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

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 24, Issue 8

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

WOODBURN, OREGON: Anatomy of a successful teaching campaign

By RACHEL GRECO

Setting

Woodburn, Oregon, is a small city nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, an area known for its abundant agricultural products. It is 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 of its citizens are Hispanic; another one-third are Russian. The remainder includes a large retirement community.) With this appellation, it seems appropriate that a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh.

In two years, more than 150 people have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Of that number, it has been documented that approximately one-third are actively teaching the Bahá’í Faith in the Woodburn area, throughout the state, and as far south as Mexico. This number does not take into account those people who are not declared Bahá’ís but are teaching the Faith nonetheless.

Accomplishments to date

When the teaching began in Woodburn, perhaps a See WOODBURN page 2

The American Bahá’í

Volume 24, No. 8 | ‘...knowledge is a veritable treasure for man. ...’—Bahá’u’lláh | Núr B.E. 150 / June 5, 1993

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 Báb; 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 Bahá’í 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 Báb down to Abbas Street (named in honor of the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 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, 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

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 Bahá’í International Convention held April 29-May 2 at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

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

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 Bahá’í Home in Wilmette

By TOM MENNILLO

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

Now they are retiring.

Mr. Walker, administrator of the “first Dependency of the first Mashriq-u’l-Adhkár of the Western World,” left his position at the end of 1992. Mrs. Walker, assistant 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 Bahá’í 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

INSIDE

Teaching goals, statistics	3
Traveling teaching opportunities	4
New UN representative named	5
Summer Schools calendar	8
New from overseas	11
Ridván message in Spanish	14

Above: Below the Shrine of the Báb, finishing work has begun on the steps leading up to the Kings’ Path. Below: The Terrace of the Shrine of the Báb 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]

Woodburn

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

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

A permanent institute center has been purchased and is staffed by two Bahá’ís serving their year of service through the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps and several 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’u’lláh and the concept of teaching institutes as outlined by the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Center.

A teaching institute is at the core of the work with the Woodburn project. It is sponsored by a nearby 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 Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 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 development has recently emerged under the guidance of the International Teaching Center and the Continental Counselors. In some areas individuals have initiated institutes before a large 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 Bahá’í 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-to-heart process, it appeared to the core group that in order for entry by troops to take place, there must first be enough teachers to make 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 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 Bahá’í 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.

Not long after, the Bahá’ís 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 made available to those in need. After this consultation, the core group realized that the power of Bahá’u’lláh had again shone forth and the goal of raising up a functioning 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)

President Clinton mentions Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís in Iran, the endless race-based violence in South Africa...."

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

Bahá’í youth and friends conference

Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh." 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 Bahá’í from Long Island.

Bahá’ís in Detroit metropolitan area sponsor weekly 15-minute television program on Faith

For the past year the Bahá’ís in the greater Detroit metropolitan area have sponsored a weekly 15-minute television program, "The Bahá’í Faith," on Detroit's WGPR-TV.

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

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 "Bahá’í Faith" in that time slot.

At the end of each program, telephone numbers for local Bahá’í communities are listed along with a toll-free 800 number for the Faith in Michigan and the number for the Louhelen Bahá’í 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. Bahá’ís in a number 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 Bahá’í 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. [Page 3]TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH 3 YEAR PLAN 1993 - 1996

3 YEAR PLAN GOALS

U.S. Bahá’í Community Current Goals and Status · ‘Azamat 150 · May 17, 1993

3 Year Plan Goals for the United States

1. Intensify study of the Sacred Writings as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation;
2. Expand vastly the human resources of the Faith;
3. Raise at least 3,000 traveling teachers;
4. Settle at least 500 homefront pioneers on Indian Reservations, in the South, and in other areas of greatest need;
5. Establish local Spiritual Assemblies in every city with a population of 75,000 resulting in no fewer than 150 new Spiritual Assemblies;
6. Strive to become leaders in the movement for race unity and to make Bahá’í communities models of unity which inspire emulation and lead to growth;
7. Teach Bahá’í and other children and youth to become the first generation of Americans free of all prejudices and truly united;
8. Expand programs of education for Bahá’í children, youth and adults and for the strengthening of Bahá’í family life;
9. 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 National Spiritual Assembly’s collaborative projects with the Bahá’í communities of Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Eastern Europe, Greenland, Mexico, the countries of the former Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.

LSA Goals: Cities of 75,000 +

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 have Assemblies. The map above shows the 52 cities of this size which did not have Assemblies before Riḍván. Individuals interested in helping to raise the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í contact in that locality. The Bahá’í communities in a few of these cities may have formed Assemblies at Riḍván. A revised map will be printed after this information is obtained.

CALIFORNIA	FLORIDA	MASSACHUSETTS	NEW JERSEY	OKLAHOMA	TEXAS
1. Carson	13. Hialeah	19. Brockton	28. Camden	38. Lawton	45. Abilene
2. Compton		20. Fall River	29. Elizabeth		46. Laredo
3. Daly City	GEORGIA	21. Lynn	30. Newark	PENNSYLVANIA	47. Midland
4. El Monte	14. Columbus	22. Quincy	31. Paterson	39. Erie
5. Fontana				40. Reading	UTAH
6. South Gate	INDIANA	MICHIGAN	NEW YORK	41. Scranton	48. Provo
7. Visalia	15. Evansville	23. Livonia	32. Syracuse		49. W. Valley City
8. West Covina	16. Hammond	24. Sterling Heights		RHODE ISLAND
		25. Warren	N. CAROLINA	42. Cranston	VIRGINIA
COLORADO	LOUISIANA	26. Westland	33. Fayetteville		50. Chesapeake
9. Arvada	17. Metairie			SOUTH DAKOTA
		MINNESOTA	OHIO	43. Sioux Falls	WISCONSIN
CONNECTICUT	MARYLAND	27. Bloomington	34. Akron		51. Kenosha
10. New Britain	18. Columbia		35. Canton	TENNESSEE	52. Racine
11. Norwalk			36. Parma	44. Clarksville
12. Waterbury			37. Youngstown

Extension teaching an important component in local plans

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 Bahá’í 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 take on an extension teaching goal and work consistently with this area once the human resources of its own Bahá’í 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 which 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 Bahá’í Faith and are not yet deepened in the Faith, and localities on Indian Reservations where the connection of the friends to Bahá’u’lláh needs to be strengthened through the development of strong, lasting relationships with other Bahá’ís.

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 Bahá’ís of that locality (if there are any) to determine what kind of help that Bahá’í community would like to have.

Some of the ways in which the more developed Bahá’í 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 [Page 4]

New opportunities are announced for traveling teaching

Every spring the Office of Pioneering surveys most National Spiritual Assemblies about their needs for traveling teachers for the next Bahá’í 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, Côte 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 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 Bahá’í 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. Bahá’í Summer school August 17-24. Focused teaching in two consecutive areas August 24-September 9.

ICELAND: Reforestation work on Bahá’í 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 19-August 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 Bahá’í for more!

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

GOING ABROAD? Make your trip count! Beloved Friends, the international travels of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh from the United States form a 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 Bahá’í in another country can potentially bring the spirit of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to that land. In order to record your international travels as a U.S. Bahá’í, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Tel: (708) 869-9039, Fax: (708) 869-0247, ‎Atn. Attn.‎ Office of Pioneering.

UPCOMING BYSC/Pioneering Institutes June 15-20, 1993, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. August 31-September 5, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. If you are interested in international service, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 or telephone (708) 869-9039 or fax (708) 869-0247 for additional information.

‘What My Faith Means to Me’ was the theme of a World Religion Day observance in Murrieta, California, held in February and sponsored by the Bahá’í InterCommunity Proclamation Committee of Central Riverside County. Speakers included a Buddhist monk, a Christian, a Muslim and a Bahá’í, Barbara Scott, who is vice-president of the Riverside County United Way. The Bahá’í 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-Bahá’ís attended the event, which was publicized on radio and in newspapers.

Three West Coast Bahá’ís proclaim Faith at Science Fiction Convention

‎Norweson Norwescon‎, the Northwest Science Fiction Convention, gave three West Coast Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í views on the equality of the sexes.

The three Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í International Community’s new Bahá’í 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.

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 Bahá’í 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.

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 Bahá’í 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]

Rebequa Murphy is National Assembly’s new UN representative

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 Bahá’í since 1972.

After completing her early education in Ethiopia, India and the former Soviet Union, she pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Alaska and earned a ‎masters master's‎ 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 Bahá’í International Community Office of the Environment.

As UN representative for the National Assembly, which is accredited as a non-governmental organization (NGO) to the UN Department of Public Information, Ms. Murphy will be attending meetings, conferences and other activities relating to the work of the UN. The issues on which her work will be focused will be determined by the National Assembly.

The representative will foster relationships with NGOs working within the UN system and will work closely with organizations to which the National Spiritual Assembly belongs.

