The American Bahá’í/Volume 23/Issue 14/Text

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[Page 1]

Former Counselor for Central America Alfred Osborne dies

SADDENED LEARN PASSING RESOLUTE PROMOTER FAITH GOD ALFRED OSBORNE. RECORD HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES, ESPECIALLY AS CONTINENTAL COUNSELOR CENTRAL AMERICA, IMPERISHABLE. PRAYING FERVENTLY HOLY THRESHOLD ADVANCEMENT HIS NOBLE SOUL IN KINGDOM ON HIGH. KINDLY EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES MEMBERS HIS DISTINGUISHED FAMILY. ADVISING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PANAMA ARRANGE BEFITTING MEMORIAL MEETING HIS MEMORY MOTHER TEMPLE LATIN AMERICA.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AUGUST 25, 1992

The American Bahá’í

Volume 23, No. 14 | ‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...’—Bahá’u’lláh | Mashíyyat B.E. 149 / September 27, 1992

Left photo: A panoramic view of Mount Carmel taken July 19 with the Shrine of the Báb in the center showing progress in excavating the site for the terraces below the Shrine. Following completion of earth works on the lower terraces, drainage and plumbing will begin. Right photo: Excavation of the site for the Center for the Study of the Texts nears completion. Observing the earth-moving equipment from a higher level with the large retaining wall above the excavation and the Seat of the Universal House of Justice in the background is the Mount Carmel Project’s civil engineer. (Photos by Ruhi Vargha; more photos on page 9)

National Assembly places emphasis on developing Bahá’í communities on U.S. Indian Reservations

The National Spiritual Assembly, in calling for a special emphasis on the promotion of the oneness of humanity during the Holy Year, has placed a great deal of importance on the development of unity in diversity within the Bahá’í community itself.

The National Assembly is especially concerned with developing Bahá’í communities on American Indian Reservations, and has called for the establishment of an all-time high of between 70 and 80 local Spiritual Assemblies on Reservations by Riḍván 1993.

At the beginning of the Six Year Plan there were 64 Assemblies in Indian communities, the largest number ever recorded.

See RESERVATIONS page 2

Day of Unity

Chicago Bahá’ís take lead in bringing races together

By KEN BOWERS

About 500 people of diverse races and nationalities gathered August 29 in Chicago’s Burnham Park for the first Day of Unity and Unity Walk sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations, and the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago.

Highlights of the event included musical and dramatic presentations on the theme of race unity, representing a wide variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds; a three-mile Walk for Unity along Chicago’s well-known Lakeshore Drive; and a public presentation of “The Vision of Race Unity” to Richard Phelan, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Richard Phelan (left), president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, was among those who attended the Day of Unity in Chicago.

Mr. Phelan, upon receiving the race unity statement, said, “It’s important to all of us that we recognize our differences, but share our values.” He also expressed his pleasure at attending the event.

‎Others Other‎ speakers were Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Clarence Wood, head of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

Mr. Wood referred to the “Models of Unity” study, which his agency had conducted in collaboration with the National Assembly, as one of the most important programs undertaken by the Commission this year.

“What is important,” he said, “is that we come together with a common vision...a vision that says we are all humankind. That is the beginning of the process. We are prepared to do this over and over again until we have made this vision a reality.”

Dr. Henderson, commenting on the importance of gatherings such as the Day of Unity, said: “We can desegregate the law, but now we must desegregate our hearts.

See DAY OF UNITY page 14

INSIDE:

2	Racism In Houston, Institute for Healing tackles America’s pervasive disease
3	Miracles Although they are possible, miracles offer no lasting basis for one’s faith
5	The Fund Contributions are up thanks to single large gift, record estate bequests

[Page 2]

Houston's Institute tackles difficult task of healing racism

The Houston Institute for the Healing of Racism was established in early 1989 by a multiracial group of Bahá’ís who wanted to follow the mandate of the Faith to eradicate prejudice and bring people together in unity. Through individual prayer, deepening and personal transformation, the Institute has evolved into an important and well-known contributor toward interracial understanding in Houston.

THE INSTITUTE has been called on to offer presentations and workshops by various groups in the community including the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston, the Mayor's Office and Committee for Human Relations, a police training academy, the City Health Department, the YWCA, Conoco Oil, DuPont, the University of Houston, the University of Texas, and several area churches, schools and social organizations.

The most popular of the Institute's programs is its "Dialogue: Racism" series held at the Bahá’í Center. Each installment consists of nine sessions conducted by interracial teams. Participants are given information about the causes and expressions of racism; they then share personal experiences related to the issue.

The goal of the dialogues is to help individuals transform their own attitudes toward race, then to help them become a positive force for creating understanding among people. Part of the process is to become more attuned to the subtle ways in which racism is expressed in our society.

"Many well-meaning people who do not consciously harbor feelings of prejudice discover through these dialogues that they have subconscious patterns of behavior that can in fact perpetuate racial stereotypes," says Barbara Hacker, a dialogue facilitator. "The Dialogue series helps them to become more sensitive to this; and that awareness, in turn, becomes a source of confidence in trying to stop racism whenever it occurs.

"Racism is not an easy issue to deal with, but as people come together to combat it they find ways of supporting and appreciating one another."

Cherry Steinwender, a co-facilitator, adds, "People of color often experience ‘internalized’ racism; they believe misinformation and stereotypical ideas about themselves. They find the dialogue a good forum in which to deal with the resulting pain and anger. Often they are able to regain pride in themselves and their heritage."

THE SERIES has drawn a wide racial and ethnic mix to the Bahá’í Center, and has also attracted followers of many religions. Attendance for each session is usually between 70 and 80. Although the Faith is not taught directly during the sessions, a number of people have been attracted to it by the commitment to race harmony shown by the Bahá’í participants. Five people have become Bahá’ís as a result of this contact, and more are studying the Faith at local firesides.

The dialogues have also won many friends for the Faith. A few of these have become closely involved with the Institute and have been trained as facilitators. Others impressed by the Institute's activities include the Houston news media, which have reported on the dialogues in many news articles and broadcasts, and people from a variety of professional backgrounds whose pursuits touch on race-related issues. Some of the latter group have invited dialogue facilitators to conduct on-site consultations with their colleagues, who they feel need such preparation to better deal with their clients.

MEMBERS of the Institute have made great efforts to share experiences with other Bahá’ís across the country. The Institute sponsored a race unity conference on Labor Day in 1991, which was attended by 95 believers from several states. The conference proved an effective forum for consultation on ways to serve the Faith and the community at large.

Teams from the Houston Institute have also worked with Bahá’í communities interested in starting similar projects, traveling to cities in Texas and to Florida, Tennessee and Illinois to conduct training workshops. The Institute has also provided telephone consultation to friends who wish to learn from the Houston experience.

An important component of the Institute's work is the attitude that the dialogues are a learning process for everyone. Its Bahá’í members seek continuously to develop their own appreciation of the Bahá’í teachings related to "the most challenging issue," so that they may act according to the true spirit of the Faith.

"We are all developing an ever greater understanding of how to relate to each other," says Ms. Steinwender. "It is wonderful to see people of such diverse races and backgrounds getting together in this way, sharing with each other on a very deep level. Many develop bonds of friendship and a totally new sense of community.

"Often we have seen spontaneous activities result from the dialogue sessions. All of these things show that they are truly beginning to believe in, and understand, the oneness of humanity."

Shown here are participants in a recent session of the Institute for the Healing of Racism in Houston, Texas. The Institute has been held since 1989 at the city's Bahá’í Center.

Reservations

(from page 1)

At Ridván 1992 only 56 were formed; however, National Assembly records indicate that there are nearly 20 more Indian communities with nine or more believers that did not form Assemblies this year, and about eight localities with seven or eight believers.

Since Spiritual Assemblies are a part of the "healing remedy" brought to the world by Bahá’u’lláh, forming Assemblies in these Indian communities contributes to strengthening the Faith and, consequently, to establishing the oneness of humanity.

The National Assembly's goal can be achieved through efforts to maintain current Assemblies and to nurture other localities to Assembly status. The key objective is to raise effective administrative institutions serving Bahá’u’lláh.

Bahá’í communities are encouraged to consider actions from the following list that can be included in local plans:

I. Consolidation

• Encourage and nurture teaching institutes.
• Help American Indian communities host prayer meetings for local members that are not open to the general public.
• Encourage homefront pioneers and traveling teachers to read or tell stories about Bahá’u’lláh and memorize His Writings so they can be recited easily.
• Increase collaboration with Auxiliary Board members.
• Initiate activities to serve children which in turn can help motivate Assemblies to meet and function.

II. Teaching

• Help strong indigenous Assemblies to adopt extension teaching goals.
• Encourage Assemblies not located on Reservations to consult on and adopt extension teaching goals in Indian communities.
• Support Indian teaching goals through prayer.

Regional American Indian Teaching Committees may be able to assist local Bahá’í communities in such areas as:

• Adopting Indian communities as extension teaching goals.
• Helping Bahá’ís to develop effective consolidation and teaching plans for Indian localities.
• Making contacts with believers in Indian communities.

Professionals Sought for Race Unity Network and Referral Service

The National Spiritual Assembly is developing a network and referral system of professional individuals, corporations, and those active in the field of race unity to meet the needs of Bahá’í communities and other organizations who may request assistance with race unity initiatives. This network could assist local Bahá’í communities (on a minimal-expenses basis) by either personal visit, phone consultation, or, when developed, special materials, and assist organizations (educational, civic/governmental, or corporate) by operating in their professional capacities.

Professionals interested in becoming a part of this network should contact the National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, phone (708) 869-9039. Correspondence should include the name of corporation/consulting firm, area of expertise (multi-cultural education for schools, experience with corporations, etc.), methodology (how the firm operates), range of fees for professional referral work, and availability to work on a minimal-expenses basis (could individuals volunteer, for example, once per month?). Professional participants would have the option to say, "No," to a particular situation which may be referred to them.

'The more one can give, the better it is...'

National Bahá’í Fund Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 3]

Miracles

Although possible, they offer no lasting value as basis for faith BY KEN BOWERS

In discussing the Faith with friends from Jewish or Christian backgrounds, Bahá’ís are often asked whether Bahá’u’lláh or the Báb performed any miracles. The reason for this is that miraculous events are featured prominently in both the Old and New Testaments, and many of those who believe in the Bible consider miracles to be the greatest proof of prophethood.

THERE ARE in fact many miracles associated with the lives of the twin Manifestations of God; however, both the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh downplayed their significance, teaching that such miracles for which people normally laud the Prophets are of no real or lasting value as a basis for faith, except when taken in light of their hidden spiritual meaning. Bahá’ís believe that physical miracles can only be appreciated by those who actually witness them, and even then most fail to do so.

The Bible itself contains abundant evidence in support of this view. In the days of Moses, for example, many of those who witnessed His miracles remained unconvinced that He was sent by God. Some of His followers, having survived the 10 plagues, crossed the Red Sea, and eaten of the manna from heaven, still abandoned the one God of Moses in favor of polytheistic practices.

Centuries later, when Christ cured 10 people of leprosy on one occasion, only one so much as thanked Him for it, prompting Him to remark:

"Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? "Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17-18)

The author of the Gospel of John observed that most people who were eyewitnesses to Christ's miracles were not sufficiently impressed by them to become believers:

"But though he had done many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him." (12:37)

The Bahá’í Era is replete with well-recorded episodes that further demonstrate this ancient pattern. Perhaps the most dramatic of these was the first attempt to execute the Báb, where thousands of people saw Him emerge unscathed from a volley of 750 bullets. This amazing feat caused a sensation when it occurred, and was talked about in circles high and low for generations afterward. Virtually no one, including the Báb's enemies, denied that it had happened, yet very few were led to investigate His Cause as a result; most simply explained it away or ignored it.

Little wonder, then, that Bahá’u’lláh, although possessing the same powers over nature as the other Manifestations of God, did not rely on them to validate His Mission. Rather, He showed forth the same spiritual signs evinced by His Predecessors. These He enumerated in this well-known passage:

"The first and foremost testimony establishing His truth is His own Self. Next to this testimony is His Revelation. For whoso faileth to recognize either the one or the other He hath established the words He hath revealed as proof of His reality and truth. This is, verily, an evidence of His tender mercy unto men."

THIS CONCEPT is sensibility itself: the proof of a moral leader is that he is himself moral; the proof of a counselor is compassion and understanding; the proof of a king is his ability to govern.

No one would choose a physician because he can pull a rabbit out of a hat—why then apply such a test to the Divine Physician? No teacher would resort to magic to show that he can teach—why should the Divine Educator do so? Put in this perspective, the expectation that a Prophet should perform uncanny feats to justify His claims seems immature and irrelevant.

Miracles simply do not serve the main purpose for which the Prophets have appeared. Bahá’u’lláh once said this about the relationship of miracles to true religion:

"...the Cause of God is not a theatrical display that is presented every hour, of which some new diversion may be asked for every day. If it were thus, the Cause of God would become mere child's play.

Bahá’u’lláh, ever vigilant in upholding the dignity of the Cause of God, nevertheless lived in a society whose members believed that anyone laying claims to a Revelation from God should—and would—back them up with marvelous supernatural deeds. The people most responsible for such expectations were the clergy, who believed in and taught the literal fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Day of Resurrection, and did not perceive the spiritual significance of many of the miracles recorded in past Scriptures.

Eventually the time came for them to challenge Bahá’u’lláh, Who used the opportunity to expose the distinctions in both belief and character between those people and Himself.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE MIRACLE

‘Abdu’l-Bahá recounts the following incident that took place during Bahá’u’lláh’s final years in Baghdad:

"It often happened that in Baghdad certain Muhammadan ‘ulamá [clergy], Jewish rabbis, and Christians, met together with some European scholars, in a blessed reunion [a meeting with Bahá’u’lláh]: each one had some question to propose, and although they were possessed of varying degrees of culture, they each heard a sufficient and convincing reply, and retired satisfied. Even the Persian ‘ulamá who were at Karbilá and Najaf [cities near Baghdad] chose a wise man whom they sent on a mission to him; his name was Mullá Hasan-i-’Amú. He came into the Holy Presence, and proposed a number of questions on behalf of the ‘ulamá, to which Bahá’u’lláh replied.

