The American Bahá’í/Volume 24/Issue 8/Text

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[Page 1]

Woopsurn, OREGON

Anatomy of a successful teaching campaign

By Rachet Greco

Setting

Woodburn, Oregon, is a small city nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, an area known for its abundant agricultural products. Itis also at the heart of the Woodburn

Project, a state-wide teaching institute that began in May 1991.

Woodburn terms itself the City of Unity, a name derived from its diverse population. (About one-third

ns are Hispanic; another one-third are he remai r includes a large retirement ity.) With this appellation, it seems appropriate that a Baha’f institute center should be located in that city.

It is estimated that approximately 80,000 people pass through the Willamette Valley during the spring, summer and early fall. It is this traveling Hispanic community that has been the most receptive to the message of Baha’ u' lah.

In two years, more than 150 people have declared their

belief in Baha'u'llah. Of that number, it has been documented that approximately one-third are actively teaching the Baha’ { Faith in the Woodburn area, throughout the state, and as far south as Mexico. This number does not into account those people who are not declared fs but are teaching the Faith nonetheless. Accomplishments to date

When the teaching began in Woodburn, perhaps a

See WOODBURN page 2

Volume 24, No.8

‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...

’—Baha'u'llah

The Arc: A progress report

By StepHen DRAKE

Things are changing daily; it is hard to keep up with all the areas of work all over the mountain.

The whole development is principally divided into two distinct projects: one, the construction of 19 terraces running from the base of Mount Carmel up to the top of the property in a straight line, centered around the Shrine of the Bab; the other, the completion of the Arc buildings—namely, the Center for the Study of the Texts and the International Teaching Center.

Terraces The whole Terrace Project runs for

approximately one kilometer (.62 mile) up the Baha'f World Center's steep mountain property and crosses over three main roads.

As you have probably seen from the pictures of the models, each terrace is surrounded by a series of circular sloped gardens.

The earthworks for the first five terraces running from the Shrine of the Bab down to Abbas Street (named in honor of the beloved Master, “Abdu’lBaha Abbas) is now completed and we have started, as the winter weather permits, replanting those olive trees originally from this area that were

temporarily relocated to the Temple site,

Center in Haifa, Israel.

and Douglas Martin.

Universal House of Justice is elected

Representatives of the world's 165 National Spiritual Assemblies cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice during the seventh Bahd'f International Convention held April 29-May 2 at the Baha'i World

Those elected to serve as members of the House of Justice for the next five years are ‘Alf Nakhjavanf, Glenford E. Mitchell, Adib Taherzadeh, Ian Semple, Peter Khan, Hushmand Fatheazam, Hooper Dunbar, Farzam Arbab

A highlight of the Convention was the active participation of a number of newly formed National Spiritual Assemblies in Eastern European countries where the Faith has only recently been allowed to function openly.

George and Beverly Walker retire after 23 years as administrators of Baha’

By Tom MENNILLO

George and Beverly Walker were anything but retiring in their 23 years of service to the Baha’{ Home for the Aged in Wilmette, Illinois.

Now they are retiring.

Mr. Walker, administrator of the “first Dependency of the first Mashriq-u’lAdhkér of the Western World,” left his

Teaching goals, statistics

Traveling teaching opportunities

New UN representative named Summer Schools calendar

New from overseas 1 Ridvan message in Spanish 1

PHOT AwW

f Home in Wilmette position at the end of 1992. Mrs. Walker, stant administrator who has directed personal care at the Home, is leaving this month.

George Walker came to Wilmette in 1970 as coordinator of the Temple. Later that year, he was offered the job of operating the Baha’{ Home.

Beverly Walker was working in membership and records at the National Center when she started helping at the Home as a part-time nurses’ aide; soon after, she came on board full-time as program director.

In 1992, Mrs. Walker received the Larry-Madge Award from the Illinois Activity Professionals As See WALKERS page 8

together with a range of other native and flowering trees.

After winter, we will be able to spread topsoil over the entire area and plant a variety of shrubs, bulbs, hedges, ground cover and lush lawns around the terraces.

In between the forest of trees will be rocks and patches of wild flowers such as poppies. Once the trees and flowering plants become established, the garden will become a beautiful tapestry of color.

The thick, solid stone steps for the central terrace stairway have already been made, together with a water channel, called a runnel, running on each side. The task during this winter is to start the leveling concrete work to the stair foundation and to install the finished stone steps.

On each terrace, there will

See ARC page 8

Above: Below the Shrine of the Bab, finishing work has begun on the steps leading up to the Kings' Path. Below: The Terrace of the Shrine of the Bab is being extended to the west, over the new storage building on Mount Carmel, to make it the same width as the gardens to the west.

[Page 2]2 -THEAMERICANBAHAt

WT oe

Woodburn

FROM PAGE 1

TTS

handful of people had heard about the Faith. There were only a few Baha’fs living in Woodburn, and they had come into the Faith some 20 years earlier.

Understandably, when teaching activities began, the non-Baha’ {community kept close tabs on the Baha’ fs, not quite sure who they were, what their intentions were, or what they believed. Two years later, the Baha’ fs are well-known and respected in the community.

A permanent institute center has been purchased and is staffed by two Baha’is serving their year of service through the Baha’f Youth Service Corps and seyeral volunteers. Four homefront pioneer families have moved in to the area, and a functioning Spiritual Assembly has developed as a direct result of the project.

Deepening/consolidation sessions and firesides take place nightly. Classes in English as a Second Language are held five nights per week and Spanish as a Second Language classes are being added. Activities for children and youth take place regularly and are open to everyone. Other activities geared toward reaching the migrant population are being planned.

Outside agencies began coming to the institute center seeking translation, knowing the Baha’ {fs are fair and do not take sides. Many of the caring organizations in Woodburn now look at the Faith as another of the primary religions in their city to which they can turn to serve the community. After a recent earthquake, other agencies conferred with the Baha’is on ways to help earthquake victims and considered the institute center as a possible site for assistance programs.

The process

When asked what presaged this activity, those involved with the project say that it came about through the power of Bahé’u’lléh and the concept of teaching institutes as outlined by the Universal House of Justice and the International

President Clinton mentions Baha'i persecutions in Iran

President Clinton, speaking April 22 at the dedication of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., said ethnic cleansing in Bosnia is the most recent example and “ever-present manifestation of what we also see with the oppression of the Kurds in Iraq, the abusive treatment of the Bahd'fs in Iran, the endless race-based violence in South Africa. ...”

The President's statement was carried by CNN, Monitor Radio, and other media outlets.

World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

The American Bahd't is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo. The American Bahd't welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Baha'f Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or blackand-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahd't, Wilmette, IL. 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahd't National Center, 1233 Central St,, Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1993 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'fs of the United States.

TI I ee rit en eae

Teaching Center.

A teaching institute is at the core of the work with the Woodburn project. Itis sponsored by anearby local Spiritual Assembly and has both a coordinator and a coordinating committee to help carry out institute activities.

The teaching institute began with a handful of people and has been sustained over time by constantly renewing its vision of conquest using the tools provided by the Bab and Bahd’u lah, and explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice. As the Universal House of Justice stated:

“In areas where large numbers of new believers have entered the Faith, Teaching Institutes have long been used as a means of expansion and consolidation aimed at raising up workers—teachers and administrators—for the Faith. A new deas recently emerged lance of the International Teaching Center and the Continental Counselors. In some areas individuals have initiated institutes before alarge population has embraced the Faith.

“The purpose of these institutes is to involve a core group of believers in a systematic process that involves deepening, prayer, memorization of the Writings, and teaching. The aim is to develop the human resources necessary to initiate and sustain the process of entry by troops. The central principle of its operation is the statement from the Guardian:

“Success will crown the efforts of the friends on the home front, when they meditate on the teachings, pray fervently for divine confirmations for their work, study the teachings so they may carry their spirit to the seeker, and then act; and above all persevere in action. When these steps are followed, and the teaching work carried on sacrificially and with devoted enthusiasm, the Faith will spread rapidly.” (The Universal House of Justice, quoted in Developing Distinctive Bahd’{ Communities, section 7, p.39)

Determining that everything one needs to teach successfully in groups is found in the above quotation, the institute set about adopting this method of teaching. Spurred on by a vision of entry by troops, the institute has tried to “develop the human resources” necessary by using “a systematic process” including “deepening, prayer, memorization of the Writings, and teaching.”

The group also observed that the Universal House of Justice noted that meditation and action are essential parts of the process and, since the institute process involves a group, consultation has been used extensively.

Believing that teaching will always be a heart-toheart process, it appeared to the core group that in order for entry by troops to take place, there must first be enough teachers tomake the essentially spiritual contact with a sufficient number of seekers.

That seemed to indicate teaching in groups and striving to teach so that those taught became teachers and those teachers in turn teach other teachers. Such success in raising teachers from one spiritual

i

generation to the next, the group believed, would surely bring about entry by troops. History

When the project began in May 1991 Citadel, Oregon’s youth teaching team, came to the Woodburn area for a month to help staff a storefront the teaching institute had set up as a Baha’f center. The length of the project was set for one month. The institute’s goals were to initiate the process of entry by troops and to raise up a functioning community.

Nine declarations were recorded on the second day of the project and the consolidation process began to take place. Because the teaching team needed to be fed, meals were served each evening at the center. During this time no mention was made of the Faith and everyone who was in the center lined up to eat. Often this would be the only meal the new believers and seekers had that day.

Notlong after, the Baha’ fs became aware that serving the public in an unlicensed kitchen was prohibited in Woodburn. Not wanting to break the law, and unsure about how to proceed next, the friends decided to take a major step: the issue would be brought before the new believers themselves for discussion.

In open consultation, participants declared that they came to the center for spiritual food, not material food. The new believers consulted together and reached a decision that instead of serving food, dried goods such as beans and rice should be

Baha’i youth and friends gathered April 23-25 for a weekend youth conference in East Patchogue, New York. The theme was ‘Arising to the Call of Baha'u' Included were two workshops, a talk on teaching, an afternoon of teaching activities, a fireside, and an evening of fellowship and fun. The conference was organized by Jennifer McNair, a 15-year-old Baha'i from Long Island.

fh.

made available to those in need. After this consultation, the core group realized that the power of Baha’u’Ildh had again shone forth and the goal of raising up a funetioning community had indeed been met. Conclusion

What began as a one-month project became a systematic long-term endeavor at the encouragement of Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt who advised the teaching institute to consider keeping the project going at least through the year 2000.

As the project had met all its goals in the first 25 days of existence, it became clear that the teaching institute needed to develop further goals and continue to initiate the process of entry by troops. Armed with the following quote from the International Teaching Center, the teaching institute in Woodburn will continue its efforts:

“Gradually, it is becoming clear to the friends that teaching, far from being a series of isolated and disconnected events, is a continuous and systematic process which organically combines a set of vital elements such as audacious proclamation; constant and unceasing expansion; deepening which places emphasis on the development of human resources for service to the Cause; and methodical, persevering efforts to strengthen local and national communities and develop their institution.” (Quoted in Further Thoughts on Teaching Institutes, p. 25)

Baha'is in Detroit metropolitan area sponsor weekly 15-minute television program on Faith

For the past year the Bahd'fs in the greater Detroit metropolitan area have sponsored a weekly 15-minute television program, “The Baha'i Faith,” on Detroit's WGPRaye

The programs have covered many aspects of the Faith including its history, basic teachings, and the persecutions in Tran.

The potential viewing audience is five million, and the station itself estimates that some 100,000 are watching the program each Sunday evening from 6:45 to 7 p-m. The program is also shown on cable television in 48 communities; local newspapers and the local TV Guide list “Baha'i Faith” in that time slot.

At the end of each program, telephone numbers for local Baha'i communities are

listed along with a toll-free 800 number for the Faith in Michigan and the number for the Louhelen Baha'i School.

More than 100 seekers have called the 800 number, while a number of others have phoned local communities seeking more information about the Faith. Baha'is in anumber of communities have reported an increase in the number of seekers attending their events.

The TV program is also seen in nearby areas of Canada, where two declarations are reported as a result of the broadcasts.