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

Shirley Lee, former director of the National Bahá’í 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 day-long conference on communications for representatives of non-governmental organizations at the UN. She has provided regular articles on Bahá’í activities at the UN to The American Bahá’í.

REBEQUA GETAHOUN MURPHY

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

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

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 Ridván.

The Spiritual Assembly of Morganton once encompassed both the city of Morganton and Burke County. This year, 12 years after forming their Assembly, the Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís within the city limits of Morganton. The Bahá’ís tried their best but were unable to locate another Bahá’í to help them maintain Assembly status.

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

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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís living there.

The Bahá’ís of Morganton were delighted to learn that this Southeast Asian family was in the community, and have already welcomed them.

Through much caring and effort, the Hmong Institute of Sacramento was again able to help a Southeast Asian Bahá’í family—and to help the Bahá’ís of Morganton retain their Spiritual Assembly.

The Bahá’í Refugee Office’s “helpers” are Bahá’ís (both American and Southeast Asian) who are dedicated to helping Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees become fully integrated into their new communities, deepen in the Faith, and bring the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to other Southeast Asians.

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

Vadim Nomokorov, a Bahá’í from St. Petersburg, Russia, who is an electrical engineer, visited a number of communities in the U.S. following the Bahá’í 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.’ Bahá’u’lláh’s Name was mentioned no less than nine times during the program.

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 Bahá’í Religion” by Wendy M. Heller and Hoda Mahmoudi.

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

1500 Traveling Teachers Sought for 1st Year of Three Year Plan

Traveling teachers are Bahá’ís who travel to localities other than their own and participate in teaching activities in those communities. Are you a 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, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Name: _________________________________________ ID #: __________

Street: __________________________ City/State/Zip: __________________

Date(s) traveled: _________________ Where did you go? _______________

What did you do? ________________________________________________ [Page 6]‎PeaceWithYourPartner Peace With Your Partner‎ ‎APracticalGuidetoHappyMarriage A Practical Guide to Happy Marriage‎ by Erik Blumenthal SC$10.95

Erik Blumenthal offers a simple and effective guide to self-discovery, conflict-solving, and relationship-building that will change the way you look at yourself, change the way you relate to your partner, and ultimately transform your relationship. Bringing the same positive and encouraging approach to the challenge of marriage that made his other books so popular, he shows how we can all achieve more caring, enriching, and peaceful partnerships.

5" x 7-3/4", 126pp., contents, foreword, notes Oneworld Publications

‎CommunityHistories Community Histories‎ ‎StudiesintheBábíandBahá’íReligions, Volume 6 Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, Volume 6‎ edited by Richard Hollinger HC$35.00

This much-anticipated volume of local Bahá’í histories provides new insight into the unfoldment of Bahá’í community life. The authors challenge many commonly held assumptions about Bahá’í history and demonstrate the diversity of Western Bahá’í communities. Each essay carefully documents the internal dynamics of a particular community from the early days of the Faith to the present.

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

6" x 9", 284pp., table of contents, introduction, index Kalimát Press

‎NationalConventionCompilation National Convention Compilation‎ ‎AstatementandcompilationofextractsfromtheBahá’íWritingspreparedbytheResearchDepartmentoftheUniversalhouseofJustice A statement and compilation of extracts from the Bahá’í Writings prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice‎ SC$1.50

A number of issues have been raised about the Bahá’í National Convention, its conduct, and the important functions it serves within the Bahá’í community. To appreciate the significance of this unique institution at which the National Spiritual Assembly is elected, and to provide a context for discussing the purpose of the Convention and their effective implementation of these issues, it is useful to reflect briefly on the station of the National Assembly, its relationship with the Bahá’í community, and a number of principles fundamental to the operation of the Administrative Order. For ease of reference the excerpts cited in this statement have been assembled in the compilation.

5-3/8" x 8-1/2", 44pp., table of contents, index Bahá’í Publications Australia

Race Unity Day

June 13^th

Children’s Books

‎RidvánMessageforChildren(1992) Ridván Message for Children (1992)‎ prepared by the Australian Bahá’í Children Education Task Force SC$2.25

This special adaptation of the 1992 Ridván message is suitable for children. However, many adults will also find this publication useful. The booklet is full of helpful graphics and study questions. Ridván Message for Children was designed for families, teachers of children’s classes, youth at colleges and campuses, and Feasts in your community.

5-7/8" x 8-1/8", 14pp. Bahá’í Publications Australia

If Only I Were... by Mary Mitchell Tartaglia SC$4.95

Here is a tale of a small tree who thinks she’s good for nothing but firewood, and what a surprise is just around the corner! This delightful picture book shares with young readers the fears and joys of a young tree as she discovers her own special gifts.

7-7/8" x 7-7/8", 16pp., 19 illustrations Oneworld Publications

Are You Happy? by Patti Rae French illustrated by Michael Sours SC$4.95

Here at last, a charming book for very young children introducing them to the positive and dynamic example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A book the little ones will treasure.

7-7/8" x 7-7/8", 16pp., 27 illustrations Oneworld Publications

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

Thy Kingdom Come

ABiblical Introduction tothe Bahá’í Faith by Thomas Tai-Seale SC$14.95

This startling and original interpretation of Bible prophesy argues persuasively that three divine calls have been made since the advent of Christ-all clearly foretold in the promise found in the Christian Holy Books. The readers attention is brought again and again to repeated references to the number three in the New Testament, referring to the warnings and judgements of God. The Revelations of Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh give meaning to these words.

Gems of Guidance

Selections fromthe Scripturesofthe World compiled by David Jurney HC$10.95

Religion offers guidance on many aspects of life. By reading the sacred scriptures and meditating upon them we come to understand more fully God's Will for us. Here are selections from the teachings of six of the world's major religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith providing inspiration and insight on life's most enduring themes: creation, unity, meditations, love, prayer, and guidance.

4-3/4" x 6-1/2", 118pp., contents, acknowledgments, George Ronald, Publisher 5-1/2"x8-1/2", 250pp., author's note, contents, preface, references appendix Kalimát Press

Live Unity

VT$29.95

Live Unity celebrates the diversity of the human family through the universal language of music. Witness captivating performances by an international line-up of artists including: Seals and Crofts, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Flora Purim, Airlo, Dan Seals, Kevin Locke, Red Grammar, Douglas Cameron, Lisa Lougheed, Renat Ibragimov, and Nova Bhattacharya. Additional performers share their beliefs about Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í Faith, and the unity of humankind through interviews which are interspersed with the performances. The universal message of this production will open the hearts and minds of seekers around the world.

90 minutes Live Unity Enterprises

RACISM JUST UNDO IT

RACISM JUST UNDO IT

T-SHIRTS (SM., MED., LG., XL) SWEATSHIRTS (MED., LG., XL., XXL) (Please specify a white shirt with black print or a black shirt with white print.)

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas

Our present stock of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas is quite low. It is difficult to predict when we will run out of stock, but we suspect that the first hardcover edition will be out of print soon.

The U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust is currently working on the first pocket-size edition of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. We expect this edition to be available in late fall.

Remaining hardcover copies are $12.50

Back in Stock

Teaching Booklet, SC-$175 Crown of Beauty, HC-$22⁹5 Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, SC-$219

Spiritual ConquestofthePlanet

Our Responseto Plans by Melanie Smith and Paul Lample SC$8.00

Per: Dawn-Breakers, HC-S65⁰⁰ Refer: Bahá’u’lláh, SW-$995 Bahá’í Readings, SC-$695

The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet is the fifth in a series of study books that includes The Word of God, The Covenant: Its Meaning and Origin and Our Attitude Toward It, The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and Youth Can Move the World.

This book focuses on the mission of the Bahá’í Faith to spiritually conquer the world- and our role in that mission. It provides an overview of more than fifty years of effort to execute ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan through a series of national, international, and global plans beginning in 1937. Among the topics covered are common elements conveyed in global plans; the organic unfoldment of the Cause; the pattern of unfoldment found in successive plans in the areas of growth, development, and involvement with society; vision and systematic planning; leadership and participation; and the characteristics of mature action and implementing plans.

The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet offers an indispensable perspective for communities, institutions, and individuals in planning and initiation work on the new Three Year Plan.

7-1/2" x 10", 96pp., index Palabra Publications

The Take of Himig l

Aha gome

The RoleoftheMirroring Principle and the WordofGodin Recovering from ChildAbuse

by Phyllis K. Peterson SC$1.50

A glimpse at childhood sexual abuse and the shame of the victims. Using excerpts from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the author argues that the survivors of sexual abuse were not born evil, as the doctrine of original sin states, but that the survivor's potential to mirror both good and evil was unjustly taken advantage of before there was an opportunity to develop the power of choice. This booklet illustrates how the victim's childhood environment often limits their ability to trust their own feelings and leaves them with a distorted view of reality. A fine introduction to an often misunderstood condition.