"Then Hasan-i-’Amú said: 'The ‘ulamá recognize without hesitation and confess the knowledge and virtue of Bahá’u’lláh, and they are unanimously convinced that in all learning he has no peer or equal; and it is also evident that he has never studied or acquired this learning'; but still the ‘ulamá said: 'We are not contented with this, we do not acknowledge the reality of his mission by virtue of his wisdom and righteousness. Therefore we ask him to show us a miracle in order to satisfy and tranquilize our hearts.'

"Bahá’u’lláh replied: 'Although you have no right to ask this, for God should test His creatures, and they should not test God, still I allow and accept this request.

"The ‘ulamá must therefore assemble and with one accord choose one miracle, and write that after the performance of this miracle they will no longer entertain doubts about me, and that all will acknowledge and confess the truth of My Cause. Let them seal this paper and bring it to me. This must be the accepted criterion: If the miracle is performed, no doubt will remain for them; and if not, we shall be convicted of imposture.' The learned man, Hasan-i-’Amú, rose and replied, 'There is no more to be said'; he then kissed the knee of the Blessed One although he was not a believer, and went. He gathered the ‘ulamá and gave them the sacred message. They consulted together and said, 'This man is an enchanter; perhaps he will perform an enchantment, and then we shall have nothing more to say.' Acting on this belief, they did not dare to push the matter further.

"This man, Hasan-i-’Amú, mentioned this fact at many meetings. After leaving Karbilá he went to Kirmánsháh and Tehrán, and spread a detailed account of it everywhere, laying emphasis on the fear and withdrawal of the ‘ulamá.

"Briefly, all his adversaries in the Orient acknowledged his greatness, grandeur, knowledge and virtue; and though they were his enemies, they always spoke of him as 'the renowned Bahá’u’lláh.'"

Those among the clergy who were Bahá’u’lláh’s enemies had expected that He would back down in the face of such a challenge, thereby giving them an excuse to denounce Him publicly. Instead, much to their shock and dismay, He immediately rose to the occasion, refusing to be intimidated.

This episode is unique in religious history, for never before had a Manifestation of God accepted to publicly perform a miracle on predetermined conditions. Bahá’u’lláh could easily have performed a miracle, had the clergy been able to agree on one. The Blessed Beauty was well aware, however, that that would never happen. The insincerity of the ‘ulamá was apparent to Him. Their only motive had been to discredit the Cause; when He chose to defend it, they had no recourse but shamed silence.

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S remark that "God should test His creatures, and they should not test God," offers an important insight into the relationship between the Creator and humanity. It is highly presumptuous for a mere human to believe that he knows what is better for mankind than God Himself, to assume that he, not God, can best judge what proofs should accompany a Divine Revelation, and to think that the Almighty should act according to any standard but His own.

There are other examples in Bahá’í history in which Bahá’u’lláh, at the request of certain individuals, actually performed feats that were true miracles. These people did not actually test Bahá’u’lláh, however; in reality it was Bahá’u’lláh Who tested them. For those who were sincere, such gifts from the Blessed Beauty provided confirmation and abundant blessings. Those with dark motives, however, found themselves utterly bereft of His bounties.

The Muslim leaders had hoped to expose Bahá’u’lláh as an impostor; instead, they were themselves exposed as hypocrites. As a result of their scheme Bahá’u’lláh’s spiritual and moral ascendancy was more firmly established than ever.

News and Community Notes

Bahá’ís from several communities in the San Diego, California, area recently presented a copy of 'The Vision of Race Unity' to George Bailey (third from left), chairman of the County Board of Commissioners. Pictured with Mr. Bailey are Bahá’ís (left to right) Pari and Arash Monjazeb of Spring Valley; Bob Ravellette of Chula Vista; Vivian Thompson of El Cajon J.D.; and Mike Lavach of Lakeside.

New Mexico teaching institute sees declarations of 57 new believers from six racial backgrounds

A teaching institute begun last year in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has seen the declarations of 57 new believers from six racial backgrounds in the past nine months. Two graduate students from India, both of whom were Hindu, declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh about a week after seeing the video tape, "Jewel in the Lotus," about the House of Worship in New Delhi. The number of Indian graduate students who have declared has risen to 16, at least 13 of whom are actively teaching others.

All new declarants are encouraged to begin teaching immediately and are given a supply of enrollment cards for seekers. [Page 4]

UPCOMING PIONEERING INSTITUTES

January 7-10, 1993-Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Early Spring 1993-Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. Late Spring 1993-Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois.

If you are interested in pioneering, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247 for more information.

BAHÁ’Í YOUTH SERVICE CORPS TRAINING

A Training Institute is being planned for January 5-10, 1993, at the Bosch Bahá’í School. All youth, who live on the west coast and in the western states, please note, THIS IS THE ONLY TRAINING THAT WILL BE HELD IN YOUR REGION THIS HOLY YEAR AND UNTIL JANUARY 1994. Remember, you must participate in a Training Institute before you leave for your post. If you are interested in attending, contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

Louhelen awards '92 Hayden Fellowship in poetry to Jeffrey Jentz of Minnesota

The Louhelen Bahá’í School has awarded the 1992 Robert Hayden Poetry Fellowship to Jeffrey J. Jentz of Shevlin, Minnesota.

Mr. Jentz holds a master of arts degree in English from the University of North Dakota and a master of fine arts in creative writing from the University of Arkansas. He has taught at universities in Arkansas, Minnesota and North Dakota and presented readings of his poetry in those states and in Manitoba, Canada.

Much of Mr. Jentz's poetry reflects his interest in and concern for rural people and American Indians. He has coordinated social and educational projects on Sioux Reservations in South Dakota, and developed the Flowering Tree Writing and Healing Approach to promote racial harmony in a multi-cultural context. His poetry, for which he has received several awards, has been widely published in national and Midwestern magazines.

Mr. Jentz will be serving his residency period at the Louhelen School in the summer of 1993.

The Robert Hayden Poetry Fellowship was established in 1985 by Mrs. Erma Hayden in memory of her husband, the first black and first Bahá’í to be appointed Consultant in Poetry to the U.S. Library of Congress. Robert Hayden died in 1980.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to encourage the work of poets in the early stages of their careers.

UNICEF Day materials

To promote global awareness, multiculturalism and a spirit of caring for the world's children, please write for the annual UNICEF Day kit which includes a fund-raising activities booklet, an educational guide, a full-color poster, and UNICEF collection cartons.

To order, write to the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, P.O. Box 182248, Chattanooga, TN 37422. Please enclose $3 to cover postage and handling.

Committee for China asks for 'traveling visitors'

China: The Bahá’í Committee for China, a committee appointed by the Universal House of Justice, has asked that all those who are able consider serving as traveling visitors to China. If you are interested, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

6 YEAR PLAN U.S. PIONEERING GOALS

AFRICA

(F) Burundi. (E) Ciskei. (E) The Gambia (Preferably Persians) (E) Kenya (Preferably Outside Nairobi) (E) Nigeria. (E) Sierra Leone (E) South Africa (E) St. Helena (E) Namibia (E) Transkei. (E) Uganda (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor) (E) Venda.

Total for Africa Goals Open: 110 Assigned Goals: 222

AMERICAS

(E) Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island) (E) Barbados (Employment opportunities for a dentist) (E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for the National Secretariat) (P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background). (S) Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably a Spanish-speaking couple). (E) Dominica (F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian). (E) Grenada. (F) Guadeloupe (Opportunities for English teachers) (E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and Blacks) (S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; preferably self-supporting). (E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas to work in village development) (F) Martinique (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent). (S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian) (E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolidation). (E) St. Vincent & Grenadines (E) Trinidad & Tobago (Preferably Persian) (S) Uruguay (S) Venezuela (E) Virgin Islands, British

Total for Americas Goals Open: 77 Assigned Goals: 68

ASIA

(E) India (E) Malaysia (To help develop public relations experts). (E) Nepal (M) Taiwan (Chinese Background)

Total for Asia Goals Open: 6 Assigned Goals: 1

AUSTRALASIA

(E) Marshall Islands (To help with administration)

Total for Australasia Goals Open: 1 Assigned Goals: 0

EUROPE

(P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking)

Total for Europe Goals Open: 1 Assigned Goals: 0

Pioneers to goal countries: 258 Pioneers to non-goals: 469 Pioneers filling goals for other countries: 18 Total Pioneers sent: 745

Language Key: (E) English (D) Dutch (F) French (M) Mandarin (P) Portuguese (S) Spanish

SHORT-TERM PIONEER GOALS

AFRICA

(Country: Goals / Months Completed) Ciskei: 24 / 7 Guinea-Bissau: 12 / 2 Liberia: 12 / 0 Nigeria: 12 / 17 Tanzania: 36 / 24 Uganda: 24 / 0 Zambia: 24 / 50 Totals: 144 / 100

AMERICAS

(Country: Goals / Months Completed) Argentina: 24 / 0 Bahamas: 12 / 18 Barbados: 12 / 9 Brazil: 24 / 20 British V.I.: 12 / 14 Colombia: 24 / 0 Dominica: 18 / 24 Ecuador: 45 / 25 Guyana: 24 / 27 Honduras: 12 / 47 Jamaica: 12 / 0 Leeward Islands: 36 / 78 Martinique: 24 / 2 Mexico: 26 / 24 Nicaragua: 0 / 12 Panama: 3 / 24 Paraguay: 6 / 12 Puerto Rico: 21 / 0 Uruguay: 30 / 24 Venezuela: 24 / 12 Totals: 396 / 359

ASIA

(Country: Goals / Months Completed) India: 24 / 30 Japan: 24 / 24 Pakistan: 12 / 0 Taiwan: 36 / 30 Totals: 96 / 84

AUSTRALASIA

(Country: Goals / Months Completed) Mariana Islands: 24 / 12 Marshall Islands: 12 / 6 W. Caroline Islands: 12 / 0 Totals: 48 / 18

EUROPE

(Country: Goals / Months Completed) Portugal: 24 / 4 Totals: 24 / 4

ONGOING TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

AUSTRALIA; ALBANIA; BAHAMAS; BANGLADESH; BELIZE; BULGARIA; BURKINA FASO; CAMBODIA; CHINA; CISKEI; COLOMBIA; COOK ISLANDS; COSTA RICA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; EAST GERMANY; EQUATORIAL GUINEA; FIJI; FRENCH POLYNESIA; THE GAMBIA; GERMANY; GUATEMALA; GUADELOUPE; GUINEA BISSAU; GUYANA; HAITI; HONG KONG; HUNGARY; ICELAND; INDIA; IRELAND; ITALY; MALAYSIA; MALTA; MOZAMBIQUE; NEPAL; NEW CALEDONIA; PAKISTAN; PANAMA; PHILLIPINES; PORTUGAL; PUERTO RICO; ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES; SAMOA; SIBERIA; SIERRA LEONE; SWEDEN; TAIWAN; THAILAND; TONGA; TRANSKEI; TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO; TUVALU; UGANDA; UNITED KINGDOM; VANUATU; WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS; YUGOSLAVIA; ZAMBIA. [Page 5]

Quarterly update: Estate bequests set record, individual giving steady

July 31 marks the end of the first quarter of the National Spiritual Assembly’s fiscal year.

On that date, contributions to the major Funds and estate bequests stood at $4.9 million, a significant increase over the levels reached during each of the last two years. As indicated in the table on this page, contributions of $2.9 million to the Bahá’í National Fund are up 20 percent over last year’s total and 38 percent over that of 1990, in part due to a single individual gift.

The element that stands out most, however, is the total for estate bequests: believers have provided through their wills for contributions totaling $1.6 million.

Contributions to the other Funds present mixed results. A total of $1.2 million has been contributed to the Bahá’í International Fund, including amounts in support of the National Assembly’s budget for this Fund and earmarked sums ($122,000) given directly to the International Fund via the Bahá’í National Center.

Direct contributions to the Arc Projects Fund declined for the third year in a row, to $216,000; together with funds allocated from the Bahá’í National Fund, some $391,000 has flowed to the Arc Fund via our National Treasurer’s Office.

Finally, gifts for the Continental Bahá’í Fund of $72,000 represented some progress over the first quarter of last year; because the work of the Continental Board of Counselors far outstrips these resources, however, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided to increase its own pledge to this important Fund to $120,000.

Largely because of the estate bequests, the National Spiritual Assembly currently has an operating surplus (excess of revenue over costs) of some $740,000, compared with a sizeable deficit at July ’91. Loans from banks at the end of the quarter totaled about $2.2 million. Current projections indicate that spending is well within the budget, thanks to a continuing program of austerity and tight purchasing control in national operations.

	Jul-90	Jul-91	Jul-92
National Bahá’í Fund	$2,066,467	$2,384,161	$2,850,898
Bahá’í International Fund	$137,974	$361,255	$122,200
Arc Projects Fund	$1,069,930	$235,069	$216,403
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$72,929	$48,818	$72,040
Estate Bequests		$138,737	$1,617,565
	$3,347,300	$3,168,040	$4,879,106

Percent Change	90/91	91/92
National Bahá’í Fund	15%	20%
Bahá’í International Fund	162%	-66%
Arc Projects Fund	-78%	-8%
Continental Bahá’í Fund	-33%	48%
Estate Bequests	N/A	1066%
	-5%	54%

Local Assembly goal results are slowed by summer season

A report just prepared for the Office of the Treasurer indicates that, with 20 percent of the fiscal year elapsed at the beginning of Kalimát (July 13), Local Spiritual Assemblies have contributed on average about 8 percent of their committed goal amounts.

Reasons for this lag probably include seasonal factors and the delays some Assemblies experience in “getting under way” after the Ridván elections, according to the Treasurer’s Office.

More than 1,100 Local Assemblies received suggested goals at the beginning of the third year of the program’s operation. More than 700 of these Assemblies have so far replied to the Assembly’s suggestion, either committing to the initial suggestion or choosing their own pledge amount. These commitments total $9.3 million, or about 55 percent of the annual budget of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Of the 892 Assemblies who have made a contribution thus far this year, 124 have achieved at least 20 percent of their commitment, and one Assembly has already contributed 92 percent of its pledge! Total contributions from Local Assemblies (and a few registered Groups!) taking part in the program were $754,160 as of July 13.

Bahá’ís in Carroll County, Maryland, sponsor booth with ethnic food at festival

On May 9, the Bahá’ís of Carroll County, Maryland, with help from nearby Bahá’í communities, sponsored an ethnic food booth at “Circle of Friends,” an international festival in Windsor.

The purpose of the yearly event is to promote multi-cultural appreciation through music, dance, drama, crafts and food.