A local Bahd'f in Detroit contributes the time and equipment to produce the program, while the cost of air time is $350 per program. Assuming an audience of 100,000, the cost of each program is less than one penny per viewer.

Nor B.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 3]

3 1993 - 1996

3 YEAR PLAN GOALS

d.S. Baha’i Community Current Goals and Status - ‘Azamat 150 - May 17, 1993

1.

2

3.

4.

5.

6.

Ze

8.

9.

3 Year Plan Goals for the United States

Intensify study of the Sacred Writings as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation;

Expand vastly the human resources of the Faith;

Raise at least 3,000 traveling teachers;

Settle at least 500 homefront pioneers on Indian Reservations, in the South, and in other areas of greatest need;

Establish local SpiritualAssemblies in every city with a population of 75,000 resulting in no fewer than 150 new Spiritual Assemblies; Strive to become leaders in the movement for race unity and to make Baha’t communities models of unity which inspire emulation and lead to growth; Teach Baha'i and other children and youth to become the first generation of Americans free of all prejudices and truly united; Expand programs of edu. cation for Baha’i children, youth and adults and for the strengthening of Baha’t family life; Promote the advancement of women and publish a statement on women;

10. Foster the maturation of

local and national institutions with particular emphasis on the development of spiritual assemblies, the refinement of the art of consultation, the refinement of the Feast, and the operation of the Funds;

11. Strengthen the financial

position of the national community;

12, Extend the range of the Na tional Spiritual Assembly's collaborative projects with the Baha'i communities of Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Eastern Europe, Greenland, Mexico, the countries of the former Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.

cr

LSA GoaALs: Cities OF 75,000 +

488040) 7 SNe 52. 24. 26. peragh a2

>

BON EOo

contact in that locality. The Bahdé’{ communi Ridvadn. A revised map will be printed after this information is obtained.

Among the goals for the establishment of 150 new Local Spiritual Assemblies during the Three Year Plan are cities with populations of 75,000 or more that do not currently haye Assemblies. The map above shows the 52 cities of this size which did not have Assemblies before Ridv4n. Individuals interested in helping to raise the Baha’i community to Assembly status in one of these areas through traveling teaching or homefront pioneering may contact the National Teaching Committee office at (708) 869-9039 for the name of a Baha’{ in a few of these cities may have formed Assemblies at

CALIFORNIA FLORIDA

1. Carson 13. Hialeah

2. Compton

3. Daly City GEORGIA

4. El Monte 14. Columbus

5. Fontana

6. South Gate INDIANA

7. Visalia 15. Evansville

8. West Covina 16, Hammond

eee LOUISIANA 17. Metaire

CONNECTICUT

10. New Britain MARYLAND

11. Norwalk 18. Columbia

12. Waterbury

NG

In the development of their plans for teaching during the Three Year Plan, local Spiritual Assemblies are asked by the National Teaching Committee to consider adopting a nearby community as an extension teaching goal. Establishing and helping to maintain Assemblies through extension teaching has been a longstanding responsibility of local Spiritual Assemblies (see Developing Distinctive Bahd’t Communities, 7.18).

When a local Spiritual Assembly commits itself to helping with efforts to teach and deepen the friends in areas other than its own, it engages in extension teaching. Every Assembly should

MASSACHUSETTS NEW JERSEY

19. Brockton 28. Camden 20. Fall River 29. Elizabeth 21. Lynn 30. Newark 22. Quincy 31. Paterson

NEW YORK MICHIGAN 32. Syracuse 23. Livonia

N. CAROLINA

24, Sterling Heights 33, Fayetteville 25. Warren 26. Westland OHIO

34. Akron MINNESOTA 35. Canton 27. Bloomington 36. Parma

37. Youngstown

take on an extension teaching goal and work consistently with this area once the human resources of its own Baha’f community are strong enough to sustain local community functions and teaching efforts.

Suggested extension goal areas include cities with populations of 75,000 or more in h there is currently no Assembly, localities where there are seven or more adult believers and currently no Assembly, areas in which a large number of believers have very quickly accepted the Bahd’f Faith and are not yet deepened in the Faith, and localities on Indian Reservations where the connection of the friends to Baha'u'llah needs to be strengthened through the development of strong, last

OKLAHOMA TEXAS

38. Lawton 45. Abilene 46. Laredo PENNSYLVANIA 47. Midland 39. Erie 40. Reading UTAH 41. Scranton 48. Provo 49. W. Valley City RHODE ISLAND 42. Cranston VIRGINIA. 50. Chesapeake SOUTH DAKOTA 43. Sioux Falls WISCONSIN 51. Kenosha ‘TENNESSEE 52. Racine

44. Clarksville

Extension teaching an important component in local plans

ing relationships with other Baha’ is.

In the process of choosing an extension teaching goal area, the local Spiritual Assembly should consult with the Assembly of a potential goal area (if the Assembly is functioning) or with the Bahd’f residents of that locality (if there are any) to determine what kind of help that Baha’f community would like to have.

Some of the ways in which the more developed Bahdé’{ community might be able to assist, for example, are by providing some team members for a team teaching project or helping to fill the gaps in a teaching schedule for an ongoing child See EXTENSION page 15

Nor B.£. 150 / June 5, 1993, [Page 4]4 THEAMERICANBAHAt

bona

Every spring the Office of Pioneering surveys most National Spiritual Assemblies about their needs for traveling teachers for the next Baha’ f year. So far we have received replies telling of a wide gamut of teaching projects and ongoing activi for which your help is urgently neede from:

AFRICA: Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambi Kenya, Niger, South Africa, Transk Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, West Africa (for Benin, Céte D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo).

ASIA: Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka.

AUSTRALASIA: Cook Islands, Eastern Caroline Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea.

CARIBBEAN: Barbados, Belize, East Leeward Islands, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Leeward Islands.

EASTERN EUROPE: Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.

LATIN AMERICA: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico.

WESTERN EUROPE: Canary Islands, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland.

Special summer projects are to be found

in: BOTSWANA: “Star '93" project for

GOING ABROAD? Make your trip count!

Beloved Friends, the international travels of the followers of Baha’— u’Ilah from the United States forma significant part of the history of the development of the Faith. The Universal House of Justice has asked us to keep detailed records of our international trips of any nature. It is important to remember that your mere, presence as a Baha’ fin another country can potentially bring the spirit of the Faith of Baha’u’Ilah to that land. In order to record your in— ternational travels as a U.S. Baha’t, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wil— mette, 1160091. Tel: (708) 869-9039, Fax: (708) 869-0247, Atn. Office of Pioneering.

southern Africa, June 23-August.

COLOMBIA: Firesides, proclamation events, deepening new believers, youth and children’ sses, July and August.

FINLAND: “International Youth Forum,” June 28-July 2, followed by Baha’ Summer School July 2-8.

FRANCE: Postering, conferences, meeting members of local organizations, teaching. Starting mid-July.

GREECE: Proclamations, firesides,

media activities, deepenings, children’s and youth classes. June 15-August 15. i five consecutive localities June 15-August 16. Baha’{ Summer school August 17-24. Focused teaching in two consecutive areas August 24-September 9.

ICELAND: Reforestation work on Baha’f endowment land, other teaching activities. June-September.

POLAND: Two teams of traveling teachers needed for summer months.

ROMANIA: “Moldova Project” encompassing both Romanian Moldova and the Republic of Moldova June 21-July 18; “mobile institute” consolidation work in villages June 21-July 31; village teaching campaign aimed at “revolutionizing methods of teaching used in Romania” July 19August 10; summer school in Curtea de Arges August 10-15; teaching project on the Black Sea Coast August 16-September 15.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: teaching and consolidation, June and July.

“Time of Transformation Youth Tour” to Albania, Macedonia, Turkey (Adrianople), Bulgaria and Romania, July 15-September 1.

Watch the next editions of The American Baha'i for more!

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247.

Every spring the Office of Pioneering surveys most National Spiritual Assemblies about their needs for traveling teachers for the next Baha’ { year. So far we have received replies telling of a wide gamut of teaching projects and ongoing activities for which your help is urgently needed from:

AFRICA: Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Kenya, Niger, South Africa, Transkei, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, West Africa (for Benin, Céte D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana,

‘What My Faith Means to Me’ was the

iy ,

theme of a World Religion Day

observance in Murrieta, California, held in February and sponsored by the Baha'i InterCommunity Proclamation Committee of Central Riverside County.

Speakers included a Buddhist monk,

a Christian, a Muslim and a Baha'i,

Barbara Scott, who is vice-president of the Riverside County United Way. The Baha'i children's class of Kuriansky (pictured) presented a biographical sketch of the Founders of the world's major religions. About 40 people including a dozen non-Baha’'is attended the event, which was publicized on

radio and in newspapers.

Nor B.c. 150 / June 5, 1993.

Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo).

ASIA: Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Malaysi ri Lanka.

AUSTRALASIA: Cook Islands, Eastern Caroline Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea.

CARIBBEAN: Barbados, Belize, East Leeward Islands, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Leeward Islands.

EASTERN EUROP Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia.

LATIN AMERICA: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Mexico.

WESTERN EUROPE: Canary Islands, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland.

Special summer projects are to be found in:

BOTSWANA: “Star °93" project for southern Africa, June 23-August.

COLOMBIA: Firesides, proclamation events, deepening new believers, youth and children’s classes, July and August.

FINLAND: “International Youth Forum,” June 28-July 2, followed by Baha’ Summer School July 2-8.

FRANCE: Postering, conferences, meeting members of local organizations, teaching. Starting mid-July.

GREECE: Proclamations, firesides, media activities, deepenings, children’s and youth classes. June 15-August 15.

HUNGARY: Focused teaching in five consecutive localities June 15-August 16. Baha’ Summer school August 17-24. Focused teaching in two consecutive areas August 24-September 9.

ICELAND: Reforestation work on Baha’i endowment land, other teaching

New opportunities are announced for traveling teaching

UPCOMING BYSC/Pioneering Institutes

June 15-20, 1993, Louhelen Baha'i School, Davison, Michigan. August 31-September 5, Louis Gregory Baha’ f Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

If you are interested in international service, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 or telephone (708) 869-9039 or fax (708) 869-0247 for additional information.

activities. June-September.

POLAND: Two teams of traveling teachers needed for summer months.

ROMANIA: “Moldova Project” encompassing both Romanian Moldova and the Republic of Moldova June 21-July 18; “mobile institute” consolidation work in villages June 21-July 31; village teaching campaign aimed at “revolutionizing methods of teaching used in Romania” July 19August 10; summer school in Curtea de Arges August 10-15; teaching project on the Black Sea Coast August 16-September 15.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: teaching and consolidation, June and July.

“Time of Transformation Youth Tour” to Albania, Macedonia, Turkey (Adrianople), Bulgaria and Romania, July 15-September 1.

Watch the next editions of The American Bahd’t for more!

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’ f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone 708-869-9039; fax 708-869-0247.

Three West Coast Baha'is proclaim Faith at Science Fiction Convention

Norweson, the Northwest Science Fiction Convention, gave three West Coast Bahd'fs an unprecedented opportunity to proclaim the Faith to an enthusiastic audience.

Approximately 2,800 science fiction/ fantasy writers, editors and fans met March 25-28 in Bellevue, Washington, to hear and take part in nearly 400 panel discussions, talks and other presentations.

Mike and Janet Tanaka of Issaquah, Washington, and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff of Grass Valley, California, appeared on several panels dealing with religion/philosophy in the context of science fiction and fantasy.

Ms. Bohnhoff, a computer software designer and freelance writer, spoke on “The Avatar in Science Fiction” and the “divine leader” in mythology and religion, including the Manifestations of God; and appeared on a panel on “Damsels to the Rescue,” where she was able to share Baha'i views on the equality of the sexes.

Congress highlights telecast in Hamlet, North Carolina

The Spiritual Assembly of Hamlet, North Carolina, arranged for an hour-long broadcast of highlights of the second Baha'f World Congress on the cable-access channel for Richmond County. The broadcast, on March 16, had a potential countywide audience of more than 44,000.

The three Bahd'is comprised half the panel on “21st Century Religion,” where they were again able to present the Faith and its teachings for the future.