5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 16pp., bibliography Phyllis K. Peterson

SHIP TO

PAYMENT METHOD -CASH -CHECK -CHARGE (VISA, MASTER, AMEX)

ITEM QUANTITY COST TOTAL

Please add 15% (min. $3.00) fororders shipped outside the U.S.

DAYTIME TELEPHONE ATH Bahá’í Distribution Service. 5397 Wilbanks Drive, Chattanooga TN37343 1-800-999-9019 FAX 615-843-0836 [Page 8]

Arc

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 stone-clad 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 Bahá’í 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 arm-waving, 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.

This building, as you know, will be the seat of an institution of Bahá’í 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.

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't enough anymore. When I reflect on what our beloved Guardian managed to get built in Haifa, ’Akká, Bahjí, and their surrounding areas, and then consider how we are equipped with the latest computers, specialists 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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í from New Zealand, is serving at the Bahá’í 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.)

Summer 1993 Schools Calendar

June 10-13, South Carolina Bahá’í School, Louis Gregory Institute. Registration: Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Rt. 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554; (803) 558-5093.

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 Allen-Bussard, P. O. Box 162, Ignacio, CO 81137; (303) 563-9359.

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

June 18-20, Nevada [Mountain Rose] School, at Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Registrar: Cathy Thayer, Carson City, NV 89703; (702) 882-4599.

June 26-July 1, Idaho (Southern) School, Luther Heights, at Alturas Lake. Registrar: Andrea Determan, Blackfoot, ID 83221; (208) 785-0063.

June 30-July 5, Florida [Southern Flame] School, Melbourne. Registrar: Helen Hauck, 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: Shannon McConnell, Richland, WA 99352; (509) 943-9146.

July 7-11, Iowa School, Sioux City. Registrar: Autumn Wagner, Boone, IA 50036; (515) 432-5162.

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

Walkers

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 Bahá’í Home, which is licensed by the state of Illinois as a Shelter Care facility, does not provide nursing care. Instead, it helps people—Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í Home opened Feb. 1, 1959, in fulfillment of a goal of the Ten Year Crusade set for the U.S. Bahá’í 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, in a ceremony attended by 60 people 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Faith, but opens its doors to all persons, without any religious discrimination."

Bahá’í Youth Service Corps

"sally forth unrestrained as the wind"

For more information, contact: National Teaching Committee Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone 708-869-9039, ext. 232

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í Subscription rates

(For outside the continental United States ONLY)

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

Please make check payable to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, c/o Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

All orders must be pre-paid in U.S. currency. VISA/MasterCard accepted; please include full account number and expiration date. [Page 9]

LETTERS

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

The American Bahá’í welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the “letters” column is to allow a free and open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or to attack anyone personally. Opinions expressed in these columns are those of the writers, and are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.

Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Thank you for Kitáb-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 Kitáb-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 Bahá’u’lláh asks of us are clearly meant for a future Bahá’í society, shaped by Bahá’í laws. On the other hand, I see that Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’ís. The text is from paragraph 18:

“It 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 ‘Alláh-u-Abhá’ ninety-five 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 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

ATTENTION REGISTERED BAHA’I GROUPS: Local Contribution Goals for the Bahá’í National Fund

A number of Bahá’í groups from around the country have asked whether they can participate in the program of local contribution goals for the Bahá’í National Fund.

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 its Office of the Treasurer.

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

DEADLINE TO SEND IN REGISTRATION FORM IS MAY 30

Print Name _________________________________________________ Bahá’í I.D. ____________________

List additional names as applicable, Bahá’í ID#’s, ages of children). Attach extra sheet as needed. __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________ State _________ Zip ____________ Telephone/Work/Home/Area code ( ) ______________ ( ) ______________

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 Bahá’í Services Fund. Do not send any other payment to us.

HOTEL INFORMATION

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 a list 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 ______________

Return this form to: Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office Special Visit Program Wilmette, IL 60091

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 Bahá’í in good standing. Your U.S. membership card is no longer valid once you have been transferred to another country.

Integrating neighborhoods

To the Editor:

Last year I had an opportunity as a white Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh to change the atmosphere and climate is meaningless.”

Thus inspired, I have completed my move, met several of my new neighbors, hosted several Bahá’í gatherings, and plan to take part in the PTA at the neighborhood school in the hope of bringing a Bahá’í influence to the educational process.

I am writing not to point out my accomplishments but to point out a much-needed area for Bahá’ís to enlarge their racial experience. What better way to bring our principles of racial equality to our non-Bahá’í brothers and sisters, black or white? What better 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?

I believe it is time for American Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í?’

To the Editor:

I am concerned about a question Bahá’ís often ask people: “Are you a Bahá’í?”

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 Bahá’ís, 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 “Bahá’í,” let us free ourselves of such distinctions. May our love for Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’í, for the Master says that the requirements of a Bahá’í “in reality” are “love for mankind, sincerity toward See LETTERS page 15

Fund-raisers must shun any hint of coercion

“If you buy it, 10 percent goes to the Fund.”

Almost every Bahá’í has heard this statement, or a 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 appeals strike a chord.

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

Because it felt that this was a 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 Bahá’í 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...Bahá’í stewardship and sacrifice,” and to focus, not on techniques, but on the spiritual privilege of giving. [Page 10]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly is seeking a General Manager for the Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í National Center, Department of Human Resources, Wilmette, IL 60091.

AS THE MAXWELL International Bahá’í 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, buildings and grounds, food services, administrative and academic support. While it would be a great asset to find qualified, self-supporting 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 health-related 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) Academic 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 Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada V0R 2W0.

PIONEERING: OVERSEAS

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AFRICA—Somalia: experts in water resources, transportation, ‎eduction education‎ 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 physician or nurse qualifications, midwife, physician, accountant. Thailand: physical therapist, drug abuse educator/counselor, public health nurse. AUSTRALASIA—Guam: retired couple or male to serve as caretakers at local Bahá’í 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 equipment repair specialist; emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, hand, orthopaedic, neurology and vascular surgeons on 1-month 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, histology, 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 Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091; telephone 708-869-9039 or fax 708-869-0247, Attn: Office of Pioneering.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: 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 Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books by Shoghi Effendi in good or excellent condition: Principles of Bahá’í Administration (cloth or paper: 1950; paper: 1963), The Promised Day Is Come (paper: 1943; cloth, 1961), The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (paper: 1944; cloth: 1965). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

PIONEERING: HOMEFRONT

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

SEVERAL teaching positions for the 1993-94 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 Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway. Active classes for children/youth; the Assembly needs help to function. Phone Heather Lally, 803-354-5339, or School District 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, 708-869-9039, 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 graduate degrees in many fields. Free accommodations are available for a short visit of inquiry. For information, contact Dr. Samuel B. Olorounto, P.O. Box 870, Dublin, VA 24084 (phone 703-633-1493, 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 Dune, Malibu, CA 90265, or phone 310-457-5336.

SINCE about 1985, work has been proceeding on the publication of a Bahá’í Encyclopedia under the auspices of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and U.S. Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Faith. At present we are looking for a small number of volunteers to help with one aspect of the project. We need volunteers with 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 Bahá’í Faith, please contact Dr. Betty J. Fisher, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone her at 708-251-1854 (fax 708-251-3652).

THE INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Audio-Visual 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 602-367-3126, ext. 8595.

CHEYENNE, a priority capital city in Wyoming, urgently needs homefront pioneers. Ideal for retired and/or professional people; no state income tax, and a 5 percent sales tax (increasing to 6 percent in July). Jobs in medical field and other professions are available. Rental housing is tight, but houses can be purchased for around $80,000. Cheyenne has a wonderful 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. Bahá’ís 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 is in the tri-state area (Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin) and home to several ‎college colleges‎, universities and seminaries. For information, write to McDowell, Dubuque, IA 52001, or phone 319-556-1982.

FLORENCE, Alabama, is an ideal place for homefront pioneers to consider. It has an incorporated Assembly but only six adult Bahá’ís at present. There is a university with accredited programs, low tuition, and a Bahá’í 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 minorities. Florence has a lovely southern climate and low cost of living, which makes it ideal for retirement living. Most important, the Bahá’ís 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 BAHÁ’Í community of Smyrna, Tennessee, warmly welcomes homefront pioneers. We have seven fairly active adult Bahá’ís 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, 615-355-4981.

PICTURE THIS: A small 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í. Many children and activities for youth. Don't delay! For information, phone 803-664-9766.

WANTED

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

LEA NYS, the first Bahá’í in Belgium and a person who taught the Faith all over the world, passed away last July 28 in Brussels. Bahá’í institutions and friends 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 son-in-law, for possible inclusion in a book they are writing about her life. Any information and photographs will be gratefully received. Reminiscences are acceptable in English or French. Please send information to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Levy, Lake Mary, FL 32746 as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 1993.

