discussed all four papers in the context of the Baha'i understanding of the role of women.

Although the audience for the panel was small, the stimulating papers and lively discussion more than made up for the small number present.

India's Ambassador to U.S., Consul-General visit House of Worship

Mr. Lalit Mansingh, India’s Ambassa- dor and Deputy Chief of Mission to the U.S., was greeted December | at the Ba~ ha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illi- nois, by the Secretary-General of the Na- tional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, the director of its Office of Public Information, and a repre- sentative of the House of Worship Com- mittee. Accompanying the Ambassador were the Indian Consuls-General from New York and San Francisco and an en- tourage of approximately 20 Indian offi- cials and their spouses.

Dr. Abid Hossain, Ambassador to the U.S. and a Cabinet member, also intended to visit the House of Worship, but was unable to make the trip to Chicago.

The visitors watched a slide program about the construction of the Baha’i House of Worship in India and discussed how the Baha’i Faith is able to unite people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. As a remembrance of his visit, Mr. Mansingh was given a copy of The Dawn- ing Place and the video tape, “The Jewel in the Lotus.”

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�[Page 14]14 THe American BAHA'T

AML AL LLL Te EE ER RL EE Casa Universal de Justicia da triple anuncio al mundo Baha'i

A los seguidores de Bahd'u'lléh en el mundo entero Queridos amigos bahd’ts,

Con motivo del Dia del Convenio, en medio de eventos dramaticos dentro y fuera de la Fe que dan muestras de un, impulso acelerado en los ultimos meses del Plan de Seis Afios, y a menos de medio afio del comienzo del largamente anhelado Afio Santo, nos complace comunicar este triple anuncio a todo el mundo Baha’i.

Se formaran siete Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales nuevas en Ridvan de 1992: Angolaen Africa; Groenlandia en las Américas; y Albania, los Estados Balticos, Bul- garia, Hungria y Polonia en Europa. El surgimiento de las ultimas cinco sera el sellos digno del victorioso Plan de Dos Ajios suplementario lanzado en Ridvan de 1990. Ademias, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de la Republica del Congo, después de un lapso de mas de una década debido a las condiciones politicas, sera restablecida.

La Oficina del Huquiqu’ lah ha sido establecida en la Tierra Santa bajo la direccion del principal Fideicomisario del Huqtqu’ lah, la Mano de la Causa de Dios Muhammad Varga, en anticipacién a la aplicacién mundial de la Ley del Huququ’llah el proximo Ridvan. Coincidiendo con este acontecimiento, estan los pasos tomados porel Dr. Varga para organizar Juntas Directivas

de Fideicomisarios del Huqtqu'llah, regionales y nacionales, siguiendo el ejemplo de la Junta Directiva que ya esta funcionando en los Estados Unidos.

En Ridvan de 1993, inmediatamente después del Aflo Santo y durante un periodo que sera testigo de la realizacion de la Séptima Convencion Internacional en el Centro Mundial, se lanzara un Plan de Tres Afios. Las metas nacionales de este Plan global seran fijadas por medio de consultas entre los Consejeros Continentales y las Asamblea Espirituales Nacionales. El caracter poco comin y la rapidez de los acontecimientos tanto dentro como fuera de la Fe significan la necesidad de un plan corto y flexible adaptable a la naturaleza dinamica de la época.

Este anuncio trascendental, que coincide significativamente con la iniciacion de un nuevo término de los miembros de los Cuerpos Auxiliares en todos los continentes, es indicativo del nuevo flujo de confirmaciones divinas vertidas sobre los esfuerzos actuales de la Comunidad del Mas Grande Nombre en todas partes del planeta. La coincidencia demuestra nuevamente la existencia de tremendos desafios y oportunidades que deben ser cumplidos, y llama Ia atencién a la funcién vital que deben desempenar los

distinguidos siervos de la Fe en ayudar a los creyentes en todas partes a alcanzar mayores alturas en el despliegue de la gloria de nuestra gran Causa.

Nos sentimos forzados a solicitar a los seguidores de Baha'u'llah en todos los paises, en este momento critico del destino de la Causa y de la humanidad, a que hagan un esfuerzo supremo para recoger las victorias atin no cosechadas en los fugaces dias restantes del Plan de Seis Afios. Que les sea permitido hacer esto para que puedan entrar con el debido sentimiento de triunfo, al inminente Afio Santo -- un periodo saturado de significado incalcu- lable y lleno de posibilidades de mayores adelantos para la Fe de Baha’u'Ilah, posibilidades que tan solo se pueden imaginar vagamente a medida que se acerca el Centenario de Su Ascension.