The presentations about the Faith were well-attended and well-received. Literature was permitted, and about three dozen of the Baha’ International Community's new Baha'f magazine were taken.

Ms. Bohnhoff also spoke on software design; Ms. Tanaka gave presentations on earthquake preparedness, the importance of getting scientific facts straight for believable science fiction, and the mythology and symbolism of volcanos; and Mr. Tanaka chaired a panel on space art.

International opportunities for youth

HAWAII: The University of Hawaii on Manoa (Honolulu) has a strong China Studies Program. The University reaches out to many areas of the far east through their East West Center. The Baha’ f community of Hawaii has a strong Chinese teaching program since the beginning of the Six Year Plan.

TUVALU: Youth involved in the “Ocean of Light teaching campaign” welcome any youth with experience in forming musical groups to assist with the formation of a musical teaching group, and are in need of new or used musical instruments from any source.

[Page 5]THE AMERICAN BAHA 5

The National Spiritual Assembly has appointed Rebequa Getahoun Murphy as its representative to the United Nations, replacing Shirley Lee who retired from the position on April 30.

Ms. Murphy, who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been a Baha’ since 1972.

After completing her early education in Ethiopia, India and the former Soviet Union, she pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Alask: and earned a masters degree in International Studies with a focus on Alternative Models for Women and Development in sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Her longstanding interest and involvement has been in women, children, peace and the environment. Before her appointment as representative to the UN, she was deputy director of the Baha’ International Community Office of the Environment.

As UN representative for the National Assembly, which is accredited as a non-governmental

Rebequa Murphy is National Assembly's new UN representative

closely with organizations to which the National Spiritual Assembly belongs.

In addition, the UN representative provides the American Baha'i community with information about the work of the office and the UN system, and fosters the growth of a global perspective in the Baha'i community.

Shirley Lee, former director of the National Baha'f Office of Public Information, has been the National Spiritual Assembly's representative to the UN for the past five years.

At the time of her retirement, she was a member of the advisory board of the North American Environmental Sabbath Committee sponsored by the UN Department of the Environment, chairman of the United Nations Association of the U.S. Conference of UN Representatives, and a member of the board of governors of that association.

On her last day of service, Ms. Lee chaired a daylong conference on communications for representatives

organization (NG

mined by the National Assembly.

)) to the UN Department of Public Information, Ms. Murphy will be ing meetings, conferences and other acti: relating to the work of the UN. The issues on which her work will be focused will be deter

‘tendes, to The American Bahdt.

The representative will foster relationships with NGOs working within the UN system and will work

of non-governmental organi provided regular articles on Baha’ activities at the UN

Reseaua GeTaHoun MurPHy

tions at the UN. She has

REFUGEE OFFICE REPORT: ‘Helpers’ help save local Assembly in North Carolina

Over the past six years the U.S. Baha’ Refugee Office has worked hard to develop a network of “helpers” around the country to help consolidate and deepen Southeast Asian Baha'i refugees in the

Thanks to the dedication and concern of two of these helpers, Larry and Maryellen Crason of the Hmong Teaching Institute of Sacramento, California, the Spiritual Assembly of Morganton, North Carolina, was saved this Ridvan.

The Spiritual Assembly of Morganton onee encompassed both the city of Morganton and Burke County. This year,

12 years after forming their Assembly, the Baha'is there were asked to form two Assemblies, one in the city and the other in the county.

While Burke County had a good-sized community, there were only eight adult Bahd'fs within the city limits of Morganton. The Baha'is tried their best but were unable to locate another Bahd’f to help them maintain Assembly status.

Meanwhile, however, Mr. and Mrs. Crason had learned that Tong Ge Vue, his wife, Phua Ch: id their 10 children were moving from Sacramento to Raleigh, North Carolina, address unknown.

Vadim NomoKDIOV? a Baha’ ifrom St. Petersburg, Russia, who is an electrical engineer, visited a number of communities in the U.S. following the Baha'i World Congress last November in New York City. While in Oklahoma City on December 17, he was interviewed on the Carol Arnold show on radio station KTOK, which has an average listening audience of around 70,000, on the topic ‘The New World Order in Russia.’ Baha'u'llah's Name was mentioned no less than nine times during the program.

After four months, by keeping in touch with friends and relatives of the family, the Crasons were able to find out the whereabouts of Mr. Vue and his family. A phone call was placed to Mr. Vue, who was delighted to hear from his Baha'i friends again.

That same evening Mr. Crason phoned Bob Pickering, the corresponding secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Morganton, to inform him that Morganton now had a family of 12 South Vietnamese Baha'fs living there.

The Baha'is of Morganton were delighted to learn that this Southeast Asian family was in the community, and have already welcomed them.

Through much carin; Hmong Institute of S

and effort, the amento was again

able to help a Southeast Asian Baha'f family—and to help the Baha'is of Morganton retain their Spiritual Assembly.

The Baha'i Refugee Office's “helpers” are Baha'is (both American and Southeast Asian) who are dedicated to helping Southeast Asian Baha'f refugees become fully integrated into their new communities, deepen in the Faith, and bring the Teachings of Bahé'u'lléh to other Southeast Asians.

If you have Southeast Asian Baha’'fs in your area and would like to know more about becoming a helper, please contact the U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office; they'll be happy to welcome you to their growing network and to share with you any information they have.

Faith is represented in new book on aspects of altruism

Embracing the Other: Philosophical, Psychological, and Historical Perspectives on Altruism, a new book published by the New York University Press, includes a chapter entitled “Altruism and Extensivity in the Bahd'f Religion” by Wendy M. Heller and Hoda Mahmoudi.

Ms. Heller, an author and editor, has taught writing at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California; ociate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of ology at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

1500 Traveling Teachers Sought for Ist Year of Three Year Plan

Traveling teachers are Baha

who travel to localities other than their own

and participate in teaching activities in those communities. Are youa traveling teacher? The National Spiritual Assembly would like to count your efforts

toward its goals!

Please return this form below to:

National Traveling

Teaching Coordinator, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Street:

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|

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|

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| Name: |

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| Date(s) traveled: | |

What did you do?

City/State/Zip:

Where did you go?

= | | | | | ID #: | | | | | | | ca

Nor B.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 6]6 THE AMERICAN BaHA’i

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Community Histories includes six essays by different Baha’i scholars on the history of the Baha’i communities in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Baltimore, Maryland; Sacramento, California; St. Brunswick, Nova Scotia; Kansas; and Great Brit Richard Hollinger’s introduction examines critical periods in the evolution of the national Baha’i community of the United States.

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NationalConventionCompilation AstatementandcompilationofextractsfromtheBahaiWritingsprepared bytheResearch Department ofthe Universal houseofJustice

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Nor b.e. 150/ June 5, 1993 [Page 8]8 THEAMERICANBAHAT

ROT

Arc

FROM PAGE 1

SFT

be two pools from which the water will connect to the stair runnels and run down, to the next terrace pool. We have already started making these stone pools. They really look beautiful.

In front of each terrace will be a stoneclad wall inset with ornate stone balustrades. Because a highly sophisticated, computer-driven stone-carving operation is needed to manufacture the stone balustrades, we are sending rough-cut blocks of the finest local stone to Italy to be machined and returned prepared and ready for assembly.

Achieving the complicated geometry for the various slopes and curves is exacting for the contractors involved and for our dedicated Baha'i supervisors. The challenge of getting all the elements, such as the finished stone, concrete and drainage, etc., to match leaves little room for error during the construction work.

As for Abbas Street, we have demolished the old bridge and nearly rebuilt the new one. All the neighbors turned out to supervise the demolition work, and after

much shouting and the customary armwaving, everyone instructed the bulldozer driver what to do.

The driver, under a blaze of floodlights, ignored everyone and demolished the bridge his way, in just over 20 minutes.

At the same time, we have been widening the road and building solid stone retaining walls on each side of the road. This whole area is a hive of activity.

For some months now, major earthworks have been continuing below Abbas Street on a further three terraces. These works should be completed in late summer, enabling us to again plant trees, etc., before winter sets in.

We have recently let contracts for what is called the “phase three” work which entails the major earthworks for the five uppermost terraces (Nos. 15-19). Linked with this is the excavation work for the International Teaching Center because we need the excavated material as fill for these terraces.

Arc Project works

The Center for the Study of the Texts incorporates a large underground car park building and connects at basement level to the underground extension to the Archives Building.

558-5093.

Taylor,

89703; (702) 882-4599. Registrar: Andrea Determan,

Hauck,

Shannon McConnell,

Boone, IA 50036; (515) 432-5162.

Summer 1993 Schools Calendar

June 10-13, South Carolina Baha'f School, Louis Gregory Institute. Registration: Louis Gregory Baha’ { Institute, Rt. 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554; (803)

June 11-13, Mississippi School, Long Beach. Contact: John Smith, Vicksburg, MS 39180; (601) 636-8628.

June 17-20, Colorado (West) School, near Telluride. Registrar: Deby AllenBussard, P. O. Box 162, Ignacio, CO 81137; (303) 563-9359.

June 18-20, Nebraska [Great Plains] School, near Cozad. Registrar: Colin North Platte, NE 69101; (308) 534-4939.

June 18-20, Nevada [Mountain Rose] School, at Bosch Baha’f School, Santa Cruz, California. Registrar: Cathy Thayer,

June 26-July 1, Idaho (Southern) School, Luther Heights, at Alturas Lake.

June 30-July 5, Florida [Southern Flame] School, Melbourne. Registrar: Helen

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442; (305) 426-0991.

July 1-4, New Jersey School, Lakewood. Registrar: Betty Ann Turko, Lakewood, NJ 08701; 908/367-2755.

July 4-10: Washington (East)/Idaho (North) School, near Pomeroy. Registrar:

- Richland, WA 99352; (509) 943-9146.

July 7-11, lowa School, Sioux City. Registrar: Autumn Wagner,

July 12-16, Wisconsin School, Brownsville. Registrar: Lisa Riemer,

Carson City, NV

Blackfoot, ID 83221; (208) 785-0063.

West Bend, WI 53095; (414) 338-3023.

July 16-18, Colorado (East) Camping Weekend, near Woodland Park. Registrar: Sandra Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026; (303) 666-9275.

July 21-25, Minois [Heartland] School, Greenville. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel,

Naperville, IL 60563; (708) 778-0705. July 25-31, Montana School, near Livingston. Registrar: Linda Wanzenreid, Lewistown, MT 59457; (406) 538-8047. July 27-31, Oregon (East) School, Weston. Registrar: Karlene Truax, Irrigon, OR 97844; (503) 922-5188.

July 30-August 2, Maryland/Virginia [Dayspring] School, Frostburg. Registrar: BiBi Kearney, Vienna, VA 22180; (703) 938-9261.

August 6-8, Georgia School. Contact: Reginald and Natalie Colbert,

Atlanta, GA 30342; (404) 239-0357.

August 6-10, Washington (West) School, McKenna. Registrar: Becky Cleere, P.O. Box 67, McKenna, WA 98558; (206) 458-3910.

August 7-9, California (Southern) School, Cherry Valley. Registrar: Susan P. Millett, Cucamonga, CA 91730; (909) 987-7129.

August 11-15, Oregon (West) [Badasht] School, near Roseburg. Registrar: Norman Ives, Coos Bay, OR 97060; (503) 267-3157.

August 13-22, New York School, Poughkeepsie. Registrar: Charles and Barbara Clark, Middletown, NY 10940; (914) 342-4082.

August 18-22, Colorado (East) Summer School, near Wetmore. Registrar: Sandra Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026; (303) 666-9275.

August 18-22, Minnesota School, Onamia. Registrar: Steve Grams,

Willmar, MN 56201; (612) 235-6530. September 3-6, Tennessee School, Monteagle. Contact: Kaihan Strain, Hixson, TN 37343; (615) 842-1750.

September 17-19, Green Lake Conference, Wisconsin. Addresses and workshops will be given by members of the National Assembly. Registration: Green Lake Conference Center, 1-800-558-8898.