The Bahá’ís, whose display included a banner reading “Mankind Is One” and literature including the peace statement and statement on race unity, served Persian food prepared by a Persian family.

Proceeds from the sale of the food were sent to UNICEF.

LETTERS

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

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or to attack anyone personally. Opinions expressed in these columns are those of the writers, and are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors. Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Suggestions for the Fund

To the Editor:

At our last Feast the community consulted on the state of the National Fund and came up with a number of suggestions for ways in which our small community could help raise more money.

Then, after consulting on the “pre-eminent” place this country has in the history of the Cause, we developed an idea that we would like to share with every one of you, with humility and love for Bahá’u’lláh, in the hope that, working together, we may generate a mighty wave of funds to be deposited on the shores of our cherished Bahá’í National Center, bringing us closer to one another and bringing joy to the heart of our Exemplar, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The idea is simple. Aside from regular contributions, every Friday each of us skips one meal and gives what that meal would have cost to the National Fund.

Now suppose that 10,000 Bahá’ís were to do that, and that the average cost per meal was $4. That’s $40,000 a week, $160,000 a month, or $1,820,000 a year for the Fund! Increase the number of contributors and/or the cost of the meals and...well, you do the math.

Our children could also be encouraged to sacrifice something on Fridays for the Fund. Fridays for the Fund! ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave to the poor every Friday. In His memory, let us give to our Fund—the “life-blood” of our Faith that will hoist “the Standard of God among all nations.”

Won’t you join us by adding your drop to help create this much-needed wave of sustenance for the Cause of God?

The Bahá’ís of Highland and Saugerties, New York

To the Editor:

The Bahá’í community of Stamford was moved by the request of the National Spiritual Assembly that each person prayerfully consider the information given to him at the Feast of Rahmat. We decided to consult as a community at the next Feast, bringing with us our personal reflections on the situation of the National Fund, and are moved to share some of our thoughts through The American Bahá’í:

The over-all reaction to the National Assembly’s letter was one of surprise. Few of us realized the financial position from which the National Assembly is required to operate.

The situation was likened to trying to operate one’s household on a budget under similar circumstances. We considered the test of having only the funds to cover one-quarter of budgeted expenses while relying on faith and credit to cover the three-quarters left over.

There are usually ways to skimp and cut corners in a household, but none of our national projects, as listed by the National Assembly for the coming year, should ever be short-changed or limited because of insufficient funds to support them.

When we declare our belief in Bahá’u’lláh, we step onto a path of sacrifice as individuals and as communities. We remembered the beloved friends in Iran who have died for that belief. For those of us who live in the U.S., the sacrifice may be material. In the ultimate analysis, our support of the Funds is a call to demonstrate our love for Bahá’u’lláh. Our

See LETTERS page 14

On June 14, a group of six young Bahá’ís from Texas began a teaching trip across New Mexico on their way to the Colorado Bahá’í School. The goal was to visit isolated believers and revitalize communities with their youthful energy. They conducted firesides and deepenings on a variety of topics including the station of life of Bahá’u’lláh, the Covenant, racism, and the station of youth. These events always included music and Bahá’í songs. Pictured (clockwise from bottom left) are Shoaleh Hedayati, Afsaneh Ighani, Leyla Hedayati, Farshid Ighani, Sheila Hazen and Forris Hazen. The youth were accompanied by Vahid Hedayati, a Bahá’í from Graham, Texas. [Page 6]

The Bahá’í Newsreel, Volume 3, Number 2

by Bahá’í Media Services VT $15.95

SPECIAL HOLY YEAR EDITION! Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh—expanded coverage of the commemoration services in the Holy Land and around the world. Twelve new National Spiritual Assemblies formed at Ridván. Brazilian Federal Chamber of deputies holds solemn plenary session to pay homage to Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í International Community addresses world leaders at UNCED “Earth Summit” in Rio de ‎Janiero Janeiro‎. BIC activities at the related “Global Forum” conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Rio: Symposium on moral leadership, contribution of Bahá’í children and youth, “Global 500” award for Bahá’í Institute in India, Peace Monument—enduring Bahá’í legacy. Commemorative postal stamps in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister of Guyana responds to Bahá’í development activities. Bahá’í leadership on race issues in the wake of the Los Angeles riots in America. Tribal chiefs embrace the Faith as the “Ocean of Light” spreads to Vanuatu. 48 minutes

New Pamphlets

Bahá’í Prayers A Selection SC $.50

An inexpensive, introductory selection of prayers from the Bahá’í writings. Included is Blessed is the Spot, the short obligatory prayer, and prayers for assistance, morning, journey, night, children, youth, parents, healing, spiritual growth, forgiveness, the departed, mankind, teaching, and unity. Also included are selections from The Hidden Words and a calendar of the Nineteen Day Feast. An excellent gift. 3" x 4-1/4", 29pp., table of contents Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Malaysia

The Bahá’í Faith, What Is It? PA 10/pk $3.50 100/pk $25.00

This pamphlet answers the most frequently asked questions about the Bahá’í Faith, provides an excellent outline of the tenets of the Faith, describes what the Bahá’í’s role in helping to improve the state of the world should be, discusses the importance of daily prayer and feasts and firesides in Bahá’í community life, and concludes with a statement about the hopeful future of humankind. 6-panel, slimline format Bahá’í Booksource

The Life of the Soul PA 10/pk $3.50 100/pk $25.00

This pamphlet contains a collection of quotations that discuss the nature, progress, development, and purpose of the human soul. It also addresses the soul’s passage through death into life in the next world, and deals with questions such as, “Will souls recognize one another in the spiritual world?” and “Does the soul live forever?” 6-panel, slimline format Bahá’í Booksource

Special Times

by Susan Engle and Jean White CS $9.95

Popular songwriter Susan Engle has teamed up with Jean White, Priscilla Jeanne, and Nina Doering to produce a new cassette tape for children. The cassette is divided into seven sections that correspond to parts of Bahá’í life that are familiar to Bahá’í children: Waking Up, Morning Prayers, Bahá’í Schools, Teaching The Cause of God, Feast, Holy Days, and Going to Bed. Dialogue between a parent and child introduces each section. Instrumental accompaniment is intentionally sparse, says Susan Engle, to help “celebrate the use of the human voice and to encourage people to sing.” Quotations from the Bahá’í writings are both spoken and sung to aid memorization. If you enjoyed Come and Sing or Loving Hands, you’ll love this cassette. Approx. 60 minutes Shoestring Productions

Day of Glory

The Life of Bahá’u’lláh by Mary Perkins HC $24.95 SC $11.95

Beginning with the childhood of Bahá’u’lláh, this clear, straightforward, and readable sequel to Hour of the Dawn: The Life of the Báb briefly examines the same period as its companion volume, focusing on the life of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Also covered are His days as the exemplary Disciple of the Báb; His imprisonment in Tehran’s “Black Pit”; the intimation He received telling Him that He is the Promised One of all ages; His banishment from Persia; and His journeys in exile from Tehran to Baghdad, to Constantinople, to Adrianople, and finally to ‘Akká, the Most Great Prison on the edge of the Ottoman Empire. 8" x 5", 160pp. George Ronald, Publisher

Occasions of Grace

by Roger White SC $11.95

Here is the long-awaited major volume of Roger White’s works written over the last decade since his previous two collections Another Song, Another Season and A Witness of Pebbles.

This new collection brings together a wide selection of poems, portrayals, vignettes and a good dash of White’s well-loved humor. It delicately balances a sympathetic portrayal of the strength of the Faith and its adherents with a portrayal of the vagaries of twentieth century life. Truly a portrayal of the new and old world orders. 8-1/4" x 5-1/2" George Ronald, Publisher

World Congress Commemoratives

Two official commemorative items designed to reflect the meaning and significance of the Bahá’í World Congress have been created. By purchasing these, you will help defray the costs of this historic event called by the Universal House of Justice to proclaim the unifying power of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

Posters

A unique presentation of Bahá’u’lláh’s words surrounded by lively colorful borders and patterns that reflect the Bahá’í Communities coming together in New York. Printed on archival quality acid-free paper. Suitable for framing. Available with two different quotations and in two sizes. World Congress Office

Medallion

$35.00 each

A ‎three- inch three-inch‎ bronze medal. One side depicts the familiar World Congress logo. The other side presents a “hoop of many hoops” pattern surrounded by words to remind us of the event’s significance. World Congress Office

“Unity” Poster large (16" x 23") $5.00 each “Faith” Poster large (16" x 23") $5.00 each

“Unity” Poster small (7" x 10") 5 for $5.00 “Faith” Poster small (7" x 10") 5 for $5.00

Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service • 1-800-999-9019

MASHÍYYAT B.E. 149 / SEPTEMBER 27, 1992 [Page 7]

Bahá’u’lláh Art Print

AP $5.00

Bahá’í Publications Australia has produced an inexpensive full-color poster using the same cover as the hardcover and general editions of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh. Suitable for framing or for use at public gatherings and book displays. The quote at the bottom of the poster reads:

“We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations . . . That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race annulled—what harm is there in this?”

20-3/4" x 15"

The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh

by Adib Taherzadeh
HC $39.95

This book provides material for the study of the Covenant. The eternal relationship of the human soul to its God is expressed today in faithfulness to the revelation of God’s will for humanity through Bahá’u’lláh, the Universal Manifestation. Mr. Taherzadeh refrained from discussing the Covenant in his series entitled The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Now, we have a wonderful tool for deepening our understanding of the instrument through which God’s will is expressed and His blessings are channeled.

The Kitáb-i-‘Ahd, Bahá’u’lláh’s own Will and Testament, and the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are quoted in full in this volume, and the historical events they refer to are explained.

6-¼" x 9-½", 504 pp., 35 illustrations, table of contents, ‎forward foreword‎, introduction, prologue, appendices, bibliography, references, index
George Ronald, Publisher

Models of Unity

Racial, Ethnic, and Religious
a project of the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
SC $1.00 (net)

In the spring of 1991, the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States established a joint project to identify successful examples of interracial unity in the greater Chicago area. They were convinced that models of unity were common, but both organizations were concerned that reports of interracial violence, confrontation, and conflict, far exceeded those of interracial harmony, peaceful coexistence, and unity. The Models of Unity reports on their success in finding such examples in the Chicago area.

8-½" x 11", 15pp.

Ride the Wave

by Cindy Savage
SC $6.95

Have you ever wished that you had a book to give older children between the ages of nine and fifteen? This book may be the answer. Popular children’s writer Cindy Savage, author of Nothing in Common, launches an exciting new series for youth that focuses on a Bahá’í youth club in America. The Riverview High Bahá’í Club, in an effort to proclaim the Faith, puts together a special act for a school talent show. Much to their surprise their unity song, accompanied by sign language, wins first prize. Requests pour in from community organizations, and before they have time to take a deep breath they are a local sensation. But now they are faced with problems of an unexpected nature. This book, the first in the new series Youth Wave, introduces all the main characters in a lively, fast-paced story that explores teaching, consultation, and equality.

5-1/8" x 7-¾", 92pp.
Oneworld Publications, Ltd.

Bahá’í Families

Perspectives, Principles, Practice
by Patricia Wilcox
SC $10.95

When two people marry they set about creating a family unit. Each one has an idea of what a family should be. Where do these ideas come from?

Bahá’ís derive their understanding of marriage from the Bahá’í Writings, a priceless storehouse of divine guidance.

In Bahá’í Families: Perspectives, Principles, Practice Patricia Wilcox—teacher, family counsellor, and mother of five—draws on the teaching of the Bahá’í Faith to provide an insight into the development of happy, strong, and united families. In particular, she looks at marriage as a “fortress for well-being,” unity and diversity within the family, the equality of women and men, and family in transition. She also examines the education of children and consultation as a tool for progress.

5-1/4" x 8-½", 166pp., contents, ‎foreward foreword‎, references, bibliography
George Ronald, Publisher

RELATED TEXTS:

• Creating a Successful Family
• Family Worship
• Guidelines for Parents
• Living the Life
• Mothers, Fathers, and Children
• Raising Children as Peacemakers

RECENT NEW TITLES

CHI: Bahá’u’lláh SC $3.00	The Invisible Hand SC $9.95
Hidden Words (British Edition) HC $14.95 / SC $9.95	Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh PS $3.00
Education on Trial SC $14.95	Seven Valleys (British Edition) HC $14.95 / SC $9.95
Nearness to God, HC HC $14.95	Garden of Bahá’u’lláh HC $9.95

ADDITIONAL SALE ITEMS!

Bahá’í Datebook (Australia) SC $3.25 $2.00 net	Compilation of Compilations HC $39.95 $25.00 net
Bahá’í Faith in America, Vol. 1 HC $9.95 $5.00	The Gift of Life 10/pkg. $6.95 $4.25
The Power of Unity SC $6.50 $3.25 net	My Baby Book HC $8.00 $5.25
Bahá’í Wall Calendar $2.75 $1.75	Creating Patterns of Unity Study Guide SC $6.95 $3.50 net

Bahá’í Distribution Service / 1-800-999-9019

5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 FAX 1-615-843-0836 ANA_

Ordered by: (Please print or type) Date ________

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School is seeking a recreational leader for its 1993 summer program. This person will work up to 40 hours per week during the summer session—10/11 weeks during the summer program—and will be housed on campus. Pay consists of room and board and 20 hours per week at minimum wage. Qualifications include knowledge of basic recreational activities such as volleyball, swimming, ping pong, baseball/softball. In addition, the person hired will be expected to conduct exercise/aerobics classes and morning jogs/walks, and will be responsible for checking out and maintaining in an orderly fashion all athletic/recreational equipment. This individual should also be able to serve as a swimming pool lifeguard, and musical talent would be helpful for sing-alongs and participation as needed during evening programs. Those who are interested should send a letter of intent to the Bosch School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387 (fax 408-423-7564). Bosch will send an application form to those who ask for it by letter, phone or fax. Those who apply should understand that transportation at Bosch is limited, and the school is a good distance from metro areas, shopping centers or public transport. Service in this position would begin in early June 1993.