Nuestros ardientes deseos para todos ustedes estan entremezclados con nuestras stiplicas en el Sagrado Umbral para que la Bendita Belleza haga llover sobre Sus amados, en un grado sin precedente, sus vigorizantes confirmaciones que les conduciran a la victoria.

Con amorosos saludos baha’ is,

(Firma) La Casa Universal de Justicia 18 de noviembre de 1991

Por la Casa Universal de Justicia:

Crecientes actividades de la Fe crean nueva demanda de fondos

A los seguidores de Bahé'u'lldh en todos los paises Queridos amigos baha’is,

Ha llegado una época de desafio para los leales defensores de la Causa de Dios en el momento preciso en que todo el mundo esta intentando resolver tremendos problemas, morales, sociales, econémicos y ecolégicos. La comunidad baha’i ha crecido en tamaiioe influencia a tal punto que esta siendo puesta a prueba por todos lados y a todos los niveles. Las oportunidades son inmensas pero ahora nos enfrentamos con la cuestion de si marchamos adelante con mucha velocidad, o si nos retrasamos porque nuestros recursos disponibles son inadecuados para el propdsito.

Los paises donde la gente ha aceptado la Fe en grandes ntimeros, el proceso de desarrollo social y econémico, unido al establecimiento, consolidacién y sdlidas Asambleas Espirituales Locales en funcionamiento, esta obteniendo atin mucho mas importancia y esté haciendo una tremenda demanda de los recursos internacionales humanos y financieros de la Fe. En los paises del antiguo Bloque Oriental la necesidad de ayuda en forma de literatura baha’i, pioneros, maestros viajeros, establecimiento de centros locales, se ha hecho atin mas urgente por la extraordinaria receptividad al Mensaje de Baha‘u'llah que se demuestra en la espiritualidad de esas poblaciones

National Assembly names Dr. Moojan Momen editor of proposed ‘Short Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith’ The National Spiritual Assembly has _ value in the Baha'i Dictionary/Encyclo- appointed Dr. Moojan Momen, an inter- _ pedia Project. ... This will undoubtedly be nationally known Baha'i scholar and au- _ of benefit to both Baha’i and non-Baha’i thor, as general editor of A Short Encyclo- _ scholars, as well as to the rank and file of pedia of the Bahd't Faith. the believers. Over the years, it can be Dr. Momen, a resident of the United expanded and/or Kingdom, replaces Dr. John Walbridge, amended as the

who resigned to take a full-time position subjects treated in as an editor of the Encyclopedia Iranica. _ the work are more Dr. Walbridge will continue to serve as a thoroughly stud- member of the Baha'i Encyclopedia edi- ied and re- torial board. searched.”

As the project evolved and the Faith emerged from obscurity, the National As- sembly became

The project was begun in 1984 when the National Spiritual Assembly sought the advice of the Universal House of Justice about a comprehensive dictionary/ency- clopedia of Baha’i history and writings. The idea was to offer definitions and back-

grounds of Baha’i terminology and con- concerned that the cepts, and to provide a comprehensive Baha*isdefine the Faith before

history of the Faith to the present day.

WIDE VARIETY OF ARTICLES

Also included would be articles on vari- ous theological topics, Baha’ i administra- tion, Baha’i tenets and principles, and in— formation about the demographics and distribution of the Baha’i world commu- nity.

The National Assembly felt that such a work, which might extend to six or seven volumes, would be of great value to any- one interested in learning about the Faith. The House of Justice agreed, writing in October 1984 that “it feels there is a great

someone else does it for them, perhaps inaccurately. With this in mind the As- sembly decided to publish a fairly com- prehensive but much shorter encyclope- dia. The one-volume work, which will contain complementary photographs and maps, is to lay the groundwork for future volumes.

Other members of the Baha’i Encyclo- pedia Editorial Board are Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of the U.S. Baha’i Publishing Trust; Terrill Hayes, general

See ENCYCLOPEDIA page 15

sedientas. Las oportunidades para promover la Causa de Dios en estas éreas no pueden ser ignoradas.

En el nivel nacional, la estatura de las comunidades baha’is esta creciendo en complejidad a medida que el numero de creyentes aumenta, y las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales estan siendo invitadas constantemente por gobiernos nacionales y por organizaciones no-gubernamentales para que ofrezcan sus consejos y ayuda en defensa de los derechos humanos, en salvaguardar el medio ambiente, en promover la educacién moral, y en superar los estragos del prejuicio y de la marea creciente del desorden que estan socavando la estatura social. Internacionalmente esta ocurriendo un proceso similar.