This building, as you know, will be the seat of an institution of Baha'i scholars, which will help the Universal House of Justice consult the Sacred Writings and will also prepare translations and commentaries on the authoritative Texts of the Faith.

The first phase of the work has been to take a huge slice out of the mountain, more than 120,000 cubic meters (396,000 cubic feet) of rock, into which we will put the new building and cover most of it with roof gardens leaving the front marble portico entrance and walls showing.

After one and one-half years, this bulk excavation and the huge retaining wall work has been effectively finished, with only minor earthworks remaining to produce finished levels.

Hossein Amanat and his design team based in Canada are completing the final design details, and we are in the busy stage of producing tender documents for the Center for the Study of the Texts building itself. Of course, when the contract is let it will start a new cycle of busy activities.

The new International Teaching Center is to be built adjacent to the main entrance to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and hence we have the added complication of maintaining both the dignity of the entrance and full vehicle access up to the Seat throughout the works.

We have installed a temporary fence along the full length of the entrance road to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice to screen the general mess of a construction site and to reduce dust that might fly around during the work.

Walkers

FROM PAGE 1

sociation (IAPA) for her leadership in local and state organizations. A charter member of the IAPA, she served as its president from 1989-90.

Mrs. Walker was a founding member of the Chicago-area Activity Therapists Association (APA), served as its president in 1976-77 and was a member of the board of directors for more than 20 years.

The Baha'i Home, which is licensed by the state of Illinois as a Shelter Care facility, does not provide nursing care. Instead, ithelps people—Bahé fs and non-Baha’ is alike—who are over 65 years old and in reasonably good health “live with dignity and have a full, active life as long as they can,” according to Mrs. Walker.

“We give no skilled nursing care. What we do provide is personal care. We're like a family, and we care deeply about each of its residents.

“The goal,” she says, “is to keep people as independent as possible.”

The Baha’f Home opened Feb. 1, 1959, in fulfillment of a goal of the Ten Year Crusade set for the U.S. Baha’f community by Shoghi Effendi. Construction had begun in December 1957, one month after the Guardian’s passing.

The cornerstone was laid on April 5, 1958, inaceremony attended by 60 people

As I mentioned before, we have let the contract for the bulk excavation for the International Teaching Center. As a part of this work, we are installing a row of anchored micropiles to act as a retaining wall to the road leading to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice when we excavate the large hole in the ground for the International Teaching Center.

As we rapidly approach the turn of the century, the work is accelerating. Only seven days in one week simply isn'tenough anymore. When I reflect on what our beloved Guardian managed to get built in Haifa, ‘Akk4, Bahjf, and their surrounding areas, and then consider how we are

ipped with the latest computers, speialists in all design and construction disciplines, and still are stressed-out with the workload, I marvel at what he was able to accomplish.

How often in our lifetime do we get the chance to fulfill a prophecy of Bahd'u'lléh—establishing His mighty Arc to the wonderment of future generations? The friends have, today, a God-given opportunity to take part in this momentous task by contributing to this undertaking, as only Baha'fs have the privilege of giving to the Arc Fund, and in this way, contributing personally to the establishment of His new World Order.

(Note: Stephen Drake, a Baha'i from New Zealand, is serving at the Bahd't World Center as a quantity surveyor with the Mount Carmel Projects. This article was written at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand for inclusion in its national newsletter.)

including the president of the Wilmette Village Board and William Campbell Wright, architect of the Home.

The Home, of contemporary design, is primarily brick with stone and wood trim. It sits on three-quarters of an acre less than four blocks west of the House of Worship. Its landscaping was designed by Hilbert F. Dahl and L. Wyatt Cooper, who had gained wide notice for their work on the gardens surrounding the Temple.

The late Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, at that time secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, noted on that occasion: “The Baha’f Home fulfills the meaning and power of divine worship in service to our fellow-men. For this institution is not restricted to members of the Baha’i Faith, but opens its doors to all persons, without any religious discrimination.”

Baha’i Youth Service Corps

“sally forth unrestrained

as the wind”

For more information, contact: National Teaching Committee Bahda’{ National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone 708-869-9039, ext. 232

First class/ 1Year 2 Years Surface $24 $45 Air Mail $32 $60

Tue American BanA'i Subscription rates (For outside the continental United States ONLY)

All orders must be pre-paid in U.S. currency. VISA/MasterCard accepted; please include full account number and expiration date.

Please make check payable to: Baha'f Subscriber Service, c/o Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Nor B.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 9]THE AMERICAN BAHA 9

RE Tee

Beat

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

The American Baha'i welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the

“letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate an— other'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 Baha'f, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Thank you for Kitab-i-Aqdas

To the Editor: I would like to thank the Universal House of Justice for making available to us the

excellent translation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. “Say: From My laws the sweet-smelling savor of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of Victory will be planted upon the highest peaks.”

In the Most Holy Book we find the strength and wisdom for our own spiritual growth as well as for the destined glory of our society. “The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: ‘Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.’”

Some of the things Baha’u'lléh asks of us are clearly meant for a future Baha'f society, shaped by Baha'f laws. On the other hand, I see that Baha'u'llah asks us to recite the Greatest Name 95 times a day; as far as I know, this could stand much more widespread practice by Western Baha'fs. The text is from paragraph 18:

“Tt hath been ordained that every believer in God, the Lord of Judgment, shall, each day, having washed his hands and then his face, seat himself and, turning unto God, repeat ‘Allah-u-Abha’ ninetyfive times. Such was the decree of the Maker of the Heavens when, with majesty and power, He established Himself upon the thrones of His Names. Perform ye, likewise, ablutions for the Obligatory

Fund.

its Office of the Treasurer.

ATTENTION REGISTERED BAHA’I GROUPS: Local Contribution Goals for the Baha’{ National Fund

A number of Baha'i groups from around the country have asked whether they can participate in the program of local contribution goals for the Baha’ { National

The National Spiritual Assembly was delighted to hear of this sense of initiative on the part of these friends. Indeed, it views such a step as an important advance toward full local Spiritual Assembly status.

Groups who wish to establish goals for their unrestricted contributions to the National Fund are welcome to set a goal that reflects their sense of the group’s capacity, and to communicate that number to the National Spiritual Assembly via

ERENT

Prayer; this is the command of God, the Incomparable, the Unrestrained.”

I would ask the friends to consider this: doesn't it seem incongruous to imagine us scaling mountains to raise the emblem of the Greatest Name when we are reluctant to repeat it in the comfort and privacy of our chambers?

Again, my thanks to the Universal House of Justice for this lovely translation of the Most Holy Book. The inclusion of the “Obligatory Prayers” and “Eighth Ishraq” is wonderful, and shows the comprehensive effort put into this edition. The “questions and answers” provide excellent clarification, and the disciplined use of notes at the back of the book gives a great deal of dignified background without the distraction of interpretation.

Patrick O. Kohli Lexington Park, Maryland

Integrating neighborhoods To the Editor:

Last year I had an opportunity as a white Baha'i to purchase a 100-year-old house in a black neighborhood. Initially, I was thrilled at the prospect of purchasing this wonderful old home at such a reasonable price; later I began having second thoughts about the neighborhood, brought on in part by a well-meaning black Baha'{ friend who grew up near the house, and by suggestions from my co-workers who felt that I would not have considered the house if my children lived with me.

While in that frame of mind I discovered this wonderful quotation from the Universal House of Justice: “Any evaluation of any situation that leaves out the power of Baha'u'llah to change the atmosphere and climate is meaningless.”

Thus inspired, I have completed my move, met several of my new neighbors, hosted several Bah’ gatherings, and plan

to take part in the PTA at the

Print Name

BAHA'I HOUSE OF WORSHIP SPECIAL VISIT PROGRAM JULY 15 - 18, 1993 REGISTRATION FORM

DEADLINE TO SEND IN REGISTRATION FORM IS MAY 30

Baha'i I.D.

List additional names as applicable, Baha'i ID#'s, ages of children). Attach extra sheet as needed.

neighborhood school in the hope of bringing a Bahd'f influence to the educational process.

Tam writing not to point out my accomplishments but to point out a much-needed area for Bahd'fs to enlarge their racial experience. What better way to bring our principles of racial equality to our non

Baha’{ brothers and sisters, black or white? What better

Address

City State

Telephone/Work/Home/Area code

Zip. ya)) Gis);

A children's program will be conducted each day for ages 4 - 11. No other child care will be available.

The registration fee is $7.00 per person. Please make checks available to the Baha'i Services Fund. Do not send any other payment to us.

Hore INFORMATION

way to stop the “white flight” to the suburbs? What better way to interact, to strive toward common goals, to realize the essential oneness of humankind?

Ibelieve itis time for Ameri

FERS eae Te Te NDR A ET

Reminder to pioneers

Reminder to overseas pioneers who may be traveling to other countries or returning to the States for a short visit or permanently:

Please get a membership card or a letter from your National Spiritual Assembly stating that you are a Bah@’{in good standing. Your U.S. membership card is no longer valid once you have been transferred to another country.

can Baha'is to scrutinize their acceptance of the principles of the Faith and, in the truest sense of pioneering, face the cultural differences (and similarities), and take their families, their lives, their Faith and plant themselves in a culturally diverse neighborhood.

The challenges and rewards of my own move have been amazing. I believe that any Baha'f who is renting a home or looking to buy one should consider relocating with the intention of integrating a minority neighborhood. Short of interracial marriage, I can think of no fuller way to integrate black and white society in America.

Rex Block Kansas City, Missouri

Why ask ‘Are you a Baha'i?’ To the Editor:

Iam concerned about a question Baha'fs often ask people: “Are you a Baha'{?”

Why is this question asked? It immediately creates a distinction between people, an “us” and “them” mentality. It breeds a harmful attitude that we are different, in a way that comes across as somehow better than others, when we find that someone has not declared.

It leaves the person who is asked the question stinging with the pain of alienation. The feeling of being an outsider, of being less than and separate from Bahd'fs, is real—it creates scars that run deep and resentment that diminishes the light of unity. I see this question as contradicting everything we believe.

Instead of being conscious of someone's being a “Baha’f,” let us free ourselves of such distinctions. May our love for Bahd'u'lldh enable us to see everyone as servants who are striving toward the same goal.

In the sight of God, our only distinction is spiritual—in this light we may all be considered Baha'i, for the Master says that the requirements of a Bahd'f “in reality” are “love for mankind, sincerity toward

See LETTERS page 15

the Fund.”

Almost every Baha'i has heard

Based on our two hotel selections, we can make your reservations. However, you will handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. For those who wish to select their own accommodations, we will send you alist of hotels. All registrants will be sent transportation information and an itinerary of program activities. Please circle your hotel choice and indicate the number in your party.

(1) Skokie Howard Johnson

• Buffet breakfast included
• 2 miles from the House of Worship
• 1bd. rm. is $57.00/ 2bd. rm. is $67.00

(2) Marriott Courtyard

• Breakfast Additional
• 10 miles north of the House of Worship
• Flat rate is $49.00

Both hotels will provide full day shuttle service. Please indicate yes or no for an alternative hotel listing 4

Return this form to: Baha'i House of Worship Activities Office Special Visit Program Wilmette, IL 60091

appeals strike a chord.

this statement, ora variation of it, at least once. One of the friends, trying to raise money for the Faith, will offer some goods or service on the understanding that a part of their income will be contributed to the Funds of the Faith. Because we all want to support the Funds, such

The problem is that such approaches are essentially coercive. Weare being asked to spend money for something we would probably not ordinarily pay for. That constitutes subtle kind of pressure to buy.

Because it felt that this was a

Fund-raisers must shun any hint of coercion “If you buy it, 10 percent goes to

violation of a basic principle, the National Spiritual Assembly took a policy decision some time ago that such approaches to fund-raising were not appropriate. As the Guardian expressed the principle in Bahd’f Administration: “...any form of compulsion, however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root of the principle (of voluntary giving) underlying the formation of the Fund ever since its inception.” This does not speak to the motivation of the friends, which in most cases is pure. The standard, however, for which we must strive in our efforts to raise funds is one of “true...Baha’i stewardship and sacrific cus, not on techniques, but on the “spiritual privilege of giving.