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School has a regular and continuing need for short-term and long-term volunteers in a variety of areas. Applications to serve are especially invited from individuals and/or couples interested in one-year or longer periods of service. The school is seeking help from professionally skilled Bahá’ís able to serve the school for a few days or weeks at regular intervals throughout the year. Especially needed are mechanics; building maintenance and heating/air conditioning specialists; gardeners and agriculturalists; and carpenters to provide scheduled service at mutually convenient times during the year and to help with preventive maintenance programs, seasonally-urgent projects, and special property-enhancement projects. Also needed is a talented gardener or small-scale agriculturalist who can offer long-term full-time service to the school. Room and board and full participation in Louhelen’s active Bahá’í conference schedule and community life are available for the person or couple invited to serve in this extremely important role. Those who are interested in any of these positions are asked to write to Dr. Rick Johnson, director, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033; fax 313-653-7181).

A FULL-TIME position (40 hours a week) for a food services manager/cook is available beginning in late October-early November at the Bosch Bahá’í School. Must have experience in ordering, preparing and storing food for groups of up to 150 people, three meals per day. Must have management skills associated with directing/supervising other food services/kitchen employees. Should have experience in the use of all major restaurant food preparation equipment—ovens, ranges, convection and microwave equipment, industrial food mixers and dishwashers. Should have a basic understanding of food refrigeration and some knowledge of menu planning and nutrition. Please send a letter of intent to the Bosch School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564. References are required. The school will send applications on receipt of the letter or phone/fax calls. Housing at Bosch may be available; a car is necessary, as the school is some distance from major shopping and population centers.

ASSISTANT cook: a full-time position during the summer program (10-12) weeks and part-time the rest of the year (20-30 hours per week depending on the session) at the Bosch Bahá’í School. Should have experience in food preparation for large groups—up to 150—breakfast, lunch and dinner. Knowledge of meal planning, menu preparation, nutrition and use of restaurant-type kitchen equipment would be helpful. Housing at Bosch may be available. Please send a letter of intent to the Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone 408-423-3387 or fax materials to 408-423-7564. Bosch will send application forms on receipt of letters of intent or phone/fax calls. A car is necessary, as the school is some distance from major shopping and population centers.

THE MAXWELL International Bahá’í School in Canada regularly needs retired persons to volunteer in supervisory/managerial positions such as for the uniform shop, laundry service, front desk, etc. Youth volunteers are also needed in many areas. Room and board provided. If you are interested, please apply to the Service Coordinator, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia VOR 2W0, Canada, or telephone 604-743-7144.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

FAYETTEVILLE, Georgia, needs four active adult Bahá’ís to raise the Group to Assembly status. We are presently five adults and five children who are seeking other souls on fire with the love of God to help teach the masses in this area. We recently held a successful Race Unity Day event, and soon will present copies of the race unity statement to the mayor and other local officials. We need ardent souls to help set the area aflame and receive the bounties conferred on a local Assembly. Fayetteville offers good schools, employment opportunities, and easy access to Atlanta and the airport. Come visit, or write or phone for more information to Bernice Rosenstreich Hunter, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (phone 404-460-9831).

THE BAHÁ’Í community of Bainbridge Island, Washington, is seeking homefront pioneers. We've just formed our first Assembly but need more believers to strengthen the community. Bainbridge Island, in growing Kitsap County, is a suburb of Seattle on Puget Sound, a 30-minute ferry ride from city jobs. Excellent schools and rural lifestyle within hours of the Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Ocean beaches. Indian Reservations are nearby. Write to P.O. Box 11728, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, or phone 206-842-9788.

NEEDED: Bahá’ís who are interested in relocating to Jackson, Michigan, to help the local Spiritual Assembly which is in jeopardy. For more information, please phone Alexandra Rivera-Rule, 517-783-6236.

DOCTORS and other health care professionals are desperately needed to serve Indian communities in Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. This homefront pioneering opportunity includes the potential for carrying Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to American Indians. For more information, please phone Ada James at the National Teaching Committee Office, 708-869-9039.

COLORS needed: white crayons seek rich tones with which to brighten the box. The Bahá’í communities of Greenwich, Schuylerville, Easton, Fort Edward and Saratoga, New York, would like to diversify the area with many skin tones. Near the state capital and other small to medium cities, the Greenwich area offers close community relationships, easy access to larger towns (30-45 minutes), and access to Vermont's recreational and historic sites. If you would like to know more about the economic security, social attitudes, job opportunities, educational systems and property rates in the area, please phone the Gometz family, 518-692-9094. You are also invited to spend a weekend for an "up close and personal" view of the area. Local Bahá’ís will help you.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

AFRICA-Niger: country director for a non-profit organization. Tanzania: English teachers. Uganda: physicians. AMERICAS-Brazil: elementary school teachers, kindergarten teacher. El Salvador: project manager, tests and measurement specialist. Guatemala: caretaker couple, project manager. ASIA-Cambodia: program director, program administrator, public health nurse for women's health training program. Laos: water resource development coordinator. Macau: assistant country representative/Asia. Singapore: software programmer. EUROPE-Czechoslovakia: history/social studies teacher. URGENT need in Brazil for a kindergarten teacher and two elementary school teachers for the School of Nations Bahá’í School. The Peace Corps is now actively recruiting for volunteer specialists in agribusiness, business, economics, banking and management to go to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Republics. The National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala is seeking an older, retired couple to occupy caretaker house at their national institute. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering.

WANTED

FORUM, a new international Bahá’í magazine, is being published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand. The quarterly magazine, whose purpose is to bring Bahá’ís closer together by promoting an exchange of information and ideas, invites contributions from writers. If you have something to offer, or would like more information about the magazine, please write to Forum, c/o The Marshall Family, Dunedin, New Zealand (phone/fax (64 3) 473-7279).

WANTED: your personal “Bahá’í” stories (audio taped, handwritten or typed) for a collection to be shared at Bahá’í schools and in book form (the working title is "Stories of Everyday Miracles"). The four categories in which I am most interested are (1) your personal teaching stories/triumphs; (2) how/when/ where you became a Bahá’í (your own story of seeking); (3) stories that confirm "there are no accidents or coincidences"; and (4) your most meaningful “Bahá’í” dream (what it was and how it has affected your life choices since). Don't worry about spelling or grammar. Please take the time to help me record the life stories and Bahá’í history that we "children of the half-light" are helping to create. Please send stories to Anne R. Jennison, Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603-659-3868).

WANTED: writers, commercial and graphic artists, book or magazine publishers, and anyone knowledgeable in Persian history during the Bábí era to help produce a high-quality comic book, an illustrated version of The Dawn-Breakers. If interested, please contact Vince Gohlston, Kansas City, MO 64131, or phone him at 816-941-4773.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, is known as the City of Festivals, and the Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukee would like to make Race Unity Day/Weekend one of the best festivals of them all. This year's event, the only one in the city promoting its cultural diversity, drew more than 1,000 people. To make it an even greater success, the friends are looking for entertainers from diverse backgrounds. If you are interested in taking part, please send a letter outlining talent and fee considerations to: Race Unity Day Task Force, Milwaukee Bahá’í Center, 2526 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53205.

I AM SEEKING biographical information, photographs and personal anecdotes about Mary Tucker Hatcher to augment some notebooks and audio taped interviews that have been placed in my keeping. The information gathered will be organized into book form, with emphasis on Mary's career as a Bahá’í teacher and homefront pioneer in New Hampshire. Please send any photos, letters or your handwritten, typewritten or taped reminiscences (don't worry about spelling, grammar, etc.) to Anne R. Jennison, Lee, NH 03824 (phone 603-659-3868).

WANTED: black and white photographs of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice with permission to use them on one side of a new printing of a wallet-sized prayer and/or proclamation card. Please send photos to Instant Assistance, St. Charles, IL 60174.

WANTED: correspondence from isolated believers. Knowing how lonely it can be, especially on Feasts and Holy Days, I would like to start a correspondence club to bring isolated believers together to discuss successes, problems, teaching efforts, and to deepen on matters of the Faith. Please write to M.J.A. Isaacs, Alpine, TX 79830. All correspondence will be answered.

WANTED: help for the Bahá’í World Congress Youth Movement Forum in November. If you are a youth who is an experienced sound/lighting technician or stage manager, and if you plan to attend the Congress and would like to help, please contact the Bahá’í World Congress Youth Movement Forum, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 119, New York, NY 10017.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Francis J. McConnell, James P. McCormick, Margery McCormick (died Wilmette, IL 1964), Allen McDaniel (died Lemon Grove, CA, 1965), Margaret McDaniel (died Waterford, VA, 1960), and James McFarlane. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives has available several free information sheets on local archives and records. Any local Spiritual Assembly that wishes to have a copy should write to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

FOR SALE

A SELECTION of six 8 1/2 by 11-inch reproducible flyers addressing issues relevant to American Indians is being offered by the Regional American Indian Teaching Committee for the Southern West States. For more information, please contact the committee, c/o Mike Bigler, Stillwater, OK 74074.

MISCELLANEOUS

A RESOURCE LIST of Bahá’í environmental professionals is being compiled, the immediate purpose of which is to include Bahá’ís in overseas environmental projects with international agencies. Opportunities may be short-term or long-term with a special focus on projects in Eastern Europe. The list is being compiled in consultation with the Bahá’í International Community Office of the Environment and the International Teaching Center. If interested, please forward your résumé to Alexander Tavangar, Geo-Environmental Consultants Inc., 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Suite 140, Malvern, PA 19355. Fax 215-251-2366; telephone 215-251-0900. [Page 9]

World News

In North London, England, almost 2,500 Bahá’ís from Great Britain and many from abroad commemorated the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh with a program May 29 at the resting place of the beloved Guardian in the New Southgate Cemetery. The cemetery’s Chapel of Rest was made available to the Bahá’ís for the entire day and was used to display several holy relics associated with Bahá’u’lláh including a cloak, a pair of slippers, and a lock of His hair. Each person who visited the chapel was given as a memento a few petals gathered from the Guardian’s resting-place. It was reported that the BBC World Service and its local radio stations gave extensive coverage to the Faith at the time of the events held to commemorate the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Ascension.

The President and Prime Minister of Guyana were among the 250 prominent persons who attended a banquet June 19 in Georgetown to launch the Holy Year. Keynote speaker at the gathering, which was hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana, was Techeste Ahderom, representative of the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations in New York City.

Radio and television stations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, “reverberated with the name of Bahá’u’lláh” for an entire week in May as they issued invitations to three public meetings held May 30 to commemorate the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. About 2,000 people attended the gatherings, the largest of which was held in a modern building with deluxe facilities. During each program, a chairman and three panelists led talks that centered on the history, teachings and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.

On May 30, the President of Kiribati as well as several government ministers and their spouses and the New Zealand High Commissioner attended a meeting to commemorate the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.

An enthusiastic audience of about 2,000 attended the “Live Unity” concert held May 26 in Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada.

On Mount Carmel, the anchored retaining wall at the site of the Center for the Study of the Texts continues to be built as progress is made from the top down. As of June, more than 60,000 cubic meters of rock had been excavated.

A children’s concert that same morning drew more than 1,200 young people. Performers at the concerts included Dizzy Gillespie, Seals and Crofts, Dan Seals, Buffy St. Marie, Red Grammer, Airto, Douglas John Cameron, Russian tenor Renat Ibragimov, and Chinese soprano Ming Ying Zhu. YTV, a national television station offering programs for younger viewers, taped the concert and will be showing it as a special feature in November.

On March 21, Madagascar’s national radio station broadcast a 20-minute early evening program of Bahá’í reading prayers, sharing news of the Bahá’í community around the world, and presenting commentaries on the Bahá’í writings. The program was the first in a planned series to be broadcast on the eve of every Nineteen Day Feast.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, addressed a public program June 17 at the University of Mauritius to mark the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. The minister of Arts and Culture also spoke to the audience of 700 including mayors and other distinguished guests.

On May 29, the Hon. Leonard Gibbons, minister of Cultural Affairs for Bermuda, whose portfolio includes responsibility for religion and human rights, made the following statement in the House of Assembly: “The Bahá’í community of Bermuda, along with Bahá’ís around the world, is today observing the centenary of the passing of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh. A special observance has taken place in Israel, and among the some 3,500 participants are 14 members of the local community. The Bahá’ís have made a significant contribution to Bermuda, and I feel that this House should recognize them on this, a very special day on their calendar.” Bermuda’s parliamentary sessions are broadcast live on radio.

At the close of the Six Year Plan, the number of local Spiritual Assemblies in Canada had risen from 342 to 410, surpassing by 10 the goal set for the Plan.

In fulfillment of a hope that “the friends from the two former states of East and West Germany [would] get to know each other better and grow together,” about 50 Bahá’ís from all over Germany met June 5-8 in a 500-year-old castle in Saxony. The seminar dwelt on aspects of the Holy Year.

George Price, the Prime Minister of Belize, received a delegation of Bahá’ís on April 21 and was presented a copy of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh. The Prime Minister asked many questions about Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í teachings, and the relationship of the Faith to Christianity, and expressed his appreciation to the Bahá’ís for bringing him news of the Holy Year.

A successful Bahá’í-sponsored exhibit was held recently at a junior high school in Stanley, Falkland Islands. Panels depicting the history and principles of the Faith, progressive revelation, the Bahá’í Houses of Worship, and the World Center were erected. Visitors could also see videos about the World Center and the San Francisco Peace Conference. Two local radio stations broadcast an interview with one of the friends, and the newspaper published a number of photographs of the exhibit.

Mainly through the efforts of Bahá’í students, a school in Bata, Equatorial Guinea—a country in which religion is an obligatory subject, one that is graded like any other—has recognized the Faith as an independent religion and authorized classes on the Faith to be held at the local Bahá’í Center with exam results reported to the school director.

Bahá’ís take part in parade, proclaim Faith as part of St. Mary’s sesquicentennial

On June 27, some 30 Bahá’ís from Ohio, New York, and western Pennsylvania took part in the St. Mary’s (Pennsylvania) Sesquicentennial Parade.

Following the parade, Bahá’ís in the area held a week-long proclamation that included a book display, three-day open house, a Holy Day observance and public meeting. Events were reported by two radio stations and the local newspaper and advertised via posters.

Excavation work to prepare the site of the four terraces immediately below the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel unearthed a burial chamber containing five graves including one clay coffin. A team of archaeologists from the Israel Department of Antiquities removed the remains and coffin from the site. They believe the graves are 1,500 years old and date from the Byzantine period. [Page 10]

Sugerencias para entender y vivir la grandeza de este Año Santo

Tomado del boletín de noticias de Colombia, El Esplendor.