En el Centro Mundial mismo, el trabajo de construccién en los Proyectos del Monte Carmelo ha comenzado, para preparar instalaciones dignas para las instituciones del Orden Administrativo de Baha'u'llah, para la época cuando ellas tengan que cargar con las tremendas responsabilidades que se les impongan a medida que la Paz Menor comienza a ser establecida en el mundo.

Durante los cuatro afios pasados hubo un aumento constante en las contribuciones de los amigos en todo el mundo a los fondos internacionales de la Fe y habia sido nuestra esperanza y deseo que esto continuaria e incluso aumentaria en el afio en curso. Pero desde el pasado Ridvan, por el contrario, ha habido una disminucién repentina de contribuciones tanto a los fondos internacionales en general como al Fondo de los Proyectos del Arco, creando una crisis que debe ser superada de inmediato. Para responder a las necesidades crecientes del trabajo de enseiianza y los Proyectos del Arco, hemos reducido drasticamente los gastos del Centro Mundial por varios afios, cancelando o posponiendo muchas actividades que, aunque muy valiosas, no pueden ser continuadas bajo la presente condicién de falta de fondos. Este proceso no se puede prolongar mas sin dafiar seriamente la habilidad del Centro Mundial para funcionar al nivel que los intereses de la Fe lo requieren.

Si es que tenemos que cumplir con las necesidades financieras de este afio y los que se avecinan en el futuro proximo, las contribuciones a los fondos internacionales de la Causa deben aumentar substancialmente en vez de disminuir.

Tal esfuerzo requerira sacrificio de parte de todos los creyentes y también la desviacion de fondos de aquellos proyectos locales y nacionales que no sean imprescindibles. Tenemos la confianza de que los amigos responderan a este pedido, igual como lo hicieron durante la crisis causada por la revolucion irani en 1979 cuando, en un momento, se cortaron un 61% de los ingresos a los fondos internacionales.

Esta es la primera necesidad. Fuera de esto, creemos que existe una necesidad mundial de apreciar este principio basico de nuestra Fe: Que contribuir al Fondo deberia constituir una parte integral de la vida espiritual de cada baha’i y debe ser considerado como el cumplimiento de una obligacion espiritual fundamental. En muchos paises hemos encontrado una resistencia entre los maestros de la Causa de incluir, entre la presentacién de las ensefianzas de la Fe, el apoyo al Fondo como una parte muy natural de la vida baha’i. En el Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha’u’llah mas de una vez se refiere a la necesidad de combinar los medios espirituales y materiales para lograr los propésitos de la Fe. Shoghi Effendi, por su parte, se refirié al Fondo como la sangre vital de la Causa.

Exhortamos a todos los amigos a reflexionar profundamente sobre la importancia de apoyara la Causa economicamente, y sobre el efecto que las actividades baha’is ejercen sobre la condicion de toda la raza humana.

Oramos ferviente en el Umbral Sagrado para que Baha‘u’llah inspire a Sus fieles creyentes en todo el mundo a levantarse unidos en el servicio a la Causa y para que recompense sus sacrificios con una Iluvia de bendiciones.

Con amorosos saludos baha’is,

(firma) La Casa Universal de Justicia 26 de noviembre de 1991 �[Page 15]THe AMERICAN BAHA'i ‘15

Six long-time pioneers pass away, two at posts

ia Zamenhof at the Baha’i

her friend National Convention in 1938), a Baha'i 1933 who helped establish the local

itual Assemblies of Miami, Florida,

and San Diego, National City and Palm Springs, California, died September 25 in Big Bend, California. Mrs. Hender- shot traveled and taught with her sister, Selma Witherill, in Norway, their par- ents’ homeland, and inspired each of her three sons to serve the Cause over— seas: Jan was in Venezuela for 12 years, Jon in Venezuela for five, and Gene pioneered for many years in Switzerland now in the Central African Re-

ERNEST GLAUDER, a pioneer for 30 years to Zimbabwe, died August 24, 1991, at his post. He and his wife, Esther, first settled in Zimbabwe (then known as Rho- desia) in 1961 during the Ten Year Cru- sade. Esther preceded him in death in 1985.