Nor b.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 10]10 THEAMERICANBAHA'

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly is seeking a General Manager for the Bahé’f Publishing Trust. This position requires a strong. general manager capable of managing large numbers of people, preparing and managing significant budgets, developing plans and strategies for producing desired results. Publishing experience a plus. Please send résumé to the Bahd'f National Center, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AS THE MAXWELL International Baha’f School continues to strive to meet the growing demands of an international residential school, there are a number of new and replacement positions that arise each year. The school has been privileged to have a number of talented, qualified volunteers in such areas as the health center, lings and grounds, food services, administrative and academic support. While it would be a great asset to find qualified, selfsupporting volunteers for service in these areas, the school may be interested in individuals who have the expertise and desire to serve the Faith at this residential school but who may require a small level of financial support. Positions for which we are currently seeking employees or volunteers are (1) a nurse to augment the health center staff. The center consists of a 12-bed medical unit and an emergency room. It provides a variety of healthrelated services to students and staff. Hours include shift work and on-call duty in the evenings, nights and on weekends. (2) A secretary/administrative assistant for the academic section for a period of 1-2 years. (3) Acaden staff: qualified secondary level teachers, eligible for'certification in B.C., in all fields are invited to submit résumés. Those who are interested should write to The Principal, Maxwell International Baha'f School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada VOR 2W0.

PIONEERING: OVERSEAS

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA—Somalia: experts in water resources, transportation, eduction being recruited by special UN agency. AMERICAS— Dominica: MDs and/or Ph.Ds to teach on faculty U.S. off-shore medical university. Paraguay: chiropractic practice for sale. ASIA—Cambodia: field director with phy cian or nurse qualifications, midwife, ph’ cian, accountant. Thailand: physical therapist, drug abuse educator/counselor, public health nurse. AUSTRALASIA—Guam: retired couple or male to serve as caretakers at local Baha’f Center, teachers, nurses. Yap, Western Caroline Islands: retired couple to serve as caretakers at the National Center. EUROPE— Bosnia: medical coordinator for Emergency Medical Training program; medical equi ment repair specialist; emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, hand, orthopedic, neurology and vascular surgeons on 1month volunteer basis; sanitation engineer. MULTI-REGIONAL—facility engineers, maintenance technicians needed by engineering firm for European assignments. Specialists in agribusiness, banking, marketing, accounting/finance needed by agricultural development organization in French-speaking

Africa. Dominica needs MDs and/or Ph.Ds with expertise in anatomy, biochemistry, hi: tology, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, neuroscience or behavioral sciences to teach the basic sciences program at its medical university. For more information on any of the above, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Baha’f National Center, Wilmette IL 60091; telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahf’f Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Jessica Perry, Harold Ransom Peters, Christy Petersen (died Inglewood, CA, 1948), Hazel Petersen (died Inglewood, CA, 1945), Mrs. Nels Petersen, Carrie Peterson (died Lead, SC, 1939), Lotus Peterson, and Dorothy and Lillian Peterson. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guard asked to contact the National Baha'f Archives, Bahd'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahé'f Archives is see! ing copies of the following books by Shog! Effendi in good or excellent condition: s of Baha'f Administration (cloth or pa950; paper: 1963), The Promised Day Is Conie (paper: 1943; cloth, 1961), The World Order of Baha'u'llah (paper: 1944; cloth: 1965). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Baha'f Archives, Baha'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Ale) tal erm ale) se

A UROLOGIST is needed in Warren, a lovely town in the Allegheny region of northwestern Pennsylvania, which presently has two Bahd'fs. Teaching opportunities are limitless. For information, please contact Dr. Khashaiar Charepoo, 814-726-1804.

SEVERAL teaching positions for the 199394 school year are open in Kingstree, South Carolina. Certification is required except for math. Kingstree (pop. 6,000) is a quiet rural town 35 minutes from the Louis Gregory Bahé't Institute in Hemingway. Active classes for children/youth; the Assembly needs help to function. Phone Heather Lally, 803-354-5339, or School Distict Personnel, 803-354-5571.

RETIRED believers who are self-sufficient can help with teaching on Indian Reservations by relocating to homefront pioneer. For more information, please contact Ada James at the National Teaching Committee Office, 708869-9039, ext. 361.

IF YOU ARE planning to attend a graduate school and also take on the challenge of teaching the Faith, consider moving to Radford, Virginia (pop. 13,000), on Interstate 81 between Knoxville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. (about three hours from D.C. by car), which has a university offering gradua grees in many fields. Free accommodatio! are available for a short visit of inquiry. For information, contact Dr. Samuel B. Olorounto, P.O. Box 870, Dublin, VA 24084 (phone 703633-1493, home, or 703-674-3600, ext. 274, office).

MALIBU by the ocean: Persian family needed as homefront pioneers. Stunning ocean coastline environment, Pepperdine University with its diverse student body, within commuting distance of film studios and businesses in Los Angeles. Contact R.R., Club Point Dume,

Malibu, CA 90265, or phone 310-457-5336.

SINCE about 1985, work has been proceeding on the publication of a Baha'f Encyclopeunder the auspices of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and U.S. Bahd’f Publishing Trust, with the encouragement and support of the Universal House of Justice. It is hoped that within the next two years it will be possible to publish A Short Encyclopedia of the Baha’ Faith. At present we are looking for a small number of volunteers to help with one aspect of the project. We need volunteers with

ATM

computers who are able to type articles onto computer disks and thus make them available to the editors on disk for editing. The computer will need to be MS-DOS or Apple Macintosh. Most of the common word processing formats can be accommodated. If you are able to offer your services to the Short Encyclopedia of the Bahd't Faith, please contact Dr. Betty J. Fisher, Baha'{ Pub! ing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 708-25 11854 (fax 708-251-3652).

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahd'f AudioVisual Center (IBAVC), a field agency of the Universal House of Justice, is looking for radio script writers. We are especially interested in obtaining script series on topical issues such as the environment, racism, and world peace. IBAVC offers scripts to Baha'f communities around the world—a wonderful way to multiply the effects of your teaching efforts. For more information, or to submit scripts, write to IBAVC,

Maracaibo, Venezuela, or fax (59) (61) 618572 or (59) (61) 912958.

THE NATIVE American Bahd’f Institute needs a four-wheel drive wagon-style vehicle for a mobile teaching institute to reach the Navajo and Hopi peoples. Please contact NABI, P.O. Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506, or phone 602-367-5126, ext. 8595.

CHEYENNE, a priority capital city in Wyoming, urgently needs homefront pioneers. Ideal for retired and/or professional peop! state income tax, and a 5 percent sale: (increasing to 6 percent in July). Jobs i cal field and other professions are available. Rental housing is tight, but houses can be purchased for around $80,000. Cheyenne has awonderful community college, good schools, business opportunities for entrepreneurs, is close to many scenic wonders such as the Grand Tetons, Snowy Range, the Buffalo Bill Cody monument, and areas for skiing, camping, hunting and fishing. No traffic congestion and a healthful lifestyle help make Cheyenne a good place to live. Bahé'fs will help in any way they can to relocate and find employment for you. For more information and a packet of information from the Chamber of Commerce, please contact the Assembly secretary at P.O. Box 2063, Cheyenne, WY 82003, or phone Natalie Reyes, 307-635-0943.

DUBUQUE, Iowa's first Spiritual Assembly needs bolstering. City of 60,000-plus is actively seeking minority-group families with experience in such professions as attorneys, police, and others. Dubuque in the tri-state

area (Illinois, lowa, Wiscon: and home to several college, universities and seminaries. For information, write to McDowell,

Dubuque, IA 52001, or phone 319556-1982.

FLORENCE, Alabama, is an ideal place for homefront pioneers to consider. It has an incorporated Assembly but only six adult Baha’ fs at present. There is a university with accredited programs, low tuition, and a Baha’ { Club eager for new members. The University of North Alabama is a major employer, is looking for a director of student activities and a director for its laboratory school, among other positions, and is eager to employ ties. Florence has a lovely southern and low cost of living, which makes it ideal for retirement living. Most important, the Baha’ fs in the area have worked diligently for years to prepare the soil for teaching success. For more information, please phone Jacquie Osborne, 205-764-1766 (evenings) or 205-760-4244 (days).

THE BAHA'f community of Smyrna, Tennessee, warmly welcomes homefront pioneers. We have seven fairly active adult Bahd'fs in this community, which is less than 30 minutes by car from Nashville or Murfreesboro, both of which have many fine educational institutions. Smyrna has a plant of the Nissan Motor Co. and other industries. For more information, please phone Susan Hakiman, 615-355

PICTURE THIS: asmall community in the midst of a big city with all the amenities— many schools and colleges, two major universities, good employment opportunities, excellent shopping, sunny beaches, and more—and all within 10 minutes of the largest Bahd'f

Center in Southern California. Come join the Culver Judicial District, low in numbers but high in spirit. For information, write to P.O. Box 10355, Marina del Rey, CA 90295, or phone 310-822-3174 or 213-299-2218.

COME to beautiful Florence, South Carolina, home of the newly acquired first Baha'f Center in the state, and help us begin entry by troops. Only an hour away from the Louis Gregory Institute and within listening range of WLGI Radio Bahd'f. Many children and activities for youth. Don't delay! For information, phone 803-664-9766.

THE WOODBURN (Oregon) Project ‘Teaching Institute is seeking vans and simil vehicles to help expand teaching act among the widely scattered migrant camps. Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties. Of the 150 recent declarations, one-third have become active teachers, and the majority are well-deepened Baha’ try by troops seems immi i or to offer your help, please contact the project coordinator, Jan House, Aurora, OR 97002, or phone 503-678-5162.

LEA NYS, the first Bahd'fin Belgium anda person who taught the Faith all over the world, passed away last July 28 in Brussels. Baha'f ids who had been associated with her are warmly encouraged to share their recollections of her life of service with Francine and Ben Levy, her daughter and sonle inclusion in a book they

photographs will be gratefully received, Reminiscences are acceptable in English or French. end information to Mr. and Mrs. BenLake Mary, FL 32746 as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 1993.

WANTED: Papers, correspondence, recollection tor photographs, tapes, newspajippings, notes of talks, programs, compilations, instructions, outstanding work, index cards, etc. relating to the Worlds of God Index, National Reference Library Committee, Marian Crist Lippitt, and/or H. Emogene Hoagg to complete and document this monumental conceptual index. Any expenses you incur will be reimbursed. Please send to Diane Iverson, 195 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-8532). Papers, correspondence, recols, photographs, papers, tapes, newspaper clippings, notes of talks, programs, tions, etc. relating to the Hand of the of God Roy C. Wilhelm for use in ng a biography. Any expenses you i ‘lease send to Diane , ME03903 (phone

Iverson, 195 Main St., 207-439-8532). VOLUNTEERS are led to work on a project to outline the Baha'f Writings in extensive detail. The goal is to combine the various ject outlines into a master “tree of knowledge” that would be made a’ ible to the Baha'{community through computer software. Anyone who is interested in writing and/or is asked to

Iso San Juan couitans CA 92675 (phone 714240-2092). Computer is not required.

NEEDED: Spiritual Assemblies interested in hosting a Youth Year of Service volunteer to focus full-time on teaching the Faith. Please contact the National Teaching Committee Office, 708-869-9039, ext. 361.

THE NATIONAL Committee for Service to the Hearing Impaired and Deaf is seeking help and correspondence from hearing impaired/deaf Baha'is in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. The committee is also seeking contact from any others who are knowledgeable about hearing impairment or deafness. The committee is working on universal signs to be used for the Central Figures of the Faith. If you are interested in helping, or would like to contact other deaf Bahd'fs, please write to the committee at P.O. Box 2650, Olympia, WA 98507, or phone (TDD or voice) 718-981-3550.