Este Ridvan comenzó el año Santo en conmemoración al centenario de la Ascensión de Bahá’u’lláh y de Su Convenio. Más que un nombre señalando un año de celebraciones especiales, es un período bendito una realidad palpable—cuyas inmensas potencialidades podemos ir vislumbrando según la intensidad de nuestra fe y reflexión y la sinceridad de nuestros esfuerzos.

LA CASA Universal de Justicia nos ha dicho que éste "es un período saturado de significado incalculable y lleno de posibilidades de mayores adelantos de la Fe de Bahá’u’lláh.

"Cuando estamos en el ayuno somos testigos del poder de días designados por Dios con un propósito santo. Bahá’u’lláh en una oración de ayuno promete que Dios 'ha dotado a cada hora de estos días con una virtud especial y a cada alma con una porción de esta virtud.'"

Podemos entonces meditar sobre las potencialidades en todo un Año Santo—un año dedicado al Más Grande Nombre—a la Más Grande Revelación de Dios desde tiempo inmemorial. Sobre este día Bahá’u’lláh mismo proclama:

"Doy testimonio ante Dios de la Grandeza, la inconcebible grandeza de esta Revelación. En esta potentísima Revelación todas las dispensaciones del pasado han alcanzado su más elevada y final consumación." ¿Cuántas virtudes no hay latentes en estos días del Año Santo? Entonces, ¿cuántas oportunidades jamás soñadas se nos pueden presentar? ¿cuánto poder no se desatará al proclamar el nombre de Bahá’u’lláh como nunca antes?

La Casa Universal de Justicia afirma que "un año cargado de eventos de un significado tan sagrado no puede sino producir consecuencias de un poder inimaginable."

En este momento estamos entrando "en una nueva fase" en la historia de la Fe y del mundo. Aunque la Fe Bahá’í está conociéndose cada día más como una religión mundial de principios universales y bellos, falta conocer entre la gran mayoría de la humanidad el nombre, la persona y la magnitud espiritual de su Divino Autor, Bahá’u’lláh. El emblazonar el nombre de Bahá’u’lláh por toda la tierra damos a conocer la fuente misma de todo bien, de todo poder espiritual.

Ahora bien, para lograr lo mencionado anteriormente cada individuo Bahá’í tiene esta gran responsabilidad. Pero ¿cómo obtener estas victorias espirituales?, es la pregunta que muchas personas hacen. ¿Qué debo hacer para emblazonar el nombre de Bahá’u’lláh?. Innumerables son las actividades que podemos hacer. Pero hay que partir de un principio que es el de una preparación individual y por otro el de una participación universal en todos los eventos que se lleven a cabo. Para el primero, es decir preparación individual, algunos objetivos que se pueden proponer son:

Preparación individual por medio de la oración y el estudio de las enseñanzas. La Casa Universal de Justicia escribe en uno de sus mensajes:

"Los amigos deben prepararse espiritualmente por medio de la oración y el estudio de las enseñanzas para obtener una apreciación más profunda de la estación y del propósito de Bahá’u’lláh y del significado básico de su poderoso convenio. Tal preparación se encuentra en el corazón mismo de su esfuerzo por efectuar una transformación en su vida individual y colectiva. Que todo hombre, toda mujer y todo joven demuestren por medio de la alta calidad de su vida interior y carácter privado, que ellos pertenecen a una comunidad verdaderamente iluminada y ejemplar; que su Bienamado cuya ascensión conmemoran, no había sufrido su vida terrenal en vano.

"Que estos requisitos sean la norma de sus esfuerzos por enseñar Su Causa, el sello de su homenaje al Rey de los Reyes."

Es decir que este estudio y profundización debe llevar a transformar nuestras vidas tal como la confirma la Casa Universal de Justicia: "La transformación es el propósito esencial de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh, pero el lograrlo en obediencia al Convenio depende de la voluntad y del esfuerzo del individuo. Para el progreso de esta transformación, el propósito de nuestras vidas, es necesario el conocimiento de la voluntad y el propósito de Dios a través de la lectura y estudio regular de la Palabra Sagrada."

PERO ESTA preparación espiritual de las enseñanzas Bahá’ís tiene un límite? ¿Llegará el día en que tengamos conocimiento de todos los Escritos Sagrados? Realmente como menciona Bahá’u’lláh, "el océano de las palabras de Dios es ilimitado," y por lo tanto toda nuestra vida debe ser dedicada al estudio y profundización. Este estudio de las enseñanzas debe tener un fruto, y el fruto es que lleguemos a convertirnos en "instruidos espiritualmente," tal como lo describe ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

"Los instruidos espiritualmente son lámparas de guía entre las naciones y estrellas de buena fortuna resplandeciendo desde los horizontes de la humanidad. Son las fuentes de vida para aquellos que yacen en la muerte de la ignorancia y la inconsciencia, los claros manantiales de las perfecciones para aquellos sedientos que vagan en el yermo de sus defectos y errores. Son los hábiles médicos para el doliente cuerpo del mundo, son el seguro antídoto contra el veneno que ha corrompido a la sociedad humana. Son la fuerte ciudadela protectora de la humanidad, y el inexpugnable santuario para los penosamente afligidos y atormentadas víctimas de la ignorancia. El conocimiento es una luz la cual Dios vierte en el corazón de quienquiera El desea."

Por tanto cada uno de nosotros debemos llegar a convertirnos en "Instruidos Espiritualmente," el cual según ‘Abdu’l-Bahá debe caracterizarse por: "Las perfecciones, interiores como por las exteriores; debe poseer un buen carácter, una naturaleza iluminada, una intención pura, así como poderío intelectual, genio y discernimiento, intuición, discreción y perspicacia, templanza, reverencia y un sincero temor de Dios." Estos Instruidos Espiritualmente se pueden tomar como eruditos, los cuales en el mundo los califican con otras cualidades y atributos, pero ‘Abdu’l-Bahá prosigue: "Quienquiera que no posea estas calificaciones divinas y no demuestre estos ineludibles requisitos en su propia vida, no debe ser considerado como erudito, ni digno de servir como modelo para los creyentes."

Levantarnos con completa sinceridad y pureza de intención a enseñar la Causa. "Si alguien se levantara para promover la Palabra de Dios con corazón puro, desbordándose con el amor de Dios y apartado del mundo, el Señor de las Huestes lo asistirá con tal poder como para penetrar el núcleo de los seres existentes."

EN EL MENSAJE de Ridvan de este año, la Casa Universal de Justicia nos exhorta a que "llevemos Su nombre con dignidad a aquellos que lo deban escuchar, ofrezcámoslo como un tesoro a aquellos que lo deban recibir, mencionémoslo con amor a aquellos que lo deban abrazar." Luego nos invita amorosamente a todos los Bahá’ís a lanzar una campaña personal de enseñanza.

Una de las maneras de enseñar la Fe es por medio de la participación en las campañas y proyectos de enseñanza que año tras año las comunidades realizan. Podemos recordar muchas actividades de profundo significado que hemos realizado en estas campañas y proyectos. La labor intensa, la disciplina espiritual, el amor desprendido, el aprendizaje espiritual; el enriquecimiento que obtenemos al participar de las campañas y proyectos organizados por nuestras instituciones es de beneficio no solo individual sino también colectivo.

Pero para enseñar la Fe hay inmensidad de cosas en las cuales como Bahá’ís podemos involucrarnos. Algunas sugerencias que se pueden dar para difundir el mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh e involucrar a todos los niveles de la sociedad son:

• Contactar los medios masivos de comunicación: radio, prensa, TV, anunciando los eventos que a nivel nacional e internacional se llevan a cabo durante este año. Los periodistas y reporteros en todo el mundo se dirigen a reportar eventos, no ideas; a reportar sobre tendencias actuales, no sobre historia. Según el grupo de trabajo de Medios Masivos del Congreso Mundial, creen que la manera de estimular un interés tal es de concentrarse en superlativos de la Fe Bahá’í. La primera tendencia para la mayoría de las noticias presentadas en los medios masivos surge de alguna estadística o tendencia que gire en torno a algún tipo de superlativo. Algunos de los aspectos que podrían plantearse al contactar un medio de comunicación son:

LA FE Bahá’í está creciendo rápidamente. Es la segunda religión de mayor dispersión en el mundo después del cristianismo. La Fe Bahá’í es la religión mundial independiente más nueva del mundo y tiene varias facetas únicas. Sobresalen las siguientes: su administración única, su historia de unidad y su integración característica de principios sociales y espirituales. En su naturaleza distintiva refleja varias de las tendencias positivas que vemos en el mundo, desde el nuevo énfasis sobre "multiculturalismo" hasta la descentralización de la toma de decisiones; desde un compromiso renovado a la vida familiar hasta el "Nuevo Orden Mundial."

• Realización de foros con temas de interés al público, contactando a instituciones que tengan que ver con el tema escogido. Se sugiere la consulta con comunidades que hayan realizado esta clase de eventos a fin de conocer en detalle la preparación que se requiere para llevar a cabo un foro.

• Eventos públicos en parques, plazas, etc. que permitan proclamar el nombre de Bahá’u’lláh, en una forma digna.

• Búsqueda de otros métodos que permitan emblazonar el nombre de Bahá’u’lláh. Conociendo las capacidades artísticas que hay en el País animamos a todas aquellas personas que posean estas aptitudes de encaminar sus esfuerzos a la utilización de diferentes medios que permitan llegar a las personas dándoles a conocer el mensaje que proclama Bahá’u’lláh.

Estas son algunas sugerencias que se pueden tener en cuenta al realizar los planes en las comunidades bajo la cariñosa guía de las Asambleas Locales y DTC's. Lo importante es levantarnos y con todas nuestras fuerzas dedicadas al servicio y proclamación de nuestra Amada Causa, hacer un compromiso que transcienda todo límite, las intenciones buenas no son en sí suficientes para lograr éxitos.

Para terminar recordemos estas palabras del Amado Maestro: "Trabajad! Trabajad con todas vuestras fuerzas; difundid la Causa del Reino entre los hombres. ...Amad y obedeced a vuestro Padre Celestial, y descansad seguros de que la ayuda divina es vuestra. Verdaderamente os digo que vosotros conquistaréis el mundo! Tan solo tened fe, paciencia y valor; este es solo el comienzo, pero seguramente triunfaréis, pues Dios esta con vosotros."

Bahá’í Nathan Rutstein appears on radio show in Louisville; to repeat appearance in October

Nathan Rutstein, a Bahá’í who is the author of To Be One and other books, was the guest on a recent three-hour radio talk show while visiting the Bahá’í communities of Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky.

The main topic of the program was race relations, with Mr. Rutstein expressing Bahá’í viewpoints on the topic and answering questions from listeners who phoned in.

Mr. Rutstein has been invited by the University of Louisville to return to the city in October to establish an institute for the healing of racism, and while there may appear again on the same radio talk show.

Since the station is clear-channel (unobstructed by other frequencies), it can be heard it most areas of the country. The time to listen is between 9 p.m. and midnight Eastern time on either October 15 or 16. The frequency is 840 on one's AM dial.

Stories Wanted: Race Unity Activities

The National Teaching Office wants information on various efforts in which Bahá’ís are engaged to promote race unity. We would like to be able to share more news and information in upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í and create a network that will enable the friends throughout the country to replicate successful initiatives. Please send a summary of your efforts with photographs, when available, to: National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 708-869-9039; Fax 708-869-0247. [Page 11]

Southeast Asian Helpers Conference held at Louhelen School

A Southeast Asian Helpers Conference was held July 24-26 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. The theme was "Connecting the Hearts of the Southeast Asians to Bahá’u’lláh."

Its purpose was to discover the cultural similarities that can help local Bahá’í communities consolidate Southeast Asian Bahá’ís in the Holy Year and empower their leaders to feel a part of that process. The conference underscored the importance of finding, befriending and deepening Southeast Asian Bahá’ís as soon as they arrive in the U.S.

Also, the Buddhist background of many Southeast Asians leaves them ready to accept Bahá’u’lláh as the newest Buddha and to pattern their lives after His teachings.

Cultures represented included Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese, German, Persian, Canadian and American. This fostered a unique atmosphere of loving care and commitment toward bringing Southeast Asians closer to the life and work of the Faith.

A number of Southeast Asians addressed the conference, among them Chue Chang, a Hmong leader from San Diego, California, who spoke about Bahá’u’lláh, His Revelation and working with the Southeast Asian people; and Soeun Soeurn, a Cambodian leader from Lowell, Massachusetts, who presented a talk on Buddhism and the Bahá’í Faith.

Bijan Bayzaee, a former pioneer to Laos, spoke about the importance of the Holy Year, and Dr. Marian Davis Lawyer, a current pioneer to Laos and former pioneer to Thailand, spoke about the Bahá’ís as one family and shared arts, crafts and stories from Laos.

On Saturday evening those at the conference took part in a multicultural celebration that included songs, cultural dances, story-telling and calligraphy in a joyful and family-like atmosphere.

At the closing session the next morning, Mr. Chang led a discussion of how to reach and teach Southeast Asians. This led to a number of insights and plans of action from the Southeast Asian leaders, clarifying the perceptions and expectations of Southeast Asians that are so crucial to bringing them closer to Bahá’u’lláh:

• finding and befriending Southeast Asian Bahá’ís in local communities;
• involving Southeast Asian Bahá’ís at all levels of authority and service within the Faith;
• using Southeast Asian Bahá’ís to reach and teach their non-Bahá’í family members;
• encouraging homefront pioneers and youth giving four months to a year of service to consider doing so in areas where Southeast Asians are located, to teach and deepen them;
• inviting Southeast Asians who are deepened in the Faith to travel and teach among Southeast Asians in communities across the country;

Pictured are participants in a Southeast Asian Helpers Conference held July 24-26 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

• forming Southeast Asian teaching institutes of 2-3 people that can promote the Bahá’í education and social/economic development of Southeast Asians in their respective localities;
• identifying and using key helpers of Bahá’ís;
• Southeast Asian Bahá’ís;
• inviting Southeast Asian Bahá’í youth and children to Bahá’í classes, picnics, parties and recreational activities so they can mingle with and befriend other young

Pictured are Bahá’ís and their guests from all over Ohio who gathered July 25 at the recently opened Bahá’í Center in Columbus to hear a talk by Lakota Indian Kevin Locke on 'Bahá’u’lláh: Prophet of the Four Winds.' (Photo by Farshad Lanjani)

• recognizing the fact that Southeast Asian Bahá’ís have as much to offer the western Bahá’ís as western Bahá’ís have to offer them.