WANTED: Papers, correspondence, recollections, stories, photographs, tapes, newspaper clippings, 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).

WANTED: Papers, correspondence, recollections, stories, photographs, papers, tapes, newspaper clippings, notes of talks, programs, compilations, etc. relating to the Hand of the Cause of God Roy C. Wilhelm for use in producing a biography. Any expenses you incur will be reimbursed. Please send to Diane Iverson, 195 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-8532).

VOLUNTEERS are needed to work on a project to outline the Bahá’í Writings in extensive detail. The goal is to combine the various subject outlines into a master "tree of knowledge" that would be made available to the Bahá’í community through computer software. Anyone who is interested in writing and/or editing outlines of Bahá’í topics is asked to contact Lee Nelson, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (phone 714-240-2092). 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 Bahá’ís 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 Bahá’ís, please write to the committee at P.O. Box 2650, Olympia, WA 98507, or phone (TDD or voice) 718-981-3550. [Page 11]

World News

A young Bahá’í 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 organizing deepening classes, and in Khulna City he helped set up two public meetings at the Bahá’í Center. In addition, he organized two youth conferences and helped to arrange 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, visited Khulna in January, helping during his five-day stay to organize public meetings at Fultola and Sharsha villages, and arranging for a deepening class for the Bahá’ís. During his visit 47 people accepted the Cause of God.

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 Bahá’u’lláh. The Martha Root Award was presented to the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, which was cited for its many contributions 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 Bahá’í from Guam whose topic was “The Pacific Century.” Also speaking to the gathering was the mayor of Honolulu, Frank Fasi.

About 100 Bahá’ís attended a Bahá’í winter school last January in Trøndelag, Norway, including 40 youth who contributed significantly with their enthusiasm, spirit, and musical presentations. Also attending were Counselor Polin Rafat, Auxiliary Board member Hal Sexton, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly. During the school, one person embraced the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

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 representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors from Haiti and Nicaragua, the official representative from Brazil, and persons of prominence in law, education, business, environmental studies, and the media. Special Bahá’í guests included Douglas Martin, director-general of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information in 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 Wu Poh-hsiung, praised the contributions of the Bahá’ís in Taiwan, “giving the impression,” it was reported, “that he is really in tune with what the Faith is doing here.” Mr. Martin spoke briefly about the importance of religion in society, and the bright vision that Bahá’ís have for China.

About 25 women attended a Bahá’í 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 ‘Akká” 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 Bahá’í 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 Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, ‎Swizterland Switzerland‎, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. The friends held wide-ranging consultations on the past, present and future of Bahá’í student activities in Europe. Issues included Europe-wide communication among students, the role of Bahá’í scholarship, and the contribution of Bahá’í students to the Holy Year.

A National Ayyám-i-Há celebration organized by the National Teaching Committee of Germany drew more than 350 Bahá’ís from all over the country. The conference, held February 27-28 at the Bahá’í National Center in Langenhain, close to the Mother Temple of Europe, was aimed at perpetuating the spirit of the second Bahá’í World Congress.

In Zaire, regular Sunday meetings are held by local Bahá’ís at the 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.

In Taiwan, Bahá’ís 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.

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 Bahá’ís who collaborate with local organizations on such matters as race unity, the environment, and world peace may be asked for the Bahá’í positions on controversial issues.

It is important for Bahá’ís to respond accurately to such questions. We should 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 is the Bahá’í position on abortion?”

The common view of the issue of abortion in the U.S. is that people and religions are either “pro-choice” or “pro-life.” Therefore, the journalist is probably asking whether the Bahá’í Faith is on the “pro-choice” or “pro-life” side of the controversy. The Bahá’í Faith does not have a position or statement about the controversies surrounding the issue of abortion.

If the journalist then asks if the Faith has any teachings about abortion, the Public Information Representative can respond from a Bahá’í perspective on the matter without implying that the Faith chooses sides in the controversy (i.e., the Bahá’í view of abortion, on the whole, is a negative one, since Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’í about abortion is left to the conscience of the mother in consultation with her physician in the light of Bahá’í principles.)

It would be inappropriate for a local Spiritual Assembly or an individual Bahá’í to issue a public statement regarding the “Bahá’í view” of a controversial issue without first consulting the National Spiritual Assembly. Public or official statements by the Faith on such issues are different from quotations from Bahá’í books or from Bahá’í scripture.

If a representative of the Bahá’í community is asked for the Bahá’í 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.

All Bahá’ís 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.

[Page 12]

اطلاعیه "پیام بهائی"

PAYAM-I BAHA’I

بخش‌هائی از اطلاعیه نشریه "پیام بهائی" که به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/امریکایی فرستاده شده، در زیر درج می‌شود:

مسؤولین مجله "پیام بهائی" معتقدند که این مجله در این برهه از تاریخ امر رسالتی بزرگ بر عهده دارد که همانا در جریان گذاردن احبای عزیز ایرانی در سراسر عالم از پیام‌های بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی و از اخبار و بشارات عالم بهائی و حفظ تماس یاران با تاریخ و ادبیات امرمبارک و بهره‌مند ساختن آنان از حاصل کار نویسندگان بهائی است. رقائم و دستخط‌های مرحمت‌آمیز بیت‌العدل اعظم و نامه‌های تشویق‌آمیز خوانندگان عزیز ما را در این راه دلگرم می‌دارد.

این مجله در حال حاضر جنبه جهانی یافته مشترکین آن در ۱۱۸ کشور جهان پراکنده اند و بیش از ۶ هزار نسخه از مجله را دریافت می‌دارند و دست به دست می‌گردانند و بدون تردید از این لحاظ از سایر نشریات فارسی زبان که در خارج از ایران نشر می‌شود، پیشی گرفته است.

از تأکیدات حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله است که "اشتراک مجلات امریه از فرائض احبای الهی است که به تمام قوی تقویت و معاونت این مجلات بهائی را بنمایند." و ایضاً فرموده‌اند: "من مکرر به احبای الهی نوشتم و این امر را مؤکد داشتم که احباء در اشتراک روزنامجات و مجلات امریه نباید خودداری نمایند و در هر اقلیمی مطبوعات و مجلات سایر اقالیم را خریداری نمایند."

کمک به مجله "پیام بهائی" کمک به نشر فرهنگ و ادب بهائی است. توسعه و پیشرفت این مجله مرهون همت والای احبای عزیز ایران در اقطار عالم است که با اشتراک مجله و پرداخت مرتب وجوه اشتراک و تبرعات کریمانه خویش بنیه مالی مجله را تقویت نمایند.

این مجله در سال ۱۲ شماره منتشر می‌نماید (هر ماه یک شماره). مستدعی است نام و آدرس پستی خود را همراه با چک شخصی به مبلغ ۴۴ دلار در وجه محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان امریکا که برای پیام بهائی صادر شده باشد، به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی ارسال فرمائید. مجلات مستقیماً به آدرس شما فرستاده خواهد شد. آبونمان مجله در ژانویه هر سال تجدید خواهد شد و مجلات از اول ژانویه سال ۱۹۹۳ ارسال می‌شود.

Persian/American Affairs Office Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, Il. 60091

بیانیه راجع به حضرت بهاءالله

STATEMENT ON BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

چنانکه دوستان عزیز آگاهی دارند، در سال گذشته بیانیه‌ مهمی از جانب دفتر روابط عمومی جامعه جهانی بهائی درباره حضرت بهاءالله تهیه و منتشر شد. مطالعه بیانیه‌ مذکور برای همه اهل بهاء و نیز جهت آشنا ساختن دوستان غیربهائی با تاریخ حیات و پیام شارع امر الهی سودمند خواهد بود. بدینوسیله به استحضار یاران فارسی زبان می‌رساند که ترجمه فارسی آن بیانیه نیز چندی است که تهیه شده است. قیمت ترجمه فارسی بیانیه ۳ دلار است و می‌توان آن را از طریق مرکز توزیع انتشارات امری خریداری نمود. تلفن: ۹۹۹-۹۰۱۹ (۸۰۰)

اظهارات رئیس جمهور امریکا درباره بهائیان ایران

PRESIDENT CLINTON REFERS TO BAHÁ’ÍS OF IRAN

روز ۲۲ آپریل سال جاری هنگامی که آقای بیل کلینتن، رئیس جمهور ایالات متحده در مراسم افتتاح موزه یادبود قتل‌عام یهودیان سخنرانی می‌کرد، اظهار داشت که پاکسازی نژادی که در بوسنی (در یوگسلاوی سابق) جریان دارد نمونه بارزی از همان امری است که در مورد کردان عراق و سوء رفتار با بهائیان ایران و موارد بیشمار رفتارهای خشونت‌بار نژادی در آفریقای جنوبی نیز دیده می‌شود.