HORACE BROWN served 10 years as a pioneer in Sierra Leone (1970-1980) and was a member of that country’s Na- tional Spritual Assembly. He then returned to South Carolina where he died in August 1991.

ALICIA CARDELL and her husband, Ted, and their children were early pio- neers to Southern Africa during the Ten Year Crusade. After serving this part of the world for 11 years, they settled in the States. They continued to look for another pioneering post and traveled to many parts of the world as traveling teachers. Alicia and Ted planned to settle in Peru with their daughter in 1985, but ill health forced an early return to the States. Alicia Cardell died in August 1991.

SHIRLEY WARDE, a Knight of Baha'u'llah to Belize (then knownas Brit- ish Honduras), dedicated 38 years of her life to the growth of that community. In addition to years of service on the Na- tional Spiritual Assembly, Mrs. Warde was actively involved in Baha’i radio and theatre productions as writerand producer. On her death in October, the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. received the following message from the National Spiritual Assembly of Belize:

“With heavy hearts we wish to inform you of the passing of our beloved Knight of Baha'u'llah Mrs. Shirley Warde to the Abha Kingdom which occured on 10 Oc- tober, 1991. We beg your prayers for the progress of her soul in the Abha King- dom.”

LOTUS NIELSEN left Duluth, Min- nesota, as a youth to pioneer to Sas- katchewan with her Baha’i mother. Atage

Encyclopedia From page 14

manager of the Publishing Trust; Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, professor of sociol- ogy at the University of New Brunswick; Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, professor of Rus- sian history at Yale University and mem- ber of the U.S. National Spiritual Assem- bly; Dr. Todd Lawson, assistant professor of Middle East and Islamic studies at the

TRAVELING TEACHING CALENDAR: January 1992

BULGARIA: January 1992- Ridvan 1992, Permanent Traveling Teaching Team; December 20, 1991-January 5, 1992, George Adam Benke Teaching Project III; Janu- ary 12-26, 1992, George Adam Benke Consolidation Project; De- cember-April 21, 1992, Dr. Magdalene Carney Project; Febru- ary 1992, Baha’i Winter School, “Baha’i Fundamentals.”

Clifton, York, UNITED KING- DOM: August 10-15, 1992, Music and Arts Festival to celebrate the Centenary of the Covenant of Baha’u'llah.

University of Toronto; and Dr. Heshmat Moayyad, professor of Persian literature at the University of Chicago.

The publication of the encyclopedia is one of the National Spiritual Assembly's goals for the Six Year Plan. At this point, nearly all of the articles have been com- missioned, and more than half have been written. The finished articles should be edited by the end of the Plan, with publi- cation to follow some time during the Holy Year.

Dr. Momen is a graduate of Cambridge University and a general practitioner in Bedfordshire, England. He collaborated closely with the Hand of the Cause of God Hasan Balytizi on such works as The Bab; Bahd’u'llah: the King of Glory, and Emi- nent Bahd’ts in the Time of Bahd'u'lldi which was published after Mr. Balyu: death.

He is the author of Hinduism and the Bahd’i Faith, Bahdé’i Focus on Develop- ment, and An Introduction to Shi’ih Islam, considered by many to be the best work available on the subject.

Dr. Momen also edited volumes 1 and 2 of Studies in Babi and Baha’t History, and The Babi and Bahd’t Religions 1844-1944: Some Contemporary Western Accounts. His articles have appeared in such well- respected publications as the International Journal of Middle East Studies; Past and Present; and Iran. He is also a contributor to the Encyclopedia Iranica.

's

21 she set out for Venezuela, but found it impossible to stay on there. Lotus then found her services needed at the National Center in Wilmette as an assistant to the Treasurer. Still longing to pioneer, she set out again for Finland during the Ten Year Crusade. There she married and had three children, then went to help the pioneering work in Sweden and became a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of that country.

From there she pioneered again in 1966, this time to Greenland to fill a goal for Denmark. It was Greenland that became

her home. Raising her daughters, serving as an Auxiliary Board member, moving from one remote village to another, Mrs. Nielsen continued to serve this struggling community until her death in October 1991. How it would have thrilled her to witness the election of Greenland’ first National Spiritual Assembly in 1992. As was stated in the letter to Greenland from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, “Her example of service to her Lord will be everlasting, remaining an inspiration to present and future genera- tions.”

Canadian TV airs ‘Baha'i Perspective’

For three years the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada has produced a tele- vision program, “Baha’i Perspective,” broadcast on a Canadian Television net- work, Vision TV.