ABS Mid-Atlantic Committee offers George Townshend Prize for Scholarship

Students who live in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia are eligible for the George Townshend Prize for Bahá’í Scholarship sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee.

Nine prizes will be awarded in three categories for papers that "intelligently and enticingly" investigate and illumine an aspect of the Bahá’í teachings in the arts, sciences, humanities or social sciences.

Categories are elementary school (grades 6-8), secondary (grades 9-12) and university (undergraduate). First prize in each is a $25 savings bond and ABS student membership. Second prize is an ABS student membership; third prize, an ABS Journal subscription.

Requirements: (1) Papers must be neatly typed or written (or computer printed) on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper. (2) Cover page should include your name, address, phone number and social security number, grade in school, and title of your paper. Your name should not appear anywhere else. (3) Quoted material and referenced ideas should be noted at the end of the paper. (4) Papers cannot be returned, so keep a copy for yourself and mail two copies to:

The George Townshend Prize, c/o David Gould, Levittown, PA 19057. Entries must be postmarked no later than March 21, 1993.

If you have any questions, please telephone 215-949-1157.

More than 200 gather in Columbus, Ohio, to hear Kevin Locke speak

On July 25, more than 200 Bahá’ís and invited guests gathered at the Bahá’í Center in Columbus, Ohio, to hear Kevin Locke speak on "Bahá’u’lláh: Prophet of the Four Winds."

The event was an inaugural for the recently opened Columbus-area Center, the first permanent Center in central Ohio.

The former home, on more than five acres of land in a racially diverse neighborhood between Port Columbus International Airport and the downtown area of the city, was donated to the Spiritual Assembly of Columbus by a Bahá’í couple.

Bahá’ís in central Ohio now use the Center for Feasts, Holy Day observances, and classes at the Olivia Kelsey Bahá’í School. Extensive community outreach is planned including meetings of the newly formed Columbus Institute for the Healing of Racism.

Mr. Locke's appearance at the Bahá’í Center was carved from a busy weekend during which the Lakota Indian flautist and hoop dancer spoke in The Plains, Ohio, met with American Indians in the Columbus area, and performed at the Lancaster Festival and at a fund-raiser for the upcoming Pataskala pow-wow.

His public meeting followed dawn prayers outside the new Center and a deepening in which he and a Bahá’í youth spoke about their experiences at the recent Earth Summit and Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [Page 12]هدفش ایجاد وحدت در میان طوائف پراکنده عرب و به طور کلی همه کسانی بود که پذیرفته بودند زیر سراپرده اسلام امت واحدی تشکیل دهند. اینها نیز رابطه ای با صحبت کردن با سوسمار و دو پاره کردن ماه ندارد.

معجزاتی که معمولاً به مظاهر امر نسبت داده می‌شود ربطی با ادعایشان ندارد. اگر کسی ادعا کند که نوازنده ماهری است و برای اثبات این ادعا در چند دقیقه خانه‌ای بسازد، هر چند توانائیش به ساختن خانه اعجاب انسان اندیشمند را بر خواهد انگیخت، اما او را مذعن به مهارت مدعی نوازندگی نخواهد کرد و ادعای نوازندگی همچنان نیازمند اثبات خواهد بود.

از سوء تعبیر باید بر حذر بود. اهل بهاء معتقدند که مظاهر امر الهی قادر بر انجام معجزاتند. بهائیان پیغمبران را بر انجام هر کاری هر چند مشکل و غیر ممکن باشد توانا می‌دانند، منتهی شأنشان را برتر از این می‌شمارند که آنان را در ردیف شعبده‌بازان و تردستان قرار دهند؛ نه اینکه مظاهر امر معجزه نمی‌توانند، بلکه آن را برهان اعظم نمی‌دانند زیرا اگر این معجزات را برهان اعظم خوانیم دلیل و حجت از برای حاضرین است نه غائبين.... اهل بصیرت جميع شؤنات مظهر ظهور را معجزات یابند زیرا ممتاز از مادون است. همین که ممتاز از مادون است، معجزه محض است.... حضرت مسیح فرید و وحید... بدون سپاه و لشکر در نهایت مظلومیت در مقابل جميع من على الارض علم الهی بلند نمود و مقاومت کرد و جمیع را عاقبت مغلوب نمود ولو به ظاهر مصلوب گردید حال این قضیه معجزه محض است ابدا انکار نتوان نمود دیگر در حقیت حضرت مسیح احتیاج به برهان دیگر نه.... مقصد این نیست که مظاهر ظهور عاجز از اجرای معجزاتند زیرا قادر هستند لکن نزدشان بصیرت باطنی و گوش روحانی و حیات ابدی مقبول و مهم......

لفظ "معجزه" اسم فاعل از مصدر "اعجاز" است. اعجاز یعنی به عجز انداختن، ناتوان کردن. بدین ترتیب "معجزه" یعنی کاری که به عجز بیاندازد و ناتوان کند. برای بسیاری از اهل ادیان معجزات نشان قدرت مظاهر امر است زیرا بدین ترتیب آنان قدرت خود و عجز دیگران را اثبات می‌کنند اما اگر موضوع معجزات مظاهر امر الهی مورد توجه قرار گیرد شاید کمتر بتوان معجزات را دلیل قدرت یا حقانیتشان قلمداد کرد.

وقتی که مظهر امری برای اثبات حقانیت خود دست به انجام معجزات زند، در واقع عجز خود را اثبات کرده است زیرا به جای اینکه مردم را با آثار و رفتار خود به حقانیت ظهورش معترف کند، مجبور شده است به شکستن قوانین جاری طبیعت که ربطی به ادعایش ندارد متوسل شود و این امر بیشتر حاکی از عجز مظهر امر است تا قدرت او.

مظاهر امر الهی برای راهنمائی مردم ظاهر می‌شوند. ادعایشان تقليب قلوب و تربیت روحانی و اخلاقی افراد بشر است. اگر مظهر امری توانست قلوب مردمان را دیگرگون سازد و از آنان مردمی بهتر و اخلاقی‌تر به وجود آورد می‌توان گفت که ادعایش به اثبات رسیده است. در غیر این صورت شکافتن سینه دریا و زنده کردن مردگان و سخن گفتن با مار و سوسمار هر چند حیرت‌انگیز خواهد بود اما دلیل درستی ادعا به شمار نخواهد رفت.

در یکی از سالهائی که حضرت بهاء‌الله در بغداد تشریف داشتند، شیخ عبدالحسین که یکی از مخالفان هیکل مبارک بود گروه بسیاری از علمای شیعه را به بهانه مذاکره درباره وضع اسلام در مجلسی گرد هم آورد. از جمله شیخ مرتضی انصاری نیز در این مجمع حاضر بود. این شخص به اعتقاد بسیاری از بزرگان شیعه بزرگترین فقیه زمان بود و حضرت بهاء‌الله و حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá نسبت به او عنایت داشته‌اند. پس از شروع جلسه شیخ عبدالحسین صریحاً اعلام داشت که هدف او مبارزه با حضرت بهاء‌الله است. شیخ مرتضی جمع را ترک کرد اما شیخ عبدالحسین حاضران را بر آن داشت که یکی از علمای مورد اعتماد را برای معارضه و مجادله به حضور مبارک اعزام دارند تا آن حضرت را از اشاعه امر الهی باز دارد.

برای این کار ملا حسن عمو که مورد اعتماد بود انتخاب شد و از طریق یکی از بزرگان به حضور مبارک مشرف گردید. حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá در کتاب "تذکرة الوفاء" در شرح حال نبیل اکبر اشاره‌ای به این موضوع فرموده‌اند. اول روزی این شخص محترم نبيل أكبر در بیرونی به کمال ادب روی زمین نشسته بود در این اثنا حاجی میرزا حسن عمو، معتمد مجتهدین کربلا با زین العابدین خان فخر الدوله وارد شدند حاجی مذکور ملاحظه نمود که جناب نبيل أكبر دو زانوی ادب به زمین نهاده و در نهایت خضوع و خشوع نشسته بسیار تعجب نمود. اعجاباً خفیاً گفت، آقا شما اینجا چه می‌کنید؟ جناب نبیل اکبر فرمودند به جهت همان کار که شما آمده‌اید.

حضرت بهاء‌الله در اثبات حقانیت حضرت باب مطالبی اظهار فرمودند که ملا حسن را قانع کرد اما گفت علما مایلند که خوارق عادات و معجزاتی ظاهر شود تا آنها حقانیت امر مبارک را بپذیرند. جمال قدم اظهار داشتند که هر چند شأن خلق نیست که خالق را امتحان کند معذلک اگر علماء بر امری متفق شوند و آن را بر کاغذ بیاورند و امضاء کنند که به آوردن آن اعتراضی نداشته باشند و اعتراف به حقانیت امر الهی کنند ما هم آن را ظاهر می‌سازیم تا بطلان یا حقانیت ما به کلشان ثابت گردد.

ملا حسن با نهایت شادمانی و خشنودی زانوی مبارک را بوسید و نزد علماء رفت. علماء از شنیدن این اتمام حجت بیمناک شدند و از ترس اینکه معجزه‌ای صورت گیرد و مجبور به اقبال شوند، پاسخ حضرت بهاء‌الله را ندادند و قضیه را مسکوت گذاشتند.

این داستان که اهل بهاء آن را شاید بارها شنیده باشند بیش از هر امر دیگری حاکی از بی اهمیتی معجزات است و شاید تنها موردی در تاریخ دینی جهان باشد که اظهار معجزه توسط مظهر امر اذعان شده است.

موضوع شهادت حضرت اعلی نیز دلیل دیگری بر بی اهمیت بودن و مورد نداشتن و قابل اعتنا نبودن معجزات است. قضية تیرباران شدن حضرت اعلی در نوبت اول که منجر به بریده شدن طناب و رهانی موقت هیکل مبارک شد موضوعی نیست که فقط توسط اهل ایمان گزارش شده باشد. مخالفان سرسخت امر مبارک و حتی تاریخ نویس رسمی دولت قاجار و ردیه نویسانی که به هر وسیله ای شده می‌کوشند مقام و رویدادهای امر مبارک را تحقیر و توهین کنند همگی گفته و نوشته‌اند که در نوبت اول تیرباران صدمه‌ای به حضرت اعلی نرسید. مطابق نوشته نبيل زرندی حدود ۱۰ هزار نفر شاهد این واقعه بودند اما شاید تنها عده انگشت شماری تقلیب شدند و به امر مبارک اقبال کردند. در پایان این مطلب بخش هایی از بیان حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá درج می‌شود: مظاهر مقدسة الهيه مصدر معجزاتند.... زیرا به قوتی خارق‌العاده از ایشان خارق‌العاده صدور یابد و به قدرتی ماوراء طبیعت تأثیر در عالم طبیعت نمایند از کلشان امور عجیبه صادر شده ولی در کتب مقدسه اصطلاح مخصوصی موجود و در نزد آنان این معجزات و آثار عجیبه اهمیتی ندارد حتی گاه آن معجزه به اتمام نرسد ذکرش نخواهند کرد.

انتشارات بهائی به زبان فارسی

مؤسسه معارف بهائی به لسان فارسی کتب و جزوات متعددی در زمینه‌های مختلف مطالعات بهائی منتشر نموده‌اند. از جمله انتشارات اخیر مؤسسه چاپ جدید نظر اجمالی در دیانت بهائی، کتاب قرن بدیع و ترجمة (God Passes by) و نظم جهانی بهائی که به قلم توانای جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم به فارسی ترجمه شده را می‌توان نام برد. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند به وسیله نشانی زیر با آن مؤسسه ارتباط حاصل فرمایند.

Persian Institute for Bahá’í Studies P.O.Box 65600 Dundas, Ontario. CANADA L9H 6Y6 PHONE: (416) 628-3040

انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی

Persian Arts and Culture Association با خوشنودی به اطلاع علاقه‌مندان ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی می‌رسانیم که سومین کنفرانس انجمن در مرکز کنفرانس دوبوز (DuBose Conference center) در شهر مانت ایگل (Monteagle) در ایالت تنسی (Tennessee) از غروب پنجشنبه اول آوریل تا ظهر یکشنبه ۴ آوریل ۱۹۹۳ برگزار خواهد گردید. موضوع اصلی کنفرانس سال ۱۸۹۲ یعنی سال صعود جمالقدم خواهد بود.

موضوع‌های زیر در این کنفرانس مورد بررسی قرار خواهد گرفت: ایران در سال ۱۸۹۲، جهان غرب در سال ۱۸۹۲، ادبا و فضلای ایران در دهه‌های ۱۸۸۰-۱۹۲۰، فضلا و علمای امر بهائی در دهه‌های ۱۸۸۰-۱۹۲۰، جامعه جهانی بهائی در سال ۱۸۹۲، شعر معاصر فارسی، ادبیات ایران در گذشته و حال (یک ارزیابی)، ادیب بیضائی کاشانی و شعر سنتی فارسی، خاطرات جناب میرزا حبیب‌الله افنان از ۹ ماه اخیر حیات عنصری حضرت بهاء‌الله.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر در خصوص کنفرانس و ورقه ثبت نام در شماره آینده امریکن بهائی درج خواهد شد. فرودگاه‌های Chattanooga و Nashville به محل کنفرانس نزدیک است. [Page 13]روحانی ملی واگذار کرده‌اید بالغ بر ۱/۹ میلیون دلار بوده است. تبرعات به دیگر صندوق‌های امری بدین ترتیب بوده است: مبلغ ۱/۲ میلیون دلار به صندوق بین‌المللی تبرع شده که ۱۲۴ هزار دلار آن از طریق محفل روحانی ملی به صندوق بین‌المللی اختصاص یافته است. تبرعات مستقیم برای ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهر حضرت باب در سه سال گذشته کاهش یافته و بالغ بر ۴۱۶ هزار دلار گردیده است. در مجموع مبلغ ۴۹۱ هزار دلار از طریق دفتر امین صندوق محفل روحانی ملی به صندوق قوس تقدیم شده است.

تبرعات به صندوق قاره‌ای بالغ بر ۷۲ هزار دلار بوده که نسبت به سال قبل بالغ بر ۵۰ درصد افزایش یافته است. از آنجا که مخارج هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای بیش از تبرعات است، محفل روحانی ملی تصمیم گرفته است که تبرعات خود را به صندوق مذکور به ۱۲۰ هزار دلار افزایش دهد.