اظهارات رئیس جمهور ایالات متحده توسط شبکه خبری سی ان ان CNN و رادیو مانیتور Monitor Radio و دیگر رسانه‌های خبری پخش گردید.

موفقیت‌های یاران

EXEMPLARY SERVICE

آقای فؤاد خاوری، یکی از احبای ایالت اکلاهما یکی از ۸ کارمندی بوده است که از میان ۳۸ هزار نفر کارکنان شرکت ایتن Eaton Corporation برای دریافت جایزه خدمات اجتماعی انتخاب گردیده است.

آقای خاوری مدیریت بخشی از شرکت مذکور را بر عهده دارد و یکی از اعضای هیئت مدیره سازمان پیشرفت سیاهپوستان NAACP و همچنین امین صندوق شش کمیسیون ناحیه‌ای بومیان امریکا است. در مراسم اهداء جایزه از بهائی بودن ایشان نیز ذکری شد. موفقیت روزافزون جناب خاوری را آرزومندیم.

چین و آینده مبینش در ظل آئین رب العالمین

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA

نوشته آقای فرزام کمال آبادی (ادامه از امریکن بهائی شهرالجمال)

اغلب چینیانی که مهاجر و مقیم در اقالیم مختلفه دنیایند، رابطه و احساس و علاقه و وابستگی مخصوصی به سرزمین چین وطن اصلی خود دارند، چنانچه با وجود گذشت نسل‌ها که تبعه کشور میزبان شده‌اند، جمعاً هنوز خود را اهل چین می‌شناسند و چه بسیار هم از مهاجران چینی این قرن که به قرینه ضرب‌المثل معروف خودشان که "برگ درختان به هنگام خزان افتان به ریشه درختان باز می‌گردند،" ایشان هم در سنین پیری پس از سال‌ها چشیدن درد دوری به سرزمین خود باز می‌گردند تا در همان دیاری که متولد شدند، دوران پیری را سپری نموده، در همانجا به خاک سپرده شوند.

این عوامل روحی و روانی و یکپارچگی فرهنگی و زبانی و همبستگی و گروه‌گرائی و هماهنگی درونی و درون‌گرائی در طی تاریخ ۵ هزار ساله و عادات و تفکرات مخصوص چینی عاقبت این موقعیت را فراهم خواهد آورد که در زمان میقات در زمان موعود و مطابق نص قاطع حضرت ولی امر که "چین محتاج این پیام است و هر زمان که آثار و کتب و مبلغ فراهم آید، بدون شک اقبال خواهد جست،" (مضمون بیان مبارک از توقیع مورخ ۵ جولای ۱۹۴۷) در آن زمان که جامعه پیروان حضرت یزدان خود آماده گردند، درب چین و تبلیغ عالم چینیان هم دفعتاً باز شده، هزاران هزار از ایشان گروه گروه به مثابه سیل روان به جامعه بهائیان جهان خواهند پیوست و بیان "یدخلون فی دین الله افواجاً" ثابت و عیان گردد و این نکته مشروحه قلم ممدوحه حضرت غصن ممتاز در کتاب "حصن ایمان" Citadel of Faith که در آن روز قوای روحانیه و مادیه و حتی تعداد افراد و شماره نفوس جامعه پیروان آئین بهاء هزار برابر بزرگتر گردد و وسعت یابد به وقوع پیوندد، چه که فقط با اقبال کمتر از نیم درصد مردم چین به آئین ثمین رب العالمین جمعیت کل بهائیان دنیا دو الی سه برابر خواهد شد.

ابزار و اسباب عملی لازم برای دستیابی به چنین هدفی حال در چین موجود و بر قرار است: گسترده‌ترین شبکه ارتباطات عمومی و بزرگترین سیستم تبلیغاتی و دستگاه پخش اطلاعات در چین ساخته شده که شگفت‌آور و بی‌نظیر است. در سال ۱۹۸۷ مطابق آمار دائرة المعارف چین Encyclopedia of China ۳۶۶ ایستگاه تلویزیون در چین موجود بوده و در طی همان سال تولید تلویزیون گیرنده ۱۹ میلیون دستگاه بوده، در حالی که مطابق تازه‌ترین آمار در سال ۱۹۸۹ چین دارای ۴۲۲ ایستگاه مستقل تلویزیون دولتی در چهار سطح کشوری (مرکزی) و استانی و شهری و حتی ایستگاه‌های مستقل تلویزیونی در سطح بخشداری بوده در چینی که در سراسر ایران ۲۷ ایستگاه تلویزیون و در تمام هندوستان فقط ۱۷ ایستگاه تلویزیون موجود است.

(ادامه در شماره آینده)

پروازها و یادگارها

NEW PUBLICATION

اخیراً یکی از هنرمندان نامدار بهائی، خانم ماهمهر گلستانه کتابی با عنوان "پروازها و یادگارها" به یاد ۲۱۵ نفر شهیدان اخیر جامعه بهائی ایران تهیه و تألیف کرده است.

این کتاب بنا به گفته مؤلف "در شرایط مشکل و با به دست آوردن آخرین اطلاعات موثق درباره شهدای امر و با همکاری گروهی از یاران، صرف وقت و هزینه بسیار و چاپ مرغوب فراهم آمده است. هر صفحه به ترسیم چهره شهید جانبازش و زندگی‌نامه او به دو زبان فارسی و انگلیسی اختصاص یافته است."

قیمت هر جلد کتاب با مخارج پست در آمریکا و کانادا ۴۵ دلار است. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند با ارسال چک یا مانی اردر به نشانی زیر کتاب "پروازها و یادگارها" را دریافت دارند.

Mahmehr Golestaneh LB - 127 P.O. Box 799003 Dallas, TX. 75387-9003

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLÁH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند. Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402 Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116 Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910

[Page 13]

کانونشن بین المللی

BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

نمایندگان ۱۶۵ محفل روحانی ملی از سراسر جهان در هفتمین کانونشن بین‌المللی بهائی که از ۲۹ اپریل تا ۲ می سال جاری در مرکز جهانی بهائی در حیفا تشکیل گردید، حضور یافتند و برای انتخاب اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی ابراز رأی نمودند.

نام اعضای معهد اعلی برای ۵ سال آینده بدین قرار است: جناب علی نخجوانی، جناب گلنفورد میچل (Glenford Mitchell)، جناب ادیب طاهرزاده، جناب ایان سمپل (Ian Semple)، جناب پیتر خان، جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم، جناب هوپر دانبار (Hooper Dunbar)، جناب فرزام ارباب و جناب داگلاس مارتین (Douglas Martin).

از جمله رویدادهای مهم کانونشن بین‌المللی شرکت فعالانه محافل روحانی ملی تازه‌تأسیس کشورهای شرق اروپا در جلسات بود. احیای این کشورها مدت کوتاهی است که اجازه یافته‌اند فعالیت امری داشته باشند.

نقشه سه ساله

THREE YEAR PLAN

دوستان عزیز و محبوب، حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله ۵۰ سال پیش جامعه بهائی آمریکا را فراخواندند که پیام شفابخش حضرت بهاءالله را شجاعانه به مردم کشور عالی‌قدرشان ابلاغ نمایند. امروز امکانات تأثیر نهادن بر جریان امور و به‌کار بستن تعالیم امر مبارک به مراتب بیشتر از پیش است. امر مبارک از مرحله مجهولیت به در آمده است و جامعه بشری که برای حل مشکلات چاره‌ناپذیرش مستأصل شده، بیش از پیش آماده است که به حقایقی که از قلم اعلی نازل شده، گوش فرا دهد.

امروز طوفان تغییرات سراسر کره زمین را فرا گرفته است و با شتاب نقش و شیرازه سیاست و اقتصاد جهان را دگرگون می‌سازد. امپراطوری‌ها از پا در می‌آیند و کشورهای جدید سر بر می‌کنند. ایدئولوژی‌ها از رونق می‌افتد و مخاصمات کهنه و نو شدت می‌گیرد و بدین ترتیب هر ملت و ملیتی را در بحرانی جهانی و در ابعادی بی‌سابقه گرفتار می‌کند.

ایالات متحده آمریکا خود دست به گریبان مشکلاتی است که نتوانسته است راه حلی برایش بیابد. افراط در توجه به مادیات و انحطاط اخلاقیات و نابرابری اقتصادی و شیوع جنایات و بدتر از همه تعصبات مزمن نژادی تار و پود جامعه آمریکا را به مخاطره انداخته است.

اما اندک بودن تعداد افراد جامعه بهائی توان اهل بهاء را برای تأثیر نهادن بر جریان امور و ارائه راه حل و نجات شهروندان این دیار از ورطه تردید و ستیز و یأس شدیداً محدود می‌سازد. هر چه فرصت‌ها گسترده‌تر باشد، بیشتر در می‌یابیم که منابع مالی و انسانی ما به اندازه کافی نیست. بدین جهت اگر بخواهیم مقدرات روحانی خود را تحقق بخشیم، ضروری است که عده پیروان ثابت‌قدم امر الهی افزایشی چشمگیر یابد.