Nor B.e. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 11]

SAE OE LE FDS TY OT STE TT

A young Bahé'f named Nasir from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, traveled to Khulna last November to January, visiting 14 villages along the way. In each village he was instrumental in org: deepening classes, and in Khulna helped set up two public meeting: Baha'f Center. In addi two youth conferen range a women's conference. “This tireless youth,” it was later reported, “who is loved by everyone who comes in contact with him, was really able to inspire his peers to greater activities. During his visits there were 200 new declarations of faith.” Another young man from Rajshahi, Jamilur Rahman, vis Khulna in January, helping during his five-day stay to organize public meetings at Fultola and Sharsha villages, and arranging fora deepening class for the Baha'is. During his visit 47 people accepted the Cause of God.

s and helped to ar

More than 100 people attended the first Martha Root Award Banquet last November hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands. The event was part of the celebration of the anniversary of the Birth of Baha'u'lléh. The Martha Root Award was presented to t-West Center at the University of which was cited for its many confH BatORE in helping to build bridges of understanding between the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and the United States. The principal speaker was Judge Richard Benson, a Bahd'f from Guam whose topic was “The Pacific Century.” Also speaking to the gathering was the mayor of Honolulu, Frank Fasi.

About 100 Baha'is attended a Bahd'f winter school last January in Trgndelag, Norway, including 40 youth who contributed significantly with their enthusiasm, spirit, and musical presentations. Also attending were Counselor Polin Rafat, Aux

In Taiwan, Baha'is celebrated at a banquet in February the 130th anniversary of the introduction of the Faith in China. Pictured (left to right) are the guest speaker, Minister of the Interior Wu Poh-hsiung, and masters of ceremonies John Cheng Ta jung and Chiu Chao-che Buehrer.

iliary Board member Hal Sexton, and members of the National Spi tual Assembly. During the school, one person embraced the Cause of Bahd'u'lléh.

To commemorate the 130th anniversary of the introduction of the

Faith in China, the friends hosted a banquet February 6 at the Grand Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. Among the 130 guests were the Minister of the Interior, a Re RISE MASE from

tative from Brazil, and persons prominence in ey education, busiS i studies, and

the media. Spe

TEE SO STE eT NT

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THe AMERICAN BAHA 11

included Douglas tor-general of 1 tional Community's Office of Public Informatio: Haifa (and now a member of the Universal House of Justice); representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Hawaiian Islands, Hong Kong, and the United States; and several former pioneers to Taiwan. The guest speaker, Minister of the Interior ung, praised the contributions in Taiwan, “giving the imwas reported, “that he is ren tune with what the is doing here.” Mr. Martin spoke briefly about the importance of religion in society, and the bright vision that Baha'fs have for China.

{ Interna

About 25 women attended a Baha'f Teaching Institute held January 23-24 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Auxiliary Board members Ardawan Lalui and Alison Wortley opened the program by explaining that the International Teaching Center had called for women to be encouraged to teach the Faith, and that the Institute was an attempt to respond to that call. Among the topics discussed were prayer, the process of teaching, teaching in groups, what to teach, and drawing up teaching plans.

Last November 23, the film “The Prisoner of ‘Akka” was shown on Delhi Doordarshan, a television station managed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India. It is estimated that many hundreds of thousands of people in

all parts of the country saw the film.

A videophone that transmits both sound and images during telephone conversations has been loaned for one year to the School of the Nations in Brasilia, Brazil, by the Hawaiian Teleclass International Company. The goal of the loan was to foster cultural exchanges among children in various countries, and when the school gave it a try on March 4 their experience made front-page news in the Correlo Braziliense—one of the most prominent newspapers in the country.

The first European conference on Baha'f activities in universities was held January 2-5 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, with 24 delegates attending from Austria, Czechoslovakia, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, the Nether In Zaire, regular St Sunday meetings at are held by local Baha is s atthe Mubrambiro Pygmy Project near Goma, in Kivu Province. The friends read from the Writings, pray together, and hold deepenings on various aspects of the Faith.

lands, Spain, Sweden, Swizterland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. The friends held wide-ranging consultations on the past, present and future of Bahd'f student activities in Europe. Issues included Europe-wide communication among students, the role of Bahd'f scholarship, and the contribution of Baha'f students to the Holy Year.

A National Ayyém-i-Ha4 celebration organized by the National Teaching Committee of Germany drew more than 350 Baha'fs from all over the country. The conference, held February 27-28 at the Baha'f National Center in Langenhain, close to the Mother Temple of Europe, was aimed at perpetuating the spirit of the second Baha'i World Congress.

Making public statements on controversial issues

Religious organizations are frequently asked by the news media for their views on controversial issues or events. Therefore, Public Information Representatives and Bahd'fs who collaborate local organizations on such matters as race unity, the environment, and world peace may be asked for the Bahd'f positions on controversial issues. important for Baha’fs to respondaccurately to such questions. Weshould listen carefully to questions and be knowledgeable about how the media and much of the population view such issues. For example, a reporter may ask, “What psition on abortion?”

The common view of the issue of abortion in the U.S. is that people and religions are either “prochoice” or “pro-life.” Therefore, the journalist is probably asking whether the Baha'f Faith is on the “pro-choice” or “pro-life” side of the controversy. The Baha'i Faith does not have a position or statement about the controvers rounding the issue of abortiot

If the journalist then asks if the Faith has any teachings about abortion, the Public Information Representative can respond from a Baha'f perspective on the matter without implying that the Faith chooses sides in the controversy (i.e., the Baha'i view of abortion,

on the whole, is a negative one, since Bahd'u'lléh teaches that the soul comes into being at conception and that human life is sacred. However, individual circumstances may be complex and varied. The decision of a Baha'f about abortion is left to the conscience of the mother in consultation with her physician in the light of Bahd'f principles.)

It would be inappropriate for a local itual Assembly or ndividual Baha’f ue a public statement regarding the “Baha'f view” of acontroversial issue without first consulting the National Spiritual Assembly. Public or official statements by the Faith on such issues are different from quotations from Baha'i books or from Baha‘ scripture.

Ifa representative of the Baha’f community is asked for the Baha'i position on a controversial issue, he should say that he does not know, but will research the matter to determine if the Faith has a view on the subject. He then should call the Office of Public Information and ask how to respond to the question.

to

All Baha’ fs must secure permission from the Universal House of Justice before traveling to Israel, whether for business, visiting relatives, a three-day stay in Haifa, or any other reason.

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

Nor B.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 12]12 THEAMERICANBAHA'

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Nor b.€. 150 / June 5, 1993. [Page 14]14 THEAMERICANBAHA'

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Mensaje de la Casa Universal de Justicia para Ridvan 150 E.B.

A los bahd’is del mundo Muy amados amigos,

Hemos llegadoal Rey de los Festivales en todo el resplandor de las maravillosas bendiciones del Afio Santo el cual recién hemos vivido, confirmados, renovados y vigorizados en nuestras sagradas ocupaciones. Pues fue un perfodo en que Ja Belleza de Abhé dié a Su comunidad mundial lo radiante de Su gracia con tal efulgencia como para investir con éxito asombrante los esfuerzos de Sus seguidores por observar un doble aniversario tan significativo como el centenario de Su Ascensi6n y la inauguracién de Su Convenio. Fue la pausa conmemorativa que generé una proclamacién del Més Grande Nombre la cual resoné por el mundo como nunca antes; pero. lo que tan claramente fue un fenémeno externo era muy marcadamente un reflejo del logro interior de un entendimiento mds profundo de nuestra relacién con Bah4’u’ll4h del que previamente se tuviera. La apreciaci6n mayor en nosotros mismos de la universalidad de la comunidad, der su encarnacién del principio primero VV supremo de Su Fe, ha dejado huella nueva e irresistible en nuestros corazones; los efectos de esa consciencia se demostraron notablemente en la conmemoraci6n en Tierra Santa el pasado mes de mayo y mas ampliamente en el Congreso Mundial del pasado mes de noviembre, como para confirmar, en estos momentos desesperadamente agitados, nuestra aseguranza de que el mundo de la humanidad se mueve inexorablemente hacia su atin elusivo destino de la unidad y la paz. De hecho, durante el Afio Santo, nos transportamos en alas del espfritu a una cumbre desde la cual hemos visto la gloria que se aproxima velozmente de la promesa inmemorial del Sefior de que un dfa toda la humanidad seré unida.

Los emocionantes detalles de los acontecimientos en el transcurso del afio son demasiado numerosos para describirse aquf, pues se sintieron universalmente las operaciones del Espiritu Santo, revistiendo las actividades de los amigos de una fuerza misteriosa. Que sea suficiente entonces el recordar tales momentos culminantes como la concurrencia en el pasado mes de mayo del mayor ntimero de baha’fs en participar en un evento en Tierra Santa; la circunambulaci6n del Santuario de Bahé’u’lléh por los representantes de prdcticamente toda naci6n; la presencia de la mayorfa de los Caballeros de Bahé’u’Il4h atin con vida en el momento de depositar el Pergamino de Honor tras la puerta de entrada del Santuario Ms Sagrado; el tamafio imprecedente del Congreso Mundial y la amplia variedad de sus participantes inclufa un enorme ntimero de jévenes quienes part en su propio programa complementario; la procesién de los representantes de las razas y las naciones del mundo en aquella ocasi6n espectacular; la transmisi6n por satélite que conect6 el Congreso y el Centro Mundial con todos los continentes. Estos eran de una excepcional categorfa de experiencia, y han inmortalizado la fama de las conmemoraciones centenarias.

Los esfuerzos innumerables e imaginativos emprendidos por los amigos en todo el mundo, desde remotas aldeas hasta grandes ciudades, en la observancia de estos importantes aniversarios ilustraron nuevamente el grado profundo al cual ha Ilegado a consolidarse la Fe de Baha'u'llah, y generaron el trabajo de ensefianza en muchas 4reas, resultados desacostumbrados y sorprendentes. La publ imprecedente que se le otorgara al propésito y alas actividades del Afio Santo pasando por los medios de comunicacién en paises grandes y pequefios, la atencién que se le diera al centenario de parte de cuerpos legislativos y oficiales ptiblicos al centenario, los gestos de reconocimiento y apreciacién de la Fe de parte de agencias gubernamentales, el involucramiento de los representantes de la Comunidad Internacional Baha’ en principales eventos globales, entre los que se incluye la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Ambiente y el Desarrollo realizada en Rfo de Janeiro el pasado mes de junio, con motivo de lacual hubo dedicatoria de un monumento piblico que leva una inscripcién de los escritos de Baha’u’lléh y un gran mosaico del Mas Grande Nombre: tales acontecimientos dieron indicaciones claras de que el perfil de la comunidad se ha elevado en la opini6n puiblica.

Ademas de todos estos eventos y acontecimientos sobresalientes, pero de magnitud atin mayor debido a sus implicaciones de gran alcance para toda la raza humana, fue el lanzamiento en Naw-Riéz de la traduccién al inglés, con notas, del Kitéb-i-Aqdas, el Libro Mas Sagrado. Nos acercamos, pues, una etapa mas hacia una €poca visualizada por ‘Abdu’ I-Baha: “Cuando se impongan las leyes del Libro Mas Sagrado,” dijo el Maestro, “...la paz universal levantar4 su tienda en medio de la tierra, y el Bendito Arbol de la Vida crecerd y se desarrollar4 a tal punto que dara su sombra tanto. en Oriente como en Occidente.”

EI aio centenario también fue un periodo en que la situacién en el mundo en general se hizo m4s confusa y

paraddjica: hubo sefiales simultdneos de orden y de caos, de promesa y de frustraci6n. En medio de las convulsiones del actual estado de asuntos global, pero con sentimientos tales de maravilla y jibilo, de valentfa y fe que ha provocado en nuestros corazones el Afio Santo, nosotros, en este Ridvan, en el ciento quincuagésimo afio de nuestra Fe, hemos emprendido un Plan de Tres Afios. Su brevedad se impone debido a las corrientes actuales de veloz cambio. Pero el propésito primordial del Plan es indispensable al futuro de la Causa y de la humanidad. Es la siguiente etapa en el desenvolvimiento de la carta divina de la ensefianza cuyo Autor fue el Centro del Convenio. El Plan ser4 una medida de nuestra resoluci6n por responder a las inmensas oportunidades en este momento critico de la evolucién social del planeta. Por medio de persecusi6n resuelta de sus objetivos sefialados y completa realizacién de sus metas, segtin se ajusten a las circunstancias de cada comunidad nacional, se abrir4 un camino para una proyecci6n digna del papel de la Fe con relacién a los desafios inevitables que enfrenta toda la humanidad hacia finales de este siglo veinte r4pidamente fugaz y cargado de destino.