به طور کلی اماکنی که احیاء معارف ادیان به محفل روحانی ملی واگذار کرده‌اند، باعث شده است که از اثر نوسان تبرعات کاسته شود. در سال گذشته در همین مدت محفل روحانی کسر بودجه قابل توجهی داشت. مطابق با پیش‌بینی بانکی بالغ بر ۲/۸ میلیون دلار است. صرفه جویی در امور اداری و نقل مکان به بخش ب ۲/۸ مخزن آثار معادل محفل روحانی ملی، نشان‌دهنده تلاشی است که در ابتدای سال مالی تنظیم شده بود.

معجزات مظاهر امر

MIRACLES

بسیار اتفاق می‌افتد که اشخاصی که مایل به قبول دیانت جدیدی هستند از بابت حقانیت سخن از معجزات مظاهر امر به میان می‌آورند. از بهاییان می‌پرسند که آیا از حضرت باب و حضرت بهاءالله معجزاتی به ظهور رسیده است؟

موضع بهاییان درباره معجزات روشن است. ایشان نفس ظهور مظاهر مقدسه را معجزه می‌دانند. چه معجزه‌ای بزرگتر از این که یکی از نوع انسان و با همه محدودیت‌های بشری در میان این جهان ظاهر شود و در عین حال حامل روح قدسی الهی باشد؟ به فرمودة حضرت بهاءالله اگر بنا بر این باشد که تمام مدعیان پیامبری یکسان باشند، تمام دلایل بر حقانیت یکی باید در مورد دیگری نیز صادق باشد. از این رو وجود معجزات دلیل بر حقانیت یک مظهر الهی نیست و هر دو شاهد این بار مانند آیات دلیل او خواهد بود. (منتخباتی از آثار حضرت بهاءالله، ص ۷۵)

یکی از امکانات منطقی که در رابطه با معجزات وجود دارد این است که معجزاتی که به مظاهر امر نسبت داده می‌شود با ماموریت و ادعای آنان ارتباطی ندارد. حضرت موسی عصای خود را به مار تبدیل کرد، ید بیضاء برآورد و فرمان‌های الهی را بر او نازل شده بود تا یهودیان را برهاند. این ماموریت ارتباط منطقی با شکافتن دریا و باراندن ‎نمک من‎ از آسمان ندارد.

حضرت مسیح برای بیدار کردن عواطف روحانی در میان همان قوم که به اسارت کشیده شده بودند، ظاهر شد. هدف وارد ساختن اخلاق عملی در زندگی روزانه و نجات و رستگاری روحانی در عالم دیگر بود. هیچ‌یک از اینها ربطی به شفا دادن بیماران یا زنده کردن مردگان ندارد.

حضرت محمد برای گسترش کلامی "لا اله الا الله" ظاهر شد تا مردمان به رستگاری حقیقی دست یابند.

گزارشی از دفتر امین صندوق

NATIONAL FUND

گزارش رسیده از دفتر امین صندوق ملی حکایت از آن دارد که تا پایان ماه ژوئیه (July) فقط ۸ درصد از تبرعات خود را به محفل روحانی ملی تأمین کرده بودند، در حالی که از سال مالی جاری ۲۰ درصد گذشته است.

احتمالاً از دیگر دلایل این تأخیر فرا رسیدن فصل تابستان و درگیری با کارهای مربوط به انتخابات محفل جدید در ماه رضوان است.

بیش از ۱۱۰۰ محفل روحانی محلی اهداف مالی را که برایشان تعیین شده است دریافت داشته‌اند و بیش از ۷۰۰ محفل روحانی به پیشنهاد محفل روحانی ملی پاسخ داده‌اند و بدین ترتیب با هدف تعیین شده را پذیرفته‌اند. این اهداف بالغ بر ۹/۳ میلیون دلار است که حدود ۸۵ درصد کل بودجه سالانه محفل روحانی ملی را تشکیل می‌دهد.

از ۸۹۷ محفل که کنون تبرعات خود را به محفل روحانی ملی ارسال داشته‌اند، ۱۲۴ محفل حد اقل ۲۰ درصد تعهدات خود را فرستاده‌اند و یکی از محافل محلی ۹۲ درصد تبرعات خود را ارسال داشته است. ۲۰ محفل روحانی که بیشترین تبرعات را به محفل روحانی ملی ارسال داشته‌اند، ۷۰ درصد از تبرعات واصله را شامل شده بود. ۳۱ جولای جاری مصادف با پایان سه ماهه اول از سال مالی محفل روحانی ملی بود.

مبلغ کل تبرعات دریافت شده توسط محفل روحانی ملی اعم از اموال و املاک بالغ بر ۴/۹ میلیون دلار بوده است که در مقایسه با هر یک از دو سال گذشته حاکی از افزایشی چشمگیری است. ۲/۹ میلیون دلار تبرعات از محافل روحانی ملی اتباع شده، ۳۰ درصد بیشتر از سال گذشته و ۳۸ درصد بیشتر از سال ۱۹۹۰ است.

پیام بیت العدل اعظم

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه نامة بیت العدل اعظم به محفل روحانی ملی بهاییان برزیل

از وصول اخبار اجلاس با شکوه و شایسته مجلس نمایندگان برزیل در روز ۲۸ می که با وسایط الکترونیکی مخابره شده بود، سرور و شعف بسیار حاصل کردیم. این رویدادی است که برای ابد در صفحات تاریخ امر بهایی ثبت خواهد شد و از وقایع بسیار مهم سال استثنایی محسوب خواهد گشت که به مناسبت قرن صعود جمال اقدس ابهی تعیین گردیده است. چنین ستایش و تجلیل بی‌سابقه و علنی به وسیلة نمایندگان یکی از بزرگترین و تاثیرگذارترین ملت‌های جهان سبب ایجاد نیروی جدیدی برای معرفی آیین الهی در تمام نقاط دور و نزدیک خواهد گشت و علی الخصوص مجاهدات تحسین‌آمیز یاران عزیز برزیل را برای ابلاغ پیام حیات‌بخش به مردمان آن سرزمین که روز به روز بر استعدادشان جهت استقبال از این تعالیم افزوده می‌گردد، تحرک و جنبشی وسیع خواهد بخشید.

امید آنکه جلال اقدس ابهی جمیع مساعی یاران برزیل را به تاییدات ‎لاریب‌بای لاریب فیه‎ خویش موید دارد.

بیت العدل اعظم

پیام معهد اعلی خطاب به مجلس نمایندگان برزیل

مورخ ۹ ژوئن ۱۹۹۲ جناب آقای ایبسن والس پینتیرو رئیس مجلس نمایندگان برازیلیا، برزیل

عالی‌جناب،

به مناسبت اجلاس مخصوص مجلس نمایندگان که به منظور تعظیم یکصدمین سالگرد درگذشت حضرت بهاءالله شارع آیین بهایی، موافقت صمیمانه و اشواق وافره و درودهای برادرانه خود را به آن جناب و همکاران عالیقدر ابلاغ می‌داریم.

این اقدام مجلس نمایندگان که حائز اهمیت روحانی و اجتماعی فراوان برای مردم برزیل است، قلوب را سرشار از امتنان ساخته و یادآور اهمیتی است که حضرت بهاءالله برای هیئت‌های قانون‌گذاری و نمایندگان منتخب مردم قائل بوده‌اند و آنان را به عنوان "اختران سپهر کمال" خطاب نموده‌اند.

پیامی که حضرت بهاءالله حامل آن بودند، همانند نوری درخشنده و تابان است که راه را برای جامعة بشری روشن می‌سازد و گنجینه‌ای از اصول هدایت‌بخش است که مشکلات زمان را حل می‌کند. وحدت عالم انسانی که محور اصلی و هدف نهایی آیین بهایی است، مهارتی به خود گیرد تا به جهان در کلیه شؤون حیات، وحدت بخشد.

دریابند، بلکه با وسعت اساسی در بین افراد بشر تا به حال آن را به ثبوت رسانده است. حضرت بهاءالله حوزة عمیق آن را با عبارت "همه بار یک ‎دارید دارید و برگ یک شاخسارید‎ و برگ یک ‎شاخار شاخسار‎" بیان کرده است. حضرت بهاءالله چنین هدف والایی را برای ساکنان روی زمین در نظر دارند. این هدفی است که با تاریخ غنی برزیل که متضمن ادواری متعدد از تنوع و نسخ نهادهای مردمی که در آن سرزمین ساکنند، این امکان را برای بهائیان برزیل فراهم آورده است تا آنچه را حضرت بهاءالله به عنوان اساس آیین بهایی فرموده‌اند، به مرحله عمل درآورده و ‎پزشک منشاء‎ همیاری‌های ارزشمند از تحقق وحدت و یکپارچگی مردم برای پیشرفت آیندة كرة ارض تصور نمود. این رویای امیدبخش همان است که مملکت شما از بدو تاسیس جمهوری برزیل در سال ۱۸۸۹ یعنی از زمان حیات حضرت بهاءالله آن را اعلان نموده و هدف مشترک داشته است.

به راستی و شایان توجه است که در بیانی از حضرت بهاءالله که خطاب به ملوک آمریکا و رؤساء جمهور در آن سرزمین در کتاب اقدس سخن رانده، خطاب به سایر ملل آمریکای جنوبی، مرکزی، شمالی و شرقی و غربی است. حضرت در این خطاب آنان را به پیروی از اصول عدالت نه فقط برای ملت خود بلکه پیروان وسیله‌ای برای حصول سرنوشتی متین و صلح‌آمیز برای همة جامعة بشری دعوت نموده‌اند. این نکته که برزیل محل سکونت انواع مختلف نفوسی است که در جامعة پرتحرک آن مشاهده می‌شوند، خود نشانة سیستم عظیمی است که متن آن است.

بنیان دیانت بر اساس وحدت عالم انسانی بنا شده است. از این جهت با کمال احترام مراتب سپاسگزاری عمیق خود را از توجهات وارده بر حضرت بهاءالله توسط آن مجلس ابراز می‌داریم.

در خاتمه، مکاتبة حضرت بهاءالله از طرف اعضاء آن مجلس محترم دعا می‌کنیم و از خداوند منان که مخصوص اعضاء هیئت‌های منتخب متبحر صادر فرموده، تلاوت می‌نماییم:

"یا الهی! اسئلک باسمک الابهی ان توفقی علی ما یخضع به امور عبادک و تعمر به بلادک. انک انت علی کل شیء قدیر."

با احترامات فایقه و آمال خیر

بیت العدل اعظم [Page 14]...contribution should not be seen as a gift for some pet project; every check signed should be for the love of Bahá’u’lláh, and only for that love.

After consulting, we had a feeling not of despair or lack of confidence for the plight of the National Fund, but a renewed sense of energy to "just do it" and for each person to arise and do his/her part in giving and in prayer to meet the goal suggested to us and pledged for this year.

Suzanne Chippindale, secretary Spiritual Assembly of Stamford, Connecticut

Cultivating 'new race of men'

To the Editor:

I took part this year in a Memorial Day weekend conference in Griffin, Georgia, held for members of Bahá’í teaching institutes involved in teaching African-Americans.

As one of nine white American Bahá’ís at this gathering of about 50 participants from Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City and New York, I was honored and humbled to be included in the "family business" of my fellow Bahá’ís of African ancestry.

Conducted in a forest clearing on the property of Suzanne and Kingsley Swan, the weekend began, ended and was punctuated throughout with music of a kind and intensity I have seldom experienced at Bahá’í gatherings.

The long healing prayer was chanted in rich tones to an impassioned conga beat. Other prayers were soulfully offered to memorable rhythms and melodies. (Two young children with whom I was traveling memorized the "Remover of Difficulties" after hearing it presented only once in this way.)

We praised the Name of God in an unbroken chant for more than an hour as individuals stepped forward to voice their joy, gratitude, wisdom and pain, encouraged and sustained by the musical circle they entered. It was a powerful, prayerful experience, rooted in African tradition and enhanced by Bahá’í vision. It was poignant beyond words.

Equally moving was the love, respect and acknowledgment offered by the group to those present. I have no doubt that each one left the conference with a new understanding of his or her special nobility, having seen it demonstrated so clearly in the way each was listened to and valued.

It was obvious to me that there is a great need for more of this kind of gathering of African-American Bahá’ís. As a person of German- and Italian-American background, I had never been exposed to the type of worship and communication I experienced that weekend.

Although I have the bounty of living in a large and ethnically diverse community, the unique contributions of our African-American Bahá’ís have not yet presented themselves there as powerfully as at the conference in Georgia.

Gatherings such as this, where African-Americans are allowed the full expression of their cultural traditions, unhampered by what is often an unconscious resistance on the part of non-blacks to an unfamiliar mode of worship, can only serve to benefit the entire American Bahá’í community. The larger community stands desperately in need of the grace, wisdom, creativity and courage of the African-American people.

If we are, as Bahá’u’lláh asserts, "the flowers of one garden," let us cultivate the lovely black roses with which this American garden, through whatever painful transplanting occurred, has been graced.

It is my hope that other such efforts to promote African-American cultural identity will be encouraged, and that the special strengths emerging from such endeavors will become an integral part of the "new race of men" envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh.

Veronica A. Shoffstall New York, New York

Front-page newspaper article follows community outreach by Sylmar, California, Bahá’ís

Bahá’ís in Sylmar, California, have been reaching out to the community in a variety of ways with good results including a front-page article in the Sylmar Daily News that mentions the Faith prominently.

The article concerns an inter-dialogue in which Bahá’ís took part with members of the Christian and Jewish faiths.

The Sylmar Bahá’ís have begun holding monthly "unity fiestas" with food, entertainment and fellowship. The first, in August, was attended by nine people.

Also, a "Peace Garden" is to be created by the Bahá’ís in a park in San Fernando once final approval is secured from the mayor.

An idea for local Assemblies

To the Editor:

Today we can clearly see the wrapping up of the old world order and the unfolding of the Bahá’í new World Order. Without question, it has become all too obvious.

I would like to encourage local Spiritual Assemblies to be prepared. If preparation mixed with love and compassion are not laid now as the foundation, it is possible that an Assembly could do great harm to those seeking its help.

When one turns to an Assembly for help, he or she could be feeling very vulnerable. Great care and love, mixed with the wisdom of the Bahá’í teachings and not tainted with individual agendas or views, are needed.