چنین می‌نماید که تاریخ بر سرعت سیر خود افزوده است. آینده نزدیک را نمی‌توان پیش‌بینی کرد، اما وظائف و مسئولیت‌های اهل بهاء روشن است. بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی فرموده‌اند که اهداف اصلی نقشه سه ساله که به زودی آن را به مرحله اجرا خواهیم نهاد عبارت است از: "ازدیاد شوق و شور ایمانی افراد احباء، بسط هر چه بیشتر منابع انسانی امر الهی و تقویت نحوه اقدام و ایفای صحیح وظائف و مسؤولیت‌های تشکیلات محلی و ملی بهائی." معهد اعلی سپس می‌فرمایند:

"برای نیل به این اهداف باید از تعالیم حضرت بهاءالله به خوبی آگاه باشیم و با شوق و ایمان مفاد آن تعالیم را در تمامی جوانب رفتار خود به موقع اجراء نهیم. هدف آن است که در روحیات جامعه جهانی بهائی ‎تقلیسی تغییری‎ حاصل نمائیم که همگان را به ستایش و پیروی از آن برانگیزد و تعداد کسانی را که به ظهور حضرت بهاءالله معتقد شده‌اند و تعالیم مبارکش را مجری می‌دارند، به نحوی چشمگیر افزایش دهد."

بدین ترتیب بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی این بیان حضرت ولی امرالله را که خطاب به احبای آمریکا صادر شده است، تکرار فرموده‌اند که "یاران ‎امریک آمریکا‎ باید در جهاد مضاعف خویش، یعنی در مقام اول تجدید حیات داخلی جامعه و در ثانی مقاومت و مبارزه با شرور و مفاسد دیرینه که در عروق و شرائین هیئت اجتماعیه نفوذ نموده است" شرکت نمایند. تجدید حیات داخلی جامعه و راستی و درستی در رفتار و تنزیه و تقدیس و "الفت و اتحاد بین اجناس متنوعه که از لوث تعصبات جنسیه - نشانه بارز اکثریت فاحش توده ناس - بالمره مقدس و مبری باشد،" بیش از پیشرفت و تقدم هر نقشه خاص و یا اتخاذ هر طرح مشخص و یا تجهیز و تأمین هر مقدار از منابع مادی می‌تواند جامعه یاران را برای موقعی آماده و مهیا سازد که ید تقدیر آنان را در ابراز مساعدت نسبت به استقرار و تنفیذ نظم بدیع جهانی که هم اکنون در صدف نظم اداری امرالله مخزون و مکنون است، هدایت و رهبری خواهد نمود." (ظهور عدل الهی، ص ۸۶ - ۸۷)

اهداف نقشه

۱- مطالعه جدی و عمیق نصوص مبارکه به‌عنوان وسیله‌ای برای پرورش نیروی روحانی و تقلیب باطنی؛

۲- گسترش عظیم منابع انسانی امر مبارک؛

۳- تربیت و تجهیز حد اقل ۳ هزار مبلغ سیار؛

۴- اسکان حد اقل ۵۰۰ مهاجر در نقاط سرخپوست‌نشین و ایالات جنوبی و دیگر نقاطی که به مهاجر نیاز دارد؛

۵- تأسیس محافل روحانی محلی در همه شهرهائی که جمعیت آن ۷۵ هزار یا ۱۰۰ هزار نفر بیشتر باشد، به نحوی که حد اقل ۱۵۰ محفل جدید بر محافل محلی موجود افزوده شود؛

۶- کوشش برای رهبری نهضت وحدت نژادی و پرورش جوامع بهائی بعنوان الگوهای وحدت که دیگران را به پیروی برانگیزد و باعث رشد جامعه امری شود؛

۷- آموزش کودکان و جوانان بهائی و غیربهائی به طوری که اولین نسل عاری از همه تعصبات و به حقیقت متحد باشند؛

۸- گسترش برنامه‌های تربیتی برای کودکان و جوانان و بزرگسالان بهائی و تقویت حیات بهائی خانواده‌ها؛

۹- اشاعه پیشرفت زنان و انتشار بیانیه‌ای درباره آنان؛

۱۰- ترویج بلوغ و تکامل تشکیلات محلی و ملی با تأکید ویژه‌ای بر تحول محافل روحانی و بهبود هنر مشورت و اصلاح ضیافت نوزده روزه و اداره صندوق‌های امری؛

۱۱- تقویت بنیه و وضع مالی جامعه ملی؛

۱۲- گسترش دامنه فعالیت و همکاری با جوامع امری آلاسکا و استرالیا و برزیل و کانادا و چین و اروپای شرقی و گرین لند و مکزیک و جمهوری‌های سابق اتحاد جماهیر شوروی و انگلستان.

پیشرفت امور بنای ساختمان‌های کوه کرمل

PROGRESS OF PROJECTS ON MOUNT CARMEL

پروژه‌های ساختمانی قوس هر روزه در تغییر و تحول است. به طور کلی دو پروژه ساختمانی در دست اجرا است: ساختن طبقات نوزده‌گانه تراس فوقانی و تحتانی مقام حضرت اعلی و بنای ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهره که شامل مرکز مطالعه نصوص و الواح و دارالتبلیغ بین المللی است.

طبقات فوقانی و تحتانی مقام اعلی

کل این مشروع یک کیلومتر را در بر می‌گیرد. باغچه‌های مدوری دور هر یک از طبقات قرار دارد. مراحل خاک‌برداری ۵ طبقه‌ای که از مقام اعلی به طرف پایین تا خیابان موسوم به "عباس" ادامه دارد، پایان یافته و درختان زیتونی که موقتاً به محل مشرق‌الاذکار نقل مکان داده شده بود، به محل اصلی منتقل شده است. در همه اطراف هر طبقه گل‌ها و گیاهان و نباتات گوناگون کاشته خواهد شد.

پله‌های سنگی طبقات مرکزی و جوی‌های کنار آن ساخته شده است. روی هر یک از طبقات دو حوض آب قرار خواهد گرفت که از طریق جوی‌های کنار پله‌ها به حوض‌های دیگر طبقات متصل خواهد شد. مرحله ساختن حوض‌ها نیز آغاز شده است.

ساختمان‌های قوس

مرکز مطالعه نصوص و الواح مشتمل بر یک پارکینگ بزرگ زیرزمینی است و از طبقه زیرزمین به طبقات زیر ملحقات ساختمان دارالآثار بین‌المللی وصل خواهد شد. مرکز مطالعه نصوص و الواح جایگاه مؤسسه‌ای مرکب از دانشمندان بهائی خواهد بود که بیت‌العدل اعظم را در مورد رجوع به نصوص مبارکه مساعدت خواهد نمود و ترجمه‌ها و تفسیرات نصوص اصلی امر مبارک را تهیه خواهد کرد.

مرحله اول کارهای ساختمانی عبارت بوده است از خاک‌برداری ۱۲۰ هزار متر مکعب خاک و سنگ کوه کرمل. بیشتر امور مربوط به خاک‌برداری و ساختن دیواره کوه پایان پذیرفته است.

مهندس حسین امانت و گروه طراحانش که مرکزشان در کانادا است، دست‌اندر کار تکمیل جزئیات طرح‌ها هستند.

ساختمان جدید دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی مجاور ورودی اصلی ‎دارالتیشریع دارالتشریع‎ ساخته خواهد شد. در حال حاضر دیوار موقتی در طول راه ورودی ‎دارالتیشریع دارالتشریع‎ کشیده شده است تا مزاحمت‌هایی را که امور ساختمانی ایجاد می‌کند (خاک و غبار و غیره) کاهش دهد.

۲۳ می اظهار امر حضرت اعلی

۲۹ می صعود حضرت بهاءالله

[Page 14]

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

A los bahá’ís del mundo

Muy amados amigos,

Hemos llegado al Rey de los Festivales en todo el resplandor de las maravillosas bendiciones del Año Santo el cual recién hemos vivido, confirmados, renovados y vigorizados en nuestras sagradas ocupaciones. Pues fue un período en que la Belleza de Abhá dio 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 Ascensión y la inauguración de Su Convenio. Fue la pausa conmemorativa que generó una proclamación del Más Grande Nombre la cual resonó por el mundo como nunca antes; pero lo que tan claramente fue un fenómeno externo era muy marcadamente un reflejo del logro interior de un entendimiento más profundo de nuestra relación con Bahá’u’lláh del que previamente se tuviera. La apreciación mayor en nosotros mismos de la universalidad de la comunidad, ‎der ser‎ su encarnación del principio primero y supremo de Su Fe, ha dejado huella nueva e irresistible en nuestros corazones; los efectos de esa consciencia se demostraron notablemente en la conmemoración en Tierra Santa el pasado mes de mayo y más 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 aún elusivo destino de la unidad y la paz. De hecho, durante el Año Santo, nos transportamos en alas del espíritu a una cumbre desde la cual hemos visto la gloria que se aproxima velozmente de la promesa inmemorial del Señor de que un día toda la humanidad será unida.