Tiene que lograrse una expansi6n masiva de la comunidad baha’f mucho mis alld de toda marca del pasado. Tiene que extenderse répidamente la tarea de esparcir el Mensaje a la generalidad de la humanidad en las aldeas, los pueblos y las ciudades. La necesidad de esto es critica, pues sin ello no se les proveera a las agencias laboriosamente eregidas del Orden Administrativo el alcance como para poder desarrollar y demostraradecuadamente su capacidad inherente de atender alas necesidades clamorosas de la humanidad en su hora de desesperanza intensificante. A este respecto la mutualidad de la ensenaiiza y la administraci6n tiene que comprenderse cabalmente y enfatizarse ampliamente, pues se refuerzan recfprocamente. Los problemas de la sociedad que afectana nuestra comunidad y aquellos problemas que surgen naturalmente dentro de lacomunidad misma’ ya sean sociales, espirituales, econémicos, 0 administrativos, se resolverén a medida que se multipliquen nuestros némeros y recursos, y a medida que los creyentes, en todo nivel de la comunidad, desarrollen la habilidad, la disposici6n, la valentfa y la resolusi6n por obedecer las leyes, por aplicar los principios y por administrar los asuntos de la Fe conforme a los preceptos divinos.

El nuevo Plan gira alrededor de una triple tematica: el realzar la vitalidad de la fe de los creyentes individuales, el desarrollar grandemente los recursos humanos de la Causa, y el fomentar el funcionamiento adecuado de instituciones baha’fs locales y nacionales. Esto para dar enfoque a los requisitos de éxito mientras se persiguen las multiples metas del Plan en estos momentos turbulentos.

Frente a las sefiales conspicuas de la decadencia moral que a diario corroe los cimientos de la vida civilizada, estas palabras gr4ficas de Baha’ u’ 1l4h cobran una urgencia aguda: “La vitalidad de la creencia de los hombres en Dios se est4 extinguiendo en todos los pafses; nada que no seasu saludable medicina podré jamés restaurarla. La corrosi6n de laimpiedad est4 carcomiendo las entrafias de la sociedad humana. Qué otra cosa que no sea el Elixir de su potente Revelaci6n puede limpiarla y revivirla?” Tales palabras tienen implicaciones particulares para con las acciones de cualquiera que haya reconocido el Sefior de la Epoca. Una consequencia crucial de este reconocimiento es una creencia que impele aceptar Sus mandamientos. La profundidad de la creencia se asegura por la transformaci6n interior, aquella adquisici6n saludable de un cardcter espiritual y moral, que es la consequencia de la obediencia a las leyes y los pios divinos. Hacia este fin el lanzamiento del Kitaéb-i-Aqdas en inglés, con sus notas, y su anticipada publicacién rapida en otras lenguas

ipales, proveen una poderosa infusién de guia

para la realizaci6n de la vitalidad de fe que es esencial al bienestar espiritual y la felicidad de los individuos y al fortalecimiento de la estructura de la comunidad. No es menos escencial para el fomento de esta vitalidad el cultivo de un sentido de espiritualidad, aquel sentimiento mistico que une al individuo con Dios y que se logra por medio de la meditacién y la oraci6n.

La formaci6n de los amigos y su esfuerzo, por medio de estudio individual serio, por adquirir conocimiento de la Fe, por aplicar sus principios y administrar sus asuntos, son indispensables al desarrollo de los recursos humanos necesarios para el progreso de la Causa. Pero el conocimi por sf s6lo no es adecuado; es vital el que la forma en una manera que inspire amor y devoci6n, que fomente la firmeza en el Convenio, que impulse al individuo a la participacién activa en el trabajo de la Causa y a tomar iniciativas acertadas en la promoci6n de sus intereses. Los esfuerzos especiales por atraer a la Fe personas de capacidad también darn mucho resultado en proveer los recursos humanos que tanto se necesitan en este momento. Ademas, estos empeiios estimulardn y fortalecerdn la abilidad de las

Asambleas Espirituales por cumplircon sus responsabilidades. de gran peso.

El funcionamiento adecuado de estas instituciones depende en gran medida de los esfuerzos de sus miembros por familiarizarse con sus deberes y por atenerse escrupulosamente a los principios en su comportamiento personal y en la conducta de sus responsabilidades oficiales. También son de importancia relevante su resolucién por borrar todo vestigio de enajenaci6n y de tendencias sectarias de entre ellos, su abilidad por ganarse el afecto y el apoyo de los amigos bajo su cuidado y de involucrar tantos individuos. como sea posible en el trabajo de la Causa. Al proponerse constantemente mejorar su desempefio, las comunidades que ellos gufen reflejarén un patrén de vida que ser4 un prestigio a la Fe y como grata consequencia, reanimard la esperanza entre los miembros de la sociedad cada vez mas desilusionados.

A medida que Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales, con el apoyo dispuesto de los Consejeros Continentales, trazan el curso a seguirse en este breve lapso, el Centro Mundial se ocuparé de coordinar actividades de extensa diversidad por todo el planeta, dando direccién adicional a los asuntos externos de la Fe mientras la Comunidad Internacional Baha’{ se atraiga mAs irresistiblemente a tratar con asuntos mundiales. Hard esto a la vez que prosigue con velocidad deliberada los gigantescos proyectos de construccién en la Sagrada Montafia de Dios que forman parte de un proceso claramente percibido por Shoghi Effendi en el que sincronizan con dos acontecimientos no menos significativos: el establecimiento de la Paz Menor y la evoluci6én de instituciones bah’ fs nacionales y locales. A finales del Plan todas las fases restantes de la construcci6n de los proyectos en el Monte Carmelo estarén en marcha; el armazé6n estructural del Centro Internacional de Ensefianza, el Centro del Estudio de los Textos y la Extensién del Edificio Internacional de los Archivos se habrén eregido; y se habran completado siete terrazas bajo el Santuario del Bab.

La impresionante expansién del trabajo de la Causa en afios recientes y los acontecimientos que se esperan durante este nuevo Plan exigen recursos materiales que no han sido adecuados por bastante tiempo, a pesar de que ha habido aumentos sustanciales en las contribuciones a los Fondos baha’fs. Las crisis econémicas que se informan tan extensamente parecen destinadas a ponerse atin peor, pero ni los problemas econémicos ni otros problemas urgentes que confronta la humanidad serdn resueltas en ultima instanciaa menos de que la Causa de Bahd’u’ll4h reciba la debida atenci6n de parte de las naciones y los pueblos y a menos de que reciba el apoyo material adecuado de parte de sus adeptos declarados. Que los amigos en todas partes consideren, juntos a sus instituciones bahd’is e individualmente, impavidos ante las incertidumbres, los peligros y la situaci6n econémica apurada que aflige a las naciones, lo que tiene que hacerse actualmente de parte de todos y cada uno por cumplir con esta ineludible y sagrada responsabilidad que descansa sobre ellos.

Nuestro Ilamamiento a la accién inmediata, redoblada y sostenida sobre todos los aspectos del Plan se dirige primordialmente al creyente individual en cada localidad, quien posee dentro de sf mismo las medidas de iniciativa que aseguran el éxito de cualquier empresa baha’{ global, y “de quien, en tltima instancia,” segtin afirma claramente nuestro amado Guardién, “depende el destino de la comunidad entera”. Las metas del Plan de Tres Ajios no se cumplirén facilmente, pero tienen que lograrse magnfficamente, cualquiera que sea el sacrificio. Por tanto no debe haber vacilaci6n ni demora alguna por parte de los individuos ni de las Asambleas Espirituales en ocuparse de éstas, no sea que los problemas de la humanidad se acumulen desenfrenados, © que el aumento de las crisis internas nos retrase. Que iempre se tenga presente el que nos ganamos nuestras ‘torias por medio de prueba y dificultad; que hacemos uso dé crisis para ventaja del progreso al aprovechar la oportunidad que provee por demostrar la viabilidad y el poder vencedor de nuestros principios. En la oleada hacia adelante de la Causa de Dios, la crisis y la victoria siempre se han alternado y siempre han probado ser el elemento basico del progreso. Mientras:saboreamos los triunfos del Afio Santo, no olvidemos la realidad de esta experiencia rucurrente. Recordemos también que nuestras bendiciones estén a la altura de nuestros desaffos, segtin demuestra repetidamente nuestra gloriosa historia.

Bienamados amigos Nose constiernen ni desistan. Cobren 4nimo en la seguridad de la ley de Dios y Sus ordenanzas. Estas son las horas mas sombrfas antes del amanecer. La paz, como es prometida, Hegaré al final de la noche. Sigan adelante para encontrarse con el alba.

[firma] La Casa Universal de Justicia Ridvdn de 150 B.E.

Nor 8.€. 150 / June 5, 1993 [Page 15]THE AMERICAN BaAHA't

15

Fruit oF THE Hoty YEAR

Baha’i Youth Workshops Summer Teaching Project

The Baha'f Youth Workshops Summer Teaching Project, sponsored by the S| tual Assembly of Atlanta, is the first of its kind. Its main goal is to pull the teaching power and experience of a number of workshops from around the country together for an intense and powerful teaching project.

All Baha’f Youth Workshops are invited to take part in this project. The workshop are encouraged to plan teaching trips on the way to Atlanta. The length, the financing, the route, and other details of the teaching trip will be left up to each workshop.

Any plans to teach in a community through which a Workshop is passing should be made under the guidance of the local Spiritual Assembly in that locality.

By July 30, all workshops are to arrive in Atlanta to begin an intensive teaching project that will culminate on Saturday, August 7, in a major fireside. There may also be a rally and a march on Saturday morning before the fireside

The project can be best described as a large-scale teaching endeavor using the performing arts. Demos, performances, and teaching events will be planned ina variety of locations with the help of local Spiritual Assembli

Several deepening and sharing sessions will be scheduled during the length of the project. Another goal is to create an atmosphere in which workshops can share their

New video in Laotian

The U.S. Bahd'f Refugee Office vailable a new video tape in Laotian suitable for teaching and deepening.

The tape was recorded during a recent to the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette by Kanna Baran, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Laos. Mr. Baran is a long-time pioneer to Thailand who has taught the Faith extensively in refugee camps.

Although the lighting is poor, the contents of the video are valuable. It may be ordered for $5 plu: ping from the U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office, Baha'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-8699039; fax 708-869-0247).

Extension

FROM PAGE 3

ren’s class. Together, the believers in both communities can set goals for the developing community and formulate plans for achieving those goals, establishing a fully cooperative relationship.

It should be clearly understood by both communities that the Assembly which has offered to help does not have administrative authority over the community it is helping, and that the aim is to build a Baha’f community in the extension goal area that will soon support its own mature Assembly and teaching activities.

It is important that the Spiritual Assembly that has chosen an extension goal area involves the Baha’is of that locality in every aspect of the teaching work so that the developing community will be prepared and confident enough to continue that work by itself. :

eee a

experiences, teaching methods and ideas, and thus become strengthened.

As with any teaching endeavor, funds are needed. This project has the potential of emblazoning the name of Baha'u'llah across the country like never before; butin order for this potential to hed, we need the prayers and financial support of the Baha’f community.

If you would like to make a contribution to the project, please make your check

payable to “Baha’f Youth Workshop” and send it c/o The Evans, Marietta 30060. If you would

like to receive registration information or would like to volunteer to help with the project, in the Los Angeles area, please call Oscar DeGruy at 818-792-9791 or Maryam or Glenn Evans in Atlanta at 404438-6563. If you have any other qu tions, pl responding sec: tary of the nbly of Atlanta, Bart Shull, The project is being planned with help and guidance from the Spiritual Assembly ta and the National Teaching Comdedicated to the memory of

Letters

FROM PAGE 9

all, reflecting the oneness of the world of humanity, philanthropy, becoming enkindled with the fire of the love of God, attainment to the knowledge of God and that which is conducive to human welfare.”