Name and address withheld

Day of Unity

...We can't help being sick, but we are obliged to find a cure."

Some of the major supporters of the Day of Unity were the Salvation Army, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, and the Chicago Park District.

Others taking part included the Chicago Public Library, Catholic Charities, Urban Gateways: The Center for Arts in Education, and several Chicago-area Bahá’í communities. Advance publicity for the event was spearheaded by public service announcements on radio and television featuring Chicago Bulls basketball star Michael Jordan and jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, among others.

A special feature of the Day of Unity was the large number of young people present. Ruben Kyle, a Bahá’í youth from Chicago, summed up the day's activities: "This was a wonderful example of the application of the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of humankind. This was unity in diversity in effect."

Mayor Terence Zaleski of Yonkers, New York (right) accepts copies of 'The Promise of World Peace' and the National Spiritual Assembly's statement, 'The Vision of Race Unity,' from Bahá’í representative Solomon Hilton. The four-member Bahá’í delegation met with the mayor and his aides at Yonkers City Hall on July 23.

Research Department of House of Justice comments on authenticity of some well-known prayers and 'Tablets'

From time to time the National Spiritual Assembly receives letters from Bahá’ís or local Spiritual Assemblies about the authenticity of certain prayers or "tablets" that are circulated in typed form.

The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is asked to check these writings for authenticity. The following works that commonly circulate in the Bahá’í community are not authentic:

"Fourth Dimensional Consciousness" and other instructions to Marie Watson. This so-called tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is erroneous; Shoghi Effendi has stated that it is not a work by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

"O God! Give me knowledge, faith and love." This prayer was written by Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Covenant-breaker; he attributed it, however, to Bahá’u’lláh.

"Hold Thou my right arm, O God! and dwell continually with me. Guide me to the fountain of Thy knowledge and encircle me with Thy glory...." Another prayer written by Ibrahim Kheiralla and attributed by him to Bahá’u’lláh.

The Significance of the Greatest Name, beginning "Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá! The cry that renovates the soul...on that cry are all the cries of the Universe sounded." The Research Department has not been able to find, either in English or Persian, such statements attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The Marriage Tablet, beginning "The bond that unite hearts most perfectly is loyalty..." This is not a tablet at all, but is an unauthenticated record by Ahmad Sohrab of a talk by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The friends may use it, but it should be made clear that this is not Bahá’í scripture.

"There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far beyond the ken of men and angels. ..." This passage is from Ahmad Sohrab's diary and should be considered as interesting material, but not as scripture.

"O Lord! Open Thou the door, provide the means..." This is a free translation of part of a prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the friends in Tehran, incomplete and, unfortunately, even erroneous.

"O God! Make me a teacher in Thy Cause..." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"O our God! We beg of Thee...that Thou wilt guide us always...and that we may ever be strong and fully prepared to render instant, exact and complete obedience." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"O God! For the sake of Thy love I will leave everything and wander in the deserts and over the mountains..." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"My strength is the assistance of the Blessed Perfection...." From the pilgrim's notes of Julia Grundy, Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká, p.63.

"Fill Thou, O God, our home with harmony and happiness, with laughter and delight..." Attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but in fact it is three short supplications that appear on pages 147 and 148 of The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh by the Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend.

There are other statements that are informally copied by the friends that may not be authentic. If you have any questions, please contact the Research Office at the Bahá’í National Center.

"Freedom from racial prejudice, in any of its forms, should, at such a time when an increasingly large section of the human race is falling victim to its devastating ferocity, be adopted as the watchword of the entire body of the American believers...."—Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 30. [Page 15]

National Assembly's UN membership follows Guardian's mandate to associate with groups

The beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, urged individual Bahá’ís and local communities to take advantage of the many opportunities to work with like-minded organizations.

FOR EXAMPLE, in The Advent of Divine Justice, he says each of the friends should "...attempt to devise such methods as association with clubs, exhibitions, and societies, lectures on subjects akin to the teachings and ideals of His Cause such as temperance, morality, social welfare, religious and racial tolerance, economic cooperation, Islam, and comparative religion, or participation in social, cultural, humanitarian, charitable, and education organizations and enterprises which, while safeguarding the integrity of His Faith, will open up to him a multitude of ways and means whereby he can enlist successively the sympathy, the support, and ultimately the allegiance of those with whom he comes in contact...." (1984 ed., p. 51)

The National Spiritual Assembly and 131 other organizations belong to the Council of Organizations of the United Nations Association (UNA).

Many of these groups, such as the League of Women Voters, the Red Cross, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the American Association of University Women have members in communities across the country.

There are special UN events days and years for which the combined efforts of organizations at the local level have proven to be most effective. Especially well-suited to co-sponsorship are United Nations Day (October 24) and UNICEF Day (October 31, Halloween).

Similar opportunities for cooperation include International Day of Peace (third Tuesday in September), Human Rights Day (December 10), and World Environment Day (June 5).

The UN has also designated certain years during which special goals are to be achieved. Among these are 1993 (International Year for the World's Indigenous People), 1994 (International Year of the Family), and 1995 (the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UN).

To foster closer relationships, a local Assembly can invite the presidents of local UNA chapters to a get-acquainted luncheon. A community need that can be filled by joint action on a public service project can be the focus of consultation. There are many creative ways to effect cooperation.

TO HELP in these activities, the National Spiritual Assembly's UN Office offers a packet of statements issued by the Bahá’í International Community on issues before the UN.

Included is a list of UN days, weeks and specially designated years. There is also a list of organizations belonging to the UNA's Council of Organizations that have local chapters along with suggestions for interaction.

To order the packet, send a check for $5 payable to the Bahá’ís of the U.S. to: U.S. Bahá’í UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017.

If you are traveling outside the United States for any reason, please contact the Office of Pioneering (708-869-9039) for information.

Pictured are many of the more than 160 young Bahá’ís from across the country who gathered August 7-9 at the Bahá’í Center in Dallas, Texas, for the third annual 'Get Up and Do Something' Bahá’í Youth Conference.

Blazoning the Name of Bahá’u’lláh and teaching about His life and mission

(Reprinted from The DirectLine, June/July 1992)

The rallying call of the Universal House of Justice is to "blazon the Name of Bahá’u’lláh to all corners of the earth. At the onset of the Holy Year, the Universal House of Justice appealed to the Bahá’ís, in its Ridván 1992 message, "Let us bear His Name with dignity to those who must hear It, offer It as a treasure to those who must receive It, speak It with love to those who must embrace It."

IN OUR efforts to promote race unity and Bahá’u’lláh's other spiritual and social teachings, it is imperative that people be given the opportunity to learn about the Author of such wonderful principles.

In this day when many groups recognize and promote principles that will help bring peace and unity to the world, when the phrases "unity in diversity" and "the New World Order" are in common usage by politicians and leaders of thought, it is important to point out that the Source of Bahá’í principles is Bahá’u’lláh. This is what makes the Bahá’í Faith stand out as unique. If the people with whom we interact are told about the Source of our beliefs, it is possible that their hearts may also become connected with Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation, and they may join us in our beloved Cause.

Sometimes, due to limiting circumstances, our efforts to teach will not continue beyond the initial stage of mentioning a few basic facts about the Faith to an individual. Yet, if it is considered wise and appropriate to mention the name of Bahá’u’lláh in these brief moments we should try to do so. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained, "This blessed Name hath an effect on the reality of things. If these teachings are spread without identifying them with this holy Name, they will fail to exert an abiding influence in the world. The teachings are like the body, and this holy Name is like the spirit. It imparteth life to the body. It causeth the people of the world to be aroused from their slumber." (quoted in The Individual and Teaching, p.12)

For some Bahá’ís, teaching about Bahá’u’lláh may require different approaches. Suppose, for example, we are asked what motivates us to participate in a "race unity walk" we have helped to organize. Instead of beginning our response by saying that, as Bahá’ís, we believe in the oneness of humanity, and then going on to explain this principle or others in more depth, we might begin our response by saying that the Founder of our Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, taught that "the earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens," and then explain the meaning of this statement in the context of our belief in Bahá’u’lláh's Station as a Manifestation of God.

Many Bahá’ís who are proficient in orienting themselves about how they teaching through Bahá’í principles are represent His Message. The challenge now is to teach, in a direct way, about Bahá’u’lláh Himself, the Lord of the Age—to make a conscious effort to put Bahá’u’lláh at the forefront of our explanations about the Faith.

LIKE ALL TEACHING about the Faith, teaching about Bahá’u’lláh requires us first to teach ourselves. Many excellent materials are available about the life, Station and Mission of Bahá’u’lláh. The statement entitled Bahá’u’lláh, produced by the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Center, is highly recommended. Other suggested reading is The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, God Passes By, The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation, Bahá’u’lláh The King of Glory, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh (Volumes 1-4), and Bahá’u’lláh, The Prince of Peace: A Portrait.

Whenever possible, we should offer the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in its purest form, from the Holy Writings. Like the Name of Bahá’u’lláh, His Words are imbued with a special potency and power. slings

As advised by Bahá’u’lláh, "From the texts of the wondrous, heavenly Scriptures they should memorize phrases and passages bearing on various instances, so that in the course of their speech they may recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it, inasmuch as these holy verses are the most potent elixir, the greatest and mightiest talisman. So potent is their influence that the hearer will have no cause for vacillation." (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p.200)

Bahá’í World Congress Video for Youth

The Bahá’í World Congress Youth Movement Forum Task Force has prepared a video to assist youth to prepare for the World Congress. It is accompanied by an insert which should be used for discussion after the video is shown. If you would like a copy of this video send a check for $10.00, made payable to Bahá’í Services Fund, to Laura Cessna, National Teaching Office, Wilmette, IL 60091.

IN MEMORIAM

William Archibald El Cajon JD, CA 1984

William C. Cooley Marion, SC July 1986

Robert Diehl Bellefontaine, OH August 8, 1992

Chelsea Espinoza Victorville, CA March 29, 1992

Jerry McLendon Jr. Asheville, NC July 25, 1992

Nouraddin Oskoui-Roomi Chicago, IL May 2, 1992

Marilyn Greene Alta Loma, CA August 6, 1992

Nancy Hancey Salt Lake City, UT August 7, 1992

Josephine Lasoff Lydia, SC July 27, 1992

Sarah Martin Shelby, NC Date Unknown

Peter M. Morozs Albany, NY January 1987

Lynn O'Neal Riverside, CA May 6, 1992

Victoria Dadressan Sabeti Glendale Heights, IL August 14, 1992

Roxanne Steen-Zibahalat Montrose, CA August 2, 1992 [Page 16]The second annual Memorial Meeting in honor of persecuted Bahá’ís and other religious minorities in Iran was held June 20 at the Civic Center in Plano, Texas. More than 100 Bahá’ís and their guests took part in the event which included prayers for the recent martyrdom of Mr. Bahman Samandari and presentations on the status of human rights in Iran including one by Margaret Dew (standing in photograph), a volunteer leader with the Dallas chapter of Amnesty International. Also pictured (left to right) are Bahá’ís Paul Pettit of Richardson, Texas; Walter Palmer of Plano, who served as master of ceremonies; and Mehraeen Mavaddat, an Iranian Bahá’í whose husband, Farhang, was martyred in 1981. Mrs. Mavaddat is now serving at the World Center in Haifa.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

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

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

1. I.D. # Title 2. I.D. # Title 3. I.D. # Title 4. I.D. # Title

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

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

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

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

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

OCTOBER

16-18: National Hispanic Bahá’í Conference, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Gilroy, California, and El Ruiseñor! The Nightingale. Registration $35 per person; children 3-12, $25; under 3, free. For information, phone the Bosch School, 408-423-3387; Los Angeles, 818-836-7967; San Jose, 408-842-7531.

18: Founders Day (20th anniversary of Gregory Institute, 10th anniversary of WLGI licensing), Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

22-25: "The Role of Music in a Changing World," Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

28-31: Conference on the Role of Women in a United Europe, Landegg Academy, Switzerland. For information, phone 41-71-91 91 31; fax 41-71-91 43 01.

30-November 1: "Rendezvous of the Soul," a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

NOVEMBER

5-9: First Sino-American Seminar on Women's Issues, sponsored by the Shanghai Municipal Women's Federation. Theme: "Women Today and Tomorrow." For information, contact Seminar on Women's Issues, Duette J. Rochelle, Kapaa, HI 96746 (phone 808-822-5756 or 808-335-3566; Fax 808-335-0065).

23-26: Second Bahá’í World Congress, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City.

26-December 1: Radio Bahá’í International Conference (sponsored by IBAVC, the Louis Gregory Institute, and WLGI), Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

DECEMBER

11-13: "Rendezvous of the Soul," a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

23-27: Winter 1 (General Session, all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. David Hofman, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, "A Provocative Study of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá"; Ron Gilpatrick, "The World Congress: Reflections and Opportunities"; Marsha Gilpatrick and Sheila Banani, "A Fundamentally Different Order." For children: "A Covenant Is a Promise." International folk dancing, winter holiday activities. To register, send $80 deposit for each person to Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/VISA, phone 408-423-3387.

25-28: Eighth annual Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona. Rooms from only $40. Youth workshops, entertainment, top speakers (Dr. William Roberts, Dr Suheil Bushrui, others). For more information please phone the GCBC hotline (24 hours a day), 602-375-9951.

30-January 3: Winter II (General Session, all ages), Bosch Bahá’í School. For program details, see Winter I Session (December 23-27). To register, send $80 deposit for each person to Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; MasterCard/ VISA, phone 408-423-3387.

31-January 2: South Carolina Bahá’í Winter School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

JANUARY

7-10: Pioneer Training Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. For information, phone 708-869-9039.

15-17: "Rendezvous of the Soul," a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

FEBRUARY

26-28: "Rendezvous of the Soul," a special Holy Year program for personal reflection, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

26-28: Bahá’í Health and Human Services Conference, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

SPRING

Pioneer Training Institutes, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine, and Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. For information, phone 708-869-9039.

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID. mumber(s) listed above. Area code Phone number Name

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy. Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’ís. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

one world, one human family the Bahá’í Faith

The Bahá’í community of Hamlet, North Carolina, observed the 100th anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh with a program that included music, prayers in five languages, a talk by Dr. Jean Scales, and the presentation of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh to Mayor Abbie Covington (pictured at right). The presentation was made by Dr. John Flannery, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Hamlet. Each guest was given a printed program and Bahá’í pamphlets.