Los emocionantes detalles de los acontecimientos en el transcurso del año son demasiado numerosos para describirse aquí, pues se sintieron universalmente las operaciones del Espíritu 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 número de bahá’ís en participar en un evento en Tierra Santa; la circunambulación del Santuario de Bahá’u’lláh por los representantes de prácticamente toda nación; la presencia de la mayoría de los Caballeros de Bahá’u’lláh aún con vida en el momento de depositar el Pergamino de Honor tras la puerta de entrada del Santuario Más Sagrado; el tamaño improcedente del Congreso Mundial y la amplia variedad de sus participantes, que incluía un enorme número de jóvenes quienes participaron en su propio programa complementario; la procesión de los representantes de las razas y las naciones del mundo en aquella ocasión espectacular; la transmisión por satélite que conectó el Congreso y el Centro Mundial con todos los continentes. Éstos eran de una excepcional categoría 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 llegado a consolidarse la Fe de Bahá’u’lláh, y generaron el trabajo de enseñanza en muchas áreas, con resultados desacostumbrados y sorprendentes. La publicidad improcedente que se le otorgara al propósito y a las actividades del Año Santo pasando por los medios de comunicación en países grandes y pequeños, la atención que se le diera al centenario de parte de cuerpos legislativos y oficiales públicos al centenario, los gestos de reconocimiento y apreciación de la Fe de parte de agencias gubernamentales, el involucramiento de los representantes de la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í en principales eventos globales, entre los que se incluye la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Ambiente y el Desarrollo realizada en Río de Janeiro el pasado mes de junio, con motivo de la cual hubo dedicatoria de un monumento público que lleva una inscripción de los escritos de Bahá’u’lláh y un gran mosaico del Más Grande Nombre: tales acontecimientos dieron indicaciones claras de que el perfil de la comunidad se ha elevado en la opinión pública.

Además de todos estos eventos y acontecimientos sobresalientes, pero de magnitud aún mayor debido a sus implicaciones de gran alcance para toda la raza humana, fue el lanzamiento en Naw-Rúz de la traducción al inglés, con notas, del Kitáb-i-Aqdas, el Libro Más Sagrado. Nos acercamos, pues, una etapa más hacia una época visualizada por ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “Cuando se impongan las leyes del Libro Más Sagrado,” dijo el Maestro, “...la paz universal levantará su tienda en medio de la tierra, y el Bendito Árbol de la Vida crecerá y se desarrollará a tal punto que dará su sombra tanto en Oriente como en Occidente.”

El año centenario también fue un período en que la situación en el mundo en general se hizo más confusa y paradójica: hubo señales simultáneas de orden y de caos, de promesa y de frustración. En medio de las convulsiones del actual estado de asuntos global, pero con sentimientos tales de maravilla y júbilo, de valentía y fe que ha provocado en nuestros corazones el Año Santo, nosotros, en este Ridván, en el ciento quincuagésimo año de nuestra Fe, hemos emprendido un Plan de Tres Años. Su brevedad se impone debido a las corrientes actuales de veloz cambio. Pero el propósito 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 enseñanza cuyo Autor fue el Centro del Convenio. El Plan será una medida de nuestra resolución por responder a las inmensas oportunidades en este momento crítico de la evolución social del planeta. Por medio de persecución resuelta de sus objetivos señalados y completa realización de sus metas, según se ajusten a las circunstancias de cada comunidad nacional, se abrirá un camino para una proyección digna del papel de la Fe con relación a los desafíos inevitables que enfrenta toda la humanidad hacia finales de este siglo veinte rápidamente fugaz y cargado de destino.

Tiene que lograrse una expansión masiva de la comunidad bahá’í mucho más allá de toda marca del pasado. Tiene que extenderse rápidamente 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 crítica, pues sin ello no se les proveerá a las agencias laboriosamente ‎eregidas erigidas‎ del Orden Administrativo el alcance como para poder desarrollar y demostrar adecuadamente su capacidad inherente de atender a las necesidades clamorosas de la humanidad en su hora de desesperanza intensificante. A este respecto la mutualidad de la enseñanza y la administración tiene que comprenderse cabalmente y enfatizarse ampliamente, pues se refuerzan recíprocamente. Los problemas de la sociedad que afectan a nuestra comunidad y aquellos problemas que surgen naturalmente dentro de la comunidad misma ya sean sociales, espirituales, económicos, o administrativos, se resolverán a medida que se multipliquen nuestros números y recursos, y a medida que los creyentes, en todo nivel de la comunidad, desarrollen la habilidad, la disposición, la valentía y la resolución 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 temática: 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 bahá’ís locales y nacionales. Esto para dar enfoque a los requisitos de éxito mientras se persiguen las múltiples metas del Plan en estos momentos turbulentos.

Frente a las señales conspicuas de la decadencia moral que a diario corroe los cimientos de la vida civilizada, estas palabras gráficas de Bahá’u’lláh cobran una urgencia aguda: “La vitalidad de la creencia de los hombres en Dios se está extinguiendo en todos los países; nada que no sea su saludable medicina podrá jamás restaurarla. La corrosión de la impiedad está carcomiendo las entrañas de la sociedad humana. ¿Qué otra cosa que no sea el Elixir de su potente Revelación puede limpiarla y revivirla?” Tales palabras tienen implicaciones particulares para las acciones de cualquiera que haya reconocido el Señor de la ‎Epoca Época‎. Una consecuencia crucial de este reconocimiento es una creencia que impele aceptar Sus mandamientos. La profundidad de la creencia se asegura por la transformación interior, aquella adquisición saludable de un carácter espiritual y moral, que es la consecuencia de la obediencia a las leyes y los principios divinos. Hacia este fin el lanzamiento del Kitáb-i-Aqdas en inglés, con sus notas, y su anticipada publicación rápida en otras lenguas principales, proveen una poderosa infusión de guía divina para la realización 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 esencial‎ para el fomento de esta vitalidad el cultivo de un sentido de espiritualidad, aquel sentimiento místico que une al individuo con Dios y que se logra por medio de la meditación y la oración.

La formación 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 conocimiento por sí sólo no es adecuado; es vital el que la formación se dé en una manera que inspire amor y devoción, que fomente la firmeza en el Convenio, que impulse al individuo a la participación activa en el trabajo de la Causa y a tomar iniciativas acertadas en la promoción de sus intereses. Los esfuerzos especiales por atraer a la Fe personas de capacidad también darán mucho resultado en proveer los recursos humanos que tanto se necesitan en este momento. Además, estos empeños estimularán y fortalecerán la habilidad de las Asambleas Espirituales por cumplir con 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 resolución por borrar todo vestigio de enajenación y de tendencias sectarias de entre ellos, su ‎abilidad habilidad‎ 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 desempeño, las comunidades que ellos guíen reflejarán un patrón de vida que será un prestigio a la Fe y como grata consecuencia, reanimará la esperanza entre los miembros de la sociedad cada vez más 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 ocupará de coordinar actividades de extensa diversidad por todo el planeta, dando dirección adicional a los asuntos externos de la Fe mientras la Comunidad Internacional Bahá’í se atraiga más irresistiblemente a tratar con asuntos mundiales. Hará esto a la vez que prosigue con velocidad deliberada los gigantescos proyectos de construcción en la Sagrada Montaña 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 evolución de instituciones bahá’ís nacionales y locales. A finales del Plan todas las fases restantes de la construcción de los proyectos en el Monte Carmelo estarán en marcha; el armazón estructural del Centro Internacional de Enseñanza, el Centro del Estudio de los Textos y la Extensión del Edificio Internacional de los Archivos se habrán ‎eregido erigido‎; y se habrán completado siete terrazas bajo el Santuario del Báb.