The interfaith network is available to subscribers to the basic cable service, reaching well over half of all Canadian homes. The program is also available to those with satellite dishes who live in a region that covers more than half of the continental United States.

“Baha'i Perspective” has broadcast sev- eral programs produced by the Media Ser- vices Office of the U.S. Baha’i National Center. “From Haitian Roots,” “Seat of God's Throne” and “Jewel in the Lotus” were shown during the past year, with the latter program generating a high number of telephone inquiries. Canadian-produced

programs, usually in interview format, have also been well received.

Over the coming months several pro- grams on Baha’u'llah will be aired, based on talks and interviews recorded at the Association for Baha’i Studies Confer- ence last August in Victoria, British Co- lumbia.

Some Americans have inquired about the Faith after seeing the program, which is broadcast on the first Wednesday and Thursday of each month. “Baha’i Per- spective” airs at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Stan- dard Time on Wednesday, and at 12:30

m., 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Thurs- day. As of the end of this year, the network will use Canadian satellite Anik E.1.

All inquiries about the Faith originating in the U.S. are forwarded to the Baha'i National Center in Wilmette, Illinois.

IN MEMORIAM

Mohamad Aghdasi Lynn Farrisey Scituate, MA Copake, NY 1986 October 2, 1991 Inez Andrews Jack M. Flynn

Washington, IL November 1, 1991

Nosratullah Baher

Idaho Falls, ID October 28, 1991

Mercedes Flores

San Diego, CA Oklahoma City, OK November 26, 1991 July 27, 1990 Robert Beaty Frank Fools Crow Richburg, SC Kyle, SD

November 27, 1989 Ermest Glauder Zimbabwe

August 24, 1991 George Grimmett O'Fallon, IL

Date Unknown

Date Unkown

Wayne Between Lodges Wanblee, SD Date Unknown

Robert Blaker Richland Hills, TX October 8, 1991

Alvin Bordeaux Pine Ridge, SD November 3, 1991

Ella Breedy

Jean Habhegger Redmond, WA. October 23, 1991

Charlotte Hailey

‘The Bronx, NY Cheraw, SC October 1991 August 1991

Eva A. Bright Caroline Hawkwing Battle Creek, MI Wanblee, SD September 17, 1991 Date Unknown Alicia Candell Earl C. Henry

Red Bluff, CA Bothell, WA

June 29, 1991 October 14, 1991 Janice Carter Alfred High Horse Jackson, MS Wanblee, SD November 15,1991 Date Unknown Ellis Chips Minnie High Horse Wanblee, SD Wanblee, SD

Date Unknown Date Unknown Ruth Dukes Lawrence Hurley Hartsville, SC Rochester Hills, MI October 1991 August 4, 1991 Clara Embree

Martin, SD

March 1, 1991

Alden Nott San Jose, CA November 10, 1991

James Pruner Albuquerque, NM January 31, 1991

Albert Reed Raymond, CA November 4, 1990 Sylvia Risen Wallingford, CT November 27, 1991

Dolores Rosenberger Culver City, CA November 7, 1991

Luella Sabourin

Margaret Jensen Wayzata, MN Date Unknown Lionel Johnson Milwaukee, WI September 1991 Rohanich Kazemi Riverside, CA January 7, 1990 Dorothy Klepps Menasha, WI October 15, 1991 Evan K, Lakota Wanblee, SD Date Unknown

Manuel Levario

Anthony, TX Ryderwood, WA 1988 January 30, 1991 Arlene Lawrence Julius Shannon Bellevue, WA Newport Beach, CA July 28, 1990 November 11, 1991

Lee A. McGee Springfield, MO August 10, 1991

Michael D. Sipes Duluth, MN Date Unknown

Pete Medicine Bear Chris Swalley

White River,SD Rosebud, SD

April 2, 1991 1991

Samuel R. Milk Francis Thunder Hawk Wanblee, SD Wanblee, SD

Date Unknown Date Unknown

Sarah Two Lance Wakpamni Lake, SD October 31, 1991

Maxine Viereck Castro Valley, CA

Rouhollah Mowzoon Chandler, AZ November 18, 1990

Steve Murray Middletown, CT

November 19, 1991 October 30, 1991 Paul A. No Heart Jamileh Vodjdani Okreek, SD Marietta, GA Date Unknown Date Unknown

gS a A I SR A �[Page 16]16 THe American BaHA'i

Pictured are the 25 youth and six adults who attended a Labor Day weekend Baha’i youth retreat sponsored by the

Worship in Wilmette, and appeared in alocal Labor Day parade, in which they won first prize in the category of walking

deepening and teaching was a mem- orable experience for all.