May this be our standard in defining who is a “Baha'f.”

Pamela Strong Cinnaminson, New Jersey

Martyrs and the children

To the Editor:

About the children: for whom do the martyrs die? For what purpose are they beaten, tortured, hanged and shot?

For the Cause of God an impet gained; for mankind a stronger spirit is claimed; but in the children their death finds its purpose and its rein.

How can these, the young, the tender and innocent, put to rest the restless martyrs' spirit? How can the helpless make the dead victorious?

Dear parents, by the way they shine: by their courtesy, by their reverence, by their good manners, by their humble voices reciting the words of God, by their earnest pursuit of knowledge and excellence, by their deep and abiding confidence born of knowing who they are and why they are.

Dear parents: do not wait fora nebulous stage of “understanding.” Within the womb, they understand: “He hathendowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God.”

Let us, parents and teachers, apply ourselves for the martyrs’ sake that their sacrifice of blood, that the anguish and loss suffered by their families, shall turn into light—brighter than any sun—the light of our children's behavior, the light of their servitude to the Cause of God and the well-being of humanity.

Nancy Yavrom Citrus Heights, California

7

Ese} Dr. Dennis D. Best (center), a Baha'i from Stanford, California, received a Special Merit Award for his services to the community during the 13th annual Human Relations Award Banquet in San Jose. Pictured with Dr. Best are Amy Purchase Reid, a Baha'i who is Human Relations Commissioner of Santa Clara County District 5, and Ron Gonzales, chairman of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. More than 650 people attended the February 25 banquet whose theme was ‘Building Community: A New Challenge.’ Dr. Best, who was nominated for the award by the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose, is a media volunteer with the Santa Clara Human Relations Office, developed a program on conflict resolution that is carried on community television in the Bay area, and serves as a board member of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Association of Santa Clara County.

Telephone number for the Baha'f National Center Bulletin Board Service (BNCBBS): 708-869-0389.

Elizabeth Earll Placerville, CA Date Unknown

Charles Anderson Gages Lake, IL March 31, 1993

Floyd Allen Luvonia Felton

Eloy, AZ Marshallville, GA. August 1992 Date Unknown Valera Allen Susie Flores Swaziland Sells, AZ

April 9, 1993 Date Unknown

Frederick Auerbach

Fowlkes

Seal Beach,CA Jackson, MS December 1992 April 3, 1993 Cora Galligo

Stanley Bagley Ozark, AR Allen, SD March 15, 1992 David Ghatan Tacoma, WA

May 23, 1992

Alyce Marie Graham Bemidji, MN

Date Unknown

James Big Lake Crow Agency, MT Date Unknown

Claytee Blackwell Marietta, GA March 31, 1993

Nancy Brings Him Back Arthur D. Gordon White Clay, SD Ashland, OR June 1, 1989 March 28, 1993

Jason Brown Mamie Green Moncks Corner, SC Jacksonboro, SC

March 1993 March 29, 1993 Sidney Brown Bear Cleve Holden Allen, SD Madison, AL

March 5, 1993 George Budder

Date Unknown ‘Ted Hopkins

Eucha, OK Cedar Creek Lake, TX 1993 March 26, 1993 Clifford Deskins Merline Jackson Cleveland, OH Garland, TX

April 14, 1993 1992

Farajollah Djananpour Rosemarie Jenkins Santa Monica, CA Davenport, IA April 7, 1993 January 1993

Asker C. Juniel Eloy, AZ November 3, 1992

B.B. Lewis Denison, TX February 25, 1992 Geraldine Lightfoot Dover, DE

Fall 1992

Benjamin Lane Santa Rosa, CA September 29, 1992 Helen Yoon Lee Memphis, TN March 26, 1993 Maria LeVac Miami Beach, FL 1987

Jim Master

Eloy, AZ November 1992 Robert May

Salt Lake City, UT Date Unknown

John McMahon Pasco, WA Date Unknown

Marian McMahon Pasco, WA June 28, 1992

Louise Newman Woodburn, OR Date Unknown

Enayatollah Obbadi Kansas City, KS February 1993

Carl Paul Ridgecrest, CA December 30, 1992

Genevieve Platner Grass Valley, CA Date Unknown Luthman Quan Falls Church, VA March 27, 1993 Nellie Red Owl Batesland, SD July 1992

Naomi Rose Redondo Beach, CA January 1991

Paul Showalter Patagonia, AZ Date Unknown

Smith

Monireh Soltanian Golden Valley, MN March 11, 1993

John H. Stevenson Pueblo, CO January 2, 1993 Andrew Strange Eloy, AZ

Date Unknown Pegeen Walker Albuquerque, NM April 7, 1993 Sara Whetstone Birmingham, AL 1991

Jessie Wood Elgin, SC

Date Unknown

Nor 8.€. 150 / June 5, 1993. [Page 16]16 THEAMERICANBAHAT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE

25: National Academy, Advanced Academy, and Teacher-Counselor Tr: Louis Gregory Bahé'f Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina, Phone 803-558-509

15-20: Baha’ Youth Service Corps training, led by the National Office of Pioneering, Louhelen Bah4'f School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-20: Pioneer Training Institute, Louhelen Baha'f School. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

19-25: Youth Teaching Project, Placerville, California. For information, phone Darlene Taylor, 916-626-0341.

19-July 2: Day Camp s en Institute, Kyle, South Dakota, sponsored by the Baha'fs of Pass Creek. For information, write to Trechaven Institute, Box 407, Kyle, SD 57752, or phone 605-455-2621.

24-27: Baha’ Youth Service Corps training s information, phone 313-653-5033; fax 313-653-7181.

25-27: “Spiritual Gold” 4, What Next,” “Family Communication,” other topics. Cla information, phone Darlene Taylor, 916-626-0341.

25-30: Core Curriculum Teacher Training Program, Louhelen Baha'f School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

Sessionon Race Unity. A multicultural group of Bahié'e and:non-Bahs' 26: 81st annual Souvenir Picnic of ‘Abdu'l-Bah4, Wilhelm Property, Teaneck, New attended the weekend session in Byron whose theme was ‘Race Unity...Striving | _Je'sey- Picnic, afternoon and evening programs. Keynote speaker: Counselor William

atl . Roberts. For information, phone 201-652-6385. helena u'lléh's Pivotal Principle, the Oneness of Humankind.’ (Photo 26: Second Bahé'{ Appalachia Council, Jackson, Kehtucky. Sponsored by the Spiritual

abiaet ne eitw a Se Assembly of Lexington and coordinated by the Kentucky District Teaching Committee. tr rina wc duu auhinyan Tsfasuynutfampmnayermig } | Moderator: William Davis, member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Registrar: jo arokd wanes delays i teeing your ay bee econ pete x yor entre Gretchen Border, P.O. Box 6656, Charleston, WV 25362. Se a oo ibe Lelia mthon c: LOnMMmEns inch Enviado Isto 26-July 17: Youth Academy (high school and older), Louis Gregory Bahd'f Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

n, Louhelen Bahd'f School. For

Workshops on s for children. For

MOVING: address and iling label to MANAGEsnd your malig label o : pene MENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahé{ or older, who will be affected by this change,

| | | | NEW ADDRESS. National Center, Wil +, IL 60091, is | oat etl eater aaa tN a ! JULY : Rae 3-8: Persian-American Baha’ Studies Program, Louhelen Bah4'f School. For informa[se 4 | tion, phone 313-653-5033. | | 7-10: Eighth annual Lakota Bah4'f Conference, Wounded Knee, South Dakota. For IDs Tie information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Wounded Knee, Box 27, Wounded Ia ane sis | | Knee, SD 57794, or phone Clynda Medicine, 605-867-2469 (evenings). | Me | 10-23: Day Camp session, Treehaven Institute, Kyle, South Dakota, sponsored by the pease _ |__| Bahétis of Pass Creek. For information, write to Trechaven Institute, Box 407, Kyle, SD 57752, or phone 605-455-2621. l4¢—a Fie | 11-17: Camp Louhelen, Louhelen Bahd'f School, Davison, Michigan. For information, I J phone 313-653-5033. B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: fr 17-22: “The Kitdb-i-Aqdas: Charter of a World Civilization,” Bosch Bahd'f School. For | | | information, phone 408-423-3387, | | 18-23: Junior Youth Institute, Louhelen Baha’ School, Davison, Michigan. For Sureet adress P.O. Box or Other mailing adres information, phone 313-653-5033. 23-25: Models of Race Unity, Louhelen Bahé'{ School, Davison, Michigan. For ike erect eee information, phone 313-653-5033. | el as | 23-25: Third annual Hemlock Haven Baha'{ Conference, Hungry Mother State Park, | at Marion, Virginia. For information, phone Maggie Hewitt, 703-783-7884. | 23-25: Unity of Hearts Teaching Conference, Fountain, an. Focus: How to teach | | | American Indians and ways and means of achieving it. Pre-registration is encouraged. For co Zip cade Ee Zip code | | _ information, phone Kathy Racki, 715-694-2326, or Payam Nadimi, 312-338-2722. = . : 24-29: “The Baha'i Concept of Law” and “The Vision of Race Unity: Changing D. NEW COMM! t E. E LEI E ER: ee " i . | ern ai aes ere |_| Attitudes and Impelling Action,” Bosch Bah4'f School. For information, phone 408-4233387. | Name of nw Baha Commanity Moving date Area code Phone number Name | 30-August 1: Family and Friends: Session One, Louhelen Bah4'f School, Davison, | F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): | Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033. AUGUST | ae amici oe aaa ‘noe ES ae = | : 6-1 i : Family and Friends: Se on Two, Louhelen Baha'f School, Davison, Michigan. f ~ For information, phone 3 5. | G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: | 13-18: Family and Friends: Session Three, Louhelen Bahd'{ School, Davison, Michii 1 [7 wedonothavethesame lastname, We [—] the last names and addresses on our | [—] Ourhouscholdreceivesonly onecopy gan. For information, phone 313-653-5033. | im want ext apis, ee aleslttdnotmach Wehsne | of The Amerion Bah wish 1 | 26-29: Sixth annual “I Have a Dream” Youth Assembly, Washington, D.C. Sponsored Foe eee ae ee eee scald apes an te ace | iDiamberand aeetore "| | by the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. For information or to take | records, their LD. nombers, and the coree- |__| _ Part, phone Cornelia Rutledge, 202-966-2356. tions so that we will receive only one copy 27-29: Eleventh annual Massanetta Springs Conference, Harrisonburg, Virginia,

sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Staunton. Theme: “Building the New World Order.” Please register by July 15. Two nights, six meals: adults $96, youth $72, children $52. Jim Lamb, Staunton, VA 24401 (phone 703-885-6996). 28-September 4: 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions, Palmer House Hotel, Chicago, Hlinois. 29: Annual International Bahd'f Picnic, Canatara Park, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

SEPTEMBER

4-7: Pioneer Training Institute and Bahd'f Youth Service Corps training session, Louis G. Gregory Bahd'f Institute. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869

‘aith, Family and the Future,” annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’|-Baha's vi to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Confirmed presenters: Counselor Wilma Ellis, Marguerite Sears, Louise Matthias, Sharon and Carl Ewing. Special program for youth; children’s classes, nursery. For information, phone 303-928-0543.

17-19: Green Lake Bah'f Conference, American Baptist Assembly Conference Grounds, Green Lake, Wisconsin. To make housing reservations, phone 1-800-558-8898.

26: 81st memorial service for Thornton Chase, Inglewood Park (California) Cemetery. OCTOBER Naslalsabsfastslsssallssssellesllsabssbolballal 8-11: National Hispanic Conference, Bosch Bah4'f School, Santa Cruz, California,

sponsored by El Ruisefior magazine. Fees: $60 for ages 11 and older, $25 for ages 1-10. Classes for children included. Participants must register and mail in fees by September 24 to assure their space. To register, phone the Bosch School, 408-423-3387 (credit card only) or write to the Bosch Bah'f School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

BAHA'f NATIONAL CENTER

112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

ein lk ne iS Nor B.£. 150 / June 5, 1993 