La impresionante expansión del trabajo de la Causa en años 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 bahá’ís. Las crisis económicas que se informan tan extensamente parecen destinadas a ponerse aún peor, pero ni los problemas económicos ni otros problemas urgentes que confronta la humanidad serán ‎resueltas resueltos‎ en última instancia a menos de que la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh reciba la debida atención 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 bahá’ís e individualmente, impávidos ante las incertidumbres, los peligros y la situación económica 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 llamamiento a la acción inmediata, redoblada y sostenida sobre todos los aspectos del Plan se dirige primordialmente al creyente individual en cada localidad, quien posee dentro de sí mismo las medidas de iniciativa que aseguran el éxito de cualquier empresa bahá’í global, y “de quien, en última instancia,” según afirma claramente nuestro amado Guardián, “depende el destino de la comunidad entera”. Las metas del Plan de Tres Años no se cumplirán fácilmente, pero tienen que lograrse magníficamente, cualquiera que sea el sacrificio. Por tanto no debe haber vacilación 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, o que el aumento de las crisis internas nos retrase. Que siempre se tenga presente el que nos ganamos nuestras victorias por medio de prueba y dificultad; que hacemos uso de 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 básico del progreso. Mientras saboreamos los triunfos del Año Santo, no olvidemos la realidad de esta experiencia recurrente. Recordemos también que nuestras bendiciones están a la altura de nuestros desafíos, según demuestra repetidamente nuestra gloriosa historia.

Bienamados amigos No se ‎constiernen consternen‎ ni desistan. Cobren ánimo en la seguridad de la ley de Dios y Sus ordenanzas. Estas son las horas más sombrías antes del amanecer. La paz, como es prometida, llegará al final de la noche. Sigan adelante para encontrarse con el alba.

[firma] La Casa Universal de Justicia Ridván de 150 B.E. [Page 15]

Fruit of the Holy Year

Bahá’í Youth Workshops Summer Teaching Project

The Bahá’í Youth Workshops Summer Teaching Project, sponsored by the Spiritual 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 Bahá’í Youth Workshops are invited to take part in this project. The ‎workshop workshops‎ 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 in a variety of locations with the help of local Spiritual Assemblies.

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 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 Bahá’u’lláh across the country like never before; but in order for this potential to be reached, we need the prayers and financial support of the Bahá’í community.

If you would like to make a contribution to the project, please make your check payable to “Bahá’í Youth Workshop” and send it c/o The Evans, Marietta, GA 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 404-438-6563. If you have any other questions, please call the corresponding secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta, Bart Shull, at 404-458-5882.

The project is being planned with help and guidance from the Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta and the National Teaching Committee, and is dedicated to the memory of Freddie DeGruy, co-founder of the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop, who died earlier this year.

New video in Laotian

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office has available a new video tape in Laotian suitable for teaching and deepening.

The tape was recorded during a recent visit to the Bahá’í 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 plus shipping from the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039; 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’ís 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.

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 “Bahá’í.”

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 impetus is 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 for a nebulous stage of “understanding.” Within the womb, they understand: “He hath endowed 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

Dr. Dennis D. Best (center), a Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board Service (BNCBBS): 708-869-0389.

IN MEMORIAM

Charles Anderson Gages Lake, IL March 31, 1993	Elizabeth Earll Placerville, CA Date Unknown	Asker C. Juniel Eloy, AZ November 3, 1992	Genevieve Platner Grass Valley, CA Date Unknown
Floyd Allen Eloy, AZ August 1992	Luvonia Felton Marshallville, GA Date Unknown	B.B. Lewis Denison, TX February 25, 1992	Luthman Quan Falls Church, VA March 27, 1993
Valera Allen Swaziland April 9, 1993	Susie Flores Sells, AZ Date Unknown	Geraldine Lightfoot Dover, DE Fall 1992	Nellie Red Owl Batesland, SD July 1992
Frederick Auerbach Seal Beach, CA December 1992	Herman Fowlkes Jackson, MS April 3, 1993	Benjamin Lane Santa Rosa, CA September 29, 1992	Naomi Rose Redondo Beach, CA January 1991
Stanley Bagley Ozark, AR April 22, 1993	Cora Galligo Allen, SD March 15, 1992	Helen Yoon Lee Memphis, TN March 26, 1993	Paul Showalter Patagonia, AZ Date Unknown
James Big Lake Crow Agency, MT Date Unknown	David Ghatan Tacoma, WA May 23, 1992	Maria LeVac Miami Beach, FL 1987	Willie Smith Willingboro, NJ April 1992
Claytee Blackwell Marietta, GA March 31, 1993	Alyce Marie Graham Bemidji, MN Date Unknown	Jim Master Eloy, AZ November 1992	Monireh Soltanian Golden Valley, MN March 11, 1993
Nancy Brings Him White Clay, SD June 1, 1989	Back Arthur D. Gordon Ashland, OR March 28, 1993	Robert May Salt Lake City, UT Date Unknown	John H. Stevenson Pueblo, CO January 2, 1993
Jason Brown Moncks Corner, SC March 1993	Mamie Green Jacksonboro, SC March 29, 1993	John McMahon Pasco, WA Date Unknown	Andrew Strange Eloy, AZ Date Unknown
Sidney Brown Bear Allen, SD March 5, 1993	Cleve Holden Madison, AL Date Unknown	Marian McMahon Pasco, WA June 28, 1992	Pegeen Walker Albuquerque, NM April 7, 1993
George Budder Eucha, OK 1993	Ted Hopkins Cedar Creek Lake, TX March 26, 1993	Louise Newman Woodburn, OR Date Unknown	Sara Whetstone Birmingham, AL 1991
Clifford Deskins Cleveland, OH April 14, 1993	Merline Jackson Garland, TX 1992	Enayatollah Abbadi Kansas City, KS February 1993	Jessie Wood Elgin, SC Date Unknown
Farajollah Djananpour Santa Monica, CA April 7, 1993	Rosemarie Jenkins Davenport, IA January 1993	Carl Paul Ridgecrest, CA December 30, 1992

[Page 16]On January 15-17, the Bahá’í School Committee of Wisconsin held an Adult Session on Race Unity. A multicultural group of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís attended the weekend session in Byron whose theme was ‘Race Unity... Striving to Realize Bahá’u’lláh’s Pivotal Principle, the Oneness of Humankind.’ (Photo by Susie Starr)

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

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

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

A. NAME(S): B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: D. NEW COMMUNITY: E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY:

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE

13-25: National Academy, Advanced Academy, and Teacher-Counselor Training, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Phone 803-558-5093.

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

17-20: Pioneer Training Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í 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 session, Treehaven Institute, Kyle, South Dakota, sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Pass Creek. For information, write to Treehaven Institute, Box 407, Kyle, SD 57752, or phone 605-455-2621.

24-27: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps training session, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033; fax 313-653-7181.

25-27: “Spiritual Gold” Conference No. 4, Placerville, California. Workshops on “Racism: What Next,” “Family Communication,” other topics. Classes for children. For information, phone Darlene Taylor, 916-626-0341.

25-30: Core Curriculum Teacher Training Program, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

26: 81st annual Souvenir Picnic of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Wilhelm Property, Teaneck, New Jersey. Picnic, afternoon and evening programs. Keynote speaker: Counselor William Roberts. For information, phone 201-652-6385.

26: Second Bahá’í Appalachia Council, Jackson, Kentucky. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Lexington and coordinated by the Kentucky District Teaching Committee. Moderator: William Davis, member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Registrar: Gretchen Border, P.O. Box 6656, Charleston, WV 25362.

26-July 17: Youth Academy (high school and older), Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. For information, phone 803-558-5093.

JULY

3-8: Persian-American Bahá’í Studies Program, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

7-10: Eighth annual Lakota Bahá’í Conference, Wounded Knee, South Dakota. For information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Wounded Knee, Box 27, Wounded Knee, SD 57794, or phone Clynda Medicine, 605-867-2469 (evenings).

10-23: Day Camp session, Treehaven Institute, Kyle, South Dakota, sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Pass Creek. For information, write to Treehaven Institute, Box 407, Kyle, SD 57752, or phone 605-455-2621.

11-17: Camp Louhelen, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-22: “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Charter of a World Civilization,” Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

18-23: Junior Youth Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

23-25: Models of Race Unity, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

23-25: Third annual Hemlock Haven Bahá’í Conference, Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, Virginia. For information, phone Maggie Hewitt, 703-783-7884.

23-25: Unity of Hearts Teaching Conference, Fountain, Michigan. Focus: How to teach American Indians and ways and means of achieving it. Pre-registration is encouraged. For information, phone Kathy Racki, 715-694-2326, or Payam Nadimi, 312-338-2722.

24-29: “The Bahá’í Concept of Law” and “The Vision of Race Unity: Changing Attitudes and Impelling Action,” Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

30-August 1: Family and Friends: Session One, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

AUGUST

6-11: Family and Friends: Session Two, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

13-18: Family and Friends: Session Three, Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

26-29: Sixth annual “I Have a Dream” Youth Assembly, Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. For information or to take part, phone Cornelia Rutledge, 202-966-2356.

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, Illinois.

29: Annual International Bahá’í Picnic, Canatara Park, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

SEPTEMBER

4-7: Pioneer Training Institute and Bahá’í Youth Service Corps training session, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, 708-869-9039.

10-12: “Faith, Family and the Future,” annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit 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 Bahá’í 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

8-11: National Hispanic Conference, Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California, sponsored by El Ruiseñor 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 Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.