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

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ccancel the copy for the person(s) and LID. listed abovethe full names of all family mem- bers as they should appear on the national ic LD. numbers, and the correc

number(s) listed above. | ee

BAHA'i NATIONAL CENTER

112 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, IL 60091

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LD. mumber and address above, |

ALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

17-19: Pioneering Institute, Bosch Baha'i School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone 708-869-9039.

17-19: Second Eastern Baha'i 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 chil- dren and adults. For information, write to Bonnie Cote, coordinator, Music and Art Task Force, Springfield, VA 22150 (phone 703- 569-2371), or Lucinda Huttlinger, 1017 S. 18th St., 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 Baha’u'llah,” Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-19: Wisconsin Baha'i School, Brownsville. Registrar: Lisa Reimer,

West Bend, WI 73095; phone 414-338-3023.

FEBRUARY

6-9: Second Global Structures Convocation: Environment and Development, Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C. Co-sponsored by the National Spiritual As- sembly. A representative of the Baha'i International Community, Office of the Environment, will take part in a workshop entitled “Earth Charter: Establishing the Values and Principles for International Laws and Global Community.” Bahd‘is are welcome to attend the convocation; those who wish to do so are asked to notify the National Spiritual Assembly office at 1606 New Hampshire Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20009 (phone 202-265-8830). For information about the conference, contact Second Global Structures Convocation: Environment and Development, 1000 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036 (phone 202-833- 9585; fax 202-785-3942).

14-16: North Dakota Baha'i School, Mayville State University campus. Theme: “The Significance of Bahd‘u'llah’s Revelation.” Registrar: Marian Kadrie,

Fargo, ND 58103; phone 701-235-3725.

14-17: Singles: A Winter Retreat in the Redwoods, Bosch Baha'i School, Santa Cruz, California. Theme: “With Inward and Outward Eye.” Topics and texts: Participants can select from several choices of subjects and study groups, including The Advent of Divine Justice; Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah; “Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Baha’u"Ilah” (letter of Universal House of Justice to Baha'is of U.S., December 28, 1988); Bahd't Marriage and Family Life, A Compilation. For information, phone 408- 423-3387.

15-16: Louisiana Baha'i School, Baton Rouge. Theme: “Teaching the Faith to Christians.” Registrar: Monya Sturdivant, Gretna, LA 70056 (phone 504-393-6675).

15-17: Washington (West) Baha'i 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 Baha‘i Studies Mid-Atlantic Region, Western Maryland College, Westminster. Theme: “Global Renaissance: The Significance of Bahd‘u'llah’s Revelation.” For information, write to the Association for Baha'i Studies Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee,

Levittown, PA 19057, or phone 215-949-1157 or 215-949-0699.

16-22: Youth Symposium ‘92, Landegg Academy, Switzerland. Theme: “Re- generating the Arts.” For a program brochure, write to: Landegg Academy, CH- 9405 Wienacht, Switzerland, or phone René Steiner, 41-71-91 91 31, or fax 41-

71-91 43 01. MAY

22-25: A Spiritual Renewal Retreat For Couples, Bosch Baha‘i School, Santa Cruz, California. Theme: “Love, Marriage, Parenting.” This weekend is for couples committed to working on their relationship. It is not designed to meet the needs of those in a Year of Patience. This a session for adults, but very young, infants in arms can be accommodated. Group I, Newer Married. Group leaders: Terry and Carrie Kneisler will lead the newer married or younger couples as they build strong relationships inthe marriage and with their children. Group II, Seasoned Couples. Group leaders: Jack and Farzaneh Guillebeaux will guide seasoned couples to focus on obstacles, issues, and joys of relating as a couple and as parents to older children. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

SPRING Pioneering Institute, Baha'i National Center, Evanston, Illinois. For informa- tion, phone 708-869-9039.

Baha'is take part in NJEA Convention

The Baha’i Group of Ventnor, New Jer- sey, distributed well over 5,000 pieces of literature on the Faith at the 1991 New Jersey Education Association Gonvention last November.

Included in the items given out at the Baha'i booth were 1,500 copies of “The Vision of Race Unity” and 3,000 poster

pamphlets on race unity.

Twenty people filled out interest cards requesting more information about the Faith, and five more asked for informa- tion on how to join.

It was the 17th consecutive yearin which Baha’is have taken part in the Conven- tion. �